Forsakenness

Me and Taeyong had been hanging out lately during my work hours since the store hadn't been busy lately. However, I still feel a bit uneasy with our friendship considering he is an idol and one of the most popular guys at our school. When he considers sitting next to me, it feels awkward because of could feel the evil stared from other girls landing on me. On the other hand, I wasn't going to say anything since he was the one who decided to sit next to me. There was one time when he didn't show up to class and many of the other students were discouraged about it. This was the first time that I actually felt bad about him not being here.

After class, many of the other girls kept staring at me as I put my books into my bag. There was a group of girls who walked towards me with such a nasty look on their face. They both stood in front of me with their arms folded. One of the girls had asked me why Taeyong hadn't attended class today. Which I, myself couldn't answer such question because I didn't have the answer to it. The first thing I thought was that he could be doing idol activities since he is an idol. However, I didn't' mention that since the two couldn't use their big brains themselves. Furthermore, it wasn't any of my business to talk about someone else's business. I just focused on packing all my belongings since I had work with Rose and had to meet up with her before work.

As I was packing, one of the girls sucked her teeth, she grabbed my bag and dumbed it onto the floor. Everyone's eye's glanced over to my side of the classroom as the girls were making a big scene. This was so embarrassing since I had nothing to do with why Taeyong was absent from class, which I didn't know why they cared. Since he never hanged out with any other students in the class but me. Of course, my only option was to act weak as if I actually cared since if I stood up to them, they would further annoy me. Suddenly, the same girl asked me if I felt better than everyone else since Taeyong showed me some type of attention. I rolled my eyes at the sudden question because it was just stupid since I never bragged about it. Again, I just sat there looking helpless until Jo Woon came into my class witnessing the scene. He hurried to my defense and asked what was going on as class ended.

The mean girls just left as Jo Woon had asked them a question in response to their actions. He helped me clean up my stuff that was lying on the ground as everyone left. I signed since it was a close call since I really was getting annoyed. I thanked Jo Woon for helping me since there was not any other way to get out the situation without arguing. I didn't want to be a person who is considered to be cattie or petty nor the idea that me and Taeyong was a "thing". I just felt like we were just good class buddies since he would always ask me about the lesson as if he wasn't smart as it was. Sometimes, he would even make a smirk once he knew that I had figured out most of his games. Now that everything was over, it didn't make things better by seeing Jo Woon even though our romantic relationship had ended. On the other hand, I was grateful for his help, but it just became weird.

As were walking, I thought about the fact that A-yeong wasn't around school lately. I didn't know what was so much more important than attending class, but Jo Woon didn't look sad about it. Apart of me wanted to ask the question but it wasn't my place. Instead, I just decided to show my gratitude with his help with making those snobby girls back off. He laughed as he smiled from remembering his act of kindness. Which he mentioned that I was still the same person since I could never stand up to anyone as I never wanted to be the center of attention. However, it was never about that as a woman I just knew how catty girls could be especially over a smart and good-looking guy like Taeyong.

As we were near my job, Jo Woon asked me suddenly if there was anything going on between me and Taeyong. When he suddenly asked that question, I was very stunned because I didn't expect it. However, when I thought about it-it made sense since we have been hanging out a lot lately. It wasn't impossible for one to thing that we were dating. Unfortunately, I didn't know how to answer this because we weren't together, but I really enjoyed hanging out with him. Even though, I still was not ready for a relationship, I thought to keep my options open. So, I decided to give him a very vague answer like that I am keeping my options open. He was not really thrilled about the answer considering the thought of me moving on to someone else. Me and Jo Woon knew each other well, so I didn't need him to explicitly say anything for me to know what he was thinking or feeling. Apart of me felt bad for him, but I just felt like we needed a break.

When I had arrived, Rose was standing their waiting for me while Jo Woon just glanced at her from a distance. Of course, I knew that something was up with him, but I didn't know what exactly it was. However, I wasn't in the mood to deal with all this drama, so I told him goodbye as I made my way to my best friend. As me and Rose clocked in, she was not happy that I was not only walking with my ex but talking to him as well. Which I had explained to her about me being picked on by girls in my class as Taeyong was not present in class today. However, she wasn't buying the idea not that she didn't believe me nor cared. I had the feeling that she wanted me to be with someone better than Jo Woon, which made sense since she never liked us together. I knew how Rose felt, but I wasn't going to mention to her that I don't have much of any intentions on getting back with Jo Woon.

I actually took a liking to Taeyong because we were completely different but the same in so many ways. Even though, he was an idol while I was a simple girl trying to make something of myself. As I was standing at the counter, I thought about Taeyong constantly him entering the store wearing all black and browsing around the K-pop section. I all of a sudden started to feel not only sad but bored when he is not around. I wasn't the only one noticing it as Rose and Mi Kyeong began to start noticing me being a bit down in the dumb. They wandered towards me rubbing me as they tried to cheer me up, however, I just wanted Taeyong to come back. As I was busy with holding down the front of the store, this was a good moment for Rose and Mi Kyeong to discuss my sudden change in emotions. Rose couldn't believe that I was actually missing someone like Taeyong, an idol, she was finally getting everything that she had wished for - a good boyfriend for her best friend. On the other hand, Mi Kyeong didn't want to jump the gun yet on the idea since we had yet to actually get to know Taeyong. There were many idols in the industry who appeared to be nice and perfect since their career requires it, but they are a different person when confronting them. For example, there was a REALLY popular idol from an OG group that committed several crimes alongside other popular idols, who ended up going to jail much less being convicted. So, we had to be sure that Taeyong wasn't like those other idols, and we were truly as he presented himself to be.

Both Mi Kyeong and Rose knew that this was going to be difficult because Rose didn't have class with me, and Mi Kyeong didn't attend our school. Besides, Taeyong is always nice to me as he doesn't put his guard down not for a second. As we sat back and thought about it, Mr. Kim passed us with a word of advice that we should just remain the same and wait for the opportunity to present itself. He stated that if we were to make up a plan than it would offend the other person as we don't trust them and if he (Taeyong) was truly a nice person then it would make you look bad. Moreover, it could also backfire as well and be completely embarrassing especially since Mina and Taeyong are not even a couple. When Mr. Kim mentioned that it made sense for us to just sit back and relax. However, I felt very anxious because I wanted to trust him since I wanted to make the next step of becoming friends. Of course, Rose wanted us to become more than friends which was not going to happen in this amount of time.

Not to mention, I was getting side eyed by many of the girls at our school now that he is not attending class. Which for the time being, I had to find a way to not draw attention to myself already for no reason but for thirsty girls. I just hated that fact that my life was getting turned upside down for a guy who wasn't my boyfriend but a simple classmate who happened to be a popular Rapper/singer from a popular boyband. *Too many Popular's in one sentence 😮‍💨At least for the time being, I might have Jo Woon help me with dealing with the unnecessary attention until Taeyong finds his way back soon. I hated relying on Jo Woon because it would make things awkward between us and even other classmates. I could see people thinking that we are dating as I am two timing both him and Taeyong which is not the case. However, he was the only option at the moment since Taeyong was not here to set the record straight. At this point, I beginning to become frustrated about Taeyong's absence and the predicament he put me in. Rose and Mi Kyeong assured me that everything was going to be fine and that things were going to blow over. Which I let out a huge sigh as I hoped since I have other things to focus on other than him.

As it got late, I clocked out from work and began heading home. As I walked home, I slowly passed the convenient store that me and Taeyong met at for the first time before he transferred into my class. I could feel a tear slowly roll down my cheeks, which was surprising because I didn't know why I am crying. It was not like we were dating for me to be crying like this, but the feeling of loneliness just kept on creeping up on me. This was the first time I felt lonely from someone other than my parents, boyfriend, and friends. However, I just brushed off the thoughts and feelings and made my way home. The lights were on inside which was unexpected since I wasn't expecting nobody as it was late, and I didn't have other family members living in Seoul. I opened the door, placed my keys on the table near the door and put down my bag as I made my way into the living room.

There was my mother who was sitting on one side of the couch while what seemed to be my cousin who was sitting on the other side. I just stood their froze trying to understand the situation because my mother said she would be back soon but not with a visitor - at least that's what I had thought. My cousin Seo Yeon had nice brown flowing hair that sparked in the light by the lamb that sat right next to her. She had such a grace and elegance about herself as she not only pretty but smart as well. I quicky wanted to know what my mother's thoughts was for wanted to have her in Seoul with us since she said she would be coming back alone. She grabbed me gently as she had me sit down beside her while I faced Seo Yeon who had a smile on her face as she gently ran her fingers through her hair. My mother told Seo Yeon that she could grab her bags and head to her room that was next to mines. Before my mother could get a word out, I could hear her walk up the stairs and her bedroom door slam.

"Mother, what is this all about? You said that you would be back by yourself and not with a visitor especially with her of all people." I said

"Calm down! I had to bring her hear since it has become quite lonely with just the two of us here by ourselves without your father. Moreover, I thought it would be nice to have her here since she is your cousin and you guys can get to know each other." she explained

"What! You brought her here because you felt like it has become lonely with just the two of us here? Everything has been fine since it just the two of us because at least you have me and I have you. If father was here, he wouldn't agree with this since he doesn't even like his side of the family." I stated

"Mina! Your father is not here how would you know if he would such thing or not. And you cannot speak ill of your father's brother's daughter like that. You have not dealt with her since you both were little kids before we moved to Seoul from the countryside." she said

"I don't care!" I said rushing upstairs

I couldn't believe that my mother had the nerve to bring that girl to our home, even after my dad made clear before he passed that he didn't like his brother. Which was the reason that my father had us leave from the countryside to the big city of Seoul. I abandoned most of my memories of those people while making new memories here in the big city. Now, my mother has offended me and my father of something that not supposed to happen. As I got ready for bed, I thought to myself how things could more unravel in my life.