Author's Note: Thank you Flor94 for the review. I'm glad you like the story. Also, thank you Mrs. Emmett Cullen's Wife and sakuritakiss for following. I hope you enjoy it.
Men Over Boys
Chapter 3
She knew she shouldn't look at him but her eyes were always drawn to him. She couldn't help but admire him. Snap out of it, she scolded herself, you're only going to hurt yourself if you keep doing this.
"Hey! Lee Mi-Na!" When Mi-Na heard Ginger's voice, she knew she was in for trouble. The Three Witches were still pissed at her truthful statements she had announced about them a few days ago, the same day that she roundhouse kicked Gu Jun-Pyo to the ground.
Shockingly, she caught the ball with both hands before it slammed into her face much to Ginger's annoyance. However, her nose started to bleed from the cold weather and she went to the restroom but not before tossing the ball at full force to the uncoordinated Miranda.
Sometimes I hate winter, Mi-Na complained as she gently washed the blood from her nose. She heard a fake cough from behind her but didn't have to turn to know who is was.
"Don't move." He commanded, trying to wipe it off with a washcloth when Mi-Na elbowed him away from her. She wasn't in the mood to deal with him, she didn't understand what was running threw his head now.
"Go away." She hissed, looking away from him, she hated herself that she was crying for no reason at all.
"What were you thinking? Letting yourself get hit in the face like that?" He retorted that's when she figured out that he only saw her nosebleeding and assumed that Ginger had hit her. But she didn't say anything to prove him wrong.
"Don't be like that?" He pleaded.
"Like what?" She inquired, her angered eyes wet with unleashed tears.
"Don't cry. It doesn't suit you." He replied, glancing away from her.
"What's it to you?" She couldn't help it, she needed to unleash her frustration, and he was the perfect target, after-all he was the one who caused all her torment since she entered this school, "Do I have to get your permission to cry now? Aren't you the happiest when I'm crying and hurting?" She accused, heatedly.
He blinked as though her words hurt for a split second, "Is that all you can say to the person who came to help you?"
"Who asked for your help?" She mocked, "Who asked for your help!? If everyone died and you were the last person on Earth, I still wouldn't accept your help. I'd rather bleed to death than be indebted to you." She confessed before trying to walk away when he snatched her wrist and pulled her back.
"Hey. W-what is it that you hate so much about me? Huh? What are you not satisfied about me?" Jun-Pyo couldn't for the life of him understand this girl, "I'm good looking, I'm tall, I'm smart, I'm rich. How? How can you hate Gu Jun-Pyo? Are you really that stupid?"
"It seems like you still don't understand. I dislike everything about you! The way you look, the way you walk, how you talk down to other people, and your stupid curly hair. I hate everything!"
"Did you take the wrong medicine?" He shot back, miffed.
"I haven't finished speaking yet. It's such an eyesore to see you wear whatever you please to school when the rest of us follow the dress-code. And picking on weaker kids for fun with your red cards is childish and unacceptable. And your thoughtlessness is the worst!"
He released a sound that sounded like something between a gasp and a scoff, "You-"
"You want me to repeat myself? All in all, Gu Jun-Pyo, is what I hate the most. I hate everything about you!" With that declaration, Mi-Na disappeared from his sight, once again leaving him speechless.
...Scene Change
"What?! Twenty million won?" Uee gasped as she almost dropped a tray of mugs.
"How can a school trip cost that much? That's ridiculous." Tae Sun accused, crossing his arms.
"Sorry, I would help out but I'm in debt up to my neck." Han replied before she could even look at him.
"Are all the students going?" Hyori asked, reading the newspaper.
"Well, I'm not." Mi-Na answered.
"So, what are you going to do?" Tae Sun questioned.
"What am I going to do? It's a month long school holiday." Mi-Na whined, ruffling her hair.
"Let's plead to our parents to let us go on a trip. I wonder if there's anyway where we can play and earn money." Ga-Eul suggested.
"I wish I could go. My mom's forcing me to attend my cousin's wedding." Uee complained, placing a hand on her cheek.
Hyori sighed, "I'm behind in two classes, count me out." Everyone else couldn't go for different reasons though Mi-Na could tell they wanted to.
"It's going to be the South Sea." Manager Oh declared but nobody paid attention to him.
A few minutes later, Ga-Eul managed to get us to go on a fishing trip using her uncle's boat for a few days. The two girls cheered at the upcoming trip.
"Didn't I tell you girls you would go. You should start believing in the constellations." Manager Oh tsked.
...Scene Change
"To catch fish, we went to the sea. To catch fish, we grabbed the bait." Mi-Na and Ga-Eul sung side-by-side in perfect harmony. However, the two paused to look at each other when they said two different phrases.
"I thought it was put them in." Ga-Eul asked before both of them busted out laughing and continued to sing. Hours later, both girls had dozed off to the sound of the waves and the bird calls when they were rudely awakened.
"Hey, Dry Cleaner." Mi-Na shifted slightly, oh no, now I'm hearing his voice in my dreams, this is the worst, she complained to herself.
"Ah, can you hear me? Commoner!" Ga-Eul was the first to open her eyes.
"What is that? Am I still dreaming?" Mi-Na murmured.
"I don't think so..." Ga-Eul trailed off, gasping at the massive cruise ship which of course it was named the Shinhwa Cruise.
"But I keep hearing that irritating guy's voice. It must be a nightmare." Mi-Na concluded, her eyes still closed.
"Um, Mi-Na. You might want to look over there." Ga-Eul suggested, she did as she was told only see Gu Jun-Pyo's smirking face along with Woo-Bin, Yi-Jung, and the third and fourth year classes, standing on deck.
"I heard the commoner went to the sea." He announced into the megaphone.
"Why are you here!?" Mi-Na shouted. She had finally thought she would catch a break from anything that had the name Shinhwa attached to it but it seemed as though all those hopes were dashed, "Aren't you suppose to be in Europe?"
"We've gone there once or twice already. It'll be boring to go back, don't you think? We wanted to look for a new place and somebody recommended coming here. What a total coincidence, huh?" That was complete bullshit, Mi-Na thought to herself, but how did he know where she was? The only ones who knew were in the coffee shop and her family. He wouldn't have placed a track on her, right? Or did he have people spying on her, the mere thought of either of the possibilities sent shivers down her spine, "I had no idea you'd be here, Dry Cleaner." He even had the nerve to laugh.
"Then go on your own route! Pretend not to know me and I'd be really grateful!" Mi-Na shot back.
"That boat is just made of wood. Will it be Ok?" He questioned. Mi-Na blinked, was that concern in his voice? No way.
"Even though it's small, it's still a boat." She insisted.
"True. You wouldn't drown even if it capsizes. You know how to swim, right? Then let's move out!" Mi-Na and Ga-Eul were forced to keep their balance as the cruise ship created large waves, rocking their fishing boat, as it moved past them.
"Gu Jun-Pyo! You jerk!"
The sun had set and it was around eight o'clock when they reached the dock. The sky and horizon was sparkling with the city lights and bright stars creating a beautiful background. The air was crisp of the winter winds. They could see the Shinhwa students waiting near the street when a white SUV pulled up. Yoon Ji-Hoo got out to allow the beautifully dressed Min Seo-Hyun to step out.
"I-isn't that Min Seo-Hyun?" Ga-Eul gasped, absolutely star-strucken. The couple, arm-in-arm, walked forward to greet the other members of F4, warmly. Mi-Na had to look away to keep herself from staring so she didn't notice when Ji-Hoo's eyes locked on her. However, it wasn't even seconds later that she caught eyes with him but she looked away from him, pulling Ga-Eul with her in the opposite direction until Jun-Pyo appeared in front of her with that annoying smirk on his face.
"Hey, Dry Cleaner."
"What now?" She whined, all she wanted was to wrap herself in a fleece blanket and have a cup of hot chocolate. What's with all these distractions?
"Just admit it. Honestly, you're really happy to meet me at a place like this, right?" He cockily stated, "Tell me. You were very bored on that fishy smelling boat."
"I was very happy before I saw you." She corrected, eyeing him in annoyance.
He sighed as if he was disappointed in her lies, "No matter, since you're a student of our school, you can come if you want to." He said, before walking away, convinced that she would attend simply because he asked her to.
"I don't have any intentions of going." She called to his back but was speechless when Ji-Hoo walked past him to stand in front of her with that damn beautiful smile on his face. No, no, no, why he is here, why does he have to smile at me, she panicked in her head as her heart started to race. She hoped the blush on her face wasn't noticeable.
"There's a welcoming party for that person." He informed, gesturing with his head to Seo-Hyun, " You should come. It'll be fun. You'll come, right?" Ji-Hoo insisted before walking away with another smile on his face.
Mi-Na found herself instantly agreeing, "I'll come. I'm definitely come." She was unaware at the shocked and hurt expression on Jun-Pyo's face nor the look of sadness and confusion on Seo-Hyun's before the model masked it with a smile.
Realizing what she had just said, Mi-Na wanted to slam her head repeatedly into the nearest building. Of course, the Three Witches had to ruin the moment by stepping in front of her.
"I know what you're going to say. I really don't want to go either." Mi-Na spoke before they could open their mouths.
"Come on. Both Jun-Pyo and Ji-Hoo have extended their invitations. It would be rude if you didn't attend." Ginger replied. Mi-Na's eyes narrowed in distrust, what were they scheming now?
"But, they left something out." Sunny interjected.
"Which is?" Mi-Na questioned.
"It's a costume party." Miranda claimed.
...Scene Change
"Are you sure about this, Mi-Na? What if they were right and it is a costume party?" Ga-Eul questioned as the got out of the provided transportation to the hotel.
"Are you kidding? Those three have been out to get me since I stepped a foot inside that school. They've done everything they can to sabotage me," Mi-Na informed before scoffing, "tch, this would just be the icing on the cake for them. I'm done playing the victim."
With another encouragement from Ga-Eul and a promise to call to let her know how it went, Mi-Na strutted down the hallway before bowing to the two uniformed guards. She held her breath as they opened the door to see that she was right, it was a ballroom inspired party. Her clothes didn't fit the attire per say but it was a lot better than being embarrassed in a Wonder Woman costume, she couldn't wait to see the looks on the Three Witches' faces.
"Lee Mi-Na! You're late," speak of the devils and they shall appear. She couldn't help but to turn around slowly, savoring the stunned looks on their faces as their eyes widened at the sight of her non-costume clothed body. Because Mi-Na wasn't sure what theme the party was, she decided to go for a dressy-casual. The sweater dress was a pale-blue and white space-dye with a crew neckline, short sleeves, and a handkerchief hemline - that hugged her frame perfectly. Uee allowed her to burrow her matching diamond tennis bracelet and earrings for the occasion, stating that she should knock them dead. Adoring her feet was a pair of white pumps, her full lips were painted with a pale pink-beige lip-gloss, her eyelids were colored with a pale-blue eyeshadow with small hints of silver at the corner of her eyes, and her hair was in loose curls styled in a twisted half-up and half-down hairstyle. All in all, she looked beautiful.
"What's the matter?" Mi-Na teased, "Shocked that even a commoner can dress up nicely?" She was aware of several of the boys staring at her with wonder in their eyes one of which included Gu Jun-Pyo who couldn't take his eyes off of her.
"Y-you! What are you wearing?!" Sunny stuttered, gesturing towards her outfit. The four girls were unaware at the attention they were attracting from the nearby listeners including F4 and Seo-Hyun who watched the scene.
"We told you it's a costume party! Why aren't you wearing a costume?" Miranda hissed. Seo-Hyun couldn't help but frown, they had planned to embarrass this girl? For what reason? She did notice how Ji-Hoo tensed from where he sat beside her.
"Oh, that. Did you really think I would believe anything that comes out of your mouths? After you constantly insult me and lie to me for no reason?" Mi-Na retorted, crossing her arms underneath her breasts.
"I'm so sick of seeing you!" Ginger screeched.
Mi-Na rolled her eyes, "You think I enjoy seeing you? You've been nothing but a pain in my side and up until a week ago I've kept my mouth shut and dealt with it but that's over. I'm tired of being your doormat.." Then she paused, allowing that to sink in their heads. "People like you disgust me, you're weak-minded. You think you can treat anyone however you want, this is your wakeup call."
Ginger couldn't listen to her anymore, snatching a glass of red wine from the table, she tossed it all over Mi-Na's dress, ruining it, which caused her to back-up into Ji-Hoo who magically appeared and wrapped his suit jacket around her as Seo-Hyun begun to try to wipe the wine off before it stained. Mi-Na was shocked, of course she expected them to retaliate, she didn't think they would go that far and in such a public place.
"I know why you did this." Seo-Hyun's majestic voice caused Mi-Na to look up at her idol with new found admiration, "But did you know that this just proves how low you are, not her?" This earned stunned gasps of disbelief from the trouble trio before Seo-Hyun glanced to the side, "What are you doing, Ji-Hoo? Hurry and help her to my room." She then left the three girls with a piercing and disgusted glare before following after the two. Jun-Pyo, unnoticed to almost everyone with the exception of Yi-Jung and Woo-Bin, looked torn as he downed a glass of wine, watching as Mi-Na disappeared from view.
...Scene Change
Minutes later, Mi-Na founded herself re-dressed and sitting as her idol applied make-up to her face. She felt as though she was in a dream, she never imagined seeing Min Seo-Hyun in person let alone having her kneeling several inches away from her. The fan-girl inside of her was squealing in delight, fainting from shock, and blushing furiously all at the same time.
"Thank you." Mi-Na whispered gratefully, "But you didn't have to go this far."
Seo-Hyun smiled gently, "It's what I like to do so don't feel burdened."
"This isn't a place where I belong," Mi-Na replied back, feeling uncomfortable as she fidgeted.
"Ji-Hoo invited you, right? If you're Ji-Hoo's friend then you're a precious friend to me too."
"No," Mi-Na shook her head in denial. "That was just out of courtesy." A sad but knowing smile came across Seo-Hyun's face.
"No. Ji-Hoo isn't like that," Seo-Hyun denied, placing the make-up on the nearby table, "And to stand up for someone like this, it's the first time I've seen it." She informed gently, a small trace of envy was in her voice but Mi-Na didn't notice it.
"Ji-Hoo Sunbae has always been attentive." Mi-Na unknowingly confessed.
"Ji-Hoo is attentive?" Seo-Hyun was amused, "See what I mean? That's because Mi-Na is a special person." Mi-Na couldn't find the words to reply back so Seo-Hyun continued, "I heard you've suffered a lot because of Jun-Pyo. I also heard that you swore that you'll never bow down to him." She teased, Mi-Na couldn't help but to blush.
"It's because he's lonely," Her idol revealed, "He's hiding his loneliness with violence."
"Oh, I see," Mi-Na commented and instantly Tae-Sun popped into her mind, "I have a friend who's always cold to people he doesn't know or how to react to, is it like that?" She questioned, titling her head to the side.
"Very much so," Seo-Hyun confirmed with a nod, "He is with his parents for a only month each year. From the moment he was born, he wasn't a normal son or friend. He was always treated as the heir of their company. Can you imagine how that feels?"
"No," Mi-Na instantly replied with a shake of her head.
"Don't lose to him." Seo-Hyun smiled with a knowing look in her eyes.
Mi-Na looked up at her idol in confusion, "What?"
Seo-Hyun laughed softly, "I like you, Mi-Na. So, I'll cheer you on."
Mi-Na returned the smile as Seo-Hyun placed last minute touches on her hair before announcing that they were finished and for her to stand up. The model then placed a pair of heels in front of her.
"Wow, they're so pretty." She breathed as she slid her feet into them.
"To women, shoes are the most important. Good shoes take you to good places." Seo-Hyun recited, "You're ready. Shall we go out now?" Seo-Hyun teased, holding a hand out for her to take.
"I'm a bit nervous." Mi-Na whispered trying to remain calm as they walked to the door.
"Don't be," Her idol gently squeezed her hand, "Just remember you have Ji-Hoo and me at your side." She assured.
Everyone's eyes instantly went to Seo-Hyun and the stunningly dressed Mi-Na as they glided into the room. Seo-Hyun whispered a few more words of encouragement before walking off to stand next to Ji-Hoo, who like many such as one Gu Jun-Pyo, couldn't tear their eyes from Mi-Na.
The normally basic dressed Lee Mi-Na was clothed in a black, long-sleeved dress that had a sweetheart-neckline with a pleated tulle overlay, silver multi-button detail on the sleeves, and a fishtail at the back that hugged her figure nicely but still allowed her to move freely due the long slit running up the right side which occasionally flashed her toned and long leg. Her jewelry included a sterling silver, black onyx cable-wrapped style bracelet and the matching pair of hexagon-shaped, black onyx, cable-wrapped earrings. Covering her feet were a pair of black stiletto pumps with diamond-encrusted heels, silver-sparkling eyeshadow lightly covered her upper and bottom eyelid with a noticeable outline of black eyeliner along the bottom, and her hair was tightly waved with a slight curl at the ends that bounced lightly whenever she made the slightest movement or titled her head to the side.
"It's not gentlemanly to ignore such a beautiful lady." Seo-Hyun informed teasingly before pushing Ji-Hoo towards the shy Mi-Na. He found himself unable to stop walking until he was right in front of her and reached out a hand for her to take. It only took her a few seconds for her to place her small hand in his and allowed him to guide her to the middle of the dance floor, fully aware of all the eyes on them.
"I'm sorry," Mi-Na whispered loud enough for only him to hear after he placed a hand on her back and pulled her closer.
Ji-Hoo looked perplexed, "For what?"
"I'm not much of a dancer," She confessed trying to hide the blush from her face, "So, I'm apologizing in advance if I step on your toes." She was pleasantly surprised when a beautiful smile came across his face.
"Thanks for the warning," Was his soft reply before he gently guided her with the steps. After a few minutes, Mi-Na decided to take a break, having enough of the spotlight on her for one sight. She took a seat, watching as Ji-Hoo and Seo-Hyun dancing beautifully together, strangely enough there was no jealousy or envy only longing, sadness, and admiration. She tore her eyes away from the couple before walking outside to get some fresh air.
Walking down the stairs, she was suddenly alerted to screams, running towards the noise, she came to a halt at seeing the normally confident Gu Jun-Pyo terrified as he tried to gasp for air in the swimming pool.
"Help me!"
Without a second thought, Mi-Na dived into the water. Both were aware that someone saw and reported to the party that Jun-Pyo had fell it. They came upon the sight of her giving him CPR and gently slapping his face.
"Hey! Gu Jun-Pyo, wake up!" Mi-Na was getting frantic as her mind instantly took her to a time where she couldn't save Kang-San, how he almost died.
"Hurry up and breath. Wake up!" She did the mandatory compressions and breathed into him again when something told her to open her eyes only to see his staring back at her. Suddenly, he reached and tried to pull her in when Mi-Na forced herself out of his grasp. He sat up, hair messily in his eyes, as he smiled at her when she begin to wipe her lips furiously, before she punched his shoulder with deadly accuracy, instantly standing on her feet,
"You're an asshole." She hissed before walking away, well-aware of the laughs, sighs of relief, and protests behind her. Her temper was at a high-time high, she almost wanted to push him back in the water but shook those thoughts away. When she managed to get home, she ignored her family's questions. She showered, changed, and as she begun to brush her teeth for bed, her mind immediately went back to the pool.
"That deceitful bastard!" Mi-Na shouted, before scrubbing her teeth and lips almost hard enough to bleed and make them raw. She gave a quick call to Uee and Ga-Eul to tell them what happened. She then tired to get some sleep, dreaming of ways to murder Gu Jun-Pyo and get away with it.
...Scene Change
Water. She needed to swim but was in for a shock that the two dozen ducks enjoying the water. What the hell is this, she thought to herself, trying and failing to keep calm. But the more she looked at the scene the more the angry started to build and before she knew it she was swearing in English, Korean, and the small amount of Spanish she knew, completely unware that the culprit was watching from a hidden camera.
...Scene Change
She heard it, that beautiful melody but this time it was filled with sadness and a soft shower of snow created a beautiful picture the closer she walked to Yoon Ji-Hoo entrancing form. She was captured by the sound until it was abruptly cut off by a thread snapping which shocked him back to reality. In a moment of frustration, he threw the violin and bow carelessly down on the bench before dropping out next to the instrument with a sigh.
Mi-Na stepped in front of him, watching as he purposely looked away from her and leaned back in the seat. Her eyes immediately locking on the small wound on his finger from the thread. Reaching in her pocket, she pulled out his handkerchief, she rolled it a few times, and grasped his hand but he pulled away from her. Mi-Na gave him a firm look before re-grabbing his hand and watching her fingers as she worked.
Not looking up at him, she said, "I'll leave after I'm done." Moments later, she was done, standing up, she glancing sadly at the discarded violin for a second before opening and placing her umbrella over it. She was obliviously to Ji-Hoo watching her as she disappeared from view.
...Scene Change
Curiosity was gnawing at her through the rest of her classes, wondering if Ji-Hoo would still be there or if he could've left by now. She was sadly disappointed, after hearing a violin tune though he wasn't the ones he played before, she was hoping that he was still there but to no avail.
Turning, she was halted in her tracks when she saw Gu Jun-Pyo standing in front of her looking almost murderous dressed in all black and the dark look in his eyes.
"Are you disappointed that I'm not the person you wanted to see?"
What is his problem, Mi-Na thought before voicing her thoughts, "Why are you here?"
"What? I can't come here?" She opened her mouth to reply when he cut her off, "Did you two rent this place?" Mi-Na didn't have the time or the patience to deal with him after the stunt he moved this morning, she moved to walk away when he grabbed her wrist.
"Where are you going?"
"I don't have to answer you. Let go." She tried to pull herself from his grasp but he only tightened it, "What do you want?"
"I have something to say."
She sighed, "Say it and let me go."
"Who are you? You think you can toy with me? Toy with the Great F4?"
"Who's toying with who? Let me go!" She ripped her wrist free from him as she glared defiantly at him.
"I'm letting you go because I think you're cute." Mi-Na simply blinked up at him, "Am I a joke to you? I don't know if you know but I'm not the kind of person who repays what is given to me. I'm dissatisfied repaying an equal amount." Before she knew it, he grasped the collar of her uniform and pulled her closer to him as he leaned down.
"What are you doing?" She squeaked but he didn't answer and continued to lean closer.
"No!" She exclaimed, trying to push him away from her , fighting him with everything she had, while also angling her face away from his, "I don't want to!" He paused before letting her go and she took a step backwards with unleashed tears in her eyes.
"Do you hate me that much?" But Mi-Na couldn't answer him as she averted her eyes from his searching ones. He exhaled sharply before walking past her and out of sight. She waited several moments before crouching down and wiping her tears away.
...Scene Change
"Lee Mi-Na! You're not going to school?" Gong Joo called from outside her bedroom door.
"I'm not going!" The seventeen-year-old shouted from underneath the covers.
"Do you want to go to school with a bump on your head? Or go normally?" Her mother threatened, slamming the door open and marching to her daughter's beside.
"I'm not going!" She repeated, "Just hit me and leave me alone!"
Gong Joo ripped the comforter off of her, "You, seriously!"
"I'm not going to that school ever again. I run into a truck head first!"
"You-" Gong Joo was interrupted by Kang Sun.
"Isn't today a no school Saturday?" Gong Joo's mouth snapped closed as Mi-Na shot her an irritated glare, "Also, an Ahjussi told me to give this to you." He replied, attempting to hand her a card when Gong Joo snatched and opened it.
"What's this? Hello, I want to invite all of you to my home for my twenty-third birthday. Please attend. With love, Min Seo-Hyun," Gong Joo recited, "A party?"
"Then that means our Mi-Na is finally making her way into society!" Bong cheerfully exclaimed.
Next thing she knew, Mi-Na was standing in front of the newly dry-cleaned dresses as her parents fussed over which one suited her the best before they gave up.
"Sorry, Mi-Na. You're father is useless." Gong Joo complained.
"I can't even provide my daughter with a proper dress." Bong cried.
"During a time like this, usually the princes in dramas would always buy an outfit." Kang San chimed in. It was in that exact moment when a woman in black showed up carrying a gift-wrapped box.
"This is Ms. Min Seo-Hyun's gift to Lee Mi-Na." She barely got the sentence out when Gong Joo snatched it to place it on the nearby counter. Bong opened the box as Kang San pulled out the beautiful crimson dress.
What am I getting myself into, she whined in her head as she eyed the dress with awe and apprehension.