Suzy's Perspective

 

It was beyond words how much I hated Cindy. She was ruining my family, my Heirs! I had become an Heir the first year at the academy, having finally earned enough for tuition. Now all my hard work over the years is going to ruins because of her. 

 

Then there was the fact she had the eyes of both Jiyong and Taec. Two guys that I had feelings for once. Was she trying to purposely trying to be me? 

 

Whatever; I was going to shoot her down. How better to do it then taking away what she loved most. 

 

"Is Onew coming?" I asked

 

Key shook his head, 

 

"No; he's on a date with Gina. As usual."

 

"Then let's start" I dusted off my pencil skirt as I stood up, "I called the available Heirs here because we have a problem; Taecyeon" 

 

"You've been ignoring that Cater for over a year. What's the deal" said Seunghyun

 

"He's dating Cindy; that's what a big deal" I snapped

 

The five Heirs that were able to come had their eyes on the floor in surprise. They immediately began gossiping between themselves, 

 

"She's been dating him this whole time?"

 

"No way.. Jiyong and her are pretty serious"

 

"Maybe she's just sleeping with both. I've heard that from Seungri"

 

"I thought she was dating Yunho"

 

I silenced them with a cough, clicking my shoes for effect

 

"You all done?"

 

Five heads bobbed back a yes, having no idea what was the truth. 

 

"Well you're all incorrect to a certain extent. Yes; her and Jiyong are together. Yes; Yunho has a massive crush on her. Yes; Taecyeon and her are sleeping around. In short, Cindy is cheating on Jiyong with Taecyeon"

 

"And this is an issue because?…" Taemin shrugged his shoulders and laid back completely, "We've all cheated here. So what? Cindy's an Heir and Jiyong's Prince even"

 

"But she's cheating not with just anyone; but with the Cater" I hissed

 

Using the word Cater reminded everyone that Taecyeon wasn't just an ordinary student. They thought to themselves about what I was trying to get at. CL was the first to speak, 

 

"Suzy does have a point" 

 

I couldn't help but grin at these words. 

 

"If Cindy is cheating on Taecyeon, then if Jiyong finds out it might kill us all. We can't have him act out like during the Wen situation. He was so oblivious to anything going on, he was lucky it didn't count as a strike" explained CL

 

Seunghyun wrung his hands muttering, 

 

"Agreed. Taecyeon is weaselling into the system again, and trying to do it through Cindy. We should do something. I don't think I could handle Jiyong if he lost his girl again" 

 

"I was his room mate last year, being kicked out almost every night when he brought girls back. His whole 'pretend it didn't happen' plan was really bad" said Jonghyun. 

 

 

This plan was foolproof. With the Heirs making Taecyeon's life hell, it'll force him to break up with Cindy, or being the innocent baby she is, she'll leave the group all together. Then there was the third option if Jiyong found out, he'd be livid. At the festival I thought he was going to shoot somebody when Cindy ran up to Taecyeon. 

 

With the agreement from three Heirs, it didn't take long for Taemin and Minho to agree also. When this reached those who couldn't come, then we'd for sure have everyone. I had faith in CL and Key convincing Victoria and Onew of the idea. 

 

My eyes were gleaming with eagerness, wanting to see Cindy's out of the school tomorrow let alone before leaving for JYP. I chimed happily, 

 

"Then tomorrow we'll start" 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

 

Getting along with Mr. Diva was weird, It took some serious getting used to, having to restrain myself from yelling back when he said something that wasn't the usual snarky comment.  A better way to explain our new relationship is neutrality. 

 

It'd been about a month since our first ever heart to heart. He hadn't really opened up much more, but we did have respect for each other now. 

 

Jiyong still failed to understand my dating choices though. 

 

"How can you even look at him; his fashion sense is just so bad. He looks like a traffic light" lamented Jiyong while sketching his newest design in art

 

I put away my phone which had a recent picture of Taec and I together, 

 

"He's my boyfriend, not yours, so stop it. I don't care." I hissed back

 

I always had to remind myself that his complaints were better than him telling people and getting me caught. It was a small sacrifice to keep dating Taecyeon. 

 

The bell chimed, releasing me for lunch. It made Suzy so angry when I didn't eat with them, but it just encouraged me even more to stay away. I only ever went to my 'proper' social setting for those stupid Rednessdays. 

 

"Where's Woomily?" I slid in beside Khun, "I just saw her in art" 

 

"Wooyoung said he's taking her out for lunch" replied Junho, down his watermelon 

 

It was impossible not to feel jealous of those two; they had the ideal relationship. They could tell each other anything, and do anything together. If only Taecyeon and I be like that all the time. 

 

"So. Victoria has been talking to me again" said Khun

 

All the guys rolled their eyes. Junsu began to laugh,

 

"Or do you mean yell"

 

"No, I'm serious" he emptied his coffee and put it down in disappointment there wasn't more, "She was asking about how I was doing, and you guys too"

 

I hadn't thought much about trying to get her a date with Khun since she requested- or more like ordered- it. No harassment had happened, so I thought that phase had faded. Apparently not, she was taking it into ever own manipulative hands, for whatever the greater goal was.

 

"Be careful. She's an Heir, she can kill"  I warned

 

"I will be. It's just that I knew her before that. It's hard to accept that she's a total machine, you know?" he sighed, creasing the paper in his notebook. 

 

Chansung nodded his head, 

 

"She's fabulous, but evil. Don't even think about dating her again though, it's been years. You're two completely different people" 

 

"I know… "

 

While they chatted about Khun's interests in women, I searched the crowds of students standing around the doors. Taec hadn't shown up yet, and I was getting worried. Sometimes he skipped lunch to work on music, but he told me about it usually.  

 

Junho noticed me craning my neck to see over student's heads 

 

"He's sick today"

 

"I'll visit him th-"

 

"No" Junsu's oddly loud response echoed as he stared me down, "Taec was really bad this morning"

 

I shrugged at his interruption, 

 

"I'm willing to take the ris-"

 

"Throwing up. Badly. Uhm….. Sleeping. Yah; he's sleeping too"

 

All of them seemed to want Junsu's head on a stick with that reasoning. Chansung was practically mashing his banana with how tight his grip was. Again, this didn't phase me. 

 

"Then I'll bring an umbrella and poncho. I just want to stop by and see if he's awake, take care of him" I said

 

"I'm telling you Cindy. It's not a good idea to come by" warned Junsu waving a prawn with his chopsticks. 

 

I sighed, 

 

"If you're bringing a girl back, and don't want me around just say it" 

 

"Uh… Just please don't come by" muttered Junsu, stuffing his mouth with food 

 

The five of us finished up lunch before classes. It was going to be a slow rest of the day, not being able to even see Taecyeon. Didn't help that I had dance Nazi Onew first, so I'd be all sweaty for drama. 

 

"Yunho!"

 

I slid across the slippery floor, colliding with his back just as he turned around. 

 

"Still as clumsy as ever" he laughed, grabbing me in a close hug 

 

"Why are you here? It's not like you have much to learn" I asked

 

He smiled, 

 

"I'm still a student here. Plus, I missed my partner" 

 

I patted my cheeks as if it'd extinguish the fire burning behind them, 

 

"Thanks Yunho. I missed seeing that goofball face of yours too" 

 

"So what's new and earth shattering? How goes being an Heir?" he asked, sitting down in our spot like old times

 

I shrugged, 

 

"Meh. That's all. But I had a really good sandwich last week"

 

"A whole month since I've seen you, and the most exciting thing was food?" Yunho smiled and gave me a side hug, "You haven't changed at all thankfully" 

 

Instead of dancing, we just screwed around and didn't pay attention to Onew. It didn't earn us a beating either, since I think Onew was slightly intimidated by Yunho now that he was a trainee. I had actually missed him a lot. Sure, with technology it was easy to stay in touch but nothing was like spending time with him in person. 

 

Wrapping up our class of slacking, Yunho walked me to my last period class. I couldn't help but think 'what if'. What if I had stuck with him? What if I had been his girlfriend? What if he was my boyfriend? It was useless though; this was reality where I had made my choice. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret being with Taec, I just wonder. 

 

"How about I take you out sometime. For dinner and a dance" he asked, now just outside the classroom 

 

"I-I still am datin-"

 

"I know. It doesn't change that I want to spend time with you" he interrupted 

 

Shyly I smiled and nodded, 

 

"Give me a day and I'll be there"

 

Yunho hugged me closely as he whispered a goodbye in my ear. The tingling sensation in my body was undeniable, he made me so nervous. Maybe it was because I knew I wouldn't see him for a long time, or that I suddenly felt like this was really the last time seeing him as Yunho. My Yunho, not the idol that would become an instant success. 

 

It was clear he wanted to kiss me, the way he leaned down on a slight tilt. He restrained himself though and backed away with closed eyes and a sigh. 

 

"I'll be thinking of you; take care" 

 

Then he left just like that. He walked right down the hall, fading into the throng of students. 

 

Drama class was useless without Taec. Sure; Khun and Wooyoung were grand and all but this was one of the few times I could spend time with him unsuspiciously. 

 

I sulked back to my room, wanting to just watch some anime or a drama then go to bed, but stopped when I remembered something. 

 

"Oh yea; and remember we have a meeting today Woo"

 

If Khun had been reminding Wooyoung of a 'meeting', odds are the rest of them would be there. That meant I could go see Taecyeon, and Junsu wouldn't know. Psh; 'Bringing a girl back" my . Even if he was; I wouldn't care. Or I'd kick her out if I didn't approve. 

 

Feeling like an absolute champ, I skipped around until arriving at his doorstep with some take out containers of fresh food. I stood on the cute cat welcome mat about to knock, when I froze my fist. There were people already in there. 

 

"She'll understand, just talk with her"

 

"How long has this been going on? A month? Over a month even?"

 

"It's not fair. She really is trying to take care of you"

 

Wooyoung, Junho, and Chansung were obviously present. 

 

"Look at you! I don't know how much more you can take"

 

"Taec. You have to tell Cindy what's been going on"

 

So were Junsu and Nichkhun. 

 

"You guys don't get it! I love her! If she doesn't know, she'll be safe then!"

 

Taecyeon didn't sound sick to me. Quite the opposite actually. 

 

I began to recall all the odd incidents from the past month from them talking. A missed call there, a missed date here. Then the time I found out he was failing music, and he hadn't mentioned anything at all about struggling with it. I let these all slide. Now though, I was getting worried. 

 

Was my worst fear coming true? Were we drifting apart? 

 

Stealthily I eavesdropped on their meeting. It didn't help that I couldn't see them, since half the arguments didn't make sense without context. If I assumed he was cheating though, it made perfect sense. 

 

"Then what was today's ordeal?" asked Khun in hard English

 

 I heard a flop on the bed, and Taec sighing loudly. 

 

"Suzy. That's what"

 

Why is it that the only way I find out crucial things is by listening to other's conversations? No one told me anything anymore… 

 

Did I barge in and totally up? Or did I pretend I didn't hear anything and carry on?  Maybe I should just go home and pet Happy and tumblr it out. I don't know. I didn't even know what I was listening to honestly. 

 

Softly I knocked on the door, planning on just pretending I hadn't heard anything they said. Immediately a hush fell over the chatter, a few people swearing as they scrambled around. 

 

"It's just me; short -stack" I slipped off my shoes outside, seeing the door jitter as someone decided whether to let me in, "I hope I didn't wake you Taec. I just want to check up on how you're feeling. I have food…"

 

Junsu finally opened the door, poking his head out only. 

 

"I told you he was bad…"

 

"Well all the more reason for me to take care of him" I smirked, pushing right past him and into the room.

 

It was obvious the boys were keeping something major from me, considering they were all hiding. The closet, shoe rack, bathroom, and top bunk were all occupied by the other four boys. Taec laid motionless on the bottom, pretending to sleep considering I had heard him moments before. Why was it so crucial that I don't even see him?

 

"Hey you" I placed my head against the bars of the headboard, "How do you feel?"

 

No response. Just a low mumble of random syllables. 

 

"Are you alive even? I brought you pho…." I mused, taking out the bowl of steamy noodles. 

 

Worked like a charm. Taecyeon rolled down the blanket around his head and reached out for the food. I fed him a few loads of noodles and beef before setting it down. Junsu was rolling his eyes and staring with jealously the whole time. As for the hiding members, I'm sure they felt the same. 

 

""Missed you, I didn't know you'd be away" I whispered, trying to get a glimpse of his covered body. 

 

"You shouldn't have come. I don't want you sick" he replied

 

I kissed him lightly on his cheek, 

 

"I'll take my chances" 

 

A few more mouthfuls of food later, and I decided that I wasn't going to find out what was going on. Not today anyways. I could hear the rustle from the hiding spots of the guys, who were poorly hidden. I'd have to think about what I'd heard, then with a level head talk to Taec about it when he wasn't being all secretive. I had to trust him. 

 

I was pulling one of his blankets back up properly when I noticed him wince. Maybe he slightly was sick, and he really didn't want me here.That's when I saw it though; a huge purple bruise that covered his entire shoulder. 

 

"Taecyeon; what's this" I droned, ripping off the blanket to expose it completely. 

 

My mouth hung open as I looked at the injury. Then another, and then one more. He was covered in bruises and scrapes, all different colours depending on their stage in healing. The fact that he was in just his boxers to sleep didn't even phase me as I ogled the damage. 

 

"Who did this…" I breathed, hovering my hands over his body 

 

"I told you not to come" he muttered, pulling up the covers in a second 

 

"Why aren't you telling me? I'm so-"

 

"If you don't Taec; I will"

 

I nearly peed my pants when Khun came out from behind the shoe rack. I had known he was there, but it still had the element of surprise. 

 

"Yea, that'd be nice…" I said, pulling on Junho's leg from the top bunk. 

 

"How'd you know I was here?" he gasped, tumbling on to the floor

 

Chansung then burst out from the bathroom, 

 

"You were outside the door the whole time… Weren't you…."

 

"Then she knows" Wooyoung shook of the clothing from the closet, "I guess it was a give in she'd know about what the Heir's have been doing" 

 

My lips twisted and scrunched into a permanent pucker. I robotically spoke, facing away from Taec or I'd end up adding to his  bruises, 

 

"The Heir's did this to you?…. "

 

Wooyoung shrank back into the closet, having spilled the secret. I couldn't decide whether this was better or worse than cheating. 

 

"Wait; what'd you think was going on then?" asked Junsu, reaching for the remaining pho which I snatched away

 

I gulped, 

 

"That he was cheating..." 

 

A silence consumed the air as they realized what all the secrecy had forced me to conclude. Taecyeon held my hand from behind, 

 

"I'd never cheat on y-"

 

"But you also said you'd never lie to me" I retorted strongly. 

 

"Ok; let's all calm down" Junho pinned me back down to sit, restraining my clenched fists, "Let Taecyeon explain" 

 

Well I didn't have much of an option since they all blocked my way out, and my fists from making contact to their faces 

 

"I just don't want you to worry about me. I knew if you saw the bruises, you'd freak out, just like now" Taec sat up straight against the wall, no longer leaning on his elbows, "Sorry I've been lying to you. It's just a few hits here and there, nothing serious" 

 

Liar. His rainbow coloured skin screamed the opposite. 

 

"Who did this…" I repeated, sounding less weak 

 

"The Heirs. Seriously; I can handle them" he lied

 

I squinted at him, 

 

"Elaborate" 

 

Taecyeon finally let me in on what the hell was happening, recounting how they beat him this past month. This just made me more sceptical, since why they were doing it remained unanswered. I had asked several times, but got no direct answer that made sense. 

 

"Sorry. I'm really sorry I didn't tell you earlier" he muttered, clearly embarrassed this was happening in front of his friends 

 

"Feel better soon, heal well" I accepted defeat that he wasn't going to admit fully, giving him an awkward kiss and leaving, "Stay out of trouble"

 

So much was left unexplained, and possibly even more required explaining. Like why he was doing so badly in music, and why he was being targeted in the first place. I believed that it was the Heirs, but why wouldn't he tell me the reasoning? Was Jiyong doing this to him, and he felt that he'd offend me? He should know he takes priory over Jiyong though. Taecyeon was who I wanted to keep safe at all cost. 

 

"Cindy! Come here" 

 

Behind a potted plant squatted Khun, waving me down like an airplane. I don't know how he had gotten there so quickly, considering this common room was quite a long ways away from Taec and Junsu's, and I'd left before everyone else. 

 

"He will probably hate me but I have to tell you. You'll figure it out anyways…" be hushed, pulling me from out of the main walking area 

 

"Go for it bunny boy. I know he's hiding more anyways…." I replied

 

Khun his lips and puffed his cheeks multiple times. He also had to restart his sentence more than once, 

 

"The reason he's being picked on by Key and others is because they know he's dating you. They're trying to force him to dump you, but of course he won't"

 

"E-exuse me?" I stammered 

 

"He's trying to be all strong, but I don't know how far they'll go. I'm worried. I was hoping you could do something" said Khun hopefully 

 

"Then what about the music course… Why is he doing so poorly…" I murmured, sure that it's also linked 

 

He sighed, 

 

"Suzy. She took his work and called it her own, claiming he copied hers. He got an automatic zero. Today she threatened that if he showed up, which was for his extra credit assignment, she would harm you." 

 

If Khun has said anything more, I can't remember. I was sprinting too quickly back for Taecyeon's room. 

 

I burst in, practically kicking down the door. All the guys had cleared out, even Junsu, leaving just Taec. He sat quietly on his bed, scribbling down some music on staff paper. 

 

"Cindy… did you forge-"

 

"We need to break up"

 

I felt my voice quiver as I added, 

 

"I can't be with you"