This is slightly shorter but I'm trying to build up a credible story. I promise some SoEul moments will come up soon enough.
Happy reading!
Ga Eul sighed. She really wanted to block them out. By them she meant Yi Jeong and Yoon Hae. Apparently there was going to be a trip to Jeju for the Shin Hwa students. 'Oh joy! Yi Jeong and Yoon Hae sharing a room…God, why don't you just strike me with a bolt of lightning right now.' The girl was sorely tempted to stick her tongue out at them. Hana was resting her chin in one hand while her other hand was mixing her drink with a straw, no doubt thinking along the same line as Ga Eul, changing only the protagonists. Mi Young had an impassable look on her face. If Ga Eul looked hard enough she was sure her normally cheery friend was starting to resemble a brick wall.
Hana squeezed Mi Young's hand in comfort. After all, it just wouldn't do for Mi Young to start crying all of a sudden. That would raise a lot of questions and none of the three girls were extremely adept at lying.
"This trip to Jeju you are going on, what can you tell us about it?"
"Oh well, it's a week-end long trip. We're staying at the Shin Hwa hotel there, and we'll get to do a lot of relaxing things." Ye Jin filled them in. "And check this out, we'll be joined by two other high schools, Saint Academy and another one I can't quite remember. How forgetful of me."
"Woah, woah, woah! Slow down. Did you just say Saint Academy?" Mi Young cut Ye Jin off.
"Yes."
"It's crazy right? I heard that you have to be super-smart to get into that school and besides that you have to do a lot of extracurricular activities." Jun Pyo said. "Who would ever go to such a school?"
'You'd be surprised.' Ga Eul's inner voice stated. 'You would all be very surprised.' Not bothering to state her though out loud Ga Eul pondered this turn of events. Not only was she going to be present at the time of the trip but most likely F4 would see her and her friends there. While the girls would never try to be in the spotlight somehow they always managed to stick out in the crowd. So, undoubtedly, they would do the same on this wondrous trip.
Tuesday was by far the best day of the week. Hana smiled and waved at a few classmates as she walked through the school gates. The trip to Jeju, from yesterday's conversation with the F4, was still on her mind and Hana was pretty sure today the Principal would give the council all the details. 'Oh well, it's better knowing what to expect.'
A sharp pain made Hana wince. For a few days now her stomach had been moody. She couldn't eat anything without throwing it up later and the ache kept her up at night. This was probably the reason she had been felling so out of sorts the past days. And nothing seemed to make the pain go away, because Hana had been taking painkiller every few hours. She knew she should probably go see a doctor, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. And for a good reason too. Both her parents were renowned medics and if she were to suffer from anything they would find out if she went to a doctor. 'They have enough problems as it is. I don't need to worry them with my insignificant ailments.' Hana deliberated while hurrying her pace.
In a short while she was standing in front of her class' door. Hana took a few moments to fix a smile on her face and then quietly entered the room. "Annyonghasseyo!" She called to her present classmates. A few heads turned and greeted her back while others just smiled and went back to what they were doing. Hana looked around trying to spot a person she could talk with. To her luck Dae Sung was sitting on his stool with a book in his hands. Normally Hana would have let him read but the fact that he was holding the book upside down told the girl that Dae Sung wasn't quite reading.
"Annyonghasseyo, Dae Sung-ah." Hana greeted him for a second time. This time the boy looked at her. His face had a dreamy look and a goofy smile played on his lips. He waved at Hana and let out a sigh before smiling brightly.
"Dae Sung-ah, what happened?" Hana questioned, really worried about his mental state of health.
The concern must've been evident because Dae Sung sobered up and replied. "Nothing like that Hana-ah. I'm just very happy."
"I can see that. So what has you in such a good mood?" she pressed further wanting to know.
"It's just Gyu Ri-ah. She makes me really, really happy."
Hana giggled and patted Dae Sung's shoulder affectionately. Dae Sung was such a nice guy, always smiling and being carefree. He was the perfect match to Gyu Ri's scepticism. Besides they made such a cute couple that Hana was tempted to squeal in delight every time she saw the holding hands or sharing other such tender gestures.
At that exact moment Gyu Ri entered the classroom with a dreamy smile all of her own. Hana got up and sat at her own desk waiting for Mi Young and Ga Eul to arrive. Her stomach squeezed painfully and she desperately wished she had a pill. But she had consumed the whole pack. She needed to get another one. If Hana remembered correctly there was a small pharmacy not far from school. Maybe she could get some painkillers during the big break.
The door opened and Mi Young entered followed by Kyu Hyun and Ga Eul. After them Ye Eun, Jun Su and Si Won came in with Jae Joong trailing behind. Everyone exchanged greetings before settling down in their assigned seats. Si Won and Mi Young quickly got in an argument while Ga Eul and Jae Joong whispered to each other like two lovers on a date. 'If Yi Jeong won't see Ga Eul as the woman she is Jae Joong will steal her away. Same goes for Mi Young and Si Won.' Hana pondered as Kyu Hyun sat down next to her.
"Hana-ah are you okay?" His question caught her unprepared.
"What do you mean Kyu Hyun-ah? I'm fine." Hana assured him trying to stop the blood from rising to her face. 'Kyu Hyun is so sweet. Really. He always worries about his friends. And he's so polite. He's exactly the kind of guy I should fall in love with. So, the why don't I feel the spark?'
"You look a little pale. Are you sure you're alright?" he continued and pressed his hand to her forehead.
"Don't worry. I'm really alright." Hana repeated her earlier statement. Before she could add anything else Mi Young and Ga Eul rushed to her asking if she was feeling well. Hana guaranteed that there was nothing wrong with her and urged the two to return to their seats. Mi Young shrugged her shoulders and went back to bickering with Si Won while Ga Eul gave Hana a smile before scampering to her seat and reassuming her conversation with Jae Joong.
The class began shortly and the hours rolled by. The big break came fast enough. The mass of students dashed out of their classrooms and ran outside fully intending to enjoy twenty minutes of silliness. Hana told Mi Young and Ga Eul that she'd go to the pharmacy. They gave her a concerned look but she brushed them off. She went to the front gates and told the guardian where she was going. He let her out with a smile and told her to hurry.
The pharmacy came into view after a minute of walking and Hana let out a relieved sigh. She entered the small shop and smiled at the chiming she heard. Behind the counter a senior man stood on a chair, reading the newspaper.
"Annyonghasseyo." Hana uttered suddenly feeling a bit uneasy.
The old man greeted her back in a thick voice. "Annyounghasseyo. How may I help you?"
"I would like to buy some painkillers, please."
"What seems to be the problem?" he asked and examined the girl before him.
"My stomach is a bit painful and I can't keep food down no matter what I eat." Hana involuntary found herself giving out the information.
"Have you had a consult young lady? What you have sound an awfully lot like Ulcers. If not treated properly it could prove to be fatal. I think you should see a doctor." The old man advised and started writing something on a piece of paper.
"No harabeoji, I can't do that. I really can't go see a doctor. My parents are doctors and I don't want them to find out. If I went to a hospital…" Hana argued with a slight look of panic on her face, only too late realizing her mistake.
"No worries little lady. I will send you to a friend of mine. I won't give out any information about you and I'll ask him to send me the results of your endoscopy. How's that?"
"That's alright. Thank you very much." Hana said happily beaming at the old man. She was safe for the moment.
"Not so fast. In exchange I want you to do something for me. You see, this is also a clinic and I'm a little shorthanded. Can you work here this weekend? All you have to do is watch the children for me." the elder male explained in his deep, flowing lilt.
"Yes, I can do that. I'll definitely be here this weekend." Hana agreed. "How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing little lady. I will consider you have paid me by agreeing to work here."
"Kamshamnidan harabeoji! Annyonghigyeseyo!" The girl called out before exiting the pharmacy and running back to school.
"Annyonghigaseyo." The man replied and went back to reading his paper.
The sound of Hana's steps were the only one heard on the deserted street. The girl just ran faster, aware that the break was almost over. As she got closer and closer to the school gate it opened and she ran right through it. The guardian smiled at her and she waved in return but didn't stop to chat. Her stomach had settled down and the pain was almost gone.
When she entered the classroom everyone was already there. Luckily the teacher hadn't entered yet. As soon as she sat down Kyu Hyun told her that the Principal had announced a trip to Jeju with Shin Hwa and General High school nr 1. At the mention of Shin Hwa all the kids in the room started murmuring about F4, the girls in delight and the guys in not-so-much delight. Mi Young and Ga Eul looked a bit uncomfortable. But that was because of their affiliation to the F4, Hana reckoned besides she herself wasn't extremely at ease about telling everyone that the three of them knew F4.
It wasn't that they were ashamed of people knowing of their acquaintance to those guys. It would just attract too much attention, good and bad. It was so much easier to just keep on living as if they had no involvement in that social group. Of course it was easier said than done. Hana was the daughter of two well-known medics; Mi Young's mother owned the famous Tranquil Spa Resort and Ga Eul's grandfather owned a museum in Seoul. This alone would've been more than enough to throw them in everyone's center of attention but the girls avoided it at any cost. They were content to just remain nameless in a sea of faces. 'It's not like being in the centre of attention would be of any help, anyway. All that's ever managed to do is destroy a person mentally. I don't want that to happen to me or Mi Young or Ga Eul. Things are fine just the way they are.'
"…and we have to make sure everyone will behave." Kyu Hyun's voice got Hana out of her reverie. The boy complained some more, his protests amplified by the other Student Council members. Hana agreed. It would be tiresome to watch over the others. Not that they were bad or anything. They were teenagers and they occasionally liked to do stupid things like getting drunk or practicing extreme sports; that kind of dangerous stuff.
"So when de we leave on this trip?" Hana asked cutting off the flow of complaints.
"In two weeks." Mi Young answered a little pensively. Si Won stood besides her and they had probably just finished another argument. Those two butted heads over many things and it never failed to get them in a row. "Today we have to help with the organising of that cooking contest." The girl reminded them.
"What?"
"Again?"
"And I was going to just relax today."
Si Won shushed them. "We'll need to get some things from the convenience store. Who wants to come with me?"
"I do! Pick me. Pick me!" Mi Young yelled waving her hand in front of Si Won's face.
"You are already coming. Who else?" He clarified sending Mi Young a withering look.
"I'll come too as long as Mi Young doesn't drive. Last time she put her hands on a wheel we nearly ended up in a hospital. Literally and figuratively." Dae Sung reminisced with a sardonic smile on his face.
"Hey that was so not my fault." Mi Young retaliated in a whiny voice. 'I didn't have my glasses on me. I'm pretty much blind without them.' She added in her mind.
"Of course she won't be driving. I'm not suicidal." Si Won asserted which earned him a slap on the shoulder from Mi Young.
"God, I'm so tired!" Ga Eul said as she rubbed her eyes and stifled a yawn.
"I know what you mean." Jae Joong comforted her. "We'll be done soon."
"Yeah, but not soon enough." Jun Su grumbled and hammered the nail where it was supposed to be.
"Oh come on. It's not that bad." a not-long-returned Mi Young cheerily told them. "We're almost done."
"Ow!" Hana yelled. They turned to see the girl cradling her finger and her hammer lying on the floor. "Stupid nail."
"You really are no good with these, are you?" Kyu Hyun asked while bandaging her finger. "Be more careful next time."
"I will. Thank you." Hana said and pulled her hand away slowly. She inspected her finger wrapped in white cotton band. The ache was dull but most likely she broke her nail because she could see blood seeping through the bandage.
"Okay, I think we're done for today. Let's call it a day. Everyone, pack your stuff and let's go home." Si Won told them. The team cheered and, faster than imaginable, everything was put back where it belonged. They cleaned up everything and made sure the room was in perfect condition before setting foot out of school.
"Finally!"
"I thought that it was never going to end."
"We did a good job today so we deserve a good rest. I'm so tired."
"I agree. I totally agree."
"I'll go home and sleep for an entire week."
"That's what you think."
"Yeah. I bet that by tomorrow's seven forty-five a.m . you'll be back here."
"Oh, the nightmare!"
"Yup. Definitely a nightmare I wish I could wake up from."
"Why are you such a cynic? Nevermind."
I hope you've all enjoyed it!