Mixed Signals

⚠️ There is mention of harassment in this chapter.

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The very next morning, I was walking down the campus with my phone in my hand while scrolling through Jukyung's stargram ID. She posted a photo of her at Sauna. I chuckled as I scrolled down.

I heard a snicker just form few feets away and saw Seojun standing there while looking at his phone. Recent incident once again began to linger in my mind as a teasing grin began to make it's way on my lips.

"Tarzan is wearing his ten won boxers~" I said in a singing voice and mimicked the cheetah claws again. Seeing his taken aback look I laughed and stuck out a tongue at him while walking away.

Clearly unbeknownst to Seojun's inner wrath of emotion.

What you did was such a childish, playful gesture that he found myself taken aback.

He had always accused Y/N of acting cute, of trying to manipulate him with her charms. But in that moment, he realized that he had been wrong. She wasn't trying to be cute; she was just being herself.

And that realization made him gulp. He felt a nervousness wash over him, a sense of uncertainty that he hadn't experienced in a long time.

He looked at Y/N, really looked at her, and saw her in a new light. Well that wasn't good at all now was it?

Things were really getting weird. Mr.Han just ran out of class withou saying another word.

"That's it? Now words of courage?"

Everyone muttered in disbelief while Jukyung stared at the empty seat beside me.

Soo- Hoe's seat.

I think she made up with Soo-ho, given to her pouted lips, I concluded she was anticipating his presence while I was feeling much more relaxed that he wasn't here.

Things would be less complicated.

I thought and spend hours in school absentmindedly. After the last bell rang, I was taken by surprise when a face suddenly came into my view.

"Will you come to the class?" I blinked at Sua's face almost touching me then I flicked her forehead making her jerk back.

"Which class?"

"Weren't you listening?" She whined as i shook my head as no. Then she was about to start her convincing plan again but was cut off by Seojun.

"She has plans with me ladies." He says confidently making me narrow my eyes.

"Hmm. I plan to choke him in his sleep" I stated plainly making his friends burst out in laughter.

"Wait- you forgot about the movie?" He asked as several head turns towards me.

"Movies!?"

With so many gaze trained on me, I felt annoyed.

"I am too tired for this." I said with an exasperated sigh and took my bag.

"I will message you if I changed my mind"  I told them as I began to walk myself home as Jukyung followed me.

I was lazily looking at the filters on my phone while discussing it with Jukyung when I bumped into someone.

"Oh! I am sorry-" I bowed slightly as an apology

"It alright sweetheart."

This alerted my senses immediately. My eyes went up to see very familiar but still unfamiliar faces. Jukyung gasped visibly as I gripped her arm and pushed her behind me. My eyes met one of those boys as I nudged at Jukyung's arm.

"Run when they are distracted." I whispered to her while taking a step back.

"I can't leave you-!" She hastily whispers as her hand shook. She was more scared than me.

I stepped back as they advanced, making me choose a different alley. However, another presence came in front of me.

These were Soejun's bullies.

I knew them.

My eyes met those of that guy who I made fun of, on the day of chase. My eyes were on alert as I tried really hard to stay calm, assessing the situation. They were total of six boys.

"Well, well, well, look what we have here," one of them sneered, eyeing us up and down with strange glint in his eyes.

"Seojun's precious girlfriend, with her friend, all vulnerable and defenseless."

I rolled my eyes, unfazed by their intimidation tactics, at least, that's what I pretended to be.

"Oh, please, you think I'm Seojun's girlfriend? Ha! I'd rather die than date that arrogant jerk."

The bullies chuckled, clearly entertained by my sass. But I knew I had to keep them distracted if I wanted to escape, I slowly put hand in my pocket, trying not get their attention on my movements.

"So, what's the plan, boys? Going to beat me up and then brag about it to Seojun? How original."

I felt the spray in my pocket as I grabbed it tightly. I shared a look with Jukyung whose gaze held panic.

I just hope she runs fast.

One of them took a step closer, his face twisted in anger as I took a step back, getting into position slightly.

"Shut up, you mouthy little –"

But I cut him off, throwing out another insult while nudging Jukyung to run but she still kept gripping on my arm.

" You guys are about as intimidating as a bunch of kittens with balls of yarn."

The bullies snarled, closing in on me so I had to act fast, since Jukyung was in a trance.

"Run Imzoo!" I alerted her with my shout as both of us took a run for it but Jukyung accidently tripped getting caught by one of the boys. I jogged back to her and sprayed pepper spray on his face causing him to release Jukyung and hold his now so red face and itchy eyes.

I pushed Jukyung away from them and pressed the spray button on another boy who was catching up to her.

To be honest, I was scared. Scared to the core with what was happening because I never imagined something like this and I clearly didn't want to experience it. No one did.

Suddenly I felt a grip on my backpack and hairs, jerking me back with a brute force. I let out a yelp of surprise as I almost felt my scalp being ripped off. With slight blurry eyes from pain, I noticed Jukyung running away as a boy chased her but lost her sight around the corner. I felt glad that she got away safely.

"This bitch has quite a feisty mouth" They said as they dragged me somewhere.

Oh boy...I was in big trouble.

Well, it felt good to play the hero.

They took me to a club and forced me to sit on the sofa. My pepper spray no more with me but it's effects was visible on the boys face. Their eyes were red as they constantly rubbed them. One guy with blue jacket came near me and picked up my bag, turning it around to throw my supplies on the ground. I winced when I heard my headphone fell down with a crunch.

"What's your pass?" He asks while giving me a mocking look as I stared at him incredulously.

"A-hole"  I say and as his face contorted into anger.

"What did you just call me-!"

"It's the pass. Why are you taking it on yourself? Or perhaps you think..." He pursed his lips as he brought his attention back to your phone.

It had pattern draw lock.

"You-!"

"Use face recognition" I interrupted him while tilting my face to the side. He complied as he cursed to himself and then he went to your contacts.

"What is he saved as?" He asks as your lips move into thin line.

"Uh....Purr Jun.." I mumbled lowly as he began to chuckle loudly, catching his friends attention.

"His girlfriend is amusing"

"I am not his girlfriend" I grumbled under my breath as he chuckled again.

"Sure." He called Seojun and he picked up almost immediately.

"Ahh....you are so quick to pick your girlfriend's call" As he rants about his superiority, you pondered how to escape this place. This was extremely uncomfortable, they were stupid kidnappers, that's true but that doesn't mean they didn't have ill intention towards you.

He threw your phone on the sofa and began to sing along with his friends who now overcame with itchiness in their eyes. I saw how immersed they were in enjoying so I decide to take this as a chance to call my friends. I opened my phone's lock, still keeping eye on their figure.

I turned on the video call with the first person in chat, thinking it was Sua, leaving it for them to assess the situation. The same guys returned with smirk plastered on his face.

"Wanna sing?" He offers me a hand as I  purposefully keep my head down. He lifts my chin up making me feel disgusted. He let out an amused snicker as he settled down beside me and draped an arm over my shoulder, pulling me closer to his body making me go stiff with discomfort.

I was panicking with every moment passing by. The boy's eyes went to my exposed thighs as feeling of discomfort risen within me with alert look in my eyes. His head dipped lower as he got near my ear level.

"I see why Seojun is after you" That was it, I elbowed him in the stomach as he grunted and I stood up to run away but one of the guy lifted me up and threw me on the sofa again.

I screamed for help but my mouth was sealed shut with a hand.

"This one is pain in a-!" I struggled under their tight grip as my vision blurred thoroughly.

This can't be happening.

"Kang Y/N!"

A voice called out making my gaze turned towards the source. It was him.

I heard his voice and couldn't help but feel immensely relieved at the sound of it. My frantic eyes met those of Lee Soo-ho's who stared back in disbelief. His face soon scrunched up in anger as he runs up the table and hits the guy who was towering over me. He punched that guy rapidly as another entity entered the room.

" There is Han Seojun!" The bullies shouted as they ran towards him but he dodged and threw punches at them, knocking them out. Seojun went to remove Soo-ho from punching the life out of the guy but just as he does, his eyes met yours.

Looking at the him with panic ridden eyes.

"You punk!" His hisses and punched the guy that was recovering from Soo-ho' punches. My hand went upto my mouth in disbelief with everything happening in front of me.

"WE ARE HERE!" Another shout cuts in as I stared at newcomer. Soojin, Jukyung, Sua and his boyfriend stood in the front with concern etched on their face.

Thank you Jukyung.

The chaos began once again with four new members. With punches and kicks thrown back n forth, I was cornered in the room with Soo-ho in front of me and beside him stood Seojun. By the time fight was put to an end, I was pulled out by Soojin who hugged me.

"It's alright." She says as she rubbed my back. I did my best to calm down my breathing in order to regain my composure. I couldn't let these types of guy affect me.

"Can I kill at least one of them?" I asked as she chuckled.

"I already did" She replied making me smirk at her remark.

By the time the boys came out to look for me, I was already gone and had no intention to come to school next day because no matter how I acted calm and collected after the incident, I was still shaken. I couldn't show them this could I? Putting on Facade has been part of my life now and breaking it was not an option.

I skipped school and decided to binge watch netflix but soon my phone vibrates with a notification.

The Beauties♡

Sua:

Let's go to the baseball game on the last day of exam, this way, Y/N could get her mind off the recent incident.

Soojin:

I can't. I have tutoring but Y/N should go.

Y/N:

Only if  I get caramel popcorn

Sua:

Do you ever care about something other than food?

Y/N:

Yes. Myself.

Just Kidding, I care about you all but the first part is true too.

I turn off my phone and went to my study table. Sua reminded me that tomorrow was a test and I had to prepare for it. I looked at the clock on my table.

12:17

I shall study from 12:30. I rolled up my hairs and clutched it safely behind, then prepared my study material and sat down in my chair, getting on work.

Time passed as I was deeply focused on solving the numericals, chewing my lip from moment to moment as if it would make my brain work faster.

"Ms.Y/N!! The dinner is ready!" I heard my caretaker's voice, bringing me back to reality. My gaze went upto the clock.

8:34

I cursed at my lack of knowledge of time being passed.

"Did I even study?" I muttered to myself as I looked at my notes. There were doodles drawn on the corner of the pages.

I couldn't decipher whether there was doodles on my notes or notes on my doodles drawing.

Either way, I stood up from my desk and went downstairs for dinner.

"Hopefully you didn't bring anyone else to make me happy" I joked as Ms.Choi let out a warm chuckle.

"Hopefully I don't need to do that." She responded and my smile momentarily disappears as I reminisced the events of yesterday but soon regained my smile.

"You don't"

Next day, School was bustling with students as they all were walking with books in their hands, constantly repeating the words as if rote learning. Meanwhile some were walking nonchalantly, as if they didn't even know that today they had exam.

I couldn't even meet my friends as my roll number was set up in different class. I was toying with my pen,waiting for the question paper. As soon as the exam started, everyone dig their head into the paper. Some were scratching their head, some were passionately writing on OMR sheet which was definitely unnecessary, and some special people were sleeping though the test.

The test went just fine for me. I messaged Sua that I will directly meet her at the stadium and she agreed that she is coming with Jukyung and Tae hoon was unbeknownst to this fact.

When I reached the stadium, I call Sua to ask where they were. Turns out, they were standing just few stairs below as I began to descend down the stairs but given to the fact that this place was crowded, it was really hard to walk through.

"Excuse me-woa-!" I felt a sudden push forward making me lose my balance, almost falling down when I felt a grip on my arm and familiar scent.

I looked up and met Soo-ho's eyes who were looking back at me with same glint.

"So Sua is here!" Tae hoon's voice came from behind Soo-ho as I felt another push but he gripped my arm securing me at my place.

I cleared my throat and pulled away in a hurry, murmuring a small thank you and walked towards Sua who was now arguing with her boyfriend. Tae Hoon sat beside Sua and Jujyung was sitting beside her, leaving two chairs on her left.

I was about to sit when my foot halted on itself. I looked at Jukyung who was sneakily glancing at Soo-ho. Blinking slightly, I stepped aside to let Soo-ho sit beside her. He gave me a questioning look.

"Why aren't you sitting down?"

"I like to sit at the corner seat." I replied and motioned him to sit which he complied to.

I looked at the corner of my eye to notice Soo-ho looking straight at the field.

My attention went towards the game when I heard a loud-

STRIKE!

Everyone cheered as I clapped slowly for Hyeong jin. When I turned my head, I realised Jukyung was celebrating while holding both hands of Soo-ho, giggling happily. My eyes drifted towards their connected hands as my stomach twisted and bitter taste made to my mouth but I kept my composure.

Well, I wasn't confuse anymore. I know what this feeling is and I hate it.

I tore my gaze away from them when I felt a pull on my sleeve. Sua dragged me miraculously out of nowhere and takes me back to the first floor where the players would pass by.

"Don't you think Heong Jin is amazing!?" Sua squealed as I nodded in approval because I have seen him play before and he is skilled at his game.

However, I didn't know it was him that time, I was just surprised by his gameplay.

"Hyeong jin oppa!"  I looked at the boy she just called out to. I noticed how his wide eyes stayed still on me.

"What?" He advanced in Sua's direction, making Tae hoon stand beside her, however, Hyeong Jin pushed past her and stood in front of me.

"Do you have any idea how much I looked for you after the game?" He asked while looking in my direction but I was still confused who was he talking to since Jukyung stood just beside me.

"Excuse me?" I say while eyeing him suspiciously while he purposely ignore my wordings.

"Wow. You look even more stunning up close" The way he leaned in my direction, I understood he was talking to me.

I blinked in disbelief as I stared at the baseball player in front of me. In my peripheral vision, I could see Jukyung and Sua squealing slowly.

As if I wasn't  uncomfortable enough that Hyeong jin's other teammates came up beside him and 'ooh-ed' at us.

"Give me your number"

I was surprised at his boldness and annoyed at the guys behind him chanting his dialogues again, to cheer me up.

Like, I had enough of these friends chanting their friend's dialogues again. It looks creepy.

"You want my number?" I asked, trying to evade the situation casually but the boy insisted while handing me his phone.

I wonder how will he react if I ran away with his phone.

I

suppressed my intrusive thought and decided to take the phone and type my number silently as the boys cheered behind him.

"Wait- you have entered two wrong digits." Sua, who was previously looking in the phone sneakily spoke up, making me grip on the phone tight as forceful smile made up on my face.

"I forgot my number." I let out a convincing embarrassed laugh as she takes the phone from my hand and typed the right number, handing him the phone back.

"I will hit you up." Hyeong jin flashed a boyish grin and walked away while I mentally was hitting Sua for giving him my right number.

I don't get it. Why people give random people their phone numbers? And why does Sua remembers my phone number?

"Why would you give your number to a stranger? You think it's okay because she knows him? What if he is a weirdo?"

Soo-ho' voice cut in. I realised he was away during my interaction with Hyeong jin, however he has tendency to appear out of nowhere.

"At least he asked. I still don't know how you got my number" I retorted with narrowed eyes as he was momentarily rendered speechless.

"I am leaving." He finally voices out and walks out. I kept looking at the place he stood before and then to his retreating steps followed by Jukyung.

Why are you doing this Lee Soo-Ho? Do you really care for me or....are you using me to get Jukyung?

I blinked away the thoughts and nudged at Sua sweater.

"Let's go." Tae Hoon went with Soo-ho and Jukyung while me and Sua walked down the street. We chatted about our day, laughing and joking around, when Sua suddenly dropped a bombshell.

"Hey, I think Soo-ho and Jukyung might be into each other," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. But I quickly pushed the feeling aside, reminding myself that I had no right to feel hurt.

Sua didn't seem to notice my reaction, and she continued-

"You should find someone too, Y/N! You're such a catch!"

I forced a laugh, feeling a bit awkward. "Thanks, Sua, but I'm good for now."

Sua grinned mischievously and reached out to adjust my bangs.

"Good luck on your date, then!"

I raised an eyebrow, confused.

"What date?"

But Sua just winked and scurried off, leaving me perplexed.

Before I could process what had just happened, a familiar voice called out to me.

"Hey, Y/N! Want me to walk you home?"

I turned to see Hyeong-jin, the baseball player who had asked for my number earlier, flashing me a charming smile.

I mentally cursed Sua for setting me up, but I couldn't help smiling back at Hyeong-jin.

"Thanks for the offer, but I'm okay."

"I insist. I sneaked out of my dorm to see you again." He says making me feel little awkward.

"They won't kick you out will they?"

To my surprise he laughs as his eye crinkle at the end slightly as his mouth curve displays his dimple.

"They won't kick their star player."

He pauses and spoke again.

"Three strikes. I think you got me."

Hyeong-jin grinned. I found myself thinking that he was alright – friendly, funny, and easy to talk to. He bought me coffee as we walked side by side while talking.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" I shook my head as 'no' as he smiles.

"Really? Well I don't have a girlfriend either.  If we look at it, the odds of my crush reciprocating my feeling are slim."

Reciprocated Feelings.  Rare thing.

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Hello everyone!

I am sorry for delayed post. I was busy in my sister's wedding. Y'know how the bride one sits like queen and we work like shit.

Anyways, I hope you guys liked the chapter!

Thank you for reading!🍁

Also, does anyone know what this Creator Program on Wattpad is about?