When Things Get Complicated

"Do I have to sit here everyday?"

At lunch, the cheerleaders watched me like vultures and picked at any possible weak spots I had. I felt like I was being interviewed and closely monitored for any signs of weakness. After a while, I guess I'd passed and they started talking to Yoona about someone, though I hadn't picked up on who. I leaned over to Taeyeon while the attention was off of me and whispered, "Do I have to sit here every day?"

She turned to look at me, her face beautiful and scary at the same time. "Yes, Baekhyun. But don't worry; before long you'll have more interesting company."

I had no idea what she meant until, one by one, my friends started sitting at my new table. It took a little over a week for the first person to join me, which was Suho. I knew he was dating Yuri, had seen him basically confess to her at the game last Friday, but I thought maybe he was there just to keep me company.

We both had the same class before lunch and when we reach the cafeteria, he usually breaks away and goes to our table. When he didn't, I was confused. "Why are you coming over here?"

"Yuri said that Taeyeon wants me to sit with them." he answered, his exterior completely composed. I could tell he was as uncomfortable as I had been. "Something about how we need to show everyone else how happy we are."

It made sense; Taeyeon's entire life was built around looking perfect to the outsiders, and that translated over to her friends as well.

We only broke away from each other when I was forced to sit next to Taeyeon and he had to go to the end and sit with Yuri.

The next guy to join us was Chen, but he hadn't listened at first. Maybe Tiffany hadn't told him, but maybe he was trying to rebel a little. No matter the reason, Tiffany still dragged him over to our table. He whined the entire way across the cafeteria, but he got quiet as soon as he sat down, probably because he didn't want to make Taeyeon angry. I hadn't even known Chen and Tiffany were dating (and it was about time because they'd been hooking up for a while before this), which just goes to show how distant I've become from my friends, all because of Taeyeon and her stupid obsession with perfection.

Eventually, our table was split into two, since there are beginning to be too many people to fit at one table. Despite there only being only eight of the girls left sitting at the table (and I had no guess as to why Jessica had left the table), Sunny made her own addition to the table and Sehun's broad shoulders pushed us over the edge.

"Sunny's dating Sehun?" I asked Taeyeon, confused.

"No. She's just being nice."

Next came D.O with Yoona. There were now five of us sitting with the girls, which meant there were only four guys left at our old table. Yet, when I looked over, it was completely empty. "Where is everyone?" I asked him, grateful Yoona sat across from Taeyeon, therefore D.O did as well.

"Well, Lay is sitting over there in the corner with Jessica Jung." he said, nodding his head in the general direction of Lay's new table. I looked over to find that he was laughing with her. I knew he'd made the decision that Taeyeon wouldn't approve of, since she hated Jessica.

"Are they together?" I asked, still watching them. Out of the entire football team, Lay has always been the sincerest, so I trust he's not just over there looking to get into her pants, like most guys do when it comes to Jessica. Ever since a few weeks ago, Jessica's been on the out's with the entire school, which means Taeyeon hates her. I don't know the exact details of what happened, no one does, but I heard the same rumors everyone else did; that Jessica was a slut and Taeyeon didn't want to associate with her anymore.

"I think so. You know, I don't get to talk to everyone else anymore." he replied, taking an angry sip of his drink. "I'm starting to wonder if she's worth it."

I nodded, understanding him completely, but knowing he could leave at any time. Yoona may be popular, but she isn't as mean-hearted as Taeyeon and D.O wouldn't let that stand in his way in the first place. He must actually like her, just like all the other guys at this table. They're all happy in their relationships, despite being forced away from our table, while I'm sitting here miserable.

"Where's everyone else?"

"Xiumin's in the library, studying with some girl... the one ahead of him for valedictorian."

I didn't want to make it obvious that I was wondering about Chanyeol, since I hadn't seen him for so long. "What about Kai?"

"Honestly, I don't know where Kai goes during lunch, but he isn't in the cafeteria and he won't tell me, so I just gave up trying to pull it out of him." D.O hasn't ever been much of a conversationalist, but he talks to Kai more than anyone else. I'm sure that not being able to talk to him as much as affecting D.O more than he'd like to admit.

I nodded slowly, trying to think of something else to say to ease Chanyeol into the conversation. I'm not sure why I was being so careful about it since no one else, not even D.O, knew about us. I just didn't want to scare him off, since it's Friday and this is the most contact I've had with anyone other than Taeyeon since Monday. Fortunately, it's been raining ever since Wednesday and the football game tonight was cancelled. I'm hoping she doesn't ask me to do anything because I've got plans later.

He waved off my next question before I could even begin, groaning because he hated talking so much. "Baekhyun, I'm done talking for today." Then, he laid his head down on Yoona's shoulder and she just cooed at him, probably trying to rub his affection in Taeyeon's face.

I looked over at our old table, feeling my heart clenching at the emptiness.