[PG-13] Caught in Between (12/25)
Title: Caught in Between
Characters: Kyuhyun/Taeyeon/Eunhyuk, Donghae/Jessica, Sungmin/Sunny, Siwon/Tiffany
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Friendship, Comedy, Drama
“So I hear you’re officially going out with Taeyeon now,” Sooyoung said in a singsong voice as she sat down across from Kyuhyun on one of the more secluded quad tables. She knew he loved coming here.
Kyuhyun sighed irately. “What do you want now?”
“Why is it that whenever I talk to you these days that’s all you ask me?” Sooyoung quipped.
“Because you won’t talk to me anymore unless you want something in return,” Kyuhyun told her pointedly, glaring at her.
Sooyoung’s expression softened. “That’s not true,” she quietly replied.
“Look, I really don’t have the time to play your games right now,” he responded harshly. “Tell me what you want and leave.”
“Fine,” Sooyoung snapped. “I suppose you’re going to be off to meet your little girlfriend in a bit. I wonder… what would she do if she found out about that little, tiny detail about you lying to her?”
Kyuhyun looked at her. “Sooyoung…” he began.
“I was trying to have a nice conversation, but you shot me down,” Sooyoung pointed out with a shrug. “Anyway, I would really love to see Taeyeon’s expression when she realizes that her first ever boyfriend has deceived her. Wouldn’t you love that?” She gave him a sweet smile.
“Sooyoung, I’m going to tell her,” Kyuhyun seriously said.
“When?” she wanted to know.
“I’m going to tell her,” was all he said.
“Hmm… I feel like telling her myself,” Sooyoung mused. “Unless…”
“What do you want?” Kyuhyun asked in resignation.
“You,” Sooyoung told him in all seriousness.
~ * ~
“Are you sure?” Hyoyeon asked.
Seohyun looked at her in annoyance. “Yes, I’m sure. I’m betting my life on it.”
“Hey, no need to get upset,” Hyoyeon told her. “It was just a question.”
“You asked me 10 times,” Seohyun pointed out.
“Really, you counted?” Hyoyeon said, amazed.
“Will you two keep it down?” Donghae asked irately. “Hyoyeon, Shindong’s over there. Why don’t you ask him yourself whether he’s just friends with Sunny or not?”
Seohyun and Hyoyeon looked at each other in surprise. Then Hyoyeon stood up in a huff and left.
“That was unnecessary. What’s with you?” Seohyun asked.
“Nothing,” Donghae replied evasively.
“You’ve been like this for days,” Seohyun went on.
It was true. He was always in a bad mood lately. It was just that ever since his little talk with Hankyung, Jessica never talked to him again.
~ * ~
“I can’t believe you’re doing homework instead of playing some hoops,” Shindong growled.
“You can go and play,” Eunhyuk reminded him. “I just don’t feel like it right now.” Another reason was the fact that Taeyeon happened to be at the gym, watching cheerleading practice. All of a sudden she was friendly with Tiffany, too.
“There’s no point,” Shindong said, looking at his watch. “The game would be nearly over by now.”
“Then stop complaining,” Eunhyuk said, growing tired of the conversation. “Why don’t you get something to eat? That always seems to cheer you up.”
“You’re hilarious, you know that?” Shindong responded sarcastically.
“Excuse me.”
Eunhyuk and Shindong looked up.
“Hi!” Hyoyeon said shyly.
“Oh Hyoyeon,” Shindong greeted her. “What’s up?”
“There’s just something I wanted to ask you,” Hyoyeon said, deciding to take Donghae’s advice.
“About what?” Shindong asked nicely, ignoring Eunhyuk’s muffled chuckling. Hyoyeon was really nice. Despite being a geek, he thought she was pretty cool.
“Er,” Hyoyeon hesitated, glancing at Eunhyuk.
Eunhyuk took the hint and smirked. “I suppose this is my cue to exit.” He quickly gathered his stuff, shaking his head. He didn’t understand how they’d become friends. Shindong had mentioned to him once how cool and nice she was, but still. Is becoming friends with geeks the popular thing nowadays? There’s Shindong and Hyoyeon, Tiffany and Siwon and recently Jessica and Donghae. “See you later,” he told Shindong and walked away.
~ * ~
“I had a great time the other night,” Kibum told Yoona, referring to their dinner date.
“Me too,” Yoona said, smiling.
“Are you doing anything later?” Kibum then asked. “Coz I was thinking…”
“Yes,” Yoona said even though he hadn’t asked her yet. “I mean I’m not doing anything.”
Kibum smiled. “I thought you hated me. I left so suddenly and never even wrote to you.”
“But you’re back now,” Yoona dismissed. “That’s what’s important.” She did hate him. He left without so much as a proper notice. He told her he was leaving the day before his flight. How could she not hate him? And he never left her a promise of coming back for her. He never even contacted her when he was away. Not once. But when he came back and showed that he was still interested, how could she resist? She was still in love with him. She had always been.
Kibum nodded then he looked at her. “I still can’t believe you dated Sungmin.”
“It was a moment of weakness,” Yoona confessed. “But we’ve broken up. And now he’s with his best friend and I’m with you.”
“Are you?” Kibum asked, smiling. Yoona smiled back shyly.
“Well well well, look who’s back,” Sooyoung greeted as she approached them.
Kibum chuckled. “Hey Sooyung.” He gave her a hug.
“You look even hotter,” Sooyoung said, her hand lingering on his arm. Yoona bit her lip. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell us you were coming back. We would’ve thrown you a nice party.”
“That’s alright,” Kibum said. “It’s good to be back.”
“We should hang out some time,” Sooyoung said. “It’s been really boring since you left. There were no more hot guys around.”
Kibum chuckled. “I heard about what happened between you and Kyuhyun. I’m sorry.” When he left, he remembered the two being very much in love. He didn’t think that things would end and change so badly for them.
“Whatever,” Sooyoung pressed, leaning closer to Kibum.
“Okay,” Yoona said, feeling annoyed at Sooyoung’s flirtatiousness. “We’ll be off now. Bye Sooyoung!” Pushing Sooyoung away, she left with Kibum in a hurry.
~ * ~
“Hey!” Jessica greeted Donghae. He was getting some books from his locker.
Donghae closed his locker shut and walked down the hallway, ignoring and leaving Jessica. She followed him.
“Hey Donghae,” Jessica called, ignoring the stares of the other students. She grabbed his arm and made him stop walking.
“What do you want?” Donghae snapped.
Jessica let go of him, taken aback. He’d never raised his voice at her before. “What’s your problem?” she shot back.
Donghae immediately felt bad. “Sorry,” he apologized. “I’m just… it’s not a good day. What is it?”
Jessica hesitated. All of a sudden, things felt weird between them. “I just… I got an A in my history exam and I wanted to tell you.”
“I’m not your tutor anymore, Jessica,” he reminded her.
“So, what, we can’t talk anymore?” she queried disappointedly. “Is that what you’re saying?”
“I get it, okay? You don’t have to pretend anymore,” he said. “Save yourself the trouble.” He started walking away.
“What are you talking about?” she asked, following him out of the building.
“I’m glad you and Hankyung are doing better now,” Donghae said, facing her. “All of this, it was because of him, wasn’t it?”
“You know for a smart person you’re not making any sense,” Jessica said, confused. “What does this have to do with Hankyung?”
Donghae decided that there was no point in hiding it from her. “Hankyung talked to me,” he put it mildly.
Jessica looked upset. “What did he say? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “But he made it very clear that you’re his. Jessica, why are you with him?” he boldly asked. It was very clear to him that Hankyung wasn’t a good guy. He beat Siwon up after all.
“He’s been in my life forever,” she answered lamely.
“That’s why you’re with him?” he responded in disbelief.
“Look I’m really sorry about whatever Hankyung said,” Jessica said, dodging the question. “I’m sorry for getting you involved.”
“When I said that you could talk to me about anything, I got myself involved,” Donghae reminded her. “I just…” He looked frustrated. “I wish you did things because it’s what you want to do and not because it’s what’s expected of you.”
~ * ~
“Hey!” Taeyeon said, surprising Eunhyuk, who was engrossed in watching soccer practice from the field bleachers.
Eunhyuk looked up at her. “Hey,” he greeted back, wondering how she knew where to find him. He was going to have to talk to Sungmin and Sunny about this.
“You’re not avoiding me, are you?” Taeyeon said innocently, taking a seat beside him.
“Of course not,” Eunhyuk said, his eyes on the field. “Why would I avoid you?”
“Because you’re mad that I didn’t tell you that Kyuhyun and I are friends,” Taeyeon went on, trying her best to sound apologetic.
“Aren’t you dating him now?” he said, feeling irritated.
“Well… yeah,” she confirmed softly. He didn’t respond. “Eunhyuk, please talk to me. I’m really sorry I kept it a secret from you. It’s because I knew you would get mad at me. You’re always so protective.”
“There’s a valid reason for that,” he said through a clenched jaw. It was taking everything in him not to tell her the truth.
Taeyeon grabbed his arm and put it around her, burying her face in his chest. “Eunhyukkie, please don’t be mad at me anymore. I’m really sorry. I miss you.”
Eunhyuk tightened his hold on her and closed his eyes, sighing. No matter how upset he became with her, he can’t stand prolonging it, especially when she pleaded with him that way. “Don’t I get ice cream and movies?” he then said.
Taeyeon looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back at her and kissed her forehead. He hoped it won’t hurt any more than this.
~ * ~
“Minnie,” Sunny whined. “You’re supposed to do it like this.” They were preparing a card for granny using cutouts from magazines.
“Sorry, Sunny bunny,” Sungmin said, pouting. “Like this?”
“That’s better,” Sunny affirmed. “My Sungminnie’s so smart.” Sungmin giggled.
“What are you guys doing?” Taeyeon asked, looking a bit horrified.
“Oh hey,” Sunny said. “It’s for gran. We’re visiting her later.” She did a double take. “Eunhyuk!”
“Hey,” Eunhyuk said. “We’re leaving already. We’re going to rent some DVDs and buy some ice cream. You guys want to come?”
“That’s alright,” Sungmin said, shaking his head. “You guys have fun.”
“Alright we’ll be off,” Eunhyuk told them.
“Please don’t drown granny in your aegyo,” Taeyeon pleaded before leaving with Eunhyuk.
Sunny watched Taeyeon and Eunhyuk in contentment. “I’m so happy they’re talking. I don’t think I can stand another week of silent treatment between those two.”
Sungmin nodded. “You’re right. They were worse than us.”
“I feel bad for Eunhyuk, though,” she said with a sigh.
“Why?” he asked curiously.
But Sunny didn’t answer him.
~ * ~
“Sooyoung?” Yuri called, knocking at her door. She decided to go to her house to discuss something with her.
“One moment,” Sooyoung called back without opening the door.
After a while, the door opened and Hankyung walked out. “Hey Yuri,” Hankyung greeted.
Yuri watched in confusion as Hankyung walked down the stairs and leave the house. Slowly, she walked in Sooyoung’s room.
“Hey!” Sooyoung said, giving her a quick hug.
“What was Hankyung doing here?” Yuri asked suspiciously.
Sooyoung waved her hand in dismissal. “So what did you want to talk about?” Yuri hesitated. “Let me guess. Eunhyuk.” When Yuri nodded, she asked, “What happened this time?”
Yuri hesitated once more. She would rather talk to Tiffany about this, but since she was busy and since Sooyoung was very supportive about her and Eunhyuk, she would have to do. “He and Taeyeon are probably in his house right now, watching movies,” she shared.
“I thought you guys had plans,” Sooyoung said.
“Well he cancelled it at the last minute, saying that he and Taeyeon made up and that they needed to spend some time together,” Yuri relayed. “I really don’t think it’s going to work out between us. I probably should just give up. I mean there are other guys who want to date me.”
“Like who, Yunho, the geeky senior? Honey, senior geeks aren’t any less of a loser from the geeks in our year,” Sooyoung said sympathetically.
“He’s not a geek,” Yuri said defensively. “He’s just really smart. He’s president of the student council. Plus, he’s very funny.”
“Again, it doesn’t make him any less of a geek,” Sooyoung reiterated. She reached out and patted her hand. “Just hang in there. I have more tricks up my sleeves.”
“What are you going to do?” Yuri asked worriedly.
“Just you wait,” Sooyoung told her with a tenacious smile on her face.
Characters: Kyuhyun/Taeyeon/Eunhyuk, Donghae/Jessica, Sungmin/Sunny, Siwon/Tiffany
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Friendship, Comedy, Drama
“So I hear you’re officially going out with Taeyeon now,” Sooyoung said in a singsong voice as she sat down across from Kyuhyun on one of the more secluded quad tables. She knew he loved coming here.
Kyuhyun sighed irately. “What do you want now?”
“Why is it that whenever I talk to you these days that’s all you ask me?” Sooyoung quipped.
“Because you won’t talk to me anymore unless you want something in return,” Kyuhyun told her pointedly, glaring at her.
Sooyoung’s expression softened. “That’s not true,” she quietly replied.
“Look, I really don’t have the time to play your games right now,” he responded harshly. “Tell me what you want and leave.”
“Fine,” Sooyoung snapped. “I suppose you’re going to be off to meet your little girlfriend in a bit. I wonder… what would she do if she found out about that little, tiny detail about you lying to her?”
Kyuhyun looked at her. “Sooyoung…” he began.
“I was trying to have a nice conversation, but you shot me down,” Sooyoung pointed out with a shrug. “Anyway, I would really love to see Taeyeon’s expression when she realizes that her first ever boyfriend has deceived her. Wouldn’t you love that?” She gave him a sweet smile.
“Sooyoung, I’m going to tell her,” Kyuhyun seriously said.
“When?” she wanted to know.
“I’m going to tell her,” was all he said.
“Hmm… I feel like telling her myself,” Sooyoung mused. “Unless…”
“What do you want?” Kyuhyun asked in resignation.
“You,” Sooyoung told him in all seriousness.
~ * ~
“Are you sure?” Hyoyeon asked.
Seohyun looked at her in annoyance. “Yes, I’m sure. I’m betting my life on it.”
“Hey, no need to get upset,” Hyoyeon told her. “It was just a question.”
“You asked me 10 times,” Seohyun pointed out.
“Really, you counted?” Hyoyeon said, amazed.
“Will you two keep it down?” Donghae asked irately. “Hyoyeon, Shindong’s over there. Why don’t you ask him yourself whether he’s just friends with Sunny or not?”
Seohyun and Hyoyeon looked at each other in surprise. Then Hyoyeon stood up in a huff and left.
“That was unnecessary. What’s with you?” Seohyun asked.
“Nothing,” Donghae replied evasively.
“You’ve been like this for days,” Seohyun went on.
It was true. He was always in a bad mood lately. It was just that ever since his little talk with Hankyung, Jessica never talked to him again.
~ * ~
“I can’t believe you’re doing homework instead of playing some hoops,” Shindong growled.
“You can go and play,” Eunhyuk reminded him. “I just don’t feel like it right now.” Another reason was the fact that Taeyeon happened to be at the gym, watching cheerleading practice. All of a sudden she was friendly with Tiffany, too.
“There’s no point,” Shindong said, looking at his watch. “The game would be nearly over by now.”
“Then stop complaining,” Eunhyuk said, growing tired of the conversation. “Why don’t you get something to eat? That always seems to cheer you up.”
“You’re hilarious, you know that?” Shindong responded sarcastically.
“Excuse me.”
Eunhyuk and Shindong looked up.
“Hi!” Hyoyeon said shyly.
“Oh Hyoyeon,” Shindong greeted her. “What’s up?”
“There’s just something I wanted to ask you,” Hyoyeon said, deciding to take Donghae’s advice.
“About what?” Shindong asked nicely, ignoring Eunhyuk’s muffled chuckling. Hyoyeon was really nice. Despite being a geek, he thought she was pretty cool.
“Er,” Hyoyeon hesitated, glancing at Eunhyuk.
Eunhyuk took the hint and smirked. “I suppose this is my cue to exit.” He quickly gathered his stuff, shaking his head. He didn’t understand how they’d become friends. Shindong had mentioned to him once how cool and nice she was, but still. Is becoming friends with geeks the popular thing nowadays? There’s Shindong and Hyoyeon, Tiffany and Siwon and recently Jessica and Donghae. “See you later,” he told Shindong and walked away.
~ * ~
“I had a great time the other night,” Kibum told Yoona, referring to their dinner date.
“Me too,” Yoona said, smiling.
“Are you doing anything later?” Kibum then asked. “Coz I was thinking…”
“Yes,” Yoona said even though he hadn’t asked her yet. “I mean I’m not doing anything.”
Kibum smiled. “I thought you hated me. I left so suddenly and never even wrote to you.”
“But you’re back now,” Yoona dismissed. “That’s what’s important.” She did hate him. He left without so much as a proper notice. He told her he was leaving the day before his flight. How could she not hate him? And he never left her a promise of coming back for her. He never even contacted her when he was away. Not once. But when he came back and showed that he was still interested, how could she resist? She was still in love with him. She had always been.
Kibum nodded then he looked at her. “I still can’t believe you dated Sungmin.”
“It was a moment of weakness,” Yoona confessed. “But we’ve broken up. And now he’s with his best friend and I’m with you.”
“Are you?” Kibum asked, smiling. Yoona smiled back shyly.
“Well well well, look who’s back,” Sooyoung greeted as she approached them.
Kibum chuckled. “Hey Sooyung.” He gave her a hug.
“You look even hotter,” Sooyoung said, her hand lingering on his arm. Yoona bit her lip. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell us you were coming back. We would’ve thrown you a nice party.”
“That’s alright,” Kibum said. “It’s good to be back.”
“We should hang out some time,” Sooyoung said. “It’s been really boring since you left. There were no more hot guys around.”
Kibum chuckled. “I heard about what happened between you and Kyuhyun. I’m sorry.” When he left, he remembered the two being very much in love. He didn’t think that things would end and change so badly for them.
“Whatever,” Sooyoung pressed, leaning closer to Kibum.
“Okay,” Yoona said, feeling annoyed at Sooyoung’s flirtatiousness. “We’ll be off now. Bye Sooyoung!” Pushing Sooyoung away, she left with Kibum in a hurry.
~ * ~
“Hey!” Jessica greeted Donghae. He was getting some books from his locker.
Donghae closed his locker shut and walked down the hallway, ignoring and leaving Jessica. She followed him.
“Hey Donghae,” Jessica called, ignoring the stares of the other students. She grabbed his arm and made him stop walking.
“What do you want?” Donghae snapped.
Jessica let go of him, taken aback. He’d never raised his voice at her before. “What’s your problem?” she shot back.
Donghae immediately felt bad. “Sorry,” he apologized. “I’m just… it’s not a good day. What is it?”
Jessica hesitated. All of a sudden, things felt weird between them. “I just… I got an A in my history exam and I wanted to tell you.”
“I’m not your tutor anymore, Jessica,” he reminded her.
“So, what, we can’t talk anymore?” she queried disappointedly. “Is that what you’re saying?”
“I get it, okay? You don’t have to pretend anymore,” he said. “Save yourself the trouble.” He started walking away.
“What are you talking about?” she asked, following him out of the building.
“I’m glad you and Hankyung are doing better now,” Donghae said, facing her. “All of this, it was because of him, wasn’t it?”
“You know for a smart person you’re not making any sense,” Jessica said, confused. “What does this have to do with Hankyung?”
Donghae decided that there was no point in hiding it from her. “Hankyung talked to me,” he put it mildly.
Jessica looked upset. “What did he say? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “But he made it very clear that you’re his. Jessica, why are you with him?” he boldly asked. It was very clear to him that Hankyung wasn’t a good guy. He beat Siwon up after all.
“He’s been in my life forever,” she answered lamely.
“That’s why you’re with him?” he responded in disbelief.
“Look I’m really sorry about whatever Hankyung said,” Jessica said, dodging the question. “I’m sorry for getting you involved.”
“When I said that you could talk to me about anything, I got myself involved,” Donghae reminded her. “I just…” He looked frustrated. “I wish you did things because it’s what you want to do and not because it’s what’s expected of you.”
~ * ~
“Hey!” Taeyeon said, surprising Eunhyuk, who was engrossed in watching soccer practice from the field bleachers.
Eunhyuk looked up at her. “Hey,” he greeted back, wondering how she knew where to find him. He was going to have to talk to Sungmin and Sunny about this.
“You’re not avoiding me, are you?” Taeyeon said innocently, taking a seat beside him.
“Of course not,” Eunhyuk said, his eyes on the field. “Why would I avoid you?”
“Because you’re mad that I didn’t tell you that Kyuhyun and I are friends,” Taeyeon went on, trying her best to sound apologetic.
“Aren’t you dating him now?” he said, feeling irritated.
“Well… yeah,” she confirmed softly. He didn’t respond. “Eunhyuk, please talk to me. I’m really sorry I kept it a secret from you. It’s because I knew you would get mad at me. You’re always so protective.”
“There’s a valid reason for that,” he said through a clenched jaw. It was taking everything in him not to tell her the truth.
Taeyeon grabbed his arm and put it around her, burying her face in his chest. “Eunhyukkie, please don’t be mad at me anymore. I’m really sorry. I miss you.”
Eunhyuk tightened his hold on her and closed his eyes, sighing. No matter how upset he became with her, he can’t stand prolonging it, especially when she pleaded with him that way. “Don’t I get ice cream and movies?” he then said.
Taeyeon looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back at her and kissed her forehead. He hoped it won’t hurt any more than this.
~ * ~
“Minnie,” Sunny whined. “You’re supposed to do it like this.” They were preparing a card for granny using cutouts from magazines.
“Sorry, Sunny bunny,” Sungmin said, pouting. “Like this?”
“That’s better,” Sunny affirmed. “My Sungminnie’s so smart.” Sungmin giggled.
“What are you guys doing?” Taeyeon asked, looking a bit horrified.
“Oh hey,” Sunny said. “It’s for gran. We’re visiting her later.” She did a double take. “Eunhyuk!”
“Hey,” Eunhyuk said. “We’re leaving already. We’re going to rent some DVDs and buy some ice cream. You guys want to come?”
“That’s alright,” Sungmin said, shaking his head. “You guys have fun.”
“Alright we’ll be off,” Eunhyuk told them.
“Please don’t drown granny in your aegyo,” Taeyeon pleaded before leaving with Eunhyuk.
Sunny watched Taeyeon and Eunhyuk in contentment. “I’m so happy they’re talking. I don’t think I can stand another week of silent treatment between those two.”
Sungmin nodded. “You’re right. They were worse than us.”
“I feel bad for Eunhyuk, though,” she said with a sigh.
“Why?” he asked curiously.
But Sunny didn’t answer him.
~ * ~
“Sooyoung?” Yuri called, knocking at her door. She decided to go to her house to discuss something with her.
“One moment,” Sooyoung called back without opening the door.
After a while, the door opened and Hankyung walked out. “Hey Yuri,” Hankyung greeted.
Yuri watched in confusion as Hankyung walked down the stairs and leave the house. Slowly, she walked in Sooyoung’s room.
“Hey!” Sooyoung said, giving her a quick hug.
“What was Hankyung doing here?” Yuri asked suspiciously.
Sooyoung waved her hand in dismissal. “So what did you want to talk about?” Yuri hesitated. “Let me guess. Eunhyuk.” When Yuri nodded, she asked, “What happened this time?”
Yuri hesitated once more. She would rather talk to Tiffany about this, but since she was busy and since Sooyoung was very supportive about her and Eunhyuk, she would have to do. “He and Taeyeon are probably in his house right now, watching movies,” she shared.
“I thought you guys had plans,” Sooyoung said.
“Well he cancelled it at the last minute, saying that he and Taeyeon made up and that they needed to spend some time together,” Yuri relayed. “I really don’t think it’s going to work out between us. I probably should just give up. I mean there are other guys who want to date me.”
“Like who, Yunho, the geeky senior? Honey, senior geeks aren’t any less of a loser from the geeks in our year,” Sooyoung said sympathetically.
“He’s not a geek,” Yuri said defensively. “He’s just really smart. He’s president of the student council. Plus, he’s very funny.”
“Again, it doesn’t make him any less of a geek,” Sooyoung reiterated. She reached out and patted her hand. “Just hang in there. I have more tricks up my sleeves.”
“What are you going to do?” Yuri asked worriedly.
“Just you wait,” Sooyoung told her with a tenacious smile on her face.