DARA's POV
I kept on checking my phone, waiting for Key to text me. He didn't text me this morning. It's our 6th monthsary. Doesn't he remember?
Sungyeol who sits beside me poked me with his pen. "Problem?"
I shook my head. "Nothing."
"Okay." And Sungyeol went back to doodling in his notebook again.
I set my phone into vibration mode and kept it in my blazer's pocket. Something fell on my head. When I looked around, it was a crumpled paper. I looked around to see who thrown it. Dongwoo raised his hand and motioned for me to open it. So I did.
'Lunch with us later? My treat. -JDW', the letter says.
I looked at Dongwoo, reached for my phone and punched in my reply. "I'm not really sure Oppa."
When I looked back to Dongwoo again, he looked a little sad. He pouted his lips and pretended to sleep.
"Sorry Oppa." I texted him again.
Dongwoo motioned an okay sign upon reading my new text, but his expression says otherwise. I felt sorry for him and the rest of the guys but today I have another plan in mind. But then, I saw another crumpled paper that landed on my desk. Another letter. Seriously, why wouldn't he just text me?
'How about hanging out after classes?', the letter says this time.
I looked at Dongwoo again, pouted my lips, then shook my head. That made Dongwoo's face even sadder. He sighed and got another piece of paper and wrote something on it again. He was about to crumple it when Woohyun interfered.
"Eeyyyy, stop it. If she doesn't want to come, just let her be. Stop trying so hard." -Woohyun
"But I'd be happier if we are complete." -Dongwoo
"We are complete. The Infinite." Woohyun said in a serious tone, not even looking at me.
I raised my eyebrow. What's wrong with Woohyun? We seldom talk these days, and if we do, it just ends in one hello and how are you. He also avoids making eye contact with me. Is he avoiding me? And now judging from what he said to Dongwoo, it seems like he's upset. Is he?
"Yeol-ah, what's wrong with Woohyun today? And what's with Dongwoo Oppa?" I turned to Sungyeol but he just shrugged. Great! What's with the people today? I made a mental note to ask Sungjong later instead.
Just in time, our teacher arrived and everyone focused in the lesson. Well, we just seem like it, but in truth, 5 guys are sleeping. Hoya, Woohyun, Dongwoo, Myungsoo and Sungyeol. The teacher just lets them be because they do well in exams anyway.
The class is about to end and lunch time is about to come but I still haven't got a text from Key. I got my phone and started texting him instead.
"Oppa, hello! Are you picking me up for lunch today?"
1.. 2.. 3 minutes have passed until I got a reply.
"Babe, sorry for the late reply. Kinda sick so maybe I can't pick you up for lunch or after school today. I'm sorry."
I felt sad, seems like he doesn't remember our monthsary.
"Oppa where are you?"
"At home, resting."
"Okay. Want me to come over?"
"No. I'll be fine."
"Okay. Rest well for today Oppa. Saranghae."
"Uhhh, bye."
No I love you back? I just let that thought pass then slid my phone back to my pocket. But I felt another vibration. I smiled, thinking that it's Key again. But it's not.
"You can't really go with us for lunch?" -Woohyun
"Sorry. I need to go out by lunch." I replied.
Just then the teacher said 'Class dismissed.'
I gathered my things and headed out. I'm planning to visit Key later after school. Right now, I have to look for a nice gift for him for our 6th monthsary so I went to the mall near the school.
When I found a nice gift, I headed back to school to attend the remaining class for the day. While patiently waiting for the classes to end, I can't help but smile by myself from time to time. I'm half-worried, half-excited to visit Key later. I wonder how he will react when he sees me.
Sungyeol leaned closer to me and whispered. "I can see someone's excited."
I smiled and secretly pinched his arm, hard enough to make him flinch. I silently laughed at his expression because he's trying to hold the pain to avoid making unnecessary noise then gets penalized by the teacher.
When our teacher was not looking, he spanked me.
"Yah! Wanna die?" I whispered.
He stuck out his tongue to me. And I pinched him hard once again.
"Ouch.. Stop! Stop!"
Someone hit his head from behind. "Aisshhh so noisy."
"Myungsoo-yah, it's Dara, not me. Hit her instead." Sungyeol complained.
But Myungsoo went back to his slumber.
When the class ended, I was the first one to get up. I'm so excited! I looked at the Infinite but they looked busy talking about something so I just tapped Sungyeol to tell him I'm leaving first. He just nodded.
I went home for a while to change and get my car. I ride with Sungjong every morning that's why.
As I reach Key's house, my hands got sweaty. Am I nervous? Or just excited maybe?
I gathered all my courage before pushing the doorbell. A while later, a maid opened it and guided me to the living room.
"Where's he Unnie?" I asked the maid who smiled shyly at the name I called her.
"He's in his room. He just arrived so he may be resting a bit."
"Oh, really?" He just arrived? I thought he's resting at home.
"Do you want to go to his room instead?"
"Would that be okay Unnie?" I asked.
The maid nodded and guided me to his room. I thanked her and carefully entered Key's room.
"Ahjumma, I'll eat dinner later. Leave me alone for now. I want to rest."
Key said without looking. He thought the ahjumma came to tell him about dinner.
"Then do you want to have dinner with me instead?" I answered.
He turned to me, surprise is evident in his face. "Babe! What brought you here?"
"Well, I thought you were sick that's why I dropped by." But I heard you just came home.'I thought to myself.
"Ah yeah.. I feel better now since I've got to rest the whole day." He said, smiling and walking towards me.
I took a step back because of what he said. My forehead creased as I clearly realized he is lying right now. But I choose to pretend not to know.
"Oh right, here, I brought some food for you. It's your favorite." I showed him the paper bag I'm holding and handed it to him.
"Thank you. Your presence is enough." And he leaned to kiss me. "I missed you." He said in between kisses.
I don't know why but something felt different in his kiss. He kissed me long and deep. I dismissed any doubt that I had a while ago and responded to his kisses wholeheartedly. He pushed me backwards until I felt the wall at my back. His tongue started to explore inside my mouth and needless to say, my knees turned jelly-like again. Butterflies are flying in my stomach and my heart is pounding hard.
I didn't know how much time had passed until I heard someone speak.
"Oh my God! Key?"
The voice was half shriek, half shout that it automatically separated me from Key. I was totally surprised and embarrassed because she just saw us kissing.
The girl who just came approached Key and slapped him.
I was startled. What the hell is going on?
"Who is she?"
"Who is she?"
Me and the girl who just arrived asked at the same time.
Key seemed surprised too and restless. "Ohh.. Sorry. Ahmmm.."
He doesn't know what to say, or how to start.
Thinking that she's just Key's sister or anyone from his family, I sighed. But then I saw the maid who opened the gate for me a while ago, looking at me with apologetic eyes.
"Sorry about a while ago. I'm Lee Dara." I introduced myself and extended my hands for a handshake but the other girl just glared at me.
"Jihyun, what are you doing here?" Key said at last.
"What's wrong with me going to my boyfriend's house?" Jihyun answered while still glaring at me.
My eyes widened. What did she just say?
"Dara, let me explain.." Key stuttered. He tried to explain.
I just shook my head because I'm really speechless right now. After gathering all my wits, I smiled and tried to act like nothing happened. "I'm leaving first." I said without looking to anyone in particular.
I hurriedly went out of Key's room. On the stairs, I almost stumbled down because my composure is starting to crumble. I felt a hand that helped me stand still.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry about that." The maid from a while ago said.
I nodded and smiled to reassure her. "I'm fine Unnie. Thank you." And she guided me to my car.
I composed my emotions before starting to drive. Ahh, I need to go somewhere noisy now. Being alone won't help me calm my nerves. After changing my outfit, I looked at the time in the wall clock. 10 P.M. Just perfect. Leaving the heartbreak behind, I started to drive again.
When I reached the bar where I know Infinite hangs out, I crossed my finger hoping they won't be here tonight. I'm not in the mood to explain. I might just breakdown if anyone asks.
I scanned the place to look for an empty spot. Lots of youngsters are gathered in the dance floor, dancing their hearts out. Some are just hanging out, talking, and some are making out. I shrugged at the sight and just went to a vacant table.
While listening to the loud music, I sorted my thoughts.
Jihyun. Jihyun. It was obvious that she is Key's another girl. My heart ached of heartbreak and anger at the same time, but I tried to analyze the situation more and gave Key the benefit of the doubt.
I got my phone from my pouch and saw 40 missed calls and 51 messages. It was Key, basically telling me to let him explain.
"Okay. Let's do that. Let's settle this tomorrow. For now, let me enjoy the night." I said to myself aloud. I took a deep breath and tried to forget about my current situation. I called for the waiter and ordered something to drink and something to munch. My stomach suddenly growled. Right! I haven't eaten dinner yet.
When my order arrived, I dug into the nachos and nuts. 'Screw dinner!' And started drinking the beverage I ordered. But because I haven't had dinner, I felt tipsy already after 3 shots. Well, this is actually the first time I took alcohol, aside from the occasional wines at parties and gatherings.
I felt my phone vibrated again but I choose to ignore it. Must be Key again. Then I heard it ring. I checked who it is and saw Naeun's name in the screen.
"Oh Naeun-ah annyeong." I'm okay but my tongue slurred a little.
"Where are you? Why is your background so noisy? Did you arrive already?" - Naeun
"Arrive where?"
"Here at the bar. It's Dongwoo's birthday, don't you remember?"
My eyes widened. How the hell did I forget Dongwoo's birthday? I mentally slapped myself. Then I realized that I'm at the bar right now.. Nice! I'm saved. I don't know why but my tipsiness disappeared. I felt so sorry to Dongwoo for forgetting his birthday. All because of Key, that punk.
After leaving bills on my table, I went to the comfort room first and fixed myself. Then I dialed Naeun's number.
"Naeun-ah, did you tell them I'm here?"
"No. So you're really here?"
"Ummm.. Can you pick me up here? Just near the entrance. Don't tell them yet okay?"
"Arasso.. Wait up a bit."
I waved my hand when I saw Naeun coming. We exchanged hugs. "Why are you so late?"
"Geunyang.. I'll tell you some other time."
"You didn't have plans of coming here do you?" Naeun asked me suspiciously but I just giggled and started heading to the Infinite's table. Half-way, Naeun stopped me, wanting to surprise them. With all smiles, she walked ahead.
"Dongwoo-yah, I have a special gift for you."
"Really? Where?" Dongwoo looked at Naeun's hand, expecting a gift.
That's when Naeun signaled me to come.
"Am I late?"
"Dara!?" Everyone is surprised.
"Dara! You came!" And Dongwoo excitedly hugged me while jumping up and down. "Now my birthday is complete. I thought you really forgot."
I felt guilty, but relieved on the other hand because I came at the right place, at just the right time. With that, I hugged Dongwoo tight. "Happy birthday Oppa. I'm sorry for coming late."
-----------------------------------------------------------------