SEARCHING FOR LOST TIME (CHAPTER 2)
::Chapter 2::
Jinki stared at the new guy in his class. Somehow that guy looked so much like his beloved Gwiboon. Those eyes, lips, long fingers, jaws, nose, even the way they talk is just the same.
If only Gwiboon was here, thought Jinki, then he could’ve compared his girlfriend to this new boy. This morning, Yeonhee came into his class and gave the note that Gwiboon left for him. Gwiboon stated that she wanted to do some self-improvement activity to form a better Gwiboon for Jinki to love. Not that it was a bad thing, but the fact that Gwiboon didn’t actually talked to him about her leaving to Fiji with her parents disappoint him.
So the new guy went to sit at an empty seat beside Jonghyun (Gwiboon’s seat). Kibum nervously glanced at Jinki, who looked back at him and gave a warm smile. Filled with happiness, Kibum managed to gave a small, shy smile, though his heart was thumping loud enough for Jonghyun to hear.
During the class, Kibum constantly glanced at Jinki and was giggling inwardly when the guy caught his glance and returned it with his usual good-guy smile.
But when the bell rang and students streamed out of the class to take their breaks, Kibum found himself staring at an empty space when Jinki came to talk over.
“Mind if we have lunch together?” Jinki asked.
“N-No, not at all…” Kibum replied, earning a nudge at the elbow by Jonghyun along with the ‘we’re-supposed-to-meet-Yeonhee’ look. But, Kibum ignored him and followed Jinki. Jonghyun rolled his eyes and hurried out of the class to find Kibum’s sister.
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“Kim Yeonhee?”
The short-curly haired girl looked up from her book, gazing at a tall girl in front of her. So, her name is Jung Haeyoung, her Gwiboon unnie’s rival in the school.
“Neh…” Yeonhee nodded her head timidly. She looked behind the tall girl, there were a few other girls who had evil grins and wearing scary looks. Haeyoung bowed lower to the younger girl and whispered to her ear.
“Call your unnie. Tell her to come back quickly. Someone that she loves is in danger.” Haeyoung stood up straight again. She eyed Yeonhee with a demanding look, tipped the young girl’s chin, before making her way out of the cafeteria. What did she mean by that? Yeonhee thought to herself.
“Yeonhee!”
The thinking girl was being brought back to reality when her sister’s best friend came to sit by her side.
“Where’s unnie?” Yeonhee looked for Kibum’s figure around the cafeteria.
“She went with Jinki.”
Yeonhee’s lips formed an ‘o’ and she gave a sigh. She was fighting the urge to tell Jonghyun about what happened just now. Yeonhee turned to dig into her lunchbox.
“Why are you so silent today?” Jonghyun asked, sipping his coke while staring at the girl beside him. Yeonhee shook her head slowly, not looking up at her sister’s best friend.
“You know what, I’ve known you since you’re in your diaper and I know every little secret of yours, so I’m just reminding you that if you need someone to talk to then your oppa is right here.” Jonghyun put down his coke before pulling Yeonhee’s lunchbox and digging for some food that could fill his stomach.
“Okay..I’ll tell you…” Yeonhee pouted.
“Good girl,” Jonghyun pushed the lunchbox back to her and gave a soft ruffle to her hair.
---
“Erm, so you’re here to take care of her sister while she’s away?” Jinki asked, his eyes staring at the wide football field. Kibum nodded quickly. “Do you know when she’s coming back?” Jinki couldn’t stop himself but ask.
“She seems really special to you. But, I’m sorry. I don’t know,” Kibum looked down to his hands. Did Jinki really love her when she was still a girl? If that’s the case, then Gwiboon was really a player and a heartbreaker.
“I’m sorry if my request offends you, but if you don’t mind, can you call Gwiboon and tell her I really missed her and ask her to call me back soon.” Jinki looked hopefully at Kibum.
Kibum stared back into Jinki’s eyes and gave a soft smile. He nodded his head slowly. “I will and I’m sure she misses you too.” Oh, what a convenient lie.
“Thanks, Kibum. Oh, erm, listen. I wanna go to the library to borrow a few books. Wanna go together?” Jinki asked, rather nervously.
“Love to!” Kibum nearly squealed that it made the other guy raised an eyebrow in clear oddness. Guys don’t squeal, Kibum thought to himself.
Jinki led Kibum to the library. Okay, so library isn’t the best place for Gwiboon, but Kibum can take a liking to it since he’s with Jinki. Kibum let himself being led to the back room, where all the Science books are placed. Jinki walked pass the isles to find his book, while Kibum walked around, humming songs under his breath.
“You know,” Jinki appeared behind him out of nowhere. “My girlfriend liked humming songs too.” Kibum jumped in surprise and turned to face Jinki.
“Don’t do that!” he chided, rubbing his chest slightly. Jinki grinned but he furrowed his eyebrow upon seeing a familiar necklace hung around Kibum’s neck.
“Gwiboon wears this necklace too..” he said. Kibum reached to his necklace and kept it under his uniform with a nervous smile. He realised Jinki gave him a hard look and the guy forwarded to him slightly.
“J-Jinki, what’s wrong?” Kibum asked, but he was ignored.
“You reminded me of my girlfriend,” Jinki stared into Kibum’s eyes. Kibum’s heart fluttered at the mention of her girl-self from Jinki and couldn’t help but expressed a smile.
Jinki leaned in closer to Kibum, who nervously moved backwards until his back met with the wall. His palms tightened into fists but they relaxed after Jinki’s soft lips covered Kibum’s slightly dry ones. There weren’t many people in the library today, but if anyone was going to enter the private room at the far end of the library, would see two hot-blooded males making out.
Kibum had his hands clutched to his chest, he felt Jinki’s own hands slithered around his waist. Stop it, Gwiboon. Stop it. Stop it, now. Without him realising, he was closing his eyes. But as he closed his eyes, realisation hit him and he broke the kiss.
“You can’t. Gwiboon wouldn’t like it,” Kibum said, already close to tears.
“I’m sorry.” Jinki backed away from Kibum, touching his lips. Kibum wiped his own lips before making his way out of the library. He headed to the restroom, a girls’ restroom to be exact. He pushed the door open and to his relief, Yeonhee was washing her hands at the sink. Kibum wiped off his tears before running to his sister and hugged her tightly.
“Oppa…u-unnie, what’s wrong?” Yeonhee hugged him back. Because her unnie now was taller and slightly bigger too, she found it hard to breathe when he’s hugging her this way.
“I kissed him-m,” he mumbled, sobbing uncontrollably while hugging his sister tight. Before Yeonhee could response, the restroom door was pushed open, and realising Kibum is actually inside a girls’ restroom hugging Yeonhee, Yeonhee pulled both of them inside an empty stall, and locked the door.
Kibum sat down on the toilet bowl, still sobbing. Yeonhee put a hand to his mouth, warning him to keep quiet.
“…so, what are you gonna do now, Haeyoung? Gwiboon’s not here to look after that coward Yeonhee..” said a girl.
Kibum stood up, and was about to reach the door and beat up the girls, when Yeonhee shook her head and held Kibum’s arm.
“I have a terrific plan.” Haeyoung’s voice was heard along with the running of water. From inside the stall, Kibum was crossing his arms, and biting his lips out in pure anger. He leaned closer to the door to hear but he was unable to hear a thing.
So, he backed away and stepped onto his sister’s foot. “Ow…” Yeonhee whimpered. Kibum spun around and placed a hand to her mouth.
“They’ll hear you..” he mouthed to her.
“Did I hear someone moaning? She sounds like that coward Yeonhee..” another girl said.
“I hear it too…” Haeyoung said. The girls walked closer to the stalls, pushing one by one of the stalls.
“This one is locked.” A girl said when she pushed onto Kibum and Yeonhee’s door. Kibum saw a shadow above them, and he quickly pinned his sister to the door, his face brought close to hers.
“Sluts…” the girl said.
“What?”
“Some sluts making out in here,” the girl got down from the toilet bowl.
“Psh, whatever.” The girls left the restroom. Kibum sighed heavily and backed away from his sister. He spotted the shock look in her eyes.
“What? Never been held close to a guy before?” he asked with his deep voice, shaking his sister lightly. Yeonhee absentmindedly shook her head, staring at Kibum as though he had just molest her or touched her anywhere dangerous.
“We’re sisters and stop giving me that look. You’re making me guilty.” Kibum straightened his uniform before opening the door of the stall. He walked out but suddenly turned to face his sister.
“Your hair smells nice, by the way.” He winked at his sister and left the shocked girl who was still staring into empty spaces.
---
Kibum entered his class a moment later and sat beside Jonghyun. He still had his smirk and it made Jonghyun raised an eyebrow at him.
“You look happy..” Jonghyun said to him. Kibum took out his book, nodding his head on the process. “Anything happened between you and him?”
Kibum had almost forgotten about Jinki. His smirk faded and was replaced with a worried look. He turned to look at Jinki who was writing something down in his notebook. He’s cute, Kibum thought. Kibum still remembered the kiss they shared in the library. It was so sweet. Jinki was being gentle all the way.
“Well, urm..you don’t have to know..” Kibum said to Jonghyun instead. Suddenly, a brilliant plan came across his mind. “Jonghyun-ah, why don’t I move into your apartment?”
“What? Why?” Jonghyun widened his eyes.
“I’m a guy and it’s not appropriate to stay with my sister alone in the mansion, “Kibum said.
“What? Hello, Kim Kibum..She’s your damn little sister. Don’t tell me you get turned on by her…oh wait…is your hormone changing too?” Jonghyun was rambling on and on. Kibum raised a book and smacked Jonghyun’s head with it.
The class teacher who was explaining on a certain chapter turned around at them. “Is everything okay, Kibum, Jonghyun?”
“I told you not to sleep, Jonghyun!” Kibum said loudly, earning giggles from the girls and an amused smile from Jinki.
“Wha-”
“7 rounds, Kim Jonghyun. Around the field!”
“But----”
“NOW!”
“Darn you, Gwiboon..” muttered Jonghyun through gritted teeth. He stood up from his chair and kicked his own chair.
---
Kibum packed his stuffs slowly. After saying his goodbye to Jonghyun, he walked over to Jinki’s place. The guy was looked at him with a smile.
“Hey, wanna go and grab a drink?” Kibum asked, trying to act like a guy.
“Huh? Erm, it’d be okay, I guess.” Jinki nodded gradually. He flung his bag to his shoulders and followed Kibum out of the class. Kibum grinned at Jonghyun who only gave a small smile.
When he was gone, Jonghyun let go off his bag, hearing it fall to the floor with a small thud. He dropped his whole body onto his seat and placed his head on his table, pulling at his hair with his own hand.
“Shit, shit, shit, shit…Why am I feeling like shit!” Jonghyun hit his head on the table at every ‘SHIT’ he said.
“Jonghyun-ah, you okay?” came his roommate’s voice along with a giggle which he was sure belonged to Taemin.
“You sound like you lost your love…” Taemin giggled again.
“And what do you know about love?” Jonghyun snapped at Taemin. The latter pouted but smiled again when Minho stood in front of him.
“Don’t snap at him.” Minho hissed at Jonghyun, who only rolled his eyes and went back to self-pitying himself, moaning and groaning.
“Let’s go home, hyung…” Taemin pulled Jonghyun’s hand.
“I thought we’re supposed to have dinner now..” Minho looked at Taemin.
“Oh, right…” Taemin scratched his head and held on Minho’s arm. “Let’s go then. Sorry, Jonghyun hyung.”
“Oh, great..Go, go..just go..I’ll just die in this damn big black hole alone, without no one with me. I’ll turn into dust and no one cares…No one, no one..oh, Kim Jonghyun, you’re so pathetic…” Jonghyun moaned to himself. Taemin and Minho had left him to go on their date.
Suddenly, his phone beeped. It was a message from Kibum. Jonghyun brightened a bit at the name but however sulked once more when he read the message content.
‘Jonghyun, I have a favour to ask. Please send Yeonhee home safely. I haven’t seen her at all. Thank you! <3’
Jonghyun heaved a sigh, picked up his bag and hurried out of the class.
---
Yeonhee clutched her bag to her chest. “What’s wrong? Gonna scream your unnie’s name for help?” a tall girl pushed Yeonhee’s head with her finger. Without her expecting it, a rough kick came in contact with her ribs and Yeonhee sputtered out blood.
“U-Unnie..” she whispered. The girls screamed out in a delight as they finally made the younger girl cried out her unnie’s name.
“Your unnie is in Fiji right now! She wouldn’t be here to cuddle you in her arms!” the girl Yeonhee recognised as her classmate, Insu was pulling at Yeonhee’s short, curly hair.
Yeonhee opened her eyes and saw Haeyoung standing not so far from the scene, kissing a guy whom Yeonhee recognised as her unnie’s ex-boyfriend, Suh Hocheol.
“Evil!” Yeonhee screamed out in agony. She was looking straight towards Hocheol. Haeyoung and Hocheol broke apart and the guy made his way towards Yeonhee.
“You and your sister really are something. Both of you are beautiful, no doubt. But then again, she’s not as sweet as you are. She ditched me and that was the biggest mistake she had done. No, the biggest mistake was she humiliated me in front of everyone. Do you know how it feels like being dumped and humiliated at the same time? Of course, you don’t. You never had a boyfriend before. But, I know your love is unrequited, Kim Yeonhee.” Hocheol ran a finger down Yeonhee’s cheek.
“Know what, I can get you what you want but in return, you’ll have to do something for me. Deal?”
“I don’t do deals with a cruel person!” Yeonhee spat out angrily.
“Fine then. Knew you would not agree. Take her down, girls.” Hocheol waved a hand and within seconds, a strong leg made in contact to Yeonhee’s back. More forces began hitting her body and Yeonhee only closed her eyes, hoping the pain would lessen by now.
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Preview For Chapter 3
She felt cold wet towel dabbed onto her cheeks and soft whisperings was heard from a distance. She tried to open her eyes and managed to do so after some time.
“She’s awake.”
---
“Are you sure, you’re gonna be okay, now?” Jonghyun asked Yeonhee, looking up at the big house in front of them. Yeonhee turned at him and nodded
“Positive.” The bruised girl said, trying to smile though it hurts and she had to scrunch her face a bit to endure the pain. “Thanks for sending me home..safely. Goodnight, oppa…”
Jonghyun watched as the young girl disappear into the entrance door. Poor girl. She didn’t deserve all this.
---
Kibum was in the kitchen of his new apartment cooking, when suddenly, he felt arms surrounded his waist, the back of his neck warm with Jinki’s breath.
“You smell nice..” Kibum heard him say.
“Excuse me?” Kibum spun around.
“Nothing..” Jinki rubbed their nose together before reaching for the top cabinet, searching for a glass. Kibum pouted a bit.
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