Rank One (Park Sunghoon FF)

2

BAM!

The sound of Juna's face getting hit echoed through the neighborhood. As soon as her mother saw her, she received a slap on the face. Juna didn't dare react and only stared at the ground. Heeseung quickly pulled her behind him.

"Stay out of this, Lee Heeseung," Juna's mother warned as she raised a hand up threateningly. "I don't want to have to apologize to your mother."

Heeseung took a deep breath and began to talk. "My mother won't be the only one you have to apologize to. I think you owe your own daughter an apology. Miss, I don't want to be disrespectful but I really don't understand why you and Mister Ahn do this to Juna. She's trying her hardest, can't you see that? You don't need to hit her whenever she doesn't meet your expectations."

"Lee Heeseung." Juna's mother hissed. "Who do you think you are? Just because I have known since you were a child doesn't mean I will hesitate to hit you."

"Fine, Miss Yang. You can hit me all you want. Then you'd owe three people an apology."

SMACK!

"Heeseung!" Juna ran up and pushed him behind her instead. "Mom! Stop this!"

"Oh, so now you're speaking, huh? Why don't you explain that grade today? A fucking 98%. Really? What happened to the other two points? You fell asleep? Why are you always second? Why?!"

"Mom! Do you think I want that? I'm really trying!"

Another slap.

"Wait until your father hears about this-" her mom raised a hand up for another slap but Heeseung caught it and threw it down. The mother's eyes widened in pure shock and anger.

"Miss Yang! That's enough." Heeseung snapped as he took Juna's hand and pulled her behind him protectively. "Your daughter won't be returning home tonight. She's safe with me and my mother. I hope that's enough time to reflect on your actions."

He gave a quick bow and ran, pulling Juna along with him, and leaving a shocked mother behind. 

"GET BACK HERE!"

Ahn Juna and Lee Heeseung ran and ran as far away from the house as possible. At one point, Juna laughed instead of crying. She was happy that Heeseung had stood up for her and was glad that she didn't have to deal with her parents even just for one night. After that, everything else could go back to normal and she'd still be happy.

They finally stopped in front of an apartment complex and smiled at each other, hand in hand. Juna's heart was beating fast. She wasn't sure if it was because of the running or Heeseung. 

They maintained eye contact for a full minute until a voice interrupted them.

"Juna?" It was Heeseung's mom. She beamed when she saw the girl. Juna was like a second child to her since she spent most of her childhood at Heeseung's house.

"Miss Kim!" Juna ran up and hugged her, immediately feeling relieved. Juna had considered Miss Kim her mother, too. Maybe even more than her biological.

When they pulled away, Heeseung's mom gasped when she saw the red hand marks on Juna's cheeks. She had always tried to hide them behind foundation and concealer but she couldn't hide the new marks that time.

"What- What happened?" Miss Kim looked at her son for an answer but her hand flew to her mouth when she saw that Heeseung had the exact same marks on his face. "Are you two alright?! What happened? Wait, no. Tell me once we get inside. It's cold."

Miss Kim grabbed both Heeseung and Juna's hands and led them to the elevator. Miss Kim was tapping her foot nervously the whole way up to their studio apartment, occasionally glancing at both of the teens and their red faces. 

When they finally stepped into the studio, Miss Kim suddenly pulled them down for a hug before quickly letting them go, her eyes filled with concern.

"Now, both of you. Tell me what happened. Is there anyone that needs to be taught a lesson?" 

They sat down at the dining table and Heeseung told his mom the story while holding onto Juna's hand in case she needed it. They were so close that hand-holding had been a norm for years and Juna didn't mind it at all.

As Heeseung explained the details, Miss Kim only seemed to get more furious at Juna's mother. By the end of it, Miss Kim was already storming out the front door.

"Wait! Mom!" Heeseung quickly ran after his mom and pulled her back into the studio. He shook his head, his eyes pleading. He probably knew that Juna would have to face the aftermath if his mom went to her mom. And Juna already had enough on her plate.

After a bit of convincing, Miss Kim finally calmed down and went to hug Juna, sobbing. "Oh, my poor Juna...I had no idea you've been dealing with this for years...I'm so sorry..."

"It's okay, Miss Kim." Juna patted the mother's back and tried to smile and not cry. "I'm so grateful for you and Heeseung."

"I wish I could do more for you, I really do, Juna," Miss Kim kept crying as she started to brush Juna's hair. Heeseung patted his mother's back reassuringly. "But for now, I think you should stay here for as long as you can. We'll take care of you. I have clothes that might fit you and an empty room you can use. Please stay."

Juna nodded and pulled back with a genuine smile on her face. "Thank you for letting me, Miss Kim."

-

Ahn Juna collapsed on the guest room's bed right after she took a shower, not caring that her hair was still wet. She laid with her eyes wide open and thought about everything that happened during the day. Her test score. Her mom slapping her. Heeseung. Miss Kim. And...Park Sunghoon.

She snapped up in anger at the thought of the boy. If only he weren't ranked first. Why was it always that way? Why couldn't she beat him in something? Anything! Even her extracurriculars were lacking. Sure she played piano but she didn't win competitions like Sunghoon did with figure skating.

And the fact that he didn't even have to try in anything. It annoyed her to death. Why was he naturally perfect at everything? And why did she have to study her ass off day and night just to be half as good as he is?

"Oh, what do I do...?" She thought to herself and she laid down and closed her eyes. She could study - she had her backpack with her. But she didn't have any energy. She told herself she'd wake up early tomorrow to do work before school before trying to sleep.

But before she could, an idea popped into her mind. Juna had to rank first by the end of the year. She had to do something to distract Sunghoon from doing well in school and other activities. But with what? He barely had to try anyway...

"But if I were to make him experience something he's never had before..." Juna thought about it for a moment. "Love..."

Juna sat up at the idea. "But how? He rejects everyone. I wouldn't even stand a chance...Maybe if I take a different approach..."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Juna said and smiled when she saw that it was Heeseung. He sat on the edge of the bed.

"How are you feeling?" He asked warmly. Juna melted at the sound of his voice. Oh, it was so sweet...

"Better. Thanks for everything, Heeseung." They stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like eternity until Juna remembered about her idea. "Ah, Heeseung, I have a question. It's going to sound stupid but please answer me."

Heeseung chuckled. "I'm sure it's not stupid. Just ask and I'll answer."

"How do I make someone fall in love with me?"

~

"I need to be the only thing Park Sunghoon can think about. Not school. Not skating. I need to be his distraction. I want his heart."

Ahn Juna