Chaerin had never been popular with guys. Sure there had been the occasional pursuer, but they always ended up being some dickhead who wanted to use her as a means to get to her father and a record deal, after all Chaerin wasn't really considered to be the ideal "y" type. London, however, seemed to feel differently and in the short few weeks here it seemed she'd been able to find a whom was interested in her romantically. It was funny how things had changed, if only her high school classmates could see her now. Chaerin couldn't help but giggle, this whole thing was so amusing.

"I saw you as soon as you walked in.

Your style, swagger was infectious

Running halfway across the room just to talk to you

Something I've never done for other girls

You smiled, my heart stopped

I'm not a cheesy man

I don't believe in love at first sight

But I'd like to see you again

Let me know if I can"

Mike smiled, "Thanks guys for hearing me out! Now we'll resume the usual order while I give someone time to answer". He waved to Chaerin before turning back to the crowd.

"Mike's an up and coming songwriter. He can sing and rap but he really wants to produce music", AJ looked at Chaerin.

"He's a pretty sweet guy, also he's got a huge you-know-what", he grinned and pointed to his pants, 'I've seen it".

Chaerin laughed, "well thats a bit gay AJ. Have you told Mike how you feel?"

"Chae, thats not funny", Aj pouted, "just trying to help a brother out here".

Chaerin smiled, "Its okay, your secret is safe with me"

"Chae.... seriously....."

* * * * *

Chaerin stood memorized by Mike's performance. The way he made the crowd move, it was as if his words and melodies were infectious, the vibe had totally changed since he had taken to the stage singing and rapping. Shamelessly she found herself cheering after every song as if she was one of those crazy fan girls back home. When he finished up, she felt sad, but at the same time glad that she could talk to him again, one on one.

When he finally re-appeared he was smiling, a little sweaty and out of breath, but Chaerin couldn't take her eyes off him as he approached her. "It seems your a man of many talents", she teased, "a singing bartender, your parents must be so proud".

He smirked, "singing is just my day job, helps me fund my real passion in bartending".

"AJ told me this was your brainchild".

Mike scoffed, "Dude can't keep his mouth shut. Now I've got no trump card to impress you with".

"You don't need a trump card".

"Then you're impressed?" he asked cautiously.

"Of course"

"Then what do you say? To seeing me after tonight?"

"The night is still long"

"Babe", Mike slung his arm around her shoulder.

Suddenly Chaerin felt her phone vibrate in her bag. Checking it she saw her Mum's ID. ! I was meant to skype with her tonight. Excusing herself from Mike, she exited the V.I.P area in search for somewhere quiet.

The warehouse had the bathroom positioned underground which reduced the noise, giving Chaerin a moderately quiet place to contact home. Her mother picked up the phone on the second ring.

"Chaerin! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine mum. I'm out at a welcoming function for college. I'm sorry, but I forgot we were ment to skype tonight."

"Out? At a party?"

"Its more of a small gathering. Fingerfood and wine, that kind of thing", she lied.

"Ah", her mother replied, "What are you wearing?"

Chaerin rolled her eyes. Of course that was all her mother cared about. "One of the dresses you sent me"

"Which one darling? Oh, is it the pink one? I picked that one out especially for you."

Chaerin racked her brain, what colours were the dresses? There was a pink, black.... "Green"

"But that ones a bit plain sweety".

"It's okay, its just a dress".

"Chaerin, I wish you'd make more of an effort in your appearence. Afterall with your father where he is in business, we're all being watched".

"Is that all?"

"Lee Chaerin!"

"I need to get back to the party mum!"

"Okay darling, be safe and I'll call you tomorrow".

"Bye Mum!" and with that she hung up, not even waiting for her mother's reply. Taking a deep breath she ran her hands through her hair, it was warm underground, she'd need to freshen up before seeing Mike again.

Taking a detour to the bathroom, Chaerin hustled for a spot at the mirrors so she could touch up her lipstick. She placed her bag on the bench, balancing it between the wall and sink. She fumbled around looking for her lipstick. Where did I put it? She decieded that it would probably be best to just tip it all out. Shifting through the contents of her bag that were now on the bench is found what she was looking for, her lipstick. Quickly she began to shove everything back into her bag, her phone, wallet... she picked up the purple pill the guard had given her.

"Woah Girl!", the girl next to her grabbed the pill, "where did you get this?"

Chaerin snatched it back, "the guy at the door gave it to me".

"Which guy?" The girl demanded.

"The guard in the black hoodie".

"Guard?" The girl looked confused, "black hoodie? Wait! You don't mean..." she glanced at her friend, "Barry?"

Chaerin was impatient, "I don't know his name".

"How much?"

"He gave it to me for free".

"Free?"

"Well after i paid $20 entry"

The girl laughed, "theres no entry for this party. You brough Barry's special party mix".

"Huh?" Now it was Chaerin's turn to be confused. "What do you mean "special party mix"?"

"Girl. You brought drugs. Pretty cheap too", the girl looked her up and down. "Must have a thing for asians". She smiled,

"I'm Sophie by the way", she held out her hand.

Chaerin recieved the shake, "Chaerin".

"Chaerin.... Chaerin.... That sounds Korean to me, and assuming you're here, I'd say your either from South Korea or your a spy from the North, preparing some kind of invasion".

"You're good. Most people just guess Chinese. Though considering you know my secret I might have to kill you hahaha".

Sophie laughed, "I promise I'll keep my mouth shut. Please, you're way too hot to be Chinese".

"Thanks, looks like I'll have to let you live", Chaerin smiled.

"No sweat! Now Miss Korean Super Spy, how about we have some fun." Sophie reached into her bag, producing her own purple pill, "party favours?"

Chaerin hesitated, "I've actually got someone waiting for me...." She motioned to leave.

"It'll only take a second. Don't worry, it won't hurt one bit". She handed Chaerin a bottle, "bottoms up!

Taking a deep breath, Chaerin removed the pill from the plastic zip-lock bag and popped it into . It tasted horrible! She watched as Sophie downed her bottle, "Trust me Chaerin, it makes it taste way better".
Chaerin nodded and followed suit. The clear liquid burned , killing the terrible taste of the pill.

"How are you feeling?" Sophie tapped her on the shoulder.

"I....." Chaern began. Suddenly she felt light, it was as if some one had pumped her full of helium. Her feet, sore from the heels, now felt painless.".....I feel good", she stared at Sophie. 

"Hahaha, you're too cute. Come on Chaerin, lets go and dance!"

Chaerin could feel the music pounding through her whole body as she emerged from the basement. The previous seizure inducing lights now produced an almost calming effect as they slowly flashed around her illuminating the previously dark crowd and their expressions of pure ecstasy. It was as if someone had slowed down time. As the music pounded on Chaerin began to dance, her head bounced along to the beat as her hips swayed to the rhythm. Stray hands brushed over her body, but she didn't care. She was happy, maybe even the happiest she'd ever been. 

"This is amazing!" she yelled at Sophie, though she doubted if her new found friend could hear her sandwiched between two guys. Sophie turned and smiled before one of the guys stuck his tongue down .
Chaerin couldn't stop smiling at herself, she felt relaxed in the crowd as if the music was casting a magic spell over her and the other swaying bodies. She didn't pay much attention to the time as one song seemed to effortlessly fade into another, but  before she knew it she was alone, with Sophie nowhere to be seen. Panic began to override her happiness and she tried to push her way out of the crowd. She shoved and pushed, but Chaerin didn't seem to be going anywhere. She felt sick, her head was spinning. All she wanted to do was sleep, she needed somewhere to sleep. The tears began to form in her eyes as a familiar face floated into focus.

"Babe!"

* * * * *

"So where did you disappear to?" Chaerin and Mike sat outside on the quiet warehouse roof. It was cold but Chaerin didn't mind. It was peaceful and hear head had finally stopped spinning."Earth to Chaerin.... babe?"

"Sorry", she mumbled, "what did you say?"

"Its okay. I was just wondering who you ditched me for".

"I didn't ditch you" Chaerin rested her spinning head on his shoulder.

"Well you headed off to make a call, didn't come back for 2 1/2 hours and then I find you dancing in the middle of a crowd of guys".

Chaerin moaned, "was not".

Mike chuckled, "and they were looking at you like you were lunch".

"Stop teasing me. I think I'm drunk".

"I'm not", Mike nudged her, "what happened? I hope its an exciting story".

"Fine fine, i'll tell you", Chaerin began to recount everything. The phone call, bathroom, Sophie and the pill. Mike was silent for a moment. A mix of surprise and concern danced over his ruggedly handsome face. It was as if he was saying.. really? You did all those things?

"Hahahaha", it started as a chuckle then it grew to a full scale belly laugh which echoed around the surrounding rooftops. "You're really cute, naive, but cute". He pulled her into a hug, "Lee Chaerin, you're such a babe"

Chaerin smiled, he head starting to clear, "I bet you say that to all the girls".

"Only the super sassy-kickass ones"

"And how many are there"

"In total", he pause, "just the one".

Chaerin could feel the spinning returning to her head. It was as if she was on one of those theme park rides. She leant further on to Mike's shoulders as he tucked his arms tighter around her. "I feel dizzy", she looked into his deep green eyes, "and I'm sorry".

Mike smiled and squeezed her gently, "for what?"

"For taking you away from the party to look after me"

"Chaerin", Mike was laughing, "theres no other place I'd rather be right now" and with that he leant in to kiss her.

 

* * * * *

The next morning Chaerin woke up in her own bed with an aching head as if she was recovering from a bad migraine. Her tongue was dry and stuck to the top of as if she hadn't had water in days. She shook her head, what was this feeling? She rolled out of bed, her bare feet just managing to keep her balanced. A long t-shirt and her underwear was all she wore with her legs exhibiting bruises from the adventures of the night before. What exactly had she gotten up to last night? How did she get home? And who's shirt was she wearing? She stumbled into the bathroom steadying herself with the basin. Slowly she glanced up to the mirror catching a view of her face and cringed.

She looked like a bad attempt at a Halloween monster. Her lipstick had smeared halfway up her left check and the minimal eye make up that she had applied had some how mysteriously spread causing two dark circles around her eyes. Yay! I look like a panda. Chaerin threw cold water over her face, scrubbing it all away with a nearby towel.

After a thorough shower, she emerged looking fresh, but not really feeling much better. She made her bed, put her clothes out to be washed then ventured into the kitchen in search of something to eat. On the counter sat some lukewarm eggs and bacon on toast with a handwritten note. She sat down in front of the meal, seizing a piece of bacon and read the note:

Babe!

Thanks for letting me crash here last night.

It was lovely to meet you, I mean it (not some cheesy pick up line)

Also I expect to be seeing you soon! You've got something that belongs to me...

.. well two things, but one that I want back.

Call me!

Mike

Below he left his cell phone number and a winky face. Chaerin stared at the note for a while, a smile slowly spreading over her face as she entered his number into her mobile.

* * * * *

Chaerin stood in that exact spot of her kitchen. It felt so empty, so cold. This place she had lived in with him for the past 2 1/2 years was now nothing but walls and windows and soon she'd be leaving it for good. Swapping up all the memories for her parents place in Seoul. She didn't want to leave, but at the same time she couldn't help but feel this place was toxic to her. She had so many happy memories here, but knowing they would never happen again made her heart hurt. She knew they'd never be the same again. Her irrational nature and hotheadedness had made sure of that. And now he was miles away, probably with another girl sitting on his lap, calling her babe. A single tear dropped on the bench breaking Chaerin out of her self-reflection. Get your together Chaerin! You've got under two weeks left of freedom. Let's make it count!