Thank you all for reading. I enjoy reading your comments and hypothesis. Sorry for the long wait; I will make it up to you in the coming chapters:)
"Get the invitation list, and we are done with that school' had been Bom's command which she repeated again and again as stepped into the big campus. It was a clear order to the girl he knew could cause serious damage to what they had been working on. With the boy she beat last time plus her unconscious body they picked on Friday, Bom knew it was time to end their work at that school. It had been useless anyway. They hadn't found anything substantial, and it had caused more damage than good. It was time to end it all. Her identity was becoming visible and he only needed to see the rich boys twice to know it was time to end it before anybody digs any deeper. The decision he was ready to make weeks ago, only the information she shared about the alumni dinner had convinced him to give the school one more chance. That was the only reason he allowed her to return to that campus on Monday morning. All they needed was the invitation or mailing list for that event. That was it. That was what she was asked to get a hold of. Nothing else at that school matters. That was the only thing she had to find before she left the hell hole of a school. He was more than happy to end her task if she couldn't.
As she walked into the grand campus, the documents she needed to find were the only thing holding her back from unleashing all hell on the minion she knew she would run into throughout her day. She needs to find that document as soon as possible before she messes up everything she had worked for. She needs that document before she teaches them a great lesson and disappears from existence. She could easily do the same thing to them again, but that was too immature. Maybe she could do it in the cafeteria for all to see; that had gotten a smile out of her. Blowing up her cover for a bunch of idiots was hilarious. The fact that they even had to drug her to fight her, was making her empathetic to the assholes that knew they couldn't fight her when she was conscious. At least they knew their place. They needed to learn a lesson and she needed to make sure this is the last time they ever bothered her. Not just her; somehow, she needs to make sure they never touch any of the scholarship kids anymore. Apparently, the threat from last time wasn't enough so she has to go harder. Her mind she had total control of was too focused on her task, finding that list, than finding creative ways to punish the minions. That was the greater goal and the only thing holding her back from ever returning here. Done with it all, she was in a different mode as she entered the school. She might not be ready to flush her invisible cover down the drain, but her attitude as she marched into the campus was new.
Today was going to be an interesting day. No matter what happens, it will be an interesting day.
The gum she was chewing matched the beat of the song drumming at her ears and every step she took. The black leggings she had added to her uniform weren't the only new thing. The boots she had on were where Junpyo started as he made out the person he had been dying to see all weekend from the trees she was walking alongside. The weekend he spent counting hours for this moment, he wasn't even sure what he was expecting to see when she finally arrived. The body sleeping on his bed he had a vivid memory of, he didn't need to be in the penthouse to be reminded of the girl that had started messing with his mind. To clear his penthouse from any lingering memory, he had ordered it to be cleaned from top to bottom and hadn't stepped a foot since he left on Saturday morning. He has been trying his best to get rid of the memory of that night that has been corrupting every waking minute of his day. Her unconscious body held tightly against his best friend's chest; he had spent the weekend wondering if she remembered anything. Most importantly, does she remember she was in his house, in his safe space? That and hundreds of other questions that had kept him busy, the person who had all the answers was finally in his presence.
Her black boots tightly wrapped around her legs, that were covered by the black legging, Junpyo standing against his car, completely left the conversation happening around him and focused on the girl he hadn't been able to stop thinking about. Maybe he could blame the song from his radio for how swiftly he has transported away from where he was and drawn into the slow motion of her walk. Every step she took matching the piano keys of the song playing; Junpyo handed over all jurisdiction to whatever had taken over him. The slow breeze of the morning added to it all, the boy was left immobilized as his eyes were locked on their only muse. Her hair, finally tied behind, had left her whole face visible. Her eyes on the students she was walking by; he was thankful he was granted some seconds to himself before her scary eyes came to him. Her long lashes he remembers so clearly, he was lost as his memory reached the adorable freckles he distinctly remembers across her cheeks. The bruise on her lips, his eyes had lingered on, he couldn't tell if it had healed as he noticed the gum she was chewing. Her enchanting face rested against his palm; Junpyo's left hand was reminded of her soft cheeks and how she had moved closer to his touch. Her fragile neck he held up, pulling her body closer to his, it was becoming dangerous how he had forgotten about how deadly this girl was. The kicks he had seen her execute effortlessly, the deadly bat she beat his friend with... all of that was wiped away from memory. Wrapped in his blanket, her serene sleep was all he could think of. Her fragile-looking body lying on his bed, her face leaning closer for some comfort, and her resting eyes were all he could think of. His mind playing tricks on its-self had clouded every other memory, but the one that pulled at his natural instinct to want to provide comfort and oddly even protect, which was a first. If he needed a clear sign, this was it. The weekend he wasted fighting himself not to think about her and his world, she had stopped with just her presence; it should have been the only clue he needed to understand what was happening. If not for her health he was concerned with, his own guilt and shame, which he doesn't know what to do with, should have been enough.
The first time a mistake running his day, Junpyo was battling his own battle of what to do with the heavy emotion he can't seem to shake off. Was he really at fault? He had even questioned as apologizing for it all seemed like an impossible mountain he would have to climb.
What does one do with guilt? just apologize?
How does the boy who had people bowing at his feet apologize to somebody like her? The word sorry he really used had only been used for his friends and nobody else, and he wasn't ready to change that anytime soon. The boy that never learned how to apologize or make amends for his wrongdoings was going to learn his greatest lesson from the girl that will prove to be such an anomaly from the people he charms with some smiles and expensive gifts. How much he has to apologize for depends on the damage, he focused his eyes on the distance between the parking space he was in and the pathway she was walking across. Junpyo couldn't quite see if her bruises had healed. That was his main concern. The line of students walking around messing with his view; he couldn't even tell if she was okay enough to be at school.
Was she okay?
Did she rest over the weekend?
Is she feeling better?
Did she take the medication?
All the questions disappeared the moment her eyes found him. Her horrifying eyes had haunted him through the crowd and finally found him. It took only a second for the figures around them to become shadows as even his breathing was halted as her arresting eyes took him as a captive. The slow breath he was taking, Junpyo didn't need that many clues to know that she knew what he had done. The disgusted look in her eyes, and the anger hidden behind the enchanting look was enough. The hate she had for him before any of this even started, he knew probably had reached a new high after Friday.
It didn't take much for her to notice the VIP parked cars past the students walking to their building. Her eyes moving around landed at the most important car of all, as she made out Yijoeng and Junpyo standing by his car. There he was. The talking Yijoeng was ignored as her attention was all on the one that was looking at her. His arms crossed, his tall body leaning against his car, and his hair he had finally tied away; the one responsible for it all was here. What he was doing on campus this early was none of her concern as she even ignored his eyes that had stayed on her.
Not yet- the voice in her head kept screaming as she was reminded she couldn't do anything to the boy she wanted to rip limb by limb. Bom had warned her to focus. Let alone Junpyo, she couldn't even do much to the minions until she found that document. All she could do for now was dream about the day she would be allowed to unbound her rage that keeps her body from ever being at peace. Once that day came, her aim was the boy that had just moved to her top 5 list. Why he was listed along with the people that have destroyed her life was a mystery. Until that day, she could only stare at him from a distance and go about her day. Her anger she knew she could lose control of; it was best to stay away from his eyes. Not just his eyes, she wants to gauge out with her bare hand, it was best to stay away from him in general. She needs to stay away not because she is scared but because she can't control her anger when she is around him. And only God knows what she can do if she ever crosses that line. It had taken this long, and it wasn't fully there, but at least she was starting to be aware that she didn't have control of the rage and anger, just his presence can pull out.
She needs to avoid him. Her secret he still held tight and the fact that he had it out for her, she didn't need any other reason to stay away, for now. Her secret he was going to use against her any day; that was the only thing that explained why his eyes had followed her every step until she disappeared out of his view and entered her building. Her steps quickened to her locker; she took deep breaths to calm herself down. She really needs to stay in control today. Her hand begging to smash somebody against the thin metal of the lockers was ordered to calm down as she started picking her books. She needs to find a corner to hide in until school starts. She only had a few options, and today the library was chosen as the perfect spot. Her books and laptop held in hand, she headed to her favorite corner of the grand library. She expected nobody to be there before 8 am on Monday morning. The 5th-floor quiet section of the library was beyond the perfect place as the opened windows welcomed in the chirping sounds of the birds from the tall trees around. She chose her usual corner by the tall window and sat by the comfortable chair. Her books were placed on the table; her laptop was pulled into another lap.
As the minutes went by her eyes from the garden view focused on the council laptop she was given and the alumni she started searching for. That was one of the tasks she will waste hours on today. Jihoo's passwords she had already gotten a hold of thanks to Ctrl; she knew the council office would be where she would spend her lunch break, looking for every record of students that graduated in the last ten years. They had already looked through the school records when she first came to this school. She made sure to go through the documents to check if there were any changes and what needs to be matched to the invitation list she needs to find. Lost in the documents she was going through, she hadn't heard the slow steps that had broken the silence of the 5th floor. The cleaning staff she always runs into, she had assumed it was them as she focused on the records.
"Hey," the raspy voice she was familiar with by now got her attention as she raised her eyes from the laptop and turned back to the direction of the low voice. In the corner of the library she was hidden in, she had thought she wouldn't be found by anybody. Nobody should know this place. Nobody ever knew where she hides, until now. That should have been where her calculating mind should have focused. How easily this boy was finding all her hiding spots thanks to his careful observations; that should have been a huge red flag. It should have been where she wasted her energy and not the instant anger that took over. The view of the garden that had accompanied her silent reading and calmed her down was suddenly disturbed by the sight of the man that keeps proving how he could easily muddle her peace with just a 'hi'. Her startled eyes, always ready to scan for weapons, made out his cell phone, the only thing he had in his hands before anything else.
Maybe it was because she was sitting and looking up or because she was expecting him to attack, he looked taller than ever. Not aware of fashion, she would be the last person to pick how he was dressed was the main factor behind his tall stature. The minutes he spent picking up an outfit, the boy that looked good in anything had finally tried to look presentable. The white shirt tucked into the jeans he had on, his long legs were highlighted with the perfectly fitted jacket. It wasn't even much, but he had spent some minutes picking items that weren't his usual black hoodie and jeans he had become known for in the last few months. Even the maids were surprised to see him in something different than the hoodie they were expecting him to come downstairs with before he ignored breakfast and left. Today was odd as he had woken up early and even stayed for breakfast. The white shirt he had on, even the maids were enjoying the site of his well-toned body. The few minutes he spent brushing his hair and tying it back, leaving his face exposed to all. The maids were the first people to enjoy the surprising sight of his gorgeous face which looked even more sensational thanks to a simple white shirt topped with the dark green jacket he had on. Unlike them, Jandi needed a few minutes to understand why he looked a bit different. For the girl that hated his guts, his cloth wasn't the change she was bothered by.
Her eyes from his hands went up to his pristine face. His dark eyes she expected to be as haunting as always, looked a bit different. Maybe it was the lack of flying hair covering them; she dismissed the lack of darkness around his eyes. He looks different. He was acting different. Clouded by her anger and fear, Jandi didn't have the mental capacity to wonder why. That was a luxury she wouldn't have the ability to afford until months later.
" you're not easy to find," his voice sending her to annoyance in the blink of an eye, she shut her laptop. That was it. She needs to get away from him before he does anything. Even worse, before she does anything. She started collecting all her stuff. She needs to get away from him before she does anything she will regret. The fact that he had sent the boys to attack her wasn't even the main issue. She hates his guts to even listen to his voice for a minute. She could only give him a few seconds to say whatever he wanted to say before she left. That was it. Even that was because of the evidence he could use to destroy everything she cared about. But for the boy that doesn't say much, finding even a few words for the girl that has become his annoying obsession was difficult. Junpyo, who doesn't like small talk or even know how to make small conversation with people he knows, he realized how challenging this was as his eyes made out the girl getting ready to leave. His brain, tasked with leading the conversation, couldn't even find any conversation starters in his tool box. He doesn't do small talk. He doesn't even like talking. He didn't have to. Everybody knew how to treat him and do things for him without him ever using his words. What was he really doing? He questioned himself.
" Are you okay? He asked, the hesitation in his voice startling even him. He wasn't supposed to start off with a serious question. That wasn't how first interactions go. His eyes shifted to the stuff she was collecting, he tried to hide his fidgeting hands by sending them to his pocket. It was becoming obvious to him that he had no idea what to say or what he was doing. This was very new. It was others that had to think about what to say and ended up bothering him with their chit-chats, not the other way around. This was new. Being worried about what to say was new. All his energy was spent on finding her; maybe he should have thought about what he would say once he found her. Why was he even looking for her?
" I am not trying to bother you," he whispered as he noted how she had collected all her stuff and stood up. Her eyes from the last item she placed on top of the laptop she held against her chest, returned his way. It was her eyes. Junpyo could swear he could hear her eyes cursing at him the longer they stayed on him. As always, he was silenced by the warning gaze of her eyes. The words he didn't prepare for, he was learning to sit with the confusion she forces his mind to be puzzled by. While he stayed silent and didn't use the seconds she gave him, she walked past her chair and started walking his way. His shoulder she brushed away; her eyes were sending clear signs not to bother her as she walked past him.
"Wait" Junpyo's left arm slipped away from his pocket and grabbed her arm. His strength he underestimated; Junpyo wasn't aware of his subconscious that had pulled strong enough to pull her back to his shoulder she brushed. Giving him what he didn't know he wanted, her rage-filled body standing inches away from his. Her uniform cardigan brushed against his jacket, highlighting their proximity; both were focused on his hand holding her arm. Her fuming eyes shifted from his hand to his face. Her eyes now had another emotion added to the mix. How much he underestimates the power of her captivating eyes, Junpyo was reminded of how she didn't have to say much to get him to respond to her demand. With just one look, she forced him to back down.
"I ju" his words were ignored as she snatched her arm out of his grip with a force that matched his. Turning around, she focused all her energy on walking away. She needs to get away. Her tongue she bit to swallow her anger, all she had to do was get away as quickly as possible. She was willing to dismiss that he had touched her if she was just granted her wish to get away. His tight grip she could still feel on her arm, it was easier to accept it since he didn't touch her skin, and she had so much to lose if she reacted to it.
The boy that wasn't used to people ignoring him couldn't handle letting this girl walk away from him again. Her attention, he wasn't granted, was a bit irritating.
" I am just trying to talk" his hand, sent to grab her shoulder, reached its destination. Unfortunately for him, that was something she would let him get away with. Turning around, she had lowered the veil that hides the demons that live within as her eyes broadcasted the bloodthirsty rage that lives underneath her skin. Her face, which turned red, had slowed even time as this second became the moment he recognized that she really hates him and doesn't want him to touch her. Under no circumstance was he allowed to touch her, even when she was clothed. The disgust she had for him, Junpyo was beyond bewildered by the fact that he wasn't allowed to touch her and not the other way around. It should be her who shouldn't touch him or even look at him. He can do whatever he wants. He was allowed to do whatever he wanted to whomever he wanted. That was the rule for anybody that wore his last name on their uniform. He can't look past how this girl had the guts to even look at him this way while his family paid thousands for her to be here. It was such a confusing matter.
Her shoulder, swiftly turning around, moved away from his touch, and what came for him was her right leg. The bottom of her new boots landing right at his left chest, Junpyo was sent flying to the stacked books his back landed against. Her kick he had wanted to see live, he was finally granted his wish as her legging-covered right leg had landed on him. The force of her sharp kick wasn't as painful as his back that landed against the metal bookshelf nor his head that hit the edge of the tag that marked the last name of the books arranged. None of the pain his body had received weighed as much as the pure shock that took over him. Dazed out of his mind, he didn't even have the mental capacity to pick himself up or ease the pain. He just laid there, letting the shock wash over his body. Stunned to even register his heartbeat, she dysregulated, he stared back at the girl that sent the final warning before she quickened her steps and left his shocked body behind.
His stunned eyes stood unblinking, trying to process what had just happened. His lips opened for a silent laugh; he had to question if this was reality. His expression that was deceptively composed, one would mistake it for calm, but it was all shocking. Pure shock. What just happened?
His right hand covered his chest as though trying to see if his heart was still beating and if he was alive. Why does it feel surreal, Junpyo couldn't accept what happened even as he made out her shoe mark on his white shirt. She just kicked him. She really just kicked him.
The daze he was in, Junpyo was beyond confused as his heart, her shoes landed against, now started beating faster. What on earth just happened?
Her quick steps that disappeared away from him were headed to the bathroom. She thanked the cold water that was splashed on her burning face. She kept her eyes on the reflection as she accepted what she did. The deep breath she was taking was accompanied by her closed eyes. she needed some darkness to calm down. The realization that she had crossed a line she couldn't come back from was swallowed along with the cold water she kept splashing on her face. Her anxious fingers she tried to calm with the ice-cold water; she was fighting to get a hold of herself. She undoubtedly had just done it and kicked the boy that couldn't even be touched. Her secret he knew, she had given him even a better reason to hunt her. What now? All her work to stay invisible she had just destroyed in a seconds. Lying to herself being one of her talents, she erased it all as she headed to class. She can't waste another second thinking about what she has done. If she did, she knew it was one of her worst decisions on campus. The untouchable prince of the school, there was a reason people didn't even walk in front of him, let alone touch him. The leader of the F4 didn't even need a reason to make people's lives a living hell; she had given him a solid reason to make her target number one. A split second if she had thought about it for a split second, she wouldn't be here. Her anger she needed to start to manage better, even if that was too much to think about. It was better not to even think about it as she sat in her class and focused on the documents she has to go through.
She knew the school would be out for her as she would finally be granted the red card. Forget the minions, the whole school that was his army, he could make every second of her stay on this campus a living hell. Her anxious fingers scratched at her skin, she had wasted minute after minute looking at her classmates . she was waiting for their attention to shift to their phones as they received the news she was marked red. Class after class, all her classmates were focused on was their graduation parties. Not even a single text was sent out as she hypothesized he probably saved it for lunchtime. The haunt might begin at lunchtime. Humiliating and being attacked she could handle easily; what was terrifying was the cover she had blown before she got what she had been assigned to find. That was her purpose, and she just might have failed at it, again.
The heavens had never been kind to her or granted any of her wishes but she couldn't help but look up and ask for one more favor. Her only wish was never to run into Junpyo, at least for today.
The heavens weren't ever on her side but she had believed them to be kind at least once as she walked out of class and found nobody looking for her. He wasn't even in the hallway as she headed to the council Jihoo had asked her to attend. That was the perfect place to hide away from everybody that might be out looking for her. The protection Jihoo had offered as an excuse for why he hired her, she was finally happy with the decision to join. No matter how bold, she knew nobody would dare touch her if she stayed close to him. Following his every step, she masked what happened in the morning as she went on chatting about everything else Jihoo was asking about. The minions that weren't in school today, had been his main concern about what she might have done. Even in his wildest imagination, Jihoo can't come up with the scenario that had happened on the 5th floor of the library. His best friend, he had assumed she wouldn't have the guts to even talk back to Jihoo, had planned a great excuse to give Junpyo a chance to apologize. It wasn't even for her since apologizing wouldn't fix what had happened but he had to hear it if he was going to stay in that group. The girl, Junpyo has been bullying her for no apparent reason, Jihoo had no idea what he was doing as planned for the perfect incident he was going to set up. The lunch he had made all council members jump with the weird meeting he set up, all were finally given a small break to eat while Jandi was asked to follow him.
"I miss that tea" Their conversation about the restaurant he visited on Saturday, Jandi was enjoying it too much as she kept her eyes on the email she was responding to. The venue they had to rent for the fundraising they were throwing by the end of the week was busy making sure the contract was ready to be signed by the school programs and operation director they have a meeting with in 15 minutes.
" You need to get me the recipe"
" I am sure the chefs at your house could make a better one," she responded, not noticing the turn they made and where they were headed. Jihoo, looking her way, was thankful she was beyond busy to notice where they were going. He has to fake ignorance through it all.
" No, I want that one"
" Do you know how to make it?"
" It's just warm water and some tea leaves"
" What temperature is warm water?"
" What type of tea leaves?"
" At what time do you add the tea leaves? Is it when the water starts boiling or from the start?" His questions forced both to smile at how complicated he was making such a simple thing, it was only her that was surpised by how particular he was about everything. His compulsive behavior to do things as perfectly as possible, which his parents had dismissed for years as they saw it beneficial to his career, Jandi had dismissed his questions as a joke. Her smiles directed at the phone, she walked past the door he held open. Letting him lead, she followed his steps behind. Even the different smells of the room they entered hadn't gotten her attention as she followed behind.
" Where is Yijeong?" Jihoo's question was what brought her eyes up. Her fingers immediately stopped their typing; her eyes were raised to assess the room they were in. She didn't even have to direct her eyes to look for him as they landed on the sofa set in the middle, and found the person she wanted to avoid at all costs. His jacket thrown on the couch, Junpyo was enjoying his pizza when Jihoo and his new friend entered their lounge. The two exchanging smiles, the pizza was held mid-air as he caught her first step into the room. The universe really has an interesting way of answering all his requests. As minutes after he had thought about her, she was here. Right in front of him. In his own space. His eyes focused on the girl busily typing on her phone, he was waiting for the moment she would look up and notice where she was as he sat back and went on enjoying his slice. Her leg that landed on his chest; Junpyo per usual scanned the girl from boots to her hair. The uniform she wore religiously, he was starting to find it slightly cute. Forget her mysterious identity and what happened this morning, just her fierce attitude, which he had only gotten a glimpse of, and the way she looked at him, Junpyo was already finding puzzling.
When she finally looked up, placing the slice of pizza down, Junpyo picked up the napkin and covered his lips. He needs to swallow before he chokes on what he is chewing. Her startled eyes staring back at him; Junpyo was enjoying the confused and scared look on the girl he was now running into multiple times a day. Her phone she placed in her pocket, Jandi sent her nervous hands to her pocket. It was interesting to see how she was trying to avoid his eyes and looking at everything else in the room, but him. Was this even the same girl that kicked him? Does she have multiple personalities?
" He's on the phone with his mom," Junpyo responded as his eyes followed every step she took behind his best friend. Jihoo, leaving her, walked to the table and grabbed a slice of the pizza. Her legs pausing steps away from the sofa set, Junpyo was enjoying how calm she was trying to seem.
" why?" Junpyo asked, deciding to give her another reason to be annoyed as he laid back on the sofa and started enjoying his slice, while all his attention focused on her nervous antics. His curious eyes slowly studying every inch of her, he was making sure she knew what he was doing when she glanced his way. The anger she expected to be on his face, she was more confused and scared of the look on his perfectly structured face. Trying to decipher what he might be thinking, she sent her eyes back to him. First thing first, he looked relaxed and not tense. Her eyes started at the crocodile skin boots he had on that matched his jacket, and followed his long legs to the belt hops he never uses. His t-shirt tucked in, her eyes had made the mistake to follow his arm and not the chest the shirt was showcasing. His well-toned arms looked weirdly powerful thanks to his muscles she could easily make out. The firm muscles she had gotten a tiny taste of when he pulled her earlier, Jandi sent her eyes to his face before she lost her focus. He looks different and it wasn't just his clothes. It was his welcoming face that was fully visible and open for her to examine. He doesn't look angry. Not even his inviting eyes waiting for her looked angry. He was leaving her even more confused as to why he wasn't mad.
" I need one of his paintings for the charity thing" Jihoo focused on the task at hand had missed what was going on with the two people he had set up. The backstory he wasn't aware of, he really had no idea what he was doing.
" You don't have to stand there, come sit," Jihoo, turning to the only girl in the room, commanded. His right hand holding the pizza he was eating, he pointed at the empty sofa between his and Junpyo's. Her eyes from Jihoo shifted back to his friend. How she follows his friends' words with no question, Junpyo was waiting to see. Calculating her options and deciding not to make things more awkward, she chose to follow. With her slow steps, she walked to the comfortable sofa and sat by the edge. Apparently, it was just him she hates since everything Jihoo asks, she has no problem complying with. The hours she spends with his friend, Junpyo, didn't understand how Jihoo gets away with this while he is also part of the F4. Both of them rarly get involved in what goes on, but everyone treats Jihoo like an angel. Her body Jihoo was holding against his chest, Junpyo shook the image out of his head as he brought his attention back to the tense-looking girl sitting at the edge of the sofa. The boy that hadn't lifted his eyes away from her since she walked in; Jandi knew he had more than enough things in his hands to make her life worse if he chose to. The line she had crossed, she was fighting her logical mind to fake some bravado and sit confidently. His sadistic nature she didn't need or have proof of, she had found it even more menacing that he hadn't done anything so far. She would rather get slapped and kicked around than sit in silence, waiting for something worse.
As though she hadn't done worse things, Junpyo was still processing that she had kicked him hours ago. That was where he wasted his energy and not the evil and sadistic plan she was waiting for him to execute. He would have to wait months to get to where she got that perception of him from.
" Did you guys have lunch?" Junpyo asked, knowing damn well the two didn't. Lunch started 30 minutes ago, and the council members he saw in a meeting, this probably was their time to grab something to eat.
"No, we are trying to finish this fundraising event thing" Jihoo responded, not even remotely aware of the dynamics between the two to understand why Junpyo asked about them. He took the hint without even knowing it was a hint. Playing his own game, Jihoo was busy with finding a way to get these two to talk, more so for his friend to at least say sorry.
" You should have some, we are going to be in the meeting for a while," Jihoo offered, pushing the pizza box to the edge of the table by her side. He needs to waste time until he figures out what to do, and eating was a great way to force her to stay for some minutes. Her tense body, even he was able to pick up on, Jihoo knew it was because of his friend's presence. Everybody in this school was afraid of his friend. If his last name was big and intimidating, he could only imagine what Junpyo's last name does to people. The last name and logo everybody in the country was beyond familiar with, it was beyond ridiculous how Junpyo didn't even have to do anything for people to be terrified of him. His best friend that rarely interacted with people outside of their circle, there was a reson he keeps himself hidden. Whenever he mentions his name, the way people act was one. For Jihoo, who wants to escape his own family's legacy, he could only imagine what having Junpyo's last name was like. Just like everybody else, it would make sense why this girl couldn't even sit comfortably when she was next to Junpyo, Jihoo had thought.
"No" her lips she almost opened, she shut them back down before Junpyo, grabbing his drink, noticed the movement of her lips. He doesn't know she can talk and doesn't need to.
" This one is better" picking the vegetarian pizza, Jihoo brought it to her side of the table. Grabbing a plate, he passed it her way. Junpyo, enjoying his drink in silence, observed the interaction between the two. Jihoo who had proven he was her guardian angel, her coworker, her student president, and it seems like he might even be a friend. To give him something else to be annoyed by, Jihoo stood up and headed to the buffet table to get her the salad he started talking about.
" Do you drink soda? I've never seen you drink soda.' Jihoo, walking to the buffet, increased his voice with every step he took away from the sofa set. Her eyes from the plate glanced up at Junpyo. His eyes focused on her, she could tell he was enjoying this. The little smirk that escaped his mouth enjoying the sip of his matcha tea, she caught a tiny tiny glance of his dimple and his naturally contoured cheekbones that aligned perfectly with his jawline. She didn't need his smirk, just how he was sitting was enough to let her know he was being entertained by what was going on. Her eyes knew exactly when to look away as she darted them back to the plate. Jihoo she had learned too look away from when he sends his smiles her way. She was now starting to learn when to look away from this one. It was before her hatred turned into anything else. Her annoyed eyes shifted his way when she noticed a movement, landing on his t-shirt that still had the visible mark of her boots. She had finally noticed the light brown mark on his left chest, right by the heart she had kicked. Junpyo, following her focused eyes, looked down to find what she was staring at.
Her finger she started scratching her cardigan with, Junpyo recognized it as a habit. He had seen it enough times now to recognize it was a reaction to something. His urge to grab her hand and hold her fingers still was silenced as she quickly removed her fingers from his sight and hid them in her pocket. Their eyes returning to each other, both knew why she did that. His eyes looking at even her fingers was irritating. His silence she was starting to detest more than his voice; she blamed that for the weird tension that was beginning to pull. That and the simple fact that he could hand over the evidence to Woobin's family and let them handle getting rid of her.
" I got you this one, it goes very well with pizza," Jihoo walked back, forcing both to remember that he was still in the room.
" Try this, it's really good," he placed the salad he had grabbed by her side along with the sprite he had assumed she would like. Jihoo, placing all of it down, was praying that this girl will listen to him and not come up with an excuse to leave. This was the perfect opportunity to not only get his friend to apologize but for the group to know not to mess with her from now on. She was part of his people.
" I know you like spicy stuff, so I got you this sauce, '' Jihoo added, this one forcing Junpyo's eyes to shift to his friend. The girl that didn't even flinch, Jihoo will have to do more to get her to eat all the food he had placed in front of her. Junpyo returning to his slice, waited for his friend to come up with a way.
" Just try it" His twinkling eyes he sent her way, Jihoo was using his puppy eyes to get to listen. Junpyo waited to see if it would work. The question of what Jihoo really is doing with this girl was saved for later. Her hands were still in her pocket as she just lookied at Jihoo in silence, hoping he would understand her answer to the offer. There was no way she would eat their food. What type of drama was this? Just the notion that she was sitting in the middle of the F4 boys, in their lounge, was enough but to sit and enjoy their lunch?
" Have you visited Woo bin lately?" His raspy voice finally broke the silence silencing all her thoughts.
" I stopped by yesterday," Jihoo responded, missing how her sharp eyes had turned towards his friend at the mere mention of woo bin.
" Did they find out who did it yet?" Junpyo asked. Her body tilted his way, he knew she understood what he was doing.
" I don't think so. You know how his dad is' ' Jihoo focused on his salad had missed the little interaction between the two that didn't need words to communicate. Her questing eyes focused on him, Junpyo provided them with an answer by sending his eyes to the salad placed by her side. She hated him anyway, so why bother playing nice?
" He is trying to get dismissed from school until the end of the year" Jihoo eyes from his food landed on her hands that came out from her pocket and reached for the fork he had placed by the side of her salad. Her hesitant right hand grabbed the fork and sent it to the salad. Both waited for her first bite she sent to her lips. Her eyes kept down, she slowly started chewing the food she was wishing she could throw up. But unfortunately for her, the salad was beyond delicious to even fake act to be disgusted by it.
" Add more sauce if you want" Jihoo pushed the sauce her way.
" What is going on here" Yijeong walking into the room brought everybody's attention to him.
" So have you finally claimed her?" he asked, fastning his steps to the sofa and the interesting person eating with them. The girl they had seen walking around with Jihoo every minute of the school hour, even Yijeong was aware of the amount of time these two have been spending.
" What?" Jihoo's protest wasn't given much time
" You two are always together"
" using the student council as an excuse is a sly move" Yijeong, winking at his stunned friend, grabbed a slice of the same pizza Junpyo was eating.
" She just works there"
" and how many council members have eaten with us?" Yijoeng asked, focusing his eyes on Jandi sitting in front of him. Her emotionless and makeup-less face he could ignore but her scary eyes looking at him, this girl was beyond creepy.
" She is a friend so stop bothering her" Jihoo using the moment started.
" Nobody did anything to her" Yijoeng was quick with his response. He was used to Jihoo defending the mute girl but this was becoming odd.
" and nobody should" Jihoo's commanding voice was aimed at his best friend who he turned to. Junpyo, silently enjoying his food, took the warning in silence.
" She hasn't done anything to anybody," Jihoo added as he caught Junpyo's eye turning to the girl who sent her eyes to the salad.
" If you have a crush on her just tell us and we will leave her alone '' More than what Yijeong said, it was the girl choking on her food that startled all. Yijeong, oblivious to what was going on or what had been going on, only focused on Jihoo's quick reaction and his right hand that passed her the drink and napkin. His shocked eyes turned to Junpyo for confirmation of what had became of their friend but Yijeong didn't know what to make of the look on Junpyo's eyes as he was carefully taking in the interaction between the girl and Jihoo.
"Is it the spicysauce?" Jihoo, leaning her way, asked as Jandi used this as the perfect excuse and stood up. Her mouth covered with both hands, she faked coughing and she headed to the door.
"Are you okay?" Jihoo got his answer with her hands she waved his way before she left the room. Thankfully, he hadn't followed her behind that would be too much of a proof for Yijeong's claims.
"You care that much huh?" Yijeong wasn't going to give Jihoo a break.
" I've never seen you like this, have you?" He changed his question to Junpyo. Jihoo's anrey eyes waited for Junpyo to say something, Junpyo chose to stay quiet. She really did have his friend captured in her hands. How quick Jihoo was to jump to her side for just a cough, Junpyo doesn't need anything else to know this wasn't just a silly matter anymore. His irritated mind was quick to remind him of what she had done to their friend in the hospital and what she could be planning for his friend. He needed a reason to justify his anger, and that was the easiest one. His annoyance with it all, that was the perfect reason to blame it all on and he had to wait until the end of the day to resolve.
His car he parked by the pathway she takes all the way down to the gate; Junpyo was waiting for the person that could answer his burning question. The half an hour he spent in his car, he had finished a whole episode of the podcast he had become obsessed with. The episode ending at the half an hour mark, he had turned it to music as he had decided to finally wait outside, and five minutes later, he caught the girl walking out of the building. The fact that he had waited for her, that was an interesting fact on its own. The morning he had wasted arriving early just to see her, here he was wasting more hours in his afternoon to make sure she was the last person he saw before heading home. His busy mind occupied with many thoughts that needed clear answers, he hadn't caught what just the mere sight of her was starting to do. Sending his hands to his pocket, he leaned against his car. His eyes hidden behind the shade of his glass focused on the girl he was recognizing how much time he spent thinking about. She doesn't have her lunch bag with her today; he assessed as he only made out her backpack. Most of the students already gone or busy with club activities, she was walking on the empty driveway. Junpyo was thankful he didn't have to worry about anybody seeing him interact with her. The endless gossips of this school wasn't something he wants to add to the list. Her eyes finally glancing up; she caught the only car parked by the pathway she takes for her 10-minute walk to the school gate.
"Damn it" she whispered to herself as she convinced herself to just follow his demand. That was the best strategy. She was quick to convince herself that she could just follow the game he wanted to play. That was better than losing everything. She was okay with doing whatever he wanted. Her mind she was preparing to stay in control of her anxiety and anger, the longer her eyes stayed on him, and the exquisite car he was leaning against the sneaky thoughts were trying to break in. The tall trees and beautiful pathways behind him, the boy that looked like a model, her view was like a magazine cover as rather than admitting he looks good, her hatred for him led to accepting he probably was such a narcissist. Most people that looked like that were. Narcissism fits him perfectly. It went along with all his other personalities she hated. She was busy making her own assumptions and not realizing how the sight she hadn't looked away from was leading her mind astray. The ear pods he took out, she caught his right hand that was sent to brush some of his hair that was flying in the direction of the soft breeze. His lushes hair, she remembers the girl in the club playing with; she didn't even know why his girlfriend and the girl he played around with crossed her mind. His fuckboy reputation he had no problem living up to, it was just a reminder of the type of asshole she was dealing with. His eyes hidden behind the glasses, both haven't lifted their eyes away from each other as she closed the distance between them.
" I was just trying to talk to you, '' he said as she got closer and stopped her walking a couple of steps away. Her kick he still couldn't believe had happened; he was still on th events of this morning. What happned at lunch, he will get to some other day. For now, what he needs to resolve is what happened in the morning. Small talk he wasn't known for; he knew it was an awkward way to start a conversation but this was the best he could do with his weird way of having a conversation most had a hard time understanding.
" But you don't listen" This one had forced a small smile out of him as he recalled how many times she had walked away from him before he even fishes a single thought. His smile she couldn't stand , the thought of kicking every tooth out of his mouth was shut down as she stood in silence. She can listen. Her anger boiling underneath the surface, she knew she had a short time before she did anything. She can just listen to what he has to say and then go on about her day. That was what she thought until he brought a topic she can't just listen to him talk about and walk away from.
" What do you really want with Jihoo," he asked, removing his glasses. That was the question he convinced himself to be the important one. He knows he needs to apologize, but he has to find a way to bring it up. He also needs to talk about this morning.
" If you do anything to him," he stopped as he caught her legs that started coming his way. Her steps, he had assumed to be directed his way, she had continued them to walk past him. Getting ready to ignore and walk away from him for the third or fourth time, Jandi didn't know she was poking at what he found irritating. Before she got even a step away from him, his right hand had returned to what it had done in the morning and grabbed her arm. His pull although lighter, it was enough to bring the girl that wasn't far away from him back to his side. Her body he didn't mind bringing her into his personal space, it was only her that was stunned by the act. Junpyo, who should have questioned why touching her didn't feel that odd, was focused on a more important emotion. Just pure frustration.
" Stop walking away" His voice getting lower, the hint of annoyance was where she focused. Of course, this jerk doesn't like people ignoring his demands. They were all supposed to be slaves to his wishes. Her fight mode activated, her tiger-like eyes narrowed their view on his face her fingers begging her to scratch. His touch that has forced an immediate reaction, she saved all her energy on just snatching her arm out of his grip. The message behind her eyes she knew he understood very well; she had thought her terrifying gaze would be enough to warn him to stop touching her. She had already kicked him and sent him enough warnings to understand how he wasn't allowed to touch her. The tight grip of his hand on her arm she escaped from; the sensation was erased as quickly as possible as she tried to walk away. Her fight or flight mode shut down; she was fighting to keep her cool. She needs to stay in control. She just needed to get away, but she wasn't that lucky. This time, the grip of his frustrated hand was stronger as it pulled her back, forcing her shoulder to land against his chest. The firm chest her shoulder made contact with came with his expensive smell, but neither had as much impact as his anger-filled dark eyes that had a language of their own as they stared into her soul she kept guarded by demons that will hunt him forever if he ever decided to bring out.
" I am trying to apologize" His hand still holding her tight, he focused his attention on her eyes which were the only thing he was expecting a response from. She was so frustrated. Everything she did was beyond frustrating. For the boy used to getting his way, being ignored like this by somebody like her was a new experience he didn't know what to do with. Her arm she tried pulling away, he held tight, pulling her even closer. The anger boiling in her body he held still, Junpyo knew he was crossing a line but it didn't matter. Their bodies, he had forced to come in contact with; were both filled with anger and frustration as the tension that always plays in the background of their interactions was begging to be in charge of what was happening. Unlike the boy who hadn't thought much about what he was playing with, Jandi knew all she had to lose if she crossed any line again. She knew she couldn't risk everything she had worked for, for this. She knew she needed to get away from whatever was happening to her. She needs to run away. The red flags she was expecting weren't there as her body was given clear commands to run away. Knowing she couldn't cross that line again, she used another weapon. To get away from whatever this boy was pulling out of her; she needed to use whatever and get away.
"Don't fuckin touch me" Her whisper was more horrifying than anything as even his grip on her arm was loosened due to the shock that took over Junpyo. The way she had leaned in closer, forcing everything else out of his view, Junpyo's eyes were forced to catch her lips that had moved, followed by the tantalizing surgery but disgust-filled voice that had sent a shock down his spine. Jandi didn't have to do much to snatch her arm away from his tight grip she had disarmed. Her steps tuning to a march, she quickened her steps away from the body she had left paralyzed for the second time in one day. His heartbeat she had disturbed, the girl walking away wasn't even remotely concerned for the boy she had left in the foreign reality they were in. Saving herself was her only goal, and she had done so by leaving him to deal with it all.