Taken in

Staying

“I feel like I’m being a burden on you,” I groaned as I limped back to the car. U-Kwon was on the phone, so Kyung took over supporting me.

“Nonsense. U-Kwon is very selfless – you’ll never convince him to let you out on the streets.”

“He seems very nice.”

“He is, we all are. We’ll take good care of you, don’t worry. If you don’t mind me asking, why are you in Seoul with no money?”

“I had money! It was just taken from me within half an hour of me arriving here. It was supposed to be a fresh start, away from everything bad in England.”

“Are you referring to political problems?”

“No,” I laughed at his innocence, “I’m referring to family problems. Well, then-family.”

“Are they not your family not anymore?”

“They don’t exist anymore.”

“Your family died?” he said in shock.

“On my eighteenth birthday. But it’s okay, I guess, it’s made me a stronger person for it. I’m okay though, I’m not a wreck.” Then I took a look around me, and re-judged. “Says the girl limping on a superstar,” I laughed to myself.

We had arrived at their house then, and I was guided inside. I was laid on a sofa to rest my head, which had started to sooth.

“Would you like something to drink?” Kyung asked me, dotting around the room where he found a blanket and put it gently under my head.

“Umm do you have any Coca Cola?”

“Of course,” he laughed. “I’ll be right back.”

I took in my surroundings when Kyung dashed off. There was a large television screen on the wall, a comfy plush rug on the wooden floor, and Zico was sat in the corner. He was typing quickly on a laptop and concentrating hard on it, so I felt like I was intruding.

U-Kwon came back into the room carrying a Coke, and I smiled thankfully at him. He passed it to me and I cracked it open.

“Are you feeling any better?”

“Tiny bit. My back is giving me pain, but it normally does that. I’m sure I’ll be up on my feet in a few days and out of your hair.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You guys are famous. The last thing you need is the paparazzi publicising you ‘kidnapping’ a girl on the streets. Plus, I’m keeping you busy on me when you have better things to do. I’ll have my friend send me a plane ticket.”

“Is your friend rich?”

“No, but–”

“Then it’s settled! As long as you are comfortable with it, you shall stay with us here. We’ll take care of you, don’t fret your pretty head about it.”

“That’s what Kyung said.”

“He doesn’t lie! He’s rather known for that, actually. It may seem out of the ordinary, but you are quite welcome to stay here with us.”

“Are you sure? It seems like an awful imposition.”

“Not another word about it! I won’t have you out on the streets. You’d meet the same fate as last time I found you.”

“What were you doing out at that time in a morning anyway?”

“Early morning run. I like to keep fit.”

“You’re succeeding,” I laughed. In his tight white tank top, there was a defined four pack. “And incase I haven’t said it yet, thank you for not leaving me there in the alley. Not many people would have bothered to save me. Without you, I’d probably be dead right now. I owe you my life, U-Kwon,” I mumbled. It was true though.

“Don’t mention it. I couldn’t live with myself if I had left you there.”

“U-KWON!” somebody suddenly shouted, and it took us both by surprise.

That will be the meal. Are you hungry?”

“Depends. What are you having?” I asked dubiously.

“Chicken porridge. Don’t let the name fool you, Jaehyo is a good cook.”

* * *

Well, U-Kwon was right, Jaehyo could certainly cook. The chicken was cooked to perfection, and the onion really complimented the chicken. After a decent sized portion of food, I managed to get myself back to the room I was in before. Just as I got settled, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I read the screen and it was Shannon’s home number.

“Yo yo biatch,” I greeted her in our usual way.

“Hey hey biatch. Now, can you talk?”

“Umm I think so.” I looked around the room to see it was empty, and I could hear the boys being loud downstairs.

“Good. Now tell me everything you know!” she giggled.

“All I know is that Kyung is lovely, Jaehyo is an amazing cook, and U-Kwon is an amazing person. He’s the one who saved me.”

“He has always been my second favourite.”

“Still Jaehyo?”

“Yep,” she laughed, “we will be wed one day, and you’ll be sorry for your criticism, just you watch.”

“I’m sure you will. Hang on, isn’t this call gonna be running up your bill like crazy?”

“Of course, but my dad’s credit card will be feeling the burn!”

* * *

Shannon and I talked for hours – about three and a half I think. It wasn’t anything serious, but Shannon wanted to know every single detail of my stay with Block B. She filled me in on the college tuitions, who she had a crush on, how things were at home, and jut general girly stuff.

“Okay chick, I have to go now. Dad’s nagging at me to get off the phone,” she laughed. “If only he knew!”

“Okey dokey, I’ll speak to you whenever you’re un-grounded.”

“He’ll never find out,” she said evilly, then topped it off with a laugh fit for the villains in Disney movies. I hung up the phone and slipped it in my pocket, then laid back down on the sofa.

Without meaning to, I fell asleep there and then. It was comfy, but disturbing – it usually takes me about half an hour to properly get to sleep.