The next morning just as the sun was rising above the trees and buildings, Kyung Jiho came into the room like a bullet. "Guys, check this out! Cass, get up." Hae Jae-Woo came down the staircase to see what the commotion was about.
"Jiho, what are you doing?" he grumbled.
"Look," Kyung Jiho tossed the newspaper at Hae Jae-Woo who caught it with ease. Hae Jae-Woo looked at the front page and paled. Cass and Hae Mina sat in the ice cream shop laughing. Her face wasn't shown in the picture, but Cass's smiling face was clear. She was suddenly quite thankful she had sat with her back to the door.
Cass stood beside her and looked down at the paper. The other three circled them. "Who is she, Cass?" Duskin questioned.
"It says you guys were with each other all day. Even your parents met her. It also says that they suspect you've been secretly dati
That Sunday, Hae Jae-Woo stretched out on his bed with a smile on his face. He knew the others had gone home for the day. Some were visiting family and some were hiding from them. Hae Mina smiled. Since she was alone, she could be a girl today, but then again there were lots of boys left in the school, so she had a high chance of being caught. After a short debate, she decided she would just continue being Hae Jae-Woo. After dressing in loose, but not baggy, jeans, and a black T-shirt, Hae Jae-Woo left the confining room. He walked down the hall studying the music sheet in his hand and softly whispering the lyrics. As he walked toward the elevator, he collided with another body. Hae Jae-Woo stumbled backward and landed on his butt with a surprised gasp flying from his lips. He looked up at the sound of Chang Minsu's panicked voice. "Hae Jae-Woo. I am so sorry. I wasn't paying attention."
Hae Jae-Woo stared at the ceiling. He was exhausted since he had gotten very little sleep. He had been far too busy thinking about the little girl in Chang Minsu's room. Hae Jae-Woo yawned. I hope they are going to be okay. When Duskin began to stir down below, Hae Jae-Woo got up and changed. If Duskin was up, it meant classes would start soon and it being Monday morning meant Hae Jae-Woo had an eight o'clock class. Hae Jae-Woo didn't bother changing into the school uniform since no one else in Nightide--excluding Dusking--followed that rule. He just dressed in his street clothes then walked down the steps. "Meet you in class at nine, Duskin," he stated before slipping out the door. He sat in class without paying attention. His mind was on Chang Minsu and why he wasn't in the room. This was the one class they had together where no one from Nightide would interfere if they spoke, and yet
Later that day, Hae Mina curled up beneath her covers. Now that Kyung Jiho knew the truth, she didn't know what to do but at least Mr. Kyong was no longer capable of controlling her. She groaned. Honestly, he could still manipulate her however he pleased. He knew her greatest secret and if he shared it, her and Hae Jae-Woo's newly built life would crumble. What about Hae Jae-Woo? Where was he? Would Mr. Kyong cause him harm? Hae Mina buried her head beneath her pillow. She heard the voices of the the others from below but ignored their words as she tried to fight her fears. Down below Jeremy and Duskin whispered to each other. "She's been acting like that all day. What do you think has her so down?" Jeremy asked as he leaned on the back of the desk chair. "I am not sure. She has not mentioned anything, but her eyes have been so distant and she looks...wounded and afraid," Duskin sighed as
Hae Mina darted through the halls and managed to slip by Yang Dae-Su as Kyung Jiho opened the doors. She pushed Yang Dae-Su behind her and forced Kyung Jiho farther into the room before she kicked the door shut. "What are you doing?" Kyung Jiho demanded.Without a word she slid the writing desk in front of the door."Jae-Woo, open the door," Yang Dae-Su demanded. "What's wrong with him?" Kyung Jiho asked. Hae Mina spun and glared up at him. "You," she replied. "Me? What did I do?" He retorted as he crossed his arms. "It's what he's assuming you did," she informed. "If you had let me fall, we wouldn't be in this mess!" "Well, at least you're speaking to me," Kyung Jiho muttered. "Well, I'm only talking to you to save your face from Dae-Su's fist. If Dae-Su gets in here—" a
At last, Friday arrived. Hae Mina looked to the ceiling. According to Duskin, they were going to have dinner after the concert, then they would check into a hotel. The next day they were touring the city and, as Kyung Jiho put it, running from crazed fans, and then they would return to Korea early Monday morning. She was thankful that Nightide's concert was considered an excused absence for the band members. "Jae-Woo!" Jeremy called as he stumbled up the stairs. "We have to go! We're leaving early due to weather conditions. They get a lot more snow than we do and if we don't go…" "I'm coming," she laughed as she rushed her packing. "Don't forget to get something dressy for the party," he called as he darted back down the steps. "Okay!" Hae Mina called after him. She grabbed her bag and snatched the green dress from its hanger and sli
Hae Mina changed into her costume. She again noticed that silver and white slivers covered the entire black outfit. She zipped the black, sleeveless jacket all the way up. It still hung loosely on her, but she figured she would have to deal with it since it was not originally designed for her size. Her black jeans were too large, but not by much. They fit her waist but pooled at her feet by about an inch. She slid on her black leather fingerless gloves before she stepped from the bathroom and into the cabin. The others nodded. "Hmm, looks like it is just a little large on you, but if you were to unzip the jacket, it might work," Rhee Min-Jun stated before anyone else could comment. Hae Mina gave him a nod then unzipped the jacket and let it relax around her torso. "Looks good," Rhee Min-Jun complimented. Hae Mina hid her blush. It was odd to be complemented and even odder to be complemented by someo
"Kyung Jiho, there have been rumors that you and the newest member got in a fight. Is this true?" a female reporter rose with a recorder in her hand. "A fight?" Kyung Jiho chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "Well, I guess you could call playing basketball a fight." "So the two of you have never---" another reporter rose. "We have never gotten into a physical altercation if that is what you are asking," Kyung Jiho cut the question short with a lie that sounded true. "So, how do you feel about the newest member?" a male reporter questioned as the other two took their seats. Kyung Jiho looked directly into the reporter's eyes, "Honestly, he is an overly opinionated kid who frequently questions my ability to write music. but," he leaned forward, "he's usually right. He's a talented kid who is making our life mo
Hae Jae-Woo paced inside Nightide's private room. In a few more minutes, the concert would begin, and he would be on stage in front of hundreds, no thousands, of people. A chill raced up his spine and his body shook. I can't do it!Hae Mina cried as her body began to shake more. Her legs buckled, and she collapsed onto the couch. She wiped her sweating hands on her pants.
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.