“Oppa!” I heard a very familiar voice scream as soon as I left my car. I turned around in the direction it was coming from, but to be greeted by a pair of arms that wrapped themselves tightly around my waist.

“Hello bestie,” I exclaimed, ruffling Nicole’s hair.       

“Hmph, that sounded as if you were friend zoning me,” she pulled away and pouted whilst folding her arms.

“Aish, pabo,” I stuck my tongue out jokingly, “shall we?”

Both entering the restaurant, a woman came and escorted us to the back where a couple of private booths were available.

“Your reservation, sir,” the lady said, bowing.

“Omo! You didn’t need to go this far oppa,” Nicole squealed, looking pleased nonetheless. However, a certain uncomfortable ring came to my ears every time she said “oppa”, and I couldn’t figure out why.

Deciding to push that thought aside I said, “you can choose whatever you like.”

“There’s so much choice!” She gasped, looking amazed as she flicked through the menu. I couldn’t help but admire her cute features as she stared in awe at the options. The way her eyes globed whenever something nice appeared, how she pursed her lips when she was comparing two or more foods. I couldn’t help but smile.

“When will you stop looking at me? You’re making me nervous,” Nicole suddenly stated, releasing an adorable giggle afterwards.

“Ah, I— erm, sorry,” I stuttered, laughing awkwardly to myself. A slight blush crept up my cheeks, resulting in me sticking my head in the menu. 

*

After finishing our food, Nicole exclaimed, “wow! That was delicious, thank you so much!”

I smiled in return, admiring how respectful she was, no matter how close friends we were.

“Would you like a coffee?” I asked, taking a glance at a coffee menu.

“Ooo, of course I would, if you’re okay with that,” she beamed, grabbing the coffee menu, “let me take a guess at what you’d want!”

I chuckled, feeling like the sun was shining so brightly inside of me that I couldn’t help but let it show through my facial expression.

“Let’s see… hm you like your coffee’s pretty strong right?” She talked to herself, I couldn’t help but giggle, “ah! Americano?!”

“Wow! You know me well, but to be more specific, Caffè Americano.”

“Ah, shh!” She scrunched her face up and laughed afterwards. I could honestly say that I enjoyed her company more than anything, “if that’s what you’re having, I shall have the same too. Just to see what it tastes like!” Closing the menu triumphantly, she called over the waitress and made our order. 

“Have you never tried a Caffè Americano before then?” I questioned.

“Not really, I’m not usually one to be specific about coffee, I have it from time to time but mainly the sweetest ones,” she covered her cheeks with her hands, looking down nervously.

“Aigoo! You’re so cute,” I cooed, reaching over to pinch her cheeks. 

She seemed slightly startled and abruptly looked into my eyes. I froze on the spot, not being able to avert my gaze. God her eyes sure are mesmerising…

I could feel that both of our bodies were drawing closer, until someone sneezed suddenly. We sprung apart, soon forgetting our moment, replacing the thought with whereabouts the sneeze came from. It sounded dreadfully close, so I inspected the outer areas of the booth, noticing a man with a mask and sunglasses gasp as he saw me, running out of the restaurant suddenly. 

That hair style… the height… it seems all too familiar, I thought to myself, frowning. Shaking the thought off I returned to the table.

“Did you find who it was?” Nicole asked, having a quizzical look across her face.

“I think it was just a man sat near by. He sure does have a loud sneeze,” I laughed, attempting to cover up my curiosity. 

“Two Caffè Americano’s,” the waitress announced, placing the drinks down, bowing.

“Thank you,” Nicole and I said in unison, giving a little bow before the waitress departed. 

Both talking about nonsense we finished our coffee’s.

“Where would you like to go next?” I started collecting my things.

“We shouldn’t go to places that are crowded, otherwise that may cause a commotion,” Nicole stated, pulling a thoughtful expression. I nodded in agreement, also trying to figure out a safe place to go.

“Ah! I have a good place,” Nicole exclaimed, leaping from her seat, placing some sunglasses on.

“Where is it?” I asked, standing up along with her.

“You’ll see when we get there,” she winked and took me by the hand, leading us out of the restaurant, “it’s only a small walk, no need to worry KimKey!” I could sense a smirk cross her lips.

*

Arriving at our destination after what seemed like forever, I found myself looking at rather set back park which no one was in.

“Wow… it’s nice here,” I breathed, looking at the luscious green trees, the odd leaf falling to the ground. 

“Isn’t it just! Let’s go sit on that bench!” Nicole pointed over to a bench that was even more kept back from the park. Still keeping hold of my hand she pulled me over to sit down and I couldn’t help but feel a tingling between our connected hands. What could this feeling be?

We remained silent for a while, just observing our surroundings. I felt as if I should say something… but what? My feelings for her?

“I want to ask you someth—” we both started in unison, laughing afterwards.

“You go first,” I said, smiling inanely. 

Nicole took a deep breath, and faced me, as if she was about to say something courageous, “I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a while, but ever since you’ve been in Shinee, I haven’t really had the chance…” she paused, taking another inhale.

My heart was palpitating ferociously in my chest for god knows what reason.

“I— I like you, Kibum. Ever since we met really, I guess it just took me some time to realise,” I could sense how nervous she was about this, so I took her hands in mine, earning a startled response. 

“I’ve also being meaning to tell you this. My reason is pretty much the same as yours,” I smiled reassuringly, “I think I like you, Nicole, more than friends.”

I removed her sunglasses being blessed by the view of her beautiful orbs forming a relieved emotion in them, and it made me much more confident in what I was about to do.

Taking my sunglasses off also, I stared deeply in her eyes; convincing myself that this was the right thing for me to do. I edged my face closer to hers, smelling the fluorescent scent she held that invaded my nose.

With our faces now only inches apart, I lifted one of my hands and placed it at the back of her head whilst leaning in, feeling our lips finally pressed against one another's. After a few seconds, we began to slowly move our lips against each other’s.

Why does it feel like our lips aren’t moulding perfectly together?

No shut up Kibum! You’ve had a crush on this girl for absolutely ages!

Jonghyun’s point of view:

As I saw both of their lips connect, a certain pang of sharpness carved it’s way through my heart. Pain? 

I wish I could’ve acted more efficiently on my feelings, maybe then he would have developed a different sort of liking towards me, a liking that made us more than just friends…

Have I wasted my chance?

Should I give up?