Chapter Seventeen - Blood is thicker than water 

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It rained again that wednesday morning. Me and Sunggyu ran up to our classes, slightly wet. It was maths test that day and I was pretty excited for it since I had prepared well the day before. Unlike my hatred for physics, I actually did like maths and believe it or not, I was pretty good at it. 

 

Sungyeol was already sitting in front of me when I came and to my surprise, Minjae was also already behind me. She was gazing down to her maths textbook when I came. 

 

"Hey, you're back," I said, rather cheerfully, as I sat down. 

 

She glanced up towards my eye, but looked down again before nodding once. 

 

"Mrs. Woo was teaching us about integration, do you want me to explain it to you?" I asked. 

 

"Uh... No," she muttered. 

 

"Hey, what's wrong?" I frowned. 

 

She sighed and turned the pages of the book, "Didn't I tell you to stop Nara?" 

 

"But I was just-"

 

"Nara, stop it," her lips trembled and

I felt the sadness in her heart, but I couldn't find Minjae. I couldn't find the Minjae who always whined and complained whenever there was a math test. She just wasn't there.

 

"Okay..." I said, my voice barely more than a whisper.

 

I turned my head forward, to only find Sungyeol and Yuri talking and giggling about some stuffs. I sighed and rested my head on the table. My good mood vanished. It felt like I was being rejected by my own best friend and it felt awful. 

 

"Yah, Nara, what's wrong?" Sungyeol shook my arms and I sat upright lazily. 

 

"Minjae," I mouthed. 

 

Sungyeol suspired and lifted his shoulders. "She didn't even greet me just now," he put his shoulders down again, "I guess you were right, she just needs some time," his eyes portrayed disappointment. At least there was someone who could feel what I felt.

 

The day went terribly slow and when it was maths, Sungyeol asked me for answers. I wrote it on a sticky and pretended to stretch my arms as I pasted it on his back. He took a glance at Mrs. Woo and when she was looking at the opposite direction, he pretended to scratch his back and rip out the yellow paper in a split of second. His cheating tricks never failed to impress me. Suddenly, Mrs. Woo stood up from her chair and roamed around the room silently, Sungyeol immediately crumpled the sticky into his pencil box and I sighed in relief. The sound of heels tapping against the floor filled the room, when suddenly it stopped. I kept on answering the questions, and didn't bother to look up until Mrs. Woo cleared . To my astonishment, she caught Sungyeol copying. Worst was, Sungyeol didn't realize that the teacher was right beside him, witnessing everything. I cringed my eyes and cursed under my breath. 

 

"Lee Sungyeol, you do know this is a test, yes?" 

 

Sungyeol stopped writing and raised his head, and his eyes showed a glint of surprise immediately. The whole class was looking at him. 

 

Mrs. Woo took the sticky and examined it before turning her head on me. 

 

"Song Nara, I am really disappointed at you," she said and I was just able to bow my head. 

 

She grabbed our test papers and tore it. I bit my lower lips and cursed over and over again. Just crap. What was I going to say. 

 

"I expect to see the both of you in the teacher's room after school," she said and the bell rung. 

 

Everyone shuffled to the teacher's desk at the front to submit their papers except for me and Sungyeol, 

and it just made the whole thing worse. 

 

"Aish! What the heck Yeol?!" I screamed at him once Mrs. Woo left our class.

 

"Yah! How was I supposed to know that that witch was beside me?" 

 

"Yah!"

 

"Yah!" 

 

"You should be saying sorry to me!" I exclaimed.

 

"Fine, sorry Nara,"

 

I nodded. "Right. But that's not going to change anything," I said and we went out of the class to the canteen. 

 

Then I remembered something. I abruptly stopped my steps and swirled my body. 

 

"What?" Sungyeol asked.

 

"Where's Minjae?" I popped my head inside the class but no one was there. 

 

I grunted. Apparently she had escaped out during my small fight with Sungyeol. I sighed and walked back with him to the cafeteria. After we grabbed our lunch from the counter, we both sat with together with the group. 

 

"Uh... Where's Minjae?" I asked Woohyun when I didn't see her sitting with us. 

 

Woohyun looked as confused as I was, "What? She came to school?" 

 

"Yeah, but she was zoning out," Sungyeol spoke as he opened his milk. 

 

"Guys..." Ailee's voice trailed as she looked further to a distance, we followed where her eyes were looking at, "I think that's her.."

 

 

I couldn't believe what I was looking at. It was Minjae, sitting alone, with a book in front of her. I closed my eyes and dropped my head on the table. Since when did Minjae even study? It just... hurt you know, seeing your best friend change completely in such a short time. 

 

"Okay, that's it," I said and stood up, but Sungyeol grabbed my wrist. 

 

"No, don't,"

 

I freed my hand from his grip. 

 

"Nara, don't," he said again and I glared at him. 

 

"I thought you wanted me to talk to her," 

 

"This isn't the right time," 

 

"She looks pathetic!" I exclaimed. 

 

"Nara, sit down," Sora said calmly and I directed my gaze at her. 

 

"Don't make yourself look more pathetic than her," Raina snapped and I froze. 

 

I tilted my head and let out a scoff, "So you all are against me right now?" 

 

"We're not against you-"

 

"Then what?" I cut Dongwoo. 

 

"I know it that Minjae changed but sometimes you just have to accept it," Hoya told me.

 

"How am I suppose to sit quietly when my best friend is struggling like that?!" 

 

"Sitting quietly maybe the best thing to do Nara," Raina spoke. 

 

I looked at Sunggyu who was avoiding my gaze, "Say something Sunggyu," 

 

He didn't look up. I knew he didn't want to because at that moment, he couldn't be on my side just like how he usually would. 

 

"Freaking say something Sunggyu!" I suppressed my volume. 

 

I sighed as tears were threatening to fall down. "Yeah, whatever," I raised my hands and ran out of the cafeteria. It even more that I couldn't hear anyone calling my name. 

 

I covered my face and kept on running, bumping a few people. I entered the toilet and locked myself in a closet. Nothing could go worse that day. I covered my mouth, producing muffled weeping and sniffles. My cheeks were wet but it wasn't like I cared. First, they wanted me to talk to her and now, they wanted me to stop cheering her up. I had no idea what that all meant.  I was starting to get struggled up with the situation myself, even Sungyeol who knew exactly how I felt wasn't helping me. The scene of Minjae spacing out, being super quiet, studying, just didn't make any sense. Why would she want to change 180 degree when she was already fine before? I could see the pain through her empty eyes. Minjae never lament on a situation for such a long time. But again, this time was probably a different one. After all, she just lost someone so precious, and I always felt that it was my duty to cheer her up. 

 

 

The bell rung, signaling that lunch was over. I calmed myself down and walked out of the toilet after washing my face. Sungyeol mouthed 'sorry' to me and I just gave him a subtle nod. Minjae was behind me, but I could barely feel her presence. Classes felt slower than it already was. When finally it was dismissal, me and Sungyeol went up to the teacher's room and met Mrs. Woo. She gave us an order to stay in school until eight and to clean up every class. Reluctantly, we did. I just felt like going home, make myself a hot cocoa on this rainy evening, and write something on my book, but of course that was not going to happen. Surprisingly though, Raina was also placed in the same task by Mrs. Woo. We bumped into each other while me and Sungyeol were cleaning the second year class rooms, and there she was,  with a mop on her hand. 

 

"What did you guys do to deserve this?" She laughed when we entered the class room. Raina seemed to not mind about the small incident with me back at the cafeteria and I was slightly grateful for that. 

 

I glared at Sungyeol, "You tell her how pro you were at cheating,"

 

He sighed and rolled his eyes, "Well, to keep the story short, I failed on cheating her answer," 

 

Raina cocked her left eyebrows and nodded, "That ," 

 

"How about you?" I asked and started arranging the tables neatly. 

 

She shrugged her shoulders. "The usual, sleeping in class," 

 

We were all immersed on cleaning up. I wiped the board and the tables one by one with sweats trickling my neck.

 

"So how's you and your boy?" Raina suddenly asked and I turned to her. 

 

Sungyeol pretended to keep on working but I knew he was also waiting for my answer. I wanted to ask her how did she know what happened between me and Myungsoo when I realized that she was there in the room when I caught Myungsoo with my book.

 

I cleared my throat and shrugged my shoulders, "So, so," 

 

"What do you mean? You're always giving him a cold attitude," she snapped.

 

I cursed mentally. Lying to Raina was a huge NO. 

 

"Well, yeah, how am I supposed to act? Confess?" 

 

She wiped her sweat and continued moping, "Yeah, maybe,"

 

"You have to realize that I'm not as bold as you Raina," I rolled my eyes and pushed a chair under the table, "In which, by the way, why am I not seeing any improvement from you and Hoya?" 

 

"Didn't I tell you we were just friends?" 

 

Sungyeol scoffed from the end of the room, "Right, friends," he said, quoting the word friends with his fingers. 

 

"We just happen to play basketball together and get close, I don't get why you guys are making it such a big deal,"

 

"Because we saw the both of you holding hands, and sometimes Hoya would act extremely kind to you," I said as a matter of fact. 

 

"You have feelings for him... Do you?" Sungyeol asked quietly. 

 

The room was silent for a moment or two before Raina opened , "Yeah, maybe I do like him. He told me he didn't want us to commit into a relationship because if we just stayed this way, there's no breaking up," she sighed, "I know it may sound sweet and all, but if you really think about it, it's like he's scared to be with me," 

 

I couldn't help but think the same way with Raina. Hoya's scared to move forward with her while she's here waiting for his move.

 

"Why don't you ask him honestly like how you usually do with us?" Sungyeol asked. 

 

Raina held her broom and stood upright. "Don't you get it? I like him, and maybe that is why I'm not able to ask him these things. I'm scared if his answer would be, 'Sorry Raina, I don't want people seeing us together' or that sort of thing,"

 

 

Her answer kept me silent. Never in my whole life I had ever saw Raina feeling so restless like that. But of course, even the tomboy with the sharpest tongue had insecurities too. 

 

Since Minjae's dad passed away, I always thought that Minjae was the only one that needed help. To keep the story short, I neglected the others that I forgot they did have their own struggles and problems too.

 

 

Raina sighed and shook her head, "It ," 

 

I bit my lips as I wiped the last table. "It does, but we all need times that , to be able to enjoy happiness," I quoted Sunggyu. 

 

 

My cell phone shrilled right after I finished my cleaning. It was Sunggyu. 

 

"Hm?" I was feeling rather awkward since I had snapped at him during lunch that day.

 

"Where are you?" 

 

"School, why?" 

 

 

Since when did he care where I was? And then it clicked. My eye widened and I gasped, "Oh geez Sunggyu! Tell me you didn't wait for me," 

 

"Uh... I did, for like a couple of hours," he sounded kinda pissed and it was terribly scary. 

 

I bit my lower lips and cursed, "I'm so, so sorry. Don't be mad at me. Mrs. Woo told me and Sungyeol to stay back. Aish! Sunggyu! Why didn't you call?" 

 

"You sounded really mad during lunch and I was scared you would shout at me if I call," he defended himself. 

 

"Aish! Where are you now?" 

 

"Just arrived home," 

 

I sighed in relief, "Okay," 

 

"Nara,"

 

"Hm?"

 

"Expect some surprise," and with that, he ended the call. 

 

I frowned. What? Was he going to do a surprise for me? Or... Would Myungsoo appear in front of my apartment again? I was half wishing he would appear like that again since I was ready to face him.

 

I kept my cell phone and took a glance at the clock. It was almost eight, so the three of us decided to get back to Mrs. Woo to which she dismissed us. After grabbing a take away chinese food, we got back home. Hoya picked Raina up, and I couldn't help but feel rather sorry for Raina who was expecting more from the male. Sungyeol decided to drive me back to my apartment since it was raining. I thanked him and went up the elevator, impatient to know what surprise was Sunggyu actually talking about. 

 

 

The elevator door dinged open and I stepped out, walking down the hall to my apartment. Nothing seemed suspicious, but that was until I saw my door ajar. Wait... Did someone try to rob my things? Slowly, and rather scared, I pushed the door and went in.

 

"Aigoo... This girl cannot be trusted," a familiar female voice came from the kitchen. 

 

"Relax, you're going to mess with all of her stuffs," a male one came after that. 

 

I widened my eyes. No, no, no! This shouldn't be happening! Why were they there? It couldn't be... 

 

 

"Ah! Nara! Finally you came back," my sister beamed from ear to ear as she stepped into the living room.

 

"What the..." 

 

"Geez, what took you so long. Don't you know we had to wait in front until finally Sunggyu came?" My brother dropped himself on my couch with his shoes. 

 

"Yah! Don't you dare dirty my couch! Take out your shoes!" I exclaimed.

 

Tell me I have OCD, but I really hate messy stuffs, or people messing with it. 

 

"Nara... What's with the fuss?" And there went Sunggyu walking out of my room, looking as calm as ever, with a brownie in his hand, which I had assumed he had stolen from my fridge.

 

 

I was just able to let my jaw drop. I was made speechless. Like seriously, today was the worst day of my entire life. 

 

 

"What... Why are you here?" 

 

Hana shrugged her shoulders, "Visiting you," 

 

"Did mom and dad come too?" I anticipated for the worst but fortunately, Hana shook her head.

 

 

"Okay..." I took a deep breathe. "You and Jaeryul are sleeping on the second room," 

 

"Woah... No way. I am not sleeping with her," he eyed Hana with disgust and she dismissed it, "Can't I sleep with Nara?" He made a puppy face. 

 

 

Believe me when I tell you that my brother was twenty and yet, it was as if he was still twelve. Hana on the other hand, was eighteen, and thankfully, she acted the way an eighteen year old should be. 

 

"Okay fine," I sighed and sat on the couch, feeling physically and mentally lethargic, "Jaeryul can sleep with me and Hana, you will sleep on the second room," 

 

 

They nodded, understanding that I wanted everything to be neat and in order, including my guests that was. 

 

I looked up to Sunggyu and shook my head, "I cannot trust you with my keys," 

 

"What? They are your family," he raised both of his palms. 

 

I stood up. "Okay, whatever, just... Don't mess with anything and don't take my food there. I'm taking a bath," 

 

With that, I took a nice warm shower, rinsing my sweaty body and washing my hair. After drying myself up, I slipped myself under a t-shirt and sweat pants, and went out of the bathroom. I ate dinner with Jaeryul and Hana while Sunggyu had already gone back to his apartment. 

 

 

"So... How's life here?" My sister asked and I shrugged as I chewed. 

 

"Well, away from you all seems so quiet at first, but it's comfortable," I gulped down the food, "How's the states?" 

 

"Better than Seoul-"

 

"No way, Seoul's better-"

 

"What?! No, Seoul doesn't have hot chicks," 

 

"All you do is think about hot girls-"

 

"Oh my God! Shut up! You guys are so noisy!" And there we go again, I would always be the one who needed to end their childish fight. 

 

They kept quiet at least. 

 

"So you are still with your group?" Jaeryul asked. 

 

"Yeah... But, Minjae's father had just passed away and she... uh," I shrugged my shoulders, "She changed a bit," I said quietly. 

 

"Oh really? Her father passed away?" Hana's eyes widened. 

 

It must be a shock to them too, since everyone knew Minjae and I were inseparable, but with the death of her father, it wasn't really true.

 

I nodded and we continue chatting until midnight. Although I didn't admit explicitly to my siblings, I knew I missed them. They had gone to the states for almost a year and I was pretty lonely when they first left, our parents bought me the apartment since they said it was closer to school and they wanted me to stop depending on them. I didn't agree at first, but it turned out to be good, especially that I have Sunggyu living right in front. Sunggyu was an awesome company, but still, it felt different being with my siblings. It felt like... Home. I had considered Sunggyu my brother but he wouldn't be able to take Jaeryul's role. It was different you know. Like, with Hana and Jaeryul, I was able to talk about our parents and other relatives, and sometimes they would give me advices. Sunggyu would also give me good advices but again, it felt different when I hear it from Jaeryul's mouth. Yeah, they may be childish at times, and we fought a lot but they were the best sibs. With them though, I didn't really talk about my highschool love and all. I usually talk to them about my dream, my future and they would gladly listen. 

 

 

That night, Jaeryul was sleeping beside me on the bed, and it honestly felt nice. From what happened on that crappy day, I couldn't have slept if it wasn't because of his company.

 

After all, the crappy day wasn't that crappy.