"WHY ARE YOU EVEN ON THIS SIDE OF TOWN?" NIKI WONDERED AS HE LIT THE CANCER STICK THAT WAS PLACED BETWEEN HIS LIPS.
By now, the sun had official set, and the bright, white moon, along with the flickering street lamps were giving light to the path Miso and Niki walked along.
"My friends dumped me here." Miso explained, a sad sigh leaving her lips as she glanced up at Niki to see if he was listening. He was, and he had his eyes focused on her as she spoke. "It's my fault, really." She shrugged, looking away from him once she felt her breathing bitch under his gaze. "I trusted them because I wanted to fit in with them."
"Well, you're stupid for falling for their tricks." He informed, and turned away from her to blow out a drag of smoke from his mouth. "You shouldn't let anyone get under your skin and treat you like that. Yuppies feed off that shit, man."
Miso smiled slightly and looked down at the floor. He was right. She was stupid for believing that they actually liked her.
Eventually, the two made it to the Lee Heeseung's house and a ball of nerves became evident in her stomach.
The home was very different to the houses on the North side. The paint on the wood work was chipping off and the few steps leading up to the open, wooden porch had cracks in. The metal chain fencing around the property looked like it could fall any moment, and the sofa that was on the porch looked old, torn and worn out.
"Don't be nervous." Niki nudged the girl gently, and she looked up at him with her brows furrowed.
"But I'm Beomgyu's sister." She pointed out. "They don't like me already."
Huffing, Niki rolled his eyes and stood behind her, before he softly pushed her forward and towards the house. Once on the porch, it felt like Miso's heart was in her throat and before she knew it, Niki had opened the door and walked in, keeping a hold on her wrist so she wouldn't try to run away.
"I've brought a guest." Niki announced, quickly capturing everybody's attention. Instantly, Miso watched as the Greasers' facial expressions changed from calm to bothered.
"Why is she here?" Jake spat, standing from up from his position on the floor.
Looking around, Miso saw Sunoo and Jungwon sat together on the sofa, watching tv — Jungwon with a bottle of alcohol in his clutch, and Sunoo mindlessly fiddling with his denim jacket. Jake had been sitting in the middle on the carpet with their legs on either side of him as he watched the program, taking a swig from the bottle of Soju every now and then. Jay and Sunghoon were both sat on the dining table, playing cards with each other and Heeseung was leaned against the doorway to the hallway that lead to his bedroom.
"She's Beomgyu's sister, she could be spying." Jake alluded, nodding his head at her, which made Miso take a step back slightly.
"Shut your mouth, Jake." Niki groaned, annoyed with Jake's 'spy' theories, and he turned to look at Miso and gave her a look of reassurance.
"She ain't some stupid spy." The Nishimura boy informed his friends. "She's on the South side 'cause she had some issues with her Soc friends." He explained.
"Bummer." Miso heard Heeseung state sarcastically, causing her to look over at him. He had his arms folded against his chest as he looked her up and down, a glint of suspicion in his eyes. "You're odd." He said, and stood up straight.
"What?" Miso questioned in confusion, glancing up at Niki before looking back at the raven haired boy.
"I mean, it's a little weird how you're always around. First the race track, and now this? Seems like Beomgyu's got you doing part of his dirty work." Heeseung explained and a sigh left Miso's lips.
"That may look suspicious, but honestly, I have nothing to do with my brothers actions." The girl informed, her eyes jumping from one Greaser to the next. "I don't like what he does — I don't like what any of us Socs do."
The house fell silent for a moment as the boys (minus Niki) shared looks with one another. It was almost like they were debating what they should do with.
Suddenly, a huff was heard, making everyone's attention land on Jay, who'd put the cards that were once in his hands, onto the table. He seemed bothered — but not bothered because of Miso's presences, but because his game of Poker had been interrupted.
"You lot accepted me." He stated, taking a swig of his drink. "So, let's just at least give her the benefit of the doubt."
Eventually, the Greasers hesitantly agreed and the Choi girl was offered a seat between Sunoo and Jungwon before she sent Niki a smile and sat down.
"Do you want some?" Jungwon wondered, holding out his bottle of alcohol. Gratefully, Miso shook her head, declining his offer and she turned to look at the tv the three boys were watching before her entrance.
Though, as time went on, Miso found herself looking at Kim Sunoo from the corner of her eye. She noticed that he had close to no bruises on his face, and the cuts on his face that were once scabbing had now disappeared.
A warm sensation of joy appeared in Miso's chest, and she turned her body so that it was facing the Kim boy. "Your bruises are looking better." She pointed out, making the boy pull his attention away from the small screen as he tensed at the mention of them and turn to look at the short haired girl.
"If you ever need more of that crème, I have plenty to give." Miso beamed, and quickly, once the words left her mouth, a look of shock took over Sunoo's features.
He didn't know it her that gave the ointment.
"That was you who gave it?" He wondered and Miso nodded, and before the girl had the chance to say anything else, she was brought in for a hug, catching her off guard.
The embrace was warm, and tight, like Sunoo really meant it and Miso couldn't help but hug the boy back.
"Thank you." He sweetly smiled once they'd separated, causing a small blush to creep onto her cheeks due to his gratitude. She was beginning to really like Sunoo.
★
Hours had gone by, and within those hours, Miso had actual fun. She enjoyed herself by listening to the jokes the Greasers would crack, watching a over dramatic drama on the tv, and even playing a game of cards against Jay — and winning!
However, the fun had to come to an end at some time, so when Miso's eyes caught sight of the small clock on the wall, her eyes enlarged as she shot up from the sofa in horror.
It had just struck 12am.
"I should get going." She announced, walking over to the front door. "My parents are going to murder me..." She mumbled beneath her breath, and went to open the door.
Nevertheless, before she could go anywhere Sunghoon's voice was stopping her. "You're not seriously gonna walk home on your own?" He let out a breathy chuckle.
"I need to head out too." Niki spoke up before Miso could respond, standing from his place next to Jungwon and sorting out the collar on his leather jacket. "I've got some things I needa sort out, so I'll just walk her."
"Thank you for allowing me to stay," Miso thanked, looking at the boys that were now looking at her. "I enjoyed hanging out with you guys."
"Any time." Jungwon grinned, making Miso smile back, before she waved at Sunoo, who quickly mirrored her actions.
And with that, Miso and Niki left Heeseung's place and began to make their way home.
★