Chapter 3: Trouble Maker
EUNJI
"Okay, what did he do?" Zelo asked as we got in the car.
"Nothing," I sighed.
"Liar,"
"He just has it in his head that we're going to sleep together because, I don't know? He thinks he's attractive enough to just tell a girl that they should sleep with him and the fall over themselves to oblige. But I have said no more than once and I've made it very clear that it's not going to happen, but he keeps looking for a reason for me saying no. Like, am I a lesbian? Or do I have a boyfriend?" I vented.
"By the sounds of it, he doesn't hear the word no very often," Zelo stated.
"Well he needs to get used to hearing it from me," I huffed sinking into my seat.
"Did you put on your big girl pants today?"
"What?"
"Did you tell him off?"
"Kind of," I sighed.
"Is that why you hugged me? Because you were having an anxiety attack? Not because you missed me?" he faked hurt.
"It was a bit of both," I shot back.
"Rude," he shook his head.
It didn't take long to get to the B.A.P dorm, Zelo parked the car and came over to open my door. I stepped out of the car and he pulled me into a hug.
"I can't breath,"
"Sorry, I wanted a proper hug, not a 'save me' hug," he poked his tongue out at me.
I just shook my head at him following him up to their dorm, Daehyun was on the lounge flicking through TV channels, I was guessing by the lack of noise that he was the only one home.
"Hello gorgeous," he winked at me.
"Dae," I gave him a side smile.
"No," Zelo stated.
"If you're not going to make your move, then I have no reason to stop," Daehyun stated.
"Where is everyone else?"
"Bang is in his room working on some new stuff and everyone else went home for the night,"
"You didn't want to?"
"We have to be at the company pretty early so it would be pointless for me to go home," he shrugged.
"You should have told me that you had to be at the company early," I frowned at Zelo.
"Why?" he shrugged.
"Because then I would have just stayed home,"
"You needed rescuing,"
"Why did you need rescuing?" Daehyun questioned, sitting up properly on the couch so I could sit down.
"I didn't really,"
"Liar, she moved in with Gunwoo's group. One of the guys is giving her a hard time," Zelo filled him in.
"What do you mean a hard time?" Daehyun frowned.
"He just keeps flirting with me,"
"Uhuh, it's not flirting. He is trying to sleep with her and doesn't like hearing no," Zelo corrected.
"Do you want me to talk to him?" Daehyun asked seriously.
"No," I shook my head.
"Are you sure?"
"Put your Busan away," Zelo rolled his eyes.
"I just wanted to know she was sure, I can make him leave her alone," he shrugged.
"I just want a night with friends,"
"Movie night?" Zelo suggested.
"Movie night," I nodded.
"Oh, nachos!" Daehyun nodded excitedly.
We spent the rest of the night and some of the morning watching movies and eating junk food. It was so much better than sleeping alone at the house which the constant worry about having a conversation with Seyong. Daehyun offered me his bed and slept on the lounge so that I wouldn't have too, I tried to refuse but he just sprawled out on the lounge and closed his eyes.
"You don't have to get up, I'll just wake you up when we're done and we can go out for lunch," Zelo assured me after trying to get ready without waking me up.
"I need to go home and change anyway, and shower," I shrugged getting up.
"Okay, I'll drop you off on our way and then we can meet at the cafe,"
The house was pretty quiet as I made my way inside. There was some humming coming from down the hallway and some banging coming from the garage. I poked my head in the door, the car had been moved over to the far side of the two-door garage, the flatted boxes were neatly stacked in front of it, and Insoo was sitting in the space between the car and the door to come inside putting together some metal frames.
"Hey, you're back," Insoo smiled at me, Seyong glanced, made a face, rolled his eyes and then went back to screwing one pole to the other. I was thankful for his silence.
"Just for a little bit,"
"Oh, you're going out again?"
"Just to lunch then I'll be home, what are you doing?"
"We're putting some gym equipment together,"
"You don't want to fall down with witnesses again?" I joked, Seyong let out a small laugh that he tried to cover with a cough.
"It was more convenient to workout at home rather than go to the gym, plus the last time we went to a gym two beautiful girls stared at us and I embarrassed myself," he nodded.
"Why are you explaining yourself?" Seyong frowned at his friend who returned it with a disapproving look. Insoo was really trying to make an effort to get along with not just Jiyeon by myself as well and I appreciated that.
"So are you going back out with your boyfriend?" he smirked at me.
"He's just a friend," I corrected.
"Are you sure?"
"I don't really date, and I swear I've known him since we were still learning to talk,"
"You don't date?" Seyong's mood perked up.
"Anyway, I'm going to go get changed I just popped in to see what you were banging and if you needed anything?"
"I know what I could be banging," Seyong commented.
"Nope. We're good thanks Eunji," he smiled at me after he glared at his friend.
"Okay," I made a quick exit.
INSOO
"What?" Seyong rolled his eyes when I glared at him after Eunji had closed the door behind her.
"Can you not see that you're making her uncomfortable?"
"You don't have an issue when I make anyone else uncomfortable,"
"We don't have to live with them, she has already declined your offer several times, you're bordering sexual harassment,"
"Only bordering? I guess I'm not trying hard enough,"
"Bro, you need to stop. She is Gunwoo's little sister, I don't imagine he would be too happy to find out you're trying to pressure his sister into sleeping with you,"
"Who said he had to know?"
"You're unbelievable," I sighed.
I realised the more I told him not too, the more he would pursue her. The fact that she hasn't shown any interest in him, and the fact that she is literally the only girl to have ever said no to him seems to have done nothing but present him with a challenge. He wasn't going to let this go so easily, and if I know Seyong, he is only going to get worse until he gets what he wants.
EUNJI
I followed the humming down to the kitchen where I found Ji cooking over the stove, the counter was full of containers, some full and some empty. It looked like she was making side dishes but I wasn't really sure why she was in a cooking mood, usually, she only cooks this much to distract herself.
"What are you making?" I asked.
"Side dishes," she shrugged.
"Why?"
"Because we're both back at school on Monday and all the boys are training. I figured it would be easier if there were already side dishes so that if no one felt like cooking there was at least something to go with rice or ramen,"
"That's a good idea," I nodded.
"I know, what do you want for lunch?" she asked.
"I'm actually going out for lunch,"
"With who?"
"With Zelo, I'm only back to shower and change,"
She stopped what she was doing and turned around, she wore a frown as she stared at me for a while, not speaking.
"What?" I asked when the staring got weird.
"Is this because of Seyong?"
"Is, what because of Seyong?" I raised an eyebrow,
"I know Seyong has been difficult and he's making you uncomfortable but I'll talk to him and you avoiding the house isn't going to help you settle in," she stated.
"What are you talking about?" I played dumb.
"Zelo came and got you last night, now you're going back out for lunch. Are you doing it to avoid Seyong?" Yes.
"No, Zelo just got back from being away for 3 months, I just want to catch up and spend some time with my best friend. Seyong has nothing to do with it, and don't talk to him, he just has a difficult personality, I'm sure I'll get used to it," I shrugged.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, I'm going to shower and change," I smiled retreating upstairs.
I showered and changing into a black skirt that stopped midthigh, some black stockings, a white tee shirt that I tucked into the skirt and a pink cardigan. After towel-drying my hair I pulled it to the side and made my way downstairs as Seyong was on his way up.
"Hey," he winked.
"Hi," I sighed after the brief internal debate on whether ignoring him would be worse than responding.
"So, you don't date? And you don't have a boyfriend?"
"I already told you I don't have a boyfriend, and I don't date," I said continuing down the stairs.
"You don't go on dates or you just don't date?"
"I've never been on a date nor have I dated," I said walking out the door.
I was relieved when he didn't follow me. I made my way down to the market, Zelo had mentioned a cafe around there and I really felt like street food. I found a vendor and sat down waiting for Zelo.
"Look what I found on my way over," I heard Zelo's voice., I turned around to find him with Ricky.
"Ricky," I beamed hugging him.
"I thought you weren't getting back until tonight?" I frowned.
"I lied," he shrugged at the same time Zelo said;
"His flight was early,"
"You knew," I pointed at him accusingly.
"I didn't know until this morning," he held his hands up defensively as he sat down.
"Because if I had of told you beforehand you would have blabbed," Ricky pointed out.
"I would not,"
"Right, so what have I missed? Fill me in,"
"You already know everything, it's the beauty on text messaging," I smirked.
"Have you told him about the guy?" Zelo raised an eyebrow.
"The guy?" Ricky frowned.
"You're right, he does blab," I sighed.
"What guy?"
"The guy that keeps hitting on me," I sighed.
"I wouldn't exactly call it hitting on you," Zelo frowned.
"What would you call it?" Ricky asked.
"From what I've heard he is trying to pressure her to sleep with him,"
"Okay, I'm going to order some food, then you're going to explain," Ricky said getting up.
I let out a sigh and started from the beginning, I explained the shopping centre and every conversation that we have had since. The street vendor was placing the food down on our table as I finished talking.
"It sounds like that guy needs to go and find someone in a club," Ricky frowned.
"Coincidently, we're going to a club on Friday," I sighed.
"You're going to a club?"
"I haven't really been given a choice," I nodded.
"Do you want us to spontaneously show up and save you?" Zelo asked.
"If you like, but I'm sure I'll be fine, I'll just go for half an hour then leave, no one said how long I had to stay," I shrugged.
We finished eating and walked around the different stalls. It was a bit of a rare occasion to have both of them home at the same time. Zelo is usually off touring and Ricky is either touring or performing in musicals. Somehow Zelo was home more than Ricky was, but when Ricky was home he was here for a longer period of time so I guess it kind of evened out.
Once we were done wandering around and they had noticed that the sun had started to set they insisted on driving me home which they often did, sometimes they would walk instead, but they always took me home, especially when it was dark.
"Wow," Ricky nodded.
"I know, what kind of dorm is this?"
"The kind that requires Gunwoo tampering, do you what to come in for dinner?" I asked.
"That's okay, I should get back to the dorm," Zelo pulled me into a hug.
"He's my ride, and I came straight from the airport. We'll see you tomorrow," Rick stated also giving me a hug before getting into the passenger seat. I waved to them as the pulled out of the driveway.
I made my way inside and straight upstairs, there was no reason for me to have to see Seyong and I wasn't hungry.
Monday.
I jogged down the stairs almost running into Jiyeon on the way. The dining room was open and almost everyone was sitting down eating breakfast. It smelt good and looked even better but I didn't have the time.
"Careful, come and have something to eat," She ushered.
"Can't, I'm running late," I rushed pulling a pair of shoes from the closet sliding them on my feet.
"You too?" Chaejin came running down after me.
"Seriously? It's your first day back," Gunwoo frowned.
"I forgot about the meeting this morning before class actually starts, I'll eat after that," I waved hurrying out the door, Chaejin right behind me.
We walked towards the university, which I had fogotten wasn't actually that far from the house. We were almost there with at least 15 minutes to spare so I decided to stop in at the convenient store.
"I'm going to keep going, I'll see you later," Chaejin waved, I returned it as my phone started ringing.
"Hello?" I answered walking into the store.
"Hey, where are you?"
"I'm on my way,"
"Well hurry, you've only got ten minutes before it starts,"
"Okay Kwangmin, I'll be there soon,"
"Oh, Ricky and Zelo are back,"
"I know,"
"Oh, anyway hurry," he said before hanging up.
I smiled at the attendant paying for my bag of snacks before leaving the store. I opened a bag of chips and ate as I walked towards the university.
I was curious about what they had planned for our showcase this year. Last year they had us form small groups of between 6 and 9 people, it was a lot of fun but a lot of the students didn't feel like they were acknowledged because there were too many people in the groups. A few of the groups were even asked to leave the stage because they were too busy fighting for the spotlight instead of working as a team.
Zelo and the Min Twins were waiting by the front wall for me.
"Hey," I waved.
"Come on, Ricky and Minwoo are saving our spots," Kwangmin stated stealing my bag of chips and running off, Youngmin grabbed the bag of other snacks following after his brother.
"Come on," Zelo sighed dropping an arm over my shoulder. Minwoo and Ricky had managed to save us spots towards the back of the large group of students. Everyone was seated on the floor waiting for the director to arrive.
"Thank you for breakfast," Minwoo smiled, they had all taken something out of the bag. I just nodded sitting down in between him and Zelo.
"So how are the new housemates?" Youngmin asked.
"I'll tell you about it later, it's a long story," I shrugged.
"Most of them are great, but one of them keeps hitting on her and trying to get her to sleep with him," Zelo explained. I just frowned at him.
"What? It's not that long a story," he stated.
"Good morning Students," the Director walked out on stage, his voice managed to project through the entire room without any help from a microphone. The performing arts director was probably one of the youngest of all the teaching staff, he was only in his late 20s and a fair amount of the female students had a huge crush on him.
"So, due to the extensive complaints we received after last year's showcase, this year you will prepare duets or solo stages. The rules are simple; to avoid arguments or accusations of stealing routines, no one will be doing the same song. Once you've chosen a song and partner if you so choose, make your way up here and you'll be marked down, first in best dressed. You will be graded individually so don't assume that you will pass if only one of you does the work. Oh, and for those of you who are already in the music industry, you will not be permitted to perform your own music, let's keep things fair," a chorus of sighs and groans rumbled through the crowd.
"I know, I'm horrible. Use the rest of the lesson to find a partner and choose a song. Oh, if any of you wish to recruit backup dancers then I would prefer you to go and recruit from the first and second-year dance majors, it will be good for them to get some real experience. That will be all," with that the director took a seat behind a desk that had been set up on the stage. The room erupted in noise.
"Eunji, do you want to be my partner?" Kwangmin chirped.
"I was actually going to see if one of these two wanted to be my partner," I frowned.
"Oh, no, I'm doing a solo stage, there is no way you could keep up with my dancing or rapping," Zelo poked fun at me.
"I don't even know where I'm going to be when the Showcase is on so it wouldn't be fair for me to partner with anyone," Ricky sent me an apologetic look.
"Maybe I should try a solo," I nodded thoughtfully.
"Oh," Kwangmin looked crushed which made me feel guilty.
"Wait for it," Zelo whispered to Ricky.
"3...2...," Ricky counted down.
"Okay, I'll be your partner," I sighed, Kwangmin instantly perked up.
"Great! I have the perfect song in mind," he beamed standing up.
"What song?" I called but he had already run off to tell the director.
"I have a bad feeling," I mumbled.
"You should, that song always brings trouble," Zelo shook his head at me.
"You should have stuck with the Solo," Rick nodded in agreement.
"Yep," Minwoo and Youngmin murmured.
Kangmin basically skipped back with a smile from ear to ear. He sat back down humming with excitement but not saying a word. I was a little scared to ask. What did I just get myself into?
"What song did you just sign us up for?" I asked nervously.
"Trouble Maker's Now,"
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Don't freak out, just think about it. It showcases both solo skill and teamwork while showing off dance and vocal ability, it's a great stage," he tried to explain his reasoning.
"Sure, that's why he picked it," Youngmin muttered.
"It's a captivating stage, the choreography has great chemistry and if we pull it off then I guarantee we will win,"
"It's overly sexualised and I don't think I'm comfortable with that," I frowned.
"Well, once it's written down we aren't allowed to change the song or partner," he gave smiled, I think he was trying to be apologetic but it came off as smug.
"I can choose to not do it," I countered.
"You can, but it is kind of compulsory and worth 40% of our final grade," he shrugged.
"Just so you know, I'm not happy with you right now," I sighed.
"Noted," he nodded.
"It's your own fault, you should have just done a solo performance," Zelo shook his head at me on our way out of the front gate.
"What do you mean it's my fault?"
"You never listen to us when we say Kwangmin likes you,"
"Because he doesn't," I frowned.
"Clearly," Ricky commented.
"You're both wrong, I've got to get home, I'll see you later," I rolled my eyes.
"Text me later,"
"Me too," They both smirked.
It was 4.30 when I got home, the house was empty. I had a feeling this was going to be how it would be in the future, the boys at their company, Ji at school or her own apartment and me here, on my own. I sighed wandering through the house towards the kitchen. I picked up a bottle of orange juice from in the fridge and noticed the note addressed to me on the kitchen counter.
Eunji,
Hey, I've just gone over to my apartment to sort out a few things but I should be back for dinner. There are some leftovers from breakfast in the fridge if you get hungry before then.
Jiyeon xx
I put the note back down and headed upstairs with my bottle of juice. I sat the juice and my phone on my bedside table before I collapsed on my bed for a moment. I just felt exhausted, my phone beeped, letting out a sigh I rolled over to check the message. Instead, I noticed the time; 9:36 P.M.
Had I fallen asleep? I mean obviously I had but I didn't feel like it. I swear I had just lied down, and I still felt exhausted. I've been asleep for 5 hours and no one woke me? I frowned getting out of bed and making my way downstairs.
"You're awake," Gunwoo smiled from the couch when I walked into the kitchen where Ji was doing dishes.
"I tried to wake you up for dinner, but you were dead to the world. You seemed to have a little bit of a fever but it was gone about an hour ago.
"Sorry,"
"It's fine, you should eat something," she stated, pulling some containers from the fridge and putting them on the bench in front of me.
"I saved you some, how did you're meeting go this morning?"
"It's was just a meeting for this year's showcase," I shrugged sitting on the stool.
"So, what are the Trio of Trouble performing this year?" Ji raised an eyebrow placing a bowl of rice in front of me.
"It's solos or duets this year. Their both doing solos, they're worried about the schedules, well Ricky is, Zelo doesn't think I'll be able to keep up,"
"Who's Ricky?" Insoo asked.
"The last member of the Trio of Trouble," Gunwoo joked.
"Ricky is one of her childhood friends, he has known Eunji almost as long as Zelo. She used to run around the schoolyard chasing them like a lost puppy," Jiyeon explained.
"Are you doing a solo too?" she quickly changed the subject before I could argue with her.
"Nope, a duet with Kwangmin,"
"The twin that likes you?" she raised an eyebrow.
"No he doesn't, why does everyone say that?" I sighed.
"Because he is hopelessly in love with you, I'm pretty sure he would trade his own brother for a chance at a date with you," she muttered.
"You're exaggerating," I rolled my eyes.
"I don't think so, from what I've noticed you're smart and very attractive, I'm surprised there aren't more people falling over than their own feet to get your attention," JunQ stated.
"So what song are you doing?" Insoo asked.
"Ah, Trouble Maker's Now," I mumbled.
"And who chose the song?" Jiyeon raised an eyebrow.
"Kwangmin," I stated, picking at some side dishes.
"See, I told you,"
"It's not like that," I sighed.
"What song are you doing?" I remember Chaejin was in the same course, hoping it would change the subject.
"I haven't decided yet," he shrugged.
"Are you going to do it alone?"
"I'm considering it,"
"Why are you looking for a new partner?" Ji smirked at me.
"Okay, I'm going back to bed,"
"Awe, come on, don't be like that," Chaejn frowned.
"You just got up," Gunwoo gave me a concerned look.
"I'm still tired, night," I got up and waved.
"Good night," they called back.
I got back into bed as my phone vibrated. I was going to ignore it but I realised that I hadn't actually checked the message that had woken me up earlier. The two messages were from Zelo. The last one was from Kwangmin.
Zelo: Hey, Ricky and I are going out for dinner, do you want to come?
Zelo: I'm going to take your silence as a no and that you are already nose-deep in studying and aren't getting my messages. Talk to you tomorrow.
KMinTwin: Hey Eunji, I'm sorry if I upset you today. I just thought it would be a good song, maybe a risk but I thought it would be fun. If it makes me really uncomfortable we can explain it to the director tomorrow.
Eunji: No, it's fine. The director made it clear that he won't let us change songs. We will just have to make it work.
KMinTwin: Okay. I'll talk to you tomorrow.
I sighed turning my phone off. I climbed under my blankets properly and quickly fell back to sleep.
I felt like I hadn't even slept when I heard a voice call my name. I thought for a minute that I had dreamt it until I heard;
"Eunji, you're going to be late,"
"Late for what?" I grumbled rolling over.
"Your classes," I squinted my eyes open, Insoo was standing in my doorway.
"What's the time?"
"Almost 2," he answered awkwardly.
"What?" I shot up searching for my phone, instantly regretting turning it off last night.
"I'll make you something to take with you while you get ready,"
"It's okay," I shook my head.
"I don't mind," he assured me.
"No, I mean by the time I get ready I would have already missed the majority of my class,"
"Oh, sorry. Jiyeon said you had a late class today,"
"I had a class that was going to run late," I stated.
"Oh, well, why don't you get dressed and I'll make us something to eat. We can get to know each other a little better?"
"Sure," I nodded.
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