Chapter 21
�Kill him! Kill that motherf*cker!!!� I yelled at the top of my lungs as I pounded hard on the control buttons, uncaring if everyone inside the arcade were staring at me.

Mie Suk was stood beside me, watching me play because she had given up before we even started.

Ever since I had the confrontation with Seung Hoon a week ago, Mie Suk was probably the only person I could stand to be around with. Yes, I�ve befriended her, only because we were both miserable. She was upset that Jong Min had left without a word. I didn�t know where Jong Min was. Frankly, I didn�t really care.

�Landy, chill,� she said, taking my arm, �Games over. Look.�

She was right. The game was over. I defeated it three times already. Exhaling slowly in satisfaction, I said, �Damn, that was fun. Where to now?�

She looked at her watch. �Don�t you have to work?�

�I quit to piss off my uncle.�

Yep. I haven't been working and my uncle was more than pissed. I wanted to avoid him too.

�Damn.�

�I know.�

Mie Suk shook her head. �No, I meant damn, it�s too quiet and people are not moving. Why is that?�

�Really?�

�Hey you!� we heard someone call out behind us.

We both spun around to find Cobra and his followers lingering by the doors. Stupid Cobra, was smoking in a non-smoking place. Without his ridiculous pimp outfit, he looked much younger, around Jong Min�s age. This time he had on an expensive looking suit. His fine blond hair, was left down and he wore a hat on his head. His eyes were concealed beneath some stylish looking shades. Why did this guy always look like he was dressed for some kind of photo shoot? It was still hard to believe that this guy was related to Mie Suk because there was no resemblance at all.

I heard Mie Suk take a sharp intake of breath. I touched her arm. �Mie Suk, he�s not talking to us, is he?�

�He�s looking at us. Meaning he wants to talk to us.�

Damn. I really didn�t have the patience to deal with this kind of stuff. I was still in denial. �Still, that doesn�t mean, he�s talking to us, does it?�

He pointed directly at me and then gestured me towards him with the wave of his fingers.

Okay, maybe I was wrong to have thought he wasn�t talking to me. Bummer.

When he stepped away from the door, two others behind him, started yelling for everyone at the arcade to leave. Everyone including the employees. This Cobra guy had a way of controlling everything and everyone whenever he walked into a room. Perhaps now, was the time to start fearing him.

So I said, �I have a name. If you don�t know it, then don�t bother talking to me.�

I managed to piss off his men except for Cobra himself. I recognized the three of them. They were the ones I kicked the crap out of. I bet they were twitching to hurt me.

Cobra merely smiled, when he said, �Landy, is it?�

�Yes, it is.�

�Leave. I need to have a word or two with Mie Suk.�

That was it?! He was letting me go? I might have jumped for joy until I realized that Mie Suk was almost shaking. It was either from anger or fear. Or maybe both. I couldn�t bear to leave her now.

�Go,� she nearly hissed as she shoved me forward.

I looked at her to Cobra, wondering if he was heartless enough to hurt her. I couldn�t be sure. �I am staying and you can�t make me leave.�

Mie Suk rolled her eyes before she said in exasperation. �I might not be able to make you leave but those guys would.�

�If they make me leave then I�ll be sure to drag you along with me.�

Mie Suk�s eyes suddenly became glossy. She was probably thinking that I was a loyal friend.

�Are you two done yet?� Cobra�s voice intervened.

�And if I stay?�

�This is a private matter. You should really learn how to respect people�s privacy.�

�Have you ever thought about telling yourself that? I�m sure it would help you a lot.�

�Your mouth will get you in trouble one day.�

I took a defiant step forward. �It already has.�

Mie Suk put a hand on my shoulder, warning me. �Landy, don�t worry about me.�

�How can I not? Just look at him and his goons. They�re the same idiots who hurt you the other time.�

One of Cobra�s men let out a, �Doh!�

That�s when I turned to face them, coming to a new discovery. �Did you order your men to hurt Mie Suk?�

I caught the nervous expressions on his men, and I had to laugh. They watched me with their eyes filled with hatred. I held onto my stomach and tried to contain myself. �These dumb-asses haven�t told you, have they?�

He didn�t say anything as he turned to look at his men. Running his eyes over each of them in an observatory manner. �Leave me,� he ordered them.

They complied immediately, leaving only three of us inside the arcade.

He turned back to face us. �Did they hurt you Mie Suk?�

Wow, I never expected to hear such a tone coming from Cobra. Perhaps he did care after all.

Mie Suk had her face downward, unwilling to look at her brother. She didn�t answer him.

He came toward her but she brushed him off. �Don�t touch me, damn you!� she burst.

He took another hesitant step toward her. �Mie Suk, I�m sorry. I�m sorry for everything that happened in the past.�

I wondered what happened in the past between Mie Suk and her brother that caused them to become enemies. I take it, it was all Cobra's fault since he was the one apologizing.

�Don�t come near me!�

Cobra persisted and I had enough of watching him behaving like an idiot. So I acted out the way any rational-minded person would have. Or at least I thought I did�

Tapping on his shoulder, I made him turned around, before giving him a blow to the face. �She said for you to leave her alone.�

He fell back. This was the perfect Kodak moment. He was glaring at me, even if I couldn�t see his eyes.

Staring down at him, I said, �Sorry, you made me do it.�

�You little b*tch!� he cursed.

It didn�t take much to piss him off. He was nothing like Jong Min. �On second thought, I�m not sorry. Only sorry that I couldn�t punch you harder.�

That was when Mie Suk grabbed my arm and yanked me along with her, running out of the arcade. She ran like she was running a marathon. We finally came to a stop when we were two blocks away.

She tried to catch her breath. �Damn, Landy. Shouldn�t have done that. Now you�re really in for it.�

�I know I shouldn�t.�

�Then why you do it for?�

�Because I felt like it.�

�Damn, I can�t even begin how to tell the others.�

�I�ll tell them myself.�

�They wouldn�t like it.�

�Heck, if I care.�

Chapter 22
�So then---I uh---I kinda knocked him the face like this,� I explained, fumbling through my words and using Dumbo as an example of Cobra. �So he fell,� I shoved Dumbo down harder than I intended and he looked quite surprised.

�Hey!�

�Sorry,� I apologized, offering my hand to help him up.

�Enough Landy. We�ve heard quite enough,� Woojin said, looking irritated. He scratched his neck in frustration. �Where the f*ck is Jong Min when we need him?�

�You�re his second-in-command, how come you know nothing?� Mie Suk scowled.

�Tell me what I should do, Oh wise one.�

�Get a brain. That�s what you should do,� she retorted, causing everyone to laugh.

Woojin shot everyone a glare to shut them up. �You guys are pathetic.�

�We�re pathetic? What the hell were you doing all day? Just because we disturbed your little rest, doesn�t give you the right to call us pathetic, when you, yourself was goin� off drunk last night with some ho� you met at the bar!�

The guys let out a, �Ohhhhhhhh.�

Given the circumstances, Mie Suk really told him off. Woojin, was standing naked, only with only his boxers on. He was being immodest. I could understand why. The guy had a fine body. He was one of those guys with a lean physique made of muscles. Any girl would be lucky to see him that way. The only problem was, they would be turned off by smear of lipstick prints all over his chest.

When we arrived, Mie Suk had stormed into the room and force some chick out of the room. The chick did leave, but not before receiving some vile curses from Mie Suk�s mouth.

Gosh, I was really starting to like Mie Suk. She was so cool. She was like the eye of the gang. She watched out for them whenever they neglected to watch over themselves. I was wrong to have thought she didn�t belong with them.

That stupid Woojin had no right to be angry at anyone but himself.

�Mie Suk if you---�

She stepped up to him. �If I what? What can you do to me?!�

Ahhh, damn the tension. I could sense it pouring out of the both of them.

�I need to talk to you,� he forced his words out.

�Talk.�

�Not here! In the room!�

�Don�t you raise your voice at me Woojin!�

Damn. Watching their exchange of remarks was quite amusing and yet cute. Wait---was I missing the point here? It was so obvious that Woojin had a thing for Mie Suk. And Mie Suk had a thing for Jong Min. Dammit, why was Jong Min always in the way of everything!

He grabbed her arm and dragged her into the room. And that�s when the rest of the guys brought something out from their pockets to shove it in their ears. Earplugs?

Dumbo came over to me, handing me earplugs. �You�re not gonna like it.�

�Why not?� I asked, taking the earplugs from him.

�Huh? What was that?�

Now I could understand why I called him Dumbo. It wasn�t for his ears.

�Forget it. I�m leaving.� I waved them goodbye and pointed to the door to show them that I was leaving. They all nodded and waved in returned.

The moment I stepped outside, raindrops came falling down on me. I hope it wouldn�t thunder. Not that I was afraid. It was different, without�

�Quit thinking about him,� I had to remind myself as I took off, neglecting to look up as I ran, only to bump into�

�into Jong Min whose hair and clothes were all soaked. I think we stared into each other�s eyes for the longest time until he pulled me towards him, holding me tightly against him.

�I�m sorry, Landy,� he murmured softly, before falling to his knees, bringing me down with him.

�Jong Min, what the hell---� I didn�t finish what I wanted to say. The crimson stain on his shirt was enough to tell me that he had been hurt. My heart suddenly pounded ten times faster than its usual rate.

His eyes were closed. I tapped on the side of his face to keep him awake. �Jong Min, wake up!�

He shook his head slightly, hearing my voice. �Bring me�bring me upstairs��

�No, we�re going to the hospital.�

�It won�t�be�safe there.�

�How do you---�

�Don�t ask a stupid question Landy. Just do�as I say. My phone is in my back pocket. Get it. Call Woojin.�

He collapsed against me, with his head on my shoulder. I did as told, feeling the tears coming down. �Keep awake dammit!� I told him as I began dialing Woojin�s number.

When Woojin picked up, I said, �Come down quick. Jong Min�s in trouble.� Then I hung up, focusing my attention back to him.

Why did it have to happen now? Why did Jong Min have to return in the worst possible way?

�No, I won�t let you sleep dammit!� I yelled, lifting his face so I could look at him. �JONG MIN, IF YOU DON�T WAKE UP, I WILL CUT OFF YOUR HAIR!!�

He managed to half smile. �You wouldn�t dare. I hear you. My eyes are just closed.�

�Liar!! Open your damn eyes and show me that you�re awake!!�

He slowly lifted his lids and stared into me, mouthing another apology.

�Why are you sorry---� Too late. His mouth was already on mine. He was kissing me dammit! And he was doing it so well. Gosh, was this how it was like to be kissed? Were you suppose to feel all tingly inside and react by wrapping your arms around the person like you never want to let them go?

If it wasn�t for his injury, I might have pulled away. Okay, maybe not. But still, I couldn�t possibly allow him to do this to me again. Could I?

�I thought Jong Min was hurt?� came the voice to my right.

That�s when I pulled away from him and looked up at Woojin, trying hard to conceal my embarrassment. �Uh---he�s bleeding.�

Woojin noticed the blood and lowered himself to help support Jong Min up. �Sh*t, he�s been stabbed. Let�s go.�

Crap. Jong Min was back just when I thought I could get over him. Too add on to that. That bastard just kissed me. To make it worst, he�s been stabbed, and my heart cries out to him because I don�t want him to die. And dammit, was I crying again?

Chapter 23
�Woojin�s main goal in life is to become a surgeon?� I asked Mie Suk in surprise, as we waited outside the bedroom door.

Mie Suk rolled her eyes when she said, �Yeah, I bet you look at all of us the same way. That we�re a bunch of lowlifes and misfits with no future ahead of us.�

I was quite surprised. If they all had bright futures ahead of them, then why were they in a gang?

As if reading my mind, Mie Suk said, �Don�t ask.�

Woojin came out of the room once he was done and looked from me to Mie Suk. And it was Mie Suk, that he regarded. �The cut wasn�t as deep as I thought it would be. He�ll live. He just needs to rest.�

�Can I go in and look at him?�

Before he even agreed, Mie Suk had already shouldered her way through the door. I stood there in hesitancy, fighting the urge to want to do the same. But then Mie Suk was there already. She had every right to check on him. I didn�t.

�So he�s okay? I can go home now right?�

Woojin just looked at me for a moment, trying to detect something. I bet he was trying to see through me. �We need to talk outside.�

He led me out into the hallway and paced back in forth in nervousness before he began talking. �What happened between you two out there, I�m gonna pretend like it never happened.�

I hope he didn�t take everything out of proportion. �Woojin, you have to understand that it was unintentional---�

He cut me off. �Just don�t do it again.�

I couldn�t tell whether he was doing good for Jong Min or Mie Suk. It was evident that he was afraid that I would intervene in their friendship. He knew that Mie Suk liked Jong Min and yet he was willing to withhold his own feelings so that he could make her happy. Is this what love really all about? Sacrificing your own feelings?

I had to have my say. �It won�t. It can�t happen again because---�

He finished for me. �There�s nothing going on between you two.�

Seeing it all unwind, now I finally understood my role. I only played a small part in Jong Min�s life. Nobody important to him, just someone who was there. Just because I was apart of the gang, didn�t mean they all accepted me. I didn�t belong with them. Furthermore, I knew nothing of them. Once again, I felt like the outcast. Once an outcast, always an outcast.

�Ever since you joined, Jong Min hasn�t been the same.�

Ah, I see where this was going. Woojin wanted me out. He wanted to be as far away from Jong Min as possible. Seems as if lately, people couldn�t stand to be around me. Was I that much of a bother?

�I�m not sorry for joining because I never wanted to join in the first place. I�m only sorry that I changed Jong Min. Tell Jong Min that I quit. I can�t take any more of this crap.� I turned from him to leave and craned my head to add, �By the way, tell Mie Suk that I�m sorry for all the mean things I said to her. And that---� I paused to swallow the lump that slid up my throat, �that it was nice while it lasted.�

* * *

On my way home, I kept thinking about Jong Min. And somehow my mind conjured up the memory of the night when we had gotten drunk together�

.:: Flashblack ::.

�Truth or dare?� I asked him, taking swig of Vodka that Jong Min was used to drinking. I nearly gagged. �Gah, this stuff is so bad for you.�

�Truth,� he answered. �Ask what you want.�

�Your full name, please.�

�Kim Jong Min.�

I repeated after him. �Kim---Jong Min.� I burped. �It doesn�t flow so freely outta my mouth when I�m this drunk. Oh well. It�s nice.�

�My turn.�

I really wanted to know something else. I just couldn�t figure out the question. �No, wait. One more question.�

�It doesn�t work that way.�

What did I wanted to ask him? I shook my head. �I don�t care! I�m asking you another one!�

�Go ahead, but I won�t answer it,� he said, grabbing the bottle from my hand and drank it like it had no affect on him.

My face grew warm to the point that it almost burned. �Hey, I think there�s something wrong with this game. Are we even supposed to drink while we�re playing? And how is this working out, when they�re only two of us?�

He shrugged. �It�s how I like to play.�

At this point, I really couldn�t understand him at all. �We�re not gonna remember this night.�

�You may not, but I would.�

�You wouldn�t!�

�I would.�

I chuckled at him, finding it amusing. How could anyone this drunk remember?

�My turn. Truth or dare?�

I looked at him in confusion. �Isn�t this spin the bottle? How come you�re asking without spinning the bottle first?�

�It�s called spin the bottle, but it doesn�t necessarily mean that we have to spin it.�

I grabbed the bottle of Vodka from him, sending a glare his way. �Then the game is called Truth or Dare. Not spin the bottle,� I argued.

Hey, even if I was drunk. I had enough sense to know the difference. I don�t think Jong Min did.

�What�s the difference?�

�There is---�

�Landy, stop it.�

�Stop playing?�

�Stop drinking. You�ve had enough for one night.� He moved in closer to remove the bottle from my hand.

Damn, he was this close and I had to be drunk. Tee hee, I could see that Jong Min had two heads.

Brushing the strands of hair back from my face, he said, �You�re so drunk, you wouldn�t even know it, if a guy is trying to take advantage of you.�

�I would.�

I think his one eyebrow rose in question. �Really? How can you tell?�

�When he�s sitting this close to me, like you are, and he�s speaking softly, like you are. And if he�s playing with my hair, like you are. Hey---come to think of it now---you�re trying to come on to me!�

�Alright. You can tell. But what if he wasn�t as drunk as you thought he was? And he forces himself upon you. Let�s say you�re near passing out. What would you do?�

�Nothing.�

He laughed. �Nothing? You would have a guy take advantage of you?�

�Just because I get drunk with you, doesn�t mean I�m gonna get drunk with every other guy. This is my first and will be my last. Besides, I can tell that you�re not the type to force yourself upon a woman. Even if you are, you wouldn�t have the chance.�

�Why do you say that?�

I smiled, lifting up the empty whiskey bottle to show him. �Bottle in hand. I�d have this shattered against your head in an instant before you lay your hands on me.�

He smiled in return. �I�ve overlooked your drunkenness.�

I burped. This time it was a different kind of burp. My stomach started feeling weird and I could feel the hot saliva traveling up my throat. �Jong Min?�

�What is it?�

�I need help to the restroom. I think I�m gonna puke.�

.:: End of flashback ::.


The next thing I knew, a Black Jaguar convertible pulled up along the street beside me. Guess who was driving it?

Stupid Cobra was.

�Want a ride home?�

�No,� I answered, without bothering to look at him.

�Let�s not make this difficult. Get in.�

That�s when I gazed around me to realized that five of his men were closing in on me. You see, I might have fought them but I didn�t bother. At this point, I really didn�t care. So I agreed to get into the convertible.

Once I was seated, he asked, �What�s your relationship with Jong Min?�

�I know him. What does tell you?�

�Everyone claims they know him. So that tells me nothing.�

�What do you want?�

He glanced at me and grinned sheepishly. �What do you think I want?�

�You tell me.�

�For punching me, you owe me.�

�Why should I owe you for punching you?�

�Because you�ll regret it if you don�t.�

�Is that a threat?�

�Could be.�

�Drop me off here.�

�We�re not done our discussion.�

I glared at him. Gosh, why were there so many idiots in this world?

�I say we�re finished. And we are.�

�Not until I say so.�

�It always works that way with you, doesn�t it? You can continue to talk yourself if you�d like. I can just sit here and act like a dummy.�

�Go ahead and act like a dummy, that means I can do more than just talking.�

I was really becoming quite annoyed with this Cobra guy because I just realized that he may be the biggest flirt in the world.

�I�ll let you go, so long as you agree to something first.�

Here we go again. What is with men and having you to agree with them? �What is that?�

�That we will see more of each other.�

�I�ve no doubt about that. What�s the catch?�

�If you disagree, I can�t guarantee what will happen to Jong Min and his men.�

I almost froze, suddenly worried. Then I thought about it. �I don�t care what happens to them. That�s their business.�

�And Mie Suk?�

My heart jumped from Cobra�s mentioning of his sister. Perhaps now I should really take Cobra�s threats a little more serious. Now I could see why they hated him so much. �You would hurt your own sister?�

�If it has to come to that. Yes, I would.�

�You heartless bastard.�

�Will you agree?�

�I�ve no choice.�

�That settles it then.� He slowed the car down to a stop. �You�re free to go.�

I was out of there in a flash. He blew me a kiss before driving away. �See you later.�

That�s when I took off my shoe in anger and flung it at his car. Take that, you arrogant son-of-a-b*tch! He turned his head to look back in shock and I was off in running with only one shoe on, hating myself for agreeing.

Chapter 24
Two days later�

(Jong Min�s POV)

�Where the hell is she, Woojin!!� I asked, holding him against the wall. Despite the pain that traveled from wound, I was too damn angry to care.

He was choking for air. �Let---go first.�

Mie Suk came to pull my arm away. �Let him go.�

I loosened my grip and released him. �What did she say to you?�

�That she quit.�

I shot him a cold look. �She can�t just quit. It doesn�t work that way, unless I say so.�

The loser tried to argue with me. �But---�

�Jong Min�s right, Woojin. Jong Min decides who leaves and who stays,� Mie Suk interjected.

�But all the other guys agreed.�

I was on him again. �Listen you imbecile, you�re not the leader here. I am!!�

�Alright. Alright, I�m sorry.�

�You�re sorry?�

Killer Mouth knocked on the bedroom door, interrupting us. �Jong Min, there�s someone here to see you.�

�Could be Landy?� asked Woojin, as he slipped from my grasp. He hurried over to the door and standing there wasn�t Landy but Anna.

What was she doing here? After all that happened. She had the nerve to come and see me?

I could feel Mie Suk and Woojin�s eyes on me, seeking for answers. �Woojin, Mie Suk, get out.�

Mie Suk wanted to protest but I said, �Just, get out.�

They complied and I watched them leave, before motioning for Anna to enter. She nodded and closed the door after her. She took a moment to think about what she wanted to say, before turning around to face me.

She ran her eyes over me, staring at the bandages that Woojin had wrapped around my stomach. Tears welled in her eyes. �I wanted to come and apologize for what happened, I didn�t mean---�

�To stab me?�

She sank to her knees. �I�m sorry, Jong Min. If I could take it all back. I would. I was drunk and my emotions were running wild. I couldn�t bear for you to leave me. I only wanted you there. I was afraid you might go running off to Landy.�

Spending time with Anna, I finally came to see a different side of her. She had been emotionally detached from her parents the same way I was. All her life, she never gotten the love and attention that she wanted. She thought I could give her that. Up until I confronted her about how I felt towards her. What surprised me the most was how much hatred she showed towards her own friend. At the mention of Landy�s name, she had snapped. This couldn�t be the sweet and caring person that I knew when we first met.

�You shouldn�t have threatened to put a knife to your own throat,� I said, turning around, unwilling to face her.

She sobbed and came to wrap her arms around me. �I�m sorry. I�m so sorry. Please forgive me.�

I disengaged myself from her and said, �Please leave, Anna.�

�I can�t.�

I forced myself to look down at her. �For now, I need time.�

She wiped her eyes and nodded. And then she was gone. I shut the door and locked it before going over to the bed and dropping down tiredly. I reached for my phone on the night stand and began to dial Landy�s house number.

When the other person on the line answered, I asked for Landy. There was a pause on the phone and some whispering going on.

�Landy? She�s out right now,� came the reply.

�Do you happen to know where she went?�

�Are you dating my granddaughter? What�s your name, young man?�

�Kim Jong Min. And no, I�m not dating your granddaughter.�

�Then why are you calling for?�

�Because I need to talk to her. It�s urgent.�

Some more whispering went on and she came back on the line. �I can�t lie to you. She�s here. She just doesn�t want to talk.�

�Could you tell her that if she doesn�t want to talk over the phone, then I�ll have to go over there myself.�

There was another short pause until she came on again. �She says for you to leave her alone. She doesn�t want to be bothered.�

�Tell her that I wouldn�t bother her if, it wasn�t urgent.�

�You tell her yourself. I�m nobody�s messenger!� And then she hung up.

A short moment later as I was gazing up into the ceiling, the phone rang again, just as I anticipated. It was Landy�s house number.

�Jong Min?�

Damn, just hearing her voice, made me ache for her. �Landy, you called me back.�

�That�s because I don�t want you calling back and I don�t want you to come over.�

�I thought so.�

There was a silent pause.

�Didn�t Woojin leave the message for you?�

�He did.�

�Then why are we having this conversation?�

�Because I know the reason why you quit. Woojin must�ve said something to force you to leave.�

�What makes you say that?�

�He admitted himself,� I lied.

�No, I quit myself.�

�You can�t quit.�

�Why not?�

�Because you�re not allowed to.�

�Then what do I have to do to get out?�

�Nothing, because you aren�t quitting.�

�I am!�

�You�re raising your voice again.�

"So what if I raise my voice?"

"You think it's gonna make me feel inferior?"

"No."

"Then don't raise your voice."

�Don�t do this to me, Jong Min. I put up with too much crap lately and I can�t take anymore.�

She sounded like she wanted to cry again. �Don�t you cry, Landy.�

�I am not. And I won�t!�

�Have you thought about it?�

�About quitting?�

I smiled when I said, �No, about that kiss.�

�That kiss meant nothing. And it wasn�t a kiss.�

�Then what was it?�

She didn�t answer me.

�I need to see you.�

�No, you don�t.�

�Why do you think I called?�

�Because you�re being an a$$ again.�

�Does that mean that when I don�t call, I�m not being an a$$?�

�Urgh!!�

�Landy, I�m coming over.�

�You are not!!�

�Then come and see me.�

�I can�t. It�s late.�

�Then I�ll go over.�

�No, don�t. You�re hurt. Fine, I�ll go see you,� she mumbled.

�Thank you.�

�Shut up. I�m hanging up.�

�Do it then. Don�t tell me.�

She did.

I stared at the phone and put then put it aside, feeling satisfied that I managed to win over her.

Chapter 25
Have you ever stood someone up? Yes, that�s exactly what I did to Jong Min. After all the stuff he put me through, did he really think I was going to return to him? I know I have a problem of letting go of my past, but I could learn to live with it. If Jong Min could go off doing his own things, why couldn�t I do the same? It�s not like we were in some kind of relationship and I had to be bound to him forever. No way. We lived our own separate lives and he has no right to boss me around or make me do things I didn�t want to. Nor does that Cobra loser. Not anyone but myself.

�Sis, you okay?� asked Soo Hyun who was speaking to someone on his cell phone.

�I�m fine.�

�No, you�re not,� interjected Soo Min who was stretched out inside my bedroom floor, reading a fashion magazine.

I was glad that they decided to keep me company. Seems lately, I felt I needed them around more. I only wanted to feel normal again. I wanted to be carefree. I wanted to be the person I was before I met Jong Min. �He�ll be angry with me, wouldn�t he?� I asked, plopping down next to my sister.

Soo Min pushed to sit up. �You like him that much, to be concerned about how he feels about you not showing up?�

�Obviously, if she didn�t like him, then why is she stressing over him?� Soo Hyun replied. Then he quickly apologized to the person on the other end of the line. �No, no. I wasn�t talking to you. Don�t---don�t---don�t hang up on me!�

He tossed his phone on the bed. �Sh*t!�

I tried my best to ignore his foul language and said, �I am not stressing over him.�

They both stared at me, not entirely convinced.

�You know what, who gives a f*ck what he does. I don�t f*cking care any more. He can go f*ck a cow for all I care. If anyone of you so much as mentions his name again, I�ll make sure you that you take your word back.�

Soo Hyun cringed as he tugged on his earlobe. �Damn sis, I�ve never seen you swear this much before.�

�Then you should see her when she�s pissed off. She�s like an cussing energizing bunny that never shuts up.� Soo Min laughed. �She�s like some kind of f*cking swearing machine.�

Both me and Soo Hyun quickly looked to Soo Min in utter surprise. She looked clueless when she asked, �Huh? What did I say wrong?�

Soo Hyun chuckled before saying, �You just f*cken swore, that�s what you did.�

I glared at Soo Hyun who tried his best not to laugh. �I only wanted to join in on the swearing. Sorry sis.�

�No more swearing from now on.� I tapped Soo Min�s back. �Get up, it�s time for bed.�

�Can�t we sleep in here tonight?� she whined, laying back down, with her hair spreading around her like a silk cape.

My beautiful younger sister. I hated that she always had to look pretty. Before I could answer her, Soo Hyun squeezed himself in between us, laying down with his arms supporting the back of his head. �So what is this? Some kind of sleepover? Count me in too.�

"You're acting gay, Soo Hyun."

Soo Hyun stuck his tongue at Soo Min.

I pulled on his arm. �You little bum, go to sleep. Don�t you have to talk to your many girlfriends?�

�One night without talking, isn�t gonna hurt. Besides, I�m sick and tired of hearing them talk about the same dumb stuff. Soo Hyun, Oppa, could you take me shopping? Soo Hyun, will you have lunch with me tomorrow? Soo Hyun, would you like to go to the movies with me? Damn, that�s what I get for being gifted with such good looks. Not once, have I done the asking out. It�s a damn curse.�

Wow, this was the first that Soo Hyun admitted that he was tired of being around his girls.

Soo Min snorted in response. �Whatever, dummy. Not every girl falls for your charms. Remember that one girl, in our school. That girl with the thick coke bottle glasses. Now she�s a gem. She totally dissed you that one day when you were forced to be lab partners with her.� Soo Min paused to think about something as she bit on her lower lip. �If I remember correctly, you said to her, �I can�t work with you unless you do all the work.� And then she said, �Admit it. You�re intimidated by my brains. You�re afraid that I might make you look dumb. Face it, I make you look pretty and you make me look smart. So that makes us even.�

Both me and Soo Hyun broke into a wild laughter. �Gosh, who�s this girl? I would like to meet her.�

�She�s some nerd with a bad attitude. You don�t want to meet her,� Soo Hyun quickly answered. �And I don�t want to talk about it.�

I looked over to Soo Min whose brows rose in question. �Why are you looking at me that way?�

�You have anything to say to me?�

�No. No way. Remember I told you, I�ll remain a virgin forever. I take no interest in men.�

Soo Hyun quickly sat up, his jaw dropping open. �Soo Min, you�re a lesbian?! It�s no wonder why half the guys in our school go around calling you the ice princess. And the girls calling you a lesbian.�

Soo Min slapped his arm. �No, you dumb-a$$. I just think men are total jerks all together. They�re only after one thing.�

�And what is that?� Soo Hyun asked.

�You tell me.�

�There are guys out there who knows how to treat a woman right. Men like me.�

�If you know how to treat a woman so right, then you wouldn�t be calling four or five of them every night. And you�re not a man yet. You�re still in your teens. Tell me that again when you reach your adulthood, I might believe you.�

Call me ignorant but how come Soo Min seem to know so much about relationships?

I still couldn�t figure out why Soo Min was so against men in general. People like her can�t just hate for no apparent reason. She probably had some bad experience with some guy that I didn�t know of. Damn. How could she? She was only sixteen. Unless she had been hiding it all along. You know what? I�ve just come to realized that I knew nothing of what went on with the two of them. Nice sister I was.

Soo Hyun suddenly turned defensive. �I don�t call them. They call me. And they�re only friends. Who says I�m playing them all at once? Just because that cheating bastard hurt you, doesn�t mean you have to look at every single men the same way.�

My heart jittered in surprise. What the hell?! Soo Min had a boyfriend?

Soo Min sat up fully, steaming with anger. �You promised you wouldn�t say anything!�

�Quit it, you two!� I warned.

They continued to make faces at each other. �Who�s this bastard Soo Min?�

Soo Min avoided looking at me. �Just someone, you don�t know.�

�Then maybe I should know him. Who�s this jerk?� I prodded, growing more curious.

�He�s not worth it,� Soo Hyun put in. �Let�s leave it alone.�

Soo Min nearly pouted when she said, �Thanks Soo Hyun.�

�Whatever,� Soo Hyun replied.

�Okay fine. Bedtime,� I said, going over to my bed, having the brats follow after me. �We can�t fit on the bed.�

Soo Hyun went to my left and Soo Min to my right. �We�ll manage,� they both said.

I gestured for Soo Min to turn off the lamplight.

Once everyone was settled in, we all stared blankly at the ceiling. And it was Soo Min who talked first. �Seung Hoon called today. He said he needed to talk to you.�

Seung Hoon? Gosh, I did miss him. I wanted to see him again. If there was anyone who could light up the room with a smile, it was Seung Hoon only. �I miss him.�

Soo Hyun poked the side of my ribs. �You know, sis. I really think Seung Hoon isn�t gay.�

�I agree.�

I turned my head both ways to look at them through the darkness. �What makes you two so sure?�

�Soo Hyun, should we tell her?�

�You do it.�

�Okay.�

I waited, attempting to hold my anger in. Not after all those years. Seung Hoon couldn�t have lied to me. He has to be gay!

�We saw how he was acting around Anna that night of the party. He was there, stuck by her side like glue. Not once did he leave her, even when she was confronting---uh---� she paused, trying to think of a substitute name for Jong Min, �hot gang leader with messy hair.�

�So? He�s only being a friend.�

That�s when Soo Hyun cut in. �We�re not done yet, sis.�

�Yeah, we knew Anna was upset so we went over to see how she was doing. Seung Hoon insisted that he was taking her out of there. So we let them go. And it was Soo Hyun�s idea to follow after them. So we did. We followed them to the park where Seung Hoon kept trying to calm Anna down. And then outta nowhere, she was hugging him. It was like she was used to it. Like, it happened before. I couldn�t hear what they were saying because stupid Soo Hyun kept whispering to me about Seung Hoon not being gay. But then�.�

I swallowed in nervousness. �Then?�

�They kissed,� interjected Soo Hyun. �They made out. They did the girlfriend and boyfriend thing---�

I elbowed Soo Hyun in the ribs to get him to shut up. Noooooooooooo! How could that happen? Seung Hoon had to be gay. He would never lie to me!

�Yeah. Seung Hoon lied to you. Now we all know why he did it. He had a thing for Anna back then, and he still does. He wasn�t man enough to tell you the truth because he was afraid to hurt you. So he had to lie,� Soo Min continued.

How could I have missed all the clear signs? What about at the party when he was whispering sweet nothings into her ear? How had he felt when were at McDonalds seeing that Anna was flirting openly with Jong Min? Was that the real reason he persisted to bug me, so that he could make her jealous? And when he confronted me, he seemed too concerned. Damn it hurts too much to think about it.

�You know what sis, we think Anna and Seung Hoon, might�ve been keeping this secret from you.�

I thought about our conversation at the party.

�Are you sure, he�s really gay?�

�I know. He makes you blush, doesn�t he?�

�If Seung Hoon has this kind of effect on me already---�

�Don�t even think about it. Park Seung Hoon will be my keepsake and no one else�s.�

�Hey remember, you weren�t the only one who had a crush on him.�

�That�s why I made certain that I was the only one who was allowed to have a crush on him.�

I forced myself not to cry. I hated Seung Hoon for making me believe he was gay. He done that all for Anna. Not me. And what about Anna? Had she known all along? How could she have kept it from me?

�Soo Min, Soo Hyun?�

�Yeah?� they both answered in unison.

�Feel like screaming with me?�

�Sure.�

Whenever I couldn�t find a different way of releasing my anger and Soo Min and Soo Hyun were there with me. I had to scream, even if it meant waking up our neighbors in the middle of the night and getting in trouble by my mother.

�On the count of three,� I said.

�One�two---�

Soo Hyun shifted uncomfortably. �Wait, hold up.�

�What is it, Soo Hyun?�

�Can we add a swearing word to it?�

�Okay,� I agreed.

�I HATE THIS F*CKING WORLD!!!� we yelled out at the top of our lungs.

When we heard our mother�s voice, I said, �I�m taking the front door.�

I was up and jumping off the bed, running out the door. I heard Soo Min coming right behind me. �I�m with you, sis!�

Then I heard Soo Hyun not far behind. �Aww not again. I�m coming too!!�