rewritten 03/02/2024

THIRD PERSON P.O.V.

Neither of the two said a word but Daniel being the oblivious guy he was, smiled up at Vasco. Renae's eyes quickly shifted around, noticing the looks of surprise that many people had on their faces. "If this many people are surprised about Daniel escaping Vasco's grip, then Vasco must be pretty big deal around here."

"He's stronger than I was expecting him to be! This could get out of hand...Beating him wouldn't be worth it but if there's a chance that Vasco could lose, it would be a disaster!" Jace thought. "And Renae...she would obviously take Daniel's side in the fight. She managed to defeat Zack in one punch, so I don't want to see her strength with Daniel's combined." 

Vasco pulled his arm back and prepared himself to punch Daniel. Renae dug her nails into her thighs in an effort to force herself to stay seated. She was sure just a couple of minutes ago that Daniel would be able to protect himself, so she shouldn't intervene.Besides, if he was able to dodge Zack's punches yesterday, he should be fine dodging Vasco. 

It looked like she wouldn't have to worry after all though because Vasco's friend ended up stepping in.

"Ha ha! Yeah! So you thought he was someone else?" Jace asked in a panicked tone.

"Yeah..I'm really sorry about that" Daniel said sheepishly.

"Don't even worry about it. Stuff like that just happens sometimes" He assured Daniel. "What class are you two in? Fashion?"

Renae nodded while Daniel just answered with a simple "yes".

"Oh, so you two must be the new transfer students, right?" Jace asked.

"Yep!" Daniel said, still a little nervous from what had just happened.

"And about what just happened, don't worry about it. Just forget about it and eat" Jace told him.

"Okay!!!" Daniel said, tears practically streaming down his face.

"The new guy is the real deal!"

"What about the new girl?"

"She didn't even say anything..."

"She's still super cool."

"Like the strong but silent type."

Daniel started munching on his food happily, thinking that Jace was a nice guy. Meanwhile, Renae squinted at Jace suspiciously, wondering why he decided to step in just now instead of stepping in earlier.

"Hey little guy..." Vasco said, looking towards Jiho.

Jiho looked towards him in confusion.

"Don't surrender to guys like that. Believe in yourself." He said. "And you, Renae. Please find yourself a better friend."

"What's with Vasco and his hatred for popular guys? As far as I know, Daniel hasn't done anything wrong..." Renae thought.

"Hey, shut up and let's go eat" Jace said.

"Ok, what's the menu?" Vasco asked, turning his head towards Jace.

"What a guy!"

"Handsome."

"The new girl is pretty too."

"They say that the new girl beat up Zack and before that, the new guy was dodging all of Zack's punches."

On the other side of the cafeteria, Eli's gaze flickered towards a certain blank-faced girl.

"Renae Kim...so it really is you..." 

"Eli! Try this."

"Eli- take a look at my hair. Would ya?"

~~~

"So, you mean we gotta get close with Daniel and Renae?" Guy #1 asked.

"Yep. You saw Daniel stand up to Vasco and how strong Renae is" Guy #2 replied.

"Vasco lifted you with one hand."

"Shut up. Renae managed to knock out both of you dumbasses" Guy #3 pointed out. "Anyway, you think it's better if we get along?"

"Okay...let's have them both make up with Zack"

"Let's step up and make a move."

"But how?"

(The only name I remember is Doo's name but I'm just calling them "guy#" to make it easier for myself 🤩)

~~~

"What? A get-together?" Daniel asked.

"We're having a get-together today" Guy #1 said.

"You should definitely tag along" Guy #3 added.

"Friends should get acquainted"

Daniel instantly perked up at hearing the word friend. While he was busy fantasizing about the fun get-together he was going to have with his "friends", Renae couldn't help but feel suspicion towards the three guys talking to Daniel.

"What the hell are they up to?" Renae thought.

"See ya at 7!"

"Come!"

"You should bring Renae too, since you two seem to be goof friends already and the more the merrier, you know."

"Why am I being dragged into this? Ah, I don't have a good feeling about this... I'll tag along just in case they try anything" Renae thought.

"Okay. I can hang out for a couple of hours. I'll ask Renae about joining after school" Daniel said, patting his chest lightly.

~~~

School was over and Renae purposefully walked slower than normal because she wanted Daniel to be able to catch up to her. When she got to the school gates, she heard footsteps from behind her. She turned around and saw that Daniel was walking up to her.

"Renae! I wanted to ask you something. I was wondering if you wanted to join me and some other friends for a get-together today" Daniel asked excitedly.

Renae nodded.

"I don't have any plans and it's better than staying home alone like always. I was planning on tagging along anyways when I heard the conversation earlier" Renae thought. "Those three guys definitely have some ulterior motive for wanting to invite the two of us..."

"Really? That's great!" Daniel exclaimed.

His face then reddened slightly. "Also, I-I was wondering if it would be alright for you to have my number? Wait no, I meant that the other way around-"

Seeing Daniel trip over his words almost made Renae let out a laugh. She decided to just make it easy on him and unlocked her phone before holding it out, gesturing it towards him so that he could put his phone number in it

"O-Oh! T-Thanks..." Daniel said. 

After they exchanged numbers, Renae gave him a polite wave and walked towards her home. As Daniel looked at her retreating figure, he couldn't help but notice his heart beating just the tiniest bit quicker.

~~~

THIRD PERSON P.O.V.

Doo Lee: Daniel, Renae. Where you two at?

Daniel Park: Hey Doo. We're at the rodeo

Kay Jang: lol behind the lens shop go into the alleyway

Han Park: come up to the second floor restaurant

Daniel Park: Okay got it

Daniel checked the texts from the chat room as Renae was walking by his side. They had met up earlier before they decided to head to their destination. She opted out of being in the group chat because she didn't want three scummy guys knowing her phone number.

"They said to go behind the lens shop and into the alleyway, then go into the second floor restaurant" Daniel said.

"It's over there!" He exclaimed, pointing at the lens shop.

Daniel led both himself and Renae behind the lens shop and into the run down alleyway behind it. They then started walking up the stairs to the second floor restaurant. 

Daniel walks up to the double doors and slides them open, a big smile on his face. "H...hi!"

Renae immediately recoiled at the strong stench of cigarette smoke and alcohol, the smell slightly burning her nostrils.

"You're here?"

"It's Daniel and Renae!"

"Sit down!"

Renae could see the three guys who had invited Daniel, Zack Lee, and Zoe all sitting down at the same table. The table was littered with cigarette butts and bottles of booze.

"This place is hard to find, eh?"

"You don't need an ID here"

"Danny. Sit beside me🖤 Renae can sit next to Zack"

"What the f*ck? Why are they here?" Zack asked, a look of shock on his face.

"Tada! Surprise"

"Come and sit. You two must be hungry"

"I came myself and just happened to meet them. It must be fate 🖤" Zoe smiled. "Danny~ Sit here~🖤"

"F*ck, what are you guys up to?"

"What? You pig...you sit there!"

Renae watched as the table argued, deeply regretting her choice on coming to this place.

"I want to go home..."

~~~