Eunbi returned to her homeroom once she’d calmed down. A feat that was harder said than done considering how shocked and overwhelmed she was by what’d happened. Eunbi couldn’t even know for sure whether it truly was Luhan who’d made that rumour. All she did know was that the school board would start an investigation. On that would determine her future and if she would be expelled.
 

The first period came to an end just as Eunbi arrived at the classroom door, and she was given no time to step out of the way before students pushed her aside. The whole ordeal was over in a few seconds and without anyone having checked whether she was alright. In fact, the only one who seemed to have noticed her was Ahbin. The other girl gave her a weak smile and then latched onto her hand. It was nothing abnormal about that as the two of them held hands quite often. Something that was out of the ordinary though, was the sullen expression upon Ahbin’s face. It sparked Eunbi’s attention right away because she feared it had something to do with Yixing.

“Can we talk?” they had to, even though Eunbi dreaded it. She was scared and anxious as to what Ahbin would say. The more part of her thoughts bother her, too, for she believed Ahbin would call off their friendship. So when the latter nodded, Eunbi gulped, because not a single thing could’ve prepared her for what was to come. Not even the encounters with Luhan or Sehun had caused this much discomfort.

“It’s about Yixing, isn’t it?” Eunbi knew there was no reason to deny it and nodded. To which Ahbin sighed and stared down at the floor. The reaction made Eunbi tense and she clamped harder onto Ahbin’s hand as a result. Anyone who might’ve listened in on the conversation and understood its context would’ve, with most certainty, thought she was doing it so Ahbin wouldn’t slap her. It wasn’t true. Eunbi wasn’t even aware of her action as she was so intent on listening to her friend, who’d now made eye contact with her again.

“I should’ve said something, I know. But I was scared and it sort of just happened.” it was a poor excuse, but nonetheless the only one Eunbi could offer. The whole boy/girlfriend thing was completely new and she’d never before had a boyfriend. That’s if one excluded the poor excuse of a guy she’d been going out with back in Daegu when she was fourteen. They hadn’t been together very long, but long enough for Eunbi to have realized what an he was.

“It’s okay. Really. I mean, I’ve always known it’s been one-sided.” there was an overwhelming sadness to those words and she couldn’t help but to feel bad for her friend. Ahbin tried not to show it though, that she was unhappy. It even reached a certain point where Eunbi thought it would’ve been better if she hadn’t agreed to go out with Yixing. Whether that would have been better she couldn’t know, but it certainly crossed her mind.

“Still. I’m sorry.” it felt like she’d gone behind Ahbin’s back, like she’d tried to hide the whole thing from the other girl. Then again, would anything have changed? Would anything have been different if she said something to Ahbin sooner? A sudden thought struck Eunbi, one that made her considerably uneasy. Moreover, would Ahbin have tried her luck with Yixing if the truth about Eunbi’s feelings had been exposed sooner? Eunbi disliked the thought. Not only because it put Ahbin in a bad light. But also because Eunbi feared it could’ve been true.

“Don’t be. It’s not like you decide who you fall in love with.” Ahbin shrugged, like the matter was of no importance anymore. A detail that made Eunbi somewhat confused, more so since the other girl displayed an expression that said otherwise. Eunbi was sure Ahbin cared more than she wanted to admit, which was understandable seeing as the latter was still in love with Yixing. Knowing that should’ve worried her, should’ve made her uneasy. But Eunbi felt none of that. Maybe because she trusted Ahbin, trusted the fact that Ahbin would never do anything that would hurt her. And it was with those thoughts in mind that the two of them returned to class in time for the second period. A second period that passed by uneventful and without much value. The third and last period before lunch was exactly the same. Boring. Her biggest problem wasn’t the classes. But rather the lack of concentration and focus. There were simply too much things on her mind in order for her to pay attention. The incident with Luhan and the rumors about cheating were more than enough for Eunbi to cope with, so it became a bit too much when her worries about Ahbin was added on top of that. That’s why it felt nice when the bell rang and thus signaled it was time for lunchbreak.

The short walk over to the cafeteria was quiet as none of the two girls knew what to say. Eunbi didn’t want to add on with the awkwardness by accidentally asking something that could make it all worse, and therefore kept sealed shut. Ahbin on the other hand, wanted to speak, to say something. But feared her words might be misunderstood. In fact. It took them until they sat at a table, lunch in front of them, before Eunbi had enough. She needed to speak. Needed to tell Ahbin about the rumour she’d been included in despite not having cheated.

“I might get expelled.” she went straight on and without trying to sugarcoat the ordeal. It wouldn’t have made any difference because there was nothing she could do. The problem was there and Eunbi could only wait for the school board to do their job, something the said girl was a bit anxious by. She hadn’t exactly gotten the impression that they took the task seriously. Mainly due to the difficulties she’d had to face during the past months. Not a single teacher, none of the members of the school board, nor the principal had taken their time to help her out.

“Why? What happened?” Ahbin’s voice grew louder and louder with every word and Eunbi, despite the situation, smiled. This was the Ahbin she knew, the loud Ahbin whom she loved so much. The other girl reacted at Eunbi’s expression though, and immediately told her that she didn’t have to hide anything. That she didn’t have to smile and pretend like everything was okay. Eunbi’s smile fell and she stared down at the food, her heart heavy and tears close.

“Someone’s going around telling people I cheated on the mid-terms.” if only the person who’d created the rumour could come forward and inform the principal how that wasn’t the case, how it was all a lie. Because right now, Eunbi firmly believed she would be expelled.

“What? Why would anyone do that?” Ahbin wasn’t the only one wanting answers. Eunbi, too, was interested to know why anyone could be so cruel. It was a matter so serious it could destroy her every possibility for future studies, as it was highly unlikely that another High School would accept her if they were to know she’d “cheated” on such an important aspect as the mid-terms, which in turn would make it considerably more difficult for her to get into a good University. Sure, she could always get her GED and move on from there. But it wouldn’t be the same.

“Don’t know.” she didn’t even have a hunch on who it could be even though Luhan was high on the list of suspects. Eunbi couldn’t deny it though, that he’d looked rather surprised when she brought it up earlier that morning. It made her wonder whether he was the perpetrator or not. It didn’t exactly seem like it. Then again, it was Luhan. Someone who’d made her life a living hell before, and who, with most certainty, would not back down if he was given the chance to cause further trouble and despair. No other suspect had come to mind either, something that strengthened her claims that it had to be Luhan. Still. She was unsure.

“Don’t tell me it’s Luhan.” the said girl looked up from her food and met eyes with Ahbin, the latter seemed rather determined that it was Luhan. Eunbi wasn’t quite as certain for various reasons. Mostly because she couldn’t get his expression out of her head, the one he’d displayed when she accused him for starting the rumour.

“Maybe.” she’d just finished speaking when she noticed Sehun making his way inside the cafeteria, and that with Yuna following close behind. The male looked somewhat annoyed, his lips pressed together and a scowl visible. It was understandable though, seeing as Yuna was pulling at the sleeve of his blazer. The other girl didn’t even bother to care about personal space or whether Sehun was uncomfortable or not. It was a sight that bothered Eunbi. Not because Yuna was clinging onto Sehun, but rather because he was letting her do it.

“Eunbi? You okay?” she nodded, her gaze still set on Sehun and Yuna. The former were looking more and more distressed and Eunbi realized he would snap. It wasn’t hard. Anyone who’d paid a little attention to his ever decreasing patience could easily have seen that. But Yuna must’ve looked past it for the girl continued to yank and pull at Sehun’s blazer until he had enough. It was like a bomb exploded for Sehun’s calm composure left way for one that were far from it. Even students around them turned to stare as he, with a harsh tone and a body language that said it all, ordered Yuna to leave him alone. Eunbi had already seen it coming and was far from surprised when Sehun his heel and disappeared out the door. It was a scene all too familiar and Eunbi was dead set to stay seated and eat. But her curiosity was killing her and she needed to talk to Sehun. She had to know if he knew anything about the rumour and if he thought it was possibly that Luhan was behind it all. Because of that, Eunbi excused herself, saying something about how she would be back in a few minutes, before hurrying after Sehun.

She caught up with the male as he was making his way down the hallway and towards the staircase. Beside him, also following along, was Yuna. The other girl was apologizing and telling him that she didn’t mean it, that she only wanted to be by his side. If Sehun was listening to Yuna’s words, Eunbi couldn’t know, but he sure enough didn’t show it. He didn’t even seem to have taken notice of Eunbi’s presence.

“Sehun.” Eunbi called for his attention. But he ignored her, obviously too occupied with whatever was on his mind. She didn’t want to grab onto his arm either, in fear of being the target of his anger, and instead called out his name once more. He came to a halt and turned around, which in turn also meant Yuna did the same. Eunbi gulped and then cleared as a way to signal that she had something to say. The action was directed at Yuna, whom she hoped would understand that she wanted to speak with Sehun in private. The other girl remained rooted though, and Eunbi, even though she wasn’t too keen on having Yuna around, found it hard to ask her to leave.

“What do you want?” Yuna’s voice was hostile, almost demanding in a way. And Eunbi realized it would be hard to talk to Sehun without the other girl present. That he seemed beyond irritated and pissed off didn’t make it easier for Eunbi, who bit her lip and glanced over at Yuna.

“I have to talk to Sehun. So could you…” she didn’t finish the sentence, somewhat hoping that Yuna would understand what she wanted and, in some miraculous way, leave. It didn’t exactly work, which she’d sort of predicted already. This meant she had to come up with something else, something that gave her the opportunity to speak with Sehun without having anyone listening in on the conversation.

“No. I won’t leave.” as if to strengthen her point, Yuna latched onto Sehun’s arm. A feat that annoyed Eunbi for some weird reason. Mainly because she’d never really liked Yuna. She found the other girl obnoxious and downright irritating in that she always bothered Sehun and made him uncomfortable.

“Leave.” Sehun stated, his eyes locked with hers as he spoke. His gaze was hard, intense, and sent shivers down her spine. Eunbi was certain he’d ordered her to leave though, and was therefore shocked when he spun around to face Yuna, who couldn’t believe that he was telling her to go. Yuna thought it was unfair and unreasonable that she had to leave, something she also made known as she passed Eunbi by.

“Stay away from him or I’ll give the principal proof that you cheated.” reality hit and she realized who’d started the rumour, who was behind the anxiety and uncertainty she’d walked around with for the past four hours.