The week rolled by quickly, perhaps because of the freedom of having a hand phone. I connected it to the home wifi and I’ve been sneaking every night to check my social media accounts and satisfy my fangirl needs. I haven’t told anyone that I have a hand phone in possession which means it was basically Kris whom I have contact through it.

I ought to tell Hyewon but I couldn’t tell her Kris gave it to me, can I?

Tonight’s dinner is dimmed to be special. I’m anticipating for my parents to finally let me off the hook for being grounded. I’ve been perfectly behaved—well, except for the fact that I actually had a hand phone in possession.

 “E-erm..Hem hem…” I cleared my throat obviously to get their attention.

My dad and mom had a brow cocked and paused from eating while my brothers shot me a curious look yet continued to dig in. There was a moment of awkward silence as I struggled to get the words out of my lips.

“Uh…Er…I’m…”

“What’s the problem? Got your tongue numb by the kimchi?” My brother asked—clearly teasing me.

“Oh, was it too spicy?” My mom fussed over and took a bite.

“No, eomma. It’s fine. I was just wondering…If…I…Uh…”

“Hyebin, just get it over with.” My oldest brother said encouragingly s.

I sighed and took the courage to ask. “I just wanted to confirm if I’m free from being grounded…” I muttered too low and fast while poking my chopstick at the rice in my bowl.

“Sorry dear, what was that?” My mom asked while my dad peered over me with an expressionless face.

“I just wanted to confirm if I’m not grounded anymore…” I restated, loudly this time.

“Oh, well…I guess yes.” My mom shrugged her shoulders and looked at my dad for confirmation.

Appa stared at me with measuring eyes. He contemplated for several seconds before finally giving a small nod. My face broke out into a smile and I ate with a better appetite that my brothers howled with laughter—telling me that I looked like a complete swine when eating.

I ignored their jeering. I am too happy to argue.

After I helped clean up the dishes, my mom gave me back my laptop and hand phone. I immediately proceeded to my room and plopped down on my bed. I pulled out the drawer on the bedside table and got the phone that Kris lent me.

[Sent. 7:43 p.m.]

Hey, guess what. :D

-Hyebin

I waited for a few seconds and received a reply. I was surprised that Kris had the time to reply.

[Received. 7:43 p.m.]

What it is it m’lady?

-Galaxy Slave

[Received. 7:44 p.m.]

Oppa, drop the m’lady and the “Galaxy Slave”.

It’s seriously uncharacteristic of you.

Anyway, I’m finally free!

I’m not grounded anymore \(^-^)/

-Hyebin

His reply took a while. In fact, it took hours. I was about to get to bed when he texted back.

[Received. 7:43 p.m.]

Sorry your highness ^^” I was in the middle of a rehearsal.

Anyway, that’s awesome :D Let’s hangout to celebrate.

My treat. ;) See you soon.

-dragon fanfan

I scoffed at the altered nick names he came up but nonetheless, being reminded that I’m free made me leap to my feet and jumped around the room. Finally! I’ll be able to hangout with EXO again!

The next day at school, I told Hyewon about me getting off the hook. She was so excited and said that we should hangout tomorrow since it was a Saturday. She has been complaining of having to lie in bed for a couple of days for being sick. And now that I’m free and she’s well, we could finally go out together tomorrow.

I was in the middle of my history class—which was dimmed highly boring and impossibly dragging by Hyewon—when a shrill ringing resounded in the classroom.

Several heads—especially those who were sleeping—snapped up and looked for the source of the sound. I clucked my tongue in irritation. Who could that student be?

I noticed that every head in the class bore their eyes in my direction now. Hyewon nudged me and widened her eyes. Our teacher—a small, balding man with high grade spectacles had his arms across his chest and looked at me gravely.

I felt like there was a pack of ice cubes dumped in my stomach. I swallowed loudly and blinked.

“Miss Lee, do you mind turning your phone off?” The words came out of his greeted teeth.

I pummeled for my bag and quickly fetched the cellphone out of it.

In a quick desperation to end the call, I accidentally pressed the answer button and a video call popped up. There were arguing voices that sounded dreadfully familiar.

“Ow! Ge! Just let me—“

“No, Stop it! Turn it of—”  

The class erupted in appalled gasps. And believe me; I can’t be less surprised than them.

Tao’s face came up but a hand was squishing his face out of the view. “Hyebin!” he called happily. But before he could say anything more, another face appeared—Kris’s.

A squeal erupted from Hyewon. She was clearly watching since a while ago.

“Ah! Hyebin, I’m sorry. Ta- Ow!” There was a loud thud and all I saw was a cream-colored carpet. The call ended and my mouth hanged open—my jaw almost reaching the table.

“OUT! OUT! OUT!” Our history teacher slammed his book and tapped his walking stick on the table impatiently.

I shoved the phone in my pocket and scurried out of the classroom. I grunted loudly as I got to my knees and raised my fists above my head. After 50 long minutes, the bell finally rang signaling the end of the day.

I was scolded by the teacher for another 15 minutes before I was finally free to go home. I was given an assignment of a foot long essay about the negative effects of using a hand phone in class which I am to submit at the faculty tomorrow morning.

I trudged on my way to the shoe lockers where Hyewon was waiting for me.

“So?” She beamed at me—looking at me with glittering eyes.

I frowned at her and shoved my shoes in the locker—making sure to shut it loudly. “I was lectured and I was given a foot long essay to work on! What’s there to smile about?”

“I was not talking about that you pabo! I was talking about Kris and Tao calling you.” She slapped my arm playfully.

“Oh, I completely forgot to call them back.” I cried and dove my hands into my pocket as we walk down the school gates. I pulled my phone out and tapped Tao’s number. I placed the device against my ears and waited for someone to answer.

The call ended and Tao did not answer. I scrunched my nose at it and tapped on Kris’s number this time. Like Tao, he didn’t answer his phone either.

“They’re not answering.” I stated with disappointment in my voice.

“Oh, well. They’re probably busy. I wonder why they phoned you though. Odd.” Hyewon shrugged and kicked a pebble aside.

“I’ll see you tomorrow Hyebin!” she waved goodbye at me as she came down form the bus. Hyewon continued to grin and wave as the bus departed from her sight.

~

I waited at the café where Hyewon told me we would meet. I ordered her a drink beforehand while I sat on the table sipping my own cup of coffee. She’s near half an hour late but she still wasn’t showing up. I started to get impatient as I glanced at my wrist watch. I took out my hand phone to check if there was a single message from her but there wasn’t.

I gave up and decided to give her a call. There were precisely 8 rings before someone picked it up. “Hyebin!” A frantic voice called over. I recognize it as Hyewon’s mother.

“Auntie!” I greeted back.

“Hyewon has got food poison. I think she got it from the gaebul we are for dinner last night. We’re at the hospital right now.” She sounded worried and tired as I heard her sigh from the other line.

“Oh, auntie, we were supposed to hangout today. I’m so sorry, I should go visit!” I suggested with a bright voice.

“Oh no, darling, I don’t think that’s best for the situation. She’s barfing up every half an hour. Maybe tomorrow.” She offered helpfully. The corner of my lips turned down of disappointment.

“Okay, auntie. I’ll come and visit tomorrow then.”

“Okay, thank you Hyebin.” We bid our goodbyes and ended the call. I heaved a heavy sigh and rested my eyes at the Frappuccino I bought for Hyewon.

“Are you waiting for someone?” A  young, raspy voice asked.

I whipped my head back. A tall, blonde and lean guy doused my sight. Under his face mask, I could sense that he’s smiling judging the way his eyes crinkle up. I let out an audible gasp while he let out a delighted chuckle.

“Tao?” I whispered in a tone of surprise.

He winked charismatically—making my heart increase in rhythm and my ovaries explode insides churn in absolute flatter. 

Yayy~~~ an update ^^

Hopefully I'd be able to put up the next one soon.

'til the next chappie! 

Saranghae ~ <3

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-faye_lee