The alarm haven’t rung but Jessica was already wide awake in her bed. And that feeling didn’t go away.

She had to do something, she had to get rid of this ridiculous retaining strange feelings for Jonghyun. She must run. Maybe literally. She bounced off the bed immediately, got changed and crept passed Jonghyun’s bedroom. She thought she saw his lights on, maybe he forgot to turn it off. He wouldn’t be awake before she came to wake him up for sure. That was the lazy Kim Jonghyun that she knew.

But at 7.30pm, Jessica had returned from her morning jog to find a note stuck on her door.

“ Gotta pick sekyung up to school today, important things to tell her. Go school yourself. Sorry please don’t punish me! Btw, I finished the laundry. You mixed up the basket and there’s some of your underwears on my sofa too.”

She pulled it out at once, a tad too fast before she was clearly annoyed with seeing the word Sekyung. Which doesn’t explain anything because 1) sekyung was his girlfriend 2) she shouldn’t feel this way! 3) oh my god.. am I actually jealous? 4) and he has my underwears.. screw my life.

The day proceeded on slowly as Jessica made her way down for breakfast alone. As she chewed on her toast she couldn’t help but felt strange in this.. quietness. There was no jonghyun’s voice yanking on about something and there was no whining or complaining about something.

She could even run around without a bra this moment!

She told herself she should treasure this peacefulness. Finally karma was repaying her!

Walking to the garage Jessica pulled out a key. Finally her parents had gotten her a car. Perhaps it was also one of the things that did to get rid of their guilt for making her cry that night, who knows, but she had missed driving so much.

“ Good morning Miss Jung! “, one of the gardener called out. She smiled heartily in reply as she stepped into her red mini cooper.

Now I can blast the super junior songs and sing along as loud as I like!!!

The drive to the school has never felt so long but Jessica was kinda grateful to be away from Jonghyun because she figured she really couldn’t cope with any more of him.

But the problem is she lives with him.. opposite him to be more specific.

But if she can just keep her head down and disappears into her room as soon as it is humanly possible then everything will be fine. Life would return to normal and she will stop feeling as if she has this weird radar that operates only to catch any glimpse of him ( which is suppose to be disgusting and weird right?! ). It’s like every nerve in her body jolts at any slight of him for the whole day and night and she becomes conscious suddenly of herself when he’s around, which is all the time. And that’s the problem. Why does he have this crazy invisible magnetic force that makes her feel so attracted to!!? It’s either that he’s driving her crazy in a silly crush way or she’s really crazy like mentally unstable. Either way it’s crazy.

Never in her wildest dream, has this ever ever occurred.

It must be that night she was punished. She’s just feeling grateful and confused for the moment that’s all. Nothing more. She told herself repeatedly.

--

“ Are you listening? “ Sekyung’s voice shook Jonghyun back to attention. He haven’t exactly been listening to her, honestly he tuned off at the mention of calories count. Or was it the new lipstick? See, clearly he haven’t been listening.

“ Yeah.. “ Jonghyun lied. It was usually easy for him to focus on the road but today he couldn’t. A lot was on his mind. The thing was, ever since that night he haven’t quite felt the same way about Se kyung. Or to be exact it finally made him realized he didn’t feel the way he felt with her the first day they got together for a long while now.

“ What’s the matter? You look distracted today.. “ she commented.

Jonghyun managed a nervous laugh “ Oh.. I’m just tired I guess.. “ 

He wondered when he could open his mouth and tell her. School was just around the corner and there was no more time. Maybe he should just give it up..

Se kyung had looked uncomfortable shifting in the seat for awhile now.

“ And what’s with the seat? I never had to shift it before and now it’s like.. all so funny. Who’s been sitting in your car? “ She frowned, still adjusting it.

“ Ah.. Jessica.. “ he said.

“ Jessica?” Se kyung repeated, but with a distinctly different tone.

“ Yeah well.. you know she seats in my car everyday. “ He told her casually.

“ Why? Can’t she take the bus?”

Suddenly jonghyun felt a tiny bit offended. “ Why does she have to take the bus? What’s wrong with taking my car? We live together and we go to the same school. It doesn’t make sense for us not to go everywhere together. “ Jonghyun explained, a little angrier than he should.

He found his girlfriend now staring back at him in an unbelievable stare. The necklace he bought for her certainly didn’t look good on her now with this expression. “ Are you siding her right now?”

“ God. How many times do we have to do this? You’re so insecure! “ He finally burst out. School was within 5 minutes of driving now. He took a U turn, this was gonna take another 2 more rounds.

After 15 minutes of bickering, finally Jonghyun had built up to get to his real point. “ You know what, this isn’t about Jessica. It’s about you! It’s always about you. You don’t make time for me when you can afford to. I try every way I can to make it up to you every single chance I have! And what do I get? Your unreasonable whinings, you don’t even trust me! It doesn’t have to be Jessica! It could be any other girl around and you would still blame me the same way! Maybe, you know“ he paused. He could see her nearing tears now. But he had to do it for himself and for her. “ We should just take a break. I’m not sure of how I feel right now. We spend more time arguing with each other than actually enjoying ourselves“

“ It’s that night isn’t it? My birthday party. You hated that whole thing! You were judging me weren’t you?” She raised her voice.

Jonghyun looked at her, shocked and even angrier. “ NO! It’s not just about that night okay? It’s everything! That night just made me realized that you.. I don’t know whether you’ve changed or this is the real you. I really don’t. “

It was an upsetting silence. Jonghyun felt bitter about making her cry too. Was he doing the right thing? Maybe, maybe spending too much time with Jessica made him waver because he doesn’t get to spend time with Sekyung.. maybe. She wouldn’t stop crying.

“ stop crying. you’re gonna ruin your make-up.. “ he said, looking straight.

Then unexpectedly she asked, “ Are you breaking up with me?”

He remained silent. It seemed to much of a gamble to let her go now because he wasn’t quite sure if he really liked Jessica.

“ I said let’s take a break.. “ He mumbled, looking down at his feet. There was nothing special there, but it was the only place he haven’t stared at in this whole car.

“ Okay.. But we’re still together right? “ She took his hands in hers.

Jonghyun didn’t move. He sighed. Then he looked at her again, “ yeah. “ he said. This was bad, really bad. Deep down inside he had no intention of holding on but seeing her cry didn’t help either.

--

School had proceeded almost the way it usually would, the mysterious milk boy had her milk cutely tied on her locker again. Jessica smiled to herself, pulling it out and let out a sigh.

I hope you’re nothing like Jonghyun.. she mumbled.

The day had gone by painfully slow, dancing was tough and Jessica was also aware that her project with TOP was over ( they got an A for it of course) and that meant that she had no more reason to talk to him or sit in his car anymore. Such a pity, considering that the last time it didn’t exactly went her way.

Just right after school was done Jessica headed for the new drinks vending machine near her locker and was staring at the cans, trying to figure out which would taste best, when a deep voice interrupted her.

“ Soft drinks isn’t healthy for you. “ Jessica look up and her heart sank. It’s TOP. He had his hands in his pockets and that charming little smile spread across his face.

“ Oh I know. But once in a while is fine I guess?“, she said, trying to sound breezy.

“ Can I take you out for dinner tonight?” TOP said, leaning on the machine.

“ Tonight?” Jessica repeated, not believing what she was hearing.

Surely he can’t be serious..

“ I’ll pick you up at 7”

Just like that, he was gone. And she had a date with TOP.

Just like that.

--

Hours and hours passed and patiently Jessica waited till school was over then she got home faster than she had recalled.

As Jonghyun heard the familiar footsteps running up the staircase he bounced up and popped his head out. It must be her. The troublemaker who made him wait for 15 minutes only to text him later saying that she’ll

come home by herself today and that there was no lesson for this afternoon.

Jessica’s face appeared at the corner of the corridor and Jonghyun immediately ducked back into his room, pouncing on his couch as if he hadn’t been waiting for her.

Jessica haven’t turn to give him a single glance as she entered her room.“ Hey! “ she said to him quickly behind her back.

“ H-“ Jonghyun wanted to reply, but Jessica had closed her door.

Flustered, Jonghyun got up, swung her door open and stood leaning on the door frame.

“ Why are you in such a rush?!” He asked her again.

Jessica was now scrambling through her closet and pushing through all her clothes hanging in the huge walk-in wardrobe one by one.
“ Ah.. no no no no no” She mumbled. Then suddenly her face lit up as she pulled her hands to a halt at a particular baby blue dress.

“ Help me iron this will you? Please. I need it desperately! “ 

Then she had disappeared, running towards the bathroom.

Bewildered, Jonghyun could hardly conture the correct expression.

“ What’s this for?” He demanded, holding the dress in his hand.

“ It’s for my date with TOP ~ “ She sung back and Jonghyun’s head was all ready to explode.

“ IM NOT IRONING YOUR STUPID DRESS! “ He shouted after her. But she had already the shower head. Staring back at his hands, jonghyun could not believe her! Did she actually said she was going on a date with TOP?!

Jonghyun found it rather ridiculous that he had to be ironing a dress for Jessica’s date with TOP. And that was about the key encouraging factor to his evil plan.

Bringing it down to the laundry room, Jonghyun managed to get the ironing board standing up right with much help from the housekeepers. Then with no further assistance required, Jonghyun turned the heat of the iron up to its maximum. Then when he could smell it burning like a fried chicken, he placed it on the dress and let it stay there till he could see brown patches appearing.

After what seemed like 2 minutes, Jonghyun carefully pulled Jessica’s dress up and lifted infront of his eyes.

Isn’t it prettier like that? He smirked.

“ Where’s my dress? “

Jessica barged into Jonghyun’s room after she was done showering. Jonghyun was flipping through his channels, deciding whether the Simpsons or Family guy was the worst choice to be watching on this aimless afternoon.

Nonchalantly, he handed her the dress that was buried under the pillows. “ Here.”

Jessica took it.

There was silence.

Jonghyun smirked.

Then Jessica screamed.

“ OH MY GOD! IT HAS A HOLD IN IT !!! WHY DID YOU BURN IT!??!”

Jessica was freaking out with every nerves she has in her body, shaking in her hands was her beautiful baby blue dress that had now turned brown for a good 80% with the remaining 20% missing because there was a huge hole in the middle.

He could barely control his smile. Looking up at her, he simply shrugged.“ Sorry.. I’m not good with ironing.. “ then he added casually, “ oh come on I’ll buy you a new dress.. “

“ YOU ARE UNBELIEVEABLE ! URGH! “ She said, stomping her feet and jumping irritably on her spot.

“ Don’t go then! “ Jonghyun suggested.

“ Because a stupid person like you burnt a hole in my dress?! NO! Even if I have to strip I’d still go on a dinner with TOP! “

“ Okay fine. Then wear something else then! It’s just a dinner. Wear one of your tees and jeans! Those that you always wear when we go out for dinner! “

“ No! But I want to wear that one! “

“ WHY?! What’s wrong with normal clothes? “

“ Because that dress makes me s look bigger! “

Hearing it, Jonghyun’s nostril were flaring now. He was glad he burnt it, he should definitely have! Infact, he should even have torn in to pieces!

But Jessica had already stomped back to her room and within minutes she was done. Jonghyun stared at her door and she stepped out, still pouting as she walked.

“ What is that?!” He stopped her. His eyes had almost popped out of its socket staring at the tighest mini black dress Jessica was in.

“ That’s the dress I’m gonna wear out!” She replied, screaming back at him from where she stood.

“ NO YOU CANT!”

“ What do you mean I can’t? I CAN WEAR ANYTHING I WANT!”

“ NO! It’s too revealing! You’re not gonna go anywhere in that dress. I don’t care”

“ Well too bad if you don’t because I DO. And I’m gonna go out in this now since you burnt my favourite dress and left me with no choice!”

“ GOD! Have you ever seen any nanny dressed like that?! Nannies don’t wear revealing dress okay?! THEY JUST DON’T!”

“ Well excuse me, have you ever seen a kid who’s 19 years old with a nanny? BECAUSE I DON’T TOO! GROW UP! “

“ I DON’T CARE. I AM NOT LETTING YOU GO OUT IN THAT! “ Jonghyun shouted, then he immediately got up, Jessica screamed, then she dropped her shoes and began running back to her room. But Jonghyun was fast enough as he lurched forward and grabbed her from the back, lifted her up and carried her back into her bathroom. Hitting and screaming, Jessica kicked as hard as she could, pulling Jonghyun’s hair all the way as he shouted, “ OUCH OUCH STOP IT STOP PULLING MY HAIR !!!!”

Then as he let her down, Jessica began attacking him with a series of punches all around his chest as Jonghyun’s hands caught hers, preventing her from punching him more.

“ LET ME GO!! “ She screamed.

" You wanna fight with me? You can't win me okay? You're a mini-human. You fight like a hamster " He mocked. Jessica stepped on his foot and Jonghyun had began hopping and jumping then finally he lifted her up again, this time he had placed her into the bathtub then he ran out of the bathroom, shutting the door closed after him.

Rummaging through her closet, he cannot imagine how much nonsense she had for such a little girl.

“ How much clothes in the same color do you really need.. “ he grunted as he goes through her clothes hurriedly.

Then returning back, Jonghyun threw Jessica a pair of jeans and a plain t shirt.

“ You’re gonna wear that.Change into it. NOW ”

“ NO” She retorted.

“ OR I WILL DO IT FOR YOU.” He said, stepping closer to her and grabbed her shoulders.

Jessica began screaming again, hitting him repeatedly with the lame jeans she had in her hands which wasn’t proving to be inflicting a lot of pain to his strong chest.

“ Are you gonna change now?” He threatened, stepping closer to her, still Jessica was being stubborn. She was still trying to push him away from her. Then Jonghyun slipped hands down to both her thighs, his fingers playing along the hem of her dress, teasing to pull it up.

“OKAY OKAY OKAY!” Jessica shriek as he finally took a step back.

Jonghyun laughed as he watched the fear that was painted across her face. Then he began retreating back to his room, waiting for Jessica to finish changing.

“ Is this fine?! “ She snapped at him sometime later she came out. Jonghyun turned and studied her outfit. Jeans, tshirt and a cardigan. Looks unattractive enough for TOP not to like. So he nodded okay.

Jessica huffed as she hop down the stairs, this stupid guy was a psycho. She couldn’t even believe anyone could even be this crazy.

But as TOP arrived and she took a seat into his car, Jessica had found that she couldn’t stop replaying the moment when jonhyun came so close to her, trying to pull her dress up. Her heart beat faster.

“ Are you okay?” Top asked, looking over as he drove.

“ Y-yeah.” She lied.

Dinner had turned out well, it was almost perfect. TOP had never been this charming and Jessica thought that maybe there was hope afterall. He laughed at everything she said and she took great interest in whatever he had to say. Although the chemistry wasn’t completely electrifying but she reckon it could be improved over time. All she needed was a couple more dates and she was gonna be on her way of forgetting that she had a stupid momentarily crush on this obnoxious and unmanly Jonghyun.

--

Flipping on his bed, Jonghyun wondered if Jessica was done showering. It had been almost an hour since she returned and he had contemplated whether it was okay to talk to her. Would it mean he cared too much for her?

He finally dismissed these thoughts with a loud huff.

And without thinking his feet brought him to her bedroom door. He wondered if it was weird to knock, because he usually never did. Would she find it weird? But he felt weird about it anyway.

But how else was he gonna go into her room without being strange?

He knocked. Then he opened the door.

Jessica was on her bed watching tv as she looked at him.

“ What do you want?”

“ Just thought I’d pop in.”

Jessica stared at Jonghyun, appalled. She couldn’t think of a single thing that might have prompted him to turn up,here,in her room,on a weekday late night, uninvited,without even giving her a warning. It was a good thing she still has her bra on.

There should be a few good reasons though, for him to know better not to turn up.

1. She was still pissed with him for burning her favourite dress
2. She was still unsure of her feelings for him
3. Just when TOP has appeared to save her and possibly regained her adoration back Jonghyun should stay away from her and not make it any more difficult.

But instead, of course he is here. With no reason. This wasn’t like him at all. He had mentioned countless of times how much he hates her “small” room ( which is hardly small, really ) and that he’d rather sleep in the laundry room than stay in it.

Whatever it is, there was no precedent for this odd behaviour, and she immediately assumed that something terrible must have happened. At the very least, someone must have died.

“ What’s wrong?” Jessica asked.

“ Nothing’s wrong.”

“ Is everything okay?”

“ Everything’s fine,” Jonghyun replied.

They stared at one another across the room from where Jonghyun stand at the door and the king size bed that Jessica was lying on.

“ What’re you watching?”, asked Jonghyun eventually. Pointing his head to the direction of Jessica’s TV. He was already taking a seat on her couch. Jessica was even more puzzled. What’s up with him!?

“ Fine. My tv is spoilt okay?! Stop staring at me like that.. I have nothing to do.. “ He admitted finally.

--

A couple of hours later they were watching DVDs and Jessica had lent Jonghyun one of his pillows.

She didn’t understand how this had happened. She had no recollection of agreeing to have Jonghyun in her room, or of giving even the slightest hint that he was welcome to stay. But judging from the way he was slouching all over her couch he was staying there for a long time. Nevertheless she found herself smiling, and she hid it with her blanket. She was aware she looked silly.

The movie credits was rolling now and Jonghyun did a lazy stretch.

“ Isn’t this the best movie ever?” asked Jessica as she got up to turn off the dvd player.

“ Yeah it’s not bad actually.. “ Jonghyun had to admit. Romeo & Juliet had never crossed his mind as being anything more than plain stupid and cheesy but now that he’d seen it it wasn’t bad at all.

“ Everything here is perfect. The videography, the storyline, the script, the music, everything. Pure perfection of art at its best. “ she went on, “ And Juliet is so beautiful, I can just go on and on about her!”

“ yeah but I’m not a fan of those clothes.. although the flowers on her head were quite pretty”. Jonghyun pointed to one of the DVDs that Jessica had raised up for him to choose next.

“ What? Are you crazy? Flowers on anyone’s head is ugly.”

“ Don’t be ridiculous, I think girls look pretty with flowers on their head. How could you not like it? You’re a girl! “

“ Okay fine whatever. But the movie is still good anyway.”

“ Is it that good?” jonghyun raised an eyebrow and watched as Jessica climbed back into her bed.

“ Of course! Every girl loves this.”

“ Well not every girl, Se kyung for one, hates it”

Jessica shrugged. “ Each to their own,” she said. But Jonghyun could see that she really wanted to say, “ How can anyone call themselves an actress if you can’t even appreciate such a beautiful movie?”

“ Just say it.” He encouraged Jessica.

She laughed and looked at him, “ What?”

“ I know you’d have something mean to say about Se kyung about this. I know you too well”.

Jessica smirked. “ And then what? Give you the satisfaction of seeing me as the mean ? Nah. I’d give that a miss. I’m pretty nice” She joked.

 “ That’s true.” Jonghyun said quietly as Jessica dimed the light. The movie had began and he was sure that she didn’t hear him saying that.

As he looked at her he felt a stirring inside. And he can’t quite figure out what that means just yet.