Legend [YEONBIN] ✓

fifty-five ; yeonjun

I called Soobin the next day, but he didn’t answer. Or, as I suspected, he was screening his calls.

My shift at the CU Mart was a small piece of hell. Stuck behind the counter when I really wanted to find Soobin and explain himself. I didn’t want to feel this guilt, the kind that sat on my lungs like a taunting demon.

“If it’s bothering you this much, just go to his house.” Beomgyu leaned against the counter, sucking on a yogurt drink.

“I would if I knew where she was living now.” I jabbed at the keys of the register as I wallowed. It wasn’t my fault, I told myself for the twentieth time that day. He’d just made me so mad.

“I told you it was a bad idea to let that boy back into your life,” Beomgyu pointed out unhelpfully.

“I don’t need another lecture.” I let my head drop onto the counter in frustration. I’d hit on a sensitive spot with Soobin because I knew it would hurt him. That was all I’d wanted in the moment, to make him suffer like I was suffering. My halmeoni had raised me to know better, to be better.

The door to the convenience store opened and I jerked upright. Then I let myself slump again as Taehyun walked in.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“I’m pretty sure that greeting is not in the employee training manual.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re not only here to buy ramyeon,” I retorted.

Taehyun laughed, then noticed Beomgyu standing in front of me, legs spread like he was ready to fight.

“And who is your stunning friend?” Taehyun asked.

“Choi Beomgyu, this is Taehyun.” I flicked mt fingers in the dokkaebi’s direction like I was shooing away a mosquito.

“No family name?” Beomgyu asked. “You think you’re an idol like Rain or TOP?”

“No, much better-looking,” Taehyun said with a laugh and a wink.

Beomgyu scowled, and for the first time Taehyun’s grin turned down a bit. I wondered whether it was the first time a boy had rejected his charms. I leaned forward, thoroughly entertained.

“I’m going to be late for after-school study. I’ll see you tomorrow, Yeonjun-ah.” Beomgyu grabbed his hot Cheetos off the counter and, without acknowledging Taehyun, he left.

Taehyun’s eyes tracked his exit. “Your friend is icy.” He paused, then smiled at me. “I like him.”

“Stay away from my friends,” I said.

Taehyun lifted his hands innocently. “That’s not why I’m here.”

I rolled my eyes. “What do you want?”

“I think the question is, what do you need?”

“Are you talking in riddles because you’re a dokkaebi? Or because you’re annoying?”

“I came to help,” Taehyun said. “There’s a very angry boy in my apartment. He’s been stomping around all day. It’s giving me a headache.”

“I’ve been trying to call him.” I sighed. I didn’t care that it was Taehyun. I needed to vent to someone. “How can I say I’m sorry if he won’t answer my calls or my texts?”

“Too bad there’s no one around supernaturally made to woo someone. No chonggak dokkaebi so handsome that everyone swoon at his feet.”

I glowered. Was I really thinking of doing this? Taking the advice of someone I hated? “Fine.”