{ SIXTEEN }

Is this a date? Is it?
Baekhyun racked his mind quickly for an answer.
“U-Uh,” he stammered. He tried scanning Joori’s face for what would be the proper answer.
If he said ‘yes,’ would she be bothered? Would she suddenly back out?
But if he said ‘no,’ would she be hurt? Probably not, he thought. What were the chances of that when she liked Jongdae?
But he couldn’t help but have a glimmer of hope. After all, she had picked him over Jongdae to eat lunch with, right?

“I-It’s whatever you want it to be,” he finally answered, failing at his attempt to be suave.
She raised an eyebrow, and he wondered if she was upset with his ambiguous answer.

But he sighed in relief when he heard her begin to laugh.

“You…” She paused, being unable to speak between chuckles. “… You at being smooth.”

He frowned even though he was secretly pleased that he had been able to get past the question.

It’s whatever I want it to be, Joori thought to herself.
She couldn’t explain why, but her feelings were clear: she wanted to call this a date.

Baekhyun pulled up to the café and parked. He opened the car door when he noticed Joori wasn’t moving.
“Getting out?” He asked, raising an eyebrow in question.

“You’re supposed to get the door for me,” she answered coolly. “This is a date, isn’t it?”

“Uh… Um, y-yeah, sure…” He stammered. Even thought he was sure she was joking, he instantly became nervous. He stumbled out of the car to her side and pulled open her door.

She began to chuckle at his visible nervousness and nudged him gently with her elbow. “Calm down! It’s just a light lunch.” She peered at him with concerned big eyes. “Why are you so nervous?”

Because I actually like you.
“I-I’m not nervous,” he lied.
He took a de