Saranghae (사 랑 해)
  • Hi guys! Sorry for the delay! There was a lot at school to do and I needed to find the time to work on the book. Anyway, here's the fourth chapter! Enjoy!
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  • I hate everyone right now.
  • I woke up well rested but with a gigantic cold. I honestly don't know how I got a cold because I was feeling perfectly fine yesterday. Maybe it was the drink that spilled on me. It was really cold, and I still had to walk home, so walking with a cold liquid over me certainly wouldn't help.
  • When I was about to go to the store for cold medicine, I realized that there was no way for me to go and come back in time for first period. I groaned and sluggishly got dressed, already dreading the long day of lessons.
  • When I walked into the classroom towards my seat, I saw an unwanted presence next to my desk.
  • Minju
  • I really hoped that he would've gotten the hint last time that I'm not interested. I went to look for a new seat just to realize that they were all full. Just my luck.
  • I sit down beside the pest and politely greet him, hoping that's all that I will have to say to him. I really like this class, so I'm hoping that it will be enough for me to enjoy the day somewhat. One reason that I'd always liked this class was that we always spoke a different language each week.
  • It was a good way to practice the new languages that we had just learned. I looked at the whiteboard to see that we'd be going into groups of 2 and today's language was Japanese. I immediately got up and looked around, finding out that everybody has their groups.
  • "Looks like we're going to be partners. Everybody else has a partner." Minju says obviously while pitifully trying to sound attractive. I gave him my best fake smile and start doing the group work.
  • If I was going to get through the day without killing anybody, I would need to have as little interaction as possible with Minju. We start quizzing each other and before I know it, class is over.
  • Wow. Speaking to him wasn't as bad as I'd thought it be.
  • Don't get me wrong I still hate his guts, but I didn't think that I'd be able to get through even breathing the same air as him without vomiting. To be honest it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But no matter what mask he's hiding behind, it still doesn't change the fact that he's an evil b*stard who got me killed.
  • I'll make sure he and everybody else that messed with me suffers. I get up from my seat once the bell rings and head towards the door. I feel a sense of sadness at the thought of me never being able to live my life. I ruined any chances of me experiencing countless things based on me trusting too easily.
  • I walk towards my next class, not hearing the voice trying to get my attention. The only thing that snaps me back to reality is the tug of my arm by someone. I turn around to see Minju holding onto me with a smile that's too wide for my liking. Only then do I realize that he has my back to the wall.
  • "I was calling your name. I was wondering if you want to hang out somewhere Saturday?" A surging anger bubbles up inside of me when I feel his hand on my bare arm. I wouldn't call myself a full-blown germaphobe, but only with strangers. I had never liked people I barely know touching me. I would immediately back away and try to wash away the touch.
  • That's probably why most people think I'm a stuck-up b*tch, but I honestly don't care. I admit that sometimes I overreact sometimes. But it's not totally my fault. If I pull back from a touch, that means I'm uncomfortable with that person.
  • I look up at Minju with badly concealed disgust and raise my hands to push him away. I feel my stomach churn and I feel like I'm going to vomit. As much as I hate Minju, I'd never wish something as disgusting as me vomiting on him to happen. Of course, that happens to be the moment that another unwanted presence comes.
  • "Oh my god! Jae-Hwa? What are you doing with my boyfriend?" Ae Ri says with a group of people behind her, not forgetting to emphasize the 'my' part. As if somebody would want that. I roll my eyes and take that moment to push him off of me, probably coming off as suspicious to Ae Ri and her group of followers.
  • I really don't care what they think about me. I know I didn't do anything wrong and that's all that matters. As I'm cursing internally, a thought flies across my mind.
  • How convenient of it that Ae Ri came at a moment that most people would misunderstand. Why would Ae Ri come in my direction with a group of people that I'm pretty sure only gossip when her class is the other way?
  • And why would Minju push me against the wall in a compromising position to 'talk' when all he had to do was ask me. Well obviously, because he's a *, but if he wanted to stop me from leaving, he could have just held onto my arms.
  • Then I realize something.
  • They want to ruin my reputation in school. It makes total sense. If I have enough people hating me, I will eventually want to drop out. And once I drop out, Minju and Ae Ri can continue with their plans.
  • I'm so glad that I'm not as gullible as I was once. I got a second chance, and I will not let myself waste another life. I push Minju away easily and look at Ae Ri.
  • She had a smirk on her face, but it falters a bit when she sees my glare. I was going to play the innocent act with her, but I have too much pride for that. I was going to say something when Ae Ri speaks again.
  • "You guys aren't- Never mind. There's no way you would do that to me right Jae-Hwa?" Ae Ri voice cracks and when she looks at me, I swear that I see a fake tear. I hear her friends whispering not so quietly until one speaks up.
  • "Does she mean that Jae-Hwa has been cheating with Minju this whole time. What a wh*re, sleeping with your best friend's man. I didn't know you were that kind of person Jae-Hwa." Some unknown girl says, and it takes all of my willpower not to ask who she is because I honestly have no clue who she is.
  • "And why would I want Minju? He has nothing good enough for me to even want to touch him." I say with as much disgust as I can. Me and him? I'm too good for him. Plus, I don't want him getting jealous that I'm better looking than him. Okay, back to whatever's happening now.
  • The unknown girl in question stares at me for a second, as if the though never crossed her mind that maybe people like good looking people. I snort and continue to express why I'd never settle for Minju.
  • "And plus, if you'd let me explain before rushing to conclusions, you'd know that he was the one that approached me. He continued to pester me after I clearly told him no. So maybe instead of blaming me Ae Ri, you should ask the guy you're dating about why he can't keep his Tiny Tim inside his pants."
  • After speaking I walk off, not forgetting to bask in the stupidity and stunned silence. Once I leave from the b*tch polluted air, my stomach churns again, but worse than before. I try to shake it off and head to my next class.
  • When I get to class, I feel bile rising in my throat. I turn to run to the bathroom, when I bump into someone. My stomach chooses that moment to erupt and has me removing everything that I had to eat earlier onto the person.
  • I look up at the person, ready to grovel for forgiveness. That is until I see who I vomited on. Ae Ri. And she looks *ed. I ignore my earlier brain stating how I wouldn't wish anybody to experience what she just did. I just focus on her disgusted and *ed face.
  • I try hard not to laugh but fail miserably as I double over in giggles. The teacher chooses that moment to walk in to see me basically about to pass out from lack of oxygen. She asks me if I'm okay and hurries to write a permission slip for me to take the day off.
  • I sigh with relief and step past Ae Ri. Vomiting and laughing afterwards made me feel like trash. I slowly walk towards the exit doors afraid that if I move faster, another load of vomit will come up.
  • The bus is already at the stop when I arrive at the bus stop. I jog to catch up to it and get on. The bus takes off and I feel worse every time there's a bump in the road. Luckily, the pharmacy is just a couple stops away.
  • I get off at my stop and practically run inside the store. I quickly find what I'm looking for and go to the cashier. I got the medicine in liquid form because I don't think that I would be able to swallow a pill.
  • After I pay, I quickly open the bottle. As I'm struggling with opening the bottle, I look up to see a person with various medicines in their hands and looking at their phone. I don't get a chance to move, and the person and I collide.
  • Of course, that's the moment when my medicine bottle finally decides to open, spilling its contents all over the floor. That must be what finally makes me break because I literally start bawling.
  • The guy that bumped into me looks at me with a shocked face, probably not expecting a grown woman to start crying out of nowhere.
  • "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you! My hyung was sick and I was texting what kind of medicine he needed." I completely ignore what he's saying and continue to cry on the floor. I see other people in the store looking, whispering to each other. If I saw an adult crying on the ground, I would probably want to know what's going on too.
  • "Please stop crying! Is it because you dropped your medicine? I can buy more for you!" The guy panics and starts ranting. I hear a voice on the phone, asking what's wrong. I see the guy look at the bottle that I dropped and go somewhere in the store. A few minutes later, he's back in front of me, holding a bottle.
  • I notice that it's the same brand as the one that spilled, and I look up at him. Only then do I take note of how the guy looks. He has black hair, deep as sh*t voice, a mask covering his face, and a bucket hat. I almost thought he was a celebrity for a second.
  • Anybody would think that. From what I've seen on the paparazzi photos, this is the standard look. My mind is inclined to ask if he's an idol or something, but I feel that would be rude. Idols clearly come out in disguises to avoid the press or crazy fans. And from all of the stares still focused on my direction, if he is an idol people wouldn't hesitate to tell everyone.
  • "I-I'm fine. I was just having a bad day." I reply to the stranger, grabbing his hand as he helped me up. He seems like a really nice guy and that makes me feel bad for having an emotional breakdown on him.
  • "It's fine. We all have our days, right?"
  • "That's true. Sorry again and thank you. I know that I can be a handful sometimes."
  • "I'm sure that I've seen worse. Especially with..." He whispers the last part and I don't catch it. I don't bother to ask what he said, only wanting to get back to my dorm.
  • I continuously apologize for my embarrassing behavior and head towards the exit. I make it outside the store but get stopped by a gentle pull of my sleeve. I turn around to see the guy holding the medicine bottle. I quickly take it and thank him, still feeling slight nausea.
  • "What's your name?" The stranger asks me, his face looking so innocent that I want to squeeze it.
  • "Choi Jae-Hwa." I give him my name, not bothering to ask for his. If he actually was an idol, why would he give me his name. If he's famous that could be an easy tell.
  • "I'm sorry again for bumping into you. My name is Taehyung." My eyebrows go up in surprise, not thinking that he'd actually give me a name. Maybe he's not actually famous.
  • Taehyung looks like he wants to say more, but he gets a phone call. He looks panicked and starts looking around in a hurry. A black car pulls up and Taehyung goes towards it.
  • "See you later, Choi Jae-Hwa." Taehyung says as the car takes off, leaving my standing there looking dumbfounded. Well, he was nice.
  • I look at the time on my phone and curse. It's late and I have a project due tomorrow. I was supposed to produce a catchy melody for my Music Production class. I was so busy this week that I didn't add the finishing touches to it.
  • Looks like I'm going to have to pull an all-nighter to finish it. I sigh and head towards the bus stop, waiting for the bus to take me home.
  • Today was interesting.
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  • Hi guys! I'm really, really, really, really sorry for updating so late. It's almost time for the end of the year tests, so I have to take lots of practice tests. But thank you for being patient! I really appreciate it and really appreciate you for reading this.
  • Quote of the chapter:
  • "You like THIS?! You like this chain! Three dOlLaRs!"
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Chapter FOUR