4th➳

I really didn't want to go to the convenient store but I needed to earn the money for Jaemin and make sure he stays out of future troubles. Plus, I was already hired so I didn't have a choice, really.

Pushing the glass door open, I caught a glance of Joshua by the cash register and headed to there without looking at him. "I'm here for the job."

Even if we caused a scene three days ago, he knew it was only human to let me work here. After all, I knew he wasn't that heartless. He was the class's sweet gentleman after all.

"Oh, Kwon Nari," Joshua greeted back, avoiding eye contact as well. "Here, put on this apron and get to work. I'll be watching you from time to time to see if you're doing a good job."

"Nae," I answered, taking the apron set on the counter table. I put my bag aside and put it on. Then, for the next four hours, I worked diligently.

We both had tip jars. By the end of my shift, it wasn't a surprise to see that Joshua had more money in his tip jar than I did. People were sexistㅡthey only tip the good-looking guys and leave the average girls working hard but was half on 3, 000 won. Tsk. Just reality and its flaws.

As I was about to leave, Joshua held me back by the wrist. "Listen, Nari, I'm... I'm sorry. I should've apologized earlier but you just kept ignoring me."

Alert. Alert. The enemy is holding onto my hand. "Let go, Joshua. Don't ever touch me in the future and don't call me by my name. I hate hearing it."

"Nari," Joshua called in a desperate voice.

"What did I just say? Don't call my name. That's your first strike," I told him, forcefully taking my hand back.

"Nari."

"Second strike."

"Can you stop and listen to me? I'm trying to apologize here. What I did was wrong of me. I... feel guilty. Please."

I scoffed and turned around to face him. "Why should I listen to the guy that pushed me down? The guy that didn't take my side? The guy who talked about caring for the other person when he ended up hurting her instead of caring?"

"Nariㅡ"

"You're just like adults," I said, staring into his eyes with my own glassy eyes. "And I hate adults."

Without another word, I left the convenient store as quickly as I could. The next time I go to work, I better avoid conversations with that dude. I don't need to be talking with someone I hated.

♥

"Hey, noona! I heard today was the first day of your part-time job. How'd it go?" asked Hoya when I returned back home. As usual, Mom was a no show. I bet show was still in a bar, passed out. Or she's sleeping in a police station. Or even in some random man's room. Heck, I don't even care what she's doing with her life.

Smiling at Hoya then giving him a hug, I replied, "Well... it was fun, I guess. Though I'm stuck working with the guy I hate."

"Really? That sucks then. But I really appreciate that you're helping Jaemin with the debt, noona. You're really responsible. Not everyone would do that," Hoya said, smiling a proud smile.

"Speaking of Jaemin, where is he?" I asked, looking around the small living room/kitchen.

"He's in your room studying. I'm going to eat dinner now. Want to eat with me?" Hoya asked before stepping into kitchen. I love this guy. He's so considerate.

I shook my head and let out an exhausted sigh. "I think I'll wash up and sleep. I'm exhausted from standing most of the time there in the convenient store."

"Okay, noona."

I entered my room and caught Jaemin sitting by the desk, studying quietly. I went inside and took a seat on the bed and looked at him.

Jaemin glanced at me for a quick second before his eyes went back to his book. In a shaky voice, he asked me, "N-noona... why do you look so tired?"

I stood up and squeezed his cheek. "It's because I'm working hard to repay that debt. If one part-time job is tiring, what happens if I had more? Aigoo! My back and feet are killing me."

"M-mianhae, noona. I shouldn't have broke that window. I'm just so stupid... Why can't I stay out of trouble? I wish I was rich so I can give you and hyung a comfortable life," Jaemin said, letting out a sigh.

I patted his head and pulled him into a hug. "Aniya, don't worry about that. Life is uncomfortable, I know that. But you can't think like everything is ending. It's just the start. If there's something I learned from Peter Pan, it's to always have fun in your youth. Worrying about the cold, cruel reality is no fun, Jaemin-a. Jaemi obsseo!"

Jaemin looked up at me and smiled. "Noona you're really cool! Keundae, Peter Pan is a guy..."

"Ara," I said, laughing.

"You can be his Lost Girl!"

"Nae?"

Jaemin broke free from the hug. "You know. Peter Pan has Lost Boys. So why not you be his Lost Girl?"

Lost Girl? I liked the sound of that. "That's a great name, Jaemin-a. See? You're creative. It's not that easy to be creative, you know?"

Jaemin smiled a bright smile. It was the first one in days.

"Okay. I gotta wash up now. Make sure you eat your dinner, okay? I'll be off to sleep after washing up," I told him, ruffling his hair playfully. "Your hyung's outside eating now. You should go join him."

"Okay, noona." Jaemin closed his book and stood up, walking to the door.

After watching him head out, I entered the bathroom and locked the door. My body was aching all around but I reminded myself that this was for Jaemin and Hoya. They shouldn't feel pressured by a debt at the age of 15 and 16. I should at least take responsibility for them since they didn't have their parents anymore.

When I think I have it hard, I have to remember that these two boys are struggling to live by the day without an adult around. I was the closest adult figure to them. Just that I was the one who acted like I was 6. Sometimes, it feels like these boys are taking care of me.

After a soothing shower, I wore an oversize t-shirt and sweatpants. Re-entering my room, I walked straight to my bed and lied down. Once my body touched the bed, exhaustion washed over me. Boy, that part-time job sure drained me.

Then my thoughts conveyed to Joshua Hong Jisoo. The annoying and most hated guy on my list, currently. Aish, what should I do with this guy, really? He nags too much like a mom and he's no fun at all. All he acts like is a gentleman adult. He doesn't believe in magic and fairy tales. Forget about him being Prince Charming. He doesn't even know who that is.

I shook my head and told myself to forget about the dude. He'll only tire me out more than I already was.

Then, my eyes felt heavy and I fell into a deep sleep.

♥

The next day at school, I wasn't surprised that the gossip hasn't died down.

Kwon Nari was slapped by Kim Jang Soo.

Kwon Nari was pushed by the new kid and gentleman, Hong Jisoo.

Kwon Nari is an outcast that even the new kid knows not to talk to her.

Bah! All this gossip will never die down as long as I'm alive and breathing. It's always me. An outcast. The girl who's always alone. But what I know is that being alone isn't that bad. It means you can have fun without someone screaming how dangerous it would be. There wouldn't be someone who'll bring down the mood because they think it's lame and boring. They're lame and boring, who are they to judge? Aish.

I took a seat in my seat, ignoring Joshua who was glancing at me with pleading eyes. There were girls that began talking again but I was too exhausted to try to cause a scene. Their mouths never cease to move, huh?

"Na..."

I knew Joshua was about to call me but I quickly took action and plugged in earphones into my ear. The best way to avoid a conversation is to be occupied with something else. I didn't want him to call my name. I didn't want him to talk to me. I just loathe him that much. He's a Captain Hook in my storyㅡthe bad guy, the adult.

Once the teacher came in, I removed my earphones and put them away. This made myself vulnerable and unprotected. That meant that I could hear Joshua talking, even if it wasn't directly to me.

"I'm sorry. I ended up turning into the guy that didn't take your side when I should've been. I've seen how the others treated you. They left you standing on your side alone. I shouldn't have done the same," Joshua whispered next to me.

I had enough of his words. I blocked out all the words that came out of his mouth, even though they sounded pleasing. I told myself not to be entertained with words. After all, they're just words.

"Okay, class. I have an exciting task for you kids to do," the art teacher announced with much glee. "You are given an assignment to get to know your partner and draw them. For example, you find out that he's sweet so you can draw him with a sweet smile on his face. Be creative, too. Maybe you can make he/she wear a dress with a smiley face."

Smiley face? Hah. That would be weird.

"Your partners have already been chosen. Just look to your leftㅡor rightㅡand there you can see your partner."

I quietly groan. Great. Just great. Just when I didn't want to get involve with him, I just did. My luck this week is not good.

"Glad to have you as my partner, Nari," Joshua said, obviously smiling a sweet smile.

"I told you to stop calling my name. Stop it while I'm still being nice," I warned him, throwing him a quick glare before recomposing myself and drifting off to a daydream. I couldn't even remember what the teachers were saying up til lunch break.

♥

Lunch break was when we fill our hungry stomachs, but I didn't feel so hungry so I didn't know what else to do for the next forty minutes. While everyone rushed to the canteen, I stayed back in class to think for a while. It was a good thing Joshua left along with the other guys. I wouldn't be bothered, which was great.

Not knowing what else to do, I decided I should just wander down the hallways of the school and pass by rooms with liberty. It wasn't like I had a friend to kill time with. My only friend was at another school and it's been a while since I contacted her.

Walking down the empty hallways alone wasn't always a great idea. So when the sound of a faint piano playing was heard, I immediately freaked out. How scary can it get? Dim lights; eerie silence; no one around; faint piano playing. This was straight out of a horror movie.

Run or die.

But just like the dumb leads in horror movies, I decided to follow the sound, even if I know it might lead to something bad. Just every horror movie, apparently.

The sound came from the third last doorㅡthe music room. Of course. Where else would a piano reside? The janitor's closet?

I lightly pushed the door opened and peeked inside, taking a look around the room. I saw a silhouette by the piano, lightly playing a tune. I hummed along to the sweet melody and slowly entered the place. The only light in here was the light at the corner of the room, so I couldn't make out who was by the piano. It could be anyone, for all I know.

I silently sat by the sides of the room, where there were chairs. Whoever was playing was so absorbed that they didn't hear me come in.

The sweet, melodious tune then switched to something more complicated and harsh. Like they were holding in a pain for so long and this was the only way to let it out.

After they were done playing, he or she let out a frustrated sigh.

"Nice tune," I said. Then realizing I just blew away my cover, I hit my head with my fist.

"Whㅡwho's there?" asked a voice.

"Woah, calm down. I'm not here to murder you or anything. I just wanted to walk around the halls then heard you playing. I got bored and sat down to enjoy the show. You're really good, by the way," I said, standing up so they could see my silhouette too.

"T... thanks. That's the first time someone's ever complimented me playing," they replied, standing up. "I should probably turn the lights on. It's dark, isn't it?"

"It sure is," I said, keeping in my laugh.

The moment the lights turned on, my eyes widened in shock when I saw who was standing there by the lights.

"Kwon Nari?"

I couldn't even mutter up his name the way he easily did.

~Author's Notes~

I wonder who that is kekeke

Comment your guesses! I want to see if anyone got it right ;)) I'll reveal who the winner is in the next chapter ;)) first come first serve :D

xoxo

Byun Sang Kyung