She giggled, watching him from outside the classroom. His head was bent over, and was asleep. More than once, she’d asked herself why she was so obsessed with him. And more than once, she’d look at her feet and shake her head, disappointed with herself. Why him? Why Choi Minho, the school’s most popular guy? Why him, out of all people?

She knew that she was well-sought after by many others. Yoseob, Seulong, Sanghyun, Kibum, Wooyoung all liked her, but she never spared them more than a single glance. In her eyes, only Choi Minho existed. But (according to her), in his eyes, she never existed. Leaning against the doorframe and staring at the door, she sighed to herself.

“… Have you been watching me?”

She jumped. He was right beside her. Blushing, she turned away and hid her face in her hands. She could barely breathe. The crush of her (almost) life was a mere few centimeters away from her. He chuckled, folding his hands and leaning against the other side of the doorframe. Her face was still hidden with her hands.

“Hey… Don’t cover your face like that.” He smiled, prying her hands from her face gently. “… Can I tell you something?”

She smiled, nodding quickly. “You’re really pretty.” He said, patting her head. She was close to squealing out aloud, but bit her lip and blushed more instead. “You make it seem like I’m an idol or something… Say something or I’ll feel really awkward.” He grinned and scratched the back of his neck, looking at her in the eyes.

She took a deep breath. “I can’t…”

He tilted his head, confused. “Why?” Of course, he didn’t know about her major crush on her (on the contrary, he thought she liked one of her suitors), and leaned close to her, their faces an inch apart. She pulled back. “I just can’t. If I do, I think… I’d scare you away.”

“Just tell me.” He smiled, putting his hands on her shoulders.

“… I—” She had barely spoken a word when a shrill voice came yelling down from the hallway.

“Minho oppa!”

She shook her head as he turned to look at the girl running to him, walking off in the other direction. I want to scream, “I love you” from the top of my lungs. Unfortunately, the words were always left… unspoken.