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CHAPTER ONE

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"Ah, Chunji! There you are!" Niel cried his nickname as Chanhee slid into the seat opposite of him. The cafeteria was partially deserted, with only several small groups of students that remained. Teen Top, after the final bell, never went out in public till an hour after it had rung. While they enjoyed attention, they enjoyed the personal time amongst themselves even more.

"I'm still your hyeong, Niel," his friend hissed, doe-like eyes carrying a hint of black and gloom. The rest exchanged surprised glances at his unusual attitude. Yoo Changhyun - otherwise known as Ricky - hesitantly asked, "Hyeong, what happened?"

Chunji merely shook his head, and clenched both hands together in an uneasy manner that revealed his uneasiness. Ricky blinked, and soon giving up, turned away. He was about to get Choi Jonghyun - to them, it was Changjo - to attempt as well. At that moment, Chunji sighed.

"I suppose you all know about the new transfer student?"

"Yeah," Changjo nodded before shrugging. "What about it?" The youth had heard about the rumours and all, but found it didn't really bother him. Curiosity sparked in him, and he mentally asked himself the same question Ricky had enquired of.

"Well, apparently, he's in my class."

Silence descended upon them; all were in shock or just didn't know what to say. For the former, it was understandable. For the latter, it was a nonchalant 'so what'?

Then, Niel broke the silence hanging between them like a thick thread.

"What?" he nearly screeched. Thankfully, the area did not have many people; thus, he did not attract much attention - apart from a few lifted heads and stunned expressions from a few people.

Bang Minsoo - CAP - exhaled deeply. He shook his head and grimaced. "Lower your voice, Niel. My eardrums are gonna bleed at this rate."

"Sorry, hyeong." His attention reverted back to the grumpy Chunji. "Are you serious? Crap, the rumours are true, aren't they? That's why you look so unhappy." The interested male leaned forward, hazel eyes gleaming. "Tell me more! Before you came, I found out that he wasn't in any of our classes or level; so I figured he would be in yours. Huh! To think our roles has now been reversed from this morning! Maybe I should repeat to you what you told me."

"Ha-ha," he spat. "Well, you're right," Chunji then groaned. "He is in my class." He felt like slamming his fist against the wall. He was definitely not in a good mood.

"What rumours?" Ricky innocently asked. He knew of the news, but not of the rumours circulating it. Changjo heaved his shoulders again.

"That he's a gangster, that he was a hooligan while in the States - that sort of thing."

"Oh, really?" the second youngest of the group was unable to cover the quivering of his voice. Niel nodded eagerly, and Chunji raised a brow - previously, he had seemed so nervous and was in a wreck. Now, he seemed to be excited and bouncing from happiness. Bipolar freak, he thought grimly.

"Not only that!" Fishlips added. "People also say that he's a womaniser and had many girlfriends. He would take them to karaoke several times a week, before bringing them back to, well..." he trailed off meaningfully. The group nodded - some of them 'aahing' and nodding in understanding.

"Chunji-ah," CAP said, the tip of his cap. "What's gotten you in such a knot? I didn't know the rumours - or maybe, facts -would affect you that badly."

"It's not that!" Chunji replied.

"Then what?" the group chorused.