entanglement'jw

십10

It wasn't long before you found yourself walking towards the cafeteria with Jisoo and Haneul flanking you either side. At least this was better than the washroom. Throughout the classes, you couldn't help but notice the absence of a certain group of boys. You tried to distract your mind from the thoughts of them but your eyes couldn't help but land on the empty table towards the middle of the cafe.

"Looking for someone?"

Your train of thoughts was interrupted by Haneul who followed your gaze, only to smack the back of your head once she realized where exactly you were looking at. "Why-"

"I was looking for... Nayoung!" you blurted the first and only name that came to your head, instantly regretting it when Jisoo chuckled and Haneul reached out to smack you once more.

"Oh? Why, pray tell, were you looking for Nayoung when I just told you that she ditched us after your stunt from yesterday?" She gave you that disappointed-motherly look once again. Wow, Nayoung really did that? You stifled a laugh. "Look, _____, not everything is as it seems. Those boys might look all hunky-dory to you right now, you are new here, but I'm telling you once again for your own good, they are bad news. Them showing interest in you is all the more reason for you to stay away from them," Haneul and Jisoo shared a mutual look before they turned to look at you, "Jisoo, would you back me up? She seems to trust you more."

"As much as I hate agreeing with Haneul," Jisoo stopped short, tentatively glancing at the other girl only to be met with a heated glare, "She's right. They're the bad guys no one wants to associate themselves with. Well, apart from their crazy fan-girls."

You didn't want to admit it but a part of you seared with rage hearing them bad-mouth the boys like that. As unbelievable as it was, your bipolar fits were also beginning to confuse the living shit out of you. You had barely talked to them but it felt as though the connection between you and them ran deeper than an exchange of few words and side glances. You also couldn't ignore the repetitive urge within you to defend them whenever one of your 'friends' tried to make you hate them.

Wait.

Were they jealous? What the hell?! Your mind couldn't help but go into overdrive. Why were they so set on making you stray from those boys? You had told no one about the incident with Wooyoung. All they knew was the fact that the boys had invited you to their table during lunch and were good to you. Gosh, what was life's grudge against you?

"Listen, I understand what you're trying to say," I really don't, "But things like that, first impressions and public opinions, I don't really believe in all that. They are ephemeral and unreliable. It's all about your perspective. They may have come across to you as such but to me, they were nothing but good. I'll consider what you just told me, but I'm the kind of person who likes to go with her gut feeling."

And if my gut feeling asks me to play smart by twisting my words in order to get the truth out of your mouths, so be it.

Haneul breathed out in disbelief at your words, "You don't know what you're walking into, _____,"

Then tell me.

"You don't know the rumors." It was Jisoo who spoke up this time, pursing her lips.

"What rumors?"

Jisoo sighed, "Do you know of the myths about werewolves that have been passed in this place from generations, ______?" Oh, fuck off.

"Yes, that Lycaon story, what about it?" You asked, grimacing to yourself.

"It's not a story, _____," Haneul whispered, "It's true. It's about them. They are werewolves, all eight of them!"

"And I-" you snorted, "I am Queen Elizabeth the third of Great Britain- what in the actual fuck is wrong with you guys?! I tolerated this bullshit from my grandmother, knowing that she's old and superstitious, but you guys?" You paused, taking a deep breath in order to calm yourself, "You guys are educated folks who shouldn't believe in everything that comes out of your parents' mouth."

By the time you finished, both the girls were gaping at you in shock. You realized the insensitivity of your words only after they had been reciprocated but you were also fed up with everything and confused. Just, why had they not come today? Did it have something to do with you?

"Look, girls," you spared them a glance as you began piling all your stuff from the table, "We'll talk later, okay?" We'll talk when your heads are finally out of the gutter.

You shimmied out of the cafe with quick steps, making your way towards your locker thinking about the eight boys when you walked straight into a pole, oh scratch that, a boy. A boy who had his hands on your waist to keep you from losing balance. You quickly scampered away from his grasp, clutching the pile of books in your hands closer to your chest and muttering a quick apology.

You turned to leave but were stopped short by him yet again as his hand took hold of your elbow.

"Hey...I'm new-" you harshly pulled your arm free, not liking the feeling of being touched by the weirdo.

"Well, hello New, I'm busy." You rolled your eyes, walking towards the classrooms only to have him hot on your heels.

"Look, I'm lost and-" He said, frantically trying to keep up with your gait but you cut him off, smirking to yourself.

"I thought you were new?"

"Well, yes I am new and-"

"But you just said you were lost!"

"Yes! Because-" He paused suddenly, looking shaken up for a second, "Wait- are you serious?"

"No~" You chuckled unconsciously, "I'm busy." You finally stopped when you reached your designated classroom, slightly out of breath. The boy groaned once he realized your joke and rubbed his face out of irritation and embarrassment.

"Why? Ugh," He smiled at himself. He looked kinda cute like that, with his crinkled eyes and dimpled smile, "So, I'm new and lost and have AP Bio this slot but I also lost the damn map!" He ran a frustrated hand through his already tousled hair.

"Well," you paused to look at him and then the door in front of you, "Looks like you're also an idiot." You pushed him inside the Biology Lab.

His name was Zhang Minho. And for some reason, the teacher thought it would be a great idea to seat him next to you as if you were any better of an asset than him. As if that wasn't enough, she proceeded to hand over twenty sheets worth of assignments that were supposed to be done in pairs. Since everyone here knew everyone and you knew no one, you became the social pariah yet again, but this time, you had a god-sent accomplice.

"And then there were two." Minho muttered to himself as the last couple of students called out their partners and then turned to face you, "Looks like we're stuck with each other for now, Busy." You sighed.

"Seems like a party huh, New?"