“Han Yeonjoo!” Both I and Gaeun stopped at our tracks at the sound of my name being called.

I spun on my feet and found Hanbin jogged lightly coming to us. Gaeun looked at me and I shrugged in response. I wasn’t sure either why he was looking for me.

“Hey!” he causally said with a nod of his head.

“Hi Hanbin,” I greeted back, uncertain what to say.

“Hello Sunbaenim,” I heard Gaeun greeted him beside me as I saw her bowed from the corner of my eye.

I turned my head and looked at her in confusion. Gaeun matched my stare and raised her eye brows, asking as if she’d done something wrong. I exhaled quietly; mentally slapping myself. Right. Hanbin was a year above us. He allowed me to call him by name but that didn’t meant Gaeun got the permission to do so.

“You have something to tell?” I asked straightforwardly.

Hanbin didn’t say anything instead threw few glances at Gaeun, shifting his weight between his two feet. At first I was confused but then I understood what he meant. Before I could ask Gaeun nicely to go first, she comprehended Hanbin’s gesture faster than me and excused herself.

“I’ll see you later Yeonjoo,” she said with a smile before bowing to Hanbin and left.

I turned back to Hanbin.

“Are you free tonight? Let’s watch a movie,” he suggested, smiling. After giving it a quick thought, taking homework-free the next day into consideration, I agreed. Hanbin’s smile grew wider.

“Okay!” he said a little bit too excited. “See you around!” he bid his goodbye and with that we went to the opposite direction.

---

For the first time, I felt excited. This wasn’t date, or I assumed it wasn’t. But I couldn’t help but feeling uneasy. I never hung out with a boy before; hanging out with Seungyoon didn’t count since he was my cousin and the karaoke hang out didn’t count since it was with boys instead of boy, so I was quite nervous…but excited.

I scanned the clothes inside my wardrobe. I sighed in dissatisfaction. Nothing seemed good enough. Sure, I wasn’t going to impress Hanbin or something but I definitely didn’t want to look like a clown during our first hang out.

My eyes re-scanned my clothes, hoping something would catch me this time, and after few moments, my attention landed on a sleeveless one-piece dress that I got around last year as my birthday present. Thinking to myself if I still fit in the dress, I changed my clothes. I sighed in relief when I didn’t get fatter.

After changing and applied some make up, I took my bag, slung it over my shoulder and immediately went out of the room after making sure of my appearance last time and went to the bus stop.

I was still inside the bus when Hanbin messaged me, informing that he was already outside the cinema. When I managed to get there, it wasn’t hard to find him in the middle of few people. The place wasn’t really crowded and the red-checkered t-shirt he wore was kind of stand out.

I walked up to him with a smile. I tapped his shoulder. “Hanbin!” He spun around and returned my smile.

“Sorry you waited for long,” I immediately apologized but Hanbin brushed it off saying he just got there few minutes before.

“Let’s get inside then. I hope you don’t mind watching action,” said him, managing to wave the two tickets for an action movie in front of me with some struggles.

I chuckled and shook my head at him. “Don’t mind at all.” He smiled again in response.

I offered Hanbin a help since I saw his hands were so busy holding popcorn and two sodas for the both of us. He gladly let me held the popcorn as we went inside and found our seats. Hanbin chose the good spots, I thanked silently.

Just few minutes after we sat down, the lights turned off and soon enough the movie started to play. I glanced at Hanbin from the corner of my eyes and his eyes were glued to the screen in front of us. I didn't know what made me do that but then I decided to mirror him. I came here for the movie.

My heart beat so fast in the middle of the movie. The current scene was so intense and nerve-wrecking but I knew that wasn’t the reason for my heart to react weirdly. It was the fact that Hanbin held my hand out of the blue. I briefly looked at him but he was still focused to the movie. Questions ran inside my mind as I tried to comprehend what was happening. I turned my head back to the screen. I tried to find anything that could be the reason behind Hanbin’s action but no matter what I couldn’t find one.

The speed of my heartbeat doubled as he still didn’t let go of my hand. And when he finally did, six minutes later which felt like eternity, to sip his soda, my heart still didn’t calm down. Because of him, it was hard for me to concentrate on the movie for the rest one hour. I kept thinking about why Hanbin’s hand held mine.

The movie had ended but my quick heartbeat strangely still remained. I was very thankful Hanbin did not choose any romance movie. I wouldn’t be able to handle watching lovey-dovey scene when Hanbin’s hand held mine. The lights and Hanbin stood up. He offered a hand and I hesitantly took it as my mind replayed the memory. I unknowingly blushed, cheeks turned into shades of crimson I believed. I hope he didn’t catch it.

“Have you eaten?” He asked, looking at me while we were exiting the cinema.

“Not yet,” I confessed; could not bring myself to meet his eyes.

Hanbin smiled. “Good, let’s get some,”

And his action repeated again. For some unknown reason, Hanbin took my hand once more. His sudden grasp gave me an odd sensation. It made me uncomfortable that I wanted to let go but strangely it also made me relaxed and I didn’t wish to let go. Weird, I know.

When I thought it was enough already, Hanbin surprised me again as his thumb caressed the back of my hand slowly; a move that very much unexpected. It sent shiver down to my spine. Just seriously, what was wrong with him? Why was he being so into skinship suddenly? He wasn’t that kind of type as far as I knew.

I kept walking, blowing some air through my mouth, as I pretended that it didn't bother me when it actually made me like a mess inside. I couldn't focus on anything else except our intertwined hands and my own heart that was drumming inside.

I threw a glance at our hands and it seemed like he didn't plan to let it go anytime soon meanwhile it was getting unbearable to me. I didn't what to do. After summoning my courage, I decided to look at Hanbin properly, silently seeking for some explanation. Our eyes met and I immediately regretted my decision. Hanbin looked at me with puzzled expression. Then he looked at our connected hands.

“Oh! I’m sorry if I make you uncomfortable,” he sheepishly said as he let go and retreated back his hand.

As the contact stopped, I felt less nervous but kind of empty at the same time. It wasn’t like I didn’t want him to hold my hand; I was just not used to it since he never showed that kind of behavior before. I had to admit that I actually liked it.

I stifled a laugh and smiled at him. “No it’s okay. It was just kind of strange.”

Awkwardly nodding, he motioned me to continue walking. We spent the rest of walk with no words exchanged until we reached a noddle house. We both ordered Jajangmyeon and then we chose our seats just beside the wall.

A question suddenly popped out of my mind. I glanced at Hanbin to see if he showed any sign that he would say something but he didn't. I just took the chance, hoping he wouldn't be offended with my question.

“Hanbin, if you don’t mind me asking, what was the thing you and Nayeon talked about the other day?” I asked carefully. I watched his facial expression changed. It seemed he actually didn't want to answer the question but he did nonetheless.

 “It was nothing, really. She just told me to protect you. She just loves you a lot you know,” he informed me with a genuine smile.

I nodded in relief, mirroring his smile. I was glad Nayeon didn’t scold him or something. I was really afraid Nayeon might scare Hanbin. Despite her dislike towards Hanbin, she still managed to be good to him. I know I can rely on Nayeon. She is the best sister indeed.

As our noodles arrived, both of us focused on eating, accompanied by few small random talks. After Hanbin paid the meal, he sent me home.

“Hey, did I tell you that you look so beautiful today?” he started randomly when we proceed to my house. I turned to him in disbelief. Did I hear him right? I blinked. Once. Twice.

Noticing my baffled expression, Hanbin laughed heartily. He said nothing as he ruffled my hair, eyes glistening with amusement. I could feel heat rushed up to my cheeks. This was definitely added to my confusion list.

“Hey Yeonjoo,” he called out, clearly trying to drop the previous topic as if his statement (or was it question?) was very common to be heard from Hanbin’s mouth. I looked at him attentively. "Have you ever been in any relationship?”

I froze for a moment at the sudden inquiry. Then I shook my head. “No,” I confessed. Of course I believe my fake temporary boyfriend, Seungyoon, didn’t come into a count. “Why?” I asked him cautiously.

“What do you think about one?” Hanbin stopped in his track as he looked into my eyes.

I let my eyes met his for a moment before drifting it somewhere else. I felt so nervous all over again. I could feel his eyes were still on me but I tried my best to pretend that I didn’t notice. What do I think about relationship? I don't know. I never been into one and I didn't plan to have one in the near future. How was I supposed to answer?

“I…I…don’t know,” I slapped myself mentally for stuttering. What's wrong with you too Yeonjoo?

Hanbin chuckled as he patted my hair. “Look at you, blushing and such. You look cute though.” My forehead creased into a frown. One time he asked me about relationship and suddenly saying something about me blushing and looked…cute? I couldn’t see the relation here.

We both just continued our walk. I was about to ask why he'd ask such a question but I chose to shut my mouth and kept silent. He might probably already off the topic. I didn't want to bring it up again and brought another embarrassment for myself.

“Thanks for tonight and for sending me home,” I thanked him sincerely once we got in the front of my house.

Hanbin only nodded as he gave me a heart attack when he brought up one of his hands and cupped my cheek. This was definitely not normal and my heart already knew very well how to react if something unusual happens; beating fast. “It was really nice spending time with you.” His lips tugged upward into a sincere smile.

Luckily, I managed to nod as he took back his right hand. With a smile, I walked inside through the gate and when I was about to get in, I gave Hanbin a small wave. He waved back before spun around and walked home.

I closed the door behind me and rested my back against the wooden door for a moment. I let my mind wander back to the previous series of events. Today was kind of strange...but in a good way. I put my hand over my chest. Its beat hadn't calmed down yet.

I breathed a sigh. I couldn't understand, not at all. Hanbin was totally behaving not like himself today. Or was it actually his real self and it was just me that didn't know? I don't know. All I knew was that he acted differently. Sure he was nice but he never showed that much....how should I say it? Affection?

He also had a lot of skinship suddenly. I admitted that I kind of liked the feeling when our skin made contact with each other but at the same time I hated the nervousness it gave me.

"Yeonjoo are you okay?" Nayeon's voice brought me to consciousness as I looked at her standing few meters in front of me with eyebrows scrunched in concern.

I straightened on my feet and shook my head lightly as I smiled. "I'm fine Unnie," I assured her.

After asked me if I was sure and I gave her big smile, Nayeon walked back to her room.

I absolutely need explanation.

---

Double update as promised and some fluff with Hanbin xD
This doesn't go as I want but yeah... I'll revise later if I have time. Anyway enjoy the update!
Tell me what you think if you don't mind^^