I was sitting beneath the cherry blossom tree, lazing under the sun on the large grounds of our school. It was lunchtime and I was alone because I wasn't hungry and also, because I decided to give Yumi and her boyfriend some time alone. I hate third-wheeling. It's a pity I didn't have anyone else except her. But it hasn't always been like that. I had Oh Sehun. Someone who was a best friend, a confidante, a brother, and probably someone who understood me the most. Although I love this school to my heart but this special spot where I was sitting had a very painful memory associated with my time here. This was the place where I lost someone very important. I looked around and I felt enveloping in my memories again.

It had been a very busy day. Our last exam was English Literature and after making sure I had completed every question, I left the Examination room with my other classmates. Everyone was already celebrating the end of exams. We had just entered spring but none of us had recovered from the bitter cold winter which is why half of the population had preferred to unwind in the vast, sunny grounds.

Park Chanyeol and his group of cronies were strutting around with their usual arrogance, winking and whistling at girls occasionally. His head was high, up in the air which made him look taller. Suddenly his eyes found his target by a cherry blossom tree. The student he had been looking for for a long time. The haughty smile playing on his lips quickly morphed into a smirk as he made his way towards his favorite person to bully. Oh Sehun.

"Hey there, sneaky Sehun. Trying to eavesdrop on people again?" Baekhyun taunted.

Sehun ignored them and continued reading his book. Chanyeol came closer and kicked the book out of his hand and pulled him up by the collar.

"What? You think you're so superior that you wouldn't even answer us now?" He said with a smirk, challenge flashing in his eyes.

"I don't think you're important enough," Sehun mumbled curtly.

"Huh! that's funny. Last time I checked, we were important enough for you to listen to our conversations and then spread them among your filthy classmates." Baekhyun fired back with detestation filling his eyes.

"And you'll pay back for it." Chanyeol punched him in the face and the poor victim fell on the ground. The three boys guffawed at his weakness.

"Oh , this poor guy, he doesn't even know how to fight back." Baekhyun chuckled as he kicked Sehun's backpack in a pile of dirt. Junmyun stood there laughing too. He didn't join his friends but didn't stop them either. Baekhyun yanked Sehun by his muddy shirt upward to his level.  Sehun held his head low like a weak-less creature.

"If I ever catch you again trying to listen to our conversations acting like you're some pathetic spy or try to steal from a teacher like you did last month, then consider yourself done," Chanyeol warned in a menacing voice. 

He punched him again and Sehun's lower lip started bleeding. But this time, the victim lifted his hand aiming to hit his bully back, but Chanyeol had quicker reflexes from his football training. He twisted Sehun's hand in a swift motion with an arrogant smirk. He raised his fist again to hit Sehun. Although I had been watching this quietly from a distance I decided that things were going out of hand and I entered the scene.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" I screamed at Chanyeol. And he, with a completely different expression, turned back at my outburst.

"I would if you go out with me on a date. Come on just say yes, Mirae. And I'll never even lay a hand on your dear Sehunnie again." He quickly offered with a flirty wink.

"Huh, never. I wouldn't choose you even if I had the choice between you and a cow. Why are you doing this with him?" I demanded him.

"Because I'm bored." He said with a very normal expression like there was nothing wrong about he said. If there's anything that I hate at this campus, it's bullying.

I chuckled coldly at his answer. "I didn't expect any more from you either. You think you're funny but, in fact, you're just a bullying arrogant jerk."

Baekhyun turned to Sehun and added, "Just because you're friends with a prefect doesn't mean we're afraid of you."

Sehun's friends also walked towards us. They weren't very nice company and had a bad reputation. As they walked nearer, we gained more attention from the surroundings and a bunch of students circled. I hated this fact. Everyone is happy to comment and gossip and make fun as if we are holding a circus here, but they cower away when the question of saving the victim arises. My poor Sehun, I hoped I could do better than only saving him. No one can stand against a bully here, no one.

"Well, well, well. Look who it is! The little miss prefect who loves to rule over people." One of his friends taunted

"You stay out of this," I replied shortly, rolling my eyes. I turned towards Chanyeol, and ordered in what I hoped sounded daunting, "If you don't want me to give you a taste of a much harder punch, then release his collar right now and apologize."

Chanyeol's hand left Sehun's collar and he muttered with a deep, defeated sigh, "Oh dear, why do you use that tone, you know it always gets me." He flashed me a powerless look clutching his chest. I rolled my eyes. What a drama.

Chanyeol faced Sehun and added, "You're lucky your friend came along, running to save your worthless existence as always, otherwise you know how--" Sehun interrupted him and what he spat next was more shocking than anything.

"I don't need help from filthy es like her." 

He eyed me with a look of disgust and my jaw dropped in surprise. I couldn't believe my ears. What is happening? How can he talk about me like that? in front of everyone? I was confused, it's such a bad dream. His friends sniggered from behind. The trio was completely astonished too. And I could hear people gasping around me and a murmur of gossip arose like wildfire.

"What did you say, you nasty ungrateful moron! Apologize to her, right now! How dare you say that!" Chanyeol advanced towards Sehun again, yelling at him with disbelief.

"Oh please, don't say that. You're as bad as him." I called back at Chanyeol, my heart still unable to accept the disgraceful words that had left my best friend's mouth.

Chanyeol frowned at me in confusion. "But I would never call you a....you know what! I respect you at least and---" Chanyeol was already counting his qualities when one of Sehun's friends spoke up again.

"Respect? Huh? What does that know of respect?" He looked at me. I gulped in perplexion, truly wordless. What is really happening? I seriously wanted to talk about Sehun about this in person. Isn't he supposed to defend me here?

"What are you talking about?" Junmyun asked, puzzled.

"Yah Sehun-ah, didn't you tell us that this so-called perfect prefect is actually a ? That she seduces and bribes all the teachers to give her top grades?"

This was enough. I couldn't let people prattle like that in front of me. Everyone gasped in surprise. It wouldn't take more than twenty minutes to spread these rumors over the whole campus. I'm sure many of them believed it, they knew Sehun was my best friend. Why is he lying about me? Tears were forming in my eyes but I didn't let them drop. 

"What's going on, Sehun? Did you really say all this stuff about me?" I asked quietly.

He looked into my eyes. There was no usual warmth in them. Just guilt. And remorse. His friends nudged him and said, "Come on, tell her."

 And he nodded at me. His response earned him a huge whack from Chanyeol and his useless screaming. But nothing reached my ears. My gaze was glued to my best friend who had betrayed me like a stranger. I thought it was a dream but, no, you can't trust anyone. Tears started streaming down my face, despite my efforts.

"She has always stopped us from bullying you. And you! You little piece of has been blathering nonsense behind her back!" Baekhyun screamed at Sehun in my defense.

"I told you. I don't want her help." He replied simply.

"Fine. I won't bother in the future." I fixed him with a cold glare, replying in a wavering voice.

I realized that I had started crying once this memory started playing before my eyes. I don't think I could ever forget that day. Although Sehun had tried to apologize, but it's too much to handle. I had heard some more stuff circling about me from my roommates which was equally false and painful to hear. And then, when I had blamed Chanyeol for everything although he wasn't responsible for it. I even remember pleading to Sehun, about three weeks before this incident.

"Sehun please, don't befriend those guys. You already know that they aren't nice people. They are just gonna have a bad influence on you." I begged him after I had dragged him into an empty classroom.

"Don't interfere in my life." He said coldly, a stony expression clouded his features. 

"What are you talking about? They literally forced you to steal the Gym teacher's wallet. I know about that. Please, I beg you. This isn't right."

"Didn't I make myself clear? I don't want your opinion on this. Can't I make my own decisions here?"

"But I am your friend. I'll stay by your side. You don't need them." I said with a worried expression.

I thought he would respond, but he just ignored my pleading, gave one last annoyed look, and left the classroom pushing me aside.

I glanced down at the book sitting in my lap. I wasn't actually reading it but looking at the picture I had hidden inside it. It was taken when I had won the Declamation contest in 6th grade. Sehun and I were giving our best smiles to the camera. His arm was slung on my shoulder and I was holding the trophy. I remember those times so well. When we had no one else other than each other. Sehun had always been a bit introvert. He only had his father whom he loved after his mother died. But now his father was pretty sick too. He was admitted to a hospital near our campus. Both of us had visited him several times together. I was close to his Dad too and as worried about him as his own son was.

I placed the picture back and closed it firmly. I sobbed lightly in my hands. I hate crying over our friendship again and again but I can't help it. I do it when I'm alone, nobody needs to see that I'm so weak. But I guess I wasn't that good at hiding. I noticed someone looking at me from a distance. I looked closely and recognized Junmyun. Since when has he been standing there? I wiped my face, stood up and walked towards him.

"Are you okay, Mirae? I know I shouldn't be asking this considering your state right now but..." He went on worriedly but I stopped him with a smile.

"I'm fine. Do me a favor and try not to tell this to your friends, please."

"Uhh...I'll try."

"Thanks"

We walked in silence for some time across the grounds then I asked him,

"Junmyun, Have you ever felt like this? Losing someone important to you but you can't do anything about it?"

It was just a general question but his eyes widened in surprise and he suddenly looked nervous. I looked at him closely and noticed that he was trying to hide something.

"Umm...no..I haven't."

I narrowed my eyes, "Come on, I can tell that you're lying."

"No, No-" He was interrupted by his friends.

"Hey, there bunny. Where were you all-" Chanyeol's eyes moved towards my face? His smile vanished. He must have noticed my swollen eyes and red nose. He opened his mouth to speak but I didn't give him a chance. I wasn't in the mood for pity. Especially not from someone like him. I turned to Junmyun and said,

"I'll see you later."

---

It was mostly a filler chapter, But I promise something exciting in the next one :)

 So what do you guys say? Do you think Sehun and Mirae should continue this cold war now that you know what actually happened or become friends again? I'll be back soon! Please upvote if you find this book worth it!

And also, how can I forget... Happy Eri Day!!   L-1485
Never have I lived a moment of regret for supporting these nine boys and never have they ever disappointed me. Even if everyone backs out, EXO will find me behind their back. For the little parts of them that I have discovered and yet to discover, it shall always have my support :) WE ARE ONE!