And so I listened to Kris and carried on for the next hour. I thought he’d be torturing me for another hour, but he decided it was best to carry on again tomorrow instead. I did nothing but listen, and then I left the dance studio without another word. If I didn’t know better, I thought I saw him stay back in, his face disturbed and his hair tousled to a messy state.

I was already out in the hallway—when another bump surprised me. I looked up and wondered if fate was playing a game with me.

Sehun was there, debating on whether he should speak up or not.

“Sorry,” I said halfheartedly.

Instead he replied with, “What’re you doing here?”

It was an odd question.

“Burning calories,” I grimly replied. Then I shook my head and looked up at him. “Sehun,” I said. “Do you have a sec?”

He posted a half-smile. “I’m a little busy,” he said. I could tell it was an obvious lie. It wasn’t a secret that he was trying to avoid me.

I went straight to my point, not wanting to waste another minute. “You know about the dance this Sunday?”

He waited and let me continue.

“Please, just— just don’t think anything about it, okay?” I said. “I actually think it’ll be fun, but I—”

“Gwenchanayo, noona.”

I froze at the sudden formality. And somehow, it made me feel angrier. More aggravated, partially with myself.

“Things is,” I said, “I don’t dance. Uh, I think almost everyone should know that.” My lips were pursed as I said it out, and he nodded. “I just think it would be for the best. I don’t want to end up hurting anyone, you know?” I told him. He actually laughed at the small joke. He didn’t seem like he wanted to hear more, though, but I forced him to stay. “I really wish you luck on your debut. You’ll be awesome. I know it. And the noonas, they’re going to love you.”

I saw him smile again as he finally lifted his heavy gaze.

“And also the dongsaengs,” I added. He nodded with a tiny grin. I started to smile myself.

“I understand,” he said. Finally, he was smiling genuinely that it made my heart feel lighter. “But,” he said, “you’ll still go to the party, right?”

“Err, well—“I hesitated. Thinking of Kris, I had no idea what to answer. “Maybe,” I said. “I’m not sure yet. We’ll see.”

He nodded again, understanding me completely this time. I felt a pang of relief.

When it ended there, I called out to him, just before he started going the other direction.

“Hey,” I said. He stopped and turned. “Why don’t you ask Krystal?” I suggested. I noticed his eyes widen, surprised at the recommendation I gave.

“K-Krystal?”

“I think she’d really like that,” I told him, a smile appearing at the corner of my lips as I gave him a tiny look of confidence. “Trust me.”

The boy wasn’t stupid. He caught everything on so quickly, I didn’t think Kris could have understood my words even after ten minutes.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I was on the phone with Kris the next day. It was just a couple of hours left before the big blind date.

“You better not forget flowers,” I said. “Flowers, okay?”

“Yes, I’m not stupid and forgetful,” he retorted on the other end.

“And be punctual. Or better yet, you should at least arrive fifteen or twenty minutes earlier. Jessica hates waiting. Got that?”

“Yes, my dear Love Angel,” he said romantically on the other end.

“Blegh—”

“Hey, you alright there? Hello? R-Rika?”

“Oh, sorry, that was just the sound of me thro