Why am I the victim here? Sigh. It’s okay, the truth will come out soon enough. Guess I’ll have to put up with Jinhee hating me for now … 

JONGHYUN’S POV

“Jjongie!” I saw Key skipping his way over to me with a box in his hands. “Here! I bought it for you!”

“Jjongie?” I glanced at the light pink box in his hands and then back at him. He straightened his arms bringing the box close to my face, causing me to jerk back.

I took it from him and slowly lifted the lid, not knowing what to expect cause you know, it’s Key. It was a box of … cupcakes? I looked up at Key, confused. He was grinning but it almost seemed as if he was nervous.

“What’s all this about?”

“Nothing, I just thought you would love some cupcakes.”

Why the sudden act of thoughtfulness? Key is never this nice to me. Maybe he feels sorry for me.

He took a seat next to me. “So … what happened to you?”

Ah I knew it he’s just being his busybody self. “Nothing.”

“Psh … liar…”

“How dare you ‘psh’ me!”

“How dare you lie to me!”

“Wae?! Who are you to me that I have to tell you everything?!”

“Yah, Kim Jonghyun, I am your yeobo!”

“Yeobo? HAH!”

“Fine.”

He turned and had his back facing me now. No, we aren’t “together”. We just … it’s complicated okay, we’re really close! He’s just a big baby sometimes.

“Ah arasso arasso. Yeobo, let’s share these cupcakes?” I took out a cupcake and waved it in front of him. He ignored me and pouted.

“Mianhae KEY YEOBO~~~” I knew he liked it when I called him that keke. I even drive guys crazy, how awesome am I.

I saw one side of his lips lift into a side smile. “Tell me what happened first.”

“I got beat up.”

“Yah I’m smart enough to figure that out by myself. WHY did you get beat up?”

“Mmm these cupcakes are so yummy!”

“Is this related to that Jinhee girl?”

“Ooooh this one has-"

“Jonghyun!”

“You mean Jonghyun-hyung.”

“Aish!”

He stormed off. Haha well at least I can enjoy my cupcakes in peace now.

Key was already metres away when he suddenly stopped and turned, walking towards me again. He stopped in front of me and took the whole box of cupcakes away leaving me only with the one already in my hand.

“YAH!”

KEY’S POV

Aish! Why is it so hard to talk to him? Why won’t he at least tell me what happened?

Hmm I have a feeling it has something to do with Jinhee. Maybe it’s because their “story” about the date spread and she got angry and had someone beat Jonghyun up! Okay unlikely … but it’s possible!

JINHEE'S POV

Haven’t seen Jonghyun the whole day today. Should I text him? … Maybe not. I’ll just go look for him after school.

“YAH YAH YAH JINHEE!” Taemin yelled.

“What what what?”

“Did you even hear what I said?”

“Uh. No? Hehe sorry.”

“Tsk you are you annoying. What were you thinking about?”

“.. nothing.”

“Is it Jonghyun hyung?”

“Maybe.”

“Why are you worrying so much? … DO YOU LIKE HIM?” He grinned at me.

“No! Just .. because. You know it’s my fault that he’s got bruises on him right now right?”

“What I TOLD you it’s NOT Wooyoung hyung.”

“Oh really? Then who?”

“I don’t know.”

“Mhmm.”

“Tsk okay whatever Jinhee. Anyway, I was saying, I think we should practice after school today.”

“Today? Uh, I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I’m going out.”

“Yeah right. You’re probably gonna go hunt down Jonghyun hyung or something.”

What. How did he know?

“Seriously?! I was just joking oh my god Jinhee …”

“I just want to talk to him okay!”

“Fine. Can I come?”

“Sure! He definitely won’t avoid you.”

“Yesss!”

__________

“You guys didn’t come here to find me, did you?” Luna asked as she got out of class and found us standing outside, in front of the lockers.

“No.”

“Taemin!” I punched his arm.

“What? … We are here to find Jonghyun hyung.”

“I knew it. Well, I’m going to my next class now. I think Jonghyun should be at the 2^nd storey in one of the vocal classes. Bye!” Luna waved as she walked off to her next class.

Taemin and I made our way to the 2^nd level and walked down the hallway, looking through every window of the doors to look for Jonghyun.

It took us a while because there were a lot of students in one room. But we finally managed to find him, in a room, alone, singing while playing the piano. Wow … his voice it’s … beautiful.

“Jinhee!” Taemin whispered.

He pulled me away from the door. “If you’re done being starstruck, I have an idea.”

“I wasn’t starstuck! …. So what’s your plan?”

“Okay so I don’t think he’ll actually want to talk to you so … go wait in the janitor’s closet. “

“What? Eww no!”

“Aw come on, do you want to talk to him or not?”

“And you think being in a janitor’s closet will get him to talk to me?”

“Well I’ll block the door so he can’t get out. Then you can ‘talk’ all you want …”

“What’s with the ‘talk’, I really am going to TALK to him.”

“Right, okay so go!”

“Yah stop-“

“Just make sure you actually TALK and not cry again.”

He dragged and pushed me into the nearest janitor’s closet and shut the door. Eww gross, it’s disgusting in here.

But Taemin was right … what was I going to say to him? Maybe I didn’t think this through. I opened the door and took a peek. Taemin was already in front of the class Jonghyun was in. He saw me and motioned for me to get back in. I leaned against the wall and started to think of what to say. Oh hi Jonghyun um I’m so sorry that my brother attacked you and ruined your face and your expensive shiny car. And also sorry for shoving you into this disgusting closet with me but according to Taemin it was the only way you would talk to me.

Yup, I’m screwed.

JONGHYUN’S POV

*knock knock* “Hyung!”

Oh it’s Taemin. This is weird, how did he know I was here.

“Oh Taemin-ah what’s up?”

“Hyung, I have something to show you. Come here!”

“What is it Tae-woahhh”

He grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of class. Then he started pushing me all the way until we came to a stop. In front of a janitor’s closet.

“Uh, Taemin. This is a janitor’s closet. Haven’t you seen one before? It’s all over school, really.”

“Hyung, I know that. I need you to go in.”

“In where?!”

“In this closet.”

“Why?!”

“Just cause.”

“Taemin ‘just cause’ isn’t really a good reason.”

“Ah hyung you talk too much.”

He opened the door to the closet and pushed me in, slamming the door. I tried to open it but it just won’t budge!

Wait … did someone just tap me?

“Ehem.”

Someone cleared their throat. I turned around and saw a figure in front of me but it was too dark so I couldn’t see her face. But I could tell it was a girl.

“Sorry um, who are you? It’s too dark in here.”

“Oh uh I think there’s a light switch here somewhere, hmm.” I saw her moving her hands on the wall searching for the switch.

I know that voice. Um, “Jinhee?”

“You can see me?”

“No uh, your voice. I can tell.”

“Oh … okay.”

This is awkward.

“So …” I started. “Did Taemin shove you in here too?”

“No. Well technically, yes. But that’s not the point um ...”

Keke Jinhee, still as cute as ever. I leaned back against the wall and the lights went on. Oh I guess that was where the light switch was.

“You found it! Hehe.”

I saw her smile fade when she studied my face that was covered with bruises. She took a deep breath.

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you.”

“In here?”

“It was Taemin’s idea!”

“Taemin has always been weird …”

“I can hear you!” Taemin yelled.

We both laughed. I looked at her and sighed.

“Look we really shouldn’t be in-“

“Wait, I just wanted to apologise for everything.”

“Huh?”

“You know, this …” she said pointing to my face.

“Um, you know about ‘this’?”

“Of course I do. And it’s my entire fault. I apologise on behalf of my brother.”

“But-“

“Yah Taemin-ah why are you standing here?” Oh no I knew that voice too well. It was Key.

TAEMIN’S POV

Noooo Key hyung why did you have to show up now.

“Nothing. I was just .. waiting for someone.”

“Really? But I saw you push Jonghyun into the closet.”

“No you didn’t.”

“Yes I did.”

“But I didn’t.”

“You did!”

“I did what?”

“Yah!”

He narrowed his eyes towards me.

“Move Taemin.”

“Why?”

He started pushing me away from the closet door, but I pushed back making sure my back was still leaning on the door. Then he slapped my arm really hard. Enough to leave a mark.

“OUCH! HYUNG!”

JINHEE'S POV

“It’s Key. Eoteokke?” he whispered.

Was he scared of Key haha his face looked funny.

“Are you scared of him? Keke”

“No! It’s just, this is weird okay being in a closet together and Taemin ‘standing guard’ outside.”

Good point.

“Let’s just stay really-“  … something is crawling up my leg.

I looked down and saw a huge spider. IT WAS HUGE OKAY. I HATE INSECTS!

“Ahhhhh get it off oh god ew!” I brushed it off my leg and started jumping around. Subconsciously, I hugged Jonghyun.

I didn’t even realize it till I was calmed from all the spider induced spazzing. My hands were at his sides tugging on his shirt but my head was on his chest. I could hear his heart beating. It was beating really fast. And I could smell his cologne. I was about to let go when Key opened the door.

He gasped and stuttered “W-w-what are y-you two doing?!”

Taemin was behind Key and I saw his apologetic face turn into a smug one when he saw us. Hugging.

I let go and took a step back from Jonghyun.

“Uh, t-there was a spider so I ..”

“SO YOU HUGGED HIM?” Key was practically yelling at me.

“Yah!” Jonghyun interrupted. “What’s wrong with you? Do you have to yell?”

I could see from Key’s face that he was taken aback by Jonghyun’s reaction. He didn’t say anything after that. We all stood there for about a minute before Jonghyun sighed walked away dragging Key by the arm with him.

“So how was the talk?” Taemin asked after they were out of our sight.

“What we were really talking! But there was a spider so … “

“You hugged him.”

“Subconsciously!”

“Sureeee.”

“Anyway, we didn’t finish our talk. We stopped when he heard Key’s voice.”

“Well did he say anything about what happened?”

“Not really. But I did manage to apologise so I guess I feel kinda better now.”

JONGHYUN’S POV

I don’t know what’s gotten into Key recently. He’s been acting weird. And did he have to yell at Jinhee like that?

I didn’t even know where I was dragging him to. I just wanted to get away from that awkward atmosphere back there.

“I’m sorry. Now will you let go …”

I let go of his arm and looked at him.

“You’re been acting strange lately. Stop that. I don’t need my best friend acting like this.”

“… Sorry Jonghyun-hyung.” He said softly and walked away.

Sigh was I being too harsh? Ugh. Everything’s been so complicated these few days!

__________

JINHEE'S POV

I went home after that to an empty house. Guess everyone’s at work. I ended up falling asleep on my study table while reading some notes.

I woke up a few hours later realizing I got a text.

Jonghyun: Meet me at the park tonight, 7:30pm! Don’t tell anyone!

I looked at the time on my phone. 7:25pm. AHHH I’M LATE!

I quickly put on my jeans and a long sleeved shirt because it gets cold in the evening. Gosh I hope Jonghyun doesn’t freeze while waiting for me.

I went down the stairs and bumped into Wooyoung oppa. We still hadn’t talked since that incident.

“You’re going out?” He asked.

I simply nodded my head and continued out the door. I hope he doesn’t follow me or something.

It would take me 15 minutes to get to the park if I walked at a normal pace. So I picked up speed and started walking faster hoping Jonghyun wouldn’t leave.

I was panting by the time I reached the park. There were a few people but I didn’t see Jonghyun. It was quite dark already. I walked around, looking for him.

Took some time but then I saw him, sitting on a bench alone. He was wearing his hat and scarf again and had his hands in his pockets. I approached him slowly. He looked up when he noticed me walking towards him. His eyed widened and then he smiled his cute eye smile.

“I thought you weren’t coming.”

“Sorry, I fell asleep and by the time I saw your text it was alrea-“

“It’s okay. Take a seat.”

I sat down next to him and smiled. “So why did you want to meet?”

“Okay well, in case you haven’t noticed, things have been really complicated lately. And well I think it’s better if we clear things up now.”

“Oh okay … is it about my brother? Again, I’m so sorry-“

“Your brother saved me.”

“H-huh?”

“Um … well that night … okay what I’m going to tell you, it’s a secret yeah? Promise you won’t tell anyone?”

“Promise.” I nodded.

He started to tell me about his family. Apparently, his parents’ businesses aren’t doing so well and they had to loan money to keep it going. They didn’t loan it from the bank because other companies might find out about their problems and use it to their advantage so they got it from loan sharks.

“…. And so I guess my parents were late with their payment so a bunch of guys were sent to beat me up. I think they wanted my car. But I fought back. And almost passed out really.”

My heart was beating really fast listening to his story.

“That’s when your brother showed up. I don’t know why he was there but he helped me. He fought off the guys and when one of them tried to drive off with my car, he punched the window and stopped the guy.”

“W-Wooyoung oppa did that?”

“Yup. I told him to keep it a secret so that’s probably why he didn’t tell you. He also asked me to keep a distance from you in return. That’s why I kinda avoided you. Taemin told me about your fight with Wooyoung hyung. So I figured I had to clear this misunderstanding up. I’m sorry Jinhee.”

I felt like crying again. I blamed Wooyoung oppa for something he didn’t do.

“Y-yah why are you crying again?! I’m sorry Jinhee! I’m sorry!”

Hehe he got worried when he saw the tears in my eyes.

“No no it’s not you. I just feel bad for blaming my brother.”

“Ah well … at least now you know the truth.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?” He tilted his head and looked straight into my eyes kya~

“Why did you spread the story? About our date?”

“I didn’t do that! I thought it was you! I thought you spread it to get revenge for trying to kiss you!”

“No! Why would I do that. It doesn’t make sense because I’m the one that would get humiliated.”

“Oh right hehe.”

“So … who was it?”

“I don’t know. Taemin maybe? Luna?”

“I doubt it. Did you tell anyone?”

“I only told …. KEY …”

“Key?”

“No wonder he’s been acting so weird! Bringing me cupcakes and all.”

“And no wonder he avoided me that day.”

“It’s definitely Key who spread it. That big mouth.”

I giggled. He’s so cute.

He turned to me and smiled. “Sorry Jinhee. Key will get it from me for sure!”

“Hehe it’s okay, Jonghyun-ssi.”

“Why do you keep calling me Jonghyun-ssi? I told you, call me oppa.”

I blushed. “Ne. Jonghyun oppa.”

“So um, I was thinking …”

“Yeah?”

He reached out his hand to me. “Can we, be friends?”

I wasn’t expecting that really. But I smiled and shook his hand. “Sure, friends.”

“Really?! Wow I’ve never had a girlfriend before.”

I blushed again. Even though I knew he meant a girl friend and not girlfriend. I guess he found it weird when he said it too.

“I mean .. a friend that’s a girl not … you know.”

“Yeah hehe.”

“So um, should we go now? I’ll walk you home.”

“Can we buy ice cream first?”

“Ice-cream? Okay.”

We got up and headed towards the ice cream truck which was at the entrance of the park. He bought two, one for me and one for himself. We ate it while he was walking me home. We didn’t talk much on the way home but it felt, nice. Not awkward at all.

JONGHYUN’S POV

I feel like a whole house has been lifted from my shoulders. Finally this misunderstanding is cleared up. Now I have to get Key for spreading that story.

Other than that … I’m friends now with Jinhee. Heh she’s cool. I feel comfortable around her.

And I love it when she smiles. She makes me smile too.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Anw hope this chapter is okay ^___^ thanks for the comments and subscriptions! :)