SpartAce I: School Love Affair

Invisible yet visible

"Oppa, annyeong! ", she greets Gary the next morning as she arrives in school and sees him walking along the hallways.

He barely gives her a glance before staring straight at the hallway again. "Ji-Hyo annyeong. ", he greets, with less enthusiasm than usual.

She is taken aback by his approach that she suddenlt feels the aura that he is giving. He seems to have built up a wall between them, emphasized by his avoiding gaze and slumped, uninterested shoulders.

Ji Hyo is observant enough to notice those.

And only then did she realize that ever since he and the others caught her and jOng Kook yesterday, he haven't really said a word.

She remembers the betrayed look in his eyes as her gaze fell on him yesterday.

Maybe he is keeping her away. He is disappointed at her, she could tell that much.

She hates the situation. It was Kang Gary who gave her the oppurtunity to play the piano in front of the whole school. Not only did he provide that oppurtunity, but through that, he gave her a way in discovering another part of herself.

And she does not want to lose Kang Gary.

"Oppa... "

Gary halts. "Oh, i forgot something in the music room, Ji Hyo-ah. I should go get it. ", he says, his eyes only meeting hers for a mere second before he turns around and jogged along the hall, leaving her staring at his retreating back.

She could not help but sigh. Kang Gary isn't really a good liar. It is like his thoughts are pasted right all over his forehead whenever he lies.

And besides..

"The music room is in the other direction, ppabo-yah.. ", she says at the direction where Gary has disappeared.

She has no choice but to walk to her classroom alone.

Later in the classroom, her classmates arrived one by one.

Then Dong Hoon walks in and sits on the seat behind her.

"Annyeong, Ji Hyo-ah. Where's Jong Kook-hyung? ", he asks as he settle down.

She shrugs. "I don't know. It's not like we live together."

"Oh, don't you? "

Ji Hyo might not engage herself to a lot of conversation but she could still recognize sarcasm if she hears one. She casts a piercing stare at Dong Hoon, who is wearing a feigned innocence in his face.

Right on time, Kwang Soo arrives and sits next to her. "Dong Hoon Hyung, annyeong!", he greets. "Are we busting a couple's secret rendezvous today? ", he asks, refusing to acknowledge Ji Hyo's presence next to him. "After all, people are finding it fun to hide their relationships nowadays. "

"Tss. This guy has a death wish.", she mutters to herself, loud enough for the younger one to hear.

Only then did he look at her as if he has just noticed her presence. He even spares a fake surprised expression. "Oh, Noona! When did you arrive? ", he asks.

She clenches her teeth, stopping herself from strangling Kwang Soo right then and there.

"Where's Jong Kook hyung? "

"The hell I know? It's not like I keep him in my bag or something! ", she snaps.

"Don't you? ", he asks, actually considering it.

"Why don't we check it? ", Dong Hoon suggests, acknowledging the sarcasm and grabbing her backpack, opening it up for them to peek inside.

She watches with irritation as the two playfully look inside her bag.