“Are you sure you wanna go out with the trash alone?” Kevin asked as he leaned against the kitchen doorframe. “It’s very dark outside.” His voice had a teasing tone to it as he flashed a smile. “I’ll be fine. The movie didn’t scare me that much.” Yumi said as she opened the trashcan. “Whatever you say.” Kevin turned to walk back towards the living room. Yumi’s eyes followed him until he disappeared around the hallway corner. “I really don’t want to go outside alone.” Yumi made a pouty face as she looked out the window. “Damn my stubbornness.” Yumi said as she sighed and opened the backdoor to walk outside. She walked quickly as she did her best to not look anywhere else than the trash bin next to the neighbour’s car. “Ahhh… It’s so dark!” Yumi bit her lip after putting the trash down. “Just run and you will be fine.” She said as she started to run back towards the backdoor. As she was almost there she stumbled over her own legs and landed on her side. “Ouch!” She mumbled as she rubbed her right side as she got up. Kevin heard her fall, since she had made a small whimper when she hit the ground. “Are you okay?” Kevin sounded concerned as he helped Yumi up. “Were you running to fast?” Yumi just glared at Kevin. “No…” Kevin chuckled. “You could just have asked me to go with you.” Yumi frowned as she looked to the ground as she grabbed her side again. “Does it hurt a lot? Maybe we should check if you’re okay.” Yumi just shook her head. “No need. This happens all the time.” Kevin eyes got slightly bigger. “All the time? How do you live?” Yumi shrugged. “I have no idea… Ouch.” Kevin helped Yumi get inside so she could lie down on the couch. “I don’t care what you say, I’m gonna check it.” Kevin sternly said as he lifted Yumi’s shirt up a little. “Uhm Kevin… I don’t… ARRHG.” Yumi shifted uncomfortably on the couch. “Just stay still.” Yumi couldn’t help but blush as she noticed Kevin’s serious face as his fingers trailed over her bare skin. “You are gonna get one hell of a bruise. Maybe we should put some ice on this.” Yumi shyly nodded. “We have an icepack in the freezer.” Kevin got up and went to get it. “I can’t believe I just touched her bare skin.”

Kevin felt his body heat up as he for the first time really looked at Yumi’s bare stomach and side. He loved how her milky white skin was almost shining in the dim living room light. Kevin shook his head as he came closer with the icepack. “Here you go.” Yumi smiled as she mumbled a “thank you” and took the icepack. “Uuh that’s cold.” She exclaimed as she laid the icepack on her side. Kevin gently moved Yumi’s legs so he could sit on the couch as well. He made it so Yumi’s legs were resting in his lap. “Does it feel better?” Kevin asked with a concerned voice. Yumi just nodded as she sat up a bit. “Much better, it’s almost gone. Thank you.” They exchanged smiles and started to stare into each other’s eyes. “Yumi?” Kevin gently asked as he moved Yumi’s legs so he could move closer. Yumi just nodded as she sat up completely. Kevin moved so their faces were only inches apart and held his right hand to Yumi’s cheek. Theirs eyes kept their stares as They both leaned in for a soft kiss.

Kevin loved the feeling of Yumi’s lips on his and felt himself wanting more of her. He gently pressed Yumi down on the couch as their kiss became more heated. As Kevin pulled away he looked into Yumi’s beautiful eyes. “I really, REALLY like you.” Yumi giggled while she blushed. “I REALLY like you too.” Kevin smiled as he captured Yumi’s lips in another kiss, this time more passionate. Kevin gently bit down on Yumi’s bottom lip, which made her gasp. He used the opportunity to slide in tongue and deepen the kiss further. Yumi let out a pleased sigh as Kevin pressed himself closer to her body. Yumi tangled her fingers into Kevin hair as her body started to feel hot. Kevin pulled away and rested his forehead on Yumi’s. “Wauw.” Kevin said as he looked into Yumi’s eyes. “I really need to relax now.” Kevin sighed as he slightly pulled away. Yumi caressed Kevin cheek as she smiled. “Don’t worry. I liked it.” Yumi immediately put her hand over . Kevin chuckled as he completely pulled away and made Yumi sit up. “Let’s just go slow.” Kevin suggested as he took Yumi’s hand into his. “I like the sound of that.” Yumi said as she gently kissed Kevin on the cheek, which made him blush.         

~*~

“Aish Yumi! You need to pull yourself together now! The finals are in five weeks and you are only half way. What is going through your mind today?” Yumi sighed as she looked up at Kevin. “It’s just that… Something is bothering me but I can’t really say what since I’m afraid it will make things awkward.” Kevin tilted his head in confusion. “You know you can tell me anything.” Yum bit down on her bottom lip. “Well it’s about you, so I don’t really know.” Kevin’s eyes turned curious as he leaned across the table, looking into Yumi’s eyes. “Tell me.” Yumi sighed. “I just think it’s weird you haven’t asked me to be your girlfriend yet.” Kevin raised his eyebrow. “I thought it was obvious.” Kevin stated as he looked a bit surprised that Yumi hadn’t thought the same. Yumi’s eyes went wide as she dumfounded looked back at Kevin. “Are you serious?” Kevin nodded while laughing. “You are just so cute.” Kevin said as he ruffled Yumi’s hair. “Ya! Stop that.” Yumi moved Kevin’s hands away. “Don’t you know better than to touch a girl’s hair?” Yumi frowned as she started to fix her hair back to its original state. “Aww but I’m your boyfriend now. That gives me special privileges.” Kevin flashed a cheesy smile as he ruffled Yumi’s hair once again. “Kevin!” Yumi whined. “Wait… So we are a couple now?” Yumi looked up at Kevin with big eyes. “Do you ever listen to me, jagi-ya?” Kevin poked Yumi’s forehead. Yumi started to blush as she heard “jagi-ya” being said to her. “Kevin is my boyfriend? OH MY GOSH! Am I dreaming!?” Kevin poked Yumi’s forehead again. “Enough daydreaming. Finish your math problems.”

Yumi and Kevin were walking down the hall as Yumi suddenly got lifted into the air. “WOAH!” Yumi exclaimed in surprise as she held her hands to her heart. “Sorry noona.. Did I scare you?” Yumi turned to the person who had just put her back on the ground. “Dongho? Aren’t you supposed to be attending the all boy school?” Yumi fixed her uniform as she glanced at Dongho. “I wanted to attend here instead. The other school is so boring.” Yumi glared at him. “Every school is boring in your world.” Dongho just nodded as he sweetly smiled at Yumi. “Do you want to eat lunch with me? We still haven’t talked about China yet.” Yumi looked to the floor. “Sorry Dongho but I have…” Yumi was caught of my Kevin. “You don’t have to eat with me today. I’ll just eat with Kiseop and AJ.” Yumi gave Kevin a -are you sure- look. Kevin nodded as he ruffled her hair. “YA! Stop with the hair ruffling already!” Kevin just stuck his tongue out at Yumi as he walked off.

Yumi sat down opposite Dongho in the school cafeteria. “So how was China?” Yumi asked as she started to slowly eat her homemade lunch. Dongho started to tell everything, from how the family he stayed with was to how he did his homework. Yumi just listened with a small smile on her lips. “I guess this trip was really good for him.” After about 15 minutes Dongho was done talking about the things he had experienced and took out a little blue wooden box. “I got this for you while I was there.” Yumi leaned over the table as excitement was beaming out of her. She had always loved presents. Dongho slowly opened the box, revealing a silver necklace with a blue rhinestone hanging from it. Yumi’s eyes got big as she could clearly see that the necklace had been expensive. “Woah…” Dongho chuckled. “I take it that you like it.” Yumi just nodded. “But I can’t accept that. It looks so expensive!” Dongho just gently smiled as he took the necklace out of the box and walked to the other side of the table. “Is it wrong of me to spoil my favourite person in the world?” Yumi sighed as she moved her hairs so Dongho could place the necklace. “You need to find a girl to do all this to. She would be very lucky.” Dongho tilted his head. “What do you mean? I have you, don’t I?” Yumi started to play with the necklace, that was now around her neck. “You know it can’t be me.” Dongho’s eyes went directly at Yumi’s as he sat down next to her. “Why can’t it be you?” Yumi looked to her lap. “Dongho..” She was saved by the bell. “Let’s talk later okay? Class is starting.” Yumi quickly got up and waved to Dongho as she ran off. Dongho’s eyes followed her as she disappeared around a corner. “She’s not already with that Kevin guy, is she?”

“Urgh.. What a day.” Yumi sighed as put the last few books back in her locker. “Tough day?” Yumi jumped from the sound of the low voice behind her. Yumi turned around as she was holding her left hand over her heart. “AJ?” AJ flashed a sweet smile. “God you scared me!” Yumi exclaimed as she leaned against her locker. “Sorry.” AJ walked over and leaned against the next locker. Yumi glanced at him with narrow eyes. “What brings you to my humble locker Mr Kim?” AJ couldn’t help but chuckle at Yumi’s suspiciousness. “Happened to pass by.. And, Kevin asked me to check on you since he saw you almost run out of the cafeteria today.” Yumi looked to the floor. “Oh.” AJ carefully studied Yumi’s expression. “What happened?” Yumi looked to the sealing. “I was having lunch with a friend and well… I think he wants something from me that I can’t give him. I tried to avoid the conflict it could lead to. ” AJ crossed his arms over his chest. “Running away doesn’t solve anything.” AJ glanced at Yumi, who just looked to the floor. “I know… I just don’t think school is the right place. There are too many eyes and ears following you.” AJ nodded as he stood up straight. “A little word of advice. Don’t wait too long. It will just make it more complicated.” Yumi looked up at AJ as she smiled. “Thank you.” AJ smiled back before he turned to walk away. Yumi sighed as she turned back to her locker. “Quickly, before it gets complicated.” She said to herself as she took her bag from the floor and walked towards the main entrance.

~*~

Yumi and Kevin had just finished their Saturday study lesson when the doorbell to Yumi’s house rang. “Are you expecting company?” Yumi shook her head as she stood up to answer the door. To both Yumi and Kevin’s surprise, it was Dongho. “Hello.” Dongho cheerfully greeted as he just entered the house. “Ya, I didn’t invite you in. Where are you manners at?” Dongho just shrugged as he flashed an innocent smile. “I wanted to continue our conversation from lunch the other day.” Kevin glared at the younger boy while frowning on the inside. “This can’t be good from what AJ told me.” Yumi sighed as she gestured for Dongho to enter the kitchen. She then went to Kevin. “I don’t know if you want to stay or?” Kevin gently smiled. “I’ll just go to your room.” Yumi nodded as she walked to the kitchen. “Maybe I should just listen at the door? No I can’t do that, can I? Aish…”

“So are you dating him?” Dongho went straight to the point. Yumi just looked at him while nodding. Dongho gritted his teeth. “Why?” Yumi started to play with her hair as she looked straight into Dongho’s eyes. “Because I like him… A lot more than a friend.” Dongho looked to the side as he sighed. “It that why you are not wearing the necklace? Because you think he would get mad?” Dongho sounded bitter. Yumi just nodded as she kept her eyes on Dongho. “If it’s big deal for you, I will wear it.” Yumi said as she took the necklace out of her pocket and put it on. “No don’t. I wouldn’t want to ruin my noona’s happiness.” Dongho spat as his eyes turned cold. “Why are you like this?” Yumi asked as she sent him sad eyes. “Because… I want to be the one that makes you happy.” Yumi’s eyes went wide. “Dongho..” She was stopped as Dongho started to speak again. “I’ve always wanted to make you happy. I Love you. I have loved you for a long time.” Yumi looked as if she had seen a ghost. She knew Dongho had feelings for her, even before he left for China but she never knew they were this serious. Dongho stood in front of her as he placed his hands on her shoulders. “Why couldn’t it be me?” Yumi felt sadness cover her as she looked into Dongho’s innocent eyes. “Dongho… I see you as a brother, nothing more.” Yumi felt Dongho’s grip on her shoulders tighten. “I’m not a kid anymore.” Yumi made a weak smile. “I know but that doesn’t change anything.” Dongho felt rage built up inside him. “Maybe this will.” Dongho crashed his lips on Yumi’s as he held her tight. Yumi just stood there in shock as she felt Dongho’s lips move against hers, she didn’t kiss back. She felt tears form in her eyes as her heart was hurting. Dongho pulled away with painful eyes looking at her. “You really don’t feel anything?” Yumi shook her head as she avoided Dongho’s gaze. Dongho just nodded and gripped the necklace and roughly ribbed it off of Yumi’s neck. “I’ll see you at school.” Dongho coldly said and walked out. When he reached the hallway he saw Kevin’s worried face next to the kitchen door. “Congratulations. You’ve got yourself one amazing person by your side.” Dongho looked down at the necklace in his hand and walked out the front door.

Kevin carefully entered the kitchen. He saw a crying Yumi sitting on the floor. He quickly went over to her and sat down taking her in his arms. “I am a horrible person.” Yumi sobbed as she leaned against Kevin’s chest. “No you’re not.” Yumi looked into Kevin’s caring eyes. “You didn’t see his face. I seriously hurt him.” Kevin ran his fingers through her hair. “Don’t think too much about it. You did what felt right to you.” Yumi shook her head. “Then why do I feel this guilty and awful?” Kevin caressed her cheek as he kissed her forehead. “Rejecting someone is awful no matter how you do it.” Kevin hugged Yumi tightly as she kept on crying on his shoulder. He was worried but at the same time relived to know Yumi were his and only his.