Chae Rin's POV
"Ya, what are you doing?" I asked Cheong San turning to see his mouth pressed against the door's window, Gyeong Su laughing at his idiot manners, before he shooed him off turning back around.
"Ms. Park. It's been more than 30 minutes, but Gyeong Su won't come out" he says, making her stand up.
"Okay. I'll bring him out" and so she walks in to try and convince him to leave the room.
"What's wrong with him?" Su Hyeok asks rhetorically, getting out from the top of the table to get close to the big window into the recording room.
All of us, with the exception of Nam Ra and Na Yeon, getting up to see their interaction through the window.
"He's fine" Wu Jin pointed out.
"He's totally fine" Ji Min confirmed.
"I knew he would be" I continued with a sigh.
"Why is he being so stubborn?" Cheong San asked, confused.
"He won't come out, right?" Su Hyeok asked him, and I look at Cheong San seeing him nod.
"I won't come out either, you know Gyeong Su. He wants to prove a point", Cheong San sighs at my comment looking down.
"He's so pigheaded."
"He's so stubborn"
"What did he say?" Cheong San asks the teacher as soon as she opens the door, leaving the room.
"He won't come out?" Dae Su questions.
"He says he'll stay the full hour" she rubs her hands on her pants.
"He's sulking" Dae Su comments shrugging.
"I'll go in" Cheong San offers, but Ji Min interrupts.
"Why would you go in? If anyone should go in, it's Na Yeon" she points out, all of us turning to look at her.
"I don't like this plan. Can I go in first? While you all talk?" I ask, Cheong San nods pushing me ahead as I open the door.
"Ya. Wanna get hit? Why won't you leave the room?" I ask.
"Just leave. I won't leave before an hour" He grumbles, I hum nodding my head as I come close to him sitting on the table.
"Are you upset? Are you pouting? show me" I chuckled, a smile cracking through his lips.
"I don't pout!" He fight back.
"Yes, you do. It's cute" I smile, he turns to me.
"I know you're hurt about what she said... but don't let it get to you. She's nothing at the end of the day. We're all on your side, Gyeong Su" I told him, placing my hand on his shoulder.
"Stop trying to console me, you suck at it" I gasped, placing a hand on my heart.
"You hurt my feelings" I shriek as he scoffs.
"I'll be out soon. Just hang a little"
"You do realize, you still owe me a bag of gummies, right? You can't die, I won't let you die until you repay me my gummies" I pointed a finger at him.
"That was 2 years ago!" He said loudly, I smiled amused.
"It's still a debt. So don't turn, and in 20 minutes come out, okay?" I now said more softly, he nods.
"Go on, before anyone thinks we're dating"
"You wish" I stick out my tongue, I hear him chuckle as I leave the room.
"Wait, so she's really going in?" I ask confused as Na Yeon enters a few seconds after I leave.
"She's going to apologize" Cheong San tells me, I nod unsure.
"That's a new one" I mumble.
I stand beside Cheong San, everyone else, again, besides Nam Ra who stood in the back sitting down, was by the window watching the interaction.
"She's going to him" Dae Su mumbled, I watched her back as she approached Gyeong Su who turned to look at her after a few seconds.
"They're talking. It looks good" He continued.
"She grabbed his hand. Oh My god" Dae Su chuckles, I heard commotion seeing Nam Ra finally stand up and going near the window.
"What is on her hand?" I mumble.
"A cloth of some sorts" Cheong San said back.
"Why is she..." I looked around, Nam Ra's face was shocked so I moved to her side.
"What's wrong?" I asked her.
"That cloth... she used it to wipe the broom" she mumbled, eyes slowly blinking as she stared ahead.
"Maybe...maybe nothing will happen. She , she's mean but, she wouldn't... right?" I grabbed her hand., but she stood quiet.
I watched Na Yeon walk out, emotionlessly coming out, as the others applauded her, but that nice environment was cut out by Gyeong Su angrily storming outside after her, Cheong San, Dae Su, Su Hyeok and Ms. Park, hurrying to hold him back.
"Gyeong Su!" The teacher called out shocked by his sudden movements.
"You little - "Wu Jin rushed in to also grab him as he continuously launched forward to grab at her.
"What's wrong?" They all asked confused.
"You're really a fucking... seriously" He continued, near tears from anger.
"Ya... ya, calm down, go sit down" I said pulling away from Nam Ra.
"Ya, just, try to push him near the window" I said sighing, they complied, sitting him down at a seat near the window as he explained what she had said and what had happened.
"Why must I always take it?" He says sulking.
"Forget it... she's a bitch" I sighed again, Su Hyeok patting his shoulder as we heard his side.
"We almost died because Gyeong Su pulled Mr. Kang in" I heard her say, Cheong San hearing this walked towards the other girls where her teacher confronted her.
"But you don't say a word about that" she says, the bitchiest expression on her face.
"He didn't pull him in. He didn't know that would happen" Cheong San pointed out.
"The teacher should've bitten you, gosh." I mumble annoyed.
"That's enough. Quiet everyone. And Chae Rin... you shouldn't say that about a friend" Ms. Park says, looking at me, I shrugged.
"We'd be quiet if she was gone" Ji Min threw back.
"Whatever. All of you are so annoying." she scoffs.
"What if I'm right? Then will you admit I saved you?" She raised her voice.
"How could you still be this way?" Cheong San says, already too disappointed to even try and cover it up.
"Look. See if I'm right or wrong" she says, nodding her head at Gyeong Su, all of us turning around, my eyes widen.
"What?" he asks tiredly, I grab at his shoulders turning his head to me as I hold his face with my hands, Cheong San calling for him solemnly.
"No... you, you were fine" I begin, my eyes watering.
His eyes stare at mine, before he reaches up to touch his nose.
"See that? You still think I'm wrong?" She asks agitated.
"Shut up!" I yell standing up to look at her.
"This is your fault!" I shout "He was fine before you entered the room!" I continue.
"Ya... What's wrong with me? Something's wrong with me"His voice shakes as he speaks standing up, a little to my side but still behind me.
"What the fuck. What's wrong with you? It's not true" Cheong San says a little in front of us.
"Get rid of him. Get right of him now!" Na Yeon shouts pushing at Joon Yeong.
"No, I- " he begins, walking ahead of me.
"Don't do it, Gyeong Su" On Jo says, all of them stepping back scared.
"Don't do that" she says now in a softer tone.
"Fuck, I'm not" He cries out.
"Wait... just-" I grab at his hand, inspecting it.
"How... You were fine. You're fine!" I cry, he takes his hand from mine, looking down at it.
"I've turned, right? Cheong San, What do I do?" he asks, staring at his best friend ahead of mine.
Both of my hands go through my hair as I bite my lip turning around.
How?!
I entered the room, he was fine, he stayed there over 30 minutes he was fine! He wasn't infected.
I feel someone pull me away as my thoughts continue to process everything.
"No... he, he was fine. I went in the room, he was fine" I continuously mumbled.
"Moron. It's not true. Why would you suddenly-" he drags out, shaking his head still trying to convince himself otherwise.
"Ya. You weren't bit" Cheong San said trying to grab at his hand.
"Stay away!" Gyeong Su stuttered as he stepped further back into the room.
"Don't come any closer! Fuck!" He said, Cheong San stayed glued to his place, as Gyeong Su's mouth opened.
A small grunt coming out as his head twisted to the side, I stared at him, unable to move, his hands locked in place that looked like claws, his eyes turning slightly red.
"What are you doing? Tell him to get out. We're all going to die!" Na Yeon yelled.
"why... Fuck, Why am i...Fuck" Gyeong Su cried out, already aware of his situation.
"Get out. I said get out!" Na Yeon yelled again.
"Shut up! Just shut up before I rip your fucking tongue out!" I screamed pulling myself away from the grasp of the person holding me.
"Shut up! Fuck! I'll leave! I'll leave on my own. Ya..ya, why would I bite you? We're fucking friends. If I leave, It'll all be fine" He said, emotions on rollercoaster as all seemed to be either crying or near to it.
"You promised..."I cried.
"I'm sorry, I'll give them back next life, I promise" he cried softly, I shook my head grabbing his hand against his will.
"You promised in this life" I cried harder.
"Gyeong Su, why don't you just go back into the recording - " Ms. Park said, sadly.
"What will you do if we all die?" Na Yeon spat, The teacher yelled her name already full of her shit.
"We have to live" She sassed.
"Ya, grab her" Gyeong Su said pushing me off, as he grabbed onto the desk with unsteady legs and arms, grabbing onto the chairs for support, everyone making way for him to pass as he softly sobbed.
"I'll get out on my own. Sorry, I'll get out of here" he continued.
Once at the door, Cheong San calls for him once more.
"It's okay" He assured him.
"Thank you, guys, for everything. Really. Make sure to stay alive" He finished, hand on the handle to open the door.
My lip quivered as I stared at his back, he slowly turned back, eyes red as he now looked shocked, and scared, crying as he slid down the door.
"Why are you doing that? You're scaring me. Stop that. Stop it! Cheong San, why are you doing that? Chae Rin, stop it! Stop it, please! I'm scared!" He yelled, trashing around.
"Gyeong Su! What's wrong?" I called out, only getting grabbed tighter.
He starts choking, laying fully down on the floor as his bones begin to crack before standing up, screeching before he charged against Wu Jin who was near the radio, Ji Min and Ms. Park pulling him back before Gyeong Su got him, making him fall on the ground.
Dae Su steps forward, and as Gyeong Su moved to bite him he grabs him by the shoulder blades throwing him on the desk, grabbing a keyboard as weapon as Gyeong Su gets up from the floor, but a sound distracts him.
Cheong San was on the window frame whistling a tone the two friends knew.
Gyeong Su screeched charging for him but Cheong San grabbed onto the hose swinging as Gyeong Su fell down the window.
I rushed to it, seeing Gyeong Su run on, Cheong San standing up as he watched him too, a pained expression on his face.
I fell to the ground, crying, finally realizing that Su Hyeok had been the one grabbing me.
This, was the first time the class had been able to see me cry...
I Sak was a good friend, but, Gyeong Su had been different, he was the person I would go to whenever I had concerns, whenever I needed advice.
The only person who had known about my crush on Cheong San, he had stolen a pack of gummies that I had bought to give Cheong San, just to tease the fact that I had been hesitating on confessing for days on end.
~~~~~~
~"I'm going to confess today" I told Gyeong Su who sat in front of me as we ate lunch together waiting for the others.
"What? Are you serious?" He laughs
"Don't laugh" I whined, he chuckles but covers him mouth.
"Did you gain the courage?" I nod.
"I bought him his favorite gummies and I'm going to give them to him and confess" I explain, he nods.
~~~~~~
"Ya! Ya! Gyeong Su, are those... Did you eat the gummies?!" I screech running to him, he quickly gets up running around my house holding the gummy bag.
"These are the gummies? They're good" He smiles biting into another.
"I can't believe you've done this" I pout.
"How will I confess now" I whined.
"Let's be real, you weren't going to confess, it's been a week since you said you would" he sassed, I mocked him sticking my tongue out.
~~~~~~~~
"Ya... will you really keep on doing that?"
"Doing what?" I asked confused, he pointed at me.
"Exactly. Just tell him" He knocked his shoulder into me.
"Ah, hell no. It'll be awkward, and he likes On Jo" I huff, he chuckles.
"Plus, you ate the gummies I was going to give him" he scoffs with a smile.
We continue mindlessly walking around the school before he stops near the field.
"What? Why did you stop?" I ask him confused.
"If you didn't like Cheong San, I would've stolen you" he chuckles, I turn my head confused, eyes widening and he laughs.
"Ya! Don't joke about that!" I say punching his shoulder.
"What? I'm a great catch too" He sulked, I smiled.
"You'll be my first choice after he rejects me" he smiles back.
"Hurry up and confess"
"Ya, Cheong San-ah!" He calls out as the devil we were talking of comes out from the school building.
"Don't you dare! Ya!" I yell running after him.
"What's up with you two?" Cheong San smiles.
"I ate all of Chae Rin's gummies" he says proudly.
"Are you happy?" His best friend laughs, to which he nods feeling accomplished.
"So I guess, no gummies for me?" Cheong San sighs looking at me.
"Not unless she gains the courage" Gyeong Su smirks.
"Ya" I pinch him
"AH!" He screeched.
"I told you not to do that" I pinch him again.
"Ah! AH! I'm sorry! Cheong San, save me!" He runs behind his friend who laughs full heartedly at his friends bickering.
~~~~~~
I sat in silence under the counter that had the radio stuff, sheltering myself from the light and everyone's eyes as I kept my head in my arms hoping to stop my silence crying.
"Gyeong Su, that punk" Dae Su broke the silence sniffing.
"He was such a good kid. Why did he have to turn?" He heaved.
"I told you, he was infected" Na Yeon
"Are you happy?" Dae Su questioned her.
"You were all wrong. Only I was right. What if you didn't have me" She says proudly.
"Please, shut up. Just the sound of your voice makes me want to gauge my ears out" I snarled.
"As if you weren't annoying enough" she scoffs back to me "I saved your life" she continues.
"Ya" Nam Ra coldly calls out, to which Na Yeon turns to look at her, my head lifting from my arms.
"Maybe you did it" Nam Ra accused.
"What?" Na Yeon asks daringly, Nam Ra walks towards her.
"I saw... what you did" she uncovered, at her confusing words I get out from under the table, standing up, using my hands to steady myself.
"What? What did you see?" Na Yeon asks her standing up to her height.
"You did it" she reveals, I look at Nam Ra.
"I didn't do it. I didn't do that to Gyeong Su" she defended herself.
"She didn't mention Gyeong Su..." I said taking a step closer to the two girls.
"Stop that... what do you mean?" Wu Jin asks confused.
"I didn't do it" Na Yeon repeated.
"While we were all looking at him and Chae Rin talk, you were in the back alone. Chae Rin-ah, remember what I told you?" she says before turning to me.
"You said" I put a hand on my forehead, before I snap my eyes open to look at Na Yeon.
"She wiped the blood on the handkerchief. You... she killed him" I mumble.
"No, No i didn't" she shrugs.
"You rubbed that on Gyeong Su's wound, didn't you" Nam Ra sneered.
"I didn't" Na Yeon continued to deny it.
"Your handkerchief is in your pocket, isn't it" She continued to press on.
"And if it is?" She daringly asks.
"Take it out" Nam Ra calmly stated, to which she refused.
She asks once more offering her hand but she once more refused hitting her hand.
"Should I take it out?" she asked humorlessly, she reached in but Na Yeon fought her off.
"Who the hell do you think you are? Is being classroom president special?" She protested.
Nam Ra slaps her, the girls head turning to the side as everyone stands shocked never having seen the black hair girl this angry before.
"Since when did you consider me your classroom president?" she questions her, I look at Na Yeon glaring at the side of her face.
"Nam Ra, that's enough" Ms. Park said, rushing to our side standing a little behind us.
"Nam Ra, do you realize what you're saying? If that's true, it means Na Yeon killed Gyeong Su" Ms. Park explained.
"It's true. Na Yeon killed Gyeon Su" the girl lifts her head nodding as she knows she's being pushed into a corner.
"You fucking bitch" Na Yeon cusses throwing the cloth at Nam Ra, it falls to the ground but i hurriedly pick it up
"here it is. Satisfied?" She asks.
"Chae Rin-ah" Nam Ra calls out, I sniffle standing back up.
"There's blood in it" I stutter.
"I wiped Gyeong Su's wound" She replied.
"His wound wasn't bleeding this much, this can't be his. How can one be so selfish, Na Yeon..." I sniffed.
"This is Gyeong Su's blood?" Nam Ra questions her, with a smirk.
"Can't you tell?" she says back.
"Then put it on your wound" Nam Ra instructs, extenting my arm that had the handkiefer. "If you're so sure, wipe your wound with it" she pressed on.
"Like his blood is clean? He became a zombie" She says.
"After you went in there!" I shout, dropping the cloth and grabbing at her collar.
"He was fine until you rubbed that on him. Murderer" I cry, Nam Ra pulling me back to her side.
"Lee Na Yeon, you-" Cheong San angrily said walking towards her, but Su Hyeok stops him, Na Yeon cusses loudly going down to the floor to pick up the cloth i had thrown on the floor.
"Fuck! It wasn't me!" She continued, hesitating to put the blood on her wound until the teacher stopped her.
"Don't do it, stop" She says grabbing her hand.
"Let go"
"I said to stop it. Give it to me"
"Leave me alone! Fuck!" she pushes the teacher away, breaking free from her hold, looking at us all.
"I'll just die too, then. That's what you want, isn't it?" Na Yeon asks rhetorically, rolling her eyes.
"What makes Gyeong Su better than me? That dirty welfie pushed me" He mumbled loud for us to hear.
"Na Yeon, you didn't..." Ms. Park asks her, waiting for her to confirm what we all knew...
"Ya. Did you do it?" Cheong San asks from behind, I looked to watch as Su Hyeok grabbed him harder, Dae Su hurrying to help him hold him back.
"Calm down" Dae Su says.
"How could you-" He yelled at her.
"I didn't kill him!" She yelled back.
"Gyeong Su fell, but he got up and ran. He's still alive. He didn't die. He turned" she said nodding satisfied.
"Are you kidding me?" On Jo asked her repulsed.
"Why are you all picking on me? You all laughed when I said he smelled. You all badmouthed him too. Why are you acting innocent now?" She asks.
"That little - "
"Cheong San!" The boys yelled as he freed himself from their hold, I still reached to grab his arm but missed as he angrily pushed Na Yeon to the floor.
"Why did you kill him?" He asks her.
"Don't do it. Don't lower yourself to her level" I say grabbing his arm as he heaved angrily.
"You, are a murderer" he told her, she sobbed, lifting her head to look at everyone in the room.
"I have no friends. I don't need any of you. Fuck this." and with those last words she left the room, slamming the door behind her.
"Ya!" Wu Jin yelled racing to the door, but Ms. Park was faster, stopping him from leaving, hands on his head he turned to walk away stopping besides me.
"Guys, no matter what happens, dont die, and don't let anyone else die either. If you cause someone else to die, living becomes meaningless. Answer?" She smiles at the silence, knowing hard it is to talk in this situation, and turns, leaving for the corridor too.
"Ms. Park! Ms. Park!" Dae Su calls out running for the door, his favorite teacher gone into the darkness of the corridor.
"Dae Su, don't go" Wu Jin says stopping him.
"She left" he cried, sitting on the desk, Wu Jin comforting him.
"Fuck!" Cheong San yells, punching the racks a few times, I looked at On Jo, lip quivering as she slightly opened her eyes, to which I made my way into, quietly sobbing onto her shoulder as she patted my back.