Eunbi’s cheeks flushed pink the moment she met Sehun’s gaze in the cafeteria. The events of last night were still fresh in mind and she bit down on her bottom lip before she looked away. Ahbin was quick to comment on Eunbi’s behaviour.

“What’s wrong with you? You’ve been blushing all day.” Ahbin was curious to say the least and turned her head in the direction Eunbi had been looking. To her bewilderment, there was nothing interesting that might have answered her question. Even more confused, Ahbin moved about and locked eyes with Eunbi, who gulped. The latter couldn’t possibly reveal what’d taken place the day before. She shuddered at the thought of anyone finding out that she’d oh so willingly kissed Sehun. Her own step brother.

“Nothing. It’s nothing.” She shoved full, hoping that Ahbin would take the hint and change the subject.

“Okay. Well. I’m throwing a small birthday party on Saturday. What I’m meaning to ask is if it would be alright to invite Yixing? I mean. I can tell him that he can’t come if you don’t want him to.” There was a tiny part of her that hesitated. But at the same time she felt like it wouldn’t be such a big deal. It wasn’t like they were on bad terms or anything, which would’ve made the whole thing much more awkward. Eunbi said it was alright. That she wouldn’t have any problems if he showed up. Plus. Yixing was most likely moving back to China soon, and the party would probably be one of the last times she saw him. She felt saddened by the thought because she really liked him as a friend.

The conversation was briskly interrupted when Kai, Tao, and Yixing placed themselves down at the table. Their loud voices surprised Eunbi at first for she hadn’t expected either of them to show up. Sure. They had lunch the same time. But she thought they didn’t want to sit together with them after everything that’s happened the last couple of weeks. Eunbi gave Yixing a quick glance, her gaze locked with his for a brief moment before she looked away. He said nothing and neither did she. Tao noticed the tension in the air and decided to break the awkward silence, which was appreciated.

“I heard you were throwing a party on Saturday.” To her relief, Ahbin went along with it and explained that her parents would be out of town and that they’d given her permission to throat a small birthday party with her closest friends. Kai sounded satisfied by this because he let out a small cheer. An action Ahbin laughed at. Eunbi on the other hand, glanced over to where Sehun was sitting. Well. Sat to be exact because he wasn’t there anymore. Perplexed, she stared at the doorway that lead to the said cafeteria and caught sight of Sehun just as he left. She bit down on her bottom lip as she contemplated what to do. Eunbi wanted to talk to Sehun. But doing so together with Ahbin or anyone else wouldn’t be any good.

“Can I meet up with you in the library later? I have to do something.” The question was directed at Ahbin, who nodded, if not a bit confused as to why her friend needed to leave all of a sudden. The former didn’t ask why though, for she was pretty sure of the reason Eunbi decided to excuse herself. Completely ignoring the look Yixing gave her, she hurried out of there and began to search for Sehun, whom the girl also found at his usual spot. The cigarette in his hand was already lit.

“Can’t you stop with that bad habit of yours?” Eunbi frowned for she disliked the fact that he smoked. It wasn’t the slightest cool or tasteful. To actually get him to stop seemed impossible seeing as he’d been smoking for quite some time already. But it was worth a try.

“Hmm. I don’t know. Should I?” Her heart skipped a beat the second he took a step closer, thus closing the gap between the two. She played it cool despite the ever growing nervousness that welled up within. The expression he displayed revealed nothing and Eunbi took a quick look at his cigarette, which was slowly burning down, before she glanced up at him, at his eyes. Those beautiful eyes she wouldn’t mind drowning in. Sehun dropped the cigarette and took a hold of her hand all the whilst she admired his features. The contact of skin sent shivers down her spine. And even though she was happy, she was also terrified at the same time. She was afraid someone would see them and thus cause another rumour. Because of that, because of her fear of their relationship being exposed, Eunbi stepped back.

“We should be careful. People might get the wrong idea.” She could see his expression change into one of displeasure. Sehun was not pleased at all and sported a very obvious frown. He didn’t like it. Didn’t like that they couldn’t show their relationship out in the open. On a sidenote. It might be for the best. At least until they figured out if it was going to work.

“So I can’t kiss you then?” Eunbi blushed at his blunt request and almost forgot about their little agreement to lay low.

“Bad idea.” It really was, especially at school and where someone might see them. Imagine the chaos and hell that would break loose if anyone were to know. Eunbi felt uneasy just thinking about it. More so because she feared what everyone would think of her. One thing was certain though, her mother was not going to be happy.

“What’s a bad idea?” Shocked by the voice, Eunbi jumped back and away from Sehun, whose whole demeanor changed in the split of a second. She realized why once her eyes caught sight of Yuna. The other girl was looking directly at her and made it very clear that she didn’t want Eunbi around. The latter remained quiet even though Yuna stepped up and clung onto Sehun. Eunbi was hesitant to voice out her disapproval. And that for obvious reasons seeing as Yuna had already started a rumour before and could most likely do it again if she wished. So instead, Eunbi watched, uneasy and bothered. The hurried glance Sehun sent her way reassured her somewhat, but still not enough.

“You shouldn’t hang around trash, oppa.” Yuna looked right at Eunbi as she said that. Words that not only irritated Eunbi herself. But Sehun as well. The male pushed Yuna away and then told her to leave. He didn’t want her around. A feat that Yuna obviously didn’t seem to understand seeing as she constantly came creeping back. Sehun was so tired of her that he no longer cared whether he was being rude or not. And it showed for he told Yuna to off. Eunbi was left speechless by the choice of words. He was a pretty straightforward person. She could give him that. But she realized he’d reached breaking point when Yuna, too, looked overwhelmed.

“I really think you should leave.” Just a mere look at Sehun told Eunbi more than enough, and she knew it would be for the best if Yuna left, or all hell might break loose. But being the person Yuna was, she refused. Yuna wouldn’t listen to someone like Eunbi, someone who stood in the way and only created trouble for her oppa. But the refusal also increased Sehun’s anger and he stomped over, latched onto Eunbi’s hand, and pulled her along, thus leaving a confused Yuna behind.

“What are you doing? This is exactly what I told you not to do. People will stare and -.” Eunbi was cut short by the male.

“Don’t care.”

She was dragged towards the school building all the whilst students around them watched. Eunbi found it embarrassing and tried to get him to stop. Sehun wouldn’t listen though, and continued to pull her with as they entered the school. To her horror, people began to whisper and point their fingers at them. Cruel and mean words were thrown their way, something that made Eunbi feel even more self conscious. The whole ordeal turned for the worst when Yixing, along with Kai and Tao, came walking down the hallway. They all stared. Especially Yixing and she let her gaze drop to the floor as she passed them by. Eunbi couldn’t look at him. Her emotions were causing a havoc within and she grew angry at Sehun, who, when he finally came to a stop in a part of the school she’d never before been to, voiced out his inner feelings.

“How long must we pretend? How long must we hide like we’ve committed a crime?” Sehun was furious at the world and its ing rules. They were not even blood related, yet people would judge them as if they were if their relationship were to be exposed. It was definitely not fair. And though Eunbi understood his reasoning, she also knew it was for the best to lay low. At least for the time being until they figured something out.

“It is what it is. We just have to be careful. Okay? No one can know about us.” He needed to understand that they had to be cautious as to not arouse suspicion from anyone. Their parents and Luhan especially, since those three were the ones that could cause the most problem. Eunbi didn’t even want to think of it. The chaos that would follow if her mother found out. Just the mere thought sent shivers down her spine.

“So we have to wait. Great.” Sehun’s sarcasm went unnoticed because the the word wait made Eunbi remember that she was supposed to meet up with Ahbin at the library. She’d even promised the other girl she would help with a homework. And with the lunchbreak slowly coming to an end, Eunbi realized she had to hurry.

“Could we talk about this at home? I just remembered I need to help Ahbin with her homework.” Eunbi felt relieved and conflicted when she left Sehun and headed for the library. Relief that didn’t last very long because she ran into Ahbin as soon as she turned the corner. The other girl looked right at her, eyes wide and lips parted and Eunbi realized Ahbin heard everything. The secret was no secret anymore.