Oh My K-POP

Chapter 8- Behind Self Walls

CHAPTER 8- BEHIND SELF WALLS

JI WOO

“I’ve been worried sick!” He placed his hands on her pink cheeks.  “Are you hurt?”  He eyed me as he stepped closer towards her, like he was showing off.  Gently whispering in her ear, he acted as if I wasn’t in hearing range, “It’s ok, and you can tell me if he touched you.”

I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palm.  I spit my venom through my teeth.  “If there’s something to say, might as well say it out loud.” I breathed in slowly, making sure that my temper doesn’t get in the way. 

She looked at him blankly, her mouth gaping.  “No!  What-”

He cut her off, jerking his head at my direction.  He let off a full smile, front row teeth showing.  Game on?  Hell yeah, it is.

EUN MI

Maybe Baekho took it too far…

Good thing: he walked away at the right time.  Bad thing: he took the wrong arm when he dragged me out.  My upper right arm was apparently bruised, and it hurt more than I thought it would.  I tried to loosen his grip, but he struggled to pull me closer.  “Um…”  I couldn’t think, the pain was too excruciating.

Finally he let go, a few steps ahead of me, his hands in his pocket.  “Don’t be a weenie and say what you want to his face.  He’s not all that scary.”

“What does that have to do with anything Bae?  I wasn’t really having any problems with him.”  I looked down, my throbbing right arm felt numb.

He sighed, shaking his head.  “I don’t want you getting hurt that’s all I’m saying.  Maybe a little distance wouldn’t be bad either…”

“Maybe it’s best if you don’t tell me what to do also.” I blurted out, trying to get ahead of him so we could stop talking.  What in the world did I see in him?

****

The camp was sweet, the smell of pork barbecue swelled in the air, along with the light strums of acoustic guitars.  The sun was on the verge of setting and the fire was only growing stronger.  Both Eun Mi and Ji Woo kept distance, across each other.  Eun Mi sat a little closer to Baekho, after sharing a couple of apologies.  The whole group laughed and played, and got along with each other for once, just what Yang proposed. 

****

JI WOO

It was kinda nice, hyung and the dongsaengs were getting along with the others.  My little friendship fuse seemed to light up, but I decided not to get back into that topic.  “Iya, maybe we should do this more often huh?” I laughed, trying to ease the problems from before. 

“That would be a great idea!  If only…” In a chorus, her group members sang along with a three chord melody on the guitar.  “Nuna wasn’t so busy!”

We all laughed along, high-fiving and hugging like in those dramatic movies.  Then we sang till the end of the day, singing Replay by Shinee. 

“Nuna neomu yeppeo (geu geunyeoreul boneun naneun) Michyeo,  Replay, Replay, Replay…” We all sang.

***

EUN MI

The alarm buzzed again, annoyingly playing that up-scale tune of electronic buzzing.  My phone had never been so obnoxious.  My eyes were still glued shut, feeling across the mounds of sheets, finally grasping the object.  “Ugh!” I dragged myself to the shower and turned on the cold water.  I looked at the mirror, my tank riding up exposing my belly button.  Turning, the bruise from yesterday turned purple, a little bit bigger than it originally was.  Damn, and today was my fashion show. 

After the shower, I threw on the long, lavender, cotton-frilled bottom dress that went to my knees.  I totally felt uncomfortable.  The embroidery was great at the top, strapless and belted around with a white buckle.  It was great, but the bottom cotton-frills were going on and on with fabric that dragged behind me.  I had no choice.  I went to my usual routine: pre-show hour. 

I drove straight to the building, making sure everyone wished me luck.

“Eun Mi, why the hell are you wearing a jacket?  It’s too damn hot to go to a fashion show like that either!  Do you know what the critics will say?!” Oppa laughed, his arm around me while I looked at the dance mirrors. 

Kai decided to play critic.  “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual summer fashion show by SK Studios.  I would like to introduce you to Summer Events Team—Wait, what is that?  Is she wearing a jacket?  Wow, is that a trend these days?” He put his arm around me like Oppa, while he pointed the imaginary microphone at me. 

“Shut up.” I rolled my eyes, feeling even more embarrassed to go.  “Give me some time to play around ok?  Shoo!” I pushed him out the door. 

The room was quiet again, and the clouds seemed to overcast, a cloudy day?  I sat at the piano, taking the jacket off and exposing the purplish bruise at my right, making the whole outfit look ridiculous.  “Hmmm…” I hummed as I strummed on the keys.  Then I heard a sound of footsteps at the doorway.  It was really hard to try to pull up the jacket again, making sure that no one saw.  Too late.

His suit was stunning, his extensions pulled off and his hair gelled into sleek position.  He had a bright expression on, a smile emerging from his lips.  “You’re caught.”