Page 13

Normal POV

“It’s complicated.” I looked at him hoping he would just brush this off and tackle it some other day.

“Complicated? You kissed him. There could only be one reason. You like-” There he goes again.

“I don’t like him the same way I like you. At least I don’t think I do. Okay? Jongin.. he.. can we not talk about this now?” I turn away and head into the dressing room without saying another word. I felt guilty leaving him there but to wonder. I felt guilty for kissing Jongin. I felt guilty for telling him how I feel and going against everything I’ve done to try and forget him. Did I do the right thing? I finish undressing and meet Baek at the counter where he paid for the tux. We walked out without saying one word. “Baek.”

“It’s alright Aerin-ah. I understand that this must all be a little too much all at once. Or maybe you’re confused at this point because I haven’t made it easy for you either.” I still felt bad. I grabbed his hand and he stopped walking. He looked down and smiled. He interlocked his fingers with mine. “I’m not mad or anything. I’m just fired up. I guess I have competition now.” He smiled at me with reassurance.

“Baek you don’t have-” He swings are hands.

“Oh I know. I just feel as if I have to win you over. I mean the biggest competition I have is you.” He kisses my hand and I tried my best not to blush.

“What do you mean?” The two of us walked home hand in hand.

“You said you weren’t going to act on your feelings. I can’t do anything even if I push Jongin off a cliff.” I rolled my eyes at him. Why does he hate Jongin so much? I took a second and thought about all the hurt Jongin will be put through. Maybe I shouldn’t have kissed him. Maybe? I definitely shouldn’t have! It was the spur of the moment.

“You’re worried about Jongin and me? I think you should be more worried about Hanna.” There is no way on the this earth she is going to let this situation settle itself in a quiet fashion. As soon as Baek breaks it to her she’s going to play the victim and have the whole school turn on us.

“Why?” We walked up to my doorstep. I place the key in the lock and unlock it but I don’t open the door.

“Well as of right now you are still dating her.” I looked down at our hands. “You’re technically cheating on her. I don’t think you’re the type of person to cheat.” I let go his hand and smiled. I liked teasing him. It has always been fun.

“Oh so you like bad boys?” He leans close and I move back. My back hits the door and he leans in close. He locks me there as he places his arms on either side of me.

“You’re not bad Baek. You’re cute.” He pretends to look hurt as he places his hand on his chest and makes a shocked expression.

“Cute? Me? Cute? As if. Are you trying to provoke me?” He brushes my cheek as he lifts my chin. “You know I can be very bad.” He his bottom lip as his hand travels down my waist to pull me close. I tried to smack him but he catches my hand.

“Baek what are you doing?” He leans in close and a smirk appears on his face.

“This will be the last time you call me cute.” His lips brush mine and as instinct my hand quickly grabbed the door knob and twisted it open. I move away and let Baek fall face planted on the floor. “Yah! Choi Aerin!” I roll my eyes and walk over his stiff and unmoved body.

“Are you going to leave anytime soon? I have to close the door. I’m getting some sort of a breeze coming in.” I lightly kick his side. He rolls over and stands up as he pats himself down.

“Alright. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He looks at me hesitantly. He looks like he’s about to lean in but leans back in doubt. “There goes the romantic goodbye. You always have to ruin everything. I hope you don’t ruin my proposal to you or our wedding recession or our revealing of the gender party for our first born.” I rolled my eyes at him and pointed at the door. He understands what I meant and chuckles as he leaves. “Alright I’ll see you tomorrow.” He scratches the back of his head as he walks out the door and onto the porch. I watch him as he scolds himself for not being smooth enough. He’s so adorable when he wants to be. I close the door and get ready for bed. Homework can wait for tomorrow. I reach over to turn off the lamp but something outside my window caught my attention. Baek stood there in his room with his hair dripping wet. He looked like he just got out of the shower. He changed into something more casual. I tried waving my hand to get his attention but he was distracted. He started dancing to music only he could hear. I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. He started shaking his and twirled. He twirled right into the window. He fell back and landed on his bed. He looked up to find me laughing at him. Even from here I could see his cheeks blush red. I gave him two thumbs ups and he gave me the curtain.

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“Aerin-ah. Aerin-ah.” It was too early in the morning for him to be calling my name. I tucked back into bed. I felt his body squeeze into the blanket as he wrapped his arm around my waist. I cuddle into his warm embrace letting the moment sink in.

“Baek get out of my bed.” Although I meant to push him off I couldn’t help but pull him in closer. His husky cologne quickly wraps me in a trance. “You’re a loyal boyfriend, Baek. Loyal.” I sit up and run my fingers through my knotted hair.

“What, I can’t hug my best friend? I don’t need Hanna’s permission.” He stuck out his tongue and buried himself in my pillows. I left him in my bed as I hopped into the shower. My phone vibrates as soon as I place it on the sink. It was a text from Jongin. “Hurry up. I bought us breakfast. I’m waiting outside!”

“Crap.” I hurriedly took a shower and put on the nearest clothes I could find. I finished getting ready in a matter of 10 minutes. I guess you can say it was my new personal best. I open the door so fast it slammed against the wall, waking Baek in the process. “Baek you need to leave.”

“What? Why?” His confused puppy face digged deeper into the pillows.

“Jongin is outside waiting for me. He can’t know you’re here.” I grabbed onto his legs and with all my might I tried pulling him out. The boy just won’t budge.

“He can’t know or he shouldn’t know?” Baek finally sat up and looked at me with sincereity.

“Baek that doesn’t make sense.” I finally got him up and off my bed. Now I just have to get him down my window. Oh boy.

“Look I don’t know why you’re panicking about this. Maybe you are starting to feel something for Jongin or you’re just delusional. But I’ll leave okay? I’ll play it fair with Mr.One-of-a-kind-smile.” I thanked him and on his way down Baek blew a kiss. He’s so dramatic sometimes. But hey, look who’s talking. I put on my shoes and rush to the door.

“Jongin?” I opened it and there he stood. All of his 6 foot lean stature standing there with a box of muffins and two smoothies.

“You know you take forever to wake up?” He chuckles as he wraps me in his arms. He hands me a smoothie and the two of us start walking down the side