REMINISCENCE

CHAPTER 10

TWO BIRDS IN ONE STONE

CHANYEOL'S POV

I was standing outside of So Hee's house right now. Aside from being a nice friend, she is also a good cook so we are really happy every time she invited us to dinner. I took my phone out of my pocket and dialled Su Eun's number. Her phone was ringing but there is no answer. I tried to call her again and the same thing happened. This never happened before. I tried texting her.

To: Su Eun

From: Chanyeol

Why aren't you answering my calls?

Sent.

After a few minutes my phone beeped, indicating there was a new message.

From: Su Eun

I'm not feeling well. Just be careful when you're on your way home 'kay? Good Night.

I was starting to get worried, she is not feeling well? She was okay just a few minutes ago. I really wanted to see if she's well taken care of. I was starting to panic when I felt a hand over my shoulder. I turned my back to see who it was and was very surprised.

"Hey!" Luna said while smiling sweetly at me. I smiled and greeted her back.

"I thought you will be staying late at school?" I asked her. She smiled and linked her arms around mine and I started to blush.

"Am I still invited?" she asked. I gave a faint laugh and pulled her gently towards the door.

"Well of course! So Hee would be very delighted to see you!" I exclaimed and we entered the house together. The boys are all at the living room watching television while So Hee was at the kitchen preparing dinner. I accidentally hit my ankle to the table and coursed, catching the other's attention. When Suho saw Luna next to me, he immediately stood up and walked towards her.

"Luna! You came!" he cried and pulled Luna towards the others.

"Mr. Han only asked me about school stuffs. It was very easy so he let me go home early." She explained. Hearing the commotion at the living room, So Hee went out to check what it was about while wiping her hands with a small towel. When she saw Luna, she immediately placed the towel above the table, run to her and held her hands.

"You're here!" she said happily. Luna smiled at her and to the others. Kyungsoo just looked at her. Man! I really don't get him sometimes. He's very unpredictable. Well, he's like that since forever so I think I just let him be.

"How did you know where I live?" So Hee asked. I almost forgot, nobody told her where So Hee's house is so how did she get in here? Now everybody is looking at her waiting for her response, even Kyungsoo.

"Su Eun helped me." she replied casually. After hearing Su Eun's name, I walked towards her and grab her shoulders gently to make her face me. Suddenly, there was a whistling sound coming from the kitchen so So Hee went back to check if the tea was ready.

"You know Su Eun?" I asked. I remembered that I never introduced Luna to her so how come they know each other?

"Yes. I just met her earlier at the Science Lab." She replied.

"Why did you go there?" Kyungsoo butted in.

"I forgot my worksheet at my table earlier so I was hoping that it was still there but instead of my worksheet, I saw her instead." She answered then Kyungsoo turned his attention back to the TV.

"Is she okay?" I asked. She texted me earlier that she was not feeling well. She looked at me with worried as before she replied.

"She doesn't look so good so I ran to her and asked her if she was feeling okay and she said yes but when I touched her forehead, it was warm so I think she has a fever. I carried her to the clinic and the nurse said that she needed to go home and rest so I walked her home."

After she told me that, I hugged her. I was worried sick about Su Eun earlier and knowing that she was walked home by Luna safely. I will never forgive myself if something bad happened to her. I started to calm down.

"W-why are you hugging her!" Suho yelled. I immediately pushed her slightly but not very hard.

"Sorry… I'm just glad that she helped Su Eun go home safely." I answered and rubbed the back of my neck due to embarrassment. They started to laugh and I turned my attention back to Luna. She was looking at me with marvelling eyes the smiled. It was as if she learned something new.

"Enough with the chit-chat guys, dinner's ready!" So Hee called out from the dining area. The room started to be filled with cheers.

"I'm so hungry!" Baekhyun said while running towards the dining room. The others just laugh at his childlike movements. I started walking too but Luna held my arm so I paused.

"Do you like Su Eun?" she asked. My faced started to feel hot so I shifted my gaze away from her.

"W-what are you talking about? W-we are just f-friends…" I answered while stuttering. Hell why am I affected that much by her question? I was back to reality when I heard her giggle.

"If that's what you say…" she said and paced towards the dining area. I followed. Maybe I'm just hungry that is why I'm reacting weirdly. I hope that after I eat, I will think straight again!

SU EUN'S POV

I am lying in my bed while covering myself with a blanket. How can this be? Everything happened so fast I didn't even have the chance to rebut. I wiped the tears that are flowing out of my eyes but it will just be replaced by new ones.

I can't breathe properly. I sat down and tried to calm myself down. Suddenly, my phone rang. I look at the caller ID to check who it was. It's Chanyeol. I forgot that I was also invited at the dinner at So Hee's house. I may not be part of their circle but I'm good friends with them all too. I don't want to hurt any of them! They are all very nice so I don't get why she wanted to do something to So Hee. I have to tell them what happened, I have to do what is right! I took my phone and was about to press the answer button when red eyes flashed into my mind making me lose my hold and dropping my phone in the process.

I started shaking.

"I thought we have a deal…"her voice was ringing loud in my head that it's driving me insane! I heard my phone beep indicating that there was a message. I slowly pick up my phone from the floor and opened my inbox.

From: Chanyeol

Why aren't you answering my calls?

I put my phone down and rested my left hand to my forehead. Why did this have to happen?! Why me? Why Chanyeol? Why my friends?

Why?!

I started crying again. This is the only way I can do for now. Cry. To show how really weak I am. I took my phone and replied to his message. I know that he will surely call again or flood my inbox if I don't tell him anything.

From: Su Eun

To: Chanyeol

I'm not feeling well. Just be careful when you're on your way home 'kay? Good Night.

Sent.

I really am not feeling well. I feel my heart pounding so hard at my chest it was like it's going to burst. I gently lay back to bed. I wanted to sleep because maybe this is just a bad dream and when I wake up, everything's back to normal but I don't want to close my eyes. I will only see two pairs of red eyes looking at me, warning me… making me realize that this is all real.

She's a living nightmare.

She's a devil in disguise.

NORMAL POV

The dining area was filled with sounds of awe. The table was full of different dishes prepared by So Hee herself. All of the dishes look delicious that even the smell can make you full already. Luckily, the table was long so it can accommodate all of them.

"It's like a feast!" Chen exclaimed while grabbing a chair and making himself comfortable. The other's followed his lead and took their seats too. Luna chooses the chair at the middle. She was about to pull it when Kyungsoo beat her to it. She looked at him with surprise eyes but Kyungsoo just gave her an impatient stare. Getting the message she took the seat quickly and he gently pushed it back to place and grabbed the chair next to it.

"Thank you…" Luna said. Kyungsoo didn't bother to turn at her direction and just gave a nod.

So Hee took the chair pulled by Luhan next to him and the only available seat for Kai is the one next to So Hee. He hesitated at first but he saw So Hee smiling at him, he slowly walked towards the said chair and gently sat.

"Normally, you're the first one to pick a seat…" So Hee said and giggled. Kai looked at her and she really is the same. If she can act like that, then why can't he. He should be happy right now because everyone is okay so it's better to put the past behind and start over again.

"Well. I was supposed to get a seat first earlier but I guess Chen is hungrier so he sat immediately." The room was filled with laughter because of that.

"If Tao was here then I bet he'll be first!" Chen countered.

"Too bad he's on the competition; he may be able to eat all of this!" Xiumin added.

The laughter came again then the clock started to beep. It was time for dinner.

"Let's eat!" So Hee said and the group started to dig in.

"This chicken is amazing!" Kai exclaimed making everyone laugh.

"We expected that from the chicken mania…" uttered Lay.

"It is really good So Hee…" Luhan said and smiled at So Hee. She blushed and smiled back. "I'm glad you liked it…"

The interaction of the two caught Luna's attention. Unlike the others who are busy having their fill, she was busy looking at the two. Luhan seems to really enjoy the food this girl prepared. She stared at the dishes served at the table. There are chicken, pasta, vegetables and beef. She can't seem to understand why they are fond of putting a lot of ingredients in their food. She then turned her gaze to the others who are eating and chatting with the others. She then looked back at her empty plate.

KYUNGSOO'S POV

So Hee is really a good cook. The meats are cut cleanly and the sauce is thick. She surely will become a good wife. I turned my gaze towards Kai and I'm happy that he looks fine. I guess the issue between him and So Hee is finally over. I'm glad he already moved on.

The others are really enjoying the food too. Luhan praised So Hee for her cooking and she seems to be flattered about it. The others are trying all the dishes served while busy chatting with each other too. It's really nice to see them all like this. I directed my attention this time to Luna who was seated next to me. She was staring at her plate which is empty. I don't seem to get why she didn't touch any of the food on the table. I was the only one who noticed because all are busy in their own worlds.

Maybe she isn't hungry or maybe she doesn't like the food at all. She's really weird. She then notices I was staring at her so she looked at me.

"Is there any problem?" she asked.

"Why aren't you eating?" I answered her with another question. She turned her gaze back to her plate and smiled.

"Is that a bad thing?" I pondered on what she said. There is really nothing bad on what she is doing, it's just odd to see a person not eating anything around the people who eats everything.

"No." then I turned my head back to my plate. I selected pasta among all the dishes in the table because it's my favourite food and I'm very satisfied on how she made it. I noticed her looking at my plate and it's kind of awkward. "Is there any problem?" I asked her the same question she asked earlier.

"Why is pasta your favourite food? She asked. I turned my full attention towards her. that's the same thing I was thinking.

"How did you know?"

"It's because among all the dishes in front of you, that's the only thing you chose to eat." She answered calmly. It's obvious stupid. I took my glass of water and drink. Why am I talking to her anyway? I just manage to cut the "conversation" and resume eating my food. I can still see her in my peripheral vision and she's still not eating.

I took a piece of bread in front of me and hand it over to her. She looked surprised but I shoved it closer to her and after a minute of hesitation took it.

"At least eat something." I said and thrust the fork with pasta to my mouth so I would stop speaking. After a while I stealthily turned my gaze to her and she was already eating the bread. Somehow I felt relax already. I finished my pasta and the others are finished eating their foods too. We helped in clearing the table and So Hee said that she can do the dishes all by herself because it's getting late and we have to catch the last bus.

NORMAL POV

So Hee walked them towards the gate. They are all full so they decided to just walk home.

"Thank you for the wonderful meal!" Baekhyun said while patting his stomach lightly.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, till next time!" she replied and finally closed the gates. The group started walking on the streets.

"Hey Luna, where do you live? Do you want us to walk you home?" asked Luhan. The others stopped their track and looked at her.

"It's late already and it's kinda dangerous to walk at night." Luhan added. Luna looked at him and smiled.

"I really appreciate your offer but you don't have to." She replied. The boys looked puzzled.

"Don't you trust us?" Xiumin asked and Luna giggled at that.

"Of course not, silly! You see, there is someone who's going to pick me up so you don't have to walk me home." She answered and as if on cue, a guy in black wearing a heavy-tinted helmet riding a motorcycle appeared at the distance. "That's my service. Thank you for being kind to me everyone." Luna said and gave a slight bow.

Luhan turned his attention to the man in black. He seems to be looking at him to. He felt something familiar but just managed to brush it off for he knows that he space out when he thinks too much.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Suho asked dejectedly and Luna really laughed this time.

"He's my brother!" she said between her laugh. The boys turned their direction to the guy who was now standing next to the motorcycle. "I really have to go guys; my brother's kinda impatient so yeah, I don't want to make him wait. Good bye!" she said and sprinted towards the said guy. He handed her the extra helmet and she took the seat behind him. Before going, she waved goodbye to group and the two of them disappeared in the darkness of the night.

"He's not her boyfriend…." Suho repeated. "Guys she's totally single!" he exclaimed while jumping up and down.

"What do you mean to say?" Chen asked. They know Suho as the "collector" of the group. If he likes someone, then he'll shower her with anything she wants until she said yes.

"Don't even think about it Suho hyung…' said Sehun. Suho looked at him in the eyes.

"And why?" he asked.

"Because you just can't." the Sehun started walking. The others just shrugged and catch up with Sehun.

"Why can't I?" Suho asked Xiumin who was pulling him to walk.

"Because like what he said, you can't" he answered then finally, Suho let Xiumin drag him.

Luhan was still looking at the place where the motorcycle disappeared into. Kai and Kyungsoo walked to him and the latter put his hand on his shoulder.

"What's the matter?" Kyungsoo asked. Luhan turned his gaze towards him and spoke.

"You know what; she really looks like someone I know…" he said. "But then again, they are different and its impossible… is it weird?" he asked. Kyungsoo gave his shoulder a light squeeze.

"No… maybe you're just tired…" he said.

"Yeah… maybe…" Luhan replied while looking at the spot they disappeared into.

NORMAL POV

They stopped in front of a house at Middlestone subdivision. Jin took the keys out of her pocket and opened the door. She walked in and was followed by her companion.

"How does it feel to see your brother again?" Jin asked. Kris slowly took off the helmet he was wearing.

"He changed." He answered coldly. Jin tramped towards the kitchen to get something to drink. Kris followed close behind. "Is that really him?" Jin stopped pouring water to the glass and turned her gaze towards the window in front of her.

"Maybe…" she took the glass filled with water and hand it over to Kris. "I'm not sure either." Then took off her school coat, threw it on the laundry basket and settled herself comfortably at the sofa. She took the remote and turned the television on. Kris hand her back the glass of water. She looked at him confusedly and still managed to take the said object. She gulped the water slowly and let out a contented sigh.

"Do you think we can really take him back?" Kris suddenly asked while sitting on the other side of the sofa. Jin continued scanning channels until she gave up cause there are no channel of her interest.

"It's too early to conclude hyung… but that's the reason why I came here…" she then look at Kris straight into the eye making him turn his full attention to her, "If killing them all will bring him back, I won't hesitate to do so." Then she stood up and started walking towards the stairs and started stretching.

"This is a very tiring day! I guess I should take a rest now." She paused when she was already at the middle of the stairs and look down over Kris who was busy looking for a show to watch.

"Hyung…" Kris look at her with a "spit-it-out" look on his face. "If two persons like one another, why can't they just confess to each other?"

"No idea… "Jin just smiled and skipped towards her room. Kris turned his gaze towards the window and realizes that it started to snow.

"Why did you let us into your mess foolish little brother?" he said followed by a heavy sigh.

END OF CHAPTER 10