It felt like a dream, that was the best way Doyeon could describe it. She'd never been a very lovey dovey person, and perhaps she still wasn't, but she'd learned to express her admiration a lot better than before during the last two months. She didn't cringe when Jaemin said something nice to her, and she was able to say things just as sweetly back--at least on the rare occasion when they weren't throwing baseless threats around. 

"Give it back before I whack you with it!" Doyeon said as she sprinted down the hallway after Jaemin--who had stolen her backpack right off of her shoulder where it had been loosely hanging. 

Jaemin turned his head back to stick his tongue out at her, "You have to catch me, slow poke!" He shouted back, ignoring the annoyed looks his fellow student body were giving him. Doyeon at least had the decency to look apologetic as she nearly ran into some random third year.

They both waved to Jeno as they passed by his locker, Jeno looked back at them with a smile on his face as he watched them pass . 

"I bet that stings." The sudden voice behind him, made Jeno turn. For some reason he wasn't too surprised to see Soeun there. 

He just gave her a shrug, "No, I'm happy for them." He told her, and he meant it. As much as he wanted to be sad, he knew from the moment Jaemin and him had both fallen for Doyeon, that one of them--or both--would get hurt. If he were to be upset about this, he would only be hurting himself more. They don't deserve his malice, and he doesn't need to feel it either. "They're my best friends." Jeno told her, offering a smile. 

Soeun didn't return it, "You're annoyingly kind, Lee Jeno." She told him, turning to leave, but before she was fully gone she looked back at him, "I'll see you around." Her voice was about as tiny as it usually was, but there was a softer undertone to it. Jeno looked at her leave, a bemused expression on his face. What a weirdo.

~~~

Doyeon and Jaemin sat on a bench in their neighborhood park. It was well past the time any kids would be out playing, thus the only people out were the stargazers and the procrastinators. The two of them were part of the former group of people. Jaemin watched their intertwined hands, as his thumb softly traced circles on the back of her hand. They'd only been together for a couple of months, and really not all that much had changed. He still , and she still rolled her eyes at him. Their friends still teased them as well, except now all they could do was take it, because it was all true. Jaemin's eyes traveled over to the old tree with a tire swing hanging from it. 

Everytime he saw it he'd feel a surge of gratefulness that he chose that day to climb up it. Him and Doyeon had talked about that day before, and she'd explained that her grandparents house has a large oak tree with a tire swing hanging on it. She'd recently been a lot more forthcoming when it came to talking about her childhood.

Doyeon suddenly stood straight up, taking her hand out of his as she began pacing back and forth. Jaemin looked at her, a smile on his face, from the bench. "What's on your mind, Yeonie?" He asked in a sickeningly sweet tone that made her cringe. 

Doyeon scrunched her nose up, "Don't call me that." She warned him. 

Jaemin snorted, "Okay, fine--now can you please tell me what's occupying all your attention?" She'd barely spoken ten words to him the entire time they'd been at the park. 

Doyeon huffed, "I was just thinking about graduation..." She sat back down beside him, "Jaemin, what do you think about me inviting my sister?" She looked uncomfortable as she avoided his eyes. A part of her was afraid he'd call her ridiculous, and tell her she was only making things more complicated now that her life was going so smoothly. But, the more rational side of her knew he'd never do that. 

"Do you have a way of contacting her?" He asked, a bit shocked about what she'd just asked. 

Doyeon nodded, "I think my dad has my maternal grandparents address...I'm sure I could get Jinah's number or adress from them." This was something that had been playing in her mind for a while, and Jaemin could tell that she was uncertain about it even now. 

"I don't think you should have any regrets, so if you want to  invite her, invite her." He told her, taking her hand back in his and giving it a squeeze.

Doyeon gave him a tightlipped smile and a nod, as if to say she understood what he said. "We should probably head back, it's almost eleven." Doyeon said, standing up and pulling at his arm for him to follow. 

Jaemin did so with a pout, "You're always so eager to ditch me--is Chenle there waiting for you or something?" He asked, feigning hurt. 

Doyeon rolled her eyes, "Shut up." 

Jaemin smiled, stuffing their intertwined hands into the pocket of his jacket. He almost wanted to slap himself as he looked down at her out of the corners of his eyes, 

Goodness, he loved her. 

~~~~

Time passed in a blink of an eye, just like it loved to do, and before anyone knew it; it was already May. And the annual school dance, and graduation, were right around the corner. 

"A reminder to all seniors:  your last school dance is approaching, it'll be held the night of the graduation ceremonies!" An overly excited voice echoed through the cafeterias speaker. "So make sure you get to asking that special someone." The sound of the microphone being turned off made everyone's ears ring. 

"The school should really be able to afford a new microphone by now." Renjun said as he chewed on the overdone beef that he'd gotten with his lunch. 

Haechan waved him off, "Nevermind that--the real issue is, who am I going with to the dance?" Haechan had a few ladies he was thinking of allowing the pleasure of going with him. Okay, well maybe it was only one, who he was hoping would go with him.

''Graduation, and the dance, are still a month away." Mark said, Mira sitting beside him happily eating away at her food, "And plus, that's your personal problem, I already asked Mira." He smiled. 

Haechan rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, good for you! I'm so happy you found love!" His voice dripped sarcasm, "Some of us-" he pointed to himself, Jeno, Chenle, Jisung, and Renjun, "aren't so fortunate." Mark shrugged with an innocent smile on his face. Haechan sighed, but decided to just go back to eating his lunch. Honestly, why couldn't the school just assign partners? It would be so much easier, albeit less enjoyable for everyone who actually had the guts to ask someone else. 

Haechan's eyes moved to look over the cafeteria, despite him trying to refine himself. It only took a couple seconds for him to find her. Choi Byeol, the football team's head cheerleader, and Haechan's secret crush. A surge of panic ran through him as she looked up in his direction. He quickly averted his eyes. How was he supposed to ask her, she out ranked him social status wise, and he knew for a fact that she had many other people pining after her. But did they have the same moments that Haechan and her did? The times she'd hand him one of the face towels after practice, or sit by him when the football and cheer teams went out for a post game ice cream celebration? He doubted it...and maybe those moments were his in. 

He stood up as soon as he noticed Byeol heading for the exit doors, "I'll see you guys in class!" He said as he ran off, almost tripping over his own feet as he did so. He could hear Jisung asking what was up with him, but he didn't care to explain. Haechan was a man with pride, and the last thing he wanted was his friends to --especially if he were to get rejected by Byeol. The mere thought of that made him shudder. 

Haechan quickened his steps, to an almost run, he didn't slow down until he got to the classroom he'd seen Byeol walk into. Lucky for him, there were only a few other students in the room. He took a deep breath as he walked up to her desk. Byeol finally took notice of him, her face showing her surprise, "Haechan?" 

He sent her a smile, "Hi, um-" he cleared his throat, "I was, uh, wondering if you wanted to go get some ice cream after clas