Stuck in Between

19. Weird Ways

Chorong's POV

"You are the one who gave me those books?" I asked again. He didn't even faced me.

I saw them talking, but I only heard the last part, when his noona said he bought those books. That's all. I wonder why I wad their topic? What have they talked about?

"Yeah. It was him. None other than my handsome younger brother, Kris" His sister answered.

Why is his sister so opposite to him?

"You didn't know? He didn't tell you?" Still from his sister. "Yo bro! You played 'secret admirer'? OH MY GOD! I always thought playing 'secret admirer' isn't your style." She laughed teasing him. "And by the way, what brought you here, Chorong-ah?"

"Well.." I showed her a poster I took from the wall outside the store "I was just..." But I can't help but stare at Grease. Why isn't he facing me?

"Oh! That one!" Tiffany Eonnie went out of the cashier's table and went towards me. "So you're applying?"

I nodded awkwardly still looking at Grease.

"Okay. You're in!" she said happily. "You can start----"

"NO!" Kris suddenly said raising his voice. "She won't be working here, Noona."

"But----"

He suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the store without even finishing what his Noona has to say.

"Ouch!" I said pulling my hand out of his grip. He let go of it then he faces the other way.

"You can't be working here." He said without looking at me.

"Why?" I answered back. "I need a job, so it's up to me if I work here or not, and your sister said I'm in."

He held his head and pulled his blonde hair in frustration. Now, he faces me but didn't look straight in my eyes. "Your house is 40 mins away from here."

How did he know about my house? Ah! I remember that night when he passed by me with a motorbike telling me about a surprise gift. And yeah, he painted all my books.

"What is it to you? I need a job, and I'm doing it." I walked to go back inside the store but he blocked me with his wide arms.

"No, you won't, and I won't allow you." He said with a serious face.

I raised my eyebrow at him. "And what can you do? You'll bully me in front of you sister? Does your sister even know how bad a person you are?"

He took a deep breath. "She knows."

I laughed. "Jinjja? And you expect me to believe that?"

He didn't answer.

"And by the way, I'll give back your books once I saved and buy new on----"

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY NEW ONES!" he shouted.

I was taken a back.

He ran his hand on his face. He seemed like he is suppressing his anger. He looked at me with a serious face. "But if it's from Tao you'll take it, right?"

I should have just given him an answer and don't care about it.

Why do I feel like my answer would hurt him?

And why do I feel like I don't wanna see him hurt?

He put his arm down to let me pass. "Go. Do it." he said and left.

I watched him as he went away.

Am I feeling guilty?

Why do I feel sad looking at his back?

"So you're working at the convenience store near my house?" Eunji excitedly asked. I nodded. "Yey!" she hugged me. "We could go home together everyday."

"Aww.. I envy you girls." Bomi said pouting. "I also wanna go home with you girls together."

Bomi is the only one going home in a different direction. Na Eun and Eun Ji lives bear from each other but in a different street. And now that I am working there, I could go with them everyday.

"You can even sleep over at our hous if you want to." Na Eun offered.

I gave her a wide smile.

"Wait." Bomi spread her arms telling us to stop talking and listen to her. "Isn't it that.. Kris Oppa's sister owns that store?"

"Huh?" Eunji's voice sounded shocked. "Wait. You mean that pretty Eonnie is his sister?!"

Na Eun nodded. So she knows about it, as well as Bomi. The two of them. Why didn't they tell me before when they told me to buy snacks from that store?

"You didn't know?" Bomi asked Eunji.

"Eunji's family just transferred there this months ago so she doesn't know anyone around." Chanyeol suddenly appeared and joined the conversation.

They were neighbors since Eunji's family stayed in Hongdae, they were neighbors when we were in middle school, but Eunji's family transferred residence when she entered high school so they aren't neighbors anymore, but they went to the same school so it's just the same.

Eunji gave him a 'go-away!' stare.

He didn't care and just sat on the chair beside her. Eunji turned her head away from him, snobbing him. He just smiled like a little kid.

Oh~ they are childhood friends. I am sure Chanyeol knows how to tame Eunji better than us.

"Did you know it's Kris sister's store?" Eunji asked.

I nodded.

"Then why did you work there?" she asked confused.

I bit my lip before answering. "Well. His sister is really different from him.. and I think he wouldn't even dare to touch me in front of his sister..and he..." I stooped, wondering if I could continue what I have to say.

"And he...?" Bomi asked with curious eyes.

When it's about him, she is really curious.

"I think..."

"You think...?" still Bomi.

"Ah!!!" Chanyeol exclaimed. "Did you receive the books Kris hyung bought for you?"

My eyes widened. Not just mine, but the girls'.

"The books? Kris bought?!" Eunji asked Chanyeol, surprisex, forgetting that she doesn't wanna talk to him.

Yeol nodded smiling. "Yes, Eunji-ah!" and pinched her nose.

She tapped Chanyeol's hand away, irritated. He grinned.

"Chanyeol, what did you say?" Bomi asked. "Kris oppa was the one who bought those books for Chorong?"

"Yeah." He answered and put his hand over Eunji's shoulders.

Eunji pushed him away. "Haist! Chu gu le?! (You wanna die?!)"

Na Eun and I giggled watching them.

"Chorong-ah. Did you know about it?" Eunji asked me ignoring Chanyeol who is poking her side.

I nodded bitting my lower lip again.

"Oh?" Eunji tilted her head in confusion. "How could that be? He ruined your books to buy you new ones?"

"Kris hyung is a chodding (Elementary kid), you know." Chanyeol answered still poking Eunji.

"STOP IT! YAH!!!!" Eunji exploded, kicking and chasing Chanyeol endlessly while Chanyeol is laughing and running away.

We shook our heads watching the scene. Those two should get along now.

Mr. Kim Heechul entered the room.

Na Eun whispered, "Kai told me not to tell you, but.. Kris Oppa must have weird ways of getting your attention. He wasn't bullying you, afterall." She smiled and went back to her seat.

Since when did Na Eun and Kai talked to each other? I thought Kai is ignoring her. Are they chatting or texting eaxh other secretly? Are they pretending they are not friends?

And what is Kai talking about? Weird ways to get my attention? Huh! Weird.

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