Two months had passed, but Jaehwa didn’t know why Sehun loved to follow her everywhere. He came to class more frequent; he studied better and he always turned to his left and asked questions when necessary. It’s not like Jaehwa didn’t like that – she just felt it’s a tad annoying because she went through a hard time to finally get over him – she didn’t want to ever fall in love with him again.

Jongin saw Sehun’s changes too, and to avoid any contacts between them, he’ll sometimes join their discussions or suddenly asked Jaehwa to help him though he didn’t really need one. He just wanted to bring Jaehwa away from Sehun; his only intention. Sehun noticed this, but he acted like he didn’t know anything.  He had his own reason; but people will never understand why. It was complicated for him to explain, so he kept it to himself. Though people began to see him as the antagonist as the story of Jaehwa being warded was spreading like mad; he didn’t even care. At least for now, the heroin is still safe.

///

Jaehwa was busy completing her assignment when her phone rang. She stared at the wall clock; realizing she had been focusing on the work for almost 3 hours. She stretched her tired body, before she answered the call from Eunkyung.

“Yah, don’t you miss this unnie?” Eunkyung was suddenly babbling to her right after she picked up the call. Jaehwa then looked again at the screen, confirming it’s from Eunkyung. She usually asks nicely before she started the rubbish talk between them. This is out of the blue, and Jaehwa was shocked to hear Eunkyung suddenly raising her voice to her.

“Unnie, of course I miss you! I’m really sorry for not calling you as frequent as before, I’m getting busy these days. Don’t be mad at me okay?” Jaehwa apologized. She remembered that she hadn’t been able to gossip with her beloved friend who she treated like her own older sister. No wonder she felt empty these days; she had not been able to share her feelings with the older girl.

“Aha, it’s okay! I’m just joking hehe. How are you, maknae? How’s school?” Jaehwa heard Eunkyung’s faint laugh, so she giggled along. Maknae; her title in their ‘family’. Consists of Eunkyung, Jongin, Sehun and herself. They, who spent most of their times together. Slowly, her eyes were getting wet; the tears were flooding her eyes. She held them in as long as she could, didn’t want to be caught sobbing when she’s on the phone with Eunkyung.

“School’s okay like always,” she paused, trying hard not to sob. Her voice was shaking, but she tried not to make it obvious. Just now she realized it’s been a long time since their last gathering.Their last time sharing their laughs and tears together – it’s been a really long time. Maybe Eunkyung noticed how Jaehwa didn’t sound as cheeky as she usually is, so she asked her instantly, noticing that something’s bothering the youngest’s mind.

“Okay so… don’t ever think of hiding anything from me and tell me everything. Now.”

Jaehwa kept quiet as part of herself refused to talk about him, but part of her wanted to complain everything about him to Eunkyung. She didn’t know if it’s right, but he’s once her friend. No, more than friend, to be exact. Eunkyung kept persuading her, making Jaehwa to sigh and let down her ego.

“Apparently, I’m a bit bothered by Sehun treating me so nice out of sudden,” she paused. “I felt nothing towards him now; one thing that I can confirm. It’s just… he looked like he’s sick. I hate to see him like that, because I can’t help but to be worried each time. It’s Oh Sehun, unnie. He used to be in our so-called family, he used to be my boyfriend. How can I ignore him? I’m not that heartless,” she sighed again. “Jongin somehow hates to see me taking care of Sehun; he said that I might fall for him back. How could I go back to the guy who tore my heart into pieces? It’s just my nature – to be extremely worried towards someone who’s close to me.”

“How about Luhan oppa? Did he hate to see you treating Sehun nicely as well? I mean, you know, it’s Luhan oppa. He’ll always encourage you to do something good; to comfort someone, for example. I believe he didn’t really care to have you taking care of Sehun? It’s just Jongin, right?” Eunkyung asked. She’s good in analysing people’s characters, that’s why Jaehwa depended on her the most whenever she’s caught in mass of problems.

“Luhan oppa… yes, he always encourages me to talk to Sehun more. Only in classes though, he’ll still be with me outside of the classroom,” Jaehwa stopped again. “I couldn’t help but to think if Sehun’s going to die out of strange disease and what if everyone put the blame on me? What if… he stills love me, but has to let me go because of that disease? What if…”

“Stop making your own reason, Jaehwa. You’ll end up hurting yourself if he got the different reasons from whatever rubbish you stated earlier. And about Sehun… I heard from Jongin that he looked seriously pale every single day. I don’t know if he’s sick or he just gets paler each day; but I hope you’ll not jump to the conclusion just yet. Think wisely, Im Jaehwa.” Eunkyung gave out her opinions, being the wise Eunkyung; the oldest among them.

Jaehwa breathed in deeply, and exhaled while sighing. “I… I’ll try not to. I’ll have a talk with Luhan oppa about this. Anyway, unnie, I really should get back to finishing this assignment or else Park ssaem will whip my hand again,” Jaehwa made up an excuse as she wanted this conversation to end soon. After bidding good bye, Jaehwa put her phone aside; and pushed away the assignment she’s working on. Her mind is getting even more complex; she lost her smiles day by day because of it.

///

“Jaehwa, I can’t seem to answer this question. I think I get the equation right but failed to find my mistake,” Sehun shoved his exercise book to Jaehwa’s table, and pointed at the question he’s referring to. Jaehwa’s a bit moody that day; but upon seeing Sehun’s pale face who’s trying hard to smile, she put her feelings away and began to correct Sehun’s mistake. She explained it in detail, to make sure Sehun got the main idea on how to calculate it.

“Oh, it seems easier after you explained it,” he said with a smile, and thanked her before he went back to his place and answered the rest. Jaehwa then stared blankly at her exercise book, she felt tired with all the mind games she’s playing with right now. She brought out a phone and sent a text to Luhan – she decided to skip school right after this period ended.

The bell rang, and they got a 10-minute of free time before the next period started. Jaehwa quickly packed her bag, looked around and sneakily walked out using the back door.  Sehun was watching her, arguing with the inner him who’s eager to follow her but he decided he won’t. He recognized that look on Jaehwa’s face – she’s stressed with everything. He didn’t want to make her feel worst.

Luhan was running as quick as he could towards Jaehwa’s class right after he read Jaehwa’s message. No, he would never let her skip school just like that; it’s wrong. Panting, he looked for Jaehwa but she’s not there. He called for Jongin, and asked if he saw Jaehwa for the last 5 minutes. Jongin shook his head as he went to the washroom right after the class ended. Luhan then told about Jaehwa’s plan, ended up making Jongin to feel worried as well.

“I’ll back her up if any teacher asks about her,” Jongin said. “Hyung, you should go after her. You know what will happen if she’s stressed…” Jongin suggested, feeling worried as Jaehwa always do something unpredictable. Luhan couldn’t help but to agree as well. He’s dead worried, but he had a clean record for 2 years straight – seems like he’s going to make a history; he’s going to skip school for the first time ever.

“I owe you, dude,” Luhan patted Jongin’s shoulder and walked quickly to his class again. He packed his bag, and went out the building as fast as he could. He tried to think of a place that Jaehwa might go to, but his brain was busy thinking of her safety. He just went to every place that his heart took him to, but failed to see Jaehwa. He rode the bus – went to Myeongdong and Apgujeong - but failed to see her around as well. Luhan took out his phone again, dialling her number thousands of times but was only answered by the mail box.

Tired of searching, he then walked to the nearest café, trying to grab a drink. As soon as he entered it, he saw Jaehwa, peacefully sitting at a table near the corner of the café, slightly hidden from anyone else. He placed an order, waited for his drink and made his way to Jaehwa, who seemed oblivious about his presence.

Jaehwa had her eyes closed, ears plugged in, and Luhan could literally hear the song that Jaehwa was listening to. He smiled, and called for Jaehwa. Seeing there’s no reaction from her, he took her phone, lowered the volume and called her once again.

“O-oppa! Why are you here?” She was surprised to see Luhan sitting next to her, with a drink in his hand. She looked at her watch quickly, before continued, “School’s not ending yet! Why are you here?” She asked again, confused to see her boyfriend who found out her hide out.

“Don’t you think you should ask that question to yourself?” Luhan said with a tad of sarcasm, before he took a sip of the chocolate latte he ordered. “Why are you skipping school, Jaehwa? You know how worried I am after I read your text? ‘I’m leaving, don’t search for me’ – that sounded so deep, sweet cake. Now that I found you having a good time here… You’re not really that depressed, eh?” Luhan grabbed her hand, before having their fingers intertwined.

Jaehwa faced down, didn’t have the guts to face the guy next to him. “I’m sorry, oppa. I really am. I feel suffocated to have Sehun around me, and I feel so happy to be all alone in this café, enjoying my cup of hot chocolate and listen to all soothing songs. I’m sorry, Luhan oppa. I promise I’ll stop skipping school after this,” she said while grabbing hard on Luhan’s hand. Somehow, she felt like she needed strength – and only Luhan can make her feel better.

Luhan showed his sweet smile, before he slowly embraced her into a hug. He hugged her, literally transferring the good vibes in him to her; hoping that he could get rid of the negative energy in her. He wants Jaehwa to be happy always, he doesn’t want to see Jaehwa to frown at all. He tried her best to make her happy, because that makes him feel better as well.

Jaehwa, on the other hand, was staring at Luhan’s face for a bit too long. She observed the beautiful features of his face – literally everything was perfect. His eyes, his nose, and even his lips. Unknowingly, she had her eyes locked on his lips too long; making Luhan to giggle a bit. He hugged her tighter, making them to be closer than before. Luhan could even feel her heartbeat; it was beating a bit too fast that day.

After a moment, Luhan looked down and stared back into Jaehwa’s eyes. His sudden movement made Jaehwa to shift her gaze to his chest, trying to hide her red cheeks. Luhan was smiling happily to see the cheeky Jaehwa acted so shy in front of him. It feels different as Jaehwa was always cheerful and jumpy and a bit childish but this side of her- he liked it as well.

“What were you staring at, baby?” Luhan asked in his manliest voice ever, making Jaehwa to tremble a bit. She loves that voice of his, that she rarely gets the chance to hear it. She put her head to his chest, trying so hard to cover her blushing face from him. Luhan chuckled, but slowly moved his face nearer to Jaehwa’s ears. He opened his mouth, and started to whisper in his manly voice, “Tell me, hunny bunny. I’m curious now.” Still, there’s no answer from Jaehwa.

He then brought his hand to her face, and slowly lift it; not wanting to force her to look into his eyes. Jaehwa was nervous; but she stared into Luhan’s beautiful eyes. She stared and continued to stare, and let out a small sigh after she mustered up her courage. She gestured Luhan to lower his head and so he did – and Jaehwa whispered this to her curious boyfriend: “Your lips, they look so kissable right now,”’ before she covered her face with her hands.

She was expecting Luhan to laugh, but he didn’t. She then put her hands down, and looked at his face again. He looked serious – not that bad kind of serious but he looked like he’s stunned, maybe he’s shocked to hear Jaehwa’s sudden confession. They never kiss on each other’s lips before, so it’s kind of surprising to see how Jaehwa admires his lips – as if she wants to have a taste of it.

“Oppa, stop looking at me like that,” Jaehwa murmured, as she felt a bit embarrassed as well. She knew her confession was a bit awkward, but Luhan’s lips seriously looked kissable to her eyes now. She really wants to taste it once, but it could be later if Luhan thinks it’s still early. They’ve been dating for only a few months – and for them to have a heavier kiss now, it felt so wrong. Remember that Jaehwa got her first kiss with Sehun after 2 years of dating?

Luhan then looked away, realizing he met Jaehwa felt uncomfortable with his stare. “I’m sorry, I’m just… shocked,” he paused. “You know, I do think your lips are kissable as well,” Luhan paused again. He slowly brought his lips nearer to hers, and Jaehwa’s heart was beating even faster. Their lips were only few centimeters apart, but Luhan stopped. He looked into her eyes for a few moments; before slowly brought himself away from her.

“I really want to kiss you now, Jaehwa…” he stopped, looking at the confused Jaehwa. “But I want our first real kiss to be really special, not only to myself but to you as well,” he smiled widely after seeing Jaehwa smiled. “So stop seducing me before the right time comes,” he then left a few peck of kisses on Jaehwa’s cheek, before he cheekily pinched her cheek. “I love you, Im Jaehwa,” he beamed his best smile, making Jaehwa to smile wider as well.

She then moved a bit and planted a few kisses on his cheek as well, and whispered, “I love you more, Luhan oppa.”