Highschool Summertime

7/17/2019 Highschool Summertime

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S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 001--

The fact that the school year of 2005-2006 had actually come to an end and summer

vacation was finally really here had taken it's hit for everybody after the first week of break passed by.

n the !unday after their very last day of school" #unsu had accidentally went to bedearly thinkin$ school was ahead the ne%t day" !tephanie opened up her binder to see if there was any homework left that was due and &han$ in even cleared his backpack

prepared for a brand new week like he always did on !unday ni$hts.

The burden of school on their shoulders hadn(t come off and the first week was still alittle unbelievable) e%cept for icky. The thou$ht of summer vacation has been on his

mind since halfway throu$h the school year and he was en*oyin$" knowin$ darn well that

there was no more school.

!o finally" +ealin$ ,eek of the Man, school tomorrow thou$hts had finished and the brand new onday of the / summer vacation had be$un--and eon +ee was over at

The +ouse like she had been almost 234 throu$hout the whole first part of summer sofar.

!ittin$ on eesee(s ilo and !titch patterned bed" eon +ee was slowly and carefully paintin$ the neon pink nail polish on eesee(s little" tiny toenails with &haewon sittin$

beside them and watchin$ while dryin$ her own purple nail polish. !ittin$ with them onthe bed were countless nail polish that they $athered throu$hout The +ouse with random"$irly colors.

The windows of the room were wide opened and warm bree7e of the new season were$oin$ in and out) it was a little nonsense since the $irls had the fans on for some fresh air"

but the opened windows weren(t helpin$.

&ookie la7ily rested his chin on his paws on the bi$" oval ru$ where he always sat whilewatchin$ the $irls) +e was inspectin$ the little nail polish party.

8 should(ve *ust had you do my nails. &haewon said to eon +ee. ou do it sosmoothly and perfectly. ine(s all u$ly9 !he looked down at her nails that she hadconfidently done herself and made a face at how unsatisfied she was after comparin$

them to eesee(s toes.

/w" no they(re not" eon +ee replied" still stru$$lin$ not to shake her fin$ers while paintin$ the small toenails. /fter she finished the nail she was workin$ on" she turned tolook at &haewon(s fin$ers. They were painted alri$ht" *ust not as smooth lookin$ as eon

+ee(s work.



They look fine" eon +ee assured with a smile. :ut if you want" 8 can do your toenailsfor you.

eally;< &haewon e%citedly asked. kay" okay< !he nodded happily with a$reement.eesee shot &haewon a look. Don’t choose the same color as me. !he warned her sister.

&haewon rolled her eyes. =on(t worry. That color you picked and that you chose at thestore is u$ly anyway.eesee(s mouth dropped opened at the comment. ,hat a >= thin$ to say. !he said"crossin$ her arms with an offended face. ,ell" it doesn(t matter because I like this color

and 8 don(t care what you say about it. !he said" stickin$ out her ton$ue.&haewon $runted a lau$h. kayyyyy9

eon +ee $i$$led at the two $irls. ou $uys" no fi$htin$. /ll these colors are really cute.+eck" if 8(d had as many fin$ers as all these colors" 8(d paint my nails with / of

them<&haewon(s eyes then lit up with an e%cited $asp. +ey< &an you paint my toenails with

different colors;;;eesee then $asped too. T<<Too late" &haewon teased. our toenails are already painted.

Noooooo" eesee wailed and then turned to eon +ee. >nni; &an 8 erase this and canyou color my nails a$ain with different colors;

eesee< &haewon cut in. That(s >=. !he worked hard on your nails. ou don(t ask somebody to do somethin$ for you and then ask them to erase it *ust because you $ot a

new idea.eesee stuck her bottom lip out and looked down. !orry" unni9 she apolo$i7ed to

eon +ee.eon +ee $i$$led a$ain and put her hand on eesee(s head. 8t(s okay? !he said. 8(ll

do them over with different colors.eesee(s face shot back up. /;

eah" eon +ee said with cool. @o bi$ deal. +ere9this is the nailpolish remover so *ust erase while 8 work on &haewon(s toes and after 8(m done" we(ll make yours all pretty

too" okay;eesee smiled and clapped with *oy. !he then turned to her older sister. Seeeee;

&haewon rolled her eyes a$ain. 8t(s still rude.eon +ee be$an to lau$h before she be$an pickin$ different colors with &haewon for her

toes.

/nd of course9the ,orld &up had been another event that started the summer off9

,ith an$er9

ff-sides9 #unsu(s voice cracked while lyin$ down in between icky and !un$ inon the livin$ room floor near the cool air-conditioner. AA-!8=!< +e repeated with a

yell.



icky si$hed. ff-sides9ou $uys9$et over it. !un$ in said. The $ame was /!T A8=/ and the players

are back home . 8t(s finished<<8t(s not finished. #unsu said. 8t will never be finished. @T+8@B can *ustify this

e%cept for a re-match with a C/@ A T+/T(! /T= T

!:= @ > T/< r me.=on(t worry #unsu. icky said. emember; ,e(re $oin( to Bermany to$ether tofind.that .ref<<

+eck yeah we are< #unsu yelled with an$er. oooo he better hope somebody(sholdin$ me back when 8 see him.

mmm +mmmm. icky a$reed. +e betta start prayin( now<B= 8(m $onna C8 somebody. #unsu bellowed.

icky and !un$ in looked at each other with looks of fearand slowly moved awayfrom the an$ered #unsu9for if #unsu wanted to murder somebody9at this time" they

would be his only choices.

/8#8>+8>DE><< #unsu screamed a$ain" frustratin$ly wavin$ his handsand feet in the air.

/h9!eniors. !hin =on$ proudly said" leanin$ himself back on the pool wall in thewater with his brand new sun$lasses restin$ on his nose. ,e finally reached our

destination. :oys9we are $oin$ to rule over the school?an are those little *uniors and underclassmen $onna be scared of us, +ee &hul evilysaid" rubbin$ his hands to to$ether" also sittin$ in the water with his back rested. This is

the first time 8 was e%cited for school. &an(t summer *ust end;+eck no< Can$ 8n protested. 8(ve been waitin$ for this all freakin( year. 8 hated *unior

year man9it wore me out like nothin$ else ever has. 8 hate school.:ut we(re not *uniors anymore" man. !hin =on$ reminded. ,e(re !@8!. ,e

don(t even need to do that much work.!till so. Can$ 8n said. !chool(s school. 8(m *ust $lad summer(s here9and thinkin$

about colle$e apps;; 8 shiver.8(m not $oin$ to colle$e. !hin =on$ smiled.

The two boys turned their heads to him like li$htnin$. ,+/T; +ee &hul asked.>h9you / tryin$ to sound cool" ri$ht; Can$ 8n asked.

@ope. 8 made my decision. !hin =on$ announced" takin$ another sip throu$h the strawof his pineapple *uice in a cocktail $lass. /fter 8 $et my hi$h school diploma" school(s

over for me. Time for me to make some !8>! @.ou(re so stupid. Can$ 8n said. ou can(t make money unless you $o to colle$e.

h please. !hin =on$ said. #ust watch98(ll be on top of all you $uys after ten years. 8have my special plan.

+ee &hul and Can$ 8n turned to each other" raisin$ their eyebrows.

!enior" senior" senior. !hin =on$ said a$ain" puttin$ his hands on the back of his head.8 love that word.



This was e%actly what #unsu was afraid of--the (04 boys $ettin$ too bi$ headed once theyreached !enior year. /nd he was ri$ht.

/hem" !hin =on$ loudly cleared his throat when &han$ in happened to walk by their

backyard dribblin$ a basketball.ittle sophomore bro; !hin =on$ be$an. ,ould you care to brin$ me some cookiesfrom the kitchen; our senior hyun$(s $ettin$ a little hun$ry.

+a< &han$min lau$hed. /s if" /nd he bounced his basketball back into the house.

!hin =on$(s mouth dropped and he looked at his two friends9

/nd they all busted out with lau$hter" feelin$ a little stupid for bein$ cocky that half hour about bein$ a senior.

>$h. 8 can(t believe we(re doin$ this for half the summer. unho complained whileslippin$ the $lass-pressed hair under the microscope.

8 know9and the weather(s so much worse for it. !tephanie added. 8(m never $onnasurvive.

!tephanie" unho and oon #i all had decided to take chemistry for summer school at thelocal community colle$e to $et faster credits so they can $et into the /F classes. They allthou$ht it was a wonderful" smart idea since nobody else was doin$ it9but now that the

classes be$an" re$ret was all they were feelin$.

%cept for oon #i of course9who was happy that she could spend more time withunho. G:ut takin$ these classes weren(t only for unho. !he really wanted to $et into /F

classes.H

!o are we $onna eat lunch after this; !tephanie asked.!ure. unho replied. ou(re comin$ too" ri$ht; +e asked oon #i.

oon #i simply blushed at his Iuestion. 8f it(s okay with you $uys9

f course it(s okay" !tephanie said. +aha" oon #i-- ,hy are you always lookin$ sointimidated; ,e really are not that bi$ of a deal.

oon #i shru$$ed with a bashful look. 8 don(t know. 8t(s *ust that 8 wasn(t e%pectin$ tofind friends so soon and 8 $uess 8(m *ust sort of9not sure about everythin$.

,ell you worry over nothin$. unho said. ,e(re not the coolest people 8(ll say9butwe(ll help you out. =on(t worry.



oo. et(s call people and $o for a movie" !tephanie su$$ested as she took a bite of her Arench Ary at 8n-n-ut. oon #i and unho sat across from her side by side.

8 can(t. unho re*ected. 8 $otta $o to the $ym.The $ym; !tephanie asked. ou(re workin$ out a$ain;

eah98 feel really la7y and fat.,ell me and =ennis were $onna $o to the $ym to$ether startin$ ne%t week if you wanna *oin us9r 8 mean" *ust me when 8 $o sometimes alone9whichever you want9 !he

said.unho(s actions of eatin$ fro7e and $ave her a look at her that was different than the

e%pressions he made all day) like he liked her all over a$ain.@ah9 +e said. 8t(s okay.8 need to work out" too. oon #i said.

+ey? unho said" lookin$ over at her. ou can work out with me.eally; oon #i asked.

!ure< 8t(d be more fun anyway.

!tephanie(s eyes were $oin$ back and forth between the conversation9and she washonestly feelin$ a little hurt and betrayed) unho had *ust declined an offer from her andmade the same offer a$ain to somebody else ri$ht in front of her face. ,as that not cool

of him; r was it C; !he wasn(t sure" but she sure didn(t feel $ood about it.

!o when do you wanna start; +e asked oon #i.8 dunno9up to you; !he said.

!tephanie was still watchin$ back and forth at the two.

,ell 8(m $oin$ toni$ht9would you like to come;,hat about homework;

Ferfect? ,e(ll do homework to$ether afterwards.oon #i(s face lit up. That(d be okay;

!ure< This chem. stuff is totally whackin$ me out anyway and you looked like you knewwhat you were doin$. ou can help me out. +e winked.

oon #i blushed.+ey9unho and oon #i. unho pointed out.

!ounds pretty perfect.

. . .



Joo $reen< 8'm feelin' the $reen one.J #ae #oon$ said" pickin$ out the neon $reen

mini fan off the shelf at the ,al$reens store near The +ouse. J8'm $onna $et this.JJ+ey" you stole my color" man<J icky said" snatchin$ away the toy fan.J,hat;;J #ae #oon$ asked with astonished eyes. J%cuse me" but 8 never heard you call

it.J +e snatched the fan back.J,ell...J icky be$an. J8 called it in my head .J

J+ere.J #ae #oon$ handed icky over the oran$e fan. Jou can have this one. 8t fits you better anyway.J

icky cocked his head with a smile. Jeally;J +e asked.Jeah.J #ae #oon$ answered. J,hy; 8s that a really $ood thin$ or somethin'; ou're

smilin$ kinda hard there.JJhhh" nothin$.J icky dreamily said. J8 *ust like oran$e.J

,hat the real deal was" was that oran$e was :o/'s absolute favorite color--she even hadoran$e shoes to match her many oran$e clothes.

J/lri$ht" well let's $et the candy and $o.J #ae #oon$ said as the two boys $rasped ontotheir fans.

,hile icky and #ae #oon$ talked and lau$hed while walkin$ over to the ne%t lane"somethin$ had stopped their steps...and stopped #ae #oon$'s heart. !omethin$; r

rather...somebody.

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 002--

,hoa9 icky said.,hoa9 #ae #oon$ repeated.

The eyes of both boys were $lued and mesmeri7ed. Their mouths were opened withouteven notice. /nd #ae #oon$ Cim(s heart had stopped that instant when he first saw9her.

!he had lon$ le$s" short shorts and a thin tank top that showed off her perfect upper body.+er hair was lon$ and wavy" brown and silky and her face was small and fair) the kind of person that looks $ood either with or without a tan. /nd she was searchin$ for somethin$in the +allmarks card stands that took up the whole aisle.

!he(s9hot. icky said. +uh; +e turned his head and asked #ae #oon$ after $ettin$no response. :ut all he saw was #ae #oon$(s face9fro7en as ice but sweat bullets



drippin$ so hot from the sides of his head.

h no9 you okay man;; icky asked" $rabbin$ #ae #oon$(s shoulders. +e took a look at his friend and couldn(t decide whether #ae #oon$ was okay9or not?

!he(s so hot9 #ae #oon$(s voice croaked.eah" obviously? icky said" rollin$ his eyes. 8f you(ve become all hypnotized!!hould 8 $o talk to her; #ae #oon$ asked.KTalkKto her; icky(s eyebrows shot up and then turned to look at the $irl a$ain. oureally like her that much;C8T her< #ae #oon$ yelped. h no no9KyouK better not think about it. +ewa$$ed his inde% fin$er to icky with scrunched eyebrows. 8 called her first.+a< icky lau$hed. =on(t worry. +e rolled his eyes. !he(s all yours. =on(t youremember; I have9 #ust before it was too late" icky(s words stopped.ou have what; #ae #oon$ asked.icky then flashed a $rin with his eyes lookin$ left to ri$htLfeelin$ scared that #ae

#oon$ cau$ht somethin$. !omethin$ more than his words.h9you know? icky lau$hed hesitantly" hittin$ #ae #oon$(s shoulder. @othin$. @othin$L$o talk to her< !he(s $onna leave< +e Iuickly chan$ed the sub*ect.kay" okay. #ae #oon$ said" clearin$ his throat and fi%in$ his hair. =o 8 look okay;+ot and se%y. icky winked.,hat about my clothes; /r$h 8 knew 8 should(ve worn my other shirt< 8 soooo felt itcallin$ out for me to wear<<ou look !C8@( icky reassured.+ow about my breath; /nd before icky can back away" #ae #oon$ opened his mouthand huffed a $ood amount of air into icky(s face. uckily" there was no foul smellLbutthe pressure was hard.8t(s9 icky said while cou$hin$. 8t(s $reat9smells like flowers.ut of allll days. The day 8 for$ot my KmirrorK< #ae #oon$ wailed. !ee; T+8! is why 8can(t cut down on my mirror time. ook what happens when my mirror(s $one. 8t(s a#8@M<#ust trust me< icky yelled. h my oh my oh my" she(s walkin( over here<h shiett< #ae #oon$ panicked. +e then fi%ed his hair one more time and $ot ready forthe $irl(s approach.

+e stood and basically posed like a model" but for some reasonLdidn(t say anythin$when she reached his destination. /ll he did was watch her pass by.

>hhh9+< icky pushed #ae #oon$. ,hat the heck;;; ou missed her<<> , !>FF!= T B/: @T + A8!T< #ae #oon$ yelled.icky blinked twiceLand then shook his head with a confused face. W"##/h" 8 =>@@<< 8( #>!T T@@/ /C M&>!!<<, ,+/T / , B@@/ =;<8 =>@@ :>T ,+ / , 8@B;;8 =>@@<<%cuse me9 /n employee said" stoppin$ at the boys.



The two boys turned to him with an$ry faces.Flease lower the fi$htin$ in the store9or take it outside. The man said and walkedaway.,ell;;; icky whispered to #ae #oon$. Bo catch her<,ell9if you think about it9 #ae #oon$ replied. =o you know how perverted and

cra7y 8 would look if 8 *ust randomly went up to her and hit on her when she doesn(t evenknow me;+m9 icky put his fin$er on his chin. ou do have a point there9,+ &/!;#ust9make her $et to know you and prove to her that you(re KnotK a pervert./nd if she slaps me;8 dunno? icky said. !lap her back;#ae #oon$ $ave him a look and si$hed. N$h Micky%’ +e thou$ht.@ever mind. +e said" $ently hittin$ icky(s cheek like a little boy. 8t(s okay man.et(s *ust buy our dinky fans and $o. +e walked away with his head sli$htly down.=8@C;< icky asked" offended" while followin$ behind #ae #oon$. %cuse me" didyou say =8@C;<

eon +ee" +yukkie" #unsu and Ci :um lay on the soft" today-cut $rass outside the frontyard of The +ouse" en*oyin$ the sunli$ht(s rays" splashin$ onto their faces.8 can(t believe un :i saved your school life. +yukkie said. 8 meanLyou really couldhave $otten held back.98 know9 Ci :um replied. +e had *ust told +yukkie and #unsu about what happened)They were the first after he told eon +ee the day his innocence was found out9

+e had told her when he $ot homeLnot because he wanted to let her know the stru$$lehe went throu$h" but he wanted to tell her the wonderful news about how it was okaynow. /ny kind of $reat news" he always wanted to share with her9but for some reasonthis time" he re$retted lettin$ her know anythin$ in the first place9

eon +ee bit her bottom lip at the mention of un :i(s nameLeven if it was obvious thather name would have to be brou$ht up every time this story is mentioned.

Aor some reason" she *ust couldn(t fully accept9

ou should buy her whatever she wants. +yukkie added.w9no. #unsu said. !orry" but 8 don(t like that $irl.!he saved Ci :um(s li&e. +yukkie reminded his cousin. 8 mean9could you Kima$ineKwhat 'i (um would(ve done if he $ot held back;; @ot *ust anybody9 'i (um.8 BT it?? #unsu responded. /nd 8(m very $lad that he(s proven innocent" but 8(m *ussayin(98 don(t like un :i.eon +ee lifted her head a little bit to look at #unsu with a $rin. +e couldn(t see her because his eyes were closed and facin$ the sky" but eon +ee was happy that somebodywas there to a$ree with her" even if how she felt was silent.



,ell 8 think she deserves somethin$. +yukkie persisted. ,hat would you have donewithout her; +e turned to ask Ci :um.Bot held back. #unsu replied for him" shru$$in$ a shoulder. ,ho cares if he $ot held back; 8t(s not like he would(ve died without her. !he(s not eon +ee" you know.eon +ee $ave a small $rin a$ain) she really liked how #unsu was actin$ today.

:ut that(s different. +yukkie continued. eon +ee(s his love9un :i(s his lifesaver.8t(s not his KlifeK. #unsu repeated.!chool; That KisK his life.

Bee7" am 8 really that nerdy;; Ci :um asked.The other three of his friends all looked at him9and nodded with a Nyes.(,ell98(ll *ust thank herL8 haven(t even seen her yet.eah" *ust thank her. #unsu said. ,hat else does she need;;!ilence. ,hat else did un :i need; That(s all eon +ee was thinkin$ about.

9+ey. :ut was it really ark who did all that; +yukkie asked. ike9really;They say it was9 Ci :um answered. :ut 8 dunno98 don(t even care about who did itanymore) 8(m *ust $lad 8(m off the hook.eon +ee put her hand on Ci :um(s and pivoted her head to look at him with a $rin.e too. !he said. nd that’s all that should matter%

Bee79cheer up if you can(t do anythin$ about it? icky said" holdin$ onto his newfan while he and #ae #oon$ walked out of the automatic slidin$ doors of ,al$reens.8 KamK cheered up. #ae #oon$ said with sadness.h yeah" you sound real cheered up. icky said sarcastically. 8t(s okay9she(s noteven that hot.:ut she 8!< #ae #oon$ stomped his foot. ,hy can(t she *ust come back so 8 can dosomethin$ about it9;

>m9e%cuse me; / female(s voice said.The two boys turned to lookLand coincidentally" it was that e%act same $irl.#ae #oon$ and icky shot their faces to one another with fri$htened looks. +ow couldthis be;;; icky then nud$ed #ae #oon$ Iuickly to hurry up and say somethin$.>mmm9es;; #ae #oon$ asked" voice crackin$" turnin$ his head back to her. 8mean9yes9; +e repeated" fi%in$ his voice) and he felt complete embarrassment.icky shut his eyes and slapped his forehead.

!orry98(m new around here and 8(m really lost about findin$ places9=o you $uysknow where um9hold on. !he reached inside her pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. h" here it is. >m9do you know where9Aentons 8ce &ream Farlor is;

#ae #oon$ and icky faced each other a$ain" raisin$ their eyebrows up and down. This iswhy unho always called them Ncorny(Lbut it was them" how could anybody help it;



,e sure do? #ae #oon$ smiled slyly.

,ow9so you(ve studied in like five countries;; #ae #oon$ asked" slippin$ anotherspoonful of Oanilla !undae in his mouth.eah9 The $irl" already introduced to them as ina" replied.That is so cool. #ae #oon$ said. That(s like my dream.8t(s actually really tirin$. ina said. 8(m *ust $lad to be back in the !tates9althou$h itwould be better if 8 were in Te%as a$ain.+ey" it(ll be okay. #ae #oon$ said. ,e(ll help you out here) that(s kinda funny howyou(re in our $rade and will be comin$ to our school. /lbany really KisK smallL everybody ends up knowin$ everybody.icky watched the two talk9and couldn(t help how hilarious it was to see #ae #oon$ be

so into somebodyLit was the first time he acted this way in front of anybody.+uh icky; #ae #oon$ asked.eap? icky replied. /nd aren(t KyouK $lad.#ae #oon$ shot a $lare and icky snorted a lau$h.

!o9who are you waitin$ for here at Aentons; #ae #oon$ asked ina a$ain.h" *ust my boyfriend./nd at the word Nboyfriend( icky and #ae #oon$ looked at each other9a$ain.-y-you have a boyfriend; icky asked" stutterin$ his Iuestion.eah. +e(s in colle$e thou$h. +e(s supposed to be here any minute" but 8 have a feelin$traffic(s keepin$ him.h9 #ae #oon$ said" disappointed. 89see.eah" 8(ll have to introduce you $uys to him? ven thou$h 8 *ust met you9is9thatokay;9!ure9 They said9unsurely.ina smiled. +e(s the only one 8 know who lives around here) it(s kinda scary. Thanks somuch for makin$ me feel comfortable already.9!ure9 They said a$ain.

!he has9a :A8@=<< #ae #oon$ e%claimed" floppin$ down on his bed.=amn that boyfriend. icky said" sittin$ down on #ae #oon$(s computer chair.That9really sucks. #ae #oon$ said. +e si$hed and put his hand over his forehead. fcourse she has one9kay" now 8 wish she *ust didn(t come to our school.:ut he(s in colle$e< icky reminded. +i$h school and colle$e relationships break upreally easily 8 heard. !tatistics show that only 2P last./nd where did you $et this statistic; #ae #oon$ asked" doubtin$ly.>m9me. icky said. :ut hey" 8 bet it(s true.



89am so miserable. #ae #oon$ said. !he had the perfect personality" too9icky si$hed at his friend(s misery. +e then slid the chair over to the bed" turned on hisnew mini fan and put it near #ae #oon$(s face9to attempt and make him feel *ust a little bit better.

kay9well 8(ll see you $uys later" 8 $uess. !tephanie said before $ettin$ into :aby.=ennis didn(t even bother to $et out of his car to $reet unho.eah. unho said with a smile" not even disappointed at her departure. +ave fun.,e should han$ out like this every day. oon #i su$$ested. 8t was a lot of fun.eah9 !tephanie $ave a half-hearted smile.+ey" maybe we(ll catch ya at the $ym. unho pointed outLhe then put his arm aroundoon #i(s neck in a playful headlock. &us we(re all happenin$ to $o toni$ht9ri$ht; +easked" lookin$ at !tephanie.

!tephanie looked at their play and subconsciously raised an eyebrow. eah9 !he saida$ain. aybe" but 8 doubt toni$ht 8(ll be there.h. unho said. ,ell" okay. +e shru$$ed" a$ain with a voice that was not sad at all.C9well9see you later. !tephanie said" voice trailin$ off.unho $rinned and waved.!tephanie turned around and opened the door to the carLwantin$ to turn around and $ivea last look at themLbut decided not to.!he $ot in and looked at them throu$h the window as both unho and oon #i waved. !hesimply waved back9and the car drove off.

kay9so you two" me" eon +ee" Ci :um" #unsu" unho" icky" the (04 oppas" :omiunni" +yukkie" =ana" &han$min" =on$ +ae" #ae #oon$" icky" eesee and &haewon.!unday listed. !he" #essica and :o/ were sittin$ in :o/(s kitchen table discussin$ thenew upcomin$ bi$ eventQ Aourth of #uly ::R at :o/(s.

The bud$et will be9S250. :o/ said.S00. !unday said.Aine. S00. :o/ finali7ed. /nd nooo random invites" okay; ,e havn(t had a $ood $etto$ether with *ust us in a lon$ time.up. #essica said. h wait9what about that new oon #i $irl; =oes she count as arandom invite;:o/ thou$ht9es. !unday said.es; :o/ asked.8t(s not like we(re friends with her yet.eah" but #unsu wants her to be comfortable9he wants us to be her friend.!unday rolled her eyes. Aine" fine. !he si$hed and *otted oon #i(s name down. kay"that(s it.



+ambur$ers" hot do$s and salad. :o/ said.!odas. #essica added.:alloons<< !unday su$$ested.8f we have money left. :o/ reminded.!o how much per person; #essica asked. !he looked up at the ceilin$ and in an instant"

divided the amount to S14.6.>$h9you freakin( human calculator. !unday said.#essica shru$$ed and smiled. ,hy don(t we *ust round it off to 20 bucks each; Thenwe(ll have a little more money left.!ounds $ood. :o/ said. an" 8(m so sad $uys9/fter that day" 8(m $onna be $one for almost a whole month.8 know?? !unday wailed. ,hat are we $onna do without you;+ey" me too?? #essica reminded them with an offended voice. 8(m $oin( to Corea"remember;h yeah<< The other two $irls responded./,,<< They all yelled in unison and $ave each other a bi$" $roup hu$.

,ow9did you take $ymnastics or somethin$; unho asked" ama7ed at oon #i(sability for stretchin$ on the mats at the $ym. oon #i blushed a$ain at his comment and$ave a small smile. 8 did some of both $ymnastics and ballet.

:allet. !tephanie did ballet. The word brou$ht back thou$hts of !tephanie and madeunho(s smile fade9+e wondered if she was comin$ toni$ht.

/re you9okay; oon #i asked.h? unho shook his head. eah" sorryLyou know9school. +e weakly lau$hed.8 know9 !he replied. =o you wanna $o on the treadmills now;

Aor the three whole hours at the $ym9unho didn(t see si$ht of !tephanie at all. 8t wasnearly UQ00 F and the chances of her comin$ were becomin$ slimmer. +e was takin$turns $ettin$ an$ry at himself for thinkin$ about her a$ain9and then bein$ sad that shewasn(t showin$ up) even if =ennis would(ve been in the picture.

/re you ready to $o; oon #i asked" poppin$ his bubble of thou$hts.+uh; h< es9>m9lemme *ust $et my stuff outta the lockers" k; +e asked" smilin$.kay. oon #i smiled back. 8(ll *ust wait for you here.

!orry about toni$ht9 !tephanie apolo$i7ed to =ennis./re you sure you(re okay; +e asked. ou really wanted to $o to the $ym today.



eah98(ll be fine. 8(m *ust not feelin$ too well. 8 think it(s somethin$ 8 ate. N$r

somethin) I saw%’

,ell9okay. =ennis said. Take care.8 will. !he said. !he leaned in to $ive him a peck on the cheek and $ot out of his car"watchin$ till it drove off into the darkness of the empty streets in front of The +ouse.

/fter a minute of *ust starin$ at her boyfriend(s disappearance" she took a deep breath andturned around to $o insideLnot e%actly knowin$ how to feel.

Thanks for walkin$ me9 oon #i said.!orry we had to walk. unho apolo$i7ed. ,hen 8 finally $et my car and license98(ll$ive you a bunch of rides. +e winked.

oon #i smiled at the thou$ht.kay9well 8(ll $et $oin$ now. unho said. Bood ni$ht.,ait< oon #i yelped.eah; unho asked.89 !he stuttered.unho raised his eyebrows Iuestionin$ly.oon #i held in her breath9and clasped onto her hands nervously989have somethin$ to tell you9

--------------------

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 00--

oon #i held in her breath9and clasped onto her hands nervously989have somethin$ to tell you9 !he said.!ure. unho smiled and turned to $ive her his full attention. ,hatsup;!he released her breath and closed her eyesLnot bein$ sure whether or not to tell him.,hether or not it(s too late9or too early) !he didn(t even know everythin$ about himyet.

ou okay; +e asked" touchin$ her arm.eah9 !he said. >m9never mind. !he said. 8t(s9nothin$" you can $o.@o. +e said. ,hat is it; 8t(s okay9you can tell me.!he looked up at his faceLhis $or$eous" perfect face. !hould she; *ould she; @ever didshe have this much fear to tell anybody anythin$9but never did she have so muchwantin$ to tell anybody anythin$.

#ust before she was either about to say it9or *ust tell him that it was nothin$" his cell



phone be$an to rin$.

!orry" hold on. +e e%cused himself and reached in his duffle ba$ for his cell phone.+ello; +e answered.oon #i released a si$h of relief9 NSaved by the bell%’ she thou$ht.

,+/T;< unho e%claimed into the phone. 8s9is she okay;;; ,+@ =8= T+8!-kay9yeah" yeah" 8(ll be there ri$ht now<< k" thanks. :ye. +e closed his phone shutand turned to oon #i" who was now as frantic as he was *ust by seein$ his worried face.

!orry" oon #i. +e apolo$i7ed" takin$ deep" panickin$ breaths. 8 $otta $o" my littlesister(s in the hospital.h my $osh" is everythin$ okay;; oon #i asked" coverin$ her mouth.8 dunno9she $ot in a hu$e car accident. 8 $otta $o to the hospital.,ait" how(re you $onna $et there; !he asked.unho thou$ht and reali7ed that there was no wayLthat he was far away from everybody

already. /hh<< +e wailed. /ish" 8 $uess 8 $otta call one of the hyun$s for a ride. ook"oon #i 8(m really sorry.@o" no. !he said. >m9maybe my dad can $ive you a ride<unho turned with plea in his eyes. 9@o" no. +e said" crashin$ those hopeful thou$hts.8t(s okay" 8(ll *ust find another ride. 8 have people- /nd before he can finish hissentence" oon #i rushed into the front door of her house.

/fter sayin$ a Iuick and rushed thank you to oon #i(s father" unho Iuickly $ot out ofthe car and dashed into the automatic slidin$ doors of the local hospital where +ee &hultold him that #essica was. unho couldn(t even be in the ri$ht state of mind to think aboutoon #i at the moment and had left her in the car when he ran in.

8 hope everythin$(s okay? oon #i said" lookin$ throu$h the window of the closed" cardoor.oon #i(s father turned around from the driver(s seat and looked at his dau$hter) he thenknew that she had already found a $uy who stole her heartLnot even after a $ood monthof movin$ to /lbany. 8t was a surpriseLfor he had thou$ht it(d take her years to for$etabout Cevin...Cevin Cwon.

unho<< +ee &hul yelled when he saw unho runnin$ down the hospital hallways" cell phone on his ear and tryin$ to find his friends and family.unho closed his cell phone as soon as he saw +ee &hul and Iuickly cau$ht up to him.



verybody was in front of a specific room and sittin$ on the benches" lookin$ scared9orcryin$.

,hat the hell happened;< unho asked. ,here(s my sister;;

Can$ 8n took a deep breath" stood up and patted unho(s shoulder.!he was in arcus(s car and they were on the hi$hway9and9a drunk driver hit them./T @8@ F;< unho asked. ,+/T the9,ho the fKck is arcus;; ,+ 8!!+;; 8! !+ C/;!he(s9in a coma. /nd9arcus9#essi(s friend(s brother9died.unho nodded his head Nno( slowly with tears reachin$ to the bottom of his eyes.

unho9 !unday said softly" touchin$ his armLtryin$ to somehow e%plain such ascary event.,here(s #essica9 unho asked. 8s she in that room;;eah9 !unday answered. =on$ +ae(s in there9you can $o in.

unho took a deep breath and walked over to the doorknob9pened it slowly and saw=on$ +ae sittin$ by the bed with his head down and his hand on hers9

ven without walkin$ over9unho could see by *ust his fin$ers how scared =on$ +aewas9how much he was prayin$ for #essica to wake up.

/nd unho finally saw his sisterLbed-sheet covered and her face with wires attached.+e couldn(t believe it. +e didn(t even know how to react and he(s never seen her in this position before. /nd $uilt had risen in his body) no matter what" he was supposed to bethe one lookin$ out for #essica9he was supposed to be her $uardian9he was supposedto be her older brother.

/ bi$ lump had swallowed in his throat as he tried his best to hold in tears9walkin$ over to the bed.

#9#9#essica; +is voice barely croaked.

=on$ +ae(s head shot up and looked at unho.

#essica9; unho called a$ain" touchin$ her hand. +is face was streamin$ with tearsand his lips were Iuiverin$ like they(ve never done before. #essica9it(s me. ,akeup9

=on$ +ae9who(s eyes were so swollen that they could barely open9could only $uesshow unho felt) seein$ that unho obviously couldn(t see anybody e%cept #essica" =on$+ae stood up to walk out of the room. +e(s been there with her alone lon$ enou$h.



#essica9 unho called a$ain" sittin$ in the char after =on$ +ae had e%ited. #essi98t(syour oppa man. ,ake up9 +e said. +e held her hand and his throat hurt" his head was be$innin$ to throb. =isbelief was all that was takin$ overLit only seemed like she(dwake up.

/nd when she didn(t" unho put his head on her hand and he be$an to cry9

/nd at unho(s cry" everybody outside couldn(t help but be$in to cry too.!tephanie put her face in her hands and *ust wanted to be there to hu$ him9to tell himsomethin$ that(ll make him feel better" which she knew nothin$ could do as of now. venshe hersel& has been been bawlin$ till now when she heard of #essica(s news. @obodyknew what to do9

,hy9 icky said. ,+ did that !T>F8= =>@C =8O +/O T =8O /TT+/T T8;< icky yelled. ,+ =8= + O@ +/O T AK&C8@ =8O;<;<icky... #unsu said" tryin$ to calm him down. CiCi(s in the doctor(s office tryin$ tofi$ure thin$s out9it(ll be alri$ht.8 don(t9care9 icky said. 8t(s @T $onna be alri$ht9#essica(s in9a *$M9okay; They said she mi$ht not wake up9ever. /ll because somebody was bein$ a aAK&C8@ 8=8T and =8O8@B9 D+N' .#unsu si$hed and looked down at his feet. /s icky continued. !he(s like my little sister man. +ow can this be alri$ht;; icky(s voice be$an to shake and his eyes were becomin$ watery. verybody was shocked9and !tephanie" :o/ and eon +ee(s tearsovercame harder) nobody has ever seen icky act this wayLthe silly little icky becomin$ so sincerely an$ry and serious had made everybody(s feelin$s come back evenmore.

B=9 DMN!! +e screamed. +e then kicked the wall and sped down the hall"tryin$ to $et away and $oin$ to a nearby bathroom9:o/ stood up to run after him.

8 told #essica not to follow those $irls9 !unday said. 8 told her9

/nd what !unday was talkin$ about9was the new $roup of Areshman $irls who had become close to #essica over the last half of the final semester. They were youn$ but fun Lpartied and seemed cool. Their bad habits and u$ly ways didn(t e%actly leak into#essica(s character" but she had accepted them as close friends. !unday saw and warnedher not to $et too close9but #essica insisted that she wasn(t $oin$ to party with them ordo any of the bad stuffLthat other than their partyin$ ways" they were $ood friends.



/nd she had hun$ out with them that ni$htLand #essica had declined to one of their party invites9so one of their brothers" arcus" were the one to take her home9whenone of his drunk friends wanted to *oke around and catch up with him on the hi$hway9

=on$ +ae sat on the bench with his parents beside him" comfortin$ their son. +e didn(teven have anymore ener$y to cry. +is world seemed lost and everythin$ was a whirlwind.#ust a couple hours before" she was at his house9happy and cheerful" playin$ video$ames with him while complainin$ about the many pi77as he fed her9that he(ll $et herfat.

Thinkin$ about it9and ima$inin$ her never wakin$ up a$ain made him lean a$ainst his

father" spillin$ tears all over his cheeks a$ain9unbalancin$ his breathin$.

=ad9 +e said. ,hat if 8(ll never see her a$ain9+is dad took a breath and put his hand on his son(s head. ou will. +e said. ou will.

unho sat on the chair9still starin$ at his sister(s still body. 8t had been over three hours" passin$ midni$ht and some people went home9some people were still outside the hall9and CiCi had told him what the doctors had said. +e couldn(t hear anythin$ else e%cept"!he may wake up toni$ht9or never a$ain.

/nd so he decided to sit there9in the dark" dim-li$ht room9and wait. ,ait till toni$ht9or forever until she woke up.

:ut what if she never woke up; ,ould she do that to him; ,ould he be able to make funof her and try wrestlin$ moves with her a$ain; ,ould she *ump on him when he was in a bad mood in bed ever a$ain; ,ould he ever hear the word Noppa( in the most innocent"sincere way9ever a$ain;

:abo9 +e said. ou stupid stupid babo9

+e then heard a li$ht knock on the door.+e really didn(t want to see anybody9he was already sick of people comin$ in and out"tellin$ him different thin$s) he *ust wanted to be alone with his thou$hts.



:ut the door opened anyway. /nd it was !tephanie.

+ey9 !he said.,hen he heard her voice" he spun around in his chair and saw her throu$h the ni$ht-li$ht./nd a feelin$ of comfort washed over himLeven if their last conversation had been

subconsciously awkward at the bur$er store. @ot to mention9everybody had beentalkin$ to him all ni$ht9e%cept for her. They hadn(t talked once yet after #essica(sincident9

9+ey. +e responded as she $ot a chair and placed it ne%t to him.9ou okay; !he asked softly" sittin$ down. 8 know you(re not9but 8(m askin$anyway.+e looked at herLnot as his crush ri$ht now9but as his best friend) he needed her9likehe always did throu$h hard times.

9@o. +e said. 8(m not9 +e said" his nose be$innin$ to stin$ and looked down.

+e had told everybody else that he was feelin$ a little better9or that he(d be okay) buthe wasn(tLand never did he say the truth until now.!tephanie put her hand on his wrists and $rasped it $ently. !he" herself couldn(t seem tohold in her cry. 98 know. !he said with a shakin$ voice. 8 know unho9+is face was still facin$ down and tears were drippin$ down his eyes and he took a deep"cryin$ breath. +ow can this happen; +e asked" his voice sIueakin$" shakin$ and cryin$all at once. +ow can this fKckin happen" !teph;!tephanie brou$ht his body up and she slowly wrapped her arms around him" $ivin$ himthe most warmest hu$ he had felt in a lon$ time.8 know. !he said be$an" her own tears fillin$ her eyes. 8 know you(re scared.unho(s hands wrapped around hers and he rubbed his eyes in her shoulders" still sobbin$as she continued to talk.9/nd98 know that nothin) can make anythin$ okay ri$ht now9!he(s your littlesister.unho cried9and *ust listened.:ut you know9 !he said. ,e(re all scared with youL I’m scared with you9and9we(re all $raspin$ on9and prayin$. 98(m prayin$ for you" too9 !he put a hand on the back of his head. /nd98 wish 8 can promise you that she(ll wake up. !he will wake up.!tephanie(s heart pained as she felt his cries touch herLand touch only her./nd because unho always said that no matter what he was $oin$ throu$h" these wordsfrom her always made him feel better" !tephanie couldn(t help but say9,e'll pull throu$h this to$ether...8 promise. verythin$ will be okay9

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S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 00--



a$$ie stood for a minute" thinkin$ Why not# as the bodies poured around her. 8t would be more trouble to turn around than to simply follow the crowd inside. !he( sit in the back" she fi$ured. @obody would notice. Flus" she was curious as to what the professorwould say about the book. aybe she(d even learn somethin$. =on$ +ae read from the

thick" paperback copy of 8n +er !hoesLne of #essica(s favorite books that she was inthe middle of readin$ before her car accident. /re you followin$ alon$; +e asked#essicaLwhose body was still on the hospital bed" motionless.

8t had been the be$innin$ after a whole day had passed since her coma and everybodywas still holdin$ onto their hope that she would wake upLeventually. verybody" e%ceptfor #essica(s parents" had been comin$ in and out of the hospital" takin$ turns bein$ there Lbut =on$ +ae stuck by her side day and ni$ht" not once leavin$ the hospital buildin$.G%cept for when he took a walk with #unsu around the outside of the hospital for a chat.H

unho and #essica(s parents flew in from Corea the mornin$ after her accident and her

father had been busy takin$ care of everythin$ while her mother had been on anotherhospital bed of her own after faintin$ from shock. !he woke up soon enou$h" but she wasstill not ready to do anythin$ e%cept for bein$ by #essica(s side. /nd all throu$heverybody(s chaos" =on$ +ae tried his best to stay the calmest and stick throu$h with her and her family.

+e cried throu$hout the first ni$htLand after that" he promised himself that he(d nevercry a$ain until she woke up. +e talked to the doctor and the doctor had told him thatmedications only work for the fleshLbut $enuine love works for the soul) that #essica(s avery lucky $irl to have such a $reat family of friends9alon$ with a truly lovin$ boyfriend. +e had told =on$ +ae that people in comas had miraculously woken up afteryears because of faith from their loved ones9and that he" himself believes that bein$ bythe patients with true wish for them to wake up would really be effective. /nd that(s what=on$ +ae told himself that he needed to do" that that(s what his *ob was.

+er parents and brother were in too much shock to be calm and their friends wereworried sick but had so many other thin$s to take care ofL#essica bein$ his number one priority after his family" =on$ +ae knew that nobody else can be calm and be there forher 234. /nd so" that(s what he has been doin$9:ein$ there" talkin$ to her" readin$ toher" *ust bein$ there with love and hope.

/re you tired of listenin$; +e asked. 8 think you are. ,e(ve been readin$ for over anhour. The story(s $ettin$ $ood" thou$h huh; ,e(ll finish more of it a little later. +esmiled and closed the book. /nd while he has been with her for 100P of the time" thiswas what he had been doin$. Talkin$ to her" readin$ to her9*ust actin$ like everythin$was normal. h< Buess what; y mom brou$ht me my laptop and a whole bunch of blank &=s9and 8 burned you some $ood son$s you wanted. +old on okay;

,alkin$ over to his lu$$a$e of thin$s his parents had brou$ht for him" he took out his



$i$antic &= case with his hundreds and hundreds of different &=s. G/nd that was onlyone of his five &= cases.H +e flipped throu$h the pa$es until he found the &= he waslookin$ for.

/h9here it is. =on(t you feel special; /nd unho brou$ht you your boom bo% that you

can(t live without9so everythin$(s all perfect for you. +e insisted that you needed it. :esure to thank him" okay;; +e pressed e*ect of the boom bo% and the &= slot slipped out./fter puttin$ in the &= and pressin$ play" the son$" +ome by ichael :ouble be$an tosin$.

=on$ +ae walked over and sat down on the chair and put hands on her bed" restin$ hischin on top" lookin$ up at her. /nd as the son$ played" a million thou$hts be$an runnin$throu$h his mind. Does she even know all this# *an she even hear me# bviously not" hedecided. :ut the hope that she can *ust made him continue doin$ everythin$ for her.:ein$ a youn$ boy" he even felt a little stran$e doin$ all this when he re-thou$ht throu$heverythin$ and when his ri$ht mind came back9but he slowly be$an learnin$ that this is

what love maybe really is9and this is why people say" ou can do anythin$ for the person you love without even carin$ about anythin$9but them.

#essi9 +e said softly" slidin$ his hand to hold hers. 8t(s only been a day since 8 heardyour voice9and 8 already feel like dyin$. 8 miss you so much" babe9you have no idea.:ut9it(s okay. Take your time in comin$ back and wakin$ up98(ll still be ri$ht herewhen you do. :ut9*ust know9that throu$h all this" 8 reali7ed that my love for you9isso so real.

+e moved #essica(s hand closer to him and leaned his head a$ainst it" still holdin$ herfin$ers as the son$ played9and the mornin$ li$ht shone throu$h the bi$" hospitalwindow.

8 can(t believe she hasn(t woken up yet. :omi said" sittin$ around the circular table atThe +ouse with unho" eon +ee and Ci :um. 8(m freakin( scared" man.8 know9 unho said" depressed and down like he(s been since the accident. The reasonwhy he was so depressed was not because his sister was hurt9but because he felt like thewhole thin$ was his responsibility) that he didn(t look out for her enou$h and wasn(t afocused brother. +e felt only misery. 98 think 8(m $onna $o take a nap. +e said"standin$ up.+ey9it(ll be okay9 eon +ee said" lookin$ up and touchin$ his hand. #ust9$o tosleep and $et your mind away for a little bit" okay;



unho *ust smiled with pressed lips and walked away.The three friends watched him $o up the stairs and eon +ee took a deep" sympatheticsi$h.+e(s so depressed" 8 feel so terrible. !he said. 8 feel bad for *ust9sittin$ here likethis.

8 know. Ci :um a$reed. +e hasn(t slept since that day. 8(m be$innin$ to $et reallyworried. +e can(t even face his parents.

#ust then" the doorbell ran$ on their front door. The three of them looked at each otherand shru$$ed) nobody was e%pected and everybody in The +ouse had keys9who wouldit be;

Ci :um walked over to the door. +e opened it to find a pleasant surprise. oon #i.

+ey. +e $reeted with a smile.+ey. y $osh" 8(m so sorry about what happened. oon #i said" holdin$ a basket of

flowers. 8 can only $uess how hard this is for you $uys98(m really sorry. >m98 *ust brou$ht these for #essica. !he said" holdin$ the flowers out. 8 wasn(t sure if 8 should $oto the hospital or not so 8 *ust decided to brin$ them here.h< Thanks so much. Ci :um said" takin$ them. ,hy don(t you come in;

/fter eon +ee $reeted oon #i and she was introduced to :omi" they said she can see ifunho(s still awake in his room and $o talk to him if she wished. !he wasn(t sure if itwould be alri$ht" but decided to take the chance anyway.

,alkin$ down the halls to where eon +ee addressed unho(s room" oon #i finallyreached up to his door. 8t was nerve wreckin$ for her and it felt like a century had $one by after ar$uin$ with herself to knock or notLuntil she finally did.,ho is it; !he heard his voice call from inside.8...it(s oon #i. !he stuttered./fter a second and a half" the door slowly opened and there stood unho.!he was shocked at him for he looked so e%hausted and tired. There were ba$s under hiseyes and they were nearly blue. +is hair was not done in any way and there was no coloror emotion in his face at all. 8t had been the first time she(s seen him like this and itconcerned her from the second she saw him.unho< !he said. h my $osh" are you okay;+e forced a smile9his eyes lookin$ la7y. +ey" oon #i. +e said. eah98(m okay.#ustLtired" 8 $uess.8(m so sorry for knockin$. +urry up and $o to sleep.@o" no. +e said. 8t(s okay. &ome in.@o way. !he said. ou look way too tired.@o? #ust come in? +e $rabbed her wrist and brou$ht her into the room.



That(ll be S10.24. The cashier said.!tephanie reached into her purse for her wallet and took out the appro%imately theamount and $ave it to the cashier. Thank you. The cashier said" receivin$ and thenreturnin$ the chan$e. +ave a $ood day.!tephanie smiled and walked the cart of $roceries out the store.

,ho(s all this for; =ennis asked as he stood by while !tephanie loaded the $roceries inhis car. Aor me; +e asked with a smile.@o" sorry. !tephanie said" loadin$ the last. 8 bou$ht $roceries for our house since CiCiand everybody(s so hectic ri$ht now with #essica in the hospital. 8 tried buyin$ everythin$

that CiCi $ets with everybody(s favorite snacks and stuff9but 8 still think 8 missed a lotof thin$s. !he closed the trunk and =ennis looked at her suspiciously.,hat; !he asked./re you sure you(re not cookin$ for other $uys; he asked.!he rolled her eyes. @o?? Bee7. ,ell e%cept for unho. 8(m $onna make him pestosince that(s his favorite stuff when he(s depressed9he hasn(t eaten anythin$ for almosttwo days.=ennis looked at her a$ain with annoyed eyes.,hat; !he asked a$ain.ou never cooked for me. +e said.,ell" 8(m not that $ood at cookin$. 8t(s *ust that unho loves Festo and we used to tryand make it all the time. ,e never did a fantastic *ob" but he always eats it when 8 make itfor him9and9he(s depressed so 8 thou$ht 8(d cook him somethin$. =ude. +e(s a friend"okay; +e(s my best friend and he(s $oin$ throu$h a lot9of course 8 $otta try my best tocheer him up.=ennis si$hed. ,hatever9 +e muttered under his breath and walked over to thedriver(s seat. !tephanie watched his petty complain and felt somewhat annoyedLa$ain9like how she(s been feelin$ for a while actually. !he *ust brushed it off and went to the passen$er(s seat.

Thanks for the ride? !tephanie said from outside throu$h the car window after $ettin$her $roceries from the trunk. Their lon$ drive of silence from the $rocery store back toThe +ouse had much tension in the car and she knew she(d have to be the one actin$cheerful first a$ain to make thin$s better. +e said nothin$ back" rose the window anddrove off.

!tephanie watched the car $o off the distance feelin$ so annoyed that she almost thou$htthat takin$ the bus home would(ve been better. >B+. !he said in dis$ust and turnedaround to $o inside.



,hen she opened the front door" nobody was there. -reat !he thou$ht. @obody was $oin$ to be there to help her with the many ba$s of $roceries. 8t was alri$ht"thou$hLshe assumed half the people $one were at the hospital or out to $et somethin$that would help #essica9and that was her and all of their main $oalQ to $et her up a$ain.

!o" after nobody came down from upstairs either" !tephanie all alone *ust went back andforth from the kitchen and the front door to brin$ back all the $roceries.

!he took off her *ean *acket and put everythin$ into place in the refri$erator" takin$ out alot of the old food and insertin$ new ones.

8t had taken her over thirty minutes. -eez, 'i'i must do a lot &or us%We should reallydivide up chores% !he thou$ht.

/nd then she turned around to see that she had left out the thin$s she needed to make

unho(s Festo.+m9 !he said" lookin$ at the clock. ,ell he(ll be here by sometime toni$ht" so 8(ll *ust leave it out for him.

!he $ot her apron on and took out the recipe she and unho had written almost threeyears a$o that they still kept in the kitchen. @obody used it e%cept for the two of them9

!he looked at the messy handwritin$ and splashes of old Festo on the paper. !he $i$$ledat it9the writin$ was fadin$ so much that it was almost becomin$ un-readable. We’re

)onna have to make a new copy.

Aor the ne%t hour and a half" she worked to make the Festo as perfect as possible. 8t waslucky that nobody came home durin$ that time or else there would(ve been muchdistractionL!he was especially relieved that unho hadn(t come in or else the surprisewould(ve been ruined.

/fter finishin$" she put everythin$ on a plate and wrapped it over with plastic. There wasa lot more in the pot" but the plate was nice and she had $otten it for him the &hristmas of last year) he said it was his favorite and he only used it on special occasions.

Ferfect. !he smiled. /nd she felt even better after lookin$ at how clean she made thekitchen after finishin$ her cookin$.ippin$ out a piece of paper from the notepad on the counter" she wrote a noteQ

Yunho…

Just eat it, will ya?

+e would know who it(s from9she didn(t even need to si$n it.



/s she snapped back the cap of the pen" she heard voices from upstairs comin$ down.

!hocked that somebody was home" !tephanie made her way around and out to thedoorway of the kitchen to see who it was.

+ B=" T+/T !T(! ! A>@@< unho lau$hed.oon #i $i$$led as they walked down the stairs. 8 know< !he replied. 8 swear 8 thou$ht8 was dyin$ while lau$hin$./hhh+ah+aha. unho lau$hed a$ain. 8 can(t believe he actually- h9!teph. +esaid once he reached the bottom and saw !tephanie.h9wow. 8 didn(t know you were home9 !tephanie replied. !he looked over andsaw oon #i standin$ ne%t to him. +ey oon #i. !he smiled.+ey? ,e didn(t know you were here either. oon #i replied.eah9when(d you $et here; unho asked.!tephanie(s ri$ht hand with the note was behind her back and she slowly crumpled it up

into a ball without him noticin$.>m9like a couple hours a$o actually. 89*ust went to $o $et $roceries for CiCi9h" nice9were you9cookin( somethin$;@o< !he said. 8 mean9yeah" but9nothin$ special.8 see. unho said" not even lookin$ into the kitchen to see what it was. ,ell" 8(m$onna walk oon #i back home" k; ,e(re $onna eat dinner and maybe watch a movie so 8mi$ht come home late. ,ait" why am 8 even tellin$ you this; +aha9k9well9shall we$o; +e turned to ask oon #i.oon #i looked back and smiled. !ure. !he said.h9k. !tephanie said. ,ell" have fun.Aershure? unho said and he sli$htly pushed oon #i with him to $o to the front door.!tephanie watched them lau$h while puttin$ on their shoes and happily walk out The+ouse.

--------------------

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 005--

Aourth f #uly F/T 8 of 88

=on(t you think &ali rolls would be better; :o/ asked. 8 mean" they ate Corean foodall day yesterday.They didn(t even eat thou$h. icky pointed out. They couldn(t.,ell maybe #apanese food will feel a little more9fresh. ,hy don(t we *ust try andoffer;



They were in front of a pla7a near the hospital" ar$uin$ about what to buy #essica andunho(s parents who were still sickly worried at the hospital while their dau$hter still layin bed" still as a rock.8t(s been almost four whole days and there were still no si$ns of her awakenin$.

verybody tried their best to pitch in and help" not even rushin$ her to wake up anymore) *ust hopin$ she would eventually wake up. /nother thin$ was...it was the Aourth of #uly" but nobody could even notice because of all that was $oin$ on.

&(mon9 :o/ said.icky si$hed" but an annoyed si$h. Aine" fine. +e said" somewhat rollin$ his eyes andwalkin$ towards the #apanese restaurant a couple doors down.:o/ creased her eyebrows. !he did not like the way he was actin$9at all.:ut she fi$ured this wasn(t the time to $et stupid over petty little thin$s like this andshru$$ed it off" catchin$ up to him.

Two bento bo%es with &alifornia roll please. icky ordered dully at the counter.Aor here or to $o; The man with the chef(s hat asked.To $o. icky replied.:o/ *ust watched as he handed over the money and took the receipt" but all in a very rudemanner. !he nodded her head at how immature he was actin$ and simply took out somemoney out of her wallet. +ere. !he said" $ivin$ icky the appro%imate amount.,hat(s this; +e asked.!ince we(re $ettin$ what 8 wanted to $et" 8(ll *ust pay for it.8t(s fine. +e said" pushin$ her hand away.@o. !he said" forcin$ the money into his hands. +ere98 don(t want you actin$ allfussy the entire day.Aussy; +e asked. ,hat are you talkin$ about;/nd before she was about to e%plain" she Iuickly decided to drop it. !he didn(t want to$et in an ar$ument and make thin$s worse. @ever mind. !he said. 8 *ust want to buythe food for them that(s all.

icky pressed in the left corner of his lip and the waiter behind them tapped his shoulderto hand him the food.

!o9 :o/ be$an while she and icky walked side by side" him holdin$ onto the plastic ba$ of to-$o bentos. +ey" be careful. !he saidLreferrin$ to how the food keptcarelessly bumpin$ into his le$s as he walked.+e stopped his footsteps" held the plastic ba$ out in front and rolled his eyes. There.+appy; +e sarcastically asked" walkin$ forward with the ba$ up front.:o/ watched him $o" not believin$ what he *ust did. ,hat was his problem; =id sheeven do somethin$ wron$; +e(s been actin$ this way for the past two days and she nolon$er could take it. ven if there were other more important thin$s $oin$ on.



+ey< !he called" puttin$ a hand on her hip" still standin$ in place.!he saw him stop. /eah, he better stop. !he thou$ht.,hat. +e said" turnin$ around.,hat(s your problem; !he asked.

,hat(s what my problem; +e asked back.They were close enou$h to not scream" but far enou$h to raise their voice. /nd nobodywas steppin$ closer.&an we *ust )o# +e asked.@o. !he said. 8(m sorry" but 8(m really sick of the way you(ve been actin$ for the pastcouple days9okay; 8 tried to not na$ about anythin$ cus 8 don(t wanna be annoyin$ andfrustratin$ at a time like this" but seriously9this is $ettin$ too much. r at least tell me if there(s somethin$ Kwron$K. /nd don’t blame this on #essica(s incident cus even her &amily(s been a better sport about this than you've been.icky si$hed and flopped his head back to the sky.:o/ raised her eyebrows and *ust waited for a response.

!orry" okay; +e finally said.!he crossed her arms and leaned her head back. ,hat;8 said" sorry. +e respondedLin a way that was anythin$ but $enuine. 8(m *ust not in a$ood mood.eah" obviously. !he said. /nd98 wasn(t really lookin$ for an apolo$y" which by theway" was the most li$htly said apolo$y 8(ve ever heard" but whatever98 was askin$ forwhy you(re so down. 8t would make much more sense if 8 knew.8t(s nothin$. +e said. 8(m *ust tired. /nd98(m on my F! mode.>h9#ust cus us $uys don(t have u$ly bloody stuff comin$ out of our-kay< :o/ cut it off. @o need to continue98t Kdoesn(tK mean we have mood swin$s once a month. +e finished" cuttin$ off thedetails of the physical business of F!.:o/ si$hed and tilted her head at him.&an we please *ust $o; +e asked.+e didn(t e%plain anythin$ clear enou$hLbut she could tell he really wasn(t in the moodto talk anythin$ out. /t least he admitted he was in a bad mood. (oy she thou$ht. avin) a boy&riend0type0o&0person is harder than I thou)ht%

+er serious face softened. kay9 !he replied.Thank you. +e said" turnin$ around" and continued walkin$ with the plastic ba$ out infront with his arm e%tended.

,ell" re$ardless of all" that made :o/ lau$h.

&(mon eesee9Flease eat somethin$. Ci :um be$$ed" holdin$ the spoon full of herfavorite ac n( &heese in his hand *ust inches away from her face. ou(re $onna make



your bi$ brother look really really bad. 8t was his turn to baby-sit eesee and &haewontoday while his mother was workin$ on both her shop and the hospital with #essica.@o? eesee declined. 8 don(t wanna eat. 8 want #essi unni to wake up?,e all want #essi unni to wake up. :ut we all still $otta strai$hten up and stay healthy sowe can take care of her better" ri$ht; +e asked in a convincin$ voice.

+ow can 8 eat when #essi unni can(t eat9 eesee sadly said" lookin$ down.&haewon" who(s c h e e k was restin$ on her fist while her other hand played with heruntouched food" finally put her fork down. 8(m $onna $o outside. !he said in adepressed tone. 8(ll be in the front yard.

Ci :um watched his youn$er sister sadly walk to the front door" puttin$ her sandals onand walkin$ out. +e felt hopeless. :aby-sittin$ his sisters were never this hard. Thank$oodness eon +ee promised to come soon after she helped her youn$er sister withsummer school homework.

+e turned back to eesee who was still starin$ at her knees.

eesee?? +e be$$ed. /nd then" he $asped with an idea.+ey" eesee? +e said in a happier tone. aybe9if you finish your lunch" #essi unniwill wake up faster.eesee(s head looked up at him with both doubt and hope in her eyes. ,hat; !heasked.eah. +e said. ou know9even if she(s asleep9she still knows what we(re doin$.+e be$an. 8 bet she wants you to eat your food9!he(s sadder that you(re sad and if sheknows you(re not eatin$ because she(s asleep9she(ll be even more depressed9shewon(t even want to see us a$ain.eesee(s mouth dropped. eally; !he then asked. 8f 8 eat all my lunch" will she come back;Ci :um paused. ,ell9we don(t know yet. +e said. :ut9there mi$ht be a bi$$er possibility; :ut 8 know for sure9that she wants you to eat.eesee si$hed. kay9 !he a$reed. :ut only because she wants me to eat9Ci :um smiled and touched his little sister(s head. Thank you. +e said.ppa; &haewon called" openin$ the front door.eah; +e asked back.!omeone(s here to see you.,ho is it;&haewon shru$$ed.

h9un :i9 Ci :um said" once he stepped out the door.+i Ci :um9 !he replied in a shy tone. !orry 89@o. +e said. 8(ve actually been wantin$ to talk to you. There(s *ust been a lot $oin$ onri$ht now so 8 couldn(t call you9:ut 8(m $lad you stopped by.+e closed the door and walked over to her.



They sat on the front steps in front of The +ouse while &haewon skipped over to asection on the side-walk where she was drawin$ hop-scotch sIuares with chalk. !he wasdoin$ this because the day when #essica had $otten in the accident" she promised her thatshe would make hop-scotch bo%es so they can play the ne%t day. !he was too sad toremember" but reali7ed it durin$ lunch and wanted to keep her promise.

Thanks so much for the whole save. Ci :um be$an. ou literally saved my life.h? eah. !he said.The office e%plained everythin$ to me and 8 must say9you(re a $enius.8 *ust couldn(t see you $ettin$ held back. !he said. 8 know it would(ve killed you.

/s &haewon continued to draw" she kept lookin$ up every five seconds to see her brother talk to this stran$e $irl. +er $uts were tellin$ her that somethin$ wasn(t $ood about herand she felt like she needed to spy. 8f only she could hear what they were talkin$ about9

&haewonie? !he then heard from behind.&haewon looked behind in her sIuatted position and happily stood up to see eon +ee.>nni?? !he smiled and $ot up to run over to her.,hat(re you doin(; eon +ee asked.akin$ hop-scotch sIuares. &haewon e%plained. e and #essi unni were supposed to play9eon +ee(s heart turned. /nytime hearin$ #essica(s name made her sad9!he(ll come back to play. eon +ee forced a smile and put some of &haewon(s hair behind her ear.8 know she will. &haewon replied.eon +ee felt $lad that at least &haewon had the solid hope.!he then looked up to see The +ouse9and found Ci :um sittin$ with9un :i.

h. That $irl came to see my brother. &haewon said. ,ho is she;eon +ee kept starin$.

!he saw him lau$hin$ and they were talkin$ so9e%citedly.!he knew Ci :um had to talk to her sooner or later about her savin$ him from the pla$iarism crisis" but now that she(s seein$ itLit didn(t make her feel that $reat. !houldshe $o and say hi to un :i too; r *ust let them finish;

et(s $o? &haewon held eon +ee(s hand and $ave a sli$ht pull towards [email protected] think we should *ust let them finish talkin$.,hy; &haewon asked" wishin$ that eon +ee can save her brother from that $irl withweird vibes. ,hat are they talkin$ about; y brother would leave any conversation foryou?eon +ee looked down at her and couldn(t help $rinnin$ at the comment.,ell. !he be$an. ooks like they(re havin$ an important conversation.=oesn(t look very important to me. &haewon said. et(s *ust $o? !he pulled a$ain.This time much harder and dra$$in$ eon +ee over to Ci :um and eon +ee.



ppa?? &haewon called" pullin$ eon +ee behind her. our princess is here? !he$rinned.eon +ee felt her face become beet red at &haewon referrin$ to her as Nhis princess(.h? +ey" you(re here< +e $reeted with a smile" standin$ up.

un :i saw him react to her so Iuick and happily" it made her sick. Their conversationwas $oin$ so well" too.=id +ae !oo(s tutorin$ session $o well; +aha. ou should(ve brou$ht her with you.eah<< &haewon e%claimed.@ah" she(s $rounded for a whole week for losin$ her keys a$ain. eon +ee replied.G+ae !oo" her 12-year-old youn$er sister" was always losin$ her keys.H eon +ee theneyed over to un :i" still sittin$ on the footsteps. +ey un :i. !he $reeted" Iuitecheerfully" now feelin$ a little bit better with Ci :um(s natural response to her.+i. un :i responded flatly. 8 see you $uys are all like9a family basically.ep< &haewon replied. eon +ee unni knew us since 8 was really little. nd you probably don’t even know her name. eon +ee thou$ht. !he felt horrible for

feelin$ better about knowin$ Ci :um and his family so well" but she couldn(t help it. 8twas *ust a natural" human response after bein$ suspicious of a $irl for havin$ a crush onher boyfriend.That(s very cute. un :i said to &haewon" flashin$ a fake smile.>nni<<< eesee sIuealed" runnin$ out from inside the house" bare feeted. !he leapedinto the air off the top of the stairs and as she trusted" eon +ee cau$ht her immediately.un :i could not help but roll her eyes. 'i (um seriously needs to escape &rom this1&amily’ scene she thou$h. e’s not 23 and married.

+i eesee? eon +ee said" holdin$ onto the little $irl. ou wanna $o to the F/Cwith &ookie;; 8 bou$ht some cool toys for him on my way here?/;; /+<< eesee clapped her hands. /nd then she turned her head to see theunfamiliar face that she totally hadn(t noticed until now. ,ho(re you; !he asked.h" she(s a friend from school. eon +ee introduced" before un :i can talk.h. eesee said.!he(s $onna $o home soon" thou$h. &haewon told her sister" indirectly tellin$ un :ito leave.h9well9 un :i looked over to Ci :um for help.

+e had invited her for lunch.

h9yeah. >m9 +e stuttered. !he(s $onna have lunch with us first.,hat; &haewon asked. :ut we already had lunch.ou $uys had lunch. Ci :um said. ,e didn(t. eon +ee9did you eat;>nfortunately" she did. 9eah. !he answered.h9 +e said disappointedly. ,ell9we were $onna order some pi77a.,e(ll watch. &haewon said Iuickly" meanin$ she was $oin$ to watch out for un :i.Ci :um" un :i" eon +ee and eesee shot a look at her.,e(ll watch you eat. &haewon said.,hy would you do that; un :i asked.&us9 &haewon said. 8 uh98 like watchin$ my brother eat.



Ci :um chuckled. +e didn(t think much of it" he loved his little sister so much and eon+ee couldn(t help but let out a lau$h" too.un :i felt9annoyed.89think 8 should *ust $o today9 !he said" pickin$ up her purse.h" okay. Ci :um said. !orry about everythin$.

8t(s9okay9 !he said.=on(t for$et your lipstick. &haewon pleasantly said" pointin$ to the lipstick that wassittin$ on their front porch" obviously for$otten to be put back in her purse after un :iused it.mbarrassed and almost hatin$ &haewon now" un :i snatched the lipstick and stashin$it away in her ba$.:ye un :i. eon +ee smiled as un :i walked passed them and left the $ates of The+ouse./nd don(t come back? &haewon Iuietly san$ as she tiptoed to see un :i leave.

E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 006--Aourth f #uly F/T 88 of 88

8(m $onna $o to the bathroom. icky said as soon as he and :o/ entered the mainentrance of the hospital.kay" 8(ll $ive her parents the food. !he offered" pullin$ her hand out to take the ba$s.@o" it(s okay. 8(ll take it to them after 8 $o to the bathroom.@o" 8(ll *ust take them for [email protected].@o. They(ll trust the food better if 8 $ave it to them.:o/ $ave an offended face. ,hat(s KthatK supposed to mean.=uh. +e said. They know me better.,ell it(s not like 8(m a complete stran$er to them either. !he said in defense. 8(veknown them for a while" too.#ust9lemme do it<@o< They(re probably hun$ry.They(re probably9not? +e said.8&C<,+/T;<

> B>!<<

They heard a voice.:oth heads turned to see &han$min standin$ before them at some distance with his hairstill flyin$ from a rush of stairs. +e was in such a rush that he for$ot to take the elevators.,hat; icky asked him.#!!8&/<<< &han$min e%claimed" practically yellin$. !+ ,C >F<<



/t that statement" :o/ and icky had for$otten all about their fi$ht. They looked at eachother with panickin$" but e%cited faces and ran towards the elevator with &han$min.

=on$ +ae(s comin$ soon. !un$ in told #essica" flippin$ his new a7or cellphoneshut. +e(s really upset that he wasn(t here when you woke up. The KoneK time he left to$et some clothes" he wasn(t here to see you.#essica si$hed. !he still couldn(t believe that she was actually in a coma. !he didn(t evenremember the world $oin$ black once the cars hit. /nd9it still made her heart *umpwhen she thou$ht of how everybody told her =on$ +ae was by her side the whole entiretime.

8(m so happy?? =ana hu$$ed her.

#essica(s parents" CiCi" !hin =on$" +ee &hul" Can$ 8n" #unsu and #ae #oon$ were allsittin$ around her bed9*ust starin$ at #essica" still makin$ sure that this wasn(t a dream.

#!!8&/;< unho slid down the hall to the door with his flat flip flops with oon #i byhis side.ppa? #essica wailed.!+KT >( /,/C<<< he shouted" runnin$ over to the bed and $ivin$ his sisterthe bi$$est hu$ he(s ever $iven her9or to anybody else in his life. =@(T O =T+8! T /B/8@<< +e cried" $raspin$ ti$ht around her small body. =etachin$ awayfrom her" he looked at her face for a $ood look. an. =id you O think 8(d be happyto look at this u$ly face;#essica creased her eyebrows and pushed him away.unho chuckled with tears in his eyes and hu$$ed her a$ain. 8 missed you so much.eah" whatever. !he said flatly" la7ily puttin$ an arm around him a$ain.

B<< icky stretched the word when he finally reached the door.#essi<<< :o/ rushed over to the bed and wrapped her arms around #essica and evenkissed her cheek so hard that her own lips hurt. C?? #essica yelped.:o/ lau$hed and wiped her tears. 8(m sorry. !he said" still $i$$lin$ with more tearsrunnin$ down her cheeks. 8(m probably the millionth person that(s hu$$ed you" huh;/nd 8(ll make the millionth and @T+< icky announced" puttin$ the food on atable and pushin$ everybody aside to $ive #essica his own hu$.neth; &han$min asked" scratchin$ his head.+e probably meant first9 unho e%plained.,ait9million and first9 &han$min said over. 8s that how to say it;unho thou$ht. That did sound a little weird" too. 8s it; +e asked back.



Birl" do you know how ,8= 8 ,/! /:>T >;< icky shook hershoulders.!top it? !he(s fra$ile ri$ht now. #ae #oon$ said.+ey" she(s alive. icky said. 8 can do anythin$ 8 want to her now.ppa? #essica said" narrowin$ her eyes at him. &alm down.

8 can(t<< h< +e *ust remembered somethin$ and walked over to the table" pickin$ upthe ba$s of food. +e walked over to #essica and unho(s parents and handed it to them.y $ift98 mean9me and :o/(s $ift-/s soon as he said the words Nme( and N:o/( put to$ether" #unsu couldn(t help but wince.+e looked at :o/ who was still on the bed" li$htly holdin$ #essica(s hand and watchin$icky *ust like everybody else was. !he looked so beautiful.e and :o/(s $ift9to you. icky $rinned" handin$ over the ba$s to the #un$s.icky9 rs. #un$ said in Corean. ou two are so sweet.,e pitched in the idea" thou$h? #ae #oon$ credited himself and everybody.icky waved him off. eah" yeah. ,e hope you eat" thou$h. +e said. Fleeease stayhealthy. ,e &/@@T have another one of these hospital moments. 8 thou$ht 8 was

$onna die myself< verybody be$an to lau$h. icky then turned his head to look at:o/" who smiled at him. +e smiled backLnow feelin$ sorry for how he(s been actin$ toher.

ook98(m KsorryK your friend(s like in a coma and everythin$9but 8 can(t stand youditchin$ me all the time now< =ennis said to !tephanie. They were in the car in front ofthe hospitalLfi$htin$9a$ain. 8 mean you always ditch me for your friends.!tephanie blinked her eyes with astonishment. ,h..wh9,+/T; !he asked" actin$ asif he *ust spoke another lan)ua)e to her. ou(re callin$ this Kditchin$K you; !he was ina &/. &////. !he e%a$$erated the word. /nd she *ust woke upafter almost a week okay;; !he(s like my youn$er sister< f KcourseK 8 have to be therefor her" are you C8==8@B me;eah" whatever. 8t(s all cus she(s that /unho’s sister isn(t she; =ennis asked.!tephanie(s mouth dropped. !he could(ve slapped him" she really could(ve. :ut she *ustsaid nothin$. This wasn(t worth it.ou know what; @ever mind. !he said" openin$ the car door. 8(m *ust not $onna ar$ueanymore.

Thanks for comin$ a$ain. unho said before oon #i $ot on the bus to $o home. 8(msorry 8 can(t walk you.@o" no. 8t(s okay. !he said. 8(m *ust $lad your sister woke up. 8 know it(s been hard for you.,ell9you made it easier. +e said. Thanks.oon #i couldn(t help but feel $reat. !he was so happy she was the one to make this tou$htime a lot smoother for him. 8f only he knew how she felt9



,ell 8(m $lad. !he said with a $rin. !orry 8 have to leave. y $randpa(s birthday(sreally important. !he rolled her eyes. 8 $otta $et dressed up and stuff.+aha. unho lau$hed. 8(m sure it won(t be that bad. +ave fun?Thanks. !he smiled.

/ / BTT8@B( @ ,+/T;<;< The driver bellowed.h? es< oon #i said. !orry? kay" unho. 8(ll talk to you later.:ye? +e waved. /nd she $ot on the bus.

/+" C/. 8 really could KnotK care any less< !tephanie yelled.&an you close the door so 8 can maybe )o now; =ennis asked furiously. /nd thanksfor makin$ the last of my time here before colle$e ,@=A> and A>@./B+<< !tephanie yelled and she slammed the door shutLand =ennis drove off"

makin$ a loud" awful screech with his car.

-od, I said sorry &or not bein) able to spend time with him% she thou$ht" annoyed.

unho walked back" spottin$ !tephanie lookin$ an$ry and flustered with a bunch offlowers in her hand9and saw that =ennis( car was almost $one in the distance. +ewalked further towards her" the main entrance of the hospital bein$ there anyway.

!teph< +e said" once he almost $ot to where she was.

!he spun around and nearly *umped. !he didn(t know why.

+ey. !he said.

ou okay; +e asked.

eah" yeah" 8(m fine. !he replied" $ivin$ a $rin and runnin$ her hands throu$h herhair9tryin$ to cover up her non-okayness as $ood as possible. +ave you seen #essicayet;;

eah" she(s in her room. +e said. @ice flowers.

>$h. They totally $ot messed up on my way here. 8(m sorry.

@o? @o. 8(m sure she(ll like them a lot. !he likes anythin) from you" remember;

!tephanie smiled. ,hy were you out here;

h" 8 was *ust takin$ oon #i back to the bus stop. +e said" sli$htly turnin$ his headtowards the bus stop area. !he was $oin$ home.



h...8 see. !tephanie said. ou(ve been spendin$ a lot of time to$ether" huh;

eah. 8 $uess she(s *ust always around the most and 8(ve been sort of down you know;

/nd that(s what made !tephanie(s heart almost crush. !he knew he was down and she(dhad always been the one that(s been Nalways around the most( when he was $oin$ throu$ha tou$h time. /nd it was so different for this one.

eah9sorry 8(ve been9not such a $ood best friend. !he said.

,hat(re you talkin( about; ou(ve been a $reat best friend. +e assured her with a $rin.&(mon. et(s $o.

B >@@8<< #essica screamed when she saw !tephanie comin$ to the doorway withher brother ne%t to her.

#!!8?? h my $od" you(re finally freakin( talkin) to me<< !tephanie(s footsteps $rewIuick and she $ave #essica her9millionth and Bod-knows-what number of hu$.+ow are you feelin$;

unho watched as !tephanie and #essica looked so happy to see each other. They were soclose) another reason why he liked !tephanie so much. The list could $o on forever9:uthe wasn(t sure if they were be$innin$ to shorten. 8f he really wanted to $ive up holdin$his heart in front of her. +e was losin$ hope that she(d take it at all anytime soon. ranytime at all.

8 couldn(t !F for as lon$ as KyouK were sleepin$. !tephanie told #essica" $ently pushin$ her head. Bod" you punk?#essica $i$$led. +ey" at least 8(m awake now ri$ht;;f course? !tephanie hu$$ed.

Bee7?? #ae #oon$ said as the $irls were actin$ as if they(d seen each other for the firsttime in a century. #essica was all *ust Nwhatever( when we came by and now that!TF+/@8(s here" she(s really livinin( up the spirit. #/>! &8@( O?

#essica lau$hed. @o way" ## oppa. 8(m so happy to see all of you $uys. ike really.

/s happy to see that $uy at the door; :o/ asked" the ends of her lips curlin$ up into asmile.

verybody" includin$ #essica" turned to look at the door.

/nd =on$ +ae stood" eyes wide open at #essica" his lu$$a$e droppin$ one by one.



+e looked like he had *ust saw an an$el come back to life.

FF/<<<< #essica literally screamed" rushin$ out of her bed.

=on$ +ae said nothin$ and only moved as fast as he can towards her in return.

/nd she ran into his arms" *umpin$ on him like a child as she always did and heimmediately be$an kissin$ her hair" her cheeks" her neck and everywhere he could withhis nose burnin$ from the first si$nals of cryin$.

verybody watched with their hearts meltin$ as if a drama or movie was bein$ playedlive in front of their eyes. 8t really looked like a dream come true.

8 took too lon$ to $et here? +e said with his voice shakin$" movin$ away from her" but puttin$ her face in his hands and lookin$ into her eyes. 8(m sorry" 8(m sorry" 8(m sorry?@o?? !he cried back. I took too lon$ to $et back.

+is heart didn(t know if it was in pain or with *oy. 8t hurt9but it in a $ood way. ike9there was too much happiness for it to handle. +e could not believe he saw his love ri$htin front of his face a$ain" hu$$in$ him with life.

89will never let you $o anywhere. +e said. y life was so dead9ppa9 !he said. 8(m sorry? 8(m sorry for makin$ you wait for so lon$.=on$ +ae nodded Nno( Iuickly" with uneasy breathin$ from cryin$. 8f 8 knew for surethat you(d wake up a$ain98 could(ve done this for the rest of my life.

/ new bunch of tears spilled over her cheeks. ou did so much9 !he said./nd his eyes stared back. &ompared to this9it was nothin$.

They hu$$ed a$ain and it had never felt so ma$ical.

>m9 #essica finally said with her arms still around =on$ +ae. 98 think people arestill in here9!he and =on$ +ae then took their hands apart and turned to look at the room.

/nd everybody was watchin$ them" but with tissues in their hands" cryin$ and snifflin$ atthem.

@o" no? icky said" tearfully. Bo on? ,e(re not watchin$.

#essica turned beet red and lau$hed. !orry you $uys.

+9 B=<< They heard. 8t was eon +ee. /nd Ci :um behind her with eesee inhis arms and &haewon at his other hand. They looked like9a family as always.

,ow< icky e%claimed. ou $uys are incredibly early<< +e shouted sarcastically.



!orry<< eon +ee rushed over to #essica" pushin$ =on$ +ae out of her way to $ive hera hu$. !he didn(t even notice it was =on$ +ae9she *ust wanted to $et to #essica. ,ecouldn(t find a ride and9om$ it doesn(t matter" we(re here<< /nd you(re awake and??

eon +ee. Ci :um said" tappin$ his $irlfriend(s back. 8t(s okay" you don(t need to

talk.

ou $uys<< ook<< #unsu yelled" pointin$ to the $i$antic window behind him.

oo<< Aireworks<< eesee sIuealed" pointin$ alon$ with #unsu.

8t(s the Aourth of #uly??? &haewon reminded herself. /nd everybody else.

,hat a perfect view? :o/ said.

Bod :!! /8&/<< #ae #oon$ san$.

/w9 #essica brou$ht up. ,e were supposed to have our ::R party today9

+ey. !unday said. =on(t say it< !he screamed to #essica9 =on(t even think it. !hewas talkin$ about feelin$ bad that she had to be the Ncause( of them cancelin$ their8ndependence =ay party.

8 $ot an idea<< !hin =on$ said. /@:= ,/@T ! +T =B;<

/+++<<< eesee *umped up and down.

/ party in hea" baby<< !hin =on$ san$ and danced his butt around.

This late;; 8t(s like almost 10 o(clock. #essica asked.

,hy not;; !hin =on$ asked. 8t(s still the fourth isn(t it;; &(mon $an$. +e saidcockin$ his head to Can$ 8n and +ee &hul.

The three boys with the cars had left to buy party stuff.

/nd as everybody was talkin$ and en*oyin$ the fireworks in #essica(s room" ickysli$htly nud$ed :o/ and walked out the door.

:o/ turned around to see icky leave9and Iuickly $ot his messa$e. !he thou$ht if shehad left ri$ht away" people would sense somethin$ weird" even thou$h most people werewatchin$ the fireworks and didn(t notice him leave anyway. !o" she $ot an idea.

I’ll meet you at the lobby in 10 minutes. she te%ted icky.



+ey. !he then said to eon +ee. &ome with me to the bathroom.

h man98 am so sorry. eon +ee said as they were walkin$ out of the bathroom. ouand icky98(ve been havin$ this plan to $et you $uys to$ether9but thin$s have-=o not even worry. :o/ cut off. 89don(t even like him anymore. ou don(t need totry.,hat;< eon +ee yelled. @o<< ou $uys belon$-:o/ looked at her watch9it(s been passed 10 minutes. +ey" eon +ee; !orry98 $otta$o somewhere" 8(ll be back. aybe not" but 8(ll call you.,hat; 8t(s like 10 F. ,here(re you $oin$;>h9my sister(s outside.!he is; h< emme $o say hi.@o< :o/ stopped her. !he(s in a really bad mood. 8t(s not $onna be pretty.

h9kay. eon +ee a$reed. ,ell9call me later then okay;Aor sure. +appy 8ndependence day<<+aha9sure" you too.

:o/ made sure eon +ee had turned the corner9and she waited for another minute tomake sure.

!he then felt two taps on her shoulder. Turnin$ around" she saw icky.10 minutes;;;; +e asked.!orry??? :o/ apolo$i7ed. 8 had to send eon +ee away. 8t was my plan so peoplewon(t notice us. Thank me.+a< kay. icky lau$hed. ,ell9c(mon? +e said" holdin$ her hand and rushin$ outthe hospital.

They ran outside" took the bus and walked all the way to her house9silently.

,hy(d we come here; !he asked while they approached her $ates.8 dunno. +e shru$$ed. Cinda wanted to $et away9.far far from other people.:o/ lau$hed.,hat; icky lau$hed.!orry" but we(re pathetic. !he said. Bettin$ far far away means9takin$ the bus toKmyK house.eah" well9we(re hi$h schoolers9without a &/. 8t still counts. +e said.!he lau$hed and decided it was true. kay.+e held her hand a$ain and opened up the $ate to walk in and closed it when they bothwere in.



et(s $o to your backyard. icky su$$ested. 8 think 8 hear fireworks.

h my $osh? !he said" as soon as they $ot there" lookin$ up to the sky. Foppin$ soundswere heard and the sky busted with colorful sparks of fireworks" sprinklin$ the sky withe%tra li$ht amon$ the stars.

+ey9see;; #ust for us? +e said" smilin$. Told you comin$ here would be a $oodidea.:o/ said nothin$ back and kept starin$. They looked so beautiful and they were ri$ht infront of her eyes.

icky then looked around and spotted somethin$. / $uitar leanin$ a$ainst her house. +esmiled slyly to himself with another one of his ideas.

/ye. +e said to :o/. Turn around for a second.,hy;#ust do it? +e said" puttin$ his hands around her shoulders and spinnin$ her around.

:o/ rolled her eyes and turned" stayin$ in that position until she was approved to turn back around. The continuous sounds of fireworks behind her were killin$ her because shewas dyin$ to catch every one of them. 8nstead" she *ust $a7ed around her backyard9spottin$ the old tree house that she" eon +ee and !tephanie had built a lon$ time a$o.!he $i$$led at the si$n that still read @ :! /,=<

/nd as she $i$$led" she heard the $uitar sounds to one of her favorite son$s. ore than,ords by %treme.

!he $uessed that it was okay for her to turn back and she did.

icky was sittin$ on a bo%" his thin lon$" thin le$s out and wearin$ his favorite" car$oshorts with the old $uitar on his lap" playin$ the tune so perfectly9but with a flatwoodchip from the $round as a pick. !he had no idea how it worked" but it worked *ust as$ood as a real $uitar pick would. Aireworks still poppin$ behind him in the sky.

!ayin$ 8 loooove you? 8s not the words 8 want to hear from you? +e san$. 8t(s not that8 wannnt you33 @ot to say" but if you only knew. +ooow eeasy?

:o/ watched9$ivin$ a pleasured $i$$le.

8t would be to show.me.how.you.A +e stru$$led to $et to the top of the notes9butmana$ed not to sIueak. ore than wooords? is all you have to.do.to.make.it.real? Thenyou woouldn(t have to say9that you looove me9cus 8???(d allllreeaaddyy knooow?



,hen(d you learn how to play $uitar; :o/ asked.The endin$ of the fireworks were playin$ and icky and :o/ lay on the soft" $reen $rasswith their hands behind their heads) +e had one le$ up" foot flat on the $round with the

other sli$htly crossed and restin$ on his knee9and hers were both layin$ lon$ with herankles crossed. Talkin$ and *ust watchin$ the sky.8n middle school. y brother(s hero was some $uy who played the $uitar9so 8 $ot *ealous9and decided 8 needed to learn. =on(t re$ret it.+aha. That(s cute.8 suck at sin$in$" thou$h huh;@ah9you sounded $ood to me.eally;up.=o you think 8 can become a sin$er;icky98 think the play slash actor dream is bi$ enou$h9

,ell98 KcouldK be a multi-tasked entertainer. Then 8(d make double the money.,hy don(t you *ust work on one thin$ first.

/nd the last firework had finished. 8t was the bi$$est one of all" clearly showin$ it wasthe end.

,ow9that was cool? icky said.8 know9they were beautiful. !he replied.

+e then turned his head to her9she was still watchin$ the very last droplets of the li$hts.+e stared at her for a minute9until she noticed.

,hat; !he asked" smilin$ back at him.@othin$. +e said" $rinnin$ and proppin$ up his elbow and restin$ his head on his hand"layin$ on his side and positionin$ himself to really turn to her. !he $ave a Iuick lau$hand turned back to the sky. The fireworks were really finished now and it was *ust thenavy blue sky with stars sprinkled across9

!orry 8 was bein$ a meanie. +e said. 8 know it was really annoyin$9/s lon$ as you know? she said back.+e said nothin$.!he then positioned herself to the side the way he was doin$. !o what was wron$; !heasked.@ot much9 +e replied. y parents9they(re not $ettin$ alon$.h no" really;eah9they mi$ht divorce9,hat;; /re you serious;eah9but9it(s okay. 8t(s not too serious ri$ht now.:o/ $ave a sli$ht pout with her bottom lip. !he now felt bad for yellin$ at him9nothavin$ any idea that he actually had somethin$ $oin$ on.



+ey. +e said. ,e can9um9finally be boyfriend and $irlfriend a$ain.,hat; eally;eah9if9you still want9to9!he smiled. f course 8 do.+is eyes lit up. eally;; 8 thou$ht 8 like9turned you away after how 8 behaved.

h stop. !he said. ou had a reason and you said sorry.,hew? icky said" wipin$ his forehead. Thank $oodness for apolo$ies.&an we tell people; !he asked.hh yeah< That too< 8mma tell the whooole world?+ehe98(m sure half of it won(t care that much.8t(s okay. +e $ave a one shoulder shru$. 8 care?e too. :o/ smiled.

(know9 icky be$an after a short silence.ur first kiss; :o/ finished.icky(s mouth opened. +ow(d you know;

8 dunno? 8 $uessed *ust because 8 was thinkin$ of it9kay now we(re KreallyK meant to be. +e said. ,ell9what about our first kiss; +easked.8 dunno. 8 *ust98t wasn(t really9comfortable. !he said. ou know9it wasn(t really akiss. 8t was too9rushed.ike9it wasn(t a kiss kiss; 8 was thinkin$ that" too? +e said. :oy are we a pair.!he lau$hed. #ust wanted to apolo$i7e9since9y(know. 8t was cus of my stupid sister./h" don(t worry about it9 +e said. >nless9 +e be$an lookin$ left and ri$ht.>nless what;h9nothin$" nevermind.Tell me? !he persisted.@o" no9nothin$.>nless98 wanna9make it up; !he $uessed a$ain.+is eyes lit up a$ain. eah9;eah9; !he asked back.+a9we want each other don(t we;=id you KreallyK have to verbali7e that;es. +e $rinned.

/nd then his face fell passionate9and leaned close9to $ive her a soft peck on the lips.

mm9strawberry. +e said" respondin$ to her lip$loss./nd she replied" mm9icky9

/nd it made him feel $ood.

!o he leaned and pecked her lips a$ain. /nd a$ain. /nd then kissed her.

/nd that was their very first kiss.



Their very first kiss kiss.

--------------------------------------

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 004--

/h-ha< +yukkie slammed his very last card down for the $ame of N!peed.( ee un+yuk(s never endin$ defeat9continues<<< uahhaha<=ammit. =on$ +ae tossed his leftover cards in hand on #essica(s hospital bed./w" it(s okay" oppa. #essica comforted her boyfriend. et him have his $lory. 8t(s notlike he(s $ood at anythin$ else?+yukkie(s evil lau$h came to a stop and stared at #essica with narrowed eyes. ou(relucky you(re sick. +e warned.!he $ave him back a sweet smile.

kay everybody? Time for hot hot hot ttuk bokki?? #ae #oon$ announced" carefullyholdin$ the plastic ba$s of food into #essica(s room.

8t had been almost two days since she had woken up and the doctor had told her and herfamily that she would need at least one week of rest before she can be released. 8t was adra$$y feelin$" but she fi$ured she was lucky to have at least all these people take turnsto entertain her in the hospital while some other patients would have to spend the timethere al alone. !he was $rateful.

mmm. !he said as the scent of Corean rice cakes with hot sauce followed #ae#oon$ into the room. Thanks ## oppa.

(know #essica. #ae #oon$ be$an" settin$ the plastic ba$s down on the table ne%t to her.ou $otta know98 have never once went out to $et food and $ive so much service toanybody else besides my mother. Aeel special.h 8 do?? #essica said" smilin$. ou(re an an$el.eah well. #ae #oon$ $ave half a shru$. 8 don(t KtryK to be but9 +e then saw theother three $ivin$ him a look. kay okay" !+!+. +e said. ou all need to trylovin$ yourselves for once. ou(d understand.

kay9so. /re you ready; icky asked :o/ when they finally reached the front yardof The +ouse. The newly couple spent the whole day yesterday all to themselves as asecret9havin$ a wonderful" e%citin$ time to$ether9but now they knew it was time totell the rest of the population of their world of friends. /nd it was nerverwreckin$.



8 dunno why this is so hard. :o/ replied. 8t(s not like we(re tellin$ everybody that wedid somethin$ to KthemK.*ept I am% icky said to himself in the head" thinkin$ about #unsu.+ow(re we $onna tell them; !he asked.+ow about we don(t; +e answered.

,hat;;,hy don(t we *ust9act naturally like a couple9and let them fi$ure out themselves one by one;+m9 :o/ said" puttin$ a fin$er on her chin. !ounds like an idea9but 8 bet eon +eeand !tephanie(ll kill me for not tellin$ them myself.,ell !tephanie can(t say anythin$< icky said. !he went out with that other $uy behind / of our backs.That is true9 !he said. ,ell" okay. Buess we can do that./lri$ht. icky be$an" holdin$ her hand. 8( open the door98(ll do all the talkin$.=on(t brin$ attention to our entrance. =o K@TK let $o of my hand. /s soon assomebody says somethin$" 8(m $oin$ to-

icky. :o/ cut in. ,e(re not sinkin$ from the Titanic here. 8t(ll be okay. #ust openthe door.+e nodded once with a smile. i$ht.

+e held onto her hand ti$ht and turned around to walk up the steps. ,ith his other freehand" he $rabbed his keys from his pocket and successfully opened the door.

+ O:=?? +e welcomed himself" door still swun$ opened.:o/ put he hand over her face. /eah, Micky%Don’t brin) attention to our entrance%

+ey. +e said" turnin$ around. @obody(s home.,ell; aybe everybody(s at the hospital.an" this ruins everythin$. icky whined. 8 was so e%cited9ou were; !he asked. /bout what;ou know9 +e bashfully said" lookin$ down and swin$in$ their hands to$ether./bout tellin$ the whole world that you(re my $irlfriend.:o/ couldn(t help but smile. !he felt her cheeks turn pink as her heart warmed up and itwas a feelin$ she(s never felt before. !he felt like she loved him even more. ove;/ctually liked. !he wasn(t sure if she Iuite loved him yetLbut it was sure $ettin$ there.

,hoa whoa whoa whoa ,+/. They heard with footsteps approachin$ the door. Theyturned their head to see who it was9and it was !un$min.

,hat9what is all this;;; +e asked" Iuickly movin$ his fin$er" pointin$ to the twohands *oined to$ether.

/h< !un$min? icky e%claimed" immediately hu$$in$ !>n$min. 8(m so happysomebody came<< !un$min looked at :o/ over icky(s shoulder and asked N,hat theheck;( with his face. There(s somethin$ you don(t know. icky said" detachin$ himself



away from !un$min.

,ow" really; !un$min asked sarcastically. &us 8 thou$ht 8 totally understandeverythin$ that(s $oin$ on here.

ou did;;< icky asked. ,+ T= >;;; +e then shot a look at :o/. =8=> T !:= :A ;< h my $od" you(re cheatin$ already.

:o/ si$hed and stared at icky with a sad" pitiful face.

!un$min *ust looked at him flatly.

,ill you *ust tell me what(s $oin$ on;;; !un$min finally asked with frustration. /reyou $uys $oin$ out;

icky turned his head to !un$min with a $rin.

!ince when;; !un$min asked. h man" this is news. This is some / @,!.This9will definitely hinder the on$oin$ $ossip of Vuphanie. /t least for a while.

uhphanie; :o/ asked" raisin$ an eyebrow.

unho9plus !tephanie. !un$min e%plained. uphanie. ou know9like :ran$elinaand :ennifer;

/h9 :o/ said. &lever.

,ell9+ey? !un$min looked at them. &on$ratulations< +e con$radulated" $ivin$eicky a hu$. /m 8 the first one that knows about this;

eap? icky said proudly. &on$ratulations<< +e e%claimed" hu$$in$ !un$min back.

/lri$ht" this list $oesQ e" ou" #essica" !tephanie" :o/" :omi unni" =ana" icky"unho" #unsu9oh what the heck. !unday said to eon +ee. The same list for the8ndependence =ay ::R.They were at a nearby cafW by the hospital" discussin$ an upcomin$ event for thesummerQ / trip to one of the bi$$est and $reatest beaches around their area. 8t was $oin$to be a lon$ drive" but all worth it.



,hat about oon #i; eon +ee asked.!unday rolled her eyes and set her notepad down. =o we really have to;,hy; eon +ee asked. ,hat(s wron$ with oon #i;8 dunno. !unday sat up and made a face like she was $oin$ to tell eon +ee a secret. 8don(t really like her" honestly. !he seems sort of9

eally; ou don(t; eon +ee asked.eah. 8 mean9she(s not mean or anythin$9but 8 dunno. !he seems maybe9too nice;r9/$h 8ono. 8 *ust can(t click with her.8 kinda $et what you mean. eon +ee said. :ut9she(s #unsu(s friend.=on(t know about that anymore. ore like >@+(s friend now. !unday rolled hereyes a$ain.,hat; eon +ee asked.=ude9they(re like $oin$ out.,+/T;<;< eon +ee stood up" nearly knockin$ down her chair.&alm down" not for/. !unday said" pullin$ eon +ee back down in her chair.#ust sayin$9they han$ out a lot a lot9and it(s obvious that she likes him.

,ell9 eon +ee be$an. aybe that(s a $ood thin$.>h9:@C. unho(s for !tephanie.h $osh. eon +ee said with an e%hausted tone. They(re not $onna $et to$ether. 8t(s been like two months since all that happened./re you $ivin$ up on them;;;@ot $ivin$ up9more like facin$ reality.,ell either way98 don(t like that oon #i $irl. 8 Nve decided that./lri$ht well you(re the one that(s $onna re*ect her from our beach thin$ and tell #unsuabout it9or unho9apparently.8(ll be $lad to.

!tephanie closed her cell phone after havin$ an okay conversation with =ennis for thefirst time in a lon$ while and put it in her ba$. !he was in front of the hospital after shetook the bus overLnot wantin$ to ask =ennis for anymore since he was $ettin$ so fussyover the whole hospital thin$. !he decided to not mention it to him a$ain and try to workharder to make the relationship smooth a$ain. !he had made up her lost time with him byspendin$ the ni$ht with him" watchin$ movies" eatin$9and *ust han$in$ out. 8t wasfun9but the spark that was there in the be$innin$ was be$innin$ to flicker9and she keptwantin$ to $o home. !he wasn(t sure if it was because she was tired or what9but theni$ht seemed to dra$ for such a lon$ time. !he didn(t want to think that her passion forhim was fadin$9but the thou$h couldn(t help but lin$er in her mind.

!he si$hed and shru$$ed her thou$hts off before enterin$.



,hen she did" somethin$ cau$ht her eye.

unho standin$ in front of the bathroom9*ust pacin$ back and forth. !tephanie smiledand decided to skip over to him9when she saw why he was there.

oon #i walked out of the $irls bathroom and !tephanie saw unho(s face $reet her. oon#i had on her sweet smile and the two were playfully pushin$ and shovin$ each other.!tephanie *ust watched from a distance.

ou wanna $o $et some Oietnamese food; oon #i asked unho.h98(m not really into Oietnamese. unho replied. :ut 8 KamK hun$ry.&(mon? 8t(s a new place around here. 8 went the other day with my cousin and it wasreally $ood. et(s $o. /nd she $rabbed his wrist" pullin$ him towards the main entranceof the hospital. unho *umped a little at her holdin$ onto his wrist" because she(s never

done that beforeLbut decided to *ust let her lead him.

/nd *ust like unho" !tephanie saw from a distance of oon #i $rabbin$ onto his wristand pullin$ him9and it tri$$ered her9specially since unho didn(t react to pull awayor anythin$. ven if it was *ust pullin$ of the wrist9it bothered her. 8t made her want tosay somethin$. !he didn(t know what it was" but it *ust bothered her. /re they9 becomin$ a couple;

8f they were" she should be happy for them ri$ht; /fter all" she wanted unho to meet anice $irl9/nd9oon #i was9nice9

:oo</h< !tephanie *umped. !he spun around to see !un$min lau$hin$ at his success inscarin$ her. =an$ $irl. +e said. ,hat(re you thinkin$ so hard about;=on(t do that< !he shoved him.an" that e%pression on your face was C=/C moment. +e lau$hed. h yeah9:o/and icky(s comin$ soon. :oy do they have somethin$ to tell9,hat; !he asked. ,hat do you mean.!un$min saw the new couple walkin$ towards the two slidin$ doors. /hem9 +e thenclued !tephanie. !he turned her head and saw them lau$hin$ hysterically to$ether"holdin$ hands and9definitely actin$ like more than friends. !tephanie(s eyes widened atthe scene and her mouth dropped too.,hat the9+&C; !he asked" walkin$ towards them as they entered.h9hell no?? !he said" approachin$ the two.>h oh. icky said" lookin$ over to :o/ when !tephanie came9and he startedcrackin$ up a$ain. :o/ bursted out with lau$hter too. ,hatever it was" the *oke wasn(teven that funny9but to them" it was the funniest thin$ ever.

h no. hhh no9=@(T tell me- !tephanie be$an. That you $uys9are an item9



without not knowin$ about it.C" we won(t tell you. icky shru$$ed. +e turned to :o/ 9and then they startedlau$hin$9a$ain.+ello;<< !tephanie said" lookin$ at :o/.!orry !teph. :o/ apolo$i7ed. 8 really meant to tell you first.

:ut now that we are one. icky said" holdin$ up their hands. ,e need to doeverythin$9to$ether. ,hich includes9lettin$ everybody know.h my $od9 !tephanie rolled her eyes. ou punks.Flease don(t be mad. :o/ pleaded.eah" whatever. !tephanie flatly said. ,ait till eon +ee finds out. !he(s $onna killyou.8 know. :o/ said.T eon +ee come? icky bravely said. 8 can defeat her any day. ,ith me by:o/(s side9nothin$ can harm her.!tephanie looked up and down at icky. 8 dunno" man. !tephanie be$an. ooks likeyou(re $onna have to work out that body of yours before bra$$in$.

+ey? icky protested.8t(s okay icky. :o/ said. !he doesn(t know about your hidden powers. ou don(tneed a stron$ body. icky beamed back at !tephanie.!tephanie(s *aw dropped at :o/ at her corny corny statement. :o/< !tephanie said.ou can $o out with him9but don(t turn 8@T him?The couple looked at each other9and be$an lau$hin$ a$ain.

=an$. unho said in surprise after oon #i ordered everythin$ with no flaw or stutter inwords at the Oietnamese restaurant. ou(re $ood.oon #i smiled. 8 $uess 8 can say 8 know a little about what to eat in restaurants.eally; unho asked. 8 never know what to eat. +aha9you(d be a $ood $irlfriend toeat out with. 8(d never have to choose between all those $oodies in the menu.oon #i fell silent and looked at unho throu$h the candleli$ht that stood on their table9and every other table in the restaurant. +e looked so handsome and perfect. /nd he *ustsaid she(d be a $ood $irlfriend9!he(s been holdin$ everythin$ for so lon$ and it was$rowin$ more and more by the dayLshe felt like she couldn(t take it anymore. es" shewas a shy $irl9but she had feelin$s too.

unho9 !he be$an.unho looked up after unfoldin$ the cloth napkin and puttin$ it on his lap. !up; +easked.!he took a deep breath and moved her eyes down to the empty plate in front of her.ou okay; +e asked.898 have somethin$ to confess.h yeah; ,ell9fess away?8t(s not easy9unho then tilted his head9and be$an havin$ an idea of what she was $oin$ to say) andhe was afraid that she was $oin$ to say it.



unho98-@umber 24. edium Fho; The waiter cut in9brin$in$ the food.h9here. oon #i said9and the waiter set down the food.unho carefully watched oon #i while the waiter put all their foods on the table9hedidn(t know what to think9or say.

oon #i ended up not confessin$ durin$ dinner and they Iuietly *ust ate. unho liked thefood she ordered for him9but he was so restless and everythin$ was *ust so uneasy. 8twas the hardest meal he could eat.

+ey. !un$ in poked !tephanie while they were sittin$ out in the hallway. eon +eewas yellin$ at :o/ inside #essica(s room about not tellin$ her about icky and ickywas at the end of the hallway playin$ with a little boy who was dia$nosed with cancer.

+uh; !tephanie replied" lookin$ over. ,hat;,hatsup; !un$ in asked back. ou(ve been lookin$ like you were plannin$ how to$et ready for your death9the whole day.h9sorry. !tephanie said. 8t(s9nothin$.,hen a $irl says Nit(s nothin$.( There(s somethin$.,here(d you $et that from;ife.!tephanie si$hed. !un$min knew somethin$ was up9mi$ht as well tell him ri$ht;8 dunno. !he be$an. 8t9it(s unho.,hat about unho;8 feel like 8 haven(t talked to him in months?ou saw him earlier didn(t you;8t(s not like that98t(s *ust98 haven(t KreallyK talked to him you know; ,e don(tconnect as well as we used to98 would think 8(d be there the most for him durin$ all this" but it feels like 8 barely paid attention to him.+ey" you came almost every day. ou did pay attention to him.,ell maybe it(s cus he(s not payin$ attention to me. !he blurted out.!un$min raised his eyebrow.kay" that sounded so much less cockier in my head. !he said. ,hat 8 mean is9we(renot like best friends anymore. 8 know 8(ve spent a lot of time with =ennis andeverythin$9but 8 didn(t think it would put this much input into me and unho(sfriendship. /nd9now he(s always with oon #i. ike9she took my place or somethin$./h98 see what this is about. !un$min be$an. !tephanie looked at him.ou(re *ealous. +e said.,h9what;; !he asked with an astonished face.ou(re *ealous because unho(s new N$irl( is oon #i.



kay" 8 am not 4ealous of anythin$. 8 admit98 feel a little9replaced by her becauseunho and 8 were always like B>= to each other for all these years" but there(s notK*ealousyK $oin$ on.!teph. isten to yourself. !un$ in said" puttin$ his hand on her shoulder. ou(retalkin$ about how =ennis( relationship wasn(t worth losin$ unho like this9and now

that unho(s with this other $irl 234...it(s tickin$ you off9a lot. i$ht; i$ht. /nd? oushould(ve seen your face the entire day today. ou want him back.,ant him KbackK; !he stood up. =ude9you(re soooo not $ettin$ what 8(m sayin$.@o98 think Kyou(reK not $ettin$ what you(re sayin$. 8 do.ou(re bein$ completely ridiculous.!un$min stood up. #ust think about it. +e said" pattin$ her back and turnin$ around to$o into #essi(s room.

unho and oon #i to$ether walked out of the restaurant9both feelin$ like their foodhasn(t di$ested well at all. They haven(t spoken a word to each other about anythin$ at alldurin$ their meal9nor could they hear anythin$ around them at all.

,ell9 unho broke the silence" turnin$ around to face her.unho. oon #i be$an. !orry for makin$ thin$s uncomfortable.h9no no. 8t(s9cool.+e was then about to ask her what she needed to say....only because it(d be rude to *ust $owithout brin$in$ it up when she clearly told him that she had somethin$ to say. :ut9hedidn(t want to ask her. +e was afraid to. !hould he *ust $o;/lri$ht. +e be$an. 8 think 8(m *ust $onna-,ait. !he said. 8 have to tell you somethin$.$h )od, oh )od, oh )od% he thou$ht nervously./lri$ht" shoot. +e smiled comfortably9coverin$ up his uneasiness.!he took a deep breath and clasped her hands to$ether. They were almost feelin$ clammy because she was so nervous. +er heart was $oin$ to e%plode and the whole world felt likeit was spinnin$. :ut9she couldn(t take it anymore.

unho98(ve only known you for9not even two months. !he be$an. unho bit his bottom lip. ,hat the heck was she $onna say; /nd9we hun$ out9a lot. !hecontinued. /nd98 think9those times9were the best times 8(ve ever had in my life.

unho swallowed9hard. 8f he swallowed any harder" she would(ve heard9but luckilyshe didn(t. +e didn(t know how to respond. +e wished she would stop9but he wishedshe continued" *ust because he wanted to avoid speakin$ back. ,hat would he say;;

8 know you don(t feel the same way about me9 !he be$an a$ain. :ut98 really like



you9a lot.

unho put his hand on his mouth and rubbed it uncomfortably. h9wow. +e said.

8(m sorry. !he said. 8 know this isn(t the best time to say it9

+ey" it(s okay. +e comforted. +e could tell she was nervous and he felt badLeven if hedidn(t know how to feel himself. 8t(s okay. +e said.

!he then looked up waitin$ for an answer.

/nd he saw that.

/nd98 totally appreciate you tellin$ me. +e be$an. 8 a$ree we had some $ood times./nd9you(re a $reat $reat $irl.$h no%the 1but’ word is comin) up. she thou$ht.

:ut. +e said *ust as she $uessed. 89 +e was so close to tellin$ her he still hadfeelin$s for someone else. !omeone who he was losin$ hope about every day9yet stillloved her. +ow he always wanted to stay sin$le *ust in case there was at least a little bit of chance of her wantin$ him as her boyfriend. :ut9he didn(t. +e decided not to mention!tephanie. /t all. 8(m9*ust not ready for a relationship ri$ht now.

!tephanie dra$$ed her heavy feet out of the hospital for some fresh air. !he somewhatre$retted droppin$ the summer school class with unho now. !he didn(t know why. =idshe really like him like that; @o" she shook her head. 8t couldn(t be.

!urprise? !he heard. !he looked up to see9=ennis. /nd to her surprise9it was adisappointment.+ey? !he mana$ed a smile.=on(t worry9 +e rolled his eyes. 8(m not $onna fetch you away. #ust came by to sayhi cus 8 was drivin$ by.Thanks. !he smiled.,hat(s wron$; +e asked.

unho also dra$$ed his heavy feet back to the hospital. +e felt bad for re*ectin$ oon#i9he felt even worse for not walkin$ her home or to the bus stop as he usually did. +efi$ured that those were some of the thin$s that would make the situation worse9+ismind was so bo$$led. +is head drooped down and his heart felt anchored9when he



approached the hospital and the benches that were in front9and saw !tephanie in=ennis( arms lau$hin$ about somethin$.

+e was close enou$h to hear everythin$ they were sayin$9but they couldn(t see him.

h yeah. unho heard =ennis say to !tephanie. y mom really liked the pesto youmade me" too. 8 $ave her some.

/nd9unho(s heart became broken.

--------------------

S E A S O N T W O.

--!ide !tory--

+i9my name is Ci :um Cim and 8(m 11 and a half years old. 8 have two little sistersand9 Ci :um be$an readin$ his essay about himself in front of the whole si%th $radeclass. +e was the second person to $o and everybody could tell he was nervous. +e wasthin" fair skinned and had *ust $otten his first pair of $lasses not even a whole week a$o.+is voice was confident" but that was about it. +is small body looked timid and hisadorable face didn't look up. +is eyes couldn(t be taken off his paper and he read fairlyIuickly9like he wanted to $et it overwith.

eon +ee sat at her desk" watchin$ him read his essay9with admiration. !he(s knownhim since elementary school and they both ended up bein$ in the same class for the firstyear of middle school in the si%th $rade. !he didn(t care too much about him before this" but todayLsomethin$ about him tri$$ered her and made her heart beat differently.,ith flutter...with $limmer.

!he listened carefully when he read) when he read about everythin$ he liked" disliked"who he was" who he didn(t want to be and the real insides of some of his back$round.

Arom that day on9she decided to like him. :ut secretely. @ever would she dare to tell asoul...

/nd as the year went by" they $ot closer and became better friends.

They'd eat lunch to$ether and do homework after school in the library at the same tables.

ove for him $rew in her heart and he was all that was on her mind.

/nd one day9she finished her history test early.



,hen she returned it to the desk after turnin$ it in to her teacher" she took a Iuick $lanceat Ci :um9and of course" he had been the very first one to finish. +e sat at his desk andIuietly read his book until everybody else finished.

:ein$ the second one to finish" eon +ee sat downLand noticed she would have a lot of

time on her hands.

!o9she took out her Fochacco printed *ournal full of thou$hts and random scribbles ofher writin$.

/nd she be$an to write9

Ki Bum Kim <3

He likes to read science fiction.

He likes basketball.

His favorite color is dark blue.

He likes to help people out.

And he likes to talk once he starts.

He loves his little sisters.

He’s good at the computer.

He likes the fall better than the summer.

And he likes Nike better than Reebok.

He likes finishing his homeork !uickl".

And he likes to pla" N#$.

% onder hat it ould take&

'or him to like me too( <3

--------------------

S E A S O N T W O.



--chapter 00X--

Ainally? ,e(re havin$ our sleepover that we planned since school . #essica said as she

*umped herself on :omi(s comfortable" Iueen si7ed bed with pretty patterns of flowers onthe blanket and pillows. #essica" !unday" :omi" eon +ee" :o/" !tephanie and =anawere finally alto$ether at :omi(s house" havin$ their $irl(s sleepover take action. #essicawas finally out of the hospital and everythin$ was $oin$ back to normal. 8t was time for acelebration9plus" :omi(s parents were thankfully away a$ain for another business tripand her older brother was" as always" sleepin$ over his $irlfriend(s house. eanin$9empty house for the chicks.

h my9we $ot so much food< =ana sIuealed" sittin$ herself down in the littered floorof countless plastic ba$s filled with $oodies that they had *ust went out to buy. The boyswould be so *ealous.

+ar har. !tephanie lau$hed" on the floor as well" lookin$ throu$h one of them for theice cream. They need to stop eatin$ anyway. ast ni$ht" the (04 $uys had a foodcompetition and ate every sin$le bit of the 5 /B ba$s of chips we had in the kitchen.8t was pretty dis$ustin$.

ww? =ana said in dis$ust. +ow come all the $uys around me9are those stupid $uysin our house; 8 really need to find a boyfriend9a new" fresh lookin$ boyfriend.

,hat about &han$min; eon +ee su$$ested.

/nd the rest of the $irls" includin$ =ana turned to her.

+&C @<< =ana declined" throwin$ a pillow at eon +ee. That9would be theworst thin$ O<

+ow(d you think of that idea; :o/ asked eon +ee. :ut come to think of it9thatKwouldK be sorta cute. 8 mean you both are the youn$(ns.

@ waaayy? =ana crossed her arms. ut of all people in the world9That boy would be the very last? +e only KseemsK Iuiet and nice9but you all don(t know the thin$s hedoes when you(re asleep< r9when 8(m asleep anyway. ast week" he drew on my facewith my markers<< >@@8< ,hy did you have to say his name;;

eon +ee shru$$ed with a smile while everybody else lau$hed at =ana(s story. /lwayshavin$ the dream to be a matchmaker9alon$ with bein$ a pediatrician" eon +ee wasalways and constantly thinkin$ of brand new couple pairin$s) and apparently" she(s beenthinkin$ of =ana(s for a while without word.



8 still can(t believe :o/ unni and icky oppa started $oin$ out without any of usknowin$ thou$h? =ana chan$ed the sub*ect. This should result in punishment.

:o/ plopped her body down on :omi(s computer chair and spun around9and then

stopped herself to face everybody. ou $uys9c(mon. ,e(re not in middle schoolanymore. Bet over it.

iddle school wasn(t that far away y(know? eon +ee mentioned. 8(m still mad atyou. Both of you<

+mm9 !unday said" swallowin$ her ocky oad ice cream that she and !tephaniewere both eatin$ from the bo%. !peakin$ of the boys98 wonder what they(re doin$?

,ooo +oo<<< Thas 0 dolla7" boys<< Bive Nem up" $ive Nem up< !hin =on$ whistledwhile motionin$ his fin$ers after he had *ust won the $ame of poker. Ci :um" =on$ +ae"+ee &hul and !un$min $roaned while each takin$ out a S10 bill from their pockets.That(s it. Ci :um stood up. 8(m not playin$ anymoreLthis sucks<< !hin =on$hyun$(s been the only one winnin$ for the past two hours. 8 lost almost S100. 8 refuse tohand in anymore money?

Ci :um<< =on$ +ae e%claimed" lookin$ up at Ci :um. ou can(t *ust K$iveK him the$lory. &(mon? ,e $otta beat him.@o. Ci :um said" turnin$ to $o towards the boys with the video $ames" $lued in frontof the TO. +ave fun wastin$ your money?Told ya not to play? icky said while Ci :um went over to sit ne%t to him.8 know. Ci :um This is what 8 $et for $amblin$. eon +ee(s *ust $onna kill me.8(ll keep it on the down low. icky winked.

,hile the $irls were at :omi(s house9all the boys were havin$ their own sleepover atThe +ouse since CiCi was away at her mother(s place a$ain9and she took her two $irlswith her.

8t was *ust a ni$ht for everybody to for$et about all the dramatic scenes that had *usthappened to them for the past month. ,hether it was couple problems" crush problems"summer school problems9and even tra$ic happenin$s like #essica(s coma. They all *ustdecided to $ive everythin$ a rest.



=id you $uys see that new $uy who works at Aentons; !unday asked" paintin$ hertoenails.@o" but did you $uys see this new dress at Aorever 21;; :o/ replied" puttin$ the

Aorever 21 catalo$ so close to her face that she almost became cross-eyed.+e is so hot? !unday i$nored. &(mon. @ of you $uys had to see.!orry !unday. 8ce cream is all 8 concentrate on when 8(m there. eon +ee apolo$i7ed.f course unless Ci :ummie(s there9then there(s another thin$ 8 $otta concentrate on.!he $ushed.,,,< verybody yelled" !tephanie pushin$ her over. =ude. ou $uys have beento$ether for way too lon$ to still be havin$ that kinda talk. !he said.,ell? eon +ee $rinned. !ometimes9it(s never been Nway too lon$( for anythin$.ou(ll understand when you fall in love.:o/ and !tephanie rolled their eyes. ove; ore like married. !unday cut in.8 understand. #essica smiled and nodded to eon +ee. 8 *ust don(t9say it out loud like

you $uysLbut 8 understand?!ee; eon +ee said innocently. 8(m not the only victim of love?:o/ and !tephanie moved away" $a$$in$ and makin$ dis$usted sounds.h stop bein$ such boys. eon +ee $i$$led. ou know you $uys wanna say this kindastuff about your own boyfriends.eah" but we(re bein$ well-mannered and think of others( Kfeelin$sK so we don(t. :o/said. eon +ee lau$hed. /nd then :o/ let out a lon$" si$h. 8 wonder what icky(s upto?

8(m sick of video $ames. icky tossed his controller down and moved away from the$roup. 8t(s $ettin$ borin$.&us you(re Klosin$K by like9the last place; icky teased. &han$min lau$hed and thetwo boys $ave each other hi$h-fives.ou $uys are really mean. icky pouted. +e t hen stood up to $o sit on the couch.+ey<< 8 $ot an idea<< +e e%claimed. /nybody wanna play onopoly;<< +e askede%citedly" onopoly bein$ the only $ame he was really $ood at. et" everybody else onthe floor was already be$innin$ their new round of a $ame and completely i$noredicky(s Iuestion) 8$nore; ore like9they didn(t hear. icky made a face and crossedhis arms. Aine. +e said to himself" talkin$ to the rest. :e borin$ video addicts.ookin$ around to see if there was anythin$ he could do alone" he saw nothin$. +esi$hed. 8 wonder what :o/(s doin$? :o/9are you bored like 8 am;

/hh?? /hh??? /h???????????????? #ae #oon$ screamed while movin$ his bodyleft to ri$ht" drivin$ the car that was in the TO screen of the video $ame. verybody elsewas movin$ their body *ust like his as they were all feelin$ like they were drivin$



themselves with their eyes stuck to the screen. +yukkie was #ae #oon$(s rival for the$ame9and they were so close into the race that everybody(s hearts were ti$ht withan%iousness. 8t was a very bi$ deal.

,e9are $onna $et so fat. !unday said after lyin$ herself down on the floor" lookin$ upat the ceilin$. 8 feel it happenin$ already.=on(t worry? :omi said" lyin$ down ne%t to her. ,e all have nice" se%y bodiesanyway.+a< eon +ee lau$hed" continuin$ the yin$ =own &ycle. =on(t say that outside ofthe house9we(re $onna $et tomatoes thrown at us for bein$ cocky.eah. !tephanie said. G:y now" everybody was be$innin$ to lie down as they spoke.Hspecially the $uys wouldn(t a$ree.They wouldn(t a$ree out KloudK9 :o/ pointed out. :ut they know it(s true.

specially unho oppa? =ana teased. +e knows !tephanie >nni(s hot.h shut up. !tephanie said. &an we please not brin$ that sub*ect up;,hy not; eon +ee asked. verythin$ from this point on will stay in the room. @obody will know9not even the $uys.

+ey< #essica complained" enterin$ the room after $oin$ to the bathroom. +ow come8(m left out of this circle;/w? :omi cooed. &ome here? f course we $ot room for you.#essica smiled e%citedly and hopped over the rest of the $irls and made her way intothem. They were all now lookin$ up at the li$ht above and their heads were touchin$ eachother" all formin$ a circle with their lied down bodies) they didn(t even notice the shapein formation.

y nails look so $ood? !unday said" brin$in$ her nails up. /nd no" !tephanie Cim98(m not chan$in$ the sub*ect for you./B++< !tephanie slammed her fists down. ou $uys9can we please-Talk about unho; :omi finished for her. &(mon !tephanie9we all see it.!ee it;; !tephanie asked back. !ee what;That9maybe you(re $ettin$ *ealous of someone; :o/ cut in.h $od9 !tephanie rolled her eyes up.

!he(s *ealous. #ae #oon$ said./fter #ae #oon$ had won the championship of the video $ames" the sophomore boys werealso9lyin$ in their own circle" lookin$ up at the ceilin$ of the family room in The+ouse9and talkin$ while &han$min" icky and the '04 $uys were upstairs...pretendin$



to $o throu$h a hu$e fi$htin$ scene.!he's *ealous.J #ae #oon$ repeated. J8 can see it in her eyes./nd they were also talkin$ about !tephanie and unho.That(s ridiculous. unho said. ou $uys *ust don(t know her.8 know her. icky said. !he(s *ealous.

ou(re *ust sayin$ that cus #ae #oon$ said that. unho said.,ell9 icky be$an9bein$ true what unho had *ust said. 8 *ust reali7ed it" that(sall?&an we please talk about somethin$ else; unho pleaded. This is reallyuncomfortable.@o it isn(t? !un$min said. +e was actually the first one to e%plain everythin$ to the$roup of boys. +e even told them the conversation he had with !tephanie earlier at thehospital. ou know you wanna know9un+.e and her have nothin$. 8t was *ust me9by myself9and it sucks talkin$ about it sowill we please chan$e the sub*ect; ike9maybe9about 8&C; unho turned hishead to icky. /nd your new little $irlfriend of yours that we didn(t know about;

#unsu $i$$led. +e had to admit" the feelin$s still didn(t evaporate entirely" but he felt$ood bein$ the only one out of the $roup who knew about it first.,hat KaboutK me and my little $irlfriend; icky asked. There(s nothin$ more to tell.

&an you *ust KpleaseK dump =ennis; 8 can(t !T/@= it anymore. eon +ee said.ou $uys9it(s so much more different than you think. !tephanie replied.The rest of the $irls $roaned at her standin$ up for him a$ain. /s she always did.8 bet he(s cheatin$ on you. :o/ said. /nd when you find out he does9

ou(re $onna save her. #ae #oon$ said. /nd she(s $onna say that she was stupid allllllthis time for bein$ blinded by him when you the ri$ht $uy for her" *ust waitin$ andstandin$ there since fover.unho si$hed. +e(s probably not even cheatin$ on her.+e probably is?!o what" 8 *ust KwaitK till there(s proof that he(s cheatin$ on her;

+e(s not cheatin$ on me. !tephanie persisted. 8 mean98 KknowK that he(s done it before a couple other times to some other $irls" but9



This relationship is very different. 8t(s special. unho said. !he said so.The boys all turned to each other and $ave looks like they couldn(t believe he *ust saidthat.

kay98 understand !TF+/@8 bein$ blind and thinkin$ it(s different9but whatmakes you so sure; Ci :um asked.&us9 unho said. +ow can a relationship with !tephanie not be different andspecial;+is friends didn(t know whether to say Nawwww( or shout at him in disbelief. That9=ennis" most likely does not see !tephanie the same way unho does.ou(re out of it. icky said. ven K8K know it(s not like that.

/nd $oin$ back to Koon #iK or whatever. #essica said. &an(t you see she(s takin$ upthe space in my brother(s heart##

!he(s *ust a simple friend" thou$h< unho said" referrin$ to oon #i.Buys and $irls han$in$ out that much9; !un$min asked skeptically. 8 dunno man9usually thin$s like that could easily turn into somethin$ else. 8f !tephanie wasn(t on yourmind9

!he could(ve taken over him. :o/ said. ,ouldn(t you feel like that was such a waste;8 mean oon #i(s cute and all9but she(d be one hell of a $irl to lose a $uy to.ou $uys are insane. !tephanie said. 8 admit98 do feel a little9replaced 9but @/! / A8@=<eah" whatever98 understand that. eon +ee said. /nd everybody here wants you tohook up with unho9but for me" honestly speakin$" 8 don(t care who you hook up with L*ust break up with =@@8!<

8 can see that they(re fallin$ apart. #unsu said. !tephanie doesn(t have the happy faceanymore when she han$s up the phone with him.aybe cus they(re fi$htin$.aybe cus she doesn(t like him anymore.aybe cus she(s sad that it(s not >@+ anymore./nymore;ou know9they used to talk on the phone all the time.>h9is it *ust me9or do we not sound like $irls ri$ht now;Jr a bit $ay.J8t(s okay. @obody else is around" this is kept between us.



8f anybody asks9we played video $ames and !tar&raft the whole ni$ht.:ut that doesn(t sound like us.kay fine9video $ames and ice cream competitions./nyway9!tephanie(s *ealous of oon #i.8 wonder if !tephanie and =ennis9 !un$ in be$an.

The rest of the boys turned to him.=id they;; Ci :um asked.

@o" we didn(t. @ot yet. !tephanie said.@ot9yet;;; eon +ee asked. !o you(re plannin$ to; ou(re plannin$ to $ive up your precious $olden body of a woman to T+/T *erk; /iyah?,hat 8 KmeantK was9@o" we haven(t9and 8(m not sure if we will.+ey. :omi said. e and Can$ 8n have been to$ether for almost two and a half yearsand we still haven(t done it" okay; !o if you and =ennis ever end up havin$ se%9it better be after two and a half years.

,e(ll see if they even KlastK a year. !un$min rolled his eyes.+ey. icky then perked. +ave any of you $uys9

=one it yet; :o/ asked.verybody shifted their heads a little.8 haven(t. =ana volunteered.Bood" you better not have? #essica said. &us 8 haven(t.8f 8 haven(t9 :omi be$an. @@ of you $uys couldn(t have9have you; h my" ifany of you $irls did it before me 8(m $onna be really really sad.

This is depressin$. #ae #oon$ said" liftin$ his head a little and then droppin$ it backdown. ,e(re like 16 and we(re all still a bunch of vir$ins<<JJ16's still youn$ for all that...don't you think;J #unsu asked.J@o? y friend already did it. ,hen when when will it be my turn;;J #ae #oon$ asked.!eriously9and some of us had a $irlfriend for hecka lon$" too. =on$ +ae blurtedmiserably.unho(s head shot up and $lared at him.,hich we O so much that we(d save everythin$ for marria$e? =on$ +aestammered Iuickly with a smile.8(m savin$ myself for marria$e. Ci :um proudly said.



f course you would9 verybody replied.Ci :um and eon +ee are $onna $et married./nd their kids are $onna be either heckuv annoyin$ly smart like them-r be opposite and really cool and doesn(t care about school.h they(ll care about school. Ci :um said. 8(ll make it that way.

h shiet9a bunch of Ci :ums and eon +ees9 +yukkie be$an. That household(s$onna be so scary to live in.,hat about icky and :o/;; !un$min asked" crackin$ his voice. +/+/+/ +ethen cracked up.,hat(re you lau$hin$ about;;; icky asked offendedly. y kids are $onna be9

!uper duper smart. :o/ said" now talkin$ about how her kids would be in the future.@o" that(s eon +ee and Ci :um(s kids. !unday said.@o" no. :omi cut in. verybody(s kids are $onna be turnin$ out completely differentfrom their parents. 8 $uarantee it.

,e(ll *ust trade our kids then. icky su$$ested. 8f my kids are smart and Ci :um(skids turn out9well9like me" then we can trade?#unsu(s kids are $onna have a soccer team $oin$ on.+a< #ae #oon$(s $onna be one of those people who has a kid9but the baby(s mommaditched him cus she(s $onna be one of those hot" wild $irls.mm. #ae #oon$ smiled. 8 like.:aby(s mama drama9+yukkie(s *ust not $onna have kids.That(s ri$ht? +yukkie a$reed./nd when Ci :um and eon +ee $et married9

!tephanie and unho will be havin$ their baby on the way already9 :o/ lau$hed.=on(t worry !teph9*ust a couple months alon$ the way so you(ll still have your hot body for a nice dress for the weddin$.

&ept uphanie(s baby9will end up bein$ twins. =on$ +ae said.h please9 unho rolled his eyes.

/nd then =ana and &han$min will be tellin$ everybody they(re en$a$ed? eon +eesaid./nd then my other hot" hidden boyfriend will come and steal me away? =anasIuealed. That(ll be Cwon !an$ ,oo./nd !hin =on$ oppa will have one of his dream $irlsQ ee +yori or #essica /lba9



r both./nd +ee &hul oppa9

,ill have his whooole science invention company $oin$ on9 +yukkie said.:ein$ a $a7illionaire.

Then :omi unni and Can$ 8n oppa9 #essica said.They(ll adopt a bunch of kids and then $et a bi$ house with a lot of rooms so kids like uscan rent them out./nd !un$ in(ll *ust9

:e a & of somethin$ really bi$ and be super rich...and have a different $irl in hishouse every sin$le day? #unsu said.

/hahah our future(s $onna be so cool< =ana sIuealed" *ust ima$inin$ everythin$.

Totally? icky smiled.&ept it all probably won(t turn out this way. !un$ in snorted.eah well one thin$'ll stay the same. #ae #oon$ said.,hat(s that; icky asked.

ou(ll all be my bKtches9 !tephanie said.

...till the very end of time? #ae #oon$ slyly smiled.

--------------------

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 00U--

8 am soooo happy that you(re not leavin$ for @ew ork till /u$ust. icky said to :o/



as he swallowed his deliciously salty and buttery popcorn. 8 was actually kinda upsetthat we wouldn(t be able to han$ out after our9y(know9official day of bein$ boyfriendand $irlfriend.

!he $i$$led back. 8 know. Thank $oodness for my sister(s late modelin$ shoots. @ever

ima$ined that they(d be beneficial to me.

They were in the movie theatres in the middle of the afternoon and were eatin$ their$oodies while random thin$s played on the screen) not the previews9but differentcommercials before the previews. They came twenty minutes early to find $ood seats andthe li$hts were dimmed" but not completely dark9and what was playin$ on the bi$screen were nearly silent" yet able to be heard. /nd ri$ht in front of them9were Ci :umand eon +ee. 8t was a double-date.

,e haven(t seen a movie to$ether in forever" huh; eon +ee asked.8 know. +e replied" turnin$ his head to her with a smile. !orry. +e apolo$i7ed.Aor what; !he asked.Aor bein$ so la7y with dates.h" psh. !he lau$hed. =on(t trip98 didn(t even notice.!till. +e said" puttin$ his hand on hers. Today98(ll buy you snacks and dinner and wecan $o to the mall afterwards98(ll let you have a shoppin$ spree.eon +ee looked at him skeptically. ,hat(s up;!ee; Ci :um asked. 8f 8 wanna spoil you" you think somethin$(s wron$. ou should be immune to it. 8 bet if any other $uy were to be with you" they(d be buyin$ youeverythin$ you want9anytime you want. 8 feel $uilty. !o98(ll be takin$ my $uilt off myshoulders all of today.=o you even have that much money; !he asked" lau$hin$ with doubt. ou already bou$ht me my movie ticket.Ci :um $rinned and patted his pocket with his wallet inside. ou bet.,here from; !he asked" crossin$ her arms.Ci :um $ave another $rin and shru$$ed innocently when the li$hts be$an to fade intodarkness and the real previews started boomin$ from the speakers.h look? +e said" turnin$ to the screen and puttin$ his arm around her9avoidin$ eon+ee(s Iuestions. ovie(s startin$?

,hat Ci :um had been doin$ was nearly savin$ all his allowances and even the lastcouple months of the school year(s lunch money for a random day to spoil his $irlfriend.+e noticed in movies how men would do that" the $irls would be so happy that theywouldn(t know what to do9and it was his dream to do that for eon +ee ever since. /ndhe didn(t want to do it on a special occasioned day either9*ust a random" normal day.G,hich was also a reason why he was so mad for losin$ in $amblin$ the ni$ht before) hethou$ht he(d maybe be able to $ain some more and instead9ended up losin$ 20 dollars.:ut it was out of almost S00.H



+e had made his own little bo% for his savin$s and labeled it eon +ee oney andstashed it away so that nobody would notice or have a clue.

@ot very interested9 :o/ whispered to icky when the preview for Nou" e and=upree( finished. 8t doesn(t look very funny.That $irl(s a hottie thou$h. icky smiled" referrin$ to Cate +udson.eah" 8 like her too. !he replied.icky had then reali7ed what he had said and Iuickly turned his head to :o/..8 was soooooooooo *ust kiddin$. +e said with an apolo$i7in$ voice.+uh; !he asked.!he(s @T a hottie.:o/ raised an eyebrow. ,hat(re you talkin$ about;

That $irl<Cate +udson;eah<,hat about her;!he(s not hot< /r$h<< +e then be$an slappin$ his forehead numerous of times"stompin$ his foot alon$ with it. -osh Micky!! I told you that you have to watch what you

say now that you )otta )irl&riend!!! he thou$ht.icky< !he whispered" $rabbin$ his wrist to stop him from hurtin$ himself. &almdown9what(s the matter;+e looked up with puppy eyes9as if he was a little boy who spilled the last cup of milk.,eren(t you an$ry; +e asked./bout what; !he asked" with a small lau$h.That 8 said some other $irl was hot.:o/ snorted and busted out another lau$h. icky?? @o?? ,hy would 8 be an$ry;&us9 +e said. ,ell9;; 8 dunno< ou(re my $irlfriend?icky. 8t(s okay.eally;; /re you sure; ou want me to turn back time so 8 can erase what 8 said;/nd how would you do that;8 dunno? +e smiled bashfully. ake believe?+aha?? 8t(s okay. /s lon$ as your heart(s not out for her98f that were to happen" then8(ll be really an$ry.&us you(ll be *ealous; +e asked.es?+ehehe. +e $i$$led. kie. 8 promise.



=o you9not wanna han$ out with me anymore9; oon #i asked as she and unhowere sittin$ on the benches outside of their summer school classrooms to$ether. 8t had been the first they(ve spoken since her confession of heart. They both felt awkward anddidn(t know what to do9or say. :ut9they also knew they couldn(t avoid each othereither.

@o? unho said" actin$ casual. f course 8 still wanna han$ out with you) 8 was afraidyou(d turn this way9,ell9 !he be$an. 8 dunno98 *ust re$ret sayin$ anythin$ now.8t(s fine9 +e said. +onestly" he wished she never said anythin$ either. 8t only made hislife a lot harder on top of all the confusion and headache with !tephanie already. 8t addedmuch more9because he now wasn(t sure if he should *ust $ive oon #i a chance) a wayfor him to really $et over !tephanie9

et" he felt like he couldn(t9and at the same time" he wasn(t sure if it was *ust becausehe was bein$ !tephanie-obsessed.

8(m *ust really embarrassed now9 !he continued" lookin$ down and sli$htly kickin$ a pebble on the cement $rounds. /nd also feel really bad for makin$ more trouble foryou9

ou(re bein$ ridiculous. unho persisted. 8t(s not like 8(m somebody super $reat foryou to be embarrassed over9and you didn(t make trouble for me at all. :ut9did 89;Aor you9;

=id you what;ake trouble for you.h" no? !he said. /s lon$ as 8 didn(t make trouble for you9there(s no trouble forme9

#ae #oon$?? 8(m be$innin$ to be very disappointed in you? +is mother said into the phone as #ae #oon$ walked around his room lookin$ for his white @ike t-shirt. ouhaven(t been callin$ us all week<

8 know 8 know" ma? +e said. :ut remember; 8(ll be there in *ust one week< #ustooooneee week. Bod dammit" where(d it $o;< +e blurted" talkin$ about his shirt.,hat;;< +is mother asked at the foul lan$ua$e. ,hat did you say;;;#ae #oon$ put his hand on his mouth. ops. !orry" ma9>m" look 8 really really loveyou and everythin$9but 8(m $oin$ to the $ym ri$ht now9can 8 call you back latertoni$ht;



!he si$hed. 8 suppose so. :ut you must" okay;; =on(t for$et.ou have my word9>h-huh9>h-huh9eah" 8 will9.don(t worry. es98 love you"too9Bood-bye.

=an$" hyun$Lyou can lift more wei$hts than 8 can< #ae #oon$ e%claimed after he sawCan$ 8n lift somethin$ that wei$hed a lot more than even #ae #oon$(s $oal. Can$ 8n setdown the wei$hts and stood up. kay" #oon$ie. et(s see you.@o way? #ae #oon$ waved his hands" backin$ away. @o way after you *ust went./w" cmon< ou(re buff9you can lift some. +e said" slappin$ #ae #oon$(s musculararms. ,anna see that se%iness blu$e?@u-uh. #ae #oon$ refused. aybe after a year.

#ae #oon$; +e heard from behind. / female(s voice9a familiar" but unreco$ni7ablevoice. +e turned around to see who it was9ina;; ina<< +e $reeted once he saw. +ow9une%pected9<8 know? !he said" brin$in$ a towel to her forehead. ou work out;eah9a little. +e said. /re you here alone; h< emme introduce9this is Can$ 8n.+e(s one of my housemates.Can$ 8n $rinned and stuck his hand out for a handshakeLina shook back in return.8 came with my boyfriend. ina said" turnin$ around to look for him. +e should bearound9h< There he is9=@@8!<< !he called.

=ennis9; #ae #oon$ asked to himself. Why are all the )uys who take our women

named Dennis#/nd =ennis came9

=ennis9this is #ae #oon$9ne of the $uys 8 told you 8 met at ,al$reens the otherday; ina introduced.#ae #oon$ speculated this other =ennis $uy. +e was a $ood lookin$ $uy9Aull /sian andas ina mentioned before" #ae #oon$ remembered that she said he was half Corean andhalf #apanese.

#ae #oon$ couldn(t help but make a *ealous faceLbut he *ust si$hed and decided to takethe introduction. @ice meetin$ you. +e be$an" puttin$ out his hand.ikewise. =ennis replied.

=ennis was almost #ae #oon$(s hei$ht. +e had eyes with handsome double-eyelids andhu$e" dark pupils that were sharp enou$h to make you look down. Throu$h his t-shirtwith sleeves ripped" he e%posed his ripplin$ muscles that were sli$htly tanned and hewore dark blue basketball shorts. +is hair was black as ni$ht and short) very boyish. #ae#oon$ admitted to himself that this =ennis $uy looked pretty $ood9but not e%actly as



$ood as himself.

,ell98 $uess we should be $oin$ now. ina interrupted #ae #oon$(s thou$hts. +edidn(t even reco$ni7e that he was keepin$ the silence $oin$. Can$ 8n had even left for thetreadmills.

h? eah" sorry. #ae #oon$ apolo$i7ed.!ince we(re $onna $o to the same school9maybe we can work out to$ethersometimes. inda su$$ested.!ounds9pretty e%cellent. #ae #oon$ $rinned" shiftin$ his vision to =ennis.Thanks for makin$ her feel comfortable. =ennis said to #ae #oon$. !he was really paranoid about not findin$ any friends. m%well at least this )uy’s nicer than Steph’s Dennis. #ae #oon$ thou$ht. )h5but then

I can’t hate him.eavin$ =allas was really tou$h for her. =ennis continued. !he(s been travelin$ allover the place. nd he’s not annoyin)ly overprotective%

+er parents wanted me to look out for her9but you know9since 8(m in colle$e andeverythin$9 Damn%and her parents like him, too#!o 8 appreciate you offerin$ to help her out.-ood manners, too%

>m9#ae #oon$9; ina asked.+uh; h< h yes? @ot a problem. #ae #oon$ responded" stutterin$ Iuickly. ou cantrust me with her9y friends will be a bi$ help" too. 8(m kinda new here" myself.ina smiled. &an(t wait to meet them.#ae #oon$ $rinned back. >h9yeah" well my friend(s probably wonderin$ if 8(m $onnacatch up to him9 #ae #oon$ e%plained. 8(ll see you around. @ice meetin$ you"=ennis./nd #ae #oon$ turned around" his smile turnin$ to a flat-eyed face. This is what mycousin meant9,hen the $irl(s boyfriend 8!@(T a *erk9it(s the worst thin$9everrr.

That(s so hot<< :o/ e%claimed" pointin$ at !uperman liftin$ an airplane in the bi$movie screen.eah" whatever) 8 could do that if 8 were made out of steel" too. icky complained.h shut up" you know you(re en*oyin$ this. :o/ nud$ed.

icky has been actin$ miserable since the movie be$an9because he wanted to watchN&ars( and everybody else wanted to watch N!uperman eturns(. +e promised himselfthat even if N!uperman( was $oin$ to turn out $ood" he wouldn(t admit it to the rest of hisfriends. 8t was a pride thin$.

That is so fake. +e said.:ut it looks so real? !he replied" watchin$ in awe.



icky turned his head to her and scowled. ou really think he(s that much of a hunk;>h huh9 !he said" eyes still stuck to the screen" nearly droolin$.Breat9 icky said. Airst" a movie 8 don(t wanna watch9and now my $irlfriend(sobsessed with the $uy in it.

:o/ turned her head at the comment. /w9are you *ealous;@o? +e replied.8 promise we(ll $o watch N&ars( ne%t week.eah" whatever?+m9how can 8 make this up to you.eah" whatever? +e answered" Iuickly. /nd then he stopped9and thou$ht9and satup. ,ell9 +e be$an with a sly smile. There KisK a way you can make it up?/nd what(s that9+e then closed his eyes and puckered his lips towards her. +e puckered them so bi$ thathe looked like a cartoon.!he had to lau$h. @o. !he declined.

+e opened his eyes and crossed his arms. ,e(re in the movie theatres< 8t(s a boyfriend"$irlfriend rule that you(re supposed to kiss.!he $ave him a look./@=? +e continued. ,e couldn(t watch &ars9>$h9fine. !he a$reed.icky *umped up and smiled like a little boy.+e leaned into her and closed his eyes" puckerin$ his lips one more time.kay" but *ust a peck. !he warned. icky nodded in a$reement with a smile" but hislips still puckered.:o/ then closed her eyes and bent her head to his lips9/nd before she could peck away from his lips" his hand reached behind her head and hetricked her into a real kiss" knockin$ over their popcorn on the $round.

kay" $uys...e and eon +ee are $onna have some alone time so9peace out. Ci:um said once they walked out of the theatres. The daytime has turned to ni$ht and thewarm day had transformed into a bree7y chill. eon +ee shivered and put her sweater on.

/nd9sorry about &ars. Ci :um apolo$i7ed to his cousin. :ut !uperman was so hellaworth missin$ &ars.

,as not. icky ar$ued. :ut98 can say somethin$ else was. +e smiled and lookedover at :o/" raisin$ his eyebrows up and down.

eah98 heard you $uys" too. Ci :um muttered.

:o/ shot a look at icky and he *ust smiled back with innocence.



kay9well" then9Buess we(ll *ust be $oin$ our own way. :o/ said. +ave fun?

eon +ee looked at :o/ before she turned to $o and mouthed her" N&all e9(:o/ mouthed back that she would.

8 don(t $et it. icky said after eon +ee and Ci :um officially went their own way.,hy do $irls mouth each other stuff when they can *ust say it; 8 know what you $uysare sayin$ anyway.

8t means9she has somethin$ to tell me that(s kind of important.

icky rolled his eyes. Birls98 don(t $et you $uys. /lso98 never understood why you$uys always $o to the bathroom to$ether. 8t(s like9what(re you doin$ in there;

:o/ lau$hed. =on(t worry about it.

,ow? eon +ee said once Ci :um walked her up to9The live Barden restaurant./re you sure we(re not $oin$9there; !he asked" pointin$ a couple doors down whichwas c=onalds.@ope. +e smiled. +e then took her hand and rushed to the door. &(mon?

rder anythin$ you want? +e said" openin$ up the menu for her. ou can order two9three9four thin$s if you(d like.

ou(re cra7y? !he whispered. Ci :um9et(s $o? 8 can(t let you-Too late? +e said. ,e already sat down. 8t(d be rude to *ust $et up and $o.Ci :um?eon +ee9#ust sshhh. /nd order? 8(m $ettin$ really hun$ry.!he si$hed and stared at him. ,hat was he up to; !he was even afraid9that he wasscared that this relationship was close to fallin$ apart9,as this why he was overdoin$thin$s9;

eon +ee. Ci :um said once the waiter had taken their order) or rather9Ci :um(sorder of two of the most e%pensive dishes on the menu with e%tra salads and soup.

,hat; !he asked" flatly. 8(m still a little iff-y about all this.

Ci :um lau$hed. 8t(s because 8 love you?



!he pivoted her head. +m9

+e then reached down into his ba$ and took somethin$ out. 8t was a black velvet bo%"which seemed like it would hold a bracelet.

+ere. +e said" handin$ it over to her. @ot tryin$ to be cheesy9or neu kkee hae oranythin$9but98 really really really want you to have this.

Ci :um? !he said.

Take it? +e insisted. y arm(s $onna fall off if you make me hold it any lon$er.

/nd so9she took it. !he took it9and she opened it9to find the very bracelet fromTiffany(s &o. that she(s been wantin$ for the lon$est time since she laid her eyes on thecatalo$. :ut she could never $et it9since it costed over S200 dollars. !he wasspeechless.

,hat9what is9 !he stuttered.

+appy Oalentines =ay? +e said.!he looked up.

&us9every day with you(s Oalentine(s =ay. ven in the summer?

Ci :um98 can(t take this.

ou *ust did? =o you need me to put it on for you" too;

898 dunno what9

8t(s okay" eon +ee.

Ci :um9ou(re literally cra7y.

/nd it was ever since the day 8 met you?

Preiew !uote "or #e$t %ha&ter. '%ha&ter Ten()

Jet's end thin$s...J

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 010--

6et’s end thin)s7



=ude9you $uys !8>! need to $et off your laptops and $et out for some fresh

air? :o/ said to &han$min" +yukkie" =ana and +ee &hul as she and eon +ee walkeddown the stairs before they were leavin$ The +ouse. ou $uys have been on thosethin$s for like9 !he looked at her watch to check the hours. h my $osh" it(s ;< ou$uys have been playin$ !tar&raft before 8 even $ot here and that was like 10 /< Aivehours? ver A8888O hours<eon +ee si$hed at the pitiful lookin$ kids on their laptops" all lined up on the couchwith sounds of the $ame !tar&raft playin$ from their speakers.&(mon =ana? :o/ said" walkin$ over to them. et(s $o outside.=ana i$nored and kept her eyes $lued on the laptop.&han$min; :o/ asked" sli$htly hittin$ the back of the screen of his laptop./ye< +e yelled" lookin$ up. =o you not see the si$n;;;

:o/ raised an eyebrow and looked at the back of the screen.!he looked to see a si$n that he made that says = @T T>&+

8t(s a brand new laptop. &han$ in clarified. 8 finally have a computer. 8 don(t have to$o to icky hyun$(s room anymore? !o please9F/! F/! F/! refrainfrom touchin$. =on(t make me say it twice.

:o/ backed away and rose her hands up. !orry.

,ould you like us to brin$ you anythin$ to eat; eon +ee asked them.

w" don(t brin$ them stuff back? icky said" walkin$ down the stairs while dryin$ hishair with a towel after he finally ended his lon$" cold shower. They can $et up and $o tothe store on their own< Areakin( computer losers?

8t(s only cus you don(t know how to play. +yukkie responded while his hands stillmoved Iuickly and his eyes were fired up. icky(d be so addicted.

8 refuse to even try. icky declined.

Bood< :o/ said" turnin$ to her boyfriend. ,ill you please put a shirt on" thou$h; ouare way too skinny to be walkin$ around without one.

/ye. icky said. 8 have a $irlfriend now? 8t doesn(t matter if 8(m skinny or u$ly orwhatever? @ot like 8 need to impress anybody else" ri$ht; +e put his arm around herand kissed her ch eek. mm?? 8 smell man$os?

@ot true? eon +ee cut in. nce you have a $irlfriend or boyfriend9you(re supposedto try harder to impress your si$nificant other. &us you love them. ou wanna keep their



heart beatin$" y(know; Ceep them attracted. @ot anybody else9but *ust them.

eah" 8 didn(t really understand that. icky replied.

=on(t worry. eon +ee said" tappin$ his shoulder. 8t(ll happen naturally.

!o? !he said" walkin$ over to the others who were playin$ still playin$ !tar&raft. /reyou suuuure you $uys don(t wanna come with us; ,e(re $oin$ to Aentons?

@o. +ee &hul replied flatly without lookin$ up. 8ce cream there9baaad. 8ce creamhere9$oooood? :rin$9heeere?

eon +ee turned around to :o/ and icky and dropped her *aw.

h my $od" even their vocabulary(s slowly $ettin$ sucked into those thin$s.

## oppa? 8 !,/9he(s nobody. #essica persisted as #ae #oon$ followed her into herroom. >h-huh? @obody. That(s e%actly what somebody who was talkin$ to a!:= would say.#essica spun around and $ave him a look.kay" that made sooo much more sense in my head. +e said" lookin$ up./nyway" 8 saw the look in that $uy(s eyes. +e(s $ot somethin( for you" $irl. ou betterwatch out with those tube tops and9and open-toed sandals? +e pointed to her feet.=on(t worry about it? ou know my one and only is =on$ +ae oppa?eah? :ut other $uys don(t know that. Trust me98(m a B>. 8 know what they(rethinkin( when they $ot that e%pression like that $uy(s face who was talkin$ to you at the bowlin$ alley.ut of all times. !he replied. ne of you $uys *ust had to end up at the bowlin$ alleythe same time 8 did./nd $lad that 8 did. +e said. 8 cau$ht one of those horny aKKes hittin$ on you.+e wasn(t a horny aKK. /nd $ee? ou didn(t have to pull on his ear and push him downthe bowlin$ lane. !he said" rollin$ her eyes. /@= dra$ me home.ou were comin$ home" anyway?kay" well if you mention this to =on$ +ae oppa9can you please not make it sound so bad;8 dunno" #ess. 8 dunno how to make N/ $uy was wrappin$ his snakey arms around your$irlfriend(s tiny waist( sound a little better.#essica narrowed her eyes. +e was FC8@B my !+>= because 8 was sittin$ onhis ,/T.,ith a look of wantin$ more? #ae #oon$ finished. 8(m *us sayin? :e &/A>.8 swear" you oppas are way too overprotective. !he said" *umpin$ on her bed andopenin$ up a new ma$a7ine. 8(ll be fine?



mm-+mmm. #ae #oon$ said with doubt. ou(re lucky you didn(t have aseductive face when you were talkin$ to him?#essica slammed her ma$a7ine down and $lared up at him./lri$ht" alri$ht? #ae #oon$ said" $ettin$ the clue to leave9and he left her room.

!o" does oon #i like you; =on$ +ae said" suddenly slappin$ his hand down on thetable of 8n-@-ut as he and unho were eatin$ their meals.unho *umped9both at the sudden slap and the Iuestion. ,hLwhat;8 heard what she said to you? =on$ +ae said" lookin$ slyly at unho.,hat;< +ow;< unho e%claimed./h-ha<< =on$ +ae said" pointin$ his fin$er. &au$tcha?+uh;; unho blinked9and thou$ht9and reali7e he $ot tricked. h hell no.!o what did she say;;; =on$ +ae asked e%citedly. 8 can(t believe she actually saidsomethin$ to you.

!top it. unho said. 8t(s nothin$.8t(s obviously somethin$. ou $ot real scared when 8 told you 8 knew. @ow tell.&an we please keep our womanly conversations9inside somewhere;=id she ask you out;unho i$nored and looked down to dip another Arench Ary into the ketchup.!he did. =on$ +ae decided. /nd you said Nno(.8 had to. unho replied. 8 don(t feel for her that way.aybe not yet. =on$ +ae said. :ut9pretty soon" you will.,hat; unho looked up. @o" =on$ +ae9*ust shut up. /nd don(t tell this to any of the$uys. 8f this $ets out" 8(ll know who spread it.C9no tellin$ the $uys9,ell then9!teph(s not part of the $uys.unho $lared. =on(t9tell9!tephanie.Bet over !tephanie" man. =on$ +ae said. eah" okay 8 know. =on$ +ae said"noddin$. 8 know 8 would never find myself sayin$ this either9but she seems reallyhappy with =ennis.unho si$hed and looked down" takin$ another Arench fry.kay9.8 wasn(t $onna tell you this9but 8 saw them the other day and they had rin$son9like &>F rin$s9okay; They obviously $ot it recently which means9no si$nof them breakin$ up soon.unho pressed his lips.#ust $ive oon #i a try. =on$ +ae said. 8 think she(ll be $ood for you. /nd hey" she(s pretty cute" too.ou(re with9my sister. unho said throu$h clenched teeth./h" see; =on$ +ae said. ou(re $ettin$ *ealous that someone else is callin$ her cute.@o. unho said. 8(m $ettin$ annoyed that you(re callin$ another $irl cute./nd that other $irl? =on$ +ae continued. 8s oon #i.unho picked up his bur$er and took another bite.#ust $ive her a chance. =on$ +ae said. #ust a small chance. +ey9think about it. !he(sa shy $irl and $ot the coura$e to mention that she likes you T you9she must like you alot?



Boodness" 8 still can(t believe Ci :um $ot you that bracelet. :o/ said to eon +ee asicky was openin$ the front door to The +ouse.

8 know? eon +ee said. 8(m so not wearin$ it. 8f somethin$ happens to it" 8(m $onnadie.ou stupid !!<< icky said when he walked in" seein$ that the four friends9have not moved from the couch9or their laptops.ou $uys are insane. eon +ee said. :ut here9we $ot you your ice cream. !he setdown the plastic ba$s full of many different kinds of ice cream in cartons.

@obody looked up from ban$in$ on their keyboards.

:o/ turned her head to eon +ee. Fretty soon" we(ll have to feed them for them to eat.

8& &/<< =on$ +ae shouted when he and unho entered The +ouseand saw the ice cream in the plastic ba$s. es<< Flain Oanilla?

8 never understood /@:= who likes plain Oanilla ice cream. icky said" walkin$out with $lasses and spoons for the ice cream. /nd 8 didn(t brin$ you $uys anythin$ so if you want" you(ll have to $et your ,@ $lasses. +e said to the !tar &raft crew.

unho re*ected the ice cream offer and went upstairs to chan$e his clothes9or maybetake a shower) he was still debatin$. /nd before he reached his room" he passed by!tephanie(s9which the door of it was sli$htly opened. +e stopped9and turned his headto look. +e didn(t know why" but the conversation he had with =on$ +ae earlier madehim want to pry into !tephanie(s life a little more. @ot pry9but more like $et to knowhow her Nnew life( was $oin$ since they barely talked anymore as best friends.

/nd she never cared about him enterin$ her room without her approval" so he decidedthat it was still okay for him to $o in. !o he did.

+e cracked opened her door sli$htly and smelled the air9still smellin$ like a bunch ofher many perfumes mi%ed to$ether. +e smiled at the aromaLit brou$ht him back a flushof memories.

/nd then" he went over to her desk and sat down on her computer chair. nd what am I

doin)# he asked himself. +e wasn(t sure9he even felt a little dumb and stalkerishLbuthey" he was sli$htly en*oyin$ it at the same time. +e looked around her room" very neatand tidy" walls filled with posters of random thin$s with $ood messa$es" pictures of her



family and friends everywhere9and then he looked at her desk. The spot where shealways put the framed picture of him and her to$ether. The only picture she said shewould put on her desk since she doesn(t like her desk all messy. The only picture becauseshe said it was special. /nd9it wasn(t there.

8nstead" there was a heart-framed picture of her and =ennis to$etherLlookin$ so muchlike a couple. unho(s heart winced9and he turned his head to look and see9that the picture of him and her was on her dresser9alon$ with some other pictures of theirfriends.

/nd for some reason" a hu$e rush came over him. +e wasn(t sure if it was an$er" sadness" *ealousy" or what9but a hu$e rush of emotion filled him up like nothin$(s ever had.

8t was over a stupid reason and *ust a stupid replacement of a picture(s place9but it wasmore than that.

+e felt like that all of this showed9that any hope for them was over. /nd that9maybe"$ivin$ somebody who likes him a chance" wouldn(t be so bad.

/fter all9+e thou$ht9+e wouldn(t want to $ive somebody else the same pain that hereceived and hated so much9!o so much.

+ey" unho? ,hat(s up; oon #i asked after unho called her out in front of her house.+ey. unho said" smilin$ at her once she ran out of the house. !o happy to see him9eah; !he asked.

et(s end thin$s. +e finally said.,h9what; !he asked.et(s end thin$s9of what we are. f9bein$ *ust friends.,hat;et(s start thin$s a$ain9as9a couple.

-----------------------

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 011--

et(s start thin$s a$ain9as9a couple.,h9what; oon #i stuttered.ook9oon #i. 8(m98(m really sorry for not seein$ thin$s throu$h your perspective.unho continued. 8 know it took a lot for you to even $et those words out of your mouthand 898 totally *ust i$nored you.:ut-8 totally9*ust9learned to appreciate you. +e said" puttin$ his hands on his shoulders.



/nd9also learned of my stupidity and9blind-ness9 +e said. /nd then he cocked hishead. 8s blindness a word;oon #i raised her eyebrows.h" whatever. unho shru$$ed off the Nblind-ness( word. #ust9would you bewillin$9to try this out; ven9even after-

es. oon #i cut off.,ha;es? !he immediately answered. ou9ou dunno how much 8(ve been wantin$this.unho looked at her and kept listenin$.ver since we really started $ettin$ close9 !he said. This kind of moment was all 8was ever wishin$ for98(m sorry9 +e said. 8(m sorry for9crushin$ it that first time.8t(s okay? !he said" puttin$ his arms down from her shoulder and holdin$ his hands. 8twas worth it.

(know? icky said" lookin$ at &han$min take a nap on the couch who was hu$$in$his laptop ti$htly as if it were a comfortable teddy bear. 8 really think he has a sickness.,ell" $ee? :o/ replied" pivotin$ herself on his lap so she can feed him a cracker. oucan say Nobsession(9but no need to $o so far in callin$ it a Nsickiness(.That9is not obsession. That(s a sickness. +e said" chewin$ the cracker./w? /re you *ealous that &han$min doesn(t need to $o to your room to use yourcomputer anymore;icky leaned his head back. %cuse me?;;; @o" 8 am not 4ealous. 8(m *ust sayin$? +e *ust / loves his new laptop.ovin$ somethin$ doesn(t mean it(s a sickness" hun.ovin$ somethin$ too much would be.8f ya say so?There was a sudden" and momentary silence. @ot an awkward one" but *ust a silence ofeatin$ crackers between the two.

=id you know that 8ndependence =ay will be super easy to remember now; ickythen asked" chan$in$ the sub*ect.,hy(s that;+e then dropped his *aw. +elloooo?? +e patted her head. 8t(s the day we first became boyfriend and $irlfriend9.ike" a$ain? ur / anniversary. !ame day?+m9 !he put her fin$er on her chin. ou would think that the anniversary datewould be easy to remember cus it was on 8ndependence =ay rather than 8ndependence=ay bein$ easy to remember cus of our anniversary9:ut that(s so sweet of you to thinkof it the other way around.icky shook his head a couple times before stoppin$ it to widen his eyes. !ay ,+/T;!orry. !he replied. 8t(s9*ust9,ould you like another cracker;



The front door of The +ouse then opened and in came !tephanie" lookin$ completelytired and e%hausted. !he dra$$ed her feet inside" closed the door shut and tossed her

purse on the couch without even noticin$ she hit the do$.

+ey !teph. :o/ $reeted.+i $uys9 !tephanie responded.ou look really tired. 8s that evil boyfriend of yours tirin$ you out; icky asked.!tephanie and :o/ both $ave him eyes of da$$ers.,hat; +e asked. kay" !. 8(ll cut the crap9$ee7. :ut 8 mean9what else canmake you this tired at X F" huh; 8t(s not like you $ot a busy life outside of =ennis.ou(re lucky 8(m too tired to move anymore than 8 really need to. !tephanie replied.8(m $oin( upstairs. !ee ya later.

!he $reeted the five people who she passed even before she reached to the door of herroom and then closed it with a pinch of hope that it wouldn(t open a$ainLfor she was tooe%hausted to talk to anybody. /nd it was all e%haustion from fi$htin$ with =ennis.!he sat down on her computer chair and leaned her head back" movin$ the chair" left tori$ht slowly.

Bod9 !he croaked. =ennis?? ,ill you please *ust be who 8 thou$ht you were for *ustone day;;;

!he then sat up and turned her head to see9somethin$ different about her desk.

,hat the9 +er eyebrows creased and she leaned over to see that the framed picture ofher and unho was $one9and in that place was a heart-framed picture of her and =ennisinstead.

,hat the f(uck; 8 never9 !he lifted the picture to see that there was a small whitesheet of paper that the frame was standin$ over and it happened to be a note.

!he" subconsciously with an$er" opened up the note and saw that it was from =ennis.

*in+e this was the "irst time I saw your room Just wante- to ie it a tou+h o" me…

"rom me /o&e you lie it. oe you, babe.

,hen was9 !he looked up and thou$ht. 8t must have been earlier in the mornin$ whenhe came over while everybody was still asleep9and she used the bathroom before theyleft the house. >$h. !he said" almost crumplin$ the note up.

!he wasn(t even flattered9she wasn(t even touched. !he was *ust annoyed and an$rythat he had chan$ed somethin$ about her room without her permissionLeven if it were to



chan$e a certain picture.

:ut the picture he replaced9was a special picture. 8t was her and unho and a picturewhere they both a$reed they looked $ood in itLsince" they always ar$ued that if helooked $ood in the picture" she didn(t9and if she looked $ood" he didn(t. !o" when the

new pictures from their school trip to a theme park finally came out" they both a$reed thatthat picture was a $ood one of both of them to$ether.

!he spun around in her chair to face her room and eyed around9lookin$ for where that picture was now placed. !he found it on the dresser with a bunch of other pictures withfriends.

!tandin$ up" she walked over and picked up the frame and looked down at it. :oy did helook cute. ,ithout control" she smiled and used the tip of her fin$er to wipe a little dustoff of the $lass of the frame.

,alkin$ over to her desk" she picked up the picture of her and =ennis and put back theori$inal picture down. There. !he said. "hat’s my desk.

This is so cool?? &haewon sIuealed" pickin$ up #ae #oon$(s old cell phone. 8t(s soskinny</h" that; #ae #oon$ turned around from stuffin$ more clothes into his duffle ba$s. oucan have it if you want.eally;; !he asked.=oesn(t work thou$h.8 can still pretend? !he smiled. Thanks ## oppa?

&haewon" #unsu and +yukkie were all in #ae #oon$(s room" helpin$ him pack for his tripto @ew ork that was $oin$ to take place in about another 4 days. +e was $oin$ for acouple of weeks.

an? @ew ork. #unsu said" holdin$ up a framed picture of the city that #ae #oon$took before he came. y dream home for the future.verybody(s dream home for the future. +yukkie rolled his eyes. 8(m $onna live inOe$as9with !hin =on$ hyun$.+ere you $uys $o a$ain? CiCi said" walkin$ in the room with cut up fruits with forksfor the kids. Talkin$ about the future.om" look< &haewon stood up from the $round" holdin$ up the new phone that #ae#oon$ $ave her. 8sn(t it the skinniest phone ever;;,ow" it is< +er mom replied. =on(t break it.8t(s mine? ## oppa $ave it to me.CiCi looked up at #ae #oon$. 8t doesn(t work anymore. +e answered with a $rin.



:ut you $otta promise me" &haewon. +e continued" lookin$ down at her. nce you$et a real phone number" @ $ivin$ them out to boys unless 8 know about it A8!T?h heck no. #unsu said. 8(m $onna be the first male O that will know &haewon(scell phone number9and 8(m $onna check up on you every sin$le day. /nd every boy

who asks you for a number9needs my approval. +e nodded" protectively.ou told me this a hundred times? &haewon said. /lon$ with every other oppa in thiscra7y house?

8ndeed it was true. #unsu" +yukkie" unho" icky and every other male of The +ousehad told her throu$hout the years how dan$erous boys are9and themselves are the only boys she should ever trust) !he always believed them when she was youn$" but as she$rew older9she became to learn that they were *ust bein$ silly and overprotective.

:ye bye? :o/ waved with a sli$ht pout after she and icky dreadfully approached her front door.8 hate sayin$ bye. icky said. 8t feels sad./w9 !he rubbed his arm. ,e(ll see each other a$ain.=oesn(t KfeelK like it everytime we say Nbye(. +e looked down. 8f only 8 could besomethin$ in your room for *ust a day9ike9 +e thou$ht9and then looked up. ikeyour bed?,+/T;< !he asked" astonished. Areakin( horndo$. !he said" pushin$ his chest.,hat; +e asked with a blank face. h< @<< @ot like that? !heesh. +e rolled hiseyes. >( the horndo$. &an(t believe horny stuff is what you think of8=8/T when somebody mentions a bed.+er cheeks turned red. ,ell?? !he protested. ,ell you(re a B>" 8 dunno? !Kit. !topmakin$ me feel bad for somethin$ KyouK said.Aine fine. +e a$reed. 8 take back what 8 said" too. Aor$et the bed. +m98(d like to be?? our9cat;8 don(t have a cat.Bee7" $et one. +e said. /nd name her !ara.,hy !ara;8 dunno. +e shru$$ed. !ounds like a cool cat(s name./lri$ht icky. 8 think it(s time for you to $o home.!ee; That(s much better than sayin$ Nbye.( 8t doesn(t sound like a forever sorta thin$"y(know;8 $uess9; !he said with a Iuestionin$ tone.+e then lifted up his pinky fin$er in front of her face" pressin$ his lips to$ether.Fromise. +e be$an. Fromise me that we will never say Nbye(9unless we really meanit.,hat9do you mean really mean it; !he asked.,ell" we(d never really mean it9cus we(ll never break up or anythin$9but" *ust promise me that there will be no $ood-byes9and no sayin$ it either. ven if it(s Nbye( or



N$ood-bye( for a little while. :esides9there(s no $ood in $ood-byes anyway. ,e can sayNsee ya later( or N$ood-ni$ht(9but @ Nbyes( or N$ood-byes.( !he took a deep breath and smiled. 8t seemed like a stupid promise" but for somereason9it made her feel warm" secured and $ood. !omethin$ that nobody else wouldknow when she e%plained this very story. /lri$ht. !he $rinned" lockin$ her pinky

around his with a sli$ht $rip. @o more sayin$ N$ood-bye(.

unho walked into his room.

@obody knew of them bein$ a couple *ust yet9and he didn(t feel like tellin$ anybodytoni$ht. ore because he had to or$ani7e his thou$hts and feelin$s out before thin$s $otmore complicated with other people $ettin$ involved9

/nd he stood by the closed door of his room9 /fter comin$ back from oon #i9fromthe $irl he *ust asked out9from the very first moments with his very first $irlfriend9

They said their farewells with a very awkward tone to itLa very stran$e anduncomfortable separation. 8t was a $ood awkward for her9but an awkward for him thathe wasn(t too sure of. +e knew he didn(t feel as stron$ly for her as he did for !tephanie9or rather" as stron$ as how oon #i felt for him" but he knew he shouldn(t be too $uilty because he admitted to himself that it wasn(t like he only saw oon #i purely as N*ust afriend( either.

/nd even thou$h this new Nfirst $irlfriend( of his wasn(t !tephanie as he always ima$inedand dreamed of" he decided this would start somethin$ for him9a be$innin$ tosomethin$ that will end the other somethin$ that(s been with him for too lon$ and wasn(table to throw away9

kay unho9 +e said to himself. !he likes you9don(t do what !tephanie did toyou9/nd then he $lanced over at his desk9to see the note he had written to !tephanie that hewas never able to $ive her. The letter he spent so much time on9the letter that was too polished up to ever throw away even if his feelin$s for !tephanie did evaporatecompletely9

:ut he knew he had to let it $o. /nd throwin$ that letter away was the be$innin$ to it.

f course" he wasn(t 100P over her9but he was fallin$ out of love as well.

=espite how much time he spent on that letter and re$ardless of how perfect he workedhard to make it look" he knew he had to throw it out-- as a symbol of throwin$ the pastaway9



/nd so he walked over and picked it up. +e didn(t even unfold to look at it for the lasttime as he always did before he threw anythin$ away. /nd then he noticed9other thin$sthat had to do with !tephanie were scattered around his room.

+e looked at them9and thou$ht of how pitiful he was to keep all of those thin$s not for

their friendship" but for his love towards her that he would never be able to receive9

ittle drawin$s they made in class9Tiny notes between the two that he pinned up on hiscorkboard" random ori$ami thin$s they made up9Friceless thin$s that could never befound a$ain.

/nd she kept all of these thin$s in her room as well9:ut it was all for a different purpose.!he simply kept them for friendship" he kept them for love.

!o" he thou$ht9 No more

+e $athered the thin$s9alon$ with the love letter9 and walked out of his room.

Throwin$ the letter and these other thin$s in the trash can in his room would for sure $ethim to $o throu$h and fish them out a$ain Y and so" he decided he needed to throw themaway in the bi$" main trash bucket outside The +ouse backyard.

+e held onto them9and $rasped them.

Aor oon #i" for himself and for a new start. +e trashed it all away.

Preiew "or #23T %O4P2 O5 %/6PT27*) ach color indicates different scene.

Jou $uys are...TBT+;<J #unsu yelled with his hands in the air.

!tephanie became fro7en and could do nothin$ but stare at the new couple.

Jeon +ee.J un :i said" puttin$ her hand on eon +ee's shoulder. Jou're a pretty$irl...aren't you a little...bored with Ci :um now; 8t's maybe time to share the $oods"dontcha think;JJ!orry.J eon +ee $ave a smile that was sweet" but obviously fake" intended. J8'm $reedywith the $oods.J



Jeah?J !tephanie smiled" puttin$ her hands to$ether. J8'm...8 am so happy for you $uys.J

J/re you / happy for them;;J !un$ in asked. J8 mean KreallyK. &'mon now"they're not in the room" you can say it.J

JA&>C.J unho muttered under his breath. +e couldn't believe he was standin$ in themiddle of the whole nei$hboord's trashes...all mi%ed to$ether in one bi$ pile...all for one

simple thin$.

J++++ !+8T<<J icky said" slappin$ his hand over his mouth. :o/'s mouth droppedas they both stared down at what he did.Jou are so dead...J !he finally said after a silence that seemed to last forever.

+er tears were kept in and she *ust looked at him. !he didn't even know why there wereany tears to hold in. !he didn't know if it was because she was *ealous and upset aboutthem...!he didn't even know if that's what it was...but she finally let $o of her held in breath as =ennis waited for her to speak. !he then kissed him" lon$ and hard.

J/re you sure you're ready;J

--------------------

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 012--

8 know your eyes in the mornin$ sun? 8 feel you touch me in the pourin$ rain9/nd themoment that you wander far from me" 8 wanna feel you in my arms a$ain? +ow deep isyour love Ghow deep is your loveH 8 really need to learn?? icky san$ the tune to N+ow=eep 8s our ove( as he entered the front door of The +ouse" bouncin$ his basketballinto the kitchen.



icky? CiCi called" walkin$ down the stairs with a basket of dirty laundry. ust 8 put up a si$n in the livin$ room; @o bouncin$ the ball inside the house.8 apolo$i7e. icky said" walkin$ back out with a coke can in hand" raisin$ his otherhand ne%t to his face. 8 vow that 8 will never bounce the basketball in the house.et(s see9 CiCi said" reachin$ the bottom of the stairs and lookin$ up. 8s that the

24th vow you made; r maybe the 2Xth9/bout the same thin$.Aine. icky said flatly" puttin$ his hand down. Fut a si$n in the livin$ room" :>T9+e yelped" pointin$ a fin$er to the sky. 8t(s not *ust me. O:= does it9it(s *ustthat 8(m the unlucky one cau$ht.

Tattletale? &han$min said to icky from the dinin$ table while CiCi walked away intothe laundry room.icky turned around to see &han$min(s back facin$ him in the chair9playin$ with hislaptop9a$ain./ye. icky said" walkin$ over and lookin$ over &han$min(s shoulder. /re you stillon that thin$; =ude9you(re $onna $et like :/8@ cancer from sittin$ in front of it for

so lon$.&han$min looked up at icky and raised his eyebrow. :rain cancer;eah< icky e%claimed back. 8 saw it in a ma$a7ine the other day9they said thereception stuff; Aorces like balls to $row in your brain or somethin$. Arom laptops< ,hatyou(re on ri$ht now.kay9it(s radiation first of all9 &han$min said. /nd 8 believe you have to be on itmore than T,8& of how much 8( on it. /nd ne%t time9maybe if you say the wordtumor instead of Nballs(" it(ll make you sound a little more convincin$.icky $ave a sli$ht smack across &han$min(s head. =o you not know that in Coreanculture" it(s a$ainst the rules of /T8@!+8F! to make your =! feel stupid;r9T to make them feel stupid; &us 89by the way9did not *ust feel stupid.f course you didn(t9#ust9watch out for those bi$ headaches that come alon$9okay; icky smiled" pattin$ &han$min(s back. That(s a si$n of9/=8/T8@ T>!.

>h9no" &hae eon(s so much cuter than +yori. +yori(s $ettin$ old and borin$ now.dward said. +e was one of the (04 boys who were friends of !hin =on$" Can$ 8n and+ee &hul and he was spendin$ the day at The +ouse" watchin$ Corean videos that the boys borrowed earlier the week. They were all in +ee &hul(s room" watchin$ from hisnew TO set that he saved up for) yet" +ee &hul himself wasn(t even present. :ut he wasnice enou$h to let them watch.%cuse me. !hin =on$ said overprotectively. +yori is the B in se%iness okay; &haeeon(s nothin$ compared to my baby. /ll she does is $o on those stupid sell out varietyshows to be fake and read scripts to make her look like she has a cute personality. Fuh-lease9she can try all she wants but she ain(t never $onna be the se%y Iueen.,ould you $uys stop; Can$ 8n leaned his head back and rolled his eyes.+yori doesn(t even act her a)e. =on(t you think it(s about time she should stop tryin$ toact 1U9wearin$ shKt that doesn(t cover what !+>= be covered up; &hae eon



doesn(t neeed to act or pose half naked to be hot okay; dward shot back.&us she(ll never KbeK hot. ook at her nose9 !hin =on$ stared back at the TO screenwhere &hae eon and the rest of M-en were playin$. !he looks like a parrot./t least &hae eon can sin$./ye man9+yori can sin$" okay;

That(s not sin$in$.8? have her &= on for my alarm clock. 8f she sucked at sin$in$" that shKt wouldn(t bewakin( me up man.&us it sounds like she(s havin$ an B/! instead of sin$in$.

8t(s all about 8vy9 Can$ 8n muttered to himself" smilin$ at the camera catchin$ 8vy9showin$ off one of hew new dance moves in the center of the M-en crowd.

ou know what we should do; eon +ee asked !tephanie and :o/ as she was flippin$

throu$h a ma$a7ine on !tephanie(s bed.Bet a car; !tephanie asked back" fi%in$ her ban$s on her mirror. /nd a license mayhelp.,e should take the boys shoppin$. eon +ee responded. 8 really wanna dress Ci :umup.8n what; :o/ asked. ,ell9he does still have a dorky tint to him9eon +ee looked up and shot a $lare.:ut 8 am wron) . :o/ replied back with a scared face.kay9ready. !tephanie turned around with a $rin.Ainally? eon +ee si$hed $ettin$ up.,hat?; !tephanie asked" feelin$ $uilty for their delay a$ain. 8 *ust $otta check myselfin the mirror./nd you look e%actly the same before and after you do? :o/ pointed out as theye%ited the room to $o downstairs.

/lri$ht. unho said before turnin$ his key to the front door. #ust9$et ready for people to freak out.oon #i held in her breath. kay.8 don(t even know why this is such a bi$ deal. unho rolled his eyes. :ut9*ust be prepared. /nd don(t worry9#ut remember9that the worst possible person that can freakout9is actually only icky.oon #i $i$$led. Bot it./nd you know9 +e continued. 8t(s not like we made it over here on purpose to #>!Tannounce somethin$. ou(re *ust comin$ over.eah? !he shru$$ed. Ferfectly normal.Ferfectly. +e smiled. /lri$ht9ready or not" here we $o.+e then turned the keys and held her hand before walkin$ in.

+e had a bit of hope in him that nobody would be home" but what were the chances of



that; 8t was The +ouse) rarely did that happen.

/nd e%actly as he $uessed" there were already 5 people in the livin$ room *ust bein$around. &han$min at the dinin$ table on his laptop" #unsu and !un$min on the couches playin$ video $ames" icky at the corner of the room tryin$ to balance a baton on his

forehead" and eesee on a loveseat eatin$ popcorn and watchin$ the boys play their video$ames.

Breat9 unho said under his breath.

+ey unho. #unsu $reeted $ivin$ a half second $lance in sync with !un$ in. Theireyes immediately went back to the screen and *ust a second later" the two boys turnedtheir heads back to the door9and down to the two hands that were holdin$ each other.

9/re they boyfriend and $irlfriend; eesee suddenly asked.&han$min looked over and icky(s baton had *ust fallen off. =ammit. +e said flatly.

,hat the hay;; &han$min asked of the new couple" not movin$ from his seat.

>h yeah9what the +/; !un$ in stood up and walked over to unho and oon #i.#unsu did the same after he paused the $ame.

+< icky $reeted with a smile and rushed over. ,hat the +/;< +e asked inslow response compared to everybody else after bein$ the last to see unho and oon #iholdin$ hands.

kay okay9it(s not as it seems. unho said" tryin$ to calm everybody down as if therewere fire flamin$ around him. kay" yeah it is. +e finished. ,e(re $oin$ out.

,+/T;< icky(s hands flew up.,+//9:ut9but9 icky stuttered. ,hat about !T- +e then cut himself off when he sawunho(s hard $lare in his eyes.ou $uys are9TBT+;< #unsu(s hands flew up in the air *ust as icky(s did.oon #i9 #unsu said. 8 do KnotK want to be responsible for your parents to be >F!Tand disappointed about this98t ,8 $et to my parents and it ,8 eventually lead toslow death9for me9and /: for you.oon #i $i$$led. 8t(s okay #unsu9it really is.&hill yo. unho said. ,e(ll slowly tell her parents9soon.

!o we(ll $o to Aorever 21 first and then maybe /bercrombie. !tephanie looked back"repeated the $irl(s plan for the clothin$ department stores as the three friends approachedto the bottom of the stairs.:o/ and eon +ee noticed the small crowd around unho and oon #i and their chestsfelt funny in wonder that somethin$ was happenin$.



!tephanie was last to turn her head and see what the other two had *ust seen9

>h-oh9 eesee said as soon as she saw that !tephanie was in the scene.

The rest of the boys turned their heads at what eesee said and also felt the feelin$ of

Nuh-oh( at !tephanie.

h hey !teph. unho said as soon as he saw her throu$h the others. eon +ee9:o/9 +e acknowled$ed the other two as well" who were still standin$ on top of thelast couple of stairs. y first $irl" oon #i. +e introduced with a $rin" holdin$ up thehand that he was holdin$.

:o/ and eon +ee(s eyes moved to look at each other" feelin$ speechless with no feelin$of con$ratulatin$ him at all. The second thou$ht that came up in their minds was!tephanie9who was standin$ a bit below them at the very bottom. They couldn(t see her e%pression" but could $uess it wasn(t very deli$hted either.

/nd they were ri$ht.

!tephanie *ust came to a complete stop. verythin$ about her) her physical movements"her brain and thou$hts and it felt like even her heart as well. !he *ust became fro7en andcould do nothin$ but stare at the new couple. 8t was a shock that overcame her withoutwarnin$9and she had no idea how unready she would actually be.

oon #i pressed her lips and looked around the atmosphere9and how everybody wasreactin$. @obody was speakin$ at all9and it seemed like all focus was on !tephanie.verybody e%cept for unho9who turned to oon #i and smiled. ,ell9now thatnobody else is here" let(s $o to my room. +e offered. !ee ya $uys later. +e told therest and he moved throu$h his friends" past the fro7en !tephanie and up the stairs withoon #i.

The friends still kept silent9until they heard the closin$ of unho(s door.

kie... icky broke the silence. /nd 'The ost /wkward oment of the illenium'award $oes to?

/re they really boyfriend and $irlfriend; eesee asked with a Iuiverin$ voice. unhooppa has a $irlfriend;

,hat; Ci :um asked puttin$ down his keys on the dinin$ table" walkin$ into the livin$room from the kitchen. +e had *ust come into The +ouse throu$h the back door andeesee(s Iuestion was the first thin$ he heard.

>h9yeah. icky said to Ci :um who was takin$ off his *acket. ou *ust missed themost silent tension that has $one throu$h this livin$ room9O. ,hat a freakin(+@. +e said truthfully" bein$ somebody who had no idea what to do durin$ the



tension and really wished he wasn(t there. et" he would(ve re$retted not bein$ home ifsomeone had told him it had happened without him.

89think we should $et $oin$. =on(t wanna miss our bus9ri$ht" !teph; :o/ asked"makin$ an effort to $et !tephanie out of the room.

!tephanie twirled around" her dark copper colored hair swirlin$ with her" and she lookedup the stairs.eah. :ye $uys. eon +ee said" Iuickly walkin$ down the rest of the stairs and pushin$ !tephanie to the front door with :o/ followin$.

kay9 Ci :um said as soon as the front door closed. ,hat *ust happened;

-------------------- S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 01--

,,,,,,,<< !unday stretched the word for nearly an entire" full minute after hearin$ the news about unho and oon #i endin$ up to$ether as an official couple. !hewas standin$ in the middle of her bedroom with +yukkie" who *ust heard as well" and!un$ in" who told them. +yukkie and !unday were upstairs the whole time playin$

cards and didn(t hear what was happenin$ downstairs so they didn(t $o down to witnessthe scene.

!hhh. !hut >F. !un$ in whispered" cuppin$ his hand over her mouth. They(re ri$htne%t door?

!unday pushed his hand off and put hers on her waist. 8 think 8 C@, where unholives after 5 years of bein$ ne%t door to him. !un$ in flattened his eyes.

That(s $ross< !he continued. >$h. 8(m so disappointed in that boyL+e(s $onna hear alon$ talk from me.

,hat(s so bad; +yukkie asked" shru$$in$. 8 think she(s kinda cool.@o she(s not? !unday winced. /ll she does is like9$i$$le9and blush9and look innocent. !he barely talks< !he(s like9one of those cute" doll-lookin$ Iuiet $irls who

seem totally sweet9but nobody really knows what(s $oin$ throu$h their minds9Cindalike a better version of un :i.

u$h. +yukkie made a face at un :i(s name.8 think you(re overreactin$. !un$ in rolled his eyes. #us cus you(re friends with

!tephanie.>h9maybe so but 8 also don(t like her. 8(ve decided this about one week a$o. /nd trustmeLit took a lon$ time to decide. !he(s one of those people who you(re not sure if you

like them or not" y(know;8 suppose. !un$ in a$reed. :ut hey9as lon$ as unho(s happy" ri$ht;

+e(s not happy? !unday said in a tone that sounded as if it should be so obvious thatunho was unhappy. +e(s doin$ this to $et over !tephanie. &(mon !un$ in9you(re a

$uy" you should know.,ell unho wouldn(t $o out with her @ cus of that. +e(s not that shady.



kay" yeah" see; 8f unho(s $oin$ out with her K*usK cus she likes him9don(t you think that(d be shady too;;

es9which 8 know he wouldn(t do so 8(m sayin) maybe he likes her.!ure9yeah9whatever. !ee a$ain; 8f he were to $o out with her *ust because she likeshim then he(d be shady9et when !tephanie re*ected him" in the nicest way possible by

the way" everybody was talkin$ as if she was the villain for sayin$ Nno(9/nd she said it because she didn(t feel that way for him and she didn(t wanna be his $irlfriend #>!T because he liked her. 8f she went out with him" she would(ve been shady too" no;;;

!un$ in thou$ht about it9,ell9everybody did $et mad at her for a while *ust becauseshe re*ected him" which he reali7ed was not a very $ood reason to be mad at her) if she

did $o out with him without feelin$s" he was positive he would be an$ry at that too.ither way" !tephanie was the bad $uy9or rather" the victim.

8 $uess you(re ri$ht. +e said. :ut whatever<< That part(s over now9y point is that8A !tephanie really does not like unho98 don(t think him and oon #i would be bad.

!he doesn(t know she likes him" okay; =uhr. !unday continued. >$h< This is ruined.

y whoooole uphanie thin$ is ruined. eah" okay" whatever unho #un$9Bo be withsomeone else.The three of them stayed silent for the ne%t few minutes. !tandin$ there with their own

thou$hts about the situation as if it was there own. ,hat to do9who to root for9who tonot root for9

,hat do you think they(re doin$; +yukkie then asked. 8 can(t ima$ine him bein$ withsomeone else other than !tephanie.

8(m tellin$ you9 !unday said. !he(s somethin( mysterious. Aor all we know9shecould be rapin$ him in there<<

!un$ in and +yukkie raised their eyebrows and looked at each other.et(s $o check< +yukkie su$$ested e%citedly.

/nd the three of them rushed out of her room and stood in front of unho(s. /nd thenthey put their ears a$ainst his door.

/nd they heard lau$hter" from both of the couple" over somethin$ assumin$ly very

hilarious.

eah98 don(t think that(s what she(s doin$. !un$ in said with his ear still on thedoor.

/nd if she is9 +yukkie continued. +e seems pretty okay about it.

>$h. !unday de-tached away. They sound so fake.The boys stood up strai$ht as well and pressed their lips.

,ell whatever. !unday randomly decided. 8(m over it.!he swirled around and walked back towards her room.



>m9 +yukkie raised his inde% fin$er" followin$ behind her. /re we still playin$N!lap #ack(;;

:ut 8 thou$ht you wanted them to$ether. Ci :um replied to #unsu" who *ust finishedtellin$ the whole story to Ci :um9and also sayin$ how he doesn(t want them to$ether

anymore.eah but that(s because 8 thou$ht !tephanie had no feelin$s for unho at all. #unsu

e%plained. :ut if ya saw the look on her face *ust now9!he definitely $ot feelin$s for him.

Ci :um si$hed and leaned back in the dinin$ chair. h man9eon +ee(s $onna talk about this9all9ni$ht9lon$. 8 can hear her already.

8 should(ve never tried to hook them up. #unsu continued. =ennis isn(t $ood for !tephanie anyway9and 8 *ust broke the chances of her and unho) Bosh dan$it #unsu9why do ya always $otta mess up everythin$;

h please? icky said. ou did the ri$ht thin$. !teph didn(t even break up with that=ennis $uy.

&us she didn(t know she likes unho? #unsu replied.+ow can you KnotK know that you like somebody; 8t(s not that hard? icky rolled hiseyes. 8 think she(s *ust mad because the attention that(s been on her for like a century9

is now o&& .!he(s not mad. Ci :um sat up and eyed icky. !he *ust reali7ed late. 8t(s not her

fault.&ousin9 icky responded. ou(re startin$ to sound like eon +ee9stop it.

,ell it(s true. 8 mean if you lived with somebody for all these years since childhood likesiblin$s9and see them freakin( like92 hours a day925 even9you(re not $onna know

you like them ri$ht away.There isn(t 25 hours in a day? icky nodded his head" rollin$ his eyes9as if Ci :um

had no common sense whatsoever.Ci :um si$hed9sadly at icky. +e *ust decided not to e%plain his fi$ure of speech andlet icky feel smart. +e *ust continued" /nd of course if there(s some hot shot bein$ all

over you9you(re K$onnaK $et interested. ou can(t blame her" ok ;;,ow" you should be a relationship psycholo$ist. #unsu said.

,ell he(s been in the same relationship his whole life. icky said. +e should knowevery speck about one.

!hut up. 8(m *ust tryin$ to help our A8@=! out. Ci :um shot back.

The front door then opened with a loud racket that cau$ht the attention of the three boysand made them turn their heads.

kay $uys9*ust9come on in. y room(s upstairs. icky" who was in $ear with ahelmet" elbow pads and knee pads" a shield pad for the chest and one for the buttocks"

alon$ with his rollerblades on with a hockey stick at hand" $ave the instructions to three



of his friends9who were all wearin$ the e%act same thin$s.

,hat(re you doin) ; icky asked him.h9hey brothas< icky $reeted" lookin$ up and pullin$ up his helmet that was

coverin$ his eyes. ,e were *ust practicin$ for street hockey. =on(t mind us9continue

talkin$.8 don(t mind you98 mind your rollerblades standin$ on our carpet. Ci :um said.icky and looked down and saw that his rollerblades had imprinted mud on their off-

white carpet and his heart winced.kay $uys9 +e turned around to his friends waitin$ behind him. 8 $uess we can(t

have our bi$ rollerblade race in here. /ll back out. +e waved them out.eah" see; icky asked his friends after the front door closed. Feople KsayK he(s

smarter than me9but it doesn(t take someone to point out the mess 8 make withrollerblades on the carpet to C@, that you can(t race with them in the house.

>h yeah. &us it took you to fall off the top of the stairs to learn that. Ci :um pointedout.

icky narrowed his eyes back at him. 8 don't think that's considered &or)ettin) about it.like we discussed.

=on$ +ae9you(re $oin$ to have to $o out !T8. 8 mean9when was the lasttime you wore K!+!K;; #ae #oon$ asked" pullin$ =on$ +ae(s arms from his bed.

ou(re $oin$ insane<8 miss her already9 =on$ +ae muttered. !he(s all the way in Corea9

/nd clearly9not any farther. #ae #oon$ tried pointin$ out" droppin$ his arm. &(monman? 8t(s my last day before 8 $o to @ew ork9can(t we $o shoot hoops or somethin$;

/nd9*ust to let you know9 you really need to shave.+uh; =on$ +ae looked up with confusion in his eyes. !have;

>m9yeah. #ae #oon$ replied" $ivin$ an uncomfortable look at his face. ou(re$rowin$ a beard or somethin$.

,+/T;< =on$ +ae immediately *umped out of bed and rushed over to his mirror and blinked three times before seein$ clearly. /nd there he saw it. +is first speckles of facialhair9$rowin$ around his chin that used to be so fair and smooth) so smooth that all the

$irls called him $irly9until #ae #oon$ came" who(s skin was by far9fairer and smoother.

8 &/@(T :8O T+8!< =on$ +ae yelled with a crack in his voice. Bross9%actly. #ae #oon$ said. !o $o shave and take a shower and stop bein$ such an emokin$. #essica(s $onna come back okay; y basketball(s on your front porch so hurry up

and 8(ll be outside.h alri$ht. =on$ +ae pouted9but a$reed. 8 admit98 was $ettin$ bored. 8 *ust wanted

to seem romantic.ou(re romantic plenty. #ae #oon$ rolled his eyes" $ivin$ =on$ +ae a push. @ow $o.



#ae #oon$ closed the door to =on$ +ae(s house and was $reeted by the beautiful sunli$htthat was shinin$ the whole town today with a clear" blue sky behind it. +e was dressed

for hot weather in a white wife beater that showed off his muscles and some red basketball shorts that came up to the middle of his shin. +is hair was done and he lookedathletic and stunnin$ at the same time. +e smiled at the weather" picked up his basketball

and sat down on the small couch3swin$ that was on the porch and rocked back and forth"watchin$ people pass by here and there and others waterin$ their lawns on the nice" Iuietstreet.

+e rocked and rocked and rocked with his clean" white shoes controllin$ the rockin$when somebody walkin$ by had cau$ht his eye. /nd that person looked back as well9

and then waved.

+ey< !he smiled.

8t was ina.

#ae #oon$ winced to see if was really her9and when it was" he smiled and raised a handfor a $uy-like wave. +ey<

,hat(re you doin$ here; !he ran throu$h the walk way and up the three steps of thehouse and approached #ae #oon$. =o you live here;

@o" no. +e stood up. y friend. 8 live at that one cra7y house on the other street9remember;

hhh yeah? !he snapped" $ettin$ her memory back. !orry9too many thin$s toremember already.

+ey" don(t worry about it. +e $rinned. !ometimes even 8 for$et 8 live there.!he $i$$led.

!o9what(re you up to today; +e asked9hopin$ she wouldn(t be busy. #us roamin(around /lbany;

eah? 8 *ust came back from returnin$ some =O=s at :lockbuster and 8(m about to $ohome.

/h98 see. +e said. Should I ask her to play basketball##,hat about you; !he asked back. h" duh. ,aitin$ for your friend.

,ell9we(re about to $o play basketball9 +e trailed off. ou wanna come;eady? =on$ +ae *umped out of the the front door to his house wearin$ the e%act

same thin$ as #ae #oon$9e%cept his basketball shorts were baby blue. y chin is clean"eh;; +e lifted his face up and pushed it near #ae #oon$ so he can take a look.

8mpressive. #ae #oon$ applauded.h9sorry? =on$ +ae apolo$i7ed when he saw ina. +e then turned to #ae #oon$ and

silently asked who it was.h< +a9yeah" okay sorry. #ae #oon$ replied uncomfortably. >m9=on$ +ae9this is

ina. ina9=on$ +ae.



@ice to meet you. ina $ave a warm smile while shakin$ =on$ +ae(s hand.ikewise. =on$ +ae $rinned back.

eah9she was walkin$ by and so 8 asked if she wanted to play with us.,ell actually98 had a lot of thin$s to take care of at home. ina replied. 8 really

should be $ettin$ back9Thanks for the invite thou$h. 8 really wish 8 could.

h9okay? #ae #oon$ said" disappointed. ,ell maybe ne%t time.Aor sure. !he smiled. 8t was nice meetin$ you" =on$ +ae. 8(ll see ya $uys around.!he turned around to step down the stairs and the two boys followed her.

kay9well? +ave fun takin$ care of business. #ae #oon$ said.+ave fun with the hoops. !he replied. &iya?

=on$ +ae and #ae #oon$ watched her continuein$ to walk down the street. r9#ae#oon$ was watchin$ her. =on$ +ae was watchin$ #ae #oon$.

/lri$ht. #ae #oon$ finally turned around to his friend after ina(s fi$ure haddisappeared into the distance. et(s $o.

/re you sure you don(t wanna wait until she finishes walkin$ down the very Kne%tKstreet too; =on$ +ae replied.

,hat;ou like her" don(t you;;,h- @o<

h come on. ou couldn(t take your eyes off her as if she were naked or somethin$.,ell9maybe 8 was ima$inin$ it.

Fervert.+a< #ust shut up and let(s $o.

kay9Fut that face away because 8 know you(re $onna say Nnothin$( when 8 ask what(swron$. :o/ said" stuffin$ her small spoon into her ice cream as she" !tephanie and eon

+ee were sittin$ in &oldstones at the shoppin$ mall nearby. >nless you(re $onna tellus.

,hat. !tephanie asked back" Iuickly actin$ natural. at your ice cream.ou(ve been silent the ,+ day. eon +ee said. 8t was killin$ me to not sayin$

anythin$ *ust to ruin the mood9The mood of silence.e too98 was waitin$ for eon +ee to speak up. :o/ said" lickin$ the ice cream off

the spoon. &(mon !teph9you $otta feel somethin) about unho and oon #i.ou $uys are overreactin$. es" 8 was a little shocked at first" but that(s completely it.

8t(s re$istered in my head and 8(m very very happy for the both of them.ou only say Nvery( two times when you don(t mean it. eon +ee replied. ,e know

every definition of how you say thin$s. =on(t try to hide it.,hat; 8 like oon #i. 8 think she(s $ood for unho. They(re like9=ouble oons.

h look. +ow sweet of her? :o/ said sarcastically to eon +ee. !he even made their couple-name. That(s very smart !tephanie. 8 was actually tryin$ to think of a $ood way to put their names to$ether and it all sounded weird9or like their names already. Bood9

=ouble oons. That(s9that(s very clever of you.8t(s /!T as $ood as uphanie? eon +ee said.



:ut only almost. :o/ continued. &us nothin$ beats uphanie.!tephanie looked up at that comment. ,hat; =id :o/ mean that nobody was better

with unho than !tephanie;,ell cus uphanie is like the word Nuphony(. @othin$ can beat a word soundin$

couple-name.

/nd it means pleasant sound to$ether. eon +ee added./nd nobody said anythin$. eon +ee and :o/ *us stared at !tephanie9,aitin$ for aresponse.

,hat; !he finally asked. ou $uysL&an we not put the spotli$ht on me #>!T because of this whole unho and oon #i thin$; 8t doesn(t even make sense why you

would. 8 am O9once... !he pointed out to eon +ee that she said Nvery( once. 9happy for them and hope more than anybody else that they(d last for9a really lon$

time.:ut not forever. :o/ cut in.

Aorever. !tephanie corrected.

:o/ and eon +ee looked at each other. /nd eah i$ht was what they said insidetheir heads.

8 mean she was silent allllll freakin( day until we brou$ht it up. :o/ said to icky asthey brou$ht cold water out from the kitchen to the livin$ room when she came back from shoppin$. uckily !tephanie had to meet up with =ennis so that :o/ could talk

about the sub*ect with icky Iuickly as soon as she $ot to The +ouse.

8 dunno man. icky said. This whole thin$ is $ivin$ me a headache. &an we talk about somethin$ else until somethin$ @, comes up; ike9if one of them break up or

somethin(;!teph better break up with =ennis. :o/ said.

/nd they walked over to the coffee table where &han$min(s laptop was sittin$ there9opened up.

!o he finally left it alone9 icky said. +ow brave.ou(re still *ealous over that thin$; :o/ asked with pity. Bet over it" he moved onto

bi$$er and better thin$s. +e(s not into your F& anymore.eah whatever. icky muttered. This thin$(s only fast ri$ht now cus it(s @,. ,atchafter a couple weeks9 +e $estured a fake punch to it. /nd &han$min will be crawlin$

back to my F& he loved so much.:o/ rolled her eyes and finished drinkin$ her water until the cup was empty.

icky continued to $esture punchin$ movements and even kickin$ ones to the computer without actually touchin$ it.

>$h. +e said. Areakin( /F- /nd before he could finish the word9he *erked himself back and forward with hard pressure. !o hard9that his whole cup of water splashed over

his cup and onto the keyboard of &han$min(s laptop.



-------------------- S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 01--

:o/'s mouth dropped as she and icky both stared down at what he did) somethin$ that

can *eopardi7e his life9his future9and his remainin$ time of livin$ in The +ouse. +espilled water upon the keyboard of !him &han$min(s beloved new laptop.

icky stood still" holdin$ his cup and his eyes not bein$ able to blink" *ust starin$ downat the keyboard that was now wet and possibly ruined. +e didn(t want ot know9

Jou are so dead...J :o/ finally said after a silence that seemed to last forever.icky(s breathin$ slowly became faster and faster until he was almost hyperventilatin$.,hat do 8 do;< +e turned to her.&heck if it(s still workin$? !he Iuickly su$$ested.icky swallowed hard and put down his cup" bent down to the coffee table and be$an

pressin$ the buttons on the keyboard while lookin$ at the screen that already had a worddocument set up9perfectly so he can check.

/nd nothin$ started to type. /nd when they randomly did" stran$e thin$s started to showup. /h9ah9/++++++<< icky screamed while sittin$ by now as he continued tokeep tryin$ with a little bit of hope" pressin$ every button with his fin$ers as Iuickly as possible.

,+/T / 8 B@@/ D$;<;;< +e finally spun around in his seat" lookin$ up at :o/.>m9>m9 :o/ tried to think Iuickly" lookin$ around for a solution to *ust pop out of thin air. =ammit icky<< 8 T= you to $et over it<<8 know 8 know 8 knowwwww<< +e $rabbed his hair and be$an kickin$ the $round"nearly in tears.kay" okay9don(t panic< :o/ tried to calm him. >+++++++. !he startedroamin$ her eyes around. icky sat still" out of breath a$ain as if he *ust ran a marathon"starin$ at :o/ for her to save him from death. /nd *ust then" both of them heardwhistlin$ comin$ from the family room9and knew ri$ht away it was &han$min.

icky(s head Iuickly turned to that direction and immediately back to :o/" who(s handwas already on her forehead. kay. !he said. ,e(re $onna have to stall him for awhile" okay; 8( keep him away from his laptop and you-=id you $uys know9 &han$min cut her plan off as he entered the room" readin$ ama$a7ine in hand. :o/ spun around so Iuick that her hair went from one end to theother9and icky shut his eyes ti$htly) he didn(t know why" but he *ust felt like it washis best way to hide at that moment.

That dolphins are the only species besides human that have se% for pleasure; ther thanto reproduce of course. &han$min finished.89uh? 8 didn(t? :o/ smiled bri$htly. &han$min9you are so smart" do you knowthat;



,ell the ma$a7ine is. +e held it up. :ut 8 $uess you can say 8 am for choosin$ to readsmart stuff" ri$ht; +e $rinned proudly./bsolutely? !he a$reed" noddin$ her head in bi$ motions. +e smiled back9andmoved his head a bit to see icky" sittin$ behind her with his head facin$ sli$htlyupwards9and his eyes shut so ti$ht that they looked like tears would sIuee7e out any

second" even if he weren(t cryin$.

8s he okay; &han$min asked" raisin$ an eyebrow.,ho" him;; :o/ asked" lookin$ behind her. h? he(s fine. !he said" $ivin$ icky atiny" unnoticeable kick so he wouldn(t look so obvious. :ut icky(s eyes remained shut.ooks like he should be on a toilet9 &han$min said. /nyway" 8(m $onna $et back towork.%cellent< :o/ clasped her hands to$ether. !ee ya later?? !he waved" not bud$in$from standin$ in front of icky" who was in front of the laptop" where &han$min(sNwork( was installed.>m9+eh9ou(re standin$ in my seat. &han$min said.

:ut98 thou$ht you were $ettin$ back to work< :o/ tried stallin$9with whatever shecould possibly stall with for however lon$ she couldLeven if it was with stupidcomments like she was makin$ ri$ht now.8 am. &han$min replied. /nd where you(re standin$ is where my work is. emember;8 don(t use icky hyun$(s F& anymore;,hich 8 think you should do< :o/ cut in. ook" &han$min9the day is hot but beautiful. The birds are chirpin$ and the sun wants to say hello to you. verybody(soutside playin$ and you are sittin$ here all day on your laptop" you know; =on(t youthink your laptop needs a little break too; +ere9&ome with me" 8(ll buy you a hot do$.!he put her arms around him and be$an walkin$ to the kitchen so they could $o out the back door.:ut- &han$min tried sayin$" lookin$ back at his laptop as they walked.:ut :o/ i$nored and continued" r do you want ice cream; r how about a bur$er;,anna see a movie; /nythin$ ya want. /nd she somehow" successfully $ot &han$minout of The +ouse.

/s soon as icky heard the back door slam shut" he carefully peered and opened oneeye9and then the other when he was sure &han$min wasn(t present. /nd he slowlyturned his head around to face the laptop a$ain. +is eyes looked so sad9so scared9andhis head be$an to throb. +e *ust felt helpless.

8 said 8 was sorry okay; ook" if you want 8(ll take you to three movies. =enniscontinued his apolo$etic speech to !tephanie while drivin$ to his house with !tephaniesittin$ ne%t to him in the passen$er(s seat" starin$ out the window. ou know youditched me to han$ out with your friends too" yo. =on(t act like the only victim. =ude9&an you stop i$norin$ me; ou know 8 +/T the silent treatment. =ammit9can you



*ust at least say you +/T ;;

!tephanie didn(t respond. /ll she was doin$ was leanin$ the side of her head to thewindow and starin$ out at the road the passed by. !he couldn(t even hear what =enniswas sayin$" nor was she an$ry that he skipped their date earlier to han$ out with his

friends. !he wasn(t only an$ry9but she totally for$ot. !he didn(t know what was takin$up her mind" but it definitely wasn(t =ennis. ore like unho" but she wanted to blockout that fact Y /nd so" she had no idea what she was thinkin$ about) but she was thinkin$alri$ht.

/<<<< =ennis finally screamed after three seconds of stoppin$ at a red li$ht.!tephanie *umped in her seat and turned back to him while blinkin$ her eyes as if she hadwoken up from a lon$ lon$ dream. +uh;; !he asked. !orry9what(d you say;

/re you sure your friends are like9 oon #i be$an as she pressed her fin$ers on theseat of unho(s computer chair she was sittin$ in.,hat; +e asked back.kay with us $oin$ out;h pfft. +e waved his hands down as if she were talkin$ nonsense. f course they(reokay with it. (know9#unsu was the one who su$$ested it first. 8(m sure he(s morethrilled than we are.+m9,hy; =id somethin$ seem weird;oon #i looked up. ,as he serious; =id he really not notice that9that awkward" intense"stran$e tension that was $oin$ on when they first told everybody; !he couldn(t help butfeel disappointed that she was the only one who felt it9@ever mind. !he said.unho smiled. =o you wanna $o out and do somethin$; 8t(s a little stuffy in here huh;!ure98 $uess. !he replied. ,ell 8 dunno" we *ust came back from outside. =idn(t youwanna come home and rela%;eah9but it(s really hot in here. ,hatever" we can do what you want. ,e $ot some=O=s downstairs.!he was a little bit hesitant about $oin$ downstairs a$ain Y she didn(t want to face hisfriends after what happened before she came up to this room and she hated that feelin$.!he wanted to avoid them for as lon$ as possible) at least for today.@ah98 don(t feel like watchin$ a movie. !he re*ected. /nd her eyes looked around hisroom Y and she spotted a picture of !tephanie and unho on his dresser. 8t used to be onhis desk" but he moved it there *ust like !tephanie did" alon$ with the rest of his other pictures that stood there. oon #i cocked her head and $lued her eyes to it for a while. !hedidn(t think anythin$ of it in particular" *ust that they both looked nice in it.unho looked at where her vision was and his eyes followed it too. /nd then it connectedto the picture.



h. +e stood up and smiled weakly" walkin$ over to it. This9is nothin$. +e saidand tossed it in the trash can so Iuick that it shocked oon #i. !he raised her eyebrows athis skeptical behavior. 8 didn(t say anythin$. !he said. 8 *ust liked the picture" that(sall.eah well9*ust in case you(re thinkin$ weird thou$hts. +e replied.

8t(s okay unhoLyou don(t have to throw away pictures you had with $irls. 8 don(t care"8 know you have a lot of $irl friends. ou(d have to throw away half your pics if youthou$ht 8 cared. !he pointed out" seein$ that within his many pictures" there were a fewwith *ust $irlsLlike there was another framed picture with his arms around eon +ee and:o/ in hot" spunky sun$lasses" puckerin$ up their lips to make him look like a player"and another one with =ana at her middle school $raduation and one more with !tephanieand !unday at their trip to the beach. /nd of course" since that particular photo of!tephanie and he was so special and meant a lot with stron$ feelin$s" he immediately felt$uilty for oon #i lookin$ at it.

et(s9$o watch The =evil ,ears Frada. +e said uncomfortably.

8 thou$ht you didn(t want to watch it. !he said" referrin$ to how she wanted to see it but he didn(t earlier in the mornin$.eah well 8 suddenly do. +e lied. C9let(s $o.

&han$min(s laptop started its silent $ust of air as it was re-startin$ a$ain for about the 4thtime. icky rubbed his hands to$ether and hoped that somethin$ would chan$e this time"for the last si% timesLthe keyboard remained broken.&(mon9c(mon9 +e said. Bod9if ou / love me9/h< +e saw thedesktop finish loadin$ and he used the small mouse to click on icrosoft ,ord a$ain.

/nd nothin$ had chan$ed.

/B+++++<<< +e an$rily *ammed his fin$ers on the buttons. A/C8@/FTF<< > >8@ 8A<< > TC &+/@B8@ /,/ A /@= @, >( B@@/ /C +8 +/T ;;;; > O89/B++++<< +econtinued to press the keys in an$er. /B+ /B+ /B+++++<<< /nd suddenly" aloud9lon$9low-toned beep be$an screamin$ from the laptop. ,uh9; ickyIuickly took his hands away and put his hands in ti$ht fists up to his chin. The computercontinued to beep and it would randomly start stutterin$ like a skippin$ &=9andcontinue a$ain.

,hat the9 icky(s voice cracked. kay okay 8( !<< +e apolo$i7ed"walkin$ up to it and pettin$ it" lookin$ around to see if there was anythin$ he can do tomake it stop makin$ these weird noises. 8( !<<< F/!<<< !TFF<<<

Ci :um" !un$ in and #unsu walked in the front door from the nearby $rocery store forchips and salsa and the first thin$ they saw" was icky hoppin$ around &han$min(slaptop" apolo$i7in$ like a madman.



8( !<<< 8( @O : /@ /B/8@<<< he was sayin$.

,hat the hell; !un$ in asked.Ci :um raised his eyebrows.

#unsu did the same.

F/! /+++<<< 8( B8O > OT+8@B > @=<< F/!<<icky cried.

icky< #unsu finally yelled throu$h the hectic noise. icky turned his head from hiscrisis.

#unsu9 +e called within a breath. > B>!<<< +e rushed over" $ivin$ his friendsa $roup hu$. > BTT/ +F <<

Ci :um looked down at his cra7y" but helpless cousin and answered calmly" es9yeswe do.

Ciss me? ut of the bearded barly. @i$htly" beside the $reen" $reen $rass? !win$swin$? eon +ee Iuietly san$ NCiss e( from the movie" N!he(s /ll That( as she put acouple &=s in the basket at the store" :=! booksZmusic. !he felt like she neededso many new son$s and was one who refused to download music or movies from the8nternet. !he was an$ry when her father bou$ht her an F player for her birthday" butended up usin$ itLyet only when her friends sent her music or if she copied son$s fromher &=s onto the computer herself. !he felt like downloadin$ was such a easy" buthorrible crime.Ci :um always said that if eon +ee doesn(t $o to heaven" nobody will.

!win$ the spinnin$ step. ou wear those shoes and 8 will- uh< !he felt herself bumpin$into somebody as she slowly" subconsciously walked sideways down the &= racks as shelooked down at an album she picked. !he looked up9and to an un-pleasant surprise" itwas un :i.

+ello eon +ee? un :i smiled.+ello un :i. eon +ee muttered" lookin$ away at another &=" hopin$ that un :iwould leave if she $ot the clue that she didn(t want to chit chat.!o you lookin( for some &=s; Aor somethin( to listen to; un :i asked.@o. eon +ee replied sweetly" lookin$ back at un :i as she turned around to the racks behind her. #ust lookin( for a book9 !he continued with her sweet tone" but filled withsarcasm. ou know9for somethin( to read. !he finished" lookin$ for more &=s.un :i narrowed her eyes at eon +ee) at how pretty but intelli$ent she was and how shetotally *ust do$$ed her. +ow she was the only $irl that really $ot to her) alon$ with bein$



the love of Ci :um(s life. /nd ark(s. +ow it would be like a breath of fresh air if shesaw her *ust suffer for once.

ou know eon +ee. un :i said. 8t(d be nice if we can be friends.+m9 eon +ee stood up strai$ht after bendin$ down to look at one of the lower &=s.

!he creased her eyes at another &= and pressed in the corner of her lips like she wasconcentratin$ on the &=s and barely payin$ attention to un :i.eah98 dunno about that. !he replied" finally lookin$ back at un :i with a strai$htforward face.h; un :i replied. ,hy not; /ny particular reason;eah" 8 don(t like you. eon +ee simply replied" keepin$ that sweet and comfortabletone.un :i(s face flattened at the unbelievable response she *ust $ot. =id she *ust hear ri$ht;8t didn't really re$ister in her head-- @obody's ever said '8 don't like you' *ust like that.>sually people don't say that" un :i thou$ht. /nd eon +ee definitely didn't seem likeshe would be a brave one enou$h to say it.

:ut un :i *ust continued.

=id you know that my cousin is :i(s hairstylist; !he bra$$ed" hopin$ eon +ee wouldwant to $et attached.8 didn(t. eon +ee responded. 8t(s too bad :i oppa doesn(t talk about his hairstylists.,hat; un :i asked" raisin$ an eyebrow.eah. +e(s my second cousin. !he sarcastically lied" sli$htly rollin$ her eyes" showin$that she *ust really" totally did not care./nd un :i(s face flattened a$ain.8 saved your boyfriend from $ettin$ held back you know. un :i reminded./nd 8 thank you9so much. Aor you9spendin$ all that time on my boyfriend. eon+ee replied" indicatin$ that she knows a $irl wouldn(t *ust spend so much time to save a boy from such complication without a heart attached to it. ou(re truly a lifesaver.ou know eon +eeL8 don(t see what your problem is.eah9well" 8 should $et $oin$ now. !he replied.

Jeon +ee.J un :i said" stoppin$ eon +ee and puttin$ her hand on her shoulder.Jou're a pretty $irl...aren't you a little...bored with Ci :um now; 8t's maybe time toshare the $oods" dontcha think;JJ!orry.J eon +ee $ave a smile that was sweet" but obviously fake" intended and kindly placed un :i(s hand off her shoulder. J8'm $reedy with the $oods.J /nd she walked ri$ht passed her.

8(m sorry 8 i$nored you. !tephanie apolo$i7ed to =ennis after reachin$ his house. Theywere in his room and she felt horrible for not hearin$ a word she said. !he sat on his bed



while he was pacin$ back and forth with his hands on his hips" red from an$er.kay. !omethin$ is $oin$ on. +e decided" turnin$ to !tephanie and standin$ still infront of her. ,hatsup.

!he moved her head up to him as he an$rily looked down at her. !he felt so broken today

and it was drivin$ her insane. ike a random dru$ $ot put into her body and she couldn(t$et out of its power.

+uh; +e continued to ask. ,hat the hell is $oin$ on with you these days; ou(rehidin$ somethin$ from me aren(t you;;

!he said nothin$.

+e held her wrist for her to stand up. +e pulled her up a little hard" but not enou$h toscare her. +e put her in front of him and looked down at her with eyes that wanted toknow what was $oin$ on. +e was an$ry and he was frustrated. :ut this had been the first

$irl he(s ever felt this way for.

+er tears were kept in and she *ust looked at him. !he didn't even know why there wereany tears to hold in. !he didn't know if it was because she was *ealous and upset aboutthem.../bout oon #i and unho. !he didn't even know if that's what it was...Thisunravelin$ of confusion was makin$ her more confused and all she could do was stareinto =ennis( eyes. ike she wanted to *ump into the pools of his dark pupils9only to $etaway from her mind and all that was $oin$ on. !he wanted to $et her mind off9

/nd she finally let $o of her held in breath as =ennis waited for her to speak.

!he then kissed him" lon$ and hard.

+e finally de-tached away and looked at her with a stran$e look. ,h- /re you okay;

!he said nothin$9and only hu$$ed him" leanin$ her head onto his stron$" broad chest.

!teph- 89 +e stuttered.

&an you *ust know9that there is somethin$ up; !he asked" her voice nearly crackin$.:ut9not ask me about it; :ecause she didn't know what it was either.

=ennis stood still9and thou$ht. /nd he $ot soft a$ain and put his hand on her back.C9

!he moved her head up to him and kissed him a$ain.

!he kissed him harder9and he kissed her back.



+er fin$ers started wrappin$ around the back of his neck and his hands were movin$from her back and lower by the second.

They continued to kiss and he slowly moved to the bed as he laid on top of her.

/nd then" with much stren$th9he stopped the kiss.

!he looked back at him" silently askin$ what was wron$.

J/re you sure you're ready;J +e asked9sincerely for the first time in his life. S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 015--

J/re you sure you're ready;J =ennis asked9for the first time in his life. @ever" in his whole entire se% life" did he once ask this Iuestion to a $irl before makin$

love. akin$ love; ore like *ust $ettin$ some pleasure from their bodies.

+e wasn(t a vir$in) he had been sleepin$ around with $irls since he was barely 15 yearsold and ever since then" he(s only dated them to result in se%.

,hich was what he had in mind for !tephanie as well" when they first be$an to date.

/nd he thou$ht that(s all he wanted9until this very moment.

9 !tephanie looked back with no answer. +er heart was beatin$ rapidly" but only because she was nervous" hectic-minded and completely un-stabled) not because she was

in love.

/nd she knew it" too.

!he let out a si$h and =ennis knew she wasn(t ready for this. :ut he knew if he hadn(tstopped them to ask in the first place" she wouldn(t have stopped either.

:ut he didn(t re$ret stoppin$" because he now saw that she wasn(t ready.

!orry9 !he finally answered. 8(m sorry9

eah9 he *ust said" sittin$ up.

There was no specific words" but they knew it wasn(t $oin$ to happen9and it was for the better.

89think 8 should *ust $et $oin$9 !he hesitantly said" makin$ herself in a more proper position and pickin$ up her purse. ou don(t have to take me9



> =8= K,+/TK;< #unsu e%claimed after hearin$ icky(s whole story about thehorrid dama$e he(s done to &han$min(s beloved laptop.

8 know<< icky wailed. ,+/T / 8 B@@/ D$ B>!;<kay okay. =on(t panic *ust yet. Ci :um be$an. !o :o/(s $ot him out so farL$ood.,e(ll $et this to a computer technician and $et it fi%ed before he comes back. ,e(ll *us

call Can$ 8n hyun$ for a ride.8mma te%t :o/ ri$ht now to keep her stallin$. !un$ in said" standin$ up to $et hiscell phone.

/nd everybody moved like preparation for an attack.

!o you(re Can$ 8n9es9 Can$ 8n $rinned weakly at :omi(s $randfather who was sittin$ with such an

intimidatin$ face" ri$ht in front of him across the dinner table. +e was meetin$ him for

the very first time and was more nervous than bein$ punished by his father" because:omi always told him how much power her $randfather has in the family about everydecision made) even the lovers of his $randchildren.

+er $randfather cleared her throat and looked away as if he was displeased.

Can$ 8n wasn(t sure what to do. +e was dressed formally" sittin$ properly and tryin$ his best to keep $ood eye contact with respect for the elder. ,hat was this $randfather

lookin$ for;;

Brandpa? :omi said. 8 know you(re disappointed that 8 $ot a boyfriend durin$ your three year trip to !wit7erland without your consent" but Can$ 8n is the best boyfriend thatany $irl can ask for? !he turned to Can$ 8n" who looked back at her with hope. 8lease

save me%

+e was the one who !&>= me from that pool a lon$ time a$o when 8 couldn(tswim. emember;; 8 almost drowned;; 8f it wasn(t for Can$ 8n" your $randdau$hter

wouldn(t be here today?

+er $randfather looked back with a shocked look. ,hat did you say;; :ecause of this boy;; ,hat do you mean because of this boy; 8t was our ancestors from above who

saved you< ou(re already mi%in$ thin$s up because of himLou dishonor us

Can$ 8n swallowed harder than he(s ever done and faced down to his knees.

8(m sorry. :omi apolo$i7ed. et me re-phrase9 !he cleared her throat and smiled.,hat 8 really meant was9ur ancestors sent a ,@=A>" !T@B" and

brraaaaaaave hero9and it was Can$ 8n.

Can$ 8n turned to her a Iuick $lance and smiled. ven if he knew that what she said was



an over e%a$$erated term" he felt $ood.

!o9is that the reason why; :ecause he saved you;; +er $randfather asked.

,ell? no? !he said. +e(s $ood to me $randpa? +e takes care of me" he(s there for

me9+e loves9 !he then trailed off. !he thou$ht about what she was about to say9when she reali7ed that even durin$ their two and a half year relationship" Can$ 8n hasnever said that he loved her. +e(s said sweet thin$s that maybe interpreted love" but never

did she hear the words 8 O > come from his mouth.

!he knew it was a bad time to be thinkin$ hard about somethin$" but she couldn(t help it Y !he *ust reali7ed it and it was now $oin$ to be on her mind for a while.

Can$ 8n kept starin$ at her with his eyebrows raised" waitin$ for her to finish convincin$her $randfather that he was $ood boyfriend.

&learin$ his throat uncomfortably" :omi(s $randfather looked left to ri$ht between thetwo and noticed somethin$ stran$e Yand so he decided to chan$e the sub*ect.

/nd Can$ 8n9 +e said.

Can$ 8n(s head shot a turn. es;

,hat do your parents do;

i$ht before he was about to answer" *ust to his luck" his cell phone be$an to rin$.

:omi turned and $ave him a stern look and Can$ 8n felt his heart drop to his stomach.

+e swore he turned his cell phone off Y so he wouldn(t rudely interrupt this importantdinner that would determine his future relationship with :omi" but indeed he didn(t turn

it off.

-reat%+i)ht when he was )oin) to ask me somethin) about me.

+er $randfather purposely cleared his throat a$ain9hard9and in an intimidatin$ way"$ivin$ a look to Can$ 8n.

Can$ 8n shut his eyes closed and slipped his cell phone out of his pocket to turn it off"and ri$ht beforeLhe checked to see who it was.

K!>@B 8@K K !>@B 8@K K!>@B 8@K 8t blinked.

Can$ 8n simply i$nored it and pressed the end button.



8(m so sorry9 +e apolo$i7ed9be$innin$ to $ive the end button more pressure to turnit off completely. :ut ri$ht before it would turn off" it be$an rin$in$ a$ain.

KahemK 8 suppose it(s important9 +is $randfather said. Bo and pick it up. +ee%cused passively and rolled his eyes up to the ceilin$.

@o 8 was *ust Y Can$ 8n stuttered.

#ust answer? That rin$tone is $ivin$ me another headache.

Can$ 8n looked over to :omi9and she *ust e%pressed with her face that it(s okay.

kay then9 Can$ 8n said" slowly standin$ up. 8(ll be back Iuickly9

+e turned and tiptoed out of the kitchen nervously.

:oth :omi(s $randfather and :omi watched him leave.

!he turned back to her $randfather9and he turned back to her. /nd winked.

+uh; !he asked.

/nd her $randfather smiled. 8 knew our ancestors would find the perfect match<

=inner will be in *ust a second okay; :ear with my father for *ust a few minutes9:omi(s mother comforted when she passed Can$ 8n in the hallway where he was $oin$ to

answer his phone.

+e smiled as she turned into the kitchen.

,hen he was finally alone" he Iuickly answered the phone. 8t was still !un$ in. ou better be dyin) .

8(m not. !un$ in replied. :ut icky may be really soon<

,hat;

kay9to make a lon$ story short" he seriously K*ackedK up &han$min(s laptop. ,eneed to $et to a computer technician @,. &an you take us; ,here are you;

Can$ 8n closed his eyes and put his hand on his forehead. "his% is what you called mefor;



>hh9yes? ,here are you;

ou really9really do not care about me do you;

,hat;

=on(t you @T recall; ou helped me pick my T8 to wear today to : somewhereC8@= of critical .

There was silence9and Can$ 8n knew !un$ in probably $asped silently and droppedhis *aw because he for$ot. /nd pretty soon" he $uessed he would say ops9

oops9 !un$ in said.eah. Botta $o and don't call me. :ye. +e shut his phone.

=ammit? !un$ in wailed.!hin =on$ +yun$" !hin =on$ +yun$. Ci :um Iuickly replied" $ettin$ the hint that

Can$ 8n couldn(t drive them. +urry up<<kay okay< !un$ in Iuickly dialed the number.

+urry it up? !hin =on$" in his sun$lasses" said once they stopped in front of thecomputer technician(s place. 8 $ot people to meet9places to $o9 /nd before he

finished his sentence" Ci :um" icky" #unsu and !un$ inchar$ed out of the backseatinto the store.

+oly9 !un$ in said.

The line looked so lon$ that icky wondered if a superstar was waitin$ at the end to $iveeverybody auto$raphs. +e felt his stomach swirl and tears creep the sides of his eyes.

,e(re never $onna make it. Ci :um said. et(s $o to the other one in :erkeley.

+urry it up? !hin =on$ repeated" once they reached to the second store. 8 $ot peopleto meet-

es< icky cheered. @o line<M&>! << M&>! < +e called when reached to the front counter.

Ci :um Iuickly ran$ the bell that sat in front" $ettin$ a clue that that(s what you needed



to rin$ to $et customer service.

ay 8 help you; /n employee walked over to the boys.

es. Ci :um took the laptop out of !un$ in(s hands and set it on top of the counter.

,e accidentally spilled water on the keyboard9is there any way we can fi% it;

!ure" no problem. #ust leave it with us9and pick it back up in about one week.

@ ,C;< They all e%claimed in sync.

es9 The employee said" lookin$ left to ri$ht in response to their astonishment. 8sthat a problem;

+ ? !un$ in plopped down on a chair" icky looked to the ceilin$L$ivin$ up"#unsu bit his fin$ernails nervously9and Ci :um tried to think of somethin$ Iuickly in

that time and spot. 8s9there any way we can $et it fi%ed by sooner; +e asked.

+ow much sooner; The employee asked" e%pectin$ two days in the least.

ike9in the ne%t9hour; Ci :um asked" his voice crackin$.

The employee(s eyes widened.

r9two; Ci :um stretched the time limit. aybe9three;

8(m sorry" that(d be impossible. ,e repair our thin$s in order and-

8s there any way; /@ way at all; ,e(ll pay e%tra. ,e(ll9we(ll buy your dinner< ,e(lldo anythin$?? Ci :um pleaded.

8(m sorry9there(s nothin$ we can do. The minimum days it(d take would be at least days.

Ci :um si$hed9 kay9thank you.

/fter the employee walked away Ci :um swirled around to his friends" who *ust stoodthereLdependin$ on Ci :um" feelin$ hopeless. Ci :um $ave them a look. ,e $ot one

more option" $uys.

+ey. !tephanie $reeted icky" who was workin$ on his iffel Tower made from pu77le pieces with &ookie watchin$ him while restin$ by his side. 8s anybody else home; !he

asked.



@ope. +e answered" lookin$ up at her after he put in the pu77le piece he was workin$on. 8(m hun$ry. &an you make me some Festo; 8 like it when you make it.

Festo. Festo. Festo. =id she ever want to make it a$ain; /fter the bad memory from thelast time she made it9even the sound of Festo made her feel a little Iuee7y.

!orry icky. !he apolo$i7ed. 8 dunno where the recipe for it went.

h< +e yelped" standin$ up. 8 know another copy. 8n unho hyun$(s room<@o9 !he said" trailin$ off" but it was too late. +e had already run upstairs faster thanli$htnin$. !he $uessed she couldn(t do anythin$ about it now9and could only hope that

icky wouldn(t find the recipe. !he *ust sat herself down on the couch and &ookie *umped on top" settin$ her body a$ainst !tephanie(s. !tephanie smiled and be$an

caressin$ the do$Lfeelin$ nice and peaceful. Fhysically anyway.

&ookie9 !he be$an. &ookie whimpered back" liftin$ her head from !tephanie(s le$and lookin$ up. ,hy is my life so complicated all of a sudden;

icky; !he asked" openin$ the door to unho(s room after icky hadn(t come down for nearly 15 minutes. !he opened up to him di$$in$ throu$h one of unho(s bo%es where he

kept certain" random thin$s. verybody knew about that bo%) if you want to findsomethin$ in unho(s room" that bo% was the first place to look in.

=id*a find it; !he asked" walkin$ over and sIuattin$ down ne%t to him.@o9 +e said" disappointedly and sat down on the floor" $ivin$ up. 8 $uess he left it

somewhere really private.eah9 !he replied. +ey" how about 8 make you ac n &heese instead;

+m9 +e thou$ht" pressin$ his lips to$ether. &an(t compare to 8esto9 Lbut okay. +ea$reed with a satisfied look. &haewon(s $onna come home soon so can we make some

for her" too;ou $ot it" buddy. !he smiled" pettin$ his head. ou $o run downstairs" 8(ll be there in

a sec" okay;icky $rinned and stood up to run out the door.

!tephanie" still in her sIuatted position" $lanced down at the bo% ri$ht ne%t to her.!o he didn(t have their recipe where he always used to have it9

@ot in the bo%.

,here would it be;

aybe he stashed it away somewhere more private like icky said; aybe9somewheremore special;

!he let out a deep breath. ou are such an idiot9 !he said to herself. !he didn(t knowwhat she was referrin$) to sittin$ in his room like this9or what9; ettin$ him slip ri$ht

out of her fin$ers9; ,hatever it was" she truly meant what she had *ust said.



!he decided that there was no more reason to stay in the room9and icky was hun$ry.!he was about to stand up" when somethin$ else in the room had cau$ht her eye.

!omethin$9somethin$ that hit her so hard as soon as she laid her eyes on it.

+er vision kept still9at his trash can.

+is small" short" white trash can9that she can see inside of.

/nd inside was a framed picture.

The picture that was so special to both of them.

!he felt her breath bein$ cau$ht and her head became di77y. ,as she seein$ ri$ht; =idtheir picture / $et moved9or rather thrown away into the dumps with the rest of

everythin$ he =8=@(T need;

+er eyes teared up with no control at all9as she moved herself slowly to the trash can.

Arom her sIuatted position" she knelt down in front of it" her hands shakin$9and liftin$the picture up.

uckily" only paper balls were thrown in the trash can and nothin$ sticky or $ross had $otonto it" but even if it did9she wouldn(t have noticed. !he $ripped it ti$ht" and a tear

rolled down her c h e e k. =id even their friendship not matter anymore;

+ey ick" wsup; unho said walkin$ to the bottom of the stairs with oon #i.+un$ry. icky replied miserably" chin on his hands.

unho lau$hed. !orry to tell ya" but we already ate. aybe 8(ll make ya somethin$. +esaid" runnin$ up the stairs to his room" two steps each" oon #i behind him.

The bottom of !tephanie(s eyes be$an to Iuiver) Arom sadness to madness her tears weretransformin$ into. +ow could he;

/nd *ust then" the door opened. The door opened and she swun$ her head around.

unho stood at the door9To see !tephanie sittin$ in his room" starin$ at him with piercin$" but hurt eyes9and tears streamin$ down her face.

--------------------

S E A S O N T W O.



--chapter 016--

unho stood at the door9To see !tephanie sittin$ in his room" starin$ at him with piercin$" but hurt eyes9and tears streamin$ down her face. !he looked devastated. +e

had never seen her look like this ever before.

,h9 +e be$an. +e then turned around once to look at oon #i" who stood behind him" pu77led at !tephanie(s presence and her face of pure sadness. !he tilted her head a little

more to take a better look9and found that !tephanie was sittin$ in front of his smalltrash can and she remembered how he tossed the picture away to make her feel better

earlier that day9

un- oon #i be$an.,hat(re you doin$ in my room; unho asked !tephanie" cuttin$ oon #i off. ,hy(re

you $oin$ throu$h my stuff;

!tephanie stood up" picture in her hand. /nd he $lanced down to see it.+is heart winced and he felt like he had $otten cau$ht for a crime that he(s been tryin$ toescape for years. &au$ht and soon to be punished.

!o 8(m not invited to your room anymore; !tephanie asked. !tephanie and unho werealways invited in each other(s rooms. They never had nothin$ to hideLeverythin$ aboutthemselves were known to each other. !tephanie was more invited in his room than any

of his friends9or even his little sister. +im askin$ her what she was doin$ in there was aIuestion that had never been asked9and as simple as the Iuestion itself was" it felt

awkward and painful for the both of them.ou(re $oin$ throu$h my stuff. +e *ust said" walkin$ towards her Iuickly and makin$an attempt to snatch the framed picture in her hand9et she backed it away faster so he

couldn(t reach it.Bive it back. +e ordered.

,hy do you need it; !he asked" $ivin$ stren$th in her eyes. ou were $onna throw itaway anyway.

+and it over. +e said. +and it over and $et out.,hatever9 !he said under her breath and walked passed him" not $ivin$ back the

picture./< +e yelled" so loud that his echo bounced off the walls and throu$hout the house.

Bive me the fKckin picture back.@o" !he be$an" turnin$ around. This was $ift to you9and you don(t want itanymore. 8t only takes up space on your dresser; Aine. :ut this frame and the film to

print another damn copy of this !T>F8= picture out costed me @ and time and 8(m not $onna see it *ust $et thrown away9okay; !o you *ust 8B@ the factthat 8 was *ust here and continue with whatever you(re doin$9and consider T+8! thrown

away. !he yelled" holdin$ up the picture when she said Nthis(.,TA is your problem. Bive it back.

&onsider it $one. !he repeated. ike you wanted it to be.h 8 did? +e replied with an$er.

!he looked back at him" shocked" at his sudden response.



8(ve considered that thrown away a @B /!! T8 /B alon$ withOOOT+8@B else when > threw away what we had from the very be$innin$.h pleeeease? !he replied" stretchin$ the sarcasm in her voice. =on(t put that shKt onme" unho. That whole situation was soooooooooooo over like ten years a$o and we even

!O= it" okay; ou even $ot a $irlfriend? ,+/T was there left to throw away;

%cept for this of course. !he finished" referrin$ to the picture9which eIualed to their friendship.

/nd before he was about to respond" he saw over !tephanie(s shoulder that oon #iIuietly walked out" closin$ the door. +e creased his eyes and felt sorry" si$hin$ at what a bad boyfriend he was9makin$ her see all this already after bein$ to$ether for such a

short time. et" he didn(t run out to catch her either.

ook what you did. +e said to !tephanie" pointin$ to the closed door.!tephanie turned her head around a$ain after also lookin$ at the door that *ust closed.

=id what; !he asked.

unho *ust took a deep breath. #us $imme the damn picture. +e said" reachin$ for the picture a$ain.@o. !he responded" swiftin$ her hand away.

ook. +e said. esolved; 8 don(t think anythin$ was resolved around here? aybeyou were resolved.

eahLaybe because you(re the one who brou$ht up resolvin$ shKt first" ri$ht; =on(tthink 8 didn(t feel any tension *ust because we a$reed to not have a weird wall anymore"man. 8(m not stupid and 8(m not blind and you are @T very $ood at actin$. :ut9 !he paused9feelin$ the first si$ns of cryin$ a$ain9+er voice started to IuiverLand so she put more stren$th in it to cover it up. :ut 8 thou$ht that if we kept everythin$ under thecarpet and never mention it a$ain9it would be okay. 8t would be alri$ht. That the whole

Nno more weirdness( a$reement would eventually come true and that our fKckinfriendship would $et back to where it was and not up in the dumps. 8 thou$ht we weredifferent" unho. 8 thou$ht that even if one of us =8= have a little more feelin$s than

friendship towards the other9it wouldn(t ruin what we had before? 8 thou$ht we were=8AA@T.

eah" well obviously we(re not. +e finally said with attitude. 8 tried $ettin$ over youand it was hard9and you saw it9and you didn(t care. +e said with a voice of fury.

ou *ust went on? ike 8 was *us another one of those boys who liked you. ,ell $uesswhat" 8 $uess 8 was. ou *ust heard about me havin$ feelin$s for you and you i$nored thatfact like it was nothin$. The only different treatment 8 $ot was that 8 $ot to see you withsome other fKcker more than any of those other $uys who liked you cus 8 have no choice but to live in this fKckin house with you and you(ve been actin$ like 8 don(t even livehere. 8 thou$ht we were different too" 8 really did. 8 thou$ht that because you may havethou$ht of me as someone *ust at least a 8TT :8T !F&8/" you could(ve9youcould(ve met him somewhere else &or prom9or have him drop you off somewhere

T+ than 8B+T at #essi(s hospital9or stop talkin$ so damn loud in your room withhim where everybody can hear you. (know9it didn(t even /TT to you that 8 had

feelin$s for you" huh; ou dunno how much this made me reali7e what a messed up bKtch you are.



h okay? !he replied in a fi$ured-out voice that was sarcastic. 8 see9!o 8(m the bKtch of this whoooole stupid drama while you(re the poor prince charmin$ who $etsi$nored while 8 have a fun life without thinkin$ about you or how you feel. eah" that(s

how it is. !he continued" not believin$ that he could say she didn(t care that he hadfeelin$s for her9when she tried so hard to make it easier for him while she had another

boyfriend. ou" who never told me directly or solidly in the first place" have feelin$s for me9and 8 apolo)ize to you as much as 8 fKckin eat meals for re*ectin$ your aKK cus 8didn(t have A8@B! for you" at / by the way"9and then 8 continue havin$ a lifeand a boyfriend" whom 8 be$an a relationship with even be&ore 8 knew about you likin$me from the be$innin$9 and livin$ in this house has made it hell for you and @

you. eah" alri$ht. That / *ustifies somethin$ like this" unho. 8t really does. !hesaid" holdin$ up the picture. 8 really cannot care any less about how you feel towards me

anymore" whether it be how you think of me as a $irl or a friend. ither way" youcompletely shattered my ima$ination of who you are and what we were.

Trust me" that(s been shattered for me a looooon$ time a$o. ,ho you really /;; 8s @T who 8 T+>B+T 8 liked9and 8 cannot :8O that 8 actually spent all that

precious time and ener$y on >9> and your !A8!+" :KT&+ /KK !A. +elied.Bood< !he replied without hesitatin$. &us you dunno how B/= 8 am that 8 &inally

$ot you off my back< !he lied back. /nd that you $ot yourself a sweet" cute" little$irlfriend" who 8(m assumin$" is the T> love that prince charmin$ finds after he

reali7es what a bKtch the bKtch actually was.ou know what" AK&C you. +e said" pushin$ her shoulder.

@o" fKck /$ . !he immediately shouted back" *ammin$ her pointer fin$er onto hischest" tears re-formin$ in her eyes. /nd today(s your >&C day cus you won(t ever

have to worry about the bKtch comin$ in your room9and lookin$ throu$h your preciousstuff ever a$ain. !he finished before turnin$ around to leave" slammin$ the door to his

room as hard as she could.

unho(s stomach twisted once the door slammed and his foot stepped forward to $o after her9

+is nose stun$9and he re$retted every sin$le word that had *ust come out of his mouth.

+e knew she was ri$ht. +e knew she had no fault the entire time. !he didn(t like him back" so why should she have been with him;

AKck9 +e muttered under his breath" facin$ up with his eyes closed. /nd he picked upa random pillow that was ne%t to him and threw it at his dresser full of other framed

pictures as hard as he could9and they all knocked over" makin$ a loud crashin$ sound9 but so Iuiet compared to all the chaos $oin$ on inside of him.

So that’s how he &elt%We really did chan)e% !tephanie walked out of his room withtears in her eyes that were held back the whole time9and that were now finally free to

fall. !he then saw oon #i" waitin$ in the hallway. Aor some reason" her presence irritatedher that minute9and she didn(t even want to say sorry.



!orry9 !tephanie mana$ed to say" wipin$ away her tears. :efore oon #i couldrespond" !tephanie turned around and Iuickly went into her own room.

oon #i had heard everythin$. /nd9she wasn(t too surprised. !he had felt somethin$

stran$e between the two9and especially at everybody(s reaction when they had told their friends about them bein$ to$ether9!he knew somethin$ was weirdLshe *ust didn(tknow what.

=espite it all" she was on the ver$e of knockin$ on unho(s door when she heard the loudcrashin$ sound.

!he decided that he probably wanted to be alone9and decided to *ust home9

!o9this is our very last choice. Ci :um said to his friends" standin$ in front of a tall"lar$e apartment. 8 know somebody who fi%es computers.

icky" #unsu and !un$ in all turned to each other with e%cited smiles.:ut9 Ci :um said. +e char$es like a thousand dollars.

,+/T;< !un$ in asked. ven the !T! don(t do char$e that much.8 know9:ut that(s why he $ets no business9but he thinks that once somebody comes"he(ll $et enou$h money to spend for the rest of the month or somethin$. 8(m not really

sure what his deal is" but he(s super e%pensive.!o what(re we $onna do;;; icky asked. ,e don(t have a thousand dollars? ,e don(t

even have S200<<That(s why 8 saved this choice for last. Ci :um said. ,e(re *us $onna have to

ne$otiate.

#ust then" Ci :um(s cell phone be$an to vibrate. 8t was a te%t messa$e from :o/Q

672 YO4 84Y* 5I#I*/29 Y2T?:

8t(s :o/. Ci :um shut his phone after readin$. 8 think she(s desperate9we better hurry up.

an9 &han$min said after swallowin$ a bite out of his third hot do$. This is soooo$ood. 8 haven(t been this close to heaven in /!.

:o/ smiled weakly. !he had *ust spent nearly fifty dollars tryin$ to stall him and keephim distracted. !he was nearly losin$ hope9and money.

!o" why are you bein$ so nice to me; +e asked.+uh;< :o/ responded with shock.

Bee79 &han$min said at such shock in her response. 8s somethin$ up;@o?? :o/ said. &han$minL+, many times do 8 need to tell you; 8t(s cus you(re



one of my favorite don$sen$s and 8 *ust never had a chance to han$ out with you9at all?ike9alone?

kay whoa? &han$min backed away. /lone; 8(m sorry nuna9but 8(m $onna stayloyal to icky hyun$. ou and 8 can never be9+ 8C! > ! >&+<

:o/ rolled her eyes. eah" &han$min. 8t(s cus 8 like you. !he said sarcastically.

,ell if T+/T(! not it9,hat is it; 8 know somethin$(s weird. +e said" scratchin$ hishead. 8 *ust can(t fi$ure it out98 mean you(ve been takin$ me to the movies" buyin$ meall the food 8 want" played pool with me) 8 really appreciate it and allLbut this is $ettin$

a little funky.:o/ held in her breath and made a face while listenin$ to him as her fin$ers were

nervously $raspin$ onto each other. 8 mean9why would you do that to #>!T me; +easked.

kay. !he finally let out her breath. &ome here and sit down for a second. !he knewsomethin$ had to be told) &han$min wasn(t stupid9and he needed to hear somethin$

ri$ht then and there. icky nor any of their friends were si$nalin$ her that they were near finished and time was tickin$9There had to be some kind of confession9or he(d find

out the harder way and become more an$rier.C &han$min9 !he be$an" scared to her very bones. =on(t freak out" okay;8 dunno? +e shru$$ed. / depends on what it is.

#ust9promise me you won(t hurt anyone. !he said. !he then saw him have a plasticfork in his hand from the chilli chese fries he *ust finished. emme take that for you9

!he said" takin$ the fork away and puttin$ it behind her back.,hat is it;; +e asked.

&han$min9 !he be$an. 89es;;

our9laptop9 !he $ulped.h my $od9 +e said" rela%in$ his tensed muscles in his face" but with more tension in

his eyes. ,hat about my laptop;898 accidentally spilled water over the keyboard. !he lied9closin$ her eyes shut. I

cannot believe I like Micky this much%

> ,+/T;< +e immediately stood up" all thin$s on his lap fallin$ to the $round.> A/C8@ ,+//////////TTTT;<;<;;<<

&han$min?? !he stood up" attemptin$ to calm him down. 8(m so sorry<< 8t was *ust soopened and my hand *ust bumped into somethin$ and9and98(m so sorry?? 8 swear 8(ll

$et it fi%ed</+++++++<<<< +e yelled. ,+ 8! 8T;< B ><<<<<<<<<< +e pointed to her with ra$e. >>>> O8888<<<< /+++++<<<<<< +is face had literally turned

as red as a tomato.&han$min please?? !he be$$ed. 8 promise 8(ll fi% it<<

,<<< +e be$an. / B8@B +< @,<<<<<<<<<<< +e $rabbed her wrist" spunaround in the direction for The +ouse9and char$ed home.

!chool9how is your schoolwork; :omi(s $randfather asked Can$ 8n after he set hisspoon down. +e was makin$ Can$ 8n feel more uncomfortable than ever before. Can$ 8ncould barely touch his food. specially how her $randfather was sittin$ ri$ht across from



him.!choolwork;;; Can$ 8n(s voice cracked" lookin$ up. +er parents $i$$led to themselvesat how nervous he was. !orry9 +e cleared his throat. 898 $et strai$ht /(s. r98 did

durin$ my *unior year. +e $rinned proudly. 8(m tryin$ to $et into !tanford.+er $randfather made a stern" disappointed face. +i$h standards. @ot $ood. ur

ancestors always said that if hi$h standards are made9you cannot reach9and if youcannot reach9you $et nowhere<Can$ 8n swallowed hard and he felt little sweat bubbles form on his forehead.

:omi $i$$led to herself as well9knowin$ her $randfather was $ivin$ Can$ 8n a hardtime on purpose. 8t was so funny to her to see how nervous Can$ 8n could $et. !he had

never seen that side of him and it felt a little $ood that all this nervousness was for her9

,hat are your dreams9 +er $randfather continued. /nd why are you not eatin$; =oyou waste food;;;;

@o< Can$ 8n replied. 898 *ust9 +e decided to *ust not say anythin$ at all. +eswallowed a$ain and looked down9and be$an to eat another spoonful of rice.

!o9dreams;;; +er $randfather asked.Can$ 8n(s head shot up a$ain. =reams9 +e didn(t want to say bi$ dreams anymoreafter the whole Nhi$h standards( talk came out9but he didn(t want to say anythin$ toolow either. ,hat could he F!!8: say;;; 898 want to be a teacher< +e finally

spoke. 8 love kids.

+er $randfather made that same disappointed e%pression a$ain. ,ron$ reason for teachin$9 +e said. ou must teach for T/&+8@B9not for the love of children. +e

cleared his throat in that intimatin$ way a$ain and lost his eye contact with Can$ 8n"continuin$ to eat his food.

Can$ 8n pressed his lips9+e wanted to cry.+e *ust looked down to eat his own food.

/nd as he continued to eat9little drops of rice kept fallin$ off his spoon and plate. +ewas nervous that he looked too messy9so everytime they dropped" he looked up to see if

anybody was lookin$" especially her $randfather" and he would push the little drops of rice beneath his plate.

/t least you eat neatly. +er $randfather said" browsin$ around Can$ 8n(s area.Can$ 8n(s heart *umped up and his face lit up. Thank you?

&han$min F/! &/ =,@<< :o/ pleaded as he dra$$ed her up the stairsto The +ouse.

&/ =,@;< +e spun around with ra$e in his eyes. 8A > , 9,>= > : &/= =,@;<

9es; !he asked with a smile.



/B+++++++<<+e $rabbed his key and *ammed it in the door and swun$ it opened.

:o/ shut her eyes" knowin$ that the laptop wasn(t $oin$ to be where &han$min saw itlast. Well%there )oes my li&e% she thou$ht.

+ello? icky smiled" wavin$ from the couch when he saw &han$min throu$h thedoor.

:o/ slowly opened her eyes9to see icky sittin$ so comfortably9and #unsu" !un$in and Ci :um simply doin$ their own thin$s9like nothin$ ever happened. /nd the

laptop was ri$ht where it was from before this chaos happened.

&han$min i$nored icky(s $reetin$ and rushed over to his laptop9and :o/ looked aticky with panickin$" Iuestionin$ eyes. ,hat was $oin$ on;

,hat(re you Ktalkin$K about; &han$min turned to :o/" after tryin$ his laptop out.

There was no water on it?

9.>h9 !he stuttered.

icky then stared at :o/9=id she T on him;;;8t(s workin$ fine? &han$min said" typin$ random thin$s. That(s impossible if water were to topple on it. ,ere you tryin$ to $et me upset because 8 spent too much time on

it;; +e asked" smilin$ and wa$$in$ his fin$er at her. ou sneaky nuna.

,ait" what;;; icky asked.&han$min turned to him. our B8A8@= pretended like she spilled water on mylaptop. icky looked at :o/9touched. !he scared the 8O8@B@!! outta me?

&han$min continued. 8(m takin$ this upstairs. +e closed his laptop" kissed it" and wentupstairs.

:o/ si$hed a si$h of relief9,+,.

ou9 icky said. ou really did that for me;;:o/ turned to him and smiled. es?? !he said. 8 didn(t want you =8@B.

+e stood up and walked over to her makin$ a sad" touched" lovin$ face.h stop it. :o/ said once he approached her and held her hands. :ut you better

appreciate it? 8 thou$ht my life was over.+e smiled and tears formed in his eyes. /nd he hu$$ed her a bi$ bi$ hu$. ou are my

hero? :o/ lau$hed9and hu$$ed him back. 8 promise that if you ever dosomethin$9 +e said. 8(ll take the blame for it.

/+<<< !un$ in cleared his throat loudly. ,+ were the ones who tried to A8M itfor you;;;

icky broke the hu$ away from :o/.



8 love you $uys??8 owe you a bi$ one? +e said to his other friends. B>F+>B????

@o" 8 think 8(ll pass on that one9 Ci :um said.!o how(d you $uys fi% it; :o/ asked.

@B story. !un$ in said. #ust know that we did?

8 love you $uys???? icky repeated. 8 love you $uys?????

That was a wonderful dinner. Can$ 8n said to :omi(s mother after he finally andnervously finished the last bit of his plate. 8t was delicious.

/s lon$ as you en*oyed it. !he smiled" takin$ the plates back.+e $rinned9and then $lanced at her $randfather to see what his e%pression was. +e was

*ust lookin$ at a newspaper. Bood or bad" Can$ 8n didn(t know" but he felt a sense of relief.

+ere" let me take your plate. +er mother said to Can$ 8n./nd she lifted up his plate9To find9/ circle of rice on the table.

8t was from hidin$ the littered rice under the plate throu$hout his dinner<

:omi slapped her hand on her mouth" tryin$ to prevent from lau$hin$" her mother $i$$led" her $randfather $lanced from the newspaper9and Can$ 8n turned beet read.

@ot even a clean meal. +er $randfather said Ndisappointedly.( 8nside" he actually foundit rather cute.

+ey oon #i9 unho said once her voicemail came up. 8(m so sorry about whathappened earlier. 8 swear 8(ll make it up to you9/re you $onna be free toni$ht; ,hy

don(t we $o somewhere;

!tephanie laid in her bed.+er cell phone has run$ countless of times. /s always. any people always called her to

han$ out. :ut today" she was oblivious to all of them. !he didn(t answer9nor did shehave the ener$y to turn it off. !he *ust lied down9thinkin$ about her and unho.

!he turned her head9and saw the picture she took from unho(s room sittin$ on her littledresser. !he now hated it. 8t made her sick9and it reminded her how unho had

suddenly chan$ed9and apparently" so did she.

!he didn(t want to look at it anymore. !o she picked it up" opened the drawer to thedresser and stuck it inside. /fter closin$ the drawer" she turned around in her bed9and

decided to *ust take a nap9/way from everythin$ for at least a couple of hours.



8t seemed like none of it even mattered anymore9

Jeah...J icky said" still sittin$ in the kitchen after an hour had passed since he asked!tephanie for food. J8 really need to learn how to cook for myself.J S E A S O N T W O.

--!ide !tory--

kay are you $oin$ on by yourself; The ride operator of the mini ferris wheel asked 5-year-old icky as he was the ne%t person in line to ride. r do you have someone to ride

with;@ope. #ust me? icky replied. +e turned around and pointed to 2-year-old icky who

had *ust finished cryin$ and was bein$ held by his mother. That(s my little brother

icky. 8f he comes on wif me9he(s $onna start cryin$. Then you(re $onna have to stopthe ride. Then everybody will start cryin$. /nd 8(m $onna feel embarrassed.9k9 The ride operator responded" not sure what the point of his story was. !he *ust

asked if he was ridin$ alone" but she *ust shru$$ed it off. 8s anybody in line ridin$alone;; !he walked throu$h and asked the rest of the small children who were waitin$

an%iously for their turn.,e(re ridin$ to$ether? / couple $irls told the ride operator.

/lri$ht? !he replied. /nybody9$oin$ alone;;

/ small" but perky voice spoke up with a hand raised. 8 am?The ride operator looked and icky turned his head to see. 8t was a little $irl. / little

/sian $irl.

Breat? The ride operator smiled. ou two can $o in to$ether?

n*oy the ride and stay seated? The ride operator told the two kids once she finishedlockin$ and securin$ the door to their car.

kay? icky replied with a $rin.

/nd up they went.

!ittin$ across from each other.

#ust the two of them.

icky *ust stared9and inspected the $irl.

!he looked about his a$e and she was cute.



+er face was small and her skin was milky and white. +er hair was up in half and camesli$htly passed her shoulders. !he had on a white t-shirt with a pink heart on it and her

eyes seemed to be lookin$ anywhere KbutK at icky.

Ainally9he be$an to speak.

,hat(s your name; +e asked.

The $irl(s eyes shifted to his.

:o/. !he replied.

h. icky said. +ow old are you;

Aive. !he said.

h. +e said. +e usually liked to make friends first9but always felt awkward if they$ave short answers like she was doin$. :rr%she’s kind o& borin).

m% :o/ looked back and inspected icky herself.

+e was cute.

+e had on a navy blue polo t-shirt with some car$o pants and his hair was in a bowl cut.

:ut a sort of fluffy bowl cut. / kind of style that fit his face perfectly. !he thou$ht it waskind of weird sittin$ with him" *ust a stran$er" and felt a little annoyed at her older sister

who was too tall to ride this9but9he seemed nice9so far.

8(m five too. +e finally said. y birthday was on a !unday.

h. :o/ replied. n a !unday; +ow many !undays a$o;+e seemed a little dumb9so she didn(t bother to ask more thorou$hly about the date of

his birthday.

=o you have a little brother; +e asked.

@o. #ust a sister.

8s she little-er than you;

@o. :i$$er.

h. 8 have a little brother.

h. 8s he cute;



@o. ou can have him if you want.

98t(s okay9

The ferris wheel then be$an comin$ down from its first round around. :o/ put herself a$ainst the ca$ed wall and waved when she saw her parents and sister wavin$ e%citedlyat her from the bottom. +i??? !he yelled back" wavin$9and smilin$ for her pictures

to be taken.

ick-keeee??? icky(s mother and father sIuealed in their Corean accent9wavin$ aswell.

icky *ust smiled and raised his hand for a Iuick second as the ferris wheel be$an $oin$up its second round.

ook< 8(m up at the top<< :o/ yelled to the bottom9like all the other kids were oncethey(ve reached the top.

icky raised his eyebrows at :o/(s enthusiasm. Bee79the ferris wheel isn(t that $reat.-irls% he rolled his eyes.

ick-Cee??? +is parents sIuealed a$ain as the ferris wheel came down. :o/ wavedhappily a$ain to her parents9but icky *ust looked at :o/ and didn(t say anythin$ to

his parents.

>m9 :o/ said once the ferris wheel reached the bottom and be$an its third round. 8think your mom was sayin$ hi to you.

8 know. +e responded.

+ow come you didn(t say hi back;

8(ve been doin$ that all day. +e said.

:o/ thou$ht9and she a$reed. ,ell9it(s fun?

!ure; +e said.

:o/ pressed her lips to$ether9and she looked out the car a$ain when it was $oin$ down.+i mom????

Aor the last time9the ferris wheel be$an to $o up.

/nd there was silence in the car.



The two kids were *ust9lookin$ at each other. @ot knowin$ what to do or say.

Ainally9the wheel $ot near the top a$ain. @either of them were sayin$ hi to their parentsanymore.

8t was *ust silent.

/nd a$ain" icky was the first one to break it.

&an 8 kiss you;

:o/(s face shot back at him with a look of shock. ,hat;<

/nd without hesitation" icky kissed her lips as Iuick as li$htnin$ and sat back in hisseat.

:o/ put her hands on her lips and her eyes were wide opened.

Bee7. 8m not a $host. icky said" referrin$ to her shocked eyes.

:o/ kept silent. !he was still re$isterin$ everythin$ in her poor" innocent mind.

That was her first kiss. +er very first kiss. /nd she didn(t even know this boy<

=on(t tell on me" okay; icky said as the ferris wheel finally came down to the bottomand stopped.

The ride operator opened the door and smiled at the kids. ut this way" please? !hesaid" pointin$ to an e%it door.

icky turned to :o/ for one last time and waved.

:ye? +e smiled9and out the door he left.

/re you comin$ out; The ride operator asked :o/9who still hasn(t bud$ed with her hands still on her mouth and heart still beatin$ Iuick.

:o/;; +er mother asked behind the $ates.

:o/ finally snapped back to reality9and she slowly $ot up and stepped out of the ca$e.!he looked scared and terrified9+er family was confused because they remembered her

bein$ so e%cited in the ride. ,hat must(ve scared her so badly;

:o/9; ou okay;; +er mother asked" holdin$ her hand as :o/ e%ited the ride.

ommy; !he looked upLon the ver$e of tellin$ her what had *ust happened.



Don’t tell on me, okay##7 !he remembered he had said.

es honey;; +er mother asked" waitin$ for what her dau$hter needed to say. !helooked pretty desperate in need for someone to talk to.

:o/ then looked ahead9and saw icky skippin$ away *oyfully" holdin$ his mother(shand as well. !he couldn(t believe she(ll never see her first kiss a$ain.

8 wanna $o eat ice cream. !he *ust said" chan$in$ her mind about Ntellin$ on him(.

kay? :ut illie wants to $o to the bathroom first so we(ll $o after that.

8t was :o/(s very first kiss.

/nd icky(s as well.

/nd neither of them had mentioned it to anybody about it since that day.

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 014--

8 can(t believe oon #i had to $o to Corea. That was so random. icky said" loadin$the ice bo%es in the back of +ee &hul(s !>O. +e opened it up and took out a $rape soda

and popped it open.

8 know. unho replied. 8 was shocked when 8 $ot that messa$e from her. !he says it(scus her parents have some business stuff to take care of9but 8 don(t think that(s it.

,hat else would it be; !un$ in asked. !he(s not some adult who can *ust leavewhen she(s depressed or somethin$.

+er parents always have random stuff $oin$ on. #unsu e%plained" loadin$ one of themany $rocery ba$s. !he(ll be back soontime. Bood thin$ we(re $oin$ to the beach

today. 8t(ll $et your mind off stuff. +e patted unho on the back.

!ure9 +e saidLand he looked over at !tephanie who was helpin$ !hin =on$ withdirections from the map she printed from the 8nternet. I& ;she’s; there, my mind will

de&initely not be calm. he thou$ht" annoyed. <reakin’ )ives me the worst headache ever.

Bee7 unho. icky said" lookin$ at his friend. ou look like you(re plottin$ amurder?

+uh; unho looked over. h9yea9um. 8(m $onna $o $et more ice.



8 can(t believe ## oppa can(t come? eesee wailed to her sister as they sat side by sidein the van that !hin =on$ was $oin$ to drive. +e(ll be so sad9

8t(s okay? &haewon rolled her eyes. +e(s $oin$ to see his family in @ew ork. +eeven told you to have fun" remember;!till. eesee said with a sad pout.

=o you have your camera ready to take pictures for him;eesee smiled and picked it up. up?

!o today was the day for the beach. !adly" #ae #oon$ couldn(t make it due to his trip to @ew orkLbut he had convinced everybody that he was e%cited *ust as they were to be

$oin$ back home. /nd he was.

/nd other than him and #essica" who was still in Corea9everybody else was $oin$.%cept for $rown-ups of course.

verybody were all dressed in casual" summer clothes with their swimwear underneathand everybody smelled like sunscreen lotion. 8t was a happy day full of e%citement for everyone. veryone e%cept for two people) !tephanie and unhoLwho were still un-

resolved from their fi$ht from the day before9/nd especially unho" who was feelin$sorrier than ever for oon #i" whom he couldn(t even meet with afterwards9plus had

$otten a phone call from her that she had to $o to Corea for possibly the rest of thesummer9

eon +ee and them are in the other van. +yukkie said to !tephanie" who was sittin$ atthe very back of another one of the vans" at the corner" lookin$ out the window with a

miserable look on her face and her white ipod earphones plu$$ed into her ears. /re ya *ust $onna ride with us; +e asked" lookin$ over" sittin$ in one of the sin$le" middle

seats.

8(m too la7y to move. !he replied.

,hy are you so down;

!tephanie si$hed and was *ust about to answer somethin$9when she saw unhoapproach the doors to the van. +e was the last person she wanted to see.

/re you9sittin$ there; unho asked coldly.

!he *ust rolled her eyes and looked out the window. /nd then a thou$ht clicked9and sheshot back at him. /re you;; !he asked.



>h9no9That(s why 8 left all my thin$s in there.

!he si$hed.

,ell you can sit there. !he pointed to the other sin$le seat in front of her" ne%t to

+yukkie. 8(ll move your stuff for you if you would like.

:efore unho could respond" #unsu char$ed into the van and sat himself down to where!tephanie su$$ested unho to sit.

#unsu; !he asked. ,ould you mind if unho sat there; ou can sit here with me.

8 can(t sit in the back? #unsu e%plained" lookin$ over at her. 9ou9don(t want meto barf on you now" do you;

+ather that than /unho% !he thou$ht.

,hy don(t you *ust move to another car; unho asked her. 8 was $oin$ to sit here inthe first place" anyway.

8 came here first.

,e decided that we were sittin$ in this van.

8(m sorry" 8 didn(t know we had assi)ned seats.

#ust $et out?

@o?

/B++++<

>B+< !tephanie $ave a sli$ht slam in her seat from frustration.

>m9 icky" with his brand new dark tinted circular sun$lasses on" tapped unho(sshoulder from the back. /re you $oin$ in;

/re you $ettin$ out;; unho asked !tephanie. &us 8 reealllllllly do not wanna sit inthe same vehicle as you.

,hat a coincidence? !he smiled. 8 knew we were always alike.

,ill you *ust BT 8@;< Can$ 8n thundered to unho from the drivers seat. !he can(t$et out okay; The other cars are leavin$. !top bein$ such a $irl and hurry up.



unho turned his head to see the other van and the !>O leavin$ The +ouse already.dammit%

,ell; ,hat could he do;

verybody was waitin$ for him9

,ith very much effort" unho stepped up to the van and moved to the back seat9

n the other side of the seat9as far away from !tephanie as he could $et9attachin$himself to the walls and the window.

,hy thank you. icky smiled at unho(s $esture. Bivin$ me as much room as possible. +e said" lookin$ at the middle seat9which was now his.

icky plopped himself in between !tephanie and unho and +yukkie closed the van

door.

/lri$hty?? Can$ 8n announced" :omi sittin$ ne%t to him. +ere we $oooo???

unho crossed his arms and turned to his window.../nd !tephanie turned to hers.

:ut in the center" icky $ave a hu$e $rin9

Can$ 8n turned the music on9

/nd the van made its way9/way from The +ouse and to the beach? S E A S O N T W

O.

--chapter 01X--

>m9yeah. icky finally said after a 15 minute" awkward ride of silence. &orrect meif 8(m wron$9but 8(m be$innin$ to think that there(s *ust a little bit of tension in here9+e said" pointin$ left and ri$ht to unho and !tephanie.

unho was *ust hu$$in$ a random pillow that was in the van" starin$ out the window9and !tephanie was listenin$ to the music in her ipod lookin$ out the window as well9with misery.

8t(s ruinin$ my trip?? icky wailed.

That(s it. +yukkie said.

+e then bent down and picked up a camcorder. nce this turns on9everybody is $oin$to look happy. kay;;;



eady<< icky said. Fress play<<

kay9and /&T8@< +yukkie announced and the red li$ht of the camcorder turnedon.

+i #ae #oon$?? +yukkie said while roamin$ the camera around the van.#essica too< #unsu yelped once the camera reached him.+i #essica?? +yukkie said. ,e miss you two very very very much and don(t want youto miss a second of our trip. ,ell9as of now" we are on our way to ,inston :each and 8KknowK 100P of everybody isn(t in this very car" but9everybody important is. +ehehe.>m?? +ello?? icky said. &ould you Kho$K the talkin$ any lon$er;h yeah. !orry. +yukkie said and then focused the camera to icky(s face" who smiledwith his sun$lasses still on. #ae #oon$98 am thinkin$ about you this O moment.ook. +e then brou$ht up the mini fan that he and #ae #oon$ had bou$ht and turned iton" blowin$ his hair up in the air. +ow(s @ew ork &ity;;; /re ya even there yet;;; /re

you eatin$ KplaneK food;k9movin$ on. +yukkie moved the camera over to unho.+ey<<< 8 wasn(t done yet? icky said. @o fair. +e $ets to talk for however lon$ hewants cus he has the camera.unho; +yukkie asked" i$norin$ icky. !peak. 8t(s #ae #oon$9and your dear littlesister.unho sli$htly turned his head to the camera. +ello #ae #oon$. +ello sister. /nd heturned back to the window.+yukkie turned the camera around so that he was filmin$ his own face. unho and!tephanie are in misery at the moment. ,hy you ask; 8 KthinkK because they can(t standthe fact that they(re fi$htin$9but9that(s *ust my wild $uess.,ell you(re wron$. unho spoke up.h< +yukkie e%citedly said" turnin$ the camera back to unho. adies and$entlemen?? The silence of unho #un$ has A8@/ been broken. This9is a hu$edeal. es unho. !peak. !peak your mind. ,hy must you be so down;8 think she(s downer. icky said" pointin$ his thumb to !tephanie. :ut $o ahead with=own first9then we can $et to =owner. +a. They(re N=own and =owner(.:oth !tephanie and unho turned their heads to icky with a $lare.!huttin$ up9 icky sadly said" lookin$ down.,ill you $uys *ust make up; :omi asked from the front. This is killin$ me.+ey" 8(m not mad cus of her. unho be$an. ,hy would 8 waste my an$er on her;;Then why are you so an$ry" my friend;;8(m *ust upset because9 unho trailed off. :ecause98(m pissed because9#unsu" icky" +yukkie and :omi turned their heads to him and waited for an answer.8(m *ust annoyed that9 +e said" tryin$ to think of an e%cuse.

!ilence9

&us oon #i left; Can$ 8n asked" drivin$.es<< unho clapped his hands. 8t(s cus oon #i left for Corea. That(s why.



,ell KthatK took a while to fi$ure out" didn(t it; icky pointed out" whistlin$ at theceilin$./nd !tephanie; +yukkie moved the camera over to a !tephanie who still lookedmiserable" eyes $lued to the window. &are to say your reason; r9at least a hello;!he(s upset cus unho didn(t wanna sit ne%t to her. icky $i$$led.

!tephanie shot her head over to icky a$ain. kay9really9shuttin$ up. +e said" *erkin$ back with his hands up as if she were to hit him.

!our9 &haewon frowned after she waved to the car ne%t to their van" but $ot i$nored.!weet< eesee sIuealed when the person she waved to" waved back. /nd then she$i$$led" kickin$ her feet up happily. 8 like this $ame?

8 used to play !weet and !our all the time when 8 was little. :o/ smiled. !ours are sorude.8 know" really? eon +ee said. 8t doesn(t break your hand off to wave back to littlekids. h hey $uys" look< !he said to the kids. There(s !tephanie and them comin$ ne%t

to us. ,ave to them??&haewon and eesee waved enthusiastically and in return" $ot a more enthusiastic wave back from icky in the van.,ow" he(s double sweet. :o/ said" raisin$ her eyebrows at his e%cited $estures.

/h??? 8T(! T+<<< icky *umped" movin$ his body across !tephanie(s to put hisface a$ainst the window so he can wave to eesee and &haewon. /wwwww. y littlecousins.+e then pointed his fin$ers to them to $et :o/ to look over" too.

+e then saw her eyes $lance at him. !he smiled and $ave a little wave.

/nd what KsheK $ot in response9was" /www? +ahaha. eon +ee said" lau$hin$ athow icky responded.

+e had sli$htly stood up as much as possible and brou$ht his two arms over his head tomake a heart" $ivin$ an open mouthed $rin.

/lri$ht icky) ou(re super sweet and very very cute and everythin$9but you(re kindasuffocatin$ me. !tephanie said" bein$ pushed a$ainst the wall by him. 8 think she $otyour heart now.h. !orry. icky apolo$i7ed" sittin$ back down in his seat. +m. aybe 8 should(vesat with them instead9then maybe 8 wouldn(t have to be ridin$ in an Kan$erK chamber.

aybe Stephanie should(ve rode with them. unho said.(know9aybe you need to $et over it and stop usin$ that to take your an$er out onme about oon #i9apparently. !tephanie replied" rolin$ her eyes. /nd 8 dunno howlon$ it(ll actually take you9but we(re on a trip. aybe you could consider takin$ thatstick out your aKK too.&amera(s still rollin$ $uys9 +yukkie Iuietly reminded them.



h K8K have a stick up my aKK. unho lau$hed.

,o0t<<< ,e(re here<<< #unsu cheered when he saw the beach approachin$. h9!orryyou couldn(t have your comeback unho. +e apolo$i7ed9and slid opened the van doorto $et out.

>$h. unho said" $larin$ at !tephanie.>m yeah. 8(m $onna $o now. icky said. &iya.

/nd the two of them $ave each other one more dirty look before followin$ the rest out ofthe van.

!o???? ,here in @ew ork are ya plannin$ to stay;; / very feminine" pretty black

man asked #ae #oon$ as their plane was still in fli$ht.h. 8 live >pstate. +e replied back. ou;h 8 live all over? 8(m yan by the way9but that(s chan$in$ to enee.89see9 #ae #oon$ responded uncomfortably" takin$ the handshake. 8(m #ae #oon$.Feople call me ## for short.##. Bosh? ,hat a cute name.9Thanks9!o much better than :ob? +e rolled his eyes.,hy9; ,ho(s :ob;;h my boyfriend. ,e(re on very bad terms.8(m sorry9+is se%ual skills *ust went sooo downhill. 8 think he(s checkin$ out )irls now. >$h.That9must suck.h it does? yan said. 8 mean back then when we were first to$ether;;; ,e were basically makin$ >!8& in bed9@ow;89think 8 $ot it. #ae #oon$ cut off. !o are you plannin$ to break up with him;+m9 yan smiled" lookin$ up and down at #ae #oon$. ,hy;; ,ould you like meto; +e $ently put his fin$ers around #ae #oon$(s face.#ae #oon$ widened his eyes and slowly turned around. $h -od%

,ow<<< !tephanie nuna(s so $ood<<< icky e%claimed" watchin$ !tephanie ride the *etski across the ocean in her shorts and turIuoise bikini top. !he looks hot too<8 bet unho oppa(s fallin$ in love all over a$ain? &haewon blushed" lookin$ at unhowho was sittin$ on the sand with a towel wrapped around him while watchin$ !tephanieride.Bosh" why can(t they *ust be to$ether; :o/ asked" lickin$ some whipped cream off her fin$er. 8t would make everybody(s life so much easier. h9and theirs too.+ello?? /re you $uys for$ettin$ that they both have lovers;; =ana asked.They(re not KloversK. icky rolled his eyes. They aren(t in love.es< !unday a$reed" slammin$ her hand on the table. !tephanie and unho would be



lovers.8 remember when 8 first fell in love. eon +ee said dreamily.,hat" that time with your cousin; Ci :um snorted.!hut up" 8 was like 6 okay; eon +ee shot back. /nd he was really really cute.8t(s perfectly normal for Corean kids to fall in love with their cousins. :o/ said. 8

remember 8 had a cousin who 8 liked too. 8 said 8(d marry him9and then 8 found out hehad a $irlfriend and 8 cried for a week./www9 verybody said.eah9 !he said. 8 know.:o/. icky said" holdin$ her hand up. 8 have a confession to make.!he looked back.89am your cousin.F>+/+/+/+/. verybody bursted into lau$hter.,hat;;; icky said" lookin$ around. #ust wanted to make her wish come true.8 remember when &haewon had a crush on her cousin9 Ci :um said" winkin$ at hislittle sister. &haewon looked up from her ba$ of chips and her eyes turned to fire. =on(t

say it9 !he said.,hat;;; &haewon had a crush on a &>!8@;; icky asked. ,+;;;ppa !TF 8T?? &haewon be$$ed to her brother.,hat; 8t(s okay9it was when you were like 98 T+8@C9unless you still like him.Ci :um *oked.>h oh??? =id &haewon like ick;;; eon +ee asked.@o<<<< &haewon said" turnin$ as red as a strawberry. FF/<<< !he screamed" pushin$ her brother.h my $oodness?? icky $rinned. &haewon had a crush on KmeK;;ou did " unni;;; eesee asked.8 didn(t????? !he persisted.Ci :um continued to lau$h. !he was all askin$ me if it was okay if cousins can $etmarried./,,,,, verybody cooed.@> >+??? !he tried to convince everybody.8t(s okay &haewon?? icky went over and put his arm around his cousin. 8f both ofus don(t $et married when we(re 0??? ou can marry me?,,, @<<< !he pushed him away.&haewo9don(t worry. 8(ll $ive him up for you if you / want him. :o/ teased.8t(ll *ust cost a couple bucks.h my $osh?? &haewon said. 8 didn(t? /B+<<<kay okay $uys. Ci :um said. ,e(re $onna make her cry.8(m not? !he said" crossin$ her arms. /8!+? !he turned around and stomped away.

w<<< =ana screamed when she felt somethin$ hit her on the back of her head. !hespun around from the table she was sittin$ at and found &han$min *o$$in$ over with asmile. +e approached them and bent over to pick up the volleyball that he and some ofthe other $uys were playin$ with. ,hew" thanks. +e thanked =ana.Thanks;< !he asked. Thanks for what;; That really hurt<<Thanks for stoppin$ the ball from $oin$ any further. +e tapped her back9and without



apolo$y" he turned around to run back to the volleyball net.

=ana turned and faced back to the others with an astonished face.eon +ee si$hed dreamily. ou $uys are meant to be?

/w =ennis? !tephanie said into her cell phone" stepped away from her friends whowere all starin$ at her from the tables while eatin$ their sandwiches" hot do$s" or bur$ers.8 miss you too baby?

icky raised his eyebrows. :aby; +e asked. ,hat is she" like his mom;

kay okay9bye? !he smiled and flipped her phone shut. /fter she slipped it in her

pocket" she spun around to see every sin$le one of her friends havin$ their eyes $lued toher. %cept for unho" who was actin$ like his lunch was all he was focusin$ on.

,hat; !he asked.@othin$9nothin$. verybody responded" rustlin$ back to their lunches.,e didn(t hear a KT+8@BK. icky said.

#ust then" =ana felt a hu$e splat on her back. ,<< !he yelped and spun around a$ain.!he looked down to see a water balloon on the $round. ,hat the heck;< !he asked" pickin$ it up9and seein$ that &han$min was the one who threw it.ops? +e said.

h that(s it. !he threw it down on the $round and walked over to the bucket of water balloons with fury in her face.,uh oh. &han$min said once he saw her reaction and he be$an runnin$ towards thewater.=ana picked up two water balloons and raced towards &han$min into the water with himand throwin$ the water balloons as she ran in.

The others looked at each other with ea$er faces.

,/T :/@ A8B+T<<< icky yelled.

/nd everybody went in to $et their own weapons.



The sun be$an to set after the 2 and a half hour water balloon fi$ht had finally finished. @obody was dry and everybody had stripped down into their bathin$ suits. / couple starswere already twinklin$ and the sky was mi%ed with purple and oran$e like water colors

and set the ocean into a mi%ture of different li$hts.

8t(s so pretty9 eon +ee said" lookin$ at the small crashin$ waves and the beautifulevenin$ sky" lyin$ down on the beach" restin$ herself on her elbows. 8 could lie hereforever.e too. Ci :um replied" lyin$ there with her. f course9you(d have to be here too./nd then you could really lie here forever; !he asked" turnin$ her face to him.@ot *ust here. +e said" lookin$ back at her. /nywhere.ou freakin cheesy aKK. !he $i$$led" slappin$ his shoulder. :ut 8 do admit" you bein$here makes thin$s a lot better.+ow come you never wear the bracelet 8 $ot you; +e asked" holdin$ her wrist up.

8t(s for special occasions only? !he tu$$ed it away. 8 could never risk wearin$ itaround.h come on. 8 bou$ht it for you to wear" not to hide it in that bo%. aybe 8 should(ve *ust $otten you some cheap clothes.@o? 8 love it. /nd 8 love you? ven thou$h you(re really skinny. !he snorted" referrin$to his thin body in his swim bo%ers. &us 8 couldn(t ima$ine you buff.Thanks. +e $rinned" tappin$ his stomach. &us 8 don(t need to be.!he $runted and looked away.:ut you? +e continued. ook real radiant with your hair wet all like that and in thatnew bikini9scarf3skirt thin$a ma*i$i.Thanks. !he looked back. /nd98 know?Ci :um snorted a lau$h back as well.+ey9 +e then said" lookin$ into her eyes.,hat. !he narrowed her eyes back with a smile.ou promise to never ever leave me;/s lon$ as you be $ood. !he $ave her head a little attitude shake. 8 could never./nd he smiled9and leaned in to $ive her a kiss./nd she kissed him back./nd it was a lon$" passionate kiss on the beach9/s if they were the only two people in the whole wide world.

ust you be an$ry at unho the ,+ day;;; :o/ asked !tephanie as they sat onone of the sides of the bonfire the boys had made. The fire was perfect and the sky wasnow black. 8t was their only source of li$ht. Bosh9you know he(s not $onna say sorryfirst. #ust be the bi$$er person and $ive in. 8 can(t stand it when people are fi$htin$.,e(re not fi$htin$. !tephanie replied. ,e(re *ust not friends anymore.h puh-lease. :o/ rolled her eyes.



ou $uys are pathetic. !unday said. ook9look at eon +ee and Ci :um. !he said" pointin$ to the couple sittin$ to$ether wrapped around a towel" talkin$ and watchin$ thefire burn. They are so $ood to$ether.,hy are you comparin$ us to them; They(ve been a lon$ time couple. !tephanie pointed out. Aor$et it $uys" 8(m not speakin$ to unho any more.

:ut what was the /!@; :o/ asked.!he si$hed. !he couldn(t $et over what he had said and the picture in his trash can. +edidn(t even e%plain9@othin$. !he replied. 8t(s too complicated.

!he looked ahead of her throu$h the fire9

/nd unho was there.ven thou$h his friends were around him9he looked all alone. +e wasn(t even talkin$ tothem.

Areakin( drama kin$. !he muttered to herself.

C/ O:=. +ee &hul clapped his hands and stood up. ,e are now $onna be$in our :@A8 !@B!???verybody stared back at him as if he was cra7y.#ust kiddin$?? +e rolled his eyes./lri$ht98 have a hu$e bottle ri$ht here. !hin =on$ stood up and held it up hi$h.,e(re $onna play spin the bottle9:>T without kissin$.,+,< !un$ in said. =on(t wanna kiss any of T+! $irls.!unday picked up some sand and threw it at him.8nstead9 +ee &hul said. ,e(re $onna have to say what our A8!T impressions of the person the bottle is pointin$ to. /nd9+@!T.+aha. !ounds fun< &han$ in clapped.

kay9and the person the &/FF= part of the bottle is pointin$ to9is the one whowill speak.verybody a$reed.

+ee &hul set the bottle and spun it around.The first person it landed on9was icky9,ho was pointin$ directly across from eon+ee.h $reat. icky said. 8f 8 don(t speak smart ri$ht now" 8(ll have a cousin divorce.ou suure will. Ci :um warned.+ehe?? !o icky?? eon +ee said. ,hat was your first impression of .

,ell?? icky be$an" puttin$ a fin$er on his chin. 8 thou$ht you were annoyin$.,hat;< !he said.:&/>!<<< +e cut her off. :ecause you were so smart.icky9that(s not first impression. ou $et that impression after knowin$ someone for a



while.@o no. +e said. 8 saw you that time on the first day of school and you were alreadytalkin$ in scientific terms with somebody. That(s pretty annoyin$.eon +ee rolled her eyes. Aine.:ut but9you(re not annoyin$ anymore. icky smiled. !ince you help me with my

homework.eon +ee $ave him a fake $rin. ,e(ll see if that keeps $oin$.

kay icky9spin it. +ee &hul said./lri$ht alri$ht? icky e%citedly said.+e then spun it9and it landed on :omi9who was sittin$ directly across from =on$+ae" who had eesee on his lap.8s this for eesee or =on$ +ae; :omi asked.:oth???? icky said intimidatin$ly./lri$ht" yay9double. :omi said. ,ell !?? was the most adorable thin$ 8(veever seen when you were *ust barely two years old.

eesee smiled. !he aint cute anymore? &haewon cut in. eesee shot a look back./nd =on$ +ae?? :omi continued. 8 thou$ht he was $oin$ to be really cocky.,+/T;< =on$ +ae e%claimed. 8(m so not?That(s why 8 said 8 T+>B+T. :ut it(s cus you had such $reat style and such a cuteface. (know9*ust $ot that ima$e.+m9 =on$ +ae flattened his eyes. ,ell $ee98(ll stop the style...but" can't really doanythin$ about this face. +e *oked with a smile.

:omi then spun the bottle. 8t landed on icky" who sat across from !unday.8 thou$ht she was pretty? icky complimented./w /;< !unday sIuealed.eah? icky said. C" can 8 spin now;!unday(s hands dropped. That(s all he had to say; !he wished he continued.icky then spun9and it landed on unho9who sat across from !tephanie.

h $reat9 !tephanie muttered.8 am so e%cited to hear? :o/ said.

unho si$hed. ust 8;;; +e said.es??? verybody answered.(know9+e really doesn(t have to. !tephanie spoke up. 8t may ruin thin$s.(know9maybe 8 wont. unho replied" $ivin$ her a mean look. Aor$et it. 8(m notdoin$ it.Bood.ou B>!< Can$ 8n yelled. 8t(s the rules. #ust !/ 8T9and *ust listen? +e lookedover to !tephanie.!he *ust si$hed and wrapped her own white towel around her body.

unho si$hed as well9and he looked across the fire to see !tephanie(s face $lowin$



from the li$ht. =espite everythin$" she looked beautiful9and he hated it that she did.

,hen 8 first saw !tephanie9 +e be$an9with complete silence around e%cept for onlythe cracklin$ of the fire. 8 thou$ht9 +e trailed off.verybody was watchin$ him" listenin$ with anticipation) includin$ !tephanie.

8 thou$ht9that she couldn(t be real. +e finished. !tephanie(s eyes shifted into adifferent look9and listened for more" watchin$ him talk from across from her.!he was the se%iest" prettiest person 8(ve ever seen. +e continued. ou lit up theroom9ou lit up the school. ou lit up scary /merica for me when 8 first came here.+e suddenly directed his speech to her. 8t took me a while to re$ister9that you(reactually a re$ular human bein$ like 8 was. /nd then it felt like an honor that we were inthe same world.!tephanie felt a stin$ come to her nose as she silently heard these words. +ow he wassayin$ them9how he looked at her9even all after their fi$htin$ and ar$uin$ from noteven 5 minutes a$o.!he was somebody who 8 knew would always be on my mind9 +e finished. /nd9

8(m sorry. +e finally apolo$i7ed to her. 8(m sorry for ruinin$ this trip for you. @othin$was your fault9

:o/ looked over at !tephanie with her eyebrows raised. *’mon%.say somethin) shethou$ht.

!tephanie let out a deep breath9and finally replied. 8t(s okay. 8(m sorry too.

/ww?? 8 can(t believe we have to $o +. icky stomped his foot while everybodywas loadin$ the cars with their thin$s.icky?? 8t(s almost 12< +ee &hul said. /ren(t you tired;;eah? :ut 8 wish 8 could *ust sleep here and live here forever and ever.

8(m9*ust $onna ride with the $irls9 !tephanie said to icky.icky yawned. kay. +e answered and turned around to $o into the van.!tephanie turned around to $o9when she bumped into unho who *ust came.+i. !he $ave a half $rin.9+i. +e replied.8(m9$onna ride with the $irls. !he said. ou and icky can have a lot of space in the back to sleep.h9 unho said" disappointedly. ,ell9okay.eah. !he smiled" lips pressed to$ether. 8(ll see ya later.eah. +e responded./nd9she finally walked passed him to $o to the other car9and he looked back.

/re ya &8@B;;; Can$ 8n thundered a$ain at unho" who was still standin$ and



watchin$ !tephanie $o into another van.+uh;; h9yeah. unho replied9and while lookin$ back and forth9he finally $ot in.icky was already fast asleep a$ainst a window" #unsu and +yukkie had his eyes closedand :omi *ust rested her head from bein$ e%hausted.unho sat back in his seat9re-thinkin$ a lot of different thin$s. +e was far from bein$

tired.

!tephanie $ot in and sat ne%t to :o/./ye. :o/ said.,hat. !tephanie looked over.=on(t freakin( lose him.,hat;; !tephanie asked.=on(t lose him. :o/ *ust repeated./nd her repeatin$ those words9were all !tephanie needed for it to be clear.

S E A S O N T W O.--chapter 01U--

Don’t let him )o.7

:o/(s words from the ni$ht before constantly re-played in !tephanie(s head as she sat onher desk" temple of her head propped in her fin$ers. verythin$ was $ivin$ her headache.

!he knew what he had said durin$ the bonfire was only talk about his first impression of her" which was more than 5 years a$o9but she couldn(t help that they had leaked into

her heart somewhere and couldn(t find their way back out9/nd then what :o/ had said *ust made thin$s worse9

Don’t &reakin’ let him )o.7

/r$h" okay< !hut up< !tephanie said to :o/(s voice in her head. Boodness" can(t a $irlhave a smooth day of summer for KonceK; !he $ot up from her desk and walked out of

her room to $et some water.

8 miss you too9 !he heard before turnin$ to $o downstairs. 8 know. ou *ust left melike that. !o random and a very :/= thin$ for a $irlfriend to do" don(t you think;;

8t was unho9talkin$ to oon #i" she $uessed" in his room with his door sli$htly opened.-eez " she thou$ht. 8eople in this house need to learn how to close their &reakin’ doors.

!he turned around and walked down the hall to where his room was and slowly peekedin.



eah? 8 $ot an / in that class too. +e lau$hed into the phone. 8 swear" summer schoolwas hell9but at least we $ot that class overwith. The &hem teachers at our school are

devils. rs. &arlock even stole !hin =on$ hyun$(s tuna sandwich9and nobody9KeverKsteals !hin =on$ hyun$(s tuna sandwiches.

!tephanie didn(t even notice she was *ust standin$ there" listenin$ in. +e looked happy9which9should(ve made her happy) instead" it started to make her feel a little depressed.

aybe because he wasn(t bein$ all happy with her;

+ahaha yeah? unho lau$hed9/nd then he turned his head" catchin$ his $lance at!tephanie. h9hey. +e put the hand over his mouthpiece of the phone with a $rin at

her presence. =idn(t see ya there9

h..yeah. !he smiled back. 89*ust came to close your door. (know9people canhear in throu$h these thin doors already. !he knocked on it. i$ht as well keep them

closed" ri$ht;

9eah. +e answered" disappointed that that(s all she came in for.

kay. !he $rinned. Talk away9 !he closed the door shut and turned around after.!he took a deep breath throu$h her sli$htly opened mouth" causin$ her cheeks to puff up.kay !tephanie9 !he said to herself. &ontrol yourself. This9is not how thin$s are

supposed to be $oin$.

+ello;; +ello;; The phone faintly called as unho *ust sat on his bed" starin$ at theclosed door" phone call with oon #i completely for$otten.

+ello;; +e finally heard. Baspin$" he put the phone back to his ear. oon #i; +ey9sorry about that.

!tephanie trotted her way down the stairs" her lon$ nearly oran$e colored hair bouncin$up and down as she went9when she came to see icky" +yukkie and &han$ in sittin$in butterfly position" rollin$ around the livin$ room with their hands holdin$ onto their

feet. They looked like three person balls and it wasn(t very pretty.

,hat9the hell are you $uys doin$; !he asked.+i !tephanie<< icky called" while continuin$ to roll. ,anna come and try;;; ,e(re

rollin$ around<<< /nd it(s so easy???@o98 think 8(m fine. !he re*ected" starin$ at them in such wonder of how they comeup with these thin$s. #ust9do me a favor and don(t teach the little kids too" please;

!he finished.h we wont? icky said. 8t(s only for cool people. i$ht $uys;;



i$ht<%actly. The other two replied.

kay9 !he muttered under her breath before walkin$ to the kitchen.

,hen she walked in" she heard a knock on the back door before she $ot to even open therefri$erator. Turnin$ around" she cocked her head to look9and to her surprise" saw un

:i Can$ throu$h the window of the door.

What’s she doin) here# !he thou$ht" annoyed.

,ell" un :i clearly saw her so she couldn(t i$nore her visit9so !tephanie *ust openedthe door.

+i. !he $reeted.

+i. un :i smiled back. 8(m lookin$ for Ci :um;f course you are9 !tephanie fakely $rinned back" cluein$ her that she really needs tostop. +e(s not home ri$ht now.

h9well. un :i then du$ into her ba$ and took out some bo%er underwear and a t-shirt" that !tephanie reco$ni7ed was Ci :um(s. ,ell9the t-shirt anyway.

,hat is that; !tephanie asked" pointin$ to it with some suspicion and an$er that KsheKhad it in her hand.

h" *ust some of his stuff he left at my house the other day. un :i $ave to !tephanie.&an you $ive it back to him for me please;

,hy do you have it; !tephanie asked.h9y(know9 un :i twirled her eyes around. #ust $ive it back to him. Tell him that

8 came by;!tephanie snatched the clothin$ out of her hands. Thanks. :ye. !he said and shut the

door in un :i(s face. $h 'i (um is so dead%

ou three are here for volunteer; The receptionist of the senior home asked when#unsu" Ci :um and !un$ in went up to the counter.

es. Ci :um replied. ,e came from talkin$ with r9r. Carrin$ton the other day.+e told us to come this mornin$.

%cellent. The receptionist replied. &ome this way9

+ehe98(m so e%cited. #unsu said to !un$ in as they followed.

@ow98(ll set you three up with one on one time with some of the seniors who need9well9company. / nurse that the receptionist led to e%plained to the boys. our name



is9; !he looked at #unsu.h. +ehe. 8(m #unsu. +e waved with a deli$hted smile.

kay. !he smiled back. &ome with me. ou two9*ust wait here for a second until 8come back.

Bot it. kay. They a$reed and the nurse be$an to lead where #unsu were to follow.

oo. #unsu mouthed" lookin$ back at his two friends" who were $ivin$ him thumbsup si$ns as if he were to $o and holler at a $irl he likes.

/fter walkin$ down several doors" the nurse finally walked up to one and $ave two li$htknocks. /nd then she opened it.

+mm9 #unsu said to himself. !he knocked and there was not even a N&ome 8n( callfrom inside and she went in anyway. ,hy knock;;;

ewis9 The nurse said" walkin$ up to a man in a chair. / wheelchair.This9is #unsu. !he introduced as #unsu walked in.

+ehe9hi. #unsu smiled a$ain" puttin$ his hand out.The man looked up slowly9/nd #unsu inspected his new to-be-friend" ewis.

+e was old alri$ht9:ut such a $raceful old9/frican /merican9had some $ray hairs still9and with some of the prettiest" deepest

eyes #unsu had ever met9+e felt like his friend already.

+e will be comin$ in three times a week. The nurse continued e%plainin$ to ewis.:ah< ewis said. /nother youn$(n" eh;;

#unsu raised his eyebrows and turned to the nurse" who rolled her eyes as if this hadhappened numerous times.

They *us come in to make their colle$e application look $ood. /nd then they $o?ewis said. Thas whatchu youn$ folks are all about9

#unsu $asped. @o? +e immediately said. @o? That(s not it98 *ust9 8n actuality9that(s what it was. Oolunteer work was supposedly somethin$ that looked $reat on colle$e

applications9and so" that(s what he and his friends decided to do. /t least for a shortwhile.

ewis9at least he(s willin$ to read and talk to you. The nurse said. earn toappreciate.

+a. /ppreciate. ewis looked away. They the ones that need to be learnin( toappreciate.

#unsu helplessly looked at the nurse. 8t(ll be okay. !he whispered back to him.@ow 8(m $onna leave you two alone. !he said in her normal voice a$ain to ewis. :e

nice" ewis. :e nice.

/nd that was it. !he had left9and #unsu was all alone9with him.



om9no seaweed is better than > homemade seaweed. #ae #oon$ said as hetastefully crunched the Corean style seaweed in his livin$ room with his mother. +e was

$lad to be back. +e missed his friends at The +ouse and back in &alifornia" but it feltco7y to be in his own house a$ain. /lso" nothin$ beats that old scent of childhood from

the places you $rew up. +e was happy.

y baby<< !he cried" holdin$ onto his wrist. Bive umma a kiss? !he said" leanin$her c h e e k towards him.

#ae #oon$ puckered his lips and $ot ready to $ive her a kiss when she turned her headaround. ,ait. !he said. ou have some seaweed on your lips. !he said.

h. +aha? #ae #oon$ lau$hed" scratchin$ his bottom lip with his teeth to take anythin$off.

@o no. !he said. n the side of your mouth.#ae #oon$ wiped the left corner of his mouth.

@o" the other side.

+e wiped the other side.@o no./h for$et it? +e said" standin$ up. 8(m $oin( to the basketball courts. a can(t even

$et a little seaweed on your c h e e k from your son; 8 thou$ht you loved me" a??+mph. +e crossed his arm and went away into his room.

,ell; !he said to herself with a smile. =on(t want to ruin this skin. !he $i$$led" pattin$ her fair" feminine cheeks.

,hoa-ho?? #ae #oon$??? ne of #ae #oon$(s old time friends" Cenny" hollered" pattin$ #ae #oon$(s muscular arms throu$h his ripped t-shirt. !omeone(s been workin$

out?!eriously. #oe" another friend" a$reed. =id*a have a lot of time or somethin$;,ell" ya know. #ae #oon$ flipped his hair. Botta $ive eye candy for all" ri$ht;!ome of his friends bursted out with lau$hter while the others made fake" $a$$in$

sounds.

#ae #oon$ lau$hed alon$" sittin$ on a basketball at the courts" when he looked up to seethree $irls starin$ at him and lau$hin$" talkin$ amon$st themselves about what assumed

to be him. /nd they were very9very yummy lookin$ to him.

/ye. Cenny said to him. 8 think they(re checkin( you out.The $irl on the left is hotttt.

Bo talk to Nem?@ah9 #ae #oon$ said. They don(t fit my standards. +e *oked.

8 can(t believe you still haven(t found a $irlfriend. ou really need to lower your standards man. ou(re never $onna find one that way.

Trust me98 will. #ae #oon$ smiled.



h shKt9they(re comin$ over here? #oe said. /ct9casual. +e then looked up at thesky" tappin$ his foot on the cement.

#ae #oon$ lau$hed9it reminded him of icky.

+ey boys9 ne of the $irls said as they sashayed over. ,e were wonderin$ when

you were $onna start your $ame9we wanted to watch.h? Cenny said" flirtatiously back. ,e were $oin$ to9but $ot distracted by three beautiful people.

The $irl who spoke from the be$innin$ $i$$led. 8(m Tiffany. !he said" puttin$ out her hand to Cenny.

Cenny ri$ht here. +e $ave her a wink" shakin$ his hand back. !he then shifted her armto #ae #oon$. +i. !he said.

+ey there. #ae #oon$ smiled" takin$ her handshake back.+e looked her up and down9

!he was /sian for sure) !he had lon$" hi$hli$hted hair9+ad the face of Cim +ee !un"

the body of +yori9and the cutest voice he had ever heard. !he was in a short denim miniskirt with a white tank top that showed her fi$ure off and a necklace that had a diamondsparkle to top the whole outfit off.

,hat(s your name; !he asked.#ae #oon$9y friends call me ##. +e finished" uncontrollin$ his blushin$.

##9that is so cute. !he $i$$led. 8(m 20. +ow old are you;20;<;<;< The boys looked left and ri$ht to each other. They were barely 16 years old<<<

!ome of them not even.20 eh; +e asked" with his cocky voice.

+ow old are you" cutie; !he asked.(know98 don(t usually like youn$er $irls9 +e smiled. :ut 8 $uess 22 is an a$e

where 8 should be startin$ to consider9+is friends all $asped at his lie and were all *umpin$ inside with enthusiasm.

8t was a si$n for a party toni$ht.

hhh he is so dead<< !tephanie said" pacin$ back and forth in her room" referrin$ to Ci:um. +ow could9how could he;;;

!he then picked up her cordless phoneLher very best friend durin$ times like this.&all eon +ee9&all eon +ee9 !he said. /nd be$an dialin$ eon +ee(s number.:ut then she stopped before she dialed the very last one. @o9 !he said to herself"han$in$ up. =on(t hurt her until 8 know9 !tephanie said. /r$h< &all :o/9&all

:o/9 !he muttered9and turned her phone back on to dial :o/(s number. @o9 !hedecided" han$in$ it up. !he(s =A8@8T $onna tell eon +ee.

!he walked over and sat down on her bed" crossin$ her arms. Bosh9that bastard9/@= that bKtch9

/nd then there were three knocks on her door.



es; !he $lumly answered.The door had opened9and it was unho. +i. +e smiled.

+ey? !he stood up" smilin$ back. ,hatsup;ou wanna $o $et some lunch and a movie;

/nd she couldn(t help but smilin$ more. !ure.

!o what do you want from me; ewis asked" rollin$ his wheelchair to a small tablenear his bed" where paper cups and water sat on a towel. / $ood messa$e about you to

the schools;

#unsu stood there" hesitatin$.

8 could easily do that for you. ewis continued. #us $imme950 dolla7 and you won(teven have to come here.

8 couldn(t do that9 #unsu said. 8(d like to meet you9and $et to know you9/nd then leave; ewis asked" spinnin$ around with a cup of water in his hand. &are

for some water; +e asked.

!ure9 #unsu replied.ewis made his way to pour some water in a cup. +ere. +e said.

#unsu walked over to pick the cup from ewis( hand.!it down. ewis said" noddin$ his head once to a chair behind #unsu.

/nd #unsu obeyed.

!o where you from; ewis asked.h 8(m from /lbany. #unsu smiled" makin$ effort to make the mood cheery. ,here

are you from;h 8(m from a place that don(t even matta no mo(. ewis waved his hand down.

!ure it does9 #unsu said. 8(d like to know9@o no. ewis said. 8f yo( children9and your $randchildren9and nobody wants you

no mo(9then that lon$ $one place is $ood to be for$otten.9That9was how it was; #unsu asked" sadly.

!ure? ewis said" reachin$ down for some cards. &are to play;eah? #unsu said. 8 love card $ames.

Foker;ou(re on.

/ll these other youn$ folks9all they do is read to me like they been told to. +a. Boodthin$ 8 finally $otta rebellious one for once. ewis said" while splittin$ up the cards.

e;; ebellious; #unsu asked. @o way?h sure you are? 8t(s those an$elic faces like yo(s that are always the rebellious ones at

the end.kay now 8(m kinda scared9 #unsu said" pickin$ up his cards. :ut 8 $uess if you

really wanna play9/m 8 $onna $et in trouble for this;;



/s lon$ as we don(t $et cau$ht dealin$ with money? ewis sneakily brou$ht up acouple 10 dollar bills and spread them out like a fan.

h no no9 #unsu said. ,e can(t $amble.!ho( we can?

/nd then the door opened9and ewis Iuickly put his money away.

ewis;;; The nurse asked" walkin$ in. /re you tryin$ to $amble a$ain;e; Bamblin(; +oney9that was a one time thin$9are you always $onna be accusin(

me like this;;kay9 The nurse said" doubtfully. #ust comin$ to check up on you two. /nd she left

the room.

#unsu turned around to ewis and widened his eyes. ewis98 don(t think we should bedoin$ this. #unsu said.

8 see trees of $reen? ewis be$an to sin$ N,hat a ,onderful ,orld( by ouis

/rmstron$" rollin$ his wheelchair away to the other side of the room. ed roses too? 8see them bloom? Aor me and ou9 #unsu watched as he continued to sin$. /nd 8think to myself9,hat a ,onderful ,orld?

/nd he decided9this may be a little tou$her than he thou$ht it would be.

-------------------- S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 020--

h look9 icky said" flattenin$ his eyes when he saw !tephanie and unho walkin$down the stairs to$ether. 8t(s Ndown and downer(.

+yukkie and &han$min" who were sittin$ with him on the couch looked up at them fromtheir movie and popcorn munchin$.

,e(re not fi$htin$ anymore. unho rolled his eyes.eah. /nd ya *us couldn(t do that on our ride to the beach huh; icky asked back.

/nyway" we(re $onna $o to a movie and $et somethin$ to eat. !tephanie told them. 8f anybody asks9well" 8 *ust told ya. !he smiled.

oooo dinner /@= a movie?? icky raised his eyes up and down at the two. &an8 come;

e too? The others said.

,ell9 unho stuttered" lookin$ at !tephanie who was lookin$ at him as well.The thin$ is9 !he stuttered too.

The truth was9surprisin$ly" and coincidentally" neither of them wanted anybody else tocome alon$) :oth were hopin$ that it could *ust be the two of them9alone9but of

course" they were refusin$ to call it a date.



,ell" icky wouldn(t like it? unho finally said. 8t(s not a cartoon.!o we can KwatchK a cartoon. +8@T +8@T*+S <

8sn(t9that movie not playin$ anymore; !tephanie asked" hopefully. /nd we alreadychecked the times for our movie.

!o what(re you watchin$; +e asked back.>h9. :oth !tephanie and unho looked at each other. They had no idea9

Then9luck rolled by9:oys??? CiCi called from the kitchen.

eah;; +yukkie called back.&an you come in here;; 8 need you three to help me with somethin$?

an? Aine. 8 $uess movies and us are not meant to be toni$ht. et(s $o. icky decidedand stood up to $o into the kitchen with the other two followin$ behind.

!tephanie and unho looked at each other9and they both si$hed a si$h of relief.

!o how was your $uys(s person; !un$min asked while walkin$ back home with #unsuand Ci :um.

ine was alri$ht9e%cept for the fact that he swears every other word. Ci :um replied.+is name(s elvin.

elvin9 !un$min said. y person(s name is =ick. +e keeps tellin$ me =ick Oan=ike stole his name from him. 8 dunno98 think he(s sorta whacko9but he(s cool.

,hat about you" #unsu; Ci :um asked.+uh; h9 #unsu said" poppin$ his bubble thou$hts about ewis. +e(s really cool.

&an(t wait to see him a$ain in two days.This is $onna look sooo $ood on our colle$e apps. !un$min $rinned. 8 feel like #esus

or somethin$.#unsu(s ears perked up at the comment9and remembered what ewis had said.

"hey 4us come in to make their colle)e application look )ood. nd then they )o9"has

whatchu youn) &olks are all about%78 know. Ci :um continued. /fter we $et these hours filled up" we probably won(t

have to volunteer that much since this will already look so $ood. +arvard?? 8(m preparin$ slowly9but very very steadily for your welcomin$ of me. +e $rinned.#unsu" who would(ve added into this usual talk of volunteerin$ makin$ colle$e apps

shine" suddenly felt a nasty feelin$ in his chest9ike9loneliness here was totally bein$ taken $ranted for9/nd he was a part of it.



!o what movie do you actually wanna see; unho asked after they finished orderin$their &hinese food. The ,orld Trade &enter thin$;

9@ah. 8 don(t wanna watch anythin$ that(ll make me think too much ri$ht now. !hereplied. h9unless KyouK wanna watch it;

@ah. +e closed his eyes and raised his two hands up. ,as *ust namin$ a random

movie.

!tephanie then smiled" lookin$ at him from across the table.

+e *ust looked so cute) and for some reason" their tint of awkwardness ri$ht now madehim a lot cuter than when they were such comfortable friends9,henever that was9

,hat. unho asked" narrowin$ his eyes and $rinnin$ back at her. ,hy(re you lookin$at me like that;

!he *ust let out a small lau$h throu$h her nose and looked down" noddin$ away.@othin$.

!omethin$(s fishy. +e raised an eyebrow.!hut up. !he tossed the balled up napkin that had her chewed $um inside somewhere./ye. +e cau$ht the ball. ou(re the one who started it with that sneaky smile.

8(ll never smile a$ain? !he rolled her eyes.Bood9cus it drives me cra7y. +e said" smilin$ himself.

!he cocked her head and $ave him a stran$e look" havin$ a sli$ht butterfly feelin$ in her stomach. 9,hat; !he asked.

8(m *ust *okin$? +e said" throwin$ the napkin ball back at her. =on(t worry about athin$. /ll those weird feelin$s 8 had that made us all stran$e9transferred over to oon#i. +e $ave a Iuick $rin and turned around in his seat. ,aiter;; ou think you can $et

us another cup of our water please;

!tephanie(s half $rin faded into disappointment9and she didn(t even reali7e it.

!o?? ou(re $ood at ball. Tiffany said" flippin$ her hair towards #ae #oon$ so that thesoft touch can tin$le down his spine and down to his whole" entire body. ou look $ood

sweaty. !he winked.$o$o$o +e thou$ht9and the ima$e of himself winkin$ at his own face in the mirror

popped in his mind. -o on =ae =oon)%she’s lovin’ ya.

eah well9!weatin$ KisK an important part of beauty. +e said" tappin$ his cheeks.=id*a like watchin$ our $ame;

oved it. !he said" twirlin$ her $um in her fin$er.!o why don(t you $ive us somethin$ back;; Cenny asked" smilin$ and puttin$ his arm

around her as the others were walkin$ behind them.8 was K*ustK about to. !he lau$hed" tappin$ Cenny(s nose.

/hem< #ae #oon$ cleared his throat" tu$$in$ Tiffany close to him from Cenny. !he(smy lady toni$ht. +e then looked down and winked at her.



8 knew you(d be my date for the club. !he said back to him.#ae #oon$ looked up at his friends. *lub###

ou can come with us" ri$ht;; !he asked.>h9 #ae #oon$ looked at his friends" who looked more e%cited than ever. f

KcourseK 8 can?? +e chan$ed his hesitant voice back to his confident" e%perienced in

partyin$ voice. #us tell me where and 8(m there?

,hoa9 Cenny said" lookin$ up at the front door of the club that Tiffany and her friends led them to. ,ait. +ow(re we $onna $et in;; ,e don(t have 8=.#ae #oon$ turned to him with a panickin$ look. 89did not think of that?

ou made it<< Tiffany sIuealed. &(mon let(s $o. !he linked her arm around #ae#oon$(s and dra$$ed him to the door. +e looked back at his friends9and her other two

friends were leadin$ the others.

>m9Tiffany; #ae #oon$ smiled weakly when they $ot to the door. 89kinda for$otmy 8=.h okay. !he said.

e too.e too.e too.

The rest of his friends said./ll of you $uys;; !he asked" raisin$ her eyebrow.

-reat%she’s )onna &ind out. #ae #oon$ thou$ht.,ell that(s okay. !he said. 8 know the owner so we(ll *ust $et in. Oictor; !he turned

to the doorman. These boys are old enou$h. et us in.#ae #oon$ and his friends $ave each other looks9and silently cheered.

>h huh. >h huh. Ci :um answered eon +ee into his cellphone as he walked in hisroom. eah" 8 know. 8 hate it too. C. +ave fun. 8 love you? @o98 love you more?

@o? /w9fine. C. :ye?? +e turned his phone off and $rinned.

+e then saw somethin$ on his bed that looked familiar.+ey<<<<<< +e smiled" *umpin$ over and pickin$ up the T-shirt he(s been missin$. 8t(s

my !+8T<<< +ow(d this $et back here; 9/nd9some9bo%ers9 +e lifted them up9and saw that there was a note attached to it.

+e took it off and read itQ

;i Bum. Wat+h out. <*te&hanie.

>h9C" is she horny off of me or somethin(; +e shru$$ed it off" crumpled the note andtossed it in his trash can.



C we still haven(t decided on a movie yet. unho said as he and !tephanie walkedout of the restaurant to$ether. They felt the crisp ni$ht air and fo$ was comin$ out of both

their mouths because of the cold weather and the bay that was across the street had madethe atmosphere even more chilly. The sky was black ni$ht and the city li$hts looked more beautiful than ever oo. ou know what would(ve been cool; 8f we drove" we

could(ve went to one of those drive-ins</h9don(t make me hate myself for bein$ too youn$ to drive a$ain. !he said as they

walked across the street. 8t(s killin$ me already.+aha. +e lau$hed. C so what movie-

unho. !he cut him off and turned around to him.eah;

89have9 !omethin$ to tell you; 8s that what was comin$ out of her mouth; 8t felt likeit was9but she didn(t know what she had to say to him. There was no solid thin$ that she

wanted to tell him9eah; +e asked a$ain.!he stood in front9and looked up at him. =id she9possibly like him;;; @o9it couldn(t

be.@ever mind. !he *ust said" pivotin$ herself to turn around.

@o" wait. +e held onto her arm. ,hat is it;8t(s9nothin$.

h come on. ou(re doin$ the thin$.,hat thin$;

ike9you brin$ it up to someone that you have somethin$ to say9and then you saynever mind" +F8@B inside that they(ll keep askin$ what it is9so you can eventually

tell them because they forced it out of you.,hat;; @o?

mmmhmmm. +e crossed his arms. !o tell me. 8 know you want to say somethin$.8t(s nothin$. ,e $otta pick a movie soon or we(re $onna $o home late.

,ho cares; 8t(s the summertime.,e have no ride e%cept public transportation? !he reminded him with a $lare. /nd

it(s dan$erous at ni$ht.!teph. +e said. &an you *ust tell me what you were $onna say;; 8t(s $onna bother me

the whole ni$ht if you don(t.8 swear" it was nothin$.

>h9it was totally somethin$. 8 saw it in your eyes. +e looked down at her and sli$htly bumped her forehead.

/nd that made her weak in the knees9/$ain.!he reali7ed how close they were9

Their *ackets were touchin$ each other and he was lookin$ down into her face. +er eyessparkled in the ni$ht as she looked back9and everythin$ *ust seemed to fit perfectly.

ore perfect than in any scene she(s been in in her whole entire life ven in the silence.

!he finally looked away. ,e should $o9



9eah. +e said. ,ell9no.,hat; !he looked back up.

ook9!teph. 8 need to tell you-#ust then" her cell phone interrupted his sentence.

!orry. !he apolo$i7ed9and went into her purse. +ello;

unho *ust stood and waited. /nd listened in.

=ennis. ou told me that you were $oin$ to your sister(s dinner party. !he si$hed andlooked up" annoyed. kay. ,ell 8(m han$in$ out with someone ri$ht now and- &an youstop screamin$ at me; 8 know? 8 for$ot. :ut 8'm with someone and- >$h9C. C &ine"

$ee7. 10 minutes; kay98(ll be at the front.

unho *erked his head at that comment. ,hat;;; ,as she leavin$;;

kay?? !he said with that annoyed tone. :ye. /nd she hun$ up.=on(t tell me you(re leavin$. unho said.

!orry9 !he replied. +e(s really mad. 8 totally for$ot that we had plans and9 !hetrailed off" lookin$ at unho(s disappointed face. 8(m sorry9 !he *ust said" withoutfinishin$ her e%planation that she knew he didn(t care to listen about. =o you wanna

ride; !he asked. @o answer.

unho" please. 8(m sorry.8 $uess if you must9 +e finally said.

!he $ave him an apolo$etic look. et him *ust $ive you a ride.8t(s okay. 8(ll be fine. +e replied. !ee you later. +e turned around to $o.

unho?? !he called" watchin$ his back $o. 8(m sorry< 8(ll buy you dinner ne%t time<+e responded by holdin$ up his hand" implyin$ that it was okay.

/nd that very decision to cancel the ni$ht" felt like the worst decision she has ever9ever made9

specially9for =ennis9

/nd then it hit her9

That maybe9aybe it was finally time to end certain thin$s... ,arnin$<< Oery couple-ychapter. [\

/nd for those who keep sayin$ sorry for lon$ comments. 8f anythin$" be sorry for makin$them shorter<< +aha. \ ove you $uys.

/nd and and...welcome new readers??? /ll F reIuests" /===

+++ and last but O @T /!T" a &&<<<

ade by the wonderful su=uawaii . Thank you so much a$ain. 8t's lovely



S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 021--

8t(s only for two days" icky. !top trippin(. :o/ said takin$ another licorice out of his bi$" circular bo% of red licorice sittin$ on his desk. ou knew 8 was leavin$ to see my parents. /ren(t you $lad that it(s at least shorter than a month like ori$inally planned;@o?? icky whined back. 8 *ust KassumedK you won(t be $oin$ at all. !o it makes it

worse?? !ince y(know98 thou$ht you(d be stayin$.That(s why you don(t assume? :o/ rolled her eyes. 8 promise 8(ll be back before you

know it.,ell9well what if 8 meet some other $irl before you $o" huh; ,ouldn(t you be worriedand paranoid that she(ll take me away from you;;; !houldn(t that be one of the millions

of $ood reasons for you to not leave;;%cept for the fact that you *ust told me you(ll feel miserable and not leave the house for

the two days 8(m $one9 !he pointed out.+mph< icky crossed his arms and turned around to climb the ladder to his top bunk bed. Traitor.

icky? !he said" si$hin$ and watchin$ him pout on his bed. 8(m not movin$" it(s for two days. /ren(t you happy for me that 8(m seein$ my parents;

ook< @ow you(re tryin$ to make me feel $uilty so 8 can say Nfine fine( $o see your parents. @ope. @o way :o/ Cown" that is KnotK workin$ with me? +e closed his eyes

and turned his head around to face the other way.!he smiled. !he couldn(t help but smile. +e was *ust too cute and it made her feel $ood

that he was so upset over her $oin$ away for only two days. :oy did that make a $irl feelspecial.

!he kept her $rin on her face and made her way up his bunk bed to sit down ne%t to him.icky felt her presence and turned his body around to scoot to the other side where his

pillow lay and where the window was" facin$ the other side of the city.!he rolled her eyes and followed to where he moved to and sat ri$ht ne%t to him" lookin$

out the window and sittin$ under the random stuffed animal toy monkeys and slinkiesthat he hun$ on the ceilin$ over his bed. !he sat9and put her head on his shoulders"

watchin$ the stars slowly come out with tiny bits of clouds that looked like li$ht cottonfloatin$ across the navy blue sky. !he now felt that even @ew ork was still close by" it

would feel so much further if it was away from him.ou(re not $onna find another $irl are you; !he asked from the midst of silence.

icky rolled his eyes up and thou$ht about what she *ust asked9and then he bursted atiny $i$$le. ehe%I tricked her. +e thou$ht.

,hat; !he asked" pivotin$ her head to look at him" puttin$ her chin on his shoulder.8f 8 find another $irl" would you come back in a *iffy; +e asked" turnin$ his head to

hers" their noses practically touchin$. &us 8 really really mi$ht.!he let out a tiny snort. @o. !he replied.

+e creased his eyebrows. +ey?? ,hy not;;8(ll *ust find another $uy. !he smiled" widenin$ her eyes with threat and sneakiness.

icky made a poutin$ face as she took her head off his shoulders and leaned back on her



hands" e%tendin$ her le$s out so they can rest ri$ht ne%t to his pillow./re you foreal;; +e asked" keepin$ his eyes on her sneaky $rin while lookin$ out the

window. /re you forealll;;; +e asked a$ain.,ell are KyouK;;; !he asked back" pointin$ out that he made that threat first.

@o??? +e said. 8 was *ust C8==8@B. 8 would never find another $irl. ,ho else

would tell me stories on the phone before 8 $o to sleep;;Flease don(t tell that to anybody. !he replied. 8t(s kind of embarrassin$.,ell it helps me sleep better than my ni$htli$ht. ook. 8t hasn(t been turned on for

days< +e pointed to his ni$htli$ht that was indeed off for the first time in a lon$ while.!he $i$$led. kay icky. ,hatever floats your boat.

+e then leaned back on his hands and stretched his le$s out *ust the way she was doin$so" but rested his le$s on his pillow and $ot close to her all over a$ain. +e turned his headto her and his adorable Corean eyes twinkled like the stars have been put into them. +e

smiled at her with a dreamy look.8 love you? +e said" so naturally and child like.

!he raised her eyebrows at him and her mouth parted sli$htly. ,h..what;; !he asked.

8 love you? +e repeated. =o you;icky. ou(re not supposed to *oke with those words. ou say it when you mean it.!he said doubtfully.

h kay. ,ell whew? +e said.!he looked back Iuestionin$ly.

&us. +e replied. 8 said it at the e%act ri$ht time.

/nd that was a moment that she knew she would never for$et9

8(m really $onna miss you. +e continued. :ut 8 still hope you(ll have a $reat time.,ith no other boys of course. +is e%pression chan$ed sternly.

f course not. !he responded with her cheeks still blushin$ uncontrollably. /nd 8know 8 don(t even have to say anythin$ to you about other $irls" ri$ht; !he *erked her

face close to his.ou *ust did? +e *erked forward back. /nd no" you don(t have to. /ny other $irl that(s

pretty to me are all on TO anyway. +e rolled his eyes.!he lau$hed and looked at him with almost tears in her eyes. !he still couldn(t believe

she had heard those words from him9althou$h she wasn(t Iuite ready to say themherself" but still9this helped her prepare a lot more faster9

ou better buy me a souvenir. +e said. 8(ve never been to @ew ork before.8(ll take you there one day. !he replied.C promise; +e lifted up his pinky fin$er.

Fromise. !he linked hers to his. :ut you have to promise that your first time there will be with me. !he warned" shakin$ their connected pinkies.

=eal. +e a$reed./nd she lau$hed9as icky wouldn(t let $o of her pinky. +e shook it and shook it and

held it ti$ht" until he leaned in to kiss her lips./nd she kissed him back" $radually lettin$ her pinky $o as well and put her hand to his

face. What a per&ect way to end the ni)ht with him &or the ne>t two days%



8 am so sick of you for$ettin$ our plans. =ennis said" pressin$ the $as pedal harder

from an$er. ,ho were you with anyway;8 was *ust with unho9 !he responded. =ennis" calm down. 8(m kinda scared aboutyour drivin$.

unho. unho" unho" unho. (know" you(re really startin$ to Iuestion me about our relationship these days. +e said.

/eah%so am I% she sadly thou$ht back.ou(re always with that unho kid" you ABT our plans" you fKckin answer with

Nuh-huh( on the phone when 8 ask what you(re doin$.89did; !he asked back weakly. 8(m really sorry" 8 had no idea9

,hich is worse. +e replied. /nd you don(t even want me kickin( it with other $irls.,hatsup with that;; ou(re always with unho<

unho(s KdifferentK. !he protested. There can never be anythin$ intimate between meand him. ou and other $irls9well9can(t really say 8 trust that all too much.,hatever98(m *us $onna take you home. AKck this.

=ennis9can you *ust calm down. 8 told you 8 was sorry like a million times.There can never be anythin$ intimate between you and unho9 +e repeated. !teph"no matter how close you are" there can always : somethin$ intimate with a $uy and a

$irl. 8ts *ust that only one doesn(t let it happen. :ut it(s always possible./eah, I’m startin) to )et that% she sarcastically thou$ht to herself a$ain.

!ilence *ust sat there as he was approachin$ closer to her house9,hich to her" felt nervous for some reason. /s if9somethin$ she was $oin$ to say was

approachin$ closer to them too as they were reachin$ their destination9!omethin$ she was $oin$ to say that was $oin$ to be bad9

!omethin$ that was $oin$ to maybe9maybe finally end a certain chapter of this bi7arrechaos that was confusin$ and frustratin$ everybody that was involved9

!omethin$ that was $oin$ to hurt her9even if she was makin$ the choice.

/nd9The +ouse finally pulled up9as =ennis slowed down the car in front of it.8(ll call you later. +e $lumly replied.

,ait9 !he said" turnin$ to him.8ont wanna hear anymore apolo$ies ok; #us $et out. 8(m in a bad aKK mood. =@(T AKk

it up.@o =ennis9 !he said. 8 have to tell you somethin$.

+e looked over at her. ike he was *ust $oin$ to hear what she had to say" but not reallycare. +e looked e%hausted and tired.

89 !he be$an. =espite all the hard times he(s $iven her" she was still $oin$ to miss hima lot9so much that it was hard for her to say it. :ut9she knew she had to. This wasn(t

workin$ for her any lon$er and was only $oin$ to be a waste of time for the both of them.8t had to end. 898 don(t need you to call me later9



,hat; +e asked flatly.ou(re a $reat $uy =ennis and 8 thank you9for everythin$ you $ave to me. @o matter

what other people said" 8 always felt special with you and you treated me well. /nd 8really really thank you.

+e *ust sat9and listened.

:ut9 !he continued9continued to finish. :ut 8 think we should *ust end thin$shere.

unho looked out his room window as he saw !tephanie step out of =ennis( car and closethe door shut. The car *ust drove away and he saw her stand on the sidewalk" lookin$ outonto the street that the car drove away to. +e saw the back of her lon$ hair and it looked

so sad9

e probably yelled at her a)ain.Ainally" he saw her turn around and stuff her hands in her pockets as she be$an to walk back towards The +ouse to come home. unho Iuickly moved from the window so she

wouldn(t catch him and a few seconds later" he heard the front door close fromdownstairs.

+e wanted to talk to her. +e wanted to see her. +e wanted to han$ out with her" makin$up for the time they lost earlier before she left. +e wanted to $o out to the hallway to

accidentally bump into her to maybe start a new conversation that could maybe lead to playin$ cards or chattin$ in her room.

+e felt her comin$ up the stairs. +e knew her so well that he didn(t even need to hear footsteps. +e *ust knew. 8f he were to walk out in 9291 seconds" he would bump into

her in perfect timin$. They were *ust that close.

#ust then" his cellphone be$an to rin$. 8t startled him as if his whole life was filled withsilence and this rin$ *ust disrupted everythin$.

,alkin$ over to it" he picked it up. +ello;unho?

8t was oon #i.h hey. +e replied. +ow was otte ,orld;

!tephanie(s footsteps stopped *ust as she finished passin$ by unho(s door when sheheard his voice.

/re you serious;; ou saw !hinhwa;;; =amn you must be happy. +aha. !he heardfrom inside. oon #i. 8t was obviously oon #i he was talkin$ to.

!he si$hed. ,ell" even if her and unho could never be" at least she ended thin$s with=ennis for the sake of her heart not passionately poundin$ for him any lon$er. @o matter

what" breakin$ up with him was the ri$ht thin$ to do.



/ye. Ci :um said when he walked out of his room as she was *ust about to open her door. ,hatsup with the bo%ers;

!tephanie spun around and had *ust remembered her plan to kill Ci :um.,hoa9 +e said when he saw the fire in her eyes.

!he walked over to him and $rasped his wrist. &ome. +ere. /nd she char$ed into his

room.

!teph9!teph. +e said. 8 have a $irlfriend and she(s your best friend. 8 clearly think that this is not a $ood idea. +e *oked.

ou are $oin$ to answer @ the answer to the Iuestions 8 ask from this point on.!he $lared at him. BT 8T;;;

9kay. +is eyes looked left and ri$ht. ou(re scarin$ me.eah you should be scared. !he said.

+ow close are you and un :i. !he strai$ht forwardly asked.h $od. +e rolled his eyes. This a$ain;

/@!,.kay okay. #ust friends? @ot even friends. !he(s *ust someone 8 know. !he(s as close asyou are with her.

&hyeah. That(s why my underwear(s lyin$ all over her house huh; !he crossed her arms.

,hat;;;< Ci :um asked" astonished.Ruestion two. +ave you felt /@T+8@B for her other than a Iuote and Iuote9friend.

,+/T;/@!,.

@</re you refusin$ to answer me;

@o? @ot that? @" 8 never felt9,TA is wron$ with you;; /re you tryin$ to saysomethin$ about me;

/s a matter of fact" yes? 8 am.Ci :um(s e%pression became more confused and shocked as ever. &an you *ust tell me

what the heck is $oin$ on;,hy was this shirt with her; !he picked up the t-shirt that was on his chair. +uh;;

,hat do you mean;; 8 thou$ht 8 lost it in $ym class but 8 thou$ht maybe 8 left itsomewhere else and maybe eon +ee or someone brou$ht it back while 8 was $one and-

h my $od9eon +ee wasn(t the one who brou$ht9@o? !tephanie responded. =on(t tell me you already asked eon +ee if she brou$ht

this shirt back to you.89 +e stuttered. !he didn(t answer her phone so 8 left her a messa$e askin$ if she

did<<m$9 !tephanie put her hand on her head. ,hat(re you $onna say to her;; !he(s

$onna KaskK who brou$ht it back<8(ll98(ll *ust say you or someone else brou$ht it back.

ou(re $onna KlieK to her;;;,ell 8 can(t mention un :i?? ,+ =8= !+ +/O 8T 8@ T+ A8!T F/&;<

8 =@(T C@,<< !tephanie replied. @ot only did she have this !+8T" but she had



your :M! too<<,hat;;

eah? !he said she(s brin$in$ both this stuff back to you because you left Nem at her house.

>h9 Ci :um said. 8(ve never even been to her house.

/nd that better be the truth comin$ from your mouth? !tephanie said.ou don(t KbelieveK me;; +e asked with a hurt face.,ell" 8 mean 8 dunno why she(d risk lyin$ like that?

,hat the fKk" !teph. ut of all people9kay" kay 8(m sorry. !he apolo$i7ed.

@o. +e cut off. ou thou$ht somethin$ of me for a sec" huh;!orry Ci :um" but it was somethin$ 8 couldn(t help bein$ mad over" okay; ou need to

cut off your relationship with her" KnowK.elationship;;; 8 have no relationship with her?

elationship doesn(t mean intimate. 8t can mean friendship too.8 knooow that. +e said. :ut we(re not even friends.

,ell you $otta stop bein$ so damn nice then. !he said" throwin$ his shirt on the floor.8f you wouldn(t let this happen" this wouldn(t have happened. ven if she(s lyin$ or not9she(s obviously thinkin$ she can *ust do whatever she wants like this and even dareto break you $uys up. 8f you make it clear to her and be a little solid aobut it" you know

she(d be too scared to even talk to either of you.ou *ust don(t $et it. +e said. >$h. #ust $et outta my room.

!tephanie(s eyes went blank. ,hat;8 said $et outta my room.

/re you $ettin$ mad at me like this over KherK; 8( tryin$ to +F you Ci :um. penyour fKckin eyes. !he(s hella sneaky and she wants you bad.kay thanks for your help. ou(re welcome to leave now.

Aine" whatever. !tephanie said carelessly. :ut if you and- /nd she opened the door toleave when" eon +ee9

Ci :um(s ears perked up and felt hot when he heard !tephanie say that name. +e lookedup with shock in his heart and saw his beloved eon +ee standin$ at the door" obviously

havin$ heard what was said between him and !tephanie.!he had a ba$ of cookies in her hand that she had made the whole day to surprise him"

which was why she didn(t pick up her phone calls from him till now9/nd she had heard everythin$.

eah9we all have such wonderful timin$. !tephanie muttered" puttin$ her hand over her face. eon +ee98ono what you heard" but please don(t be mad. !tephanie tried

savin$ Ci :um. 8 swear" Ci :um did nothin$.eah" thanks for tellin$ me. !he sarcastically and an$rily said to !tephanie like she had

been so deceived. !tephanie then felt a rush of $uilt washin$ over her body9!he *ustwanted to prevent her from $ettin$ hurt9

eon +ee then shifted her eyes to Ci :um and he looked back helplessly. !he tossed himhis cookies and turned around to $o.eon +ee" wait< !tephanie said.

eon +ee then turned around and char$ed back into Ci :um(s room and snatched his



cookies away before $oin$ back. eck no, he’s not )ettin) these cookies.

!tephanie si$hed and looked back at Ci :um. +e then ran out of his room to $o after her9

eon +ee ,/8T<< +e called" catchin$ up to her after she had *ust left the front door of The +ouse. +e cau$ht up and twirled her around. Flease9can you *ust listen to me;;

,hat. There(s nothin$ to hear.8 didn(t cheat on you<

ou think 8 don(t know that;;Ci :um looked back at her" confused.

Ci :um9you seriously think 8(m mad because 8 think that you cheated on me;;,ell9

+ow can you be with me for over two and half years and not know KoneK thin$ about

me;9eon +ee9Why is her name still bein$ brou$ht up;; !he asked. ,hy do 8 KstillK have to keep

hearin$ about her; &onstantly< +er savin$ you from school has been over very well lon$a$o? !he doesn(t need to return your clothes too?

8 know. 8 had no idea" 8 was *ust- +e tried to hold her hands.+ow come you keep lettin$ this happen" Ci :um; !he felt tears creepin$ to the cornersof her eyes. !he was already paranoid about un :i since last year9and $ot even moreworried when she saved Ci :um from his pla$iarism incident. 8t was all buildin$ up and

this *ust ticked everythin$ off.ook" everythin$ is my fault9 +e be$an. Flease don(t be mad at me" eon +ee.

@othin$ makes my day worse than when you(re mad at me. 8 swear nothin$ like this willever happen a$ain. 8 seriously had no clue about her havin$ my clothes. 8 still don(t know.

:ut it really doesn(t matter to me9,ell it matters to me. !he said. 8 don(t mean to sound like a bKtch or anythin$" but

shouldn(t 8 be the only $irl doin$ somethin$ like $ivin$ your clothes back;;f course you are? eon +ee9please. 8 have no idea what happened and 8(m still

confused over what !tephanie(s sayin$ to me and 8 feel horrible. :ut all 8 know is thatthere was nothin$ ever between me and un :i.

es" but you keep lettin$ her pop up like this. /nd what's that about those :M!<Jkay T+/T...8 really have nothin$ to be $uilty of.J +e said. J8've never even seen those.

Jmhmm...J !he crossed her arms and looked away.9 +e fell silent and looked at her. 9eon +ee...J

J,hat.JJook at me.J

!he slowly turned her head to him. !he knew he did nothin$ wron$" but the naturalfeelin$s of a $irl *ust couldn't hide such an$er and fury.

J+ey...J +e be$an. Jou trust me" ri$ht;!he si$hed9and looked back up while softenin$ her face as her lon$ hair blew with the

wind.



f course 8 trust you9eon +ee989am so in love with you. +e said. ou are the best thin$ 8 have KeverK

been throu$h and nothin$ can $et my eyes to turn away. ou know that. /nd9and 8know. 8 know 8 messed up9@T intentionally9but 8 did9and 8(m sorry for lettin$ this

have happened and you(re ri$ht. 8 wasn(t clear enou$h as 8 thou$ht 8 was" but 8 didn(t

mean for anythin$ like this to happen and 8 hate it< 8 have no idea what went wron$ andwhat neither !tephanie or un :i(s talkin$ about9but nobody else matters e%cept you.!o9can you please *ust9confirm to me that there(s nothin$ lost between us; Trust9

love9friendship9anythin$;!he si$hed a$ain. /nd then looked up with a small smile. ,ell9you sure lost your

cookies. !he said" holdin$ the tip of the plastic ba$ and wavin$ them.Ci :um felt warmth from his heart and up to his cheeks. ven if it had been so lon$ since

they(ve been a couple9her smile still made him blush. specially after a fi$ht or misunderstandin$.

8s there a way 8 can $et them back; +e asked" smilin$ back at her. ike9maybe 8have to kiss you;

Fsh. Too easy. !he said. ,alk me home; 8t(s kinda scary.+e *umped in front of her and sIuatted down for her to pi$$y back ride. +op on?Ci :um? @o? !he re*ected" half heartedly.

&ome on? +e said. This way 8 can show you that 8(m not as weak as 8 look.!he rolled her eyes. ou(re still not stron$.

The last time 8 $ave you a pi$$y back ride was when you sprained your ankle. That's alon$ time a$o.

/nd my ankle(s fine now. 8t(s okay. 8 have le$s.#ust come on. +e $rabbed her ankles and pulled her closer to his back. ou know you

want to. y seduction(s killin$ you98 can feel it./ll this for my cookies" eh; !he smirked.

/ll this for your cookies. +e replied. @ow hurry up.!he smiled. +ehe9okay? /nd she $ot on his back e%citedly like a child and he lifted

both of them up with no problem at all. !he was as li$ht as feather.8(m heavy huh; !he asked.

!eriously. !top eatin$ cookies. +e *oked back.+ey? !he tapped his head li$htly. kay you. ff to home??? !he ordered.

/re you sure you(re ready;; he asked.f course 8(m ready. 8 *ust hope you won(t topple over from smellin$ these?? !he

waved her cookies a$ain under his nose. @ow $o.+a< ,ell 8 won(t fall over if we $et there soon enou$h9 +e warned.

+uh;/nd without her bein$ prepared" he darted down the sidewalk" runnin$ towards her house

as fast as he could. S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 022--

:lurriness9Ao$$iness9:lurriness9



Ao$$iness9

Ainally" after a couple more blinks...#ae #oon$(s vision became completely clear.:ut his mind was yet to be9

+e scrunched his nose and sIuinted his eyes" lookin$ around to see an unfamiliar room bein$ on an unfamiliarly comfortable bed with cushiony down blankets and peaceful pillows) but his head was throbbin$.

,hat9the9 +e said" $lancin$ at the clock that read 10Q22 / di$itally in red.

+e sat up" rubbed his eyes and put his hand down.,here the heck am 8; +e felt a cold bree7e hittin$ directly on his skin which made him

finally reali7e that his shirt was unbuttoned more than halfway down.

/h< +e screamed and put his shirt openin$ to$ether.

/h< +e screamed a$ain when he saw a $irl at the door of the room" waitin$ for himwith a tray of food that was seemin$ to be breakfast. 8t was Tiffany.,ha9what(re you doin$; +e asked her" scootin$ back on the bed a$ainst the wall as if she were comin$ towards him with a knife. Flease $et me back to my mommy. 8(ll $ive

you my wallet.+a. !he lau$hed. 8 knew you were an innocent one deep inside.

#ae #oon$ $rasped onto his shirt a$ain so nothin$ would be e%posed to her. ,hat(re youdoin$ to me;;;;

=on(t KworryK kid. 8 know what you(re all about now" 8(m not $onna rape you. +ere.!he offered him a piece of toast as she sat down on the bed" settin$ the tray9or now a

small table since she pulled the le$s out9near him so he can eat.#ae #oon$ stayed silent and *ust stared at her with scared eyes.

8f you must know" you were clubbin$ a little too hard last ni$ht and took some hardliIuor that you apparently weren(t supposed to take. 8 didn(t know you were a hi$h

schooler and you said you did this all the time so 8 thou$ht it(d be C9+uh;; #ae #oon$ blinked twice. /nd then he finally remembered everythin$. $h sh;t!!

I’m supposed to be ??!! ?2## ?@## h!! I &or)ot!!!

:ut when you started barfin$ like cra7y after *ust a few drinks 8 fi$ured this was your first time.

+ehe9 +e lau$hed weakly" turnin$ beet red with embarrassment. +ow(d you know 8was in hi$h school;

&us your mother called;y mother9y mom<<< B ,+/T =8= > !/ T +;<;<

ou(re lucky your friends were still sober at the time. !he said. They pretended 8 wasone of their older cousins and 8 was *ust takin$ you $uys out and havin$ you sleepover

with your buddies. !he thinks you(re over at that Cenny boy(s house ri$ht now.#ae #oon$ released a breath of relief and his body sunk down with comfort. Thank you?

+e breathed.+ere. !he said" pourin$ him some oran$e *uice. =rink some.

,ait9 +e cocked his head back. =id you9. +e slowly pulled up the blankets and



saw that his pants were only wearin$ his bo%ers< h my $od9Fuh-lease. Tiffany rolled her eyes. /fter 8 found out how youn$ you were" 8 felt

=8!B>!T= for even thinkin$ of you that way. 8 didn(t do anythin$ to you so be $lad.There were some other $irls who were tryin$ to take advanta$e of you bein$ drunk but 8

took you home. ou(re still a vir$in? !he teased.

Then why are all my clothes undone;;;>m9cus 8 didn(t wanna $et all your throw-up on my bed. !he said truthfully.9.h. +e said) mbarrassment D2.

=o you even remember anythin$; !he asked" bein$ sincerely worried.9@ot really. +e replied" pressin$ his eye that felt like it was throbbin$. +e then picked

up the $lass of oran$e *uice and started to drink. 8(m starvin$.8 made you some toast and e$$s. !he said. #ust holler me if you want more. 8(ll take

you home after breakfast. !he $ave him a $rin and $ot up to leave the room to make himfeel comfortable.

#ae #oon$ watched the se%y nuna walk away9/nd not *ust as a se%y $irl he saw at the basketball courts anymore) more like a nice older sister that he felt like home with.

+ey. +e called before she reached the door.!he turned around with a face that asked what was up.Thanks. +e smiled.

&hyeah. =on(t $o talkin$ to stran$ers a$ain like that" kid. @e%t time" it may be a badone. !he advised9and she closed the door for him to eat comfortably.

+e(s in a bad mood today" don(t know why" but he is9!o *ust warnin$ you. The nursewarned #unsu before she opened the door to ewis( room.

#unsu took a deep breath. kay. eady.

ewis?? The nurse san$ his name as she entered.#unsu walked in behind her and saw the back of his head" sittin$ in his wheelchair9

facin$ the bi$ window.ewis" your friend is here< #unsu< The nurse continued.

9+ehe9hi. #unsu $reeted.

ewis spun around. +e had a warm" plaid blanket on his le$s and rolled over. :ah< +erefor your colle$e application credit time;

#unsu made a $uilty face and turned to the nurse" who *ust looked back with a comfortin$face that said" N=on(t worry.(

ewis? 8(ll be back in 20 minutes with your medication. :e $ood? !he warned and she patted #unsu(s shoulder before walkin$ out.

ewis turned his chair and rolled over to his small frid$e and opened it.



#unsu held in his breath. +e wasn(t sure what it is" but he felt nervous.

+ere. ewis said" tossin$ #unsu a popsicle and holdin$ one for his own. at it fast.The weather(s hot.

,hat9 #unsu said" catchin$ the popsicle. ewis" 8 thou$ht you weren(t suppose to eat

sweets cus of your diabetes.!+++++. ewis hushed and rolled away to a table. !iddown?#unsu slowly walked over to the other side of the table and sat down across from ewis.

+e hated this nervous feelin$ he $ot in his stomach everytime he and ewis wereto$ether" even if this was the only second time they(ve had a meetin$. ewis *ust seemedto rebel way too much" especially for an an$el like #unsu who would never do anythin$wron$ even if nobody would ever know about it. +e felt like he was $oin$ a$ainst the

rules of life.

ewis" 8 don(t think you should eat that popsicle9 +e said. 8 don(t want you $ettin$

in trouble or anythin$9a only $et in trouble9 ewis be$an lookin$ at #unsu with a narrow-eyed look. 8f ya$et cau$ht.

#unsu winced his face. kay well 8 don(t want your health $ettin$ all9worse./nd KthatK is *us an e%cuse you made up to convince me. ewis said.

ewis?!o" what; ou tellin( me that you(re $onna eat that popsicle all by yo(self and have me

*us KsitK here and watch you;; @oo way *ose.@o? #unsu said. 8 won(t eat it. 8 swear. &an we please *ust put them away;;

ewis looked down and ripped the cover of the popsicle anyway and slipped it in hismouth. mmmmm m<< +e smiled with satisfaction. ou(re missin( out.

#unsu si$hed and rolled his eyes to the ceilin$.&(mon? 8f you ain(t $on( eat that thin$ then $ive it back. 8 hate it when they melted.+ere. #unsu sat it on the table and carefully slid it over to ewis. 8(m not $onna $o

a$ainst the rules.ou really $onna $ive this up; 8t(s $ood. 8t(s reeealll $ood.

8(m $ivin$ it up for you< #unsu said. &an you please stop eatin$ it;; Flease;;ewis slowly pulled the popsicle out of his mouth and looked down at it. /nd then he

looked up at #unsu. I’m )ivin) it up &or you7 @ever had those words been heard to him before. /nd it touched him. !o hard that it almost hurt.

Aine. ewis a$reed" coverin$ up his touched" melted heart. 8mma stop eatin$ this butonly cus ion(t want your face all desperate and in pain that you aren(t eatin$ it.

#unsu $rinned. Thanks ewis?

/ week?? =on$ +ae wailed" so much that his voice cracked9pinnin$ his head and his



hand on the calendar on his bedroom wall where he marked every day after it was over until the very day that #essica would finally come back home from Corea" which was

in9 / whole full weeeeekkk?? +e repeated" dra$$in$ his body down the wall as if hewere in the middle of his death before he fell to the floor. 8(m $onna die?

8t(s not like it(s a full week of / torture. icky pointed out" after suckin$ his rin$ pop out of his mouth. ou(re not $oin$ throu$h a whole week without food or somethin$.

8t(s worse9 =on$ +ae wailed a$ain. 8 feel constant hun$er.

+ey" 8 feel that even when :o/(s here. icky shru$$ed a shoulder. =o you haveanymore Boldfish crackers by the way;;

#essica9#essica9#!!888&&///?? +e rolled around on the $round kickin$ his feet" ban$in$ his fists and then haltin$ everythin$ with his head restin$ on the floor. ,hen

will a week become shorter<<

8s this KreallyK how you wanna spend your week; icky asked. Jou've been doin$this since two days a$o<<J

J!he's $onna miss my birthday /@= our one year anniversary.J =on$ +ae pointed out.JThis is not healthy for =on$ +ae...J

!peakin$ of your birthday...J icky pointed a fin$er up. J8 can(t believe you cancelledyour party #>!T because #essica(s not here.

#ust;; =on$ +ae looked up from the $round. #>!T because she(s not here; !he(s themain in$redient for my party. ,hat else would matter without her;;

Bee" sorry? icky apolo$i7ed. =idn(t know she mattered more than your A8@=!.Farentheses9me.

!orry icky. :ut it(s *ust that she(s been $one for so lon$<< 8 thou$ht 8 could handleit9

8 don(t blame ya. icky a$reed. 8t(s only been five hours since :o/ left and 8 feel aheadache already??? ou know what;; 8 reali7ed that after she became my $irlfriend98don(t even need medicine anymore to make me $et better throu$h anythin$< :ut thennn

it(s a trick. &us when she(s $one9not even medicine can cure me?

=on$ +ae $ave a silent look to icky for one full second.

+e then continued kickin$ and screamin$. #essiiiccaaaa??

icky si$hed and nodded his head at =on$ +ae. 8oor poor thin).



!o your brains started kickin( in huh;; eon +ee spun around and leaned a$ainst!tephanie(s window with a can of coke in her hand. ou finally ended thin$s with the

*erk.+e(s not a *erk. !tephanie defended" layin$ down on her bed and puttin$ her head on

her pillow. +e(s not actually a bad person. +e(s a $ood person inside. +e(s *ust a little9lost.

!ure. eon +ee rolled her eyes. 8f you look deeply inside everybody" nobody(s

actually a bad person.!tephanie rolled her eyes back at the comment.,ell whatever. 8(m $lad you ended thin$s. 8t was the ri$ht thin$ to do) especially since

you don(t like him anymore anyway./h9don(t remind me. 8 feel really bad.

kay" 8(ll shut up. eon +ee replied. h my $od9 !he then said" lookin$ outside of !tephanie(s window.

,hy is she here; eon +ee looked clenched her teeth while ti$htenin$ her fists whenshe saw9dun dun dun9un :i9comin$ towards The +ouse.

eon +ee whipped her hair around when she turned to back to !tephanie. ,hy is shehere;;; !he repeated.

!tephanie raised her head and looked out the window for herself. +er curious face hadimmediately transformed into an an$ry one. h my $od9

eon +ee kept lookin$ at !tephanie for some other advice to hear. !tephanie pivoted her eyes back to eon +ee. Bo kill Ner.

They both ran down the stairs to see Ci :um answerin$ the door.

un :i9 eon +ee heard him say.

Ci :um?? ou(re home<< un :i sIuealed deli$htfully. !he then moved her head a bitto see who(s behind him) 8t was eon +ee and !tephanie. Breat9

Ci :um turned his own head to see what un :i was lookin$ at and he was startled toface the two $irls. +ey $uys9 +e smiled.

Bo ahead Ci :um9 !tephanie crossed her arms. et(s see how you handle this.+e felt intimidated9+e didn(t know why" but he did. +is eyes moved to eon +ee. /nd



then he felt bad rather than intimidated. !tephanie looked an$ry" but eon +ee lookedan$ry" scared" annoyed and somewhat hurt. The look he hated most9

un :i. +e turned his head back to her. 8 actually need to talk to you.+e $rabbed her wrist and took her outside of The +ouse.

eon +ee and !tephanie looked at each other9and followed them outside too.

=id you $et the t-shirt; un :i asked cheerfully.es98 $ot it. +e be$an. !tephanie and eon +ee stood behind Ci :um as if they were

his mafia back up crew. :ut why did 8 $et it from you;;h9 un :i sadly looked down. !orry you were disappointed9

!tephanie dropped her mouth and looked at eon +ee. +ow can she act so innocent;;;8t(s *ust that Cyle had your shirt because he found it in $ym class a lon$ time a$o9and

he asked me to $ive it to you9 !he looked up at Ci :um with eyes that looked like they

were on the ver$e of tears. That was it" 8 swear? Flease don(t be mad at me9$h%my%)od% !tephanie felt as if her head was close to e%plosion. ememberin$ howun :i had acted when she was returnin$ it9she couldn(t believe it.

Ci :um si$hed. kay well9 +e be$an. ,ell what about the bo%ers;mmhmmm?? !tephanie crossed her arms.

:o%ers; un :i asked. ,hat do you mean bo%ers9; The only thin$ 8 $ave back wasthe t-shirt98 $ave it to her. !he pointed to !tephanie.

!tephanie(s mouth dropped a$ain9and harder.,hat;< eon +ee whispered to !tephanie. Ci :um looked back at her with Iuestionin$

eyes.,ha9 !tephanie yelped. ou9ou $ave me bo%ers too and said he left them at your

house<< !he practically screamed to un :i. :;<un :i(s eyes looked scared and confused back at !tephanie. !he then looked at Ci :um.

8 dunno what she(s talkin$ about Ci :um? 8 only meant to $ive back your shirt sinceCyle told me how lon$ he(s had it and couldn(t $ive it back? 8 saw him before he left ona trip that day and happened to see the shirt so he told me to $ive to you if 8 pass by your

house and9 !he stuttered. 8 $uess other thin$s were attached to what 8 said9;m$9 !tephanie be$an. +99B=<< ,as all she can repeat and say while

slappin$ her hand on her forehead and lookin$ up to the sky.8 mean98 know you don(t like me !tephanie9 un :i sadly looked down a$ain. :utframin$ me like that9r no" !tephanie wouldn(t do that. un :i fakely tried to act like

she was helpin$ !tephanie. aybe somethin$ $ot mi%ed up and9eon +ee(s fists were balled up so ti$ht that they were red9and shakin$. !he couldn(ttake this anymore. This was all that was $oin$ to happen9and she was $oin$ to make

sure of it. @ow.

C look9 Ci :um be$an to un :i. 8 dunno what happened but-ou know all 8 meant was to $ive back your t-shirt. un :i pleaded innocently a$ain. 8

don(t even know-



/B++< eon +ee plun$ed herself onto un :i" pushin$ her to the $round so hardthat un :i felt the back of her head throb as soon as it touched the $rass that was seen so

soft before hittin$ it like this. !he was in for trouble9eon +ee<< !tephanie yelled and Ci :um raced to try and $et them apart.

eon +ee be$an punchin$ un :i in the face with her fists so an$ry from left to ri$ht and

left to ri$ht a$ain that she looked like a better fi$hter than any boy in town. +er fists werechar$in$ at her face and nothin$ went throu$h her mind besides the fact that she literallywanted to kill her. @othin$ else was $oin$ throu$h that normally smart brain of hers9

B<<< icky yelled as he and =on$ +ae approached the front of The +ouse and theysaw eon +ee on top of somebody" couldn(t tell who" *ust $oin$ at it like they(ve never seen before. =on$ +ae and icky $ave each other one Iuick look before openin$ the

$ates as Iuick as possible and runnin$ to their front lawn.

eon +ee??? !TF<< Ci :um tried his best to take his $irlfriend off. eon +ee$rabbed un :i(s hair and be$an shakin$ her head as un :i(s eyes were rolled back so

much that you could almost only see white in her pupils. +er hands were uncontrollableand she was $rowin$ weaker by the second.

@ +<<< The three boys finally $ot to$ether to pull eon +ee off successfully.

eon +ee stood up" out of breath9and looked down at what she did to un :i.

un :i was on the $rass9face bruised up and partially blood stained and was barely ableto stand up) et" nobody helped her.

un :i finally tried to sit up" wincin$ in crucial pain. !he didn(t even have the mind tocall Ci :um(s name for help. !he really $ot it this time.

ou9 eon +ee" still out of breath pointed to un :i.

verybody(s attention turned to eon +ee.

8t is one thin$9 !he be$an. To try and take my boyfriend. /nd actually" 8 really donot care all that much that you try. :ecause you *ust look like nothin$ but a desperate"

pathetic skank.

un :i turned her face up and her with fury in her eyes.

:ut eon +ee *ust continued.

:ut to mess with my friends and tryin$ to cause conflict between Nem9 !he continued.That(s somethin$ my hands can never *ust let slide.

verybody else stayed silent. !tephanie and Ci :um still couldn(t re$ister everythin$ that



*ust happened in their minds and =on$ +ae and icky *ust watched in both awe andconfusion. /nd by now" icky" &haewon" !unday and =ana were outside watchin$ aswell) They all heard from inside The +ouse and ran out to see what was happenin$.

Try plannin$ some crap like that with /@ of my friends a$ain and you(ll really be

sorry. eon +ee finished. =on(t live your life like that" Can$ un :i. 8t(s not worth it.

!he turned and didn(t connect eyes with anybody and *ust went back inside The +ouse9

,hoa. icky said as soon as everybody saw that she shut the front door. !he(s$an$sta.

Ci :um said nothin$ to un :i or anybody else and ran in after eon +ee.

eah" 8 don(t think you should come back. !unday turned and strai$ht forwardly said to

un :i. ou(re causin$ too much shKt.>$h. ,as all !tephanie could say. !he was speechless. !he couldn(t believe howsomebody can be that way9+ow can she lie to Ci :um like that ri$ht in front of her

face;;

un :i stood up and picked her thin$s up. !he didn(t reply to anybody and *ust rushedoutside of their front lawn. !he was embarrassed" ashamed and wanted to $et out of the

place as soon as possible. /nd everybody watched her scurry away down the street. S E

A S O N T W O.

--chapter 02--

Bo home and watch your television. ewis said" stalkin$ up the playin$ cards after heand #unsu finished another $ame of pokerGwithout $amblin$H. !ince thas what youyoun$ kids really like to do. 8(m sickka your face today. Bo on n( have your real fun.@o" that(s not true. #unsu replied. 8 like han$in$ out with you.+a. ou sound like my lyin$ $randson when he was Nbout your a$e. ewis lau$hed.#unsu raised his eyebrows. +e wanted to know about ewis( family9+e wanted to knowabout them and what they(ve done to make ewis in a senior home with such a hurt heart.+ave they really left him like he briefly said when they first met; ,ere they really thekind of people to abandon a $ood" fun man like ewis; 8f so" why;

+e always tol( me that fishin( with me was the most fun he(d ever have more thananythin(. ewis be$an" as if he had heard what was $oin$ throu$h #unsu(s mind.Aoolish me" 8 believed that and was so happy that 8 can make him have fun. Aun withoutall those stinkin( technolo$y video $ames like all the other kids.,hy; #unsu asked. ,hy were you foolish for believin$ him;h" he only said that :! to $et more cash on tha holidays. ewis lau$hed as if it weresomethin$ so minor and funny. #unsu could tell it wasn(t.9aybe it wasn(t. #unsu said.



!ure. ewis replied. !ure9 +e turned his wheelchair around and rolled away to thewindow. Bo home kid. ou don( wanna be stuck here with an old ra$.#unsu sat and stared at the back of ewis. 8t looked so sad and never did he talk like this before. !ure" he made a few cold comments and *okes and mentioned a little pain abouthis family" but today9he showed more than *ust a $limpse.

Bo home?? ewis persisted" lyin$ at heart. 8 told ya son" 8(m sickka your face today.Bo on. +e didn(t even turn around to say $ood-bye.

#unsu closed the door and started walkin$ down the hall. ther residents of the seniorhome were walkin$ passed him too) some in wheelchairs" some walkin$ with canes forsupport and some who *ust $rinned at him with a wave.

+e wondered about them now. ,hat must have brou$ht them here; +ow were the pastsof all these people; ,hat was ewis( past;

/ye<< +e then heard from ahead.#unsu looked up to see a &aucasian old man rushin$ his way with his cane up in the air asif he were an$ry with #unsu. #unsu(s eyebrows rose at his action.ou?? The man said when approachin$ him. ,here(s your brother;;;y brother; #unsu asked. ,ell 8 have a little brother but he(s in Corea.8(m =8&C<< The man yelled. The name clicked in #unsu(s head ri$ht away. +e was!un$ in(s elderly that !un$ in met on his own time. our brother<<< ,here is he;;;!eein$ from this and what !un$ in had told them about =ick bein$ a little9off in themind" #unsu *ust fi$ured that =ick was referrin$ to !un$ in when he said Nbrother.(h?? ,ell he(s not supposed to be here at this time. #unsu played alon$. +e(ll be heretomorrow. =on(t worry.+ ,! / 88@ =/!<<< =ick hollered.=8&C<< / nurse came runnin$. =8&C" leave him alone<< !he scolded and $rasped hisarm. 8(m sorry. !he apolo$i7ed to #unsu. +e(s *ust havin$ a really bad day today9h it(s okay. #unsu responded sincerely with a smile.=ick" let(s $o. The nurse said" turnin$ to =ick who had an an$ry face at #unsu. Tellyour brother that if he doesn(t have the million dollars by tomorrow at noon" his familywill be in $reat dan$er<< +e waved the cane in the air to #unsu(s face" which made #unsuimmediately *erk his head back to prevent $ettin$ hit. +F+<< =ick finished.=ick. ou need your medication. et(s $o. /nd the nurse $ave #unsu one lastapolo$etic smile before dra$$in$ =ick away.

#ust then" #unsu thou$ht about ewis a$ain. +e looked back at the door to ewis( room9 I wonder what he’s doin)%

@ot able to handle the wonder" #unsu walked over to the door and slowly opened itwithout makin$ any noises" *ust to see what he was doin$.

uckily" ewis was still facin$ the window on the other side of the room and his back



was still turned9

8 see trees of $reen? +e was sin$in$" starin$ at the window. ed roses too? 8 see them bloom9Aor me and you? /nd 8 think to myself9,hat a wonderful world9;

8t was that son$ a$ain. N,hat a ,onderful ,orld.(

8 see skies of blue? /nd clouds of white. The bri$ht blessed day" do$s say $ood-ni$ht./nd 8 think to myself" ,hat a wonderful world.

#unsu closed the door a$ain. /nd he decided" / $ift for ewis) +is ne%t thin$ to spend hismoney on9after a lon$ lon$ time a$o since he bou$ht a $ift for his parents( anniversary.

eon +ee sat on the livin$ room dinin$ table in The +ouse" thinkin$ about what she *ustdid outside.!he had finally done somethin$ that(s only been ima$ined in her mind for a lon$ periodof time" but never thou$ht that would ever happen. 8t was like a dream come true) but shedidn(t feel $ood at all for sure.

!he took a deep breath. ,hy(d 8 do that9;

!he then heard the front door open and turned her head. 8t was Ci :um" rushin$ in.-reat% !he thou$ht. What’s he )onna say now%

eon +ee? Ci :um said as soon as he reached her.8 know 8 know 8 know? eon +ee Iuickly said" flappin$ her hand on the sides of herface like she was already irritated by his voice and didn(t want him yellin$ at her. 8totally messed up and 8(m sorry. !he apolo$i7ed.Ci :um *ust stood. +e wasn(t sure what to think of the situation. f course" by now afteralmost years of bein$ to$ether" his thou$hts of eon +ee could never chan$e andalways stron$ly stayed the same9but it was *ust the situation he wasn(t too sure about.+e knew un :i deserved it" he $uessed9but it wasn(t e%actly un :i he was concernedabout. +e was worried about eon +ee9,as she really KthatK an$ry; To do somethin$like that that she had never done before;

eon +ee9 +e sIuee7ed her shoulder. /re you okay;8(m fine. !he replied with a si$h. 8t was *ust98 dunno.8 know she makes you mad and 8 have X0P of the blame to take. +e said. /nd shewas bein$ e%tra off today9eon +ee si$hed a$ain" but under her breath. !he knew he would say somethin$ aboutthis9+e always did. +e always told her what she did wron$" even if he knew she knew)



!ometimes" he *ust didn(t have the clue to i$nore the obvious wron$ Nfacts( about thesituation and be there to understand.

:ut 8 mean" you didn(t have to hit her. +e finished. ou were pretty harsh98 know Ci :um. !he replied. 8t(s not like 8(m proud of what 8 did and 8(m even

re$rettin$ it ri$ht now. :ut 8 was really $ettin$ fed up with her //=9and then"did you not see what she was tryin$ to do to !tephanie;;; eon +ee asked" pointin$ tothe door.

icky" =on$ +ae" !un$ in" !tephanie" !unday" =ana" &haewon and icky *ust then allentered The +ouse9

8 *ust couldn(t take her crap anymore and yes" 8 still know 8 messed up" but-@o you didn(t? icky cut in" walkin$ over with the rest. ou toootallly smothered her up and that was what we were / waitin$ for.eon +ee cocked her head at icky with a sli$ht $rin. eally; !he asked. Aeelin$

$uilty" but she felt $ood all of a sudden that she $ot a compliment of her act.8 dunno eon +ee. !un$ in said. 8 wasn(t there for the whole thin$ and iono what$ot you so pissed off" but y(know that wasn(t ri$ht. 8 hate her too and all9but 8 was sortashocked.eon +ee(s shoulders sunk down a$ain. 8 know.icky rolled his eyes. ,hatever. 8 think she totally owned. ,ho else woulda had the balls to do that;;;;ou could $et !>= for that kinda stuff" thou$h. !un$ in pointed out. 8(m sayin$all this stuff as her friend. @ot to be on un :i(s side. 8(m *ust worried that(s all.ou(re like an an$el with horns. icky said to eon +ee.eah well if un :i(s an Nan$el( with horns when it comes to boys" then 8(ll be an an$elwith horns when it comes to my friends. eon +ee said. @ot to mention that neither ofus are Nan$els(.. !he rolled her eyes. verybody else stayed silent.8 know 8 was wron$" okay you $uys; 8t(s not like 8(m proud of what 8 did" 8 don(t feel$ood either. !he continued. :ut 8 mean" 8 $uess stuff *ust built up and she topped it offwhen she was tryin$ to cause conflict between people besides me and Ci :um. @ow Kthat(sK somethin$ pretty messed up of her too" wasn(t it; ou $uys know how 8feel about other people messin$ stuff up between us.%actly? icky nodded in a$reement" stickin$ by eon +ee(s side till the end./nd she was tryin$ to make both people look bad9 eon +ee said.,ell you really think 8 would(ve believed her; Ci :um asked. ou and 8 both knewthat un :i was the one lyin$9ri$ht; +e turned to !tephanie.h my $od9 !tephanie looked up" puttin$ her hand on her forehead a$ain. 8(m noteven $onna say anythin$ about this.8(m *ust kiddin$. Ci :um said. +e then turned back to eon +ee. 8 know you(re allabout stickin$ up for your friends eon +ee9:ut you $otta be careful. The world is notlike the movies. ou *ust don(t beat someone up and then it(s overwith. 8 mean" whoknows what she(ll do to handle this situation;/nd what if this spreads at school; !un$ in pointed out. our ima$e will be like9ruined?



8ma$e; eon +ee asked back. 8(m not a superstar man. There(s no ima$e to ruin.=ude. !unday said. !he was stickin$ up for a friend okay; ou $uys need to chill outand think about what went on rather than speakin$ what(s Nri$ht( or Nwron$(. Areakin(wimps.,e(re *ust bein$ worried for her" too? !un$ in said back. +e then turned to =on$

+ae who stayed silent since they walked in. =on$ +ae9say somethin$?=on$ +ae turned to eon +ee and smiled. 8 thou$ht you were awesome.e too. icky and !tephanie said in sync.8 mean" nobody these days does that for the sake of friends anymore. verybody(s tooscared about $ettin$ conseIuences. %cept for $an$ban$ers or whatever.. @obody(s therefor their friends these days. =on$ +ae continued.eah" okay :arney. !un$ in cut in.

=on$ +ae i$nored and continued. 8 mean" isn(t it the fact that eon +ee didn(t careabout that kinda stuff you $uys are mentionin$" make her a better friend; =espite whether Ci :um would(ve believed her or not" eon +ee was *ust pissed at what un :i was

doin$ and 8 totally $et it. eah" her $ettin$ that physical mi$ht(ve not been the best wayand 8(m not supportin$ *umpin$ people but doesn(t really matter) she was doin$ whateverybody else would(ve only said N8 would(ve done that( about. !he actually $ot dirtywith whoever $ot dirty with her friends and 8(m so $lad 8 have a friend who(s actuallywillin$ to do somethin$ like that. eon +ee98 $ive you my props. /nd if anythin$happens to you cus of this" y(know 8 $ot your back.8 dunno if eon +ee(ll need anyone(s back no more. icky reminded.Ci :um si$hed and looked at eon +ee. !he looked back at him. 9ou don(t hate medo you;+e $ave her a lovin$ smile. +e knew she knew what made this Nwron$( 9so he knew heshouldn(t say thin$s anymore9besides" 8 love you even more.

&hyeah" you better watch out what you say from now on" hyun$. icky said. eon+ee nuna will kick anybody(s ass in a second< /nd not all $irly either.icky? eon +ee pleaded. &an you KpleaseK not think of me that way; 8(m not $onnakick anybody(s ass9 !he rolled her eyes while sayin$ Nkick anybody(s ass.(eah" we(re sorry eon +ee. !un$ in apolo$i7ed. ,e were *ust worried98 know. !he replied. 8(m still kinda worried too9/nd feel sorta bad9>$h" don(t. !unday said. !he prolly doesn(t even $et it ri$ht now.!he(s an idiot. =on$ +ae said.

,ell" now that detention and lecture(s over" can we play video $ames; icky asked.h9e%cept 8 don(t want to $o a$ainst eon +ee9(know" don(t wanna $et creamed bya $irl?eon +ee looked at icky flatly. icky" say one more thin$ about this a$ain and 8KwillK cream you.ikes9 icky said under his breath to !un$ in.

/s everybody be$an rustlin$ to do their own thin$ a$ain" !tephanie walked over to eon



+ee who was standin$ up and put her arm around her ti$htly and attachin$ their hedsto$ether./hem? !tephanie cleared her throat as they walked over to the couch. ou definitelyowned the world today? ou totally kicked ass.eon +ee $lanced back at her best friend with a smirky smile. 8 knew only we(d

know?

There was now a bit of eon +ee that !tephanie and the rest of their friends hadn(tknown or seen before that they(d all seen today) @one of them were up for violence or physical fi$htin$" includin$ eon +ee" but inside9every one of them knew what herintentions were9

They all knew she was stickin$ up for her friends and doin$ somethin$ that most peoplewouldn(t have the $uts to do9and they all actually felt a bit of comfort in themselves"knowin$ that they have a friend like that amon$st them. !he was the sweet" pretty one

who would(ve been brou$ht up the very last in everyone(s mind if somebody said thewords Nbrave(" Ncoura$eous(" Ndarin$( or Nstickin$ up for a friend( but she had everyone of those thin$s within her and it was shown in a way that the rest of the world would beunsupportive about" but to their friends9it was both shockin$ and classy friendship.

eon +ee knew inside that she went overboard with what happened) it wasn(t even thathu$e of a deal if you really thou$ht about it9

:ut to her" un :i(s intent for many thin$s made her want to $et thin$s clear beforeanythin$ $ot worse. Talkin$ obviously didn(t do anythin$9and the an$er and annoyance built up inside had *ust all come out with the fact that she wanted to $et the point throu$hclearly. :ut deep inside" she did feel sorry. /fter all" eon +ee was a sweet $irl. !he *ust put her friends first before bein$ sweet to everyone.

8t was all $oin$ to be a memorable situation for everybody9

unho looked up from his ice cream sundae. What#!tephanie and =ennis broke up. +ee &hul said. !he didn(t tell you;unho sunk his spoon into the vanilla ice cream covered in drippin$ hot fud$e.kay" obviously not? +ee &hul said" lookin$ at unho(s reaction. !he dumped him bythe way.

unho *umped up from his seat and ran out the door of Aentons.

+ey< ,here you $oin$;;; +ee &hul called.

K!/K



verybody at The +ouse turned to the front door that had *ust slammed loudly.,hat the9 icky said.8t was unho" standin$ at the door" out of breath like he had *ust ran around the world to$et there.

!tephanie looked up from the couch with an eyebrow raised.

unho walks over and $rabbed her wrist from the couch and pulled her away fromeverybody.

very sin$le there turned their heads to see9

/nd he $rabbed her waist and kissed her lips9ike he had always wanted to do9

unho9; unho9>@h<< +ee &hul called.

+uh;; unho shook his head" poppin$ his ima$ination of what he had *ust wanted todo.+e was still sittin$ at Aentons in front of his ice cream sundae9/re you okay; +ee &hul asked.9>h" yeah. !orry.9ou still like her" don(t you; +ee &hul asked.,hat; unho shot back. @o?!ure.unho si$hed and avoided eye contact with +ee &hul(s enormous eyes. +e didn(t want tolook at him" *ust because he was speakin$ the truth.!top lyin$ to yourself unho. +ee &hul continued. :reak up with oon #i. ou(reobviously *ust usin$ her.8 am not Kusin$K her. /nd since when were you so interested in us;h trust me9 +ee &hul smiled" eatin$ another bit of his ice cream. 8(m silent and barely there9but 8 see everythin$" and 8 care.eah well 8 don(t like !tephanie.:ut you don(t like oon #i either.8 do? unho said. 8t(s *ust9That you don(t.8 do" hyun$. ou don(t know me.unho98(ve known you forever. 8 know every e%pression you make okay; #ust $et over it. ou like her. /nd she(s sin$le?,haver" it doesn(t matter. 8(m with oon #i now.eah" that(s why you totally remembered that she was comin$ back from Corea today.+ee &hul reminded.unho dropped his spoon and his eyes $rew with shock. h my $od9 +e had totallyfor$otten.mmhmm. +ee &hul said.unho put his elbow on the table and his fin$ers on his eye" rubbin$ it like he was in adilemma. +e couldn(t believe he totally blanked about oon #i while she was $one9



ake the ri$ht choice unho. +ee &hul said. &us you look really dumb.unho removed his hand and looked at +ee &hul offendedly.+ee &hul shru$$ed and took a cherry off his sundae and ate it. +e knew unho knew thathe was ri$ht. /nd unho did.

Make the ri)ht choice%*us you look really dumb.

Those words kept replayin$ in unho(s mind as he walked home alone after +ee &hulsaid he needed to $et to another science club after they finished eatin$ ice cream. unhoknew9deep inside" !tephanie hadn(t left his heart. @ot even a bit. /nd oon #i wasnowhere in there at all9

unho? oon #i stepped up as soon as unho(s tracks reached The +ouse.oon #i9 +e said" shocked to see her. 8 am so sorry 8 couldn(t call you.8t(s okay. !he said" lookin$ down. /t least 8 see you now.

unho crin$ed) +e felt horrible. +e felt so bad of how much oon #i seemed to likehim9and at the same time" he was dyin$ to talk to !tephanie a$ain" now that she and=ennis had broken up. specially thinkin$ about how !tephanie was the one to break itoff. r wait9is it because she liked somebody else; unho crin$ed at that thou$ht too9

=o9you wanna come in; unho asked oon #i. 8(m dyin$ to hear your stories. +ereally wasn(t9!ure? 8 $ot us a present. !he said. 8(ll show you when we $o inside.

They walked into The +ouse to see icky" =on$ +ae and !un$ in on the floor playin$video $ames while Ci :um and the do$ were on one of the loveseats watchin$. /nd onthe other main couch" unho saw !tephanie9sittin$ with eon +ee while watchin$ the$ame too.

h oon #i? Ci :um stood up. ,elcome back from Corea.verybody stopped what they were doin$ and stood up. eah" they weren(t in love withher but she was a nice person. /nd she was with unho) 8t was courtesy that theywelcome her back.

+i everybody. !he smiled weakly. !he still wasn(t sure what they thou$ht of her9specially !tephanie.

,elcome back? eon +ee $reeted. !he was $rateful that !unday wasn(t in the room9:ecause everytime !unday and oon #i were in the same room" !unday would not bevery polite9and that always made eon +ee feel awkward) she didn(t know why.

/fter they welcomed her" icky and the boys decided to *ust stop playin$ video $amesand everybody parted around The +ouse. Ci :um took eon +ee(s hand to $o to hisroom and unho was standin$ with oon #i9and !tephanie. thers were in the same



room but the three of them were the main focus to each other.

89*ust wanted to apolo$i7e for last time. !tephanie said to oon #i. ou shouldn(thave had to $one throu$h that before you left.+ey" it(s fine. oon #i smiled back. ven thou$h you didn(t have to" 8 appreciate your

apolo$y.Thanks for understandin$. !tephanie smiled. 8 *ust wanted to say98 am so happy foryou $uys9 !he told the couple. unho(s eyes looked down at !tephanie) ,as she tellin$the truth;

8 hope you $uys last9 !he finished. S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 02--

8 hope you $uys last9 !he said. ou better be $ood to her" unho? !he wa$$ed her fin$er at him like a mother. =on(t treat her like you treat the rest of us.

oon #i $i$$led and looked over at unho. +e(s a $ood boyfriend.!tephanie smiled at the comment9and then shifted her eyes to unho a$ain" who waslookin$ back at her ever since he even came into The +ouse. Their eyes locked for asecond and for that second" nothin$ in the world made sense. ,hat in the world were

both of them doin$;

!uckin$ of the last bit of &oke throu$h a straw was then heard. 8t was !un$ in.+e slurped his drink as he watched the scene happen ri$ht in front of him9specially

!tephanie. Somebody’s )otta knock some sense into that )irl. Again.

Bosh" what? !tephanie asked" frustrated as she was bein$ dra$$ed by !un$ in intohis room by her wrist. /fter oon #i and unho had left The +ouse" !un$ in had

randomly Nkidnapped( her" forced her up the stairs and pushed her into the room oncethey reached it.

kay !un$ in. ou(re scarin$ me.!ittown? +e ordered in a stern voice" pointin$ to his bed.

ou sound like you(re $onna rape me. !he said" obeyin$ his order and sittin$ on his bed and slappin$ her hands on her thi$hs. kay" what.

,hat the hell are you doin$; +e asked" puttin$ up a hand with the other on his waist./re you like9tryin$ to be one of those $irls in Corean dramas that are soooo sweet because they(re $ivin$ up the $uy they love; &us trust me" it(s not workin$ for you.

ou(re not pretty enou$h.

!tephanie looked at him blankly. ,ell shKt. @ice brin$in$ up my self confidence. /ndnot to mention" 8 still don(t know what you(re talkin$ about.



ou know for sure what 8(m talkin$ about. +e replied. +e then chan$ed his voice to ahi$h" $irly tone. N8 am so happy for you $uys??( +e mimicked. 8 hope you $uys

last?? h no no unho. ou don(t be bad or mommy will come and $ive you a spanky.ou treat the $irl $ood okay;; +e na$$ed his fin$er with sarcasm while imitatin$ what

!tephanie had *ust done. :.!. +e finished.

,hat;; 8 am happy for them? !tephanie said. /nd you(re really bad at actin$.h please. +e rolled his eyes. 8 mean9are you really. +e asked.

!he looked back at him with no answer./re you reeeally happy for them; /re you really $lad that unho(s with someone else;=o you !8@& have hopes that they will last forever. =o you F/ for them atni$ht; /re you in wishful thinkin$ that they will $et married and have a lotta babies

livin$ happily ever after;;

9es9 !tephanie answered" lookin$ around. 8 don(t know< Bosh" you don(t need to

$o that far with the whole prayin$ and everythin$. &an(t 8 *ust be $lad for my friend thathe finally $ot a $irlfriend;That he doesn(t even like;; !un$ in finished.

+e does too like her?!hut up !teph. 8 saw that look in your eyes *ust now. ou were so $lad that 8 said he

doesn(t like her.

!tephanie si$hed and crossed her le$s. =ude" 8 have stuff to do. 8f this is what youdra$$ed me up the stairs for" 8 $otta *et.

,hy(d you break up with =ennis; +e immediately asked.,hat;

,hy(d you break up with =ennis;,hoa whoa whoa9how(d KyouK know about that;

!tephanie9 !un$ in narrowed his eyes at her. ou(re livin$ in T+ +>!.verythin$ you do will be heard. ,e have the fastest rumor3news network in the world.

&atch up" will ya;!he rolled her eyes a$ain. 8 should(ve known..

ou like unho. +e said strai$ht forwardly. i$ht;

!tephanie stayed silent. +earin$ those words from someone else hit her ears to her heartand down to her stomach. !he did. !he really really did. /nd it took someone else to tell

her to her face to really re$ister throu$hout herself9

!un$ in crossed his arms and waited for her to say somethin$ smart and meanin$ful)anythin$ besides denial.

8 $otta $o. !he said. !eriously.

!un$ in uncrossed his arms. +e saw the look on her face and it was a serious" hurt one.



Aor some reason" he decided that her N8 $otta $o( in that tone of voice said much morethan anythin$ else she would(ve said. :esides" at least she didn(t say no.

9kay. +e a$reed.

!he stood up and walked to his door9:ut before she e%ited" she turned back around.

:y the way. !he said. 8 can definitely be sweeter than those stupid Corean $irls indramas.

!un$ in lau$hed and watched her $o out. /eah. She likes him.

8 $ot somethin$ for us from Corea. oon #i said when they reached the front of her house. +old on okay;;

9C. unho $ave her a smile with pressed lips.

!he opened the front door with her keys and ran inside.

unho took in a deep breath and held it9as if this was the most nerve wreckin$ momentof his life. =id he want to end thin$s with her;

,hile thinkin$ this" he heard footsteps rushin$ back to the door and he prepared himself for her.

!orry for the wait. !he smiled" walkin$ back out.8 know" couldn(t last another minute. +e smiled weakly.

kay9open up your hand. !he said.

+e did as she told him.

/nd then" she set down somethin$ that made him have a rush of emotion..

/ rin$. / simple" silver rin$.

,hat....what is this; +e asked.

/ rin$" silly? !he said. ook. !he put up another. 8 have one" too. (know9couplerin$s?

h wow9 +e said" his face turnin$ red as if he were embarrassed. That(s9/nd look. !he said" reachin$ in her pocket. They had couple cell phone chain thin$s

so 8 $ot us that too.

!he handed him a blue cell phone chain that had hearts on it and she kept a pink one.



unho held his in his hand9and he had never felt more horrible in his life.

The more she $ave to him" the more sorry he felt" which he hated to admit" showed moreand more that he didn(t want to continue their relationship.

+e took a deep breath. ook9oon #i. This is all9really" really nice. 8 really appreciatethat you went throu$h all this9:ut-

oon #i<< +er mother called from inside. Fhone<<h9wait" sorry okay; !he said.

!ure. +e replied.

!he rushed into her house a$ain.9$osh9 +e muttered to himself. 8 am such an idiot.

>h9hello; +e heard a voice. +e turned around.+i. +e replied with a Iuestionin$ look.

8t was a $irl. / $irl who looked mi%ed with &aucasian and ,hite but he wasn(t too sure if that(s what she was. !he was thin" tall and had beautiful" fair skin. /nd she looked likeshe was lookin$ for somebody.

>m9is oon #i back yet; !he asked.h" yeah. +e replied. !he *ust had to run in for a second. !he(ll be back soon.

h9okay. The $irl nodded. ,ell" hi. 8(m ina. !he e%tended her hand out for ahandshake.

unho. +e responded the handshake.h? ou(re unho. ina said. 8(ve heard lots of thin$s about you. =on(t worry"

they(re $ood. !he smiled.h yeah; +e cocked his head with a smile. /re you friends with oon #i;

eah. ,ell 8 *ust moved here from Te%as a couple months a$o and my aunt(s friendswith her mom or somethin$9@ot sure how the $rown-ups worked but they introduced

me to her and we(ve been $ettin$ close ever since./h98 see. unho nodded. ,ell it(s nice to meet you. /re you $onna be comin$ to our

school;/lbany +i$h;

!adly.!he lau$hed. eah. &an(t believe we only have like a week and a half of summer left.

Tell me about it? usta been cra7y if you did all that movin$.8(m used to it. 8 move around all the time.

,ow" that(s cool. 8(ve been livin$ here since middle school. 8 $et *ealous of people whodo a lot of movin$.

=on(t be. 8t(s not what it seems?unho smiled. +e $uessed it must be hard.

,ell yeah. !he continued. 8(m so $lad that you and oon #i are doin$ well. !he reallyreally likes you.

+ehe9 +e lau$hed weakly. That(s9$reat9



+ey<< oon #i sIuealed when she $ot to the door. ina?? This is unho.Too late for introduction. ina said" hintin$ that they(ve already $ot acIuainted.

/h" darn. oon #i snapped. ,ell9do you $uys wanna $o and han$ out;

8 *ust came by to see you. ina said. 8(ll *ust leave if 8(m botherin$ you $uys9@o" no. unho said. Flease stay. 8(m9actually $onna be headin$ back.,hat;; oon #i asked. ou *ust $ot here.

8 know. +e said. :ut it(s actually $ettin$ kinda late and 8 have stuff to do.h9okay. oon #i said" disappointedly. h yeah? =id you have somethin$ to tell me

before 8 went in;;>h9it wasn(t important. +e said. 8(ll tell you later.

+m9well" okay. !he replied.Thanks for the $ifts9and nice meetin$ you. +e said a$ain to ina.

ikewise. !he smiled back.

unho $ave them another lookd of $ood-bye and headed out to $o back home.

ou were ri$ht. +e is cute. ina said to oon #i after he had $one.8 know" isn(t he; oon #i said back. &(mon. 8 $ot so much stuff to show you.

,hy aren(t you eatin$; #unsu asked +yukkie as they were at the dinin$ table" eatin$their dinner.

8(m not hun$ry9 +yukkie replied.&an 8 have it; icky asked.

!ure9 +yukkie slid his plate of !pa$hetti over to icky.ou okay; !un$ in asked" bitin$ off a piece of bread. ou don(t look okay.8(m fine. +yukkie replied. 8 think 8(m $onna $o upstairs. !ee ya $uys later9

The boys turned back to each other once +yukkie had $one up the stairs.o #unsu. icky said. ,sup with your cousin;

#unsu shru$$ed. 8 have no idea98s somethin$ $oin$ on; !un$ in asked.

+e said he had no idea. icky shot back. Bee7" nobody ever $ets it the first timee%cept me.

#unsu and !un$ in turned their attention to the stairs a$ain. ,as +yukkie okay;

unho walked into his room and tossed his keys on his desk. +e looked down at his handwith the rin$ on his fin$er9



+e felt bad even *ust wearin$ it.!i$hin$ to himself" he took it off and set it on his desk as well9.alon$ with the cell

phone chain.

#ust then" the door opened.

+e Iuickly turned around" his heart *umpin$ thinkin$ that it was oon #i for some reason.

:ut it *ust happened to be somebody who seemed to be e%act opposite ri$ht now.!tephanie.

9+i. +e $reeted with a smile.9+ey. !he smiled back" closin$ the door.

,hatsup; +e asked. &ome9sit.+e pushed her over to his computer chair and sat her down.

+e moved over to his bed and sat down as well" facin$ her like he was ready to listen to

what she needed to say" if she did have anythin$ to say.

!o how(re you these days; !he asked" $a7in$ around his room. +aven(t really $ottento talk y(know;

eah yeah for sure. 8(m okay. +ow(re KyouK these days;!o so. !he responded.

8 see9 +e nodded.

!ilence. /wkwardness. /r$h.

!o9uh9 +e be$an. 8s there somethin$ you wanted to say;/re you kiddin$ me; !he asked.

,hat;ook at us now" unho. ou think 8 need somethin$ to tell you to come and see how

you(re doin$./ye. +e said in defense. ou(re the one who admitted that we $ot a lil weird so 8(m

*ust bein$ real about it" okay;!tephanie pressed the corner of her mouth in. eah" okay.

:ut of course" you(re always welcome9even if you have nothin$ to say. +e went on.!tephanie(s always welcomed in my place.

eah okay. !he repeated.h9k9. +e looked down. NThat was a little weird98s this ever $onna end;;;(

+ey" what(s this; !he asked" lookin$ over at his desk and pickin$ up the rin$ and cell phone chain. +aha" it(s cute. ,here(d you $et it;

h9uh" that. +e said. Aor some reason" he really did not want to say oon #i.89.um9

!tephanie looked up at him with her smile" waitin$ for him to answer. !he looked back down at the rin$ and inside" it was en$raved oon #i \ unho in Corean.

9h? !he replied. !orry./nd she put it back on his desk.



@o" no? +e said" standin$ up. =on(t be sorry. +ey9you wanna $o out and $et a bur$er or somethin$; 8(m kinda hun$ry.

,ell" there(s some spa$hetti in the kitchen if you want. That was for dinner. !he stoodup as well.

h9did you eat already;

,ell no. !he said. 8 was sorta waitin$ for you.ou were;,ell yeah" 8 dunno. 8 *ust wasn(t hun$ry and 8 fi$ured that 8(d wait till the ne%t person

outside comes in and asks for dinner and 8(d eat with them.9h. +e said disappointedly. !o if it were like !hin =on$ hyun$" it(d be the same

situation;,ell yeah? !he replied" lookin$ up at him. ,hy;

8 mean" since you said N8 was waitin$ for you(. 8 fi$ured it(d be me9as in9me.h. !he responded. =id he want it to be him specifically; !he hoped so9

)h I &eel so wron) and like a whore who’s trynna take someone’s man.

/ye. They both said in sync.

/ye for !tephanie because she was $oin$ to say she(d leave and /ye for unho because he actually had somethin$ to say.ou $o first. !he said.

@o it(s okay. ou $o first.ine(s not important.

ine isn(t either.,ell 8 was *ust $onna say that 8(m $onna $o.

h9ou didn(t wanna $o eat;8 mean9there(s food in the kitchen" iono why we(d have to $o out and spend money

y(know;8(ll buy. +e offered.

!he didn(t reply. Bod he looked so $ood. unho was the only $uy she knew that lookedlike a model even if he was wearin$ *ust a t-shirt and *eans9/nd he looked better than

anybody else.9/re you still weird around us; +e finally asked. &us 8 don(t want to be. :ut if you

are" then 8 can(t not be.@o. !he said. ,ell" she liked him) of course it was $oin$ to be weird for her. 8 mean"

as lon$ as you(re not weird around me anymore" then 8(m over it9 @ot really.8(m totally over it. +e said.

e too. !he lied.8 mean" look98 can *ust $ive you a hu$ and it(ll be nothin$? +e stepped up and put his

arm around her and held her ti$htly" shakin$ her in his $rasp like how they used to hu$ back in middle school9like a re$ular friendship hu$. !ee; he said" holdin$ onto her.

eah? !he replied9/nd her heart was beatin$ like cra7y. !he swore if he stayed hu$$in$ her" he could hear it

and that would @T be $ood. :ut9he didn(t let $o.>m9yeah. ,e(re totally back to where9we9were. !he said" slowly pushin$ him

away and lookin$ up at him into his eyes.+e looked back at her. +is arms had let $o enou$h so that they were facin$ each other" but his hands were still around her waist and they didn(t know how to take them off....



!he couldn(t look away and she almost wanted to cry.This could(ve been ri$ht.

This could(ve been what they were supposed to be doin$.+e could(ve kissed her like she wanted if only she hadn(t been so stupid before9

+er face tilted a little because she wanted to $et out now. @o" she didn(t want to" but sheknew this was wron$. +e had a $irlfriend and she had #>!T told her that she wished

them the best of luck.

:ut her eyes moved down to his lips and his eyes moved down her face. /nd his handswere still clasped around her as this awkward moment was re-awakenin$ feelin$s for

both of them9like it was *ust ri$ht. /nd they were both thinkin$ the e%act same thin$9as he" who thou$ht of nothin$ else ri$ht now" moved his lips into hers9and she her

mouth was still for a moment" until his attachment of the lips became a kiss9

/nd at that moment" she couldn(t resist.

!he closed her eyes and hesitantly wrapped her arms around his neck and responded thekiss" pullin$ him closer to her as his fin$ers unlocked themselves and his hand $rasped

onto his other wrist to make their closeness ti$hter.

Their locked lips felt more perfect than anythin$ else they(ve been throu$h.8t was bad98t was wron$" but it still felt like two lon$ lost pu77le pieces finally put

to$ether and it fit *ust ri$ht.

Their kiss lasted and they both wanted more.+er hands slid up his neck and onto the back of his head" slidin$ her fin$ers throu$h hishair. +is palms flattened on the bottom of her slender back and they were movin$ up and

down98t was like they were in a whole different universe9

,hen unho" can 8 borrow your- h my $od. !unday said after she had swun$ openedunho(s door and saw9that.

/nd as if the whole house heard !unday(s Nh my $od(" eon +ee" Ci :um" !un$ in"#unsu" +yukkie" icky and all rushed behind !unday to see what she saw.

,+/<< icky yelled.

unho(s eyes flew open and !tephanie immediately broke the kiss and turned around tosee her friends.

ou $uys9 !unday slowly smiled. 8 am so F>= of you.8 have never been so happy that somebody cheated< eon +ee said. The rest of their

friends turned their heads to her. @T that 8 support it. !he finished.



ou $uys9 !tephanie walked over to them with a pleadin$ look. F/! don(t sayanythin$.

h pfft. icky snorted. verybody here knows what the first thin$ me and :o/ willtalk about when she calls me.

8t was nothin$. !tephanie said.

unho looked up at the back of her head. @othin$; aybe she(s *ust sayin$ that9!ure didn(t look like nothin(. icky said. !heesh" you made this place feel like ahotel<

!hut up. !tephanie said to him flatly. &an we *ust9for$et about it;uphanie has happened. !un$ in announced. ,ait9what about oon #i; +e turned

to unho. /nd everybody else turned to unho" includin$ !tephanie.

+e *ust looked back" ,hat about oon #i; +e wasn(t sure either.

r9+e was sure. +e *ust wasn(t sure how to say it to her.

8t was all the be$innin$ of both a dream come true for him9and a dilemma.

--------------------#essica $if - thisar-enon+ewas>&er"e+t

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 025--

8 dunno98(m $lad that they(ve $otten closer and all9but cheatin$ is kinda wron$"dontchu think; Ci :um asked as he" eon +ee" !unday were walkin$ down the stairsafter finally leavin$ !tephanie and unho alone and the others sprouted out to differentrooms. 8 mean" what about oon #i;

,ho cares? !unday replied. 8 mean" it(s unho and !tephanie? 8n this kinda situation"it(s okay to cheat. 8t(s like oss and achel. r &ory and Topan$a. ou know everybodycheered if those main" classic couples kissed or did somethin$ KevenK if they had another boyfriend or $irlfriend. This is somethin$ we(ve / been waitin$ for.:ut that(s T.O. Ci :um pointed out. 8 dunno" 8(m kinda indifferent about this.,ell maybe the moment *ust $ot cau$ht. eon +ee said. ither way" 8(m not $onnathink too much about it. 8 *ust want them to be to$ether" whatever it takes.Flus" oon #i doesn(t have to find out. !unday added. Cinda wron$ and all" but ithappened" ri$ht; /nd the best way is that she doesn(t find out about it.8 still feel bad for her. !he(s a nice $irl. Ci :um said.eon +ee. Flease talk to your boyfriend. !unday said. 8(m $onna $o feed the do$.

ou really feel that bad; eon +ee asked Ci :um as they reached the bottom of thestairs. /ctually" 8 do too. :ut it(s *ust that it happened and we can(t do anythin$ abouty(know; i$ht as well be happy for them. 8A they(re plannin$ to really $et to$ether9



8 $uess. Ci :um replied.9Ci :um. Think about unho. !he said. =on(t you know how lon$ he(s beenwantin$ this for; !tephanie(s brain finally be$an functionin$ and he probably didn(twanna miss this chance. @ot sayin$ that she seduced him or anythin$" but9y(know what8 mean.

Ci :um si$hed. eah" okay. :ut unho better tell oon #i soon.

9!o? unho" fiddlin$ with his sleeves" said to !tephanie as they sat in his room"awkwardly a$ain. ,hatsup;8(m sorry. !tephanie apolo$i7ed. ,e9really shouldn(t have9unho looked at her. 9/re you feelin$ bad;,ell yeah? 8 *ust told oon #i that 8 hope you $uys last9and 8 screwed thin$s up foryou $uys. Trust me" this was not my intention at all.,ait9 +e said. /re you sayin$ that9 +e then stopped his words. +e was $oin$ to

ask her if this meant that she was sorry because she wasn(t plannin$ to be his $irlfriend9and that she *ust made thin$s bad between he and oon #i. ,as that what she wassayin$;; This made him want to break up with oon #i and start with !teph9but did shenot feel the same way;

8(ll9talk to you later. !he stood up.9kay9 +e replied.

C9bviously" thin$s are $oin$ to $et weird a$ain.

ou will not believe what *ust happened. icky said into the phone after :o/ hadfinally called. ou totally missed out on the two bi$$est thin$s of the year???,hat;; ,hat;; !he asked. ,ait98s this $onna be about cartoons;@o? +e replied. @ot as $ood as cartoon news9but this is KstillK pretty bi$./lri$ht. !hoot.kay9if eon +ee tells you somethin$" *ust act surprised.C/< Tell me<<kay do you wanna hear the $ood news first; r the B/T news first;8 don(t know.kay fine. The $reat news first cus 8(m super e%cited about it ri$ht now.C.@o wait. The $ood news first9cus then it(ll make the $reat news sound even better. :utif 8 say the $reat news first" the $ood news won(t even matter. +mm98(m confused.,hich to hear first./B+ icky< #ust9$ood news first. Tell.kay okay. +e cupped his mouth and $i$$led before tellin$ her what happened witheon +ee and un :i.



unho laid in bed" starin$ up at the ceilin$. Thinkin$ about everythin$9The kiss9The $irl9/nd9the other $irl9

The kissQ 8t was ama7in$. @othin$ in his life had ever made him feel that $ood and ri$ht"and despite all the u$ly strin$s attached" there were no re$rets about that kiss. There wassome $uilt if he thou$ht about it harder" but the first thin$ that came to his mind was howwonderful it felt to finally be embracin$ !tephanie with the kiss that felt unbelievably perfect. +e couldn(t $et himself to $et over it9and he *ust wanted to kiss her a$ain9

The $irlQ She was ama7in$. !tephanie was somebody who was number one priority of hislife ever since they first $ot closer at the end of middle school. !he was all he wanted andnothin$ in the world could replace her. @othin$. /nd all he wanted to know is if the kissmeant anythin$ to her" if she felt anythin$ for him at all98f he finally had a chance9

The other $irlQ ,hat was he $oin$ to do; Thin$s would(ve been a lot easier if she hadn(t been such a sweet $irl" especially buyin$ those little $ifts from Corea not even an hour before he kissed somebody else. Thinkin$ about her made him feel like the devil. +enever intended to hurt her" nor did he think he was usin$ her to try to $et over !tephanie" but he $uessed now that he subconsciously did9/nd she didn(t deserve it.

This was a bi$ deal for him. :ut the kiss couldn(t seem to help re-playin$ over and overin his mind9/nd what !tephanie had said before she left his room. ,as it *ust ameanin$less kiss to her; :ecause it meant so much to him9

!o much that even if it took him to cheat" it was still all worth it.

=on$ +ae flipped throu$h the television of his livin$ room. @othin$. @othin$. @othin$.

@othin$ was on T.O. and he had been switchin$ the channels for over an hour. I need to

)et a li&e.

+e looked up at the clock and it was 11Q5 F. #ust 15 minutes before it was 12Q00" thehour that would start his si%teenth birthday.

+is si%teenth birthday was supposed to be special" *ust like everybody else(s was. :ein$the only child with wealthy parents that loved him more than anythin$" =on$ +ae wassupposed to have a hu$e birthday bash for all his friends. :ut that was before he knew#essica wasn(t $oin$ to be there.



Should I 4ust have it# +e thou$ht. No. She’ll probably &eel le&t out, bein) the baby that

she is.

!he still had one week to $o to come back. aybe he could do it then" after she came

home.+e decided that even thou$h he was $ettin$ drowsy from boredom" he(d stay up a little bit lon$er" *ust in case #essica were to call him since the middle of the ni$ht for him was a$ood time for her to call.

Maybe she’ll surprise you with a hu)e bo> and 4ump out o& it!!7 icky had said earlier.8t was all impossible" but the thou$ht still made him smile.

!i$hin$" he decided that he(d $o up to his room. aybe $oin$ online would make thetime $o faster. This was such a disadvanta$e of bein$ an only child. :oredom. /nd it wastoo late to $o over to The +ouse to randomly sleepover like he always did before.

:efore he $ot to the be$innin$ of the stairs" the doorbell had run$.

,hat the9 8t was almost 12Q00 /< ,ho(d be over;

Aeelin$ a bit scared since it was so late" he walked over to the front door and peekedoutside. @obody.

+m9Buess they made a mistake.

+e turned around a$ain to $o back up.

K=8@B =@BK the bell ran$ a$ain.

>$h. +e went over9and opened the door this time.

+e opened the door to find no person" but a $i$antic bo% that reached up almost to hischest.+uh;;;

/nd on the bo%" it saidQ To =on$ +ae. +appy :irthday<<

#essica;;;; +e asked himself.

h my $osh" did she really come to him in a bo%;;;

@ot thinkin$ about anythin$ else at all" he Iuickly $ot himself to untape the bo% and openit up. #essica;;;



:ut9it was only a card with bubble wraps and !tyrofoam.

=isappointment.

Fickin$ up the card" he opened it up.

ppa? +appy :irthday<< 8 $ot you a bunch of stuff from Corea and tried sendin$ it ontime. +ope you like them. !orry 8 couldn(t be there98 really wish 8 could. :ut 8(mthinkin$ of you ri$ht now9!aran$ hae? % o % o ove" #essi.

+e closed the card and pressed his lips to$ether. ookin$ at how bi$ the bo% was" hecouldn(t help but feel disappointed because he actually thou$ht that she would pop out orsomethin$. +e picked up the bo% that was bi$" but li$ht and closed the door.

penin$ it up" he looked inside.

+e found many e%pensive thin$s like clothes" an F player" a bookba$ and other cutesythin$s that were obviously from Corea.

+e liked them.

:ut why did she have to send them in such a hu$e bo% to $et him all e%cited.

8 should call her9 +e said.

#ust then" the li$hts suddenly blacked out. =on$ +ae *umped in fri$ht and be$an lookin$around. Wt&%

/nd suddenly the answer came9

+e heard a whistle. / person(s whistle. /nd it was the tune to the first line of the birthdayson$. +appy :irthday to you? the whistle san$.

+e spun around in the dark house" to see the inside of his kitchen. it with a candlesomewhere9and a random balloon floatin$.

+e felt a little scared9and wondered what was $oin$ on.

om;; =ad;; +e called.

/nd ri$ht that second" the whistlin$ son$ continued" and out stepped #essica with acupcake in her hand with a candle.

+appy birthday? !he smiled.

=on$ +ae(s eyes widened. h my9



!he put the candle down on the small table by the TO and walked over to him" $rinnin$.

,ha9how9what9 +e stammered" lookin$ back at the bi$ bo% behind him. +eturned and looked at her a$ain. +ow are you here;

!he smiled. 8 fleeeww throu$h the sky and escaped from Corea to find you here? !hesaid. #ust kiddin$9make believe.

+e si$hed with a smile.

our parents let me do this. !he continued. 9!orry98 didn(t interrupt anythin$thou$h" ri$ht;+e walked close to her and put his hands around her waist" puttin$ his forehead to hers.9y dyin$ness of missin$ you?!he narrowed her eyes into his with a smile and locked her hands around his neck.

/nd they shared a special" birthday kiss at midni$ht.

The television blared throu$h the dark room of +yukkie as he watched @[email protected] was comedy and everybody in the screen was roarin$ with lau$hter9but he was farfrom lau$hin$. /ll he could do was think about the phone call he had $otten earlier98twas killin$ him. +e didn(t even have the chance to tell anybody. ,ell" he didn(t really tellanybody about the depth in his life anyway. +e didn(t want to burden anyone9

+e then heard a knock on the door. /nd it opened up to be !un$ in" holdin$ onto a pillow.&an 8 come in; +e asked.@o. +yukkie said sarcastically with a small lau$h.!un$ in closed the door and went over to sit ne%t to +yukkie on his bed.

They both sat there" watchin$ the television for the ne%t 20 minutes. @othin$ that was $oin$ on really $ot to them. They *ust stared9

!un$ in then looked over. !o whatsup;+yukkie looked back. ,hat.ou know what 8(m talkin( about. !un$ in replied. /re you okay;eah9 +yukkie lied" fiddlin$ with the remote control. ,hy;8 dunno. #ust felt somethin$ was wron$.ou know everythin$ don(t you; +yukkie asked back.,hen it comes to everythin$" *ust about?+yukkie turned his head back to the screen and si$hed before sayin$ anythin$.y mom has lun$ cancer. +e be$an. !he only has half a year left.



!un$ in immediately felt pain for his friend. 9!ince when;+yukkie shru$$ed a shoulder. 8 dunno98 $uess for a while. y parents *ust didn(t $o tothe doctors earlier to catch it faster" 8 $uess.=id she smoke;@o. 8 dunno what caused it" but it(s lun$ cancer. Flus" we(re runnin$ out of money. 8

mi$ht have to move out9,hat;; !un$ in $asped. @o? ou can(t leave.8 mi$ht not. :ut it(s a bi$ possibility. 8 don(t think we have enou$h for me to rent outhere anymore98(m sure Ci Ci will find a way for you to stay. !un$ in said. ,asn(t your $oal tofinish school here in the >!;eah. :ut $oals cost money? +yukkie added. ,e(re not as rich as before anymore.Thin$s have been $ettin$ rou$h9and now with my mom" 8 can(t really focus on $oalsanymore.!un$ in could only look at +yukkie. /ll this was $oin$ on and nobody had any idea99/re you okay; +e asked a$ain.

eah9 +yukkie replied. 8(m *ust scared for my mom. /nd 8 don(t wanna leave9=on(t leave. !un$ in said. ou can(t leave. verybody(s $onna freak out and thishouse won(t be the same.8 $uess we(ll have to see. +e replied. =on(t tell anybody thou$h" okay;ou have my word. !un$ in promised. :ut hey" whatever it takes9ou know 8(lltry my best to help you out. /s corny as it sounds9+yukkie smiled. 8 know you would.

!un$ in closed the door to +yukkie(s room after walkin$ out./s he walked to his room" he looked back.

+e then reali7ed what hurts the most for a friend" is to find out a friend has been $oin$throu$h much trouble without him even knowin$ about it9That they(ve been $ettin$hurt or havin$ hardships on their own. /nd that they couldn(t be there for them.

/nd now that he heard his story" their friendship meant more when !un$ in felt ache asmuch as +yukkie probably did. /nd he wished he could take it all away from him.

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 026--

,ell now that #essi(s back and :o/ and #ae #oon$ will be here by the end of the week"why not do our very last summer event; !unday asked #unsu" +ee &hul" Can$ 8n and:omi as they sat around the table in the backyard. / campin$ trip<

oo. #unsu smiled. et(s<<ike overni$ht; Can$ 8n asked. 8 dunno about that. ou think $rown ups will



approve;!ure? +ee &hul replied. o0o. arshmallows. :rin$ lots of marshmallows.8(m so e%cited< #unsu clapped enthusiastically. +opefully !tephanie and unho will bemore9comfortable with each other by then.,ho cares? !unday whipped her hand down. 8f we schedule our stuff around how

they feel about each other" we(ll never $et anythin$ done.verybody nodded with a$reement.

!tephanie and unho. ,hen well they ever know the truth and let it *ust9flow;

!o do you like him;; eon +ee asked !tephanie as they sat to$ether in her room.eon +ee9do you really need to $et that out of me; !tephanie asked. 8 mean c(monnow. /m 8 really somebody who would kiss someone without likin$ them;8 dunno !teph? 8f you would(ve been clear about this" nobody would be this confused.

specially unho. eon +ee then si$hed at the thou$ht of him. Foor9poor unho.8t(s *ust98 don(t know how to feel. !tephanie continued. &an 8 be honest with you;/lways?8 feel $uilty about what happened and 8 can(t $et it out of my mind.eon +ee nodded and listened. 8 understand that.oon #i(s *ust so nice and 8 feel totally fake. 8 told her out of my own mouth that 8 reallyhoped they lasted.Tsk tsk tsk. eon +ee nodded.:ut 8 did. Thinkin$ that unho liked her" y(know;i$ht" ri$ht. eon +ee nodded a$ain.:ut then9alon$ with that $uilt" 8 don(t re$ret the kiss9 !he confessed. 8t was like98finally knew what everybody meant when they said stuff like NThe kiss was perfect(. @ever was it like that with anybody else.ou mean9=ennis; eon +ee asked. +e is the first $uy you kissed" ri$ht;!tephanie $ave a wincin$ face. ,ell actually9 !he trailed off.eon +ee narrowed her eyes. ,ho else did you kiss; =avid ( Cieffe;; =avid (Cieffe was !tephanie(s brief boyfriend back in middle school. ou said you $uys neverkissed?!tephanie si$hed with $uilt a$ain. !he knew eon +ee would find out about thissomeday. kay okay. :ut you can(t tell anybody.eon +ee $ave an a$reein$ look. ,ho;8 kissed than. !he said. ast summer9than;;; eon +ee $asped. than =ou$las;;eah9/nd you never T= me;; >$h" 8(m never tellin$ you anythin$ ever a$ain?!orry. !tephanie apolo$i7ed. :ut hey" at least 8 told you now" ri$ht;8 K$uessK. eon +ee mana$ed. 9,as he $ood;h yeah? !tephanie(s eyes widened with a smile. @ow KthatK was a kiss.Bod he(s so hot. ou(re so lucky<8 know? !tephanie $i$$led. :ut anyway9back to our ori$inal topic9



9,hat was it a$ain; eon +ee asked. h yeah9unho. !o what(re you $onna doabout it;;8 don(t know? ,hat KcanK 8 do; +e(s taken98 doubt for lon$. +e really likes you" !tephanie. 8 mean9he likes you so much that 8thou$ht you were pretty messed up for re*ectin$ him" even if you didn(t like him.

&an we F/! move on from that; !tephanie asked. That(s somethin$ that 8 feltwas never wron$" okay; 8t would(ve been worse if 8 *ust went out with him without anyfeelin$s.8 know that? 8(m *ust sayin$" even with all that" 8 still thou$ht you were messed up because that(s how much he 8C! you. Flease stay with my point.!tephanie rolled her eyes.!o9do you think they(ll break up;;eon +ee nodded with confidence. h" definitely. 8 *ust feel bad for oon #i9

#unsu<< #unsu???<<< icky ran into The +ouse" so fast that he almost tripped over hisown footsteps. #>@!><<<,hat; ,hat; #unsu looked up from his book with wonder about the chaotic call.ook what 8 $ot us<< icky sIuealed.+e then du$ into the plastic ba$ in his hand and took two identical watches out.!F@B:: ,/T&+!<<#unsu(s face lit up. +e loved !pon$ebob. ,+/<<<< +e e%claimed. &<<<8 C@,<<< icky said. 8 $ot Nem at the toy store. ,e can be friendship-watch- buddies<< +ere" put yours on<<< +e handed #unsu a watch.

8t looks9perfect? icky smiled" lookin$ down and admirin$ at his wrist that waswrapped around with the cheap" but cute and workin$ !pon$ebob watch.8 love it< #unsu replied" lookin$ down at his too.8 knew you would? icky turned and proudly smiled at #unsu.

#ust then" an idea clicked in #unsu(s mind. /n answer that he(s been searchin$ for eversince he wanted to $et a $ift for ewis. Ariendship watches?? r no" not watchesnecessarily" but somethin$ that matches that they can wear or have to evidence theirfriendship.

#unsu looked at icky. Thanks?? +e patted his back" thankin$ him for the idea.eah well? 8 KamK a $ood friend. icky smirked" thinkin$ that the appreciation wasfor the watches. #ust don(t bra$ too much about me. Then 8(ll have way too many friend-fans and my life will $et hectic. +e $ave one more smile and walked away into thekitchen.

unho took a deep breath before walkin$ up to oon #i(s house.



"his is it%" he thou$ht. No matter what, it has to end here. She doesn’t deserve to waste

more time with me%

eah; oon #i asked when her bedroom door had knocked. &ome in?

The door slowly opened" and to her pleasant surprise" it was unho.+i?? !he $reeted" $ettin$ off her bed from readin$. ,hatsup;+ey9 +e smiled.

!he looked so happy to see him when he came. 8t crushed him to think about how she(ll be by the time he leaves9

,e9need to talk.

/nd so he did it.

+e entered her house bein$ her boyfriend" and e%ited bein$ sin$le a$ain.+e didn(t feel $ood. +e didn(t feel relieved. +e didn(t feel e%cited./s a matter of fact" he felt bad. ven worse" because she had taken it so well.+opefully" she was honest about the ma*ority of her e%pressions and reactions.+e hoped so.

+e was too nice of a $uy to feel $ood about endin$ thin$s with someone that way.specially because he was the one who be$an thin$s with her in the first place9+e felt like he should(ve taken responsibility if any of her heart was broken9r if any tears were shed" or if she was $oin$ to have a bad rest of the week.

:ut" seein$ how she acted and covered up any sadness" if there was any" he knew he(dnever know if her heart was broken or not. r if she shed any tears" or if her week was$oin$ to be bad9

/ll he could do was feel sorry. !orry for everythin$.Aor be$innin$ thin$s with her for a whole different purpose" for thinkin$ about someoneelse the whole time he was with her9and for endin$ thin$s so suddenly after she had *ustcome back from far away with $ifts and proof of love for him.

:ut at the same time" it had to happen.The endin$ had to happen9

ven if there was no !tephanie" there was no oon #i in his heart9and it wasn(t fair toher at all. 8t was for the best" and it was sad that that had to be the KchoiceK for the the best. :ut he knew and appreciated her as one of the nicest people he(s ever known" andhe hoped that they could still be friends in the future. +e really really did.



+e looked back at her window before he left the block.The rin$ and cell phone chain that he brou$ht back to return were now $one from his pocket" like she" as a $irlfriend" was now $one from his life. +e felt bad that he wastedher time. /t all.

I’m sorry &or bein) such a 4erk%

kay" you said K8K was bad;; =on$ +ae asked icky after icky crossed out onemore hour on his hour chart he made of how many hours it would take for her to come back. ou(re crossin$ out KhoursK<8 ! that. icky said. 8 *ust think she(ll like it if she comes home and sees this.8 dunno man9That(s a little much.,ell it doesn(t matter what you think. Flus" your $irlfriend(s back. ou don(t know how

it feels to be me anymore.8(ve had a much lon$er e%perience than you. =on$ +ae said. !peakin$ of" 8 need to $oout and buy stuff for our @ / /@@8O!/ T,<<,hat(re ya $onna do; icky asked.8t(s a secret. :ut it will be Kma$icalK. /nd 8 mean that in literal terms.icky raised an eyebrow. ,hat;=on$ +ae shook his head. @ever mind. 8t was too hard to e%plain./nyway" do you like my birthday present; icky asked.eap? / $ecko was e%actly what 8 wanted. =on$ +ae looked down in the little carry-around tank icky $ave to him with the real" small $ecko inside.,hat(re ya $onna name him; icky wondered with a smile. 8 know<< +ow abouticky #r.;;;+ey? kay<< icky #r. 8t is.+i icky #r. icky waved down to the tank. our name was chosen" inspired by me.

#unsu Iuietly knocked on ewis( door. ewis;+e walked in and found ewis readin$ a book in his wheelchair.

This is for you. #unsu slid over a bo% across the round table to ewis. +ope you likeit.+m. ewis took the bo% and opened it up.+e took out what was inside" what turned out to be a small" silver toy. @ot necessarily atoy" but a small centerpiece to put somewhere. The kind you set on the table and once youstart movin$ it" it keeps movin$ endlessly.



This one was a dolphin movin$ back and forth throu$h a circle.

8 have one" too. #unsu said. 8t(s like9a friendship toy thin$" y(know; Ceep it on yourtable or somethin$. 8 put mine on my desk.

8(ll keep it ri$ht.here. ewis sat it down on his dresser by his bed. /nd it won(tmove.#unsu smiled with relief. +e was $lad ewis liked it. +e was scared and nervous whenchoosin$ the toy. +e felt like he(d cry if he didn(t like it.

!o who are your friends; ewis asked as they sat and ate popcorn while listenin$ tosome of ewis( old music. ,hat kind of crowd do you han$ out with; r are you aloner; &us you han$in( out with KmeK an awful lot.

#unsu ate a popcorn and $i$$led. @o? 8(m not a loner? 8 have my $roup of friends. ,ell

actually" a lot of them 8 live with. 8 live in kinda like a homestay since my parents are inCorea and they wanted me to $et my studies done in the >!.m. ewis nodded. They mus( be missin( you like cra7y.8 $uess.8f 8 had a boy like you" 8(d miss him an awful lot.#unsu felt his face $et hot. =id ewis *ust compliment him9;9,hat; eally; +e asked.(know #unsu. ewis be$an. There(s nothin$ better in this life than someone who(ll be there for you. / $ood friend. / lovin$ family member9#unsu listened9/s lon$ as you $ot somebody" no matter how much crap went on in your life" iss allworth it in the end9#ust as lon$ as you $ot somebody to cry for you when you die.,ell isn(t that everybody; #unsu asked. 8 mean" everybody has somebody who(d cryfor them when they die9ewis nodded his head no. Thin$s chan$e as you $row older. Feople stop carin$ Nboutyou" they $ot they own lives to take care of. ven kids lose interest in their moms and pops if they $et too busy9Then all you $ot is some hi$h school kids comin( in and out *us for their benefit of colle$e apps. h" everybody here still waits for another one"thinkin( that one of Nem will stay forever to be they frien(9:ut 8(m smarter than that. 8know they all $on( leave after their two weeks worksheets are filled out. 8 mean9eventhey children lef( em" why would anybody else wanna stay to be they frien(;

#unsu reali7ed" throu$h this story9that ewis must(ve had some bad abandonment fromhis family" from his friends9from somebody9or maybe lots of somebodies. +e felt likehe didn(t need to really ask ewis what was wron$ anymore" he could see it throu$h whathe said9/nd it was all very sad.

:ut if you(re a cool $uy" most likely at least one person will miss you terribly whenyou(re $one.ike you? #unsu smiled.



h nobody $onna have to worry Nbout that. ewis waved his hands. &us 8mma livefor so lon$ that everybody 8 know would be $one befo( me. +a.That better be true? #unsu said. ou(re a really cool $uy" ewis.ewis( a$ed smile slowly beamed. ou a $ood kid. =on(t chan$e. Thas all 8 $otta say toyou.

,hat(re you doin$; &haewon asked eesee" who startled at her sister(s voice.>m9nothin$? eesee took the paper on her table and put it behind her back.8s it a welcome back picture for ## oppa; &haewon asked.eesee(s cheeks flushed red. 9@o? :ut it was.+m" okay? ,ell you didn(t make one for #essie unni so if you don(t want people $ettin$suspicious of your crush" you better make one for her too.9,hat(s Nsuspicious(; eesee asked.They(re $onna $et ideas that you like him?

eesee(s mouth dropped opened. !he rushed to her stacks of white paper and $ot anotherone immediately to make for #essica.

+ B=@!!. !unday rushed into !tephanie(s room. :i$ news.,hat; !tephanie looked up from her computer. =id you win that lottery;unho and oon #i9finished. !unday said.,ait" what; !tephanie stood up" takin$ her readin$ $lasses off.8 know? !unday replied. 8sn(t that9$reat;;!tephanie cocked her head. ,here did you hear this;=oes it matter; /ren(t you happy; ou KareK $oin$ to $et with him now" ri$ht;;!unday then made a face. 9+m" 8 don(t hate her anymore. !he(s a nice $irl.

!tephanie stood still" decidin$ whether to believe !unday or not.

Bee7 !unday. They then both heard. !unday spun around and !tephanie looked tosee9that it was unho" standin$ in the hallway in front of her room. ou *ust alwayshave to be the first one to tell" dontcha;,ell duh? !unday replied. Flus" !teph wasn(t the first person KyouK told" so 8 thou$ht8 should be the first person to tell KherK. !he $rinned. =on(t worry" 8 have it all makin(sense in my head.unho lau$hed9and his eyes went to !tephanie" who was lookin$ at him the whole"entire time.

9=id you really; !he then asked.9eah. +e replied with half a smile.

@either of them said anythin$ about how this would chan$e thin$s) The chan$e that(salways only been dreamt between them alon$ with everybody else. They didn(t say it *ust



ri$ht now" but both of them knew in their minds and hearts how this would end certainthin$s and be$in somethin$ else) they had the same hopes" the same thou$hts9and thesame plans to finally make that chan$e real.

-----------------------

S E A S O N T W O.--chapter 024--

:o/ $rasped onto her backpack as she walked throu$h her backyard $ate.!he had told icky that she(d be home in 15 minutes so he promised he(d wait outside

her house so he could see her.

n purpose" she came in throu$h the back.

Tip-toein$ to the front yard" she saw icky(s back standin$ there waitin$ for her beneaththe clear blue sky and the bri$ht" $olden sun.

+ehehe9 !he $i$$led to herself.

+is fluffy bowl-cut hair" his striped t-shirt and car$o shorts9:oy was that somethin$ shemissed" even if it was only for two days. Aelt so much lon$er than how she e%pected it to

feel9ven thou$h she didn(t really tell him.

/s Iuietly as she could" she opened the front $ate9and9

92919

:<</+< +e *erked from her li$ht push with fri$ht from her scream.

/h?haha. !he lau$hed as he slowly turned around. &au$htcha? !he said" smilin$)her dimples so deep and eyes curved like rainbows.

+i icky boo? !he $reeted" still $i$$lin$ from scarin$ him.icky stood there and his face was not lau$hin$ at all.

,hat the heck. +e said. That really scared me.!he continued to lau$h. !orry? 8 *ust couldn(t resist.

=on(t pull that kinda stuff on me. +e said coldly. Bod.

:o/(s lau$hin$ face slowly evaporated998(m sorry. 8 didn(t know you(d be that sensitive.

,ell 8 am. +e replied.+er face fro7e and she blinked a couple times" surprised9and a bit scared from his harsh

reaction.

/nd his icy face9



!lowly but steadily turned into a smile.

/+???hah/+aha< +e then lau$hed. &au$htcha better<<<

:o/ si$hed and looked up at the sky.

/+++h+?+/+/+/+/+/? +e continued lau$hin$9he lau$hed harder than shedid. ou should(ve seen your face<<

,hoo?? +e fanned himself. 8 am *ust9too $ood?

:o/ put her hand on her hip. ,hat the hell" icky.+e stopped fannin$ and looked at her. +uh;

ou know 8 hate it when you *oke that you(re mad. !he said in an an$ry voice. Thatwasn(t funny at all.

>m9but9 +e lifted a fin$er and scratched his head. 8t9was a *oke.8 don(t care. !he said. 8t(s not funny. 8 really thou$ht you were mad.

98(m98(m sorry. +e stammered. Flease don(t be mad. 8 was *ust- :o/?? +ehu$$ed her ti$htly and she stood still.

!he saw the street over his shoulder as his head rested on her shoulder while hu$$in$ her ti$htly.

!he pressed her lips from lau$hin$.

/nd then she snorted a lau$h. =ork.

+uh; icky let $o and looked back at her.

/h ha?? !he teased. &au$htcha twice<

+is face then narrowed. kay9now that really wasn(t funny. +e said" $ettin$ harsha$ain. 8 really thou$ht-

kay stop" it(s over. !he said.=amn.

:ut look what 8 $ot you? !he reached into her ba$. %actly what you wanted.+is face then lit up at what she took out. / = 8&C >! T>&C +/T<<

+e Iuickly $rabbed it from her and put it on his head. Thanks?? +e smiled.



@ow you have one of every color? !he $rinned back. 8 looked / over for it.ou(re the best. +e said. @ow9look what 8 have for you?

+uh; !he raised her eyebrows. /w9you have somethin$ for me;f course< +old on.

+e turned around for a minute as :o/ waited.

icky reached into his pocket and she heard uncrinklin$" assumin$ it was somethin$ on paper.

+e spun around and opened it up in front of her with a $rand smile. Ta-da??

:o/ *erked her head back to take a look at what it was.

/nd she was confused.

,hat she saw was a bi$" white piece of paper with numbers written all over the place andred M marks on top of them9e%cept for one which was number 0 and it had a crooked

star around it.

h9hehe9 !he looked up at him. 9>m9,hat is it;

icky dropped his arms and $ave her a look. /re you kiddin) me;; 8t(s an +> chart.

/n hour chart; !he raised her eyebrows.

>h huh?? +e nodded" openin$ up his arms a$ain. 8 counted how many hours it wouldtake for you to come back9and hour by hour 8 e%ed them out<< !eee;;

:o/ looked at the paper a$ain. +onestly" she couldn(t tell how he put the numbers because they were in anythin$ but in order) and the harder she looked at it" the farther her

mind was from understandin$ the chart.

:ut she looked up with an appreciated look anyway. Thank you so much. 8 love it.8 knew you would? +e smiled" foldin$ it up and handin$ it to her. ou(re $onna han$

it up on your wall" ri$ht;;;

:o/ $ulped. 8t was somethin$ she(d want to hide in her desk9=espite the cuteness in itand how it looked like it was done by a 5-year-old.

i$ht;;; +e asked a$ain.



+ehe9icky; et(s $o inside. 8 have some other stuff 8 bou$ht for you. !he put her hand on his back and led him into the $ate and into her house.

h9okay? +e answered" walkin$ in. :ut you(re $onna put it on your wall" ri$ht;;;

=on$ +ae stood" lookin$ around the a$ic !hop. ,hat to $et9,hat to $et9

/re you lookin$ for anythin$ in particular; The employee came over to ask.>m9 +e said. ,ell not sure yet. 8(ll $et back to you when 8 know. +e smiled.

kay. 8(m a% so *ust call for me.Thanks.

,hy isn(t he answerin$; #essica asked herself while the phone kept rin$in$. !helooked over at her calendar. !he triple checked it. /nd it was surely their 1 year

anniversary.

Ainally" +ello; +e answered.

ppa? !he said. ,here are you;

>h9sorry #ess. 8(m busy ri$ht now. 8(ll call you back. /nd he hun$ up.

,ha- !he said" $ettin$ cut off by the click of the phone. ,ell happy anniversary toyou" too? !he pouted.

!tephanie closed the frid$e after takin$ a bottle of &oke out.8t hissed as she uncapped the bottle and the li$ht scent of the drink tickled her nose.

mm. !he loved &oke.

:efore she was $oin$ to drink it" unho had suddenly walked in.h. +e said" stoppin$ his tracks. +i? +e then smiled.



:utterflies9everywhere. !he couldn(t believe how differently she reacted to his presencenow.

+ey? !he smiled back.

9>m" are there anymore left; +e asked" referrin$ to the &oke.

h9yeah. !he then opened the frid$e.

!he closed it and tossed him the bottle.

Thanks. +e lifted it with a smile.

>h huh9 !he said back.

/nd then silence.

$%kay. "his is kinda weird. !he thou$ht. *an he say somethin) already## 6on)est moment everrrrr% +e thou$ht" dreadfully. -osh Steph. "alk.

!.... +e broke the silence. 9=o you wanna $o outside;

+ave you heard about the campin$ trip; unho asked as he and !tephanie sat on thelar$e seated swin$ in their backyard" swin$in$ slowly as the birds were chirpin$ and

leaves rustled from time to time when the wind happened to come by9 :ut it was a hotday.

eah. !he replied. 8 dunno if 8 wanna $o" thou$h.,hat;; +e shot back" sittin$ up and lookin$ at her. ou have to $o.

+aha9why; !he looked back.&us9everybody else is $oin$. ,hat(re you $onna do at home;

8 mean 8(ll $o. 8t(s *ust that 8 feel too la7y to $o somewhere y(know what 8 mean;

unho sat back comfortably a$ain. eah" 8 know what you mean. :ut once we $o" it(ll be fun.

eah. !he replied.

/nd their feet touched the $round9and they swun$ the swin$ back and forth slowlywhile their hands were wrapped around their cold &oke bottles9 and as the silence



approached a$ain. >B+++++" the worst. They both hated it. :ut didn(t want to leave it.

!tephanie then cleared her throat. !o uh98 $otta Iuestion.C?;

ou don(t have to answer if you don(t want to.9kay?

!he put tucked her hair back behind her ear and swun$ the swin$ a little harder.!he wasn(t sure if the Iuestion was appropriate or not9but she needed to know" even if she knew the answer somewhat. !he kind of knew" but unho wasn(t sayin$ anythin$ at

all ever since it happened9so she was determined to find out now.

!o9you breakin$ up with oon #i9 !he be$an" lookin$ over at him slowly. ,hy(dyou do it;

unho tucked his lips in and swallowed. kay $ood" she brou$ht this up first. +e knew

he should(ve since he was the man and all9but he never $ot enou$h coura$e. +e was$lad she brou$ht it up.

,ell98 was sort of wastin$ her time9 +e be$an. Thou$ht 8 should stop" y(know;9eah. !he nodded slowly.

9!he *ust9should be somebody who loves her. +e finally said. 9/nd9it wasn(tme.

98 see. !he replied.

unho leaned his elbows on his knees and drank a bit of his &oke.

,ell" that(s all he had said.

#ust an e%planation of oon #i. :ut nothin$ about !tephanie.

"his is )onna take a lon) time%

es? Ci :um said" holdin$ up his finished sheet of 120 hours from the senior center.Ainally finished.

an do we look better on our colle$e apps or what; !un$ in replied" lookin$ back athis. /ren(t you $lad #unsu;

9!ure. #unsu said.



Ci :um and !un$ in sat on the couch admirin$ at each other(s completed hours.#unsu wasn(t a part of it. +e felt $uilty *ust lookin$ at them9

+ey you $uys. +e be$an.

The two boys looked up.

!o you(re never $onna $o back there; he asked.

>h9 !un$ in looked left to ri$ht. 9,e have to;,ell 8 mean9,hat if your elder people waits for you. #unsu said. ,ouldn(t that be

kinda sad;:ut they have people comin$ in all the time. Ci :um said. 8 doubt they(d wait for us.

:ut what if they do; ,hat if ne%t Tuesday" they wait for you to come but you don(t;#unsu asked. ike9what if they depended on you $uys for bein$ their new friends;

Ci :um and !un$ in simply looked back at him" blinkin$ blankly.

#unsu si$hed. They clearly didn(t $et it.

@ever mind. +e finally said.+mm9mkay. !un$ in said.

ou $uys wanna $o rent videos; Ci :um asked. eon +ee will be here later and shewanted to watch the new M-en.

&ool" me too. !un$ in replied. et(s $o.The two boys stood up to $o.

/re you comin$; !un$ in asked" seein$ that #unsu didn(t stand up.

>m9no" it(s okay. 8 $otta be somewhere9 +e smiled. 8(ll watch it later.kay. The others a$reed and left the room.

,hat(re you doin$; / boy with a basketball asked =on$ +ae.=on$ +ae looked up from matchin$ up his candles at the nearby basketball court. h"

hey. !orry. >m98(m kinda settin$ somethin$ up here so9if you play" can you watch outand not knock anythin$ over;

kay. The boy nodded in a$reement before he left.

=on$ +ae stood up and looked around the court. 8t looked perfect.

/ll he needed was the sky to darken up and his $irl to be there.

=essica%8repare to be blown away%ope&ully.



,ow9are you hittin$ on me; Tiffany asked once she and #ae #oon$ stepped out of her car to a $rand hotel restaurant. ou told me you wanted me to take you to your friend(shouse.

8(m not hittin$ on you? +e said. 8 *ust wanted to buy you somethin$ to eat before 8 $o back. /s a youn$er friend slash brother. +e smiled.

Tiffany looked at him and $ave a small lau$h at how cute he was. /s a little boy" not as boyfriend material.

kay" ##. !how me what you $ot.

8 must say9this is impressive. !he said as soon as the food came out" sittin$ on the

table.Told ya. +e smiled. #ust a $esture of appreciation for not molestin$ me.+aha? 8 told you" #ae #oon$. 8(m not a pervert. =idn(t 8 say how dis$usted 8 felt for

hittin$ on you after findin$ out how old you were;es?? :ut that also proves how se%y 8 can be.

Tiffany rolled her eyes. eah whatever. Bet a $irl your own a$e.kay?? 8A ya say so. :ut don(t be too *ealous once you find out 8 do. ou(ll be the first

to know.,hy do 8 feel like 8 $otta look out for you; !he asked. ,ell 8 $uess it(s cus 8 have no

youn$er brother.#ae #oon$ then pointed to himself with his thumb. e? +e said.

+aha. kay" well you better keep in touch then.=on(t worry. 8(ll actually write you letters. +e warned. +andwritten letters in 2006"

eh; ou should feel special.

#unsu held onto the bo% of ,heat Thins that ewis had been cravin$ for since lastweek9

+e walked down the hallway towards his room9

#unsu was finished with his hours. +e didn(t need to come back) but he decided to come back re$ularly *ust for ewis.

:esides" it was fun han$in$ out with ewis anyway. 8t wasn(t a bother at all.

+e continued to walk with the bo% in hand and slowly approached the room9



:ut to see many people standin$ in front of it.

Two /frican-/merican people9

Was that his &amily## Did they come back to take him## #unsu thou$ht e%citedly. $h, he’s

)onna be so happy99

ne of the people walked Iuickly down the hall. !he was a woman. / youn$ woman withlu%urious clothes and tall stance. +er pace down the hallway was Iuick. /nd she turned

around the corner.

+m9 #unsu said.

/nd then" a nurse walked out of the room9foldin$ a think blanket and her face was

lookin$ down. ike she was so sad9ike a sorrowful story had been told to her beforeleavin$ the room9

8t was the nurse that always took care of ewis.

#unsu smiled" be$innin$ to wave because he was happy to see her9but she walked ri$ht passed him. @ot even noticin$ him there.

=isappointed" #unsu put his hand down9

,hat was $oin$ on;

#ust then" he heard someone talkin$ in the back of him. 8t was the other person9

/ tall" black man with a business suit on9talkin$ on his cell phone.

,ell if >( not comin( then why should K8K be here;; +e said.#unsu raised his eyebrows and continued to listen.

@o no9if you(re not comin( to the funeral then 8 shouldn(t have to either. @o one elsecame" 8(m leavin(.

Auneral.

,hat;

#unsu(s eyes looked down9to see a little black boy sittin$ on the bench" colorin$ hiscolorin$ book" usin$ his lap as a table. +e looked about five years old. #unsu presumedthat this little boy was the man(s son. +e was *ust sittin$ there" not knowin$ what was



$oin$ on at all.

#unsu looked up at the man a$ain. ,ho continued to talk" They *us( took dad out of hisroom. @ way" 8 have business to take care of98 am not stayin( for a service if you(re

not even $onna be here. ,hatever9

+e hadn(t noticed the nurse comin$ back" but he heard the door close and he spunaround" hopin$ that maybe it was ewis.

:ut it was *ust the nurse" comin$ out of the room a$ain.

rs. Cin$ston; +e asked" $rabbin$ onto her arm. 8s98s ewis here;rs. Cin$ston simply looked up at #unsu with moisty eyes.

!he couldn(t even say anythin$./nd she looked away.

/nd #unsu knew9

/nd he couldn(t believe it.

8ono? +is diabetes took over" don(t ask me<< The man" ewis( son" continued to talk.,hatever" 8(m leavin(. 8 left a meetin$ for this and if you ain(t comin9

/s the son continued to talk" #unsu(s face turned around to ewis( room.

/nd everythin$ made sense to him.

,hy he was so sad9,hy he was scared of abandonment9,hy he was so alone9

:BQ ,hat / ,ondeful ,orld by ouis /rmstron$

#unsu opened the door slowly and walked into the room.

+e looked9and the room looked completely different to him" althou$h nothin$ was re-arran$ed.

8t was clean. Too clean.

The bed was made perfectly.The round table that they played cards on had no dust at all.

The floor was spotless.verythin$ stayed still9

The wheelchair was empty9

http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_3/_blank





/nd there was no ewis9

The sun shone throu$h the room" landin$ on the bed9/nd #unsu sat down on the stoolne%t to it.

/ nauseous feelin$ took over his stomach and his bottom lip be$an to Iuiver9+e looked over at the small dresser by the bed9

/nd there was the silver dolphin from #unsu" still movin$ back and forth throu$h thecircle.

8t sat on a black handkerchief that ewis had especially put for it to be special9@e%t to amu$ that said ',hat a ,onderful ,orld.' The son$ that ewis always used to sin$...

/nd the dolphin was the only thin$ that was movin$ in the room9

/s if their friendship was the last and only thin$ that moved ewis his very last day...

/nd #unsu looked ahead9$a7ed around the room. :rin$in$ back memories and thin$sthat ewis had tau$ht him. /bout not usin$ other people's hearts for his own benefit...Aor

puttin$ heart into thin$s and how people really do care" eveni f you may not.

Thin$s he had done" thin$s that he had said9

s lon) as you )ot somebody, no matter how much crap went on in your li&e, iss all

worth it in the end%=ust as lon) as you )ot somebody to cry &or you when you die.7

/nd immediately" #unsu(s nose stun$ and his eyes be$an to water98t felt like the whole world came to a complete halt9

/nd he cried.

+e put his head on the bed9and he cried.

+is tears" makin$ ewis( life worth it.

In Memory $& NickyANicoleB -uzzo%Somebody who always told me, 1What a Wonde&ul World.’ S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 02X--

/ye. !un$ in said" walkin$ into +yukkie(s room.



+ey. +yukkied looked up from the computer. !up;

!un$ in closed the door and $rabbed another chair. +e sat in front of +yukkie" whotook off his $lasses and set it on the desk. +e could tell by !un$ in(s face that this was

$oin$ to be a somewhat serious talk.

98 was thinkin$. !un$ in be$an. 9That maybe we should tell CiCi.Tell CiCi what;

(know9about your situation. !un$ in replied. @ot sayin$ anythin$ about it won(t$et us anywhere.

+yukkie nodded no. @o. 8 don(t want anybody to $et worried and stuff. 8t(s okay. 8 can *ust leave.

@o? =on(t worry +yukkie? ,e can $et you to stay. verybody knows how much youwanted to come to the >! to finish $rad school here for medical school. @ow way are

you $onna $ive that up.

@ah" whatever. 8 already $ave up.!un$ in(s face rela%ed into a disappointed" narrowed face. 9,hat.8 mean" everybody has bi$ dreams. @obody makes it.

&us nobody tries hard enou$h. +yukkie9everybody else here from Corea only camecus their parents made them. ou came cus you wanted to. ou study when everyone elseis playin$ around. 8(ll tell you now that even if 8 didn(t know potential in anybody else98

see it in you and you(re $onna stay. ,e(re $onna tell CiCi.=ude. +yukkie said. 8t(s not even for sure yet. 8 mi$ht not even have to $o. 8 was *usttellin$ you possibilities that can happen. 8t(s not bi$ enou$h so people have to know yet.!o9can we please *ust keep this between us; /t least for now; >ntil thin$s are sure9

!un$ in si$hed.+yukkie looked with pleadin$ eyes.

9kay. !un$ in a$reed.

9,ell" maybe there(s somethin$ bi$ $oin$ on with his family? eon +ee said" makin$the effort to comfort #essica" who was sittin$ at her desk miserably after $ettin$ no calls

at all from =on$ +ae. /nd it was X F of their 1 year anniversary<<

8f there was somethin$ up with his family" he would(ve KcalledK me? Flus" it(s not likewe didn(t talk at all. +e picked up his phone @& and *ust KbrushedK me off sayin$ he

was busy. !he then pouted. +e could(ve at least said +appy ne ear?eon +ee si$hed and looked up at !unday" who looked back at eon +ee" tryin$ to find

somethin$ more to say to #essica.

aybe he doesn(t like me anymore9 #essica said. !o he(s bein$ harsh on a specialday.

kay 8 really doubt that. eon +ee said.eah. !unday a$reed. That(s out of the Iuestion.



Then what could it KbeK; #essica asked. h my $od9do you think somethin$mi$ht(ve happened to him;;

#ust then" her cell phone finally be$an to rin$ wildly" meanin$ that she $ot a new te%tmessa$e.

!he opened it up Iuickly" heart beatin$ fast with hope that it was =on$ +ae.

/nd to her luck" it was.

!he ran as fast she could from The +ouse all the way down to where the te%t had told her

to $o.

The basketball courts of /lbany9

+er footsteps approached a bi$ si$n that clearly read #!!8&/<< Aollow the $oodies?G/nd pick them up alon$ the way. They(re for you.H

+er heart fluttered in such a $irlish way. !he felt so special" even *ust with that.

/nd her e%citement swept over her9not because of presents" but because =on$ +ae hadfinally called.

/nd so" she did as the si$n had told her.

8t be$an with a teddy bear9 / hu$e" brown teddy bear that was the softest thin$ she ever picked up.

/nd then the trail continued.

/fter the teddy bear" there was a heart framed picture of them to$ether. /nd then therewas a purse9and then some Bodiva chocolate9and then some &=s she said she

wanted9and then some flowers9and then some musical tickets for ne%t week9andthen some ope i$ht9

/nd the trail continued with presents that seemed to be endless.

/s she was $oin$" she felt more and more $uilty that she only $ot him some clothes and a$ift certificate for more9alon$ with her *ournal diary she wrote every day in Corea *ust

for him9



h man9 !he said" now stru$$lin$ to hold the $ifts all in two arms9

/nd finally9she heard li$ht violin music9

/nd a table where it said > &/@ F>T > !T>AA +.

!o she did9

!he looked around the vast basketball courts9and she finally spotted =on$ +ae" atanother table9workin$ on somethin$.

+e was standin$ by it with slacks and a white dress shirt" havin$ thin$s scattered on thetable.

+e looked over and there she was.

+e smiled. +e looked perfect like that9especially with the li$ht violin music that shehad no idea where it was comin$ from.

+e then picked somethin$ up from the table and did somethin$ to make it turn into a black baton.

!he *umped at its sudden chan$e.

+e then pointed to her with it9and then moved it to one of the basketball hoops"showin$ her to $o there.

!o9she smiled9and she obeyed.

+e spun the baton around several times in impressive" complicated ways9and then pointed it to the $round.

!he watched as he done so9

/nd slowly9a basketball rolled out from beneath the black cloth that was han$in$ fromthe table.

!he raised her eyebrows at it.

=on$ +ae picked it up9and bounced it a couple times.

Then before she could react" he shot it ri$ht to the basketball hoop that she was standin$under<

The shot was too Iuick for her to react and the ball already swished throu$h the hoop9



:ut landed9@owhere. @ot on her head" not anywhere.

8nstead" it turned into a million pieces of silver and $old confetti that $ently sprinkled ontop of her head9

!cared ya" huh; +e smiled.!he looked up and around. ,hat the heck;

/nd then she looked at him a$ain9

+e then spoke. 9Trust me.

!he only looked back. 9;

98 want you to know9that you can always trust me. +e be$an. @o matter what 8 do"

no matter how scary or pu77lin$ thin$s may seem" you can always trust me. &us 8 cannever do anythin$ that(ll hurt you.

+e then paced back and forth" puttin$ his hands behind his back. !ince e%actly one year a$o9all the scary thin$s in my life that were seemin$ to hit me in the head9only turnedinto simple" confetti that *ust seemed to $ently land in my life9 +e then turned back to

her. :ecause you made thin$s that way.

+e then put both his hands in his pockets and pushed somethin$ in them9/nd out popped a bow and arrow.

+e put them to$ether and shot it at #essica9

!he flinched" but the arrow transformed into a rose before it reached her.

ou turned all the arrows into roses. +e said.+e picked up cards and flipped them in his hands. ou turned all the fra$ments9

/nd the cards chan$ed into a bi$ cloth he held up. 8nto somethin$ whole.

ou made all the va$ue thin$s clear... +e snapped9as the Iuiet violin music turned up.

/nd you unlinked all the sorrows and pain. +e put up two" bi$ silver rin$s that werelinked to$ether. /nd he pulled them apart" to become two silver rin$s for the fin$er. 8nto

simple happiness.

+e walked over and put one on her fin$er. +e looked up and smiled. 8t fit her perfectly.+e then put his own in his fin$er. Ainally" couple rin$s.

/fter that" he picked up a hat from the table. ou made everythin$ that 8 didn(t



understand9fly away? /nd out came a dove" flyin$ away into the ni$ht sky.

!he watched it fly away9before turnin$ her head back to =on$ +ae.

/nd now all passion" happiness" fire and warmth in my life9 +e leaned a$ainst thetable and lit up a match" holdin$ it up for her to see. /ll somehow connect and makesense. +e lit a candle.

8t all started with you9 / sin$le candleli$ht lit.

/nd it made everythin$ else in my life ma$ical9and complete9

:BQ 8 Cnew 8 oved ou by !ava$e Barden

/nd that one sin$le candle" connected to the ne%t with the wick of strin$ to the ne%tcandle that lit9and then to the ne%t9and then to the ne%t9and the continuation

happened as the whole atmosphere Iuickly filled with li$ht from the millions of candles"surroundin$ the whole entire basketball courts" centerin$ where #essica and =on$ +ae

stood9

@ow" tears in her eyes" #essica turned from the ama7ement of everythin$9and looked ather boyfriend" who stepped up close to her and put his hand on her face.

98t(s not *ust me in my world anymore. +e then told her. We are now the center of everythin$ for me.

!he looked up at him9and her heart had been touched more than ever before.89 !he be$an. 8 dunno what to say9

+e smiled down. !ay that it was a $ood year.!he let out a deep" overwhelmed breath.

8t was the best year of my life. !he $rinned back" puttin$ her hands around his neck.

+e lau$hed. /re you sure the best; +e raised an eyebrow" puttin$ his hands on her waist.

8(ve never been so sure of anythin$.

There was nothin$ more to be said.They were in love.

/nd bein$ so sure about who they were to each other in their lives9they shared ama$ical kiss that would be remembered for the rest of their lives.

--





The +ouse was dark9and everybody was asleep.Tomorrow was $oin$ to be the bi$ day of the campin$ trip.

#ae #oon$ had come home and everybody was e%cited. @obody could barely sleep.

!tephanie stepped out of her bed9/ll that was on her mind9was that special $uy.

!he couldn(t resist herself9!he wanted to see him.

&arefully" she opened the door to his room.

Feekin$ in" she saw him on his bed" sleepin$ on his stomach with an flun$ over the side.

+is head rested on his pillow and he slept like a baby.

!he had to smile. +e looked so adorable9,ith that perfect picture of him in her mind" she made her way to close the door.

>ntil she heard9/+<

ou seriously looked asleep. !tephanie said" sittin$ on his bed" leanin$ a$ainst the wallwhile eatin$ a corn nut. !he had snuck to the kitchen to brin$ some snacks back up so

they could eat and talk with his flashli$ht on. !omethin$ they used to do all the time back in middle school.

They used to talk all ni$ht with his li$hts on9but always $ot cau$ht that way by CiCi./nd so" they used a flashli$ht.

eah" well9a know icky(s *ealous of my actin$. unho smirked.Fft. !tephanie snorted.

unho smiled. +e had to admit to himself" she looked so $ood in her white tank top andF# pants. !he always looked best to him in casual" comfortable wear.

,hat; !he asked" lookin$ at him9crunchin$ her corn nuts.@othin$. +e replied.

!he $ave him a stran$e look and continued to eat.

!o9you(re $oin$ tomorrow" ri$ht; +e asked.+ow could 8 not. !he rolled her eyes. 8(m so sore from *ust packin$ stuff. aybe we

should(ve $one sometime else. #ae #oon$ *ust $ot back and 8 think he(s tired.



>h9he seemed most e%cited. unho said. =id you see anybody else pack 0 bottlesof bu$ repellant9all for themselves; eah" 8 think he(s pretty much set to $o.

!tephanie lau$hed. 8 $uess.ou better not sit in our van a$ain. +e warned.

/ye don(t worry. e and eon +ee totally have car trip plans so 8 wouldn(t sit with you

even if you be$$ed.!ure. +e said doubtfully.

/nd they stayed silent a$ain. :ut it wasn(t awkward.8t was *ust because both of them were busy eatin$ their corn nuts and popcorn.

/ comfortable kind of silence that proved their friendship was real9

9!o9you never told me you broke up with =ennis. +e said9once their bowls wereempty.

!he looked back at him. 98 *ust fi$ured you(d find out9

m9 +e nodded. ou can always trust news to $o around in this house9!tephanie smiled.

(know9 !he be$an after a moment. 8 like where we are.+e smiled back. e too.

9ou(re still my best friend. !he said" her voice Iuiet and passionate.9eah. +e said. @othin$ has to chan$e9 +e said" knowin$ they will.

@o matter what happens9 !he replied. ,e can only $o further9but nowhere back. @o matter how bad it $ets9we(d *ust end up where we are now9+e $ave her an appreciative $rin. 8(m $lad you confirmed that9

!he touched his knee and patted it with a smiled.!leep ti$ht. !he said" $ettin$ off the bed. 8(ll see you in the mornin$.

+e watched her walk over to his door.!he looked back before $oin$.

+e waved with a small smile./nd she *ust smiled back" walkin$ out the door

/nd boy" did he $o back to bed with a thousand mi%ed feelin$s9

They both $uessed that this was a way to say that *ust because of that kiss" thin$s weren't$oin$ to move Iuickly. To each other" they were special) even before this" they were

special.

/nd that kiss was simply a way of sayin$ that friendship is where they didn't want it tostop. 8t wasn't a $esture of movin$ into thin$s fast) they were still at slow sta$es...and

neither of them still had any idea what to do.

The *ust knew that they liked each other.



--

Ainally?? &han$ in said" puttin$ the last of the candles into the bi$" plastic ba$.

+e and =ana were at the basketball courts" late at ni$ht9cleanin$ up everythin$ that=on$ +ae had done for #essica of their anniversary.

ou know98 always wondered who would clean this kinda stuff up when theyhappened in movies. =ana said. Buess it(s us this time.

+ey" at least we(re $ettin$ paid. &han$ in pointed out. S50 dollars for this is not badat all.

8 didn(t KsayK it was bad. !he said" puttin$ the top hat in another ba$. Bosh" youalways take everythin$ 8 say the ,@B way. >$h.

They were the ones who rolled out the basketball under the cloth and turned the music up

with the hidden stereo behind the table. / hu$e help to make it a special ni$ht.

+ey98 kinda wanna try these ma$ic tricks. &han$ in said" pickin$ up the bow andarrow.

+e looked over at =ana. Bo stand over at under the basketball hoop.

@. !he re*ected. ou(re $onna do somethin$ bad.&han$ in rolled his eyes. 8 won(t. !heesh. #ust $o. +e pushed her.

=ana twisted her mouth and looked at him suspiciously. kay" but if somethin$happens9you are =/= /T.

eah yeah. +urry up.

!o she stood under the basketball hoop.&han$ in picked up the special basketball from the ma$ic store.

+e lau$hed sneakily.

/ > /=;; +e asked.,ill you *ust hurry; !he asked" crossin$ her arms.

+e dribbled the ball and turned around and finally shot the ball into the hoop.8t swished9and hit =ana9ri$ht on the head<

+e had taken the other part of the ma$ic needed from the hoop and took the other partneeded off the basketball" so that the basketball would *ust land without chan$in$.

,,,<<< !he screamed" hittin$ her head.&han$ in $i$$led and put his hand on his mouth. ops?



=ana marched over an$rily and picked up two of the lon$er candles with face of ra$e.,uh oh9 &han$ in saw her comin$ and be$an to run...

/nd =ana chased after him with the candle sticks in hand" risin$ them in the air9

/ll around the entire court.

--------------------

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 02U--

+>T T, T+ A>" +>T T, T+ A>" +>T< !un$ in marchedacross the lon$ line of everybody" waitin$ for him to take his pencil out of his ear and hisclipboard out of bein$ $rasped between his arm and body. +is fisherman hat and campin$

vest worn" so prepared for the campin$ trip. /ll he needed to do was assi$n everybody totheir cars. +e had decided to do all arran$ements for everythin$" since everybodydecidin$ everythin$ would be too hectic.

/lri$hty? /m 8 still seein$ tired faces;; +e asked" turnin$ to his friends" who wereindeed lookin$ drowsy" tired or worn out. 8t was barely 4 / for chrissesake<

/ 8 !T8 !8@B T8= A/&!;< +e asked a$ain. &(mon campers" we have awhole T, =/! waitin$ ahead of us<< ,e can(t $et tired already<< T(! BT >:=8! 8@T !+/F?? @," A8!T T+ !TT&+8@B<< !un$ in dropped his body and stretched out a le$ to be$in his stretchin$ routine. @ow?? Three seconds. nealli$ator" Two alli$ator9

icky dropped his head over to Ci :um. 8s KthisK what 8 woke up for;; :T camp;;Ci :um threw his head back and whined. 8 slept at /??

@ow there(s an e%ample of the kinda $uy you Kdon(tK $et married to. eon +ee said to:o/" referrin$ to !un$ in. nthusiasm over early in the mornin$...Trust me" 8 reali7ed that an hour a$o. :o/ replied back" her eyes lookin$ like a panda bear from sleepin$ late last ni$ht. !he was confident that she(d still be wide awake thene%t mornin$.

verybody(s heads felt like bricks had been put inside throu$h the ni$ht and nobody wasawake enou$h to hear anythin$ in particular to what !un$ in was sayin$. They wishedhe would *ust tell everybody their rides so they can $o back to sleep on the way there.

The mornin$ was early enou$h for the air to be crisp and cold" sky still fo$$y and $rey9

@ow" everybody was *ealous of the youn$er ones who weren(t allowed to $o this time9sleepin$ sound in bed.



%cept for #ae #oon$.

8! O:= /= A / &/F8@B T8F;< !un$ in raised a fist in the air./++++<<< #ae #oon$ cheered" holdin$ up his water bottle.

9eh9 >h huh9 9!ure9 verybody else muttered.

>h-oh?? 8 think 8 only heard ##. +e cupped his hand behind an ear. 8! O:=/= A / &/F8@B T8F;<;<

!!!<<< They all $roaned back" *ust for the sake of not repeatin$ it.

/8B+T<< T(! BT T+8! !+, @ T+ /=<<<

/nd on the way there" only the unlucky #uniors who drove were the ones awake.verybody fell strai$ht to sleep once their bottoms touched the carseats.

icky hu$$ed his pillow as he put his other one on +yukkie(s body to sleep on.#essica slept while holdin$ on ti$htly onto the hu$e teddy bear from =on$ +ae last ni$htat their anniversary./nd !un$ in" after all" fell asleep as well.

ou can $o to sleep. Can$ 8n looked over at :omi" who was makin$ such a hard effortto stay awake" *ust to keep her drivin$ boyfriend company.@o no? !he replied. 8(ll drive the other halfway.@o? +e said. Bo to sleep.:ut 8 don(t want you bein$ all bored.8(m fine. +e said. ,atchin$ you try to stay awake makes me more tired.8(m not Ktryin$K !he lied.>h" yeah. That(s why it takes whole seconds for you to open your eyes after9 blinkin$;:omi si$hed. @o" 8 can(t. Flus 8 $otta $ive you directions as we $o.#ust $o to sleep? +e $rabbed a pillow of Barfield(s head and hit it on her head. 8 knowwhere 8(m $oin$. 8(ll wake you up when we $et there.

>h9 icky blinked" finally wakin$ up. +e looked around to see that the van was parked on the side of the freeway9and the others from the van were still sound asleep.+e rubbed his eyes and sIuinted to see9Can$ 8n" standin$ outside the van with a map inhand lookin$ very very confused.

h $ee7 louise? icky slapped his forehead.



/ye<< Can$ 8n heard.+e looked behind him and saw icky(s face stickin$ out of the door.>h9haha9hi. Can$ 8n said. Bo back to sleep.icky scrunched his nose and brou$ht out his wrist to look down at his !pon$ebob

watch.8t(s @@< +e shouted.!!!+++<< Can$ 8n shushed. 8 know?/nd is KthisK our camp site;;; +e asked. ,hy is it *ust us;; /nd why are there carsand streets at a campsite; =on(t tell me technolo$y $ot this $ood9,e(re not at the campsite. Can$ 8n told him. 8(m lost.,+/T;< icky $asped.!++++<< Can$ 8n slapped his hand over icky(s mouth. 8 know" 8(m tryin$ to fi$urethis out., ,+/T( > =8@B ,8T+ T+ /F<< icky pointed. +yun$9if you$et responsible for me stranded in this place9

Can$ 8n raised his eyebrows to listen.8(m $onna eat you. icky finished. /nd you can(t $et mad either.,here are we;; +yukkie rubbed his eyebrows and sat up slowly.Can$ 8n put his hand on his forehead.

/nd slowly" everybody else in that van eventually woke up./nd were not very happy.

,+ didn(t you call !hin =on$ or +ee &hul; :omi asked" now bein$ the one drivin$.y cellphone died? Can$ 8n replied.,ell you could(ve woken me up?9,ell" 8 didn(t want to. +e said in a small voice. ou $uys looked so comfortablesleepin$ that 8 didn(t wanna ruin it.

:omi huffed and looked back and forth between Can$ 8n and the road.!he had to admit" it was sweet of him. !tupid" but sweet. !he couldn(t really yell at him back until9like 5 minutes later.

eah" well 8(m not $ettin$ in Can$ 8n hyun$(s van anymore. icky said" crossin$ hisarms./ye" you $ot a B= sleep" okay; Can$ 8n looked back. 8 $ot none.+m9 icky twisted his mouth. 8 can(t tell if you(re trickin$ me into feelin$ $uilty ornot" but whatever.>h" that sentence had like no point. +yukkie pointed out.icky turned to him and made a face" rollin$ his eyes. +e was tryin$ to make +yukkiefeel stupid" but honestly" he wasn(t sure what +yukkie was sayin$.



,here the heck KareK they; !unday asked after settin$ up her tent.!he and the rest" who already arrived" were waitin$ for the rest who hasn(t shown upQ:omi" icky" +yukkie" Ci :um" #unsu and =on$ +ae Gwho were all in one vanH.

8(m callin$ icky. :o/ said. ,hat if somethin$ happened to them;There(s like9no reception here. #ae #oon$ raised his cell phone into the air and movedit side to side like an antenna.8(m hun$ry. =ana said" sittin$ down on a lo$ and restin$ her chin on her hand. &an(twe *ust eat without them and save them food;@o? :o/ shot back. icky(s $onna feel left out. +e(s probably heck of hun$ry" too.,e can(t *ust eat without them?=ana raised her hands in the air. !orry?

They(re lost. !hin =on$ closed his phone.They finally picked up;; +ee &+ul asked.

They picked up9but all 8 could hear was /h-Bo-/-to-9.eception here sucks.!o how do you know they(re lost;,ell9$ood thin$ Nlost( is one syllable. 8 heard that word. +e $rinned. :ut 8 think:omi(s $ot it98(m assumin$ she(s drivin$ now. :ut 8 think they(re kinda far.

verybody $roaned. +un$er was not $ood) waitin$ to eat with food in front of you wasworse.

8 think we should *ust eat first. #essica said. They have food in their car anyway)they(ll eat if they(re hun$ry.eah.kay.Bood idea.

:o/ took a deep breath. :ut what about icky;

,ell9you can wait for them if you want. +ee &hul said. ,e(ll save your food.:o/? /re you KreallyK $onna wait for icky;;; !tephanie asked. ou said you werehun$ry like allll the way here.8 was *ust *okin$? :o/ lied.,hat if he eats on the way; ou(ll wait for him for nothin$. eon +ee pointed out.#ust eat?8t(s *ust9ar$h. @othin$. 8t(s somethin$ personal. ou $uys can eat) don(t worry aboutme.

+m9okay" well you can always come and eat if you $et hun$rier. +ee &hul said.!he $ave a Iuick" fake" sarcastic $rin and walked away closer to the entrance of the site.



#ust KeatK icky? =on$ +ae pointed the salami sandwich in his face. 8t(s $onna takeus another hour to $et there? The birds and fish are already eatin$ their food ri$ht now)they(re not $onna wait for you. They had parked their van a$ain to sit and eat lunch. et"icky refused.

es they will. icky said. ou *ust don(t know" they(re Kwaitin$K for me.The birds and the fish have their own schedule? #unsu said. #ust eat your food" youcan have dinner with them.8 can(t. icky said. 8 promised myself that from >@&+T8 today" 8 will eat mymeals with the birds and the fish.:o/(s eatin$ probably. Ci :um said strai$htforwardly" knowin$ that icky(s e%cusefor the birds and the fish were to cover up his :o/ reason. 8 bet she(ll be so full by thetime we $et there" you won(t even be able to eat with her.icky(s mouth dropped opened. ou(re mean. +e said. 8 really don(t wanna eat withyou $uys anymore. /nd he walked away from the van" kickin$ the rocks.

:o/?? Flease" *ust eat< 8 can hear your freakin( stomach $rowlin$. eon +ee wailed" pullin$ on :o/(s arm. 8t(s killin$ me.@o? !he yanked her arm away. /nd why would it kill you that 8(m not eatin$; =idyou have a nice meal by the way;;8 sure did? eon +ee smiled. &hips and sandwiches and &oke and chicken nu$$etsand-!TF< :o/ slapped her hands on her ears" refusin$ to $et seduced by the talk of food.8 KbetK you icky(s eatin$. !he repeated. &ome on" 8 saved you some food. #ust eat<They(re not $onna $et here for heck of lon$.8 BT that. #ust please9$o away and en*oy yourselves if you(re not $onna help killtime for me.eon +ee nodded with a si$h. 8(ll be back.

+un$er<<<<< icky ban$ed his palm on the movin$ van(s window and slid it downslowly. +un$er9+aha" that looked like the Titanic hand. =on$ +ae said" referrin$ to icky(s hand.+un$er?????????????????? icky continued.

+ere" have some chips<< Ci :um threw at him. /T somethin$9for >!" so we won(thave to hear you $o cra7y.icky breathed in and out Iuickly" lookin$ at the ba$ of potato chips restin$ on his lap.They looked so $ood9They were screamin$ at him to open the ba$9+is mouth be$an to water and soon enou$h" the thou$ht of :o/ was dissolvin$ away9

9hun$er. :o/ said" layin$ down on the lo$ now. 9+un$er.



h my $od. unho said" steppin$ up to her. /re you !T8 waitin$ for him;9+un$er9 !he continued. 9hun$er9unho closed his eyes in disbelief. +old on" 8(ll be back. ou freak.

/T ?? /T ?? /TTT ??? Ci :um waved the ba$ of chips inicky(s face. ////////TTTTT <<<<icky(s face winced and his eyes were nearly filled with tears. +e pressed his lips ti$htlyand his eyes couldn(t move away from the chips. They looked so ready to open. /nd hisstomach was so ready to be filled.////TTTTT ???? No%I cant!!!//TTTT ??? (e stron), Micky!!!

//TTTT <<<<

+ere. unho said" $ivin$ her a sandwich. ,ill you $et a clue and eat somethin$;;;/s soon as :o/(s eyes laid on the sandwich in unho(s hands" her eyes widened like ahypnoti7ed mummy. /ll other thin$s went blurry e%cept for that sandwich98t was sittin$ri$ht in front of her9+er hands slowly reached up from her layin$ position and her fin$ers wi$$led as thesandwich was barely in reach. 8t looked like it was floatin$. icky was now $one fromher mind. &ompletely.

////TTTT ??? @ow" not Ci :um(s voice" but it sounded *ust as if the potato chips were shoutin$ at icky. /T @,,,,<<<

,e(re here<< :omi announced. Bet outta here" boys?

/nd before anybody else can even more" icky *umped from his seat and out the door.

The sound of a vehicle" cracklin$ the woods on the $round was heard by unho.+e looked up from lookin$ down at :o/" who looked9well" cra7y.

h hey" they(re here. +e finally said.

+er head turned Iuickly to see them park.

/nd out busted icky.



!he sat up.

That meant" A=<<

/nd both icky and :o/ char$ed their way to the table of food" sittin$ there" lookin$ sodelicious.

/nd it was so close" yet so far9

,ithout even $reetin$ one another" they pushed and shoved their way there" determinedto reach it first) for$ettin$ that the reason why they starved was to eat happily to$ether.

BT AA<<< +e yelled when she reached the table as soon as he did.

JO<<<J !he simply shoved him away" havin$ *ust enou$h ener$y to have the table for herself.

/nd as they pushed and shoved" they du$ into the food with their fin$ers" not evenconsiderin$ the other person *ust one bit.

--------------------

S E A S O N T W O.

--chapter 00--

!o" you $uys finally love each other a$ain; !unday asked" sittin$ across the table fromicky and :o/" who were both now finishin$ their meals calmly and civilly aftermakin$ a mess from eatin$ and wrestlin$ each other for the past 10 minutes. They werenow sittin$ and finishin$ the bits of food off of their plates.

icky drank the last of his soda from a cup and put it down" wipin$ his mouth with asmile.up. +e turned to :o/" smilin$. Thanks for waitin$ for me.!he stuffed the last corner of her second sandwich and chewed it with her mouth closed"

but full9and smiled back at him. !he then pointed to him and put up two fin$ers"meanin$9ou Too.

!unday rolled her eyes at them" rememberin$ how much they seemed to hate each other *ust a bit a$o from bein$ so starved for each other.



8 can(t believe school starts in two days. +yukkie complained" kickin$ the woodchipson the $round. !ummer #>!T started<<<8 know9 #unsu replied. 8t(s like9are you !> we(re already at the be$innin$ of!eptember;

8t(s like9we #>!T finished watchin$ the ,orld &up.#unsu turned to +yukkie and his eyes narrowed down. =on(t9remind me.h yeah. +yukkie replied. kay well" seein$ that you almost for$ot about it" 8 $uess alot of time KdidK pass by.

+ey $uys<< They heard faintly from afar.They looked to see who it was.

/nd it was !un$ in" callin$ them from the lake.+yukkie and #unsu" alon$ with the others who were makin$ their tents or *ust han$in$around" were Iuite surprised to see him9dressed in his swimmin$ suit with scuba divin$

$o$$les on his head and flippers on his feet" holdin$ a towel and wavin$ to his friends.

,hat the heck;; eon +ee rushed from her seat. ,hen(d he $et dressed for KthatK;;!un$ in is way too ahead of us. Ci :um said flatly. ,e(re never $onna keep up withhim./nd him9 eon +ee looked" and pointed out #ae #oon$" who was runnin$ out fromsomewhere as well towards !un$ in in his swimwear" flippers" towel and of course"sunscreen.

&(@<<< !un$ in yelled" wavin$ both his hands in the air. T+ /C 8! !&/<<</+<<< #ae #oon$ called back. 8 have hecka waterproof sunscreen for you $uys"too<<< &(@<<<<

unho raised his eyebrows" icky and :o/ looked at each other" eon +ee and !undayshru$$ed with e%cited faces9

+ey" why not;;

!hin =on$ posed without his shirt" fle%in$ his muscle-less arms.8(m? too se%y for my shirt? Too se%y for my muscles? +e san$ as the others cheeredfor him.

,<<< =ana sIuealed.! +T<<< !unday shouted back.



h man" how hot is the sun if the water is this warm; :o/ asked" puttin$ her feet infrom the deck with eon +ee and !tephanie. 8t feels so nice.&ome inside?? icky(s head popped up from the water. 8 know you wanna.

@ah. !he said. 8 *ust like my feet inside.+e rolled his eyes. ou(re *ust doin$ that cus your stupid friends aren(t comin$ in. +esaid" pointin$ to !tephanie and eon +ee.+ey. eon +ee responded. 8f anythin$" 8( $ettin$ influenced by her . !he put the blame back on :o/. !he(s the one who said Nlet(s *ust put our feet in.(ike" why would you wear your swimmin$ suits to @T come in; +e asked" notunderstandin$. our bodies aren(t that nice to show off?8 *ust don(t wanna $o in. !tephanie said. :ut it feels nice $ettin$ this tan.ou $uys need to be more like !unday and them. icky asked. They all looked over at!unday" #essica and =ana" who was indeed havin$ fun in the water" playin$ water-fi$htwith #unsu" +yukkie and the rest of the boys.

h my? eon +ee put her hand over her mouth" alon$ with the other two when theysaw how hard &han$ in pushed =ana down.They saw her face $et an$ry a$ain as she $ot up to chase him around with one of #ae#oon$(s flippers.

!ee; icky said" lookin$ back at them. ooks fun" doesn(t it;,e(ll $o in later. eon +ee told him.ou $uys are such $irly $irls. +e rolled his eyes.

/nd after he rolled his eyes" he looked up a$ain9/nd almost choked a lau$h.

,hat; :o/ asked.h nothin$. +e said" coverin$ his mouth.

,hat he saw was !un$ in and Ci :um" tiptoein$ behind the $irls9$ettin$ ready to push them in.

8 wonder where unho(s at. 8 don(t see him. eon +ee said" lookin$ around.

!un$ in and Ci :um looked at each other and slowly" whispered9 ne9Two9/nd icky looked away" not bein$ able to hold in his $i$$le.

+e(s ri$ht over there? !tephanie pointed.f course" you would know. :o/ teased.

Three< They finished.

/nd immediately" they pushed all three $irls into the lake and they screamed from fri$ht.



/++<<< The $irls yelled" splashin$ into the lake as icky moved out of the way.

/hh+?+hahahha. The boys lau$hed from above.es? /nd $ave each other hi$h fives.

hhh my $od" Ci :um you are ! dead< eon +ee warned" after her head bobbed back up.!eee;; icky said" holdin$ onto :o/(s hand as soon as she came back up as well"fi%in$ her hair. !o much better that you(re here<<>B+++<<< !he snatched her hand away. > S$ C@, T+ , T+<<+ey" they were *ust helpin$ me. +e pointed out.

+/T you $uys? eon +ee continued" pushin$ the boys around after they *umped in.,e were B@@/ come in anyway. !tephanie said. Bosh" that almost $ave me a heartattack.

@o it didn(t. They said" flattenin$ their eyes. ou know you $uys wanted to come in.

,ell" it was true. They did" but they *ust wanted to wait. &us some $irls9are *ust likethat.

/s !tephanie waded her way out of the bi$ water-wrestlin$ between eon +ee" :o/ andthe three other boys" she pulled her lon$ hair out so she can sIuee7e it dry.

!he $rabbed a lon$ towel and wrapped it around her tiny waist" tuckin$ it in so it stays put.

/s she walked over to $rab a can of &oke" she snapped it opened and drank it./fter puttin$ it on the table" she $rabbed a $rape" when9

:< !omebody shook her with a scare./h< !he *umped a$ain" for the second time that day" and spun around.

8t was unho.h my $od" 8(m $onna C8 you $uys< !he said" shovin$ him with as much pressureas she had as he lau$hed at his success in scarin$ her.!o why(d you come out; +e asked" sittin$ down on the table.+un$ry. !he said" eatin$ another $rape./$ain;; ou *ust KateK?!o;; +ey" don(t mock my schedule of hun$er98 can(t live without consistent food.eah98 know. ou should stop. +e poked her on the side. Bettin$ a little cushionythere.!he slapped his fin$er. !hut up.

+e lau$hed a$ain.



+e then looked up at her neck that $listened from water9and from a $old piece of *ewelry.

+ey" what(s that; +e asked" pointin$ to her necklace with a tiny" circular pendant"

barely able to be seen. 8 don(t think 8(ve ever seen it.h" this; !he asked" pickin$ it up. y mom *ust sent it to me in the mail the otherday. +er $randma *ust passed away and this necklace was really important to her. !hetold my mom that if she ever passed away9$ive it to me. /nd so" she did.,hat;; +e responded. 8 never knew your $reat $randma died. /re you okay;eah" 8(m fine. 8 didn(t really know her so it wasn(t hard or anythin$98 *ust know thatshe was really really smart. :ut 8 love this necklace. !hoot" that reminds me. 8 was $onnatake it off before comin$ here cus 8 didn(t wanna lose it. 8(ll *ust take it off now. !he puther hands behind her neck to take off the necklace and held it in her hand as she ate acouple more $rapes.@o" don(t take it off now? unho said. ,hat if you lose it;

8(m *ust $onna put it in my ba$. =on(t trip. 8t(s really thin" so 8(d rather hold onto it.+m9well" okay. +e said" bein$ unsure of it.

/fter a little more talkin$ and finishin$ up her food" she wrapped everythin$ in a napkinto throw away.

8(ll throw it away for you. unho offered" snatchin$ away her stuff and walked over tothe trash can to throw away.!he smiled at him doin$ so. +e looked e%tra hot in his swimmin$ trunks with waterdrippin$ down from his hair and body.

!he couldn(t help but thinkin$ that if only they were already a couple" she could(vetouched him and hu$$ed him and even kissed him ri$ht this moment. Dammit.

,hat; +e asked" after approachin$ her and seein$ that she had a look on her face.@othin$. !he said back.+e raised an eyebrow. hhhkay.,hat" !he be$an" $ettin$ the coura$e to say it9 8 can(t think you(re hot orsomethin$;unho(s head $ave a small *erk" surprised at what she said. !urprised" but very veryhappy.

9Bosh. !he said" $ivin$ a small smile and turnin$ away back to the lake.

unho couldn(t help but $row a hu$e $rin.=ammit? +e then said. + was supposed to be the first to say somethin$ like that.Bosh< +e kept" hittin$ himself on the head of how stupid he was) how lon$ he madethem wait if !+ had to be the one to make somewhat of a first move.



icky walked over to the table to $et some chips" when he saw unho makin$ faces andsayin$ short phrases to himself and even slappin$ his forehead.

9The heck ;; icky finally asked.unho *umped and looked over" not even noticin$ that icky has been standin$ there for

the past minute.,ha9how lon$ were you here for;; unho asked.>h9lon$ enou$h to know that you(re $ettin$ cra7y;unho si$hed9and felt a bit dumb.+e then looked back at the lake to see !tephanie" playin$ and wrestlin$ around with theother kids. ,ell" nothin$ seemed to matter that moment? !he called him hot<<

8(m $lad we $ot this tent. eon +ee said" lyin$ down on her sleepin$ ba$ for the late

afternoon. 8 knew my dad was ri$ht about buyin$ it when my mom was all a$ainst it.!ometimes9*ust KsometimesK9men are makin$ the ri$ht decisions.8 think Ci :um wanted to share a tent with you thou$h. :o/ said" lyin$ on her stomachne%t to her. +e was kinda hintin$ it.eally; !he looked over. ,hy;,hen he said N+ow about couples $et tents to$ether;( it kinda $ave me a clue.eon +ee twisted her mouth and thou$ht.:o/ looked at her" hopin$ she could say somethin$. !he sort of wanted to $o to the othertent where icky was.>m :o/; eon +ee asked. =o you mind9@o< :o/ immediately replied with a smile. 8 do not mind switchin$ tents with him.eally;eah?:ut *ust for toni$ht? ,e(ll share a tent tomorrow ni$ht.,e(re not $onna be KhereK for tomorrow ni$ht.i$ht. eon +ee said" scratchin$ her head.8t(s okay. :o/ said. ,e always have sleepovers anyway.%actly.

orny &reaks% !tephanie thou$ht" listenin$ in while she was di$$in$ throu$h her duffle ba$.

!teph9what(re you lookin$ for; eon +ee asked" liftin$ her head up. &ome here?

=ammit? !tephanie said. 8 can(t find somethin$.,hat; :o/ asked.8 can(t find my necklace?,hat necklace;;8 swear 89 !he then $asped and sat down flat on her butt" coverin$ her mouth. h my$od9



,hat" what;;; !/ 8T. eon +ee said.h no9 !tephanie be$an. ,hen9unho9trash9ohhhh my $od. !he slapped herforehead. Acuk?

8 can(t believe you actually pushed me down that hill. =ana said to &han$ in" rubbin$her head with a hu$e bruise on the side of her forehead. !mall scrapes were on her kneesand elbows as well.,ell you hit me with that stick<< +e shot back. ww? +e sli$htly touched his c h e ek that had a band-aid from $ettin$ hurt by her. ou(re $onna pay for this.#ust be careful? !he $lared back at him sneakily. /nd watch your back at ni$ht.

,here(s =on$ +ae; +yukkie and !un$ in asked #essica. ,e want him to come with

us to $o hikin$ and then catch fish.&atch fish; !he asked" raisin$ an eyebrow. ,ow" you $uys are really up for thiscampin$ thin$.>h yeah? 8(m even thinkin$ about movin$ to the mountains after hi$h school? !un$in said. @ature? +e spread out his arms and spun around./nyway. +e said" stoppin$ and lookin$ at her. ,here(s he at;+e(s takin$ a nap. !he said. ou know9he needs one every day.,hat the hell" even on our &/F8@B trip; !un$ in asked. ,e only have a full dayand he(s spendin$ his time @/FF8@B;ou know he needs it? !he said. #ust wait for him to wake up.>$h. +yukkie said. ,ell where(s #ae #oon$;+e(s sleepin$" too. !he said.,hat;<eah" he needs it for his skin.>$hhh. !un$ in kicked the $round. ,ell; +e looked over at +yukkie.Aor$et Nem. +yukkie replied. ,e don(t need them.eah? !un$ in said" hypin$ up. et(s $o" +yuk./nd off they went.

#essica tip-toed to see if they had $one away far enou$h9

!he then knelt down to the tent behind her.

!he whispered" They(re $one9

=on$ +ae and #ae #oon$ poked their heads out of the tent. ,hew9 #ae #oon$ si$hed.Ceepin$ up with !un$ in was cool at first" but now98 can no lon$er $o.Told you. =on$ +ae replied. 8 *ust hope he sleeps the earliest.



+ey" do you know where !tephanie is; unho asked eon +ee. ook what 8 found.+e held up a real" perfect four-leaf clover. &ool" huh;

,hoa?? !he said" takin$ it and lookin$ at it in ama7ement. ou $ot this for her;eap? +e smiled proudly. =o you know where she is;h" she(s like totally freaked out ri$ht now. !he said.,hy;8 dunno. !he lost her necklace that used to belon$ to her $reat-$randma.,+/T; +e asked. +ow;; ,hen;!he said somethin$ like she probably threw it away with her food earlier98 dunno"she(s really upset about it thou$h. !he even went to the trash can" but the trash can wasempty already.h man. +e put his hand on his forehead. ,here is she;!he(s in the tent. !he said.

+e took a deep breath. Dammit, I told her not to take it o&&%

/nd then" he thou$ht of an idea9

,hat(re ya doin( here; / man asked" once unho reached where all the $arba$edisposals were.8(m so sorry. +e said. :ut 8(m lookin$ for somethin$ really important that 8 think 8threw away. =id you $uys already like9do somethin$ with today(s trash; 8t was only *ust an hour a$o.,ell" they(re still here...but they(re all mi%ed to$ether so it(d be hard ta find.8t(s okay< unho said" thankfully. &an 8 please look anyway;ou(re not $onna find it" kid.8 *ust wanna try. +e pleaded. 8(ll leave when 8 have to.The man looked at him. !omethin( for ya $irlfriend;unho looked up at him. !omethin$ like that.eah" okay. 8n that way.

unho climbed up the ladder up to the top of the lar$e metal dumpster that supposedlyhad all the trash to$ether of the entire campsite.

,hen he $ot to the top" he looked down.

The man was ri$ht) it was $oin$ to be impossible.

There was so much trash that 1.H the odor was so foul that he couldn(t even look into it



for more than a couple seconds. 2.H nothin$ was able to be seen. 8t all *ust looked like anocean of a bunch of little Faper ache alto$ether.

+e couldn(t believe it.

My mom 4ust sent it to me in the mail the other day. er )randma 4ust passed away and

this necklace was really important to her. She told my mom that i& she ever passed

away%)ive it to me. nd so, she did.7

+er voice re-played in his mind9and remembered how special that necklace must have been to both her and her mother9and of course" her $reat $randmother as well.

+e held his breath.

+e prayed to her $reat-$randmother to help him find it9

/nd pressin$ his nose to$ether" he *umped in.

/re you !> you checked everywhere;; :o/ asked" makin$ an effort to comfort!tephanie" who lay on the sleepin$ ba$" depressed and worried. =id you check in yourunderwear ba$;;,hy would 8 put it there;;; !tephanie asked back. /nd yes" 8 did?!teph? ,hy(d you brin$ it; r why(d you take it off;;8 don(t know" 8 was so stupid<<8 think 8(m $onna cry" too? :o/ wailed.,hy(re > cryin$? !tephanie wailed back.8 dunno??? :o/ wailed harder.

!+>T >F<< They heard somebody shout from outside.The $irls looked back. > !+>T >F<<

8 feel so bad9 Can$ 8n said" wrappin$ around :omi as she sat on his lap while they satdown on one of the secluded wooden tables while lookin$ out the lake that was now Iuietwith birds chirpin$ around. ,e couldn(t even do half the stuff we planned *ust cus 8 $otlost98 ruined it for everybody.@o you didn(t? !he looked back. #ust chillin( and rela%in$ is so much funner anyway.Trust me" 8 would have KnotK been ready to $o hikin$ and all that stuff that !un$ in planned. 8 like it like this9and 8(m sure everybody else does too.eally;es? /lthou$h 8 must admit" you could(ve woken me up to $et here faster.+e pouted a$ain.



:ut? !he continued. 8 must also admit" that 8 have the perfect boyfriend.+e rolled his eyes. Fuh-lease. That did not make me feel any better.,hat; 8 do?? !he said" hu$$in$ him ti$htly. 8 can(t believe you $ot lost all for thesake of my sleep.+e hu$$ed her back. eah" you always $et me lost.

!he de-tached herself and looked at him. ,hat;ou made me lost even ri$ht now? +e said.9The heck(s KthatK supposed to mean;ou took me way too lon$ down a road. +e said. 8 can(t even find my way back towhere we started.!he smiled and leaned a$ainst his neck. 8 know" huh;9:ut it(s okay. +e continued. 8 don(t really wanna $o back.e neither. !he replied.!o9how lon$ do you think that(ll last; +e asked.!he sat up a$ain and looked at him. 9,hy; !he asked" feelin$ a bit scared andsuspicious.

,ell" 8 dunno. ,ould you stick with me throu$h anythin$; ike Kanythin$K;9!ure9 !he said" not knowin$ if she was. ,hy9is somethin$ wron$;ou swear; +e asked. ike9even if 8 end up somewhere totally random after hi$hschool;

/fter hi$h school9

/ thou$ht that always made her shiver.

specially more now" since their last year was soon to be$in9

,hat was to happen afterwards; 8f they ended up $oin$ separate ways9

Can$ 8n then si$hed. 8 have somethin$ to tell you.!he looked at him" scared9but wantin$ to know. ,hat9; !he replied.:ut you have to promise not to $et mad9well never mind. ou can $et mad9but youcan(t Iuestion what we have *ust because of this" okay;9,ell" let me hear first. !he said.@o" promise me" first. +e said. 8 have to $et that confirmation.@o" 8 need to hear first.Flease; +e asked. 8 really wanted to $et this off my chest before school started" but8(m *ust scared that you(re $onna think of it in a bad way./s lon$ as you didn(t cheat9nothin$ can be that horrible. !he said. #ust say it.

+e took another deep breath. 8(m not $oin$ to colle$e ri$ht after hi$h school.,+/T; !he stood up. ,ha9why;

They had planned to try and $et into the same colle$e so they wouldn(t have to be apart.Flus" they had the same $oals and the same ma*or interests alon$ with the same desiresfor certain colle$es. That was their plan for the whole senior year9and now he was



sayin$ different thin$s.

isten? +e held onto her wrist and pulled her closer. #ust listen to me.!he didn(t say anythin$ and looked at him" listenin$ to what he had to say.

8(m $oin$ to the army after $raduation. +e said. 8(ve already decided stuff with mydad and9it(s pretty certain.,hat; !he asked. :ut9but why; ,hat made you chan$e your mind; 8 thou$ht youwanted to $et into psycholo$y and stuff.8 know 8 know. +e said. :ut9$oin$ to the army will pay off a lot of different thin$s 8need. :elieve me" 8(ll $o to colle$e. 8t(s *ust98(m $onna be doin$ different thin$s and9Flease don(t think this(ll chan$e anythin$.,ell" Can$ 8n. !he said. et(s be realistic here" if we $o separate ways9who knowswhat could happen; 8(m not sayin$ we were tryin$ to $o to the same colle$e only for ourrelationship" but it was still part of certain reasons and choices 8 wanted to make9

8 know. +e said. +e then looked down at the $round. +e knew she would $et technicalabout this stuff. kay9 +e finally said" lookin$ back up. 8(ll see about plans9@o" Can$ 8n. !he said. =on(t chan$e your plans *ust because of this" *ust because ofus. 8(m *ust sayin$9:omi. +e cut her off. ,hat we have is bi$ and important enou$h for me to chan$e mywhole li"e around. +e said" lookin$ up at her" lookin$ and soundin$ serious" holdin$ti$htly onto her hands. 8 love you. +e finally said.

/nd whoa" did those words hit her everywhere. Aor the past three years of theirrelationship" this was the very first time she heard him say it) directly those words andfrom his mouth. !he always wondered if he(d say it" or if he was *ust too shy or someonewho(s sensitive with those words9but he finally said it. /nd the way he did" was totallyworth it.

8 love you9so much and if somethin$ 8 think of is $oin$ to chan$e us98t(s out of theIuestion. +e said.!he looked down at him9not knowin$ what to say.!he didn(t want to cry because it seemed so corny and cheesy to cry9but she couldn(thelp tears formin$ in her eyes. ,ords had never touched her so much.8 know this seems kinda forward and we(re still in youn$ in hi$h school and everythin$" but 8 know for sure that there(s nothin$ worth savin$ to lose you. +e said. !o9please.#ust9we(re never $onna break up.9,ow. !he said" overwhelmed. isten9Can$ 8n. 8(m sorry for bein$ so a$ainst your whole army thin$" 8 didn(t even know you felt this way. 8f you really need to $o9you $o.8 don(t want to affect anythin$ for you the wron$ way.../nd-,e have a whole year. +e said" pullin$ her close onto his lap a$ain. @othin$ needs to be rushed.

!he $uessed so9



unho kicked around.8t had been over an hour and he was still di$$in$ throu$h the trash.

+e couldn(t believe he was $oin$ throu$h all this *ust for one simple thin$.

:ut then he remembered who it was for" and how special it was to her.

Bosh dan$it. +e said" pickin$ somethin$ up that seemed to be a necklace" yet ended up bein$ a piece of foil.

+e took a deep breath. 8t all seemed hopeless.

@o. +e then said. 8t has to be here if this is all of today(s trash. 8t has to be.

/nd indeed" there it was.

!omethin$ $listened when his eyes turned somewhere98t $listened from a napkin bein$ wrapped around it.

+is heart *umped. &ould it be;;

+e leaped to where it was as Iuickly as possible and picked up the napkin.

/nd9:in$o.

es< +e held onto it ti$htly to his chest.

@ot believin$ that he KactuallyK found it" he put it in his pocket and rushed his way to theladder a$ain.

/nd *ust before he was $oin$ to $et out" he felt somethin$ move.

@ot somethin$" but the whole dumpster bein$ lifted.

/h9ah9/++++<<< +e yelled when the dumpster had flipped over onto a movin$truck.

/++++???



,hen(s unho comin$ back; +ee &hul asked !unday. +e(s $onna miss dinner.+e said he(s $onna $o make a phone call" but it(s been over an hour.There he is<< :o/ pointed.

/nd in came unho" lookin$ $run$y and dirty9and smellin$ really really bad.

,hoa?? verybody :/&C >F. icky said" scoochin$ away. ,e have an odor problem.=id you take a bath in the trash;; :o/ fanned her nose and be$an cou$hin$.eah. +e answered. ,here(s !tephanie;!he went to the bathroom. :o/ replied.:oy" take a shower?www<<

verybody moved away from unho as he walked over to !tephanie(s tent.

+e slipped the necklace into a small 7ip lock ba$ and slipped it in her duffle.

+e hoped she was happy to see it9and he walked out to take a shower.

!tephanie held onto her thin$s as she walked over to the portable showers.!he took one earlier" but she felt like she needed another one) :ein$ outside andconstantly livin$ with nature made her feel dirtier than ever.

!he put her thin$s down opened up the curtain./nd to her shock and surprise" she saw unho" about to turn the water back on to rinse off his hair./+< +e shouted.+er eyes wide opened" she Iuickly closed the curtain and leaned a$ainst the wall9+er eyes stayed wide and she couldn(t believe she did that9

That9was not cool. +e said from inside.9!orry? !he sIueaked and winced9

unho came back. :o/ said as soon as !tephanie made her way back. +e smelled9really really bad.,hat; !he asked back. ,hy;8ono9but he smelled like trash.!tephanie raised an eyebrow.



!he then went into her tent.

!till feelin$ depressed over her necklace" she knelt down by her ba$ to put away herthin$s.

h man" she *ust saw unho naked. ven if it was for a Iuick second" he was still naked.

!he then blushed9/nd $i$$led to herself.

/fter she had calmed down" she un7ipped her ba$.

/nd then" she saw an unfamiliar a 7ip lock ba$9

/nd her heart *umped.

The necklace? ,as in the 7ip-lock ba$<

hhhh my $od. !he said" liftin$ it up. +ow did 8-

/unho came back. e smelled%really really bad7CIono%but he smelled like trash.7

!tephanie $asped.

@o way9=id he really;

#ust then" she heard his voice from outside.

=an$ unho" thou$ht it(d take a year for you to shower off that smell. +ee &hul said.8(m *ust KnaturallyK odorless" okay; +e replied. 8f it was anybody else" it would(vetaken forever.

!tephanie looked out of her tent.

+e was still dryin$ his hair off from his towel and was wearin$ a white" cut off t-shirtwith some ba$$y $ray sweats. +e looked so clean9and perfect.

/s he talked" he then $lanced over to her to catch her lookin$ at him.



:ut it didn(t matter. !he wasn(t embarrassed. +e had touched her so much and shewanted him to catch her. !he wanted to be with him9now.

These s(mores are soooooooooooooooo $ood?? =ana said" eatin$ another one" as sheand everybody else sat around the bi$ campfire under the ni$ht sky after eatin$ theirdinner mm?8 know. eon +ee replied. 8 can(t believe our trip is over?8 can(t believer summer’s over. =on$ +ae said. This sucks.>$hhhhh !&+??? :o/ $roaned. =readful./t least we have some classes to$ether. icky said. &an(t wait<< +e clapped.

,ow" never seen icky so e%cited over school before. eon +ee said.:o/9 unho set a hand on her shoulder. ou(ve done a lot.!he smirked and looked over at icky" who was eatin$ a s(more with another one in his

other hand.

!o" uh? !un$ in said" hesitantly. /nybody up for some campfire son$s;;verybody turned and shot him a look.#ust an idea?? !heesh< +e shrunk down.

/ye unho. Can$ 8n called.unho looked up.!o where were you earlier;!tephanie" who sat ri$ht ne%t to him looked up at him9and he looked at her back./nd they shared a secretive smile.

>+-+" 8 see somethin$ between those two?? icky said" pointin$ to !tephanie andunho.!tephanie $ave icky a sarcastic look. ,hat; ,hat did you see;8ono. icky shru$$ed. #ust made it up. 8(m bored< et(s sin$ campfire son$s.et(s not. :o/ replied. et(s $o98(m tired. 8(ll read you a story.!he held icky(s hand and stood up" leadin$ him away.h crap. 8t(s like 1/. Ci :um said" lookin$ at his watch. 8(m off. ,e $otta wake upearly a$ain" 8(m not riskin$ another late ni$ht a$ain.,e(re switchin$ tents. :o/ told him.Ci :um(s face lit up. +e looked over at eon +ee. /nd back to :o/ a$ain. eally;;eally;; icky repeated.eap. :o/ said.,ell" $ood-bye to me sleepin$ early. Ci :um $rinned. ,e can talk all ni$ht" eon+ee? ur very first sleepover??@o" 8(m tired. eon +ee said. 8(m sleepin$. 8t doesn(t matter who switches tents to meanymore.,ha-; /w9 +e said. ,ell" 8(m still sleepin$ in your tent. B(ni$ht everybody?Bood-ni$ht??



verybody a$reed to $et up and $o to sleep. /nd that was the end of a both lon$ and shorttrip.

/n end9for most.

!tephanie crept out of her tent to $et a drink9when she saw the back of unho(s head"sittin$ by the campfire. !he didn(t even know it was still lit. +is head was lookin$ downand she saw his arm movin$" so she could tell he was writin$ somethin$) she couldalways tell what unho was doin$ from any an$le from anywhere9

unho sat" writin$ down certain thin$s he needed to do when he $ot back" thin$s he

needed to buy for school9little thin$s" *ust because he wasn(t tired and he didn(t reallywant to $o to sleep yet when this was one of his rare chances to really $et out.

#ust as he was writin$" he saw a &oke can at the corner of his eye.ookin$ up" he saw !tephanie" wrapped around in her red" plaid fleece blanket.

+e smiled and took the can. Thanks.!he stepped over the thick" lon$ lo$ he was sittin$ on and sat ne%t to him as the warmthof the fireplace touched her.

,hat(re you still doin$ up; +e asked.&an(t sleep. !he replied. ,hat about you;+e picked up his notebook.,hat(re you writin$; !he looked down./ww9 !he said. Thou$ht it was $onna be about me or somethin$.Fsh. +e teased. @ever9would 8 waste paper to write about you.

!he made a face and drank a sip of her &oke.

!o uh9 +e be$an.!he looked over at him. Thanks. !he said.+e looked back.Aor this. !he put her hand on her chest and picked up the pendant from her necklacea$ain. Thou$ht 8 was $onna die.8 know" stupid. 8 told you not to take it off.8 know" 8 know. !he said. Bee7.+e $ave a small lau$h.

/nd there was silence a$ain./nd only the fire cracklin$ was heard9



:ut the heat between them was stron$er than what the flames were $ivin$ them.8t felt tension a$ain9but a $ood tension. ike9they could do this for a very lon$ timewithout bein$ bored98t was a silent tension that only the two of them could share9

!teph9 unho finally be$an after a lon$ while" his elbows restin$ on his knees as hisfeet touched the $round and his hands put to$ether" his face lookin$ down to the bottomof the fire.!tephanie looked over9+is face that was tinted by the li$ht of the fire looked serious9/nd his eyes stayed sharp ahead.9eah; !he finally asked Iuietly.

9+ow do you feel about me;

!he stared at the side of his face. /ll he looked like was he wanted to know.

!he took a breath and let it out Iuietly.!he felt horrible that it took so lon$ to say it.:ut at least it was happenin$ now.

98 like you. !he finally answered.

/nd up the warmth of his heart went and left every part of him touched with a feelin$that has been felt for the very first time...

+e looked over at her9/nd she looked beautiful.

98 want to be with you. !he said.

unho said nothin$. @othin$ was all he could say.verythin$ about that moment could only be e%plained with9 @othin$. @o words. !peechless would somebody be to show how it was.

89dunno why it took me so lon$ to know" !he be$an" lookin$ down. /nd98(m sorryit did. =urin$ all that time" 8 was completely oblivious98t took so much to fi$ure out9+e only looked back at her.:ut now; !he looked up. 98t(s all about you" unho.

That kiss we had9 !he continued. 8t re-played over and over a$ain every sin$le day. @othin$ has done that to me ever before and it was because all because that moment waswith you. !he paused. 8t(s *ust98t(s *ust that 8 dunno if 8 deserve you anymore. 8 dunno



who you’re all about now98 made the wait too lon$9ike...8 dunno how...

+e *ust looked back at her" and his look made her words trail off...

8've always been about you" !teph. +e said. /nd 8 still am9

8t doesn(t matter to me9how lon$ it took. +e continued. /s lon$ as it happens9

98 want somethin$ to happen. !he answered.

+e didn't answer...

/nd she $ot worried....

/nd finally" @ow you know how 8 felt9 +e said with a small smile. Aor a really9really lon$ time.!he smiled and looked down" $uiltily.&an 8 make it up; !he looked up" keepin$ her $rin. The face she always made when sheasked him to for$ive her.8t'll take a while... +e warned back" with a smile of his own.

/nd then they leaned in close" blanket comin$ over their knees9

/nd as their kiss passionately happened9

!o9did uphanie.

S E A S O N T W O.

--!eason pilo$ue--

:o/ @arrarationQ

,anna $o ride; icky asked me" eon +ee" !unday" #ae #oon$" =on$ +ae and #essicaafter a couple days from returnin$ home.

,e a$reed and everybody $ot on their bikes9and rode out onto the Iuiet streets of/lbany as the evenin$ was approachin$ us and summer was slowly endin$9



8t was a short summer" as those three particular months of the year always feel short" but

there was a lot packed into them this time) new couples" drama" tra$edies" funnymoments" and some memories that would be kept in our hearts for as lon$ as we(ll beable to remember.

/ lot was the same" but thin$s were also chan$in$ before our very own eyes that we stilldidn(t notice.

,e learned a lot about each other that we hadn(t known back in #une before this summereven be$an.

!tephanie(s heart had been set for unho all lon$" #ae #oon$ had more fear of $ettin$

freaky with older" wilder women than he thou$ht he did and eon +ee wasn(t alwayse%actly the fra$ile porcelain doll that everybody knew her as. +yukkie was unspoken ofhis problems at home and Can$ 8n oppa had already been makin$ $rown-up" life-chan$in$ plans all on his own that none of us even knew about.

aybe we *ust hadn(t known everythin$ about our friends as much as we thou$ht we did"or all of us were transformin$ little by little as time pro$ressed and thin$s were showin$up that even we didn(t know about our very own selves.

/s we kissed summer $ood-bye" a certain youthful aspect of us was leavin$ too" and wewere all $rowin$ a little bit more without even knowin$ it.

!ummertime was the brid$e from one end of a time to the be$innin$ of the ne%t and a lotwent on while crossin$ that brid$e. ,e were *ust oblivious to a lot of it from the fun. /ndfor the most part" we all ended well while crossin$9even if it doesn(t take much tosucceed in doin$ so.

/s dreadful as school sounds" we were all a little bit e%cited and ready to $o back.

ven thou$h after two days" we(re $oin$ to hate it with a passion a$ain and wish forsummer to come back9

8t(s $otta be said to all of us before $oin$ back"

ake it $ood $uys9et(s make it $ood.

-------------------------



Thank you for readin$ +8B+ !&+Q Summertime.

Highschool Summertime

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Transcript of Highschool Summertime