Zoey’s POV

Nikki and I led the way into our living room with Dean trailing behind them. Nikki was telling the guys about something to do with cats, her face animated and her hands flying about. To his credit, Jonghyun actually looked as though he was paying attention to what he was nodding and actually commenting at appropriate intervals.

“Riiiiiight?” Nikki squealed as she jumped on the couch. Jonghyun and his friends sat on the couch beside him except for the one with light brown hair. He pushed himself on the floor until he was in between Nikki and Jonghyun. I raised my eyebrow. “Um….do you need a chair…”

“Onew! His name is Onew!” Nikki said. Onew looked up at me with those chocolate brown eyes. That gaze sent shivers down my spine and I stepped back involuntarily.

“Hey Dean! Why are you standing around like a monkey?” Nikki asked, thankfully distracting me from Onew. I glanced over at Dean, who simply gave her the infamous ‘eyebrow’ and remained standing there. Nikki rolled her eyes and looked over at the others. “You guys want something to drink?” she asked. They shook their heads. The youngest of their group though looked like he wanted to say something but one look from his friend shut him up. Actually, the youngest one looked a little familiar.

“Hey Z, you remember Taemin right? We were in the same Intro to Psych class in freshman year,” Nikki said. Ah...so that’s how I know him…

“And this is Minho and Key,” she continued, motioning to a very tall guy wearing sweats and the school sweatshirt, and a clearly fashion conscious guy with blonde hair. I smiled at them and they smiled back at me. “And this here is Onew, he works at that new music store down the street. You know they’re in a band-”

“How did you guys meet?” Dean asked, interrupting Nikki. If she minded, she didn’t show it. “Well you know that cooking class I had to take because the Korean cultures class was filled? Well...guess who was in that cooking class?” Nikki squealed as she leaned against Jonghyun’s shoulder. Dean’s smile remained plastered on his face but I could see the muscle at his jaw twitch. I better steer this conversation away or else. “Umm…”

“And you won’t even believe it! The first day of class I burnt my keesh and Jongie helped me put out the fire! I mean...yeah, they had to evacuate half the campus…” Nikki plowed on as though she NO IDEA what could happen if she continued talking. I sighed inwardly. When Nikki wanted to talk, she will talk without a care in the world. It’s one of the reasons why they called her the buffalo’s daughter. Like her father, she will plow through anyone...but that is a tale for another day.

“Wait...that was your fault? Dude! I missed my presentation because of that stupid fire!” The one named Key exclaimed. Nikki smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry-”

“No it’s great! Thanks!” Key said, nodding. Dean rolled his eyes and feigned looking at his watch (he wasn’t wearing a watch). “I gotta go, got a massive test to study for,” he said.

“But Dean, tomorrow is saturday-”

“I gotta go alright?” he snapped. I glanced at Nikki. She gave him the ‘Nikki’ look. It was one of those looks that observe you for a millisecond and process the information. “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, smiling. I know Nikki though. Her mind was like a computer. She was thinking of every motive, observing every detail as to why Dean’s mood was so off. Knowing the situation, I know she won’t come up with the right conclusion this time. Dean nodded and left. Jonghyun and his friends sat up as well. “We should be going as well.”

“K.” With that, Jonghyun kissed her on the top of her head and left. The other guys waved bye to me with the exception of Onew. He was staring at me as though he had never seen me before (which was true) but it was creeping me out!

“Hey, stare at my best friend a different time will ya? It’s time for my beauty rest,” Nikki interrupted, smirking at him. Onew blushed and smiled. “Bye,”

“Later dude,” she said as she closed the door. She rolled her eyes at the door. “Sooooo….”

“So?”

“Um...was Dean angry about something?” she asked casually. I shrugged. “Dunno, he was like that when he got here,” I lied. Nikki nodded, still looking at the door. I poked her. “So….you’re engaged! How did it happen?” I asked her, trying to distract her. Nikki’s face brightened. “Well…”

With that, we chatted and finished watching the Mean Girls...a very typical friday.

______________________________________________________________________________

Monday morning came. Nikki and I went to class together. Now, since entering University, we and Dean decided to take one class together no matter what. This year the class was…

Viking Studies.

I know, not the best of classes but when you have your best friends, no class can be too boring.

As the class started, Nikki turned her head around, straining to see behind her. “Hey, where’s Dean?” she asked. I shrugged. “He said he wasn’t coming. He had to finish some work.”

“Oh,” was all she said but I saw her subtly pull out her phone and check out her messages. I shook my head sadly.

Two hours later, class was finished and Nikki waved bye to me. It was time for my Korean cultures class. As I sat in class, I couldn’t help but think that Nikki was currently with her ‘Jjongie’ Oppa doing who knows what while Dean was at home…

I shook my head and concentrated on the lecture. It was a typical class. I was sitting there writing my notes while the guy next to me copied off me. It was a typical class...until about halfway in. The professor was talking about food, showing pictures on the projector when I was rudely poked in the rib. I glared at the guy next to me.

“Yo…” he said. I stared at him. “Yo...you gotta boyfriend?”

What?????

“Yo...I think that guy is looking at you,” he sniggered. I looked over at the door and to my horror, one of Jonghyun’s friends were outside of the door making wild signals with his hands...pointing right at me!!!!!

“Damn girl...he’s got it bad yo!” the guy chuckled. It was getting bad to the point other kids were starting to notice as well.

“Ms. PATEL!!!!” My professor yelled, making me flinch. I stood up slowly. “Y-yes Professor Kim?”

“Keep your social life outside and don't interrupt my class again!”

“Sorry Professor Kim,” I muttered as I left the classroom with half the class laughing quietly at my expense. As I exited out of the classroom, I grabbed Jonghyun’s friend and pulled him away. “What is your problem?” I asked him, remembering that his name was Onew.

“I need to talk to you,” he said. I glared at him. “You couldn’t wait until I was finished class????” I snapped. I watched as he pouted at me. This was not going to go well. Onew scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. “Is there somewhere we can talk?”

“Um...okay? Let’s go to the cafeteria…” I said, sighing. There was no point of going back to class anyways. Onew nodded and smiled at me. I smiled back reluctantly. I ignored the thoughts going through my head about how cute he was and all that. When we got to the cafeteria, I watched as Onew tripped over his shoelace and nearly fell on his face, catching himself somehow. I sat down carefully on the couch and looked at him expectantly. Whatever it was, it had to be really urgent, considering he pulled me out of my class…

Yet, we sat there for five minutes just staring at each other. After a while, his stares begun to unnerve me and I decided to pull out my lunch: Pasta! I took a bite.

“Nikki can’t marry Jjong!” Onew blurted out, causing me to choke. I gasped and pulled out my water bottle. Onew sighed with relief as though he had the world on his shoulders lifted off him. “What?” I asked, coughing. Onew stared at me. I was starting to get angry. He can’t just spring this on a person! I glared at him. “Listen...you better tell me what you’re talking about!” I snapped.

“Nikki can’t marry Jjong.”

“Why not?”

“Because he’s in love with someone else,” Onew said. I gasped, covering my mouth. “Who?” I whispered.

“His best friend?”

“Yes.”

“But...why doesn’t he tell his friend then? How does she feel about this?” I asked.

“Who?”

“Jonghyun’s friend...how does she feel about this?” I asked. Onew stared at me. “What are you talking about? Nikki?”

“No, Jonghyun’s friend...how does she feel about Jonghyun? Does she know his feelings?” I asked. Onew frowned. “What?” I asked.

“Key’s in love with Jonghyun...I’m sure he feels the same way.”

“Yeah but...oh…” I trailed off.

Jonghyun...Nikki...Key...Jonghyun and Key….

Wooooooow…...