The final bell of the day chimed in, filling in the hallways of the school. I watched my seatmate stood up from her seat as our teacher beckoned her over. I gathered my things on my desk, got on my feet and slung my back pack over my shoulder. Along with my other classmates, I handed in my homework to my seat mate who’s now standing by the door, collecting our papers, as I exit our homeroom.

“Hey, Su Ji!” one of my new classmates called out as I joined the thundering corridor. “Happy birthday!” she beamed at me. I frowned at her, wondering how she found out about my birthday since she’s new here at school. Furthermore, it’s only Monday, my birthday is happening this coming Friday.

Before turning into a corner, the girl waved a blue envelope at me and then she disappeared.

“Happy Birthday, Su Ji!” another girl greeted me as she walked past me. “I’ll be there this coming Friday!”

“Wha—” I began, but they continued walking. She was also holding the blue envelope. “Eun Hye!” I called out to her when I reached the school’s lobby.

“Your mother distributed them today a little earlier than last year.” Eun Hye said, holding up her own blue envelope. “And it’s scented now, too.” I groaned in frustration and took the envelope from her hand.

Eun Hye stifled a giggle when I opened the envelope with an unpleasant expression. It was my birthday invitation. Prepared, designed and handed out by mother, and of course I had no idea about it.

“How many do you think she handed out this time?” I asked Eun Hye, while reading the invitation.

“Let’s see, since you’re senior,” Eun Hye said, “I bet everyone in our batch.” I looked around the lobby and noticed pretty much everyone walking past us were holding the annoying blue envelope. They gave me smiles, while most of them scowled at me because I knew their parents will oblige them to attend since our families are “friends”.

“Why does she always do this?” I grunted, crumpling the envelope and throwing it on a nearby trash bin and crossed my arms over my chest, annoyed.

“Hey, that’s my invitation!” Eun Hye protested, “Kidding.” she added when I shot her a look.

“She knows how much I hate my birthday!” I complained to no one in particular. I started to walk briskly towards the gate with Eun Hye trailing behind me. “And yet she always plan this stupid party!”

I heard Eun Hye sighing. “Su Ji,” she began, “Not that I’m siding on your mom, but I think it’s time for you to, you know, celebrate your birthday.”

Still frustrated, I glanced at my best friend sideways. She was looking at me thoughtfully.

“I’m sure your dad would want you to celebrate your birthday.” Eun Hye continued. I looked away from her and heaved a sigh, the frown in my face slowly disappearing. “Don’t be mad.” she added.

“I’m not.” I said truthfully, although I still couldn’t help but feel heavy about this birthday party. I glanced at her again. “Really.”

When we exit the school gate, there were quite many people outside, most of them were students hanging out since it’s after school. However, despite the crowded area, my eyes automatically landed on this tall figure leaning against a truck. He was talking to Kyungsoo while sipping on his drink. Then, as if he knew I was looking at him, Jongin coolly turned his head towards my direction and his face cracked into a smile as bright as the sun that Tuesday afternoon.

“He look so handsome.” Eun Hye sighed beside me.

He was, indeed. He was wearing a navy blue shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, paired with jeans, sneakers and sunglasses. He looked like a model standing there casually, with his hair being swept up to the side by the afternoon wind. Some girls from our school couldn’t help but gawp at the sight of him.

I heard myself making agreeing noises at Eun Hye. Then, I followed her as she make her way towards the boys. We planned to meet after school today, since Kyungsoo and Chanyeol were free, to talk about the film production. Chanyeol kindly offered to bring his truck so we wouldn’t have to commute on the way to the studio.

“Hi, Su Ji!” Chanyeol beamed at me when we reached them. “Where’s our invitation?”

I blinked at him. “What inv—” Jongin pointed at the girl who was holding a blue envelope just across where we were standing. “Oh, that…” I groaned.

“Your schoolmates couldn’t keep their mouth shut about it.” Kyungsoo said with a small smile.

“Are we invited?” Jongin asked, taking off his sunglasses.

“Of course.” I said after a few seconds of thought.

Jongin raised his brows. “That didn’t sound very genuine.” he said somewhat playfully.

“No, it’s not that.” I said quickly. “I’d really want you guys to come.”

Eun Hye chuckled and put her arm around my shoulder. “Will you stop pouting about it?” she said, “We will be there, anyway.” she continued, “We’ll never let your party turn into a fest.” she winked at me mischievously.

“I know.” I chuckled, remembering how she and Da Hee started a food fight last year, which caused dismay to my mom. But it was totally hilarious and fun.

“Now, where is Da Hee?” Eun Hye said, pulling out her phone from her blouse’s pocket.

“I already have something from grandma.” Jongin said to me quietly. I looked up at him, my brows knitted in bemusement. “You asked me if I could show you something that reflects grandma’s personality. For when you paint the shed?” he reminded me.

“Oh, right. Right.” I said, remembering our conversation last night on the phone. “Sorry. I was just thinking about something.”

Jongin grinned. “Excited for your birthday?”

“I told you I hate my birthday.” I told him with a weak smile. Jongin stared me, the smile on his face slowly fading when he realized I wasn’t kidding. Then, his eyes flickered behind me. Ever so slightly, his expression tightened.

I looked behind me and saw Jae Hoon approaching us. I almost forgot he told me he’ll come after school earlier this day. His school was only a five minute walk from ours. He was still wearing his uniform, complete with the blazer, and even though it’s already afternoon, he looked spotless still and good-looking himself, and his steely eyes were on me and Jongin.

“Hi,” he said, giving me a quick peck on the cheek and slipping his hands into mine. “Hey,” he said to Jongin afterwards, giving him a tight smile. Jongin merely tilted his head and averted his gaze. “Can I talk to you for a sec?” he asked me quietly, and I nodded my head.

He stirred me away from the group. We walked towards the stone bench a couple of meters away.

“How was your day?” I asked.

“Exhausting.” he sighed heavily as he squint his eyes due to the sun light streaming around the area. “I received your birthday invitation this morning. It looked really nice.”

I snorted. “Of course, mom had it all planned.”

“She just wants everything to be perfect for you.”

“I don’t need for everything to be perfect.” I muttered.

Jae Hoon sighed passively. “Anyway, I’ll be going to the country club today. Can you come and watch me play?” he asked, looking at me.

“I thought I told you I’ll be having—”

“The film production, yes.” he interrupted, irritatingly, “Can’t you skip just for once?”

“Jae Hoon, it’s due next month.” I reasoned out, “I can’t skip now. Besides, if we finish early we would have much more time with each other.”

“But I want to spend time with you right now.” Jae Hoon protested, “We didn’t spent summer together like we used to. You’re so busy with the film production. I just want to spend some time with you. I thought we’re going to work things out between us?”

“We are.” I said, biting my bottom lip guiltily. It was true what he said, we used to spend summer together, in fact, we’re completely inseparable but the past summer was a complete contrast to our tradition.

Jae Hoon ran his fingers through his hair gallingly and stood up from his seat. “Go ahead,” he said. He didn’t sound angry or upset, just dull and exhausted. “I’ll just meet you tomorrow.” he resigned, gently brushing my hair off my face.

“No,” I said, “I’ll go with you today.”

“If it’s important,” he began, “I understand—”

“No, it’s not that important.” I said, pulling a smile. “It was just a meeting in fact. I’ll just call Eun Hye about it when I get home later.”

Jae Hoon looked at me for a minute and then he smiled. “All right.”

Jae Hoon waited for me while I went back to the group to tell them I couldn’t join them tonight. Before leaving, I waved at my friends good bye, all of them returned the gesture. Well, except Jongin who had his back turned against me.

I spent the next hour watching Jae Hoon and his friends play basket ball. He said basket ball had always been helpful for him in relaxing. Soon, I found out he had an argument with his father last night, hence, his grumpy attitude. I gave him a smile and small wave after he made a score.

After the game, I went with Jae Hoon’s friends to an ice cream parlor. While eating, Jae Hoon’s cell phone rang, it was his father, demanding for him to go home at once. He hung up the phone with a frustrated expression and told me he’ll bring me home first. But I told him I’ll be fine, knowing his father, he didn’t want to kept waiting. He knew I was right so he merely kissed my forehead, told me to get home safely and then he took off.

While waiting for the bus, an idea struck me. Instead of going home, I went straight to the studio, hoping my friends isn’t done with the meeting yet.

“Su Ji?” someone called while I was rushing inside the apartment building. It was Jongin, coming down from the stairs. He looked a bit surprised to see me.

“Is it over?” I asked him, panting a little from hastening to get here.

“Yeah,” Jongin said, walking towards me. “Did you ran on your way here?” he asked, his eyes lingering on my forehead where beads of sweat started to form.

“Well, I was hoping I could catch up with you guys.”

Jongin chuckled a little. “It’s over.” he said, “But I could give you the outline if you like.”

I drew a deep breath and smiled. “I’d love that.”

As we made our way to the bus stop, Jongin told me about the things they talked about on the meeting and that he was still in the studio because Eun Hye asked