riize ff: wonbin, eunseok, seunghan, sungchan, sohee, anton, shotaro, original characters
genre: youth, romance, teen, fluff, angst, slice of life
note: you can check my asianfanfics.com/jayxhobi for this story.
Ever since that day when a pebble accidentally hit Jiwoo's forehead, flung by Wonbin in a fit of frustration, she had been giving him death glares. Out of all the people in their class, it was this enigmatic, quiet girl who had barely spoken to anyone, despite several weeks having passed.
Seunghan couldn't help but notice the peculiar situation his friend found himself in.
"You've really gotten on her nerves, my friend," Seunghan teased, but Wonbin wasn't in the mood for jest and chose to ignore him.
Since Wonbin wouldn't divulge anything, Seunghan decided to step in and invited Jiwoo to accompany him to the cafeteria to grab some snacks. Jiwoo accepted and silently walked alongside him, ignoring the icy glares from the other girls in the class.
"What do you want? My treat," Seunghan offered as they stood in line.
"It's okay; I can buy something for myself," Jiwoo politely declined, but Seunghan persisted, repeatedly asking her what she wanted. Jiwoo, just as stubborn as Wonbin, refused to give in.
However, Seunghan persevered and waited for Jiwoo to state her order. He immediately paid for the egg sandwich she selected.
"I told you I can pay," Jiwoo protested as she tried to hand him her lunch money.
"I told you I'd pay," Seunghan replied, and he eventually prevailed. Jiwoo couldn't help but appreciate the gesture.
"...you insisted because you want something," she accused, squinting at him as they made their way back to the classroom. Seunghan nodded with an apologetic smile. Jiwoo sighed. "I knew it."
"Everything has a price," Seunghan stated, but Jiwoo disagreed.
"Most of the things we want have a price, but not the things we need to become human," she remarked, leaving Seunghan a bit puzzled as he tried to comprehend her words.
"Sorry, but all I want to ask is what's going on between you and Wonbin?" he inquired.
"He hurt me," Jiwoo responded, surprising Seunghan with this revelation. He began to contemplate what might have caused Wonbin to hurt her feelings, leading to Jiwoo's peculiar behavior towards him.
"How did he hurt you?" Seunghan asked, intrigued by the unexpected information. He contemplated various ways in which Wonbin might have caused Jiwoo emotional distress.
"He kicked a pebble, and it bounced back and hit me right in the forehead. Look." Jiwoo pushed her bangs away from her forehead, revealing a red, swollen mark in the center. "And you know what's worse? He didn't apologize; he said it was my fault for being there."
Seunghan was left speechless. He hadn't expected Wonbin to be so ridiculously petty over something so trivial.
"I'm sorry. Does it still hurt?" he asked.
"It hurts when I press it, but I'd feel much better if he apologized," Jiwoo said. "It's a simple sorry, so why can't he do it?" She continued, and Seunghan could tell that Jiwoo valued such simple yet meaningful gestures.
He smiled and gently pressed a cold can of grape juice against her forehead. "Keep it on your forehead. I'll talk to Wonbin and make sure your message gets through," he promised.
"You don't have to," Jiwoo protested.
"He's under my care, and he needs to remember the things I've taught him about how to treat girls," Seunghan stated firmly and proudly, causing Jiwoo to burst into laughter.
"You're so strange," she said, chuckling.
"Not as strange as you," he playfully retorted, making her laugh even harder.
Unbeknownst to them, Wonbin had been observing the exchange from a distance, wondering what Jiwoo had done to his friend to make him so kind to her. He didn't even notice the girl standing next to him until she spoke up.
"They make a cute couple, don't you think?" the girl remarked.
Startled, Wonbin turned to the source of the voice and saw Suyoung smiling at him.
"Jiwoo and Seunghan. Don't you think they look adorable together?" she inquired, but Wonbin remained unresponsive, maintaining his cold demeanor.
Suyoung accompanied him back to their classroom and initiated a conversation. "So, how long have you been playing?" she asked, reaching for his guitar before he quickly pulled it out of her reach.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"About a year," Wonbin replied tersely, almost glaring at her. This guitar had been a gift from his mom, and he was protective of it.
"It's an electric guitar. I've never seen one up close," Suyoung added as she sat next to him. "Do you think I could play it one day?"
"Not sure," Wonbin replied, but his interest was piqued when he realized that she could play.
"You play?" he inquired.
"Yep. I have one at home. I've been playing for three years now," Suyoung disclosed. "Would you like to jam during lunch tomorrow?"
"Sure," Wonbin responded, experiencing a sense of excitement that he hadn't felt since arriving at the school. He didn't expect to meet a girl who could play, let alone one who invited him to jam during lunch. He was eager to tell Seunghan about this.
"Wow, you can really smile," Suyoung noted with a chuckle. "Okay, I'll bring mine tomorrow, and you can invite some of your friends to join us."
"Hey, guys, what's going on here?" Sohee, one of the kindest students and Suyoung's friend, approached. "Jamming with a guitar?"
"Yes, Sohee. Do you want to join?" Suyoung asked.
"Sure! But only if Wonbin is okay with it," Sohee said, giving Wonbin an inquisitive look. Wonbin couldn't say no, as he didn't want to miss the opportunity to play with a girl.
"Sohee's a great singer. Maybe you can join us for karaoke sometime?" Suyoung suggested.
"Karaoke?" Wonbin blinked, his heart racing as someone besides Seunghan had invited him to hang out.
"Yes, I asked Seunghan earlier, but he told me to ask you too," Suyoung explained, noticing the change in his demeanor. "I wanted to ask you as well, but I didn't know how, so I asked him first and sought his advice."
"I'll think about it," Wonbin responded, although his face didn't light up, leaving everyone feeling somewhat disheartened. Just then, Seunghan and Jiwoo walked into the room. When Wonbin walked out, Seunghan attempted to follow him.
"Hey, where are you—?" Seunghan began, only to be taken aback by the sight of Jiwoo following Wonbin.
riize ff: wonbin, eunseok, seunghan, sungchan, sohee, anton, shotaro, original characters
genre: youth, romance, teen, fluff, angst, slice of life
note: you can check my asianfanfics.com/jayxhobi for this story.
Wonbin couldn't be bothered by the whispers and opinions floating around him. He was well aware of his good looks, but he knew that unveiling his face would only bring more trouble than it was worth. Besides, his best friend Seunghan relished in the attention.
"You look utterly ridiculous, you know," Wonbin remarked as they finally approached their classroom door. He pointed to the sign above the door: Class 1-B. "This is it."
Seunghan, a friend from middle school, chuckled. "Can't believe we're still in the same class. It's been four years, and yet..."
"And yet, you're still insufferable," Wonbin teased, pushing Seunghan aside to enter the classroom. He paused for a moment to scan the available seats. There were a few empties at the back, but Wonbin preferred to sit near the front to stay focused. Unfortunately, the only available seat in the front row was quickly claimed by Seunghan.
"Sorry, man, finders keepers," Seunghan quipped.
Despite Seunghan's cockiness and arrogance, Wonbin considered him the best friend he could ask for. If it weren't for Seunghan, he might still be struggling as he did before. So, he often let Seunghan have his way.
Wonbin had been a constant target of bullying because of his reserved and enigmatic nature. He didn't fight back and avoided confrontations, but that didn't seem to deter his tormentors. Then Seunghan came into the picture, bravely standing up for him. Though Seunghan could be arrogant due to his good looks, he was never too proud to protect those in need. He took punches from bullies on Wonbin's behalf. In return, Wonbin vowed to be his friend for life.
Their homeroom teacher, Mr. Park, entered the room, immediately noting Wonbin's masked and concealed appearance.
"Alright, everyone, remove your caps, masks, and any other face-obscuring items," Mr. Park instructed. All eyes turned to Wonbin as he hesitantly revealed his face.
The girls gasped and began discussing his looks.
"Quiet down, please. I'll call your names, and I want you to stand when I do," Mr. Park announced.
...
"Great, everyone is here. To make my life easier, your seating arrangement will remain the same for the first quarter. In the next quarter, I'll reorganize the seats. Is that clear?" Mr. Park asked, receiving nods from the students. "I need two class representatives. Who's interested?"
Seunghan eagerly raised his hand. "Sir, I volunteer."
"Excellent. I need one more, a female representative," Mr. Park said, adding Seunghan's name to the board.
Suyoung suggested Shim Jiwoo, who was seated in front of her, to be the female representative. Jiwoo timidly accepted the role.
Seunghan and Jiwoo stood in front of the class to introduce themselves, earning cheers from their classmates. Wonbin, however, couldn't help but notice the girl beside Seunghan.
Seunghan tapped Wonbin's shoulder as they walked along the hallway. He was excited about his role as class representative and had grand plans for high school. Wonbin allowed him to have his way, as long as it didn't get him into trouble.
"There she is," Seunghan said, pointing to Jiwoo at the end of the hallway. She stood quietly, her eyes distant, her long black hair loosely tied in a ponytail.
"Hello, Shim!" Seunghan greeted her cheerfully. She nodded in response, offering a small smile. "This is Wonbin, Park Wonbin."
Jiwoo glanced at Wonbin, making eye contact for a brief moment before nodding and smiling at Seunghan. "Shall we? Mr. Park is waiting."
"Sure," Seunghan said, patting Wonbin on the shoulder. "Wait for me here." He and Jiwoo entered the classroom.
Left alone, Wonbin couldn't help but feel irritated by Jiwoo. The way she changed her demeanor when talking to Seunghan and to him was blatant, almost mocking him in some way. Did she have a thing for Seunghan?
Half an hour later, Seunghan and Jiwoo emerged from the faculty office, appearing to have grown closer. Seunghan asked Wonbin if he'd been waiting long, and Jiwoo walked past behind him.
"What about her?" Wonbin inquired.
Seunghan shrugged. "Is she going home too? I guess. Come on, we can't miss the bus." He had a strict study schedule with his private tutor at home. Despite his good looks and cocky attitude, Seunghan was a dedicated student.
Though they took different buses, the two friends always headed to the bus stop together to chat about various life topics. Wonbin marveled at Seunghan's thoughtfulness, which he attributed to having both parents actively involved in his upbringing. Wonbin's father was frequently away for work, and he couldn't recall any instance when his father had acted like a real parent.
When Seunghan departed, Wonbin remained at the bus stop, lost in his thoughts and loneliness. He took a deep breath and sighed, absentmindedly kicking a pebble in front of him. The pebble ricocheted off a pole and struck someone nearby.
genre: youth, slice of life, teen romance, friendship, high school, angst
note: also available on asianfanfics.com/jayxhobi
"Hey," Jiwoo finally located him by the supply building, sulking in the corner. Wonbin glared at her, wondering why, out of all the people who could have followed him, it had to be Shim Jiwoo.
"I know you don't want me here," she acknowledged as she settled two meters away from him. "But you have no choice but to deal with me," she added with an evil grin.
"Get lost, loser," Wonbin scoffed. "No one needs you. You're not even friends with anyone here," he said, but almost immediately, he regretted his words because he knew next to nothing about her.
However, Jiwoo smiled and nodded. "Right, but that doesn't mean you're different from me," she replied.
"You may have Seunghan on your side, but who knows?" she shrugged. "Even married couples grow apart," she added, causing a sharp pang in Wonbin's chest. The way she said it made it seem like she had experienced something like that in reality.
Anxiously biting his lip, Wonbin considered how it felt to be excluded or to be the last option for everyone. "It was always him."
"Him? Seunghan?"
"Everyone wants to be friends with him. He gets invited by everyone, and I'm the one who has to tag along."
Jiwoo just nodded while picking up pebbles.
"Hmm, that's tough. That means you are never the first choice," she commented.
"You sure you know that feeling, don't you?" he asked, and Jiwoo was about to throw a pebble at him but stopped herself. "Don't." He warned.
"I just want to get my revenge since you didn't apologize," she nonchalantly said and picked a bigger pebble from the corner.
"Fine. I'm sorry about your forehead! Happy?" Wonbin whined.
"Never heard any sincerity in there," she sung.
"You're so weird! I hate you!" he yelled, getting up from the concrete floor he was sitting on. "You make me so angry! God, stay away from me!"
Jiwoo got up as well and suddenly cupped his face, pulling their faces closer until they were just two inches apart, staring into each other's eyes. Wonbin froze, feeling Jiwoo's soft hands on his cheeks, her eyes like marbled pearls. It was the first time his throat felt dry.
Jiwoo didn't say a word for a second or two. Before Wonbin could speak, she suddenly pulled her head back slightly and then banged her head into his. Wonbin fell on his back, wincing in pain.
"Tsk," Jiwoo scoffed, a drop of blood falling from her nose as she watched him whimpering in pain.
"Get up, you sissy! You can say those words to me, but a simple headbang got you crying??" Jiwoo angrily kicked his leg. "You're not the only one who can get angry! I get angry too!"
"Stop it! Stop it! It hurts!" Wonbin continued to cry and tried to stop Jiwoo from attacking him.
"You thought I was going to comfort you like a baby? Huh? You're wrong because I'm not!" Jiwoo scolded.
"Okay! Okay! Please stop kicking me!" Wonbin shouted, making Jiwoo stop and step back away from him. He quickly got up, brushed the dirt from his clothes, and clasped his hands together before kneeling in front of her. "I'm so sorry! I should have apologized when it happened."
"And?" she asked.
"And I'm sorry if I said those things to you. I didn't mean it, all of it."
"What's my name then?" Jiwoo asked.
"Huh?" Wonbin was a bit confused.
"What's my name?" She repeated.
"It's Shim... Shim Jiwoo." He answered, momentarily fearing what would happen next. Jiwoo walked toward him and extended her hand toward him.
"Just take my hand," she said, and when he did, she helped him up. Her voice returned to its usual calm tone, and her lively eyes from a moment ago became more subdued. "You better be careful with your words, Park Wonbin," she warned.
"I will," he said. He had experienced a lot of firsts today, like getting beaten up by a girl.
"We should go back," she said, looking around to see if anyone had witnessed their encounter.
"Wait," Wonbin stopped her. "I'm really curious." He took a deep breath as he formulated his question. The way Jiwoo had looked at him, her poker-faced, inscrutable expression, and her fierce demeanor, despite her petite stature, made him cautious.
"What is it?" She asked, her voice soft.
"Do you like Seunghan?" he asked.
"Huh?" She asked, breaking into a chuckle. "Wait, am I thinking what I'm thinking right now?" She turned to face him and walked closer to him. "Are you seriously asking me if I like Seunghan?"
He nodded.
"Yes, I do, but not in the way you think. I'm nice to him because he seems like a nice person to me," Jiwoo explained. "I already have someone I like, so you don't have to worry about losing a friend."
"That's not it," Wonbin clarified. "I don't want him to get hurt."
Jiwoo looked at him for a moment before she pulled out her handkerchief from her pocket and gave it to him. "Wipe the dirt off your face with this," she said, but he just stared at it. Impatient, she pressed it against his chest and turned away.
Genre: Youth, Teenage Romance, High School, Friendship, Angst, Fluff, Fanfiction
Updated the error.
Sohee was already engrossed in discussing plans for their upcoming event. He had stayed up all night brainstorming potential members for the boy band "Mars Club" and was eager to share his ideas with Suyoung and the rest of the class.
"Mars Club, that sounds cool. It feels like a real band," Suyoung remarked after reading the plan. As she perused the list of potential members, she noticed Wonbin's name.
"You got his agreement, right?" Sohee asked her, unsure whether Wonbin would be willing to join given their recent interactions.
At that moment, Seunghan entered the room, and Sohee eagerly approached him. "Yo!" Seunghan greeted him warmly, and Sohee wasted no time in offering him a spot in the band.
"Only if I can be the face of the group," Seunghan quipped with a wink and a laugh. Sohee agreed with a grin, sealing the deal.
Sohee then turned to Suyoung and gave her a thumbs-up sign, indicating that Seunghan had accepted the invitation. Soon after, Wonbin arrived, and Sohee greeted him as he took his seat.
"Wonbin, you're part of the band," Sohee declared. Wonbin, initially appearing uninterested, sighed and reluctantly nodded, agreeing to join.
Sohee jubilantly pumped his fist in the air, while Suyoung couldn't help but be impressed by how Sohee handled the two guys in joining his band. It seemed like he has a charm to make the coldest personality to warm up a bit.
"Okay, just one more person to complete the team," Sohee announced, creating a sense of anticipation in the room. As he walked around the class, everyone wondered who the last member would be. Finally, he stopped at the door and pointed at Jiwoo, who had just entered the room.
"You! Shim Jiwoo, you're the manager!" Sohee declared.
Everyone turned to look at Jiwoo, who had a different appearance that day, with her hair styled in lower twin buns adorned with light green ribbons. It was a striking change from her usual free-flowing or loosely tied hair.
Sohee was momentarily stunned, mistakenly thinking Jiwoo was a classmate. He apologized and quickly realized that it was indeed Jiwoo.
"Sohee," Jiwoo said, "stop joking," with a pout, before making her way to her seat. She happened to catch Wonbin glancing at her.
"You look adorable with that hairstyle," Suyoung complimented Jiwoo as she sat beside her. "Is it a new look?"
Jiwoo shook her head. "No, my mom did it for me," she chuckled.
"No, it suits you really well!" Suyoung said, tapping her hand playfully.
"Thank you," Jiwoo responded shyly, feeling good despite her anxieties related to Wonbin. But Suyoung then called out to Wonbin.
"Hey, Wonbin, Jiwoo looks nice, don't you think?" Suyoung asked, drawing the attention of their classmates, especially Seunghan.
However, Wonbin ignored Suyoung, and this caused others to start discussing the apparent tension between him and Jiwoo.
"Are they fighting?" one of their classmates whispered to another. Wonbin heard the whispers but remained unfazed, and he didn't make an effort to engage with Seunghan, who had ignored him when they met at the school gate.
Sensing the discord between the three, Suyoung decided to inquire about the situation when she met Jiwoo in the washroom.
"Are you okay?" Suyoung asked Jiwoo, surprising her with the sudden conversation.
Jiwoo nodded and smiled.
"I can see that Seunghan and Wonbin aren't on good terms. Do you know why?"
"Hmm? I... I don't know," Jiwoo replied, even though she knew that Seunghan was distancing himself from Wonbin due to what had happened the previous night. "I tried to tell him he should talk to Wonbin and resolve the issue..."
Suyoung nodded and then changed the topic. "How does it feel to go from one guy to another?" she asked, teasingly.
Jiwoo felt a sudden rush of anxiety at the question, but Suyoung quickly reassured her that she was joking and left the washroom.
Jiwoo couldn't shake the feeling that she was in a difficult situation. She asked herself if she had done something wrong as she slowly took down her carefully styled hair, undoing her mother's work.
Wonbin, on the other hand, sought some space by heading to the supply building, frustrated by the constant presence of his friends. He wanted to go to the spot where he and Jiwoo had their first proper conversation. However, he encountered Eunseok along the way, and they exchanged meaningful glances.
"Ah, Shim Jiwoo," Eunseok spoke with his cold, deep voice. "She's an interesting one, isn't she?"
Wonbin, irritated by Eunseok's mere presence, retorted, "I couldn't care less about what you have to say," unable to forget the events of that afternoon when Jiwoo and Eunseok were together.
"She said no," Eunseok continued, dropping a bombshell.
Wonbin's anger instantly dissipated. He realized that if he had waited just a little longer, he might have heard Jiwoo's response to Eunseok. He might have avoided making her cry and the subsequent fallout with Seunghan.
"Shit," Wonbin muttered under his breath, overwhelmed by regret. "But that doesn't mean I'll give up," Eunseok added. "I want to get to know her, and I want her to get to know me."
However, Wonbin was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to pay much attention to Eunseok's words. He realized he needed to apologize to his friends and, most importantly, to Jiwoo for the misunderstanding.
Wonbin retraced his steps, inquiring about Jiwoo's whereabouts from Sohee, who directed him to the ladies' washroom. There, he waited for Jiwoo, ready to apologize for his behavior.
When he saw someone coming out of the washroom, Wonbin took a deep breath and hugged the person, expressing his remorse and regret. However, when he pulled away, he realized it was Suyoung, not Jiwoo, in his arms.
Suyoung scoffed, saying, "You didn't even bother to check who it was."
"Whatever," Suyoung replied, walking away without another word, not even looking back at Jiwoo, who had been observing the entire scene. Jiwoo had returned her hair to its natural state, removing the twin buns.
"Wonbin..." Jiwoo said, almost stuttering, as he approached her. "Can we talk?" He attempted to hold her hand, but Jiwoo seemed to have erected a barrier between them.
"About what?" Jiwoo asked as she began walking away, and Wonbin followed her, struggling to find the right words.
"About what happened yesterday," Wonbin said, making Jiwoo stop and turn to him. "Please, hear me out," he implored.
Jiwoo nodded and said, "Then what made you think you were right to act like a jerk yesterday? I asked you and tried to talk to you many times, but not a word came out of your mouth. If you were having a hard time, imagine how difficult it was for us, trying to understand you."
Wonbin realized she was upset, but he couldn't find the words to explain himself. He was feeling guilty and ashamed of his behavior.
Jiwoo's tone turned colder, and she continued, "I don't mind not being friends with you, but I want you to patch things up with Seunghan. He was there for you and will always be."
Wonbin wanted to say more, to explain himself, to tell Jiwoo how he truly felt, but he struggled to find the right words. He finally admitted, "I'm sorry. I really am."
Jiwoo replied, gently jabbing her fist on his chest. "You're such a big baby. You should be sorry. You made me cry last night." She said after letting out a deep breath.
"Are you sure you don't want me to tell you everything?" Wonbin asked. "I can explain but–"
"Time will tell," Jiwoo responded. "Besides, you're having a hard time opening up about it. All I wanted was for you to tell me what's bothering you or what I can do to make you feel better."
Wonbin began, "I promise, you have no idea how..."
"Yes, I have no idea how much," Jiwoo interrupted, offering a meaningful smile. Their conversation ended, leaving Wonbin with mixed feelings of regret and hope.
Genre: Youth, Teenage Romance, High School, Friendship, Angst, Fluff, Fanfiction
Jiwoo, feeling utterly overwhelmed by the chaotic hallways and her parents' teasing, managed to slip away from the crowd. She desperately needed a moment of solitude. As she found herself near the school's swimming pool area, she decided to explore it. It was her first time there, and the sight of the crystal-like reflections dancing on the ceiling, created by the sunlight on the pool water, brought a sense of serenity.
She began to stroll around the pool, lost in thought, when her wandering mind led her to step on something she shouldn't have. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard a distinct cracking sound. She quickly looked down to discover that she had inadvertently crushed a pair of headphones that belonged to someone's bag.
Panicking, Jiwoo attempted to reach for the damaged headphones, but a hand swiftly beat her to it. The owner of the headphones turned out to be a considerably tall middle schooler who now towered over her. Jiwoo suddenly felt tiny and vulnerable in comparison.
Wide-eyed, she gazed at the boy who, in contrast to his imposing appearance, had a soft-spoken demeanor. His school uniform was unfamiliar to Jiwoo, and she quickly noticed the badge, signaling that he was from a prestigious international school. Her heart sank, realizing she might have caused significant trouble.
"I'm so sorry," Jiwoo said, her hands clasped together as she sincerely apologized to the boy. "I didn't see your bag there, and I'll make sure to pay for the damage. Just tell me how much."
The boy, Anton Lee, examined her for a moment and showed her the broken headphones. Jiwoo's shoulders slumped as she realized the magnitude of the mishap. Anton mentioned that the headphones were expensive, estimating around $350 or possibly even more. Jiwoo's face paled at the price, and her mind immediately began calculating how many cookies she'd have to sell to cover the cost. The weight of the situation seemed unbearable.
Anton's laugh cut through her anxiety, making her look up in surprise. "Can you afford to pay for it?" he inquired, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"I can, but I'll need some time. I'm not well-off, and I need to earn the money," Jiwoo explained, attempting to convey her earnest intentions. However, she soon realized something else. "But, why did you leave your bag on the floor? You could have placed it somewhere safe."
"I dropped it and came back to retrieve it when I noticed it was missing. That's when I saw you had stepped on it," Anton clarified, his tone soft and forgiving. Jiwoo mentally slapped her forehead for her lack of awareness.
"Jeez, why does this kind of thing always happen to me?" Jiwoo whined, cupping her face in her hands. The mounting stress and a string of unfortunate events were taking their toll.
"Are you okay?" Anton asked, puzzled by Jiwoo's sudden change in demeanor.
Jiwoo abruptly stopped her whining and mustered a big, albeit forced, smile. "No, I'm definitely not okay, but that's okay! HA HA HA." She laughed, hoping to lighten the mood, and the boy joined in, sharing a genuine laugh.
"I'll just pay for the headphones I broke. Can I have your name and number?" Jiwoo asked, reverting to her normal self. "I promise to contact you as soon as possible."
"Sure," Anton replied, offering her his name card. Jiwoo was taken aback, surprised to see a middle schooler with a name card.
"Anton Lee?" Jiwoo read his name out loud. "Lee Chanyoung," she nodded as she read his name.
"What's your name?" Anton inquired.
"I'm Shim Jiwoo, from Class 1-B," she replied with a warm smile. Anton nodded, reciprocating her smile.
"Why are you here in the pool area? The events are in the main building," Jiwoo pointed towards the exit door.
"Just wandering," Anton answered. "I wanted to see what the pool is like in case I move here."
"You must really love pools," Jiwoo commented as she gazed at the sizable pool in front of them.
"I'm a swimmer," Anton revealed. "Have you heard of me?"
Jiwoo's eyes lit up with hope that she might impress him, but she reluctantly admitted that she hadn't. "I'm sorry, I haven't heard of you. But I'm sure you're great!"
Anton took it in stride and bid her farewell, expecting her to contact him about the broken headphones. Jiwoo waved as he left, and once he was out of sight, she released her pent-up frustration by punching the air aggressively. The day had been a series of unfortunate events, and the headphones mishap was just the cherry on top.
~
Later, Jiwoo found Miri by the main entrance, talking to her classmates.
"Miri!" Jiwoo ran up to her friend. "I'm so sorry I left earlier. Everything got so chaotic, and I–"
Miri gave her a reassuring nod and a smile. "It's okay! Your parents had to leave early, and they gave you this. Your uncle said you can use it to hang out with your friends later to celebrate the first day of the event." She handed Jiwoo an envelope.
"Wow, really? That's great!" Jiwoo exclaimed, not expecting her dad to provide her with pocket money. "Shall we hang out later, Miri?" She asked, excitedly hugging her friend's arm. But Miri quietly pulled away and apologized.
"I'm sorry, Jiwoo. I've already made plans with my friends," Miri said, her tone coming across as cold and intentional, which slightly hurt Jiwoo. She couldn't help but feel a pang of rejection, but she pushed it aside. "Thanks. I'll let you know when I have time," she said and released her grip.
"Are we okay, Miri? I feel like you've been distant," Jiwoo asked, her voice tinged with concern. Miri chuckled, but it sounded forced.
"We're okay, Jiwoo," Miri assured, gently patting her hand. Jiwoo looked at the hand, and suddenly a chilling realization washed over her. It was the same hand she had seen closing the storage room's door, the very hand that had trapped her inside.
"I see," Jiwoo tried to keep her composure, hiding the turmoil within her and forcing a smile. "I'll see you around then." She let go of Miri's hand, leaving behind a sense of unease.
With a heavy heart, Jiwoo walked back to her classroom, where she found her classmates celebrating the news that their class was currently ranked number 1 among the first-year students. Mars Club was gathered in a corner, looking at photos taken during their gig.
Seunghan spotted Jiwoo and called her over. He handed her the camera and suggested taking a group photo. Jiwoo happily joined them, and they took several shots together, sharing big smiles, trying to set aside the recent negative experiences.
A sense of camaraderie enveloped Jiwoo, and she realized that despite their differences, she felt like they were friends, no questions asked.
"Jiwoo," a voice called out, and she turned to see Wonbin running towards her, his guitar strapped to his back. Jiwoo had been standing in the hallway, admiring the sunset behind the silhouette of buildings.
"Wonbin," she called his name, making him smile shyly. "How does it feel to be performing as part of the band?" she asked.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm glad I was part of it," Wonbin confessed. He turned to look at Jiwoo, and his heart raced as the soft golden rays of the sun caressed her face, emphasizing the sparkle in her eyes.
Jiwoo moved closer to him, and Wonbin felt as though time had slowed down. The world around him vanished, leaving only the sound of his heart pounding. Jiwoo leaned in, and for a moment, he thought she was about to kiss him. His eyes fluttered closed, but to his surprise, Jiwoo reached out and fixed a strand of his hair.
"Wonbin," Jiwoo said, her voice pulling him back to reality, "are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm okay," Wonbin stammered, quietly cursing himself for his foolish expectations.
"I see," Jiwoo nodded, but before he could speak, she made another request. "Wonbin, can you promise me something?"
"What is it?" Wonbin inquired.
"Can you forget about what happened in the storage room?" Jiwoo asked, an unexpected plea. He had expected a more personal request.
Wonbin frowned, "You found out who trapped you?" he asked, and Jiwoo nodded hesitantly. "Who?"
"I don't want to drop names anymore," Jiwoo replied. "Please, Wonbin, just let it go. Okay?"
"What if something happens to you again?" Wonbin protested, but Seunghan overheard their conversation and joined in.
"What's going on?" Seunghan asked, inquiring about the conversation.
"Jiwoo found out who the culprit is," Wonbin explained, frustration evident in his voice. "And Jiwoo doesn't want to tell us."
Seeing Jiwoo looking troubled, Seunghan decided to intervene. "Jiwoo, it's okay if you don't want to share, but you know we just want you to be safe," he said, and Wonbin nodded in agreement.
Jiwoo bit her lip and gave Seunghan a hug, which took him by surprise. He held his breath and, without hesitation, returned the embrace. For a moment, he thought that if there were ever a time to receive a hug from Jiwoo, it was now. He glanced at Wonbin, who was sending him death glares. Seunghan took it in stride, deciding to tease Wonbin further. He stuck his tongue out at his friend before hugging Jiwoo tightly.
When they pulled away from the hug, Wonbin waited for Jiwoo to come to him. She turned towards him, and he was about to hug her, but Sohee arrived.
"Is this a hug party? GROUP HUG!" Sohee shouted, pulling Jiwoo away from Wonbin, who was already holding her hand.
Seunghan and Sohee had apparently decided that they couldn't let a group hug go to waste and dragged Suyoung into the mix. "GROUP HUG!!" Seunghan shouted enthusiastically.
"What are you all jerks doing?" Suyoung asked, bewildered, as she emerged from the room.
Seunghan and Sohee quickly included her in the group hug, exclaiming, "GROUP HUG!" in unison.
Genre: Youth, Teenage Romance, High School, Friendship, Angst, Fluff, Fanfiction
Jiwoo woke up from her nerve-wracking dream about Wonbin and Seunghan confessing their feelings and questioned her own emotions, particularly her feelings for Eunseok. She felt a little disoriented and sweaty, but she was relieved to see that she woke up early. Her night hanging out with her friends had left her physically exhausted.
As she recalled her dream about Wonbin and Seunghan, she couldn't help but dismiss it as improbable. They were genuinely nice, good-looking guys, and she felt like they were out of her league. Her thoughts then shifted to Eunseok, and her excitement at the thought of him made her heart race.
Right then, she remembered the portrait she had been working on for Eunseok, and she decided to check on it. She went to her mini art studio and uncovered the portrait board. She had almost completed the painting. It was a labor of love for someone who had unknowingly captured her heart.
As she stared at the painting, Jiwoo pondered what it meant to truly like someone. Eunseok was the first guy she had ever had a crush on, and her feelings were undeniable, even though she tried to hide them. But when it came to Wonbin, she felt a different kind of warmth and comfort. "But he's just my friend," she mumbled.
Jiwoo had never really had male friends before, so she found it difficult to understand how boys interacted with girls. She wondered about the dynamics between Suyoung, who liked Wonbin, and her. She questioned if Suyoung's feelings were the cause of his unease when she was around.
"Jiwoo?" Her mom knocked on her door. "You're up early. I made some pancakes. Come downstairs," she said.
Before Jiwoo could respond, she hesitated and asked her mom, "Mom, how did you know that you loved dad?"
Her mom seemed slightly surprised by the question but sat on Jiwoo's bed. "Why? Did someone tell you that he likes you?" she asked.
Jiwoo shook her head. "I admit, my heart races whenever my friends do nice things for me. They're all so nice, but they haven't said anything like that. I'm just curious."
Her mom gently fixed Jiwoo's hair as she listened to her questions. "You're not difficult to love, my dear," she assured. "I knew your dad was the one when we encountered the most impossible situation. Believe me, it was like a roller coaster ride of emotions before you really realize what that person means to you."
Jiwoo smiled, feeling reassured by her mom's words. "I thought I was already mature enough to understand these things, but I still have a long way to go. Thanks, Mom."
Her mom kissed her cheek and gave her a hug. As she noticed the portrait on the table, she asked, "That's Eunseok, right?"
Jiwoo almost forgot that her parents had met Eunseok yesterday. "Oh, I forgot. He's the son of your dad's boss," her mom added.
"Ehh?" Jiwoo exclaimed. "Really???"
"Yes, your dad recognized him," her mom confirmed. "Why do you have a portrait of him?"
Jiwoo explained, "I made it. He was like the person I liked on the first day."
Her mom raised an eyebrow and inquired further, "What about Wonbin? Seunghan? Sohee? I'm pretty sure that Wonbin boy likes you."
"Eeeeeh???" Jiwoo exclaimed, her face turning red. "H-How?"
Her mom couldn't resist teasing her. "He didn't tell you yet?" Jiwoo whined and tugged at her mom's hand.
"Stop teasing me! We're just friends!" Jiwoo insisted, and her mom playfully warned her not to write it off so easily. She then left to prepare breakfast, leaving Jiwoo wondering about her own feelings and the relationships with her friends.
Jiwoo gathered her courage and approached Class 2-A's booth at the event. She hadn't expected that she would be approaching Eunseok first. She stood by the hallway, slightly hiding from the crowd, with the portrait she had prepared for him discreetly tucked away.
It didn't take long for Sungchan to spot her, despite her attempt to blend in with the crowd. Jiwoo greeted him with a friendly nod.
"Huh? Shim Jiwoo?" Sungchan recognized her and was quick to address her. Jiwoo acknowledged him and waited for him to continue. "Wait. I'll get him," Sungchan said.
Sungchan entered their classroom and whispered to Eunseok, who was preparing for the event. Eunseok nodded and excused himself, following Sungchan outside. His face lit up when he saw Jiwoo standing near the locker door, looking slightly anxious. Jiwoo signaled him to go somewhere quieter, and he willingly obliged.
"Wow, this is new," Eunseok remarked as he noticed Jiwoo's nervousness. She seemed hesitant around him, and her cheeks were tinged with a rosy hue. Eunseok leaned in closer, his voice soothing. "Are you okay? Are you uncomfortable with oppa? Do you not like me?"
"It's not that," Jiwoo stammered, struggling to find her words. She kept glancing around as if she was afraid someone might overhear. Her grip on the portrait behind her tightened.
"I'll try harder then," Eunseok smiled warmly. "Wanna have lunch with me?"
"Huh? N-No," Jiwoo quickly declined, shaking her head. "I'm here to give you this," she said, attempting to hand him the portrait, but Eunseok halted her midway.
"After. Lunch," Eunseok suggested and playfully ruffled her hair. "I'll drop by your class," he continued.
"N-No," Jiwoo stammered once more.
"No? Is your boyfriend going to get mad?" Eunseok raised an eyebrow teasingly.
"No, I don't have a boyfriend," Jiwoo replied, her face flushing with embarrassment due to the conversation with him.
"Well, that settles it," Eunseok grinned and playfully winked at her before heading back to their booth. Jiwoo remained where she was, still flustered by the exchange.
Jiwoo returned to her classroom and found both Wonbin and Seunghan busy preparing for their performance. She couldn't help but admire how good Wonbin looked in his stylish attire, topped off with his infamous beanie. Jiwoo greeted him with warmth as she approached.
"Did you just come?" Wonbin inquired, looking at her.
"Yes, you look nice," Jiwoo complimented him, referring to his appearance. Wonbin couldn't hide his smile and, in a surprising and endearing move, pinched her cheek. Jiwoo was caught off guard, and she instinctively cupped her cheek where he touched.
"What was that for?" she asked with a puzzled expression.
"You are cute," Wonbin stated, his tone affectionate. "Should we have lunch together later?" He suggested as he pulled out his guitar from its stand.
Jiwoo politely declined, shaking her head, "Sorry, but I have plans for lunch," she said, clasping her hands together as she apologized.
Wonbin nodded and seemed understanding. He then came up with another idea, "How about we hang out during the closing ceremony? I heard there will be a concert on the field. We just got an invitation from Shotaro."
Jiwoo was enthusiastic about the idea, raising both her thumbs up, "Yes! That would be great. What about Seunghan?"
Wonbin looked over at Seunghan, who was engrossed in his preparations, and shrugged. "I just want the two of us," he admitted. "I want to tell you something... important." He flashed her his lopsided smile.
"Okay," Jiwoo smiled in response, her curiosity piqued.
"I'll go get rehearsed, then," Wonbin said as he returned to his group. Jiwoo watched him go, still wondering about what he might have to say to her later. She left the classroom and headed to the council room, as she had been told that she was needed to help facilitate the closing ceremony with Miyoung.
In the dimly lit hallway, Jiwoo found herself surrounded by a group of unfamiliar girls who obstructed her path. Initially, she attempted to step aside, assuming they were simply passing through, but her hopes were shattered when one of the girls forcefully seized her arm and pushed her aside, leaving her in stunned silence.
Jiwoo was then forcibly taken to the rear of the building, and it soon became clear that it was Yuri's gang responsible for this unwarranted intrusion. Jiwoo had no prior knowledge of these individuals.
"What is this?" Jiwoo demanded, her voice quivering with trepidation. She was well aware that trouble was brewing, and she desperately wished to avoid it. After all, today was meant to be the highlight of the cultural festival, and these girls were intent on spoiling it.
"Shim Jiwoo, isn't it?" Yuri taunted, her voice laced with malice as she sat regally on a chair, her long, ebony hair cascading down her back. To describe the girl before her, who seemed to wield power over those around her, Jiwoo couldn't deny her striking beauty – porcelain skin, large eyes, crimson lips, and an enviable figure. But her smile was tainted with malevolence.
"You dragged me here without being certain if you had the right person?" Jiwoo challenged, her fear palpable. She scanned the surroundings, realizing that this place was off-limits to most, with some allowed in only for disposing of trash.
"Trying to be clever?" Yuri raised an eyebrow, restraining herself from grabbing Jiwoo's face out of sheer anger. "I simply want to get to know you better. After all, I recently had a little fun with your friend."
"Friend? Are you referring to Miri?" Jiwoo inquired.
"Was that her name?" Yuri smirked. "I playfully brought her here, thinking she was you, but alas, she was indisposed," she chuckled.
"What did you do to Miri?" Jiwoo's anger flared. "I swear, I will report this to the principal!"
Yuri and her companions exchanged sly glances before erupting in mocking laughter, ridiculing Jiwoo's voice and emotions. Jiwoo began to dread what these girls might have subjected her friend to. Could it be the reason Miri had distanced herself from her?
"What do you want from me?" Jiwoo inquired.
"Simple. I want you gone," Yuri stated with a wicked grin. "It seems like the boys, those handsome boys, are all over you. I wonder why."
Jiwoo was perplexed. "What are you talking about?"
"Why are you pretending not to know?" Yuri continued, her tone dripping with disdain. "You've entrapped every guy you know, playing with their emotions. Just like how Eunseok, tsk. My dear fricking Eunseok. Oh how amusing it is to watch him play with you. " Yuri laughed.
Jiwoo's fists clenched in annoyance. "No, you're wrong. I don't appreciate you spreading falsehoods about people."
"Oh, I'm not lying," Yuri declared. "I'm just giving you a glimpse of what kind of person he is. Do you really believe he cares about you? You're just a pawn in his game, my dear. Just be gone. Avoid him and I'll let you go merrily."
Jiwoo shut her eyes briefly. She knew Yuri was attempting to inflict emotional harm. Jiwoo had been taught not to judge people solely based on others' opinions. "No. I won't do what you're asking."
"Then I won't be your friend."
Jiwoo stopped when she heard a voice, turning to find Miri.
"Miri! What are you doing here?" Jiwoo asked, rushing toward her. However, Miri ignored her and stood by Yuri's side. "Miri, what's going on?"
Miri's face was dark and cold, void of the life Jiwoo once knew. It was the same look she had observed in Miri recently, and it pained her deeply.
"I resent how you're enjoying your life while I'm suffering," Miri stated. "I despise that you never thought of me while you had fun with other people." Miri said as she was constantly bullied by her classmates and even Yuri's friends.
Yuri laughed as Miri began to assail Jiwoo.
"Miri, what are you talking about? Whatever she's told you... it's not true. None of it is true," Jiwoo pleaded. "Miri..."
"I loathe that a loser like you has such good friends. It should have been me... not you," Miri continued with her bitter wishes, further breaking Jiwoo's heart. She bit her lip and struggled to hold back tears. "I wish you could experience the pain I've endured. I truly wish you would."
"What did they do to you? Miri, please, we can talk about it. Okay? You're my best friend," Jiwoo implored, clutching Miri's hands. "Miri, don't believe whatever she's saying. I'm not even angry with you."
"You should have suffered like I did," Miri continued her bitter tirade, and Jiwoo took a deep breath, having heard enough for one day.
"What do you want me to do to make you happy?" Jiwoo asked in defeat. "Our friendship is stronger than this. You know that. I'll do whatever it takes for us to be okay. Okay?" Jiwoo began to tear up as she reminisced about the times when she and Miri were inseparable, even promising to be best friends forever. She retrieved the friendship bracelet that Miri had made. "See? You've never left my thoughts, Miri."
Miri's response was harsh. "You're nothing but trash. Just be miserable and alone. I don't want to be friends with you anymore." She pushed Jiwoo away and angrily flung their friendship bracelet in Jiwoo's face.
Yuri, in the background, continued to laugh and approached Miri, embracing her. "Well done. She's going to be my best friend from now on, right, Miri?"
Jiwoo lowered her head, her emotions a turbulent mix of anger, sadness, and betrayal. As the girls departed one by one, she remained in silence, contemplating the shattered bond of friendship.
Genre: Youth, Teenage Romance, High School, Friendship, Angst, Fluff, Fanfiction
Jiwoo's life had been a whirlwind of activity and excitement since the formation of the Mars Club, led by the inspiring Sohee. The preparations for the cultural festival were in full swing, and their classmates were diligently completing their tasks, enabling them to be nearly finished by the third day of setup. This progress gave them the luxury of extra time to focus on practicing for their upcoming performances.
Sohee's dedication extended to arranging their practice schedules, with two hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon dedicated to perfecting their performances. The trio of Sohee, Seunghan, and Wonbin poured their hearts into their practice sessions, motivated by Sohee's guidance and leadership.
Reconciliation had brought relief to the group, with Seunghan and Wonbin mending their friendship after an apology from the latter. The same went for Shotaro, who received an apology from Wonbin for the incident involving Jiwoo. However, Jiwoo couldn't help but sense Suyoung's ambiguous attitude towards her. While they still interacted, Jiwoo felt that something had changed; her friend's interactions felt insincere compared to their earlier days.
Amid these preparations and reconciliations, Jiwoo was actively helping the council secretary, Miyoung, with paperwork. She admired Miyoung for her beauty, kindness, and approachability, seeing her as a role model. Whenever the boys didn't have practice, Jiwoo spent her time in the council room, providing her support.
One day during their break, Miyoung surprised Jiwoo with a can of orange juice, which Jiwoo enjoyed with enthusiasm. Miyoung, always friendly, asked Jiwoo about her class's progress.
"They are doing great, and we're very excited since this is our first event as a class," Jiwoo replied, her cheeks tinged with excitement.
Miyoung chuckled, reminiscing about her own experiences just a year ago. "It is going to be fun," she assured Jiwoo. As the time approached for her to leave the room, she offered some instructions: "Just lock the door before you leave, okay? And, oh, make sure to keep the storage room door open when you return the tools inside. The inside knob is jammed."
"Okay, unni," Jiwoo nodded with a cheeky smile. "Take care." She then finished her drink and proceeded to organize the remaining papers in the box.
As Jiwoo worked diligently on the task, she suddenly felt a presence, as if a pair of eyes were watching her. She shivered, feeling a chill run down her spine. Alarmed, she called out to Miyoung, but there was no response. She checked the hallway, finding it empty, with the boys still practicing in the classroom. She decided to return to her work, although an unsettling feeling lingered.
When Jiwoo finally completed her task and gathered all the tools in a box, she made her way to the storage room. She remembered Miyoung's instructions and had even placed sticky tape on the door's blocker to prevent it from accidentally locking her inside. Jiwoo was confident that the door wouldn't close since she had left it wide open.
However, unbeknownst to her, someone sinister had been lurking, waiting for the right moment to trap her. As she entered the storage room carrying the box, the trap was set in motion. Within seconds, a hand forcefully pushed the door closed.
Jiwoo's gasp of shock was followed by frantic attempts to reach the door before it slammed shut, but she was a moment too late. The door locked her inside the cold and dark storage room. Panic gripped her as she called for help, banging on the door with all her might.
Despite her desperation and fear, Jiwoo's cries for help went unanswered. She was alone, trapped in a room without any means of communication or a way to escape. She was anxious about her situation, yet she remained calm, occasionally calling out for help in the hope that someone would eventually hear her.
"Alright, practice is over for today!" Sohee announced, urging everyone to take a break. "Remember to rest and eat well, and don't forget to practice on the weekends."
Seunghan and Wonbin nodded as they started packing their things. Wonbin, however, noticed that Jiwoo hadn't returned from the council room, and he decided to check the hallway.
"Is Jiwoo still not back?" Seunghan inquired, indicating their concern. Sohee noticed their search for Jiwoo and asked, "Who are you looking for?"
"We're looking for Shim Jiwoo," Wonbin replied. "Did she contact you?" Seunghan shook his head, realizing she didn't have a phone.
"We should check the council room," Seunghan suggested, and Wonbin agreed. Sohee decided to stay behind and finish packing.
Upon reaching the council room, they found the door open and the room empty. "Looks like they forgot to lock the door," Seunghan remarked. But Wonbin noticed some papers on the table, prompting him to investigate.
"What are these?" he asked Seunghan.
"Oh, those are the evaluation forms that should be given to the faculty by 5," Seunghan explained, only realizing what he had said.
Then, they heard a faint voice coming from another door, pleading, "Hello? Is someone there? Please, open the door."
"Jiwoo..." they both exclaimed and rushed to the storage room door. However, the door was jammed, and Jiwoo's voice was growing weaker.
"How long have you been in there?" Wonbin asked, trying to console her.
"I don't know... Can't you open the door?" Jiwoo replied, growing panicked.
Wonbin couldn't wait for Seunghan, so he searched for something to break the door knob and found a baseball bat in the corner.
"Jiwoo, step away from the door," he instructed. "I'm going to knock it down." Jiwoo followed his instructions, and Wonbin successfully broke the door knob, freeing her.
"Okay, it's open," he said, and Jiwoo rushed out, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you! Thank you!" she cried, surprising Wonbin. Meanwhile, Seunghan returned with Mr. Sui, the school maintenance officer, who discovered that the door knob had been tampered with.
"Wait, someone trapped her on purpose?" Seunghan exclaimed, concerned about Jiwoo having people targetting her for some reasons. He had heard that there are cases of bullying at school but he did not expect one of his friends is experiencing it.
"I don't know," Jiwoo replied, still clinging to Wonbin, who was left in shock by her sudden embrace. The way she wrapped her arms around his frame made him feel how warm she was. His heart was literally pounding in his chest, that he thought he was the one who got trapped in the room. Unknown to him, his face was beet red from the sudden connection.
Sohee arrived at the scene, worried about Jiwoo. Jiwoo finally pulled away and assured everyone she was okay.
Later, they headed to their usual spot, and Jiwoo remained quiet, recalling the hand she had seen before the door closed. She realized she had seen that hand before.
"Jiwoo, are you okay?" Seunghan asked, acknowledging her fear.
"It was scary," Jiwoo admitted, her emotions getting the best of her. "But I was more scared of being stuck there all night."
Seunghan laughed and patted her head, he was more than happy to help her and that she was okay after their rescue. Jiwoo thanked them in return and then Seunghan tried to draw Wonbin's attention.
"Wonbin," he called, but Wonbin seemed lost in thought.
"Hey?" Jiwoo poked him, bringing him back to reality.
"You were saying?" Wonbin blinked as he could still not move on from the hug. He was evidently quiet that it made Seunghan chuckle at his friend's action.
"Nothing," Seunghan replied, teasing Wonbin about his distracted state. As Seunghan left on the bus, he offered to help Jiwoo with the cookies, and she happily agreed.
Seunghan, sitting on the bus, he suddenly remembered tapping Jiwoo's head and feeling a twinge of jealousy when he remembered seeing Jiwoo embrace Wonbin. He tried to shake off those feelings, chanting, "Forget, forget, forget," as he closed his eyes.
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Genre: Youth, Teenage Romance, High School, Friendship, Angst, Fluff, Fanfiction
Trigger Warning Please be Advised | Dangerous Scene
"What happened?" Seunghan inquired upon seeing Jiwoo sitting alone on the bench next to the stage, her head down, tears flowing. The weight of the day's events had overwhelmed her to the point where she could barely recall Wonbin's confession. This vulnerability was foreign to Jiwoo, and the fact that everyone witnessed her in this state troubled her.
"I'm not sure what happened," Wonbin responded. "We were talking, but she must have gone through something bad today. Do you know something?" he asked Seunghan, who had no insights. Wonbin sighed, torn between wanting to stay with Jiwoo and the impending performance they had in 10 minutes.
"I'll stay with her," said Suyoung, who was about to leave after their performance. "Don't worry," she reassured the boys, heading towards Jiwoo with two cans of cold cider hidden in her jacket. She handed one to Jiwoo before taking a seat beside her.
"You look horrible," Suyoung remarked without glancing at Jiwoo. "Don't make them worry that much. It's quite annoying," she added.
"I'm not in the mood to fight," Jiwoo replied coldly. "Leave me alone."
"I can't," Suyoung asserted. "Not when those two keep looking this way," she said with a forced smile. "And, I'm sorry for what I said to you last night." Suyoung spoke softly, turning to Jiwoo.
Jiwoo heard the apology but couldn't recall what it was about. "I know my sorry is not enough to make you feel better right now, but know that it is sincere," Suyoung said.
"I don't know what's sincere anymore, not even from people I care about the most," Jiwoo expressed, prompting Suyoung to realize that the hurt might not be from their class. Could it involve Eunseok? Or perhaps the upperclass students? Suyoung spotted the girl Jiwoo had been spending time with hanging out with the upperclass girls like a follower.
"You'll grow from it," Suyoung remarked, taking the cider can and opening it for Jiwoo. "Drink up. We should watch the boys up close," she suggested, tapping Jiwoo's shoulder.
Jiwoo remained silent, but Suyoung gently held her hand, pulling her up. "It is the last day of the event. Don't end it on a bad note," she urged.
Jiwoo finally stood up, compelled by Suyoung's encouragement, and followed her into the crowd. As they reached the front, Mars Club was getting ready to perform on stage. Squeezing their way to the front, Suyoung yelled, catching the boys' attention, and they happily waved in response. Jiwoo couldn't help but smile, waving back at her friends.
"Good evening everyone, I'm Sohee from Class 1-B, and we are the Mars Club!" The trio bowed in unison. "We are here to perform two songs to color this warm evening," Sohee announced, eliciting cheers from the audience. They took their positions, but Wonbin unexpectedly approached the microphone and spoke, captivating the crowd with his charisma.
"Hi, before we start. I would like to dedicate this song to a very special girl who was hurt tonight by someone she cared for. I hope this song reaches you just like how you reached for me," Wonbin shared, creating a romantic atmosphere. As he returned to his spot, Sohee and Seunghan teased him for his unexpected romanticism. Wonbin just smiled and began strumming his guitar, playing the intro to their first song.
Throughout their performance, Jiwoo listened wholeheartedly, grateful for the new connections she had made. If she lost a friend, she could still find new ones, even better. Turning to Suyoung, who was singing and cheering, Jiwoo tapped her shoulder. "Thank you!" she shouted over the noise.
Suyoung smiled and patted her head. "You're welcome!" she replied, and the two girls immersed themselves in enjoying the rest of Mars Club's performance.
.
.
Miri observed Jiwoo from a distance, tears streaming down her face. Envy and hatred consumed her, fueled by Jiwoo's association with attractive and popular individuals. Yuri's interruption, hurling a shoe at Miri, jolted her from her thoughts.
"Listen up, slowpoke," Yuri scolded, annoyed by Miri's apparent obliviousness. "If you keep this up, Sungchan won't give you a second glance."
Miri had sacrificed her friendship with Jiwoo over a guy, driven by jealousy of Jiwoo's connections with the most popular guys in their year. Yuri, promising to help, unknowingly led Miri into a web of deceit, including plans to distance Sungchan from another girl.
Yuri handed Miri a note from Sungchan, sparking excitement. Following the instructions, Miri blushed as she hurriedly approached Sungchan, who was puzzled by her unexpected presence.
Sungchan, returning microphones, sensed someone trailing him. Startled, he called out, realizing it was Miri. Bewildered, he asked, "What are you doing here?"
Miri, confessing her feelings, took a step toward Sungchan, who, feeling uneasy, took a step back. "I like you," she admitted. "You don't have to be embarrassed. Do you like me too?"
Sungchan, feeling increasingly uneasy, insisted, "No, you've misunderstood. I never said that." Miri, however, was adamant, recounting a lunchtime conversation with Jiwoo present.
"I have to do something," Sungchan said, attempting to shake off the unsettling feeling he got from Miri. He often felt watched when alone, initially attributing it to Eunseok but now uncertain.
Walking away from Miri, Sungchan sensed her lingering presence. Turning back, he found her too close for comfort. Miri declared her intense feelings, startling Sungchan, who tried gently pushing her away.
"You're scaring me, Miri! What's wrong with you?" Sungchan exclaimed, realizing Miri's behavior was far from what he knew.
Miri, desperate to be accepted, cited Sungchan's invitation to talk. Sungchan, recognizing her instability, urged her to stay away, concerned for his safety.
Miri, on the brink, revealed a paper blade, expressing a dark desire for vengeance. Sungchan, realizing the severity, pleaded for her to calm down, aware of the potential harm she might inflict on herself.
Sungchan, feeling cornered, desperately called for help, "Miri, calm down!" The situation escalated, leaving Sungchan to confront the danger unfolding before him.
Miri raised her arm as she was ready to attack him. Sungchan could only run away from her but there was no other way asidr from going inside the supply room instead. He quickly ran to the supply room, just as he moved, Miri moved as well but he was fast enough to lock the door after him.
"Come out, oppa.." Miri softly spoke, crying. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." She said, with the sudden change of her tone, Sungchan was in trouble. She was crazy.
"You are scaring me, Miri. Please stop that." Sungchan said but Miri wouldn't stop scrapping the door with the blade she was holding. Sungchan quickly fished out his phone and called for Eunseok, but unfortunately, Eunseok's phone died and he was with Miyoung in the field partying. "Shit.." He fumbled in his contact list and called Shotaro. Luckily, Shotaro answered.
"H-Hyung... Hyung. Where are you?" Sungchan ran to the other side for Miri not to hear his conversation. "I'm in the supply room but Miri... " Sungchan sighed, thinking that Shotaro wouldn't know her.
"Miri? Why? Are you with her?" Shotaro asked, he was with Jiwoo and her friends heading out to grab dinner after the event. Unknown to Jiwoo's and Miri's friendship breakup, Shotaro called for Jiwoo and asked about Miri.
"I– I dont know." Jiwoo shook her head. "Why?"
"Hyung, she is scaring me. Please help me out here! She might hurt herself... or hurt me! Please please." Sungchan panicked, he only could imagine situations like these in horror movies and did not event expect he'd be in it. "She is armed hyung.."
With that description, Shotaro felt ice cold water poured on to him. "I need help." He said, referring to Wonbin, Seunghan and Sohee. The boys unsure what was going on followed him.
"Wait, I'll go with you." Jiwoo said grabbing Wonbin's hand.
"No, you stay here with Suyoung." Wonbin said, but Jiwoo insisted.
"She is my friend," Jiwoo sternly said gripping on his hand. Wonbin sighed and decided to let her go with him.
"Just stay behind me then." He said and Jiwoo went with them.
They all reached the supply room and indeed saw Miri standing in front of the supply room. Shotaro walked towards her but maintained a distance as Sungchan told him, she was armed. He knew Miri because of Jiwoo. These girls were inseparable before but how Miri looked right now was totally different from the last time he saw her.
Miri..." Shotaro gently called. Miri turned her head, her eyes eyes were wide open, crying. "Are you alright?"
Miri mumbled, slowly bumping her head on the door. "Did someone hurt you?" He asked next, taking each step towards her carefully. "What you are holding is dangerous. You'll hurt yourself, hmm?" He assured her as much as he could.
She finally responded by dropping the blade from her hand. She then turned to him and was about to take his hand but she saw Jiwoo and her anger filled her head once more, that she grabbed the blade from the floor and was about to hit him on the chest but Jiwoo quickly held her hand to stop her. She then pushed Miri away and kicked her in her gut, causing her to fly a distance away from them.
All the boys were surprised from what they saw. Miri was knocked out for a few seconds before she regained her senses and saw Jiwoo walking towards her. She was still holdibg the blade and wanted to hit Jiwoo without as she could see that she was with her friends, but Jiwoo did not say a thing as she stepped on her wrist.
"Jiwoo..." Shotaro spoke, aiming to stop her from hurting friend. Miri winced in pain until she lets go of the blade. Wonbin and Seunghan came to pull Jiwoo from her before Shotaro helped Miri up after throwing the blade to Seunghan.
"Sungchan, you can go out now." Shotaro said and slowly Sungchan came out and ran his way behind the two boys.
"I don't know you guys but keep away from that girl, I beg you." Sungchan said, but he did not know that Seunghan and Wonbin were more scared of Jiwoo. It was the first time they saw her did those moves.
"Jiwoo, are you a fighter?" Seunghan asked.
Jiwoo sighed, "A little bit." She confessed. The boys were more curious about it more than what just happened with the girl.
"Jiwoo, come help." Shotaro asked but Jiwoo just stood there far from him as he helped Miri up. "Jiwoo?"
"I'm sorry." Jiwoo dropped her head as she looked away. Seunghan noticed how Jiwoo looked hurt more than earlier so he decided to go to Shotaro and helped her friend. Wonbin stayed by her side, quietly connecting the pieces together.
Miri was taken to the hospital after Shotaro called her older sister. When they were gone, everyone turned to Jiwoo with questions in their mind, but the girl didn't say a thing and stayed quiet. Sungchan was with them until Eunseok and Miri came to them.
"Eunseok." Sungchan whined, letting go of his cool persona when he saw his best friend. "I am so glad to see you, my friend." He said as he hugged Eunseok.
"What happened?" Miyoung asked. "I even thought you got abducted already." She joked but the look on Sungchan's face looked like the same thing almost happened to him. "You are kidding."
"Remember when I told you that I feel like someone is stalking Eunseok? It turns out it was me being stalked the entire time!" Sungchan explained. "I almost died there." He said as he clung on Eunseok who barely said a thing at all, but his eyes were focused on Jiwoo who was quiet the entire time. He pulled away from Sungchan's hold and walked towards Jiwoo.
"Hey." Eunseok said. Everyone was quiet that they all looked at the two of them. "Your friends are here." He said.
Jiwoo looked at him before she looked down once more. Eunseok was quiet for a moment before he held her hand. With that question, two more hands grabbed the same hand he was touching. "Shim Jiwoo. You have to tell what's going on before anyone you know gets hurt."
"What are you talking about?" Wonbin asked he was holding Jiwoo's hand too. Eunseok did not take his eyes away from Jiwoo, so Wonbin turned to look at her instead. "Jiwoo..."
Jiwoo looked at the people around her. They all looked at her in a way that she felt like she needed to tell them things. She felt like the people with her right now are there to listen to her. She thought she will not cry anymore but what happened made her think things in a different light.
The boys let go of her hand when she was going to speak. "Miri and I fought. She told me that she was suffering while I was enjoying spending time with you guys. She wished me to suffer more than she should and told me that we are no longer friends. I tried talking to her but she wouldn't listen and just ended everything there." Jiwoo managed to tell them everything in one breath. "I'm sorry, I am just too hurt and I did not want to knock her out... but she lost it. She was not in her mind."
"Well, serves her right." Suyoung bluntly spoke. "I got blamed for trapping Jiwoo in the storage room even though it was her." She scoffed, eyeing Wonbin who was surprised to hear that.
"Suyoung is right. It was Miri who locked me in the storage room in the council room." Jiwoo added.
"The hell? It is so creepy!" Miyoung gasped. "Are you okay?" She asked Jiwoo and the latter assured her that she was fine.
"And... there is this girl who wanted me gone." Jiwoo turned to Eunseok. "She said she was your girlfriend."
It was the first time Eunseok rolled his eyes in annoyance upon mentioning that. It was Yuri again, but he was more worried about what Jiwoo would think about him after hearinh all what Yuri had told her.
"That girl. Urrrrgh. I am gonna rip that face!" Miyoung grumbled angrily but Sungchan helped her calm down by patting her head.
"I did not believe whatever she said to me. She looked like she likes to say whatever she wanted to say, but Miri... she meant everything she told me." Jiwoo said. "I can't believe we have to end like this."
"Oh gee, I can be your best friend." Suyoung shoved Seunghan away from her and placed her hand on Jiwoo's head. "Right?" She smiled.
"Me too, if you lose a friend, you can make two more." Miyoung grinned.
It made Jiwoo smile for a bit, it somehow cheered her broken heart and began to thank everyone who was there for her.
"I'll take care of Hwang Yuri. I should have disposed of her when I got the chance." Eunseok said, though he was smiling, he was already frustrated about Yuri's presence. "And... to clarify things, I broke up with her the day she bullied Miri, but I did not expect things would escalate like this."
"Can't we do something about Miri?" Sungchan asked. "She almost tried to hurt me!"
"Oh, be a man for once!" Miyoung pinched his cheek but eventually softened up when she realized that she didn't want him to get hurt either. She stopped and gave him a hug instead.
