Consequences of a Best Friend (Chapter 5)
Title: Consequences of a Best Friend
Genre: Friendship, Romance
Pairing: Kyuhyun/Seohyun/Yonghwa/HyeRim
Summary: Kyuhyun and Seohyun have been best friends ever since they were kids. They treat each other like brother and sister. But Kyuhyun thinks otherwise because of his growing attraction to her. He wanted to let her know how he feels, but there are those who get in the way: Seohyun's crush on Jung Yonghwa, the school band's lead vocalist, and his own insecurities.
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CHAPTER FIVE
Kyuhyun continued touring Hye Rim to the school. He had to admit, it was pretty tiring walking around the campus since it was huge and it had taken him several days before he could show her every nook and cranny that she needed to know.
Meanwhile, Hye Rim can't help but think about what he said in the auditorium. She can't help but think about how he smiled at the mere mention of his best friend, Seohyun. She guessed they're really that close to the point that they treat each other as real brother and sister.
Also, she can't help but feel at least that she belongs in the school, because of Kyuhyun. True, she still doesn't have many friends here but now with him, she felt safe. She smiled at the thought.
This is the last day, Hye Rim thought, that they're going to spend afternoons like this. But she knows that now, they're friends. At least they can acknowledge each others' presence even without prior order of the teacher.
The walk towards the school gate was silent. Neither spoke a word, until Kyuhyun finally talked. "That's all. So if you happen to be lost again, just ask directions from somebody. The students here are not as bad as you think they are."
"I-I wasn't thinking about that." Hye Rim quickly said in defense. "I'm just not good with socializing with people I don't know."
Kyuhyun inwardly rolled her eyes. This girl is even more timid than what he expected. He grabbed her shoulders and looked at her in the eye. "Try growing a spine. Trust me, you're gonna need it."
Hye Rim's eyes widened, and blushed ten shades of red. She was surprised when he suddenly grabbed her shoulders. She was at loss for words. All she can say now is, "Y-Yes."
Kyuhyun let go and crossed his arms. "And try not to stammer. Try to be more confident. Don't depend too much on Sunye-ssi." Then he left her alone standing at the school gate.
Hye Rim was beyond dumbfounded. This was a weird way to encourage someone as timid as her. But she was really surprised when he suddenly grabbed her. She was dumbfounded on the looks of his eyes, so confident and encouraging, yet soft at the same time. Hye Rim felt her heart pounding as if it can be heard from outside.
She quickly shook off her thoughts and went to the chauffeur who was waiting for her.
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The next day was a hectic day for Seohyun. They had the whole day of practicing for the concert. She thinks Miss Kim is getting too worked up for this event. Well, she's the organizer and the welcoming committee adviser, so she's definitely busy.
Seohyun sighed while heading to the practice room, carrying her bag. She happened to pass by the practice room where she heard Kyuhyun sing the other day. Seohyun can't help but feel confused again. Why is he suddenly so distant to her?
Pabo Seohyun! You shouldn't be thinking about that! She said to herself. Maybe Kyuhyun is just troubled with something. That's what she kept telling herself. But if he's troubled, he should have told her that day, because that's what best friends do.
She was already freaking out on the inside.
"Seohyun-ssi? Are you okay?" A male voice asked out of nowhere. Seohyun literally jumped from where she was standing. "Y-Yonghwa-ssi! You startled me!"
Yonghwa just chuckled at her reaction. "I'm here for almost five minutes and you didn't notice? Maybe you were really in a trance. Why is that?"
Seohyun quickly looked away. She didn't want to let him see her expression. "I-It's nothing really. I was just thinking about the concert." She prayed that he would take that. She was not good with telling a convincing excuse.
Yonghwa didn't seem convinced, but dropped the topic, seeing that it's a bit too personal. "Okay, see you around." Then he left.
Seohyun just sighed as she continued on to her destination.
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"Seriously, I have nothing to do." Kyuhyun grumbled while in his room, lying on his bed. Just then, his phone rang. He quickly took it and answered the call. It was his sister. "Noona."
"Kyuhyun, are you slacking off again?" Ara asked, with a reprimanding tone in her voice. Kyuhyun just sighed. Sometimes, his big sister gets carried away. "No, we have no classes today."
Kyuhyun's older sister, Ara, is currently in America right now, studying. It's been a while ever since they had a conversation. Even though she's a bit too nosy on his personal life, Kyuhyun considered himself lucky to have a sister like her. "Is that so? What for? I don't remember this day being a holiday."
Kyuhyun tried to explain. He knows that she doesn't like laziness in the family. "We have an upcoming concert the day after tomorrow. So Miss Kim arranged practices for the whole day, which means those who are not participating don't have classes."
He can hear her giggle before saying, "Typical Miss Kim. Sometimes she gets too worked up with something."
"Yeah, like you who gets too worked up on my personal life." He teased. He heard her clear her throat before speaking. "So, speaking of personal life, how's your current status with Seohyun? Are you finally going out?"
Kyuhyun regretted of mentioning his sister's snooping. Once she starts asking questions, there is no other way to avoid it except by answering honestly. "Seriously, noona, don't you have better things to ask me other than Seohyun?" His sister is the only one who knows about his feelings for Seohyun. She actually just found out by herself when she caught Kyuhyun suddenly staring at his best friend with awe.
"Seriously, Kyuhyun, don't you have better things to do than just lie on your bed? You should tell her how you feel right now." It wasn't a request or a suggestion. It was an order. Kyuhyun stayed silent, not knowing what to say. "You haven't told her right?"
"No." It was a blunt, straightforward answer. He could hear his sister groaning before she said, "Ya, why don't you tell her how you feel? Better consider doing it now, before it's too late. You know that."
"I know." That was all that he said. Two words, but meant much more than that. Ara knew that. But to at least give her little brother some space to think, she decided to end their conversation. "Okay, it's your decision. Bye." Then she hung up.
His sister's words kept repeating in his head. He knows that sooner or later, he has to tell her about how he feels. After all, it has been long since he started to have feelings for her. It's been long that he's been keeping this a secret. The only one thing that scares him is possibly ruining their friendship.
Right now, he prefers to be a brother-like figure to her, as much as it hurts him.
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Hye Rim went to school that day, because she was asked by Sunye. She knows that newbies are not allowed to go to practices for it might ruin the surprise effect of the concert. But thankfully, Sunye successfully compelled Miss Kim into allowing Hye Rim to see her practice.
She tried to remember all Kyuhyun's directions. But she knows that she doesn't that of a good memory, so she ended asking. "Um, excuse me, where are the practice rooms?"
"I was just going there. Come with me." The girl said with a smile. Hye Rim sighed with relief. At least now, she's not going to be lost. Hye Rim thanked the girl and introduced herself while sticking out her hand. "Thank you. By the way, I'm Woo Hye Rim. I'm new here so I don't know much about the place."
The girl just giggled while shaking her hand. "My name's Seo Joohyun but people prefer to call me Seohyun. I thought Kyuhyun oppa toured you around right?"
Seohyun? Kyuhyun-ssi's best friend? Hye Rim's ears perked up at the mention of her name and of his name. So this is his best friend. Hye Rim smiled. She thought she was really pretty and Kyuhyun was right, she seems really friendly and approachable. "Yes. But I think this place is huge so it's hard to memorize all the places." Hye Rim said.
"I'm actually looking for Sunye unnie." Hye Rim explained. "She wanted me to visit her and see her practice."
Seohyun smiled. "Well, I was just going there so come with me." Then she took Hye Rim's hand and pulled her as she ran. Hye Rim yelped with surprise. "Seohyun-ssi!"
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Finally, Hye Rim and Seohyun meets. So what will happen next huh? Here's a quick sneak peek (again).
Kyuhyun, what's happening to us?
Okay, that's all. Please tell me what you think!