Love song- Lana Del Rey
"Be my once in a lifetime."
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10 years later
"Seriously, Emma? You really think a high school reunion is necessary?" I say, scoffing and leaning up against the elevator I'm in. I smooth out my pencil skirt, watching at the floors slowly click downwards.
"Yes, Cassidy. It's good for you to relax once in a while, y'know?" My assistant says into the phone. I laugh at this, swinging my purse in my hand.
"It's sweet of you to think that a high school reunion would be fun for me."
"You think it wouldn't? Seeing all your old friends?" She asks. The sound of a keyboard clicking echoes from her phone.
"I think you forget I had, like, ten different high schools," I remark, stepping out of the elevator. A few bodyguards bow to me and I smile at them lightly, walking to the front door.
"I'm obviously talking about Reach. You graduated there."
"What's the point? I still talk to all my friends from there. Well, except..." I trail off, shaking my head. No need to stir up those memories, that's way in the past.
"Cassidy, come on! It will look good for your publicity!" She practically begs me. I sigh, walking out the front door of my office and to my car that's awaiting me.
"Fine."
"I'll send your plane tickets right over." She says with a smirk,
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-Later, at the airport-
"You should've told me to come!" I hear my husband's frantic voice say from the phone. I giggle at him.
"It's a stupid reunion, there's no need for you to come," I say. I adjust my sunglasses so they fit my face, blocking from any paparazzi that could be wandering around. My bodyguards nod to me, indicating my flight is boarding. I sigh.
"Still, you have to be with that...that asshole," He says. My smile melts away. I know exactly who he's talking about. How couldn't I?
"You don't know if he's going to be there," I say, my hand gripping my phone slightly harder.
"Oh, please. Any chance to see you? Give me a break!" I roll my eyes at his dramatic-ness. Three years of being married and he still doesn't trust me fully. However, deep in my heart I know he's right. I just do.
"Taylor, Amara and Addison said they're going. They're my best friends, they won't let anything happen to me," I say. I listen to the silence as I sit in my chair in first class, settling into the plushy leather.
"I'm going with you."
"What-?" I start suddenly.
"I don't care what you say. I need to protect you. I'll take the private jet. Be safe," Before I can object, he hangs up. I laugh, even him being over protective is kinda cute. Still, though, a twinge of nervousness rattles through my bones.
What will happen at the reunion?
Or, more like, who am I going to see...?
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-The next day, at the hotel-
"It's so weird being back here," I state, gazing out the window. My husband grabs my waist, pulling me back down and forcing a laugh out of me.
"Come back to bed!" He whines, and I push him off with a laugh.
"I can't, the reunion starts soon. And there's a few places I want to see," I sigh, nostalgia creeping up my body at the sight of Reach through our hotel window.
"Yeah, true. I have to get ready. Can't have your old friends thinking the Cassidy Rivers got with an ugly husband," I laugh as he kisses my nose, getting up to the bathroom.
I stand up, placing my hands on the window still at observing the still outside. It's like a single thing hasn't changed. There it is, the road...
The road that leads to the Enhypen house.
I shiver, memories overcoming me as I turn away. It's okay, though. My husband is with me and that's all that I need. I'm safe.
Right?
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"Welcome to the ten year Reach reunion!" A proud banner says above the school. God, the last time I was here it was when we all gave middle fingers to this very building. I hold in my laugh as my husband gets my attention.
"Can you believe it's been ten years?" A familiar voice asks in front of me.
"Taylor! How'd you get here so quickly?" I ask, hugging my friend. She laughs.
"Y'know, same old, same old. Hey, I left my dress at your place last week. I need it back!" She slugs my shoulder playfully and I laugh, wiggling my brows at her.
"Hooking up with Heeseung in our house again?" I tease her. Her face becomes a bright pink and she's about to send me a quippy retort when Amara appears behind Taylor. Her eyes brighten upon seeing me.
"Cassidy, girl, I thought you died! Not texting me after work yesterday? After all we've been through?" She pretends to sob through a dramatic voice, falling on me as we share a laugh.
Amara peers to the man behind me, my dear, beloved, amazing, beautiful, successful husband. The one who got me through everything. The one I wouldn't be here without if it weren't for him. I mean, he's my reason for living. What would I do without him?
Ha, as if.
"Hi, Ni-ki," She says in a faux-annoyed voice. My husband, no- Ni-ki steps closer to me, placing his hands on my shoulders.
"I told you to call me Riki, Amara."
"And I told you to die, right?" She taps her chin, pretending to think as we all laugh. Ni-ki places a peck on my head, and I shoo him away.
"Don't get all lovey-dovey on me," I tease him, and he rolls his eyes at me.
"Hm, yeah, okay Miss 'I-love-you-so-much-babe-" I kick him in the knees to shut him up, which works surprisingly well. Amara laughs.
"It's like you guys were made for each other. Who would've known? Hating each other in high school-" She watches as I shove Ni-ki, and he does the same to me, "and, you still do. But in a lovey way."
"Tay, where's the kids?" I ask, shoving Ni-ki to the ground to end the mini-fight that's a regular occurrence in our household. A smile cracks her face.
"Heeseung is home with them. Yesterday he was complaining about how pink our house is. Like, seriously?" She rolls her eyes. Although I do agree, I've been to their house almost every week and it's much too pink for my liking, I just shake my head.
"And where's-" Ni-ki starts, getting up but his question is answered.
"Here," Sunoo appears next to Amara, wrapping his arm around her waist. She rolls her eyes, shoving him off of her.
The couple breaks up at least once every month, but that's just them- and it's adorable, personally. Sunoo wins her back every time. She knows this, so that's why I can see the twinkle in her eyes when he grabs her hand. They both secretly love their little relationship and even the rocky parts that come with it.
"Shall we?" Ni-ki offers, walking up the steps to the building. He opens the door, and everyone walks in. I'm about to as well but he slams it in my face, laughing as he does so.
We walk into the cafeteria, which is decorated with the school colors and many refreshment tables. A popular song plays in the background as we catch up with some former friends.
Ivy ended up pursing her interest in cosmetology, and we giggle as we reminisce about how she used to do our makeup and now she's off doing that professionally. Melanie is currently a screenwriter, and Eilliot and Wesley opened up a small business together. Kayla, the Valedictorian, became a very successful lawyer. I always knew she would be.
A few other of our friends walk in, including Jake and Jungwon. It's not a surprise, we all live around the same city and see each other often. Jay and Yunjin are visiting Korea right now and Sunghoon is on his deserved honeymoon with Clara.
I gasp in delight when Mrs. Dale walks up to us, hugging her tightly.
"Cassidy, wow! Great to see you! I heard about your company, you're booming!" She remarks.
"Yeah, thank you!"
After going to college and working through some rough challenges of long distance relationships with Ni-ki, I decided that buisness would be the best career option for me. I have always been good at math.
After opening up my own social media app, Plix, it completely blew up. Through all the meetings and hard work and late nights, everything was worth it because it all fell right into place.
After a lot of convincing, Ni-ki finally agreed to quit his gang work and work for me. A funny turn of events, I know. I knew he wasn't interested in Enhypen anymore, he wanted to leave that life behind. I just know him. And, secretly, the night after he officially closed the group, he cried with relief in my arms the whole night.
"Even I have an account, and I'm getting up there in age! Its easy to use, creative and-"
"Perfectly right? That's why we call ourselves Goldilocks Stuidos!" I snap at her, and she laughs. I turn back to Ni-ki, who's staring at me with that proud look he has when I talk about my company.
"Hi, guys," Another voice says.
"Hi, Addison!" We all say in unison. Addison smiles, walking up to us, obviously with Jungwon stuck to her waist.
"Wait, where did Amara and Sunoo go?" Taylor asks, spinning around. I roll my eyes.
"I think we all know."
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I sigh happily, laughing as I bite into a celery stick with Ni-ki's hand around my waist. With a smile on his face, he turns me around, kissing me through my laugh. He tries to pour me a glass of wine but I hurriedly shake my head no.
"How 'bout we go to our homeroom from senior year? Remember? From when we first met?" I say as he intertwines his hand with mine.
"Yeah, sure. Why?"
"I have a surprise for you," I say, winking. He follows behind me like a puppy dog, eager to see what I have in store for him.
However, as we get to the door, a familiar face pops up. I can immediately feel Ni-ki's whole demeanor drop as he steps in front of us.
"Jongseob? What're you doing here?" I question. The man in front of us, who has got even handsomer with age, stands like he's full of shame. I can feel Ni-ki grab my waist, pulling me slightly behind him.
Almost immediately after Ni-ki and I moved in together all the way in Washington, we found our Jongseob was the one who had spread that stupid video of Ni-ki confessing his virginity. We obviously didn't care, it was so long ago, but we had conjured up the idea that he would, like, attack us or something.
That's why we were so scared about coming back. However, Jongseob looks terrified of us, not the other way around. I slowly laugh, realizing how silly Ni-ki and I had been. Jongseob quirks a brow at me.
"How are you? It's been so long!" I say with a smile. Slowly, Jongseob smiles back.
"I've been really good, actually. I'm living with my girlfriend and my job is going really well. It's just that, what happened between us in high school has really been bothering me. I ruined everything, just because I had a crush on Cassidy. I'm really sorry to the both of-"
To interrupt him, Ni-ki pulls Jongseob into a big hug, patting his back. Ni-ki pulls away, leaving Jongseob with a shocked face.
"Hey, that was so long ago, let's let go of grudges, yeah?" He says. I can't help the smile that takes over my face. I'm so proud of Ni-ki. He's improved so much, emotionally, most of all. I took him to therapy, and he's not so miserable and angry all the time. In fact, he's happy.
"Yeah, thanks, man," Jongseob says with relief.
"No problem. Add me on Plix, alright?" He says, and he grabs my hand as we head outside of the cafeteria.
The way to our Homeroom class feels like a force is pulling us there. We know it like the back of our hands, like we don't even have to walk. It just feels right.
We're laughing as we walk into the classroom. And there it is, in all its glory. The same classroom where my wonderful husband and I met.
A lot has changed. Mrs Dale's desk has been moved to the other side of the room, and there's a projector instead of a chalkboard, and it's overall more happy. There's more decorations, more drawings and more life. Even though it's dark in here, I can still recognize all the light.
Ni-ki and I make our way to the seat, the one in the back. It hasn't moved an inch. We laugh as we recreate the time we first met. I sit down, and I can practically visualize the whole experience. It's a bright September day, my young, stupid high schooler self sitting next to Amara and Taylor. I'm so quiet, having no clue of the hate, love and everything in between the next year would provide me.
Ni-ki struts in playfully, his arms swinging as I laugh.
"You're in my seat," He says in a deep voice that was way too accurate to the first time he said it. I'm practically in tears of laughter as he shoves me out of the chair, causing us to be extremely close. He kisses me lovingly, holding my waist so I don't fall.
We both take a step back, observing the seat and all its glory. It started everything. We both blink and see our young selves, tainted with the hatred of the world but somehow brought together. Ni-ki pulls me closer, kissing the top of my head.
"I'm so proud of you, you know that?," He says, turning me around so I face him, "so, so proud of you. You made me into a new man. I've just been so happy, for so long. With you. God, you know how estatic I felt when you call me your husband on our wedding day? You've showed me love, Cass, something I didn't even think existed until I met you. From every Christmas where I get to see you sit under the tree and unwrap your presents, to nights where we decorate cookies and watch terrible movies together. I just love you so much it feels like my heart might burst. But I love that. If it meant I could keep loving you, feeling like this, then I'd let my heart burst open a million times over again."
I giggle, a tear falling down my face as he pushes a hair behind my ear.
"What's that for? Are you proposing to me again?" I joke, and he laughs lightly.
"I would. Shit, I definitely would to see you walk down that aisle looking so beautiful and vowing to be my wife," He kisses me lightly, "oh, what did you want to tell me?"
I take a deep breath in, digging into my purse and pulling a small stick out.
I slowly hold it up, trying to refrain the shaking of my hands as he stares at the stick for a few seconds. I slowly watch the realization form on his face.
"You're...pregnant?" He says in a low whisper. I can't help the smile that melts into my face, tears dripping down my cheeks as I nod. Ni-ki jumps up, pulling me into his big arms. I can hear him audibly trying to hide his thick sobs from above me. He clutches my body in something I can only recognize as pure love.
He finally looks down at me, his eyes filled with tears that only enhances his beauty.
"Are you serious?" He asks in a voice broken my tears.
"No, I'm just joking. Of course I am!" I say sarcastically as we both laugh.
I knew Ni-ki wanted children, I just had that feeling, but I never felt ready for it. It was killing me little by little, seeing his longing gazes as he stared at parents with their babies at the park. I knew I wanted to focus on my career. Then, I realized something.
Ni-ki is a once in a lifetime kind of person. He was made specially. For me. That's not something to take for granted. So, I decided I'd rather make him happy than chase after my job. Of course, my success matters to me. But I realized that I was wasting time with him and our beautiful future child. That's when I knew I was ready to be a mom.
Ni-ki smiles at me, his face being lit up by the moonlight. I grasp his hand, and he looks down at the reindeer necklace, the one he got me in high school, the one I never take off. He holds it up and kisses it.
"I'm going to protect her with my whole being. You and her, you guys are all I am ever going to want."
"How do you know it's a girl?" I laugh as he reaches down to rub my stomach lovingly. He sighs with happiness.
"I just do," He whispers. He pulls me to his side. We gaze outside the window, in front of the very seat that brought us together.
"I'm going to raise her so well, I promise. She won't grow up like me. She'll love the stars, but for a different reason than I did," He says.
Then, almost as if an answer, a star shoots across the night sky. It leaves a trail of sparkling dust, twinkling specially amongst all the other ones.
"That's her," I whisper, causing Ni-ki to hold me tighter.
And, presently, I realize this is all I need. Him, here with me, in the very place where all the stars aligned and decided that I would accidentally sit in his chair. Our daughter, up there in the stars, waiting to meet us. It is true, really, that we were made for each other.
The hate we had for each other was never real. It blossomed from our childhoods that resonated with us too deeply. We knew that, but we were too stubborn. But, that's okay.
Because, deep inside, we knew that we would eventually be brought together. And, no matter how much heartache, how much hate, a little star was born that was engraved with our love for each other. And, now, an earthly example of that would be here in nine months. Our daughter.
Our star.
Ni-ki turns to me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
"I love you," I whisper.
Sure, it's a little tradition of ours for me to say I hate you in response. We both know that. However, this time is special. It deserves a bit more. Because, it's true, nothing but pride and love flows in my veins for him, and I know he feels the same.
Because, in the end, Cassidy Rivers and Ni-ki Nishimura would be brought together in a state of love. Not hate, love.
So, I know he'll repeat those words back for me. He always does. And, he couldn't be more sure of saying these three words right here, I'm sure of it, in front of his wife, the seat, our daughter and the stars:
"I hate you." He says as we both laugh.
Some things never change, do they?
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A/N
Ahhh I missed writing in this book! I don't think I'll every truly let go of it 🥲
I hope you guys didn't think Cassidy got with some loser instead of Ni-ki 🙄
I think in a bit I'm going to go back and edit some previous chapters. Some of them are so cringe worthy it's actually embarrassing.
Okay: some amazing news!
I'm working on a new book!
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Title: Oakwood Hills School for Boys
Out on April 30th
My co author and I are so excited about this book. I know we've made some empty promises in the past (lol) but we're set on finishing it. We have a lot of chapters already done and I'm literally so proud of it!
If you guys enjoyed this book I would stay tuned for it! On this account we write about ourselves, so it'll mostly be the same characters with slightly tweaked personality changes. So, if you want to see some of the same characters, I would check it out!
I know most of you guys are engenes, it's going to be a multi-fandom book, but enhypen will still be in it! The main character of it is Amara (with a different name and personality, of course) which I think you guys will love! Taylor, Amara, Cassidy, and Addison will all be in it! So if you liked them watch out for it 😉 (Cassidy is with an enhypen member in it! I wonder who?? 😧)
We're working really hard on this so please please support it when we start pushing out chapters!
Okay, and without further ado, here's a sneak peak!
New Post!
@OHSofficial
It's official! The infamous Oakwood Hills School For Boys (OHS) has decided to go public!
As stated from the school officials, OHS has decided that it is best financially and publicly to allow all genders into the school. That's right-OHS For Boys is for everyone! Even girls!
We're inviting you for a trial run for girls interested in attending OHS for one year and deciding if this is the best option for the school. We accepting five entries and this is a limited offer!
This means that five girls will be accepted into OHS for the following year!
Interested? Of course you are! You can apply for OHS through an entrance exam or through submitting money. Hurry up- those spots will be gone soon!
And, to add on to this amazing opportunity, these entries will be given money by the end of the trial (one trial= one full school year). What?! Going to one of the best schools in the world and getting paid for it? It couldn't get any better! Apply now!
#OHS #Applynow!
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Although I've already taken some notes on what you guys seem to like, let me know what you would like to see in this new book! ➡️
Alright, I think that's it! I hope you guys will look out for this! ❤️
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Love you all! 🫶🫶