Chapter 7:

Suzy swayed and clung to the nearest desk to steady herself. The voices were already swarming in her head.  

"I hope he feels as much pain as I did when I found out about the kiss. It was right after I told him Suji. Right after."

"Still wasn't right"

Sulli gave a dry laugh "Like you can talk. Think you're still innocent? Can't only have one boy can you? Piss off."

She shut her eyes tight, clutching her head, breathing in and out to calm herself down. Not here I won't. Please not here.

She needed to get out of the classroom. She needed air. Suzy ran down the hall and through the doors to find herself outside the cafeteria on a bench. No, not here!  

Flashback to that Day:

Suzy was sitting down on the bench outside the cafeteria reading a book. It was too loud inside and she wanted to enjoy her book without the background noise. Her state of mind was soon lost when her book was snatched from her hands.                     

"Hey wait! I was almost done that chapter! Please tell me you at least bookmarked it for me?!"   

" 'The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.' Hmm Harper Lee. Nice choice, I wonder if that's true"                                                                                           

Suzy made a grab for the book but she step sided. Suzy whined but was silenced by a simple ‘tut-tut’ sound.

"Bae Suzy, you listen to me. We are going out tonight- uh uh no interrupting and don't give me that look, I'm not Kai"  Suzy's puppy dog eyes were cast away.

 "What if I say no?" Suzy challenges. She didn't like going out. It was a known fact but the campus still considered her their queen and her friends loved her no matter what.  

Jieun gave a Cheshire smile "Do you want to know a secret?"

Suzy seemed intrigued "Shoot"

"Guess what I saw earlier? It seemed like a confession took place"  Suzy stiffened while Jieun’s grin grew wider

"And I didn't hear a rejection" she comments afterwards.

"Are you blackmailing me Jieun ah?" Suzy couldn't believe it.

"Hmm don't think of it as blackmailing. Oh come on stop with that 'kicked puppy look', my lips are sealed. So it's settled!" Jieun pats Suzy on the head before she takes her leave.

"Where are we going?" Suzy calls after her.

With a bright smile like she didn't just blackmail someone, Jieun shouts back "Exotics" //

End

Her head kept spinning around but after a while the feeling subsided, though the word was still bothering her.

Am I really one? She sighed for the umpteenth time today. It was really getting to her. She was doing so well too. No Suzy you are stronger than this.

Blowing the bangs out of her face, she makes her way to her car where an unexpected and unwelcomed guest was waiting for her.

"What do you want Naeun?" Suzy didn’t have time to talk and she definitely didn’t want to have Taemin’s ex -girlfriend in her presence.

Naeun looked as if she hadn’t slept in days, okay it’s been like two but still, she looked bad. “How could you do something like that?!” Naeun screamed at her.

Good thing the parking lot was empty or Suzy would have just left the girl but she felt like being amused.

Ugh this girl needs to stop. “And what did I do dear Naeun ah?” Suzy asked with fake concern.

Naeun wiped the hair out of her face “You know what you did! Taemin dumped me because of you!”

Suzy laughed. Oh you’ve got to be kidding me. This was too funny. Naeun thought Suzy ruined her relationship with Taemin? 

“Sweetheart, he left you because you cheated on him. And Naeun- Myungsoo really? You could have at least cheated on him with someone worth it”

This conversation isn’t worth her time.

“Shut up! Shut up!” Naeun yelled “Bae Suzy! You’re the pathetic one!”

Suzy’s eyebrows rose at that.

“Destroying other people’s relationships because you messed up your own”

What is she getting at? “Alright you’re done. I’m done talking to you. Leave” Suzy waved her hands.

“Did I hit a nerve?” Naeun asked calmly.

Does she have a switch or something? Suzy was getting bored and irritated but she wouldn’t let that show.

“It was entertaining at first, you trying to act tough, but I’ve gotten bored. So I’ll keep this short. Don’t try to play with me Naeun, I’ve been in this game far longer and trust me, you are no match.” Suzy pushes Naeun aside to unlock her car door.

Naeun looked like she was going to explode “Just watch your back Suzy; you’ll regret what you’ve done!” She said through clenched teeth and ran out of the parking lot.

Suzy rested her head on the steering wheel. I already do.

This day has been dragging on and all she wanted to do was curl up in a ball next to ice cream and watch reruns of 'Running Man', Yoomes Bond was the best, but a text interrupted her plans.

Unknown #: I’ll sing the 1st verse/pre chorus, you sing the 2nd verse/pre chorus. We’ll sing the chorus together. As for the bridge and last chorus, we’ll decide tomorrow.

Ahh that’s Krystal, forgot I deleted her number. Guess she still has mine. Hmm.

Interesting that Krystal still had her number. Baby Jung is still weak. 

She the engine and drove off. She unlocked the front door to her house and was greeted by the smell of fresh baked cookies; she heard the laughter that followed suit. Entering the kitchen Suzy finds her mother and older sister Yoona giggling over something and eating cookies.

"Ah Suji you're back" her mom greets her with a tired smile.

All the therapy Suzy had to go to cost her mother a lot of money, causing her to take extra shifts at the hospital. Yoona glances at her and raises a cookie.

"Grab one, tell me if it's good." Yoona was only 23 but was already a pastry chef at a successful bakery. She no longer lived with them but when they were having financial troubles, Yoona stood up and helped out.

Suzy eyes her up and down “did you poison this by chance?"

Yoona grabs a hold of her arms and gives a wild look "how did you know?!"

"Look at Mom"

Behind Yoona, their mom was making choking gestures and spinning around in circles. After she stops spinning, they all break out laughing. Suzy's the first to catch her breath

"You know they're delicious, why ask me?" Suzy playfully asks. Yoona breaks out in a smile. "So what were you all talking about?" She does take a cookie. Hey they were Yoona's, bound to be good.

"Guess who’s coming to visit? And possibly stay with us for a month?" Suzy mom has a playful glint in her eyes. Suzy drops the cookie.

 "Hey! My cookies don't belong on the floor!" Yoona punches Suzy on her shoulder, frowning.

Suzy rubs her shoulder absent mindedly, still focused on her mom who is casually taking a sip of water. Her mom raises an eyebrow.

"He's seriously coming?! Like for real?"

Her mom flicks her forehead

"Ow!" Yoona laughs "Felt that? For real" She even uses air quotes around 'for real'

Suzy tackles her mom. "Oh you don't know how much this means to me! I needed some good news!" Her mom pulls back.

"Is something happening at school?" Suzy adverts her eyes

Yoona slams her hands on the table "I swear if they are messing with you Suji, I will-"

"Nothing I can't handle" Suzy reassures.

Her mom lifts her chin "You know it wasn't your fault, there was nothing you could've done" her eyes were deep brown and Suzy suddenly felt warm and safe. She gave her mom a little nod, hugging her. Both women exchanged worried looks, knowing she didn't mean it. Something was going on in maknae Suzy's life but maybe this new man coming can help her fix it.