“Husband?” Was the first thing to come out of my mouth. I looked around, in search of hidden cameras, hoping and praying that this was all some sick prank.

“Yes, Eunjung, your husband. Not only have you gained weight but your hearing is bad too.” My mother scoffed.

“B-but, I’m still in high school. I-I can’t have a husband. I’m too young.” My parents and Yoon San’s parents laughed.

“It’s not like you’ll be needing any sort of degree.” Mrs. Yoon chuckled, shaking her head as if it was the most craziest thing she heard.

“You’ll need to drop out so you can focus solely on the wedding and getting to know Yoon San.” My mother said as if it was normal.

“But I can’t.” I shook my head at the idea.

The adults laughed some more and I began to feel helpless. I looked to Moonkyu oppa, but he was on his phone. Then, I looked to Yoon San but he still hadn’t looked up from the table. I felt alone, so alone.

“But mother, father, I’m class president. I have duties, people relying on me. I’m going to graduate this year and have the chance of being valedictorian.” I pleaded with them but they carried on with a conversation about venues and dresses and things I didn’t care about.

“Mother, father?” I tried to find it in me to raise my voice but I was also trying to hold back my tears.

“We need to start looking for candidates for bridesmaids.” My mother said, Mrs. Yoon agreeing to help.

“Mother? Father?” I was able to raise my voice a bit, but not loud enough.

“How is the search for their house going? Any finds?” My father asked Mr. Yoon who nodded his head.

How could they discuss these things just amongst themselves? Did Yoonsan and I have any say? How do they expect me to just drop out of high school with graduation only a few months away? I had dreams, plans, things I wanted to do after high school! Don’t they care? Couldn’t they have waited until I graduated from college at least?

“Mother! Father!” I stood up abruptly, fueled by a surprising anger. I say surprising because I honestly didn’t feel myself get angry. I saw everyone at the table jump with surprise, looking at me.

“I will not drop out of school! I worked too hard in school my entire life just so I can graduate top of my class! I have the chance of entering one of the SKY colleges on full scholarship, colleges from America even wanting me to attend their school! I am not about to give that all up for a wedding and marriage I don’t even want. One that has no love or support!” I was breathing hard, trying to catch my breath.

“Yah, Kim Eunjung, are you crazy?” My mother asked me calmly but I could see the anger she was fighting hard to hold inside.

I was suddenly filled with fear, wanting to get away from there. I looked at everyone’s faces, my parents were angry, Mr. and Mrs. Yoon didn’t look too happy either. Moonkyu oppa looked, well, I wasn’t able to read his expression and Yoonsan looked at me with wide eyes. I also noticed how everyone in the restaurant was now looking at us, more specifically, me.

“I’m sorry.” I muttered, bowing to the table then to everyone in the restaurant before turning to run out of the restaurant.

“Moonkyu, go after your sister.” I heard my father say just as I ran from the table. It caused me to go faster, being careful of tables and the waiters and waitresses. Just as I saw the entrance of the restaurant, I was stopped by the hostess.

“Miss, would you like this back?” She was holding the bag that contained the outfit I was originally supposed to wear for this. I bowed to her, taking the bag. When I stood up I saw Moonkyu oppa wasn’t far away.

“Yah, Eunjung, where are you going?” He seemed annoyed, whether it was at me or not, I didn’t know but I wasn’t planning to stay and ask him.

I dashed out the restaurant, bag in my hand, and ran straight for the only place I felt was safe at the moment.

~Author’s point of view~

“I’m so sorry about our daughter’s, outburst. She’s usually so passive and just, doesn’t do things like that.” Mrs. Kim apologized.

“No, don’t worry. We still would like to go through with this. It will be good for both our businesses after all.” Mr. Yoon waved off the apology.

“Don’t worry, she will be punished. She can’t be acting like that.” Mr. Kim shook his head, ashamed of the behavior that Eunjung displayed.

Yoonsan rolled his eyes, leaning back in his seat, arms crossed. He didn’t want to go through with the marriage either, the only reason he went to France in the first place. He had come back because his parents promised that the marriage wasn’t going to happen but now, he saw that wasn’t true.

“She got away.” Moonkyu arrived back to the table. Yoonsan couldn’t even look at his best friend, someone who was like a brother. He didn’t even do anything to console Eunjung, who obviously had no idea about this marriage.

“Don’t worry about her now, she’ll come back home.” Mrs. Kim took a sip of her wine.

“Yoonsan, I apologize for my daughter’s behavior. She actually listens very well. But she might need some…guidance.” Yoonsan didn’t even want to know what Mr. Kim meant by “guidance” and for the first time since the dinner, Yoonsan saw that Moonkyu seemed disturbed as well by the comment. Maybe Moonkyu did care about his sister.

“You know, I think I thought of a way for Eunjung to agree to this.” Yoonsan rolled his eyes at his mother.

“Oh? How so?” Mrs. Kim inquired.

“She wants a marriage with love and support and seems so headstrong about graduating from high school even though it’ll just go to waste for her, so why not have Yoonsan and Eunjung live together for her remaining time at high school. They’ll get to know each other and seeing how naïve Eunjung seems to be, she’ll probably grow some feelings for Yoonsan.” Mrs. Yoon smiled, happy of her plan.

Mrs. Kim clapped her hands, seemingly happy with the idea.

“No wonder you and I are friends, Mina!” Mrs. Kim laughed.

“Would Eunjung agree?” Mr. Yoon questioned.

“Oh, leave that to us.” Mrs. Kim giggled, taking another sip of her wine.

Yoonsan looked up to the sound of Moonkyu scoff. He stood up, gesturing for Yoonsan to do the same.

“We’re going now.” Moonkyu simply said. They received the okay from their parents and Moonkyu literally dragged Yoonsan out of the restaurant and to his car.

Moonkyu froze as he was about to get into the car, seeing Eunjung’s backpack still in the front seat. Yoonsan saw the backpack and was about to move it to the back when Moonkyu beat him to it, tossing the backpack to the backseat.

“Get in.” Moonkyu slid into the drvier’s seat, putting his key into the ignition. Yoonsan did as he was told, putting on his seatbelt.

They drove to their usual hangout, knowing the rest of HotShot would be there already.

“Hyung, do you, agree with all this?” Yoonsan wondered, aware of Moonkyu’s clenched jaw, knuckles turning white from his grip on the steering wheel.

“What difference would it make if I didn’t agree?” Moonkyu grumbled.

Yoonsan was made silent by his response. Moonkyu seemed to be against it but knew that saying so wouldn’t change anything. But, at least it would make Eunjung feel better knowing she wasn’t alone.

“Don’t hurt Eunjung.” Yoonsan thought he heard come from Moonkyu but he wasn’t so sure.