Minji didn't know how to define what she felt. Late at night, before she went to bed, two men stuck in her mind. 

  Laying in her bed, her mind was a mess, and the sun was blazing through her window. The weather was nice, but she had nothing planned. Once again, all of her friends were busy. With her heart and her mind contradicting each other, she was desperate for a way out; an Escape- Keopi Cafe. 

  This thought had hit her like an epiphany. She jumped from her bed and changed into casual clothing, she'd be in her uniform all day anyway. 

  Taking a step outside of her home, she checked the time- 10am.

  The cafe opened at 8 on weekends, 6 on weekdays. 

  Walking down the pathway, she took a right and walked straight. She didn't even have to think. Her heart led the way. 

  Upon arriving, she stopped before entering; she felt guilty. She hadn't even come for two weeks. But she needed to come sooner or later.

  Opening the door, the bells chimed, turning the workers heads.

  "Oh Minji! I haven't seen you in a while! How've you been?", Eun Kyung ran over.

  Looking around, she noticed the lack of customers. 

  "Mianhe, Unnie. I haven't shown up in a while", Minji apologized.

  "Ani, we don't have much customers, remember? It wasn't hard. Don't worry about it.", Eunkyung laughed. 

  

  Minji changed and got ready to work. She needed something to keep her busy. 

  Finally, customers arrived. She took their orders, watched Sihyun make a few drinks, so she could learn, and cleaned. Rush hour had been at most, 4 customers at a time. Despite the small amounts of people, Minji still appreciated it- it did keep her mind off of her feelings. 

  Minji worked hard. She even had beads of sweat slide down her face a few times. But a few hours later, she had run out of things to do. 

  When she checked her watch, it was only 12; nine hours before closing, six hours before her hours were up. 

  Now stuck with nothing to do, her mind had wandered off to what she was thinking about this morning. 

  Hoya.

  Myungsoo.

  Could her heart possibly beat for both of them? 

  Her feelings for Myungsoo was obvious. Long ago, she had classified her feelings for him. Her heart raced around him and she cared for him most in this world, just as much as her family. She was comfortable around him. Her heart ached without him. She knew that.

  But with Hoya, she couldn't quite put her feelings on it. Once in a while, she felt her heart rate speed up.  

  It was the little things he did.

  When he kissed her cheek. When he was worried about her safety. When he held her hand the night before. In a few moments, she felt it; the way she felt around Myungsoo. It wasn't always, but it was there.

  Noticing how deep in thought she was, Eunkyung made her way over to Minji.  

  "Something bothering you?", she asked, taking a seat.

  "Uh, nothing", Minji shook her head.

  "Just tell me. We have time. We won't have any customers come by soon", she tried to persuade.

  "It's just-", she sighed. "Can a person like two people? Is it wrong?", she blurted, hanging her head down. 

  "Oh, I see", Eunkyung set her hands against the table. "In my opinion, its fine. A person can be in love with two people. But can only love one person", she finished.

  Minji was confused. Seeing this, Eunkyung went into a deeper explanation.

  "They're different. Being in love is loving the way they make you feel. It's loving their smile and their personality and it's that feeling of your heart beat when you're around them. It's the good part of it. But loving someone has to do with the circumstances and flaws. Its being able to accept them as a whole; their problems, their emotions. It's the willpower to never give up on them despite the hardships. If you don't love them enough, you won't be able to find that perseverance. It's who makes you the better you". 

  Minji, now understanding it somewhat, nodded. 

  "But you're still young", Eunkyung added. "To find the one you love will take a while", she said. 

  Minji nodded. Somehow, it had cleared her thoughts. Not completely, but it helped. 

  For now, she decided, she won't focus on finding which or who she loved. She just needed to figure out if she was in love.

  More specifically, Hoya. Did she think of him more than a friend? That, she still couldn't figure out. 

  Now that her mind had become a little bit more clear, it seemed easier to breath. Looking out the window, the trees and grass outside seemed much greener. Her mind was empty. Her focus was sharp.

  She couldn't help but feel lucky to have found this place. She always learned something new here. With that feeling, Minji went on the rest of the day, working with no worries.

 

  *MINJI'S POV*

  Monday. How dreadful. 

  Laying my head against my desk, my eyes closed, I tried to convince myself this was a dream; but it wasn't. Finally giving up, I brought my head up.

  With Myungsoo and Hoya both beside me, it was hard to sleep. Mostly because they never stopped talking. 

  I lifted my head to listen as they spoke. 

  Its been a while.

  Since i've heard them laugh together.

  Of course, they always were laughing with all of infinite, but when it was just them two, sometimes the atmosphere was different. But not today. 

  I enjoyed seeing them smile and laugh with each other. It was a nice sight. 

  "Look at you two", I chuckled.

  "Huh?", they asked in unision.

  "Nothing", I shook my head and laid it back down. 

 

  *MYUNGSOOS POV*

  Laughing together, I could never imagine hating him. I don't think I ever could. 

  But it left me in question.

  What was it that I felt toward him, then? Why did I feel so angry at him sometimes? 

  These thoughts contradicted each other. 

  Hoya is one of my greatest friends. We succeed together. We fall together. If anyone was to ask if I loved him, I'd say I did.

  And I really do; love him as a brother. He's been by my side from the very beginning of my career. 

  So what is it then, that makes me feel competitive towards him?

  My laughter died down to a sigh, as my mind took over.

  "Wae?", Hoya asked, hitting my shoulder. 

  "Huh?"

  "Whats bothering you? Your mood suddenly changed. Did your girlfriend break up with you?", he teased as he picked up his pencil.

  "Aniya", I laughed back. But something inside my heart somehow wished that was the case. "It's just history", Lie. "I didn't do my homework", Truth. I really didn't do my homework.

  "Well, you need help?", he asked, reaching for his bag.

  "Ani, i'll do it during third period". 

  "Okay", he put his bag back and stuck his pencil on the crease above his ear. 

  This moment felt bittersweet. I missed being able to talk to Hoya like this. I wish it was like this all the time between us. I wish we could go back to the way we were before; brothers. 

  And we were still somewhat that- brothers, but not like how we were before. No. 

  And if it were a option, i'd change the way things were, but there isn't a choice. There won't be any turning back. Not when Minji is involved.

  Because in my life, Minji means more to me than anything. She's just as important as my family. I don't have an exact reason why, but thats how it was between me and her. Not even infinite could break that bond.

  Mianhe Hoya. 

  "So, how are you and Haeun, anyway?", Hoya asked, breaking me out of my thought. 

  "Oh, uh, we're okay. She's been real busy lately- y'know, studying", I shrugged. I left out the fact that it actually didn't bother me at all. It wasn't important anyway.

  "Oh. I see. We should do something this weekend", Hoya adjusted himself in his seat. "Bring Haeun. All of us will go". 

  "That's actually a good idea", I laughed. And it was. 

  The bell rang, ending homeroom and sending Minji jumping from her seat. 

  As she scrambled to pick up her things, I walked out the door. The final words I heard from her was,

  "Oppa! How could you not wake me up?!", and I chuckled all the way to my third period. 

 

  *MINJIS POV*

  Rushing out of my homeroom class and speeding towards my third period, one thought managed to slip my mind; Jaehwa. 

  Not until I stepped foot into the class, at the very minute the bell rang, and I saw him sitting in his desk next to mine, did I remember. 

  But, because it was a Monday, I felt a little too exhausted to deal with him, so I took my seat and I sat in silence, catching the breaths I lost on my way here.

  He had different plans though. His eyes never left me, as I tried to focus on the lesson, which really wasn't important since I had already done this course last year. 

  "Wae!", I finally turned towards him. The intensity had bothered me.

  He smirked at me and looked forward. 

  "Nothing. I just think you're interesting. That's it", he shrugged.

  "I wasn't even doing anything interesting", I puffed.

  "You weren't. It was just the way you sit with your legs crossed and your head resting against your hand. Its cute", he shrugged 

  I just sighed and turned away. 

  "So, how was your weekend? Did you spend it with your lover boy?", he teased, twirling his pencil. Ugh, I really hate mondays.

  "Why are you so interested in me!"

  "You're different", he immediately answered. 

  That answer had been to vague, and I waited for him to continue. He sighed, set his pencil down and leaned forward.

  "You're laid back but ambitious. Two contradicting things. I noticed that when I met you. You're not uptight. You enjoy relaxing. It's in your facial expression", he paused. "But you're a TA AND a junior, meaning you obviously have good grades and are a good student. I even saw that you were in the math team and an athlete", he sighed, leaning closer towards me. "And thats why I want to figure you out. Most girls fall into two subjects; 1", he stuck up his pointer finger. "girly, average or bad grades, and laid back. 2", he added another finger.

  "Smart, uptight and ambitous", he put his fingers down. "But you- you fall right in between. So, I want to get to know you. What kind of person you are, what things you like to do, what things you enjoy to see- i want to know it all", he sighed. "And as i observe you from this class, I can't help but fall for you", he chuckled. 

  "Oppa, What about now? Are you still interested in me?", I had changed my voice to a higher octave, and I batted my eyelashes. 

  "You're actually a little more attractive", he smirked. 

  Frustrated, I leaned back in my seat and crossed my arms. I could never win against him.

  "Call me that again", he chuckled "oppa~", he tried to reenact my tone of voice.

  "Hell no".

  "Fine", he shrugged. "Once is enough for me.

 

  *JAEHWAS POV*

  It's funny; the effect that word has against me. Or maybe it was just her. 

  It was the way she laughed. It was the way she focused. It was the way she pushed past her sleepyness to get the job done. It was many things. 

  Everything about her seemed cute.

  I dont know how it started.

  Maybe it was that first day. I had seen many different sides of her. From the moment she woke me up to the moment we worked together to finish my mothers booklets. 

  Something in her eyes was always different. 

  Her mind was complex.

  She had a different outlook on life than others.

  Hell, she was even trying to figure out what kind of person I was; no one does that. Not even myself. 

  It was a different kind of feeling; to have someone try to know you instead of just judging you by cover. And I guess that's why I began noticing her.

  But it was initially suppose to be a game. 

  From the moment she rejected my date request to the moment Hoya showed up. It was just a game. 

  A game for Hoya. How long he could withstand pretending to be her boyfriend. Because I knew the truth; Who he loved. 

  But somewhere along the way, my feelings got tangled. Within those few days, it became a challenge for me. How long I could withstand rejection and how long i'd be able to watch them play out.  

  And as days gone by, somehow, my heart changed. Not only was I attracted to her rejection, but I saw beauty within her personality. I've become attached. I was falling and slowly slipping away from my principle; never fall for someone you can't have. 

  But to test my patience, and to be able to watch him squirm, i'll let this game play out. 

  Not until it's needed, will I pull my final card out. 

  

  *MINJIS POV*

  Somehow, I had managed to get through third period. Now on my way to fourth period, I felt thankful that today was a short day. 

  That was the only good thing about mondays; they were short days. Four periods and school ends an hour early. But it still didn't change the fact that it was Monday.

  Now arriving into my fourth period, I took my seat next to Myungsoo and laid my head down.

  "Im exhausted", I whined.

   "How was third period? Did Sungjong keep that guy away?", he asked.

  "He cant keep him away. We have to work together. But he did, however, keep an eye on me. But it wasn't needed anyway, because we only had one small conversation", I shrugged.

  "About what?"

  "I just asked why he was so interested in me". 

  "So, why is he, then?"

  "He says im different".

  "What? How?"

  "I dont know", i lifted my head. "Can we stop talking about this?"

  "Aish, fine. Anyway, want to do something this weekend?"

  "Just us?"

  "Ani. With all of infinite. I might bring Haeun too. We should all do something. Like go to the beach or something", he shrugged.

  "Oh". I was a bit disappointed. "Sure". I shrugged. 

  "Oh! And can you help me with the last question on the homework?", he anxiously asked.

  "Bwo? You didn't do it?"

  "I did most of it, I just couldn't understand this last question", he clarified. "Please?", he rubbed his hands together. 

  "Fine".

  "Aw, Gomawo", he said and I nodded back as I took my papers out. 

  "Yah, Pali! Before he collects our papers!", his mood changed.

  "Yah! Do you want me to help or not?", i snapped back. He shrank back into his seat.

  "Mian", he softly apologized. I couldn't help but laugh. 

  And so I gave him the answer, not exactly because he asked but because he was my best friend and thats the kind of thing best friends do for each other. 

 

  The rest of the day passed by in a blur, and despite the way my day started out, I was trying to determine wether this would be the best monday ever. Let's not jinx it.

  Sixth period, the last of the day, was my most favorite. All of infinite was in this class and it was fun to act scenes out. It was a win-win kind of thing. But today, our teacher gave us a free period. 

  "So", "Sunngyu plopped into his seat. We all sat in a neat circle. "What should we do this weekend?"

  "Let's drive around here! Like a road trip!", the maknae exclaimed.

  "Yah, Pabo. We can't have a trip around where we live; that's boring", Woohyun shared his opinion.

  "No, no, actually, that's a good idea", I chimed.

  All the members looked at me.

  "I mean, not around seoul, but somewhere else", I shrugged. 

  "Where then?", Dongwoo asked.

  "Mungyeong"

  "Gangnam"

  "Busan"

  Everyone continued to list places to tour.

  "Im from Busan", I heard Hoya whisper to himself. 

  "Busan it is", I finalized. 

  "Wait, what? We didn't agree on that", Sungyeol grumbled. 

  "Hoya's from Busan. We already have our tour guide! We won't get lost. Plus, i've never really seen much of Busan", I stated. No one argued with me, probably because it'd get to loud and they were too tired to even try. 

  

  The bus drove off and we made our way down the path we always walk down. We were walking, but it felt more like our legs were the only things working. Our upper body had little to no strength. Despite our closeness, no one said a word. It would've made an awkward silence if we weren't so tired; but we were, so the silence was quite comforting. 

  As we approached where our destinations split, I turned to walk away, and I was stopped by a group of voices. 

  "Minji!", I heard all of them yell. 

  "What?", I whined.

  "Yah, we were suppose to hang out today", Woohyun scolded.

  "Aren't you guys tired?"

  "So"

  "Okay, where too?"

  "Park!"

  "No, the park is too energy draining"

  "L hyung's house then", Sungjong suggested.

  "Can't. Mom's cleaning day". 

  Everyone was having a debate. 

  "Let's just go to our apartment building, Hyung", Hoya suggested with annoyance. 

  "Fine", Sunngyu agreed. At this moment, it occurred to me that i've never been to their home. But they've never really been to mine either. 

  We walked to Myungsoo's house, hopped into Dongwoos car, and drove to their apartment. 

  When I hopped out of out of the car, a apartment building towered over me. It looked normal. 

  I silently followed them into their building. Because there were so much of us, we had to squeeze inside the elevator. Pushed against the wall with infinite surrounding me, most girls would find this a dream. I found it quite gross; I could smell their sweat. 

  We arrived on their floor and filed out. Somehow, they had regained their energy on the elevator ride up, and they were running down the hallway; racing.

  I stayed behind, along with Myungsoo. 

  "They were so tired earlier", I chuckled. 

  "They always race. That's just their thing. Hoya wins most of the time", he chuckled.

  "I don't even know where their apartment is"

  "Don't worry, I do", he assured and stuffed his hand into his pocket.

  As we walked down the hallway, laughing and talking, I couldn't help but enjoy this moment with just us two. 

  I missed it. Because it had been just us two for so long, until he left. 

  And even though it was just a short walk down the hallway, it still made my heart ache. It was moments like these when I realized how much I missed him. 

  My heart wanted so badly for him to take his hand out of his pockets and link his arms with mine, because that's what we did as kids.

  And at that age, i'd never imagine being where I am today. I'd

Never imagine a single day without him. I'd never imagine him leaving. 

  But he did. And I don't think i'll ever spend enough time with him to fill my heart's desire, even if it we were friends with each other for the rest of my life; because that's just how much I missed him. 

  "Oppa", I softly started. "Do you ever feel sad at random times?", I asked. 

  "I guess, sometimes. Wae, is something wrong?", he took his hand out if his pockets and put it on my forehead. After wards, he quickly pressed the back of his hand against my cheek. "Your temperature is fine though", he said, putting his hands in his pocket. 

  "Oppa, sadness isn't a sickness", I laughed, as we began walking again. "And nothings wrong. A thought just occurred to me, thats all", I shrugged.

  "Minji, you know you'll always be one of the most important people in the world to me, right?"

  "Of course. Just like how you'll always be important to me too", i chuckled. He stopped and opened a door for me; Infinites humble home. 

  "Ladies first", he escorted.

  I curtsied and walked into the home. It was quite nice; neat. There were a few things out of place, but a lot nicer than i'd imagine a apartment housing six boys would be. 

  "So, what are we going to do?", I plopped down onto their sofa. 

  "Let's watch a movie", Sungyeol suggested. 

  At that moment, rain began to fall. I looked out the window, and closely watched as the raindrops slid down. 

  "This is the perfect weather to watch a horror movie", I suggested. 

  "Uh, no", Hoya declined, chuckling. We made eye contact and laughed harder. 

 

  In the end, we decided on watching  an episode of Boys over Flowers- My suggestion, course. 

  Within an hour, everyone had fallen to sleep except me and Sungyeol. Now, we were close, but something felt awkward in the silence that filled the room. That's when it occurred to me that i've never really took the time to talk with just him. 

  "So", I said. "Why is it that you are the only one up?", I chuckled. 

  "You're up too", he shrugged. 

  "I mean out of all the guys", i laughed. 

  "Mm, I don't know. I guess I enjoyed watching it more than they did". 

  Silence filled the room again. 

  "Want something to eat?", he offered. 

  "Mm, depends".

  "Ramen?"

  "Call!", I agreed. We both stood from the sofa, and made our way to the kitchen. 

  "Sit. I'll cook", he said. 

  I took a seat and watched as he worked.

  "So, what's it like, being famous?", i asked. Random, I know, but who cares. 

  "That was random", he chuckled. "It's great. It's my dream after all. You know, it's such a great feeling to know you've accomplished what you wanted, but now that you've accomplished it- you want to accomplish something bigger", he said. 

  I nodded and he continued. 

  "It's hard. The fans sometimes get wild, and Sometimes I can't stand it, but i'd never wish for them to ever be different. Because their support is what got me here. It's what drives me forward", seeing the ambition in his face, it made me wonder if all the members were like that. Hoya an Myungsoo were, I knew. 

  "Ah, I don't know", he laughed at himself embarrassed. 

  "Ani. That was good". I nodded. "When I get out of high school, Theres no doubt in my mind i'll be playing soccer in college", I said. 

  "I can almost imagine it. The stadium lights flashing down, the screams coming from the people in the crowd, the sweat beading down my face", I closed my eyes. "That's what i'm aiming for. And when i'm done with college, I'll be drafted into a professional team. And that's when i'll be accomplished. Just like all of the infinite Oppas", I opened my eyes. 

  "Wow. That was in depth", he laughed, setting down the ramen. 

  "Kamsamnida for the meal"

  "No problem".

 

  And within that short conversation-

That started off with a simple question, and continued with an answer that i'd never thought a person of his playful personality could mutter-  I got to know more about Sungyeol than a 'whats your favorite color?' Or 'what are your hobbies?', would ever have told me. 

  And thats when I realized why I admired Infinite so much. 

  We all had dreams to chase, plans to succeed. We all saw what we wanted and we knew that we'd succeed. 

  And as kids in high school, who adults assure were rowdy, we had much more complex minds than they'd imagine. Even as kids, we knew what we wanted and wouldn't let anything get in the way. Infinite, already a few steps ahead than I am, had shown that, even kids could accomplish their biggest dreams. Soon enough, i'll be there too. 

 

  The sun went down, and I decided it was time to go home. 

  "Myungsoo Oppa, its late. Lets go", I shook him awake. His eyes opened slowly, and he sat up. He groggily scanned the room, processing where he was. 

  "Aish, what time is it", he searched for his phone. 

  "Almost eight", I threw his phone at him. He check his phone, stood up, and began putting his shoes on. 

  "I'll take you home", Dongwoo began picking up his keys. 

  "Aniya, it's late. Stay. We're going to take the bus", Myungsoo finished putting his shoe on. 

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yeah. We've taken the bus a lot, so its fine", he finished. "Alright, see you tomorrow", we waved goodbye and I followed him out the door. 

 

  *MYUNGSOOS POV*

  We boarded the bus. There were very little passengers. We took a seat way in the back. 

  "You still smell like roses", she chuckled beside me. I turned towards her and couldn't deny how beautiful she looked. Maybe it was because I was tired, or maybe because it was natural for a normal boy to think these thoughts, but I wanted so badly to lay my head on her shoulder. And so I did it. 

  She didn't object. 

  And I was glad she didn't. 

  And It was wrong for a guy with a girlfriend to think this, but I wondered how life would be different if me and Minji were dating. 

  Would it last?

 Would it end well? 

  Somehow, these thoughts engulfed me and I fell asleep. 

 

  I found myself laying next to Minji. And she was laughing and being herself and nothing around us could change how happy I felt at that moment. And I knew it was a dream, but I never wanted to wake up.

  But my mind betrayed me and it began to blur away. As I opened my eyes, I found myself in the bus. My nose was filled with a scent I couldn't quite define; her perfume. When I looked at her, I realized she had fallen asleep. 

  She was in a peaceful state, and I wanted nothing but to let her sleep. But when I looked out of the window, I discovered we were the next stop.

  "Minji-ah, get up", I slightly shook her. 

  "A couple more minutes", she grumbled. 

  "Can't. We're the next stop"

  She grumbled a couple words I couldn't understand and went back into a deep sleep. 

  "Aish, this girl". I put her arms around my neck and picked her up. The bus came to a stop. With her on my back, I stepped out of the bus, thanking the bus driver. The bus drove past, and I made me way down to her house. 

  Carrying her on my back, walking down the street to her house, I sang the same song I sang to her the day before I left. 

  Suddenly, I felt her head's weight lift from the surface of my back. Nonetheless, i continued to sing.

  "Oppa, I know this song", she began humming along. 

  When I finished the song, I chuckled. "Its the song I sang to you before I left".

  "I know", she said. 

  Finally I reached her home and she climbed off of my back and I sort of missed the warmth of her body against me. 

  "Well, goodnight", I waved.

  "Goodnight, Oppa".

  

  And that was our last words. And on my way home, I couldn't help but miss being a little fifth grader. I lived a normal life. Or maybe I just missed the fact that I had Minji beside me through it all at that time