Seven | Book 1 (An EXO fiction)

16.

~Chapter 16: What Ever You Do, Don't Blow Your Cover~

October is close to ending...and with its end comes my impending departure. November 7th is the day I go. Each day that passes by is one day closer to my first test at the castle. One day closer to actually being inside of the place that has ruined so many lives. One day closer to having to leave the guys...

After the day of breakdowns, or the Tearmageddon as I like to call it, everyone has changed. Whether it was because of my breakdown, or their own, I may never know. Regardless of the cause, it's obvious that everyone is treating me differently. Even Tao.

I feel like a child with the way that everyone is coddling me nonstop. I can't believe that I'm saying this, but I almost miss the way things were when I first got here.

Kris tries to be secretive about it, but I can see the constant worried glances in my direction. If I hadn't noticed that then I would have noticed how I wasn't allowed to do anything for myself if he was around. Trying to open a pack of macaroni? Kris is right there taking it from my hands and making it himself. Tring to wash my clothes? Nope. Kris has got it. Already washed and folded better than a sheet a paper. If he could wash my back, he probably would. Luckily, they let me have my room to myself...usually.

Tao...hmm Tao hasn't changed as much. But the clinginess has stepped up. He doesn't leave to go to the 3rd ring anymore. He always sits in on my lessons now, and only takes a break when Jongin takes over. For the past 4 nights he's been sneaking in to my room and falling asleep in my bed without my knowledge. It's only when I woke up earlier than him one morning that I caught him. After some begging on his side, I allowed him to have one more night. But he can only choose one between now and when I leave. It might have been a bit harsh...but sleeping is the only time I have to myself these days. With all of them watching and flanking me by day, night is the only time I can relax.

Luhan is a weird case. Sometimes he just outright stares at me as if he's trying to look in to my mind or something. It doesn't stop unless I wave my hand in his face or physically shake him out of it. He gets so focused on his creepy staring that he forgets what he's doing at times. When he isn't staring he is also weirdly clingy. I feel like a chew toy that is fought over between him and Tao. Outside of his occasional creepy behavior, training becomes significantly less frequent and intense. I don't know if he's doing it because I've learned nearly everything, or if he's doing it to take it easy on me. Either way, I'm relieved. We focus mainly on behavior in the castle.

How to address the Queen.

How to address royal advisors.

How to address royal relatives.

How to walk in heels.

How to wear royal clothing.

Of all of the recent lessons, figuring out how to walk in Satan's stilts was by far the most difficult. They looked nice yes, but they were an accident waiting to happen. It's a miracle that I haven't busted my ass in them yet.

Whenever Jongin shows up, we take trips to the 2nd ring shopping center so that I can get some practice with behavior. Now, here is where I really noticed personality changes. In not only Luhan, but Jongin as well.

Let's take a look at our most recent trip, shall we?

"Jongin, that is the 5th guy you've glared at and we haven't entered the shopping center yet. Calm down." I whispered harshly. I'd been able to learn how to keep an eye out for my Charmers while coming off as distant to the rest of the world. If I have to be a bitch, I'm going to be a bitch who still watches over her Charmers.