I wipe the sweat from my face with a towel. The gasoline station has always been packed during this time of night. I can only hope that my dinner can last until my shift ends.

I walk over to where Hyun Bin is talking to another guy in a black car. It is the car I saw earlier this day. Hyun Bin is frowning at the guy, muttering something. The guy looks at my direction and a shiver run down my spine.

He was the same guy in the cafeteria.

He makes me feel uncomfortable, like those eyes are X-ray machines, scanning me.

He must have noticed that his stare makes me uncomfortable because he nods at Hyun Bin and drives off.

"What was that about?" I ask Hyun Bin when the car is out of sight.

Hyun Bin looks at me, his frown hasn't left his face, "A customer."

"Did he say something? He kind of gives me the creeps."

"Nah. He's alright. It just shocked me that he gave me such a generous tip."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Oh I feel bad now for judging him," I say.

"Oh come on it's fine. Three more hours and shift's over," he says, ruffling my hair.

He has the brightest smile I have grown accustomed to.

"Three more hours and I will be 18 years old," I counter.

I feel so old.

"You talk about it like it's a bad thing," Hyun Bin says.

I smile a small smile and look down at the peeling corners of my sneakers. I feel more self conscious now.

"It's a little scary, you know? I dunno why. I must be feeling liberated now that I will be a legal adult but it is also making me feel..." I trail off.

I dunno what or how to say it. The truth is, I have been experiencing some changes in me that I am pretty sure none of the others have. I cannot tell Hyun Bin about it. It might scare him off and I can't allow it. He's the only one I have closest to a family.

I can't lose him.

Hyun Bin wraps his arms around me and hugs me tight. His voice soft and sincere as he whispers, "I'm here for you. Don't worry. I will never abandon you."

His trust and care for me frightens me more. I smile at him, "Buy me a drink."

When our shift ends, we walk together back to our neighborhood. He has his arms around me all the time, as if trying to protect me.

What he doesn't know is I don't need protection. Still, I continue to allow him to act as my savior.

It feels wonderful to let your guard down once in a while.

I will always be indebted to his kindness.

"Hye Kyo?"

"Hm?"

"We have been friends for a while now," he says, his voice tensed.

I can feel his arms tightening around me.

"Yeah. Almost 12 years huh?"

His breathing picks up. "Yeah. And I have always been there for you--" he says.

"I truly appreciate it, Hyun--"

"--and you for me."

I fall silent. I don't know where this is going. I stare at him but he is looking straight ahead, not meeting my eyes.

A dull ache is starting to build inside my head.

"Hye Kyo, I really like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

That question throws me off guard. I have always known that Hyun Bin has this unexplained compulsion of protecting me. But this?

I fall silent, not knowing what to say.

Hyun Bin is kind... and strong, and... don't deny it. He is handsome too. A voice speaks inside my head.

Why not, right?

The ache inside my head grows. I push it away not letting it ruin this moment for me.

I have known him for years. He has always been there for me. It wouldn't hurt to take our relationship to the next level.

Right?

"Yes, Hyun Bin," I smile. "I'm your girlfriend now."

I try to look happy because he looks nothing short of ecstatic but the pain inside my head has magnified ten fold. I try to keep a straight face, resisting the natural urge to close my eyes.

The pain is blinding.

Hyun Bin sweeps me off my feet and hugs me tight. I bite my lip to stop myself from screaming. Beads of sweat start to trickle down the side of my face. Breathing becomes hard.

What's going on?!

And just like that, the pain stops. My eyes wide, trying to comprehend what happened, I notice a black car parked just a few meters from my apartment.

Hyun Bin sets me to my feet and looks into my eyes. Pushing my bangs away from my eyes, he says, "Happy birthday Hye Kyo. I love you."

He leans forward, looking tenderly at my lips.

I'm seriously not in a mood for something romantic right now.

Not wanting to hurt him, I close my eyes, waiting for his lips but it never came.

A loud screech, a blinding light and before I know what is happening, I am being hauled inside the black car. Hyun Bin is on the ground, clutching his stomach.

Before I can reach for the door, the locks click.

I wheel around, looking at my kidnapper with murderous eyes.

"Let me out! Who are you?! What do you want? I have no money. I'm no use to you," I scream frantically.

He looks over his shoulders from the driver's seat, black eyes boring into mine.

"I can't let you out. I'm your savior. I want you."