Three days later, the house was thrown into a frenzy of preparations. The lower floor was strewn with streamers, banners and the clinging of pots and pans.  Alfie informed you that the buzz was because of a party that would be held that night. You remembered Min Hyuk mentioning  at the dinner table of a celebration party for BTOB, since they were going to debut and all. So it was going to happen at his house, which also happened to be your house. So much for escaping, you mentally grumbled. still, you would want to be there to congratulate the other members as well. It would only be a few hours, and the house would be full of people. It could  even decrease the possibility of bumping into your half-brother, whom you were now avoiding with more vigor. It was a happy day for everyone, and you sure weren't going to spoil it. You sighed sadly, the blue bruise that had formed around your wrist. So far, you had successfully hidden it by adopting a sudden fancy for cardigans, gloves, pullovers and long-sleeved tees. It wouldn't do any good to let anyone see it because it definitely wouldn't go noticed without an accompanying interrogation. You glanced at the cuckoo clock hanging on the wall.  "I'd better go prepare for the party." you whispered, catching your reflection in the mirror. You looked pale, thin and weary. But what was even more worrisome was the hollow expression in your eyes. You immediately changed it to an expression of happiness, one forced enough to fool anyone who didn't know you well. What gave it away was the missing twinkle in your big brown eyes, but no one would notice that, you reasoned with a tight smile. Soon, you whisked off to take a nice long, steamy bath. Then you opened your big wardrobe to pick a nice dress for the evening. You eventually gave up on all your dresses, which looked mostly plain and old. Suddenly, you spotted a large box in the corner of your wardrobe. Pulling it out curiously, you opened it to find a beautiful black and white laced dress. Stuck to the box was a note. "welcome to the family Mi Young. In case of a rainy day, this dress is for you. Love, dad" Smiling genuinely, you pulled out the shimmering outfit and tentatively held it against your chest. "I've never worn anything this beautiful in my life", you whispered. "it would look absolutely stunning on you dear", Alfie encouraged as she entered the room to keep away some clothes. You giggled at her splendid timing, and ran your fingers through the lace. With a burst of courage,you went to the bathroom and slipped the dress on. It fit you perfectly, and for the first time, you felt like a princess.  After curling your hair into slight waves, you put on some light makeup-the usual foundation, eyeliner and brown eyeshadow. Although you were tempted to apply more makeup, it just wasn't your kind of thing. Just as you were done, you heard the buzzing of movement coming from downstairs. "the party's already started", you muttered while slipping on a pair of heels. Slowly, you made your way down the stairwell, hoping against making a grand entrance. It seemed like a lot of people had come. In fact, you hardly recognized anyone. It Didnt help that those who saw you kept their gazes on you. You managed to slip off into an obscure corner of the house, and sighed in relief. You weren't too good with large crowds, in fact they kinda scared you. All the attendants were too busy preparing and serving drinks, so you decided to make your way to the kitchen to see if they needed any help. But pushing through a crowd like this was no easy feat. As you weaved your way through the crowd of wine-drinking men and a-little-too-flamboyantly-dressed ladies, you found yourself pushed until your back collided against someone. "I'm so sorry!" you exclaimed politely. "It's alright.. Omo Noona is that you!", a surprised voice greeted you. Not many people called you Noona. "ohh! Ilhoon ah~", you called out endearingly, happy to see a familiar face at last. "Omo Noona!! You're so pretty!!!", he gushed like a proud mother before embracing you in a friendly hug. You chuckled at his usual brazenness before ruffling his hair. He started to introduce you to some people. Most of them were producers, stylists and teachers from cube entertainment, who seemed nice despite their intimidating appearances. Soon Ilhoon guided you towards the dining room where more familiar faces greeted you. " Mi Young ah~", a small-eyed boy dressed in a black tuxedo shouted. "Oh! Hello Hyunsik oppa!!", you greeted back enthusiastically, shaking his hand.  "have you been eating well? Why are you so thin! Eating cup ramen I see?", he nagged motherly while ruffling your hair. "Yah oppa! Others said I look pretty today, and you call me skinny?" You chided playfully. His expression softened into an almost loving one. "you look beautiful today Mi Young, but I want you to be healthy", he said softly whilst looking into your eyes. Slowly, a pink blush crept up your cheeks. Somehow, hearing him call you beautiful had a different effect on you, then when ilhoon said it. Suddenly, a clang of glasses captured your attention as you spun around to see a red-faced Hye won fumbling with a few wine glasses that were toppled over. Although she was looking in your direction, her gaze was directed to someone beside you as her blush intensified. You felt Hyun sik shift beside you, his gentlemanly instincts triggering. But before he could run over, another figure dashed over from the crowd to help them stack up the glasses. He was dressed in a white tuxedo jacket with gold ts, but what was most recognizable was his characteristic smile. Only, that smile was not directed towards you. Min Hyuk smiled affectionately at hye won, while handing her a handkerchief to wipe the wine off her hands. The scene was almost too much to bear, despite how well the party had been going. You quickly turned away from the scene, ignoring the wrenching hurt in your heart. As you pushed through the crowd, you heard footsteps behind you. A hand on your elbow stopped you. "are you okay?", Hyun sik asked softly, his eager eyes searching your face for clues to your sadness. Just at that moment, one of the producers that ilhoon introduced to you earlier appeared, wanting to introduce Hyun sik to someone important. His eyes turned to you, full of worry. "it's okay oppa, just go", you whispered in a voice you hoped sounded reassuring, only it came out as more of a whimper. "I'll find you later", he promised before disappearing into the crowd. You just needed some time alone. As you wandered to a less populated wing on the ground floor, your eyes fell on a familiar figure leaning against the doorpost. "Eun Kwang Oppa?", you whispered in a quivering voice. "oh, mi young dong saeng", he exclaimed with enthusiasm until he caught sight of your Hurt expression. "want to talk about it?", he asked brotherly, not forcing you to do anything against your will. "I don't know oppa... Can we just sit here for a while?", you asked while sinking into a futon coach. You saw Eun Kwang nod with a kind smile that made you feel better. The both of you sat in silence for a few seconds, as you drew circles on the carpet with your foot. "can I ask you something?", Eun Kwang suddenly said. You nodded with a small smile, curious at his sudden question. "did something happen between Min Hyuk and you?", he asked patiently, while scanning your eyes for any flicker of pain. You sighed deeply; this was the one and only question you wished he didn't ask, but Eun Kwang's patience and brotherly demeanor made you open up to him willingly. "what made you ask that, oppa?", you replied with a sad smile.  " Min Hyuk's been really out of it these few weeks. He's been so distracted during practices, and he wouldn't tell me what was wrong." he explained carefully, displaying the worry he had for Min Hyuk. "you mean alot to him, Mi Young", Eun Kwang whispered while patting your head affectionately, before leaving you alone to think. Feeling beyond burdened, you walked into the kitchen. From a distance, you saw Hye Won propping herself up on her elbows, her gaze focused on something in the crowd. You sneaked up on her, and aligned your line of vision with hers. Hyunsik and His manager were making rounds together, probably introducing him to all the potential music producers out there. Hyun sik was being his usual self- charismatic, charming and genuine. You felt your lips curl into a smile of admiration until it hit you. Hye won was staring at Hyun sik? Does that explain her mesmerized face and dazed expression? You stared at her in disbelief, looking to and fro between the both of them. With a rough pull, you grabbed her and dragged her into the quiet balcony of the kitchen.  "yah! Why did you drag me here?" she barked distractedly. "Omo Unnie! Is the guy you like Hyun sik oppa?!", you shouted frantically. "yahh! Shhh!", she exclaimed while clamping a hand over your mouth. "is it that obvious?" she whispered, her face flushed with embarrassment. "what...you-him... Don't you like Min Hyuk?" you stammered nervously. To your surprise, Hye Won burst out in laughter. "Nooo! Why would I like Min Hyuk? He's my cousin!" she giggled. "your... Cousin!?",you shouted in confusion. "but...but I saw you in the room with oppa and..."you muttered in denial. "ohhhh! Oppa was just telling me that he decided to hold the party here for my sake. So that I could you know, spend time with Hyun Sik..."she blushed. "WHAT?!?"You almost fainted from the shocking news. "is that why you were so out of it these few weeks? You thought that I liked Min Hyuk oppa? Mi young ah, it's obvious that the two of you like each other", Hye won smiled cheekily. "no it isn't", you muttered, covering your eyes in denial. "unnie, ottokae?! Oppa must hate me now for avoiding him these past few weeks", you whimpered while hiding your face in your arms. Hye won smiled fondly, and grabbed your hands gently. "just go explain everything to him. I'm sure he'll understand", she whispered and pointed you in the direction of the library. As you paced slowly towards the library, you had mixed feelings of relief and remorse. While you were glad that nothing was going on between Min Hyuk and Hye won, you felt extremely apologetic towards him. How could you face him now? And would he even forgive you? Your heart ached at the prospect of him never talking to you again. You knew that even if he chose not to forgive you in the end, you still had to try. You owed him an apology. With the remaining strength left in your resolve, you pushed open the heavy doors to the library. "oppa?", you called out in a small voice as you ventured towards the centre of the room. "mi young?is-that-y-you?" the soft voice you missed so much called out from behind a book shelf as Min Hyuk stepped out into the open space. His eyes registered disbelief at your actions; were you really calling him? You couldn't stand the physical distance between the both of you, and your emotions were rising like a crescendo. With a sniff, you ran towards him and crashed into his chest, feeling the familiar warmth as he embraced you. You were back, back where you belonged-in his arms. It was in his arms that you always felt the most loved and the most protected. As you thought about how you wronged him, you started to sob quietly against his chest. "Mi Young, why are you crying? What's wrong?", he asked worriedly, your hair. You felt the familiar vibrations in his chest as he spoke, and calmed down as you listened to the soothing thump of his heartbeat. You reluctantly let go of him, wiping the last of your tears away. Even if he never forgave you, you would be satisfied with the last moment you shared in his arms. Taking several steps back, you ignored his bewildered face. "oppa... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for ignoring and avoiding you over the past weeks. I...I thought that Hye won liked you, and you liked her. I didn't want to come in between the both of you... I didn't want to be a third party. I'm so stupid oppa... I understand if you don't forgive me, but I just want to apologize to you, because it's the least I owe you..." you rambled in between gulps of breathe. When Min Hyuk didn't respond, you turned away weakly. It's no use... He must hate me now, you thought painfully as fresh tears flowed down your tear-stained cheeks. Even though your heart was hurting like someone had cut it into halves, you forced yourself to walk away. Suddenly, a pair of arms encircled you from behind, pulling you back. You crashed tightly into Min Hyuk's chest as he hugged you from behind. You swore your heart stopped beating. It was as if everything Had ceased momentarily, but you felt ever so alive. As he rested his chin on the curve of your shoulder, you gasped in disbelief. Your heart launched into an epiphany of beats, cartwheels and fireworks. "don't go. Please don't go. Don't ever ignore me again", he whispered beside your ear, voice raspy with emotion. Hearing his sincere words changed everything. You nodded meekly as a small smile crept onto your pale face, accompanied by a single tear that rolled down your cheek, falling to the ground like a shining pearl.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bunnyxwarrior: you can totally read my mindddddd :) can't believe you actually guessed my plot ajhahaha <3 I'm not too big a fan of large conflicts; I'm a v idealistic writer so I like my stories to have happy endings/happy chapters heeee! Jinjinjin: you're too cute dear!! Asaaa! Ahhaha glad you're enjoying this so far (: lots of fluff for you! You're not stupid kay! You figured it out in the end mhmm! Rainekpop and star_Sjk: thanks guys (; traveling gives me Alot of inspiration to write so I think there will be more updates! As long as the hotels have wifi (: please wait for meee~ Seaturtle: waves~ thanks for leaving me a comment dear!!! Glad you're enjoying this heehee! YESSSS im def thinking of introducing the btob members more into the storyline! so please look forward to their more frequent appearances! Bows*