. _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . 

a u t h o r ’ s  d e d i c a t i o n ;

to the ones who found love in friendships. 

to the ones who found friendships in love.

and to the lucky ones, who found both. 

. _ . _ . _ .  _ . _ . _ . 

o n e ; pre-wingman

The last person I would ever imagine standing at my door is Sehun. He has his hands in his pocket and the trademark casual smile is plastered on his face. A gray T-shirt is stretched beautifully across his broad shoulders. Our distance is so unintentionally close that every girl at Lincoln High would be jealous.

I could not come up with any rational reasons on why Sehun is here in front of my place. How does he know where I live anyway? Maybe he’s going to tell me I am the love of his life despite our lack of exchanged words through having the same homeroom teachers for three continuous years. We will share a kiss that ignites fireworks and the orchestra will play in the background as we ride our pegasus into the sunset.

“Skylar?” He waves a hand in front of my face, snapping me out of my daydream. “Kai said to drop off FIFA Soccer 6 at your place since he’s at practice right now.”

All of my delusional hopes died somewhere in between those words he just uttered. “Oh right. Yeah I’ll take it.” I avoid eye contact as I grab the game disc out of his hand, knowing that my disappointment is most likely stamped all over my face like an eleventh toe demanding to be seen.

Of course he stopped by for Kai. I was so shocked about seeing Sehun here that I couldn’t even decipher the more sensible reason. Though I’m not too sure why Sehun would lend Kai his video game because the last time I checked, they were classmates status and not lemme-drop-this-game-off-at-your-friend’s-place status. “Thanks, I’ll tell him when he stops by,” I say.

“Alright, and nice shirt by the way.”

“Huh?” I glance down and I am mortified. The shirt says “7 days without a pun makes one weak” in comic sans and my winky face is smack dab in the middle. Heat rushes to my cheeks. My face is a perfect presentation of tomato red.

Kai got this shirt as a gag gift last Christmas. My family had a great time laughing at my reaction upon seeing it. He knows I hate puns and conveniently happens to be decent with photoshop. I wear it at home for obvious reasons, and shirt is made with a material so soft that it would be a waste if I left it new and unworn. It was funny to think back but now, with Sehun witnessing, I want to be buried in a hole forever.

Still flushing, I explain, “Kai and his terrible idea of a Christmas gift.”

“Terrible? It’s genius.” He grins and my heart squeezes at his easy-going personality. Sehun is so likeable that it hurts. There’s nothing about him that anyone could dislike. He’s friendly with everyone, charming with adults, and even gets along with strict teachers. His looks and height are a plus. Even if he wasn’t born with a handsome face and tall frame, girls would still crush on him regardless. Sehun shines from within, and no one can resist his radiant energy.

He salutes with two fingers. “See you around.”

I don’t tell him that I do see him around. It’s a certainty that I notice him at school more than he notices me, so I keep that fact unannounced as I watch him drive off. Sehun waves at me once last time before he reverses out of my driveway. I wave in return and close the door when he is completely out of my sight.

When I plop down on my sofa, I’m revisiting the short exchange again. I’m torn between feeling happy that Sehun knows my name and feeling dejected that he wasn’t here because of me. What was I thinking anyway? He’s so out of my league that it’s not realistic if he happens to like me.

•   •   •   •   •   •   •

I wake up due to the noise emitting from my kitchen. I look at my phone, reading the time. I fell asleep an hour ago unknowingly, while pitifully fantasizing about having a relationship with Sehun. I pass the hallway to the kitchen, surprised but not really to see Kai’s back facing me as he shuffles around for a cup. His hair is still damp from the shower he takes after every practice. My parents trust Kai like he’s their son, thus issuing him a spare key to our house when our family vacationed in Hawaii last year. He was instructed to feed our fish tank and change out the water while we were gone enjoying b