Nightide reached the city after what seemed like years, and every member was ready to move. The confinement of the jet and limo had them all in a foul mood. Hae Jae-Woo and Kyung Jiho had argued the entire limo ride.
"Jiho, if you don't shut up, I'm going to kick your butt again!"
Hae Jae-Woo sat on the grass and panted for air while Duskin lay flat on the ground. "How," Hae Jae-Woo paused, "did you," he gasped for air, "run like that?" "Practice," Duskin replied eyes closed.
Later that evening, Hae Mina fell back on her bed, relieved that at last, she could rest. As she closed her eyes, a smile touched her lips. The sound of the shower running below lulled her to sleep, but her dreams were far from sweet. When Hae Mina next opened her eyes, she was a young child hiding behind a dumpster. The harsh wind sent a chill through her body, but no matter how much she
"Calm down, Hae Mina," Kyung Jiho replied with an odd look. "Why is Minsu ignoring me?" she demanded. Kyung Jiho flopped onto the couch.
Duskin stepped back into the studio where everyone waited. "So how did it go?" Cass questioned from his place on a stool. Duskin felt like a traitor because he had to tell Hae Mina never to talk to Chang Minsu. He knew it had hurt her and he did not like the fact she was upset. However, what bothered him more was that he felt against her. If she was endangering the band, he should not have minded telling her to never speak to Chang Minsu again, yet he had. The fact that she was becoming more important than the band concerned him. He had always looked out for the band, but this one time he wanted to look out for someone else more than them. Why did he want to look out for someone else?
Hae Jae-Woo and Chang Minsu continued down the path till they reached the road. A familiar car approached, and Hae Jae-Woo groaned. Why Jiho? Hae Jae-Woo questioned. That's all I want to know.
Early the next morning, Hae Mina jerked awake. "I'm sorry. I did not mean to startle you," Duskin whispered. "I wanted to let you know that we were leaving. Jiho, Cass, Dae-Su, and Jeremy have gone home. Rhee Min-Jun returned to Florida and Nathan and I are going to be leaving soon with our parents. I fixed the problem. Jiho was mad at you, but he got over his pride. He will never say this, Hae Mina, but he remained awake most of the night listening to you cry. Even though he does not know why you were crying, he is sorry he caused it. As I said, he will never say he is sorry, but he is. The others, except Min-Jun, know you are worried about Jae-Woo, so they are going to lighten up."
Rhee Min-Jun kicked Chang Minsu's paralyzed form off Hae Mina before jerking Chang Minsu to his feet. Rhee Min-Jun did not give Chang Minsu time to recover as he slammed his fist into Chang Minsu's face. Chang Minsu stumbled to the side, but Rhee Min-Jun pulled him forward and slammed his fist into the smaller man's lower abdomen. Chang Minsu gasped and buckled forward. Rhee Min-Jun slammed his left fist into Chang Minsu's face, causing him to tumble to the side and splash into the pool.
Hae Mina cradled her hand, picked up her phone, and left the bathroom. She dropped onto the bed and slid through her contacts until she found Chang Minsu's name and tapped on it. The phone rang multiple times before the answering machine picked up. "Minsu, this is…Hae Mina. I'm the Jae-Woo you thought you knew. I'm sorry for lying about being Jae-Woo. I'm sorry for bringing you int
Hae Mina lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling. The scene with Cass replaying in her head. She had never been kissed before, not even a peck on the lips. Cass’s lips had been warm even if she’d only felt them for a few brief seconds. Her excitement had been shattered only seconds later.Hae Mina rolled onto her side and stared at the bathroom door.Why did I expect anything from it? I knew why I was there, but if only he’d kiss me because he wanted to. No, I can’t want that.She argued with herself.I’m just like every other girl.She admitted and rolled on her back again.I fell for his charms.
“Ready?” Cass asked.“For the party? Yes. To meet your appa again? No.” The last time had been rough and she doubted she could remember everything they told him.“You’ll be fine. Appa liked you last time, so his opinion shouldn’t change as long as you stay you,” Cass assured. Hae Mina freed the rush of air.“Okay, I can do this.”“How’s your hand?” Cass questioned, but the anger that had been present earlier was now absent. Now, he sounded concerned.Hae Mina closed her fingers into a fist. A small pain hit her palm, but it didn’t hurt as much as when she had dropped the glass. “It’ll be fine, at least
Cass pulled into Hwan Chin-Sun’s drive, and Hae Mina was already opening the door before he had parked. They were late and she knew Hwan Chin-Sun was going to be furious. On top of that, Hae Mina did not want to stay too close to Cass when he was seething over her hand.She rushed up the steps and knocked on the door. Cass was soon after her. The door slid open and Hwan Chin-Sun gave a puzzled look to Hae Mina.“Hello, Jae-Woo,” she greeted.“Uh, Noona, that’s Hae Mina,” Cass informed.“Heavens, why are you dressed like Jae-Woo?” she questioned as she backed out of the way.“Long story, but to sum it up: We were in town and Hae Mina didn
“You look tired,” Cass stated after the waitress had left.“I am,” Hae Mina replied and let her eyes close. “Stupid nightmares,” she muttered.“Nightmares?” Cass questioned. Hae Mina gave an inward groan.“Yeah. Haven’t you ever had nightmares before?” Hae Mina questioned. She hoped he would not ask what they were about.“I lived with Chin-Sun Noona most of my life, so I assure you, I’m familiar with nightmares especially living ones. Was it bad?”“Was what bad?”“The dream. Was it really bad? Chin-Sun Noona used to get horrible nightmares, a
Rhee Min-Jun heard a knock and figured it must have been Hae Mina and Cass back from Hwan Chin-Sun's. He made his way downstairs then opened the door. Hae Mina gave him a soft smile. “Hey,” she whispered. She wore her boy clothes and her wig.“It’s late. Come in,” he stated and backed out of the way. Cass was nowhere to be seen. She entered the room, and he shut the door. "You should try to remember your card next time," Rhee Min-Jun muttered.“I know. I'm sorry, Sunbae. I’m so tired,” she dropped back on the bed. He fought the smile.“That’s because it’s nearly midnight and you have been up since seven. Go on and take your shower.”“I don’t want to. I&rsq
Cass thought about her comment. What was she hiding? “How’s your hand?” he asked.Hae Mina paused in her eating, “My hand?” she questioned.“Yeah, you cut your right hand, remember?”“I kind of forgot everyone knew, but it’s doing fine, so you don’t need to worry,” Hae Mina replied.“Can I check?” he asked. She sighed.“You boys are all alike,” she stated before laying her hand on the table. He lifted it and checked the side. The cut was healing well. Cass didn’t drop her hand after he had looked at the wound, instead, he examined the rest of her hand. It was so small compared to his and felt delicate, but h
Hae Mina shook her head. Cass was something else when he was being a Casanova. Something that made Hae Mina want to slap him. She thought about the little favor she was about to do for him and about what she was supposed to be. Well, she had the right to do it. Besides, she was dying to see the look on his face when she acted like she was his in such a public location.She approached the two and tapped Cass’s shoulder. He turned. “Cass, oh, who is this?” she questioned looking at the girl. The girl looked Hae Mina over with a puzzled expression.“She’s was just helping me select some food,” Cass stated.“Why didn’t you ask me? I am your girlfriend, after all, I don’t mind helping you. He’s so silly sometimes. Always having others do for us
Cass, how did I ever let you talk me into this?Hae Mina wondered as Chin-Sun tossed another dress at her. “Try it on. I don’t like the way that one fits you.”“Chin-Sun Unni,” Hae Mina complained, “this is the seventh one.”“Eighth. Now, go change. I will not send you looking like a ragdoll.” Hwan Chin-Sun turned Hae Mina around and pushed her by her back into the dressing room. Hae Mina sighed and changed again. The second Hae Mina slid the fabric on, she knew the dress was an absolute no. Hwan Chin-Sun did not know about the wound healing on her back, so she would not have realized that Hae Mina could not wear that dress; however, even if her back was completely healed, she refused to wear this dress.
A few minutes later, Hae Mina found herself sitting in the Maid’s Diner with Nightide. Kyung Jiho and Hae Mina had yet to say a word to each other or to any of the other members.“Jae-Woo, we’re here for a reason,” Rhee Min-Jun whispered. Hae Mina groaned.“I don’t want to say sorry,” she whispered back. A waitress stopped next to them and took their orders.“Kimchi with water to drink,” Duskin stated.“Cucumber Kimchi and water,” Dae-Su ordered.“I’ll take Samgyetang and Misutgaru,” Cass stated.“Chap Chae and Misutgaru,” Kyung Jiho replied.