Stars

“Is Hyuk going to take you home again today?!?!?!?!” shouts Sally. “Yes he is.” “NO FAIR!!! I want him to walk me home!” I sigh. “It’s not like I planned to have VIXX in my life. Considering it’s my life it’s my life it’s totally unexpected.” “I know right! You’re so ordinary. VIXX would rather be in my rich and luxurious life.” She says. I sigh again. Ever since I had been hanging out with VIXX, Sally has always been passively bitter towards me. “Are you going out with Hyuk?” she asks. “No I’m not.” “OK good. I still have a chance. He would rather date me anyways.” My heart sinks.

“Do you think if Hyuk sees me again he’ll fall madly in love with me?” Sally says. “I don’t know.” I say with a sigh. The whole day, Sally has talked about nothing other than the non-existent relationship between her and Hyuk.

After school, Sally is clinging to my arm like glue. ”If I am with you, I am guaranteed to see Hyuk.” She giggles hysterically. I’m actually quite reluctant to let her see Hyuk, who knows what will happen? What if she steals him away from me? I cover my mouth in shock of my thoughts and sigh. There is no use. I can’t hide my feelings for him. There are suddenly joyful shrieks and girls come running to one direction, and that is when we know that Hyuk has come. Sally lets go of my arm and runs with the screaming girls. Her blond head is soon lost in the crowd. As I walk closer towards the group of fans and the idol in the middle, I can see that it is not Hyuk. “Leo?” I ask. He turns around. “Hyuk was busy after school and asked me if I could pick you up because I was around the area.” He says. The girls are huddled closely around him, whispering his name and going in frenzy. I squeeze my way out of the crowd where I find Sally. “I thought he was Hyuk.” She sighs. “Leo doesn’t interest you?” I ask. She shakes her head, says goodbye and leaves. Leo walks towards me and grabs my hand. “Let’s go.” He says. “What? He knows Melinda too?” “As if that girl again!” “What the hell? Why is she so greedy? Its not like she’s special or anything.” “Not fair! I want to be friends with VIXX!” “She’s so ordinary, why do they know her?” “Wow Melinda knows Leo as well, that is so weird.” The shouts fill my head. Some of the comments are so degrading. I grip on Leo’s hands tighter as the hisses stab me. Am I really not worthy of being friends with VIXX? He tightens his hold to reassure me, stops walking and faces the girls who are following us. “Please stop saying mean things about Melinda, nobody needs to hear shit talk.” He gives them an icy glare before walking again. This time, the fans don’t follow us. I feel the heat rise to my face. “Ah, thank you Leo oppa, for, ah, telling them off.” He nods without saying a word. He eventually slows down so we are walking side by side, and still he haven’t let go of each other’s hands. I am fully aware that my hand has began to sweat, and I wonder if he is bothered by it. Why hasn’t he let go of my hand? I decide to put my mind on a different topic. “So where is Hyuk?” I say, then immediately regret it because I sound like I don’t want Leo here. “He has a school meeting after school. It’s for camp.” He says in his quiet, angelic voice. I nod. “Is he going camping?” “Yes, for a week. I’m not sure where though.” A whole week. I have this feeling, like, I will miss him a lot. More than I should… A sigh escapes from my lips. Leo looks at me and our eyes meet. “Don’t worry, it’s only a week. Besides, I’ll be walking you home everyday, I’ll be here to keep you company.” He faces forward again. My whole body fills with heat and I am suddenly conscious of my sweaty hand in Leo’s grasp.

“Can we go to the library for a bit?” I ask. “Sure. Why?” replies Leo. “I want to see if Cindy is there.” With that said, we make our way to the local library hand in hand. I instantly spot her with a boy with glasses. “Melinda. What are you doing here?” she says in a hush voice. “I’m here to see you.” I laugh. “Oooh is this your boyfriend?” I joke. Cindy instantly gets up from her seat and drags me far away. I let go of Leo’s hand. “He’s not my boyfriend, he’s my tutor.” Says Cindy in an annoyed tone. “Sure. What’s his name? Do you pay him?” I ask. “His name is Nathan, and he said I don’t need to pay him.” I gasp. “That means he likes you.” Cindy makes a face. “No one tutors for free Cindy. Not unless they like you.” I wink and take her back to Nathan. Leo isn’t there. “Where is Leo?” I ask Nathan. “Leo..? You mean the guy you were with? He just disappeared. I was reviewing Cindy’s work and he was so quiet that I didn’t even realize.” I nod and a smile creeps on my face. “Well bye Cindy, bye Nathan. Have fun.” I lean over to Cindy. “He’s cute.” I say loud enough for Nathan to hear. She blushes and I walk off. “See you at home. Love you.” I laugh. I look at my hand. Leo has been holding it for so long that it feels like he’s still holding it. It feels strange that he isn’t holding it.

I wait for Leo outside. I wonder where he is. I scroll up and down my contacts list on my phone. I don’t have his number; I don’t even have Hyuk’s. A shadow approaches me. “Leo, where have you-“ It’s not Leo. It’s a guy, its four guys. “Hey little lady,” one of them says, his breathe smells of cigarettes. “What are you doing here all alone?” he snickers. I become uncomfortable, I didn’t realize these types of people came here. “I’m waiting for someone.” I say. “Well why don’t we keep you some company until they come.” He laughs. They all smell of cigarettes and the smell is suffocating me. “No thank you.” I say firmly. “Oh come on.” Says one of them and he grabs my wrist. “I said, no thank you.” I jerk my wrist from his grasp. “Oooh fistey one. We like fistey don’t we boys?” I’m about to run back into the library when someone comes to the rescue. “Do you have any business with her?” says Leo as he walks towards us. “Yeah, she was about to come with us, weren’t you dal?” one of them says and he pulls out his arm to once again grab my wrist. I feel a sudden jerk as Leo pulls me backwards, towards him. He holds me in his arms and says, “Keep your filthy hands away from my girl.” I can tell that he gives them a cold stare because of the way they cower back. “Wh-whatever man. Let’s go.” One of them says to his mates. Leo’s fingers weave into mine and we walk away.

“Where were you Taekwoon oppa?” I whine. “I was scared. There were four guys against one girl.” A sliver of a smile came on Leo’s face. “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again, besides, you’re one tough girl; you saved Hyukkie from those men right?” He held up a plastic bag that I didn’t notice before. “Plus I bought cake. Forgive me?” I smile. “If I get to have half the cake then maybe I’ll forgive you.” I joke. “You should share with your mother and sister.” He laughs. “Is that for my family?” I ask. “Yes, it is.” He replies. I look down at my feet as we walk. “What is the matter?” he asks. Damn, he can see right through me. “Well, I thought it was going to be for just us to share.” I say honestly. I keep my eyes trained on the ground so he can’t see my face, but even thought I don’t want him to see my expression, I want to see his. I want to know what he is thinking. “I’ll buy cake for just us tomorrow if you’d like.” He says. I nod slowly. He makes it sound like I’m forcing him to buy me cake, but I guess I’m still happy.

We reach the front door of my house, Leo knocks on the door and just as it opens, he lets go of my hand. The cool air rushes into my palm. It feels so strange that he easily lets go. I stretch my fingers and curl them into a fist. Cindy opens the door. “Hey Mel, Leo.” She nods to Leo and he nods back. “Hey Cee, you’re home early.” I say. “Nathan had to go somewhere after school.” She whispers. Leo hands me the plastic bag, “Here you go, make sure you share. Ask your mother if I can take you out tomorrow. Bye Melinda.” He wraps his arms around me-which takes me completely by surprise- and I return the hug. “Bye Taekwoon oppa.” I say as we let go. He waves to both me and Cindy before walking off. “Cindy gives me the look when I turn to walk into the house. “Oh shut up.” I giggle. “But I didn’t say anything.” She giggles back. I shove her out of the way and walk into the house. “Mum! I have cake!” I shout.

Notes