Narrator’s POV

As the group laughed and joked around, Himchan stood on the edge of the field, gazing at his best friend with some strangers they had only met. Was she already forgetting about him? His heart ached upon that thought. Something began surfacing from the bottom of his heart, and that something was called jealousy.

Evie sat on a bench, far from the school building. She decided to take off her soccer gear here first and head to the change room later when it was empty of judgmental girls, like that Tiffany.

The coach called Exo away for a quick meeting. The girl sat alone and began taking off her shin pads and peeling off her long soccer socks. She tried to work her way through as fast as possible, trying to avoid looking at the scars on her leg.

“Hello again!” Suddenly, Chanyeol’s voice boomed behind her. She turned around and found herself looking at all eleven boys.

“Hey, I thought you guys had a meeting?” She questioned while taking off her socks. She tried to act as casual as possible, but with her scarred skin exposed in front of strangers, she sounded weak. “What brings you guys here?”

All the boys began laughing uncontrollably. Evie stared at them in confusion until Sehun finally choked these words out. “Chanyeol thought you were changing so he wanted to come and peek.” Everyone burst out into laughter again except for Chanyeol who shook his head furiously.

“You ert Chanyeol! Do you really think I’d start changing in public?” Evie said and smacked his head.

“Well, I wasn’t the one who noticed,” he confessed and pointed at Xiumin. “Hyung was the one who saw you and told me you might be changing.”

Her eyes widened. “Xiumin! I never thought you are this kind of a person!” She exclaimed with a chuckle and gave him a smack on the head too.

After an awkward minute of silence, all the members of Exo noticed the scars on Evie’s legs. They were all curious, but thoughtful enough not to ask.

Xiumin was the first to speak. "Hey, Evie, what happened to your leg?" He asked, referring to the scars on her pale skin. Evie’s eyes flashed unnaturally and kept quiet. “Sorry if I asked too much…” He trailed off after seeing the change of Evie’s expression.

Evie swallowed back her tears and shook her head. "They’re disgusting right? I know. Sorry you guys had to see that. I’ll just go to the change room," She replied and quickly stood up to leave.

The boys watched her as she walked toward the school building. All of them knew something wasn’t right.

"Hey hyung, you shouldn’t have asked her,” Lay said, looking into Xiumin’s eyes.

Xiumin nodded. "I know. Do you think she’s okay? I should apologize to her..." Xiumin sighed and looked up at the sky.

Evie’s POV

Sitting in the corner of the change room, I quickly changed out of my sweaty gym clothes into my regular outfit. After I finished changing, I got my stuff ready and headed out from the change room. Walking down the school hallway, I realized Himchan wasn't with me. Crap. I completely forgot about my dear best friend. Didn't he say he was going to watch my tryout?

 I quickened my steps and walked around the school interior. No luck, that boy was nowhere to be seen. Sighing in frustration, I decided to go to the fields to look for him. Walking on the green grass of the field, the wind blew gently across my cheeks. Scanning around the flat landscape, I found Himchan sitting under a giant oak tree.

I jogged towards his figure leaning on the tree trunk. "Himchan, what are you doing over there? I was looking for you all over the school. Gosh, I can't believe you made me run all around, I am exhausted!" I called out and waved.

Himchan heard my voice and turned to me. "Why do you care? Don’t you already have your 11 new friends?" He responded coldly, avoiding eye contact.

"Is that a hint of jealousy I hear in your voice?" I joked and went to sit next to him. I wrapped an arm around Himchan’s shoulder. "Don’t worry, you’re my best friend, no one can replace you."

Himchan snuggled against me. I flinched upon his sudden movement. He never behaved like this before. "What the hell are you doing? Ew, get away from me!" I laughed and jumped away from Himchan.

"Com’on, comfort your best friend when he’s hurt!" Himchan stood up and leaped toward me. I quickly dodged and he landed on the ground with a thump.

"Owww!"

" it up, you baby!" I and began to walk away. Himchan brushed the dust off his jeans and caught up to me.

The two of us walked down the field together. We were silent. Lots of things were running through my mind this moment. How will I face the 11 members of Exo after they caught a glimpse of my darkest secret?

"Evie."

My past was unfortunate, but I shouldn't let it affect the future ahead of me. Even if Exo finds me disgusting, it won't have an impact on me, or my future. Although I persuaded myself everything would be alright, I couldn`t help but be worried. 

Suddenly, I felt a flick on my forehead that snapped me out of my thoughts. "Evie!" Himchan said loudly.

I looked at him smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I didn't hear you." 

"What are you spacing out for, you aren't sick are you?" He questioned and leaned close. "I better check your temperature," he mumbled and brushed my bangs out of the place before placing his cold hand on my forehead. 

I smacked his hand away. "Hands off, I am perfectly fine. I was just thinking about something, that's all," I replied causally.

Himchan pulled his back. "Guess what?" He suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"What?" I asked.

"Yifan is coming back." 

"Are you serious?" I had no words, my head was going blank.

"Yep, he texted me last night," Himchan said seriously.

I stared at him unsurely. "You’re lying, he didn’t call me or anything," I said.

"He texted me," Himchan smirked. "Ha, he likes me better," my best friend laughed and patted my back.

"Shut up!" I said and punched him playfully. The moment my hand came to contact with his arm, the look in his eyes changed. Himchan suddenly turned and wrapped his arms around my waist. Without any words, he pulled me close for a hug. I choked on my own spit by his abnormal behavior. "What the heck was that?" I yelled and pulled away from him. Just for a split second, I caught disappointment in his eyes.

"Hey you okay?" I asked. "You are acting very weird today."

"I’m alright." Himchan said as he looked away. I nodded and avoided his eyes as well. What is happening?

The two of us strolled down the field in silence. Soon, we met up with the others. Ahead of us stood the 11 members of Exo along with a familiar figure. My eyes widened as I realized who it was. "Yifan oppa..." I muttered his name and broke into a sprint toward that man. He smiled gently and held his arms out for a big hug. 

I held onto his body tightly. I buried my face into his chest, taking in his familiar flowery scent. "Oppa, why didn’t you tell me you’re coming back today? I missed you so much, I could have prepared!" I exclaimed.

"I missed you too, baby Eve. How are you these days? I hope you aren't in any trouble lately." Yifan oppa held me in his arms as he asked.

"Of course not, it's all thanks to Himchan for taking care of me." I said and smiled at my best friend. Himchan smiled back, but it was forced.

Narrator’s POV

Himchan and Exo watched as Evie ran in to the arms of a tall, handsome man. Himchan suddenly felt angry, no matter how much he tried, he doesn’t get any affection from the girl he adore. Yifan on the other hand, simply put his arms out and Evie ran straight into him. Xiumin and Chanyeol were also very surprised by the scene in front of them. Up untill this point, to them, Evie was a masculine girl who disliked physical contact, yet the girl in front of them was passionately hugging a man.

The three of them felt... something in their hearts.

Evie held hands with Yifan and walked down the sidewalk side by side while Himchan and Exo followed. Everyone was quiet except for Evie and her strange new companion who chatted and laughed.

In the back of the group, Xiumin stared up at the two. He had so many questions in his mind. First was about Evie's masculin appearance, second was about the scars on her legs, and now about the man whom she called oppa. Finally, ripping his gaze away from Evie and Yifan, he couldn't help but turn to Himchan for some answers.

"Hey, Himchan. Can I ask you something about Evie?" Xiumin asked in a whisper.

 "Anything," Himchan casually replied.

"Um... do you know anything about Evie’s scars on her leg?" Xiumin asked carefully, trying not to create another roit of emotions.

Himchan was surprised by the question. He indeed did have the answer to it, but he thought carefully about it and decided not to let Xiumin learn the truth. This was the kind of information only Evie's closest friends know. Himchan didn’t want to hand Evie to anyone yet. He didn’t want any other man to be close to Evie.

"Sorry hyung, I’m not sure either." Himchan said quickly and walked towards Evie and Yifan, leaving the puzzeled Xiumin standing there.

"Hyung, it's rare to see you care a whole awful lot for a girl," Chen came out of nowhere and whispered to Xiumin.

The older boy fliched, colour immediately rushed to his face. "When did you get here?" Xiumin blurted out and blinked in surprise.

"I've been listening the entire time. Hyung, I’ve seen the way you look at Evie. You have a thing for her, don’t you? It is normal for you wanting to find out about her secrets." Chen said with a grin on his face.

"Stop smiling like a troll now, you’re creeping me out. Also, I don't even know her that well yet..." Xiumin looked away and scratched the back of his neck.

"Maybe you can ask Yifan. He looks like a nice guy, and he is pretty close to Evie." Chen suggested.

Xiumin looked at him for a second, debating whether to talk to the strange older male. "Okay, I’ll ask him..."

Xiumin walked up to Yifan and lightly tapped him on the shoulder. "Excuse me...Yifan hyung?" The tall handsome male stopped in his tracks and turn around. Looking at this man up close, Xiumin couldn't help but get the feeling he might be Evie's boyfriend. He had the good looks and seemed friendly enough. "May I speak to you for a second?" Xiumin weakly. 

Evie let go of Yifan's arms and raised her eyebrows at Xiumin. 

"Sure, what’s up?" Yifan smiled.

Xiumin pulled Yifan to the back of the group. He couldn't wait any longer before asking a question. "Do you know anything about the scars on Evie?"

"Oh, the scars... Which ones are you talking about?" Yifan asked back and shot Xiumin a strange look.

"What do you mean which ones? Evie has more?" Xiumin gasped in surprise. 

Yifan nodded with a sad smile, "Yeah, a lot more..." 

"Please tell me about it, all of it," Xiumin said.

Yifan went quiet for a minute before responding to him. "I can't tell you. Why don't you ask Evie herself. I'm sure she'll open up to you after you two become closer." 

"Alright..." 

"Let's go catch up with the group." 

"Okay..."

After exchanging phone Numbers and address. Exo headed back to their house. Himchan, Yifan and Evie walked back to Evie’s house. Walking down the empty sidewalk. Himchan thought about everything that happened today. From how Evie was ignoring him during the soccer tryouts, how she pushed him away when he tried hugging her, to how she acted around Yifan. It made him mad at her, at him, at all of them.

Himchan ignored his two friends for the rest of the night. Evie and Yifan both noticed. Once they arrived home, Himchan immdiately went into 'his' room and shut the door.

Evie and Yifan sat on the couch in the living room. Taking a sip of warm water, Evie spoke up. "Hey oppa, why is Himchan ignoring us?" She asked, clearly worried.

"It's okay Eve, I’ll talk to him later. How about you get ready for bed?" Yifan said.

"Alright, but since I’m his best friend, I’ll go ask him," Evie said and headed for Himchan’s room.

Standing in front of the shut door, Evie hesitantly knocked on the door. "Hey Himchan, It’s me, can I come in?" She asked in a tone as gentle as possible.

"What do you want?" Himchan replied from inside the room.

"I want to talk, can I come in already? It’s my house you know." Evie began to grow inpatient.

After a second or two, the door was unlocked with a click. Evie grabbed the handle and pushed the door open. She saw Himchan sitting on the bed looking at his phone.

"Hey Himchan, are you okay?" Evie asked as she took a seat beside him on the large bed. Himchan turned his head and looked at her with in annoyance. Evie took her time and observed his handsome, yet stubborn features.

"I’m not okay," Himchan replied coldly.

"Why, what’s wrong?" Evie questioned.

Himchan looked away. "Nothing..." 

"Something. Stop hiding it Himchan. I can see right through you." Evie said.

No, you can’t. You don’t even understand my true feelings. Himchan thought in his head. 

Suddenly, he felt her arms wrapping around him, giving him a warm hug. Instinctively, he hugged her back. The two stayed like that for a while. Himchan buried his face into Evie’s neck and breathed in her fragrance. Soon, Evie began to find this very awkward and gently pushed Himchan away.

"You feel better now?" She asked.

"Yep, a lot better," He said, gazing at her in the eye.

"So... What was bothering you?" She asked again.

Himchan thought for a moment then replied, "I’ll show you..."

He leaned in towards Evie, forcing her down on the bed.

"W-what are you doing?" Evie's eyes widened as she stuttered, she was nervous.

He didn’t reply and continued closing the distance between them. Using both hands, he cupped her beautiful rosy face and brought his lips close.

"What are you doing?" Evie pushed him away and quickly got up. She headed straight for the door. "Don’t ever do that again you idiot!" With that, Evie quickly ran to Yifan’s room and slammed the door behind him.

With a blank expression handing on his face, Himchan stood motionlessly in his room. His heart was broken into pieces. He thought she had understood when they hugged.

In that split second, the anger that built up inside of him went completely out of control. He violently punched the pillow until he had absolutely no strength to get up. Laying on the bed, Himchan felt drops of sweat sliding down his forehead. His eyes teared up as he played the moment over and over again. The disgusted look on Evie's face when he tried to kiss her jabbed at his heart like a piece of cold glass. 

Word count: 2626 words