SUMMARY 🪽 in which yeon y/n is the polar opposite to her gloomy brother, dancing around the edges of life's seriousness, skips school on the regular and makes out with a stranger in the alleyway of a club. what happens when that stranger starts showing up in her life in ways she'd never expect? OR, in which kang wooyoung is a guy who lives his life with a good head on his shoulders, ambition and a rigid plan, until a random girl kisses him at the back of a club. when they start bumping into each other more often in extraneous circumstances, he dips into her world of erratic life.
WARNINGS / TAGS 🪽 underaged alcohol consumption / smoking, friendship betrayal, long asf and this is the first part... / reader is sieun's twin sister!!, told in third person, cross-posted on wattpad and ao3!, character development, angst, yearn!, seongje x reader, love triangle later in the story
SUMMARY 🪽 in which yeon y/n is the polar opposite to her gloomy brother, dancing around the edges of life's seriousness, skips school on the regular and makes out with a stranger in the alleyway of a club. what happens when that stranger starts showing up in her life in ways she'd never expect? OR, in which kang wooyoung is a guy who lives his life with a good head on his shoulders, ambition and a rigid plan, until a random girl kisses him at the back of a club. when they start bumping into each other more often in extraneous circumstances, he dips into her world of erratic life.
WARNINGS / TAGS 🪽 underaged alcohol consumption / smoking, friendship betrayal, long asf and this is the first part... / reader is sieun's twin sister!!, told in third person, cross-posted on wattpad!
WORD COUNT 🪽 14.6k words
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YEON Y/N IS A FREE-SPIRIT. Nothing can hold this girl back from living life to the fullest. Roller coasters, bad grades and partying well into the morning—these are essentials that produce a life of thrill, adventure and spontaneity. In her mind, filled with smiles and rainbows, there isn't room for boring stuff (as she would describe), like studying, cram school and being the number one student. She's always imagined life to be an outlet to create benign joy for herself and those she loves.
Doing things for the plot? Do it. Skip class? What are you waiting for?! Let's hit the club that we're not supposed to go to because we're underaged? Um, yes! Maybe her idea of a fun life can lead to destructive problems, heartbreak and detrimental consequences, however, that hasn't occurred yet. Right now, in this moment, she is determined to live it the best she can...with no problems.
She spins around in her chair at her desk, far too late to be awake. Outfit ready, shoes on, waiting for Li Nayoung to text back in the group chat.
3 MUSKETEERS
[11:31PM]
y/n
nayounggg are you heading to the
club now?
nayoung
YES GIRL I'M HERE ALREADY
nayoung
LMK WHEN U AND JIAH
ARRIVE I'LL BE WAITING
AT THE BACK DOOR
jiah
do i have to come?
y/n
YES.
nayoung
YES.
jiah
we have a pop quiz
tomorrow! did you guys
even study for it?
y/n
LOL SHE THINKS WE STUDY
NAYOUNG
nayoung
AHAHHAHAH just come
to the club girl
jiah
guess i'll supervise...
y/n
YOU SAY THAT BUT THEN
YOU'RE GONNA BE DANCING
ON THE TABLE AGAIN
jiah
ohhh that was one time! let
it go :(((
nayoung
NEVERRR.
Y/N giggles to herself as she turns off her bedroom light. She quietly opens her bedroom door, feet stepping lightly against the wooden floor beneath her as to not make any noise. God forbid her father wakes up and asks her where she's off to in clothes too small to bear the wintry wind of Seoul. Then, she'd have to explain she's been sneaking off to clubs since she was fifteen, drinking at the back of the school before that and the countless times she's skipped class since middle school. She's been very meticulous about hiding her secret life from her parents. She couldn't imagine their disappointment if they came to know what she was doing.
As she's steps away from the front door, the creak of a door behind her makes her jump to the roof.
She turns around slowly.
Yeon Sieun stands at the entrance of his bedroom, rubbing his eye as he watches her attempt of sneaking out. He purses his lips at her. After all, this isn't the first time he's caught her.
"Are you going to snitch?" she whispers, remembering the childish argument they had earlier in the day.
She knows Sieun wouldn't snitch, but sometimes, her twin brother is hard to read in general. It's difficult to point that they were in the womb together for nine months.
The boy shakes his head. Y/N sighs in relief. Switching off the alarm and the proper handling of the front door, she manages to pull it open soundlessly. She steps out into the cold darkness, pivoting to close the door in the same manner.
Sieun stands in the doorway.
Her breath hitches, waiting for his words. Sieun doesn't speak a lot. When he does, it's usually hard-hitting.
"Call me when you come back. You always open the door too loudly," he mumbles.
The corners of her lips quirk up, "You're the best."
He closes the door in her face without a reply, but she's still smiling at the door. Sieun surprises her til this day.
Getting in a taxi to the clubbing district of Hongdae was not too long of a ride. She admires the metropolitan architecture of the city on the way, resonating with the nightlife of the city once again. She's made for this.
She bids her taxi driver a goodbye and leaves the vehicle, a newfound excitement bubbling, waiting to burst. Park Jiah waits at the drop-off zone, squealing with excitement as if she didn't just see her in school earlier that day. Y/N embraces her friend, making a scene in front of the line of club-goers, awaiting entrance. It's quieter, considering it is a weekday. But the club had a Y2K theme that Y/N couldn't resist going to and seeing all the pretty outfits people would wear according to the theme.
"We really shouldn't be here right now," Jiah sighs, pulling out from the hug.
"But we're going to have fun, girl! Loosen up a little," Y/N remarks, poking her side.
Jiah squeals, pulling her hand away, "I might as well. Let's head to the back door."
The two of them sneak down an alleyway beside the roaring club. Its murkiness greets them like an old friend as they avoid the mysterious puddles of water and used cigarette buds trailing the ground. Nayoung is waiting at the end, beside a dingy door, on her phone. Her head raises and she also squeals in excitement.
"Thanks for coming!"
"I can't believe you still have to sneak us in even though you're a club promoter and friends with the manager," Jiah comments with a sigh.
"Just safety measures, Miss Uptight," Nayoung replies. "Ready?"
Y/N and Jiah nod vigorously.
Nayoung opens the door, gesturing for them to enter first.
Y/N steps in first, entering a different universe entirely. She walks down the dark hallway, used by staff members of the club before opening the door to the club itself.
The usual riot is waiting for her, her eyes sparkling at the decorations and glamour. She's shoved into the scene by Nayoung from behind.
LED light bleed her eyes, hardstyle 2000's music and the glittery air of the club air in which she sucks into her soul. Her heart beats lightly against the beats of the cataclysmic set played by the DJ. The open space roars, endless opportunities crackling beneath the rhythm of the music.
I'm home, she thinks to herself.
"Let's get druuuuunk!" Nayoung shouts.
The three of them head to the highest floor, elites ferreting in and out. Thank to Nayoung, they have an easy in. Nayoung has always been a party girl, more so than Y/N. Her years of partying began from a young age and eventually, she attained the right connections to make her a club promoter. She's highly demanded in the Hongdae district, but her heart lingers with this club in particular—Obisidian. Soon, Obsidian became the girls' go-to spot, a place where they could let loose and dance until the morning.
The drinking begins on a black leather couch, tucked into the corner of the floor. The shots fire through Y/N, inhibiting her senses. A dull hangover awaits her in a mere few hours but as she sits with her head hung on the couch's edge, it doesn't bother her.
"You okay?" Jiah asks worriedly.
"I'm happy," Y/N answers. "I love you guys!"
"Oh, here she goes. Sappy Y/N is back," Nayoung teases, pinching her cheek.
Y/N swats her hand away and pouts, "Say it back."
"We love you!" Nayoung and Jiah sound, giggling.
"Girls having fun?" the club's manager, Jung, asks, stopping at their couch.
He has a headset on, hands on his hips as he stares down at the half-drunk underaged girls.
"Sooo fun!" Y/N exclaims.
"Thanks for having us," Jiah says.
"Of course, glad you girls are having fun," Jung replies, leaning against the couch with his forearms. His sights lock into Nayoung, "We need to talk about next week's promotion. You decent to have a chat?"
"I'm so decent, boss," Nayoung nods, turning to Jung. She must be desensitised to alcohol at this point.
They engage in their own conversation as Y/N stares blankly at the ceiling, the polar opposite.
"Babe, I'm going to the bathroom. Will you be okay?" Jiah sounds from beside her
"Mhm," Y/N hums.
She feels the weight on the couch lift, Jiah walking off to find the nearest restroom.
Various lights come in and out of Y/N's view, eyes penetrating through them. She closes them for a second, the alcohol tiring her system. Perhaps she'd gone a little harder than she usually would tonight.
The hardstyle screams into her ear as she nods against the beats. Her body is searing hot on the leather couch, sweat gluing her onto it. Clubgoers are shouting around her as a famous DJ is introduced to the platform, the volume causing her to squeeze her ears shut. It's getting too loud, the atmosphere caging her in its overstimulation. The dizziness finds her before she can name its influence.
She sits up and places her head on Nayoung's shoulder, "I'm gonna go take a breather outside, okay?"
"Will you be okay alone?" Nayoung asks worriedly.
"I will," Y/N replies, pressing a drunk kiss to her friend's cheek. "See you later."
"Okay, honey," she laughs.
Y/N can't feel her legs as she makes her way down the stairs. Seriously, who thinks to make a club four floors? Her shoes feel too tight, the gems on her outfit poke her skin, causing scratches she'll find the next morning.
She somehow manages to find the alleyway door, prying it open and meeting the fresh air fanning on her face. She takes a deep inhale of it, letting it clear her overstimulation and her barely functioning senses. Stepping out into the darkness, she slowly walks down the alleyway, finding a spot to support her back.
She raises her head, eyes blinking leisurely as she finds a figure stood right in front of her.
She tenses.
A guy, clearly too young, in front of her. He's got his back against the wall, watching something on his phone, smoking. She scrunches her nose, the odour repulsing her. It isn't completely dark in the alleyway, a hidden streetlight not too far away illuminating it dimly.
The brick wall scratches her head as she tilts her head properly to get a good look at him. Dark brown hair, foxy eyes and a smirk on his face as he's busy on his phone. She can hear the lowered volume of what sounds like fighting coming from his phone.
The guy looks up, puffing out smoke. He notices her, expression blank as he takes her in, "Problem?"
Y/N turns to the side, embarrassed she got caught so easily. As if she wasn't standing there, staring at him in an empty alleyway. Although, it's a perfect opener to a conversation.
"You know, smoking is bad for you," she comments, looking back at him.
The guy scoffs, thrown off. But he's quick with his words if anything, "So is being at a club on a school night."
"How do you know I go to school?" she asks, folding her arms against her chest.
The boy looks her up and down, "Look too young to be here."
"So do you," she argue.
The guy shrugs, lifting his phone again to continue watching. Y/N continues to watch him. The way the cigarette slips into his mouth, how he breathes it in, pulls it out and blows it into the tainted air. His lips quirk up when he sees something he likes on his phone, a boyish smile displayed on his face.
He's kinda cute.
"Does it taste good?" Y/N asks. It's blatant curiosity swimming through her. She's only ever experienced the exhale of smoke, never actually breathed it in from the source itself. Nayoung smokes heavily and has offered her countless times but the smell disgusts her, so she's never taken her up on the offer.
"No," the guy replies, obviously trying to cut the conversation off. His eyes stick to his phone.
"Why do you do it then?"
He turns off his phone. He diverts his attention to her, probably knowing there's no escape from this random drunk girl. He seems kind of drunk himself, eyes heavy with a tiredness she knows all too well.
"Habit," he answers.
"Oh," she nods. "Can I try?"
"No."
"Selfish," she remarks.
He makes a face at her. Almost amusing. It starts from the corners of his face before coming into the middle of it, tensing.
"You always stand and judge people looking like that?" she asks.
"Only when they talk too much," he smiles.
He's quick with his comebacks, she notices. It interests her more. Who is this guy?
Y/N rolls her eyes, "Annoying."
"And you're still here," he says, mimicking her stance by folding his arms. It's playful, teasing.
Between her drunk stupor, something deadly emerges.
"Whatever," she huffs. "You're lucky you're cute. Got a mouth on you though—nice lips, too."
Her eyes drop to his lips before making it back to his eyes. He seems to have noticed, a small smirk dancing on the edge of his lips.
"If you're going to do it, just do it. I don't like beating around the bush," is his response.
Y/N feels her body still for a second.
"Don't think I will?" she asks.
"Nah," he challenges her.
That's enough for Y/N to step into his bubble, cornering him to the brick wall. He looks down at her, a sparkle noted in his eyes from the streetlight. He smells of tobacco and a musky cologne that irritates her if anything. How dare he challenge her?
He throws the cigarette onto the ground, stumping the embers with his shoe before paying his full attention to her. He smirks at her.
"You and that mouth—" She cuts herself off by closing the distance between their lips. Her hands naturally travel up his toned chest and wrap around his neck. One of his hands travel to her waist as the other lingers beside him. He tilts his head down for easy access, the bitter taste of tobacco infiltrating her mouth.
His lips are soft, yet, his grip on her waist is strong, hard. She presses into him as they lean against the brick wall, exchanging breaths. Her head spins, dazed as her plush lips take control of him, heart beating against her ribcage.
"Girl, where is she?!"
She yanks back, the familiar voice of Jiah snapping her back into reality. She turns to the side where she can see her friends in the distance, looking around fervently.
Oh, shit.
"Have to go?" the guy asks, his hand still on her waist, staring down at her.
"Yeah," Y/N answers, slipping out of his grip. She begins walking towards the end of the alleway where her friends are waiting for her. She peers behind her shoulder, the guy watching her, foxy eyes penetrating through hers. Her shoulders are tensed, his stature causing a mix of anguish and desire. Fuck, he looks good. "Thanks for that."
The guy nods once.
That was it.
SIEUN OPENED THE FRONT DOOR LIKE HE PROMISED HE WOULD. Y/N walks into the apartment, twirling into the lounge room, a soft giggle escaping her.
"Are you drunk?" Sieun mutters, half-annoyed. Although she'd argue that's his resting point.
She ruffles his hair and kisses the top of his head.
"Druuuunk in loveeee~" she sings.
Sieun audibly sighs as she makes her way into her room. Somehow, she manages to topple onto her bed, surrendering to its comfort. As sleep slowly finds her, Sieun hovers over her from the courner of her eye
"I love you, Sieunnnn~"
"You're going to wake dad up," he whispers, grabbing the edge of her covers and pulling it over her body.
"You never say it back," she mumbles tiredly, settling into the mattress. "Why don't you—"
Sieun throws a plushie on her face, shutting her up effectively. Not only does he do that, he manages to knock her out with it too. She falls asleep, mumbling about some guy she kissed in the depths of an alleyway.
SCHOOL IS A TORTUROUS SITE FOR YOUTHFUL SOULS LIKE YEON Y/N. If she had it her way, she'd cancel the concept of school itself. Maybe she feels that way because she's slumped over her desk, a pulsing headache knocking her brain and a nausea barely contained in her system. Any hangover remedy couldn't cure the leaden gnaw last night's clubbing caused. What's more is the lack of sleep after getting home at nearly three. She hadn't partied as hard as she hoped she would and she vowed to never touch alcohol again, but it's a matter of time before that promise breaks under the kaleidoscope of colours at Obsidian.
"Y/N," Jiah says, shaking her awake for the tenth time that day. Y/N lifts her head from the table, the sunlight streaming into the classroom and making her headache come back in tenfold, "Class is over. There's no after school announcement."
Y/N nods, slowly standing up to her feet and gathering her things, "Please text me the homework."
Jiah hums in agreement.
"Like you're going to do it," Nayoung responds sarcastically from behind her, her head still in her arms.
"Ugh," Y/N groans. "Don't have the energy to argue with you. Are we all walking home for together?"
"Got detention," Nayoung sighs. "Won't be out til five."
"I got cram school with Sieun," Jiah frowns.
"Right, I forgot you two go together now," Y/N remarks, slinging her bag over her shoulders tiredly. "I can't believe he talks to you. He can barely tolerate me."
"We walk in silence," Jiah explains shortly. "Anyways, I gotta go."
Y/N and Nayoung tell their friend goodbye. Y/N looks over at Nayoung, "I'm gonna go too. Good luck with detention."
"Ugh, should I skip it?" Nayoung asks.
"Girl, you already got so many demerits for skipping detentions," Y/N argues softly.
"Mmm, true. I'll see you tomorrow, then," Nayoung says, placing her head back on the table.
"See ya," Y/N greets, walking off.
Usually, the three girls walk out of school together, separating at the bus stop to go home. When circumstances like this get in the way, Y/N places her AirPods in her ears, silence, an odd friend accompanying her. She's never been comfortable with silence.
Their mom had joked once that Y/N took all the talking genes in the womb when she was pregnant—they'd laugh and then, the divorce came months later. Seeing her mom was a rare occurrence after that. Ever since her career took off, she'd seen her less, as if she wasn't a part of her mom's life. She misses her terribly, but what can she do? If someone isn't going to show their love, why would Y/N go and beg for it? She has better things to do, much better people who show their appreciation in her life.
The convenience store stationed at the end of the school's road captures her attention. Maybe she should get something hot to drink, something to alleviate this headache and put her to sleep when she gets home. As she walks towards the convenience store with a light excitement for what's coming, she's stopped short by what's standing at the entrance.
Dark brown hair, an intimidating stare at nothing and lips that she's definitely kissed before, all in a boy from last night's rendezvous. He hasn't noticed her yet. Plus, there are a lot of people around. Surely she can slip by without making eye contact.
She attempts to walk by, watching him from the corner of her eye as she does so. That's when his eyes slide into hers.
Fuck.
She speeds up.
Y/N prays hard he doesn't come after her but the tug on her wrist cancels out her prayers.
She spins around, finding the guy staring down at her. A smile so blinding she swore she needed to wear sunglasses looking at it.
"I thought it was you," he chuckles lowly. "You go here?"
He gestures towards the upwards slope of the hill where Byuksan High School stands. She can't bring herself to speak, almost admiring his features.
"What?" he asks. "Can't speak in the daylight?"
"Shut up," she replies, yanking her hand back to herself.
He laughs at her, an adorable sound that tugged at her heart.
"You left too early last night," he notes. "Didn't catch a name."
She's kind of frustrated that he seems to be hitting on her. More so that she kind of likes the attention. She has to say something smart-mouthed now. She racks her brain for one, smiling when she's found one.
"Nunya," she tells him.
"Nunya? What's that mean?" he asks, falling right into her trap.
"Nunya business," she effectively responds.
He blinks at her once. Then, once again, processing her words.
"Damn, you gonna do me like that?" he asks.
She doesn't have a chance to answer him, an interruption bursting from behind them.
"Yo, Wooyoung!"
The two of them shift their attention to behind them. Yeongbin and his lackeys are walking towards them. She sighs under her breath at seeing Yeongbin, the guy in front of her noticing it. His name must be Wooyoung. At least Y/N got something out of the interaction, something he doesn't have of hers. It's time to cut it short.
Yeongbin turns to her, "Aren't you Sieun's—"
"Yeah, bye," she nods.
She leaves, thanking the universe she somehow evaded him. Hopefully he doesn't come about again.
KANG WOOYOUNG HAS ALWAYS BEEN AMBITIOUS. From a young age, he's had a good head on his shoulders when it came to his goals and dreams. He runs after them like a dog running in an empty meadow, chasing opportunities that would help him get to his desired end, which is to make a shit-ton of money, make it to the UFC and be with a girl who'd endlessly support him. The downsides of this meant that his mom would complain about his dropping attendance at school, he's been called cold and calculative and has a mind that's constantly in drive mode. As someone who has all these goals, it can feel like time is running out. Like there was little time to no time to achieve them.
It didn't matter to Wooyoung though. He liked the stress that came with it, it only pushed him harder.
He didn't go to school today, needing a day off to train and fight some idiot who challenged him tonight. He's certain he's going to make a pretty penny out of tonight's stream.
He made his way to the convenience store near Byuksan High School, a usual spot of his. The plan was to get a protein drink, hit the gym and then, put that loser in his spot—in the ground, like he deserved to be. Walking out of the convenience store, he flips a protein drink in his hand nonchalantly.
Suddenly, a figure runs towards him, bumping hard into his chest.
"Oh, shit. Sorry," an unknown voice came, looking down at her feet.
She looks up slowly and he's met with an equally shocked expression as his.
There's no way this is happening to him right now. It's the girl from the club. He crosses his arms, raising an eyebrow at her, "Sneaking outta school?"
"Uh, yeah. So if you could kindly move out of the way, sir, I'd greatly appreciate it," she squeaks.
Wooyoung scoffs, unable to believe it, "Sir?"
"Please," she pleads, eyes wide.
"What do I get out of it?" he asks.
"My appreciation," she deadpans.
"Won't cut it," he replies meekly.
Suddenly, she grabs him by the shoulders, pulling him closer to her. His breath hitches. She's not fazed at all, sneaking above his shoulder and hiding again.
"Ten seconds," she says. "And I'll be out of your hair."
He doesn't mind it. He lets it happen, easing into her touch.
"Oi, Byuksan student! I see you!" someone shouts. "Get back to school!"
Wooyoung peers over his shoulder, finding a bald, old man a few feet away from them. It must be a teacher.
"I'm so sorry, but please cooperate," is all the girl says before grabbing his arm and running the other way.
A gasp leaves Wooyoung as he's dragged to who knows where. She sprints into the wind, the teacher hot on their trail, inches away from grabbing Wooyoung by the scruff of his neck.
He watches the girl running and he wonders if she knows where she's going.
Also, how did he manage to get into this situation? He had his whole day planned to the T. This girl just came and ruined it all. Whatever. He'll put an end to it quickly.
With a heavy sigh, he switches roles, intertwining his hand with hers and taking a swift turn. He continues sprinting down the block.
"What are you doing?!" she shouts.
"Trust me," he answers, pumping his feet against the ground.
He looks back once, the distance between them and the teacher growing larger with Wooyoung in the lead.
"Get back here!" the teacher yells, waving at them.
A pedestrian crossing is before them, the walking meter indicating a red. Wooyoung looks left and right once. No cars. He pulls the girl into the crossing. A car comes from the left, turning into the road. It breaks all of a sudden, skidding right before them. The car lets out a loud honk.
"Sorry!" the girl shouts, waving her empty hand at the car.
Wooyoung makes one last turn into the back of a random hardware store. Safe and sound from any teacher trying to find them.
She lets go first, squatting down to the ground, out of breath.
He catches his own breath. He stares at the girl who hasn't paid him a bit of attention, practically using him as a bodyguard. Yet, a curious nature has always been a part of his personality.
He squats before the girl, "Was that worth the trouble?"
She lifts her head up, sweat gleaming on her forehead. She glances down at the protein drink in his hand and without any words, swipes it from his hold.
"Bro—"
"Thanks," is all she says as she unscrews the lid and chugs it all down in one go.
"You can't be serious," he comments.
He doesn't know what to feel. Annoyed? Stressed? Should he laugh?
She stops mid-sip as if momentarily realising what she'd done. She holds the empty bottle back to him and then, shakes her head, pulling it back to her, "That's yours—my bad! Owe you one, thanks again."
She stands up to her full height, dusting her skirt. She turns on her feet, heading towards the exit.
Wooyoung's head is muddled. So much so his controlled way of speaking doesn't translate the way it usually would, "Where are you going?"
"Home."
And she's gone as fast as she came, leaving Wooyoung in a confusion he can't navigate.
Y/N, JIAH AND NAYOUNG NATURALLY FALL IN STEP AS THEY WALK TOWARDS THE EXIT OF THE SCHOOL GATES. In that exact order, arms linked and engrained in their friendship. Never once had they switched sides, never has it been questioned—it's how things have always been with the three of them.Â
The beauty of being in a trio is that when two people are talking, the other one can take a break. That's currently what Y/N is experiencing. A panic sinks into her as Jiah and Nayoung are complaining about something that doesn't seem to matter to the likes of her. Y/N's mind is elsewhere, far, far away from here.
She can't help but think about what happened yesterday, or the day before that, or the night before that. Her mind draws the ominous Wooyoung, his shaggy hair and the musky cologne, appearing three times in a row now. She entertains the thoughts of divine intervention, but it sounds too silly to be true. She does wonder about the stranger quite a bit though.
Who is he? She could ask him about this if she were to bump into him again, but she doesn't want to see him. She doesn't like the way he startles her, endangering her presence like he belonged there. She's irrefutably one for spontaneity save for the times spontaneity plays in her face the way it does. It's an illusive theatric, aloof in its standing.
As the three girls escape the school gates, students are bustling around, heading to their after school plans with friends, homework or extra-curricular activities. Y/N takes in the scene around her, patiently grounding herself in the presence that is now. Slowly, she comes back to where she is, on the brink of joining back into the flow of conversation.
Someone materialises at the entrance of Byuksan High School, adorned in a grey hoodie and baggy jeans. He sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the hundreds of students and teachers leaving the school gates.
Her friends' words are abruptly jumbled as she scrutinises the figure as he looks into the school, craning his neck to get a better look inside. In a flash, his head snaps towards her. As though he knows someone is watching him. They're standing at either ends of a wide walkway, sufficient to fit twenty students at a time, but he managed to catch her eyes.Â
Y/N swallows hard, hands fidgety. They make eye contact for a few seconds. It's blank, expressionless. Then, she tears her eyes away from him.
Is he looking for her?, is her first thought.
As she passes him, she can't help but look back.
The same craning of his neck continues.
So it mustn't be her that he's looking for...then, who? Yeongbin? He wouldn't be looking for Yeongbin. They seem to be friends enough for him to not be craning his neck, looking for him like that. They would meet up somewhere, right? There seems to be an anxiousness within Wooyoung that festers a suspicion in her.
Y/N's about halfway down the slope, muling over it. She snaps, the fascination slamming her. She unlinks her arms from Jiah, "You two go on ahead. I forgot something back in the classroom."
"Huh?" Jiah asks.
"Get it tomorrow," Nayoung suggests.
"I'll see you tomorrow!" she exclaims, ignoring her friends and running up the slope.
"She's actually weird."
"You never know what this girl is gonna do."
On an average day, she'd argue back with her friends. However, her mind is locked on Wooyoung and his peculiar activity. She has to execute this perfectly.
Y/N goes back into the school, somehow managing to avoid his line of sight She steps into the bushes right by the gate, hidden enough where she could see him, but he couldn't see her.
She waits.
Arms folded, backpack sliding off his shoulders, a glint from the sun sparkling on a silver necklace dangling on his chest. His lips are slightly parted and his eyes swim around the many students. Damn him, why does he have to look good candid? She debates whether she should take a photo. She's quick to realise that it would be considered stalker behaviour.
Soon, a boy meets Wooyoung. They engage in a conversation. No smiles, no gestures—a conversation you'd be having with a stranger.
Wooyoung unzips his bag, pulling out a black plastic, wrapped around something box-like. He gives it to the other guy. The other guy exchanges it for a wad of cash.Â
Y/N slaps her hand to her mouth in disbelief. Frozen solid, her thoughts run at a hundred miles an hour. She's seen enough.Â
The guy leaves as Wooyoung is stood there. He's glued to his phone. She's sure he won't see her anyways. She steps out of her hiding spot and leaves the school gates again. She stares at Wooyoung, standing there, tapping away on his phone.
Y/N is not one to judge easily. People have to do what they have to do, right? But, what makes Wooyoung do literal criminal activity in front of her school like that? A churning void tumbles in her stomach.
At the last possible second, Wooyoung looks up again. He catches her eye and in that second, the thoughts are seemingly telepathically communicated. He knows he's been caught.
She turns away, standing right ahead.
He doesn't follow her this time.
And she really doesn't want him to.
Y/N is all for troublemaking. Still, this is out of her scope. Whatever strange relationship she had with Wooyoung across the last few days dies today.Â
THE SUCCESS THAT CAME WITH AVOIDING THE LONE CONVENIENCE STORE LOITERING AT THE END OF BYUKSAN HIGH SCHOOL CAME WITH ITS OWN DISADVANTAGES. She managed to avoid it for a whole week, but she wasn't sure if she could keep going with the excuses. Firstly, she had to explain to her friends that she'd have to take a different exit, without explaining the reason why. Secondly, the exit was a lot more time-consuming than she'd expect it to be. The final reason sent her into a whirlwind, causing the girl to sink into her bathroom floor in despair.
She didn't have to worry about the stock of sanitary products when her mom still lived here. Now that her mom was across the city, she stares at the empty section dedicated for her in the bathroom cabinet. Zero pads and she's on her third day of her period.
"Fuck my life."
The flow is too strong for her to come up with an excuse as to why she couldn't go to the convenience store near school. She didn't know when she started associating the convenience store with Wooyoung.
She stands up.
She shouldn't.
It's far too late for him to be there anyways. Plus, revolving her life around a guy isn't going to get her anywhere. She should go to the convenience store and get what she needs to.Â
With a newfound determination, Y/N leaves for the convenience store. She won't see him unless she wants to. The universe can play in her face all it wants to. She has a good grip on her life. She will not allow for it.
She stands at the crossing directly opposite the convenience store, scanning the area for a mysterious figure she's come to familiarise herself with.
No one.
She smiles to herself.
It's over.
No more Wooyoung.
She enters the convenience store, grabbing a good stack of pads before checking out. The automatic doors swish open and she steps into the night, full of confidence. That's right. No one is going to ruin her night of spectacularity. She's going home, taking a hot shower and doomscrolling until she falls asleep.
There's no fucking way.
Wooyoung is lighting a cigarette, staring right into her. He glances down at the plastic bag in her hand and back at her. No words are exchanged, giving Y/N an easy out. She swivels. Before she's about to take the first step, Wooyoung's mouth opens, "You saw."
"Huh?"
"The other day," he explains. She turns to face him. He pulls the cigarette from his mouth, puffing out a white cloud of smoke. "That's why you haven't been coming around here."
"I've been staying back at school," she dismisses.
"But I've been here until seven pm every day, I would've seen you," he says.
She huffs. She hates this. She's actively trying to avoid him and he's trying to demerit her hard work. Letting go of any fear she has of him, she walks right up to him, "Were you waiting for me?"
Wooyoung backs up against the wall, averting his eyes at the sudden closeness, "I wasn't waiting...dude. Just noticed. Don't read too much into it."
"Right, right. Well, bye," she announces.
She's about to leave again when he says, "It's dark."
"You have eyes," she comments sarcastically.
"Shouldn't be walking around this late. Crazy people around here besides you," he points out.
Y/N furrows her brows at the remark. She could also say a lot about him for that matter!
"You're one to talk, Byuksan Dealer," she spits out.
Wooyoung dares to smirk at her, neither confirming or denying what he'd been doing at the entrance of her school.
"Aren't you going to admit it?" she presses.
He shrugs indifferently.
The tug of curiosity scratches an itch she truly doesn't like. Really, who is he?
"Oh, you get on my nerves," she says.
He offers a smile, too sweet to be innocent. It's cute, playful. Teasing, even. At her losing her mind at him. She doesn't know how to feel in the moment. It's a plight she's unsure of how to grapple, but his energy causes her to soften—the tiniest bit.
Her eyes catch a looming figure near them, a mere few feet from her.
Sieun stands there, taking out one of his AirPods upon recognising. Talk about coincidence. He must've just finished cram school and was passing by to go home.
"Oh, hey," she greets her brother.
"What are you doing?" he asks, looking between her and Wooyoung.
"Pads," she says, lifting the plastic bag.
Sieun has a plastic bag in his hand. He gestures down to his, "I already bought it for you."
"Aren't you the best?" she sighs dreamily.
His eyes linger on Wooyoung and then, back at her, "Who's this?"
He asks it as if Wooyoung isn't standing there.Â
Y/N understands that this is a great opportunity to leave.Â
She leaps over to her brother, linking her arm with his, "I honestly don't know! We should go home. Crazy people like him around here."
Y/N and Sieun make their way to the crossing, leaving Wooyoung at the entrance of the convenience store.Â
She peers over one last time. He's watching and when he finds her looking at him, he shakes his head. Teasingly, after she'd call him a crazy person. She smirks at him mischievously, her stomach tumbling in itself.
Maybe he's not as dangerous as he poses himself to be. There's a gentle edge to his demeanour she's failed to notice all this while. Under that tough guy act, there's a calmness she finds herself wanting to know more of.
Maybe she should stop avoiding him. Because, truly, if he was dangerous, maybe she would've known sooner.
"Is he trouble?" Sieun interjects her thoguhts.
She brings her attention back to her brother, finally letting out a sigh, "No clue."
THE ART OF SKIPPING CLASS IS WHAT YEON Y/N TOOK YEARS TO MASTER INSTEAD OF STUDYING. At first, there were slips. Calls to her parents and a disapproving shake of the head from Sieun. Soon, she'd found a way to sneak out of class without a sound, and she'd taken extra safety measures to make sure her parents were never called. Changing their numbers to Sieun's (without his knowledge) on the school system ensured that if she had a failed grade, or if there was a slight mishap and she was caught sneaking out, the calls would go straight to Sieun's phone. Luckily, neither has happened yet. Y/N is anything if she's careful.
Especially now, as she practically skips towards the back of the school, excited that she ditched her dreary History lesson that came with an even more dreary teacher.Â
The back of the school is neglected from all students alike, but she's found home in its corner when school got boring. It's her little spot. Which is exactly why she's beyond shocked when Wooyoung is sitting on one of the upside-down crates scattered across the open space.
They lock eyes.
"You have to be stalking me," she finally sighs, walking up to him.
"Trust me, I'm as shocked as you," he defends himself.
After seeing him again at the convenience store, she figured that she couldn't outright avoid him anymore. She started taking her normal route after school, pestered by her friends as to what happened to cause her not to. She never gave in, not even when she'd make eye contact with a smirking Wooyoung on the way home. A little giddiness entered Y/N at the shared secret they had. Well, it wasn't really a secret, but something only the two of them knew about.
"What are you doing here?" she asks.
"Yeongbin wanted to meet," he replies, stubbing his cigarette with his shoe.
"Aw, cute," she teases as a knowing smile makes its way to her face. "Waiting for your little boyfriend."
Wooyoung scoffs, barely offended by her words, "You're crazy."
"I'll take it," she shrugs. Now the real question was pumping through her, a deafening urge wanting to pry the answer out of him. "What was in the box?"
Wooyoung takes a second to understand her and then, nods, "Why? Thought you didn't want to know."
"I've done my formal assessments on you. You're not dangerous," she lies, folding her arms across the chest. She has done no research on Wooyoung.
The boy laughs, cocking an eyebrow, "Yeah? You'd be surprised."
That stumps Y/N a little. What could make him so dangerous? Besides that resting bitch face and intimidating aura that says he'd beat up everyone in the vicinity, Y/N can't think of anything else. Although, she knows nothing of him, so there could be room. In the same breath she'd argue that it doesn't bother her that much. He hasn't shown signs of harmful intentions. At least, not yet.
"You gonna tell me what was in that box?"
"No," he responds.
"Why?"Â
Wooyoung shifts back on the crate, forearms on his knees as he takes a good look at Y/N. It's like he's trying to figure out why the girl had so many questions. He settles for, "The world isn't all sunshines and rainbows as you think it is."
Y/N cocks her lips to the side, not satisfied with the answer. He must think she's innocent to cruelty, which is far from the truth. Sure she was bright and happy most of the time, but she understood that happiness isn't dished out all willy-nilly. She sees it in the form of her brother, in the harsh words of miserable people. She didn't like to be misconceptualised like that.
"I don't think that. Have you seen my brother? He's the epitome of darkness and gloom," she replies. "What's in the box?"
"I'm not telling you for your own protection," he sighs.
"Protection from who?"Â
"The truth."
It's at this point Y/N rolls her eyes at the boy. It doesn't seem like she's going to get far with him. He seems insistent on not telling her.
"You speak so ominously for a delinquent sitting at the back of my school, smoking," she comments.
He laughs again, "I'll take it if it stops you from asking."
"Yeon Y/N!"
Her heart drops to her ass. She looks to the side where the discipline teacher stands, completely unimpressed by the scene. His eyes move to Wooyoung who's sitting on the crate.
"You little shit!" he points at Wooyoung with a pudgy finger. "This is the third time I've caught you here."
She feels a detention coming, demerits being taken off her record and her parents being called (well, more like, Sieun).
The teacher pulls out his phone, fiddling with it, "Just wait. I'm going to take a photo of you and plaster it all over the school network!"
Y/N and Wooyoung exchange a worried glance. Under that tough guy act, she spots a silver of helplessness. She could leave now, let Wooyoung bare the burdens of his mistake. But, somewhere in her has already softened a little from the smart-mouthed boy.Â
The conversations they've had have been ordinary thus far, but the potential makes itself known between them. Despite whatever deal he dealt outside her school, a prospect opens up.
Which is why she does what she does.
"Wooyoung, run," she softly whispers to him.
He stares at her as if she'd lost her mind.
"I'm gonna do something. Run, now."
Y/N fingers the edges of her uniform shirt. With a heavy exhale, she lifts it well above her chest, revealing her bra and upper body on display.Â
If the teacher was to take photo now, he'd be in huge trouble for having her half-naked body on his phone.
"What are you doing?!" the teacher and Wooyoung yell absurdly.
Wooyoung sits there dumbly.
"Run, idiot!" she hisses at him.
Wooyoung looks between her half-naked figure and the teacher that's pulled his phone down. He wastes no time. He escapes through the back entrance of the school. Once his figure has disappeared, she finally pulled down her top, straightening her uniform.Â
Clearing her throat, she speaks to the baffled teacher, "I'll be off to class now!"
WOOYOUNG WAITS FOR HER AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE CONVENIENCE STORE AFTER SCHOOL. At first, it's an assumption made by the girl. When she spots him searching for someone amongst the crowd of students, she can't even be shocked. Luckily for her, Nayoung is in detention and Jiah was already on her way to cram school. She's free to talk to him as she pleases.
"Waiting for someone?" Y/N asks, walking up to him.
"Ah, come on. Don't make me say it," he replies, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
"Don't need to when you're already here," she smiles up at him.
He returns the smile, more to the ground than to her.
"I was thinking," he says, glancing up at her. "I gotta treat you for saving me before."
She shakes her head, "Nah. Let's call it even. You saved me the other day when I snuck out of school."
"Well, how about you not telling anyone about the dealing?" he insists.
"So, you admit it's a dealing?"
"Ssh," he shushes her. "Just this once. On me."
"Hm...okay!" she agrees, giving him a thumbs up.
Who is she to turn down free food?
Y/N and Wooyoung make their way into the convenience store. She gets instant ramen and a banana milk. Once they're seated with with boiling water in their food and a swirly white smoke escaping through the edges of the opening, Wooyoung asks, "Never got your name."
She's about to tell him.
In fact, she should tell him at this point because somewhere in her hopes meeting him will be regular. But, the thought of reserving it interests her more.
"Can't I be a mysterious alpha?" she quips, sipping her milk.
He chuckles, "Mysterious alpha drinking banana milk."
"Hey! This is the drink of all alphas," she argues.
"I actually don't like banana milk," he announces.
She eyes his chocolate protein drink, the same one that she stole from him the other day, "Is that your favourite drink or something?"Â
Wooyoung turns his drink to himself, glancing at it for a moment, "Mmm, no? I drink it because I have to."
"Have to?"Â
"Gym," he responds.
"Yeah, you built well," she compliments him suddenly.
"You've seen?"
"When I kissed you," she recalls vividly. "I felt your arms and chest. They're like rock hard, like a tank."
His jaw drops the tiniest bit before he picks it up. He clicks his tongue, leaning back against his seat, "You're really upfront."
"Just telling you the truth," she shrugs.
"Hm," he nods as if in thought. He sighs, "I like it. It's refreshing."
"I don't like beating around the bush either," she replies. "You are pretty cute or whatever."
He raises an eyebrow, "You think so?"
"Yeah, that's all the glaze you're gonna get today, buddy. Don't expect anymore," she points out.
"It's a lot already," he answers. Then, he leans forward, pushing a strand of fallen hair behind her ear, "You're pretty cute, too."
Pink dusts her cheeks. She said everything to him in confidence, but to have it returned? Her stomach tumbles into itself, unprepared to hear his compliment. She truly wonders to herself, where is this going? Where would Wooyoung lead her to?
THE LIGHTS AT OBSIDIAN NIGHTCLUB NEVER FAILS TO MAKE ONE HYPNOTISED. Static fixtures crafted to captivate and perplex the viewer alongside the trenchant bass, which synchronises with the racing rhythm of the heartbeat. It's an effect designed for overstimulation. Add alcohol to the mix and you're as good as gone.
Y/N stares at the ceiling after another shot, the laughter of her company dulling her senses, and the promise of 'never touching alcohol' disappearing into oblivion. Yet, she feels more alive than ever. Like little sparks are running down her arm in pinches, waiting patiently for her next impulsive act. She thought she drank a lot last time, which led her to kiss a stranger in the alleyway. This time, she sits, staring at the ceiling, getting lost in thought of said stranger. Although, he's not really a stranger anymore, is he? He's the reason little sparks run down her arms when she's intoxicated. Well, who knows, really? Maybe Yeon Y/N cannot tolerate alcohol after all, but shoves it down her system to fuel a feeling that remains dormant.
Whatever it is, the group of guys sitting with her and her friends are not doing it for. As it turns out, she's growing sick of them and Nayoung's fake laughter shrilling in the air.
She stands up to her feet, kind of wobbly.
"Where are you going?" Jiah asks, concerned.
"Air," Y/N replies.
"You can't go alone," Nayoung debates.
Is that a challenge?
"Watch me," Y/N shoots back.
Her friends exchange a glance between the guys. One has his arm around Nayoung's waist, while Jiah has her head on one of their shoulders. One of them had tried to make a move on her, but Y/N wasn't interested in meaningless conversation when she'd found meaning elsewhere.
She grabs her purse and in her drunk stupor, goes all the way downstairs, hoping. Hoping to find the boy that caused her liquored thoughts to be all about him.
This is ridiculous, she thinks to herself. She's seen him a handful of times and he's already got her like this. No man can have this much control over her; especially when she doesn't know him.Â
She wonders if it's the mystery of him—how she knows him, yet knows nothing of him and what he does. How he makes conversations so easy. How his sharp tongue can always remark her smart-arse comments.Â
She doesn't like it one bit. A part of her hope she doesn't see him where they first met, so this overwhelming surge disappears. She'd much rather deal with disappointment right now.Â
She stumbles to the dim hallway at the back of the club. She finds the door, sparks lighting up once again. Hope that he's there, hope he's not. Twisting the door open, her fate awaits her.
Lo and behold, like a surprise present wrapped just for her, stands Wooyoung. Closer to the door than he was the first time they met in the alleyway, closer to her heart and all the teenage girl rush than he should be.
Wooyoung looks up at her innocently. As if he wasn't the cause of this.
"Why are you always here?" she lets out with a tired groan.
He isn't.
This is the second time she's encountering him out here.
She must be beyond wasted.
"Maybe because you're always looking for me," he smiles at her.
It's exactly what she was doing.
"Fuck you," she responds, stepping out.
"What's with the attitude?" he asks. He doesn't sound offended or taken aback, just natural curiosity as to what's occurring.Â
"Don't know, thought I'd be alone out here," she sighs, making herself home right next to him. Against the wall, in the shade of the distant streetlight.
If he's going to be here, she's going to make him be mean to her, let her down in any way, so she can forget this. Disappointment leads to detachment after all.
"It's cold," she complains.Â
She looks down at the zip-up hoodie he's wearing. He won't give it. He definitely won't.
Wooyoung follows her eyes and sighs, seemingly realising what she had her eye on. He reaches unzips it. Shrugging it off his body, his chest pushes forward in the direction of her face. Y/N turns the side, unescaping of the musky cologne swamping her nose. He hands her the jacket. A white graphic tee is under his clothes.Â
She takes the jacket, grumbling, "I don't like you."
She pulls the sleeves on. Then, thumbs the base of the zipper, trying to slot it in its rightful hole. Her vision is somewhere between slowed and blurred. Was it always this hard to put on a jacket?
"Sure you don't," came Wooyoung's unneeded sarcasm.
He grabs the hem of the hoodie, guiding it towards him and her as a result. He places the zipper in its slot and drags the zipper up her body gently. She dares to look at his face, the minute concentration at such a small, indifferent task. He places the hood on her head. It hangs on her head, her heart lurching.
When he's done, he meets her eyes, "Still don't like me?"
"You're alright," she responds apathetically.Â
He yanks the hem of the hood down, swallowing her face in its material.
"Hey!" she squeaks.
He's laughing at her, a tender sound she likes hearing. She readjusts the hood, places her hands in the empty pockets and leans against the wall. She sighs into the air, arctic-breath blowing into the wind.
"Why didn't you want to see me here?" Wooyoung asks abruptly.
"I didn't say that."
"You kind of sounded like you didn't want to see me here."
She meets his gaze, "Because I want to kiss you."
"Huh?" he asks, eyes widening.
"I want to kiss you," she replies, holding the sides of his arms. "And you can't stop me."
Just as she's about to lean in, Wooyoung dodges it, pressing her forehead away.
"You're too drunk to be making that decision right now," he dismisses her.
She furrows her brows, "No, I'm not. I—"
"You are," he interrupts her.
It goes quiet for a second. Then, it hits her at once. The nausea, the feeling that something from her abdomen is about to come out the wrong way.
"Wooyoung," she starts slowly. "I don't feel so good."
KANG WOOYOUNG HAS APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES TO FIND THIS GIRL A TOILET TO THROW UP IN. Dragging her by the forearm and into the back entrance of the club is second nature to Wooyoung. Instinctual, even. He did not need her to throw up everywhere and make a mess of herself.
As the club parades, he looks back at the girl, tensed. She's barely holding onto herself, hand wrapped around her stomach.
He pulls her into him, her face bumping into his chest for a nanosecond, "Are you going to throw up?"
"No...I think I just need to sit for a second. And, some water."
Wooyoung nods, carefully listening to her words under the blaring music and shouting. He searches the floor for somewhere she could rest. Meanwhile, she picks up her phone, a contact displaying 'Jiah' and a photo of a girl blaring on her phone.Â
No time to look at that right now. He needs to find this girl somewhere to sit. He finds a lone chair, far enough from the dancers and close enough for him to keep watch as he gets her water. Wooyoung drags the drunk girl to sit on the chair. Luckily, she's obedient enough to sit down and listen to him.
"Can you sit here by yourself?" he questions her, watching her starstruck face, close to falling asleep any moment.
"Yes."
Wooyoung heads to the bar and asks the bartender for a glass of water. He watches over his shoulder multiple times to make sure she's okay. As he walks back, another girl has approached her.
"I know I shouldn't have left you alone!" she says. He recognises her previously from the contact name displayed as 'Jiah'.
"I don't feel good, Jiah."
"I know, honey," Jiah sighs, caressing her hair.
Wooyoung speaks up, extending the glass of water, "Hey, I got her some water—"
Jiah grabs her ringing phone, answering it, "What's up? On the curb?! Give me a minute..."
Jiah pulls her phone down, finally taking Wooyoung in. They stare at each other for a second.
"I know her," he says, pointing to the girl half-passed out on the chair.
"What's her name?" Jiah asks.
Wooyoung can see how this situation looks. Offering her water that Jiah didn't see him get, girl barely awake—the perfect recipe to spike and take advantage of a girl.
Fair enough.
"I don't know," Wooyoung admits.
"I got a friend throwing up on the curb and I need to get this one home," Jiah answers, pointing at the chair. "Could you help me out for a second, if you don't mind...?"
She's waiting for a name.
"Wooyoung," the girl from the chair giggles. "His name is Wooooyoung."
Wooyoung purses his lips, holding himself back from laughter. She looks ridiculous. He's so going to make fun of her for this when it's all over.
"I can help you," he nods at Jiah.
They lift her out from the chair, her hand wrapping around each one of them. They head to the dingy exit of the club. Outside, the line has disappeared, a bouncer stands lone and a girl is bent over the curb, throwing up. Wooyoung looks away as Jiah walks towards her.Â
The girl wearing his jacket is fully dependent on him, an arm around his side as she tucks herself into his side. He looks down at her. Vulnerable, relying on him, needing him to balance. Wooyoung's heart hammers in his chest at the closeness. It's a nice feeling in itself. He feels himself warming despite the brisk air of Seoul.Â
"Holy shit, Li Nayoung! You're throwing up unicorns!" she giggles, eyes widening and pointing to the girl on the curb.
Wooyoung feels the hammering in his chest stop. Drops, even.
Li Nayoung?
He follows her gaze to Jiah and the girl throwing up her insides, squatting at the corner. The facial recognition slowly clocks in his brain. It is Li Nayoung.Â
He didn't know they were friends. He doesn't know what to make of it. After a few minutes, Jiah and a clumsy Nayoung come back. She laughs through her drunk gaze at seeing Wooyoung.
"Wooyoung!" she exclaims and then, her eyes trails down to the girl leaning on him. Her tone slows down, "How do you know her?"
"Do you know him?" Jiah asks Nayoung.
"Yeah," Nayoung nods. "Um...you can take her home. I can stay here."
"No way! You're too drunk," Jiah says. "I booked the taxi for all three of us, too."
"He can take me home," Nayoung replies, gesturing her head towards Wooyoung.
Before Wooyoung can rebut, a taxi pulls up in front of them.
Jiah looks between Wooyoung and Nayoung as if questioning.
"Fine. If you're sure," Jiah answers.
That's not the answer he wanted to hear.
Fuck.Â
Jiah grabs the girl from Wooyoung and opens the car door. She lets her in first, Wooyoung watching her climb in clumsily and then, Jiah follows. She peeks her head out one last time, "Keep your location on at all times."
"Okay, Mama Bear," Nayoung waves at her.
The door shuts and the taxi drives off, leaving a greasy whiff of air behind it.
Nayoung punches Wooyoung in the arm as he stares into the back of the retreating car, "Didn't know you still come here."
She seems drunk, but sober enough to make decisions and hold conversations. Standing on both feet, controlled voice. Wooyoung knows why she stayed behind, an act to trap him alone, get him to talk to her after he's been avoiding her.
"I can't take you home," Wooyoung states assertively. "I can call you a taxi, but I can't take you home."
"Awww, why? Don't you remember the fun we used to have?" Nayoung asks, blinking up at him.
Wooyoung shakes his head dismissively, "Sorry."
"Ugh," Nayoung groans. "No fun. Fine. Call me a taxi."
It isn't until Nayoung leaves in her taxi did Wooyoung feel like he can breathe air again. He sighs. He needs a smoke after that interaction.
YEON Y/N IS ENAMOURED BY THE WORST HEADACHE EVER. She rouses in bed with a groan, soon finding that she isn't in her bed at all. She hunts through her memories, wondering what the fuck happened last night that strayed her from her bed. However, the ebbing scent of detergent in the blankets she lays in is all too familiar. Then, the pillow that's too firm for her head. She turns over in the bed to confirm. There, her brother is sitting at his desk, AirPods in and studying.
Thank God.
Sieun turns in his chair, facing her limp body, "It's three-thirty."
"Holy shit. What happened last night?" Y/N asks, sitting up, enabling the ache of her bones to settle as she stretches them. Her eyes are barely opened, taking in her brother's unbeknownst annoyance. "Why am I in your bed?"
Last night is faded. With time, it'll surely come back to her.
"Jiah brought you home and you passed out on my bed," he explains. "You refused to leave. I had to sleep in your room."
"Really? Probably missed you, that's why."
"Don't let it happen again," Sieun warns.
"Geez, okay, grumps," she giggles, picking her phone up from the bedside table.
Upon unlocking her phone, she finds a gazillion notifications from her friends.
"Oh no," she mumbles under her breath and reads over the messages.
They want to meet immediately. Like, right now.
"What?" Sieun asks.
"Emergency. I gotta go," she replies, getting out of his bed, leaving the sheets all crumpled behind her. "Talk later, okay?"
Sieun mutters something about irresponsibility under his breath. Y/N doesn't have time to rebut, running around to get ready to meet her friends in thirty minutes.
"What's going on with you?" Y/N asks Nayoung teasingly. Nayoung is no way able to do anything but breathe for the moment. She looks completely out of it.Â
"Shut up, girl. I'm having the worst hangover," Nayoung groans, letting her head hit the wall behind her.
"Tell me about it," Y/N sighs, rubbing one side of her head with her fingers.
"This is why we should stop partying," Jiah states, looking between the two of them and shaking her head. "It's not good for you."
"Yet, you always come. Huh?" Nayoung asks her.
"Yeah, okay. Whatever," Jiah replies, rolling her eyes. "Start speaking, Nayoung. You need to fill her in on whatever's on your mind."
"You mean, it wasn't you that wanted us here?" Y/N inquires, interest peaking.
Jiah shakes her head and gestures to a half-awake Nayoung, "It was her."
"Oh...what's going on? This is strange," Y/N says.
Nayoung sighs and sits up straight. The ice in her drink settled at the bottom of her glass, the drink long gone. Y/N wondered how long they'd been waiting for her here, what they were discussing.Â
For Nayoung to be wanting to meet up immediately, it must be important. She's usually the laid back one in the group. She could've waited for school tomorrow, but she didn't.
"Do you remember anything from last night?" Nayoung questions Y/N.
Y/N didn't have an opportunity to think back to the night before since she was so busy getting ready. She thinks through her headache, tries her best through the intoxicated memories built in the chasm of her mind, never illustrating the full picture. Almost like bits and pieces. She remembers drinking a lot, those random guys that came to their booth, staring at the lights, going downstairs to the alley and...oh.
She made a complete fool of herself in front of Wooyoung.Â
She thinks back to the zip-up hoodie of his, thrown carelessly on her couch from last night's ensemble of getting Y/N in bed. She'd ripped her outer layers off in frustration of the heat. Oh, how she hopes the floor would swallow her whole. Last night was an embarrassment.
"Oh my God," she whispers.
Jiah and Nayoung exchange a glance.
"You remember?" Jiah asks.
Y/N nods, "I do..."
"How do you know Wooyoung?" Nayoung probes, edging closer to the table.
"We don't really know each other. We made out once, like, two weeks ago at the club. I see him at the convenience store near school sometimes. We talked a few times," she explains truthfully.
Her friends let out understanding noises.
"Why didn't you tell us you made out with someone? That's crazy!" Jiah exclaims.
"Yeah!" Nayoung agrees.
Of course they'd jump at that detail first.
Y/N laughs, "I don't know! I thought we were just messing around and it wouldn't be too serious or something. But, he just kept showing up after. Like, he even showed up at the back of our school once when I missed History the other day."
They gasp.
"Damn, he got game," Nayoung hums.
"How do you know him?" Jiah asks Nayoung.
"You know him?" Y/N adds.
"Hm, well, not really? We were in the same friend group for a while, but he's lowkey an ass," Nayoung explains, rolling her eyes.
Y/N tilts her head.
An ass? Wooyoung hasn't showed anything that could be related to that word. He's been respectful towards her for as long as he's known her. Witty and sarcastic? Sure. But, it's never been beyond that. She's curious as to why Nayoung thinks that of him.
"Why do you say that?" Y/N prompts, sipping her drink.Â
"He's violent," Nayoung answers. "He gets into these crazy fights with people for money and livestreams it. People call him Physical Therapist Kang Wooyoung. He's, like, so determined to fight if it's for money."
Y/N's taken aback.
"What?"
"Yeah," Nayoung nods, pulling out her phone.
She shows the two of them a clip of Wooyoung. There it is. He's beating someone mercilessly to the ground. Y/N feels her ribcage close in on itself. Is this why she doesn't know anything about Wooyoung? Was he hiding it from her because he didn't want her to know about it?
"He doesn't stop at anyone, by the way," Nayoung continues. "If you're picking a fight with him, he's gonna do something about it. That's the type of person he is."
Jiah gasps, "Thank God I found you before he gave you water!"
Y/N thinks back, the blurry vision scattered across her brain, "...yeah."
"That's why I was worried when I saw you with him," Nayoung says, furrowing her eyebrows. "I don't want you to be involved with him. It's not worth it."
"I saw him dealing outside our school too," Y/N confesses. "That's why I started taking a different exit. Because I didn't want to see him. After that, we were okay...fuck, I don't know what to do."
"See? This is what I mean. Nothing will stop him from making money," Nayoung affirms. "It's clear what you have to do, girl. Don't get involved."
"I agree," Jiah sings. "It's best you don't."
"Yeah, like, what if he gets mad and he hits you next?" Nayoung asks.
Y/N nods, breathing out a large breath stored inside her. In the end, Wooyoung is bigger trouble than he seems. The sweet memories of her and Wooyoung darken. The kiss in the alley, saving her from the discipline teacher and him giving her his jacket.
Was it all a plot to get her? She can't be too sure. It's best if she ends this while it's starting.
YEON Y/N NEVER FELT ANGER TOWARDS HER BROTHER—MAYBE SLIGHT ANNOYANCE AT THE SILLY FIGHTS THEY'D GET INTO, BUT NEVER ANGER. However, walking towards the VIP ward in the hospital, towed by a sullen teacher, she wants nothing but to put her hands on him. How could he beat his classmates to a pulp and walk out with no remorse? Was there remorse? She couldn't tell. Not when he never talks to anyone about anything, not even her. Sure she could pick up the bits and pieces of his annoyance as of late, but she could never paint picture because he'd never let her get too close. Especially, recently.
Even now, he argued with her about coming to the hospital to talk to Jeon Yeongbin. But, Y/N is sick of it. Sick of the secrets, acting on impulse and the radical enclosure he's put himself in. She's his sister for goodness sake, twin at that. She should know. She has a duty of care.
"Why would you do that?" she asks him again.
Sieun doesn't answer.
"Ignoring me isn't an answer. Why are you being a shithead?" she presses him.
"I know what people are talking about. If my own brother isn't telling me truth, I'd obviously assume it's true what other people are saying," she bites back, just as harsh.
Sieun looks ahead of him, "You create a story in your head based on lies and rumours you hear without finding out the truth."
Y/N is almost at a loss of words, but she spits, "Then, tell me. Please tell me what's going on."
The teacher opens the door to one of the rooms, peering back awkwardly at the siblings.
"Are you coming in, Sieun?" she asks.
Sieun nods.
"Sieun—" Y/N starts, lurching forward and grabbing his wrist. "Just tell me when you're finished in there. I'll listen."
He shakes her hand off, glare hardening,"You've already accepted what other people are saying. My truth doesn't matter to you."
Sieun disappears through the door, the door shutting in her face. She stands there, staring at it for a few seconds, unable to decipher the meaning behind his words. Had she really done that? Is it wrong for her to assume if he's not telling her the truth? Of course she'd be mad if her brother struck someone in class. It's her job as a sister to clock him when she thinks so. She knows he's not the most emotionally-attuned, but to result to violence? He's still at fault, isn't he?
Y/N sighs.
Guess she'll have to force it out of him later.
"Thinking hard?"
She looks towards the voice. Her heart drops to her ass at seeing Kang Wooyoung there. For once, he's dressed in his uniform, hair shaggy as ever. Withdrawn in his eyes at seeing her here. It's because she's been avoiding him again, taking the other exit after school. She hasn't seen him since the club. Almost a week, now.
"What are you doing here?" she asks before her mind can catch up.
Wooyoung gestures to the door, the answer not worth his words. He turns to her, sizing her up with his eyes, "You're avoiding me again."
"No, I'm not," she replies.
"Yeah, sure," he nods sarcastically. "I'm assuming you found out about what I do."
She hates it when he's right. Come to think of it, she can't let him have it. Not when she's heard about everything.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she shrugs.
"You're scared," he notes. "I can tell, you know?"
Y/N furrows her brows. She's already stressed about Sieun and here he is, trying something with her. That's just not going to work. Her fuse is cut short as she closes the distance between them. She points at him right in his chest and with all her might and staring dead in his eyes, "I can be anything in the world, but I'm never scared. I don't care about what you do, doesn't matter to me."
Wooyoung's lips curl into a smile, catlike, dancing on those annoying lips, "Really?"
She nods once. Firmly.
He peers down at their point of contact, her finger at his chest. In one go, he yanks her wrist and pulls it to up above them. She jerks even closer to him without her desire, squeaking at the footing she nearly lost.
The last clubbing night swarms her mind. Him giving her his hoodie, how he told her she's too drunk to kiss him and her holding onto him like he was her lifeline. He could see it, see it all in the shape of her irises and how those moments shaped her affection for him. Only for it to be ripped out mercilessly. Unfairly.
"Still not scared?" he taunts her. She shakes her head, determined to win whatever this was. He continues, thoughtfully, "Y'know? You haven't told me me your name yet."
He brings their hands down, holding onto her tightly. As if he needed it. She should break it, step back because he's not right. He's not for her. She doesn't want to be sucked into his world of blood, violence and dirty money she's heard of. But, she can't bring herself to break the contact between them.
"I'm not telling you," she adamantly replies.
The door to the hospital room opens and out slips Sieun.
"Y/N," he says. His eyes hone in on the two of them and the hands that were held in secrecy.
Y/N and Wooyoung exchange a glance. He smirks at her, eyes sparkling.
"Y/N," he sounds her name out like he accomplished something. It wasn't just something. It's a part of her, it's so intimate that it didn't deserve to come out of his mouth.
Sieun sighs and starts walking down the hallway. She watches her brother for a second and then, turns back to Wooyoung who's still projecting all the amusement in the world plastered on his face.
"Unhand me," she huffs.
He lets go of her.
She steps out of his zone without another look and catches up to her brother. They don't speak. She doesn't know where to start. Just by walking next to him, she can tell that she's hurt her brother. So much so he's forced to isolate himself from the one person who should understand him. Maybe she should've picked up on the signs earlier, should've asked him why he seemed more stressed than usual through the minute actions no one else noticed. Instead, she's done the complete opposite—supported the people that don't know the full story.
Y/N failed her younger brother.
When they exit the hospital, into the night, he's about to plug his AirPods in. He doesn't do that. Never around her. Because she knows he knows she loves to talk.
Immediately, her hand flies up to his arm to stop the action. He glances over at her.
"Let's talk," she says. "Please. I don't want to fight with you."
He doesn't say anything. Just stares. As usual.
"I won't accept what other people say," she tells him. "Whatever you tell me is the truth because I believe you."
Sieun stares at her for a second. Then, he tells the full story. The attempt of making him a victim, the fentanyl patch and the evil that lurks in Jeon Yeongbin. Y/N is appalled by the end of it.
"Are you fucking serious?!" she exclaims. "I'm gonna go kill him now—"
"Don't be dramatic, noona," he interrupts, grabbing her arm.
She exhales sharply, "That fucking shithead. I can't believe he did all that to you. I always knew he was just a stupid rich fuck. That's why I told Nayoung to stop hanging around him. Hopefully, he leaves school."
"Who's that guy?" Sieun asks, diverting the subject. "He keeps showing up."
Y/N's anger slows down, "Not...not anyone important anymore."
"I don't trust him," Sieun replies. "Stop hanging around him."
"Hey, it's not like I'm seeking him out! He just happens to be there, disturbing me."
It felt unnatural coming out of her mouth, that she described Wooyoung as disturbing her. It's not that. Today, sure. At the start, kind of. But, in between? It's anything but that.
"Okay," Sieun answers with a nod. "If he bothers you, let me know."
"Gonna beat him up with a book too?" she teases.
"If I have to," Sieun says, way too seriously for her to take him seriously.
She ruffles his hair and laughs, "Yeah, I'm sure you will. Let's go home quickly. It's cold!"
Y/N STARTS TAKING HER USUAL ROUTE AFTER SCHOOL ONCE AGAIN. In her head, there is no wrong in her change of mind. Avoiding Wooyoung gives him more power, letting him know that he does, in fact, bother her. She's not willing to give him the satisfaction of that, far from it actually. Which is why she made the conclusive decision to walk by the convenience store after school. Only for it to completely backfire on her.Â
See, she could just ignore it, but it's a constant at the back of her mind, a continuous reminder that it's there. More so, that it's not. Because, when she walks past the convenience store after school, he's not there.Â
It's been a week. Every day, he's not there. Her eyes fall on the sight of the entrance, the automatic door that opens to no one and the leaves that blow inside. As if Wooyoung vanished from her life, not a trace of him left behind for her to hold onto. Like the kiss didn't matter, the random encounters were worthless and the aching in her heart couldn't measure up to please the Universe's plans for her, which was to suck him out of her life.Â
Her mind, cluttered. She didn't know how much she depended on seeing him at the convenience store after school, until he wasn't there anymore.
Y/N tried to convince herself that it's fine. Time will heal it. Wooyoung wasn't who he was supposed to be anyways—a figment crafted by her imagination, mismatching its reality.
But, she still looked.
Every day, after school.Â
She always looked at the entrance. For the ghost of him. For the ghost of the boy that doesn't exist in her story anymore.
As if that wasn't enough, school turned into a torment over the course of the last week. People were pestering her to tell them about what happened to Sieun and Yeongbin, classmates making ruthless assumptions about her brother which she snapped back at. These days, she didn't even bother skipping class. She just stared longingly into the clouds, thinking of nothing but the twinge burgeoning inside her.
"You space out more than usual now," Nayoung says. "Does the sky have an equation for you to solve?"
She pulls back from staring and scrunches her nose at Nayoung, "Shut up."
The bell rang a few moments ago. It didn't register in Y/N's head yet.
"It must be annoying to have everyone ask you about Sieun," Jiah notes, patting her arm comfortingly.
"That's what I'm talking about," Nayoung agrees, flashing a grin.
"Would it make you feel better if we have a girls night out?" Jiah asks. Y/N and Nayoung snap their heads to their friend. Jiah's eyes widen and she laughs, "What?"
"Are you asking for a girls night out?" Y/N says, pointing at her friend.
Jiah sighs, "Could use it with all the stress recently."
"Just say you wanna hit the club," Nayoung teases.
Y/N laughs, the smile not quite reaching her eyes, "Yeah, Ji."
"Forgive me for worrying for a friend's wellbeing," Jiah surrenders, leaning back on her chair.
"Nooo!" Y/N whines. "I would love to have a girls night out."
She needs it after what's been going on. A breath of fresh air amongst the suffocation recently.
Jiah frowns.
"Please," Y/N pleads.
"How could I say no to that face?" Jiah coos, stroking her hair.
They burst into laughter.
"So, you're game?" Y/N says.
"Sure. Nayoung?" Jiah asks.
Nayoung purses her lips, tentatively looking between the two of them, "I wish. But I got a friend from out of town coming to visit. We're gonna hang out tonight. You two go out though. Don't worry about me."
"Like we need your permission," Y/N banters.
Little did she know, this was the last moment her friend group existed in the state it is in its pristine, pure girlhood. After this, it all goes to shit.
THE CLUB ISN'T BUMPING AS USUAL. As if it knew that Y/N was going to be here tonight, seeking the comfort of alcohol and ambience, it betrays her. The DJs were boring, the bartender didn't put as much effort into her drinks and more importantly, she was dead-tired from the last week. She's not in her usual party mood, despite dressed the part.
Jiah notices quickly, "Should we leave?"
"Bit early," Y/N comments thoughtfully.
"You don't seem to be in the mood," Jiah notes, linking her arm around Y/N's.
"You know me so well," Y/N sighs. "I'm really not in the mood."
"Let's go then?" Jiah asks gently.
Y/N nods, placing her head on Jiah's shoulder momentarily before they walk out of the club, fleeing from the uproar. Outside, the streets are displaced, dense yellow light shining upon the pavements. Like a liminal space surfaced to reality, they walk, attached to each other's side as if subconsciously registering that there may be danger lurking.
"Can I ask you something weird?" Jiah utters.
Y/N perks her head up, "Hm?"
"Was the reason you didn't want to leave school the normal way because of Kang Wooyoung?" she asks.
Y/N applauds her. Jiah is extremely smart by nature. Not only in the books, also with people in a way that felt maternal and close to the heart. It's one of the many reasons Y/N loves Jiah. She could always tell her anything she wanted with zero judgement. Her friend is smart, but also sensitive to the living creatures around her.
Jiah hums, "Yes. But, he's not there anymore. Did something happen?"
"I don't know," Y/N breathes out. "Like, he was there when I went to the hospital with Sieun, I think he was there for Yeongbin or something. After Sieun told me everything, and also keeping in mind what Nayoung said, I just...I don't know. I don't know how to feel about anything recently."
"Understandable," Jiah answers. "Just tell me if you ever need to talk. You know I'm always here."
"I know," Y/N smiles, squeezing Jiah a little tighter.
Jiah squeezes back and that was all the reassurance she needed.
A ruckus above makes her lift her head up. A group of teenagers in front of them, walking towards them from the opposite side of the road. They run through the street with adolescence carelessness, shrilling with laughter. Y/N and Jiah stare for a second, as if assessing if they were a threat or just riddled with far too many drinks and enjoying their night.
They gather on the pathway where Y/N and Jiah have stopped.Â
"Yah, Yeongbin! Don't be so careless, asshole!" a voice far too familiar shouts.
Nayoung.
She's there with a big group of boys, hitting one of them on the shoulder playfully and laughing. Having the best time of her life.Â
Y/N and Jiah swap gazes. Y/N hones in on the group that is about to pass them on the street. Yeongbin is part of the group.
Yeongbin. The one that tried to bully her brother. That's really weird.Â
"Nayoung!" Jiah calls out to her.
Nayoung is holding onto Yeongbin's shoulder, catching her breath. She looks up, so does the rest of the group. Y/N searches through the group. A familiar pair of eyes catch her attention. Wooyoung is among them.
She looks between Nayoung and Wooyoung, perplexed.
"My girls!" Nayoung exclaims excitedly, running up to them. "You're leaving the club so early! What ha—"
"Why are you hanging out with him?" Y/N cuts in.
"Huh?" Nayoung asks, the smile still intact on her face, yet it loses its meaning. It sticks to her face falsely, not sitting right.
"Him," Y/N says, pointing behind her at Yeongbin.
"Ah, it's Sieun's noona. Protecting her little brother," Yeongbin slurs. He's out of his mind, absolutely wasted.
"I'm not speaking to you. Shut the fuck up," Y/N snaps at him.
Yeongbin's smile drops. He walks up, standing next to Nayoung, full height towering over her. Jiah grabs Y/N's arm protectively.
"What did you say to me?" Yeongbin asks.
The rest of the group falls silent.Â
"You heard me," Y/N answers just as harshly. She glances back at Nayoung, "What is this? I thought you said one of your friends were coming from out of town."
"I didn't think it would be this serious," Nayoung shrugs nonchalantly. "And, I didn't lie. One of my friends did come from out of town. We're all friends. What do you want me to do, Y/N?"
Y/N's eyebrows furrow, "Not this. You know what he did to my brother and you went behind my back to hang out with him."
"I didn't," Nayoung refuses.
They stare at each other. Y/N is at a loss of words. This is not what she expected to see tonight. Not ever.
"If you have a problem with me, just fucking say it. Stop talking about me like I'm not here," Yeongbin interrupts, taking a step towards Y/N.
"What are you gonna do? Hit me?" Y/N laughs at him. "Dumbass."
Before he can get any closer, another arm pushes him back. Wooyoung is standing there, keeping his friend at a safe distance from Y/N.
"Stop, dude," he tells Yeongbin. "You're drunk."
His eyes fall onto her. Y/N feels nothing but rage, so she lashes out again, "I don't need you to defend me if you're still friends with him."
Wooyoung doesn't say anything. He can't say anything to her.
Y/N walks past them, fuming with anger. Jiah runs up behind her, silently letting her rage fall free, unguarded.
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