“Okay, here’s the problem,” Kris announced. “It is now past curfew. And I don’t think we’re allowed to go out.” He was stretched out across the couch, his enormous body length draped over the whole thing.
“Are we sneaking out again? AWESOME.” Kai and Tao high-fived.
“We need a plan,” Su Ho offered as Chan Yeol and Baek Hyun fist-bumped. “We gonna run the house down~!” Chan Yeol declared, jumping up. I just sat quietly next to Kai, playing with his toy poodle. Let’s just say, this is the cutest thing on the face of the earth. It’s even cuter than Lilac. Sorry, but it’s true. Lilac is my border collie. Or rather, was my border collie.
“How about Tao just knocks out the security guards and we bring her back?” Chan Yeol offered.
“No,” Tao said, shaking his head of dashing silver hair. “I’ll get in trouble. And we’ll wake up the girls and get yelled at by ssaem.”
“Ooh~! Girls in nightshirts? Oooh~!!!” Kai said excitedly.
Su Ho smacked him across the head. “You never change, do you?!”
“Well, we can just sneak and hide from the guards,” Se Hun said, bored. “It doesn’t have to be elaborate.”
“Let’s just go!” Lay cried.
We basically ended up in Kris’ closet. It was a huge, glossy black-walled, marble floored room that had built-in closet separations. Hanger after hanger of stylish mens clothing hung next to each other, perfectly neat, and I was surprised to find so many clothes. He had more than me by tenfold. “I know, I know,” Kris directed towards me. “This is pretty awesome. You’re the first girl that has seen my closet.” He paused.
“I’m glad you are.”
I smiled slightly at him then as he handed me a large deep turquoise merino wool sweater and a burgundy beanie. “Here,” he said, also handing me a pair of men shoes. “Just in case.”
I was now dressed to look like a guy. I had a pair of Su Ho’s jeans on (the smallest size), Kris’ giant sweater, Lu Han’s mouth cover (why would he need one of these?), a pair of mens Adidas shoes and a beanie with my long locks tucked in (courtesy of Kris). “Hm,” Baek Hyun said, giving me a once-over thoughtfully. “You look like a very short, stylish male.”
"More stylish than you are," Kris retorted, earning a playful punch in the arm by his dongsaeng.
We stepped into the secret entrance in Kris’ closet. The air was damp, and the sides of the stairs dewy and covered in a thick, green moss. Slightly crumbling stone steps formed a cramped staircase that led into the darkness. Baek Hyun, who had ran to make sure the doors were locked, the curtains were closed, and to get a sweater for Chan Yeol (who was only wearing a wife beater), came back with a flashlight. It seemed like it was old, considering there was a thick layer of dust covering the device.
“Does this still work?” D.O asked as Chen wiped the dust off, coughing a little in the process.
“Well, it’s the only one we have, so I hope so,” Baek Hyun said as he flipped the switch. Everyone’s wishes were granted as the flashlight flickered to life, as if by magic.
We started down the cramped stairs. I grabbed the nearest person’s hand for support. A warm hand embraced mine, and just-as-warm eyes reflected the small amount of light that had suddenly been welcomed by the staircase. A sense of security swept my system as I held Lu Han's hand firmly, the stone steps slightly crumbling under my feet.
With Baek Hyun's lead, we exited the mucky entrance. Making our way through the corridor of rocks and ivy, we came out of the dewy, stale cave and into the East Garden.
Moonlight flooded the garden, beautifully cut rows of botany and trees drowned in a glorious, pale blue light. Every creature, every plant, every living thing seemed to be from another world. I breathed in the cool, crisp fresh night air, free of any burden. The night air awakened my senses that seemed like they had drifted away.
I felt alive.
I felt free.
I felt infinite. (A/N: Hehehe, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, who has read it? xD)
I looked to my sides, and saw what I've never been able to. What I've never dreamt of.
Twelve of the most wanted bachelors in Korea stood side by side, their flawlessly handsome faces illuminated by the moon that shone so brightly in the sky. A breeze swept through the gardens and their stylishly tossed hair drifted slightly through the wind. It was like they were shining in the night. I was of unspoken admiration.
"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU KIDS DOING OUT HERE?"
"Oh shit! Security!" Kris cursed.
"Okay guys. Lu Han, Se Hun, Chan Yeol, Tao, Chen and Lay. Take Cha An back to her dorm." Su Ho said urgently. "We'll create a diversion."
He looked at me, and smiled a genuine, comforting smile. "See you tomorrow, Cha An. Be safe."
Then, Baek Hyun tossed Chen the flashlight, winked at me, and the others smiled, before turning around. Se Hun grabbed my hand and we ran towards the West Gardens. I turned back to see through the darkness two large security men approach Su Ho, Kris, Baek Hyun, Xiu Min, D.O and Kai. "Thank you," I whispered softly.
We took the secret entrance I knew of into the East Wing, where I had bumped into Xiu Min the day before. "This place has so many secrets," Lu Han muttered, the hallway dark until illuminated by Chen's flashlight. The soft light hit the staircase just as we heard it.
Footsteps.
We quickly turned off the light, and ran up the stairs quietly onto the landing between the first and second floors just as a light flooded the hallway we were just in. My breath hitched in my throat as I clutched Se Hun's hand, who's thumb rubbed mine in attempt to comfort. "I swear I heard a voice or something," a man's voice muttered. We watched him walk by, and that's when it happened.
Tao burped.
It was low and quiet, and Chan Yeol hissed, hitting him lightly.
Down the hallway, the sound of footsteps stopped.
We had to get up this landing. NOW.
Any that's when the light flashed on us...
For five seconds before it turned away. "Ugh, my intestines haven't been so good lately," the guard muttered. "I'm starting imagine things. Should've gotten the morning shift." And the footsteps started to grow fainter. I swear, I almost died from nervousness. Chan Yeol and Chen beside me were silently howling with laughter. They lightly slapped their thighs and Chan Yeol was practically rolling on the floor.
Even Se Hun found it a little amusing. "His intestines, heh," he muttered, letting out a small chuckle.
We managed to get back to my dorm swiftly, not attracting the attention of anymore guards or people. They dropped me off with relieved and achieved smiles. "We can do anything," Chan Yeol stated. "Just trust us." I smiled and good night, and watched as they snuck away, down the hall, praying for their safety.
Entering my dorm, I smiled softly. But then, I saw it.
A picture frame was sitting on the coffee table.
One of the many I thought I threw away.
It was a beautiful picture.
Of my mother.
And that's when the thoughts flew in. Like I was watching through a cloud of fog, I had...
A vision.
