Rebels At Their Finest (Block B)

36: Dead Leaves

Kyu Ree sat across from Taeil at the table, the breakfast he'd made sitting in front of her, and her legs pulled up to her chest. Taeil smirked at her as he pushed his food around on his plate. "So," He started, and Kyu Ree looked up at him. "Does it still make you bashful?"

"Does what still make me bashful?" Kyu Ree asked, spooning a bit of egg into her mouth.

Taeil laughed slightly. "Does it still make you bashful when we sleep together?"

Kyu Ree started, her eyes widening and her jaw dropping. "I... I-"

"So yes," He said, standing and taking his plate. "Is there anything you want to do today before work?" He asked, taking her plate as well. Kyu Ree shook her head. "Alright so do you just want to watch movies all day?"

Kyu Ree bit her lip. "Okay but... I need to call River." She said, sliding her phone out of her pocket. She scrolled through her phone until she found River's number and then pressed dial.

River answered on the first ring. "Hello?" She asked, her voice groggy and scratchy.

"Are you okay?"

She groaned. "Fine, I'm just exhausted. I didn't go to sleep until late last night. Or really early this morning."

Kyu Ree laughed. "Akito kept you busy then?"

"I'm not with him." She answered. "But we'll talk about that later. What do you need?"

Kyu Ree watched as Taeil began doing the dishes. "Just wanted to see how everything was. I'll see you at work though." She said, hanging up and standing. Taeil still had his back turned to Kyu Ree as she approached. She wrapped her arms around him and he stiffened as she pressed her cheek against his back, resting against him. "Why are you doing my dishes?"

Taeil shrugged. "Someone needed to do them." He answered. "Why are you hanging on me?"

"Because I love you," She said, pulling back as he turned towards her. "Like a lot." She said, laughing.

He leaned, pushing his fingers through her hair and kissing her. "I love you too. Like a lot."

River slipped her feet into her shoes, looking over her shoulder to make sure the others were still asleep. They had all fallen asleep in the living room, but when River woke up, she was tucked into Zico's bed, the fan directed towards her, and the blanket pulled up over her shoulders.

She knew who had tucked her in the second she woke up. Aside from the fact that she was in his bed, her favorite prepackaged mocha chiffon cakes littered the floor beside the bed, along with a green tea bottle and a water bottle. He, however, was passed out on the couch, snuggled right in beside P.O.

She smiled and opened the door, ready to inch out into the hall. "River?" A groggy voice asked, and River turned around, annoyed that one of them had woken up before she got the chance to sneak out.

Zico was sitting up, rubbing at his eyes. "Go back to sleep." River whispered, inching out of the door.

"Are you leaving already?"

River nodded. "I need to get home and shower. And I need to call Akito. But I'll talk to you later." She said, closing the door behind her as she started down the hall.

But the door opened behind her and she turned to see Zico hurrying after her. Her heart skipped a beat, and she turned, her jaw dropping a little. His eyes locked on her and River felt the air rush past her lips as he neared her.

What was she going to do? What was he going to say?

He opened his mouth to speak, and River bit her lip, anticipating what he was going to say.

He raised his hand, which held her phone. "Hey, you forgot this," He said, smiling. "And it was ringing. I don't know who it was."

River's stomach dropped, and she could feel the disappointment all the way down to her feet. "Thank you," She said, reaching for the phone.

He pulled his hand back. "I'm glad I found you last night." He said, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know. I'm just glad you weren't alone I guess." He said, shoving his hand into his pocket and smiling.

River nodded. "I'm glad you found me." She could hear her phone buzzing, and Zico pulled the phone from his pocket, looking down at it. "Thanks for letting me stay."

He frowned. "Tomorrow's Akito's birthday huh?"

River's face immediately fell and she gasped lightly. "Oh my god I totally forgot." She leapt forward and took her phone from his hands, looking down at the calendar. Sure enough, Akito's name and a bunch of birthday balloons surrounded the number. And the following day was filled by Kyu Ree's name. "Oh jesus," She whispered.

She looked up and opened her mouth to speak, but Zico was already moving back into the dorm. The door closed before River could even find the words to say anything to him.

She silently turned and started back towards the elevator, noting that Zico stopped talking to her the second Akito's name was mentioned.

And this wasn't the first time.

"So," Taeil started, just as the movie ended.

Kyu Ree, who was laying on his chest, looked up at him, smiling sweetly. "So?"

"What," He asked, turning off the TV and wrapping his arms around her. "Are we going to do for your birthday?" Kyu Ree's face immediately fell. "What, did you think I wouldn't find out?" He asked, laughing. "Kyu Ree, did you really think I wouldn't find out?" He asked, kissing her forehead.

Kyu Ree frowned. "I hoped you wouldn't."

"Why?" He asked, straightening. "Now I have an excuse to take you out to dinner! I'm not giving that up."

Kyu Ree sat up. "You had no problem screwing around with me without taking me out to dinner. Why start now."

"What?" Taeil asked. "Are you serious."

Kyu Ree stood and started towards her room. "I'm tired. I think I'm going to nap before work." She said, not explaining anything further.

She hated her birthday.

She hated her birthday with a passion. It was a day that her family always came together, and she couldn't stand her family. Why would she want to celebrate if she didn't want to?