Hush by A Pink

 

Chapter 5 – The Café, The New Guy, and The Little Secret

The following days, Eunjae went to school early, earlier than she first do and she was lucky enough not to run into Kai on her way. She would often stop by a convenience store or a café and have her breakfast. Her mom, though, still cooked for her the day after she made her promise but just got disappointed when Eunjae left so early.

Eunjae sat on a table and drank her chocolate latte while a slice of chocolate cake is set in front of her. She loved the ambiance. It’s the peaceful ambiance she wants. She often goes there at least three times a week. It’s quite costly but it was worth it. Not until one Friday morning.

The chimers chimed as the door opened signaling that someone had just entered. She didn’t bother to look since she was too busy in reading her book and eating her cake. It’s until she heard the voice that made her head tilt to her side to the cashier. Her eyes widened as the person turned, meeting her eyes.

“What the,” she uttered as she gave Kai a glare. He just smirked at her in return. She rolled her eyes and went back to reading but was disturbed by the sound made when Kai abruptly pulled the chair. Eunjae winced as the sound hurt her ear. She tried to ignore it.

“Why here early in the morning?” Kai asked so casually but she just ignored him pulling her book closer to her face. She caught him smirk but just ignored it. She was not in the mood. Actually she isn’t always, especially when it comes to him. Kai then tapped the table until he was called for his order back on the counter. He got up and got his tray and went back to his table.

Eunjae tried to ignore him to her might. Reading and eating at the same time like how she did any day except that the presence of Kai eating just beside her table irks her. The girls who happened to be there too were eyeing him and Eunjae got annoyed since she heard comments like, “Why would a hot guy like him talk to her?” Before she could argue back, Kai, surprisingly, beat her to it.

“Sorry but I don’t think you’re right about that. I’d rather talk to a girl like her than talk to girls like you, and please, she’s not just a girl,” he said so casually that Eunjae had to smirk not being able to hear the last few words Kai just uttered since she too busy thinking how Kai talk so casual.

“How arrogant,” she thought but deep inside, she was thankful she didn’t have to talk because a World War 2 might break out but mad because she didn’t want anyone standing up for her. The two girls were shocked for a moment but then snickered uttering things like, “He’s hot but he has no taste, pft,” and that made Eunjae chuckle unconsciously although the girls were indirectly being a to her.

“As if I care,” Eunjae heard making her turn to Kai. Kai also turned to look at her and she immediately turn back to her book feeling uncomfortable with the sudden contact.

Time went by. Eunjae couldn’t concentrate reading her book so she just stopped and put it back in her bag and continued to finish her food while Kai would talk to her once in a while.

“So, you’re avoiding me, aren’t you?” Eunjae’s eyebrows furrowed and she looked at him in disbelief though she knows she really was since the day she got embarrassed. Eunjae ignored him and quickly pack her things.

“Sorry but I don’t have time for you,” Eunjae said and stood up turning to leave. Kai immediately got up too though his food was halfway finished and just grabbed his unfinished coffee latte.

“Are you thinking about what happened after school last Monday?” Kai asked following her behind.

“No,” Eunjae said and walked continuously to the bus stop.

“Then why are you like that?” Kai asked trying to catch up to her pace. Eunjae stopped and so as Kai.

“I’m always like this so if you please. Leave me alone,” Eunjae said and turned, continuing to the bus stop.

“If you say so,” Kai shrugged. It was quiet after making Eunjae let out a small smile though she could feel Kai following her still. She was about to ask him to stop following her but she remembered that he too is going to school.

“Daniel,” Kai suddenly asked catching Eunjae’s attention. “Is he looking for me?” Eunjae thought. Daniel was looking for him obviously. Even if Eunjae’s just inside her room all day after she gets home and rarely goes out, she could hear him whining to their parents about bringing him to Eunjae’s school. He once knocked to Eunjae’s room and asked if she knows Kai’s number and she just answered him with a two-letter word: No. She knows it took Daniel a lot of courage to talk to her but he was just so unlucky to have her as a sister. Well, that’s what she thinks.

“No,” Eunjae said trying to tease Kai.

“Oh,” Kai said and she could tell he was disappointed making her smile. She’s mean like that. At least she doesn’t get too y like other girls. Just don’t get her so mad.

They soon reached the bus stop and they waited for their bus to arrive. There’s an uncomfortable atmosphere. They were aware of it but neither did try to break it. The bus arrived a few minutes after they arrived and they got on. Eunjae quickly looked for an available sit and let out a sigh. There were no available seats. It was until a guy got up that Eunjae’s eyes brightened. She walked over to it but Kai already took the seat, smirking at her.

“Sorry,” he shrugged and Eunjae glared at him. Eunjae then walked over the pole letting out a loud frustrating sigh.

“Get a hold of yourself Eunjae,” she whispered to herself.

“You could seat here,” her eyes flicked to the guy behind her.

“What?” She asked as if she can’t believe a guy asked her to take his seat. The guy warmly smiled at her and nodded, standing up. He gestured her to the seat. Eunjae shook her head. “It’s ok. My stop is not—“

“I insist,” the guy said taking Eunjae aback. In her school, no one dares to cut her off when she’s talking but this guy is different. Well, of course he doesn’t go to the same school as her but isn’t he afraid of her?

“I said it’s ok. You don’t—“ Then the bus did a sharp stop making her stumble. Luckily, the guy held her arms on time before she could stumble her way to the front. Kai watched carefully at the back. His eyebrows were furrowed and a feeling was stirring inside of him. He was about to run to Eunjae too but his distance didn’t help. He just sat back down with a frown.

“I guess you should take my offer already?” The guy said warmly and there’s this tingling feeling that Eunjae felt but she was too good at hiding it. Eunjae just made her way to the seat and glanced out the window. Unconsciously, her cheeks went pink. She just shrug the feeling inside her thinking that it’s because no one treats her nice often that’s why.

“That guy, if I just know, he’s already hitting on her,” Kai scoffed watching Eunjae sit down and awkwardly look out the window while the guy chuckled.

“By the way, I’m Kim Jonghyun,” the guy said reaching his hand out but Eunjae just looked at it before turning to him and nodding, looking out the window afterwards. “Uh, so nice to meet you too,” he said awkwardly, taking his hand back to his side.

“Take that!” Kai thought to himself, laughing silently. Soon, the said Jonghyun guy got down. Eunjae looked back and watched him as he walked out the bus and ran. Eunjae let out a sigh of relief.

“What was that?” She said and quickly shook her head. Minutes later, she also went down and Kai followed behind her, earning some look from students that Eunjae barely noticed.

The classes started not soon after and Eunjae went back to her usual self: an emotionless girl who outcasts herself from the world. Little do Eunjae know, someone always look after her and thinks that she’s like no other while she thinks that she’s nothing.

The day went by quickly and Eunjae packed her things and left the school quickly. Since it was a Friday, she was quite giddy. She has this little secret. No one knows this except for this one person who looks after her but of course she doesn’t know it. It was not far from school. It would only take a five-minute bicycle ride and a ten-minute walk if she’s not on her bike.

She reached it in no time and went in. She walked up the stairs to the second floor and then past some rooms before stopping in front of one room and knocking on it three times before opening it.

“Oh, Eunjae-ah,” a girl who looks like in her early thirty’s greeted. If there was this one person who Eunjae could show who she really is and feel so comfortable around, this has to be the person. Her name is Kim Injung. They’ve known each other for quite a long time already after Eunjae heard her sing one time in a café. She was so mesmerized by her voice that time and she was so surprised when she was called up to the stage and performed with her. It was the most memorable happening for her. It was also the time that she got interested in pursuing a singing career but since the world seemed to hate her, she was so afraid to show what she really got and hide in her shell.

She tried helping Eunjae and encouraging her but Eunjae would always say that she will but that time never came. She didn’t want to pressure Eunjae because she knows what she have gone through so she just became a good teacher and friend to her. Eunjae is still secretive to her despite their closeness so she knew less on how her daily life goes since she always say that she’s ok.

“Annyeong haseyo,” she bowed.

“Come on in and let’s start,” she smiled making Eunjae smile back to her. “So how’s school?” she asked as they arranged some stuff before starting.

“It was good, I guess,” Eunjae replied helping Injung on setting up. As soon as they were done, they both sat on a chair facing each other.

“Well, that’s good to hear,” she smiled. Eunjae just nodded and grabbed the pieces of paper on the table. “How’s it with your parents?” Injung said picking her words carefully.

“It’s ok,” Eunjae said though there was nothing ok with what’s happening. Injung just nodded understanding.

“Let’s begin then,” Injung smiled and Eunjae nodded. They began their lesson that goes on for an hour and a half and if they have more time to spare after that, they would usually extend or just talk. You could see the passion Eunjae have for singing every time she sings and her voice was also so angelic that you would actually want more after hearing her.

It was already getting dark when they finished and started fixing everything and putting it back to where it should be. Eunjae slung her bag on her shoulder as she watched Injung arrange her things. After, she faced her with a smile.

“Do you want to grab something before going home? It’s my treat,” she smiled. Eunjae thought for a while before nodding. “Let’s go,” she said and they left the room, putting the light off and locking it.

The walked out the building and started walking around the sidewalk.

“Where would you like to eat?” Injung asked looking at Eunjae.

“Anywhere would do,” Eunjae replied. Injung nodded.

“Let’s grab some burger then,” Injung said and Eunjae nodded. They walked to a fast food and quickly ordered and settled on a table. They both grabbed their burgers and started eating it. It was quiet until Injung talked. “Say something about your day. You’re always quiet, it’s creepy,” Injung said. Eunjae chuckled with what Injung said making Injung smile. “That’s more like it,” Injung said. Eunjae let out a small smile after. She thought of what to say until the guy in the bus went to her mind.

“There was this guy,” she began.

“Wait. You like someone?” Injung giddily asked.

“What? No!” Eunjae said flustered.

“Oh, sorry. Then?” Injung chuckled.

“He’s so nice,” Eunjae said and Injung gave her a questioning look.

“Then shouldn’t you be happy?” Injung asked and took a bite off of her burger.

“I know but it was, uhm, unlikely,” Eunjae said, squirming on her seat.

“Is it because no one acts nice to you?” Injung said and Eunjae nodded. “Well, maybe, God sent you a new friend. What’s his name then?”

“Jonghyun,” Eunjae said and was amazed that she did remember it.

“Uhm, Jonghyun. There’s a lot of Jonghyun who is around your age that I know,” Injung said.

“Well, he’s not that tall but not short either. He has a fair skin and when he smiles, I could barely see his eyes and he’s,” she trailed off. Her cheeks were red as tomato making Injung laugh. She didn't expect to notice those features from the guy this morning making her stop with the words she's saying carelessly.

“He’s handsome, cute?” Injung finished and Eunjae just shrug though she knows that what she wanted to say was between those words. “Omo! Our Eunjae is already falling in love!” Eunjae’s eyes flickered and she immediately shook her head.

“No! Of course not! Falling in love is not for me! I haven’t even thought about it,” Eunjae said, voice getting low. Injung chuckled.

“Yeah right. Aigoo, you’re so cute when you’re falling in love,” Injung teased.

“I already said it. I’m not in love. I don’t like him. It’s just that he’s nice to me this morning. I’m pretty sure I won’t meet him after that,” Eunjae said.

“The world is just small Eunjae, you wouldn’t know,” Injung shrugged. Eunjae just shrugged it off and ate her burger though she was still thinking about what Injung said. They finished eating and quickly left after half an hour. They went to their separate ways. Eunjae waited for her bus and quickly went in the bus as soon as it came.

Eunjae tried to shrug the thought away until she reached home. She removed her shoes and was welcomed by her parents as soon as she entered the living room. She just made a small bow before going to her room. She never thought that she will get this affected about the whole teasing with Injung but it actually made her think.

“Falling in love? Me?” she thought while sitting in front of her laptop clicking on random things. “That’s impossible,” she shook the thought away though there was this weird thing she’s feeling. Is it love? Well, it’s for Eunjae to figure out.

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HI! How is this chapter? What do you think? Did Eunjae finally fall in love? :)) 

Let's take a short break and spazz.

OMG. KAI IS AN MC A WHILE AGO IN INKIGAYO AND HE MADE CUTE ACTIONS! /jumpsaround/ Ok. Sorry I'm weird.