Jade’s POV

We were in front of the porch in the frontyard & once again I stopped & said “I’m sorry…”

My gaze was focusing down on my feet, while his eyes were waiting for mine to meet his. “That’s the 7th time you’ve said that to me” he exclaimed while putting one hand into his jacket pocket.

“I’m sorry” I said once more while continuing my gaze down on my feet.

“Kaja. Let’s go in before we both freeze” he said as he gestured me up the porch & into the house.

The first greeting didn’t surprise me at all.

“JADEEE!!!!!” …as it had happened many times before.

“Hey guys…” I smiled weakly.

“Where did you go?! We’ve been looking all over for you!!” Yesung said as both his hands gripped my shoulder.

“I…” before I answered, I glanced at Heechul who was waiting for me to finish my sentence. “I-I was just getting some fresh air. That’s all”

“Well you could’ve told us! We went all over the city looking for you!”

“I’m sorry…” I said. “I promise. Next time, I will” I said while smiling.

As the guys released relieved sighs, I glanced back at Heechul. He was gone. He wasn’t at the door anymore. I’m guessing he went to bed…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That Night

I couldn’t sleep at all… remembering the incident that had happened today… But strangely, I feel better now. Thanks to the person that I hadn’t thought of that could make me feel this way…

I feel… happy.

I sat down on the chair out on the balcony while studying the gold ring in my hand. The exact ring I got 12 years ago… from the same boy.

“I can’t believe that after rummaging through my old jewelry box I still got it” I mumbled to myself as I studied it in my hand. I lifted it up a bit to catch the light. Then I lifted it back down & slid it onto my finger.

After the incident today, I’ll follow what Heechul said… He was right.

“From now on, I’m not gonna be afraid. I’m gonna stand strong. Coz I’m not alone anymore…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Next Day

Walking down the noise-filled streets of the always-busy New York, I walk down, head up & feeling fresh as ever. This morning when I woke up, I decided to go out. Get some fresh air. (Jade's outfit)

But of course, I’m not alone.

“So,” Sungmin began. “where do you guys wanna have lunch?”

“Anything’s fine with me” Henry shrugged. “Jade?”

“I’m good. Not really hungry” I told them as I walked further, leaving them catching up from behind.

We stopped by at a café to relax & grab some drinks. I ordered one hot chocolate & one strawberry donut for myself, as Sungmin & Henry went to order theirs.

We both grabbed our orders & sat at a cushion-seated round table. As I sat down & was about to drink my hot chocolate, someone at the entrance of the café came in & caught my attention.

I paused my drink & stopped, “Heechul??” making the guys turn around & face the door.

“Oh, hyung” Sungmin looked up as Heechul came & walked this way.

I was frozen still, & couldn’t move an inch. Ever since yesterday I haven’t talked to him at all. Not even at breakfast. Actually, he wasn’t at breakfast. I didn’t know where he went. & here he is. Suddenly appearing right in front of me when I’m trying to avoid him most!

“Jade”

Oh crud

I looked up to him over from my drink.

“You dropped something” he said & tossed me my cellphone. “Found it under the cushion of the couch at home” he raised a brow.

“Oooh~ So that’s where my cellphone went!” I said & hit my head. No wonder I couldn’t find it this morning!

I searched through it & discovered dozens of missed calls from Donghae & Henry from yesterday.  

“Um, so hyung. Why don’t you stay & hang out with us?” Henry offered him. My head shot up from the phone & I was like ‘WHAAAT???’

“Sure” Heechul shrugged & sat down(next to ME!) Dang it… Why must the empty seat be next to me?!?

“I wanna grab some donuts. Be right back” Henry said.

“I’ll come with you!” Sungmin offered & quickly got up from his seat. What the?!

Great… Just when I thought things couldn’t get even more awkward… Now I’m left alone on this couch with Heechul ==”

*Sigh!* Ever since last night, I just can’t get it out of my head… Me & Heechul has never… I mean NEVER been like that before. Nor have we even hugged. Well, we did. But that was a group hug! This is different!

But hold on a minute. He was the one who hugged me anyway. So what do I have to be embarrassed about?

Oh right. The fact that I hugged him back… OTL

GAH Never in my life have I ever thought that day would come… But really, I don’t need to think about it, right?

Yesterday was… different. I know how Sungmin has been helping me out, & so has Donghae & Siwon. But Heechul? I guess I’m still kinda left surprised.

I took a bit out of my creamed donut.

It’s still making me feel awkward, though…

Heechul… hugged me. He hugged me! HEECHUL hugged me!

Ok this is getting even more awkward =.=”

I mean have you ever wondered for the person you hated most to cheer you up?

Well I don’t hate him. Just… annoyed ==”

“Ahem… Jade?”

Oh boy I’m thinking too much again. & oh man did he just call me?!?

He bit his lower lip & tried to suppress his laugher.

“What?” I asked.

“Could you be any more childish?” he said while chuckling.

“Huh? o.O ”

“You got cream on your face” he pointed.

Dang… =.=”

He sighed. “ Here” he grabbed a tissue & leaned towards me.

I