“Let’s eat guys!” Jieun said to her friends. Jieun, Juniel, Peniel and Roy Kim ran away from school when they were punished. They went to the Ramyeon(noodle) Shop to eat. They were very very hungry since their teacher told them to run like 10 kilometers away. The Ramyeon Shop weren’t really far from their school.

“This tastes so ing good! I haven’t eat this for ages!” Peniel said, his mouth was full with noodles. He had eaten three bowls of ramyeon. Juniel and Jieun stared at him blankly. Roy Kim stared at him as well.

“But, Peniel… you ate two packs of Spaghettis like one and a half hours ago!” Jieun yelled. She was worry because Peniel had eaten too much. He wiped his red lips and kept eating.

“Just let him. I bet he’s not going to eat for 2 days or even more, because he just ate tons of noodles,” joked Roy Kim calmly. He took his iPod and put on his white headphones. He was so damn calm.

“I wonder why he is this calm,” Jieun whispered and stared at Roy Kim. Juniel nodded softly.

“I can hear you, ma’am,” chuckled Roy Kim. “I was born to be cool.”

Jieun shut and Juniel chuckled a little. Peniel was still busy with his food. He was sweating a lot since the noodles are spicy.

--

“Oh my God… I’m so full, dude…” Peniel complained. He ended with eating five bowls of spicy noodles.

“Told ya,” said Jieun. She grabbed Juniel’s hand and started walking back to school. They had spent almost an hour to eat, or in the other word, running away from school. Peniel can’t walk by himself because he was so full. So Roy Kim helped him to walk. Peniel kept on rubbing his stomach. He was going to throw up.

--

“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!” the teacher shouted. His echo was filling up the gym, so it sounded like ‘BEEN.. been.. been.. been..’. The four of them can’t help but hold their laughter. It turned into a very quiet gym. Jieun glanced at Peniel and the others. They all looked down and looked blank. Jieun took a deep breath and decided to talk to the teacher.

“We’re so…” Jieun lifted up her face and looked at her teacher. She gulped.

Seems like Mr. Siwon is very mad at us…

“Okay, look. We are very very sorry because we ran away from school. We were so hungry and tired because of you. I have no idea why did you tell us to run around the school? You know this school isn’t small. Our school is so big! We were going to die if we didn’t eat, Sir! Have you lost your mind?” Jieun blurted. Juniel kicked her a little, tried to say that she was out of control. She needs to hold herself. Jieun regretted for what she said. She looked down.

Mr. Siwon’s expression changed from that ‘I’M REALLY MAD’ expression into ‘what have I done’ expression. Peniel and Roy Kim realized that his expression was changing.

Mr. Siwon patted Jieun’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, guys.”

Jieun looked shocked and looked at him.

Is he serious?

“I’m really sorry. I was wrong. I realized it was hard for you guys. I’m sorry. I will never do this again,” said Siwon. The four of them still looked surprised but nodded slowly. “And Jieun, thank you for your explanation,” He smiled. Jieun blushed. Siwon walked out from the gym, leaving the students behind. When Siwon was out from the gym room, the 4 students looked at each other.

“Thanks God..” Juniel said and put her hand on her chest.

“We’re save, guys. Let’s just change our clothes and go back to the class,” said Jieun. She grabbed Juniel’s hand and pulled her towards the door. They left Peniel and Roy Kim in the gym.

--

Jieun, Juniel, Peniel and Roy Kim gathered in front of their classroom. They decided to go in together. It was time for English lesson with Ms. Tiffany. She was very kind, so Jieun wasn’t really scared to go in.

Jieun opened the door. She walked slowly and the others followed her.

“We’re very sorry because we’re late, Miss…” Jieun kept her head down.

“It’s okay. Mr. Siwon told me everything. Now go back to your places and we’ll continue the lesson,” Ms. Tiffany smiled and winked. Jieun lifted her head and saw her. Tiffany’s smile was so angelic. Many teachers fell for her. Mr. Siwon is included.

I really want to be like her. She’s so perfect…

Jieun shook away her thought and walked to her chairs. The other three students followed her.

“Wait,” they stopped and turned. “You are?” she pointed at Peniel.

“Shin Dong Geun, Miss. Peniel by short,” he smiled and bowed a little.

“Okay, nice to meet you, Peniel. I’m Tiffany Hwang. You can call me Ms. Tiffany. I’m in charge for English lesson,” Tiffany explained and smiled. Peniel nodded.

“Nice to meet you too,”

They sit and took out their English book while Ms. Tiffany continued the lesson.

--

“That’s all for today and you may go home,” Ms. Tiffany closed her book and wiped her bangs. She looked at her students. Deep inside, she was very happy for her life. She had a perfect life. Good students, good people on her surroundings. There was only one thing left. Boyfriend. Tiffany never had a boyfriend for ages. Actually, there were so many guys that fell for her. But Tiffany had her ideal type. It’s Mr. Siwon.

“Thank you for today, Miss!” the students said and bowed. Tiffany nodded and smiled.

“You’re welcome. Careful on the way, guys!” she walked out from the class elegantly.

“It’s time to go home,” said Jieun. She tidy up her things and stood up, waiting for Juniel, Peniel and Roy Kim. She doesn’t feel well that day. She looked pale. But she pretended like she was fine.

They walked out together and went to the lobby. They met BtoB.

“Hey-yo, guys! How was your class?” Hyunsik asked and embraced Jieun. Minhyuk glared at him. Hyunsik ignored him.

“We were punished by Mr. Siwon,” Jieun explained. The others were shocked and confused.

“Why?! What happened?!” Minhyuk asked with his eyes wide opened.

“It’s a long story, oppa… Just forget it,” Jieun sighed. “Let’s just go home.”

“Okay, we’re going first, guys. See you tomorrow!” Sungjae walked towards his motorcycle with Juniel. Sungjae was a nice guy. He drove Juniel home every day. Jieun and the others got home with the bus.

Jieun walked to the bus stop. Minhyuk and the other five guys followed her. Start from that day, Peniel went home with bus too. His house wasn’t really far from Jieun’s house. Jieun sat on the bus stop’s chair. Minhyuk sat beside her.

“Are you okay?” Minhyuk asked. He was worried. Jieun nodded. She lied. Minhyuk put his hand on Jieun’s forehead. It was hot. Jieun was sick. Jieun pushed Minhyuk’s hand away from her forehead.

“I’m fine..” she lied again. She forced to smile, making sure that she was okay.

“You are not, Jieun. Is there anyone in your house right now?” Minhyuk asked. He was very worried.

“I don’t think so… my father and mother went to Busan this afternoon and they’ll be back next week,” Jieun said weakly. Even her voice showed that she was not okay. She put her head on Minhyuk’s shoulder. Minhyuk hold her hand tightly.

I’m going to stay next to Jieun until she feels better. Minhyuk thought.

The bus came. Jieun and Minhyuk stood up and walked inside the bus. The bus was full. No empty place. Jieun almost fell because she was so dizzy and she needed to rest. Peniel stared at Minhyuk and Jieun since they were waiting for the bus.

Jieun is sick. She needs to sit. He thought.

“Excuse me, Miss. Can I have your seat? No, it’s not for me. It’s for my friend, there,” he pointed at Jieun. She almost fell for thousands times but Minhyuk was always there to catch her. “May I?” Peniel asked with a smile. The lady nodded.

“Yes, of course. She needs to take a rest. Take care of her, okay,” the lady stood up next to Peniel and smiled. From her appearance, that lady doesn’t seem so old. She looked like 20s. She had a beautiful face and perfect body. Peniel looked at her nametag that the lady wore. Jessica Jung.

She’s so pretty… Peniel thought and then shook it away.

“Thank you, thank you very much, Miss.. Jessica,” Peniel bowed a couple of times. Jessica nodded and smiled back. Peniel poked Minhyuk’s shoulder and told him that there was an empty seat near him.

Finally, Jieun could sit for the rest of the way. Minhyuk hold her hand. He doesn’t want to let her go. Jieun had slept since she sat on the chair. She looked really tired.

“So.. are you a high school student?” Peniel quite shocked when Jessica asked him.

“Y-yeah.. and you are?” Peniel asked back. The bus suddenly stopped. That makes everyone jerked forwards, including Jessica. She was burried to Peniel’s chest. Peniel shocked. Jessica could hear his heartbeat that kept rising. She slowly looked up. Their faces are inches away. Both of them blushed.

“I-I’m s-sorry…” she slowly pushed Peniel’s chest and looked down.

“I-it’s okay. Are you okay?” Peniel asked awkwardly.

“Y-yeah sure, I’m fine,” Jessica looked up and smiled. Peniel smiled back. “Oh yeah, I’m a college student. I’m going to graduate next month,” Jessica tried to throw away that awkward moment.

“How great! Congratulation!” Peniel cheered. Jessica laughed. Peniel laughed too.

She’s cute. Peniel thought.

“Are you from Cube High School?” Jessica asked.

“Yeah, how do you know?!” Peniel shocked.

“I read your mind,” Jessica stared at him. Peniel looked more shocked.

“REALLY?!”

“Of course not! You got to this bus at Cube High School’s bus stop! Didn’t you realize that?” Jessica laughed so hard. She just fooled a high school student she just met. A stranger. A handsome stranger.

Peniel looked really embarrassed. “Sorry, I didn’t know it was Cube High.. I mean.. my school’s bus stop,” Peniel looked down. Jessica looked confused and Peniel knew why she was confused. “I was born and raised in Chicago. I just moved here. Today. That’s why I haven’t got the uniform yet,” Peniel explained.

“I see.. It’s really weird when you met a stranger and talked to them for a long time.”

“It is. But I felt comfortable talking with you, Miss,” Peniel blurted. He realized that he wasn’t supposed to say that. He looked down and blushed. He didn’t know what to do.

“Agree,” Jessica said slowly. Peniel lifted his head up and chuckled. Both of them talked much on that bus. Both of them are easy-going person. So they get well easily.

Minhyuk doesn’t care what happened around him. His eyes were locked at Jieun. He was worried. He was afraid. But he knew what to do. He was going to be there beside Jieun. Always.

CHAPTER THREE: BROTHERZONED

They were almost arrived to their bus stop. Minhyuk woke Jieun up slowly. Actually, he doesn’t want to wake her up. But carrying her wasn’t a good idea. The bus was crowded. Jieun was half-awake.

“Let’s go. It’s our bus stop,” Minhyuk smiled and placed his hand on Jieun’s cheek. Her cheek was warm. Jieun tried to smile. They stood up and went off the bus. It was Peniel and Jessica’s bus stop too. Minhyuk waved at Eunkwang, Ilhoon, Hyunsik and Changsub.

Minhyuk showed his back to Jieun and kneeled down. “Let’s go,” he offered. He was going to give Jieun a piggyback. Jieun had no choice. She was too tired to walk. So she placed herself on Minhyuk’s back, and he got up.

“You’re so light. You have to eat, Jieun,” Minhyuk started to walk. Jieun chuckled. They walked different directions from Jessica and Peniel.

“Jieun…” said Minhyuk slowly and softly. Jieun hummed.

“Nothing. I thought you fell asleep,”

Jieun, her mother, and her father lived in an apartment, quite far from her school. Minhyuk lived alone in his apartment, next to Jieun’s apartment’s building. He knew Jieun’s apartment’s pass code. Her parents told him, in case something happened to Jieun when she was alone. They knew Minhyuk wouldn’t do something bad to Jieun. They really trusted him.

He opened the door. It was quiet. He the lamps. No one’s there. He went to Jieun’s room and placed slowly on her bed. He pulled the blanket to cover Jieun. He placed his hand on Jieun’s forehead again. It was hot. He got up and searched for the thermometer. He found it quickly because he knew clearly where it was.

40 Celsius? She needs to go to the doctor. He thought. He took his phone and called the hospital to sent ambulance. Jieun suddenly grabbed Minhyuk’s hand.

“I don’t want to go to the doctor. I just wanna be with you. I know you could take care of me,” said Jieun with her eyes shut. Minhyuk closed his phone, hold Jieun’s hand and placed his head next to Jieun’s shoulder.

“I’m always here for you..” he whispered.

--

11.00 p.m. Minhyuk thought.

He had been taking care of Jieun for more than six hours. All he did was making food, feed Jieun, changing the towel on Jieun’s forehead every 10 minutes, and many more. He felt sleepy and tired. But he stayed all night for Jieun. He sat next to Jieun’s bed, holds her hand and placed his head next to Jieun’s head. He fell asleep.

--

Jieun woke up first. She was so dizzy. She tried to sit. She felt something warm on her hand.

Minhyuk oppa..

She realized that Minhyuk stayed all night beside her. He was always there for her. She looked at her desk beside her bed. She saw the red bowl that filled with water and a towel. She was about to cry. Deep inside, she felt like she was the luckiest girl because she had a friend, or... a brother, that really cared about her.

Minhyuk woke up when Jieun rubbed his cheek. He lifted his head and smiled.

“Did I wake you up?” Jieun asked softly. He smiled and shook his head.

“Good morning,” he said. “Are you feeling better?” Jieun nodded. He placed his hand on Jieun’s forehead to check. It’s not hot anymore. It’s quite warm. He took the thermometer on the desk and checked Jieun’s temperature.

38. Much better. He thought.

“Maybe I’m too tired because yesterday, Juniel, Peniel, Roy Kim and I ran around the school for five times,” Jieun explained. Minhyuk looked shocked. He knew that their school wasn’t small. And it must be very tiring to run around for five times. “On the fifth lap, 4 of us ran away to a noodle shop. Peniel ate 5 bowls of noodles,” Jieun chuckled. Minhyuk also chuckled.

“It must be tiring, running around like that,” Jieun nodded. “Anyway, I’m going to call Eunkwang and told him that both of us didn’t come today,” he took his phone and dialed Eunkwang’s number.

--

“Where are Jieun and Minhyuk?” Sungjae and Juniel sat down on the canteen’s chair.

“Minhyuk called me this morning He said that Jieun is sick.  He stayed in Jieun’s apartment last night,” Eunkwang explained. He looked sad because he was worried about Jieun.

“Jieun looked pale yesterday. She can’t even stand properly on the bus,” said Peniel. He suddenly remembered about Jessica. That perfect stranger on the bus. They talked a lot yesterday. Their houses aren’t so far anyway. Peniel smiled with his flashback.

“Dude, what happened to Peniel? He’s smiling since ten minutes ago!” Ilhoon whispered. Everyone was sad because Jieun was sick. And Peniel? He was smiling and chuckling by himself. He looked weird. Was he falling in love?

Hyunsik patted Peniel’s shoulder. “Dude, wake up.”

Peniel was back to Earth.

“I’m sorry, guys. What were we talking about just now?” Peniel asked and slurped his bubble tea.

“You,” the others answered together. Peniel looked blank. His innocent face is back.

“You were smiling and chuckling by yourself,” Changsub explained. Peniel looked shocked and he looked down.

“I’m sorry, guys. There’s something with me. This feeling…” Peniel tapped his chest.

“Uh-oh. Look who’s in love now,” Juniel whispered and chuckled. “Who is she?”

“Someone…” Peniel answered and chuckled. Suddenly, his phone buzzed. He took out his phone and saw who texted him. He looked shocked. His eyes grew big. His heart skipped a beat.

[1 new message from Jessica Jung]

He opened the message.

[12.29 p.m.] ‘Hey, kiddo. I’m bored here. Are you busy today? –Jessica’

Peniel smiled. He never felt this close with strangers. Or.. he never talked to strangers. But this was different. There was something with Jessica and Peniel. Something that connected them. Jessica was funny and easy going. That makes Peniel felt comfortable talking with her. She was born and raised in San Francisco. She was four years older than Peniel. This is the first time Peniel get close with someone that was older than him.

[12.31 p.m.] ‘Hey, ahjumma. Do you miss me or what? LOL JK. I’m free for today. Maybe I’ll visit my friend who was sick yesterday. Why? –Peniel’

Jessica chuckled when she read his message. She felt the same thing with Peniel. That strange feeling. She slurped her strawberry milkshake.

“Eonni, what happened to you? You were smiling and chuckling by yourself since ten minutes ago,” Yuri tapped her shoulder. Jessica wiped her bangs and smiled.

“Yuri, I need to tell you something,” Jessica told Yuri about yesterday. She smiled and chuckled because of her own story and how stupid the story was. Yuri was Jessica’s best friend.

“So, you met him yesterday. On the bus. He’s a student. And now you’re texting with him? And you like him?” Yuri asked, didn’t believe that Jessica was in love. It has been a long time since Jessica felt this way. Last time she felt this when she met Heechul, three years ago.

Jessica replied and smiled, “I think so,”

Yuri shook her head and chuckled.

--

Jessica decided to meet up with Peniel at Starbucks near their house at 8.00 p.m.

8.15 p.m. Where are you, Peniel?

She took out her mirror from her pink bag and flipped her bangs.

--

“Guys, I really need to go. I’m so sorry,” Peniel took his bag and ran out from Jieun’s apartment. He visited Jieun with the other members.

--

8.30 p.m. Did you forget, Peniel?

She slurped her ice chocolate. It was almost over, but Peniel hasn’t come.

A young man came in. He was wearing white shirt and grey jeans with red hat, red jacket and red sneakers. Jessica looked at that guy. He walked towards Jessica.

“Sorry, I’m late,” Peniel stabilized his breath. He was running from Jieun’s apartment, and the starbuck was a kilometer away. He gulped. “I’m really sorry,”

“No, no, it’s really okay. I came here about five minutes ago,” she lied. “Here, have a sit.”

“I wonder how you could finish a large glass of ice chocolate in five minutes,” Peniel laughed and sat across to Jessica. He looked at Jessica’s outfit. She was wearing black tight sleeveless shirt and black cardigan. She looked so y.

“Something’s wrong?” Jessica realized that Peniel was looking at her body for a long time. Peniel looked at her face and blushed.

“N-nothing. Nice outfit,” he smiled and waved his hand to order some drink. The waiter came.

“Cappuccino, please,” Peniel said. The waiter nodded.

“Anything else?”

“No, thank you.” The waiter bowed a little and get back to his counter.

“So, how was your day?” Jessica asked.

“It was great. I visited my friend that was sick,” The waiter came with a glass of cappuccino. Peniel thanked him and slurped his cappuccino. There was cappuccino on his lips. Jessica took a tissue and wiped his lips.

The time stopped. Peniel’s heartbeat was racing, and so does Jessica’s.

“T-thank you..” Peniel blushed and Jessica was blushed as well. They were quiet. Didn’t know what should they said.

“Hey, look,” both of them said simultaneously. They stared at each other. “You first,” they said. “Let’s go to the cinema,” incredibly, they said that together again. They were laughing so hard.

“We’re so awesome, nuna!” Peniel said, still laughing.

“I know, right!” Jessica replied.

They finished their drinks, paid the bill and went to the cinema. They decided to watch an action movie. It was almost midnight but they didn’t care. They took the bus and went to the cinema.

--

BtoB and Juniel were at Jieun’s apartment. Jieun was getting better and better. She was happy because her friends visited her after school.

Ilhoon and Changsub were playing video game, Eunkwang and Hyunsik were busy with their phones, Juniel and Sungjae were watching a horror movie on Jieun’s laptop, Peniel was taking a nap, while Jieun and Minhyuk were sitting on the sofa, watching Ilhoon and Changsub playing. Jieun laid her head on Minhyuk’s lap. He her hair.

“You’re the best brother ever,” she said and closed her eyes. She was really sleepy.

“And you’re my best little sister,” Minhyuk replied, still her hair.

Brotherzoned. He thought. He has been being Jieun’s ‘brother’ for more than 15 years. He started to liked her when he was in elementary school. Jieun, Juniel and him went to the same school. He didn’t knew what happened to him. Every time he looked at Jieun’s beautiful eyes, he felt like thousands of butterflies flying from his stomach, and his face turned into rosy red. A few months later he found out that he likes Jieun. And he still has that kind of feeling until now.

Suddenly, Peniel woke up. He checked his phone and jumped. He looked so shocked. “Guys, I really need to go. I’m so sorry,” he took his bag and ran to Jieun’s apartment’s door. He went out and ran as fast as he could.

“What happened to him?” Changsub asked without looking back. His eyes were locked to the screen.

“Don’t know, don’t care,” he said. He looked at Jieun. She fell asleep on his lap. He smiled when he saw Jieun’s peaceful sleeping face. He her chubby cheeks.

Don’t you know you’re very beautiful? He thought.

“YAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!” Ilhoon screamed as he beat Changsub on the racing game. Minhyuk slapped his head.

“Shut up. Jieun is sleeping, you idiot,” he whispered. Ilhoon covered his mouth with his palms and bow to Minhyuk. “Bring me a blanket for her,”

Ilhoon got up from the floor and jogged to Jieun’s room. One minute later, he came back with a dark brown blanket on his hand. He covered Jieun’s body with the blanket and sat down next to Changsub.

Half an hour later, Jieun’s apartment was quiet. Sungjae and Juniel went to an Italian restaurant, while the others went back to their houses. Minhyuk felt sleepy. He can’t move since thirty minutes ago. He didn’t want to woke Jieun up. Finallly, he carried Jieun to her bed. He covered her tiny body with the blanket. He pulled the blanket until it covered Jieun’s shoulders. After a few seconds of staring at Jieun’s pretty face, he went back to the living room and slept on the couch.

The next day, Minhyuk woke up at 6.00. He got up from the couch, yawned and rubbed his eyes. He went to Jieun’s room to woke her up. When he opened the door and peeked in, her bed was empty.

“Good morning,” he felt someone tapped his shoulder. He turned and looked at Jieun.

“You scared me. I thought you were kidnapped,” Minhyuk made a face. Jieun laughed at his silliness.

“Go wash up. We’re going to school,right?” Jieun asked. Minhyuk nodded and ran to the washroom. She shook her head.

When Minhyuk done with his cold shower, the breakfast was ready. Jieun cooked fried rice. Minhyuk jogged to the kitchen to help Jieun served the breakfast. He brought two plates of fried rice to the table. Jieun followed him with spoons and forks. She sat down across to Minhyuk. He started to eat.

“Aren’t you going to be a chef? Your fried rice tastes like heaven,” Minhyuk said with two thumbs up. Jieun laughed and shook her head.

She is just perfect when she laughed like that. He thought.

After they finished their breakfast, they got ready for school and went out from the apartment. They walked to the bus stop and took the bus to school.

“Thank you,” Jieun said when they were on their way to school.

“What for?” Minhyuk asked.

“Everything,” Jieun said. “You take care of me for these two days. Thank you very much. You’re my best brother ever,” Jieun said with her two thumbs up.

Minhyuk sighed but make sure Jieun didn’t hear his sigh.

BROTHERZOOOOOOOOONED!!! He screamed in his heart.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

heyya ssup guys. this chapter is really long, about 4000 words. enjoy and please subscribe! <3

p.s: i'll update every weekend