"Good morning, Ella," Sandeul hugged her from behind. He buried his face into her hair, inhaling the sweet smell of her shampoo. The mixture of apples and jasmine numbed his senses. She giggled and squirmed out of his grip.

                "Oppa! That tickles," she turned around and hugged him. "Oh, and good morning to you too."

--

                "What do you want to eat?" Sandeul asked. He held onto Ella's hand firmly, afraid that the swarm of students would separate them. Ella shrugged her shoulders.

                "I'll eat whatever you're having," she smiled, childishly swinging their arms back and forth. They entered the crowded cafeteria and pushed their way towards the line up. Some students scowled at their impediment while others grumbled to themselves, too hungry to care.

                "Why don't you go find a table and I'll get the food?" he asked. Ella just nodded her head and scanned the room for an open seat. She spotted one on the other side of the room and quickly manoeuvred through the tiny spaces in the cramped room. She claimed the table just in time and took a seat. Preoccupied with her bag, Ella didn't notice someone sit at the table with her. 'Look at her, acting so clueless and cute.' As if she had heard his thoughts, Ella looked up at him. Her expression darkened for a second before she replaced it with a blank one.

                "What do you want, Jin Young-sshi?" she crossed her arms. He noticed her defensive posture and held up his hands in innocence.

                "There were no free tables and yours was the only one with extra seats. Don't worry. Your precious boyfriend still has a seat," he rolled his eyes and dug into his lunch. Ella didn't know why, but her eyes kept focussing on his lips. She noticed the way he chewed and stray sauce off his lips. It reminded her of their kiss.

                “We’re not dating.” Jin Young rolled his eyes yet again.

                “Right, keep telling yourself that.” As if on cue, Sandeul came with his tray, ending the tension between the two.

                "I'm back. Hi, hyung," Sandeul gave Ella the tray and sat down. Lately the two boys got along better, only because Jin Young stopped ordering Ella around. Sandeul always wondered why, but he was afraid of bringing it up. There was always a chance that his comment would spark up another round of ridicule.

                "So, how are you midterms, Oppa?" Ella asked Sandeul. He took a sip of his juice in thought. "They're good. They aren't as hard as I thought they would be, thanks to you," he grinned and pinched her cheek. She squeaked and pushed his hand away.

                "Owwie." Jin Young's heart started to beat faster. 'Why must she taunt me with her pouts? Damn,' his fists tightened under the table and he abruptly stood up.

                "I'll see you at tutor. Bye, Deul," he stormed off without a second glance.

                "What's up with him?" Sandeul watched his friend leave.

                "Beats me."

                "So, Ella. About my question last time, is it the right time to ask now?" he looked at her hopefully.

                It had been weeks since the first time he asked and it certainly wasn't his last. Almost every day he asked her once and every time it was the routine. He would ask if it was it the right time yet, and every single time, she would reply ambiguously. She didn't actually say no because his questions weren't exactly favours or demands.

                Ella looked down at her clasped hands. She really wanted to say yes, but she was afraid. Love was something new to her. Her father and step mother showed her love, but this was different. Nobody had ever showed her any affection, in a relationship sort of way. Should she just say yes? Her mind was on a different track than was, and the words came out before she could stop herself.

                "Ask me again later," she pouted at him. He smiled understandingly and nodded his head. She mentally slapped herself for chickening out, yet again.

                "Let's get to class; the bell is going to ring," he led her out of the cafeteria. She could tell he was a little bit upset and felt bad. 'Why can't I just agree?' she thought. An image of her kiss with Jin flashed through her thoughts. 'Can't be because of that. It just can't,' she shook the thought away.

--

                "Here are your review notes. I've compiled all the course material from the chapters that will be on the midterm for you. Also, I've written up some practice sheets. These might help out a bit," Ella slid the inch high stack of papers over to Jin Young. He took them without a word. At first glance, the notes looked typed, but with a closer look, he noticed that it was all hand written. Now that he thought about it, all of the worksheets she had given him were all written, not typed. 'Wow, she must've spent a long time writing this up,' he flipped through pages, skimming through her neat handwriting.

                "Thanks. So, how is your studying coming along?" he tried to break the ice. The tension the air was thick. Jin Young could feel it pressing down on him, and he knew she felt it too. Her fidgeting and restlessness were tell-tale signs that she was not comfortable and wanted out.

                "It's okay. A lot to study for, but it's manageable," she shrugged. Another awkward silence settled in the room and neither of them could speak. "Um, so, I wrote up some study notes for your other classes as well. The teachers did ask me to help with all your classes," she pulled out a large brown envelope, thick with papers. Jin Young stared at it in awe. Why was she doing this for him? 'Because she was asked to, why else?' He couldn't help but hope that she had made the notes for him just because she wanted to, not because she was supposed to. He wanted to be a little bit selfish. He wanted her to care for him and be worried for him. But, he knew it was wishful thinking.

                "Thank you. I really appreciate this. I'm sorry if this took up your study time."

                "No worries. I'm taking some of those classes, so I just made another copy of the notes I had taken." He softened at her generosity. Before he could stop himself, words started coming out his mouth, faster than he could comprehend the thoughts.

                "How come you keep avoiding me? How come I can only see you during tutor? How come you can't talk about the kiss? How come it had to be Deul?" She started at him, gaping at his sudden bout of questions. Why was he so bothered? She got up and dismissed herself, trying to avoid the awkward situation. "Why not me, Ella?" She stopped mid-step. Did she just hear him properly? The guy who made her sign a slave contract, the guy who clearly stated that he hated her guts, the guy who loved to order her around was asking her why she didn't like him. She heard the chair scraping against the floor and some quick footsteps. His embrace sent shivers down her spine. Warmth radiated from his body, spreading across her skin where there was contact. This was wrong. Why was she reacting to him? She can't possibly like him back. She couldn't. Sandeul's smiling face flashed before her eyes and she pulled out of his hug.

                "I'm sorry. I have to go," she pushed the empty feelings away and ran out of the room. Stumbling down the stairs, she raced out of the library and burst through the school's front doors. In the distance, she spotted Sandeul shooting hoops on the empty basketball court. He seemed a little out of his game and was missing all of his shots. Something was bothering him and she knew what to do to cheer him up. Ella heaved a sigh and jogged over to him. He looked up at the sound of her footsteps and a smile automatically spread across his face.

                "Ella! You're out early," he dribbled the ball. She came to a stop and tried to catch her breath. He chuckled at her flustered expression. Wisps of smoke formed as her warm breaths sliced through the cold winter air. She managed to slow down her breathing and finally straightened up. His smile disappeared when he saw the serious look in her eyes.

                "Ask me." Sandeul's eyes widened.

                "What?"

                "Ask me. Ask me the question. Ask me what you had asked this morning. Hurry, before I change my mind!" He stared at her, dumbfounded. Just that morning she had avoided his question and now she was asking him to ask her again. 'Maybe there's a reason for her to ask me like this. Maybe she's going to accept it.' He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and cleared it with a cough.

                "Um, okay. Uh, Ella, can I ask you a question?"

                "Yes," she replied without hesitation, looking him straight in the eyes. There was no backing down now. Sandeul was prepared for rejection or acceptance. Taking a deep breath, he asked the one question he had been dying to know the answer for these past few weeks.

                "Ella, will you be my girlfriend?" he crossed his fingers behind his back. Although she was the one who approached him, he couldn't help but feel a bit skeptical. She could've changed her mind for all he knew. Ella looked at him in the eyes and took a step forward. She reached out and grabbed his hand, closing the space between them. She tilted her head up and stopped just before their lips touched.

                "Yes. I'll be your girlfriend," she whispered and went on her tippy toes. Their lips met and he wrapped an arm around her waist. They both smiled through the kiss. Sandeul broke away first and held her back a bit.

                "So you really mean it? You'll be my girl?" Ella gave him another soft kiss and pulled back.

"Does that answer your question?"

                "Uhh, nope. I think I missed that. Mind repeating your answer?" he cheekily smiled at her. She chuckled and gave him another peck. 'To forget, I must move on.'

--

                From the front doors, Jin Young witnessed the whole confession. His hands balled into fists and his breathing became heavy. It took a lot of will power to keep him from going over and ruining the special moment. 'I can't do that to Deul though. He’s my best friend. It’ll ruin the group if we end up fighting. I'll just have to move on then. It’s the right thing to do. Deul, I’m stepping back so you can have her. Take care of each other.' He punched the wall in vain, busting his knuckled open. The splits stung as cold air brushed over it. Blood began to bead and drip down his fingertips. ‘This is the end,’ he looked at his blood pooling on the floor. Dejected, he left the school; the pain from his wounds numbed his broken heart.

I decided to give MC Tales a rest for this chapter. Tales needs to help me with my studying and is resting now. Anyway, this chapter was eh. I think I'm just indifferent now since it's crunch time at school. Pulling out papers from who knows where when I could've started them earlier on in the term. Smart, I know, but I'm not the only one >_<

Anyway, I've planned out the rest of this story. All that's left is to write it. Hehehehe, I'll be pretty busy until Christmas time with finals and work, so most likely it won't be done until the next year. SORRY XDD But, I'll probably update more often after Dec. 22nd, since that's the date of my last exam. Why so late? I don't know. I think it's my school's sick joke for a present. Disgusting....

I've talked too much....Oh, I edited it, but I'm sure there are still mistakes LOL. 

See you in the next Chapter!

-greenninjapanda GNP-