REMINISCENCE

CHAPTER 5

THE NEW STUDENT

NORMAL POV

There are only a few students at school. It was only 5:30 am and the class starts at 8. Suho make his way to the Student council's office to meet with the Dean, Mr. Han. As he walked, the students he passed by greet him 'good morning' or 'hello'. Suho was the kindest student body president so all the students respects him. He was now standing at the door of the office. He slowly opened the door. Mr. Han was already inside and standing next to him was a girl wearing their school uniform. When she turned her gaze towards me, I immediately recognize her. She was the new student I'm supposed to assist. Mr. Han finally notices me.

"Suho! There you are!" Mr. Han greeted me with a smile.

"Good Morning Sir." I bowed my head to show my respect.

"Good Morning to you too, here, let me introduce to you the student I want you to assist" he gently pushed the girl in front of me. She seems shy and lowers her head.

"Suho, I want you to meet Luna."

Suho looked at her and smiled. She was very cute because she's blushing mad due to her embarrassment.

"Hello. I'm Suho. I'll be assisting you today" He offered his hand for a handshake. She looked at him confusedly but still took his hand.

"I'm Luna, Nice to meet you. You are very kind." The she smiled at him. Suho was surprise because her hand is very cold and her smile was different too but still, she was very attractive.

"I'm gonna leave the rest to you now, Suho. I still have a meeting with Mr. Song. Welcome to XOXO Academy." Then, Mr. Han left the room.

Suho watched the Dean's retreating back. When he was no longer at his sight, he turned his head towards Luna and she was staring at him. Her dark brown glassy eyes are staring thoroughly at his. The feeling was weird but he shrugged it off and started his duty.

"First, I'll give you a short tour about the school. You can ask me anything you want." Suho told her. Luna just smiled at Suho and the two started walking.

SUHO'S POV

I can't help but stare at her. She is very captivating. I don't know if I'm making any sense but there was something in her that is very unusual. Maybe she sensed that I was staring so she looked at me curiously.

"Is there something in my face?" she asked. I can't tell her that I was staring because of her beautiful face; I will sound like a maniac. So I decided to answer her 'nothing' and she just shrugged. We are nearing the soccer field when she asked me if she can rest for a bit. I give her permission because I was getting tired too.

When we are at the benches, I wanted her to feel comfortable with me so I started a conversation to kill the deafening silence.

"So…," I said, "why did you choose this school, Luna?"

She was surprise because of my sudden action but managed to reply.

"I just feel like it, is that bad?" she asked.

"No… I mean I don't get a say to any of your decision because I just met you and…"

"Shh... it's okay," she stopped me by putting a finger over my lips. "You just wanted me to feel comfortable with you, right?" she said and smiled. I was stunned. That was exactly what I was thinking… can she read thoughts? What am I saying; I'm starting to be paranoid over nothing!

"You don't have to do things you yourself are not comfortable with; do you want me to start the conversation this time?" she said calmly. She was really thinking before acting. I forgot she was a genius and a lot of school wanted her but she chooses our school so I have to convince her to stay.

"If that's what you want…" I replied.

"Am I the only new student I this Academy?" she asked. I paused for a moment to think then I replied, "No, you are the only new student."

"What I mean is, is there someone who enrolled earlier than me?" I looked at her and she was smiling, it seems like she knew something that I don't, then I paused again, I know there was someone who enrolled earlier… There is…

"I remembered! There was a student, who enrolled in the middle of the first quarter, and like you, his records are clean and his grades are outstanding."

"Can I know HIS name?"

"Luhan. His name is Luhan. He's a good friend of mine"

After I answered her, she smiled at me sweetly. It was like she just received a pay check. Maybe because she was very smart that's why she acts weirdly but I couldn't judge. I don't know her that well.

"Do you think I can be friends with him?" Luna asked. Well, she is just new here so I guess making friends is a good way to start.

"Of Course. I'll introduce him to you." I smiled at her because I just felt like finally she's comfortable with me, and then I remembered, our plan for today… this will be a good chance to introduce her to everybody.

"Hey, we are going to have a welcome back surprise for Luhan, if you're not busy, you can come and join us."

Her smile widens. She looks even more beautiful now. I really wish she could come. Not just because I'm attracted to her but I really think she can be friends with them. I was expecting her to join us when she replied:

"That would be very nice, but I have plans for today so I can't join you guys."

The world crashed against me. Well, too much for expecting. It was already 6:30 am and I was supposed to meet with the guys.

"Then, maybe next time..."

"Yeah, next time I'll come."

"Hey, can we continue after class? You see I will be meeting..." I was cut out of my speech when she suddenly replied,

"Ok."

She stood up and offered me her hand. I took it and she helped me stand up.

"I'll see in class then…" I told her. She just nod and started walking away.

I never expected that talking to her would be this easy. I was now looking at her back as she retreated towards the crowd. She was cool and kind of weird but she's easy to talk to with. I started walking my way towards the room we are supposed to meet. Now I have to focus on the surprise we have for Luhan. He's been a lot lately so a break would be very nice for him.

NORMAL POV

The room was noisy. Baekhyun kept on running after Chanyeol because he was not putting the banners correctly.

"Chanyeol-ah! Please do it properly!" Baekhyun called.

"If you don't like my arrangement then do it yourself!" Chanyeol replied.

"If I'm tall enough then I wouldn't ask for you to do it, right?"

"Then it's not my problem anymore!"

The two of them are in the verge of having a fist fight when Lay entered the room. Chanyeol and Baekhyun immediately behaved and shut their mouths.

"I should've known better than to let the two of you take charge." Lay said to his dismay. Baekhyun and Chanyeol just didn't speak and walked away. Lay put the balloons he bought in the table. After a while, Kyungsoo came in with the cakes.

"Are these pastries okay?" asked Lay.

"I wouldn't bother buying them if they aren't." Kyungsoo replied coolly. Lay just shrugged and started tying the balloons to the chairs.

"You're not thinking of a kiddie party aren't you?" Kyungsoo asked.

"Luhan likes balloons."

"How did you know?"

"He told me before."

"When he was 6?"

"Just let me be Kyungsoo…" Lay said and continued tying the balloons. Kyungsoo just walked his way towards the board and started scribbling the words 'welcome back Luhan'. Chen and Sehun came in with boxes of cola's and Xiumin with party poppers.

"Is Tao already here?" asked Xiumin.

"No. He wasn't." Kyungsoo answered while still writing on the board.

"Why? Is there a problem?" Chen said.

"He was supposed to bring the eating utensils."

"I'm sure he'll be here, I think he's just caught up with 'wushu'," Baekhyun called out.

Suddenly, the door opened revealing a panting Suho. Where have you been? Was what he was expecting to be asked but it wasn't.

"You okay?" asked Lay. He walked towards Suho and handed over a bottle of water.

"Sorry guys got caught on duty. I was just assisting the new student." He answered.

"New student?" asked Kyungsoo. "It's the middle of the school year. Is that possible?" he added.

Suho took a chair and sat. He was still catching his breath but he managed to answer Kyungsoo.

"I thought of that too but when I checked her form, she was over-qualified and her reason was valid"

"Isn't her name Luna?" Chanyeol added.

"Yes, have you met her already?"

"No, but she is the talk of the school today."

"I heard rumours that she was very beautiful." Sehun said.

"Well, the rumours are true. She is stunning." Suho said dreamily.

"You meet her?" Chen asked with disbelief.

"She was the one I'm assisting; actually I was with her before I came here." Suho boasted.

"So that's why you're late…" Kyungsoo barged in.

"I was on duty!" Suho reasoned.

"Whatever you say Mr. President…" Kyungsoo blocked.

Suho don't want to start a debate with Kyungsoo again so he managed to shut up and helped Baekhyun with the banners, then, Kyungsoo's phone rang. He asked Sehun who the caller was then he replied, "Kai is calling."

He put down the chalk and wiped his hand with his handkerchief before pressing the 'answer' key.

"Hello?"

"Kyung-hyung, is So Hee there?"

"No. She was the one assigned to get Luhan from the hospital…"

"Ahh... I see…"

"Is anything wrong?"

"No. everything's okay… I guess…"

"What time will you be here?"

"At around 7:00."

"Okay, got to hung up, I'm doing something…"

"Okay Hyung… bye."

Kyungsoo put his phone back to the table and walked towards the board to finish what he started. Luhan's welcome party is planned well so everything must go according to plan.

TAO'S POV

I love wushu. It was the only thing I enjoy doing than reading books and writing poems. I want action and combat. I'm happy today, and I'm also dead. I was supposed to bring the eating utensils for Luhan's party but I got caught up in practice so yeah, I'm late.

I was about to go out and bring the utensils when I was bumped by a girl. It's the first time I saw her. She was wearing our school uniform so I'm sure she wasn't an outsider. She smiled at me and I smiled back.

"I'm sorry, I was not looking at where I'm going" she said sweetly.

"It's okay, no harm done…" I replied. She bowed her head showing respect and I'm kinda happy that she was very polite. I was about to leave when she holds my arm and asked, "Can you help me find the wushu club?" after hearing the word 'wushu', I immediately faced her and smiled.

"I'm a member of the wushu club."

When she heard it, she immediately held my hand and asked, "Are you recruiting new members? I really wanted to join…" she said eagerly. By looking at her, I don't see anything that shows strength. She was pale and her body seems weak. I don't want to offend her but the wushu team have standards and even if you are the smartest, richest or prettiest person in school, you can't qualify.

"I'm sor-…"

"I know I look weak but I assure you that I can pass the standards of your club." She said. I was surprised. It was like she read my mind. I guess I'll just give her a chance; I really can't turn down those who love wushu, especially if they are good-looking.

"Okay, I'll give you a chance; show me the best you've got."

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" She replied as she hops.

"May I know your name?" I asked. She stops her hopping and looks at me straight into the eye and smile.

"Luna… I'm Luna…" she offered me her hand for a handshake and I shook it.

"I'm Tao. I hope you pass, Luna."

She nodded to me for approval and waved her goodbye. As she disappeared into the crowd, I thought to myself, I feel different about her but it's not bad. I feel that she is a very kind person. I almost forgot that I got to go to the classroom now; Xiumin is going to kill me! I scurried back inside the club to get the utensils and dashed the classroom.

NORMAL POV

Everything was in place. The banners, the tarpaulins and poppers. The food and drinks are on the table. The group was there, Kai came a while ago and Tao followed with the utensils, he received a smack from Suho and Chen. He told them that somebody wanted to join his club so he came in late. Only Luhan and So Hee are waited.

Then, footsteps can be heard across the hall. Xiumin peeked on the door to check who it was.

"They're coming guys! Now remember what we rehearsed okay?" he called out. The group started going to their positions. Luhan is going to get the surprise of his life! The door suddenly open and then…

"WELCOME BACK LUHAN!" They all cheered. Luhan who was on clutches was stunned. He didn't say a word but his expression tell everything he feels.

"They planned this for you…" So Hee whispered in his ear. Luhan looked at her and hugged her. The guys cheered. Kai inconspicuously turned his head to the other side, but Kyungsoo noticed it and give him a pat on the shoulder.

"You choose this, and then bear with it."

Kai looked at him and smiled. He was right. He has decided. It's time to move on. He walked towards Luhan who was looking ashamed. He smiled. This guy is okay, there's no need to worry.

"Welcome back." Kai said and Luhan looked surprised. Kai offered his hand to him and after a moment of hesitation, Luhan shook it and smiled. The feeling was different. Everything is going perfectly, relationships fix, reunion and healed scars. Luhan could not wish for anything better than this.

This day is the best day of his life.

LUHAN'S POV

"WELCOME BACK LUHAN!" They all cheered.

I never expected this. My heart wanted to jump out of my chest. It was pounding so hard. I don't know what to say, I'm so happy.

"They planned this for you…" So Hee whispered in my ear. I can't hold my happiness and hugged her. I wanted to cry but decided to hold it. I don't want to ruin the moment. Suddenly Kai was walking towards me, I wanted to explain and tell him that I only hugged her because I'm thankful but I just managed to look away. I was expecting a punch but instead he offered his hand to me and said "Welcome back." I thought he was just being sarcastic but when I look at him, he was smiling. I hesitated and shook it. All my worries are gone now. Kai is not angry at me; they wanted me back that's why they welcome me back too.

This is the best day of my life…

Everyone is smiling. Everyone is happy. I never felt like this before. I never experience this fun in my life. We sing, they dance… we did a lot of things, even though we know that we still have classes at 8. I never laughed so hard. Now I really feel that I belong. I'm one of them now. I'm human.

As Baekhyun and Chen are doing sexy dances, I walked towards the table to get a drink. Laughing so hard dried my throat. As I was gulping my cola, I felt a sudden chill. It was the same chill I felt back at the hospital, but this time, I feel eyes staring at me. I glanced at the window and saw someone looking at me. I almost spit out the cola I was drinking because of my astonishment. I looked at the window again and this time, the figure was gone. I rub my eyes and looked back. There was no one. Maybe I'm just imagining things… that person was so familiar.

"Hey!" I almost jumped out when Kai suddenly appeared next to me.

"You scared me…"

"Sorry, it's just that you looked like you've seen a ghost or something…"

It was no ghost. It was worse than that; I think the anaesthetics are still having its side effects. I'm just hallucinating.

"Oh, nothing… I'm just… thinking…" I replied. Right now, I have to think of my future and not my past.

"Can I ask you something?" his tone suddenly changed into a serious one. I glanced at him and his face is serious as well.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Do you like So Hee?"

I was startled by his question. I never thought that he'll be asking me that but I know that there's a reason behind it.

"Why did you ask?"

"I just want to be sure…"

"What do you mean?"

"Be sure that my decision was right."

This time, his serious façade changed into a happy one. I never saw Kai smiling at me like this before.

"Please protect her, and never ever make her cry…" he said and pat me on my left shoulder. "I trust you so don disappoint me, okay?" then he went back to the group. Did it really happen? Is he giving me a go signal? I looked at Kai and he was talking to So Hee. The way I see them, they don't look like they broke up… they look like… the same. I guess I should act like them, stop living in the past and start embracing the present.

I wanted this. I always wanted to be… THIS.

END OF CHAPTER 5