It was a cold, chilly night and everyone had already gone to sleep, the girls, the boys and most of the older well-trained people who weren’t security for anyone who is doing what they shouldn’t be. And you were one of them. You were in your white pajamas that every other apprentice has to wear to sleep. It was far too early for you to be heading to sleep on that blanket you find to be uncomfortable sometimes. And besides, you wanted to see the boy who always practices in the secret garden late at night when no one else ever goes unless permitted. But he was a rebel to yours and everyone else’s eyes. There were always rumors about him, usually good but the bad ones from the boys who were jealous that he was so popular and skilled at the techniques. 

You sneaked a peek into the crack of the wooden fence that closed the garden, waiting for him to show up. It was freezing cold and the only thing keeping you from freezing to death were the thin clothes that stuck to your body loosely. After minutes of just waiting in the pure cold, he finally arrives and his sword is in his hand. You instantly awaken at the sight of his figure, waiting for him to strike the air. He slowly began the show with a simple lift of the sword, pointing it to the left, then right, and all directions you could see from the angle you were standing at. He did flips, kicks and punches to the surrounding space.. and you were amazed. 

You made a quiet whisper, “Wow…”

But he flinched in your direction. You leaned back against the fence, hoping he wouldn’t catch you and think you’re some sort of stalker. But moments later, you rechecked for him and to your misfortune, he was gone. You were disappointed, but that was quite the show. You sighed at the moment but was stopped midway when someone had wrapped their warm arms around your body, covering your mouth with their warm palm. You were scared out of your mind. If you get caught by security, that’s a week of hard labor and all the other kids being able to bully you in all sorts of violent and cruel ways while you were being strapped to a wooden pole.

“Why are you out here?”

Your eyes were wide and you were paralyzed, being unable to speak out with your frozen lips.

”You know if you’re out here, you could get in trouble.”

You looked up at the stranger and noticed.. it was him. The mysterious boy who is more than known to the entire academy. The same person who isn’t real to anyone, but is just a myth. The legend that makes you fluster just at the sight of his extravagant skills and body movements. You could have sworn your were dreaming and that this wasn’t real, but then.. he smiled at you, sweetly. You wanted to squeal out of how unrealistic this is, and how his body is making complete contact with yours, but of course, you wouldn’t want to get in trouble. 

“Were you watching me? That’s cute.”

His tone was different and he was charmingly speaking to you with a nice tone and a smooth, soft voice, “Come on, let’s get you to bed before you get in trouble.”

Walking on the roofs wasn’t a smart idea since he knows for sure he’d get you in trouble. He carried you with his arms around your back tightly, sneaking around the buildings cautiously and very ninja-like. You closed your eyes at the moment, no matter much you wanted to open them, it just seemed too unrealistic. Having to be able to connect with his touch, or even to be moving at such a fast speed, it was too.. surreal. But next thing you know, you were already in your cabin, laying down on the blanket and being tucked in by the legendary Huang Zi Tao.

—

You were being lightly kicked in the back by a bare foot from a person who kept commenting, “Wake up, we’re going to be late for breakfast. Hurry up.”

“Oh my god, Jongdae, please stop.”

“How could you be so tired? Were you up daydreaming about that imaginary guy again?”

“He’s not imaginary.. he’s real. I saw him.”

Chen squats down next to you and holds out his hand, “Come on, seriously. Who would want to miss breakfast?”

“It’s just porridge every time, who cares?”

But it doesn’t matter what you say, he pulls your lazy body up and drags you to the cafeteria where all your other friends were sitting. 

“Sorry guys, _________ was dreaming about Tao again.”

They all laughed at you for having such beliefs. 

Luhan said, “________, if you keep thinking about him, you’re gonna forget what reality is.”

Kai added, “And besides, he’s not gonna just appear out of nowhere.”

You all sat in boredom just eating up the hot porridge like usual. But it was always great to have friends. You can’t be friends with girls because all they do is just gab on and on about this and that and it’s not interesting at all. Besides, if they found out that you met Tao, they’d kill you out of jealousy. They’re already upset that you’re friends with the most attractive guys in the whole academy.

You silently mumbled, “But he is real.”

Sehun commented, “Yeah in your dreams.”

They all laughed but it was all fun and games between you all. They’ve been friends with you ever since you came here, slowly meeting them little by little. Even though they teased you jokingly about this, you did get a little annoyed from it sometimes.

“But I saw him last night..”

Chanyeol was stuffing his mouth, “But _________, you were.." he just kept chewing and chewing, "sleeping like you should have.”

“I guess so.”

— 

It was training time again and you were always against one of the girls because of your skills, not that all the girls were bad, it was just most of them weren’t even paying attention. Then again, who is?

“Begin!”

You kept your grip tight on the staff once you starting swinging it at your opponent. After swings from left, right and all other directions, you tired her out and eventually won. You two bowed at each other and went back to your spots. All of your friends stared at you in disbelief. Yixing was leaning over to you, trying to whisper quietly, “When the hell did you learn that?!”

Other people stared at you two for a second, interrupting the upcoming match. The teacher stared at you, believing that you were the one who whispered “quietly”. 

“_________! You and the rest of your gang, OUTSIDE.”

You knew what that meant, it meant you had to clean up the gunk off the walls and the bird poop on the roofs. The 12 of you walked out in complete annoyance.

“Yixing! This is the 2nd time you got us in trouble.”

“Hey! Hey! Hey! Baekhyun gets us in trouble all the time—”

“EXCUSE ME?!”

And the argument began. But you, being the rather calm one, other than Kris and sometimes Suho made your spot in the group as the one who always has to settle the differences between each other.

“Guys! Seriously?! If you get any louder we’re gonna get in even more trouble.”

They mumbled angrily and that’s how you know your job was complete. You ruffled their hair and smiled at their ridiculous attitudes, but that’s why you love them. 

You all picked up either a bucket, a brush or a towel and started scrubbing the doors and walls clean. Chanyeol and Kris reached the higher spots while you and D.O. had to deal with the bottom. All the others were all over the place, not really caring about if it was really all that clean or not, then again, none of you guys are.

—

It was already time for another class: Music. Although your academy is so well-oriented on martial arts, it had it’s little bits of fun every now and then. And that meant that everyone in the class either had to learn how to dance, sing, rap, or play an instrument. Like expected, D.O, Suho, Baekhyun, Luhan and Chen went for the vocals. Chanyeol, Sehun, Kai, Kris, and Xiumin went for the rapping. And you and Lay were dealing with the dancing, (even if he sort of dragged you into it.) But of course, some of them did both or all. Chanyeol and Lay were the only ones in your group who did the instrument part but it was all fine and dandy. Most of the time in your class, they wouldn’t even pay attention to the lessons, they were too busy looking at the girls or looking out the window. Or thinking about lunch next. Which was funny, since the class just ended.

You all lined up for the lunch of rice, meat and vegetables, then being all together in your table again. They started talking about girls, which you weren’t really interested in because of your situation with the girls in your academy. But then Suho, who was sitting on your right started to talk to you instead.

“________? Is there any guy you’re interested in?”

You just played with your food using the fork, “… He’s not real remember?”

But he laughed at you, making you remember how considerate he is, “If you say so.”

And just like that, lunch ended, which means more free time for you guys. Time for the secret garden to open up and let everyone enjoy the fresh air of the light snowy weather. Some of your friends went to throw snowballs at each other while the others just chilled by the pond and walked around the spacey area. However, you were left alone by yourself to sit on the wooden flooring. It was nice, being able to relax and enjoy the scenery, until one of the girls and her group comes along. 

“Hey… punk.”

“What now?”

“What? Now that you don’t have your boyfriends all around you, you’re gonna act all tough?”

You glared at her with an irritated look, “OK. First, they’re not my boyfriends. And second, I’m sure they’re more of friends than the ones you have right there.”

And just like that they were about to jump you for being so responsive to them. But Kris was nearby and jumped in front of you, “Hey… screw off.”

Now they wouldn’t hurt Kris. It’s not that they were scared, but they really liked him, especially the one who insulted you. He pulls you up from the ground and takes to the rest of your friends, “Next time you end up in a situation like that, just.. stay with us.”

You loved that about him and the others, they were all so caring about you, like older brothers who had to make sure you’re OK, no matter how many times they make fun of you.

Kris ended up having to tell the others about the situation and all you heard was,

“Again?”

“How does that even happen?!”

“Jeez _________, you’re just unlucky.”

“OK, no more leaving my side.”

You cherished their comments and thanked them for their vague amount of worry. Xiumin cutely pinched your cheek out of love and D.O. messed up your hairstyle, chuckling at your silliness. Once again, you all walked in a group together to a far off area of the garden where no one goes.

Luhan nudged you, “_________~ Why are you so quiet? Is Tao on your mind again?”

“Hey, I don’t make fun of the girls you guys talk about. No matter how stupid, or rude or—”

“Just admit that you like this imaginary person.”

“BUT HE’S REAL! I SAW HIM HERE LAST NIGHT!”

They all stared at you with dropped jaws and big open eyes. Except for D.O. since his eyes were huge already. But they broke out in laughter in just a few seconds.

“_________. Stop dreaming!”

“Wow! That’s.. that’s new.”

“I’m getting concerned of your mental health ________.”

You angrily sighed at them and wanted to just walk away until Kris laid his hand on your shoulder, and you know what that meant.

“_________, just relax.”

But you couldn’t, he was real in your eyes. You faced them and gave another sigh, “I really did see him last night… I was behind the fence and he was here just—”

Baekhyun blurted out, “You were here last night?!”

Chanyeol added, “You know what could happen right?!”

And next thing you knew, they were all worried for you safe being. So you all sat down on the wooden flooring and just started explaining what happened.

“He was here. In his uniform and carrying a straight, sharp sword with him. His was skinny and tall. Kind of like you Chanyeol. But his hair was different. He had a certain style to him that no one else can copy. His had this really cute face and on top of that.. his skills, WOW.  He was so elegant with the sword. Swinging it all around and when he put it down, he started doing all these kicks and flips and punches and I just..”

Lay replied, “So that’s where you learned all that stuff today huh?”

“Yeah.. but, he caught me.”

They all shouted a, “WHAT?!" that was probably heard by the people on the other side and the birds that flew above.

“I was being really quiet until I said blurted out something. He turned around in my direction, but I hid. I checked and he was gone! But then, seconds later, he found me. He wrapped his arms around me, and it was really warm too. But then he started talking to me. He warned me about how I would get caught and all that. But he had this really sweet voice, it was really handsome too since it was so quiet. And then he just held onto me and just ran back to the cabin and put me in my bed. I just couldn’t believe it..”

Kai chuckled at your story, “Yeah I can’t either. In fact, I don’t.”

Sehun replied, “________, anyone can make up a story.”

“I’m not lying!”

But they just laughed, not believing you.

—

It was night again, and you were still a bit mad at your friends for not believing you, but tonight, you’re going to prove them wrong. You left your cabin when no one was looking, making sure you won’t get in trouble and have to deal with the torture that everyone is so afraid of. You had to wait til midnight like usual before swiftly making your way out to the fence behind the secret garden. But as you did, he wasn’t there after what felt like 10 minutes. 

“Maybe I am dreaming..”

“Hey!”

You turned your head at the whisper that called out to you, being scared of the security.

“What are you doing here?! You’re going to get in trouble.”

He was here. 

“I’m sorry! I just..”

You sighed.

“My friends don’t believe that you’re real, and I want you to prove it to them..”

He loved how determined you were, he thought it was cute. 

“__________… right?”

You looked up at him in surprise, “What? How.. how do you know?”

He gave you a smirk, “I watch you from time to time too. Like when you were talking about me to your friends. You really think I’m cute?”

You blushed at his sudden comment, making your heart turn into butterflies. 

“Yes…but, how am I supposed to prove it?”

"I can’t be seen around the school remember? As legend tells~”

You pouted and looked down, “Oh yeah… maybe I should wake up my friends.. but I’ll just get in trouble.. OH! How about.. no..”

He chuckled at your suggestions and how flustered you were trying to make up a good idea. That’s something he liked about you. Besides your cuteness and friendly attitude, you were just so willing. He lifted up your chin and makes a sudden move on you. His soft and tender lips were lusciously pressed onto yours. You couldn’t move, your heart was beating too fast and your brain was losing control of what reality is. But still, you kissed him back with so much happiness inside your chest. He gently pulled his lips off and softly cooed, “Just for you. OK?”

You nodded with extreme happiness all over your face and in your heart. 

“And I promise you. If you’re in danger, I’ll be there.”

And so, he lifted you up again and tried to bring you back into bed. But he couldn’t.

Loads of security come running towards you two, “I saw something over here!”

The siren goes off and every single student wakes up in annoyance. Angry mumbles surrounded the entire academy while you were in the arms of a person who just stole your heart and might leave.. forever.

You were scared out of your mind. Scared of what might happen. If you’re going to get caught of if he was going to be hurt.

The security find caught up with Tao and surrounded you two in a circle. They all started running towards you two with all their force and Tao throws  kicks and punches all around, while still holding your body onto his. But no matter how impressive it was, you were captured by the guards and he was taken away. You cried and cried his name and several “LET ME GO!" ‘s while sobbing crazily from the fear. He did the same back. Tears ran down his cheeks and he made many grunts to the men who caught his movable body parts. You didn’t know where you were going to go or what was going to happen. But the worst had happened.

—

Your eyes were slowly opening and you could see all the students crowded around you. Your hands were tied behind your back, being separated with the devil’s wooden pole everyone talks about. Your puffy eyes started to get even more puffy as you let little teardrops fall from your  watery eyes. A lot of them had rocks in their hands, some had sticks and some had even more vicious weapons. You bit your lower lip in desperate hope that you were dreaming.

“STOP!”

You recognized that unforgettable voice. Kris had stepped out of the crowd with all of your other friends, all 11 of them; Suho, Baekhyun, D.O., Sehun, Kai, Xiumin, Chanyeol, Lay, Chen and Luhan. 

You didn’t know whether to smile because they’re standing up for you or to cry even more because they’ll be pummeled too.

“If ________ is going to get, we will too.”

“No! Guys, DON’T!”

And that’s when an angel came in front of you. He was here and he was real.

“Tao? What? How?”

He slightly tilted his head and smiled at you, “I’m a master assassin. You think I would get caught that easily?”

All of the students were gasping in awe, some in shock, some in disbelief. Either way, it was all real. You could hear them whisper and mumble mysterious comments at each other.

“Students, please! Don’t hurt her. She doesn’t deserve this. She’s doing so much just to prove that I’m really.. real. And this is how you’re repaying her?!”

But still, they didn’t believe he was real, and started charging at all 13 of you guys at once. Tao quickly untied the rope that was suffocating your wrists and let you free. As much of a sensitive and caring person he is, he couldn’t fight the reason to defend you and attack the enemies. 

All 13 of you threw punches, kicks and flips at the army of students. It felt like an endless war and you guys were losing. But finally, the idea of running and leaving this place through the roof was a great idea. Tao signaled all of your friends to head towards the roof by going through the back of the school where the ladder is. That way, you guys can catch the long-stretched car and escape this so called “perfect school”. 

But the angry students, along with furious teachers and security followed you guys through the alleyways but never suspected the roof. You guys were running along the tiles while Tao was giving you a piggyback ride, holding your legs tight so you were for sure not going to fall. It happened all so fast and you were finally there. The car was just right there and all you guys needed to do was jump. Chanyeol and Kris went first since they’re the tallest, then everyone else, being safely caught by the previous person that jumped. You were scared for your life, but you trusted Tao. He jumped off with all his strength and but couldn’t land well. Tao was on his back and you was laying on top of his chest. You groaned in pain until you opened your eyes and noticed his cute face in front of you. You admired his nicely sculpted cheeks, his panda eyes and his unbelievably y smile. He opened his tired eyes to stared into your beautiful ones and grin at your safety. You leaned forward happily and gave him a peck on the lips.

“Thanks for saving my life.”

He made an even bigger grin, but the two of you were interrupted.

Chen reminded you two, “Uh.. yeah. WE GOTTA GO.”

You stood up and pulled his body up, but he groaned from being in some unfortunate pain. 

“It’s nothing, just a sprained ankle." 

This time, you piggybacked him into the car while everyone else was waiting inside impatiently. You two got in the car and Suho drove the car out of the school’s property, even though he had to to bust open the gates.

Everyone was relieved, happy and still in shock. They all stared at you and   Tao, surprised that he is indeed real and sitting right there before their eyes. 

“OH MY GOD. You are real.”

“I just can’t believe it.”

“How did this happen?!”

“Am I the one dreaming this time?”

But he just laughed at all their responses and leaned over to you. His lovely lips whispered something sweet and loving,

“Thanks for saving my life.”

__________________________________________________

ANDDDD… They all escaped and the car broke down in front of the SM Company building where they were just suddenly recruited and debuted into EXO.