L. Joe’s car slows down as they’re approaching Jiyeon’s house. His arm rests on the wheels, straight and strong, while Jiyeon slowly unbuckles herself. His eyes are technically trained on her face. To be honest, she doesn’t seem happy when she’s around him, and he can’t seem to figure out why. Is he really that insensitive towards her?

            “Thanks for the ride,” she says as-matter-of-factly.

            “I said I’m sorry didn’t I? Will you stop pulling that long face?” L. Joe rolls his eyes. “It’s not like you look pretty like that,” he mumbles under his breath.

            “What is it to you anyway?” Jiyeon snaps. “I can wear any kind expression I want. It’s my face, not yours.”

            “Yeah, but I’m the one seeing it. Don’t you have some pity for me? You’re blinding people away with that hideous look.”

            “You’re plain annoying, L. Joe,” she shakes her head and rolls her eyes.

            L. Joe clenches his teeth. Jiyeon never fails to infuriate him. “Will you hurry up and get out? Aish!”

            “I was gonna get out anyway,” she says, almost shouting. “Jerk,” she adds whisperingly. Jiyeon slams the door shut and that instant, L. Joe speeds up and drives away.

            “Oh my God,” she cries, her heart beats fast from the sudden speeding. “, you almost killed me!” L. Joe may not be listening but Jiyeon still takes her to curse him boldly.

            Jiyeon is genuinely shocked by his behaviour that evening, but then again, it’s L. Joe. He’s an and will always be.

***

            “Jiyeon,” her mom calls for her gently when she was done with morning shower.

            “Yes mom,” she answers. “What’s wrong?”

            “Nothing,” Hana smiles. “There’s a call for you downstairs. It’s your friend.”

            “Is it L. Joe?” Jiyeon frowns. “If it’s him then tell him to just hang up. I don’t want to talk to him.”

            Hana purses , perplexed by Jiyeon’s cold response towards L. Joe. “But it’s not L. Joe. And if it were a phone call from L. Joe, why are you being such a meanie to him? Did he do anything wrong”

            “Oh,” she gasps and forces a smile. “Well then I’m on my way down.”

            She wonders who could it be.

***

            Jiyeon, for the tenth time since arriving at Jinyoung’s door, fixes her hair again and pulls her jacket closely to her body to make her look at least presentable in Jinyoung’s eyes. She is standing anxiously for the first time in his doorway and she mustn’t look a train-wreck.

            Jinyoung opens the door at the first bell ring. His eye-smile greets Jiyeon’s way. His tall figure, his smile almost sweep her feet of the ground.

            Jiyeon raises her arm and waves awkwardly. “Hi...?”

            “What are you doing,” Jinyoung lets out a humourless laugh. “Just come in,” he beams as he pulls her hand.

            “You came,” he says as he closes the door and leads her to the living room. “I thought you wouldn’t come on an invitation over a phone call,” he shows her the seat. “Have a seat please.”

            “Thank you,” she blushes. “I’m kinda free at this time of the day, so...yeah.” Jiyeon’s already scratching the back of her neck unconsciously.

            “In that case,” he says. “Thank God for being available.”

            Jiyeon gives him a small smile. Her cheeks are completely red and burning and she’s almost sure she can’t feel her a moment.

            “How rude of me,” he suddenly bursts. “What would you like to drink?”

            “I’ll have anything.”

            “Then,” he sighs. “I shall come back with any kind of drink I actually have in my fridge. I’m sorry.”

            “It’s okay,” she laughs. “I don’t mind if it’s just plain water.”

***

            “I’m sorry,” Jinyoung bites his lower lips as he looks up to her face. “I wasn’t being sarcastic or anything, but I really do have only plain water.”

            “It’s fine.” Jiyeon holds the tall glass firmly and brings it close to her lips.

            “I feel like a bad host. I invited you to come over through a phone call, serve you just plain water. Gosh...”

            “I’ll let you off this time,” she says. “But I won’t be easy on you next time.”

            “I got it,” he beams.

            “Don’t I get a tour around your house?”

            Jinyoung gasps before his lips curve into a sheepish smile. “This way, miss.” He stands up and bows to her. He even offers her his hand.

            “Thank you,” she bows to him as well and takes his hand.

            It isn’t much of a big tour anyway, as Jinyoung only lives in a condominium. But one thing she does realize is that every single possession he has in that house is only singular; as in there are only one stuff for each and she’s  pretty sure that that makes him the only owner.

            “I thought you live here with your mom, and your other siblings.”

            “I did, until recently. “ Jinyoung leads her back to the couch.

            “What’s that supposed to mean?”

            “A couple of weeks before Christmas, her boyfriend bought a nice house downtown for them to settle down. My mom asked me and my little brothers to come with her, but I decided to stay behind. I didn’t want to mess with her new family, so my little brothers stayed with her instead.”

            “But you mom wanted you to come and stay with her. I don’t know why you think that would mess with her new family. I mean, you’re her  family.”

            “She’s umm- pregnant. With his baby. And I don’t wanna come in between them.”

            “Oh,” she gasps. “Don’t you get lonely living here by your own? I know this isn’t that big of a place, but things are difference when you live here on your own. Who takes care of your meal?”

            Jinyoung glances at her for seconds, and smiles because he just registered a note of concern in her voice. She’s concerned, about him. “I manage.”

            “Good then,” she breathes. “You know, since I already know where you live, I can come over and bring you some food, that if you don’t mind.”

            “I don’t,” he says crisply. “Not at all. Will you be the one who's cooking?”

            Jiyeon slaps his shoulder gently and laughs. “If I actually cook for you, then I might have to stay behind for moment in case I need to take you to a hospital.”

            Then Jinyoung bursts out laughing as well.

***

            It’s already 8.00 PM when Jiyeon finally gets back home. She closes the front door behind her, smiling and singing a song.

            Hana, who’s actually feeling strange by his daughter behaviour, crosses her arms and follows in her daughter’s footsteps in silent.

            “Where were you?” Hana finally speaks.

            Jiyeon quickly turns around, shocked to hear her mom’s voice that comes out of nowhere. “You startled me, mom.”

            “I didn’t.” Hana raises one brow. “You were too ecstatic to notice your mom.”

            “Ecstatic?,” Jiyeon frowns. “Was not...”

            “Uhh-hmm,” her mom nods in appraisal. “Where were you anyway? You left home at 3 PM and came back home when it’s dinner time. Your dad almost scolded me for letting you leave on your own accord. Next time I won’t let you leave the house as you please.”

            “I’m sorry,” she mumbles. Jiyeon has no idea she’s been spending her time over at Jinyoung having some unimportant conversation with him. But she really appreciated every minute of it. Jinyoung was a good and matured talker, and he didn’t just flip out on her out of a sudden nor speak with no manner the entire time they were together, unlike L. Joe. Ugh, the thought of him makes her head spin.

            “Then I have to punish you,’ Hana says rather in a flat tone.

            “What? Mom, are you serious? I’m way too old for this kind of thing.”

            “You’re only 18,” he mom cuts across her sharply. “Your dad planned a romantic dinner with me tonight, you know,” she boasts as if to brag to her own daughter.

            “Eww,” she spits.

            “Stop that,” Hana says, hurtful. “But the thing is, I’ve got some stuff to buy at the mall but I haven’t got the time to do it yet.”

            “You’re a full-time house wife, mom. Don’t amuse me with that blatant lie. You obviously have all the time in the world to do some shopping.”

            “Will you shut up and listen to me first,” Hana practically yells, hands already hooked up on her wrist.

            “Sorry,” Jiyeon flinches. “Please continue.”

            “But you were late tonight and you missed out on our shopping time.”

            “What are you talking about? You didn’t tell me we were gonna go shopping. That’s obviously not my fault.”

            “Aigoo! How on earth would I know you’d be gone for a long time, you ungrateful daughter. You just left right after you hung up. Who was on the phone anyway?”

            “It was just Jinyoung, mom,” she sighs heavily. “And I’m so sorry. What’s my punishment anyway?”

            “Here,” her mom hands her a piece of white paper, looking like a to-buy list. Jiyeon takes the paper from her and eyes the writing on the paper intently.

            “Onion, cheese, gloves, winter boots,..mom,” she runs her gaze towards Hana. With a short laughter, she says, “Are you making me buy all this? Like, is this my so-called punishment? Challenge accepted.”

            “Great,” Hana smiles cynically. “L. Joe’s wating for you outside. Hurry up and go on. Don’t you miss a thing on that list okay, sweetheart?”

            “Wait- what?”

Terribly sorry fot the long wait :3

ENJOY AND DO COMMENT <33

Now crazy in love with U-KWON from Block B~~  :P