Chapter 29

Written; 09/12/2013

Grabbing a piece of toast from the table, she slung her backpack over her shoulders and dashed out of the house. Mentally cursing herself for waking up late — blame Chanyeol for pestering her so much yesterday night, he was practically spamming her with bunch of messages. Throwing that thought of her mind, she munched on the toast before feeling in her bag for her bottle— however she just found a flyer lying inside, pulling it out, she shrugged. It was a flyer from the nearby cafe that just opened a few days ago, they were looking for new employees. To be honest, she thought of going for work, you know, she could kill time, meet new people, get extra pocket money, get away from problems and escape the many meetings and dinners she had to have with her parents with well, other strange businessmen.

Halting outside of the school gate, she dug for her hairband, tying her hair into a ponytail quickly before scurrying into the school, not long after she heard the first bell, she made a dash for class. 'Damn that Park Chanyeol.' She mentally threw a punch at the imaginary Chanyeol before stopping outside the classroom, making sure her outfit was neat, she knocked twice before pushing the door open.

'I was wondering where you went, Miss Jung.' The teacher spoke sharply, eyeing the female suspiciously. 'What held you up, why are you late?' Seohyun raised a brow before tucking the strand of hair that fell out behind her ear. 'I- um, woke up late.' She obviously wanted to lie, but she knew it wasn't gonna work, so she went with telling the truth. Besides, it wasn't going to hurt telling the truth right? And lying wasn't her style.

'It's about time you told the truth, well, go sit down.' The teacher muttered. It was then that she noticed that Kai's lips twitched, forming a small smirk by his lips. Seohyun raised a brow at that, wondering what's gotten into him in the early hours of the morning.

She settled down in her seat by the corner of the room, shifting a little away from Kai beside her. Ever since they 'broke up'. Not an official one but yeah, they were over. Obviously. They just stopped talking to each other, changed their names on each others phone. The spirit between them were just— practically dead.

Now to think of it, it kinda resembled the heart rate lines on the electrocardiograph. There were many ups and downs before but now, it was a total straight line. No feelings, no activity was going on, it was just dead.

She unconsciously smirked at that thought, how stupid of her to think that the relationship would go on forever and there would be a happy ending? Well, it might have been, but if there's Kim Taeyeon alive, it would be impossible for her to live happily ever after with her Prince Charming. Kim Taeyeon didn't want her to be the Snow White, that was why she herself became the evil queen. All she wanted, was to destroy Jung Seohyun, the girl whom she hated the most.

Now she sighed at that thought of the Taeyeon who changed, changed to a person that she couldn't recognize anymore, she became a stranger to this devious Taeyeon. It wasn't the Taeyeon back then, it wasn't the encouraging best friend that wanted her to confess to Baekhyun, it wasn't the best friend that cared for her more than anything in the world, it wasn't the best friend that played many roles in her life. She wasn't the girl that played the role of her mother, teacher, best friend, sister, guardian anymore.

She changed.

Frowning, she couldn't help but cringe at remembering what Taeyeon and Kai did in the hallways a few months ago. It was a bad memory, how she wished it wouldn't even be a memory of hers. The times where Kai and her were all lovey dovey just dissolved into foam the moment she saw that image.

Seohyun was swallowing the last painkiller in the pack as she gulped down the glass of water with anger evidently present in her eyes. The others all shot each other worried looks as Seohyun leaned against Chanyeol for support. They were at Chanyeol's house, the house where Seohyun missed badly. 'Thanks, Chanyeol. My head was hurting like mad just a while ago.' She thanked weakly as she closed her eyes. She had been having the worse headaches in the history of headaches ever since she knew about Kai cheating on her with the same person again, Kim Taeyeon.

She wasn't even worrying about her own health, on the other hand, she was worried about how Baekhyun felt. She knew that Baekhyun truly loved Taeyeon back then, and maybe even still now. She dreaded this moment, when she had to see Baekhyun getting hurt again. Well, it kinda just made her headache worse than it already is.

Jessica then reached out for the younger's hand, 'Seohyun-ah, are you sure about this? You don't want to win him back? You will lose him, to a girl like her, think carefully about it, okay?' She just nodded slightly. 'That is such an . He should die in hell-' Chen cursed Kai before Kris slapped the back of his head, signalling him to stop going on about Kai. 'You two were together or such a long time, think about it again, Seohyun-ah.' Yoona added with worry in her voice.

Seohyun just shook her head, '3 years is already enough, I'm tired of all this drama, it's about time this happened to me.' Seohyun laughed bitterly at herself, the rest just looked at her, sadly or angrily. 'I can't go on anymore, I don't want to risk this. If that's what he wants, I'll give it to him.' Seohyun continued.

The doorknob clicked open, revealing Kai and Taeyeon behind. They both entered the house, Sooyoung wasted no time and growled at them, 'Kim Taeyeon, Kim Jongin. You still have the guts to-'

'Shut up, Sooyoung.' Xiumin muttered as he eyed the younger boy. He then shook his head and looked away. He was utterly disappointed with Kai and didn't know what to say. 'Kim Jongin, you're not the guy I know anymore.' Kyungsoo broke out the words, with disappointment in his eyes too.

Jessica then strode right up to the couple and gave Taeyeon a tight slap across the face. 'I didn't know you were this kind of person, I thought you were the kind and caring person who would always be there when we needed you, a role model we could follow, a person we could all rely on. Why? Why must you do such a thing to her? She's your best friend for God's sake! What did she do that made you become this way? What happened to you? Taking her first love away from her wasn't enough for you, is it? You took her everything away from her! You knew clearly that she loved Jongin more than anything else in the world, and you took him away from her? You're a ing and a . I hate you.'

Luhan then grabbed Jessica's arm and pulled her back to the group.

'Seohyun-ah, I-'

'There's nothing to say anymore. Here, everything's in this box. You can take back whatever's yours, the keys to the car are also inside, I'll vacate our house- your house, give me two weeks and it's going back to you.' Seohyun mumbled as she pushed the box over to him.

Her heart ached when she packed everything back into that box, the memories of them, they were all going back to him. The photos they took together, it hurts too much that she couldn't even look at them now. The little presents Kai gave her, like hairpins, bracelets and necklaces— she all placed in a smaller box and returned to him. The polaroid pictures with their little messages on. The wollen sweater he knitted in Autumn, she washed it and folded it neatly. The blue rose— almost to the last stage of wilting, was what he gave her during their last anniversary.

Everyone's eyes widened in surprise as she said she was going to give him back the house. Everyone knew the house meant to her more than anything in the world, next to Kai of course. Now that she lost Kai, she should at least keep the house. God knows how much effort she put in the decorate the house for their future use. Hell, there was even a baby room in the house, how much she hoped for them to stay together, it couldn't be explained in words.

'No, it's okay. You can keep the house, I don't need it.'

'I don't want anything from you, I don't want to own something that is related to you. I don't want to live in a house full of sad memories. Jongin-sshi, I have a question to ask you.' Seohyun said, her lips pressing into a thin, firm line. 'How long have you been cheating on me?' She asked as her heart tore into pieces, hesitating a little as she dreaded to hear the answer.

'2 years.' He mumbed softly.

Yixing clenched his fists, pulling himself back from punching his ex best friend, then looking at Seohyun, who was already tearing up. 'I don't want anything related to you anymore, you can have everything back. Your stuffs are all intact, everything's untouched. As for the house.. I know you'll have better use for it in the future, with another person. The furniture, you can keep it. I'm tired to fight for anything with her. You can keep it for your future family. And also.. Thank you for the happy times you gave me. But I do regret meeting you.'

Seohyun stood up, 'From today onwards, I have nothing to do with Kim Jongin-sshi anymore, we are no longer a couple, back to strangers, that is. We have nothing related to each other anymore.' Seohyun declared coldly.

Chanyeol glanced at the two people standing by the door, then back at Seohyun who looked like she was going to faint any moment.

'Kim Taeyeon, I regret being friends with you. I won't forgive you, even when I die, you can dream on. I don't have a friend like you.' Seohyun said as she looked at the older with hatred in her eyes.

'So, class— there's an uncoming assignment you guys have to complete by next term. It's a project about the environment, it's going to determine your grades and what classes you're going to go for the next year. This assignment is really important and I hope you can concentrate and give your fullest on this project. Oh yes, I will have to pair you people up.'

Squeals went around the class as all the female students, except for Sunhwa and Seohyun of course, casted their attention to the flower boys in the class, secretly praying that the teacher would pair them up with the boys.

The teacher slammed her book on the table before getting the attention of the students back again, 'Kepp quiet. Let's just make this task a simple one, so that you can start thinking on the project ideas as soon as possible. Just partner up with with the person beside you, which is your seat mate.'

Seohyun mentally cursed and facepalmed herself.

Kai's lips twitched once again, forming a tiny smirk no one noticed. 'Teacher! Can I have an exchange of partners? I want Sunhwa.' She shouted across the class, the girl who was Sunhwa's partner involuntarily blushed. 

'Everything's set, no changing unless you do not want to participate in the project.' The teacher retorted sharply. 'What happens if you don't participate in it?' Seohyun tilted her head and questioned, hoping that the answer would just be simple and it wouldn't affect her grades at all. 'Well, all the other classes are doing the same subject, it's just that different pairs in each class will be assigned to a different sub-idea. If you don't participate, you'll fail and porbably end up in the worse class next year.' The teacher answered sarcastically.

Seohyun just sat there with her poker face on, she just can't imagine working on a project that would determine her future school life with Kai. 'This .' Seohyun mumbled as she stared out the window, 'At least it's not Kim Taeyeon..' She whispered to herself, looking out the window and admiring the view outside.

'Cheer up, kid. This isn't that bad.' Eunji chuckled at Seohyun's sulking face as Sunhwa came bouncing with a packet of orange juice in her hands. 'Here!' She knew Seohyun loved orange juice, it could probably do the trick to cheer her up.

'Isn't that bad? What if I fail the assignment? I don't want to go to the worse class, it'll just bring shame to my family.' Seohyun sighed, sipping on the juice. 'You'll get along with him, he seems like a nice guy you know.' Eunji stated. 'Seems? Oh man, you don't know what he is. Don't ever judge a book by it's cover.' Seohyun scoffed bitterly.

'Come on, let's go have lunch. It's not gonna help at all if you continue sitting in class and sulk.' Sunhwa giggled before the trio went out to the cafeteria.

'Who's your partner?' That was the first question Chanyeol shot her when she sat down at 'their' table. 'I don't wanna talk about it, it's just a nightmare, tell me it is.' Seohyun groaned as she shook her head, burying her face into her palms. 'Let me guess, Kai?' Kris took a chance and went for it. 'Bingo, thanks for reminding me about it, you idiot.' Seohyun muttered.

  'Anyone up for basketball after school?' Kris asked excitedly as he stuffed kimbap into his mouth, 'This is awesome,' He complimented as he chewed with his mouth full. 'I'm in!' Everyone chorused along except for Seohyun. 'What 'bout you kiddo? You wanna tag along?' Kris asked, ruffling her hair. 'Nahh, I'm busy this afternoon.' She sulked, sipping on milk. 'Who's your date?' Tao smirked asking. The girls all giggled before Yoona nudged the younger one.

'Oh that? The library, my laptop and books.' She made a face and placed her head on the table, wanting to get a quick nap before going back to class. 'You're working on the project with Kai this afternoon?' Chen asked. 'Don't even mention it,' Seohyun cringed mentally.

Tiffany gave her a little pat on the shoulder, 'It'll be over soon, just do it one shot! It's gonna be fine, really.' Seohyun raised a brow at her, 'I don't even know if his girlfriend will tag along or not, even if she doesn't tag along, which hopefully she really doesn't, it's gonna be awkward too.' Seohyun shrugged and tossed the tiny carton of milk into the trashcan.

'See you guys back home.' Seohyun bid them goodbye as she went back to class.

'I'll start with the sub ideas first, are you good with the internet and all those power point stuff?' Seohyun asked, flipping through a few books regarding the subject they were supposed to work on. 'Yeah, I'll do up the power point.' Kai replied as he started up your laptop. 'Great, hopefully we can finish this as soon as this week.' Seohyun mumbled, scribbling down notes on her notepad.

Kai just nodded along, searching up stuffs related on the internet.

It was just a mere 2 hours into their study date, Seohyun received tons of messages from the boys and of course, her sisters. Sighing, she realized her self pity won't bring her any further if she doesn't concentrate on the project instead on imagining how much fun she would be having now with the guys, instead of sitting her in the freezing library, doing a boring project with Kim Jongin.

From: Park Chanyeol

Hey, when are you gonna be done with the project?

Do you want us to go over and bring you home? It's

getting late, you know.

Seohyun glanced at the wallclock on her right, gasping slightly, she realized she just spent a good 4 hours in the library, doing the project with Kai. Oh sure, the atmosphere was tense, but there was nothing to say between them, it was silent, but not awkwardly silent. Seohyun would rather be in the awkward atmosphere than to talk with the said male.

'Jongin-ah!' She heard a shrill voice call out, shifting her body a little, she noticed that Kim Taeyeon had arrived. Wow, such a perfect timing. 'Oh, jagi. What are you still doing here? It's getting late.' Kai muttered in a husky voice that made Seohyun shudder.

She couldn't help but cringe, her lips pressed into a thin and firm line before she her pale lips. Jagiya. It used to be how Kai called her, she shivered, remembering the times when he called her all those lovey dovey names. She glanced behind her shoulder, Taeyeon was sitting on Kai's lap, on the chair, their hands locked together, gazing so lovingly into each others eyes.

She just couldn't take it, seeing her ex being so close to her enemy, it made her fume in anger.

Gritting her teeth, she stuffed everything into her backpack, she was about to tie her hair back before she remembered that her laptop was still with Kai. And there's absolutely no way she was gonna leave without her baby laptop.

She scurried forward and slammed the laptop shut, her hair brushed the tip of Kai's nose. That was when it all started coming back to him, all the past memories. Blueberry. He remembered that the shampoo she used was scented with blueberry fragrance. His jaws were still wide open, still shocked. 'Guess you're too distracted, let's continue next time.' She mumbled swiftly, her face as bland as possible, she swiftly walked away.