Chapter Text
The annoying chirps of birds were something Valencia had learned to hate more than the alarm that was blaring off on the nightstand. She sighed, turning on her back, and stared at her ceiling. She despised mornings and all the things and work that followed. She had gotten used to the numb feelings a long time ago.
“Valencia, wake up! That stupid alarm has gone off for the second time in the morning.” Her dad’s voice filtered through her door. Please leave me alone and go back to pretending I don’t exist. A sigh escaped her lips, sitting in her bed. She picked up her ringing phone and stopped the alarm from ripping out her eardrums so early in the morning.
She got up from her bed, her eyes falling on a set of fancy keys on the desk. Her heart squeezed at the sight of them. She grabbed those keys, opened the drawer of the nightstand, and shoved it back inside. Her jaw clenched as her eyes stayed on the drawer before deciding to go on with her hell of a day.
She walked to her closet and opened the door to the closet. She grabbed her uniform, which suffocated her because it was like shackles to her. They tied her down to what she didn’t understand and hated. Her eyes trained on the black leather jacket that was hanging on the hanger placed in the closet.
She tore her eyes away from the jacket and closed the closet’s door with more force than it required, making her flinch. She didn’t stand there to dwell more on her ravaging thoughts and decided a cold shower will relax her train of thought. Hopefully.
She stepped inside her bathroom, switched on the lights, and placed her uniform on the cloth rack. She removed her hair from a loose pony into a high bun so her hair wouldn’t get wet from the water.
She stripped her pyjamas off and stepped under the shower. The soft hum of the water almost pulled her to sleep. She lazily scrubbed her body and face. Definitely need to sleep more. She reprimanded herself after she was done showering.
After following her daily routine of applying a tinted lip balm and moisturiser, and pulling her hair into two low ponytails, she stepped outside her room. She pulled on the straps of her bag and descended the stairs. Her parents were waiting for her as she walked into the kitchen to grab an apple.
“Come on, have breakfast with us.” Her mother cooed, making her gag inside. “Nah, I will pass. I am meeting Seonghwa and Hong Joong for my chemistry test.” Valencia answered, picking up an apple, and giving it a quick lookover to see if it was dented anywhere.
“An apple is not going to keep you full till your lunch period.” Her dad said, a disapproving look was fixed on his face.
“I am not hungry anyways. I will see you two in the evening. I am hanging out with Jongho and Yeosang after school. Might get late because of assignments and homework.” Valencia informed her parents, hoping to escape their judging stares.
“You haven’t been home in the evenings since the last year of your school. If you keep this up, you will fall behind in your grades.” Her dad said, stopping her in the middle of the kitchen. “I haven’t gotten anything but straight A’s this past semester. What else am I supposed to do?” She asked, frustration bubbling inside her.
“That doesn’t mean you take it easy. I want you home straight after your classes.” Her dad gritted out, making Valencia huff out an irritated scoff. “I promised Yeosang and Jongho that I will help them with the biology test. I am only studying when I am out, so stop breathing down my neck.” Valencia snapped, tightening the grip around the straps of her bag.
She didn’t wait for her father to reprimand her or yell at her. She was out of the house by the time a screech sounded from the house. She can deal with the consequences later. Right now, she wanted to cycle her way to her private school and bury herself in the books about car mechanics in her school library during lunch.
She quickly climbed her cycle and wore her helmet. The street was silent and screamed ‘posh’ and Valencia wanted to gag over the fake sweet hello’s the neighbours threw at each other. They despised each other over the fact that seemed trivial and small. Helena just married a billionaire and she has lots of surgeries. Arthur cheated on his wife. Jia got lip fillers. She wanted nothing more than scowl at the gossipers to shut up and deal with their insecurities.
Her parents were the most envied neighbours on the street. They were billionaires, had a daughter who was an overachiever, and a full ride to Oxford University in England. Valencia’s mother was beautiful and her dad was handsome. They had luxurious house and cars. What was there to not envy?
But Valencia could have traded this life easily with anyone willing. She was suffocating under the pretence of a happy family with no dark secrets. The parties, the dinners, and all of the fake fawning over her when all she wanted was to disappear. Yes, she was privileged but she was pretty sure she never asked for it.
As she pulled into the school cycle parking, she noticed the familiar group of students near the entrance of the school. Clearly waiting for someone. Once she secured her cycle, she jogged toward the said group of students.
“That skyline was sexy as fuck, Joongie.” She heard Seonghwa fawn over something she didn’t quite understand. “What are y’all drooling about this early in the shitty morning?” She asked, standing behind Yeosang. “Yesterday, during the car meeting, the silent killer made the grand appearance with their skyline. Your fucking favourite car.” Mingi snickered, glancing at awe-struck Hongjoon.
“Wait, skyline!” Valencia exclaimed, her eyes going wide. Jongho nodded his head. “It was a sexy moment.” Jongho reminisced about yesterday’s events. “It's nothing in front of my 718 Cayman GT4 RS.” Hongjoong drooled over the car he saw last night.
“It’s incredibly rare to get your hands on skyline, that too in fucking Australia.” Wooyoung snorted, his hands were stuffed in his uniform’s pocket. “It was fucking custom-made dudes. Fucking custom made, by their own hands. They fucking said they customised on their own. I think I found my god to worship for my entire life. They also have a garage in this city” Yunho said, shaking his head.
“Why do you all get action whilst I drool on my homework in my room at night? You better take me with you next time there is a car meet.” Valencia whined, sticking out her bottom lip. “Well, are you really going to sneak out at night for that?” Hongjoong asked, raising his single eyebrow.
“Count me in.” Valencia puffed out her chest, knowing she will be in trouble but getting to see a skyline is worth getting caught. “Well even if you get caught, I will tell your parents that you were helping me with biology. They like it when it's us you hang out with, not the car junkies.” Yeosang snickered, knowing that they are in fact the ones who are car junkies.
“Oh, the irony of the sentence.” San snorted, shaking his head. “Well, I am glad we keep each other’s secret though. Imagine one of us snitching on each other.” He added, throwing a wink at the girl. She winked back with a finger gun pointing at San. “Wah Choi San, you just made me fear for my life.” Valencia joked, playfulling punching his arm.-
Their conversation was put on hold by the loud shrill of the school’s bell. Every single one from the group heaved a sigh, ready to be grilled by their teachers over the chemistry test.
“I heard there are going to be new students in our class this year.” Yeosang spoke up, walking through the hallway of their school alongside Valencia and others. “Why at the start of the second semester? Isn’t there like no point to it at all?” Hong Joong inquired, confused at the school’s last-minute admissions.
“Well, they are transferred from the school in Sydney. News has it, they are filthy rich. Like Valencia’s parents level filthy rich.” Yeosand added to previous information. “Yeo, you too are filthy rich.” Valencia reminded the blonde about his monetary status. He cringed and shook his head.
“True, we all are filthy rich children with gold for a fucking spoon.” He muttered, not looking up from his shoes. “Hey, we all are rebelling in our own way. Don’t you go feeling guilty on us.” San said, ruffling the boy’s hair, earning a hard glare from the boy.
“Choi San, you have ten seconds to run.” Yeosang growled, his eyes narrowing. “Hey!” San started to walk faster, away from Yeosang, who too picked up his speed.
“I warned him thrice not to mess with his hair. Boy never listens. We are probably having his funeral today.” Wooyoung mused, his eyes fixed on the blond boy chasing the brunette. Laughter bubbled inside Valencia as she covered her mouth to subside them. “So who is ready to hang out on Sunday? My treat.” Hong Joong asked, looking at the remaining members of the group.
“Count me in. My mum is going out with her fake bitches, and I can’t stand my dad.” Valencia said, looking at the older boy. “Count us all in. There is no outing without Ateez and our car junkie over here.” Yunho said, looking at the girl, a smirk played on his lip.
“Cars are sexy, Ho. It’s better that I am a car junkie, rather than drugs.” Valencia snorted, entering the class first. “She ain’t lying,” Jungho said, walking forward to take his seat on the first bench of the first row.
Valencia sat on her seat, putting her school bag on the bench. She unzipped the bag as the other members of Ateez got busy with their things. Mr. Normandi entered the class, with eight students behind him. Oh wow, there are only three girls in this class.
That group was an extremely good looking, Valencia noted. The one that was standing beside Mr. Normand was the most attractive of them all. He had tufts of red hair with black roots. Interesting combination. Confidence radiated from his body, the way he carried himself screamed ‘royalty’. Maybe he secretly was.
The one beside him had cat-like beauty. His eyes were so pretty, Valencia could fawn over them any day. His face held a ‘no nonsense bitch’ expression. It felt as if the school was a torture for him. It might just be if you think hard enough.
Her eyes were drawn to the boy beside him, who was leaning into the ‘no-nonsense’ boy. It was then Valencia noticed their linked hand. The boy was being comforted by the boy with the darkest shade of purple for hair. Social anxiety in all glory.
The boy beside him was staring at everyone as if judging them to be categorised as either goodie two shoes or assholes. He was buffed up for someone who is supposed to be a high school student. Oh dear, gym addict. She might just beg him to make her his gym partner.
She was taken aback by the boy with blonde hair. How could someone smile that vibrantly at seven fucking thirty in the morning when they could be huddled in the safety of their blankets back at home. Valencia let out a silent scoff at the optimistic boy. She hated optimism. And if it’s a fake one, she is gonna despise this boy for the whole remaining year.
The boy beside him was standing with an awkward smile, and bounced on his heels in an attempt that seemed to be wanting to get rid of the jittery nerves. His eyes reminded her of sirens from Greek mythology and the trend from TikTok. He had them naturally, similar to hers with the exception of having monolid eyes. His hair was dyed as well or that’s how they looked like. Reminded her of obsidian.
The other boy literally looked like a puppy put in a playpen with stranger puppies he didn’t wish to communicate or play with. His eyes were something between doe eyes and puppy eyes. His hair was orange, a colour Valencia was grossed out of. Why orange when there is red out there thriving?
The one beside him radiated childish confidence. He flashes his pearly white teeth, and waved at the students. Valencia cannot understand morning people. She literally cannot leave her bed early in the morning and how the fuck do they find strength to smile and not just plop down on a chair and pass out.
“Everyone, welcome our new students. Our troublemakers have officially dropped out of the school. Please introduce yourselves.” Mr. Normand requested the group to introduce themselves.
The red-haired boy was first to introduce himself. The charming aura was all he needed to whip an entire classroom for him. “I am Bang Chan.” He introduced himself. Bang Chan. Of course, he was a royalty. From what Valencia could gather in her brain, his parents are well-known in the world of cars. His grandparents had opened their own brand of cars, and his parents ventured into the world of sports cars. His parents were her fucking role models.
The one beside Chan stepped forward, looking disinterested in the introductions. “I am Lee Minho.” He introduced himself, making Valencia realise who he was. He was the son of two famous doctors in Sydney. Her parents knew them, and always wanted her to talk to them when they visited the city of Melbourne. Though the boy in front of her, he was enigmatic, to say the least.
The nervous boy beside him squeaked out an introduction, “I am Han Jisung.” Valencia felt bad for him as he looked as if he was ready for the earth to swallow him right then and there. His face turned bright red as he realised he almost messed up his introduction. Though his parents were renowned scientists for the Australian government, which confused why their son is scared of the crowd.
“I am Seo Changbin.” The buff introduced himself, his muscles flexing under the sleeves of his uniform. Valencia remembered certain Seo’s visiting her house after they signed a deal under the Sport Engines program. That day, she closed herself in her room staring at her biology homework.
“I am Lee Felix.” The personification of the sun spoke up, and Valencia wanted to scowl so hard. The smile on his face never leaving his stupid face. She knows that smile, knows the meaning hidden behind it. It was like a charismatic hunter waiting for its prey to fall for the trap set by them. The same smile her mother would throw around people when she wanted something.
“I am Hwang Hyunjin.” The accent made her think that he was Korean but she knew better. His parents were well-known politicians in Sydney. She wondered about the sudden shift to Melbourne and what was the cause that resulted in this. He was charismatic and beautiful but not as beautiful as Bang Chan.
“I am Kim Seungmin.” The boy with puppy features introduced himself. He bowed his head in respect. Korean culture. That explains it because his parents own the biggest chain of Asian cuisine in Australia. Valencia wouldn’t lie about the fact that she was head over heels for their food.
“I am Yang Jeongin.” The childish boy introduced himself, and everything about him made her throat run dry. Her lip was caught between her teeth as she tried to wreck her head to find any information about this boy. Oh yes, I know who they are. The Yang family owned the biggest pharmacy in the country. There is a disease? Trust the Yangs to come up with the cure.
“Psst!” Hong Joong kicked Valencia’s chair to get the ginger’s attention. Valencia turned her head around, frowning her eyebrows in confusion as to why Hong Joong was kicking her chair. “You know them, don’t you?” Hong Joong whispered, leaning a bit forward. “Everybody does. I am no exception.” She whispered back, giving him a frowning look.
“Hong Joong, please shift your seat to the last row’s middle bench.” Mr. Normandi whipped their attention, making Valencia stifle a groan. She was so used to being surrounded by Ateez, that the idea of not having one around made her sick. She was emotionally attached to them.
“Yes, teach.” Hong Joong too wasn't a fan of the change, but arguing with their teacher was of no use. He stood up, making his chair screech against the floor, ripping out Valencia’s air drum or maybe everyone’s. She wanted to glare at the boy for the theatrics but if it was her, she would have chucked a chair across the room.
“Chan, go sit in Hong Joong’s seat.” The teacher said, making the girl gawk at her teacher. A gorgeous boy was about to sit behind her. Fuck. She wanted the earth to swallow her because this was not the time to blush like a little girl or have a crush when she doesn’t even know them. Plus she was being separated from her group, it was just not fucking fair. She looked at mentioned boy, and oh boy she was fucked. Oh, she is fucked.
Chan walked towards the seat he was directed to, confidence screaming from every single cell of his body. His gaze met with distraught Valencia, who was mourning the seat changes of her close friend. The frown that settled on her soft pink lips made Chan’s heart stutter. He definitely was looking at a mortal goddess. He smiled at the fact that he was sitting behind her.
“Choi Jungho, move middle row’s second last bench.” The teacher instructed the boy sitting in front of Valencia. Valencia’s jaw went slack, as she stared at the teacher who was adamant about separating her friends. Jongho’s shoulders slacked visibly, his body heaved a sigh as he stood up. “Yes sir.” He said and moved where he was directed.
“Felix. Go sit on Jongho’s seat.” The teacher said, pointing at the vacant seat. The blood drained from her face. Anyone but him. Did Valencia do something for her teacher to torture her like this? She thought to herself as the blonde bounded towards the seat and sat on the chair with a big fucking grin. Please murder me already. The thought kept repeating in her head like a broken cassette.
She placed her head on the desk with a loud thud. She wished that these boys never shifted to Melbourne. Her palms curled into tight fists around her head. She glossed over the other part of the teacher’s instruction because she wasn’t interested in his bullshit anymore. She can learn today’s lessons on her own. Fuck Mr. Normandi.
“Ms. Everhart, please enlighten me with the first law of thermodynamics?” Mr. Normandi inquired, his eyes staring at the dozing-off student. She internally groaned, nodding her head. It wasn’t like it was hard.
She stood up, her hands smoothing over the linings of her skirt. “Energy in the universe is constant. You can neither create nor destroy it.” She answered, her lips pulled into a thin unimpressed line.
“Just because you have a brain of a computer memory, doesn’t mean you doze off in my class, Ms. Everhart. Your brother was a very attentive student, please try to be half of how he was.” Mr. Normandi scolded the girl.
Valencia went rigid with the mention of her brother. Her eyes glossed with unushered wetness, her hands suddenly clammy and sweaty. The room started to collapse on her as her body fell back in her chair.
Her jaw was locked as her glare didn’t leave the original target, her chemistry teacher. Her brain started to fog over and her eyes blinked the tears away. Her fist tightened on the desk, the nails digging into the skin of her palms. She gulped down the lump that formed in her throat at the rushing memories of the past. The laughter that belonged to someone she loved unconditionally rang in her ears.
Hong Joong’s head snapped towards the girl as soon as those words left his daft of a teacher’s mouth. He watched the girl fisting her mechanical pencil tightly as she refused to lift her head from her book. He will have to take the girl to the ice cream parlour as soon as the classes ends to avoid any unnecessary felonies.
Yeosang met his gaze, a silent agreement between the boys to drag the girl to the football stadium of the school for the lunch to avoid any verbal altercation with anyone who dared to tick off the already pissed-off Valencia.
Chan noticed the subtle change in the girl’s body language. The rigidness of her body was visible to his eyes, noting that the teacher’s statement has angered the girl. Either the brother is a touchy subject or she just hates the disrespect. If he wants to approach the girl, he is going to avoid disrespect and brother altogether.
The rest of the period went on by smoothly with Valencia occasionally throwing glares at her chemistry teacher. She would have murdered the man if murder wasn’t illegal. As soon as the bell rang, Valencia sprang up from her seat, and without asking to be dismissed, she rushed out of the classroom, tears stinging her eyes. The shout of her teacher went to deaf ears as she walked faster than she wanted towards the girl’s washroom.
Jongho and San exchanged a worried look as they heard their teacher grumble about disrespect. “Mr. Normandi, you know the topic of her brother is touchy for her yet you always bring it up. One of these days, you are going to have to answer to the principal if she complains to the principal.” Hong Joong spoke up, his lips were pulled in a disapproving frown.
“You are a student, Mr. Kim. You don’t tell me what to do and what not to do.” Mr. Normandi scoffed, gathering his teaching material. “It was requested by her parents though. To avoid all the mention of her brother. You wanna go against them?” Yeosang asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
Mr. Normandi’s shoulder went stiff, his mouth opening and shutting like a fish caught out of water. He decided against saying anything as he picked up his things and exited the classroom. “I can’t believe the dick’s nerve. Sangie, go get her.” Hong Joong sighed, rubbing his forehead.
“What if she is in the girl’s washroom?” Yeosang asked, looking uncertain. “Goddamnit.” Hong Joong hissed, knowing he couldn’t do anything but wait for the girl to reappear in the class. “Do you think anyone would notice if Mr. Normandi disappears out of nowhere?” Wooyoung wondered, his head tilting a little.
“Maybe, maybe not. But we know who will make him disappear.” Mingi snorted, he was worried about Valencia but he knew that if given the opportunity, she would make this teacher disappear first.
“She would only have to answer to his wife and daughter. I think the school will be relieved if Mr. Normandi quits or just disappear.” Yeosang laughed, knowing that they could wait for the girl.
“I don’t think so. His daughter and his wife will be relieved as a matter of fact.” A girl’s voice added, amusement dripping from it. “Valencia, you are not thinking of abducting our chemistry teacher, are you?” San asked, his eyes sparkling with mirth. Valencia winked at the boy before fully entering the class and walking to her seat.
“He has had it out for us since the start of the year. Remember he had an affair with Rosie from last year? It was Valencia who exposed his paedophilic ass, but having connections with the principal and the patron of this school saved his ass. It took her moving the countries and lots of money to silence the whole matter.” Jongho said from where he was sitting.
Valencia sat on her seat, ignoring the two pairs of stares at her. “Well, at least he won’t have to deal with us next year. We all are going to Oxford. And hopefully, we will never come back to Australia, ever again.” Valencia snorted, removing what looked like a car catalogue from the bag.
“Doing degrees none of us are interested in.” Yunho snorted, shaking his head over the stupid demands of their parents. “Ugh don’t remind me. What the hell am I supposed to be doing in the medical sector when my obsession is with the engines and mechanisms of cars?” Valencia groaned, as her eyes focused on the skyline before her.
“Let’s do one thing, runaway.” Mingi said, his eyes betrayed the fact that he was not joking. He was actually considering running away from what anyone would call heaven. “And do what?” Hong Joong asked, throwing a single glare at the maroon-headed boy. “Use our talent, enrol in degrees we are interested in. My mother wants me to go into pharmacy when all I want to do is become a mechanical god with bookish knowledge of every single engine that exists.” Mingi said, his expressions turned from playful to sombre.
“I tend to agree with Mingi a lot. Are we perhaps separated at the time of our birth? And are twins and our parents religiously hiding that fact?” Valencia snorted, turning her head to look at the boy. He offered her his signature grin and winked at her. “You would be a lot better than my brother. He is such a stuck-up bitch. Our siblings are the reason we are stuck in this conundrum.” Mingi said. “And not to mention, you are German, he is Korean. Biologically impossible.” Hong Joong snorted, little relieved that the girl was doing better.
They burst into a peal of loud laughter, confusing the new students that no matter how far they were sitting from each other, it didn’t bother them. They talked to each other without any hesitation or concern about people sitting around them. They were a family.
The lunch period rolled in, everyone rushed out to get food from the canteen. Valencia convinced the boys to eat food in the canteen and not the football ground. She wanted to avoid jocks and cheerleaders. Worst kind of students if someone asked her. Bullying and humiliation oozed out of every single pore of their body, and Valencia hated people like them.
Valencia was munching on gimbap brought by Yeosang because he knew that the girl would happily munch on it. “What’s the verdict about the new group of snobby rich assholes?” Valencia asked, chewing the mouthful of gimbap. “They are not bad, Vale. Give them a chance.” San said, throwing a glare at the girl.
“I would if one of them wasn’t oozing off of childish confidence and the second one wasn’t smiling as if he was the son of the sun.” Valencia grumbled, taking a bite from her gimbap. “They are coming in our direction. Be civil.” Hong Joong informed, his eyes staring over Valencia’s head. Valencia stifled a groan as she looked behind.
Bang Chan was leading the group toward their big table. They stopped in front of their table and offered a genuine smile. “Can we sit with you all? You seem to have space, while other tables can’t accommodate us.” He asked politely, his hand scratching the back of his head.
“Sure. Sit with us.” Hong Joong said, reciprocating his smile. The group made space for the new boys, making Valencia narrow her eyes a little but complied with their decision. She kept on munching on her gimbap. “Do you like Asian food?” Chan asked, curious as to why an Australian would be obsessed with Korean cuisine. “Why that question?” Valencia asked, her eyebrows furrowed in a challenging way.
“In Sydney, my friends didn’t like gimbap or Asian food in general..” Felix answered for Chan, making Valencia whipped her head towards him. “Then your assholes for friends had no tastebuds, buddy.” Valencia offered him an icy smile. Yeosang chocked on his food, looking at Valencia with wide eyes. “Also, Kim Cuisine is literally famous fucking restaurant, in Australia and around the world. Your insight is short.” Valencia added, looking at Felix. He was dumbfounded to say the least.
“I agree with Everhart. Those assholes had no taste. Not in cars and definitely not in food. And Kim Cuisine is the second leading food industry in Australia, and first Asian based cuisine. Just because of a few assholes, you have a stereotype engraved in your little heads.” Minho snorted, and it was like music to Valencia’s ears. Oh she likes this boy so much. “I can see us being friend.” Valencia chuckled, finishing her gimbap. Minho flashed her a big smile in return.
“I heard you all talking about cars in the class.” Han muttered, still in his shell around the old group of the school. “Yep. Valencia here is a car encyclopaedia and we have our own interests in cars.” Wooyoung answered, sending a wink towards the ginger headed girl.
“Really?” Bang Chan was surprised, his gaze fell on the girl who looked uninterested. “I just love cars. I made it my business to know everything about cars. The engine, the propeller shaft and the other things.” Valencia answered, a lazy grin pulled on her lips.
“So a car prodigy. My parents will love to have you as their child.” Chan snorted, opening his lunch. “At Least someone would have. My love for cars practically gives my parents hives.” Valencia laughed, getting up from the table. “Valencia.” Hong Joong said, his eyes and expression turned sad as the words left the girl’s mouth.
“I will see you in class, boys. And text me about the next meet up. I wanna stare at those pretty cars.” Valencia walked away, she couldn’t stand another what if. She had lots of what ifs to last a lifetime. Everyone on the table watched her retreat towards their class, a stunned silence shared between them.
“Is she always that cheerful?” Jeongin asked, his eyebrows raised. He got the hostile feeling oozing off her. “She is actually cheerful. There are some things that she just keeps to herself.” Yonho answered, giving him a tight lipped smile.
“Look, Trust is a feeble thing. It’s fragile, like glass. Her trust has been broken, and she refuses to trust again. Just give her some time.” Hong Joong being the eldest used the logic to explain the situation.
“What meet up was she talking about?” Chan asked, biting on his food. He was curious, very curious and he was itching to know. His eyes scanned the table, and he realised that there were layers to them that he didn’t understand.
“Well we will have murder you after telling you that.” Wooyoung snorted, closing his lunch box. “Are you a part of a crime syndicate or something?” Minho questioned, his eyes riddled with unfiltered amusement.
“I think Athena’s dad would murder us before letting us befriend her.” San just shook his head. “Aye, we are her childhood best friends, nappy buddies even. So he wouldn’t even know if we are part of a crime syndicate before we befriended her.” Yeosang disagreed, rolling his eyes at San.
“Well we need a fucking promise if you want to appease your curiosity. Remember, curiosity kills the cat.” Jongho said, his eyes turning steely. He was sure as fuck that he didn’t want anyone snitching on their secret.
“That’s not saying, Jongho. ‘Curiosity killed the cat but the satisfaction brought it back.’” Chan shot back, cocking his head a little on the side. “Oooh fire. Exactly Valencia’s type.” Seonghwa grinned widely. Chan, without thinking, blushed heavily.
“Wah! Would you look at that, Yonho? Our Valencia has an admirer.” Mingi finally spoke up, amusement dancing in his eyes. His fingers messing with her purple dyed hair. Chan blushed even further, amusing the members of the small group.
“Ok lover boy, I will entertain your curiosity. Let’s say we have a racing ring in Melbourne, consisting of all rich kids of rich assholes. This is a kind of rebellion we wanted, and we did. Are you gonna snitch on us?” Hong Joong stared directly into the soul of Chan. Chan had to resist the urge to shudder under the weight of the stare.
“Well, you are looking at the host of the infamous Sydney racing ring.” Hyunjin pushed himself in the conversation, his lips were pulled into a beautiful fucking smirk. Yeosang stared at the boy for a while before clearing his throat.
“You are awfully confident in us, Hwang. To tell your secret to us.” Yeosang furrowed his brows, trying to decipher this new group. They didn’t look as if they would rebel against their angel of parents. Either this is some trick or they just love the taste of rebels.
“Well, we just know when to show our cards. We want to show you what an actual street race is. I have no doubt that your street race is mediocre at the best.” Hyunjin did what he always does, provoking the opponents, to make them crumble under his thumb. It always worked, to always have them react the way he wanted them to react.
The chuckle from their apparent leader threw Hyunjin in confusion and he stared at his leader with wide eyes. What the actual fuck? He mutely exclaimed, trying to tell his leader that his game just fucking failed, for first time. His jaw was hanging a little, his brain was like one particular episode of spongebob. His brain cells trying their best to put out the spreading fire.
“This game doesn’t work in Melbourne, Hwang Hyunjin. The provocation is the least of our worries. Sydney is heaven, but Melbourne is a competition of who will back stab you first. It’s us and Valencia who have been each other's support and never thought of back stabbing. Your parents must be lovely, but we always had to fight for what was ours. Provocation is the least of our triggers.” Hong Joong mused, his lips curled in a smile, a condescending smile.
“What do you mean by that?” Chan was defensive, having someone come to a conclusion about his life that none of them knew about. “Do you have your parents monitoring every single one of your moves?” It was Mingi, his voice was bitter, accusations swam in his eyes, the wounds were in the open and he refused to let anyone enter.
The new group just gawked at them, taking in the implied wording. Their parents wanted them to be the best, to be above the competition, but them being assholes? That was something they never thought about because their parents simply weren’t. They were strict, yes but never the assholes.
“Shitting on our racing game before watching us race is an amateur move, Hwang Hyunjin. Come by the address I will send you tomorrow, we will see each other's cars. We will see who had worked from scratch with their cars.” Jongho challenged the group, his eyes dark.
“Be grateful Valencia is not here, or else she would have torn you apart without tearing you apart.” San snorted, but his eyes were hard. They were holding a grudge against this new amateur group.
“Is she a part of this circle?” Felix asked, trying to cut through the thick tension between the two groups. “No, she isn’t. Her parents are straight down motherfuckers. It’s just us that are allowed to hang out with her. So she isn't there but she will be there tomorrow.” Seonghwa said, his face was neutral, his face never betraying his emotions.
“So she loves cars.” Chan mused, remembering the conversation a few minutes ago. “We all do, but she loves her cars more than we do.” Wooyoung shrugged his shoulders, standing up. “I am bored of this fucking boring conversation. I am joining Valencia.” He announced, offering a smile to the two groups before leaving the table.
“We will all see you tomorrow, Bang Chan.” Hong Joong said, his smile steely as he followed the suit. Slowly the entire group vanished from the table, talking amongst each other.
“Well what the actual fuck is with them?” Seungmin wondered, he was silently observing them and they were the first group that was difficult to decipher. But he knows that there are wounds to them that nobody knows, especially the only girl in their group.