*MADDIE'S POV*

BUT HE AIN’T MY BOYFRIEND.

DIDN’T EVEN MET HIM UNTIL TODAY.

“Excuse Me?” I told him in my irritated voice.

“Girlfriend, come with me” He said in a sweet way.

BUT I’M NOT GOING TO BE CARRIED AWAY BY THIS IDIOT

“Come with you? You’re not even my boyfriend!”

“Come with me if you don’t want something to happen to your brother”

OH MY GLOB WHAT IS THIS

“What are you going to do with my brother?”

Now I’m getting angry.

“Relax. Just come with me and your brother will stay safe”

I HAVE TO GIVE IN FOR MY BROTHER

OH THE THINGS YOU DO FOR LOVE

I said “Fine” sharply so he’ll know I’m irritated.

He took me hand.

OH HOW DARE YOU?

I kept pulling my hand out but he was strong.

Too strong.

No use.

“Why do you have to hold my hand, idiot?”

“Just wait”

He zigzagged in and out of the crown and I was hopeless. He finally opened a door on the right side and went up.

I didn’t know the school has a rooftop garden!

Such a nice view for an unpleasant person.

I finally got my hand away from his.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT?” I shouted at him.

“Oh I just want you to be my girlfriend so I can gain popularity” He said with a sly smile.

WHAT IN THE NAME OF GLOB IS HE TALKING ABOUT?

“WHO ARE YOU ANYWAY? AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH MY BROTHER?”

“I’m just Lee Donghae, the band’s guitarist. And to your brother? Oh right. Well I’m going to do this to him if you refuse”

Then he showed me a video.

I gasped at the sight of the blindfolded, taped and roped kid that was thrown in the dumpster. And he was found after two days with bruises, cuts and a black eye.

OH NO THEY WON’T DO THAT TO MY BROTHER

“I’M GOING TO TELL THE TEACHERS”

“Then try. And Siwon here” He motioned Siwon to come closer “will make an article about you ruining the school’s reputation. And how you became a bad girl and a bad girlfriend to me”

“OH NO HE CAN’T DO THAT”

“Yes I can. I’m the school’s newspapers’ editor-in-chief”

SWEET HONEY ICED TEA

“So, your choice”

I love my brother.

But I love myself too.

But I love my brother more.

Even though he’s a stupid idiot at times, I still love him.

I think I’ve made the most horrible but life-saving decision in my entire life.

“For my brother”

Then he smiled an EVIL SMILE.

I’M GONNA KILL HIM WHEN I HAVE THE CHANCE

*time skip: DISMISSAL*

“Hey seatmate!” I shouted.

“Yup?”

“I’ll skip tutoring classes today”

“What? Why?”

“I have a meeting with the school’s band”

And he just said “Oh. Okay. Tutorial’s next week then. Bye”

I FEEL GUILTY

MY INNOCENT SEATMATE

GUILTY ME

BUT THEN AGAIN

THIS IS FOR MICHAEL

SO YEAH

I walked to the Music Room again to meet with my fellow band mates (AND THAT STUPID IDIOT DONGHAE)

But that stupid idiot just popped out of nowhere and put his arm around me.

And I shoved it off.

“We have a deal” he said reminding me of the possible fate of Michael.

I just rolled his eyes at him.

We entered the Music Room together.

We sat together.

We played together.

BUT I DON’T WANT TO BE WITH HIM FOREVER.

“See you next day then”

“Whatever bub”

He kissed me on the cheek.

“WHAT WAS THAT FOR?”

“I love you my girlfriend”

“I hate you my boyfriend” I said while I walked away from him.

THAT POPULARITY LEECH

He just wants to be popular that’s all.

I don’t know why kids these days wants to be popular.

I can see that I’m popular but I REALLY DON’T WANT TO.

I just want to stay on the sidelines that’s all.

If he was my boyfriend, I’m gonna break up with him HARD.

But no.

AND IT WILL NEVER EVER HAPPEN.

LIKE EVER.

Enough of Taylor Swift.

Every single day, this idiot is stuck with me like a leech.

He’s like my shadow (in a bad way)

And this went on for like…3 weeks.

AND ALL OF THIS STUPID PRETENDING IS JUST FOR MICHAEL.

Until another faithful Tuesday.

 

*ONEW’S POV*

I can sense that this day wouldn’t turn out right.

Jonghyun couldn’t be here today because of his “study” time.

Key has basketball practice.

Minho…I don’t know. He just texted me that he can’t be here today. Probably with Hyemi.

Taemin told me he’s going undercover with Minyoung.

Ohh…maybe the MinMin couple arranged a blind date.

Why am I not part of this?

So I was basically left alone with Maddie.

She told me that she’ll meet me in the Tennis Court because she has Tennis practice and stuff.

She’s in the Tennis Varsity alright?

Lucky girl.

She usually have band meetings every Tuesday.

But good thing, she doesn’t have one today.

Now, I’m here sitting in the bleachers watching her as she plays Tennis.

Wow.

She’s really good.

She’s very talented.

I think she can do lots of things.

Only her.

Not me.

But I’m very jealous.

Just kidding.

WAIT WHY AM I STARING AT HER?

SHOULD I PREPARE THE THINGS WE SHOULD DO TODAY FIRST?

GOD, ONEW, YOU’RE SO WEIRD THAT IS WHY NO ONE LIKES YOU.

Okay. Last glance and I’ll prepare.

I took my last glance just in time we have a weird eye contact with each other.

And she missed the ball because of that.

WOW, ONEW, YOU’RE REALLY UNLUCKY.

She’s now done playing. She’s going up here in less than 5 minutes.

That makes me feel nervous.

Maybe she’ll hit me like that tennis ball.

*prepare prepare prepare*

“Hi Onew!”

“Hey! We’re going to study about –“

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

I checked my pocket. It’s not my phone.

It’s hers.

She glanced at me like asking if she could answer the call.

“Take it”

“Thanks….Hello?” She said in her smiley face.

But then after that stranger’s reply, her expression changed.

Her smile turned into a grimace.

“What? Now? Are you kidding me?”

Stranger replies blah blah blah

“Don’t do anything. Okay. I’ll be there. Just wait” Then she turned her phone down.

“I’m sorry Onew. I have something to do. I’ll make it up to you next time. I promise”

That’s the third consecutive time she skipped my tutorials.

Does she hate me?

I hope not.

Since my helpers aka friends aren’t here too, I guess I’ll have to dismiss her.

“Go ahead”

But inside, I feel betrayed.

“Thank you so much”

Then she left.

Wow all these preparations for nothing?

As if you prepared, Onew.

I fixed the papers and stuffed it in my bag so I can leave early and eat chicken.

Then I noticed something hard.

I looked at the papers again and I realized that was a cellphone.

Not mine.

But Maddie’s.

WHY MADDIE WHY

“Time to find Maddie” I said as I grabbed the cellphone and hurried away out of the Tennis Court.

~~~

I was in the school building when I felt Maddie’s phone vibrate.

It’s a text message: Where are you? I’m in the rooftop – Donghae

Oh, she snuck off to tutoring classes to meet up with her boyfriend.

I never thought she’ll do that.

But she seemed so angry at Donghae.

Lover’s quarrel maybe?

And so I went to the door that leads to the rooftop.

I opened the door and climbed up a few steps.

Then I suddenly heard some screams.

“I WARN YOU DONGHAE! DON’T DARE TO TOUCH MY BROTHER!”

It’s Maddie.

Their quarrel is now turning physical.

I climbed up a little so I can hear their conversations. Not that I’m nosy, I just want to help.

“We have an agreement” Donghae said. “Be my girlfriend and I won’t lay a finger to my brother”

“BUT MY BROTHER TOLD ME SOMEONE’S FOLLOWING HIM”

“Oh that’s just my minions”

“HOW COULD YOU SCARE HIM LIKE THAT?”

“Oh it’s not scaring. It’s just a reminder that you should keep your promise”

“HOW LONG WILL WE STAY CAUSE I CAN’T TAKE IT ANY LONGER!”

“Until I graduate. Don’t worry, it’s just months away”

“MONTHS YEAH RIGHT. WELL I’M GOING”

She’s going down. I need to get out here fast.

I climbed down the stairs furiously and I almost stumbled on the way down.

I ran into a corner so I can hide from them while at the same time sneaking a glance at them.

I then saw Maddie shutting the door hard and walking straight to this corner.

WAIT

SHE’S GOING TO PASS HERE

NICE HIDING ONEW

I pretend to lean on the locker and check my watch.

“Onew? What are you doing here?” she said.

“You forgot your phone” I said casually.

“T-thanks”

She’s stuttering.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah”

OF COURSE SHE’S NOT ONEW. SHE’S PRETENDING THAT SHE’S IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH DONGHAE SO THAT HER BROTHER WOULD BE SAFE.

We walked outside the school together.

She’s checking her phone then she stopped.

“Onew”

“Yes?”

“Do you happen to go upstairs to the rooftop?” she asked.

AND I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY

“I..uhh..”

“So by any chance, did you hear our conversation?”

“Yes” I admitted.

She looked around then she dragged me into this small corner.

“You gotta help me”

“WHAT?”

“You heard my conversation with Donghae and now you got to help me get rid of him ASAP”

WOAH WOAH WOAH I DIDN’T SIGN UP FOR THIS

“OKAY I JUST HEARD YOU THERE. BUT I DIDN’T KNOW THAT I HAVE TO HELP YOU”

“Come on, Onew. Please. I’m tired of that jerk. Pleaaaassee!”

Processing….

“Fine”

“Yaay! So do you have a plan?”

“A PLAN? YOU EXPECT ME TO HAVE A PLAN?”

“Yes”

Okay….

“Umm..not at the moment”

“Phone please” she said.

“Phone?” I asked showing her my phone.

Then she took it.

“Hey!”

She did something to it and I don’t know what.

“Here’s my number. Call me when you have a plan. I need to go. Bye!”

NOW THAT WAS THE MOST FAST PHACED MOMENT OF MY ENTIRE LIFE.

*AT OUR DORM*

“GUYS I NEED SOME HELP!” I shouted as I opened the door.

“Onew, what happened? Did you get hurt?” Taemin asked.

“Since when did you care for me, Taemin?” I asked him mockingly.

“Since now. Just joking. What’s the problem anyway?”

Then I spilled them the whole story between Maddie and Donghae.

“I-I thought they’re real” Jonghyun said.

“Well not anymore they aren’t” Key told Jonghyun.

“So you have a plan?” Minho asked me.

“Actually…no. I was hoping you guys have a plan for me”

“Well we do have a plan” Jonghyun said.

“We do?” echoed Taemin.

“Yeah. Here’s the plan”

….

….

….

….

….

….

NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL A PLAN.

Time to call Maddie.

 

*MADDIE’S POV*

So this is the day where I will be free of Donghae.

And all thanks to those guys.

“You ready?” Onew asked me.

“Yeah. I’ll go up now. You know your cue?”

“Yes. Now, go. We don’t have all day”

It’s time.

“There you are my girlfriend. Popularity has been good to us right?”

“Well, I think that popularity for you. I’m going to break the deal”

“Do you remember what I said when you break it? One dial and it’s garbage for Michael”

“Go ahead. Try.” I taunted him.

Now it’s almost the end.

“I shall.” Then he dial the number. And I heard the shouts from Minho, Taemin, Key and Jonghyun downstairs.

“You have a plan?” Donghae asked me.

“Yup. And one of them is here too. NOW!”

Onew jumped on Donghae.

And I think he just hit Donghae on his face HARD because Donghae’s nose is now bleeding.

I didn’t think he was that good in fighting.

NOW MADDIE DON’T JUST STAND THERE. CALL THE TEACHERS.

I rushed downstairs and saw Ms. Woo.

“Ma’am there’s a fight on the rooftop. It’s Onew and Donghae.”

“Oh dear” She reached into her phone and called some teachers then she went upstairs with me.

Now this scene is really horrifying.

Both of them are bloody.

Onew’s white shirt is stained with dark red blood.

And his hair is so messy.

But Donghae is the worst.

Not only is his nose bleeding, but also his lips too. He also got a black eye from Onew.

But they moved away from each other when they saw Ms. Woo.

“WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?! BOTH OF YOU IN THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE NOW!”

I ran towards the edge to see a glimpse of the scenario with Michael.

Michael seems untouched.

And Donghae’s minions are beaten like pulps.

WHAT DID ONEW AND THOSE GUYS ATE?

“MADISSON, YOU TOO!” Ms. Woo shouted.

Now time to explain the end of Donghae’s world to the principal.

 

*TAEMIN’S POV*

Yay, we won!

Donghae and his minions got expelled and Siwon was fired from the school’s newspaper.

Good for them.

Maddie’s now free.

And Minyoung is now mine.

Just kidding.

During the scene downstairs, mostly Jonghyun and Minho acted. But not Key and I.

We just protected Michael, Maddie’s brother from those guys.

But I did punch one actually when he tried to grab Michael.

RIGHT IN THE EYE!

I’m proud of myself *claps like a seal

I FEEL LIKE A CHAMPION *cue we are the champions my friend~~~

BUT IM PROUDER OF THE HYUNGS WHO WORK OUT *claps more like a seal

I’m talking about Jonghyun and Minho hyungs.

Key hyung spends his time in front of the mirror while Onew hyung doesn’t care getting fat because he likes eating.

By the way, what happened to Onew hyung?

 

--AT THE INFIRMARY--

*ONEW’S POV*

My whole body hurts.

Why did I agree to this?

I can’t get up.

WHY ONEW WHY

I feel so….sore.

And I tasted blood.

And –

“ONEW! ARE YOU OKAY? I’M SORRY I DRAGGED YOU INTO THIS. THANK YOU SO SO SO SO MUCH FOR PROTECTING MY BROTHER. I JUST CAN’T BELIEVE YOU ACTUALLY DID THAT. DONGHAE IS –“

“Maddie stop. I’m good” I told her.

“But you’re so bloody how can that be good? Wait somebody’s here to thank you. MICHAEL GET IN HERE!”

And her little brother went in.

He said, “Uhm..hi. Thank you for…you know…saving me….CAN I GO NOW?!”

HE IS REALLY MADISSON’S BROTHER ALRIGHT

“Hey Michael, do you like Iron Man?” I asked him.

“Of course, who wouldn’t love Iron Man?”

“Well, I got these spare posters with Tony Stark’s signature on it. Do you want one?”

“OH YES I WANT ONE!” Then he turned to Maddie “HOW COOL IS YOUR FRIEND?! YOU SHOULD THANK HIM A LOT. GOTTA GO!!!!” Then Michael left.

“He’s really your brother, you know?”

“Yeah. And I hate myself for it. Hey –“ she stepped closer to hug me “Thank you so much again for saving my brother. Without you he might stink as a skunk. Just kidding”

I THINK MY BODY HURTS

NO.

MY BODY REALLY HURTS

BUT I THOUGHT A HUG COULD ADD PAIN.

BUT THIS HUG DIDN’T.

I ACTUALLY FELT THAT I DIDN’T EXPERIENCE PAIN AT ALL

LIKE AT ALL

CAUSE IT’S YOUR FIRST TIME TO GET HUGGED BY A GIRL, ONEW

“So, I gotta leave. Are you sure you’re okay here?” she asked me.

“Yeah. They’re going to get me. Take care and I hope Donghae won’t bother you anymore”

“Yup, he won’t bother me anymore because of you. Get well Onew!”

Then she shut the door in the infirmary.

…

…

…

And might possibly unlocked the door to my heart.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHAPTER NINE TEASER!

*ONEW’S POV*

It’s 1 am – Monday.

And I woke up because of Maddie.

Not because I was thinking about her, but because she texted me.

“Hey Onew! Bring the guys out later cuz we will have dinner. My treat! Time to celebrate our victory! I know it’s late. I’m just waiting for you to heal. SO HEAL FAST! And please make puppy eyes to Jonghyun so I can skip his tutorial hahahaha. See you in school!

Almost a week had passed since that terrifying day.

To be exact five days.

I’m fully healed already.

Well…not exactly ‘fully’ healed.

Some parts of my body still feels sore.

But I can walk now.

Nevermind me.

TIME TO TELL THE OTHERS!

I opened the door slowly and peeked at them.

They’re watching a horror movie.

NOW I HAVE AN AWESOME IDEA

1….

…….2

…………3

……………”BOOOOO!”

IT WAS THE MOST HILARIOUS MOMENT OF MY ENTIRE LIFE.

Key: “AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!”

Taemin: “THE ZOMBIE IS HERE THE ZOMBIE IS HERE”

Minho: “OK WHAT HAPPENED I FELL ASLEEP”

Jonghyun: “6 times 3 is equals to 18 and 18 minus 6 is equals to 12 WHAT?!”

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE LOOKS ON YOUR FACE!”

“Shut it! What do you want? We’re watching a movie here right, guys?” Jonghyun said.

“Yeah. Yeah. Sure. Whatever. I just thought that you’ll like to eat outside later after school but I guess you’re not in the mood. So I’m going back inside then. Bye –“

Then Jonghyun stood up.

“WAIT DID YOU JUST SAY EAT OUSIDE LATER AFTER SCHOOL?”

“I guess, I did. Maddie said she’ll treat us later to dinner for celebrating our victory against SiHae but she also said you have to cancel her tutorial. But if you don’t then –“

“NO NO NO I MEAN YES SHE CAN ESCAPE TUTORIAL FOR THE DAY FOR THE SAKE OF EATING”

“This is going to be better than this movie” Taemin said while finally turning off the TV.