I'm Not Your Cinderella

CHAPTER 1 - A Night in Seoul

"I've got no money." For the thousandth time, he reminded his bestfriend that.

Surprisingly, he got no response though. From observing the busy people crossing the streets up to the ones passing by in front of the coffee shop, Baekhyun drifted his eyes to the one sitting in front of him. His friend was giving him this 'I don't give a fuck' look before the waitress gave them their order. Correction—it was Luhan's order and he was treated again—like almost every fucking time.

"Thank you," Luhan smiled at the blushing girl who bowed and left them to their privacy. His kind and prince charmingly smile returned to its natural bitch face as he pushed Baekhyun's coffee closer to the owner. "Drink that, you asshole."

"Han," Baekhyun whined. "I appreciate the morning dose of caffeine but please... it would only add to my list!"

Giving the younger a pointed look, Luhan retorted back. "And who told you to add that in the list? Huh? I never asked for anything in return." He sipped a mouthful of his latte before licking his lips. "Ah this is really the best," he moaned in delight, pertaining to his favorite type of coffee.

Baekhyun watched his friend enjoy his latte, sighing from another debt of good deed Luhan had done for him. He had always been like this—his knight in shining armor. Luhan had helped him a lot of times, since they were in high school, he and his family was the one who supported him all the way until he graduated.

He knew he should be employed right now and at least pay off his debts. But here he was... jobless, and penniless even after a year he permanently set off his feet from the university grounds.

"I don't know, Baek. I am inviting you in that fan meeting, and inviting means I get to pay for everything so you—my dear, don't have to worry about your expenses. I am only asking you to come with me okay?" Luhan re-opened the subject they have left off before their coffees came.

"But Luhan—"

"No more 'buts' please?" Luhan set the coffee aside and grabbed his friend's hands. "Stop worrying about money, and debts. We did not help you for you to think that we're asking for anything in return. We helped you because you needed it. Okay? So I am here asking only for your company. Nothing more, nothing less. Got it?"

And as usual, Byun Baekhyun lost the argument.

"Fine, fine!" he admitted defeat, raising both his hands up. Luhan squealed in his seat and clapped in joy, like a six years old kid whose mama promised to buy him a balloon.

"Great! I'll pick you up at six."

"Six in the evening?" Baekhyun almost coughed out his coffee. "Isn't that a bit early? You said the meeting starts at nine-thirty?"

"We're going to Seoul, my friend! And it's hours away from here so yes, we're leaving early. Dress nice alright?"

He didn't retorted back for Luhan knew that he had a small variety of clothes in his wardrobe. Why was he doing this again? Oh right. Because of this doll face in front of him.

"The things I do for you, Han."

"Mhm!" Luhan hummed while his lips were shut with the mug's lid, "I know you love me too much."

After their morning hangout, Luhan went out to set his skates on and put on his headphones connected with a new smartphone inside his pocket—mind you, it was the latest model—he waved goodbye to his friend while Baekhyun gave a small smile and a loud. "Don't fall on your bum, doll face!"

Luhan raised a finger at him.

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Looking around, other than the opening stores in the streets and busy crowd, there was nothing much to see. This was the neighbourhood he'd grown up with ever since highschool. Behind him was his and Luhan's favorite coffee shop, and the path he was taking was the same path he and his best friend had always been taking whenever they go to their school.