Chanyeol’s POV

It’s her.

I can’t stop staring at her, how many years has it been? The last time I saw her was when we were eleven, no, twelve? It doesn’t matter, but it was the year I moved to Seoul from my hometown.

She was my only friend back then. The one who knew how to make me smile. I grin remembering our past together.

As a child, I was always picked on. I didn’t blame them, I had some big ears as a child and I still do. However, once in awhile the bullying would get out of hand. She found me one day by the small stream near our house, my face was red and blue from their beating and I could barely move from my spot. Back then, it was rare for her to talk let alone pay attention to the other kids, especially me, so imagine my surprise when she came up next to me and poked me with a stick.

“Oy, are you okay?” She said, her big round eyes piercing through me. She had always been pretty, but at the time, I thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world, an angel.

I struggled to hold myself up so not to make a fool out of myself. She watched me struggle and didn’t move to help.

It took a while but eventually I was back on my feet again. Soon after, the kids returned and started to hit me again. That was when she stepped in. Not even bothering to open her mouth to say something, she swung her stick down on the kids and threatened them away.

We got in trouble of course but since that day, I could hardly be seen without her.

The loud slamming of a book on my desk snaps me out of my trance and I look up to see Professor Lee looming over me with his ruler in his hands. “Are you ready to come back to earth now Mr. Park?”

I cower before him as the kids around me start to giggle. I nod and as he walks away, I bury my face with my hands, feeling the judgemental stare of Areum behind me.

Stupid.

Areum is my first love.

-----

Areum’s POV

Please just leave me alone.

I’m sitting in the middle of a huge crowd of boys, all of whom seem to know Chanyeol and Baekhyun and just so happens to work at the same diner. The two of them spend a few minutes to introduce them to me and, after learning their names, I lose interest in their conversation. I frown and bury my face further in my book as Chanyeol talks excitedly to the others.

“We were friends!” His voice bursts through my thoughts and I let out a small groan. “She’s from my home town.”

“She doesn’t look like she agrees,” The tallest boy, Kris laughs at him.

The two oldest boys, Luhan and Xiumin sit behind me peering at my book without a word. The feeling of their stares bother me but not wanting to be rude on my first day of school, I keep quiet.

“I got bread,” The youngest boy walks in carrying a bag of food. The minute he puts down the bag, the boys grab at the food without hesitation. I stare at the crumbs that were now all over my desk. I let out an impatient sigh and shut the book so loud that it makes them jump.

“Would you quit acting like pigs?” I mutter under my breath.

They all stare at me mid bite and blink.

“Who are you to talk to us like that?” Chen pouts and looks at Chanyeol. “She sure is quiet, but boy is she unpleasant when she talks.”

I stand up and push two boys behind me away, breaking their perfect circle formation. I walk out of the classroom and head to the cafeteria to get my lunch.

I reach in my pockets for my wallet. Great, I forgot my wallet. This day is going so well.

Cursing at just how bad of a day I was having, I turn and head back to the classroom. Chanyeol runs out the door and stops when he sees me. People in the hallway stop and watch us.

“H-hey. Ari-ah.” Chanyeol rubs his nape.

I stare blankly at him. He still calls me that, like we’re still friends.

He looks away from me and hesitates. As he searches for words to say, I hear the whispers of the students fill my ear.

“What is it?” I ask annoyed at the voices. It might’ve came out the wrong way.

“I-I was just wondering if you wanted to eat with us.” Chanyeol sniffs and licks his lips. “The guys don’t mean to be annoying.”

A smile twitches on my lip but I catch it. I nod and brush past him. Behind me, I can feel his mood lighten and I can almost imagine him grinning as he follows me back into the classroom.

Just like the old days.

“Yah, Ari-ah.” Chanyeol smiled, running towards me with his bagged lunch.

“What is it?” I asked, throwing him a surprised look.

“You want to eat lunch with me?” Chanyeol handed me half of his sandwich. “I know you forgot to bring your lunch this morning. You were even in a hurry when my mom and I came to pick you up for school.”

“Sure. Thanks Channie.” I accepted his offer and we ate together.

We sat on a three feet high brick wall built into a hill. It was pretty far from the school building, but we came so often that it didn’t bother us anymore. In front of us, there was a pond filled with lily pads and small lily buds that are about to bloom. The big trees provided us shade as we swung our feet munching on the sandwiches.

Everything was perfect, he was perfect. I didn’t mind living in the countryside now being with my best friend and all.

For once since a long time, I had started to smile again. Because he was with me.

Until, reality finally hit us.

I frown at the memory, it’s one that I’d like to forget.

“She came back!” Tao smiles as I come into view. “Sorry about earlier. We’re just like that when we’re hungry.”

I nod, unsure of how to respond. My eyes linger to my seat where someone is already sitting.

I clear my throat. “You’re in my seat.”

The boy, who I remember as Kai, looks at me up and down then narrows his eyes. Bread is stuffed in his mouth and he chews it observing me.

“I’m eating.” He says quietly, his voice drips with annoyance.

“Me too.” I say in pefect Seoul dialect.

The boys stare at the two of us. He heaves a long sigh and gets up quickly, pulling me by the wrist to sit in the chair. My eyes widen as he forces me down on the seat and all of the sudden I don’t feel like sitting here any more. I watch him move to sit on the desk behind Baekhyun, facing away from me.

“Don’t mind Kai.” Baekhyun grins at me. “It’s not his day today.”

Lay hands me a pork stuffed bread. He smiles showing his prominent dimples on either sides of his cheek. “They were warm earlier, I hope you don’t mind if-”

“It’s fine.” I say quickly and accept the bread.

He looks a little shocked from my expression, but I don’t mind. I glance at Chanyeol as I take my first bite into the bread. His eyes are on me and for a moment our eyes lock. He smiles.

“Kai oppa~” A lowerclassmen girl comes into the room. “Can you help me with this problem, the teacher never teaches properly.”

Kai puts his bread down and rubs his hand, looking at the problem. He swallows and looks at the girl in confusion and annoyance.

“I explained this problem to you yesterday.” Kai points to the paper.

She blushes and looks away, her eyes resting on me. She frowns at the sight of me but immediately returns to look at Kai. “Just one more time? I really like being around you and receiving your help.”

I roll my eyes and take another bite of the bread.

Kai’s eyes twitch. “No, you’re wasting my time, don’t bother me again.”

He turns on his desk and faces away from her with his bread. Not knowing what else to do, the girl shoots me a glare before running out of the room in embarrassment.

Probably to cry in the bathroom?

The guys smile and hit Kai lightly.

“Ouu, he’s getting the girls lately.” Luhan teases. “My dongsaengs been learning well.”

“Shut up.” Kai pushes all of the hands away and I see his cheeks flush.

“B-Baekhyun.” I say, swallowing the last of my bread and drawing the attention towards me again.

He turns to me with wide anticipating eyes and I grimace slightly.

“Do you know where the bathroom is?” I ask trying to look past at how cocky he is acting.

“Well-” Baekhyun is about to speak, but Kai interrupts.

“What, you going to comfort her or something?” Kai shoots a glare at me.

“What, are you trying to be perceptive or something?” I shoot back.

Kai leaps off the desk and the legs of the desk scrap across the floor. The room falls silent and all eyes turn on him. A penguin size boy holds him back making sure he doesn’t lose control.

“Yah, she’s just going to the washroom.” Kyungsoo rolls his eyes. “You read people too quickly, pabo.”

Kai softens at Kyungsoo’s words and continues to eat, sitting back down.

“Come, I’ll take you.” Baekhyun grabs my hand.

I wince as his hand makes contact with mine. He is so touchy.

“That hurts.” I say, pulling my hand from his grip.

“Did you tend the wound well? I told you I should’ve done it. You country girls think you’re all that.” Baekhyun grabs my wrist and attempts to look at my wound.

I take it away from him once more. “Yeah, like I wanted a stranger to tend my wounds in the first place.”

The other boys blink, confused on what Baekhyun and I are talking about. For a second, I observe their actions, then I stand up and head for the classroom door.

“I’ll take you to the nurse.” Suho suggests standing in my way. “It won’t take that long, I can properly bandage your wounds.”

He gently takes my hand and observes it, but I pull back once more, this time I’m annoyed.

“Just stop.” I look at him in disgust. “Why does everyone think they can just talk to me and assume we’re friends? Is it because of Chanyeol?”

From the distance, I see his eyes widen in confusion and shock.

“I haven’t seen him in years! I don’t even consider him as a friend anymore, none the less any of you. Just leave me alone.”

I rush out of the room before any of them can say any more. I can feel the stares of everyone in the room watch me as I run out but I ignore it. Finally, I’m alone.

Still needing to use the toilet, I stop walking and try to find the right direction to go. Someone approaches me and I heave a long sigh.

“What, you going to help me or something? I told you I didn’t want your or anyone’s help.”

“What, are you trying to be perceptive or something?” Kai rolls his eyes. “I didn’t expect to run into you. Actually I’m surprised you found the right way to go. I’m headed to the nurse’s office anyways. Just follow me.”

He pauses. “Or don’t. I could care less what you do.”

He doesn’t even look at me and just walks right past me. He used my own words against me.

I massage my hand which is tingling with pain and follow after him shyly. Maybe going to the nurse’s office isn’t too bad of an idea.

The nurse bandages my hand, shaming me for not taking care of myself. From the corner of my eyes I see Kai sitting across from me on the other bed, watching me like he’s observing me.

-----

Kai’s POV

Truth is, I didn’t have to go to the nurse. I just wanted to help her. I don’t know why. But something just made me want to help her. It was the first time a girl shut me up like the way she did. No one does that, not even Kyungsoo hyung.

I find her looking around in the hallways, holding her wounded hand. She must’ve gone through a lot to act the way she does now. I wonder what happened between her and Chanyeol hyung, but it’s best not to ask. Not yet at least.

I sit on the bed watching her get her hand bandaged. She swings her feet lightly, sitting on the side of the bed, like a kid. She acts foolishly, like a kid. She’s stubborn… like a kid.

Country girls are so different than the ones in the city.

It makes me want to know more. I scratch my head and my mind wanders to Chanyeol hyung? What will he think about that?

They finish tending her and she takes a quick look at what they’ve done. Feeling relieved that she is alright now, I move to join her on the bed.

“How did you hurt yourself?” I ask, curious.

“Why do you care?” She replies in annoyance and stands up. “Why did you wait for me anyways?”

Crap. I hadn’t thought of an excuse for that.

“Why do you care?” I shrug feeling kind of stupid for using her line against her. Again.

Areum mumbles to herself and heads for the hallway just as the bell rings. She turns back to me with wide eyes.

“We’re going to be late, c’mon.” She starts jogging.

“Wait.” I stop her with my hand.

What am I doing?

She stares at me hard, expectantly. Her eyes pierce through my thoughts and for a moment, I forget what I’m about to say.

“Uh… want to skip class with me? I know a good hideout.” I blurt out.

Her eyebrows twitch with irritation and she rolls her eyes. She kicks me and I had to let go to relieve myself of the pain that shoots through my leg.

“Sorry, I’m not that type of girl, I don’t fool around in school, let alone on my first day.” She turns dramatically and jogs to class, leaving me there in the empty hallway.

I turn my head sideways curiously, rubbing the back of my neck. This girl gots some nerve to be messing with me.

I sigh and walk slowly to class, losing all my motivation to ditch.

Notes

Hai... Lol, haven't updated in a week. From now on, we'll be updating every three days, or twice a week. I hope we haven't keep you waiting too longgg~ Please expect more, and thank you for your support so far. SO MANY votes and subscribers already. LMAO when I started my solo fanfic, I didn't have this many right from the beginning. BUT ANYWAYS-

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See you in the next chapter~!

- Alexis Thao