“Why the heck am I sneezing so much!?” I groaned, ruffling my hair as I was practicing in the dancing room.

“Taemin is probably gossiping about you.” Anne grinned evilly, making me glare at her. “Just saying,” she shrugged. I bit my lower lip and walked over to my bag, searching for phone. I dialed his number and waited for him.

“Yeoboseyo?” he picked up.

“Are you gossiping about me?” I asked right ahead.

“I can’t believe you really did this!” Anne laughed.

“Whoa, Jin Ae,” he said surprised.

“Are you?” I asked again.

“I’m just talking with hyung…” he said.

“About what?” I pouted, probably sounding like that too, since he chuckled.

“About how I fell for you.” He said. I couldn’t help but blush, making Anne laughing even more loudly. “Are you by any chance blushing?” he asked teasingly.

“N-no, I-I’m not…” I stuttered and tried to sound normal, but my voice was giving me away.

“Oh yes you are.” He chuckled. “Don’t worry, we’re not talking bad about you.” He said.

“Arraso,” I smiled as I was listening to his voice. “I miss you already.” I whispered.

“I miss you too,” he said back. “I hope I’ll see you soon again.” He added.

“Me too,” I said back and looked at Anne who was now trying to hold her laugh behind. I made a baby face, which made her laughing again.

“What’s going there?” he asked.

“Nothing,” I chuckled. “It’s just that I’m practicing on Beyonce’s song, while I suddenly started sneezing, which made Anne saying that you’re gossiping about me, so I had to call you to make sure you’re not the one gossiping about me.” I explained. “But since I know the truth, it can’t be helped.” I stuck my tongue out.

“You two are so funny…” Taemin laughed on the other side. “Either way it was nice hearing you.” He added.

“Ne,” I murmured and then looked on the clock; it was already 8am, time for class. “Well, I should go now, since the class starts in ten minutes.” I muttered.

“Arraso,” he giggled. “Don’t forget to send me message from time to time.” He said.

“Ne~” I sang and smiled. “Saranghae, Taemin…” I whispered into phone.

“Saranghae, Jin Ae.” He said back and both of us hanged up. I smiled and walked over to Anne, smacking her head, pouting at her.

“What was that for!?” she asked shocked.

“That was for telling the truth!” I stuck my tongue at her and hit her again. “And that was for laughing while I was talking.” I added.

“It’s your own fault for making so funny faces.” She laughed and stood up, grabbing her bag.

“Let’s just get out of here…” I murmured and grabbed my bag as well, walking out of the dancing room.

“On top of that, you rock, you know that?” she said while we were walking down the street, towards school, which was few minutes away.

“And what makes you think like that?” I asked and glanced at her.

“Oh come on, don’t pretend you don’t know.” She groaned. “You’re dancing perfectly. Your little sister is like an angel. Your boyfriend is known in Korea and USA. You hang out with celebrities, like Britney, Beyonce, Super Junior, SHINee, Lady Gaga and many more…” she said.

“I’m just accomplishing my dreams.” I smiled. While we were talking about everything we reached the school and it was only few minutes, till class starts, so we hurried up. And just when we walked in the class, I realized; it’s parent’s day.

“J-Jin Ae…” Anne whispered my name and put her hand on my shoulder; she knows that my parents and brother died. I only managed to force a smile and walk to my seat, while few of schoolmates approached me, asking if I’m okay; you could say, my schoolmates are pretty friendly compared to others. We stick together no matter what.

“I’m fine, thanks.” I said to everyone, though I was lying. I wasn’t fine at all, but I acted it out for the whole day straight. We didn’t have class so mostly we were only talking with each other. Few parents of my schoolmates’ asked me how come my parents didn’t come, but I told them that they’re living in Korea, while schoolmates and Anne was looking at me worriedly.

***

“I’m sorry,” Anne said after we were walking back home.

“What for?” I was confusedly looking at her. “You don’t have to be sorry for anything.” I smiled. She bit her lower lip and we continued walking till we reached her home.

“See you tomorrow?” she asked and hugged me tightly.

“See you tomorrow,” I smiled and hugged her back. After she pulled away from me, she smiled, saying: “Don’t worry about anything. You have me and schoolmates, including Hyun Ae, Taemin, Britney and others.”

“I know, Anne and I’m thankful.” I smiled and started walking away. “See you tomorrow.” I added waving.

“See you!” she yelled waving as well. After she disappeared into her house I started walking in the other way of my home, which was towards park.

“I guess park is the only place that is left.” I smiled sadly and sat on swing, looking to the floor. “Though I’m acting…” I started and suddenly a tear fell down my lap. “It hurts…” I whispered. “It hurts, seeing others’ parents’ so loving and caring towards their kids, while yours are already on the other side of the world…” and before I knew I was crying.

***

Suddenly a song Everybody Hurts by Avril Lavigne started playing; my phone was ringing. I slowly took it from my pocket, seeing Britney’s ID.

“Hello?” I asked with my breaking voice.

“Eomma, don’t cry!” I heard Hyun Ae’s voice on the other side.

“I told you that I’m your sister…” I broke as I started crying again.

“I know,” she said. “But you’re my eomma ever since I met you.” she almost whispered.

I bit my lower lip and tried to stop myself from crying, but I just couldn’t stop. The tears were flowing down my cheeks on their own.

“H-Hyun Ae…” I whispered her name. “I-I’m sorry…” I added stuttering and hanged up. I took my bag and left the park as tears were still streaming down my face. It was already evening and it became a little colder. I didn’t bother with it much, since I was kind of used to cold nights, but still I started shivering in few minutes of standing above the river on the bridge.

Then my phone started ringing again. This time it was Anne’s ID.

“Yeah?” I picked up.

“Where are you?” she asked worriedly.

“I don’t know,” I lied. I knew exactly where I was, I just didn’t want to tell anyone where I am.

“Don’t lie!” she caught me. I bit my lower lip. “I knew I shouldn’t have let go home first.” She sighed cursing.

“Anne,” I started. There was a silence, making me to talk. “Why does it hurt so much, when I’m thinking of my family?” I asked her.

“It hurts because you miss them.” She said, almost whispering. “You miss you mom, dad and brother. I know Hyun Ae, Taemin, Britney and I can’t help you, but you know that we’re always here for you, whenever you need us.”

“Which is making it harder for me…” I sobbed and sat on the pavement, leaning on the fence.

“I know it does,” she let a sigh out. “Nothing can bring your parents and brother back. They’re probably dead worried as they’re watching you from above, while we’re sick worried because we have no idea where you are.” She said.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, thru sobs.

“What are you sorry for?” she asked. “You don’t have to be sorry for anything. You didn’t know what was going on, so you don’t have to be sorry at all.” She said. I couldn’t help but to start crying again. “Go home, to Hyun Ae. She’s worried as well as Britney.” She added.

“Y-yeah,” I sobbed, nodding. “Thank you,” I whispered and hanged up. Slowly standing up again, I looked over the fence into the river and then into sky, seeing starts clearly. I wiped my tears away and smiled sadly as I felt like someone just patted my back.

When I came back it was already past midnight. All lights in the house were still on. Slowly opening the doors, I hoped I won’t be heard, but as soon as I stepped inside, I heard: “Welcome home Miss Jin Ae.”

Oh, great… I thought as I let a sigh out, seeing maids standing in front of me.

“Eomma!” voice of Hyun Ae echoed in the hallway. I looked at her as her eyes were red from crying, while Britney was tired from being awake so late at night.

“I’m sorry,” I said and pulled Hyun Ae into a tight hug.

“Don’t ever do that ever again.” said Britney. I quietly nodded as Hyun Ae was sobbing into my shoulder.

“I’m really sorry…” I said again. Suddenly Britney walked to me and hugged me tightly together with Hyun Ae in my arms.

“The next time I’ll come with you. Just say when is the date and I will come.” She whispered in my ear. My eyes became teary again as I only managed to nod.

“Thank you,” my voice broke as I hugged Britney back with my free arm. “Thank you so much,” I whispered, with tears streaming down my face.

~One Year Later~

One year passed by and we moved to New York, where Anne and I decided to go to Columbia University. Since Anne was pretty much independet, her parents didn't oppose, knowing that I'll be with her as well, since they know me ever since I came to USA with Britney. In New York, I bought a house, where Hyun Ae, Anne, Mason and I were living. Britney stayed back in Mississipi, but she said to Mason to come with us, which he gladly did, since we became such good friends.

“I can’t lift you anymore.” I chuckled as Hyun Ae came to me.

“Aigoo…” she sighed sadly.

“But you can sit in my lap, so I can cuddle with you.” I smiled as I tapped my lap. In a second she was sitting on my lap, with her head resting on my chest, while I was sitting in the kitchen with Anne.

“You know, you know, you know…” Anne suddenly said all hyper. I looked at her surprised, since she was never so hyper before.

“Know what?” I asked.

“Should I tell her, Jinny?” she asked Hyun Ae. Ever since we came back to USA, Anne started calling us with our names that belonged to us ever since we were born, as well as Hyun Ae calling me mom instead of eomma. I didn't bother with anything, since schoolmates knows everything.

“Definitely,” Jinny nodded.

“Tell me what?” I asked confused.

“YG Entertainment will have a concert in USA.” She smiled widely.

“And?” I asked; her smile faded immediately.

“Did your sister got hit or something?” she asked Jinny.

“I think she fell off the bed while she was sleeping.” Jinny laughed.

“Yah!” I pouted. “If you want to go on their concert then go…” I muttered.

“Well,” she tried to start, but I cut her off: “Forget about me,” glaring. She pouted, suddenly biting her lower lip and looked at Jinny for help.

“Come on, you’ve talked with Minzy only over phone, Kakao talkl or thru Skype, nothing more…” Anne whined.

“Why do you care so much how I’m talking with Minzy?” I asked, looking straight at her.

“Well…” she murmured something. “Come one,” she gave up. “Please?” she begged. I looked away with closed eyes.

“No,” I said strictly.

“Pretty please?” she begged again.

“I said no,” I insisted.

“Tsk, stingy…” she muttered under her breath, but loud enough for me to hear it. I pierced my eyes at her, making her evil smile appear on her face.

~Anne’s POV~

She hates being called stingy… I thought when Xiao suddenly pierced her eyes at me. It felt like I’m watching into the eyes of the devil alone.

“What did you say?” she asked, angry. In the mean time, Jinny slowly and quietly walked out of the kitchen, since she knew what Xiao can do.

“Stingy,” I repeated. Okay, maybe I’m overreacting, but she’s hella angry!! I cried in my head, but remaining calm on the outside.

“Say that word one more time, and I swear you’ll never see either of your biases ever again!” she said, still piercing her eyes at me.

“Tsk, I wonder how Taemin still didn’t see this side of you.” I said, rolling with my eyes. This did it. She softened and smiled at me, looking even scarier.

Someone!!! I yelled in my mind.

“I wonder that too…” she muttered and looked around the kitchen. I looked around as well, seeing if there’s anything sharp, like knife, out and luckily it wasn’t, otherwise I can say goodbye to all my biases and the world.

“So what do you think?” I asked after a minute.

“The same,” she insisted.

“Oh god, you’re such a stingy sometimes that it makes me sick!” I yelled and slammed my hands on the table, making her surprised. “Why can’t you just go on the concert?” I asked.

“Why should I go?” she asked. “On top of that, I don’t have time on that day.” She calmly said.

What? I thought.

“I know they have concert, idiot.” She smiled. I frowned at the spot. “I was talking with Minzy one week ago, saying that they’re having a concert in USA.” She said.

“O-oh,” I muttered and sit back on the chair. “So you’ll go?” I asked, insisting again.

“I don’t know,” she sighed. My eyes widened at her sudden answer. “Though Minzy asked me to come, see them, I just don’t know if I should or no; I mean, it’s on the same day…” she whispered the last words, for me barely hearing them.

I looked down, to my hands, as I played with fingers. It’s one year, since her family’s death… I thought and then looked up at her.

“Will you go to Korea?” I asked.

“Probably,” she nodded and looked away. “We should go now,” she added and stood up. I looked on the clock and she was right; it was time to go to school, to University. I stood up as well and walked after Xiao into living room, where Jinny was playing with her toys.

“Jinny, we’re going now,” Xiao smiled and kissed her forehead.

“Okay,” she smiled, stopped playing and followed us.

“Will you be okay, being alone?” I asked.

“Yup,” she nodded and thumbed up. “I have Mason.” She smiled. Xiao and I both smiled back and walked out, where black Audi A4 was parked in front of house. This car belonged to Xiao; she bought it few months ago, since she was tired of going to school with bus. It was always so crowded on it, making her being in bad mood since early in the morning.

~Xiao’s POV~

“Take care and don’t tease Mason too much.” I said as I kneeled down and hugged Jinny.

“Don’t worry mom.” She smiled, hugging me back.

“We’re going now,” I smiled and walked towards car. “See you later,” I waved and sat inside. Jinny waved back and went inside when we drove on the road.

“Is she really sick?” Anne asked.

“You know how kids are.” I chuckled. “She probably doesn’t want to go to school.” I said.

“Why not?” was surprised Anne.

“That, I don’t know…” I muttered. “I’ll go to kindergarten after school to ask what’s going on.” I added.

“Can I come with you?” she asked.

“You’re already coming with me everywhere I’m going.” I laughed and parked on the free place near University. “Aren’t we lucky? We have University so close to our home.” I smiled and stepped out of the car.

“You know we are.” Anne smiled back. I locked the car and walked towards entrance together with Anne.

Have you heard? We have an exchange student from Asia. I suddenly heard a girl.

I heard and he’s so hot!! Another one squealed.

“I guess we have an exchange student.” Anne muttered under her breath.

“From Asia,” I added. “I wonder if it’s from Korea or Japan.” I smiled and stepped inside the class, right when it rang.

“We’ll see that later.” Anne grinned and sat on her seat, behind me. I put my books on the desk as I looked at the teacher who came in.

“As you probably heard we have an exchange student.” She suddenly started. I looked at Anne who was surprised as well. “And he’ll be attending this class.” The teacher added. I was even more surprised, because this, I totally didn’t expect this.

“What the heck?” I leaned back on Anne’s table, so the teacher didn’t see us talking.

“I know,” she whispered. “Do you think what I’m thinking?” she asked.

“I have no idea what you’re thinking, but I know it’s a bad idea.” I muttered.

“You may come in,” the teacher said and the doors opened, revealing a brunette man stepping inside.

“Kya~” some girls squealed, while my eyes popped out.

“Xiao, you’ll show him around later.” The teacher said, without caring what she just said. The guys eyes almost popped out, just like mine as we met.

“Can someone else do it?” I asked. “Like Anne or Katy?” I suggested.

“No,” the teacher said. “You know this school more than anyone else, after all, you're living here.” She added. I looked from teacher back to the guy and I swear I wanted to be dead at that moment.

Oh … was what I thought and I was right.