Secrets

Chapter 11: Friends or partners?

"Appa(1)", I excitedly run into the house. I halt at the sight before me. My eyes widen as I gasp when I see eomma and appa on our marble floor. Their eyes were cold, empty, lifeless. Tears fill my eyes to the brim as I stare at the hooded figure holding the blood-dripping knife. Unable to believe my eyes, I want to wake up from this awful nightmare. They stream down my face. It hurts, it hurts much more to know who killed my bumo. He turns and stares at me with those dark eyes, eyes I used to find hope in, are the eyes I'm glaring at, hoping to never see again. " Sung-ahh".

Enemy, was the only thing on my mind.

"Mianhamnida(2)".

Killer, was the only thing I could see.

" You killed eomma and appa", I whisper slowly, the thought seemingly foreign.

"Mianhamnida".

" You killed eomma and appa!", I was in full hysteria mode. My never ending tears stop. He sent me one last look before he disappeared, a look I have learned to loathe. Pity.

I woke up. I was drenched in cold sweat. I couldn't breathe. I felt choked. I managed to press the emergency button. Harriet rushed in. I felt burning and just wanted to die. She quickly took my pills out for me. I managed to take them in time.

Il Jung's POV

"Sooo.... ", Man Bok drawled.

" So what? ".

" You and Hwa Sung, eh? ".

" Nope, I don't know what you are talking about. ".

" So it wasn't you guys I saw holding hands ". By this time I was blushing crimson.

"M-mwo?"

" Ah hah, got you. Did you know how hard it was to cover up for you? I was going to get beaten, damnit!", he yelled as he dropped his arms, dramatically I might add.

" You know, I don't trust her".

Me too buddy, me too.

"Come on, it probably wasn't that bad", I decide to change where the convo's heading towards.

" Are you kidding me?", he sat up, "I was this close...", his fingers pointing at each other, " this close to becoming whooped". I laughed, finally finished dressing.

"Really? ".

" Mm hmm, so where did you guys go? ".

" Nowhere".

"Maybe I should tell the twins...... ".

".........tell us what", Taehyung walked in with a couple of plastic bags. Uh oh, we are so dead. Think, think.

" What did you bring home?"

Like that would work.

Shut up, subconscious.

"Nuh uh, tell us exactly what you were talking about".

" He didn't want to tell us Jang-ahh is getting better ", Man Bok blurted out. Nice thinking.

" Mwo? Wae? ", Talahai asked, his eyes burning holes in the back of my head.

" Animita(3), I wanted it to be a surprise but someone apparently couldn't keep their mouth shut".

"Sorry dude he'll be alright, I'm sure".

"Who'll be alright? ", a new voice piped in.

Okay, what is with today and interrupting conversations?

I looked up to see Hwa Sung's head peering through the partly opened door. She steps in and...... Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?

It's just you.

Yah, shut it.

She's wearing a light blue blouse which hugs her figure and a pair of tight black leggings. Her black hair has been dyed a cool fiery red at the ends and is tied in a high ponytail, like really high.

Pick your jaw up, Sherlock. I mentally roll my eyes.

Give me a break, you annoying piece of sh*t.

Man Bok gives me a knowing look and I finally snap out of it. I quickly regain my composure just in time to hear, ".............you doing here? ".

" I was passing by and I thought to come visit ", Talahai looked really doubtful, " and where exactly were you going?".

"I was going to meet a friend".

" And who might that be?".

Man Bok must've been annoyed with the interrogation because he said, " Can you just quit it? ".

" Arasseo", but he gave her a look which clearly said: This conversation ain't over, missy.

"Anyway, I brought lattes".

" We have breakfast downstairs, with the rest of the class", Man Bok decided to painstakingly remind us. Nam Young again. Ugh! He probably did it to annoy Hwa Sung 'cause she looked down, dejected.

She gave a sheepish smile and said, "I'm not asking you to skip breakfast, it's just a little something to get you by".

" Gomawo", Taehyung willingly took two plastic cups from her. He hands one to his brother, forgetting us. He lifts it to take a sip, I lean forward to watch his reaction and

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he stops. "You didn't poison it by any chance, did you?". Talahai gives his twin a look of disbelief, Man Bok looks smug, probably because Taehyung shows that he doesn't trust Hwa Sung and Hwa Sung glares at him as she stops handing the plastic cup to me. Though she glared at him, you could find a hint of amusement in her eyes.

"No, I made it myself, but now that I think of it, I guess I should have", she stood up straight and pretended to think. Taehyung playfully glared at her and finally sips. His face contorts into one of pleasure. I eagerly take the cup from her hand. As a result, our hands accidentally brush past each other. I silently gasp. Are these the sparks I read about in books? If so, I definitely want to feel them again. They felt amazing. I loved it, but what did it mean? I glance at Hwa Sung, who looked as shocked as me. She quickly whipped her head around so fast I swear she could've gotten a whiplash.

Did she feel them too?

Hwa Sung's POV

I don't think Man Bok likes me very much. Wonder what I did.

How about you stole his friends for starters.

Yah, shut up.

"You sure you made this 'cuz this is delicious".

I've heard this compliment a lot of times, but I don't know why my face heated up after hearing Il Jung's comment.

Maybe because the one commenting is a hottie you have a crush on.

I do not have a crush on Jung-ahh.

Jung-ahh, really. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. My face heats up even more.

I give up with you. You're impossible.

" Aww, is Sung-ahh shy?", I could feel Man Bok's gaze piercing me as Talahai said this. It made me burn even more. I look down, suddenly finding my shoes an interesting shade of white.

"I think she looks cute", my eyes widen as I recognized the voice. My cheeks are impossibly a darker shade of red. I looked up to see his eyes wide as well. I guess he didn't mean to say it out loud.

" I-I didn't mean that y-you're cute as i-in......w..w-well not that you're not cute.... I mean you are but.............Okay, I give up ". It was adorable that he tried though. Internally, I giggle. Yeah, that's a new one.

"Guys, I'm going home".

" Arasseo ", Talahai said.

Okayyy....wait, that's it? He's letting me go. He's usually the most suspicious of the pair.

Just take the chance while you have it!, my conscience snapped.

Fine, fine, no need to be snappy about it.

I got up and looked at them. Tae and Tal looked at me, confused, Man Bok glared at me and as for Jung-ahh, he gave me a little smile. I think my heart just melted. I smiled back at him and to hide my embarrassment, I ran out.

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"Mianhaeyo, please forgive me". Tears filled my eyes as I stare at the one man I've dreaded finding.

" Sorry doesn't fix everything, it can't bring my bumo(4) back to me and it can never make me forgive you".

I feel my tears threaten to come out, my eyes begin to sting, but I refuse to cry because of him, not one more time. I've cried more than enough.

"I'm sorry, I really am. Please, help me".

I scoff. I can't believe the nerve of him, though it hurts, it really does. I feel my eyes narrow as I stare into his onyx eyes, one I used to find beauty in, now the only thing I find there is desperation. It disgusts me.

" You don't really care about them, do you? You don't care about what you did. You don't even care about how this affects me! You only care about YOURSELF! ". A few eyes from strangers turn towards me, but at this moment, I don't care. I am angry, no, I'm furious. I see his jaw tick and his pupils dilate and I know I'd struck a chord there.

" No".

"What? "

I can't stand his lies, his sweet sugar-coated lies.

" I won't help you. You killed my parents by yourself, you survive by yourself ".

I didn't wait for an answer and rose to walk away. " I'm sorry. It was a mistake ", he whispered it, but I caught on.

" The only mistake I made was in trusting you ".

I knew I've hurt him, but I couldn't see his expression. I didn't turn back that day........................

Gasp! I woke up in cold sweat. I seem to be doing that more recently. I fumble in my dresser trying to take out my pills. I down them with the glass of water I always keep ready. I still can't calm down. "Happy thoughts, happy thoughts,....... ", I repeat like a mantra to calm down but it doesn't work. I try to think of the blue sky, the beautiful sea and I feel myself calming down, so I continue to think about the breeze and waves then thunderclaps and lightning which add up to a storm and............

Oh! Wrong train of thought.

Ya think.

My uncooperative mind adds up to my anxiety. I feel like something is clogging my throat, but I know it's just my anxiety building up. OK! I am in control, I am in control........... I think back to the day in the alley. I think of my walk with Jung-ahh and I feel my heartbeat slow down, literally.

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We walked towards the hotel with Il Jung-sshi connecting random stars and making up names and stories for them as we went along. He was really sweet and funny and I felt really lucky to have someone like him in my life. Plus, he has the funniest and punniest jokes I'd ever heard. We had lots of fun. He bought me some snacks on the way. We shared. When we reached the hotel, I really didn't want to leave, but I knew I had to, eventually.

" Well, seems like we're here", Jung turned to face me.

" I guess this is goodbye ". I didn't really like how he said 'goodbye'. I just had to.

" No, not 'goodbye' but 'see you later' ". Now we probably sound like a corny old couple. I felt his gaze pierce me as I look at my interesting shoes.

"Yeah, see you later".

He left my hand and I almost whined. I craved his warmth, his touch, him. Is this suppose to be normal? I felt arms around me. Big, strong, sturdy hands around me. I like the warmth it gave off. I'd decided that night that I loved this position. It was..........................comforting.

As I remembered this, I felt calm. I felt good and I could still feel the comfort his arms gave me.

Il Jung's POV

" Guys! Guys!", Talahai ran to us.

"What? ", his twin groaned.

" Mr. Oh just assigned partners", he said.

"And that's supposed to be exciting, how?", Taehyung rubbed his temples, " My head's killing me".

I feel him. We went to a party Baek Woo secretly hosted. Yeah, it's against the law, but what's fun without the risk?

"But, don't you guys want to know who you got paired with?". Okay, so maybe my curiosity came back.

'Cause maybe you want to be paired up with a certain someone.

I do not want to be paired up with Hwa Sung.

Got ya. I didn't mention her name, did I?

Shoot! I can't believe I fell for that old trick.

" I got paired up with Mi-na, ", Talahai said. I think I have issues on how that's gonna work but what the heck, " Man Bok, you got paired with Sa-na", he said slowly, carefully choosing his words. I could see why. Sa-na and Man Bok have been enemies for years. His words got the desired effect, " M-m-mwo? ", when Man Bok said this, I could see Taltal's Adam's Apple bob up and down as he gulped.

Taltal? Seems like someone's growing on you. I mentally rolled my eyes.

"Is he trying to kill me? How could he have paired me up with that, that, that witch? There's got to be a mistake somewhere".

" You've got to talk to Mr. Oh about it. Just for now, calm down, just calm down".

"Okay, okay, just calm down", he muttered. I couldn't help but smile at the little show of friendship.

Between your friends?

Oh, shut up.

" And you ", he turned to face Taehyung, " got paired up with So-ra", Taehyung practically jumped up.

Wait, does he........? No way.

"Really? ", his hope-filled eyes lit up.

Oh yeah, the boy's definitely got a crush.

Yep.

Look who's talking?

" What about me?", I asked, wanting to find out who I was partnered with.

" I'm sorry, buddy", what?,

"You were paired with

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Nam Young".

" Mwo?", I was disappointed and angry.

Yeah, disappointed you didn't a whole two weeks with Hwa Sung.

I'm angry that of all people in school, it had to be Nam Young. Nam Young! I now understand how Man Bok feels. These thoughts were running in my head when chuckles interrupted me.

"You should have seen your face. It was hilarious. I was just kidding", I heaved a sigh of relief I never knew was in me,

" Ommo(5), you had it worse than Man Bok".

I was happy it wasn't Nam Young, but I was anxious to know who it was. "So who is it? "

There's still a chance, my inner voice said.

" Dude, you're the luckiest of us all", he said, glancing at his twin. What?

"No way",

"Uh-huh",

" You're kidding, right?"

"Does this look like I'm kidding?"

Okay, so I'm a little lost. I voice out my thoughts and this is what I get for a response.

" You're so lucky. Can't believe you got paired up with Hwa Sung. She knows Busan like the back of her hand".

Wait, what? Really. Yess!

And you didn't want to be paired up with her.

"Let's go down", Taehyung suggested.

Man Bok's POV

I hate this. I just do. I got paired up with Sa-na. She thinks she's smarter than me. She has always competed with me in every competition. It doesn't help that she's in all my classes and a teacher's favourite too. She's in all my clubs and I hate it. I'm smart, not to brag. To be honest, it's one of the reasons we actually stick together. It may not look like it, but the twins are pretty smart. Taehyung being the computer genius and Talahai being the history and street hacks kind of guy. As for Il Jung, he's an all-round nerd. He's usually quiet but the few times he actually comes out of his shell, it's actually worth it. I can proudly say that Baek Il Jung is smarter than me ( though never to his face). Well, he and that Hwa Sung. She's a strange one, I could tell, from the day the boys introduced her to us. I don't trust her, not at all and I hate even more how Il Jung seemed so happy to be partnered up with Cha Hwa Sung. Yes, I saw the excitement on his face though it was gone in a split second. I should warn him. He should be really careful with her.

DOWNSTAIRS

Il Jung's POV

Downstairs was a mess, students scattered and running around everywhere and Mr. Oh looked horrible I searched around looking for Hwa Sung. I noticed Nam Young with Baek Woo, arguing about something. I think they're partnered up. Poor kid. My eyes scan the lobby and I finally catch a glance of red hair. I ran up to her and tapped on her shoulder. When she turned around, I was disappointed. It was Gu Ahra. I heard a giggle behind me and I turned to see Hwa Sung holding a camera. "Say 'Cheese' ", before my mind could register what was happening, I heard a click and I was blinded. Fine, temporarily blinded. She beamed at me and said, " Ready to go, partner? ", and ran off.

Partner, huh? I like the sound of that.

Hwa Sung's POV

Outside, I ran to my motorcycle. Il Jung caught up with me in no time.

"Where'd you think you're going?"

"To the skies and beyond"

"If the pingu(6) wishes, perhaps I could be her royal escort"

" Why, thank you, kind sir"

"You're most graciously welcome"

We stared at each other for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. It feels so different when I'm with him. I toss him my camera, only to retrieve another from my bag. He looked at me, skeptical.

" What? I have a collection of them ".

We both decided to walk around because it seems better to be part of them. We decided to look around the neighborhood today and go to the market another time.

Il Jung's POV

" So......... how do you like it here?", I turned to look at her.

"It's nice"

"Have you been here before?", I looked at the pavement ground.

" Not really, what about you?"

"A couple of times. My parents have a ranch here. Wanna see it sometime?"

"Sure"

We pause as she stops to take a few pictures of the street shops around.

We see an ice cream shop and Hwa Sung's face lights up like a kid on New Year's day.

"Should we buy some ice cream? ", she nods her head excitedly.

The shop was a nice place with a very beautiful shade of blue painting its walls. It has a nice homey feel to it. People are seated on tables. I suggested not to eat here and she agreed. There was an old man at the counter. We walked and he smiled at us. He seems nice.

" Well, what can I get you two?", he asked. I was really in the mood for my favourite mint chocolate ice cream. The others don't like its taste but I love it.

"Do you have mint chocolate ice cream? ", we both asked at the same time. We looked at each other, surprised.

" Sure, I'll get you two scoops", and he left.

"You like it too? My friends think it tastes weird"

"Well, don't listen to them. It's delicious"

"Yeah", I agreed.

"Here you go, two scoops of mint chocolate ice cream"

"Thank you very much"

Hwa Sung opened her purse and I knew what she was about to do and I wasn't gonna let her. She removed some money and was tried to pay. Keyword here: tried.

" No. Let me pay", I brought my own money out.

"Oh no. I can pay for my own things", she argued.

" I'm not saying you can't but I insist. What kind of a gentleman would I be if I didn't pay? "

"A feminist one. Now please, let me pay. You can pay next time". Why is she so darn persistent? Dang it!

" Take it as payment for having to take me round town"

"Will you two stop your bickering? The ice creams are melting", we both blushed as the man at the counter stepped in, " For such a cute couple, it's on the house".

"We're.....not a........ I mean, we're not dating", Hwa Sung blushed, that beautiful shade of red tainting her cheeks.

" Oh well, you'd make such a cute couple though ".

I guess.

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After ice cream, we just walked around, her showing me a few places, a few pictures along the way. It was nice this way, no, it felt wonderful. She didn't think my jokes lame. As I looked at the camera in my hand, a question popped in my head.

" You said you had a collection of cameras, why? "

She looked uncomfortable and suddenly, I didn't feel like having her answer.

" You don't have to answer if you don't feel like it".

She sighed, " Nah, it's alright. My mom loved photography. It was her favourite hobby. She and I used to go on trips and take pictures of the most wonderful places. We used to collect vintage cameras, you know, the old models. I have quite a few at the ranch. ", it could have been my imagination but she seems sad. I noticed her use of past tense in her statements and wanted to ask her about it, but I didn't want to be pushy.

We continued to walk, the air tense and awkward, when she suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me towards a fruit truck.

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Il Jung's POV

"You guys are finally back. How was the tour? " was the first sentence we were met with. In the hotel room, the twins were sprawled across the floor with chips littering the place. Man Bok was nowhere to be seen. I plopped on a sofa, eyes closed, extremely tired of the day's trip. Even though I was tired, I was happy to have spent the time seeing the beauty of Busan.

And definitely not because you spent the time with a certain someone.

I swear, my subconscious is killing me with annoyance.

I heard that.

You were meant to.

When I opened my eyes, Hwa Sung was ordering the twins to clean up their mess. Then, her phone started ringing.

"Excuse me for a moment. ", and she left.

I enjoyed our tour, except for that tiny problem. Every time I tried to talk to Hwa Sung about something important, someone seems to call and she always leaves me, frustrated. That's right! Me, frustrated. She never ignores the calls. I wonder what they're all about. I know I'm not supposed to be nosy and all but she's a bit too strange. I'll try to find out before graduation.

Footnotes:

1: means 'father'

2: means 'sorry'

3: means 'nothing'

4: means 'parents'

5: means 'Oh my gosh'

6: means 'princess'