Summer

Haneul’s POV

Beast got really busy with their World Tour and new album; therefore Junhyung and I have not met in quite a while. He was always flying to places and whenever he was back in Korea, he would be cropped up in the studio.

I was indeed feeling lonely after having his company for so long. Every day I would wait for his call or text. Despite wanting to spend more time on the phone with him, he sounded so tired I would initiate to hang up so he could sleep.

I walked into school alone as usual, but for some reason today, everyone seemed to be staring at me. Girls were staring at me while guys were smirking. Was there something on my face? I ignored their stares but went to the toilet to check it out.

I stared into the mirror, looking at my own reflection. I looked perfectly normal. So what was wrong? I put the staring behind me and headed back to class. Just as I was about to sit down, my friend threw her bag onto my seat.

“It’s taken.” She said.

“Huh?” I looked at her, confused.

I thought maybe it was just one of her bad days or maybe I offended her unknowingly. I headed to another seat but was given the same cold treatment.

“We don’t welcome liars in our class.” One of the girls said loudly. It was obvious that it was for me.

“I beg your pardon?” I asked.

“Ha! Still feigning ignorance! You’re a great actress, aren’t you?” She said, throwing a magazine into my face.

“What the..” I mumbled, rubbing my sore forehead as I picked up the magazine.

My eyes widened when I saw the cover.

“Still acting!?” She yelled.

Before I know it, I was shoved to the corner and given a really hard slap.

Junhyung’s POV

“Junhyung! Junhyung! Wake up!” Someone shook me roughly.

“Ughhhh~ I just slept..” I whined.

“You wouldn’t be able to sleep if you see this! Get up!” Doojoon said, pulling me up roughly.

“What is it!?” I shouted, sitting up, ruffling my hair.

“Look!” He yelled, throwing the iPad into my hands.

My eyes widened as I read the bold print; ‘Beast’s rapper Yong Junhyung in a secret relationship?!’

“What the ..” I mumbled as I read through the story.

There were even photos of Haneul and I being really intimate with each other. The writer did not even bother to cover Haneul’s face. Everything was shown really clearly. How unethical, but this wasn’t the point now. I look at the time the report was posted. It was posted at 7am. It is 12.30pm now, so I am pretty sure everyone would have read it.

“Where’s my phone?” I mumbled as I searched around.

“Here.” Doojoon said, handling me my phone.

I dialed Haneul’s number and waited for her to answer.

“Why isn’t she answering?!” I got impatient.

“It’s only the third ring. Wait.” Doojoon said.

“What if something happened!?” I asked, pulling my hair.

“Relax! She’s a tough one.” Doojoon said, assuring me.

“She’s not tough at all!” I yelled, dialing her number again.

I called her thrice but she never once answered.

“Why must this happen when I am not in Korea!?” I yelled at no one in particular.

“Junhyung! Calm down! Panicking wouldn’t help!” Doojoon shouted at me.

“How can I keep calm!?” I shouted.

I am used to the limelight and all, but Haneul isn’t. And to add to it, she hates being the center of attraction. She is somewhat stage fright when things like this happen. I took our relationship a step too far. I thought that we were safe since we have not been exposed since months ago, but never did I know they were just waiting for the correct time to expose us.

“Call her again.” Doojoon said calmly, portraying his leader character.

I nodded and called her again, but I couldn’t even dial her number properly because my hands were trembling so badly.

“I’ll do it.” Doojoon said, taking the phone from me.

He dialed the number as I recite it. We both waited anxiously.

“Hello?” I heard a familiar voice answer.

“Thank God, Darling! Where have you been?! Why didn’t you answer my call!?” I shouted.

Haneul’s POV

“Sorry, I was busy in class.” I said.

“Darling, did you.. see it?” Junhyung asked, stuttering.

“See what?” I asked, pretending not to know.

“The.. report.” He mumbled.

“Oh. That. I did.” I said.

“I’m sorry.” He apologized.

“No. Why are you apologizing? It’s okay.” I said.

“I got you into unnecessary trouble.” He said softly.

“Come on, we’re in this together.” I said, trying to cheer him up.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

“I’m fine.” I said.

“Did anyone try to bully you?” He asked.

“No. I’m good. My friends are supportive and people are simply envious of me.” I lied.

“Don’t lie.” He mumbled.

I laughed bitterly, not knowing what to say.

“I should be here with you now.” He sighed.

“Come on! It’s fine! Don’t dwell on it! It’ll pass! You need to work, don’t get distracted!” I said.

“Your optimism is not appropriate now.” He said.

“Why is it not?” I asked.

“Because I’m worried, and I know you’re scared! So don’t pretend to be okay!” He said in frustration.

“Hey, I’m really good, okay? Just relax.” I said.

“I’ll be back in a few days. Why not you stay indoors until I return?” He suggested.

“Come on! I’m not some coward! Besides, what did we do wrong?” I asked.

“I am the coward alright?! I don’t want you to get hurt!” He shouted.

“I wouldn’t, okay! I’m hanging up! Go get some sleep or what.” I mumbled, hanging up the phone.

I sighed as I put my phone back into my bag.

I somewhat expected this to come sooner or later. It was exposed once during the accident the other time, but it died down because there was no solid evidence. Junhyung had talked to me about coming clean to the public about our relationship, but I refused because firstly I know the risks he would have to take and I am not willing to let him fall. Secondly, I really hate the limelight.

“Traitor.” My friend scoffed as she walked passed me.

I looked up at her. If eyes could kill, I would have died ten times.

“What? Just because you have Junhyung Oppa behind your back, you think you’re the top of the world? You’re a really great actress, aren’t you?” She said.

“I’m sorry.” I mumbled.

I don’t blame her. She’s a Junhyung fan, coincidentally.

“HA! Haneul ah Haneul. Don’t try to be so gentle because I know you’re not. Even since Seungho Oppa came running into our classroom and pulling you out, I knew you were not simple. But I never expected you to be something. You can chat and spazz with me over Junhyung Oppa without even showing the slightest hint of jealousy, you’re daebak!” She said.

I looked down and continued with my stuff.

“DAMN YOU!!!” She shouted, pushing my whole table away from me.

I looked at her and stood up.

“Now that you want to continue this childish game of yours, let me play along then. You think I don’t know that you glued yourself to me only because you know that I know Yang Seungho? You think I am that oblivious to the fact that you were actually jealous of me? Yes, I kept quiet about my relationship with Junhyung, but so what? That is our privacy and we aren’t obliged to answer to you.” I said.

“!!!” She screeched.

She grabbed my hair and clawed my face. I did the same in defense. How I hated to be involved in such a childish fight. We are university students yet we are acting like kindergarten kids. How embarrassing. The rest of the class just stood by to watch. How typical.

“Get the off me!” I yelled, pushing her away roughly.

“HOW COULD YOU BETRAY ME!!?” She yelled in her high pitch voice.

“Are you kidding me!? Betray you!? Junhyung wasn’t yours to start with!” I yelled back.

“YOU FOREIGN !!!! HOW DARE YOU SEDUCE OUR JUNHYUNG OPPA!!!” She yelled, scratching me with her long, sharp nails.

I dodged my cheek fast enough but was not able to escape being scratched on my neck. I touched the place she scratched me and saw blood.

“HE IS JUST PLAYING WITH YOU IDIOT!!! DON’T BE DUMB!! DO YOU REALLY THINK HE LOVES YOU!? EVEN IF HE DOES, DO YOU THINK HIS FAMILY WILL ACCEPT YOU!? AND WHAT? YOU THINK HE’LL RUN AWAY WITH YOU LIKE IN THE FAIRYTALE?! DREAM ON, FOREIGNER!!” She said, laughing as thou she was out of control.

I shook my head and picked up my stuff. I pushed passed her and headed for the door. I headed for the toilet and locked myself in one of the cubicle. I sat on the toilet bowl, covering my mouth to muffle my cries. Despite knowing her motive, I thought we could be friends. I thought I finally got accepted. But I guess I am wrong. Was she right about Junhyung? I shouldn’t doubt him, but what if she is right? What if I am wrong? I really love him. I love him so much I don’t think I could handle any heartbreak.

I took out my phone and stared at my wallpaper. As much as I wanted to call him and just cry my heart out, something was stopping me. He had enough on hand; he didn’t need to have to deal with my childish business.

“Junnie..” I mumbled as I stared at his photo, crying like a baby. How shameful, but I couldn’t help it.