It was late in the SM building. I had finally gotten away from Onew-hyung and his chicken. Just because he wants to eat chicken again for our late after-practice meal doesn't mean I want to. In fact, for some reason, it kinda made me feel a little sick to smell it today so I lied and said I had to go talk to my brother on the phone. I couldn't tell Onew that the chicken smelled funny! I can just imagine the tears in his eyes as he asks me "the chicken...it makes you sick???" Because, as leader, he'd consider not eating it around me for a while and that would be just torture to him.No reason to torture him. Although lying to him isn't good either...oh well

I walked around the level for trainees to use for practice because there's no reason for anyone to go down there and most of the trainees already left for the day. Since a lot of them are still in high school, they leave earlier than the rest of us. Not many SM trainees have already graduated high school. 

That's why I was surprised to hear some music and thumping noises coming from a practice room near the end of the 2nd hallway. Normally I don't mind that kind of thing but since it was Arashi, one of the Japanese Pop groups I like, I went to check it out. It was Min Hee and she was dancing her own version of Love Situation. It was a cute performance.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7OsHnikQ88)

I know I shouldn't have but I kept watching her practice, even as it changed into the next song, Monster. It was a darker song.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZn_DbBeSvg)

I have to admit I felt impressed by the fact that she could go from a cute, slightly feminine song to a darker, more masculine song and not have it look poorly juxtaposed. She suddenly stopped and looked over at me, "yes? Did you need something?" 

"Ah, no. I'm sorry. I was just looking for Dong Min. We were supposed to go eat a meal together but I guess he was tired and left already." Dong Min was another trainee three years younger than me and he was very outgoing so I'd be surprised if Min Hee had no idea who he is but I had no such plans with him. 

"Oh! Sorry but he left earlier with Hye Jin-ssi. They have a school project due in the morning."

"Oh I see..." 

"Yes, it's like that Minho-sunbaenim."

"Eh? Minho-sunbaenim?" I asked with a smile on my lips. "Aren't you a year younger than me?" 

"Yes, that's right but you're my sunbae so..."

"But sunbaenim?" I laughed. "I haven't heard that for a while."

"Hyuna-sunbaenim?"

I was taken back, "yeah, how'd you know? Oh right...the Star King episode." Like I said, fans don't let that moment go.

She finally smiled, "yes, that's how."

"You know...I, you...it's okay to talk informally with me."

"Ah hai...oh I meant yes! Sorry." 

"It's okay," I had to laugh again. Why did I find her so cute? "have you eaten yet?" You need to get back to practice, Minho...my conscience was saying but I ignored it. I even lied to myself and said it would be okay.

"No, not yet. I haven't really thought about it until now."

"Would you...would you like to go with me?"

"I don't know about that..." Was she still worrying about what Jonghyun said back in the SK studio? Did she remember? "What if we get seen together? I'm not even pretty enough to be noticed by MInho, let alone go eat a meal with him." Yeah, she remembered -_-

I groaned, "so you did hear that? Look, I-"

"I'm just kidding, Minho-ssi~ I don't mind. I just thought it might be fun to try teasing you if I could."

Raising an eyebrow at her, "you want to tease me?"

"It's a rare chance to get, teasing the Flaming Charisma of SHINee." 

Was that all she saw me as? "Oh really?" 

"Well that and it;s just a habit." 

"What is? Teasing people." 

"If we become friends, I'm sure you'll find out."

"What makes you think we'll become friends?"

"Hmm, what about the fact that you're still here talking to me."

"What if I was being polite?"

"Being polite would've stopped at thanking me for telling you Dong Min isn't here. Wanting more than that is staying to talk to me."

I chuckled, "you think you're pretty clever huh?"

"Or so I've been told. I think you're just avoiding admitting that you want to be friends."

"Do I have a reason to?"

"To avoid it? Or do you mean a reason to be friends? I see no reason why not to be friends. After all, you are the one that implied I'm ugly so I should be the one that doesn't want to be friends."

"Now wait a second, I never said that."

"I know. You implied it."

"Is there such a big difference?" 

"To me, there is."

"Is your opinion the only one that counts?"

"No, but it does have the most influence on me."

"Oh is that so? Well what is it telling you to do?"

"Hmm, well part of it thinks I should go eat with you because my stomach's growling."

"And the other part?"

"The other parts? Oh one thinks I shouldn't because you're 'SHINee' and will distract me from eating."

"I'm SHINee?" I asked, laughing. She just nodded back at me with a wide grin on her face. "Okay then. Well I say you should go because I'm hungry too. Besides, if I'm too 'SHINee' for you, just look away."

"And ignore the person I'm eating with? That's rude!" 

That's how our friendship began. As simple as that. Before I knew it, I was being pulled into her world. Although I was normally the one that would ask her to go hang out or eat together, it always felt like she was the one leading. Jonghyun always teased me for spending so much time with her which Key joined in on but I would constantly tell them "she's just a friend." 

Again, I lied.