*Carolyn’s POV*

The next morning I woke up, got ready, then went downstairs for breakfast (which Key always made for the rest of us). Last night he asked me to wake up a half hour early and meet him in the kitchen so we could spend some one-on-one time. I was shocked and confused by the feeling of dread that came over me at his request.

“Good morning beautiful!” Key said cheeringly as I walked into the kitchen and sat down at the island counter. I was still super tired.

“Good morning,” I yawned, laying my head down on the counter.

“Well someone’s tired.” Key came over and sat next to me.

“Mmmm,” I mumbled.

“So how’ve things been; like between you and Taemin?”

“Oh, pretty good I guess,” I answered, half asleep.

“Do you like him?”

“He’s cute.”

“Carolyn!”

“What?!” I sat straight up as Key slapped my arm. “Oh, I mean, um he’s funny and different. But definitely not as cute as you Key!”

He eyed me with suspicion.

“Are you positive about that?”

“Of course,” I smiled back at him, wishing I didn’t have to lie.

“Good,” he said leaning in toward me. “Because I think you’re cute too.”

He leaned in closer… closer… and began to close his eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I liked Key, but I didn’t want to kiss him. I didn’t know how to let him down; it’s not like we were actually ‘dating’ or anything, so I couldn’t just ‘break up’ with him. His lips were almost to mine now. Just before our lips met, I did the most pathetic, lowest thing I’d ever done.

“Ahhh!” I screamed as my chair ‘accidentally’ tipped over and crashed to the floor.

“OMO Carolyn! Are you okay?!” Key rushed to my side.

“Y-y-yeah I’m fine,” I answered, massaging my tailbone in pain. I couldn’t even fake falling without getting hurt!

Key helped me up and put his hands on my shoulders.

“You’re sure you’re okay?” he asked again, looking deep into my eyes.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” I darted my line of sight around the room. If I looked at him, I knew I’d have to kiss him.

“Woah, what’s going on here?”

We turned to see Taemin, Jonghyun, Brianna and Rebecca standing in the doorway of the kitchen.

“Oh, um I fell,” I explained. I could feel my cheeks flushing bright red.

“We all heard your scream and thought there was a robber in the house or something,” Brianna said as she, along with the other three, filed into the kitchen.

“Are you okay?” Taemin asked me, looking at me in pure concern.

“Yeah, really, I’m fine,” I answered.

Everyone else was probably thinking how cute Taemin was asking me if I was okay, but all I saw was a gentleman; a sweet, caring, grownup gentleman. I tore my gaze away from Taemin. I couldn’t bear looking at him. I just wanted to… to… kiss him.

*Brianna’s POV*

Why is she looking at Taemin that way?