The next few days at school passed by in a breeze with the nuisance in the name of Kai still under suspension. Krystal introduced AJ and James to her circle of friends: a short, tanned Glee club member named Luna, a cute-looking giant named Sulli and a foreign senior known as Victoria. It took them one lunch break to get acquainted with each other and James was more than glad to see AJ warm up to other people aside from himself, and he was able to make new friends too. The class president had been chirpier than he ever knew, which he would like to believe, was due to a certain llama.   

James happened to be passing by the basketball court where AJ and Krystal were playing one-on-one against each other, the former dribbling the orange ball skillfully with both hands, eyes concentrating on finding an opening to pass through Krystal’s guarding form. Just when the shorter girl tried to steal the ball from the shaggy-haired one, she almost stumbled over as AJ bent down all of the sudden, the ball bouncing away from them. Craning his head, he got to witness something very heart-warming. In a split of second, AJ was able to notice Krystal’s shoe lace came undone on her left foot and squatted down almost immediately to tie it, seemingly afraid that the latter would step on it moving forward. Touched by the gesture, Krystal’s cheeks flared up, both of her hands still on AJ’s shoulders to balance herself. When AJ finished and looked up, she let out a small smile which earned a soft caress on her fluffy mess of hair.

“What am I? A puppy?” Her brows furrowed.

“Yeah. Fluffier than a poodle.” Krystal stuck her tongue out playfully and jogged to fetch the ball. “Again?”

“Hey you.”

AJ was walking to the restroom when she heard a raspy voice called out. As it was during class time, the halls were empty, so she turned around wordlessly to find Kai looking at her. ‘Oh so the nuisance has returned’.

“I’ve heard you’ve been hanging out with my girlfriend. I’m gonna be honest, I don’t like you, and I don’t want you around her. You hear me?”

Sighing to herself, AJ didn’t feel the need to reply so she simply walked away, only to be yanked by her arm.

“I don’t need to explain myself to you” came the cold reply, AJ staring straight through the tall guy.

Angered by AJ’s attitude, Kai pushed her onto the wall, his right fist raising.

“Why you little-“

“HEY! YOU THERE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” A security guard yelled from a corner, already running towards them.

Dropping his hands, Kai pointed to the younger girl’s forehead.

“I’ll be watching you. Mark my words.”

The security guard couldn’t catch up with Kai’s long legs, so he walked back to where AJ was and checked up on her.

“Are you okay? Oh goodness he was an aggressive one, was he?” Carefully inspecting the shaggy-haired one, he suddenly pulled back.

“You…you’re a g-girl?”

AJ chuckled. The school did have uniforms, yet she opted for the male uniform instead as she had no longer feel comfortable walking around in a skirt, being a very active girl. The school principal allowed this one exception considering that it did not matter that much and when AJ’s school records had all been excellent, also taking notes of AJ’s previous MVP status in the basketball team.

“Yes sir. Thank you for your concern. I’ll be heading back to class.”

With that, she walked off, momentarily forgetting the need to go to the restroom. For the first time in a while, she was challenged outside of the basketball court, getting her all giddy and excited she was smirking the whole way through.

Krystal was more than surprised to find Kai waiting outside of her classroom that day. The tanned guy had spectacles on for some unknown reason and Krystal couldn’t help but walk right into his arms.

“What are you doing here? I thought you’re going back to school tomorrow?” she cooed while pulling back a little to look at his face.

“I miss my girlfriend. Can’t I just sneak in to see her?”

Smiling at Krystal, he ruffled her hair a little. The height difference was just right, and students were awing at the affection, minus the zombie buddy duo. The both of them were gagging at the holler from the girls and wolf whistle from the guys while trying to squeeze their way through the crowd. Teachers were making faces at the unwanted PDA but left them be, for they knew how influential her mother was. Despite that, Krystal was a proud class president who worked hard for her achievements, something very much worth commended for. They only shook their heads at the couple as they walked by.

Meanwhile, the zombie buddy duo had already made their way out of the school, planning for a game night as AJ’s parents were out yet again. The first time James came over, he too was at  awe with the postcard wall, proof of how much time AJ’s parents had spent traveling the world for business trips, which also meant how much time AJ had been alone. James couldn’t help but wonder how lonely AJ must have been all these years, but AJ assured him she received more than enough love and attention from her parents, just not on a daily, face-to-face basis.

This time was his second time at her apartment, and James immediately made his way to the fridge to get himself some ginger ale.

“I see someone has stocked up.” He grinned at the fridge, eyes turning towards AJ’s direction.

“And I see someone’s got a bit too comfortable.” Snatching the can out of his hand, AJ snapped.

“Hey hey, that’s mine!” He whined, reaching out for the can only to be squatted away.

“My house. My rules. Also, I bought them!”

“Fine… you stinky llama.”

The duo was getting through their nth game of Mortal Kombat, several cans of ginger ale and a pizza box scattered around. The couch seemed too small for two people playing a duel fight game, yet that was disregard as they were too immersed in the fight to actually care. But then someone just had to interrupt as AJ’s phone rang.

James who was sitting the closest to both of their phones paused the game abruptly and reached out for her phone. His brows knitted in confusion when he saw the caller ID.

“Soojung? Who the hell is that?”

“None of your business, pass it over.”

Grumbling some more, James gave AJ a light kick as he passed her the phone, walking off to clean up the mess they made while giving her some privacy.

“Hello?”

“Hey…um… are you home right now?” Krystal asked, her voice sounded… strange, a bit hesitant with some echo in the background.

“Yeah? What’s up?” AJ could tell something was troubling her, so she just had to ask.

“Can I come over? I..I just don’t want to be home right now…” Of course she wasn’t okay. AJ sighed.

“Alright, come over. My parents are out anyway.” The conversation ended. James came back to the living room looking confused at the state AJ was in.

“Um… is that my cue to leave?” He scratched the back of his neck out of habit. As much as she didn’t want to kick him out like that, it was for the better. Krystal sounded like she needed some comfort and James’ presence could be intimidating. He was a guy after all.

Nodding reluctantly, AJ let out a small smile.

“Sorry buddy. Let’s continue another time.”

A/N: Heyyyyyyyyyyyy dear readers!!!! How have you been doing?? I unexpectedly found time to squeeze in a chapter for you today. Hope you enjoy this one (I actually had fun writing this chapter!). Criticism are most welcome, as per usual ^^ what do you think Krystal is there for? Let me know in the comment section below ~ ;)