Freshmen year is such a wonderful year. The innocence of going to a school with big hopes, new experiences and having so many friends. But after that, it all goes down hill from there. Once you reach sophomore year, that’s where you start seeing peoples’ true colors. Their true face. Those who you thought were your friends with are no longer that person you spent each new moment with. Everybody eventually falls into their own clicks and groups.

You are walking down the hallway, earphones plugged in your ears, but nothing was playing. It helps. Nobody bothers you because they think you’re listening to music when in reality you can hear everything that’s going on. But everywhere you can hear rumors, gossip and drama going on. Exhaling a heavy distressed sigh, you entered the combination to your locker. You grabbed your history textbook and turned your head to the left, spotting a vague familiar.

It was your ex best friend and your.. crush walking from afar. The sight of that two-faced reminded you of all the memories together.

--

Back in freshmen year, you and her were inseparable. Every new experience that high school had to offer, you both did together. You did homework together, went to each other’s houses and talked about everything. Your every flaw, your insecurities, you had poured them out to her. One day, you noticed this particular boy in the hallway. He had the most amazing smile, such beautiful eyes and nice chestnut locks. He continued to walk by sharing a passing glance that barely lasted a second, yet had set loose a million butterflies in your stomach. When your gazes met, you felt you were in love. You wanted to meet him. To know everything about him.

“His name is Woo Jiho, but he prefers being called Zico” you exaclaimed to your best friend. You constantly talked about him, sharing every detail you find out about him.

Woo Jiho loves to rap and even dances a little. Because of his playful character, he enjoys taking derp pictures yet he still looks so handsome. He cracks jokes all the time, never failing to make you laugh. Just the sight of him was the highlight of your day.

“He likes Hello Kitty” nuzzling your face into your arms as your face grew red, “That’s so cute! Can he be my ‘Dear Daniel’? It’s Kitty’s boyfriend” blushing even harder.

Whenever you talked about him, your best friend just nodded and smiled. Little did you know, she used everything you told her to get close to him.

“You knew I liked him! What the hell!?” You yelled as soon as you got dragged her into another room, tears flooding your face. You found her on a bench sprawled on top of his lap with her knees at each side of his hips. Her arms embracing Zico’s neck as she kissed him. You were appalled at the sight, able to hear the sound of your own heart breaking. It’s as if her hands snatched at your heart, trying to squeeze it until it bursts and then ripping to shreds. You forcefully grabbed her arm, pulling her off his lap and bringing her somewhere else, not even caring to notice the expression Jiho’s face may have had on.

You ranted off on her but she just rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to hear anymore of this.” She started to walk towards the door. You didn’t know what to say. If I let her leave, she’ll leave forever. We’re best friends r-right?

“Wait-“

Her fingers wrapped around the doorknob, not even caring to turn around to look at you. “I was just using you” and with that she left. Probably to go back and continue her make out session with Zico. You were left there speechless, dropping to the floor to wrap your arms around your knees as you cried hysterically. You lost your best friend. And you lost your crush to your best friend.

--

Those big perfectly sculpted arms that you’ve always dreamt wrapped around your waist, were slung over her shoulder. You accidentally made eye contact with the , immediately turning away to face your locker. You felt her gaze unwavering as she continues to stare you down. It made you feel uneasy, as if her eyes were sharp daggers, clawing at your skin.

Zico traced the direction of her hues leading to you. “Oh hey isn’t that-“ stretching out his arm to point at you as he looked down at his girlfriend only to be interrupted by her annoying voice.

“Aish! Never mention her name.” Swinging her arm at him, slapping his arm as she angrily looked at him.

“But weren’t you best friends with her?” His eyebrows creased, frowning at her words.

They continued walking through the hallway until she stopped right by your locker, making him halt as well. “Friends with her?” She loudly spoke, looking at you. “Ha! Babe don’t make me laugh.” She tiptoed up to capture her male’s lips with her own, obviously flaunting him before she spoke up again. “Why would I be friends with this .”

Your tolerance level dropped quickly as you turned to look her straight in the face. “Excuse me? If I wanted to listen to an , I would just fart. Go take your somewhere else.” Slamming your locker, you angrily marched out huffing your cheeks.

Zico tried to hold in his laughter, air snorting out of his nose, his lips twitching for a grin.

Water droplets started forming. ‘Not here..’ That sweet girl who always wiped away those very tears were now the cause of it. Suddenly you started sniffling, brushing your hand roughly at your face that was wet with tears. People were staring. I need to get out of here. You immediately turned at a flight of stairs, not stopping til you reached the roof. Grabbing the doorknob, your hands were shaking as you struggle to pull the handle down and go through the door. You ran towards the bench, barely making it because your knees gave out. Your hands gripped onto the edges of the seat with your head resting on your arms. Letting out loud crying sounds, the sobs wouldn’t stop.

What you didn’t know, the roof was already occupied with someone who almost had a heart attack when you came barging through the door. He turned around to see you bawling rivers into the bench. Unsure what to do, he struggled whether to approach you and do something about it. Finally gaining enough courage, he walked towards you slowly, stopping a few feet away as he reached to deliver a small tap. “A-are you o-okay?”

The sound of another’s voice gave you a fright. You really did not want anyone to see your ugly crying face. “go away” you muttered, not even trying to hold back your sobs.

He frowned as he watched your state. Attempting to help, he spoke again “b-but you don’t-“

“LEAVE ME ALONE OK, I’M FINE” you yelled as your voice broke now looking at his face. You hissed at him, your face red and puffy from the tears. Realizing this, you quickly hid your face in embarrassment. He didn’t do anything. He was only trying to help. I mean if somebody was crying, you would try to go and cheer them up.. right? No, that’s not how high school works. Nobody cares. you thought, making you whimper even more. But you started biting your lip to prevent yourself from making any more sounds, hoping he got scared and leave.

The boy jumped at your sudden outburst hiding his face behind his arms, as if you were about to punch him. Letting down his arms to glance at you, your head was back in your arms, not wanting to look at him. He sighed as he closed the gap between you two even further by sitting on the bench. When you felt weight being pressed on the bench, you mentally scowled ugh why wont he leave!?

Suddenly you hear a soft angelic voice singing. “I have made you cry again. Tears are falling from your beautiful eyes..”

You pretended to ignore it but honestly it was the most beautiful thing you ever heard “Your expressions and your beautiful smile that made me smile at times. Your mistakes and your voice to me, they’re so vivid.”

He grabbed your hands which made you jerk your head up to look at him. Pulling you up, he continued singing and sat you on the bench. “I said I’ll be okay. That I will never fall in love again…” Staring into his dark brown eyes, a tear drop fell. One of the hands that were cupped over yours, reached over to your face, brushing that tear away. His hands felt warm and reassuring. He lightly brought his forehead to yours and serenaded you. “When you were in so much pain because of my selfishness, why didn’t I know?”

Closing your eyes, you listened to his voice, small hiccups escaping your lips. “I can now understand them, where are you? Come back.”

Finishing his song he removed his forehead from yours, only to grab your head and make you lay on his chest. Gripping onto his shirt you let out your sobs again. He doesn’t even know you. He doesn’t even know your problems. And yet, how was he able to comfort you as if he knew everything that was wrong? How was he able to turn your tears of sadness into tears that was touched by his actions, his song, his touch. Your eyes grew very heavy, falling asleep into his arms which tapped you lightly at a steady beat.

--

You wake up 10 minutes later with your head lying on his shoulder. You internally smiled, he’s still here. He stole a glance when he felt you waking up, then faced forward again. “You don’t deserve to be crying like that” he talked, your head not leaving his shoulder.

Unconsciously blurting out “But you don’t even know me, what do you know?” Shocked by your words after all he’s done, you wanted to clasp your hands over your mouth at your disheartened words, “Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean-“

He moved to look at you, your head leaving his shoulders. “Ani.. you’re right. I don’t know you.” then looking down nervously, twiddling his fingers, you can tell he’s actually a shy person. “But the way you cried, I had to do something. No one should cry like that.”

There was a small tug on your lips as you heard his words, your gaze softening. “What’s your name?”

“My name is Taeil.”

--

You introduced yourself as well and started talking with one another. Before you knew it, the bell rang. You both got up from the bench, making you realize how short he is. He was just a couple of inches taller than you. Examining him from head to toe, you couldn’t help but smile at how adorable he is. He had front bangs with jet-black hair and the cutest eyes. What a cute freshmen.

You exhaled a complacent sigh, softly saying “Thank you.” Without realizing it, you leaned over and pecked a small kiss upon his delicate face before recognizing what you had just done, your face flustered bright red as you quickly said ‘sorry’ and bowed your head then ran off to go to class and avoid anymore embarrassment. You left him there dumbfounded, his hand placed over his cheek that was still warm from your kiss.

Throughout class, you found yourself thinking about him. How your head fit perfectly on his neck. How he placed his forehead against yours and how you made eye contact for the first time. Then kissing him. You flushed red at the thought. I’m such an idiot, hitting your head with your fists. Once the last bell had rung, you rushed to your locker. Not even noticing Zico or your ex best friend passing by you as she made faces that you failed to noticed which made her frustrated even further. You were to preoccupied trying to sneak glances if you can Taeil in the hallway but to no success. You sighed reaching your lockers and headed on home. His song replayed in your head, Where are you?

--

It’s been days and you haven’t seen Taeil since you’ve first met him. It was lunchtime and you went outside to eat by yourself. You walked over to sit in the grass, leaning on a tree to shield yourself from the blinding sun. You quietly ate your food, placing the container on your side when you were done. Resting your head on the tree with closed eyes, you started humming his song.

Hearing the familiar tune, Taeil was napping against the tree trunk when he awakened to the melody of own composition. He was astonished, looking in all directions to find the source. Finally he poked his head from behind the tree he rested upon to find you there. A smile graced his lips as he watched and listened to you sing, ‘Where are you? Come back.’

“You have a nice voice.” Your eyes jerked open, heart almost leaping out of your chest. Spotting a figure in the corner of your eye, you pivoted your head towards that direction.

Eyes widening because you finally finding him.. or he found you. You couldn’t help but smile seeing him again. You lightly pushed his shoulder, “Don’t scare me like that!”

Chuckling at your reaction he sat down with you. For a few moments, you both remain quiet—unsure what to say and enjoying the peaceful scenery. You were the one to break the silence by creating conversation, “So you’re a freshmen?”

The ravenette gasped, his mouth gaping as he looked at you feeling offended. He pouted and started complaining, “Why do people always think that? I’m a junior. I’m actually older than most people in my class!” You couldn’t help but laugh. Is he joking? I don’t think so.. but this all was quite humorous to you. “Ya! Don’t laugh.” pursing his lips and crossing his arms.

“Hyung~” A tall boy with chestnut brown hair and goofy smile called out, capturing both our attention as he ran up to us waving.

“Mm, Jihoon?” the junior looked up at his buddy, who had a contagious smile as he returned it. My mouth twitching for a smile just by looking at him.

Jihoon looked at me, speaking in a rough low voice that contrasts the smaller man. “May I steal Taeilie-hyung?” already tugging at his arms.

“Uhh.. sure!” You answered, though you really didn’t want him to leave.

“Thanks!” he pulled up the small hyung and started jogging away. He placed an arm over Taeil’s shoulder and poked at his face.

They look really close. They must be best friends.

--

Everyone scurried off to their next class. You were also but your mind was too distracted, leading you to routes you don’t usually take to go to your class. Looking to your right, you spot Taeil in his classroom along with that guy from before. Zico was there also, sitting atop of a table but you didn’t pay too much attention to him. The three of them along with four others were laughing and joking around. Your eyes kept darting back to look at the angelic singer. You couldn’t help but swoon over his smile. Not knowing where this courage came from but you bravely entered the classroom and made your way to him.

The classroom full of juniors started to stare. Zico noticed you next and said ‘hi’ which caught all of the others’ attention. But this time, he’s not the one you were aiming to see. Taeil was sitting down on the chair, with Jihoon’s arm resting on his shoulder while he stood up. He stared at you with curious brown hues.

“T-Taeil. Come with me for a sec,” you took his arm and brought him out of the room, making the tall maknae stumble when his armrest left. The students in the room making teasing noises as we left the classroom.

“_______ aren’t you supposed to be in class” he wondered, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just- Do you want to go on a date with me?”

Startled by your words, it took him a while to process what you had just said. Every passing second made you more and more nervous. Your arms clasped behind your back as you looked down and kicked your feet. He smiled, trying to meet your eyes. He brought his hand up to your chin, moving it up so you were forced to look at him. “I thought you’d never ask.” He nuzzled his nose against yours with sweet Eskimo kisses before capturing your lips with his own.