Partners With The Badboy

Chapter 43

The after party inside and out of the convention center was rowdy and loud.

Hannah broke through clumps and groups of people and security guards trying to get everyone to leave.

She finally made it backstage.

A guard blocked her from entering. "Who are you?" She asked her.

Hannah smiled sweetly at her. "I need to see someone."

The guard shook her head. "I'm sorry, I can't allow anyone but staff and performers in."

Her facial expression was firm and unnerving, but Hannah tried again anyway.

"I have to speak with one of the dancers, please," Hannah smiled, the corners of her lips tugging to the point of pain.

The guard smirked.

"Yeah, sorry. Can't let you back there," she said. Her name tag read "Suzanne".

Hannah shifted her weight from one leg to the other. "Well, uh, Suzanne, my boyfriend is back there."

"I've heard that one a million times, hun. Go run along and maybe-"
"Hey, babe, is Suzanne giving you any troubles?"

Sehun stood behind Suzanne, grinning like an idiot. He winked at Hannah.

Suzanne looked back and forth from the two. "Do you know her?"

"Of course!" Sehun laughed. "She's my girlfriend!"

Hannah couldn't help but grin herself. "See, I told you."

~

"How are you feeling?" Hannah asked him, staring at the city lights from above.

Sehun sighed. "Disappointed. I've let everyone down, Hannah."

They sat on the roof of the hotel, eating cheeseburgers and drinking milk tea.

She sighed as well, feeling as lost as he was. What were they going to do? They needed to save the dance studio...

Sehun crumpled his wrapper up and threw it off the roof. He lay back on the ground and crossed his arms behind his head. "This was fun, though. I'm glad that you came with us."

"Then let's do it again, sometime, Oh. I'm game," Hannah smiled, tracing the lines on the concrete.

"Let's."

They were silent. Sehun sighed again. Hannah mimicked his sigh and lay down next to him.

"I don't wanna go home," Hannah admitted.

"Me neither," Sehun grinned. "Why don't we just run away?"

Hannah laughed out loud. "Yeah, no. You know we can't."

"Maybe some day we can."
"What do you mean?"
"When we're older. Out of high school. We could do it, Hannah."

Hannah smiled widely. "Together."

"Hell yeah," Sehun laughed.

"But what are we going to do? We've got a big problem right now, the present, and I don't-"

Sehun interrupted her. "Well, first, I'm going to do this."

He turned his head, his hand reaching up to her chin. He leaned in all the way and pressed his soft lips against hers. The heat of her skin radiated against his cheeks.

She pulled away, only slightly, and pressed her forehead against his.

"I think I like this plan," she murmured, grinning, and her eyes closed.

"What's step two?" Sehun breathed.

"This," Hannah said, pressing her lips against his again.

They held the kiss longer this time. When they broke away, Sehun pulled her in close.

She felt his quick heartbeat through the layers of clothing.

They sat there, and continued to stare at the night sky.

"Sehun?" Hannah said, softly.

"Yeah?" Sehun said, just as soft.

"I love you."
"But not as much as I love you."
"That must be a lot, because I love you a shit ton."

He hugged her tightly.

"It is."

~

The two walked down the empty sidewalk, hand in hand. They entered the brand new coffee shop, in hopes to find a job to help support the dance studio.

Surprisingly, Zach had agreed to make a deal with them. He still owned the studio, but he wouldn't shut it down as long as the dancers and staff promised to pay him back. So everyone who was able to work went on a job hunt.

The bell rang from above the door. The shop was nearly deserted.

With mint-green walls with one large navy blue stripe running across the walls and hardwood tables and counters, white lamps hanging from the ceiling, and modern music playing from the speakers, the room gave a cozy-like feeling to whoever walked in.

A familiar barista stood behind the cashier.

"Ota!" Hannah and Sehun said in unison.

Ota smiled at them, waving. "Hey, kids. What brings you here?"

"You work here?" Hannah asked.

"Well, yeah, I do have the hat and the apron."

"We're looking for a job," Sehun explained. "Can we speak to the manager, please?"

"That would be me," the bell chimed again.

Aaron placed his hands and their shoulders.

"What are you doing here? And what?" Hannah exclaimed.

"Well, I figured that you two would go looking for jobs, so I requested that this shop be built. You're welcome."

"But you said that Hannah couldn't work for you," Sehun brought up, causing Hannah to stomp on his foot.

Aaron smiled. "Ah, that was because the black market is illegal business and I don't want you at my company. But this shop is legal and I do want you here!"

James revealed himself from the back, coughing. He was followed by a trail of black smoke.

"Ota, the machine broke down again," he complained. He saw them. "About time."

"Is everyone working here," Sehun chuckled.

"Just you four," Aaron grinned. "Have fun!"

He grabbed Hannah's hand and whispered in her ear, "I've already paid half to Zach."

He kissed her forehead and waved, walking away.

"T-thank you! Oh my god!" She stuttered. "Sehun, he paid off half!"

"THANK YOU, UNCLE AARON!" Sehun hollered after him.

He gave the two big thumbs up.

James and Ota were behind them now. Ota placed a hat on Sehun's head as James carelessly tossed a apron at Hannah.

"Come on, we'll show you the ropes," Ota smiled.

"This way," James sighed, a trace of a grin on his lips.

Hannah looked up at Sehun and put her hand in his.

"What do you think, babe?" She giggled.

"Let's go," he pulled her forward.

Hannah just kept thinking to herself, "Damn. Who would have thought."

That the badboy could've changed with one car ride, with one song.

That they'd have a story to tell, an adventure to share.

That enemies could learn to love.

Not Hannah. Not then, at least. She was just Partners With the Badboy.

The End