THE TATTOO THAT WAS NOW INKED ON MISO'S SKIN WAS STILL SORE. It had been a few days since she'd gotten it done, and still, the area was red and throbbing — yet scabbing, which was a good sign.
"You shouldn't have to do that just to fit in." Choi Miso's best friend, Huening Kai firmly stated, shaking his head as he laid across the bottom of her bed; Miso sitting at the top by her many pillows whilst they listened to music and gossiped.
"They make me feel like I do." She shrugged sadly. "It's been hard ever since you moved school... I cant help but feel so alone all the time."
"I know it's hard, but don't you think you should try and hang out with Socs that actually appreciate you?" He questioned, sitting up on her bed to look at her properly. "I mean, if they can make you get a tattoo from the South Side, doesn't it make you wonder what more they can do?"
He was right. They made her modify her body permanently just by blackmailing her. It really did make her wonder what else they were going to do.
Just as the short haired girl parted her lips to reply to her best friend, her actions were halted by her bedroom door flinging open, capturing the pairs attention.
"Me, Jia and Taehee are going to the drive-in." Choi Beomgyu (Miso's older brother) informed, a sigh of annoyance passing his lips. It was almost like he was forced to invite his younger sister and her friend. "Jia wants you to come. So you're free to join, brat."
Immediately, Miso and Kai snapped their heads in one another's direction as a wide beam took over their expressions. Watching a movie together at the drive-in was their idea of fun. They loved sharing a bag of popcorn smothered in butter, whilst drinking full-fat coca-cola together and judging the characters in the movie.
So, without another thought, the duo jumped off of the bed and Miso slipped on her white, shiny slip ons, before hurrying down the stairs with her best friend behind her.
★
"Slow down, Gyu!" Moon Jia demanded, yelling at her boyfriend as he drove way over the speed limit. "I mean it, Beomgyu! You're gonna hit someone!"
The boy was taking no notice of his angered girlfriend, as a smirk appeared on his peach lips and the sound of the engine roaring could be heard from a mile a way as he increased the speed.
Huffing in annoyance, Miso rolled her eyes and sat forward before sending a harsh slap onto her brothers shoulder.
"Get a grip, you ditz! You're driving like one of those South Siders!" She insulted, earning an eye roll in return.
"You guys need to lighten up. Have some fun in life." Beomgyu expressed, chuckling as he took a sharp turn, causing the four other passengers to hold on.
After another five minutes of reckless driving, Beomgyu eventually pulled up to the drive-in, parking his car and immediately, everybody climbed out.
"Where are you all going?" The boy questioned, confused. It was a drive-in after all. Sitting in your cars and watching the movie was what you were meant to do.
"There's no way I'm staying in that car any longer with you." Taehee stated, crossing her arms over her chest. "Who knows what other stunt you'll pull."
"Oh come on, don't be like that." He laughed, shaking his head. "Jia — Babe, you'll stay right?"
A sarcastic chuckle left the girls lips as she mirrored his actions, shaking her head also. "Come on, Tae, Miso, we'll go get snacks." She beckoned the two girls, leaving the boys to get seats for them.
The atmosphere tonight was a lot more busier than usual. There were hardly any available seats left and the entire car park was filled. Many Socs were rushing around, trying their best to get the things they needed before the movie begun, and Greasers were busy harassing the North Siders.
Once in the rather long queue for popcorn and drinks, Miso couldn't help but feel responsible for her brothers actions. She could see that Jia and Taehee were shaken up over the situation and so she bit her bottom lip.
"I'm sorry about him." Miso spoke up, causing the two best friends to look over at her; their eyes softening instantly at the younger girl.
"It's not your fault, Miso. Your brother just needs to get his head screwed back on." Jia reassured with a warm smile.
"Just like my brother." Taehee chuckled, and the two girls were quick to agree. Her brother — Park Jongseong, or Jay was born a Soc, however after mixing with the Greasers he quickly equipped to their lifestyle, abandoning his family and their assets.
Suddenly, the sounds of silly laughter was heard coming from behind them, along with the strong smell of smoke. That could only mean one thing.
Though, before Miso had the chance to turn and look at the gang of Greasers behind her, a body was harshly shoved into her, causing her to stumble forward.
She could hear Jia and Taehee gasp and once the mysterious person had grounded themselves, Miso dusted herself off and turned to see who had rudely barged into her.
Immediately, she felt her insides cave in and her stomach churn with uneasiness as her eyes landed on the oreo haired boy. A smirk teasing his lips as his eyes met hers.
"Sorry, Dollface." He lowly spoke, sending the shorter girl a subtle wink before shoving his hands in his leather jacket; biting down on the toothpick between his lips.
"Will you no-good-hoods just stop messing about?!" Taehee gasped in irritation as she hit her brothers shoulder as he blew smoke from his cancer stick into her face, making her cough.
"Mind your own business, Tae." Jay snarled and stood up straight and away from his sister. They didn't have the greatest sibling bond.
Whilst Taehee and Jay sent digs back and forth to one another, and Jia argued with the other Greasers, Miso couldn't help but gulp nervously as she felt Niki's siren eyes burn into her skin. His eyes were like balls of fire being thrown at her and she couldn't do anything to get away from them. He made her feel vulnerable and alone in a place filled with people.
"Hey, pretty lady." The sound of a new voice joining the conversation was heard, as the Greaser swung an arm around Jia's shoulder. His hair was jet black and lathered in hair gel — the typical Greaser style — and his lips were plump, red, and prominently shaped. His nose was rather large and straight and his eyes were mahogany and soft — almost.
Quickly, an expression of disgust was shown on Jia's face as she removed the Greasers arm from her shoulder and shoved him away from her, causing him to chuckle.
"What do you think you're doing, touching my broad!" An angered yell was heard, causing Miso's eyes to widen in shock and worry as she was quick to realize who it belonged to.
She couldn't have her brother and Niki in the same area together. She didn't trust Niki at all. What if he slipped up about the tattoo? And then Beomgyu would tell her parents and she would be disowned...
It wasn't long before the Choi girl was broke from her train of thoughts by Taehee separating Beomgyu and Kai from the Greaser boys once a switchblade was pulled.
"Come on, let's go." Taehee sulked and huffed her way back to the seats as Beomgyu pulled Jia close to him and Kai walked alongside Miso behind the three.
"Those low life's really do need to get a life." Huening Kai scoffed as the five sat down in their chair just as the movie began. "I mean, they can't keep harassing innocent girls like that."
Miso remained quiet as her best friend and brother conversed about seeking some sort of revenge. The Nishimura boy was stuck inside Miso's head and she couldn't do anything about it. His face. His smirk. Everything. He was engraved in her mind and it was driving her insane.
She was afraid.
Afraid that the boy would decide to cause another fight and the only way to do that was to get under Beomgyu's skin. If Beomgyu knew he was the one to ink her skin not only would Niki be dead, but so would she.
It wasn't until the fifth glance Miso took at Niki, who had been busy blowing out rings of smoke from his mouth, that he finally looked back at her. Their eyes connected and for a moment, the girl froze.
Not only could his gaze feel fiery, but it could also be as cold as ice.
Without another thought, Miso turned back around in her seat and down at her skirt covered lap. Her fingers fiddling together anxiously as she tried to forget about the Greaser boy.
Oh, what she had gotten herself into...
★