8:45 a.m.

The crystal clear black Cadillac smoothly drove past the grand gates of the campus. Standing up in seconds, both armed securities have given a full bow at the tinted window that passed through. The late card they eagerly passed to any charity kid that walked past 8 am was nowhere to be found as they just stood there, half of their body bowed till the car disappeared into the long road leading to the main driveway of the high school.

" I'm not coming home tonight," his raspy voice was heard from the back as Junpyo returned his eyes to the inside of the car, leaned forward, and started grabbing his book and phone. The driver would like to object, but it was not his place. It has become an everyday thing now. Staying past midnight at undisclosed locations had become part of his daily routine as he walked into his home past 2 a.m. to wake up hours later and do the same thing again. The weekday shenanigans would have been acceptable, but the driver knew Friday and Saturday nights were the most dangerous, as he didn't show up until Sunday afternoon. There was nobody to question where he was going or what he was doing, let alone stop him.

"Huh," the driver signed, his worried eyes still glued to the boy in the back, quickly placing his dark glasses on. He looked tired. He looked beyond tired of it all.

"Get the Massarati," he added as he lifted his hoodie, placed it on, and brushed his dark hair forward. His face was now cuddled by the lush dark hair, covered with the black hoodie and topped with his black glasses. Anybody could tell he wasn't in the mood today. The first maid to see him walk out of his bedroom had warned all. They knew to be extra careful around him whenever his dark mood was on. Nobody made a sound or even appeared before him as they served him breakfast and bowed down when he left the house. They will tolerate the stressful morning hour for the empty house they will have throughout the day and most of the evening until he comes home to crash on his bed.

"It might be best if you just come home tonight, eat right and get a good rest " if he weren't that scared of the distressed figure sitting in the back, the driver would have advised, but he stayed quiet. He knows his place very well, and one thing he is sure of is not to talk back to the boy when he is in a bad mood. He doesn't even like people talking to him when he is in a good mood, let alone when he looks this drained. He didn't need a reminder that it was none of his business. His job was to drive the boy around and say yes to any requests.

" Have a good da... "

Bamm- The door was shut before he finished his farewell as the car stopped, and Junpyo jumped out. He would have been mad at the disrespect he was given if he didn't know what went on in that boy's head. Unlike most, the driver was too kind and empathetic to wish the boy any harm for being disrespectful or an asshole. Being a heartless jerk was second nature to the boy. He was raised on it and on his way to be perfect at it.

" Day, sir . " the driver finished as he kept his eyes on the tall figure walking away. The black hoodie topped with his leather jacket and black jeans, even when he was dog tired and barely motivated to go on, one thing was for sure, Junpyo looked beyond cool. You can put anything on that tall slim figure, and he would make it jaw-dropping good. Even for someone who has driven him for years, there were days the driver would be taken aback by the perfectly structured body of his young master. Forget everything else, his dark eyes even the maids avoid were beyond exquisite as even the driver tries hard to avoid them. The heavens are really not fair, most would have concluded, but it wasn't them. Generations of carefully picked marriages build these emperors of beautiful people. This boy, just like every other member of his family is going to marry somebody with a famous last name and beyond gorgeous to create even more gorgeous children.

Just as smoothly as it cruised in, the black car cruised out the gate, this time not even getting the slightest attention from the securities, who have started their daily drama.

" What's with the glasses?" Jihoo quickly noticed as Junpyo walked into the student president's office.

" Didn't sleep well", pulling a cigarette out of his jacket pocket, Junpyo replied as he quicked his step to the desk Jihoo was sitting by. The breakfast he didn't eat well was now starting to pinch at his empty stomach that he will silence with nicotine rather than sitting down and eating anything.

" It just got delivered today. '' Jihoo didn't look away from his laptop as he picked up the small gift box and threw it Junpyo's way. Placing the lit cigarette between his lips, Junpyo opened the small box.

"It's custom-made. One and only "

"She loves dragonflies, " Jihoo added as Junpyo picked the diamond-crusted dragonfly pin. No wonder he was not worried about getting the perfect gift; there was always the romantic Jihoo. for that. Not even a second of his daily routine was spent trying to figure out what to get his so-called girlfriend. Even Woobin and Jiyeong had spent days trying to even come up with something nice. He as always, could care less. As most assume, he wasn't that thoughtful anyway. Being a jerk who could care less was his charm. He never understood why, but it was why so many wanted him. Girls love bad boys, has always been Woobin's explanation as they watched girls fall for their friends who literally treated them like nothing. One after the other he enjoys their company as they were there to add entertainment to his life. But eventually, even that has become boring; even girls didn't seem to brighten his day anymore. It was all an exchange anyway. He uses them for entertainment, they used him for his name and money. It was an exchange of goods. That was all it was for him.

" I made sure they encrypted her name on it "

" You might be the one picking my engagement ring too" Junpyo's nonchalant smile wasn't amusing as he placed the box in his pocket and start heading to the door.

" Are you going to marry her? "

" Why not? "

" because you don't love her." Jihoo's eyes didn't leave the screen he was glaring at, but he knew his friend was probably a bit annoyed by what he had just said. Considering what marriage is like for families like theirs, Jihoo knew his friend was always bothered by the fact that he might not have a say in who he married. The total control freak that he was, Jihoo knew it probably bugs Junpyo not to have any control over that aspect of his life. Who he will marry and have children with is going to be hand-picked after so many business and political choices have been considered. That is how they built emperors and their families known to concur every industry they stepped into would not lose the chance to do so with marriage proposals. Marriage was a business matter anyway.

" I am too selfish for that kind of thing" the white smoke covering his face cleared quickly, giving him a clear view of his friend hiding behind the laptop. To make things easier, Junpyo never believed in either soulmates or love nonsense. Even if it did, it was more destructive than productive as he has read about it in the books he buries himself in. It was a waste of time, and to him, we all had power over who we chose to fall for. For a control freak like him, it was easier to believe he had total control over his emotions.

" Of course" Jihoo's smile wasn't reciprocated as Junpyo walked out the room.

The white smoke gushing out his lips adding to his black and mysterious outfit, it was no wonder he was getting all the attention as he walked past the few students scattered around the hallway.

Puff - hiding behind his glasses he kept his eyes ahead as he tried to avoid all the eyes gawking at him. Being gloated up and down like some piece of meat they would all love to have a bite of wasn't something he enjoyed but he was used to. Since the moment he became a teenager, he has been very aware of the way girls looked at him. At times, it feels like he could even hear their thoughts as they scan him up and down. It was easy to ignore it when he was with friends but he could never seem to when he was by himself. He could care less about any of them or what they taught of him but he still can't get used to being looked at. He could imagine how many would be undressing him with their eyes as they bite their lips and give him small mischievous smiles. He can thank Woobin for putting that thought in his head.

"Most are probably imagining what you would look like naked " Woobin had remarked as Junpyo went on complaining about how much he hated the strange eyes that would gawk his way. Having a famous girlfriend he thought would have made it easier but it had worsened it. Their eyes he could easily read, he hated them all. Maybe it was the smoking that got their attention, he tried lying to himself. He and his friends were the only ones that never got any questions or in trouble for smoking in the buildings.

Puff - He blew out another cloud of white air as he quicked his steps to the elevator. That was the best and quickest way to get to the cafe where Wonbin had texted him. He has about 20 minutes to grab coffee before morning recess. There was no way he could last his boring economics class without any coffee in his system.

Click - the elevator doors opened. He was quick as he threw his cigarette into the trash bin and walked in, not even bothering to notice who was inside. It was when the person behind him took three steps, creating a distance between them, that he turned around. He got a small bow as she placed herself right at the right back corner of the glass elevator. As always she didn't raise her eyes to meet this that had stayed on her for a couple of seconds before he sent his eyes back to the front. With one look at the small figure with the slouched shoulders and messy hair, he knew who she was.

She didn't move at all as she stood like a statue glued against the back wall. The worn-out boot she had traded for the Nike sneakers was the only change he noticed as he scanned her reflection through the glass wall. As always, the white earphones were stuck to her ears as he lifted his eyes to her face. Now wholly hidden by her untamed black hair, she didn't even look like she was breathing as she stood motionless. He really doesn't get these weird charity kids.

Click - He was the first one to walk out of the elevator. Four steps behind, followed by the weird creature his friends seem to find amusing. It took some seconds for him to turn his head to the thin figure walking away in the other direction. The weird bag she used to carry around wasn't there today and he noticed her empty hands. Her skinny legs, for once, were covered by black leggings as he scanned her again. He seriously doesn't get these charity kids.

As though there was somebody planning to ruin his Friday, that wasn't the only time he ran into that weird mute girl. His eyes, he couldn't manage, had made it their mission to make her out of the crowd of students walking through the hallway. The bag she always dangles along was in her right hand as she stays too close to the left wall and walks along to where she eats her lunch. It didn't take her much to notice his eyes either. She didn't have to look up nor glance his way to figure it out; it was too common now. All she could do was keep her eyes on the floor and walk her way. There was nothing that accompanied those dark eyes. She was too loathsome even to be bullied; she had concluded as she ignored his eyes and focused on her walk. His examining eyes were quite attentive as they zoomed in on her boots, they were back. Don't these kids get uniforms and clothes as part of their scholarship donations? He questioned. Do the other kids also have only one pair of shoes? How long has she had these shoes? Maybe they were made to last year? Does she were them othe summer too or was it just because it's winter?

" So after the party we are coming over to my place and " Woobin goes on dictating the clear plan for the wild night waiting for them, Yijeong was the only one paying attention. As Jihoo was busily texting was preoccupied with the debate team competition, he has to set up next week.

" Why don't we just stay at the hotel? "

" I hate hotels," the two go on as Jihoo sends his phone to his pocket and turns his attention to the conversation. Hiding behind his glasses, Jihoo couldn't make out what his best friend was staring at but he knew the latter wasn't paying any attention to what was being said.

He rarely cared about their parties and It was always hard to get his attention.

"I am only staying till the cake, it's family night tonight " Jihoo added his situation into the mix. No Matter how enticing spending a night with these freaks sounded, his family nights were a must. The only one with a functioning family, he was the only one who ever dared to miss their wild nights for family related reasons.

" oh come on , not this fucking family thing again . ." Woobin cried out.

" this is too much " he added

" You're mad that I spend time with my family"

" You spend too much time"Jiyeong came to Wonbin's defense

"Oh sorry"

" I am so sorry that I have a loving family that likes spending time together. " Jihoo's smile was what was getting thought Woobin's skin .

" Your friend is saying he's not coming. '' Woobin nudging at his shoulder brought Junpyo's attention back to the conversation.

" I am coming, but I won't stay past the cake"

"the party starts after the cake " Woobin's loud complaint left a small smile on Jihoo's face. Woobin's cries for him to spend more time with them were endearing. They were friends anyway.

The complaining goes on for the whole lunch break.

Plan confirmed - Royal hotel 9 p.m.

Her burner phone sitting atop the napkin roll, buzzed. Placing the last piece of mango in her mouth, she placed her phone down as she uncrossed her legs and dropped them down from the bathroom stall. Her slender fingers were quick as they started packing her empty lunch box.

Tonight was a special night, one she would smile about for weeks to come .

Ring Ring - The screaming bell was a wake-up call to most as they halted whatever they were doing and started heading to their classes. Not a single student ever liked Friday afternoon classes. It was the longest afternoon of the week too as it just dragged on class after class, holding them hostage from the wild fun nights waiting for them.

Unlike her slow steps earlier, her feet were quick, almost happily marching across the hallway as they followed along the beat of the song screaming in her ear. Her lunch bag dangling left and right had a rhythm as she cruised through the crowd. The tiny smiles escaping her lips were something else as she hummed along to the song. It was easy to notice her mood was different, and her awakened steps didn't go unnoticed.

" So, meet at seven and go together, or are we going separately? '' Woobin went on asking as Junpyo, leaning across the second-floor cafe balcony focused his eyes on his new favorite weird subject. The cloud of white air he just blew out cleared out of his view; he got a good picture of the girl cruising through the hallway. Her quick steps were not something that his eyes zoomed on, but rather the pencil dancing along her fingers. Her slender fingers were too athletic as they played with the pencil, passing it from one to another, not missing a beat. Her eyes focused ahead; it didn't even look like she was paying attention to what her fingers were doing. Something was going through her mind. She looked more focused than ever. It didn't take much time as she shifted away from his view.

HANA on standby. - her phone buzzed.

With a glance at the screen, the phone was thrown into her backpack.

She was the first out of her class when the last bell of the day rang. There was a lot to be done between now and 9 p.m.

Her boots were handy as she doubled her speed and waltzed out the big gate. She was right on time for the bus that should arrive early at the central train station. All her mind was focused on was calculating the time it will take to complete all her tasks before 9 pm. The line of luxury cars passing by was ignored as she focused on her steps. All she could ignore but the black Maserati that slowly cruised past her was hard to as she lifted her eyes to the quiet car that drove past her. She wasn't much into cars, but this one got her attention. It would be something to get a trail drive of these beautiful cars. Just as the thought crossed her mind, she shut it all down and returned her eyes to her steps.