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December 22, 2020

𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 Part 2 sepenggal kisahnya Arjuna Adiyasa.

Ternyɑtɑ benɑr, tɑnpɑ Arjunɑ, Arsyɑ bukɑn cumɑ nggɑk punyɑ tempɑt untuk mengɑdu. Diɑ jugɑ benerɑn nggɑk bisɑ menemukɑn jɑlɑn pulɑng, literɑlly.

'Sya, mau ikut makan seafood di Maine?' tanya salah satu teman sekelas Arsya usai perkuliahan.

'Jauh ya? nanti baliknya gimana?' Arsya melihat lokasi makan seafood yang disebutkan oleh temannya itu di g-maps.

'Kita balik malem ke dorm. mau sekalian ke Tavern,' sahut yang lain.

'Gue nggak dulu deh. Mau jalan-jalan di Yard sekalian ke perpus,' tolak Arsya sembari tersenyum.

'Ati-ati, Sya. kalo misal udah balik dorm kabarin kita di group ya,' Karina, temen satu kamar Arsya menimpali.

'Iya, Rin.' Arsya mengangguk. 'Have fun, guys!'

Arsya memutar langkahnya menuju ke Harvard Yard, yang harus ditempuh dengan perjalanan kereta bawah tanah sebanyak 1 stasiun dari kampus utama universitas Ivy League tersebut. Setibanya di taman yang dinamai Harvard Yard atau Harvard Square itu, Arsya langsung menyusuri jalan dari pintu masuk menuju gedung perpustakaan yang menjadi jantung Harvard Yard. pohon-pohon yang rindang menghiasi sepanjang jalan menuju perpustakaan. terdapat juga beberapa gedung paviliun bergaya arsitektur kuno tahun 1920 an yang merupakan tempat tinggal mahasiswa baik internasional maupun lokal.

Gedung perpustakaannya sendiri terletak di tengah Yard yang entah luasnya berapa ekar itu. dari luar, arsitekturnya agak sedikit mirip dengan gedung-gedung yunani kuno. Di dalamnya bisa membuat mulut orang-orang yang masuk ternganga kagum. soalnya ini sungguhan surga buat Arsya yang emang suka belajar. di dalam perpustakaan itu hanya ada satu aula besar berisi beberapa baris meja belajar dan tiga tingkat rak buku yang penuh terisi dengan buku-buku dari segala tahun terbit dan mata kuliah.

'Wow,' itu kata pertama yang keluar dari bibir merah Arsya.

kedua kakinya melangkah masuk ke dalam selasar luas itu dan matanya mengedar ke seluruh ruangan, mencari tempat kosong dan menaruh barang bawaannya dan mencari buku-buku yang ingin ia baca. setelah kira-kira 3 jam di dalam perpustakaan yang nyaman itu, gadis 21 tahun itu kemudian membawa tasnya dan beranjak keluar dari kompleks Yard. Namun, karena satu dan lain hal, Arsya keluar lewat gerbang yang berbeda dengan gerbang tempat ia masuk. langkahnya terhenti karena ia tak berhasil mengenali tempat sekelilingnya dan hari sudah semakin sore.

Banyak banget orang yang lewat di sekitarnya dan nggak ada satupun yang dikenalinya. Asya takut. yang bisa diraihnya saat itu hanya ponsel yang masih menggantung di lanyard yang dikalungkan di lehernya, bersama dengan kartu transportasi dan kartu akses mahasiswa. saking paniknya, Arsya nggak sadar kalau ia menekan speed dial nomor 2 yang dikhususkan untuk nomor Arjuna dan bukan hanya itu, Arsya menekan fitur panggilan video.

'Ar,' Sapa Arjuna, mukanya masih muka ngantuk, karena Di indonesia bedanya 12 jam dengan di Amerika.

'Jun?' Suara Arsya bergetar. ini udah jam 8 malam dia daerah tempat Arsya berdiri, walau masih terang, tapi tetap saja menakutkan bagi Arsya yang kala itu sendirian.

'Ar, lu dimana? kok nangis?' tanya Arjuna saat melihat ekspresi wajah Arsya yang ketakutan.

'Juna tolongin, gue ga tau jalan pulang ke asrama, takut,' rengek Arsya.

'Gimana caranya? Oh lu inget alamat asrama lu?' tanya Arjuna lagi sembari membuka laptopnya dan mencari fitur Find My iPhone yang telah disambungkannya ke ponsel Arsya. di jendela yang lain, Juna sudah siap dengan google maps.

'Ar, minggir dulu, di deket lu ada cafe, lu masuk, beli duduk dulu, beli minum, kirim alamatnya ke gue,' Juna mengarahkan, yang mana langsung diturutin sama si gadis yang masih nangis itu.

Arjuna kemudian menyalakan peta dan segera memberikan navigasi petunjuk dan meminta Arsya untuk tidak menutup pembicaraan mereka supaya gadis itu setidaknya tenang dan bisa berfikir dengan baik. tanpa terasa, pembicaraan mereka berjalan terus sampai akhirnya Arsya tiba di hostel yang dijadikan asrama buat anak-anak pertukaran pelajar.

'Nah bisa nyampe kan kalo nggak nangis,' Arjuna menggoda Arsya sembari nyengir jahil di tampilan video yang menampilkan wajah bangun tidurnya.

'Arjuna jangan nyebelin dong,' Arsya merajuk.

'hahaha, masuk gih, mandi. entar maleman pas kelar jam makan telpon lagi.' ucap Arjuna sembari mengakhiri telepon.

6 bulan terasa berjalan begitu lambat, baik untuk Arsya, maupun Arjuna. keduanya menghitung hari dimana Arsya akan kembali menginjakkan kakinya ke tanah air. Yang nunggu Arsya nggak cuma Arjuna. Rama, Rindu, papa dan mama pun sama-sama menghitung hari sampai tibalah hari yang mereka tunggu-tunggu. Arsya pulang ke Indonesia. Hari itu, Arjuna minta izin buat menjemput Arsya. niatnya, hari itu ia mau menjemput sekaligus mengutarakan perasaannya. di tangannya udah ada sebuah buket bunga berisi 100 tangkai bunga mawar dan sebuah kotak berisi kalung perak dengan bandul cincin berukirkan namanya.

Arsya mendorong trolley yang berisi 3 buah koper berukuran sedang dan tas ranselnya menuju ke gerbang kedatangan. Kebetulan Bandara saat itu nggak begitu ramai dan Arjuna terlihat menjulang tinggi menunggunya dengan sebuah buket bunga. tiba-tiba ponselnya bergetar tanda ada telfon masuk.

Arjuna <3 is calling

'Jun, iya udah liat lu kok,' ujar sang dara manis sambil melambaikan tangannya.

'Lu diem di sana, gue aja yang samperin,' Arjuna berujar sambil berjalan cepat menuju tempat Arsya berdiri.

panggilan terputus. Dalam hitungan kurang dari 1 menit, Arjuna sudah berdiri di hadapan Arsya. 'Ar, gue nggak siap kalo keduluan sama Mas Rama, jadi hari ini, gue minta izin om dan tante untuk jemput lu.' tangannya terulur, memberikan buket berisi 100 tangkai mawar putih itu. 'Ar, gue menyesal ga ngelakuin ini sebelum lu berangkat. tapi hear me out ya?'

'Jun,' Arsya kehilangan kata-kata. dia cuma bisa menatap manik mata coklat milik Arjuna.

'Arsya, gue sayang sama lo. gue nggak sanggup jauh-jauhan sama lo. mungkin gue nggak sempurna. kedepannya mungkin akan banyak berantem karena gue masih Arjuna yang sedikit egois dan keras kepala. Tapi, mau nggak bantuin gue, gue janji nggak akan bikin lo nangis lagi. Arsya Callista, maukah kamu jadi pacarku?' Arjuna berlutut sambil membuka kotak beludru merah berisi kalung yang seragam dengan apa yang menggantung di lehernya.

Terdengar sorakan dari pengunjung bandara yang berkerumun disekitar kedua muda-mudi itu. Arsya mengambil kotak beludru merah di tangan Arjuna dan menyuruh pemuda itu berdiri. 'Kalo kamu serius, pakein dulu kalungnya, nanti aku jawab,' Arsya tersenyum manis.

Arjuna berdiri dan segera memakaikan kalung itu di leher sang gadis. 'Jadi, jawabannya apa, tuan putri?' tanya Arjuna yang sudah tak sabar menunggu kepastian dari pujaan hatinya.

'masa kalungnya udah dipake baru ditanya sih? Arjuna Aneh Adiyasa emang,' Arsya terkekeh sambil membalik badannya supaya bisa menghadap ke Arjuna. 'Kalo nggak mau kan nggak diminta pasangin kalungnya.'

Arjuna membungkukkan badannya sehingga wajahnya tepat berada di depan wajah Arsya. 'I love you, Arsya Callista,' bisiknya sembari mengecup kening Arsya.

'Love is so overrated. You're my home, Arjuna. Tanpa kamu aku tersesat,' Arsya dengan berani berjingkat dan memberikan kecupan singkat di bibir Arjuna yang auto disorakin sama orang-orang yang masih berkerumun di sekitar mereka.

[read while listening to https://open.spotify.com/track/054sQZ2qmw0Ya7N0XSxl3j?si=AMSuOEneQcGDnq3km0_sfw ]

'curang,' Arjuna merajuk.

'curang? curang kenapa?' tanya Arsya sambil menatap Arjuna dengan tatapan innocentnya.

'kamu curi start! kan harusnya yang kiss-kiss aku duluan,' Arjuna merajuk sambil membantu sang pujaan hati mendorong trolleynya.

'Aku mau minta izin ke papa mama kamu boleh?' tanya Arjuna. yang dihadiahi tatapan bingung sama Arsya.

'Hah? minta izin kenapa?' tanya Arsya sambil menautkan alisnya. lucu banget, kalo kata Arjuna.

'Minta izin mau pacarin anak perempuannya yang cantik ini,' Arjuna nyengir, manis banget, sampe matanya hilang membentuk dua lengkungan hitam.

'Jun, jangan senyum gini dong, ga sehat,' kini ujaran Arsya dihadiahi tautan alis oleh pemilik nama Arjuna Adiyasa itu.

'Hah? gimana?' tanya Arjuna memastikan apa yang dia dengar nggak salah.

'Jantung aku nggak kuat kalau kamu senyum gitu terus,' Arsya berujar denga nada manja sambil memegang dadanya. Jantung arsya saat ini berdegup nggak teratur lantaran lihat senyum manis Arjuna. kalau kata lagunya The Boyz, Bloom Bloom Pow! gitu hatinya. Rasanya saat itu juga Arsya mau Dance-Dance-Dance karena dihadapannya ada pangeran ganteng yang tersenyum dan bersikap begitu manis ke dia.

***To Be Continued

Saved: 2020/12/22 12:07, Lost (part 2) word count: 1280 Words

December 19, 2020

𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 Part 2 sepenggal kisahnya Arjuna Adiyasa.

Ternyɑtɑ benɑr, tɑnpɑ Arjunɑ, Arsyɑ bukɑn cumɑ nggɑk punyɑ tempɑt untuk mengɑdu. Diɑ jugɑ benerɑn nggɑk bisɑ menemukɑn jɑlɑn pulɑng, literɑlly.

'Sya, mau ikut makan seafood di Maine?' tanya salah satu teman sekelas Arsya usai perkuliahan.

'Jauh ya? nanti baliknya gimana?' Arsya melihat lokasi makan seafood yang disebutkan oleh temannya itu di g-maps.

'Kita balik malem ke dorm. mau sekalian ke Tavern,' sahut yang lain.

'Gue nggak dulu deh. Mau jalan-jalan di Yard sekalian ke perpus,' tolak Arsya sembari tersenyum.

'Ati-ati, Sya. kalo misal udah balik dorm kabarin kita di group ya,' Karina, temen satu kamar Arsya menimpali.

'Iya, Rin.' Arsya mengangguk. 'Have fun, guys!'

'Wow,' itu kata pertama yang keluar dari bibir merah Arsya.

'Ar,' Sapa Arjuna, mukanya masih muka ngantuk, karena Di indonesia bedanya 12 jam dengan di Amerika.

'Jun?' Suara Arsya bergetar. ini udah jam 8 malam dia daerah tempat Arsya berdiri, walau masih terang, tapi tetap saja menakutkan bagi Arsya yang kala itu sendirian.

'Ar, lu dimana? kok nangis?' tanya Arjuna saat melihat ekspresi wajah Arsya yang ketakutan.

'Juna tolongin, gue ga tau jalan pulang ke asrama, takut,' rengek Arsya.

'Ar, minggir dulu, di deket lu ada cafe, lu masuk, beli duduk dulu, beli minum, kirim alamatnya ke gue,' Juna mengarahkan, yang mana langsung diturutin sama si gadis yang masih nangis itu.

'Nah bisa nyampe kan kalo nggak nangis,' Arjuna menggoda Arsya sembari nyengir jahil di tampilan video yang menampilkan wajah bangun tidurnya.

'Arjuna jangan nyebelin dong,' Arsya merajuk.

December 15, 2020

𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 Kisahnya Arjuna Putra Adiyasa

𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊 𝑷𝒖𝒕𝒓𝒊 𝑨𝒏𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒂 𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒂𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒊 𝒋𝒂𝒕𝒊 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒚𝒂 𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈, 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒖 𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒂 𝑨𝒓𝒔𝒚𝒂 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒊 𝒌𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒚𝒂 𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒂𝒂𝒕 𝑷𝒂𝒑𝒂, 𝑴𝒂𝒎𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒔 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒚𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒈𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒚𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏.

[timestamp matters] Theme song: [https://open.spotify.com/track/3MkYUoEo1Yk1peHN4cof0c?si=08NdLge-R3y9T9giBVK5Vw]

Arsya tinggal di panti asuhan 𝑲𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒉 𝑰𝒃𝒖 sejak usianya 5 tahun. Kala itu, Papa dan mamanya tengah mengantar Abangnya, Harsya Christopher ke rumah sakit lantaran Harsya mengalami kejang-kejang hebat setelah berhari-hari demam tinggi. Arsya yang masih kecil dititipkan pada neneknya. Saking paniknya, mobil yang papa setir malam itu tergelincir karena papa terlalu fokus sama Harsya yang thrashing dan mama yang terus menangis. Naasnya, mobil papa yang tergelincir menghantam truk dari arah yang berlawanan. alih-alih menyelamatkan nyawa Harsya, 3 nyawa melayang di tempat saat itu juga.

Tak lama kemudian, karena tidak sanggup merawat Arsya lantaran usianya sudah cukup tua, Nenek menitipkan Arsya di panti asuhan, tempat Arsya menghabiskan masa kecilnya dalam diam. Waktu menginjak usia yang ke 5, sepasang keluarga muda datang ke panti asuhan dan hari itu, mereka mengadopsi Arsya. Mereka membesarkan Arsya. Merekalah yang kemudian memperkenalkan Arsya dengan teman barunya, Arjuna, yang seusia dengannya, Rama, kakaknya Arjuna dan Rindu, adiknya Arjuna. Hidup Arsya lebih berwarna setelah kehadiran ketiga kakak-beradik ini. Tapi Arsya kerap kali terlihat melamun sendiri.

24 April 2015,

'Sya, Arsya,' Rama menggerakkan tangannya di depan wajah Arsya.

'Kak Arsya ngelamun lagi,' Rindu duduk di samping Arsya yang tengah memandang kosong ke garis pemisah antara laut sama langit yang ada di hadapannya.

Tiba-tiba air matanya turun membasahi pipinya. Ya. Arsya masih sering banget kepikiran tentang papa, mama dan Harsya. Rindu yang melihat Arsya tiba-tiba menangis auto panik sendiri. ia menatap Rama, bingung harus bagaimana menghadapi Arsya yang tiba-tiba menangis. Rama dengan sigap merengkuh tubuh Arsya yang termasuk ukuran 'petit' dibandingkan dengan dirinya yang menjulang tinggi. 'Kak Rama, Arsya mau nyusul papa, mama sama Mas Hasya aja,' isak Arsya dalam pelukan Rama.

'jangan mikir gitu, sekarang Arsya punya gue, Rindu, Juna, Ayah, Ibu, Om dan Tante, lo ga sendiri, Sya,' Rama berujar lembut.

Rama masih membelai rambut Arsya yang masih terisak. Arsya cukup lama berada dalam pelukan Rama, pelukan protektif seorang kakak laki-laki buat adiknya. sama seperti pelukan Harsya dulu, semasa Harsya masih hidup. Semasa mereka kecil dulu. Ini membuat tangis Arsya makin tersedu-sedu. Rama tak bisa apa-apa selain membelai punggung Arsya untuk menenangkan kondisi emosi gadis 17 tahun yang tengah teringat masa lalunya itu.

Tak lama setelah tangis Arsya mereda, Rama sudah melepas pelukannya. Arjuna, yang baru aja balik dari menjajal paragliding, sekarang sudah berada di hadapan Arsya menggantikan Rama. Tubuh Juna yang bongsor itu menaungi Arsya dari teriknya matahari pulau dewata siang itu. 'Om sama tante udah nungguin lo, Ar. Yuk, makan. udah panas juga,' Ujar Juna sambil meraih tangan Arsya dan menggandeng gadis 17 tahun itu menuju Rubicon hitam milik Rama.

Arsya mendongakkan kepalanya sembari mengusap wajahnya dengan sapu tangan yang terikat di pergelangan tangannya. 'Jun,' panggil Arsya lirih.

'Hmm,' sahut Arjuna yang masih menggandeng tangan Arsya.

'Thank you,' ucapan Arsya barusan menghentikan langkah Arjuna yang semakin mendekat ke mobil jeep hitam Rama. Arjuna hanya menunjukkan senyum yang membuat matanya membentuk garis lengkung sempurna, gemes banget liatnya.

Arjuna terkekeh. tangan kirinya yang menggantung bebas diulurkan ke atas kepala Arsya. 'Yuk, tuh Rindu pasti dari tadi udah berisikin Mas Rama.'

'Jangan dilepas,' pinta Arsya lirih sembari menatap tangan Arjuna yang menggandeng tangannya.

'Nggak. nggak akan gue lepas, Ar,' Arjuna menggenggam erat tangan kecil milik Arsya sembari tersenyum manis dan menatap gadis itu.

Buat Juna, Arsya itu seperti bunga, cantik, tapi kelopaknya ringkih banget. mudah lepas, rapuh. Buat Arsya, Arjuna adalah tempat berpulang. Arjuna itu besar dan tinggi, tempat Arsya berlindung dari cahaya matahari dan mata-mata yang selalu men-judge dia. Arjuna itu yang pelan-pelan membantu Arsya jadi sosok yang lebih kuat. sedikit demi sedikit, walau kadang nggak terlalu nampak.

Arsya butuh Juna buat menetralisir semua ketakutan dan kesedihannya. Tanpa Juna, Arsya hilang. Tanpa Juna, Arsya nggak punya rumah buat berpulang. Juna itu tempat Arsya berpulang. Meskipun keduanya nggak secara langsung ngobrol ataupun bertemu secara fisik, mendengar suara Juna itu rasanya kayak pulang ke rumah.

Arsya sama Arjuna pun nggak pernah memusingkan status hubungan antara keduanya. Juna pernah bilang, kalau sama-sama nyaman, ya jalanin aja. Arjuna dan Arsya nggak tahu kalau dalam diam, Rama pun menaruh hati pada Arsya. Bukan karena kasihan, tapi Rama jatuh hati sama Arsya yang cantik dan rapuh. Tapi Rama tahu, Arsya dan Arjuna adalah dua insan yang nggak bisa terpisah, Arsya tersesat tanpa Arjuna, begitu pula sebaliknya.

4 April 2019, Seisi rumah digemparkan dengan surat dari kampus yang menyatakan bahwa pengajuan pertukaran pelajar Arsya sudah diterima oleh pihak kampus. Arsya harus menyelesaikan beberapa mata kuliah pilihannya di 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 musim semi itu, yang artinya dalam waktu kurang dari dua minggu, Arsya akan pergi ke Amerika Serikat.

Arsya nggak berani kasih tahu hal ini ke Arjuna. Anaknya pasti bakalan shock banget. Ini impian Arsya, gadis bermanik mata hitam itu punya angan-angan bisa kuliah di Harvard. dan impiannya menjadi nyata, usahanya belajar mati-matian membuahkan hasil yang setimpal. untuk urusan Visa dan izin tinggal di AS selama perkuliahan sudah diurus oleh pihak kampus. Tiket pesawat pun sudah dikirimkan ke rumah mereka malam itu. Sepanjang malam, Papa dan mama nampak bahagia banget setelah mendengar berita itu. Namun, Arsya nggak hentinya menatap tiket pesawat di tangannya.

Gadis itu bingung harus bilang apa ke Arjuna. dia belom siap cerita semuanya ke orang yang selama ini jadi rumahnya itu.

'Arsya,' Mama memanggil Arsya dengan lembut.

'Hah? Iya, ma. maaf Arsya ngelamun,' Arsya mengangkat kepalanya dan menatap mata mama.

'Arsya mau mama bantu siap-siap?' tanya mama yang langsung dibalas anggukan kepala dari sang empunya nama. 'Sudah bilang ke Juna? dia pasti seneng denger ini,'

'Ma, Arsya takut Juna ngambek ke Arsya. habis kan semuanya dadakan,' Arsya menghela nafasnya.

papa terkekeh, dihadiahi tatapan tajam dari mama. 'Eh, maaf. Tapi ada baiknya Arsya cerita ke Arjuna. soalnya biar gimanapun, Arjuna selalu mendukung Arsya. setidaknya biar Arjuna tau aja, ini hasil selama ini suka jemput anak papa yang cantik ini ke kampus malem-malem kalau lagi ambisius,' papa berujar dengan nada serius tapi sedikit jahil.

Tak lama ketiga sekeluarga itu berbincang, terdengar suara pintu diketuk. disusul derap kaki Mbak Ati yang bergegas membukakan pintu untuk tamu yang baru saja mengetuk pintu. 'Non Arsya, ada Den Rama sama Den Arjuna nih,' Mbak Ati menghantar kedua pria jangkung itu masuk ke ruang makan. Arsya yang tadinya duduk menghadap mama langsung bangkit dan berjalan mundur. tanyannya tersembunyi di belakang punggungnya.

'Sya, kamu ngobrol sama Rama sama Juna ya. papa sama mama naik ke atas,' ujar Papa sembari membawa piring-piring kotor yang ada di meja makan ke dapur.' Papa mohon diri sembari menggandeng tangan mama.

'Kok kayak panik gitu kenapa?' tanya Rama sembari berjalan mendekati Arsya.

Di belakang Arsya udah ada Arjuna yang menghalangi Arsya sebelum tubuh gadis itu menghantam tembok. 'Lo kenapa?' Tanya Arjuna persis saat bagian belakang tubuh mungil Arsya menabrak bagian depan tubuhnya.

Arsya nggak sanggup cerita ke Rama dan Juna karena hal ini. menatap wajah kedua pria dihadapanya cuma bikin Arsya tambah merasa bersalah. Niat Arsya ngumpetin semuanya ke Rama dan Arjuna gagal waktu si bongsor Arjuna menemukan sebuah amplop yang sedari tadi bersembunyi di balik punggung Arsya.

'Ar, ini apa?' tanya Arjuna sambil merebut amplop dari tangan Arsya.

'Arjuna balikin!!' Arsya berusaha meraih amplop putih yang di depannya ada tulisan namanya itu. tapi sebelum amplop itu berhasil ia rebut, benda putih itu sudah beralih ke tangan Rama. dan Rama reflek membuka isi amplop itu. wajahnya nampak sangat terkejut.

'Mas, ada apa?' tanya Arjuna sembari menghampiri kakaknya.

Rama hanya diam dan menyerahkan surat dari kampus itu pada adiknya. kedua manik mata coklat milik Arjuna membulat sempurna ketika ia membaca setiap kata dalam surat itu dengan seksama. Arjuna kaget, bukan cuma kaget karena Arsya nggak ada ngomong apa-apa soal ini. tapi juga karena dia merasa kecewa nggak bisa terus di samping Arsya.

'Jun, Kak Rama,' Arsya menatap keduanya. yang dibalas dengan aksi tutup mulut dari kedua kakak beradik tampan di hadapannya.

Juna masih diam sementara Rama membimbing Arsya ke ruang keluarga dan mengisyaratkan Arjuna untuk mengikuti keduanya ke ruang tengah.

'Kenapa nggak cerita ke kita?' Rama memulai interogasi singkat setelah semua oknum duduk di sofa ruang tengah.

'Maaf, Kak. Gue nggak expect bakalan bisa masuk top students yang berhak masuk ke program ini. Dan saingan gue pun banyak banget. gue ga expect bisa diterima dan harus berangkat secepat itu.' kepala Arsya tertunduk dan suaranya bergetar. sebagian diri Arsya seakan mengatakan itu mimpinya, tapi ia tak rela berangkat ke Negri Paman Sam itu, meninggalkan Rama, Arjuna dan Rindu.

'Arsya, lu nggak salah. ini mimpi lu kan?' Rama tersenyum dan posisinya kini berpindah jadi berlutut ke hadapan Arsya sembari memegang tangannya.

'Lu salah karena ga cerita dulu sama gue,' ujar Arjuna dengan tatapan lurus ke tembok.

'Jun, maafin gue,' Arsya berusaha mencari kedua manik hitam Arjuna.

'Jun udah lah, kita tuh masih di bumi yang sama, Kalo kangen masih bisa facetime atau chatting juga. Harusnya lu bangga sama Arsya,' Rama berusaha mendinginkan hati Arjuna yang saat itu pasti lagi terbakar amarah karena Arsya menyembunyikan sesuatu sebesar ini dari dirinya.

'6 bulan aja, Jun,' Arsya berusaha memegang tangan Arjuna dengan tatapan memohon yang berbuah tepisan dari yang punya tangan. nggak kenceng, tapi sukses membuat tangisan Arsya semakin menjadi. Rama segera merengkuh Arsya dalam pelukannya untuk menenangkan gadis itu.

Arjuna sebenernya pengen nangis juga. Ia berjuang mati-matian menahan air matanya. Dia takut kehilangan Arsya. 6 bulan tuh lama, apa lagi Arsya pergi merantau ke negeri orang selama 6 bulan itu. Arjuna khawatir sama Arsya, Arjuna nggak bisa jauh dari Arsya.

'Kalian berdua udah gede. gue ke luar sebentar, nyebat. lu berdua selesaiin masalahnya. kita cuma punya waktu 2 minggu sampe Arsya berangkat dan gue harap Arjuna bisa ngelepas gengsinya sekali aja.' Rama berujar, menengahi sikap dingin Arjuna dan Arsya yang masih menangis di dalam pelukannya. 'Sya, gue keluar dulu. I trust you two to work it out,' Rama melepas pelukannya dari tubuh mungil Arsya.

Arjuna menatap sosok gadis yang masih berusaha menghentikan tangisnya. Biasanya, Arsya dan Arjuna tak pernah dipisahkan jarak seperti sekarang. Arsya duduk di ujung kanan sofa berbentuk sudut siku-siku itu sementara Arjuna duduk di ujung lainnya sambil masih menatap kosong ke tembok, berusaha menahan air matanya supaya nggak jatuh membasahi wajahnya. Arjuna belom siap LDR-an sama Arsya. meskipun belum ada kata pacaran diantara mereka, tapi Arjuna khawatir akan ada yang menggantikan posisinya saat Arsya hijrah ke Amerika Serikat nanti.

'Maafin gue, Ar,' Arjuna memulai, Ia berjalan mendekat dan duduk di samping Arsya.

'Maafin gue juga, Jun. Gue ga pernah cerita, gue takut lo marah ,semarah ini,' Arsya mengaku.

'I'm sorry gue marahnya lebay. Gue nggak siap kalo harus jauh dari lu, Ar,' Arjuna merengkuh gadis mungil itu dalam pelukannya. Arsya bisa denger degup jantung Arjuna yang semakin cepat. Arsya melingkarkan lengannya di seputar pinggangang Arjuna dan memainkan sweater yang dikenakan pemuda itu, telinganya tertempel di dada sang adam. Arsya menikmati mendengarkan suara degup jantung Arjuna.

'Jun,' panggil Arsya lembut sambil mendongak menatap ke pemuda yang 20 cm lebih tinggi darinya itu.

'Ya, Ar,' sahut Arjuna sembari tersenyum.

'Pokoknya, kalo udah di sana, gue akan selalu facetime dan imess ke lu. nggak akan absen, biar lu nggak kangen sama Arsya cantik,' Arsya mengibaskan rambutnya sambil nyengir.

'Apaan sih, Ar. Tapi beneran ya? gue kalo nggak nanti gue bisa mati kangen,' Arjuna merengek.

'Dasar, bayi gede,' Arsya tertawa sembari mencubit pipi Arjuna pelan.

2 minggu kemudian, di Airport.

Hari yang paling dinanti-nanti, sekaligus hari yang paling sedih buat papa, Mama, Arjuna dan Rama, karena mereka harus melepas Arsya untuk bertolak ke Amerika Serikat, menuju kampus impiannya, Harvard University. Arsya memeluk mama dan papa diiringi dengan tangis mama yang menghantar putri angkatnya menuju universitas yang masuk di peringkat 10 besar Ivy League.

'Ma, cuma 1 semester,' Arsya memeluk dan membelai punggung mama.

'Nanti yang temenin mama kalau papa kerja sampai malam siapa, Sya?' tanya mama sambil masih sesenggukan.

'Arsya akan balik ke Indonesia bawa kebanggaan buat papa sama mama,' gadis berambut sebahu itu berjanji.

'sekarang aja anak papa udah bikin papa bangga,' papa tersenyum sambil membelai rambut Arsya. 'Nggak pamit sama Arjuna dan Rama?' sambung papa lagi.

'Ar,' lirih Arjuna. air matanya akhirnya jatuh juga di pipinya.

'Juna, gue cuma sebentar, kok,' suara Arsya bergetar. Tangis gadis itu pecah waktu Arjuna merengkuh tubuhnya dalam pelukan hangat penuh air mata.

'Facetime. iMessage, kalo gue mention di twt or ig balas, gue nggak siap kangen sama lu, Ar.' Arjuna memeluk gadis itu.

'Iya, sekarang jangan nangis, meskipun ga siap, kita harus siap pisah sebentar. setelah gue pulang, kapan pun lu siap, lu boleh ngomong apa yang ada di hati lu ke gue,' Arsya menangkup wajah Arjuna dan menghapus airmatanya. Arsya kemudian menyandarkan kepalanya di dada arjuna dan menutup matanya. 'Gue akan rindu suara ini,' Arsya tersenyum lalu berjalan mendekat ke arah Rama yang berdiri di dekat Arjuna.

'Kak Rama, Arsya pamit. jagain Juna, jangan boleh bandel-bandel,' canda Arsya sambil memeluk Rama. Rama hanya terkekeh dan mengangguk. setelah melepas pelukan mereka, Arsya masuk ke gerbang check-in dan segera mengurus barang bawaannya untuk dimasukkan kedalam bagasi. Gadis itu tak hentinya menoleh ke belakang, menatap 4 orang yang menghantarnya berangkat ke negeri paman sam.

'𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑖 𝑗𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑎 𝑙𝑎𝑔𝑖, 𝐽𝑢𝑛. 𝑁𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖, 𝑘𝑎𝑙𝑜 𝑔𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔, 𝑔𝑢𝑒 𝑎𝑘𝑎𝑛 𝑗𝑢𝑗𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑎 𝑠𝑒𝑚𝑢𝑎 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑎𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑔𝑢𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑎 𝑖𝑛𝑖. 𝐽𝑎𝑔𝑎 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑖 𝑙𝑢 𝑏𝑎𝑖𝑘-𝑏𝑎𝑖𝑘. 𝐼'𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝘩𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠. 𝐼'𝑚 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝐴𝑟𝑗𝑢𝑛𝑎,” ujar Arsya dalam hati sembari melambaikan tangannya pada papa mama, Rama dan Arjuna, spesifiknya buat Arjuna.

[bgm: https://open.spotify.com/track/5KAwSdzPevSiY0Fuv5N1WW?si=d4KN1CRUSdWK_xFZwISI6w]

[to be continued]

Saved: 12/15/2020, 14:44 “Lost”– Arjuna Adiyasa Word Count: 2.257 words.

December 6, 2020

[8] She Who Got Shot instead of my brothers.

𝙃𝙮𝙪𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙤𝙣:

𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩:

Se-Ah is still lying on the hospital bed. Dr. Lee said the wolfsbane extraction is successful. However, She has to stay at the National Hospital after the bullet extraction surgery he performed at the clinic. It has been three days. She's still knocked out after the awfully long process of detoxing the wolfsbane and extracting the bullet. Jacob hyung refuses to leave her. Every time she whines in her sleep due to the pain on her shoulder, he's ready to take away the pain. He says, it'll be better that way than asking the nurse to inject the pain-killer to her IV.

The hyungs are still prohibiting me to go to the hospital. Why? Apparently, Younghoon hyung know about the whole 'mate' thing. he told me that I am not ready for this. She is still also new about this. We tend to overuse our powers on each others. leading each other into trouble we can never expect. You might wonder why She was staying at the hospital and why Jacob hyung wishes to stay by her side instead of me.

So, let's walk through what happened last week...

𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸>>

We were staying at Se-ah's family villa at Mt. Seorak that week. Sangyeon Hyung borrowed that Villa for us to take a rest during our summer holiday at school and colleges. We were walking through the trekking paths at the back of the villa. the path lead us into the woods and she was walking with me, holding hands with me while she noticed something strange watching us from afar. and before everyone knew what she was watching, she let go of my hand and ran to take cover of Jacob hyung.

“JACOB OPPA! NO!” Se-Ah shouted and plunged herself in front of Jacob hyung who wasn't aware about what's about to happen that time, and pushed Jacob hyung away before sacrificing herself to be the shield.

As soon as we heard the blasting sound of the riffle, the bullet was already speeding and penetrating her shoulder. Wolfsbane! The bullet was covered with wolfsbane. I could smell it. But her blood neutralized the effect to werewolves like us. She held her shoulder as it bled.

“SONG SE-AH!” Sangyeon hyung dashed to catch Se-Ah who started losing her balance after the shot.“Jacob oppa, are you okay?” Se-Ah asked, checking on Jacob hyung before she started to gradually lose her consciousness.

“We need to get the antidote, the bullet is covered with purple wolfsbane. it isn't that lethal for her. but it can cause her to lose consciousness for days,” Kevin hyung said.

“Munchkins,” Jacob hyung's face is covered with sweat and tears due to the great shock he received. “I'd be dead if it wasn't for her.”

Kevin Hyung, Sangyeon Hyung, Juyeon hyung, Jacob Hyung and Changmin hyung were gathered around her. Meanwhile the rest scattered around the perimeter securing our position.

Actually, Changmin hyung was about to do something stupid by almost transforming to the wolf form and trying to look for the hunter. but Chanhee hyung screamed at him, knocking some senses to the furious Changmin hyung. Both Changmin and Chanhee hyung were anchors to each other, the only thing was they didn't admit that they needed each other to keep their human side intact. they fought each other but they also needed each other to keep them away from emotional changing.

My head was spinning and my chest hurted badly. I started falling on my knee. “Heo Hyunjoon!” Sunwoo and Eric screamed as they caught me before I hit the ground.

The last thing I heard is, “Hyung use my shirt to press on her shoulder. I'll call Youngjo hyung, He'd know what to do,” I guess that voice belonged to Juyeon Hyung.

“Hey, are you okay?” Eric shook my shoulders.

“I—I don't know,” I sat on a rock and tried to stabilize my breath.

“HURRY UP! HER HEARTBEAT IS FALLING!” Sangyeon hyung shouted as he checked her pulse.

I could see Jacob and Kevin hyung trying to take away her pain and bring back her heart rate, while Sangyeon hyung is trying to stop her bleeding. The Vet would know what to do about her. We need to call the Vet. Doctor Dongheon.

“Hyung!” Eric chimed. “Call Doctor Dongheon. He'd know what to do.”

“Warn Oneus about the lurking hunters,” Sangyeon hyung commanded. He was holding Se-Ah in his arms, carrying her into the car and starting the engine. Jacob Hyung and Kevin hyung followed behind. As well as Juyeon hyung.

“Sunwoo, Eric, take me to Sangyeon hyung's car. I want to be with her,” I insisted.

“You have to come with us to HQ,” Hyunjae hyung shook his head.

“Let me go there with her,” I started tearing up.

“Look at you, at least recover first, you looked like zombie,” Younghoon hyung held me back.

“NO,” I frantically shook my head.

“Heo Hyunjoon! look at me,” Hyunjae hyung raised his voice. He slapped my face to wake me up. “We had just experienced a hunter attack. Our Ally has just being downed. and you are in no place to object Sangyeon hyung's decision. You're too weak to come with them, please obey for once.”

“No, I—Se-Ah,” I started crying a river.

“Just obey first. you need to recover for her,” Changmin hyung sighed. With that, Hyunjae hyung and Younghoon hyung took me into their car, Eric, Sunwoo, Chanhee hyung and Changmin hyung came with us to the HQ. They were all worried but they obeyed the leader.

𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 <<

𝗕𝗮𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗼𝗻𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴

It's been 3 days since the hunter incident. I am looking after Se-Ah at the hospital. She hasn't shown any signs of waking up. It's a beautiful sunday morning outside. I could see butterflies outside the windows along with the sparrows greeting with their beautiful chirps. The most beautiful thing that happens this very morning was a hand softly touches my hair. I opened my eyes to find her bed slightly leaning a little bit higher and I see her, alive, smiling at me.

“Jakey oppa, glad you're alive,” She greets me.

“Ain't I the one who is supposed to say that?” I joke, earning a weak but happy laugh from her.

“What happened when I'm asleep?” She asks.

“You almost got poisoned, saving my butt out there,” I look onto her hand, holding my tears but, I fail. it falls right on the back of her hand.

she moves her hand and rubs my head. “Jakey oppa, I'm glad i do that. I have just known everyone. I couldn't afford to lose one of you guys,” She said.

She is such a sweet girl, She could easily remove tears from our eyes just by saying words like that. I wipe my tears away. “I will stop crying now. thank you for the thing you've just done, this means a lot to me.”

I then take my phone and tell everyone she's just woke up. The next thing I know, Eric, Sunwoo and Hyunjoon dashes into the room. Sunwoo and Eric look like they are trying to get ahold of Hyunjoon. Meanwhile, Hyunjoon doesn't even care that there are chairs around him. he kneels beside the bed and cries onto her hand.

“I thought I'd lose you,” he whines.

“I won't die that easily, Hyunjoon ah,” Se-Ah chuckles lightly, followed with a wince because the wound hurts when she laughs. “Ouch!”

“What is it?” Hyunjoon panically stands up to see whether she's okay.

“It's okay. but the wound hurts when I laugh,” She says. she then straightens her seating position by pressing the buttons of the remote control attached to her bed. She then cups Hyunjoon's cheeks. “I'm glad you got better.”

Hyunjoon takes her hands and kisses them before putting them on his chest. “Don't make this heart weak again,” Hyunjoon begs.

“I won't,” She gently smiles. “Youngjae yaaa~, how was the hideout without me?” She enthusiastically asks.

“It's dull without you,” Eric sighs.

“the house is filled with sighs and tears,” Sunwoo adds.

“I'll be home and bring back your smiles,” She positively says.

“How come someone who got injured be so positive?” Sunwoo mumbled.

Hyunjoon silently looks down and tears up. “Hyunjoon ah,” She moves closer to Hyunjoon and hugs him. “I won't leave you,” She rests her chin on his shoulder.

———————To Be Continued

Saved: 12/06/2020 2:10 PM Word Count: 1420 words

December 6, 2020

[7] Us, and Our special Mindlink

After the surprise attack from Felix, The healers, Kevin and Jacob decide to homeschool Se-Ah and cure her trauma. However, Sunwoo and Hyunjoon still has to continue to study at school while the elders are taking care of Se-Ah. The girl stays inside the mansion that day, spending her time at the living room with stacks of mathematics and history books around her. Kevin is helping her to improve her maths while Younghoon teaches her history.

“Can we stop? I'm tired of these numbers already, Keb oppa,” she whines.

“Do this formula again, understand it,” Kevin insists.

“Ugh, I hate maths. can we move on to history now?” she pleads to Younghoon.

“I'm sorry, Se-Ah. You have to do the equation first in order to move on from Maths,” Younghoon chuckles at the younger's antics.

“But, but, Maths are.... ugh,” she sighs as she slouches on the chair.

“Come on, you can do it, munchkins,” Jacob comes with a cup of iced citron tea.

'𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐼 𝑤𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑏𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑑,' Suddenly, Hyunjoon's voice fills her conscience along with the vision of the school's blackboard and all the math equations she needs.

She immediately wrote everything down, leaving Jacob, Kevin and Younghoon's mouths agape. “How did you do that?” Kevin asks.

“Uh, cheatsheet?” She nervously answers.

“Tell me, what did you see?” Jacob asks as he scoots near her.

“I saw our mathematic class' blackboard through his eyes, we connected, sort of?” Se-Ah rambles.

Jacob looks at Kevin, then Younghoon. “Indeed, She's strong. This time, she didn't drain her energy nor thrash. She even leveled up her mindlink with Hyunjoon,” Jacob explains and smiles.

“Great job, Kiddo,” Younghoon and Hyunjae smiles and put their arms around her shoulders.

“I'm not a kid,” She pouts.

“I guess the progress is getting better along the time,” Kevin nods.

“Now, let's move to History, then English,” Younghoon beams.

and the whining saga continues.

—

Song Se-Ah

I'm staying at the mansion for some weeks already. Jacob and Kevin oppa are trying to train me on using the mind link and memory reading to avoid the high intensity memory flood attack like what I got last time. They are also tutoring me academic stuffs like mathematics and all, especially Kevin oppa, he's really good at scientific stuffs. I was homeschooled for quite a while because the memory of the attack still flashes and causing me to have mental break-down. However, Sunwoo and Hyunjoon still go to school.

Lately, we have been using a lot of mindlink matters in doing our school works during our school hours. Especially working on the pop-quizzes given by the teachers. It's kinda fun, you know, sharing answers without anyone knowing.

That evening, I dip my feet into the pool at the backyard while sitting at the wooden floor by the poolside, staring at the crescent moon. I lift my right hand and form a rabbit with my fingers and point it at the moon. I don't realise someone is watching over me behind the glass doors.

“What's that?” Hyunjoon asked as he joined me sitting by the poolside.

“It's a rabbit. mom used to say that if i keep doing it, a rabbit will come down from the moon and right through me,” I lean on Hyunjoon's shoulder.

“But you have a wolf here,” He says as he puts his arm around my shoulder.

“But I asked for a rabbit when I was little,” I grin and snuggles in his arm. I scoot closer to him and snuggle into his embrace.

“I'm sorry you have to stay away from the school,” He says while rubbing circles on my shoulder. I don't realise I am staring on his face, admiring his facial features. His smile made my heart pound so hard. as soon as my heartbeat started to race, i felt the tattoo on my finger stung.

“Ouch,” we both jolt and separate ourselves when both of us felt the sting.

“What is it?” I ask.

“My soulmate tattoo stung,” He points to his chest.

“Mine too,” I held my hand. “Hyunjoon ah, your eyes glowed. It wasn't that gold-ish flecks glow like when you turned. they're purple ish,” I cup his face and and admire his eyes.

“I think I found my mate,” he stares right into my eyes, sending chills down my spine. he holds my hand and leans closer to me. Our eyes meet each other. the next minute, his lips are pressed against mine, sending warmth all over my body. it tastes like chocolate, sweet, bitter, tangy, comforting.

Hyunjoon never let go of my hand. He keeps on holding that even under the dining table, leaving the others suspicious. Especially Changmin and Chanhee oppa who keep switching their gazes from each other to us. I can see it from Changmin oppa's expressions upon me blushing when Hyunjoon tries to feed me the mashed potato.

Hyunjoon said the soulmate tattoo on his chest was my codename, the codename I need to figure out myself before seeing his tattoo. I keep thinking about that the whole day. What will possibly be my code name. I mean, i haven't had code names before. It's just so confusing. Plus, this affiliation with werewolf thing is still preferably new for me. I don't realise I frown a bit at my plate.

“You seemed like you're in a deep thought, Munchkins,” Kevin oppa says when he caught me staring and frowning.

“Uh-it's nothing,” I am so bad at lying.

“Lies, you're obviously pondering on something,” Chanhee hyung nodded at the wrinkled bridge of my nose.

“It's just... uh- math is killing me,” I lie.

“You're lying,” Jacob oppa points. “You're stuttering when you lie.”

“What is it?” Kevin oppa continues.

“I have a lot in my mind. I am partly curious on how Changmin oppa's soulmate tattoo was written 'NEW' while Chanhee oppa's was 'Q'. And why was mine 'HWALLLEO' instead of Hyunjoon?” I frown.

Hyunjae oppa chuckles and moves closer to me, “Some of has has our codenames written on each other's tattoo, like Chanhee and Changmin's case, it was their code names written on each other's ankles. It was said that both of them are anchors to each other. as much as they don't want to admit, both of them keeps each other grounded,” He explains.

“Well, none of them admitted that though,” Younghoon oppa adds.

“You are tied to my heart, that's why your codename was written on my chest. and as much as I don't want to admit, The red string are tied to your ring finger,” Hyunjoon adds more to the explanation.

“I, don't understand,” I shake my head slowly.

“It'll cost you more time to understand, I guess. It wouldn't sink to my cognitives at first as well,” Kevin oppa pats my back and smiles.

“Go finish your dinner and have some rest, kid,” Sangyeon oppa smiles.

To Be Continued

Saved: 12/06/2020 1:16 PM Word Count:1167 words

December 6, 2020

[6] She, Who promises to protect me.

Song Se-Ah

I am about to organise my locker, just like what I usually do before class, when someone pushed me against the locker with a loud 'bang' following afterwards. That's a boy who's pushing me against the locker. I looked up. Platinum blond hair, dark onyx orbs, pale complexion. He must be Felix from our class. Why would he do this to me? he used to be nice and quiet in the classroom. Wait, why does he have a weird scent? he growls? Is he a werewolf? he does smell like a wolf. I gulped my own saliva. He smells like those wolves leaving traces after attacking Hyunjoon. the golden yellow flecks in his eyes shows that he's a beta.

“W-who are you? why a-are you cornering me?” I stutter.

“I know you can smell my scent, you're no ordinary human neither,” He towers above my head.

“W-what do you want?” I ask.

“You, stay away from our business. you're not supposed to meddle in our business,” his claws spurted out and dug into the locker door.

Wait, what? who's business? since when i meddle in someone's business?

“I know you wanted to kill me. but one thing you know, you can't reach Hyunjoon when i'm around. and you're exposing yourself, STUPID BETA,” I growl back and punch his guts, sending him backward at least two feet away.

Honestly, I am afraid and shaken by his gesture. His claws digging into the steel locker door producing a painfully awful sound. But I try acting like a tough cookie who has guts bigger than her small body.

“If you think I can't fight back, just remember. I am a wushu master, I know how to use my Qi, and i am a 5th tier taekwondo black belt!” I do another round of spinning kick on his face.

“She's feisty,” says a student trying to film our fight.

I look at him and shout, “Don't film!”. I walk right to that specific student and take his phone. I go through his camera roll and deleted all the videos of our fight.

“I'm not done with you yet. We'll come for you,” He shouts.

“if you have guts, come for me one on one. like a wolf to wolf. i'm not afraid. You know, Felix. that's all for hurting Heo Hyunjoon,” I snarl and punch his jaw square. “Come on, catch the royal!”

“We're coming for you,” Felix shouts as I walk away from the scene.

I run to the backyard and fall to the ground, hyperventilating while trying to send any kinds of telepathy to Hyunjoon. I hold my chest and try to calm my heavy uneven breathing. I tried stopping my panic attack by biting my hand but it only hurts me more and more as my hand bled.

[Telepathic conversation between Hyunjoon and Se-Ah]

'𝘏𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘩, 𝘪 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴. 𝘪 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘬.' – Se-Ah

'𝑊𝘩𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝐼'𝑙𝑙 𝘩𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑦𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑢𝑛 𝑡𝘩𝑒𝑟𝑒.' – Hyunjoon

'𝘐'𝘮 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥. 𝘍𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘹 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦. 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦.' – Se-Ah

'𝐼'𝑚 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑦. 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝘩𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑜𝑛, 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑡𝘩 𝑚𝑒. 𝐼'𝑚 𝘩𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢.' – Hyunjoon

'𝘐'𝘮 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧𝘧. 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶'– Se-Ah

[end of the telepathic conversation]

Heo Hyunjoon:

𝚃𝚘: 𝙹𝚊𝚌𝚘𝚋 𝙷𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐, 𝚂𝚞𝚗𝚠𝚘𝚘 𝙷𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐, 𝚂𝚎-𝙰𝚑 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚕 – 𝚑𝚠𝚊𝚕𝚕.

I send the text from my phone and dashed through the corridors to the school's backyard, I don't care even if I will get detention for skipping classes. She's my priority now. Se-Ah has just got attacked and all i have in mind is just to reach out and find her and comfort her. I can't afford to lose her just yet. I dash down the corridors and stairs to the backyard. I find her sitting on the ground, biting her arm to keep her breath steady.

“Song Se-Ah!” I shout and run to her. I hug her tightly.

“Hyunjoon ah, I'm afraid,” Her voice trembles along the way as her small and frail body shivers due to the fear. “His claws,” she cries.

“It's okay, he's not here now, Se-Ah,” I rub her hair gently. “I'm sorry you have to go through this alone.”

“I am supposed to protect you,” She whines.

“Look at you,” I sigh and took her hand, wrapping her hand with my handkerchief.

“Next time, when they attack you, scream through our special connection. I'll back you up,” I kiss the top of her head.

She won't stop catching her breath. her breath soon changes into soft wheezes. her left arm is filled with bite marks from what i know, she tries to calm the uneven breathing through biting her arm, but it failed. I hug her for a good 10 minute and kiss her forehead to tell her that I'll always be around. Not long after that, Jacob Hyung and Sunwoo come running to us.

“Let's get her to the hideout. her wound needs to be cleaned as for now, it's best to put sedative on her or she'd keep trembling like crazy,” Jacob Hyung said.

“Did you bring the sedative, hyung?” I ask him, still drawing circles on her back so she'd feel at ease.

Jacob Hyung took a syringe and sedated her. She immediately fell asleep in my embrace. “I've turned in the early dismissal for you three. let's go,” He leads us to his car and helped me carrying her.

Along the way home, I can only hold her hand. she's done something very reckless and brave to protect me from Felix. She knew felix, Han and Hyunjin was behind the attack at the building back then and this morning, Felix attacked her, causing her to have another panic attack.

The ride seems to be extremely quiet. nobody spoke until she speaks gibberish in her sleep.

“𝑫𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎,” she mumbles in her sleep. “𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝑯𝒚𝒖𝒏𝒋𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒐 𝒃𝒂𝒅?”

“What was that?” Sunwoo asks.

“It's probably a dream she got from the attack earlier,” Jacob hyung explains without taking his eyes off of the street. “We're here, you two wash up. I'll take her to her room.”

Jacob hyung stops the car as soon as we arrived at the mansion. Younghoon hyung, Hyunjae Hyung and Kev hyung are waiting by the front door.

“What happened?” Younghoon asks as soon as we carry her out of the car.

“She got attacked by the group who attacked me before, hyung,” I explain.

“Let's get her to her bedroom. Kev, can you get the emergency kit? Jaehyun ah, you know how to tend animal bites right? I'll deal with her panic attack and trauma,” Jacob hyung commands. “Kim Sunwoo, Heo Hyunjoon, go wash yourselves and join us upstairs.”

———To Be continued

Saved: 12/06/2020 11:44 AM Word Count: 1135 Words

December 6, 2020

[5] She, who finds out about the attack

Part 2

“So...” Se-ah begins her story. “It's a four against one fight. Hyunjoon was on a solo patrol and there are 4 other wolves attacking him. One of them smells like someone from our homeroom. From what I know, he also belonged to a pack, which is still mysterious. I—I,” Se-Ah paused. She seems unsure whether or not to continue because the memory she have just seen leans to a traumatic side of the vision.

“Here, have some milk first. I added cinnamon and vanilla to it,” Kevin said as he offered a warm stainless cup filled with his milk blend. she takes the cup and sips a few gulps in.

“It's okay, talk slowly,” Jacob senses that Se-ah's voice was trembling, he immediately pats the younger's shoulder.

Younghoon runs and kneels down in front of her, showing his worried eyes to her, “Everything will be alright,” He squeezes her hand.

𝑆𝑒-𝐴𝘩, 𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒. 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑟𝑖𝑔𝘩𝑡. 𝐼'𝑚 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝘩𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔𝘩. 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛. Hyunjoon finally reaches Se-Ah's thoughts and sends the warm and reassuring message so she can straighten her back and wipe away her tears before continuing her explanation.

“𝐻𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑛 𝑎𝘩, 𝑡𝘩𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢,” she telepathically sends the signal to Hyunjoon before she starts the story all over again. “There are four wolves during that patrol night. They attacked Hyunjoon. four, against one. Their origin is still very mysterious. however one of them came from our class at school. At first, Hyunjoon tried all his best to deflect their attack. but they seemed stronger than him. one of them attacked his chest, leaving a dark purple bruise,” she pauses and inhales a bit, trying to calm herself down. Younghoon who is still kneeling in front of Se-Ah holds her hand to reassure that she'll be okay. “two hurt his legs while another one hurt his arms. by the time i came to rescue him, he's already bathed in blood. I tried deciphering the barks and howls of those four. They said, They'll be back to attack you all.”

Before she can continue the story, She abruptly stops as her heartbeat begins to rise and fall rapidly. Even a non-werewolf will know that something is wrong with Se-Ah. She then stands up from the sofa and scurries to the backyard. her breath is still uneven, her body was trembling and they can hear her wheezing in between her breaths. little that she knows, Hyunjae and Younghoon are watching over her behind the wall.

“What are you guys doing?” Jacob asks as he runs to the patio and hugs the young lady warmly, engulfing her figure in his warm embrace. as expected, Jacob will know what to do when it comes to this. “Its okay, munchkins. You'll be okay.”

“I can't explain the attack,” She sobs.

“give me your hand,” Jacob breaks the hug.

She obeys and puts her hand on top of Jacob's palm. Slowly, her heart rate became steady. Everything became calmer. “I'm sorry, Oppa.”

“You don't need to be sorry. you did well, Munchkins,” Jacob smiles genuinely. He checks her pulse to make sure it doesn't drop and raise extremely like before. “Se-ah, since when you have tattoo on your your ring finger?” Jacob asks as he examined the tattoo around her ring finger. 'HwallLeo' was engraved on her right ring finger. Jacob secretly smiles upon his finding.

“Tattoo? what tattoo?” she asks.

Jacob then rolled up his sleeve and showed his right forearm, where Kevin's korean name was imprinted on. “You had Hyunjoon's codename around your right ring finger,” Jacob explains. “Kevin is my mate and we found out two or three years ago, when we first admitted to this pack.”

Se-Ah examines her right hand and gasps, “Has Hyunjoon had the same? or am i the only one who had his name on my ring finger?”

“We'll find out soon,” Jacob smiles and sits beside Se-Ah. “You know, you have great powers, Se-Ah.”

“With great power, comes great responsibility. and I'm not ready to bear the responsibility, Joonyoung oppa,” She pouts. “I'm new to everything and I used to think that I'm normal. but then this happened.”

“We're here to help you,” Hyunjae and Younghoon came from behind the wall and took a seat on her other side.

𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝐼'𝑙𝑙 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑏𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡𝘩 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝑊𝑒'𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙. Hyunjoon comforts her through their telepathy. The owner of the soothing inner voice is actually there, behind her. She realises his presence and turns her head to find Hyunjoon sitting on the wheelchair, smiling to her.

“Sorry, I caused a scene later today,” She sighs.

“No, it's okay. remember, we'll always help you, Se-Ah,” Younghoon smiles.

“Hyunjae oppa, have you found your mate?” She asked curiously upon knowing that she has Hyunjoon's name engraved on her finger.

Hyunjae chuckles softly and rolls up his sweater to show a bracelet-like tattoo around his wrist. Younghoon's name was written all around the bracelet-like tattoo. Younghoon also has Hyunjae's name engraved like a bracelet around his wrist. “He's my mate,” Hyunjae puts his arm on Younghoon's shoulder.

“What about you?” She turns to Hyunjoon and looks into his eyes.

“What about me? Am I supposed to show?” Hyunjoon's face turns red. He has the name of his mate. Only him knows about this.

“I need to know. because yours are imprinted on my ring finger,” She whines cutely, causing Jacob and Hyunjae to chuckle upon her action. “Do you want me to die because i am too curious about this thing?”

the last question brings Jacob, Hyunjae and Younghoon to explode in laughters. Se-Ah looks very cute when she pouts and recites her questions to Hyunjoon.

“I can't show you. but i'm sure it's someone's codename. I don't know if it's yours,” actually, Hyunjoon knows that the name engraved somewhere on his abdomen belongs to her. The telepathy is also a sign that she's his mate. It's just too obvious that it's her. So, he's got to play a little bit more hard to get.

“I won't take care of your wound. I'm going to help Kev oppa in the kitchen,” Se-Ah stands up and speed-walks to the kitchen, where Kevin is preparing to cook for dinner. Leaving the clueless Hyunjoon with Hyunjae, Younghoon and Jacob who are laughing upon her cute actions.

“What did I do?” Hyunjoon asks after Se-Ah leaves them at the patio.

“She's learning about us. about werewolves and their mates. We're trying to help her by showing that mates would have each other's name engraved on their body to remind that they have each other for the rest of their lives,” Hyunjae explains.

“She has your name on her ring finger,” Jacob chuckles.

“Uh— Actually I have her code name engraved on my chest. but I couldn't show it now. I can't just open my shirt to show her. too vulgar,” Hyunjoon sighs. “The code name she hadn't find out yet. But, I'm really sure it's her.”

“She'll be jealous if she sees that name,” Younghoon nods.

“Well, everything takes time,” Hyunjae nods and stands up. “Let's get in and have some rest.”

———————– To Be Continued.

Saved: 12/05/2020 11:35 AM Word Count: 1216 Words

December 6, 2020

[4] She Who Finds Out About The Attack

Part 1

Sangyeon picks everyone at school and drives back to the headquarters to meet up with the rest of the pack. She sit beside Hyunjoon while fiddling her fingers, showing that she is very nervous about what is about to come. Hyunjoon senses the high intensity of nervousness radiating all around her and he takes the initiative to hold her hand. his hand is slightly bigger than Se-Ah. his hand perfectly engulfed all over Se-Ah's hand.

“It's okay. Everything's gonna be okay,” Hyunjoon whispers into Se-ah's ear.

“Just tell us everything you know,” Sangyeon says from the driver's seat.

“Yeah, It'll be okay. We'll listen,” Younghoon, who sits on the shotgun seat says softly while looking right into her eyes.

She seemed like she is in a trance for quite a bit before she takes Hyunjoon's hand and placed it on her temple, her hazel eyes glows a sheen of gold. And slowly images of the attack came to her vision. It comes in a big vision, not just chunks or bits of information. She starts to gasp for air but instead of removing Hyunjoon's hand, she instinctively presses his hand onto her temple as she thrashes.

“YOUNGHOON HYUNG!” Hyunjoon and Sunwoo shout in panic upon that incident. “SHE'S THRASHING!” Sunwoo adds as he tries to take Se-ah's hand off of Hyunjoon's.

“Hyung! stop the car!” Younghoon exclaims as he told Sangyeon to pull over. He removes his seat belt and ran to Se-ah's side and distants her away from Hyunjoon for a while. “Se-ah, are you okay?” Younghoon asks as he hugs the younger gently.

She shakes her head and looked into Younghoon's eyes. Horror sparks in her beautiful hazel orbs and Younghoon knows that.

“What did you see?” Younghoon slowly asks.

“Everything,” She buries her face and trembling body into Younghoon's arms.

“Is she okay?” Sangyeon asks.

“Apparently she took too much and I guess she needs to harness the power before using it on her or on other people,” Younghoon answers.

“We need to get her to Jacob. Jacob knows what to do,” Sangyeon nods. “Younghoon ah, let's switch, Se-ah on the shotgun, You drive, I'll sit at the back with Sunwoo and Hyunjoon.”

“Call,” Younghoon nods and takes her hand gently. “Don't worry, Se-Ah. Everything's gonna be alright,” Younghoon smiles, holding the younger's hand and walks to the car.

“Why you switch seats hyung?” Sunwoo asks.

“It's for their own good. She has to be able to control her powers before she uses it,” Sangyeon says.

Younghoon drives all the way to the safe house. Se-Ah sleeps along the journey. It seems like every energy has been driven all out of her body. upon their arrival, Chanhee and Changmin helped Hyunjoon to get on the wheel chair and Younghoon and Sangyeon carried the petit-figured girl to a guest room after signalling Jacob to come with them.

“What happened to her?” Jacob asks while caressing the girl's hair gently. “She looked so tired and worn out,” Jacob closes his eyes and holds her hand and she slowly turns a little bit less worn out.

“So, apparently she knows something about Hwall's wound. She wanted to tell everything in detail and the amount of details floods right into her memory without filter,” Younghoon explains.

“She can see memories from our touch on her skin,” Hyunjoon appears from the door. “She puts my hand on her temple and she could see the memory from when I got attacked.”

“I'll train her. but we'll have to wait till she wakes up to find out what happened to Hyunjoonie,” Jacob nods.

“Jakey, what happened to munchkins?” Kevin appears from behind the door.

“She has such a fascinating power. but she's still new to her powers,” Jacob explains quietly.

“I'll prepare basin and damp towel to clean her,” Kevin says. along with that, everyone scattered out of the room.

Kevin came back with a bowl of warm water and damp towel and a set of his unused pajama shorts and loose t-shirt. along with that, both him and Jacob waits outside with the others.

“How's squishy?” Changmin chimes.

“Still sleeping. Let her rest for a bit,” Kevin sighs. “She's done so well.”

Se-Ah slowly opened his eyelids and found out that she was sleeping on a bed that is not hers. she is also surprise to find a small heat-proof bowl filled with warm water along with a towel and a set of pajama shorts and loose t-shirt beside her. there's also a letter with a pretty scribble drawn around the letter.

“𝑆𝑒-𝐴𝘩, 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝘩 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑤𝘩𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑔𝑒𝑡-𝑢𝑝 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟. 𝐼 𝘩𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑗𝑎𝑚𝑎 𝑠𝘩𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝘩𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑠𝘩𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑝.

𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒, 𝐾𝑒𝑣 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐽𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑦 “

She took the towel and dipped it into the warm water and starts rubbing herself and changes her clothes after applying an adequate amount of baby cologne and powder on her body. She then changes into the slightly bigger pajama pants and attaches some safety pins to keep it secure around her delicate waist. after that, she slips into the t-shirt that is also bigger than her. not long after that she walks out of the room.

“Se-Ah,” Hyunjoon calls out.

“Hyunjoon, I'm sorry,” She looks onto her toes.

“Hey, you've tried, it's okay. you did well,” Hyunjoon smiles softly and holds her hand. “Let's go, everyone is waiting for you. you have a homework to do.”

“Homework?” She frowns and her facial expression shows confusion.

“You have to tell them what do you see, everything you see,” Hyunjoon explains. “Hey, I'm here with you,” He smiles softly.

As soon as she gets to the living room, Jacob ran to her and hugs her as well as Kevin. “It's okay. You're safe here, Munchkins,” Kevin rubs her hair gently.

“So, are you ready?” Sangyeon asks as he sits on his arm chair.

“Yes. and I'm really sorry you guys had to see me thrashing and doing something that could kill me,” Se-Ah bowed.

“It's okay. At least you tried your best,” Changmin smiles and gave her a two thumbs up.

“Come sit with us before you tell the story,” Jacob gently takes her hand and guides her to the sofa to sit with others.

Thank you, Joonyoung oppa. Se-Ah sighs. “So...”

——— To Be Continued

Saved: 11/06/2020 11:26 Word Count: 1056 Words

December 5, 2020

[3] She, who kept my secret

Hyunjoon:

“Hyunjoon ah, she's here,” Eric shouts from the aisle.

“Do you need help?” Her voice rings from outside my room. she is already by my door. “You need to change the bandages.”

“Ah yeah, come in,” I call out.

“Good morning, young master,” She jokes and kneeled in front of me. “Can I?” She asks as she put the first aid box beside her.

“Don't call me that,” I chuckle and gently move my right leg so she can take out the bandages and change it to the fresh one.

“It'll sting a little,” She carefully takes out the bandages. “That must be very painful,” She winces in pain as I hiss out of the stinging pain.

I nod and stare at her. she's so careful. she treats the wound delicately.

“Who bit you?” She asks. How does she find out that it's a wound caused by an animal bite?

“How do you know that I was bitten?” I curiously asked as she dab some numbing ointment and starts to disinfect and re-apply the bandage on my wound.

“I can smell the excess saliva left in the wound back then. and their furs, it was everywhere around you,” She explains while wrapping up my other leg.

“There's a pack, which is trying to to take over our territory. I was on a patrol that night and it was a 4 agaist 1 fight. I lost. Two of them attacked my leg. That's why I howled for help,” I deliberately explained to her.

“Ah, that's why. That must be hard for you,” she sighs.

“Se-ah,” I coo. She looked up to me after rolling down my pants to cover up the bandages.

“Hmm~” She hums.

“You're pretty,” I blurt out.

I could see a blush of pink crept all-over her face. She was indeed delicate and pretty. Her onyx orbs are sparkly and bright, her skin were fairly delicate, soft voice, plumpy lips, more important than that, she's just a soft and caring girl. If they said there's a love at first sight, I'll say I believe it. I am falling for her. Her pretty face matches with her caring personality.

“Hyunjoon, Se-Ah, time to go to school,” Sunwoo's voice gets me out of my daydream.

She immediately stands up and pushes my wheelchair gently out of my room. “Yeah, we're done. let's go,” She smiles.

“Sunwoo, Hwall and Se-Ah will take the car to school, since Hwall's injured,” Sangyeon Hyung commands.

“Yes, young master,” The buttlers bow and nod to his request.

“Sangyeon oppa,” Se-Ah suddenly peers to Sangyeon hyung and tugs on his sleeve.

“Yes, Se-Ah?” Sangyeon Hyung looks at her.

“Can you pick us up after school. I need to see all the pack and tell you all something i've been wanting to tell regarding Hyunjoon's wounds,” She whispers, loud enough for me and Sunwoo to hear.

“Okay, call! I'll pick you guys up 4PM sharp,” Sangyeon hyung nods.

“Se-ah ya~, please keep our secrets to yourself,” Changmin hyung says.

“Your secrets are safe with me, Changmin oppa!” She cheerfully chimes as we approached our car. Along the way, she seems so quiet. it's either she was thinking about something or she was contemplating about something.

𝑊𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝐼 𝘩𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐻𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑗𝑜𝑜𝑛'𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑔? 𝑡𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑃𝐸 𝑑𝑎𝑦.

wait... what is this?

I can hear her mind?

I was told that mates are the only ones who can listen to each other's mind. But we just met. We can't be mates.

“It's okay. you don't have to lie about my condition. Just tell them I got injured when playing basketball with my brothers,” I say and looked into her eyes.

“O-Okay,” She nods. “How do you know what I was thinking earlier? Did I say it out loud?”

“I just happened to know,” I shrug.

Younghoon:

She come again this morning. She said she'd help Hyunjoon changing his bandages. From the tone of her speeches, I could see she's found out about something and she has kept it for a few days to her own. She wants to ease her suspicion by talking to Hyunjoon about her worries. It seems personal but it's what she has to do before telling us. I dont realise I have been staring onto Hyunjoon's door while thinking about this.

“Younghoon ah, what's in your mind?” Hyunjae asked as he puts his coffee mug on the table and took a seat beside me.

“Nothing. It's just I knew her a few days ago and I begin to trust her to be around us,” I shrug.

“Don't lie. I saw you burning holes into Hwall's door,” He chuckles and pauses a little bit. “She'll be okay with us, I guess,” Hyunjae nods.

“I have this urge to protect her, like our own kind,” I look into his eyes.

“Yes, some people might aim at her. especially those ones against us,” Hyunjae nods in agreement.

“Jaehyun ah, I think she has found out about something. Something she had to clarify with Hwall first before alarming us,” I say, leaning my head on his shoulder.

“Let her be. Both of them are seventeen, we need to give them more liberty to do what they think is right,” He say, holding my hand.

“They do look good together, don't you think?” I ask, earning a nod from him.

saved: 12/05 12:51 Word Count: 906 Words

December 5, 2020

[2] He Who Escorts Me Home

Younghoon drives the car to a quiet housing complex not far away from their hideout. He stops in front of a modest town house where Se-ah has told him to stop.

“Here we are,” Se-ah says as she slings her bag on her shoulder.

“So, This is your place. thank you for saving Hwall,” Younghoon says with a simple smile carved on his lips. He is walking with Se-ah to her place. It is relatively quite close to their hideout castle.

“Thank you for walking me home,” Se-ah smiles and bowed her head slightly to the latter. “Younghoon-nim? Younghoon-ssi? Mr Younghoon?”

Younghoon chuckles upon the comment. “Just Younghoon Oppa will do,” He flashes a smile. “You're Song Se-ah, right?” Younghoon asks, earning a nod from the younger.

“I'll ask my parents about what Sangyeon-nim said later today. I'll keep my mouth shut about the werewolf issue. I'll help taking care of Hyunjoon too,” Se-ah rambles.

“I'll go from here,” Younghoon waved his hand to the younger and turned his back on the girl.

“Younghoon Oppa, can I visit the mansion, anytime?” she asks.

Younghoon turned his head, facing the girl and nodded. “Yes, of course. Hyunjoonie will be happy if you're around,” He then drives farther and farther away from the house. “anyways, we saved our numbers in your phone.”

He's so handsome, his deep brown eyes and milky white skin. I wonder if anyone had already fell for him. Se-Ah thought.

Se-ah walks inside her house to find her mother and father waiting in the living room with an extremely worried look on their faces.

“Mom, Dad,” She carefully approaches her parents.

“Song Se-ah, where have you been all night?” Mr Song asks while hugging Se-ah.

“Se-ah, are you okay, dear?” this time the woman in somewhat her 50's approached the girl and hugged her.

“I-I heard the howls, I followed and rescued a – werewolf, mom,” Se-ah answers the question as she begins patting her parents' backs. “How can their howls be heard by an ordinary girl like me?”

“Se-ah, you're not an ordinary girl since you were born. Most people in our family had this power. including me. Back to our ancestors, your great-great-grandparents were the ones who started everything. They signed a blood pact between the Song bloodline and this particular werewolf pack. once you are 17, their howls will be vivid to your ears. you can also decipher their cries or howls. You'll also be able to communicate with them telepathically and protect them. you have to stay with them once you found them.” her father explains.

“You have to take care of them, whatever it takes, promise me. it wouldn't be easy. for the enemies will come and haunt you.” her mother adds.

“Why?” Se-ah asks as she frowned her forehead.

“Your power is like a beacon to the affiliated pack. but it will also put missing links and messes up every single enemy's communication,” Mr song explains. “And when the day comes, there's one of them that will mark you their mate.”

“So, have you found the pack?” her mother asks curiously.

“Yes, twelve of them. I found one of them badly wounded last night, that's why I stayed there until he was taken back to the hideout. and they took me as well,” Se-ah explained. “I never knew a werewolf hideout would be that grand, dad,” she beamed.

“Some packs are known to be wealthy, though,” Her mother smiled. “Now go wash and have some rest. you've walked a long journey.”

Hyunjoon🐱 invited Song Se-Ah to join Douze WolfBoyz group chat

Angel Jacob😇 hello, the girl who saved our baby.

Hyunjoon🐱 Se-ah, welcome.

Song Se-Ah hello, this is Se-Ah speaking I never expected to get into the circle but thank you. And Sangyeon-nim, I did the homework

Sangyeon🐺 So, now you understand why? ah, and meet the members.

Song Se-Ah yes yes, mom and dad told me earlier. Please take care of me ^0^

Younghoon hi, welcome to the jungle, Se-ah

Song Se-Ah hello, younghoon oppa! 🖐🏻

Hyunjae You call Younghoon Oppa and not us too? this is discrimination :(

Song Se-Ah But Younghoon Oppa asked me to do so :3:

Sangyeon🐺 From now on, since you're a part of us, you're free to drop the formality. call us 'Oppa'

Kevz 🌑 Hello, I'm Kevin but the humans also called me Hyungseo and since you're Hyunjoon's classmate, you can call me Hyungseo with Oppa at the end

Angel Jacob😇 hello, Se-ah I'm Jacob. or you can also call me Joonyoung. if Kev scares you, don't mind him. it's just Kev being Kev

Song Se-Ah Hello Jacob Oppa, Kevin Oppa nice to meet you two

Kim Sunwoo since we're also going to the same school, hello there, my name is Kim Sunwoo from class 3.

Song Se-Ah You're Se-Lim's classmate, right? Song Se-Lim is my twin sister. Sadly, she isn't like me.

Sangyeon🐺 You have a sister? She might not be now. but she'll come to realize that she's like you I wonder which pack will she go.

Song Se-Ah Se-Lim said she hadn't heard howls like me But i hope she got hers soon. So that i'll see which side is she on.

Angel Jacob😇 Sides? What are you talking about?

Song Se-Ah you'll find soon, cobbie oppa~

Angel Jacob😇 you left me on curiousity i am: crying

Eric let's not think about that for now. any who~ I'm Eric. but you can call me babe.

Hyunjoon🐱 Eric, can you stop?!

Song Se-ah Hi Eric, let's be friends! I hope i can be friends with all of you. oh, and cobbie oppa, it's okay, we'll find out soon enough Anyways, Hwall, how's your leg?

Hyunjoon🐱 It's getting better. I'll be using the wheelchair tomorrow. will you help me?

Eric I am: Friendzoned! i cri :'''

Song Se-Ah YES!! Of course, I'll help you ^^

Haknyeon Sorry for breaking the moment~ I'm Joo Haknyeon nice to meet you, kiddo

Changmin Hi, I'm Changmin!

Choi Chanhee Hello, I'm Chanhee please take care of me

Juyeon Hi, kid. Juyeon here. nice to know you.

Hyunjae My name is Jaehyun. Everyone calls me Hyunjae.

Read 19:20 PM

Saved: 12/05 10:13 Word Count: 1040 Words