I really wanted to kick them both.

 

Taeyong and Jungkook broke free from my grasp and stepped aside. I felt annoyed and instead of trying to kick them, I went to the curb and sat down. I still had my backpack with me and I swung it forward and hugged it. Taeyong walked over and sat down beside me. Jungkook remained where he was, but looked at me.

 

Taeyong: Sorry about my dad.

Me: I know.

Taeyong: I don't have anything against your decision, although...

Me: What?

Taeyong: It would have been better if you picked me.

Me: You really want me to kick you, huh.

Taeyong: Psh.

Jungkook: Appa just sat there.

Taeyong: Like he'd have a say on this. It's Soo Kui we're talking about, here. Even I don't have a say on this and I'm his son.

Jungkook: I don't really like this kind of arrangement.

Taeyong: I know right.

Jungkook: What's mine is mine.

Taeyong: Same here, dude. So, stay where you are.

Jungkook: Get away from there.

Me: Stop it, you two. Or I'm gonna kick you for real.

 

They fell silent and Jungkook went to sit on my other side. Nobody spoke for some minutes until I saw Luhan's car pull over and parked a few meters from us. I bet he already saw us before he parked the car. I waited until he was able to get out of his car.

 

Luhan looked confused and annoyed at the same time. He climbed out of the car and checked his reflection in the side mirror before he walked towards us.

 

Me: Lu ge! Are you here to pick me up?

Luhan: No. Papa asked for me.

Me: Huh? What did he say he wanted with you?

Luhan: There was something that didn't quite go the way his boss wanted it to be, so I'm here to...help...with it.

Me: Are you....going to try....and force me, too?

Luhan: No. I'm here as a replacement.

Me: Huh?

Taeyong: Seul Gi nuna...

Me: What about her?

Taeyong: Her and Luhan hyung.

Jungkook: Is that what I think it is?

Taeyong: Yes.

Luhan: Get inside the building, Yinzi.

Me: Yes, Lu ge.

 

Luhan didn't really wait for me to go back inside the building. I guessed he was preoccupied with something.

 

Wait.

 

Seul Gi and Lu ge?

 

Like....get married in the future?

 

Why?

 

Because I said I didn't choose anyone?

 

That's unfair.

 

I'll have to kick papa harder than necessary, then. And Mr. Soo Kui too.

 

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!

 

Taeyong: Well, well, well... If it isn't the fookers from Fook You.

Me: Huh?

Taeyong: Right across the street.

Jungkook: Dong Zi?

Taeyong: Is that what you call her?

Jungkook: I think that's what she is called.

Me: Brats.

Taeyong: What are they doing here?

Me: Spying on you.

Taeyong: What for?

Me: Because they want your company.

Taeyong: I think you're wrong.

Jungkook: They'll want anyone as long as the guy has money.

Taeyong: Didn't she have an older sister?

Me: That was her cousin.

Taeyong: You know them well.

Me: Excuse me?

Taeyong: Sorry, you're not excused. How come you know them so well?

Jungkook: She's looking at you.

Taeyong: What?

Jungkook: The one they call Dong Zi is looking at you.

Me: She has no taste. Harhar.

Taeyong: Are you jealous jagi?

 

I hit him with my backpack. He winced in pain and the witch across the street who was looking at Taeyong narrowed her eyes at me for hitting the Brat.

 

Glare all you want. You can't touch me, anyway.

 

Taeyong rubbed the spot where I hit him. Jungkook had looked away to laugh. I sideglanced at him and he smiled at me and chuckled again. I huffed and placed my backpack on the ground, then hugged my knees.

 

Taeyong: Why did you hit me?

Me: Nothing.

Taeyong: You are not even going to apologize?

Me: No.

Jungkook: *cough*

Me: Are you okay?

Jungkook: Me? Yeah.

Me: Why are you coughing, then?

Jungkook: Choked on my own saliva.

Me: I wanna go home.

Jungkook: I can call our driver.

Taeyong: I can do that, too.

Me: I'll wait for Lu ge, thanks.

Jungkook: Are you alright?

Me: I'm worried about Lu ge.

Taeyong: Maybe he'll decide like you.

Me: No, he's not like that.

Taeyong: My sister's nice.

Me: It's not that.

Taeyong: Then what?

Me: It's just that...he's my gege.

Taeyong: Okay.

Me: You don't understand.

Jungkook: He doesn't understand a lot of things.

Taeyong: Shut up.

Jungkook: I'm just stating a fact.

Taeyong: I said, shut up.

Jungkook: Oh, hitting a soft spot, aren't I?

Taeyong: Say it one more time and I'm gonna-

Me: I'm leaving. Bye.

 

I got up and picked up my bag. Just then, Dong Zi and her friends had already crossed the street and pretended to be waiting for a taxi in the side of the street where the parking lot was nearest to. Taeyong got up as well and grabbed my arm. I slapped his hand away and glared at him. Jungkook didn't say anything. He remained sitting on the curb and looked away.

 

Taeyong sighed and smirked. He started walking away. Dong Zi and her friends saw it as an opportunity to catch his attention by waving and saying "Hi, Soo Taeyong!"

 

Taeyong: Fook you.

 

And he gave them the middle finger.

 

OMG!

 

I shook my head and froze on the spot. I couldn't believe it. I knew he was a brat, but I have never seen him give the middle finger to anyone, not even his dad. But this time, it looked like he was more than just pissed off.

 

Taeyong disappeared from the parking lot. He had walked to the direction of the building's driveway. Jungkook just sat there, probably waiting for me to either leave or stay.

 

I couldn't bear listening to them fighting over petty stuff. For what? I think they know that even if they shoot each other with missiles, I won't think of it as impressive. It actually gave a bad impression on both of them. Were they really trying to impress me by fighting like that? Urgghhhh! Brats!

 

I looked at Jungkook temporarily and hesitated. But then, Luhan had said that I should go back inside the building. I exhaled rather loudly. Jungkook automatically turned his head to look at me again.

 

Me: I'm going back inside the building. I think you should go back inside, too.

Jungkook: Okay.

 

And he got up. I walked ahead of him going back to the building. We stayed at the lobby instead of going back up the elevator to the conference room.

 

Jungkook: You don't have to feel bad...but if you really don't want Luhan hyung to be...well...what I'm trying to say is that...you can choose him...instead of me.

Me: It's not as easy as you think.

Jungkook: I'm just saying...anyway...

Me: Don't make me feel bad about choosing one of you again.

Jungkook: I'm sorry.

Me: Let's not talk about it. I don't feel comfortable talking about it.

Jungkook: Alright. Sorry.

Me: Don't keep apologizing.

Jungkook: You're still wearing the pendant...

Me: Huh? Oh... Yes, I am.

 

He probably saw the pendant hanging from my necklace. My hand automatically reached up to touch it and he bit his lip as he nodded.

 

It was not long until Luhan went back down the lobby. I knew he was looking for me, and I didn't know if we were supposed to be going back home already. He saw me sitting on one of the couches in the receiving area. He nodded to Jungkook to acknowledge him. Jungkook bowed a little when he saw Luhan.

 

Luhan: Xiao Yi, let's go.

Me: Home?

Luhan: Yes, of course.

Me: Papa?

Luhan: He will deal with you later at home.

Me: Oops...

Luhan: That will be an understatement, considering what you did.

Me: I know.

Luhan: Come on, let's go.

Me: Haoba.

 

I got up and picked up my backpack from the floor. I waved goodbye at Jungkook. He just smiled a little and raised a hand briefly.

 

On our way out the building, we met Jin. We greeted him and then Luhan spoke to him briefly. It seemed like he had been summoned here by his dad to pick Jungkook up. Jungkook had looked surprised to see his hyung enter the building. After Luhan spoke with Jin, we proceeded to the parking lot, to Luhan's car.

 

Me: What did papa want from you?

Luhan: Redeeming our family honor.

Me: Huh? What do you mean?

Luhan: Ah, I don't wanna discuss it now. Get inside the car.

Me: Why can't you tell me?

Luhan: No more questions. I'm not going to discuss anything right now. Put your seatbelt on. Xiao Yi.

Me: Fine.

Luhan: Let me do that. You're twisting it wrong, what's got into you?

Me: Nothing.

Luhan: Are you sure?

Me: Yes, I'm sure. You won't even discuss something with me.

Luhan: *deep sigh*

Me: Okay, okay. I won't force it. I'm sorry.

 

He huffed and started the car.

 

I went to turn his car stereo on and popped in a CD which I pulled out from the compartment. It was a piano instrumental CD and I looked at the cover.

 

Yiruma.

 

One of my favorites.

 

Luhan: How was school?

Me: It was okay.

Luhan: No homework?

Me: Nope.

Luhan: Exams?

Me: Next week, I think.

Luhan: No fieldtrips?

Me: Nope. Not that I wanna go, either.

Luhan: Hmmm...

Me: How was your school?

Luhan: *chuckles* Why are you asking?

Me: I wanna know, too.

Luhan: Well, we're doing reporting now. For those who've done internships, at least.

Me: Like you and Kris and Xiumin ge?

Luhan: Yeah.

Me: Have you reported already?

Luhan: Nope. My turn's not until the week after next.

Me: Is it hard being a senior?

Luhan: A little, especially if you struggled with your junior year.

Me: Have you struggled with junior year?

Luhan: Not really.

Me: Oh.

Luhan: Why the sudden interest?

Me: I was just asking. I can't ask you about what papa wanted from you, so I improvised.

Luhan: Hmmm...

 

We arrived home twenty minutes or so after. Luhan asked me to go and punch the coordinates for the gate. I got out from the car and ran to the gate and punched in the numbers. I missed this gate. LOL. As soon as the gate mechanically opened, I ran back to the car and got in. Luhan drove through the gate. The gate closed automatically after the car was inside the premises. I took my backpack from the backseat and slid out the car. Luhan and I walked together to the front door. He pocketed his car keys as he turned the doorknob open with his other hand. I walked through the door before him.

 

I was still getting used to the new look of the house. Everytime I step inside the hall, I got disoriented. There was a sort of small lobby as you step inside the front door. There were several doors that would lead you to the different parts of the ground floor. The staircase was situated on one side of the hall. There was a tall mirror that reached up to almost the ceiling, fronting the stairs. So whenever one was going down, you'd see your reflection. It was one of Tao's favorite spots of the new house. Well, almost all the boys liked to stand in front of this spot when they're either going up or down the stairs.

 

Kai usually stops and breaks into a dance whenever he goes downstairs. Chen made it his habit to check his hair from this spot. Baek used this to talk to himself. Kyungie seemed to have a silent war with this mirror, for whenever he sees his reflection, he makes faces at it and rolls his eyes after.

 

I guess the only ones who were not that obsessed with this mirror are Suho and Lay. Suho just passes it by as if it wasn't there at all. Lay looks confused when he sees the mirror, like it wasn't supposed to have been there before, then just shrugs and continues to his destination.

 

Kris and Xiumin loves sitting down on the stairs and facing the mirror to admire their reflection. Chanyeol and Sehun uses the mirror to compare their heights. But Tao uses it mostly for his daily..no..hourly fix of selfies. Hahah.

 

Me?

 

Well, I haven't really thought of a great use for it, aside from being conscious of how I look everytime I step down the stairs.

 

I guessed that Luhan didn't really ask me about what happened at the office because he already had a lot on his mind. If he said he was redeeming me to uphold the family's honor, it meant that he was the one who will be married to Seul Gi.

 

 

 

---

 

 

That evening, papa called a meeting over at the dinner table. I was silent. I knew I was about to be punished. But before papa announced my punishment, he had announced that there had been some change of plans regarding the business and family merger, a.k.a. marriage arrangement. Aside from celebrating the new year and thanksgiving, he had announced that it would also be a celebration for the engagment of Seul Gi and Luhan. Mr. Soo Kui probably knew his daughter won't make the same decision as me, so he had set the engagement party on Chinese New Year. The boss had invited his company's management staff and their families for a celebration of some sorts.

 

Nobody said anything the first ten minutes.

 

The boys just looked at each other for a few minutes and then smimultaenously looked at me. If Luhan was the one getting married, that meant I had done something unforgivable and so Luhan was the price that paid the blunder I committed.

 

Mama had to clear twice. I think she was not ready for that announcement. Papa must not have told her about it until dinner. Her precious Xiao Lu was going to be engaged soon.

 

Kris looked at me like I committed a murder. I think he was disappointed in me. I couldn't blame him for looking at me like that. I knew I made a big mistake. But it was too late now. I had caused my Lu ge to be tied to someone he barely even knew. If I had chosen Taeyong, it would be a different story, since I sort of liked him. Right? I liked him, but I not enough to marry him yet.

 

I felt guilty and silently apologized to the familiy. I kept my head bowed as I ate. Papa waited for everyone's reaction to his announcement. It was mama who spoke first.

 

Mama: Well, in that case, we will need to prepare for that. I'm not exactly happy about it, but there's nothing we can do now. It's such a short notice, but since it's for the good of this family, let's prepare for it.

Papa: The original plan was... Anyway, the engagement party will be at the Grand Hyatt, Redmoon restaurant bar. Soo Kui had already asked his secretary to make the necessary arrangements there.

Mama: We will be celebrating new year here at home, I suppose.

Papa: Yes, of course. But around dinner, the engagement party will commence.

Mama: My Xiao Lu, getting married soon. I don't want to think about it.

 

What if it was me? Would you say the same?

 

Xiumin: Luhan will get married before me. That's a first.

Luhan: There is no date for the actual wedding.

Xiumin: Right. So, you will finish your college degree first?

Papa: Yes, of course. Soo Kui knows that.

Sehun: Lu ge is a married man after new year? I don't know what to say.

Baek: Maybe a congratulations?

Sehun: It's weird.

Papa: What's weird?

Sehun: Nothing, papa.

Chen: So it really means that Lu ge will eventually be a dad?

Chanyeol: He's not even married yet.

Chen: I know that. I'm only saying that in the not so distant future, he will have a kid.

Kyungie: Babies are cute.

Chen: I'm not cleaning any baby poop.

Chanyeol: Pa, is having kids part of the deal?

Sehun: What deal?

Papa: Well, eventually, an heir should be needed and it is but natural for a husband and wife to have a baby.

Tao: Eww..

 

I felt left out. I dare not say anything, because I knew all attention would be on me. I had let them down. The best thing I could do to lessen their disappointment was stay silent on my seat.

 

I glanced momentarily at Luhan. He wasn't talking as much. I saw the burden was heavy in his eyes. Like all the life of his soul were out. He wasn't really smiling, but managed to look fine. The oldies congratulated him and wishing him all the best in the new chapter of his life.

 

Luhan turned his head towards my direction and I was caught offguard. I ducked my head and placed my hands under the table. I was so guilty of what I did. Sehun was the one seated on my right and he looked at me. He asked me if I was done with dinner. I just shook my head and picked up my fork again.

 

Papa: Xiao Yi.

 

My head shot up.

 

Me: Pa...

Papa: My office, after dinner.

Me: Yes, papa.

 

All hell will break loose after dinner. I was sure I'd be shipped off to Timbuktu or somewhere. The rest of the boys turned their heads at me and looked expectantly. Suho sighed and shook his head. I bet he was disappointed at me, too. I looked away then. But before I was able to look away, I saw Lay looking at me with a question in his eyes. I bit my lip and wanted to disappear right then and there.

 

Mama: Don't bother your sister. This is not the time to discuss what happened there.

 

I guess mama knew what I did, except the part where Luhan had to be my substitute. I softly asked permission to be excused.

 

Me: Can I be excused? I am done eating.

Mama: Yes, you may.

Papa: Wait in my office. I'll be right there in a few.

Me: Uhm....yes, papa.

 

I slowly got up and went to wash my hands. Then I proceeded to papa's office. I got lost in the way, because I haven't really gotten used to the layout of the house. I had to open a few doors before I got the correct one. I went to sit at the armchair in front of papa's desk. There were the usual stack of papers on one side of the table and his pen holder on the other side. In the middle of the desk was papa's laptop.

 

I rested my arm on the desk and laid my head on it. I was dead meat in a few minutes.

 

I heard footsteps outside the door and the door opening and closing. I straightened up and bit my lip. I was nervous as hell. Papa went to sit on his swivel chair across me. He opened his laptop first and checked on something. He also took out his phone and read some messages. Then he placed his phone on vibrate mode and laid it on his desk. He closed his laptop.

 

Papa: So...

 

This was it.

 

Papa: Explain to me what happened.

Me: Uhm... I... It was hard.

Papa: Which one was hard?

Me: Choosing which one.

Papa: And you had to talk back to my boss.

Me: He was being...unreasonable.

Papa: Wu Yinzi, I did tell you that whatever your decision was, that I would respect it. I'm there. But, what disappointed me was how you talked back to someone older than you. I cannot tolerate that. He's not only older than you, he's also my boss.

Me: Wo hen baoqian, papa. Wo bushi zhege yisi zheyang shuo. I didn't really mean to talk back.

Papa: Zhen de ma?

Me: Zhen de, zhen bushi guyi de...

Papa: Haoba. But that does not mean you're off the hook. You're still going to be punished. I'm still thinking of that. But I currently have a lot of things in mind. I'll let you know after the engagement party.

Me: Wo mingbai le.

Papa: You're not allowed to go out before the party.

Me: Uhm... yes, papa.

Papa: Do you have any school events before that?

Me: Not really.

Papa: Hao. So, I expect you not to go anywhere until then.

Me: Yes, papa.

Papa: Soo Kui didn't take it lightly, you know. He was all but flipped the table.

Me: He talks to Taeyong like that, too.

Papa: What did you say?

Me: I.. uhm... He's like that to Taeyong. The last time- no... the first time we had dinner with his family, his appa shouted at him in front of many people. I think that's why Taeyong is acting like a brat.

Papa: Hmmm... He's a busy man and he's more of a perfectionist than I am.

Me: But he sort of humiliated Taeyong then.

Papa: Let him deal with his family. It's his concern.

Me: And Luhan is going to be married to his daughter. I don't want him to shout at Luhan like he does to Taeyong.

Papa: That's not going to happen.

Me: I hope so.

 

Papa dismissed me after that. He said he had work to do. I said goodnight to him and went out of his office. I think I gave him something to think about. Papa might be strict, but he didn't shout when he scolded us. He was firm, but it was rare when he raised his voice. I knew he wouldn't like it if another person started shouting at Luhan.

 

Mama was probably shocked and disappointed. I think she was shocked about the turn of events and she was disappointed with how I behaved.

 

I found myself at the foot of the stairs near the front door. There was another staircase at the hall before the kitchen. I didn't get lost this time. I was relieved. The last time I wanted to go upstairs, I had to make a full journey from the back door going through the kitchen and to the media room. I still hadn't found out about the stairs in the kitchen.

 

I guess papa had added that as an extra, so in case we were running late, it was more convenient to go down the stairs directly to the kitchen.

 

I stood in front of the mirror. I scolded myself silently before I proceeded up the stairs. I went directly to my room and plopped down on my bed. I snuggled in between my pillows and let my mind drift away. I didn't really care about thinking. I felt tears coming.

 

So I cried.

 

I was disappointed at myself too. I guess I was just too rash and I acted on impulse. I disappointed my family. Now Luhan was going to pay for what I did. It was more than I could bear. Someone was going to suffer because of my actions. If only I could something to change it, but it was too late now. The date was set and Luhan was going to be engaged to Seul Gi.

 

He was getting married to someone he barely knew. The marriage would not be built on love, but on business terms. It was only like a business deal, except that it was a lifetime deal. The contract would be a marriage contract.

 

Seul Gi had a boyfriend, but because of what I did, she'd have to break up with him and be engaged to my Lu ge. What if Luhan already had someone he liked? I would be breaking her heart too.

 

Why did I have to be selfish?

 

Then I recalled what Jungkook had said earlier. He had said that he was ready to give me up, just so I wouldn't have to feel bad about Luhan marrying Seul Gi. My heart hurt. Why did his words hurt me? Did that mean I cared for him more than how much I admitted to? If I chose him, it still meant Luhan getting engaged to Seul Gi. If I stuck with my decision in not choosing any one of them, there would have been a possibility that Mr. Soo Kui would have reconsidered, had I not talked back at him.

 

I felt really stupid.

 

If kicking Mr. Soo Kui was the stupidest thing to do, and if what I did was the less stupid thing to do, then I should have done the lesser stupid thing to do...and that was to just keep calm and explain my decision. But it was too late now.

 

I think I cried myself to sleep.

 

I woke up around midnight and felt my pillow all wet. I went under the covers and curled up. I still felt bad about everything. I would have to apologize to Luhan first thing in the morning.

 

 

 

---

 

 

February had come by so fast. Kim Hoseok's birthday was the day before the Chinese new year and we were invited to his party. He had asked his appa to give him a skateboard themed party. His appa had rented the whole Woodward skateboarding park. Of course, the whole FISSkT members were present. He had also invited his classmates and some friends outside school. Since he was one of the most outgoing and friendly FISSkT boys, he had made friends with some of the skateboard kids in the neighborhood.

 

Taeyong was invited as well, since by now, they knew he also does skateboarding. Mr. Soo Kui decided for his family to remain in Beijing until the engagement party. They were supposed to be back in Korea already, but because of the party, they remained in China. Jeno was also into skateboarding, but not as much as his hyung. Nevertheless, he was invited to J's birthday skate party. Seul Gi was also invited. It would be the first time I would be able to witness how Luhan and her would interact after the announcement.

 

February eighteen. Kim Hoseok's birthday. February nineteen, Chinese new year and engagement party.

 

It was the day of J's birthday.

 

Feb. 18, Wednesday, 3PM, Wu mansion.

 

It was a school holiday, since the next day was Chinese new year.

Papa had work and he asked the oldies to take care of everyone. Mama had to go to her internship job at the clinic where Dr. Min was assigned. Taehyung's mom was around five months pregnant already and her belly was already showing. The Min boys were excited because they will be having a baby sister, after their mom underwent the gender ultrasound. Just four more months, and she will give birth to their little sister.

 

The case against the Dong brothers were already in court and they had been detained in one of the police detention centers in Beijing. Atty. Kim was one of the lawyers handling the case. The Kim boys were updated about the case, since their mom was on the legal team.

 

There was still the restraining order prohibiting any Dong family member to come near us.

 

Because of the case already being in court, the school had lifted the ban on all sports practices. Tao and Baek's martial arts classes also recommenced. The kidnapping scare had subsided and we were once again allowed to stay out without police . However, the MIB at school remained. The school board thought it was a good idea to keep them, so they stayed guarding the school.

 

J's party starts 3:30 and we still had to drive to Woodward. Luhan drove his car and I rode with him. Sehun and Tao also sat at the backseat with their skateboards. It was a skateboard party, anyway. Xiumin drove the Sienna and Kris the Odyssey. The three cars convoyed to the skate park.

 

Sehun's phone rang in the backseat. He answered it after five rings. He had fallen asleep. Tao had nudged him and told him someone was calling him. It was Jungkook. He asked if we were already on the way, because the party was about to start.

 

Sehun: Yeah, we're on our way now. About twenty more minutes, I think. Hmmm...yeah...yeah...alright. Xiexie.

 

Jungkook and I haven't been on speaking terms. Again.

 

After the incident back at the Soo Kui building, we haven't spoken to each other. Not even in class. I avoided him and he avoided me. I didn't know why he avoided me. I didn't know why I avoided him either. But whenever I saw him, my heart hurt. I just didn't wanna talk to him with my heart hurting.

 

Kris was leading the convoy and we were the rear. We had to gas up at the next station. The oldies were the ones who went to pump the gas themselves. There was an automatic pump and you just had to swipe your credit card to pay for it.

 

A car slowed down and stopped behind ours. The driver was waiting for his turn, because Luhan was still using the pump. Kris and Xiumin stood by the cars talking to each other. As Luhan finished gassing up, he replaced the pump back on the dispenser. The driver of the car got out.

 

I recognized him as the Subaru guy, the other guy. Luhan probably didn't recognize him because he wasn't there when it happened. But Lay and Suho would know. Luhan walked casually back to the car and slid back in the driver's seat. He started the car and maneuvered it forward. I was looking at the Subaru guy from the rearview mirror. He was looking at us.

 

Shivers down my spine.

 

I whispered to Luhan.

 

Me: Lu ge.

Luhan: What is it?

Me: That guy behind you at the gas station.

Luhan: What about him?

Me: He's the Subaru guy. The other guy from the incident before with the GT guy.

Luhan: Is he following us?

Me: No. But he was watchin us as we drove away.

Luhan: As long as he doesn't follow us, it's good. Better call the police and tell them you saw him at that gas station. He could be asked for questioning.

Me: I don't know what to say. You call?

Tao: He's the creepy guy who followed you before?

Me: He didn't really follow. He was sort of acting as having a road issue with the GT guy.

Tao: Wasn't it a Subaru that followed you before? Not that incident, but the other incident.

Me: I don't remember.

Sehun: I can call the police.

Luhan: I'll do that once we get to the skate park.

Sehun: Alright.

 

We arrived at the skate park. Luhan went to follow Kris and Xiumin to look for an empty space to park the cars. When the cars were properly parked, we all got out and followed the oldies inside the building. Outside the building was a big sign on the left side that was slanting up and read WOODWARD Beijing. In the middle, just top of the double doors, were the letters BFSP. To the left of the building was another building, more like a gym and some stores inside. In front of it was the outdoor skating rink.

 

It was J who greeted us at the door. He was all smiles and ushered us inside. The Min boys were already inside and warming up. The place was huge and it looked cool.

 

J: Whoaaa! You are here! Ahh, so cool. Thank you for coming.

Kris: Not at all a big deal, J. Saengil chukkahamnida.

J: Thank you.

Chanyeol: So, you got some competition happening?

J: Of course. There's one for the indoor activity, and we got the outdoor obstacle course. First is the indoor.

Chanyeol: This would be like practice. Good idea.

Baek: Hoseokkie, where do I sign up?

J: Oh right over there. Jimin is handling the sign up sheets. We'll have a raffle later too for fun.

Baek: Daebak. On my birthday, I'd like to have a skateboarding theme too.

J: Let's do it as an annual thing?

Kai: Like a skateboard cup thingy?

J: Ne, like that. Kim Hoseok Cup. Sounds niceu.

 

I stood there listening to them. I didn't quite fit in, because I was not a skateboarder. I walked behind Luhan as he went to say hi to the other guests who were already there.

 

I met Jungkook's eyes. He was seated beside Jimin by the wall. Jimin was writing down names on a sheet of paper as some boys hovered over him and relayed their names.

 

Jimin: Indoor, outdoor or both? Okay, both. Kookie-ya, give them a ticket stub. It's for the raffle later, don't lose it. you might win, but if you lose the ticket, you can't get your price.

 

Jungkook absentmindedly handed the other boys their ticket stubs.

 

Jimin: Xiao Yi, wanna sign up?

Me: Huh?

Jimin: Indoor competition, outdoor or both?

Me: Are you kidding me?

Jimin: What? Your team captain has not taught you the basic tricks yet? Tsk tsk. Kookie-yahhh. Bad teacher.

Jungkook: There's no time to practice.

Jimin: Make time...you are so lame.

Jungkook: Aishhhhh...focus on your job.

Jimin: *makes fireworks sounds*

Jungkook: Shut up.

 

Luhan was talking to Jin and there was sort of a commotion near the door. Taeyong and his siblings had arrived. They were escorted by their driver. Taeyong made his way towards us and smiled at me.

 

Awkward.

 

But I smiled back. Jimin made a dying firework sound and Jungkook hit him in the gut. Jimin just laughed it off.

 

Jimin: Taeyong-sshi, you sign up here. You wanna join the outdoor, indoor or both?

Taeyong: Both.

Jimin: Ah, that's manly. First competition's indoor. Kookie-yah, the ticket stub please.

Taeyong: What's that for?

Jimin: For the raffle later. Don't lose it.

Taeyong: What do I need the raffle for?

Me: It's for a house and lot prize, which includes a real live fire-breathing dragon as guard. Don't be a brat here. It's not your party.

Taeyong: Whoa. feisty.

Me: I don't wanna talk to you.

 

I suddenly got annoyed with his brattiness. I looked away and fixed my eyes on some girls who were in one corner watching my brothers who were warming up. Probably J's classmates.

 

Luhan nudged me and I followed him. I knew Luhan didn't want me to be in the same vicinity with either Taeyong or Jungkook. He had spotted Seul Gi and made the first move to say hi to her. She smiled at him, but only so. I noticed she looked sad.

 

I should have kicked Mr. Soo Kui. That would have been more worth it.

 

Luhan made small talk with her and I tried to liven up the atmosphere by complimenting Seul Gi and how she looked that day. She thanked me and complimented me as well.

 

As we were talking, someone tapped Luhan's shoulders. It was the FISSkT captain.

 

"Someone is looking for you outside."

 

Luhan: Who is it?

TC: I don't know. It's a girl.

Luhan: Huh? A girl?

TC: Someone just relayed it to me, too.

Luhan: Oh. Xiexie.

TC: No biggie.

Luhan: Xiao Yi, stay here.

Me: Okay.

Luhan: Where's Kris and Xiumin...oh...there. Okay, I'll be right back.

Me: Okay.

 

He walked over to the door and went to see who it was looking for him. I stayed with Seul Gi and talked to her. Jeno was over the set stairs talking to Chen and Chanyeol. He seemed to like their company for he was laughing with them. The dorks were making a fool of themselves again, in front of many people. Tsk, tsk.

 

Kyungie was being surrounded by some of J's girl classmates and asking for him to sing a line or two from a song of their choice. Like a live request program. Namjoon was also pulled along to act as the live DJ.

 

Kris walked over to us and asked where Luhan was.

 

Me: There was someone who was looking for him outside.

Kris: Nugu?

Me: I don't know. The team captain didn't know who it was either, because someone just told him as well.

Kris: Which door did he go out from?

Me: That one.

Kris: Wait here. I'm going to check.

Me: Can I come?

Kris: No.

Me: Gege.

Kris: Fine.

Me: Thanks!

 

I hugged his arm. I excused myself from Seul Gi and followed Kris to the door. There were several people converged there. He opened the door and looked around. Luhan was nowhere to be found.

 

My heart suddenly beat faster than normal. Kris asked around if they saw Luhan. The people just shrugged. Kris started to look worried. There were people in the outdoor course and Kris started walking over to them. I followed him with my arm still linked to his. He was so tall that I was sort of dragged a little.

 

Kris: Yo! Ssup? Have you seen Luhan?

Guy1: Luhan ge? Ah, yeah.

Kris: Zai na'er?

Guy1: He was with a girl.

Kris: Huh? You know who?

Guy1: *shrugs*

Guy2: It was that Dong Hua Chen girl. Know her?

Kris: Yeah. What??

Guy2: They went across the street.

Kris: What the fu-

Guy2: I heard she wanted to talk to him about something.

Kris: What did Luhan say?

Guy1: He looked hesitant at first, but went with the girl.

Kris: Thanks, man.

Guy1/2: No biggie.

 

Kris had taken his phone form his pocket and started dialling Luhan's number. He was not replying.

 

What did the witch need from Lu ge? Didn't she know that there was a restraining order and that she could be held in contempt for not followind that? And why would Lu ge follow her?

 

People were coming out of the indoor course and piling out to the outdoor course. There had been a change of plans. Most of the kids wanted to start the outdoor competition, and J had to agree. He was also excited for the outdoor competition himself.

 

I found myself standing beside Jungkook. He had his skateboard under his feet and rolling it backward and forward with his foot. He didn't seem to realize we were standing side by side, because he was grinning and cheering for the people who were first to compete. The competition was held by batches. There were ten people up for the first batch.

 

Kris was still trying to reach Luhan on his phone, he had called Xiumin, Suho and Lay to tell them of the situation.

 

Taeyong had appeared on my other side and smiled at me. I made a face at him and looked away, only to see the back of Jungkook's head. I decided to just stare at his head instead of at Taeyong.

 

Kris, Xiumin, Suho and Lay were converged in a small circle and trying to understand what was going on.

 

Then I heard Taeyong's voice.

 

"What the ? What's that man doing here?"

 

I turned around to look at him. Taeyong had turned his head around and was staring into the distance. He seemed to have seen someone he knew. I searched for the person he was looking at and saw him. His tall frame was standing by a car and talking to another man.

 

There were flowering shrubs and some trees obscuring the view, so I wasn't able to make out the face of the other person. Then a familiar figure appeared, walking towards the man. This figure was with another person.

 

Luhan.

 

Hua Chen and Luhan walking towards that man.

 

Choi Siwon.

 

"Kris ge...Gege...gege....Luhan...Hua Chen...Choi Siwon..."

 

Was all I could say...before I saw Choi Siwon hit Luhan in the face and my brother fell down. The other guy who was talking to Siwon picked up my brother and pushed him inside the car.

 

 

---

---

 

Luhan is kidnapped. Someone else is going to get hurt badly. Actually, two more. That's all I could say for now.  → ♥♥♥  吳愛你們！我愛你們！