I hate it when something’s not right.

I hate it more when I know something’s not right.

And here it was, right in my face. The look Kris had right before he left my apartment was a look I’d never seen before, not even once. And come to think about it, he hadn’t looked at all like himself. No teasing, no smirks—I was actually starting to worry.

I was standing right in front of SM building, positioning myself at the top of the stairs. In six seconds it’ll approximately be one hour since I’d been pacing about.

“Six, five, four, three, two—”

“Erika?”

Right on schedule.

I looked down at the end of the stairs as Kris stared at me, dazed.

“What’re you doing here?” he asked.

“Waiting for you, of course.”

“I thought you’re supposed to be at Jessica’s place. You’re moving in, right?”

I shrugged. “I can do that anytime,” I said. I walked down the stairs, helping him raise the bag strap that had fallen off his shoulder. “Have you forgotten?” I asked him. “Dance lessons, remember?”

“You’re injured.”

“Just my forehead.”

“I thought you hated my lessons.”

I drew in a long breath. “Yeah, I do. But you not harassing me with endless calls is out of place,” I said.

He looked as if he was caught off guard. It wasn’t a typical look for him. Lately he hadn’t been giving any of his old looks at all.

I was already standing in front of him, my head nearing his shoulder in height comparison.

I heard him sigh.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“No classes for today,” he announced as he heaved his bag and walked past me to the doors. “Hooray for you.”

I spun around. “What?”

“My schedule’s a little packed for today,” he said.

“That’s not what Krystal said.”

He turned, eyes meeting my gaze as I stood at the foot of the stairs.

“You asked Krystal to look up my schedule?” His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open.

I folded my arms. “You’re just stopping by for your meeting with your manager,” I said. “That’s what she told me, at least.”

He looked like he was going to swear, but didn’t.

“And your meeting doesn’t start within another hour,” I said.

Now he swore.

“That’s personal privacy,” he said, marching down the stairs and coming over.

“Yeah, personal privacy.” I waved those words away and stepped over to the sidewalk. “Come on, you owe me a drink.”

“Uh— What—”

“Well, I’ve been standing underneath the sun for how long. My throat is dry and my lips are chapped now because of you.”

Confused, he went along anyway, lugging his bag with him.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I slurped my bubble tea, then after taking the fifth sip I finally turned to Kris, my gaze somewhat disturbing and threatening. He leaned back in his seat, confused, scared, and totally in a blur. He didn’t ask for my reason that I’d dragged him over, though.

He opened his mouth. “I—”

“At this moment, I’ll be the one asking questions,” I said, which made him shut his mouth.

I relayed all my inquiries.

“What’s up with you?” I asked him, cocking my head sideways to get a good look of his expression. “You’re off lately.”

“Aren’t I always?”

I leaned back, protesting a sigh. “No, that should be aimed at me,” I said.

His face was creased with what looked like anxiety.

“What is it?” I asked. He looked surprised with the question, and more on how soft my voice was, which even surprised me.

“You…dragged me here just to ask that?” he asked, looking as perplexed as ever.

“I was thirsty.” I shrugged, taking my bubble tea for another sip. He rolled his eyes and leaned back in his seat. I took it that he was trying to find a way to avoid me. After taking a long draw of my straw—him still not talking—I set my drink aside before my temper got to me and I’d splash him instead.

I flicked my fingers in front of his face. He flinched, then turned to me, shocked with my gesture.

“If you don’t tell me what’s wrong I’ll really splash you,” I said, my lips curled into a pout, one hand holding up the cup.

He blinked, aware of the drink, then leaned away even more. I heard him sigh. His eyes were fixated on the floor instead of me.

“What is it?” I tried asking again, sipping my drink. I shook my head. “Wait, no, let me guess. Something up with life, I think? Wait, it’s got to be relationship problems. Are you upset because of me?” I asked him, my face pulled up in a c