Rivals In Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itGzYmIlA7s&feature=related

---

Monday came. You were waiting in the classroom for Jiyeon.

She finally came with a casual greeting, “Hey. How was your greeting?”

“I assume you would know.” You mumbled.

Her eyes widened, “Muh?”

You gazed at her in disappointment, “Why would you do something like that?”

“Like what?” Jiyeon feigned innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

You turned on her, “Don’t act like you don’t know! You told the oppas about my relationship with Zico!”

“Oh.” Jiyeon blinked. “Yeah. Oh.” You sarcastically snapped as you crossed your arms and rolled your eyes.

“Uh-oh. You got in trouble?” She tried to hide the joy in her voice.

“What do you think?” You crossly asked. *So the oppas did get mad at her!* “Oh no!” Jiyeon feigned a gasp of horror. “They really punished you?!”

“I was locked up like a princess in her royal tower.” You grumbled. *You’re far from a princess.* Jiyeon thought inwardly but on the outside she pasted on a look of worry. “Omo! Mianhae! I didn’t know they would go that far! You must have been so traumatized!”

“Not really but…” You frowned at her, “Why did you tell them? I trusted you to keep my secret.”

“M-mianhae. It slipped out of my house. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble for you. Honest!” Jiyeon gave you the saddest eyes she could muster and even made her eyes a bit wet to show her sincerity. Seeing her on the verge of crying, you softened a bit. Jiyeon sniffled, “Are you…mad at me?”

“Not really…I was just wondering why you would pull something like this if you knew that I would be scolded by my oppas.” You replied.

*That’s exactly why.* Jiyeon hugged your arm with a cute pout, “Mianhae. Forgive me. I was stupid. I’ll be more careful from now on. We’re still best friends, right?”

At the two words, you forgave her instantly and smiled, “Of course.”

Jiyeon smiled and opened her backpack *So easy.*

“By the way, why were you at my house from the start? Jongup said that I had told you to get our project but I never told you that.” You gave her a quizzical look.

Jiyeon froze at first but smoothly answered, “I just wanted to add some things onto it.” “Oh. Okay well I’m not done with my part so give it back to me when you’re done, araso?” You reminded. Jiyeon nodded in agreement.

 --------

During lunch you and Jiyeon went into the long line for the food. After finally picking up your tray you headed to the table.

“Yeojin!” Zico appeared out of nowhere. “Wah! Oppa, you scared me!” You said.

“Mianhae!” Zico grinned. You felt people staring at you and looked around uneasily. *Oh crap. The problem with my oppas are solved but not with the school. Great. I’ll get more antis now.*

“Isn’t it great?! We can display pdf now!” He proclaimed.

You gave him a confused look, “PDF?”

“Public Displays of Friendship.” Zico grinned and slung an arm around your shoulder. He pulled you close and seductively murmured, “Were you disappointed it wasn’t PDA?” Your eyes widened at the skinship.

“AHEM!” Someone coughed rather loudly as they passed by. You looked up to see Youngjae, Jongup, Zelo, and Daehyun. Youngjae threw you a look as if he was saying ‘I’m wathing you.’ Your cheeks turned red. Jongup gave you a puzzled look and Zelo sneered Zico’s way. Daehyun also glared at Zico *I hate that guy.*

You shrugged away from Zico, “My friend is waiting for me.” “Araso. See you later~” He waved and left.

You went to the table where Jiyeon was at and sat down. She gave you a confused look, “Are you okay being like that with Zico in front of the oppas?” “Yeah, Yongguk oppa eventually gave in.” You dug into your food.

Disappointed, Jiyeon picked on hers. *I never knew they would be tolerant of this. I have to find another way now.*

 -----------------

School ended and you walked out to the front. You had received a text message from Youngjae saying that he and Jongup were going to the auto shop and Zelo had already left with his friends. *What about Daehyun oppa?* You wondered.

Someone purposely bumped into your shoulder and walked away.

You looked up to see Daehyun. Your eyes widened, “Oppa, wait for me!” You chased after him.

You caught his arm, “Daehyun oppa!” He whirled around with flashing eyes.

You stepped back and flinched automatically *What’s with the hate?*

Daehyun yanked his arm away and pointed at something. You followed his finger to Block B being their rowdy selves by the motorcycles. Zico spotted you and waved with a big smile. *Go with your precious new oppa.* Daehyun stomped off.

“Oppa, wait!” You helplessly called. *I don’t get why he’s so mad!* You followed him but were stopped by Zico. “You want a ride? I’ll take you home.” He offered. You lightly pulled away, “Sorry. I have to go see Daehyun oppa.” You ran off.

*Daehyun? Why?* Zico blinked.

“Daehyun oppa! Oppa!” No matter how many times you screamed his name, he didn’t stop. He just walked faster. You rolled your eyes *Seriously now? You’re going to be immature about this?* You just cut through the alley so that you blocked his path.

Daehyun blinked in surprise at first but then his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. He tried to go around you but you kept blocking his path. Daehyun almost yanked off his mask and yelled at you but he used all his self control to not explode. He pointed back to the school and stomped his foot ‘Go! Your stupid new best friend is waitng for you!’

You dropped your arms with a sigh of exasperation, “I don’t know why you’re being like this but can we just go home? Please?” You grabbed his hand and started walking but he yanked away immediately. You spun around with a frown, “Jung Daehyun!”

In one second he was in your face. You froze *Oops.* His eyes were piercing you like laser. ‘What did you just call me?’

“Hehe…mianhae. Forgive me once.” You rubbed your hands with a meek smile.

Daehyun knocked on your head and you yelped, “Ow!” He swiftly walked past you. You spun around and glared at him as you rubbed your sore temple *Aish! That oppa!* “FINE! YOU REALLY WANT ME TO GO BACK TO ZICO?! I WILL! HAVE FUN GOING HOME BY YOURSELF, YOU BIG FAT MEANIE!” You stormed off in the opposite direction.

Daehyun stopped walking. His expression softened a bit. *Do I really want her to be with Zico? Is that what you want Jung Daehyun? Why can’t you be true to yourself for once?* He sighed and started running towards you.

You felt tears blurring your vision. *Why is Daehyun oppa always so mean? I don’t understand why he always has to hate me-*

You felt someone grabbing your arm and spinning you around. Sniffling, you looked up.

Daehyun softly gazed down at you *I’m such a jerk. I made her cry.* He gently wiped your tears away.

You slapped his hand away. “I thought you wanted me to go.” You dryly said.

Daehyun continued to wipe your tears away. You pushed his hands away in frustration and shouted, “JUNG DAEHYUN, YOU BIPOLAR BABO! DO YOU WANT ME TO LEAVE OR NOT?! MAKE UP YOUR MIND ALREADY?!”

*I don’t want you to go. I never wanted you to leave me.* Instead of using words, he expressed his feelings with action. Daehyun turned around and bent down. He grasped your arms and draped you over his back. You kicked as he lifted you up, “Let go! Now I don’t want to go with you!”

Daehyun glanced sideways at you, making you shut up. He pushed you up more so that you were comfortably positioned on his back and carried you towards home.

You stayed calmly on his back. All he could hear were your sniffles occasionally. You gradually wrapped your arms around his neck and rested your head on his. “Daehyun oppa, I’m sorry for calling you a bipolar babo. I was just angry because you were mean to me.” He softened *I should be the one saying sorry, not you.*

“But deep down, I know you weren’t mean to me because you hated me. You were mean to me because you cared about me. You’re…jealous, aren’t you?” You whispered. Daehyun stopped. His heart started hammering hard in his chest *Shit. Did she find out about my one-sided love?*

“You’re jealous I’m with Zico all the time, huh, oppa? Huh? Say something.” You poked his cheek. He looked in the other direction with a scowl that he hoped would hide his feelings. “Psh.” You gently smiled. “Don’t worry Daehyun oppa. Even if I made a new friend, you’ll still be first in my heart.” His heart started to melt. *Me? First in your heart?*

“How could I ever forget you and the other oppas? You became my new family after my grandmother died and now you are the closest people to me. No one could ever be closer to me than the six of you.” You smiled. Daehyun was slightly disappointed that he wasn’t the only close to you. *But at least I’m not last.*

“I promise no one will replace you. Here. Promise.” You held out your pinky. He didn’t move.

“Come on.” You wiggled in his arms. Daehyun carefully balanced you in one arm and used the other to make the promise with you.

“Stamp, too!” You held out your thumb. Daehyun rolled his eyes but pressed his thumb against yours.

You beamed and pointed, “Go home now!” He smiled behind the mask and started walking again.

“Oh! Oppa! Ice cream store! Let’s get some treats!” You pointed but he passed right by it.

“Daehyun oppa!” You shouted. He chuckled and went backward. You laughed as he playfully tilted to the side. “Noooo oppa! I’ll fall off!” Laughing, the two of you entered the market.

Zico had seen you and Daehyun interacting. *I’ve never seen that masked loser this free before. Something tells me I have to be careful of him. He’s not my rival for Yeojin’s heart, is he?*