-Disclaimer: This is not my story. I got full permission from the author to repost this on AFF-

The Challenge by The Lucky Kind of fanfiction.net

Note: … it’s been a while hasn’t it? Sorry for the long wait, I was just really busy and I’m still not done with finals, I just wanted to get this out before I get really busy again… And yes, I did change my username ((: I love you all, thank you for all the comments and upvotes!

My feet slapped the wet pavement as I ran. I left a sleeping Dara early this morning. With a plate of eggs on the stove and a sticky note on her door, I left her house, trying to make it home before anyone found out I was gone. I grinned as I ran, memories of the previous hours flooding my mind again. I could still hear her 'I love you' and I could still feel the warmth of her hand wrapped firmly around mine.

I reached my house just as the beams of light were peaking over the treetops. I spotted my dad's car parked clumsily in the driveway with the wheel driven over the front lawn, missing the sprinkler by an inch. I rolled my eyes, wondering what idiot bartender would let him drive while he was so clearly drunk. I ran up the cobblestone path to my front door. I took a deep breath, fishing my keys from my pocket. I carefully opened the door, flinching as a faint squeak echoed throughout the house. I paused, waiting to hear some movement or the sound of my mother's booming voice filling the house. When nothing came, I resumed sneaking through the front door and into the house. I sighed, softly closing the front door and running up the stairs two steps at a time.

I reached my room. Taking a sigh of relief after the door was closed tightly behind me. I looked around at the disarray room. The sheets were a mess on my bed and the digital clock flashed 6:00 in big bold letters.

I sat down on my bed, sinking into the mattress. I closed my eyes, leaning backwards as I fell against the mattress.

I remembered last night with a smile on my face. I remembered Dara's smile and her fingers running against my leg. I could still smell the perfume that lingered in the air and the taste of the ice cream I did eventually get. I remembered the tears too, although I wish I didn't. I didn't remember falling asleep but I remembered waking up on the floor with Dara tucked firmly into my side.

I opened my eyes, turning to face my unopened school bag sitting on the floor. I sighed, rubbing a fist against my tired eyes. Maybe if I just pretend that school didn't exist, it wouldn't come. I closed my eyes as I buried my face deeper into the comforter, deciding that missing one day of school wouldn't be so horrible compared to the thirty days I missed last year.

Just as my previous adrenaline drained from my body and I felt the sleep take over, I thought of Dara. Then I thought of Seunghyun and his deceitful smile. And then I thought of Seunghyun approaching Dara without me by her side.

I groaned, forcing my heavy body into a sitting position. I blinked, finally dragging my body to the bathroom door.

I swung my school bag over my shoulder while stuffing half a buttered toast into my mouth. I ran to the door, grabbing my keys from its hook and shouting a muffled goodbye to my parents. I practically flew down the steps and busted my way into the garage. I threw my bag in the passenger seat, started the car, and put on my seatbelt all with a piece of toast hanging from my mouth. I checked the time on the dashboard. I smiled, knowing that at this rate I would make it to school before Dara.

I pulled into the school parking lot. My eyebrows knitted together as I looked around at the empty parking lot that would usually be overflowing with high school students. I pulled into my usual spot, looking around hoping to find someone.

I scratched my head in confusion. "Did I come in on a Saturday?" I mumbled to myself.

I shrugged, grabbing my bag and making my way to the entrance of the school. I stopped in front of the doors, finally hearing the chatter of people from inside. I pulled open the door, only to run straight into someone's back. I groaned, trying to peak over the heads of the entire student body that had for some reason crowded the hallways.

I looked around, recognizing the staff members and students from other schools hidden in the crowd.

"There he is!" an all too familiar voice shouted.

I rolled my eyes, turning to face Seunghyun who was pushing his way through the monstrous crowd. Seunghyun grinned at me, clapping a hand on my back like nothing has changed. But we both knew that everything had changed.

"What the hell is all of this?" I asked motioning the cluster of people surrounding us.

He grinned. "I'll show you."

He placed his arm around my shoulders, ushering through the sea of people. He led me to what I assumed was the center of everything. A small circle was carved out from the crowd and inside it stood a large wide-screen television set.

Seunghyun grinned, his eyes practically twinkling with glee. I looked around, becoming more confused then I was before. I noted the people watching from the sidelines, some familiar faces stuck out and some strangers that I didn't even think went to this school were scattered around. I frowned, noticing the delinquents and students who don't even bother to show up on a regular school day here. All of them watching and waiting. All of them seeming to be more clued in on the situation then I was.

Then I saw Seungri; his bright orange panda shirt popping from my peripheral vision. His gaze held mine and I saw the same confusion in his eyes too. He walked up to me briskly.

"What's going on?" I asked him.

He shrugged, looking around, completely unaware just like I was.

The sound of the metal doors caught my attention as it opened. I looked away from Seungri and found Dara, strolling in with Chaerin following closely behind. She looked around; probably having the same thoughts I did when I first entered the school. The massive crowd almost seemed to swallow her up, making her tiny frame disappear from my line of vision. I took a step forward, preparing to push my way through the people to find her.

A hand grabbed my arm before I could move. I turned back, narrowing my eyes at Seunghyun' hand that was latched around my elbow. He smirked; his eyes closing in on Dara. I pulled my arm back, turning to walk away.

"Don't," Seunghyun said, stopping me. "You're going to want to see this."

He smirked, shooting Seungri a glare before turning to face the gathered people.

"Welcome, everyone! I am so glad you all could join us today." He spoke to the audience, his loud booming voice making the entire room fall silent. Everyone watched, mesmerized, hanging onto every word the idiot said.

I rolled my eyes, wondering how an a$$hole like Seunghyun still managed to be treated like a king.

"I know it's been a while since we last did this and that has not been fair to you," Seunghyun c