Reason To Hate #10: She's Back.
☠x The Noona Hater x☠
THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS:
99% Drama and 1% Humor.
and LOTS of POV changes.
Sorry.
For: sailormoOon, lingericious, Angelica, and Karina.
My eyes widened at the voice.
Just one word.
One word was all it took.
And already, I knew who it was.
Seeing her standing right there with that smile that never fails to catch me so perfectly.
The way she still looked the same.
But different.
Different. Same.
I don't know...I just...
I can't.
She smiled uneasily at me, looking for assurance, permission, that I was okay with her being here again.
It felt as if all my breath was knocked off of me.
Like being punched so hard in the stomach.
So, so hard.
So...painful.
No. No. No. No.
Please.
Please.
Please.
Why?
What did I do wrong?
Please.
No.
Please make her go away.
--
AYA'S POV
My face went white; I can't believe I said yes to her!
I'm so stupid!!
"What's the matter?" Yuna suddenly asked aloud.
As expected, none of us replied.
"Taemin, your banana milk is dripping all over the floor." Stupid Yuna continued to talk as if nothing happened.
Taemin was still frozen in his seat and he was breathing hard.
I suddenly got scared, is he okay? Is he hyperventilating?!
What if he's dead already?!
"GAIIISSSS! YOU'RE STILL HEREEEE!"
We all looked up again at the boisterous voice.
It was Jjong.
"Did you wait for me?" He looked hyper as he grabbed the chips and settled beside Onew.
"What's wrong?" He frowned, his gaze circling each of us until...
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Jjong stood up, his mouth hanging open.
"Hey Jjong." The b*tch noona smiled at him weakly.
"What...what the...is this some kind of a sick joke?!" Jjong looked upset then his gaze landed on Taemin, who was still unable to move.
"Oh . Taemin saw you?! . Shiiiit." He banged his fist on the table.
"Taemin! She's just an illusion! AN ILLUSION!" He said desperately.
"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" Yuna begged in a small voice.
"What are you doing here?!" Jjong asked the noona again in a dangerous voice.
"I'm just..." She pursed her lips, looking like she was struggling with her words.
"I'm just...here to see you guys." She answered in a small voice, giving off a weak smile again and I can see Onew looking concerned, both for her and for Taemin.
Key was expressionless, although he was clenching and unclenching his fists repeatedly.
Minho was massaging his forehead, his eyes closed.
"To. See. Us?" Key huffed, a sarcastic look on his face.
"To see us." He gave a humorless laugh.
"Are you freaking serious?"
"Guys..." Onew stood up; ready to go in between if a fight would ensue. I doubt he would win against JongKey though.
"Are you still mad?" She whispered. "After a year? You're still mad?"
The noona looked like she was going to cry.
"We're not mad." Key said in a flat voice.
"We just haven't forgiven you."
"Jooyeon noona," Minho sighed heavily.
"You cannot just pop in here like that--"
"I came for Taemin, okay?" She said in a loud, shaking voice, and then turned to face Taemin.
"Taemin," She began in a pleading voice.
"Taem, I'm back. Noona's back. I'm back for--"
"Save it." Taemin growled and suddenly stood up.
Wait.
Did he just--
WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?
--
TAEMIN'S POV
"I came for Taemin, okay?"
My heart felt like it fully stopped functioning after that.
She...came...for me?
"Taemin,"
She looked like she was going to cry.
I can't bear to see this.
I can't.
She's hurt. I can't.
I don't want to see this.
"Taem, I'm back. Noona's back. I'm back for--"
"Save it." I growled and stood up, grabbing Aya noona's hand and pulled her with me outside the cafeteria, my heart pounding like crazy.
Her sad expression when she said my name kept on popping in my head.
Why did it hurt so much to see her tearing up like that?
--
"Ouchhhh! Slow down Taemin!"
I came into a halt outside the lockers, still terribly upset.
I loosened my grip on her hands, sighing.
"I'm sorry, Aya noona, I--"
"Noona?!"
I looked up.
"Key hyung!" I was surprised.
WTF.
Did I drag the wrong person out?!
--
AYA'S POV
HOW COME HE DRAGGED KEY OUT AND NOT ME?!
WHY NOT ME?!
--
TAEMIN'S POV
"Ah, Key hyung..." I winced inwardly.
Oh great. This is just really great.
Three minutes with that girl and already, I'm a mess.
"You were the one who dragged me here." Key hyung crossed his arms.
"Were you planning to drag Aya out instead? Huh. I knew it. You thought I was Aya, huh? Is it because my hands feel so smooth and velvety?" He smirked playfully but I only sighed.
"Sorry..."
"Taemin..." Key hyung sighed, placing an arm around me.
"Are you okay?"
...No. No. No, I'm not.
"Yes." I choked out, avoiding hyung's gaze, trying my best to be composed but I knew I was failing.
How come she still has this kind of effect on me?
"I'm sorry." Key hyung hugged me.
"I know it's hard, it's a really bad surprise for all of us too."
"I can't face her. I can't. I'm not ready." I confessed.
"Yes, you can Taemin. It's been a year. I thought you've moved on? What about how you treat Aya now?" Key hyung looked a little confused.
"Aya...Aya noona is a different story, okay? Jooyeon noona...she...she..."
"She what?"
She still owns me.
"Taemin?" Key hyung asked gently.
"Nothing." I sighed heavily.
"I want to go home."
"Do you want me to go with you?" He looked concerned.
"No. It's okay." I gave him a weak smile.
"I need to think."
"Okay. I'll tell the others. Call me later, okay? I need to know if you're all right."
I nodded numbly and turned for the school exits immediately, my mind flying back to her again.
How everything else faded and disappeared when I saw her.
How it felt like she and I were the only people in the room.
I gritted my teeth in annoyance with these thoughts.
Damn it.
--
AYA'S POV
"Is Taemin okay? Where is he? Is he all right?!" I bombarded Key with questions once he returned at our table.
"He's okay." He looked stressed.
"He just...he says he wants to go home."
"He's going home?" Jooyeon repeated, concerned.
She immediately grabbed her things.
"I'll see you guys--"
"Wait, noona." Onew placed a hand to her arm in an attempt to stop her.
"What?"
"Please don't go after Taemin...please. Give him time." Onew begged.
Jooyeon looked down, placing her designer bag down on the table quietly.
"Time?" She looked hurt, which in my point, is totally unjustifiable.
How dare she get the nerve to be hurt when she was the one who broke his heart in the first place?!
"It's been a year, Jinki." She whispered.
"A year."
"Time?" She looked hurt, which in my point, is totally unjustifiable.
How dare she get the nerve to be hurt when she was the one who broke his heart in the first place?!
"It's been a year, Jinki." She whispered.
"A year."
"That's apparently not long enough for Taemin." Onew said gently.
"Is he still not over it? I didn't reject him harshly." She placed her head in her hands.
I stared at her more, not sure if I should be furious or worried or sad.
How come she still looks gorgeous while she's all distressed?!
How unfair!
"You didn't." Onew agreed and continued to speak in gentle tones.
"But he loved you so much, and he was young back then. You were his first love. He planned everything out, only to have all of it gone to waste. Do you think he can get over that so quickly?"
"I understand that. But I thought that we would at least be civil by now. Taemin...Taemin is really important to me."
"This is bull." Jjong suddenly stood up, grabbing his bag and walking out of the room.
"Even Jjong is that mad?" She bit her lip, blinking fast, obviously trying not to cry.
"Look, Jooyeon noona," Key sighed, relenting.
"I'm sorry that our first meeting went like this. We didn't mean to snap at you like that. We were just caught off guard."
She smiled tearfully.
"Do you mean that?"
"Let's talk about this somewhere else." Key glanced at me and Yuna.
"We can't let everyone know about this issue..."
"Do you mean that?"
"Let's talk about this somewhere else." Key glanced at me and Yuna.
"We can't let everyone know about this issue..."
Jooyeon glanced at Yuna and me, eyeing us from head to toe and evidently making me feel small.
Ugh.
"Minho, why don't you take Yuna and Aya home? Onew hyung and I will bring Jooyeon noona to the usual spot."
Minho nodded, "Okay. I'll meet you guys there."
"Wait." Yuna raised her hand.
"What?" Minho asked.
"If it's okay, can Onew bring us home instead?" Yuna asked shamelessly and Key looked at her suspiciously.
Onew on the other hand, smiled widely. "Sure!"
"It's just that he has a car and..." Yuna tried to explain but we can all see right through her.
Gah. How insensitive.
"Thanks for making me feel unwanted." Minho mumbled.
"Well..." Key frowned in thought, so I interrupted him.
"No. It's okay, Key. Take Onew and Minho with you. We can go home by ourselves."
"Oh but I don't mind--" Onew protested.
"It's okay." I said loudly, throwing Onew a back-off look.
"What are you doing?!" Yuna whispered, looking disappointed.
I glared at her.
"What?" She glared back.
"Onew wants to take us home!"
"And I'm declining." I stood my ground.
"If you're sure..." Key shrugged and I rolled my eyes.
Typical Key, not even being so gentlemanly.
"Well, I'm not!" Yuna insisted.
"Yuna!" I stared at her.
"Don't betray me right now! Do it tomorrow!"
Yuna took me by the shoulders,
"Aya, please understand! This might be the only chance I'll get. Do this for me! Come on!" Yuna pleaded quietly.
I sighed,
"Fine. Onew, can you please take Yuna home?"
Onew nodded.
"Sure. No problem."
"But I'm not coming."
"What? Why not?" Yuna frowned.
"Go him while you can." I muttered to Yuna and grabbed my stuff.
"I'm okay. I'd rather walk home; I have a lot to do."
"Do you want me to accompany you?" Minho asked in concern.
"No." I said flatly.
"How come none of you wants to be taken home by me?!" Minho complained.
"You're just not my type, okay?" I shook my head.
"Same goes for me." Yuna shrugged, standing next to Onew.
"What?!" Minho frowned.
"What does that have to do with anything?!"
"Can we please go now?" Jooyeon suddenly spoke up.
"We can't waste time like this...I want to see Taemin."
I tried my hardest not to glare at her and have a fight with her then and there.
Taemin is mine!
"Yeah, it's getting late. See you everyone." Key smiled forcefully, still looking bothered as he grabbed his things.
"See you." I echoed, my eyes suddenly focusing on the banana milk that Taemin had spilled, then at the new girl.
Somehow, I have a really bad feeling about this.
--
I walked home alone, my head filled with so much worry.
Okay, I need to do damage control now that my rival has arrived.
Option #1: Wear those new clothes that were meant to catch Taemin's attention.
Yes! This could work! I mean, all boys are the same anyway. They're all into visual and pretty things.
Could this work?! Except that maybe not really since we have a uniform in school and it's not like Taemin and I go out on dates...
Not only that, Jooyeon (sunbae) has the freedom to wear what she wants in school since she's just technically a guest there.
And that dress she was wearing today that totally shows off her legs is NOT working to my advantage.
Darn her flawlessness! >.<
Option #2: Go on a diet.
Seriously. How can a girl be THAT skinny? Is that even possible?! Is she some kind of a Korean model or what?!
I bet she's one of those girl robots in that catalog who looks too perfect.
OMG! Super just like that story I once read about this perfect robot boyfriend who looks so hot but then his owner returned him...and I think I ended up crying so much in that story...
HELL YEAH. SOMEONE RETURN THAT NOONA WHERE SHE CAME FROM PLEASE!
Well, anyway, never mind that.
I was never very good in diets anyway.
Unless there's a brownie diet or whatever, then count me out.
Food is just too precious to let go!
Option #3: Kidnap Jooyeon sunbae.
Wow. Best idea ever.
Not.
I don't even know how to get rid of Joon. Let alone kidnap someone like that.
And where will I keep her?!
In our house?! My brother and his imbecile friends would probably hit on her 24/7 and they'd probably go all OH YEAH, OH YEAH, OH YEA, YEA YEA and scare the out of her like the idiotic losers they are.
Option #4: Hire a fake Taemin to confuse her.
Now this could actually work.
I could hire someone who looks like Taemin then write a fake letter to Jooyeon
saying that they should meet somewhere far away like North Korea or something, then the fake Taemin could handle everything from that point on and my Taemin will never know a thing!
Yes! Genius!
Except...who looks like Taemin anyway?!
Hm...
Kai? Nah. Too young.
Karam? Well. This could kinda work except that he's in Japan. Darn!
Principal Jae...? Well, come on! You have to admit, he looks quite like Taemin! Yes?
Well, except that you can still see their differences and he'll never agree to my plan...
Aish! I crossed my arms, frustrated.
What to do?
Okay, sorry if I sound like a psycho to you,
And all of that could be gone, in the blink of an eye.
Just because she came back.
I don't even know why she's here again, but I do know what I saw in Taemin at that moment his eyes met hers.
I bit my lip.
I bit my lip.
What if she takes Taemin away?
I mean, I know he's not mine, but...
What if Taemin...
What if he finally falls for a noona...
and all I can do is watch...
because it's not me?
I don't think I can take it--
Suddenly, someone covered my eyes.
"Guess who!" The weird stranger sang into my ear.
"I don't want to." I muttered quietly, still thinking about my predicament.
"Why not?" The intruder still didn't take its hands off my eyes.
"I just don't."
"Please?~" The intruder, obviously a male, said in a cute, kiddy voice.
"Look," I began tiredly and resumed walking even though it was so weird since I couldn't see a thing.
"Whoever you are, just take all my stuffs if you want. I don't care. Take what you want." My voice started to shake.
"Take it, okay? Just leave him with me. I don't mind if you take my phone and wallet...Just not him. Please." I whispered shakily.
"Please...leave him with me."
Suddenly, the male took his hands off my eyes.
"Noona?"
I looked up to find a really good looking guy in front of me, looking worried.
It was Chan.
Chan's here.
"I'm not going to take anything away from you." He said, looking concerned.
"Are you okay?" He asked but I didn't answer.
Suddenly, he hugged me.
"I'm sorry." He mumbled.
"I wasn't there for you so much these days. I'm really sorry. He hurt you again, didn't he?" He asked and I shook my head, trying to calm myself down.
"Are you okay?" He asked but I didn't answer.
Suddenly, he hugged me.
"I'm sorry." He mumbled.
"I wasn't there for you so much these days. I'm really sorry. He hurt you again, didn't he?" He asked and I shook my head, trying to calm myself down.
"Look," He released me from the hug.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
--
I ended up telling Chan everything.
I really couldn't stop myself, Chan's a very good listener and comforter.
He's such a good friend.
"So is that what's wrong? You're worried?" He asked as he handed me a pillow.
"Yes." I nodded, squishing it and looking around.
Chan's house is very nice, especially their living room, which is where we currently are.
"Well, based on your story, Taemin seems to hate her, so maybe it would be best to brush this incident off. I mean, he did storm off, right?"
I badly wanted to believe what Chan was saying, and if I hadn't seen what emotion had flashed first in Taemin's eyes the moment he saw her, I really would've brushed all of this off.
But I can't.
Because I know Taemin doesn't hate her.
He doesn't.
You know what he looked like when he saw her?
He looked hurt.
Hurt was the first thing that was in his eyes.
If he was really just mad at what she did, his eyes should only have reflected anger in them.
But I didn't see an ounce of it.
No. Not even a little.
"Noona?" Chan snapped his fingers in my face.
"Sorry..." I mumbled, blinking.
"Noona, you're not seriously worried. Right?"
"Well...what if I am? Is that so wrong? What if I'm afraid?"
"Afraid of what?"
"She was his first love." I muttered.
"So? She was also the one who broke his heart. And believe me, us boys usually don't like being with the girl who broke our hearts."
"Have you seen her?" I was frustrated.
"Yes, I think so. She's the one who's with Principal Kim these days, right? The tall, really pretty and gorgeous..." He stopped, blushing.
"I mean, the plain...erm...ugly...old..."
I sighed and hugged the pillow tighter.
"I know what you really mean, Chan. I mean, how can I even compete with someone who looks like that?!"
"But noona, you're very pretty! I swear!" Chan crossed his heart, making me smile a little.
"But no match for her, right?"
Chan shook his head, giving off a dry laugh.
"Any girl who caught my eye is definitely, definitely beautiful. And trust me, you're the only one who did that."
I smiled wryly.
"Thanks, Chan."
He grinned and the TV, switching the channel to a movie.
"Oh hey look! Kung fu panda!" Chan looked excited then he glanced at me.
"Oh, you probably don't like that, huh? Okay, let's watch something else..." He surfed through the channels, stopping sometimes at action movies or whenever there are performances of girl groups, he would stare at them like any normal guy, but then he'd snap out of his trance and quickly change the channel and go, "Oh, right. Those shows . Haha..." then he'd give me a forced smile (because it's obvious that's what he wants to watch) and continue looking for a show I'll like.
Then he suddenly switched it to a channel which was showing a fashion show of this brand that I don't even know.
"Oh!" He blinked. "Look! Finally! It's a...girly...show. For you!" He frowned a little, thinking.
"Hmm...You like that, right? Let's watch that!" Chan smiled at me, although it looks a little strained.
I laughed, enjoying his pain a little even though it's so wrong. "Okay."
"Good! I'll get the popcorn!"
Chan disappeared in the kitchen and I stared at the screen.
I don't even really like watching fashion shows. Frankly, they bore me.
So I grabbed the remote and switched the channel.
"Popcorn!" Chan suddenly appeared, holding a huge bowl and sat beside me.
"Hey!" He looked at the TV in alarm.
"Kung fu panda!" He looked thrilled.
"Oh, I mean..." He glanced at me, looking guilty.
"Did you change the channel, noona?"
"Yup." I smiled, getting popcorn.
"Fashion shows bore me. I love Kung fu panda."
Chan's eyes widened, "So such girls exist!" He looks amazed, making me shake my head in amusement.
We continued to watch the film, enrapt.
Chan would make jokes sometimes, making me laugh and momentarily forget my problem.
But then, it would come back to me again even at the most random times.
Like when Po would eat fruits and thoughts would pop up in my head like, 'Oh look, fruit! Banana is a fruit! Just like banana milk...and banana milk is--'
It's very frustrating.
"Hey Chan?" I asked when the credits started to roll.
"Yeah?" He asked, his eyes still focused on the screen.
"You said that boys don't like being with the girls who broke their hearts, right?"
"Uh-huh..." Chan muttered, still focused on the TV.
"Well, you know, honestly speaking," I began, leaning against the couch.
"For us girls, even though we really hate the guys who broke our hearts and do our best to avoid them at all costs..." I stared at the screen thoughtfully, remembering my heartache with Taemin.
"At the end of the day, those guys," I hugged my knees to my chest.
"Those kind of guys...they're still the last thing on our minds." I said softly and Chan froze, giving me a sidelong glance.
"Do you know why?" I looked at him, but it was like I wasn't really seeing him, I just felt like talking and getting all this out.
"Because secretly, there's a part of us that's still so in love with them anyway."
"Because secretly, there's a part of us that's still so in love with them anyway."
Chan grew quiet,
"Really?" He asked in a soft voice.
"Really." I blinked, looking at the screen blankly again.
"But what I would like to know is...is it like that for you guys too?" I turned my attention towards him earnestly, hoping that he'll say no.
That they really do hate the girls who broke their hearts.
Chan, however, didn't answer, even after minutes passed; not until I tapped his shoulder gently.
"Chan?"
He stared at the screen again for a while before finally focusing his gaze at me.
"Is it like that for you guys as well?" I asked again.
He looked into my eyes, searching, I'm not sure if it's for the right words in answer to my question or to check if I was still okay.
"...Nope." He finally replied, and smiled weakly.
"It's not...It's not like that for us guys at all..." This time, he gave me a more reassuring smile then turned away quickly.
"That's good."
I smiled back, but somehow, I'm not relieved.
Because deep inside I know,
Chan's lying.
--
TAEMIN'S POV
I opened the door inside our house quietly, still deep in thought.
"Hyung! You're back?" Kai was already in front of the TV and was munching cereal in his pororo bowl rather than doing his homework.
"Where are your friends?" I asked mechanically, taking off my shoes.
"They went home already."
"Oh..."
"Yup. Oh, and hyung! Mom bought our favorite cereal! But she only got one box because there were no more left on the store, she said. I was going to eat two bowls but I know you like them so..." He went down the couch and ran over to the kitchen and back to me.
"Here hyung!" He gave me the cereal box.
"Here's your share! I didn't eat more than mine, promise!" He handed me the box but I made no move to take it.
"Hyung, are you okay?" Kai stared at me hard.
"You look like a zombie!" He poked me with the box.
"Stop it." I frowned, already in a bad mood.
"Pfft. What's the matter hyung? You're being weird again. You just got back and you're being--"
Hearing the word back suddenly made my head ache.
Kai continued to talk, "And with noona...and--"
Head. Aches. So. Bad.
"You go home like this then--"
Ow.
"I saved some cereal for you but--"
Stop. Stop it. Stop.
"--Every time you come back--"
I came for Taemin...
Taem, I'm back.
Noona's back...
"SHUT UP." I shouted at him, my chest heaving.
"JUST SHUT UP, OKAY?!" I glared at him and he looked at me, his mouth hanging open.
"H-Hey...!" He looked surprised and hurt at my outburst.
"Y-You...You said the S.U. WORD!" He looked at me accusingly.
"I'm telling mom!"
"Yeah whatever you tattletale! Get out of my room!" I shouted again.
"Get out of your room?!" He looked at me in disbelief.
"WE'RE IN THE LIVING ROOM IN CASE YOU DIDN'T NOTICE, HYUNG!" Kai shook his head, throwing me a glare before he stomped off to go somewhere else.
I stared after him, not moving for who knows how long.
I could have stayed like that the whole night but a loud commercial from the TV brought me to my senses.
I blinked fast, looking around until my eyes landed on the cereal box that Kai was trying to give me.
I sighed heavily, not knowing why I'm being such a jerk even to my own brother.
"Kai?" I knocked at his door but he didn't answer so I just let myself in.
"Please get out." Kai frowned when he saw me enter and continued to color whatever drawing he was making.
"I'm sorry." I mumbled, going over to my brother.
"Hyung didn't mean to shout and use the S.U. word on you again. I'm sorry. Hyung won't do it anymore."
He looked up at me, pursing his lips before finally sighing, an indication that he accepted my apology.
"What's bothering you, hyung? You were okay a while ago..."
"I..." I looked down at his drawing blankly.
"It's not something you would understand..."
"Oh, but I think I do." Kai looked at me innocently.
"You like Aya noona right? You like her and you don't know what to do because I like her too." He looked at me understandingly but I didn't respond.
"Hyung..." He sighed.
"Look, it's okay. You can have Aya noona. I really like her but I don't like seeing you sad. So I'm gonna give her to you...okay?" He patted my hand comfortingly.
"Kai is giving up his true love for his hyung. So don't be sad and angry anymore, okay? Just focus on making noona happy, then Kai will be happy too!"
He gave me a big smile and stopped coloring.
"Here!" He handed me the drawing.
"It's you and Aya noona!" He had drawn a girl, who I assume is Aya noona, and a little kid that was crossed off vigorously and another guy, who I assume is me.
"I was going to draw noona and me but then I realized that maybe you were in a bad mood because I like her too...so I crossed me out." He made an X sign in the air.
"Thennn...I wrote that!" He pointed to something below the drawing.
FLAMES
Taemin Hyung = 4
+
Aya Noona = 6
10 = [M]arriage
"I imitated what was written in that paper that Aya noona was holding a while ago and I realized that the first one was wrong because I tried flames on the two of you and marriage was the result! You're not lovers hyung! You're married!" He beamed adorably.
"Aren't you happy hyung?"
I found myself smiling at what my brother did.
"Yes...I'm happy. Very happy...thank you, Kai."
"It's okay hyung!" He gave me a thumbs up.
"You're not mad now? Did I do a good job?"
"Y-Yeah..." I continued to look down at the drawing.
"Oh good!" Kai was relieved.
"Now that's settled! I need to go practice my hip s now!" He looked at me meaningfully.
"Okay." I mumbled, not getting up.
"That means I want some privacy hyung." Kai reiterated and I stared at him.
Privacy? For a seven year old, Kai doesn't seem like a kid at all.
"Yeah, okay. Sorry. Hyung will go now." I got up and headed for the door, clutching the drawing firmly in my hands and staring down at it until I got to my room.
Was it just a moment of insanity or did I almost wished that Kai drew me with another girl?
--
JOOYEON'S POV
#22...#23...
ah, here we go! #24!
I hope he still lives here.
I clutched my three paper bags in one hand and rang the doorbell with the other.
It took me a while to finally get away from Key's incessant questioning and Minho's bodyguarding and Onew's nonstop concern but I finally managed to convince them that I really needed to go home.
But of course, I just went here instead.
I need to see him. Now.
As I waited for someone to open the door, I gazed up at the garden, smiling in nostalgia as I saw the roses that we planted before when he was still a freshman. They were a beautiful masterpiece now.
I looked at the long bench outside their door, positioned in such a way that the guests could sit on it while waiting.
I remember the day we bought that together, having fun at the furniture section and even taking selcas and then convincing his mom afterwards that it would look so perfect and inviting, then making Jinki and Jonghyun do carpenter work on it so that it stays permanent...and how Jinki accidentally hit Jjong's finger with the hammer and Jjong roared like a dinosaur, and it was really scary...
Ah, good memories.
I really miss it.
I really miss everyone.
Especially him.
"Yes?"
A questioning voice brought me out of my daydreaming.
It was a kid.
A small kid who looked like Taemin.
Oh, hey wait.
Don't tell me this is--
"Kai?" I asked in amazement.
"Oh my gosh! Look at how tall you've grown!"
"Who are you?" He blinked, looking up at me.
"It's me! Jooyeon noona! Don't you remember?" I smiled, bending down to his level.
"I used to bring you gummy bears all the time..."
He tilted his head to the side.
"But it was hyung who always gave me gummy bears!"
"Yeah. But it was me who always gave it to him to give to you, we saw each other once, remember?" I smiled at him sweetly.
"No." He looked unaffected.
"So it was you that gave those? Hyung never said anything about it...although honestly, I hate gummy bears."
My smile faltered a bit.
"I see." I bit my lip, mentally crossing off in my list the gummy bears present I was going to give him. Maybe I could just give him the six pack M&M's, it was supposed to be for Key...but he'll understand.
"Are you...looking for someone?" He asked unsurely.
"Yeah." I smiled.
"Is your hyung there? Taemin hyung?"
"Taemin hyung?" He frowned.
"Uhmmm...who are you first? Because I'm not supposed to allow strangers in."
"I know." I continued to smile.
"But why don't you go get your hyung? He knows me, I'm 100% sure! No, wait. 1000%!"
"Hmm..." He still didn't look convinced.
"Oh come on, Kai." I laughed.
"Do you think noona is a bad person? Someone who looks like this?" I twirled around for him.
"And besides, noona has presents! All the way from the States! That's where noona is studying college at." I raised my paper bags up, hoping to tempt him with it.
"I see." He nodded, and I smiled triumphantly.
Kids are always the easiest to talk to.
"But I still cannot let you in." He shrugged and I almost lost my balance.
"What?!"
Kids are always the easiest to talk to.
"But I still cannot let you in." He shrugged and I almost lost my balance.
"What?!"
"Sorry." He crossed his arms.
"And honestly, there's only one noona who can impress me, and that's Aya noona."
I huffed in disbelief, "Who? Aya what? Who's that?! Your neighbor?"
"No." He raised an eyebrow.
"What's your name, noona?"
"Jooyeon." I stood up straight.
"Jooyeon Noona. Go tell your hyung that Jooyeon noona is here--"
"Wait. Jooyeon? Your name is Jooyeon?" Kai frowned.
"Yes." I nodded, "Perhaps you remember me? Or maybe I'm familiar to you because Taemin talks about me--"
"You're not that same Jooyeon noona who broke my brother's heart right?" Kai looked at me suspiciously.
"W-Wha...t?" I blushed.
"Because seriously, noona. I won't let you in if you're her. I don't want my hyung getting hurt. I cannot make another drawing that will cheer him up. Especially because I broke my brown crayon...and--"
"Wait, uh, you misunderstood. I'm not her." I said nervously.
"Are you sure? Because heartbreakers are losers, noona! And losers are definitely, definitely NOT welcome in THIS house!" He crossed his arms,
seemingly older than he really is.
"I--" I blushed harder, wondering how I should handle this situation.
"Kai? Is someone at the door?"
My attention immediately went to that familiar voice, that brown hair that I always used to pat and that...
That boy that I came here for.
"Kai?"
He went nearer, looking at his younger brother, who gazed up at him.
"Hyung, I--"
"Who?" He lifted his eyes up from his brother's face to mine.
"Taemin?" I whispered, it felt so good to look at those eyes again.
He immediately froze, his face turning white, and his hands gripping the handle.
"Taemin...Taem..." I smiled nervously, trying to calm my nerves and praying hard that he won't shut the door in my face.
Except that's what he did.
He pulled his brother back and then suddenly shut the door at my face.
"T-Taemin?" I called out, knocking at the door.
"Hyung, is she--"
"Go!"
"Hyung, don't let--"
"Go! Go inside, NOW!" I heard him order Kai.
Then I heard the scampering of feet, Kai indeed went inside.
Please don't let Taemin go with him.
"Taemin?" I tried again.
"Taemin, please--"
The door suddenly opened, revealing a now calm-looking Taemin.
"What do you want, noona?"
He asked in a very cold voice.
You.
I took a deep breath and smiled at him sincerely, "I came to visit."
"There's no need." He continued to look at me coldly.
"Oh, but I brought presents!" I said brightly, refusing to give up.
"I got you those shoes you want! Remember? When we were looking at them online--"
"I prefer different shoes now." He interrupted in a flat tone.
"Oh..." I swallowed.
"Well, I got you a limited version Usher CD! He's your favorite, right?" I looked at him hopefully.
"SHINee's better." He shrugged.
"S-Shiny?" I was a little confused.
"Is that a new...group?"
He only shrugged again.
"Well..." I smiled again.
"It doesn't matter! I'm still going to give you your presents! Here you go!" I handed him the biggest paper bag which was so heavy, to be honest.
"No thanks." He crossed his arms.
"Oh come on," I pouted, like how I always used to do when I wanted him to do something for me.
"Noona carried this around for hours just so I could give it to you!"
"That's funny." He said, although he didn't look like he was happy.
"I think you forgot we're not exactly the same. I don't accept presents from people unless I like them. I'm not into the whole let's-give-them-false-hope thing."
His stares at me were like sharp cold ice and they made me wince inwardly.
"Taemin..." I was so hurt by his words.
"If there's nothing else--"
"Please Taemin..." I begged softly.
"Please..."
"This is ridiculous." He huffed.
"I do not see the point in you doing this. Please just go. Go. While I'm still being polite and civil. Go."
"Taemin, please. I'm sorry! I'm sorry already!" I was so frustrated.
"I know I rejected you before but that was a year ago! I didn't even humiliate you harshly!"
"You didn't?!" He gave off a humorless laugh.
"What part of public confession in the plaza do you not understand? If that's not harsh rejection to you, then I don't know what is."
"What part of public confession in the plaza do you not understand? If that's not harsh rejection to you, then I don't know what is."
"Look, Taemin, we were friends ever since we were kids. Are you going to throw all that away--"
"Yeah." He cut me off.
"I would. Just like the way you so easily threw my feelings away. Without no considerations. At all." He blinked fast and looked away.
"I'm sorry..." I murmured.
"I'm so sorry, Taemin. I regret everyday what I did to you. I don't like breaking your heart--"
"Then leave." He choke out.
"Leave. Now. Don't give me a second heartbreak and just leave. Please."
"Can't you give me a chance? To even just be friends again?" I stepped closer to him.
"And what about you, noona?" He looked hurt.
"Are you not going to give me a chance to recover from this heartbreak? Are you that cruel?"
"T-Taemin..." Seeing him like that weakens me.
How much did I hurt him?
"Please...just..." He blinked fast again, like he was going to cry.
"Go." He shook his head then shut the door.
"Wait!" I knocked loudly.
"Taemin! Taemin! Please! Let's talk!"
"There's nothing to talk about." I could clearly hear Taemin's voice from behind the door.
"Look Taemin, I like you as more than a friend too, okay? I like you a lot! But there was a reason why I had to reject you when you confessed to me that time. Please! Will you let noona explain?" I begged.
A sharp silence suddenly pierced the air.
"Taemin?" I knocked again.
I heard him take a deep breath,
"Please don't lie noona. I can't believe you'll say those things just because--"
"But I'm not lying! I would never lie to you, you know that!" I protested.
Silence again, one that made me sure Taemin was in deep thought.
"Taemin?" I tried again.
"Ple--"
"Go noona. Don't exhaust yourself and go." He finally mumbled, dispiriting me a little.
"No." I shook my head.
"I'm staying here until you finally talk to me!" I called out and sat on the bench.
"I'll wait for you to listen to me, Taemin!"
More silence.
"That's stupid. You'll wait forever then." He finally said.
"I don't care!" I declared.
"If it will bring you back to me, then I'm willing to wait! Even it takes forever!"
I was praying hard deep inside that Taemin's naturally kind instincts will give in. He was never one to resist or to put another to hardship.
But then, maybe I was wrong.
"Suit yourself." He replied, sounding cold again.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." He said then I heard the key being inserted to the lock. Then walking, the footsteps fading, indicating that Taemin already went inside of their house.
He really did leave me here.
Alone.
Could I not bring everything back anymore?
--
AYA'S POV
"Should I or shouldn't I?" I asked Chan for the nth time while he continued to look at me blankly.
"Should you what?"
"You know. Call him." I grabbed my phone, contemplating.
"Call who?"
"Him!" I stared at my phone.
"Him? What? The pizza place?" Chan is SO clueless.
"What" I shifted my gaze at him.
"Pizza?"
"Yes. Pizza." He nodded.
"Are you still hungry?" I looked at him in disbelief.
"We just ate four full bowls of popcorn!"
"Uhm, correction noona. YOU ate four bowls of popcorn. You refused to give me any, slapping my hand away every time I try to take some." He pouted.
"Oh..." I looked at him guiltily.
"Erm..."
"Anyway, I'm suddenly craving for pepperoni pizza. Yum! Should we call?" Chan sighed dreamily.
"Right. Should I call him?" I asked him back.
"Oh definitely! I know their number!" Chan looked excited.
"I do too. It's three on my speed dial."
"Seriously?! You like them that much noona?" Chan looked amazed.
"Well, first on my speed dial is my mom, then my dad, then it was supposed to be my brother but then I replaced him." I shrugged.
"I definitely get what you mean! My hyungs used to be one on my speed dial too! But now it's pizza!" He gave me a wide smile.
"Pizza!?" I frowned at him.
"What the heck are you talking about?!"
"Pizza. You were talking about ordering right? That's who you're going to call?" He looked hopeful.
"No. Not pizza!" I shook my head.
"Taemin!"
"Taemin? Why him?" Chan made a face.
"Maybe I'm getting worked up over nothing. Maybe he really does hate her. Right?" I looked at Chan for assurance.
"Maybe..." Chan mumbled doubtfully.
"Are we still getting pizza?"
"Okay, I'm gonna call him now!"
"Who? The pizza place?"
"No! Taemin!" I frowned a little as I pressed 3 on my speed dial.
Please pick up...
--
KAI'S POV
A strange melodic sound suddenly rang through the air.
My head jerked up in recognition.
"Hey! It's--"
I suddenly started dancing to Gangnam Style happily.
I'm really good at this~
Speaking of which, where is that sound coming from? The TV and the radio's off...
I looked around for the source in the living room while still dancing.
Hyung's phone was flashing.
Oh. Someone's calling hyung!
I danced for five more seconds before I finally called out,
"Hyung! Your phone's ringing!"
No answer.
I glanced at my zombie hyung who was still pacing back and forth in the middle of the room and muttering to himself like a weirdo.
I tried to throw pillows at him, even oranges and my toy robots but he didn't even flinch.
Hyung's phone continued to ring,
Oppa Gangnam Style~!
"Hyunggg! Your phone's ringing!" I called out again.
Walk. Walk. Walk. Walk. Turn. Walk. Walk. Walk. Walk.
Turn--
Blah. Hyung won't listen to me at all!
Oh well, I'll just dance again!
I just love hyung's ringtone!
Oppa Gangnam Style~!
--
AYA'S POV
DAMMIT! HE'S NOT ANSWERING!
I furiously punched three on my speed dial again.
"Pick up! Pick up! PICK UPPPPP!" I muttered.
"You like him that much huh?" Chan mumbled gloomily.
I turned to look at him, feeling bad.
"Uh...no, of course not. I was just concerned--"
"Of course." He interrupted, still quiet.
I mentally apologized to Chan and focused on my phone again.
How come he's not answering?
Maybe I should just go over--
"Oh look! It's raining!" Chan perked up, staring outside the window.
I glanced too, droplets of rain pelted the sill.
"Is it just a drizzle?" I asked, looking up at the sky and trying to remember if I brought my umbrella.
Which...OH GREAT. I JUST REMEMBERED THAT I DON'T HAVE IT! It was on my other bag! Ugh. Thanks a lot!
"Nope!" Chan said happily as the steady drizzle suddenly became a downpour.
"Oh no!" I grimaced. How am I going to go over to Taemin's now? Let alone go home?
"Whew. I really love the rain." Chan smiled fondly and faced me.
"Does that mean you're staying for a while more noona?"
--
TAEMIN'S POV
"Hey, is it raining?" I asked in alarm, Kai was strangely dancing to something when I suddenly heard raindrops from the rooftop.
"Yeah!" Kai looked glad.
"Does that mean we don't have classes tomorrow?"
I ignored him and peered outside worriedly.
She's not there anymore, right?
She gave up already, right?
I bit my lip and paced around some more, glancing at the clock.
5:30 PM
What if she's still there? What if she doesn't have an umbrella?
What if she gets sick?
What if--
And she--
I CAN'T TAKE THIS!
I rushed outside, I can faintly hear Gangnam Style playing in the background...
But maybe that was just my imagination.
I halted when I reached the gate, taking a deep breath before finally deciding to just peek at the top.
The flash of long, brown hair almost made my heart stop.
What the hell.
She's still there?
But why?!
What the--
HOW CAN SHE STILL BE THERE?! IS SHE STUPID?!
WHY IS SHE EVEN WAITING. SERIOUSLY.
Panicking, I opened the gate a little just to see her better.
She doesn't even have an umbrella, and she was staring up at the sky with a sad expression as it continued to soak her.
"Taemin?" She suddenly turned around, facing the gate.
She must've heard me.
But then my cowardly self took over and I quickly closed it firmly again, my heart racing.
"Taemin?" She called out and I swallowed, staring down at my shoes.
"Taemin?" She continued to call out.
"I'll wait. I promise I'll wait until you're ready to talk!"
I opened the gate a crack, her back was facing me, but she was now standing up, hugging, now I can see, the package she bought for me firmly to her chest as she sobbed.
Somehow, seeing her like that breaks my heart even more.
--
I paced around the living room again, talking and arguing with myself.
I barely noticed anything else, or even anyone, as I continued to think, glancing at the clock every now and then.
6:00 PM...
6:30 PM...
Gangnam Style kept on playing in the background. Was Kai listening to it on repeat?
I must tell him to stop. I can't think properly--
"HYUNG! YOUR PHONE IS FREAKING RINGING! CAN YOU ANSWER IT ALREADY?! I'M DOING MY HOMEWORK HERE AND IT'S SO DISTRACTING!"
Kai bellowed at me from the kitchen.
I blinked, frowning.
My phone isn't ringing. My phone is upstairs...in my room.
Right?
I ignored what Kai said and continued to pace around, glancing at the clock again, 6:45 PM...
She really couldn't still be there, right?
That's totally stupid!
Why are girls in this fanfic so stupid, seriously?!
And why do they make me feel guilty all the time??
I bit my lip again as I rushed to the kitchen, zeroing in on Kai.
"CAN YOU PLEASE STOP THAT MUSIC! I CAN'T THINK AND IT'S MAKING ME SO NERVOUS!"
Kai stood up, throwing his hands up in frustration.
"Are you seriously so dumb, hyung?! That's your phone! It keeps on ringing continuously like, an hour and a half ago!"
"Do you think I should open the gate?" I suddenly asked my brother.
"What?" He looked at me weirdly.
"Why? Is there anyone outside? Or are you going bonkers? Seriously, hyung. What the heck is wrong with you?!"
Gangnam Style started playing again.
"There is goes again!" Kai looked annoyed and stomped out of the kitchen.
I stared out at the window once more, how come the rain isn't stopping or turning into a drizzle at least?!
I was contemplating this when Kai burst into the kitchen, holding up my phone, a shocked and urgent look on his face.
"HYUNG! IT'S NOONA! ANSWER IT QUICK! NOONA'S THE ONE WHO WAS CALLING YOU ALL THIS TIME--"
I really didn't hear what Kai said after nor did I give it much thought, all I know was that I rushed outside again, grabbing an umbrella from the floor, with my heart racing like crazy again right after Kai started shouting the word 'noona'.
Noona.
Noona's calling me.
--
JOOYEON'S POV
I stared miserably at the flowerbed in their garden, feeling so heartbroken.
Taemin's gone.
My Taemin's gone.
My Taemin's gone.
Even after hours of waiting, even if it rained, he won't listen to me anymore.
I can't have him back--
The gate suddenly opened and I quickly wiped my tears away in seeing an out-of-breath Taemin, holding a closed umbrella and staring at me with wide eyes.
My heart leapt up in my throat.
Taemin's here!
He's here to give me an umbrella!
Oh, thank goodness! Maybe My Taemin is still there, underneath all that--
"Taemin?" I asked, looking up at him gratefully, my eyes drifted down to the umbrella longingly, almost welcoming the shield it will provide me from the cold rain.
But apparently, that wasn't Taemin's idea.
I looked at him again, trying to hide my confusion and the nervous feeling in my stomach.
Is he going to throw it at me and demand that I leave?
"Noona," He began, looking at me with an unreadable expression.
I shivered a little, looking at him hopefully.
But once again, he surprised me.
Taemin suddenly walked over to me, a troubled expression on his face as he took the package meant for him, which I was hugging to avoid being ruined by the rain.
"Taemin, what--"
"Jooyeon noona," He said again, sighing and opening the gate wide as he looked at me in resignation.
"Come on in."
Reason To Hate #10: She's Back.
Reason To Hate #10: She's here to take him Back.
you have (1) HATE MAIL
Was this chapter long? Yes? Sorry about that. Sorry for giving you SOOOO much drama >_____<
and please don't hate Jooyeon, she's my second favorite AS member (well, she and Nana are vying for that spot). I used her here because she seems like the perfect noona. Don't you guys think so?
Thanks for commenting and subbing ♥
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