𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓 | 𝘰𝘩 𝘴𝘦𝘩𝘶𝘯

⤖ chapter twenty-three

A sharp headache striked Sehun's head as he groggily sat up from the sofa that served as his bed for the night. He adjusted his vision from the light that was seeping through the windows, neck pivoting around the space.

Heejung had just got out of the kitchen after she had finished eating cereals before going out for school, when she saw Sehun standing on his feet, trying to tame down his hair that was spiking everywhere.

Her brows raised but never uttered anything.

"Hey," Sehun called as she was just about to step on the stairs back to her room to brush her teeth. "How did I get here last night?"

"Don't know with you," Heejung shrugged then resumed her walk up when Sehun spoke again.

"Did I do something weird? Or said anything...?"

Looking back over her shoulder, Heejung nonchalantly replied, "Maybe?"

She then went ahead as Sehun's pupils rounded, pushing past the couch to reach her.

"What? What did I do?"

But Heejung had already disappeared in her room, smirking by herself at the sight of the idol filling his mind out with possibilities.

***

"Heejung-a, you won't believe what I heard—"

"Bunny!"

Roll eye. Myunghui internally groaned when Youngshik sprinted towards her and Heejung as she was just about to spill some nasty tea to her best friend. Youngshik was indeed a party crasher.

In his hand was a paper bag that had a logo of an expensive brand Heejung always buys from.

Heejung's eyebrow arched.

"This is for you," Youngshik said, smiling widely as he reached for her hand for her to hold on the paper bag. "I hope you like it. They recently released a new fashion line—"

"Will you stop doing this, really?" She interjected, annoyed. "Haven't I told you I don't want to speak with you?"

"Oh, Heejung," he scoffed. "Why are you doing me like this?"

His eyes were painted with hurt. Everyone in the hallway had their attention to the three as they have sensed tension between the old couple.

They all know Youngshik as Heejung's past lover. Of course, everyone would. He always appeared in her Instagram—the cold princess's pretty boyfriend. Heejung was not really one to post much, but whenever she did, Youngshik was always included. They were so in love. So into each other. The perfect couple.

Everyone wanted to have the kind of relationship they had. Youngshik was a very sweet man that Heejung contrasted. She had always been cold, distant and inexpressive. But when it came to Youngshik, it's as if the ice melts off.

Heejung knew how easily they could draw attention. And she didn't want any more. She's had enough of it. The media's attention was more than enough.

Without a word, she left. The paper bag Youngshik was handing her fell on the floor. Myunghui trailed behind her friend as she sent one last scowl at Youngshik.

"Heejung-a!" Myunghui panted, fingers flickering to grab Heejung to stop her from her fast-paced walk. "W-wait a sec. Goodness, why do you walk so fast? No one's even running after you."

The 96-liner eventually halted at the hall that was leading to the field. Now in a much slower pace, they walked to the bleachers, deciding to pass time for their next class that's in an hour.

The two sat on the bleachers. The athletes were spread out in the field, practicing for the upcoming game they have, rivaling against another university. Woojin, too, was part of the team that's training.

Myunghui narrowed her eyes from the blinding sunlight as she watched Woojin who was struggling through the two senior players.

When Heejung and Myunghui reached the lower deck of the bleachers, they settled. Heejung brought out her notebook, opting to review for their next class as her best friend leaned back on the chair, keenly watching the training.

"Aren't you going to review?" Heejung asked. The latter clicked her tongue, about to reply but ended up not doing so.

"Hmm?" Heejung nudged her, raising a brow. Gaze still lingering on the field, Myunghui eventually ripped her eyes from it and bored them on Heejung.

"Yeah, yeah, I will."

"I didn't know know you're now interested in soccer," Heejung said. "Or maybe in the players?"

"You're not entirely wrong, you know. I have my eye on this particular one,"

"Hah," Heejung huffed in surprise. "What happened to Mr. Seo then?"

The other didn't say anything, causing Heejung to send a weird look at her. What was running in Myunghui's mind whilst eyeing the field? Heejung followed her gaze and grew even more puzzled when it landed on Woojin.

"Myunghui,"

"I didn't really mean to eavesdrop earlier when I passed by the science lab," Myunghui uttered, pupils still set on the field. "I must not be mistaken. Woojin and Youngshik were there. I heard them, I saw them."

"What were you doing there?"

"Mrs. Kwon wanted me to get the materials for our class when she saw me in the hallway earlier. So I went there," she explained.

"Then I saw them. Heard their conversation,"

"What were they talking about?"

By now, Heejung had already abandoned her notebook and inched closer to her best friend.

"It was a bit unclear but I heard your sister's name," Myunghui finally said it. She looked up to see the girl's expression but she couldn't read them. "I think they're plotting something against your family. If not, then they must have done something to Heejae."

Heejung's face was hard to read. Her eyes darkened.

"What exactly did they say?"

Pursing her lips into a thin line, Myunghui clicked them after. "Youngshik was mad over something. Said Woojin should've done better. Hide the footage and keep everyone's mouth shut."

"Footage?"

"Yeah. They must be hiding something,"

"We must talk to Woojin."

hi! exams were done two days ago. sorry i had just updated now