Up and Down - Sistar

Chapter 18: Black Thoughts.

Arriving on the lobby of the building, Jaera was about to go down from Kai’s red BMW but got stopped halfway just when her right foot got into contact with the concrete road. “Jaera, take these.”

Kai handed the brown paper bag filled with the takeout pasta and pizza to Jaera with a smile. The latter bit her lower lip hesitantly in return. “But that’s yours—“

“I’m already full.” Kai reassured, pushing the paper bag to Jaera’s hands rather roughly, causing for her small hands to grip onto the bag more. “Plus, you won’t have to cook for Lu Han-hyung anymore. It’s late and I know you’re already tired.”

“You sure?” Jaera asked once more, trying to make Kai think twice about the offer, but the latter just nodded, still donning his eye smile.

“I’m very sure. Just enjoy those with hyung.” Kai said as Jaera wasn’t able to do anything but just smile. She then alighted the car while waving goodbye. “Bye Kai, goodnight!”

Kai just nodded in response before zooming off back into the main road. As soon as the boy’s car was out of sight, Jaera entered the main lobby and came face to face with the security guard.

“Good evening ahjussi.” Jaera greeted with a slight nod as the security guard did the same, except with a blank expression.

At first, Jaera got kind of intimidated with his expression but as time passed by, she came to learn that the ahjussi isn’t really the cheery type of person. She respects that and she knows that even if he doesn’t smile, he still acknowledges her. A feat to be considered coming from the poker faced security guard, and it definitely made Jaera feel a little bit better.

Jaera hasn’t been in the best mood lately, ever since the day she met Jongmi. She’s not blaming the girl though for she didn’t even do anything. While that’s the case, the time she spent with Kai surely did her some unknown magic that made her feel a bit better. She’s still not in the best shape, but having to eat out with Kai did make her mind ease off from a lot of things, and she’s really thankful.

Maybe it is true that with the sadness you feel, the same amount of happiness will surely return.

Jaera actually wanted to spend more time with Kai. He was fun to be with, a carefree person that’ll let you forget your problems in a good way. He knows how to make people feel at ease and it’s a trait that Jaera admires.

If it weren’t only for Lu Han, then she could’ve gotten to know Kai a lot more.

“Why are you with Kai at this time of the night?”

Upon opening the door of the unit, a crossed armed Lu Han, sitting pompously by the dining table came to Jaera’s sight. He was wearing some casual clothing consisting of a black tee and denim jeans, but the attitude and energy he gave off made the whole attire seem so stylish and modish.

Jaera has already seen him in several different clothing, but no matter what she still wasn’t able to stop from marvelling at how picturesque the man could be, even with only such simple clothes on him.

Lu Han waited for Jaera to answer with creased brows, but seeing as the lass only stared back at him, he couldn’t help but huff. “I know I’m handsome and all but I’m talking to you.”

“O-oh yeah, about that—“ Jaera was about to respond but halted upon realizing that Lu Han knew Kai was with her. “Wait, how did you know Kai and I were together?”

“Kai messaged me not awhile ago.” Lu Han said, the crease on his brow never leaving as Jaera shrugged before approaching him. “Where’s Sehun? Isn’t he always with you? Don’t you go home together every day?”

“Sehun has work today so he wasn’t able to drop me off.” Jaera said, taking a seat across from Lu Han while bringing out the takeout.

“Since when did Sehun start working?” Lu Han asked, giving Jaera a look of disbelief.

Jaera pretended to think deeply before turning to Lu Han with a shrug. “I don’t know, since today?”

“You think I’d actually believe you? That kid’s a lazy bum.” Lu Han snorted, waiting idly while Jaera slowly prepare his dinner.

“I’m not asking you to believe me, but that’s the truth.” Jaera said, heaving a sigh as she took some chopsticks and napkins for Lu Han to use. “Why would I even lie about something like that?”

“Oh, I don’t know…” Lu Han shrugged dryly, grabbing the chopsticks from Jaera while looking at her with squinted eyes. “Maybe so you can keep going out with Kai a secret.”

Lu Han doesn’t really mind Jaera getting late in going home. He knows that the girl usually just goes to three places everyday—her school, her part time job, and Lu Han’s place. He knew that it was her everyday routine and even if she did go somewhere else, he shouldn’t care since they’re just in a fake cousin relationship anyway.

Though Lu Han would sometimes think about her welfare as well since it really is dangerous for a girl to stay out late at night—maybe an effect of having to act as her foster cousin. Although he would worry at times, he knew that Sehun and Tao would be with her. They’ve been on a rough start at first but as time passed by, their relationship got better which is a good thing since Sehun doesn’t really have that much close friends.

Albeit for some reason, their close relationship and interactions seems to annoy Lu Han.

The fact that they see each other and spend time together every day at school seems to make Lu Han a bit bothered. Maybe because he wasn’t able to experience such things when he was younger? Or maybe because he feels like he should be the one who gets to spend more time with Jaera as her foster cousin?

Whatever reason there is, Lu Han wasn’t sure either. Though, for sure it’s not because he’s threatened by his real cousin. Lu Han trusts Sehun and the lad’s already like a younger brother to him so he doesn’t worry even if Jaera’s always with him and besides, he’s the only one who knows of their real situation. He knows Sehun’s a good kid even underneath his placid exterior. He knows Sehun would protect Jaera in his place.

Plus, there’s nothing to be threatened about actually.

But Kai being with Jaera was different. It’s not that Lu Han doesn’t trust Kai, he’s also a good friend of Lu Han’s, but he’s different. He doesn’t know the real situation and even if he looks like a gentleman, he could be a bit playful. Lu Han’s not trying to badmouth him but he’s just saying based on what he knows.

Honestly at first, Lu Han was delighted with Kai’s arrival, but now, it seems to be the other way around.

The look on Jaera’s eyes when she saw Kai was different, they were shining. Lu Han noticed it immediately, but he ignored his gut reaction since he only thought that maybe she got stunned by the boy’s presence. Kai is indeed handsome and any girl would surely turn their heads just look at him.

However, Lu Han’s still more handsome.

“Ahjussi, what are you going on about?” Jaera asked, completely taken aback by Lu Han’s accusations. “Are you saying that I like Kai?”

“I’m not saying anything.” Lu Han retorted, taking a bite from the white pizza nonchalantly.

“But you were implying it.” Jaera said in a hard tone, her eyebrows creasing in irritation. She was getting irritated with the way Lu Han’s acting, but she tried to remain composed. Lu Han’s the one she’s talking to and remembering his specialty of making anyone annoyed with his princely jerk attitude, she wouldn’t be provoked. “Why are you being so grumpy anyway? Greeting me like that as soon as I got home.”

“I am not grumpy.” Lu Han defended, finishing the pizza with one whole bite before stabbing the baked ziti with his chopsticks.

“Uh… yeah you are.”

“How sure are you?”

“Look at how you’re acting.” Jaera’s lips pursed, watching Lu Han’s every move in ruining the neat plating of the pasta.

Lu Han’s head shot up from the pasta to Jaera in a serious manner. “Stop acting like you know me.”

Appalled by what Lu Han said, Jaera paused for awhile but kept her composure nonetheless. “Actually, I do know you. You’re my cousin remember?”

Lu Han halted and saw Jaera looking at him intently. He wasn’t in the mood, obviously, and he wasn’t up for fun and jokes. He was annoyed with Jaera and a little bit with Kai, and he plans to keep that mood until the next day. Though for some reason, hearing the girl’s sarcastic remark made the edge of his lips tug up a tad.

With the gaze that bore onto him brought about by Jaera’s eyes, Lu Han lowered his head a bit and continued to stab the pasta, all the while biting his lower lip to prevent himself from smiling even further. “Don’t push it.”

After discussing history lessons that no one even paid attention to, the history teacher decided to call it a day and dismissed the whole class. Every student quickly packed their bags and headed to their own destinations—some to home, some to the study hall, some to training companies, some to their part time jobs, and some to just anywhere but the school.

“What a lucky girl.” Sehun said, walking side by side Jaera and Tao along the hallways. “You don’t have work today.”

Jaera usually is included to the group who goes to their part time jobs after school but fortunately, it’s her day off today.

“How about you?” Jaera asked, turning to Sehun only to get a groan in response.

Sadly for Sehun, he has work today too—two days in a row. “I have work.”

“And you?” Jaera asked, turning to Tao only to get a gr