"Wait here, I'll run to the gas station and get some gas." Lay said as we reached Qui's car that was still sitting in the parking lot. "But I want to go." I whined. Lay shook his head, "no just stay here I won't be long." he said opening the car door for me. I sighed and got in not wanting to be more of a trouble for him.

It seemed like I really traumatized him back there. I never knew he cared about my safety so much. I'm stating to see a different side of Lay, a side that I like. "Lock the doors and don't go anywhere okay." Lay ordered. "Yes." I nodded as he closed the door and walked away.

I sat back on the passengers side and looked around. Lay took the keys with him so I couldn't listen to the radio. My phone died since I forgot to charge it the night before and I was still hungry.

"Oh yeah." I snapped my fingers and turned to the back. "I forgot about the food." I said as I went through the bags of groceries. But most of the things I got consisted of raw, frozen or microwaveable foods. I groaned and sat back, "not even a pack of gum." I said out loud with a huge frown. 

"Dukbokki! Get hot and fresh Dukbokki!" I heard someone yell. I looked out the window and saw a food stand just around the corner. My mouth watered as I saw smoke fill the air and I swear I could smell it too. 

I reached in my pocket and pulled out the remaining money I had from grocery shopping. "I have just enough for one bowl." I said out loud and reached for the door. "Wait," I stopped myself, "Lay told me to stay put." I reminded myself. I groaned and stomped my feet in frustration.

"It's literally a few feet away though." I cried and pressed my face against the window. "Stop teasing me." I bit my lip as I saw a kid take a bite of his Dukbokki and sauce dripped down his lips. "That's it!" I slammed my hand against the door and opened it.

"I told you to stay." I heard someone say behind me. "Omo!" I jumped causing myself to hit my head against the door frame. I turned around and saw Lay popping his head through the drivers side door. 

"What are you a mouse?! Make some noise when you're coming will you!" I yelled. Lay smiled and motioned me to go with him. "Come on I'll show you how to properly put gas in the car." he said closing the door. I rubbed my newly formed bump and got out. 

Lay was holding an orange container which reeked of gas. I covered my nose, "ew that stinks." "What's the first thing you should do before driving?" Lay asked out of no where as he popped the cap off. I kicked a small pebble, "check the gas." Lay nodded, "correct, so why did decide to drive without any gas?" he asked.

I looked down, "cause." Lay sighed and opened a small opening on the side of the car. "Okay I'm going to show you how to put gas in." he said. I nodded and looked to the side. "Dukbokki!" I heard the lady yell again. I my lip and turned back to Lay, who was still talking. I slowly backed away trying not to make a sound and once he turned away I ran. 

"Ahjumma one bowl of Dukbokki please." I ordered holding my finger up. "Yes!" she smiled and opened the lid letting the smoke hit my face. "Mmm smells good." I closed my eyes enjoying the smell. "Minji!" I quickly opened my eyes and turned around.

An angry Lay was storming my way making me back up a little. "Y-yes?" "I turn away for one second and you're gone!" he scolded. "But I was-" "Here!" the lady behind the stand poked my shoulder, "$5." I bowed and gave her the exact change. "Thank you."

"Come on." Lay quickly grabbed my arm. "Wait!" I pulled back and grabbed the bag before Lay could get full control. 

The ride back was quiet, only the sound of Lay's deep breathing was heard. I bit my lip and looked down at the bag. "Want some?" I offered with a smile hoping he cooled off. He simply shook his head, "no." My shoulders sank and I turned away. "why are you so uptight?" I mumbled to myself hoping Lay didn't hear.

"I'm only this way because I care!" he snapped. My yes widen and I turned to him, "what?" "Damn it Minji why are you so careless?" he asked frowning. I pouted, "I-I'm not-" "I told you not to drive and what did you do? You drove! What if you got in an accident?!" he yelled.

"I thought you weren't mad?" I asked feeling tears form for no reason. I guess it was because I never seen Lay so mad before. He's usually so calm and even when he is mad he just brushes it off. "I'm not mad!" Lay yelled stepping on the breaks making me go forward.

"Ow!" I cried as I sat back. "I'm just disappointed." he said keeping his eyes on the road even though we stopped. I looked at him, "what?" He finally looked at me, "I trusted you Minji and you broke that by going against my rules...twice." he said looking at the bag sitting on my lap.

I looked down then back at him, "I'm sorry." Lay sighed and turned away, "let's just forget today ever happened okay?" I nodded, "okay." Lay took a deep breath before turning the car back on and pulling back into the street.

That night neither one of us spoke to each other. I couldn't help but feel bad for Lay. He was right, I did go against his rules, but he's not my dad or brother...yet. He has no right to tell me what I can or can't do. Yet again, he was just looking our for me. And I can't help but appreciate him for caring.

~~~~

That morning I heard a noise coming from outside. I quickly got up and saw my dad coming out from his car. "Appa!" I yelled not caring if I woke Lay or the whole neighborhood and jumped out of bed. I never knew I would miss him so much. I ran downstairs and out the front door.

"Appa!" I cried and ran into his arms. "Whoa Minji." he stumbled back accidently dropping his suitcase. "Looks like someone missed you." Qui laughed. "Appa I missed you so much never leave me again okay!" I cried into his chest. "Minji are you okay?" he asked pulling me away.

Tears were streaming down my cheeks and I shook my head. "No! I missed you." I cried and hugged him tightly again. "I guess I should leave more often." my dad joked. I pulled away and turned to Qui, "sorry I crashed your car please don't hate me." I sniffed and turned back to my dad.

His eyes were wide, "you what?!" "Appa I don't want to take the test anymore in fact I never ever want to drive in my life ever again!" I cried and hugged him, "instead buy me a bike and I'll be okay." "What's going on?" Lay asked coming out rubbing his tired eyes.

"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you please don't hate me!" I cried and ran to him, hugging him by the waist. He stumbled back, "Minji?" "I think Minji's finally lost it." I heard my dad whisper. I pulled away and looked at him, "I promise I'll never disrespect any of you ever again." I sniffed my nose and went back to hug my dad.

"Come on honey lets give them some privacy." I heard Qui tell Lay as I held tight to my dad. "Minji are you okay?" my dad asked pulling my away. I nodded, "y-yes...I just missed you." He smiled and pinched my cheek, "I think I never saw you cry this much since I sent you to the first grade."

I grabbed his hand and held it against my cheek, "appa I'm sorry for being the most horrible daughter ever." He smiled and pulled me in a hug, "you're not the most horrible daughter in the world." he said patting my head. "I-I'm not?" I asked sniffing in my running nose. "No, you're the best." he replied. I closed my eyes and held him tighter.

"Appa I love you."

"I love you too honey."

"So what's this I hear about you not wanting to take your drivers test?" my dad asked as I helped him bring in the luggage. I shrugged my shoulders, "it's too scary to drive, I can die." I replied finally controlling my tears. My dad laughed, "you still have to take it."

"But I don't want to!" I cried and stomped my foot. "Minji you're not a little girl anymore." my dad scolded. I bowed, "sorry." He laughed, "are you sure you don't want to take it?" he asked. I nodded, "yes." "You know I'll never let you drive again." he said crossing his arms.

"I don't care anymore." I replied and saw Lay help his mom take her things upstairs. I looked at him then back at my dad, "I don't want to risk scaring someone half to death ever again." My dad gave me a weird look then sighed, "well okay I won't force you, but if you ever change your mind let me know okay?" I nodded and smiled, "okay."

~~~~

"I'm so excited for tomorrow." Sehun cheered at the lunch table. I looked at him and sighed. Now that I wasn't going to be busy on Saturday I actually wanted to go. But I did not want to be with Tao. If I want to get over him, I need to stay away from him as much as I can.

"You guys weren't even suppose to go." Tao sighed and rested his head on his arm. "Someone's just mad because someone didn't want to go with him." Chen pinched his cheek. Tao pulled away and glared at him, "don't touch me!" he yelled. I was surprised, but Chen just laughed it off.

"So why exactly aren't you going?" Kai asked me. I looked at him surprised, "huh?" "Yeah what's so important that you're missing out on Everland?" Xiumin was the next to ask. "Oh uh..." I looked at Tao who glanced at me. I quickly turned away, "I have family issues to work on." I lied.

Kai nodded, ", that's why I live alone." "Whatever, you were kicked out you liar." Chanyeol snorted. "And now he lives with me." D.O sighed deeply. I smiled as Kai hit Chanyeol on the arm and the two broke out into a fight. "Anyway why aren't you going Lay?" Baekhyun rolled his eyes and turned to him.

All eyes were on Lay as he was humming to his music. "Lay?" Baekhyun nudged him. "What?" he looked up pulling his headphones down. "Why aren't you going?" he asked again. "Oh," he glanced at me slightly then shrugged his shoulders, "I'm not into that stuff and places like that give me headaches." he replied.

Baekhyun sighed and nodded, "I guess." "Chanyeol give it back!" I heard Kai yell as Chanyeol ran off with a goofy grin. "Seriously how did they end up in our group?" Chen asked. I laughed and continued eating.

"I guess I'll see you on Monday." Hani said her goodbyes as we parted ways. "Okay bye good luck on babysitting duty." I waved at her. "Ugh don't remind me." she rolled her eyes and walked away with Tiffany. I smiled and took my phone out to play a nice round of Fruit Ninja and finally beat my high score.

"Minji." someone grabbed my shoulder. I turned around and saw Tao. "Yes?" I asked pausing the game. "Look I know about your secret." he said. My eyes widen and heart stopped, "w-what?" Oh no he found out, I'm in so much trouble. Tao sighed, "you're trying to get at me by avoiding me I get it." he replied.

"Wait...what?" I was taken back, for sure I thought he was talking about Lay being my soon step-brother. Tao nodded and stuck his hands in his pocket, "I get it pay back, but how long does this have to go on?" he asked with the most cutest pout ever.

I blinked a couple of times before turning away. "Uh..." "Look Minji I like you a lot." he confessed. My mouth dropped, "w-what?" Tao nodded and looked down, "I'm tired of you trying to avoid me and everything. Can't we just go back to the way it used to be?"

I was in complete shock, Tao just confessed to me. Yeah, this isn't the first time he said he liked me, but this time I feel like Tao actually means it. "Tao-" "Look I know you won't forgive me right away because I know what I did was unforgiving, but I will not give up until I have your complete trust again." he cut me off.

"Tao I-" "I have to go Minji I'll see you around." Tao cut me off again, but this time he leaned in and gave me a peck on the head. "Bye." he waved before going off. I stood in complete shock, "what just happened?"

By the time I reached my house Tao's words were still playing in my head. "I will not give up until I have your complete trust again." I sighed feeling a heavy burden on my shoulders. As much as I wanted to get over Tao I just couldn't. He's my first crush and he truly seems regretful about what he did.

We all make mistakes and we all deserve second chances. Maybe I should give Tao a second chance and he can prove himself to me. "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice...shame on me." "Who are you talking to?" Lay asked breaking me from my thoughts.

"Huh?" I looked at him, "oh nothing." He shook his head, "what ever." "Lay." I called him before he left for work. "Yeah?" he looked at me. "Do you think people deserve second chances even though they hurt you deeply?" I asked him. Lay thought for a moment then nodded, "it all depends on how bad they hurt and if you can truly see past their mistakes." he replied.

I nodded, "you're right." "Why?" he asked. I looked at him and smiled, "nothing, have fun at work." "Okay?" Lay gave me a weird look before leaving. I sighed and threw myself on the couch, "what to do?!"

~~~~

"Insurance doesn't cover for self accidents." I heard Qui talking to my dad as I woke the next morning. I stopped at the kitchen door way and eased dropped. "Honey I'll make Minji pay for it don't worry." my dad said. I bit my lip, no. "Honey I can't do that to her it's not her fault. It was Minji's first time driving it could have happened to anyone." Qui said.

I closed my eyes, as much as I didn't want to pay for the damages my dad was right. I need to pay. I stepped inside, "don't worry Qui I'll pay for the damages." Qui and my dad both looked at me surprised. "Minji I didn't see you." Qui said taking her glasses off and putting a paper down. Probably the insurance bill.

"Minji you have to pay." my dad said. I nodded, "I know I'll do anything to get the money." "Minji that's not necessary." Qui smiled. I shook my head, "but I want to." She looked at my dad then nodded, "if that's what you want." I nodded, "so how much it it?"

"$250." my dad replied. My mouth fell open and I almost fainted, "what?" "Don't worry Minji I know it's a lot of money so I'll ask Yixing to help you." Qui said. "I'm going to what?" Lay came in with bed hair. I couldn't help but blush, he looked so adorable with his messy hair.

"You're going to help Minji pay for the insurance since you're responsible for the damages as well." Qui replied. "What?!" Lay was shocked. "Honey it's okay Minji can do it herself." my dad told her. "Appa!" I cried. "No they should both pay it's only fair." Qui said. "Mom!" Lay complained.

"Enough!" my dad yelled. "The two of you will work together until you have enough." I sighed, "but-" "Yixing." Qui gave him a look. "Yes ma'am." Lay sighed and walked away. I watched as he left, completely obeying his mom even though it wasn't his fault. 

"Minji." my dad said. I looked at him and nodded, "yes sir." and followed behind Lay.

~~~~

"This is all your fault." Lay said as he held a garbage bag open for me to put dead leaves inside. We decided to yard work for our neighbors. Even though we didn't get paid a lot, it was a good start. "No ones forcing you to do this." I said. Lay looked at me, "you're right." he dropped the bag letting the leaves blow away.

"Yah I just cleaned up!" I yelled snatching the bag from him and trying to catch the leaves. Lay laughed at my poor attempt to get the leaves. "It's not funny!" I yelled at him. He laughed and nodded, "yes it is." I glared at him and dropped the bag, "ugh this is stupid." I fell to the ground.

I was tired and frustrated. "I'm not meant to do labor." I complained. "Oh you poor thing it must be so hard to lift a finger, how do you live?" Lay teased as he sat next to me. I sent him a death stare, "shut up." He smiled and turned away, "winters coming up." he said randomly.

I nodded, "yeah I know." "What are you going to get me?" he asked. I scoffed, "you? Nothing maybe a bag of coal if you're lucky." I replied. "Hey that's not nice I was going to get you something." he said. I turned to him surprised, "really?! What? Tell me!" I asked grabbing his arm.

Lay leaned in, "a pair of socks." he replied. "What?" I pushed him, "that's not a gift." "Neither is coal." he argued. I pursed my lips together, "what ever." Lay chuckled and turned forward. We both watched as our hard work of raking leaves were being scattered by the wind. 

"So much for getting paid." I said. Lay got up, "come on." he offered his hand. "What?" I asked taking it. He pulled me up, "I got a better idea on how we came make money." he replied pulling me with him, ignoring the mess we left behind.

"This isn't going to work." I told Lay as he sat down with his guitar. "Why not? Lots of people do this." he said setting the guitar on his lap. I looked around as people walked by and bit my lip, "just hurry before security comes." Lay decided it would be smart if he performs in the local mall to make cash. Which is illegal.

Lay ignored me and strummed his guitar. I turned to him, "you're not going to get peoples cash with that noise." Lay looked up at me, "I'm toning it." he said. "Oh," I nodded, "what ever that is." I said looking around for any cops walking by. Just then I heard something soft fill my ears.

I turned and saw Lay looking at his guitar as he began playing it. It was weird, no matter how many times I hear him playing, it always surprises me how he can play such beautiful music. People walking by stopped and watched as Lay continued to play his guitar.

I noticed and quickly moved aside to let them get a better view. 

"Shuang yan bi shang you zheng kai le pa zhe yi qie zhi shi meng Liu lian." Lay began to sing in Chinese. Even though it was foreign to me it was still beautiful and the people watching agreed as they bobbed their heads.

"Ni wen wo lai zi na li

Xiao zhe hui da shi mi mi

Zhi yao shi ni he wo Yi qi zou xia qu

Tian tang zai sui shi he sui di" 

Lay ended with a smiled and a bow. I along with the crowd that form began to clap. People came forward and dropped a couple of money in the small basket Lay set up. My eyes widen when I saw an old man drop a $20.

"Wow look how much you made." I said holding up the basket for Lay to see. He smiled, "I told you we would make money." I smiled and nodded, "I guess you were right...for once." 

"Hey you two stop right there!" I heard a security yell and point at us. "Oh no." I cried. "Come on." Lay quickly took my arm and pulled me away. I followed closely behind Lay as we tried to escape the hefty, but fast, security guard. "This way!" Lay pulled me into a store.

"Whoa!" I yelled as I ran into a rack. "Come on." Lay carried me and ran. "I'm good put me down!" I yelled as we ran straight to the back and out the back door. "Okay." Lay put me down, but grabbed my hand and began running again. I turned and saw the security guard run out of breath and stop.

I smiled, "yes he stop." I said, but Lay continued to run as if he didn't hear me. "Lay?" I said trying to pull free. "Whoa!" I heard him yell and trip over a tree branch that was stuck out. "Ah!" I yelled as I fell on top of him and he caught me. I closed my eyes in pain. And when I opened then I noticed I was really close to Lay.

As in both our lips were touching close. And we were kissing.

________________________________________

 author's note 

» ahh did they just kiss?? Well it wouldn't be a first :p, well at least Minji knows this time hehe. Anyway please comment and subscribe ^^