120513.

Note:

Bold characters are happening at the present time. While normal characters are happening in flashbacks.

Warning: Cursing, light violent scenes and a long chapter ahead.

Chapter 4: Ending of Jong In's Story

"I was so worried for her that time." Jong In stared down and so are the others who stopped, remembering what happened back in their high school years.

"But hey. That's the time when you two became official, right?" BaekHyun broke the silence and Jong In nodded with a smile on his lips.

Eun Hee slowly shifted her eyes from the book to Jong In who was quietly doing the task she had given him. It was silent, the kind of atmosphere between the two of them that was new to her. 'C'mon, Eun Hee. Aren't you supposed to feel glad now that Jong In finally stopped on bothering you?' She silently asked herself, but deep inside, she was denying the fact that it's annoying her already.

Jong In wasn't talking to her nor did he even gave her a small smile the moment he arrived an hour ago. His eyes trying to avoid her gaze as much as he could and Eun Hee hated it all.

She furrowed her eyebrows, looking down on her book again. "Are you done?"

"Not yet." Jong In answered simply and short. Eun Hee could also feel the coldness in his voice and she felt guilty all of a sudden. She thought if he's mad about the confrontation last night. But again, she asked herself why would he be mad? And why should she care?

'You went overboard.' A part of Eun Hee's mind said, making her stop. She bit her lower lip, glancing at Jong In and seeing his attention focused on the book only, so different from the usual when she catches him staring at her. And as much as she hates it, she actually misses him.

She misses the Jong In who always welcome her with a smile, the Jong In who is a tease that makes her cheeks blush. The Jong In who always says and asks non-sense things just so he can talk to her. She misses him.

Jong In stood up, slinging the strap of his bag over his shoulder. Eun Hee pretended she didn't care if he'll not walk with her anymore. She is used to go home alone anyway so she didn't look up, continuing on writing down notes, ignoring Jong In. She was expecting it but still, it hurt her a bit knowing Jong In walked away from the table without a word.

Eun Hee sighed as she stood up. She glanced at her wristwatch, the time says 7:45pm. It's been an hour since Jong In left the library and there were only a few students left. She returned the books they took out from the shelves and when she's done, she walked out of the library with a slight frown on her face. 'It's okay, Eun Hee. You're the one who wanted this from the start, right?' She asked herself as she turned the corner, nearing the gates.

But her thoughts were suddenly distracted when she spots Jong In leaning on the gates. His eyes were looking back at her and she rolled hers, thinking that maybe he's waiting for a new girl that he can bother. But then again, her thoughts were distracted when Jong In walked beside her silently. She tried not to look at him but does so when they were out of the school already. "Why are you following me?" She asked in an annoyed tone, semi-glaring at him.

Jong In on the other hand glanced at her innocently with a blank expression on his face. "I'm walking you home."

"Why?" Eun Hee shot back again, her heart starting to beat fast and it was confusing her.

"Why not?" Jong In replied with a question, still with that boring look on his face.

"Jong In---"

"I wanted to make sure you'll get home safe, Eun Hee. That's all." Jong In cut her words, sighing after. "If you don't want me to walk beside you, then go first. I'll walk from behind and I'll make sure you won't even notice my presence." He gestured Eun Hee to walk ahead and feeling all guilty again, she sighed deeply, telling him it's okay if he'll walk beside her.

The two continued on their steps but none of them were speaking. All they can hear are the cars passing by, the loud televisions from the houses they walked by and of course, their slow steps.

Slow steps as if none of them wanted to reach their destinations yet because they're still not okay.

But even when Eun Hee reached her house already, Jong In still remained silent. She sighed inwardly, closing the gate and watched Jong In's back as he walked away. He was already a few steps away from the house when she spoke in a barely audible voice. "Take care." She bit her lower lip and turned to enter their house.

Little did Eun Hee know, Jong In heard her words and it made him smile.

As soon as he reached his room, he closed his door and put his bag aside. He removed his blazer, loosened his tie, and ed the first few buttons of his uniform before he dropped himself on his bed with a soft thud. He stared at his ceiling before closing his eyes. Eun Hee's voice echoed in his mind.

"Take care." It kept on replaying in his mind.

It was unexpected, not because he thinks she's a very mean girl for her to say it, but because it was a first and it meant a lot to him. It was uncharacteristically of her. He smiled at the thought that somehow, just maybe, he meant a little more to Eun Hee over the time they spent with each other. His phone rang, snapping him out of his thoughts. He grabbed his phone and checked who called. A smirked appeared on his lips before he answered.

"What happened?!" It was BaekHyun. He sounded so excited and Jong In could still feel himself in cloud nine to answer. When Jong In didn't answer, BaekHyun shouted over the phone. "Yah! Kim Jong In!"

"Hyung..." Jong In said sounding so dreamy and BaekHyun shook his head in disbelief.

"I think I'm getting it. Don't tell me you got laid---"

"No way hyung! I'm not like you!"

"Hey! I'm neither like that!"

"Please hyung. I would never do that to Eun Hee, not until we face the altar and said our vows. No, never." Jong In said and BaekHyun grinned.

"Good boy. So now that you're back to yourself, tell me what happened." And so Jong In told him without any choice.

After a good ten minutes of the story telling with BaekHyun giving side comments every time, Jong In ended and BaekHyun can't be more proud of himself that moment.

"I told you. You listen to me and everything would go perfect." BaekHyun smiled to himself and Jong In rolled his eyes.

"Yes yes. I know. Thank you, Byun BaekHyun. I just hope that---"

"Don't even bother continuing Kim Jong In if you don't want me to turn my back against you." BaekHyun said in a half strict, half playful voice and Jong In laughed.

"I know. I'm just joking. But seriously hyung, you should find yours and play cupid in your own love story." Jong In said and BaekHyun cringed at the thought.

"No thanks. I am too busy with priorities right now." BaekHyun said and Jong In shook his head although BaekHyun couldn't clearly see it.

"Whatever hyung. I'm sure that when love strikes you, it's gonna be a long long way." Jong In said.

"Don't talk as if you're an expert." BaekHyun said, teasing Jong In.

"Okay. Whatever. I'm tired. I'll go now. See you tomorrow, hyung. Bye." Jong In said yawning and BaekHyun nodded even if Jong In couldn't see him.

"Okay. Bye."

Little does Jong In knows how his cupid knows so much that's why he was setting his priorities straight. With love at the bottom of his concern.

Eun Hee opened her locker that morning, feeling all groggy and cranky. She doesn't know why but she is and she was so annoyed to actually admit that she knows but she doesn't want to admit it. Yes. That's how confused she is.

"Good morning Eun Hee!" Mi Sun beamed at her and she spared her a glance, nodding and going back to getting her things inside her locker. Mi Sun looked at her worriedly, seeing the dark circles around her eyes. "Are you okay?" Eun Hee nodded, feeling her body about to give away.

"I'm okay." She replied without stopping with what she was doing. Mi Sun looked at her, puzzled with her attitude that morning. Eun Hee usually talk in short sentences but the tone of her voice... She sounds so tired.

"Did you stay up late doing homeworks?" She asked and Eun Hee shrugged. Mi Sun mischievously smiled.

She flipped the notebook she was holding. Her heart was beating so fast. Mi Sun bit back a smile. After a few seconds of silence, Eun Hee stopped with flipping the notebook and bit her lower lip. "Mi Sun?"

"Oh?" She asked.

"Do you..." She took in a deep breath before shaking her head. "Never mind." She said, putting the unneeded book inside the locker.

"C'mon. What is it?" She urged and Eun Hee gulped. She had been thinking about this overnight and she couldn't just let that thinking go to waste because it freaking made her stay up so late, only having two hours of sleep.

"Don't laugh, okay?" Eun Hee said and Mi Sun innocently nodded her head. Eun Hee took in a lot of breath before looking at her friend straight at the eye. "Do you... Probably have... Jong In's number? And no! It's not what you think." She said waving her hand in front of Mi Sun. Her cheeks were also burning out of embarrassment because truth to be told, she had never asked for anyone's number, making it the first.

Mi Sun stopped the urge to chuckle and bit back the smile that is about to show on her face. She didn't want Eun Hee to suddenly feel awkward because then, she'll get little information. Yes, she's a pretty mean friend but she loves her that's why she wanted to know because more than anything, she wanted her friend to be happy. And she thinks that this could help in making her happy.

"Sorry but I don't. I could ask LuHan though." She offered and Eun Hee felt herself blush more. Asking LuHan would raise up questions and she didn't want teasing. "Why are you asking anyway?" And hello for the first question.

"Well, you know I'm tutoring him, right? And... Sometimes we couldn't come right in time so instead of waiting, I think it's just proper to tell the other if ever we'll be late." She said and she hoped she didn't sound that she was just making up reasons, because somehow she was and she doesn't want to get caught.

"That makes sense." She said nodding. "I'll ask LuHan for it." She smiled.

"No! I mean..." She was lost for words and Mi Sun couldn't help but giggle. Her friend is showing the side she had been keeping for too long right in front of her and it was amusing.

Suddenly, from a distance, Mi Sun spotted three familiar faces and she waved, making Eun Hee curious and turn. She regretted later on when she saw who it were and she looked back to her locker. She doesn't even know what's taking her so long in just getting three books for the whole day.

"Hi, Mi Sun." LuHan smiled and Mi Sun smiled back.

"Morning, Lulu." She said and came to hug him.

"Get a room please." BaekHyun said, rolling his eyes. The two parted and LuHan smirked.

"You're just jealous." LuHan said and BaekHyun raised an eyebrow at him.

"No heck way, hyung." BaekHyun said. Mi Sun giggled.

"Hi, BaekHyun." She greeted before looking at the guy beside him who was obviously looking at Eun Hee who acted as if they were not there. Her eyes widened though when seeing the boy's new hair color. Mi Sun turned to the other two and they smirked. "Hi, Jong In. Nice hair color." She said earning the boy's attention. He turned to her and nod.

Eun Hee froze on her position. Hair color? Isn't his hair the same golden brown? She fought the urge to look and bit her lower lip.

"Hi, Eun Hee." LuHan greeted to get the girl's attention but she just nodded without taking her eyes off her locker. "I see your locker's amusing." He teased and Eun Hee stopped, her heart skipping a beat as she looked at LuHan.

"Yes. You want to stare at it too? It's the most amusing thing to me right now." Eun Hee said in pure sarcasm before rolling her eyes. LuHan smirked.

They finally met eyes and her heart skipped a beat. True to what Mi Sun said, the jet black color of his hair fit him so much it makes her heart flutter. Eun Hee fought hard not to look away or even flinch and Jong In did the same. He smirked, making Eun Hee's heart beat so fast and she didn't know how to control it.

The three kept quiet, watching as the two stared at each other. For them, it looked so amusing, more than the locker at least. It was Jong In who looked away, turning to the other two guys.

"I'll be going ahead. I don't want to be late." He said, before moving past BaekHyun. Eun Hee's fist turned into a ball and she pursed her lips into a thin line.

"I guess that's our cue. See you around." LuHan said and Mi Sun nodded before the other two followed Jong In.

After they have left, Mi Sun coughed purposely. Eun Hee let out a frustrated breath before looking away, going back to her locker.

"Now I know." Mi Sun teased and Eun Hee blushed. "You two fought?" She asked and Eun Hee slammed her locker, gaining other people's attention. Mi Sun was a bit startled but for her, she was liking this Eun Hee better. Eun Hee chuckled silently. "Going back to our conversation a while ago, do you still want Jong In's number?"

"Forget it." She said before storming away to her classroom.

Mi Sun watched her walk away with a smile on her face. "Looks like someone's about to join the gang." She said before running after her friend. "Wait, Eun Hee!"

It was time for tutoring and the two sat on their usual table, opposite each other. Yet again, there was silence and Jong In just focused on his work. It irritates Eun Hee a lot but she didn't want to create a ruckus in the library and get kicked out again. She can't help but to watch Jong In.

"His hair looks so good on him but..." She thought but it was abruptly stopped when Jong In looked up. She acted normal and Jong In tried not to show any reaction. He could feel her staring but he didn't want to make her stop, as love sick as it may sound, so he just let her be.

"You're done?" Eun Hee casually asked and Jong In shook his head.

"I'm having a hard time here." He said and pointed the question. Eun Hee looked at it and gulped as Jong In leaned in to look at what she was writing while talking. Jong In diverted his gaze to her side profile though and he stopped himself from smiling.

"Got it?" Eun Hee said and Jong In immediately looked back at the book.

"Ah yeah. Thanks." Jong In said and they both continued on their works with pink tinting their cheeks.

An hour and a half passed and they started gathering their things. Jong In was done and like yesterday, he stood up first. He was about to go when Eun Hee spoke up.

"If you're going to wait, don't bother. I'll be meeting up with Hee Young and Mi Sun." She said as she slung her bag over her shoulders. Jong In hesitated before nodding. Jong In walked away and left the library but not without feeling worried about her. He just shook his head from the thoughts and left the school.

Eun Hee walked the street to where she was about to meet Hee Young and Mi Sun. Hee Young had a practice game at some school for her baseball while Mi Sun came to watch her. Her mind is still flooded with Jong In and it irritates her so she messed up her hair. "Snap out of it, Eun Hee! Stop---" She stopped when she felt presence behind her. Her walking slowed down for a moment. She was in the middle of running and of looking around but before she could even decide, guys appear from the alleys and from where she was heading to. In a minute, they were surrounding her.

She broke into cold sweat, staring at the guys fiercely. She knows that this got to have to do with the messages she just kept on getting. She almost forgot about it because of her thoughts of Jong In. She cussed under her breath.

"What do you want? I don't have time, you guys." She said, trying to sound as brave as she could. She was scared, she really was but she was trained not to show any weakness in front of enemies. The guys exchanged looks with a disgusting smirk on their faces.

"I didn't know what the boss is telling us would look this pretty in person." A guy said and it sent shivers down her spine. It disgusted her.

"Like what I said, I have no time. Go back some other day if you want." She said as she knows Hee Young and Mi Sun would be waiting, as well as Youngjae and Junhong. They were supposed to hang out today since there's no school the next day. She stepped forward but a guy blocked her way as if there weren't anyone blocking her all around.

"Well, that could be an option but we're ordered for it to end here and now." A guy said as he cracked his knuckles and then snapping his neck side to side. She sighed in frustration. Beyond fear would be irritation. This isn't the first time she's faced with a number of guys. Just that, her friends might worry and that's the last thing she wanted them to feel.

"Who ordered you? Tell that person to face me herself and not you guys. What a coward." She spat and it made the guys around her cackle.

"You talk too much." A guy said.

"I don't talk too much. You just talk less." Eun Hee smirked.

"Let's just get this thing done--- Aaahhh!" Her eyes widened the moment the guy before her dropped on the ground, his hands on his side and pain obviously registered on his face. It was a long time ago ever since she had been in a scenario like this and Eun Hee isn't prepared to experience it again. Her heart practically stopped beating and she heard a familiar voice shouting her name.

"Eun Hee! Let's go!"

But Eun Hee only stared at the guy who was now lying on the ground unconscious.

She felt a tight grip on her arm and she was dragged away, slowly realizing what is happening. She found Mi Sun pulling her as they were running on the streets. She looked over her shoulder and sees Hee Young following them with a baseball bat on her hand. "Hee Young!" Her agonizing scream made Mi Sun look behind her as well and they saw their best friend getting surrounded by so many guys.

Hee Young was able to defend herself for the first few minutes of the fight but fatigue was getting her and her energy was already low. She was breathing so hard, her chest constricting. She blocked a kick using her arm before kicking the guy on his abdomen with the energy she have and made him flying a meter away. This time, four guys came and beat her. She tried her best to win over them but they were too many for her slowly fading energy. Soon, two guys were holding her arms before a guy went in front of her and gave her a series of punch on her face.

", Hee Young!" She pulled her arm from Mi Sun and within seconds she was out there, doing a hand-to-hand combat with whoever wants to get in her way. She targeted vital points of their bodies, making them all cry in pain. She run as fast as she could when she saw a guy was about to smack Hee Young with a wood and her adrenaline rush made her come just in time to kick his balls, leaving him cursing words.

"What the are you doing?! Go now?!" Hee Young shouted.

"What the heck?! Do you think I could leave you?!" Eun Hee said in the same tone of voice that in between worry and concern. She was so scared seeing Hee Young getting beaten up. Her heart was racing in fear of what was to happen if she would leave her all alone. Hee Young sighed, frustrated and tired.

"What are yo