The Author | Amber X Reader | f(x) Fanfic |

Eight

I combed back my hair and tied it up. On entering the living room, I saw my parents dressed up for work.

"Y/N, we know this is exciting but please don't misuse it." My father placed a small phone in my hand with a smile. "Now that you're a senior, it's probably going to be useful."

He patted my shoulder while I grinned from ear to ear. "Thank you!" I shouted while gathering them in a hug.

The childish look on my face made them smile on their way out. "Take care you two!" They called out as the door closed.

Amber walked in and spotted my silly face. "What happened?"

I showed her the phone and we jumped around while she congratulated me.

After our little celebration ended, we locked the house and walked up to the school. We searched the bulletin board for information and then navigated our way through the building, buying our supplies.

"The kiosks are in the auditorium!" Amber told me after asking a staff member while I counted my books.

"Then off we go." We linked hands and walked towards the red brick building.

The rustling of paper and excited voices of students played like background music as we cruised the hall. We looked over the posters and talked to the representatives at almost every kiosk.

I could feel the unspoken resentment towards me with every interaction. Amber seemed to be catching on quickly.

When we reached the school sports isle, I hesitated. "Hey! I forgot, I have to talk to someone in my club. I'll be right back. You can continue, I'll meet you at the end of the isle."

"Okay." Her eyes glanced over at the volleyball club and she nodded.

I dragged the heavy bags through the maze and reached the writing club's post.

"Y/N!" The president stood up and waved at me.

"Hey Krystal! I was thinking of joining the writing club ..." Her face lit up. "So, um ..."

"Finally. You have worked with us for the past two years so you have always been an honorary member." She sat down and started writing my name on the form. "Glad to have you on the team officially!"

"Aw! Thank you! You're too sweet. How has summer been?" I asked as I placed the bags down.

"Mostly boring." She pushed the form towards me to sign. I grabbed a pen and signed it. "I heard about the camp incident ..."

"Right. It's..." Amber's words from last day rang in my ears. "It's just a rumour." I said.

Her eyebrows arched. "Then why did you quit the team? It just makes you look more suspicious." She spoke in an odd tone.

"It is a team sport. I can't play with people who think I am some kind of monster." I aggressively put down the pen and sighed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound obnoxious."

"It's frustrating. I get why you're angry." She tried to comfort me with her hand on mine.

"If you don't want me in the club, I understand. It's not great for your reputation." I looked away.

"No, no. I am happy you're here. I am happy you trust me." She said softly. "Welcome to the club!"

"Thanks!" I picked up my bags. "By the way, can you do me a favour? I'll pass by with a friend in a while. Just pretend like I have been a member for some time now." I said hastily.

"Okay? I won't ask you the reason." She giggled and filed the application.

"Thank you! I owe you one." I left her to work and worked my way through the crowd to the end of the sports isle.

"Hey! Sorry again for leaving you alone." I greeted her with a smile.

Her face gave away the pity she had for me.

"You mentioned me to them!" I closed my eyes in frustration and turned away. "Did they harass you?"

"No ... they just called you a .. they said you ... at the camp..." She recounted, not knowing what to say.

"I know what they are calling me. They called me ... that to my face last time I saw them. I know what they think of me. I know. I heard it for a whole week at the camp." I shouted at her, capturing the attention of the people around us.

Without a word, I stormed off to the far end of the auditorium.

"Wait! I didn't mean to hurt you." She told me as she stopped me with her hand on my shoulder.

"You should go alone. I'll wait near the gate. You'll get harassed or have rumours spread about you if they see you with me." I couldn't face her.

"No. Come with me! They are the ones calling you slurs. You shouldn't be the one to hide away." She held my hand and dragged me through the next isle.

"Amber ..." I spoke when she stopped to read a poster.

"Shhh. I don't care what they say. You're not going to let them walk all over you." She shut me up.

So, in heavy silence, we continued. At the writing club table, a lone friendly face greeted me.

I broke the tension between us when we returned home. "Thank you and sorry ..."

"Shh." She smiled and nodded. "We have a movie to watch, help me choose."

Thank you so much for reading!

Hugs and kisses from Cheonsa.