TWENTY [ SEVENTEEN ]

SEVEN

Eun Byul's POV

I have been avoiding Jihoon ever since the talk with Seungcheol. School wasn't a great help, whenever he sees me, I made sure that I plugged in my earphones and walk away. He had been texting me but I just delete them.

Today, I had to train extra hard for the nationals since it was only weeks away. Although it was tiring, I was actually happy because it made me forget about things, well at least for a short while.

Suhyun entered the gym with Jihoon hand in hand. He waved hi but I just continued what I was doing and acted as if nothing happened. I was completely worn out but it didn't stop me from finishing another round of laps.

I felt something on my shoulder which cause me to stop. Suhyun and Jihoon noticed because they went to me and showed their concern.

"Eun Byul-ssi, gwaenchanha?" Suhyun asked as I stood up and wiped my hair with a towel.

"eung. The pool is free for you to use if you want." I said as I grabbed my bag and went to the changing rooms without saying goodbye. I know it was rude but I had to do it for me, besides, I am the 'Ice Princess' aren't I?

I changed into a pair of grey joggers and a plain red shirt. After I was finished I went outside totally avoiding Jihoon's gaze on me.

I texted Hansol and asked him if he was busy. Unfortunately, he was.  He and Seungcheol we're busy writing up lyrics for Seventeen's song.

I texted the last person who I knew I could lean on, it was eomma.

"Eomma,

Are you free today? I miss you already. "

Luckily she responded fast. I took a bus and stopped in the nearest station near eomma's house.

I knocked on the door and waited for eomma to open it. As soon as she opened the door, I hugged her and began sobbing.

"aigo, wae? What's wrong my princess?" She asked as we went inside the house.

"E-eomma, it hurts." I said as I pointed where my heart is located.

" wae? Fancy telling eomma?" She asked.

"E-eomma I-i'm in love."

"with who? who is the lucky guy?"

"I-it's Jihoon eomma. I'm in love with my best friend."

"why don't you tell him?"

"I-i can't. She already has a girlfriend."

"aigo, my poor princess. It's okay to cry, just cry. It'll be over soon." Eomma said as she rubbed my back in circular motions.

Jihoon's POV

Ever since the day Eun Byul and I went to the beach everything became different between us. She became her old self again. The cold 'Ice Princess' that everybody feared of. I didn't know why she suddenly changed like that but it hurt me the most because she's been ignoring me for quite some time now. Everytime I tried to approach her she would walk away or if I ask the hyungs were they were they would always respond with 'I don't know.' I wanted to know the reason behind this sudden change of heart because I fear of losing one of the people who I love the most.

"oppa, don't you see anything weird from Eun Byul?" Suhyun asked

I just nodded as she intertwined our hands together.

"oppa, let's talk about something else. Don't you think that I would fit the qualifications to be the representative for the nationals?"

"huh? e-eung. But it is Eun Byul's forte, it is something she treasures."

Suhyun suddenly released her hand and stormed off outside the gym. I didn't get her. Did I say something wrong? I hope not.

Seungcheol hyung called me saying that he had an important announcement to say. He said that we should meet up in their house. I hailed for a taxi and told him the directions. As I reached the place, I paid the ahjussi the fare and went outside the cab. Wonwoo hyung opened the door for me and led me inside the lounge.

"Jihoon! Finally, your'e here!" hyung cheered

"mian." I bowed

"nah, it's cool we're just messing with you." Jeonghan  said as he ruffled my hair.

"since we are all complete, I'll tell you the important announcement."

"Yah! Choi Seungcheol just spill the news." Everyone  shouted

"arasso, well you know Mr. Wang right?"

all of us nodded.

"well, he came to watch our guerrilla performance and he was really impressed. So, he rented a rest house for us in Jeju as a sign of praise to us."

"jinja? wow, Mr. Wang is really daebak!" Mingyu said amused

"when are we leaving?"

"some time around next week?" Seungcheol  said as he pulled in Hansol away from where we were sitting.

Hansol's POV

Seuncheol hyung pulled me on the side and whispered something to me.

"Hansol-ah, tell Eun Byul not to go home yet. Tell her that Jihoon's here."  hyung said as he pat my shoulder.

"ne hyung."

I unlocked my phone and texted her, I didn't know exactly why they were doing this to her but I didn't like it.  Somehow it made me feel comfortable. I don't have anything against Jihoon hyung but recently, I have developed feelings for Eun Byul. I knew that it wasn't merely just an infatuation because it felt different. Eun Byul wasn't the person to be just infatuated, she needed to be loved, and I wanted to be the person who makes her feel that.