Paperthin Hymn

Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

"I almost made to level twenty-two, hyung," Taeyang said with a moan, punching the air. "I was so close. Those soldiers came out of NOWHERE."

I pulled the hood of my sweatshirt over my head. The weather was perfect, but I wanted to feel bundled up. "Did you look at that cheat site I told you about?"

He palmed his forehead. "Aw, man."

I rolled my eyes. "Pabo."

"Well I'll remember for next time." He kicked a rock across the pavement, sending it skidding into the street. "So how did meeting that girl go? You don't have to see her again, do you?"

I shrugged. "Fine." I hadn't told him about the whole saving-my-butt ordeal, and I planned to preserve what little dignity I had left by leaving it that way. "She talks alot. But she's really friendly, and easy to talk to, and she seems nice. She's coming over to read manga later." I suddenly realized that I had actually enjoyed the conversation I had with her yesterday.

Taeyang stopped dead in his tracks. "So...is she going to be there while I am?"

"No, Taeyang. I'll call her after we're done working on the half pipe." I punched his arm. "You seriously need to get over it."

He grimaced and started walking again. "I can't help it. Every time one of them comes around I feel like she's watching me and my tongue gets dry and my hands get sweaty and when they try to talk to me I say really stupid things and they get offended and-"

"I know, I know." I roughly patted his back.

He sighed. "My brothers think I'm gay."

I snorted with laughter, an image of Tae in fluffy pink girl clothes, giggling and talking with his hands running through my mind.

"Hyuuuuuuung," he whimpered. "It's not funny."

I couldn't help but laugh then. "Taeyang, whining in a baby voice like that...why not call me Oppa?"

"Yah!" Taeyang's nostrils flared and he pulled off his backpack, charging at me like a bull.

Still laughing - him getting so angry made it even funnier - I ran towards home, Tae swinging his bag at me.

"I'll get you a gift card to Victoria's Secret for your birthday!" I yelled over my shoulder.

"You jerk!"

I barely managed to dodge the next swing. I ran as fast as I could to my house, clutching my stomach from the stitch I was getting. I was almost there, planning to run inside and lock Taeyang out until he admitted defeat, but I came to a stop in front of my porch.

There sat Lexi on the first step.

"Annyong!" she smiled, waving.

"Oh," I panted, doubled over trying to catch my breath. "H...hey."

"I brought East with me," she said. "In case you want me to - LOOK OUT!"

I almost jumped at her sudden outburst, but Taeyang had already brought his backpack full of thick, heavy, hardcover textbooks down on me, sending my face first into the pavement. My glasses rammed into the bridge of my nose and pain shot through my left cheek. I groaned.

Lexi yelled something, and then there was shuffling above me.

"Hey," Taeyang cried. "Quit! I was just - ah, ah, AAAAAH!!!! STOPSTOPSTOP!!! I WASN'T - AAAH!"

"Seung-hyun, are you okay?" Lexi asked, sounding strained.

I moaned again and sat up. "Taeyang, you son of a - LEXI, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"