Bittersweet ≈ Seonghwa [NEW!]

A Short-lived Friendship

The remaining periods of the morning were really annoying. I was trying so hard to study and pay attention but all I hear is the noisy background of the others playing, shouting and screaming like children at a daycare.

The teachers don't even seem to mind. It's as if they're so used to the ruckus. My head drooped onto the table as I grumbled in defeat.

"Yeona? It's lunch break, are you coming to the cafeteria?"

I sat up in shock, "Holy crap did I fall asleep in class?"

I looked around, the teacher had already left and half of the class had gone.

Hyunah laughed, "Yea. I mean-you weren't the only one. Seonghwa fell asleep too."

I turned around to the back of the now empty class where only The Leaders were left chatting away. Seonghwa was lying on his desk, his head resting on his arm.

His golden skin glowed under the ray of sunshine streaming in through the windows. I couldn't help but stare in awe at the beauty that I can't believe is known as a gang member.

I wonder how soft his cheeks could be, and how fluffy his hair is. I really don't see this man as dangerous or intimidating. He just seems so harmless.

Just then, the 7 other members nudged him and Seonghwa's eyelids flutter open.

Our eyes meet again, this time, it gave me a hiccup. The corner of his lips curled up as he shook his head.

"Hey new girl."

I snapped out of it, still hiccupping and looked at the voice.

Yunho.

The tallest member squinted his eyes at me, "Quit staring and go do something useful."

Flustered, I grabbed my phone and wallet and strode out the door.

"Beomgyu!" I waved to the sweet boy I met earlier, upon reaching the cafeteria.

We queued in line with our trays while talking about how our classes went.

"You fell asleep? But physics is so exci-OOF!"

A loud clang followed by bowls cluttering on the floor echoed the entire cafeteria. Beomgyu's mouth dropped as he covered his face with his hands.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-"he profusely apologised to the man who now had warm tofu soup spilled on his shirt.

Seonghwa shot him a death glare. Jongho whose shoes had radish splattered on it started cursing, "This clumsy bastard. What do you think you're doing?!"

I, who stood right by Beomgyu's side, was again pulled back by Hyunah who always happens to be there.

"Stay out of it Yeona," Hyunah whispered.

My heart dropped as Beomgyu fell to his knees apologising and begging them not to hurt him.

This is so pathetic. What is this, a drama? It was just an accident.

Hongjoong smirked laughing, "You don't have to do that. You just need to know what it feels like to be covered in hot soup."

He grabbed a bowl of soup off the tray of a nearby student who was standing by the sidelines and proceeded to pour it over Beomgyu's head slowly.

What. The. Fck. I can feel the heat of anger red in my ears. This is unacceptable.

I released my elbow from Hyunah's grip and stepped forward.

"Oi!" I shouted.

Hongjoong stopped, and dropped the bowl on Beomgyu's head. "Hah?"

I helped Beomgyu to stand up and gently pushed him behind my back.

"Leave him alone! Who do you think you are huh? It's not like he did it in purpose, it was just an accident so let it go! You don't have to be such an ass about it!"

San and Wooyoung exchanged looks and were literally about to throw hands. But before they could get to me, Seonghwa tapped their shoulders, hence stopping them.

The following silence was deafening.

I stood still, firm against them. I'm not going anywhere. Definitely not going to let them think they did something to scare me.

Seonghwa's gaze burned through me like a black hole. I sucked in a deep breath. All I could think of was, 'Is he going to hit me?' as past experiences of talking back to my dad and getting hit, played in my head like a broken recorder.

Instead, Seonghwa dusted off his shirt and merely turned around walking out of the cafeteria.

The others groaned, ruffling the back of their head in annoyance, "Don't think you'll get away with this that easily." Jongho kicked the radish off his shoes as they filed out.

Everyone was now staring at me in shock. Well, it looks more like a mixture of fear and disbelief.

"Y-you stood up for me?" Beomgyu asked, in tears. His hands gripped mine.

I nodded, "That's what friends are for."

Hyunah had her arms folded as her eyes quickly scanned me from head to toe, "Didn't know you had the guts. But just so you know, the last person who stood against The Leaders, ended up in the hospital. Nice knowing you though."

The events that followed next, were far more scarier than what happened in the cafeteria.

The remaining periods before the end of school, the class was silent. It felt like everybody was just staring at me. Even the teachers who noticed this were worryingly looking in my direction as they teach.

By the end of school, everyone silently left. The last person stopped by my table and handed me a note that read:

"I was told to hand over today's cleaning duties to you. You need to clean the board, wipe down the windows and tables, sweep the floors and take out the trash."

I scoffed, "By myself?!"

Annoyed, I quickly started towards the supply cabinet and cleaned out the classroom. By the time I was done, I was late for my night shift at the convenience store.

Running out of the school, I bumped into Beomgyu.

"Yo-I just finished cleaning duties. What are you doing so late out of-hey you okay?"

Beomgyu kept his head down, his bangs covering his face. I noticed he was walking with a limp too.

I hear him clear his throat before responding in a soft voice, "Cleaning duties are every Fridays only. You don't have to clean on Tuesdays. Bye Yeona."

Before he painfully sprinted away, I noticed his forehead and back of hand were red and bruised. His school jacket was dusty and it was ripped behind his back.

What on earth did they do?