XIX

Dara’s P.O.V.

My best friend, Yoona, comes bouncing up to me. "DARA!"

"Yes?" I replied absentmindedly. I am focused on reading the textbook.

"Guess what?!" She is literally dancing around me now.

I sighed, although I am now on the next page, I hadn't learned anything due to her squeaking. "What is it?" I feigned surprise, but is still not paying full attention.

"Jiyong asked me to that dance! You know the dance tomorrow?"

My eyes instantly broke away from the words on the pages and onto Yoona. "What?"

"He asked me to the dance!"

"O-oh...when?"

"Just this morning! He came up to me and just asked me! OH MY GOD...this is like...a DREAM COME TRUE! I would've never imagined for him to actually ask me!"

I froze. It is I who helped Yoona ask Jiyong to ask her to that dance. I actually wanted them to go together. I disliked Jiyong with a passion. He is rude, selfish, annoying and simply repulsive. Now as I gazed up at Yoona's smiling face, I couldn't help but feel a spark of jealousy.

"I can't wait to go home and choose my dress for tomorrow!"

"Y-yea."

"Aren't you going?"

"...Naw, probably not. I don't have a dress...or anybody to go with." I avoided her beaming expression. Although she is my best friend, I couldn't wait for her to leave so I could get back to indulging myself with work. Yes, it's crazy.

"Aww...okay then. Well...if you don't go, I'll be sure to tell you all about it. If you change your mind, call me!" She grinned cheerfully and then pranced away.

I sighed in relief. 'Why do I feel this way?' I closed the textbook slowly. I didn't feel like reading on. All I could think about now is about Jiyong.

"What are you doing, staring into space?"

I turned to the source of the voice. "Oh...hi...Ta-Dong Won.."

Tabi smiled. "Thanks, I'd appreciate it if you just call me Dong Won in school. I don't want to attract unwanted attention."

"No problem." I forced a smile. I am overjoyed to see Tabi, but Yoona's news about Jiyong stayed with me. 'Did he actually listen to me and asked her? Or is he doing this just to annoy me because he knows Yoona would react that way? Is he trying to rub his popularity in my face like before?'

"Dara? Are you listening to me?" Tabi kneeled in front of me, waving. "You okay?"

"Oh, of course." I nodded. "What were you saying? I'm sorry, I was just thinking about what I read...in you know...the textbook...page 135 where um...things happened."

Tabi chuckled. He went around and sat down beside me. "You didn't learn anything from the textbook, did you?"

"Well...I learned a few things...just not at the end because I lost interest..."

"Sure." He obviously didn't believe me, but I refused to say anything more. "Well then...I'm not going to force you to tell me what happened." He paused. "But...I heard there is a dance tomorrow at school. You want to come with me? You don't have to...but a fun event like a dance could do you well."

I didn't want anything to do with the dance at this moment. However, I take one look at him and noticed how sincere he is. "Oh, well um...okay. Thanks a lot. You want me to call you...?"

"No, it's okay. I'll call you at 7:00 pm tomorrow? The dance starts at 8:00 pm, right?"

"Yea." I gave him my real address.

"Thanks. I'll see you soon...tomorrow and at the dance. I hope that you'll feel better..." he grinned, patting me on the back. He looked as if he wanted to say something else, but quickly changed it to a faint smile and left.

-Next Day-

I numbly walked down the hallway with my books. I just hoped that this day would pass soon and quickly attend the dance. Perhaps Tabi is right...maybe I need some time to have fun. What makes it better? I get to be with Tabi!

"Hey, WATCH IT." I had bumped into someone.

"Oh...sorry...I am not paying attention. It won't happen again." I apologized. I am not sure if it is because my tone is off or because I didn't look at the person directly in the eye. I could barely react as I am shoved to the ground, dropping all my belongings.

"Heh, act snobby around me eh? How dare you!" This voice belonged to none other than Sohee, one of the most popular girls at school, as well as the nastiest. She enjoyed picking on those she considered below her. Yup, you guessed it. I’m one of them.

"I didn't do it on purpose. I already apologized, what more do you want?" My voice rose slightly. I am not in the mood to deal with her attitude.

"I can't believe that a good-for-nothing rat like you could have ANYTHING to do with Jiyong or that new student, Dong Won. They are so out of your league, and yet, you stick to them like glue. Who do you think you are?" She is up in my face now. I backed up, afraid. If it is just her, I wouldn't be all that scared. However, I couldn't help but notice the four very tall and unfriendly male figures beside her. She always had her own little gang, and I didn't want to be involved with them.

"Glue? I either know them, or they're my friend. I have no idea what YOU see, but it's really-"

She shoved me again. "Shut up, you worthless halfwit." She sneered as she stepped on my things before passing. "If you come in my way again, you'll be sorry. Also, stop acting as if you're all that. You're really nothing."

I collected my belongings hastily and proceeded quickly down the hallway, hoping to avoid any embarrassment. I accidently bumped into a few people along the way, but I refused to raise my head, only walking faster than before. I reached around the corner and wiped the tears that had started forming. I slid down against the wall and sat on the cold floor, trying to calm myself down. I knew that people like her shouldn't affect me, but with my confusion, I didn't know any other way to react.

Jiyong's P.O.V.

I saw the whole thing. Sohee is one of those girls that tried to get any rich or good looking guy she sees. If she couldn't, or finds someone who is more close to them than she is, she uses physical approaches. I’ve turned her down quite a few times because I couldn't stand people like her. She went after Dong Won as soon as he came, and of course, for a guy with common sense and morality, he rejected her.

I didn't want to disturb her, since I know that she didn't like people around her when she's upset. However, I am not about to let this go.

I sighed and took out my cellphone. "Hey Yoona? About the dance...I don't think I'll be able to go...sorry. No, it has nothing to do with you I just have something I need to do. Yea...have fun." I hung up.

-At the dance-

Dara’s P.O.V.

"Thanks Dong Won, I'm having a great time." I smiled, as I opened a can of pop.

He smiled softly. "See? I knew it'd be a good way to get your mind off of things. Are you feeling better now?"

I nodded eagerly. Although I don't remember a lot about him from the past, I had a feeling that he had always been considerate towards me. From what my mom told me, I mattered very much to him.

"Want to go out and get some fresh air?"

"Sure. I'm getting dizzy."

He stood up and extended a hand to help me up. He opened the door for me and a burst of fresh air comes flying in my face.

"Ahhhh, this is awesome." I stepped outside and lifted my head high. I turned to Tabi, "thank you so much. I am quite upset for the last 2 days, but you were right for taking me here."

He brushed away a strand of my hair and started leaning in. My face started heating up and I wanted to move away, but for some reason, I couldn't move any part of my body to prevent him from coming closer. Suddenly, my cellphone rang. I checked to see who is calling, it is my mom.

"Answer." Tabi urged. "It might be important."

"Thanks..." I mumbled, turning away shyly. "Hello? Mom? What's up?"

"Dara?" My mom's voice is trembling, and horribly unclear. She is crying heavily.

"M-mom?" I held my cellphone tighter. "What happened? Why are you crying?"

"It's...it's Jiyong." She managed to force out.

"What about him?" I am having such a good time that I didn't realize...that Jiyong hadn't been at the dance. Yoona had called earlier saying that Jiyong wouldn't come, I didn't believe her because Jiyong loved social events.

My mom's cries became even more violent. "His mother called me a few minutes ago...Jiyong's at the hospital! The doctor said that he suffered severe physical injuries and is currently still unconscious..."

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just an update....