Scandalous

"Love triangle?"
Manager put down the newspaper in the lounge room. A picture of Jiyeon, Kevin, Joon, and Eunbyul were on the cover. UKISS looked at it curiously. Joon was giving Eunbyul a piggyback ride and the paprrazzi managed to take a photo. UKISS all frowned at the picture.
"When was that?"

Eunbyul looked at the paper for a moment and twitched.
"..... I think that was when I was drunk...."

Kevin gave her a look.
"You were drunk? And you let a guy take you home?"

"I didn't know. It was when I stayed behind. Besides, it was Joon oppa and Hyunseung oppa."
Eunbyul shrugged.

Soohyun gave her a critical stare.
"He didn't.... Take you to his place.... Did he?"

Everyone went cold except for Eunbyul.
"No, I woke up at IU's. It would've been scandalous if I was at his place."

Everyone relaxed but Kevin still looked rather upset.
She cried in front of others, and got drunk. This is what happens when we separate for a second? She's so prone.

Eunbyul noticed Kevin's bitter look.
"Don't give me that. I'm not an alcoholic."

UKISS almost sighed.
"... We know......"
It's Joon we worry about.
 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The netizens were at an uproar as well. They were beginning to pick sides, and were at war. Some adored the Kevin and Eunbyul couple, some Stargazers preferred her with Joon, including some of MBLAQ's fans. T-ara fans wanted Jiyeon to be happy and hated Eunbyul, some Kissmes wanted that as well, some simply wanted Eunbyul gone for the sake of being gone, while some fans wanted Joon to be happy. It was all out chaos.

Eunbyul's and UKISS websites were full of hate mails and little encouragement mails enough to crash multiple times. The others were having a hard time but she had the worst end to put up with.

You should just get lost and let Kevin oppa and Jiyeon unnie be happy!

You slut! Now you try and seduce Joon? I thought you were alright?!

You think you can batt your pretty lashes and just get any guy?!

Jiyeon is a thousand times more popular and talented than you! 

Now our Jiyeon isn't able to get the guy she deserves!

Look at the scandal you've made! You're tainting their names!

You should die!

You should have never existed!

Nations star against our princess?! Bring it on!

Stay away from MBLAQ you filthy whore!

I'm so sick of you leeching off of their fame!

Eunbyul didn't reply back to the messages, but that didn't mean it didn't sting. She still maintained a good barrier to the hate.
This is like elementary school, middle school, AND high school all over again...... Wonderful. 

There were still encouragements and even some fans that fought back against the hate, but they were outnumbered ten to one. Eunbyul only intervened when the hate mail began affecting them.

You are a freak, you have freaky eyes, you're short, you are a seductive slut, you don't deserve Kevin oppa. Or Joon oppa. Jiyeon unnie is way better than you! Get lost!

Don't bother our Eunbyul noona! Why not you get the f*** off of your computer and get some plastic surgery if you're so jealous!

What's there to be jealous of? Your eunbyul is nothing but a witch!

She's beautiful, she's kind, she loves her fans, she's polite to us, she doesn't ever ignore us, she tries to reply to all of us, she's beautiful inside and out. You're just jealous because you have beauty neither on the inside or the outside.

Ur just one of her shallow fans! Probably lusting after her. Why don't u use Ur time better and study or something. U clearly have no life you web stalker.

Ur one to talk! Ur wasting Ur time with lies and insults to Eunbyul noona! 

This little son of a bitch really wants to fight huh? And it isn't insults if it's true!

 

Don't be a hypocrite and assume anything about my fans. 

Who are you to lecture me?! Gtfo witch! 

 

This is my blog. So the one that should get off is you. 

 

U think u are a beauty? U are FUGLY and disgusting! 

 

And from your language I can tell that your nothing great to look at either. And if you were, I pity the man that meets you.... He'll soon learn to not judge books by their cover. 

 

I hope Kevin oppa learns that too! I bet Ur nothing but a bitch! 

 

Again.... Ur assuming. What did I say about assumptions?

 

Eunbyul ignored the Chat box and was unaware that Kevin soon intervened. 

Could you please leave her alone?

 

I'll leave her alone when you leave her oppa! Can't u see she's nothing but a witch? 

And can't you mind your own business? Just because you're a antifan doesn't give you any right to say all those things to her.

 

I'm not anti. I'm a Kissme that doesn't like Eunbyul. 

That makes no difference. If you don't like Eunbyul then you're an anti to me. And you're not a Kissme. Our Kissmes wouldn't say the stuff you said.

 

After his post, a reduction in Kissmes that hated Eunbyul was prominent. And the girl stopped sending hate messages.

UKISS looked at Eunbyul worriedly occasionally as they read the hate messages on their site, but it was either that Eunbyul was very good at having a poker face or it didn't affect her.
It was a bit of both, but Eunbyul felt the familiar sting of harsh criticism. It reminded her of her days as a child in school being teased by everyone.
Many of her friends began defending her with their media power. Minwoo furiously posted and gained support of his Girlfriends, in order to stop the media harassment. CNBlue also fought back to some posts, either asking their BOICE fans for support or going solo and retaliating. SNSD and IU were two of the greatest allies. Many of their fans were already smitten by Eunbyul, mainly the male population.

One in particular seemed to soften Eunbyul's heart. Kurt Park made another video, his determined hazel eyes set on encouraging his celebrity crush/heroine.

Kurt gave a shy smile at the camera as he sat down.
"Hi Eunbyul Noona! It's me, your number one Stargazer Kurt Park! I dunno if your watching this but I hope you'll bother to watch this once... Anyway, I just wanna say, don't listen to all the stupid sh....crap all the trashy antis give you. They don't know awesome if it came and punched their stupid ignorant faces!"

His eyes narrowed furiously at the mention of many of the antis.

"I've got some of my own supporters to back you up too! I've been doing a lot of covers...." She smiled, she already knew. This boy she really enjoyed keeping tabs on.

"And, I've gotten a lot of subscriptions! Anyway, I'm just rambling hehehe... jeez..." He scratched his neck in embarrassment and cleared his throat.
"Anyway.... I'm still not giving up on you! No offense to Mr. Kevin, but I think that she's too good for you! So..... Miss Eunbyul Lee this ones for you, they all are though. And Kevin Woo, consider me a threat!"
Eunbyul knew he was joking as Kurt winked with his hazel eyes and went to his keyboard.

UKISS looked at the computer screen as well, Soohyun snorted as he put a tongue in cheek.
"Did he just say our Kevin isn't good enough?"

Kevin simply had his eyes glued at the screen. The Kurt kid was pretty good looking, half asian and white, he had brownish auburn hair that slightly waved as his hazel eyes were slightly slanted. He looked more masculine than before. Hoon frowned at the screen.
"Cocky little twerp."
Eunbyul gave him a light punch in the abs, but Hoon still winced.
"Be nice."

Kurt grabbed their attention by clearing his throat and drinking a bottle of water.
"I'll be singing I Won't Give Up, by Jason Mraz

He rubbed his hands together and began to play the keys smoothly.
When I look into your eyes~
It's like watching the night sky~
Or a beautiful sunrise~
Well there's so much they hold~
And just like them old stars~
I see that you've come so far~
To be right where you are~
How old is your soul?~

I won't give up on us~
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give u

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make

Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use the tools and gifts
We got yeah we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we didn't tend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn, how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I got, and what I'm not
And who I am!~~~

Kurt hit the high note perfectly as he shut his eyes.

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up
I'm still looking up

I won't give up on us
God knows I'm tough, he knows
We got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up~

 

Kurt ended the song with a final chord, and Eunbyul couldn't help but clap as she watched the screen. UKISS all gave her a small glare, but the way she seemed to relax and be happy. If she was cheered up by this, then they were okay with it.

Kurt smiled at the camera as he rested his hands on his lap.
"So Eunbyul noona! Even when the skies get rough, and everything seems like crap just pull through. Don't listen to those stupid antis, because you've come so far, and I've watched everysingle thing you're in.. If only I had the balls to meet you.... This song also means I won't give up either! So Kevin Woo!" He pointed at the camera with a determined smirk. "You better watch out! Eunbyul noona Saranghaeyo!"

The video ended and Eunbyul smiled as she scrolled to the comments. There were many supporters for him and his little cause. Some antis seemed pissed, and she quickly retalliated by commenting on the comment post. She refused to allow them to insult this boy. She quickly posted one last comment on his blog.
Kurt Park, I am your fan! I hope we meet someday as well, I have faith that you will make it big in the world so Fighting!
Little did she know she made Kurt nearly leap out of his seat for joy when he read her comment.
 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-

It was all a pile of chaotic crazy for Eunbyul. She wasn't used to media wars as intense as this, and it wasn't easy to ignore. A part of her mind worried for the others involved in this mess.

As UKISS went to the stage for their part, Eunbyul went into T-Ara's lounge nervously.
The girls were talking amongst themselves, doing their makeup and checking their reflections. They were all very attractive and it made her even more nervous. She spotted Jiyeon sitting on the couch checking her manicured nails.
"Excuse me?"

Jiyeon's doe eyes looked up to see Eunbyul's feline ones gazing at her uncertainly. She had a look of wary surprise on her face.
"Oh..... Hello."

The other members went quiet and Eunbyul felt on the spot. Jiyeon pretended not to notice her discomfort.
"How may I help you?"

Eunbyul asked honestly.
"I wanted to know if you were alright. With the scandal and hate messages going around."

Jiyeon eyed her suspiciously, but Eunbyul's eyes showed nothing but honesty. Ga In spoke up with a kind smile.
"Wouldn't be the first time. Don't worry about it, it's natural in the entertainment industry."

Jiyeon however stood up.
"Can we talk outside?"

She stood over Eunbyul but for some reason, Jiyeon felt an inferiority standing against her. There was something domineering about Eunbyul.

Eunbyul nodded and the two went outside. Jiyeon leaned against the vending machine almost as if she was sizing up Eunbyul.
"It's nothing. The scandal isn't a big deal to me, but I wasn't lying when I said I like Kevin oppa."

Eunbyul was almost taken aback by her response.
"..... I didn't think you were."

"Good, then let's get something straight."
Jiyeon forced herself to look into Eunbyul's piercing eyes, even though it gave her involuntary chills.
"I don't know how you've managed to get so big, but let me make it clear, I like Kevin oppa, and I honestly think I'm better for him. I actually have publicity to back me up on it."

Eunbyul frowned.
"What does publicity have to do with relationships."

"I'm not leeching off of him. I'm popular enough to hold my own. So a little hate mail doesn't bother me."
Jiyeon was being honest. She was popular, and she was jealous of her.
What does Eunbyul have that I don't? 

"It doesn't bother me either."
Eunbyul felt like this wasn't going anywhere pleasant.

"Yes it does. Because you're making him look bad."
Jiyeon glared at Eunbyul.

Eunbyul's eyes flashed dangerously, and Jiyeon felt her courage falter.
"I wasn't the one that confessed on public television to being infatuated with a man that is taken. And it really doesn't. I won't let something as petty as antifans get the best of me."

Jiyeon sneered.
"Well, maybe the antifans are right about something. They clearly accept me as the better match than you. Both my fans, and Kissmes support that."

Eunbyul nearly rolled her eyes.
"That's terrific. So I take it you won't help and try and settle this whole media war-"

"I'm not denying my crush."
Jiyeon interrupted indignantly.

Eunbyul felt like she was talking with a bratty child.
"Nor am I asking you to. I was going to ask you to calm some of your fans down."

Jiyeon looked thoughtful before coldly responding.
"Why would I do that? After all, I agree with them."

She really didn't like Eunbyul, and she wasn't afraid to show it. She didn't like how intimidating she was, she didn't like how pretty she was, she didn't like how she got to Kevin first, she didn't like how ignorant and cool she could be, she didn't like how she was multitalented, she didn't like how she seemed to capture people so easily. She hated how it felt when Eunbyul stared at her with those eyes. It was like a cat ready to pounce on a mouse. It was belittling, and coming from a girl that came into their world for only a year. It was even more humiliating.

Eunbyul found trying to negotiate hard. Her hands twitched almost irritated but she wouldn't let this idol get the best of her. She felt the charm bracelet clink on her skin, and it gave her strength.
"That's fine..... I could care less of your opinion. It's the ones I care about that truly matter to me."
The tips of her fingers touched the charms. 

Jiyeon's eyes narrowed. She wasn't going to be easy. It was as if Eunbyul read her mind, and she gave Jiyeon a hollow almost predatory smirk. She wasn't the daughter of Skylar for nothing.
"Do I look that easy?"

Eunbyul walked away from her with a catlike grace as Jiyeon tensed.
The atmosphere was cold until Eunbyul turned the corner and disappeared. Jiyeon relaxed and clenched her arms, the cold feeling was still lingering on her spine.

UKISS sat in their lounge room as Eunbyul entered. Hoon perked up.
"Where'd you go?"

"I went to T-Ara's lounge."

"Oh! How's Jiyeon shi coping?"
He sounded smitten as he asked.

Eunbyul put on her fake smile.
"She's coping better than I thought."

Hoon felt a cold aura emanate from Eunbyul and didn't question any further. Soohyun looked at Eunbyul worriedly.
"You sure?"

Kiseop smiled. He was also a fan of T-ara, they all were.
"Jiyeon shi is strong! As I expected."

And she's a total bitch....
Eunbyul thought darkly. It didn't bother her that they asked about T-ara. She was strong enough.
Am I?

Then it came to her.
What if I become redundant? What if they find me boring? What if somebody like T-ara comes along to replace me? Would they replace me? Would Kevin tire of me?

Despite all he said to her, she was still insecure. There wasn't anything that tied them together besides a promise ring. A simply promise, not a proposal, but a promise. Promises could be broken, sometimes they were meant to be broken.

Dongho suddenly distracted her.
"Noona! I lost my glasses."

Eunbyul quickly shuffled through her bag and pulled out his pair.
"You left it in the car."

Dongho smiled at her.
"Thanks noona! You're the best. Don't believe what those stupid antis say."

That brought out a genuine smile from her.
"Of course Dongho."

0-=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0

The Mnet ended with UKISS winning the award again.  They still had the purest of smiles as they accepted the award. Everyone applauded for them, and Jiyeon even had the bold gesture to embrace Kevin as Eunbyul came.
Eunbyul saw Jiyeon embrace Kevin intimately, and couldn't help but feel a huge urge to break something. Kevin felt awkward but he returned the embrace nevertheless. 

Eunbyul tried to ease her stress as she helped the staff clean up as fans began leaving. Many of the staff were kinder to her about the whole scandal, it didn't stop Eunbyul from helping them out. She picked up a few flyers and trash from the floor. She reached for a water bottle but a masculine hand came faster. Joon smiled at her as she looked up in surprise.
"Bad day?"

"..... something like that."
Eunbyul continued picking up trash. Joon helped her.
"You don't have to do that."

Joon shrugged and smiled.
"I know. I want to."

He helped her throw away most of the waste into the bag. Eunbyul went to the MC counter where Jiyeon and IU did a small review through the lines they did. Jiyeon spotted Eunbyul coming and frowned as IU smiled.
"Oh! Hey guys!"

Eunbyul smiled back at IU. Jiyeon met eyes with her and gave Eunbyul a fake smile.
"Hi Eunbyul shi!"

"Hello Jiyeon shi."
Eunbyul spoke civilly. Joon and IU noticed a small flame ignite between them, but said nothing. Jiyeon took out her hand.
"Thanks for cleaning up after us."
It's your job to deal with trash.

Eunbyul smiled at her and took the hand. Jiyeon nearly flinched at the surprising callous and scarred texture of her hand.
"You're very welcome."

Jiyeon secretly nudged her bottle and it fell off the table, spreading water on the stage floor.
"Oh! Sorry!"

Eunbyul wasn't surprised, but she still smiled.
"It's fine. I'll get it."

She picked up the bottle, and Jiyeon rolled her eyes at Eunbyul's polite behavior. She began walking off stage, when Eunbyul warned:
"Careful, you might slip."

Jiyeon pretended not to listen and continued when her heels met the water surface. She screamed as she slipped in her tall heels. Her body was aiming for the lower stage.
Eunbyul quickly grabbed her, but she didn't have any firm stand. She spun herself around and Jiyeon landed on top of her. Eunbyul let out an oomph and felt a searing pain in her ankle as Jiyeon's weight went on it very wrong.
People rushed to help from around.
Jiyeon whimpered as UKISS came. Kiseop and Hoon helped her up as she began tearing.
"Ow, my nail."

Her nail was bleeding as a chip was painfully showing. T-ara surrounded them as well, while some of the staff went for the first aid. Joon helped Eunbyul up, as she struggled. Eunbyul fought the urge to yelp in pain as she tried to put weight on her bad ankle. Instead she managed to get up and support herself on one leg and Joon. She put on a blank face to hide the pain and discomfort. She swayed away from Joon only to nearly topple, some younger new debuts called NUEST quickly held her in place. The feminine boy of the group grabbed her shoulders with an angelic look of concern. Eunbyul gave him an apologetic smile as she leaned away and tried to stand back on her own two feet..

Joon looked at her worriedly.
"You okay? You got the worst end of the fall."

Jiyeon whimpered but she also eyed Eunbyul with worry, and regret. She knew the damage Eunbyul took for her.
Eunbyul fake smiled.
"I'm fine."

"WELL JIYEON CERTAINLY ISN'T!"
a man cried out. T-ara looked at the man, and Jiyeon pouted.
"Manager oppa-"

The manager looked furious as he put a tissue on her finger.
"Yah! Miss Eunbyul! Our Jiyeon's precious nail is ruined, because of your klutzy act!"

Jiyeon opened her mouth.
"Actually-"

Manager continued yelling furiously.
"Do you know how important an idol's body is?! Do your job right!"

Joon frowned at him.
"It wasn't her fault."

"Yeah right! Don't try defending your little love interest!"

UKISS manager came in with a glare.
"Yah! Watch what you say. Our Eunbyul just saved Jiyeon from a bad fall. She could've gotten a sprain or something."

Kevin looked at Eunbyul worriedly. He seemed unconvinced by her blank painless look.
Joon spoke up. He noticed Eunbyul's reliance on him.
"Actually I think her-"

Eunbyul pinched him.

".... Landing was pretty smooth. She is.... fine."
Joon lied through his teeth. He muttered ow under his breath and Eunbyul gave him an apologetic pat. NUEST looked at them with amusement, the feminine boy, Minhyun looked at her foot in concern. Eunbyul smiled at the boy almost warningly.

"Well lucky for her then. Jiyeon has to get her nails redone again."
One of her members sneered. Jiyeon smiled at her members.

"It's okay, I'll just get a band aid."
She took a step, only to wobble as her heel broke. Kevin caught her in his arms. Jiyeon blushed as she put a hand on his chest.
"Oh, sorry oppa."

Kevin also blushed as he stuttered.
"It's fine. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, my heels just broke."
She took off her shoes, and Eunbyul felt an irritation as she stared at Jiyeon's hand still on his chest.

A man brought a small first aid kit and Kevin shifted through for a band aid. He quickly took one and stuck in on Jiyeon's broken nail with a sweet smile.
"Here you go."

Jiyeon blushed deeper as her members began squealing amongst themselves.
Eunbyul grimaced as her foot began to feel hot and swollen. She gently put some weight on it only to have a jolt of pain shoot up her leg. She bit her lip and paled as she gripped Joon harder. Her mask faltered for a moment as she swallowed a yelp.

IU noticed her pained expression for a moment and went up to Eunbyul.
"Eunbyul ah.... Are you sure you're okay?"

Eunbyul nodded as she tried looking nonchalant. UKISS was checking over Jiyeon while Dongho spotted Eunbyul.
"Noona! You're jjang! You saved Jiyeon shi!"
He put an arm around her and leaned to her. That added weight to the ankle.
Oh for the love of-

Eunbyul let out a hiss of pain as her ankle protested. Dongho immediately recoiled his arm with a shocked look.
"Noona....? You-"

Eunbyul had a strained look as she smiled.
"Don't worry about it Dongho."

Dongho looked unconvinced as he frowned.
"I hurt you.... By just leaning?"

"It was nothing-"

Dongho gently tapped her ankle with his foot. Eunbyul bit her lip harder as she shut her eyes. It was like fire on her ankle as she gave Dongho a warning glare.

Dongho looked sad.
"You're hurt. I'm sorry."

Eunbyul couldn't get mad at her magnae. She gave him a pat.
"It's fine. Just a bruise. I'll ice it at home."

"I'll tell Kevin hyung then. He should carry-"

"No."
Eunbyul cut him off. She looked at Kevin and Jiyeon smiling and blushing.
"It's not a big deal. Besides...... He's a little preoccupied at the moment."

Dongho looked at her line of vision and snorted.
"You're more important to him than Jiyeon shi. You're more important to us."

Eunbyul eyes softened and Joon secretly agrees with the magnae whole heartedly.
"Well at least some of your members care."
He muttered. If Eunbyul was with him, his members would fuss all over her to no end. The way G.O talks about her......

"I know they care. But I'd rather just let this one slide. You should enjoy this moment instead of worrying about some simple sprain."
Her ankle seemed to throb harder at the lie. She ignored it.

Dongho raised an eyebrow.
"You said it was a bruise, noona...."

He stepped back as Eunbyul looked caught red handedly.
"I-it is, it's-"

"It's a sprain."
Joon spilled. Eunbyul shot a look at him, he simply sighed.
"No use keeping it from them. They're going to find out somehow."

Dongho sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You try to let them ALL slide, noona. Not this time."

Eunbyul knew that look in Dongho's eyes and her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Dongho.... Don't you dare."
She took a step to Dongho to keep his mouth covered, it was a mistake. Her ankle protested her weight Eunbyul's leg gave into the jolt of pain. She toppled and Joon quickly caught her and set her down gently to a sitting position. Dongho rolled up her pant leg and grimaced at the sight. Her ankle was a violent shade of red and extremely swollen, almost turning purple of some sort. It seemed to strain against her socks and her shoes.

Joon tsked.
"Yep, you're not getting away with this one. Dongho?"

Dongho narrowly dodged Eunbyul's swipe as he went to the others.
"Hey! We need some medical attention here! Eunbyul noona's really hurt!"

Everyone looked to see Eunbyul struggling to get up. Joon kept her still as she grimaced in pain.
"I'm fine!"

"No she's not! She's being an idiot!"
Joon yelled. Eunbyul gave him a glare.
"If your face and body wasn't needed for the camera, I'd punch your teeth into your brain."

Joon swallowed.
"I believe you."

UKISS began coming over, Kevin left Jiyeon immediately with a concerned look. Eunbyul almost had a tired look.
"Why is it every time, I always make a scene?"
She felt like she really was leeching off their fame, and she hated it. She loathed it with a passion. She hated the feeling of being a burden.

"I hate being a burden to everyone...."
She muttered loud enough for Joon to hear. Joon looked down at her tired and sad face. A sense of sympathy welled inside her, she had a tough day from the antifans as it was. He gave her a small smile.
"Tell you what... I'll help you out then."

Eunbyul looked up at Joon with a confused look, and he chuckled as he absorbed her unique eyes.
"What?"

"You can just be MY burden."
He put his arms under her as everyone came close. Eunbyul's eyes widened in shock.
"Wha-"

He hoisted her into his arms without further ado. Eunbyul quickly wrapped her arms around his neck out of reflex, but he didn't mind. Joon was smiling like a fool. Everyone looked at them surprised as Joon gave them a cool smile.
"I'll take her to the medical office."
Joon began walking away.

UKISS looked shocked while Kevin had a blank, almost frustrated look, and stepped forward.
"Wait-"

Joon stopped and turned around as Eunbyul protested.
"Oppa.... Put me down!"

"You heard her. I'll take MY GIRLFRIEND to the medical office."
Kevin was about to walk to them but Joon tightened his hold.
"She's clearly not in her right mind from the fall, so I'll take her out of your guys' hands for today. Besides.... You guys seemed preoccupied with the other princess."

Eunbyul gave Kevin a pleading look as she squirmed, but Joon had strong arms. Kevin looked at Joon with a blank look. Eunbyul knew that look anywhere, he was getting upset.
He spoke calmly.
"Put her down."

"No."
Joon met Kevin's flat brown eyes with a challenging stare.
"If you're so insistent on having a girl to carry, then carry Jiyeon shi. She wouldn't mind, after all, you're her Knight in shining armor today."

He walked away as Eunbyul opened her mouth. Joon whispered.
"You should thank me."

"What?! Why?!"
She didn't find any reason to thank Joon. He made a bigger scene. Her face was still flushed.

"I'm making him see what he is about to lose."
He smirked.

"huh?"
Eunbyul gave him a flat look of confusion, and Joon simply sighed with a smile and shook his head.
"Tsk Tsk, Eunbyul ah."

"Don't Tsk me you pushy chunk of beef! Put me down!"
Eunbyul pouted as it was no use squirming. Her ankle seemed to protest anyway.

Joon laughed his amusement.
"Chunk of beef?"

"Well, you're beefy."
Eunbyul sneered, but her insult didn't seem effective.

"So you think I'm a hunk of meat?"
He raised an eyebrow with a playful smirk.

Eunbyul didn't get the reference and simply responded.
"Yes. You have muscles but no brain."
She hissed. 

Joon laughed harder and nearly dropped Eunbyul. She had to hug his neck tighter.
"You're so cute when you're flustered. All feisty and pouty."

"I am not flustered! And don't do that! You almost dropped me."
He was taller than she thought as she looked down. The floor seemed far away.

"I thought you wanted me to drop you."
Joon smiled as he continued walking. Eunbyul rolled her eyes and gave him a small glare.
"I want you to put me down, not drop me on my ass."

"Well I ain't doing either. I'm like your Knight in Black armor! It fits, cuz I was a ninja in Ninja Assassin. I've even curved a bullet in our Music Video."
Joon snorted.

Eunbyul still frowned and sighed.
"Ninja, yeah right.... I'll show you Ninja Assassin. I'll pop up in the shadows and curve a bullet to your dumb meat packed arms."
She muttered darkly but childishly.

Joon gave her a look.
"Is that possible?"

"I dunno, but I would like to find out.... Very soon."
She gave him another threatening look, and Joon swallowed.
"Yah know. For some reason I believe you."

"I don't care."
Eunbyul pouted. Joon laughed and spun her around once. Eunbyul clutched tighter and almost yelped, only making him laugh harder. Her eyes had a look of amusement as she relaxed in his arms.

 

Kevin watched the two leave with a dark look. Jealousy was a really loathsome emotion. It made him want to punch Joon, and he wasn't a violent person. He wached as Joon laughed and spun her as if she were his girlfriend.
I'll make an exception for that thick lipped cock-blocker. I could really use Skylar's crossbow...

0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0

Joon gently put an icepack on the ankle as he held her foot carefully. Eunbyul winced as the cold was applied to her throbbing foot.
"This is a pretty bad sprain. I think you need a cast."
Joon wasn't a doctor but even he could see that he couldn't do much with the foot.
Eunbyul snorted.
"I do not. I'll just wrap it up when I get home."

"No, you'll get it checked out by a professional, otherwise you'll mess it up permanently."
Joon took out a gauze wrap and tried his best to wrap up her ankle. Eunbyul reached for the wrap and he quickly took it away.
"You're the patient here."

"Aren't you a little to old to play doctor?"
Eunbyul sighed.

Joon snorted.
Not if the patient is you....
"It's not playing when the patient actually has the sprain, swelling to the size of a grapefruit on her small foot."
He managed to wrap up her foot in a strange way. The icepack was attached to the ankle while the wrap seemed to be all over the place.
"There.... It isn't my best handiwork, but it's better than nothing."
Joon smiled up at her. Eunbyul rolled her eyes with a small smile.
"You can let go of her foot now."

Both of them turned to see Kevin stand by the door with a blank expression. Eunbyul frowned, she really didn't like that look on Kevin.
"Hey....?"

Kevin's eyes looked at her and shifted with worry.
"You okay?"

"Ye-"

"No she isn't. Your girlfriend's foot is red and swollen like a ripe apple."
Joon spoke curtly as he looked at him
.
Eunbyul reached and cuffed his head with her hand, unfortunately causing her foot to bump into Joon's knee.
Eunbyul let out a small sigh as she bit her lip and sat back on the chair. Kevin took a step to her as Joon gently lifted her foot.
"Yah, Babo!"

"Again with the insult. I'm going to shove an ice pack into your face and give you frostbite. You could put my foot down now."
Eunbyul gestured to the foot he seemed to cradle.
Joon ignored Kevin as he smirked in amusement.
"Is that possible?"

"You wanna find out, Beef chunk?"
Eunbyul gave him a threatening glare as she paled from holding in a yelp.

Kevin clenched his fist at Joon's position. Kneeling down and holding onto her injured foot.
"Can I talk to you outside?"

"She's in no condition to walk."
Joon glared at Kevin. 

"I wasn't talking to Eunbyul."
Kevin and Joon had a stare down as Joon stood up.

Eunbyul felt lightning come off of the two.
What's up with them?

She wanted to hobble out to see what they were going to say, but the effort seemed too tedious... Besides, it was their man business, it had nothing to do with her. Eunbyul sat almost bored as she looked at her foot. Her ears pricked to the sound of the door opening again, and to her surprise it was NUEST boy Minhyun.
She gave him a questioning look as he swallowed attentively, his bandmate with blonde hair also came in with a doe eyed elegant appearance. They hardly ever talked to her, only bowed.
".... Can I help you?"

Minhyun flushed as he looked away from her uniquely striking gaze. His bandmate gave him a nudge and he quickly mustered enough courage to walk to her and give her a pack of ice hot patches. Eunbyul's head tilted in surprise as she slowly accepted the patches. Minhyun stepped back with a nervous gaze, and that struck her maternal side. It reminded her of Minwoo when he debuted.
They come in so young.....
Her eyes softened as she gave him a radiantly warm smile.
"Thank you. You guys did good today."

The two debutees seemed momentarily dazed when Minhyun flushed deeper and licked his soft lips. He bowed quickly and yanked his friend out the door as well.

The two NUEST members ran out of the room and Minhyun's bandmate Rin gave him a playful punch. He grinned back and they both went to their lounge.

 

The door clicked open a few moments later.
 CNBlue suddenly came in with worried faces. Jungshin looked around.
"Hey, we heard our blue star got injured!"

Eunbyul felt a vein pop out as she sighed.
"Why is it that everyone finds out about my accidents as soon as it happens?!"

Yonghwa chuckled.
"Well, it's hard to keep something low-key here."

Joon and Kevin walked out, passing the band. The men looked at them with curious faces.
"Some kind of gentlemen's challenge?"
Yonghwa asked.

Eunbyul shrugged.
"Don't ask me, I'm not an expert on male behavior. I'm wondering the same thing."

Jonghyun took the poorly wrapped foot and began unwrapping it gently.

Eunbyul spoke up.
"You don't have to do that oppa."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I did judo in high school so foot injuries were something common."
Jonghyun smiled kindly at her.

CNBlue made themselves comfortable around her.

"Is it just me, or is someone jealous?"
Minhyuk wondered out loud.

"I am not."
Eunbyul spoke immediately. Minhyuk smiled at her.
"I wasn't talking about you."

"But... You are jealous...."
Jonghyun replied as he gently wrapped a loop around her arch. 

Eunbyul sighed as she slumped. The way Jiyeon leaned to Kevin still bothered her.
"No I'm not..... I'm just.... I dunno.... I'm not meant to be here."
There was a sadness in her tone as she looked tired.

They all went quiet, even the random quirky Jungshin.
"What do you mean?"

".... What she said before.... What they say.... They aren't lying. I am leeching off of everyone. Their fame, their publicity. I shouldn't be here, I shouldn't be with him."

Jonghyun stopped wrapping her foot. His dark and gentle eyes met her's as he asked.
"Where do you think you should be?"

That made her think.
".... I.... I don't know..... Everywhere I go, trouble seems to follow, and I hate causing trouble."

Jonghyun looked thoughtful.
"Hey... Remember when I said on the beach? It's your choice.... You and only you can choose where you should be."

"Well, what if I don't know which choice is right or wrong?"

"Its not a matter of knowing what is right and what is wrong. We all don't know what's ahead of the road we take. It's simply a matter of taking the first step."
He stuck the adhesive on the last of the foot. It was neatly wrapped and firm.

"But what if you make the wrong choice?"

Yonghwa snorted and flicked her forehead.
"So many what ifs with you.... You're over thinking everything Eunbyul. Just follow your heart. It's what drives you to choose the path, take that first step, and keeps you walking on that road. We all chose with are hearts. Jungshin, Minhyuk, Jonghyun, and I never thought we would make it this big. We just wanted to be heard. We all had a passion for music, and we followed that here."

"To this medical office, lecturing our foolish little star."
Jungshin joked.

Minhyuk laughed as he grinned. He remembered their old days.
"Decisions like that, you can't really choose with your head. It's something that comes from the heart. The first ever rhythm we all make and will keep making until we die."

"And fate will always weave a way with that choice of the heart. You can choose, but fate never sets the future in stone, somehow, you might find yourself back on square one, but it's never too late."
Jonghyun gave her his dimpled smile as he sat down on the couch.
"And if you want my opinion on where you should be, I think you're at the right place. A place where you shine the brightest."

"I don't want to shine."
Eunbyul frowned.

"Well, a star that doesn't want to shine.... That's kinda weird. Weirder than one of Jungshin's moments....."
Yonghwa commented.

"Don't let some noisy antis get you down. Where's that awesome singularity?! I don't recall her being so affected by petty hate."
Jungshin raised an eyebrow.

"Singularity? Pfff.... Whatever Jungshin oppa."
Eunbyul rolled her eyes.

"Besides..... I could care less about what they think. It's you guys that I care more about."
Jonghyun smiled as he played with her bracelet.

"That's my girl. Besides..... You don't see yourself clearly!"
He flicked her forehead hard with a frustrated laugh.
"You make yourself known just beautifully, on your own. Leeching... Please."

"And what's there to be jealous of, Eunbyul? Jiyeon's got nothing on you. Nothing on you baby~ nothing on you baby~"
Yonghwa began singing. 

"What?! How did you know it's Jiyeon?"
Eunbyul looked caught while Jonghyun laughed.
"We aren't your brothers for nothing."

Yonghwa smirked.
"You don't think we keep track of our star?"

"Besides.... I think Kevin is wrapped all around your finger."
Minhyuk commented.

"Huh?"

"Nothing...."
He smirked.
"Speaking of which, he seems rather upset today."

Eunbyul slumped.
"Is he mad at me?"

"No, and if he is, then he has no right to be."
Jonghyun spoke calmly.

"He has that look."

"..... Have you ever considered that he is jealous?"
Jonghyun asked.

"Of what? Of Joon? Why? He's just a friend."
Eunbyul tilted her head.

CNBlue let out a sigh and Yonghwa responded.
"He is a man, and Joon.... Well.... He's more of a man, so of course Kevin is feeling a bit threatened."

"..... Men are so foolish."
Eunbyul sighed.
They all looked at her with amusement.
And you're so dense.....

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Kevin and Joon avoided eye contact as they stood on the roof. Both men knew the silent challenge between them.
Kevin spoke first.
"Look, I know you don't like scandals like this. So I'll get to the point, could you just explain to the press that this is all just a misunderstanding?"

Joon looked at the sky.
"Huh? What do you propose I do?"

"Tell them that you don't have feelings for Eunbyul. That you are just friends."
Kevin looked at Joon with a firm gaze.

Joon clenched his jaws and sighed.
"I can't do that."

 "..... Why not?"
Kevin already knew the answer.

Joon met eyes with him.
"Because I do have feelings for her. I like Lee Eunbyul.... And I'm not giving up on her."

"All this is just making it harder on her. Eunbyul isn't used to media attention like this."
Kevin felt his fist clench tightly, his knuckles turned white.

"I'm not making it worse for having human emotions.... And I can't just throw it away. I won't. Besides, she's stronger than you think."

That made Kevin angry.
"Oh I know how strong my GIRLFRIEND can be. And I know how vulnerable she is too. She isn't a damsel in distress but she isn't made of rock either."
Who was he to tell him how Eunbyul was? The nerve....

"Then don't act like she is one."
Joon glared at Kevin.

"......Mwuh?"
Kevin felt his calm temper rise. His fists itches to hit his face.

"You really piss me off. The way you treat her like she's for granted. Leaving her alone like that, drunk and miserable, focusing on other women. I had to clean up your stupid mess and had to see Eunbyul hurt. I hate seeing the girl I care about be miserable over a guy that doesn't deserve her."

Without seconds, Kevin grabbed Joon's collar and yanked him harshly. His usual warm brown eyes were burning and furious. His angelic face had rage written all over. It was uncharacteristic, but it was frightening.
"Don't. act. like. you. know. anything about my love for her. Do you think it was easy for me to just leave the woman I love? To see other guys look at her like a piece of meat? To know that she had to suffer alone for most of her life? Granted? I don't take anything she does for granted, I treasure everything, from her smile to the way she looks at me. Its true I don't deserve her, but neither do you. The one that has her heart right now is me.

Joon glared back as the two stood there. He yanked off Kevin's grip and stood to his taller height.
"You won't have it forever."

They stood away from each other, eyeing their opponent like a threat.
Joon walked passed Kevin, bumping shoulders with him, leaving him alone on the roof. Kevin stood there alone, taking deep breathes to calm his anger. He just lost control of his anger. It rarely happens, but Joon seemed to have set something off inside of him.
"You may like her, but you will never love her as I do."