“Jamie.” Mr. Lee called. “Stay back after class.” He ordered as Jamie sighed while the Sarah and her minions snickered.

“Ne, seongsaengnim.” She replied and glared at the annoying flock who were now picking up their bags to leave all the while giggling to each other.

Ugh.Probably bad-mouthing me again. So ing annoying. I’ll freaking plucked off all their all-so-precious nails one day.

Good news, Jamie no longer had to do splits and was allowed to join regular dance practices. Bad news, Sarah and her minions were in all those classes. Much to Jamie’s annoyance, the was a good dancer and she’s way more flexible than Jamie. Not that she’s jealous, she was annoyed that she couldn’t keep up with the lesson when others could catch on pretty quickly.

Grumbling profanities under her breath as she wiped away the sweat, Mr. Lee approached Jamie with an unreadable expression.

“How are you holding up?” Mr. Lee asked.

Jamie’s eyes widened a little but she quickly smiled. “Though it’s hard to catch up, I’m pretty happy to be allowed to join the class seongsaengnim.”

“You’re a quick learner Jamie. I’m sure you would catch up in no time.” Mr. Lee chuckled and patted her head lightly. “If you have any difficulties, just come to me.”

“Ne thank you seongsaengnim.” Jamie smiled while sighed in relief. So I’m not in trouble.

“You could go now. Shoo.” Mr. Lee jokingly waved his hand, kicking Jamie out.

“Ne, ne. I’m going. Good bye Lee seongsaengnim.” Jamie chuckled as she slung her duffle bag over her shoulders.

After changing out of her sweaty outfit, Jamie comtemplated whether to eat a proper dinner or to just stick to instant noodles. Like usual, her brain wasn’t capable of multitasking when she pumped into someone as their stuffs went flying across the floor.

“Oh God. I’m so so sorry!” Jamie blurted as she crouched down to pick up the scattered belongings.

“Oh n-no. I-it’s my fault. I-I forgot to put on my g-glasses after dance practice.” The stranger stammered and Jamie realized it’s a girl.

She looked up and was utterly surprised by the girl’s beauty. She had long jet black hair which compliment her porcelain skin. Her hazelnut brown eyes sparkled as she smiled gently at Jamie while picking up her pens one by one with long slender fingers. Her pump lips were the shade of pink, puckered into a pout when she smoothed the slightly crumpled papers. In summary, she was the epitome of femininity.

She only snapped of her own reverie when the girl pulled out her glasses and put them on. She got the shock of her life. The pretty girl was gone and was replaced with your typical nerd. Her glasses was big and tacky and Jamie wasn’t your typical nice girl.

“You look ridiculous with those glasses on.”

“W-what?” The girl squeaked , fiddling with her glasses nervously.

“I said get rid of those and you could be one of the prettiest girl in this company.” Jamie chuckled at the girl’s nervousness as she picked up the last item, lying furthest away.

Jamie quickly skimmed through the cover and realized it was a text book.

Lee In Hye. Year 3 class 1. Seoul Arts high school.

“In Hye ssi?” Jamie called out as she handed the girl her textbook while crouching down to meet her eyes.

“N-ne?” The girl stuttered, blushing madly as she reached out for the book with trembling fingers.

“You look much better without them. Trust me.” Jamie smiled. “I’m not a fashionista but you need to change your style too. Maybe just T-shirt and shorts would make a huge difference.”

“T-thank you.”

“I’m sorry I knocked over your things.” Jamie said as she reached out a hand to pull the girl up.

“N-no it’s alright. It was my fault too.” In Hye said as she grabbed Jamie’s hand.

In Hye smiled appreciatively at Jamie and mumbled a small ‘thanks’ as she fixed her plain white shirt.

“I’m sorry again. I was rather distracted so yea.”

“It’s okay really.” In Hye smiled.

“If you say so.” Jamie shrugged. “I gotta go grab some dinner now. Do you have somewhere to be at?”

“Yes I do.” In Hye hugged her books close to her chest as she nodded.

“Oh I see. That’s a shame, I could buy you something as an apology. Well then goodbye In Hye ssi. Maybe next time.” Jamie waved and her mind switched back the debate between a proper meal and instant noodles.

In Hye watched Jamie until the petite girl disappeared around the corner. An arm slung over her shoulder before a familiar voice spoke up.

“First impression?”

“Cute but naive.” In Hye said with a monotone.

“Same here. Great acting by the way.” The person chuckled.

“Why her anyways?”

“I’m bored. And can’t you see how interesting she is?”

“Hmm...” In Hye only hummed in response.

“Don’t be such an uptight. You need to loosen up noona.” The person cooed.

“Loosen up and get my own stuck into some nasty then become that snorty brat’s errand boy? No thanks.” In Hye scoffed as she swatted the arm away.

“I didn’t have a choice.” He pouted and ran to catch up with In Hye who was tired of her younger brother’s .

“You have a choice. And you choose to go pick a fight with guys twice you size. Life serves you right little bro.”

“Don’t be so mean noona.”

“Scam. I have cram school to attend.”

“Noona~”

“I don’t have time to help you with something like that Min.” In Hye sighed as she pulled her bag out of the locker and stuffed her books.

“Aww come on. It’s a rare favor from your only bro. Help me noona~ Pleaseee~” He puffed his cheeks cutely before rubbing his palms together and looked at In Hye with pleading eyes. It always worked on his noona.

And this time wasn’t an exception.

In Hye messaged the bridge of her nose and sighed. The brat knew his aegyo was irresistible and never fail to use it at the right time.

“Fine.” She gave in but qiuckly stopped the boy when she saw his face lit up immediately. “With one condition.”

“What is it noona?” He asked with puppy eyes.

“Stop sleeping with those girls then I will help you.”

His eyes widened as those imaginery puppy ears plopped. After 10 minutes of complete silence and an unwavering glare from In Hye, the boy reluctantly agreed to his sister’s terms.

“Okay...”

“Good. I’ll help you. ONLY. I repeat ONLY when you stick to your end of the agreement.” In Hye sternly pointed out at her dejected brother whose source of pleasure was cut with no mercy.

“But how can I know if you stick to yours?” He questioned with arm crossed.

“I already did.”

Meanwhile Jamie was still contemplating over a proper meal and instant noodles, a certain male spotted her and ran up to wrap an arm around her neck.

“What the heck- Sunbae!?”

“Jamie Jamie. What are you doing?” Tao sang as Jamie rolled her eyes at his childish behavior but still smiled regardless.

“I was thinking about what to eat for dinner.”

“Ummm. How was dance class today?”

“It was hard to keep up but I’m happy I finally get to attend the regular classes.” Jamie beamed and Tao couldn’t help but put Jamie into a headlock and ruffle her hair furiously.

“Aigoo. My little dongsaeng. I’m so proud of you!!!!” Tao laughed.

“Sunbaaeee!!! Stop it!!! Let me go!!!” Jamie yelled but laughed along as she slapped Tao’s arms, attempt to releash herself from Tao’s grip. It couldn’t be more obvious that she failed miserably.

“TIME OUT TIME OUT!! I SURRENDER! I SURRENDER!!”

Only then Tao released the girl.

“Sunbae. You need to stop putting me in headlocks.” Jamie huffed, fixing her bird-nested hair.

“You say it like I do it all the time.” Tao snorted.

“Do you want a list? I could remembered the exact day and time you know.” Jamie muttered only to step on her own tail.

“You do?” Tao cocked an eyebrow but all he received was silence.

“Thought so.” He smiled smugly as he resumed draping his arm over Jamie’s shoulders while she blushed madly.

Actually, Jamie did remembered the exact day and time not to mention location. The first was 3 days ago, at 12:30 PM when Tao saw her getting a sandwich from the company cafeteria. The second was on the same day, at 6:24 PM when Tao saw of her exiting the nearby supermarket with groceries. The third time was 2 days ago, at 7:33 AM when Tao saw her at the apartment lobby, going to early dance practice. The fourth time was a day ago, at 5:32 PM when Tao saw her in private practice room no. 3, doing splits (he put her in a headlock right there with her two legs still splited). The fifth time was today, at 6:18 PM when Tao saw her walking back to the apartment.

Normally, her memory was terrible at remembering anything except faces and names. But anything revolved around Tao, she could recall them perfectly despite being a broken human compass. That shows how love-struck she was. While Jamie was literally dripping with love serum, Tao though was completely oblivious. He didn’t notice how she was nicer to him, she doesn’t as much as before and when he smiled, she would blush like a bride.

“So what should we eat?” Tao leaned down and asked Jamie who again blushed madly at the close proximity.

“I-I don’t know. I was thinking about eating ramyun.”

“NO WAY! You need to eat a proper meal young lady!” Tao scolded, shaking Jamie lightly with his arm on her shoulder. “How about bibimbap?”

“Sounds good sunbae.”

“Alright!! Bibimbap it is then.” Tao chirped but his happy mood was cut off by a sudden ringtone.

Tao fished out his phone and checked the ID. “It’s Baekhyun hyung.” He informed Jamie before answering.

“What’s up hyung?”

“Me? I’m with Jamie right now?”

“We’re going to get some bibimbap.”

“Really? Okay. Let’s meet up in the lobby and we could go together.”

“Ne hyung. See you.”

As Tao hung up, Jamie immediately asked “What happened?”

“Everyone abandoned Baekhyun hyung so he has nobody to eat with so I told him to tag along with us.” Tao said. “You’re okay with it right?”

“You should have asked me that before you agreed to meet up with him.” Jamie said as she pretended to look angry and displeased.

“Ah right... I’m sorry Jamie. I’m going to call-”

“I’m okay with it sunbae. Do I look that mean-spirited?” Jamie chuckled then giggled uncontrollably when Tao poked her waiste repeatedly.

“You brat. How . Dare . You . Toy . With . Your . Sunbae?” Each word was accompanied with a poke to Jamie’s ticklish zone and her high-pitched squeal.

The pair didn’t stop fooling around even when they were a glass door away from the meeting place. Jamie pinched Tao’s waiste as she shrieked in surprise before paid back with a pinch of his own to Jamie’s cheek.

“Sunbaaaeee~” Jamie whined as Tao refused to let go of her cheek while searching for his card.

Before Tao could scan it, the glass door opened by itself, presenting them a very amused Baekhyun.

“What are you guys doing?” Baekhyun raised an eyebrow at them teasingly.

Tao immediately let go of Jamie’s cheeks as both reddened like ripe tomatoes.

“Err... nothing!” Tao beamed, pretending what just happened never did before looping his arm around Jamie’s and Baekhyun’s.

“Let’s go get some bibimbap! I’m hungry!” Tao said, laughing awkwardly.

The air surrounding the trio couldn’t possibly get any more awkward when none uttered a word. Whereas Tao and Jamie looked like they would die from uncomfort, Baekhyun were more than amused at the situation; it’s like catching a couple red-handed in the middle of intimacy.

“So how’s your day Jamie?” Baekhyun asked as he slipped out of Tao’s grip and moved to loop his arm with Jamie’s free side.

Slightly startled, Jamie jumped back when Baekhyun initiated skinship and momentarily forgot what to say. “Sorry I didn’t catch what you just asked.” Jamie pinked, lowering her head in embarrassment.

“Aww, you’re so cute!~” Baekhyun cooed and pinched her cheek, side-eyed Tao in the process which successfully embarrassed the boy as well. “Since you’re cute, I’m repeating. How’s your day doing Jamie Jamie?”

“Well good news, I don’t have to do splits anymore and got to join the regular dance class.” Jamie said with a happy undertone but pouted unconciously moving to the upsetting part. “Bad news, I couldn’t catch up with choreography.”

 Baekhyun couldn’t help but cooed as he pulled her flushed to his body and nuzzled her cheek. “Arggggg!! I can’t handle it, you’re sooooooooooo cuuuttteee!!!!!!!~” - high-pitched squealing noise –

“Stop it Hyung!!! You’re killing her!!” Tao flailed as he tried removing the leach called Baekhyun off the cat girl while she couldn’t made out proper word among gasp. “Sun...bae you’re... ugh... I... can’t..... ugh... breath... sunbae!!”

“Aww you’re so cute, you little thing.” Baekhyun pinched Jamie’s nose before letting the poor girl go.

Jamie cheered breathlessly, catching her breath after the torturous hug. Tao frowned and turned to Baekhyun as he scolded his hyung. “Don’t ever do that again hyung.”

Before Baekhyun could open his mouth to retort, Jamie beat him to it. “Then you should stop with your headlocks too sunbae.”

Baekhyun gasped dramatically as he pulled Jamie away from Tao and put protective arms around the girl. “You put her into HEADLOCKS???  YOU CRUEL BEING!! I KNEW I COULD NEVER TRUST YOU!! YOU EVIL PANDA NINJA SHAPESHIFTER!!”

Now it’s Tao’s turn to be dramatic. “YOU GREASY STRIPED OF MEAT!!! I AM NO PANDA, NIJA NOR SHAPESHIFTER AND I AM NOT CRUEL!!!!”

“Guys... errr guys... people are looking... guys...” Jamie called but none listen as they continued to bicker on the moderately busy street, it was definitely not a pretty sight though 2 pretty boys were now occupying it with their miniature show.

While bowing to the bypassers, Jamie tried pushing the two kids in grown men’s bodies to a quieter area before pinching both of their sides.

“JAMIE!!” They both yelped.

When both began to voice their displeasure, Jamie’s glare shut them up.

“Are you aware of your behaviors just now? You embarrassed yourselves right there in the streets. I don’t even want to acknowledge you as my sunbaes right now.”

Tao swallowed before he presented the girl his puss-in-boots eyes. “I’m sorry Jamie. It’s just Baekhyun hyung wouldn’t stop insert me with untrue nicknames.” He faked a sniffle as Baekhyun pretended to gag.

“I told you didn’t I. I’m immune to those eyes.” Jamie said before pinching Tao’s side for the third time as he yelped then whined childishly. “I’m straving. Lead the way sunbae.”

Jamie kicked Tao’s heel, indicating him to move. Tao pouted like how his cute-self would do but Jamie’s stern expression made him complied right away. Jamie only exhaled the breath she didn’t know she held when Tao started walking a head, hands in his jeans pocket, sulking like a dejected cat.

“You like him don’t you?” Baekhyun suddenly spoke right next to Jamie’s ear, made the girl shrieked from surprise.

“Wha- W-what are you t-talking about s-sunbae?”

“You like him. It’s as obvious as daylight. Tao’s incredibly dense when it came to things like this.” Baekhyun flashed a tooth grin but Jamie didn’t notice due to the frantic beats of her heart.

“I-I.. umm... I-I mean I-... err... I d-don’t...” Jamie stammered between incoherent thoughts in the jumbled mess of her mind.

Baekhyun chuckled at the girl’s slight mental breakdown, yes sounds mean, but he couldn’t help but think it was incredibly cute. “Don’t worry. My lips are sealed.”

“N-ne...” Jamie mumbled weakly.

“I can’t guaranteed others would though.” Baekhyun blurted and immediately regretted it when Jamie turned to him abruptly with saucers eyes and a panic expression.

“NO NO! Nobody knew but me.” He started and sighed in relief when Jamie’s eyes softened. “What I mean is that you’re very obvious about it, everyone could see it. It’s not the first time I noticed you know. I knew every since you hung out with us. I could see the affection in your eyes whenever you looked at Tao and it’s painfully obvious little one.” Baekhyun smiled and ruffled Jamie’s hair.

“It is?” Jamie whispered.

“Yes it is.” Baekhyun chuckled.

“Ugh...” Jamie groaned as she hung her head low and bit her lips enough for it to bleed. “I hate this.”

Baekhyun glanced at her with a confused gaze but nevertherless remain silent with jumbling thoughts of the girl’s distressed expression.

The trio traveled in silence, each delved in different emotions. Somehow Tao did them all a favor by announcing their arrival. The other two were quick to snap their heads to the voice but none acknowledged the previous conversation as they shuffled quickly inside, unconciously bowing to loud greetings threw their way.

The trio grabbed the seats towards the back corner, away from the crowd occupying the center. They were soon given menus but Jamie’s appetite died a while ago, without a thought, she ordered what they came for.

“1 bibimbap for me.” She mumbled lowly but enough for her sunbaes to catch.

“Me too.” Baekhyun followed soon after as he put down his menu with a sigh, not really reading anything in particular.

“Well then, I’m having bibimbap as well.” Tao smiled rather forcefully, for once, noticing the air between his companions were radiating negative energy.

He might be a cutie pie on the outside, his negative energy could very much kill everything in range if unleashed so he was complete clueless on how to relieve this uncomfortable situation (he wasn’t a mood maker to begin with, don’t blame him).

A waitress came back shortly after to take their order, as the oldest, Baekhyun took charge. When the woman went to another table after confirming their orders, silence befell trio once again. Jamie looked down at her fingers, playing with the hem of her baggy T-shirt; Baekhyun prentended to play with his phone while Tao looked on as awkwardness chewed him alive.

“Arg! I can’t handle this anymore. Guys what’s going on between you two?” Tao pulled his hair out of frustration as Jamie flinched due to the sudden outburst.

“What do you mean? Nothing is going on.” Baekhyun played dumb and Tao knew it so he turned to Jamie whose eyes never once left her T-shirt to even look at their surroundings.

“You gonna burn a hole in your new T if you keep staring at it Jamie.”

The only reaction she gave him was shifting her gaze to the glass of water, she discovered placed there not long ago from the corner of her eyes. Tao sighed and shook his heads.

What did I do that I got stuck with these two extremely stubborn beings? He beat himself mentally.

“Guys.” Tao suddenly slammed his palms onto the table, glad that they sat in a pretty secluded area, in determination to tear this tension away and startled both as they stared at him wide-eyed.

Patting himself on the back for getting the duo’s attention, Tao cleared his throat and tried to look as cool as possible.

“How about we play a game?” He suggested, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“What game?” Baekhyun asked with a monotone voice.

“A game which we introduces ourselves.”

“You call that a game sunbae?” Jamie raised an eyebrow.

“It’s not that simple. Here’s the rule. Everyone has a turn. Each turn one gives a topic. We revealed the facts about ourselves via the topic.”

....

“What? Answer me guys. Whether it’s interesting or not?”

....

“Ugh! Are you guys in or not? At least give me an answer!”

“I’m in.” Jamie raised her hand, eyes no longer locked with the water glass though still not looking at the other two males.

Baekhyun hesitated but soon compiled. “Let’s start this game then. Who’s first?”

Tao grinned in victory though his friends weren’t enthusiatic, he’s glad they agreed.

“Let’s give the youngest the honor.”

“Oh! And no lying. Only facts allowed.”

Jamie glanced at her sunbaes, finally. She decided to start off with something simple.

“Hobbies.” She said before staring at Tao. Baekhyun caught up and stared at Tao as well.

Under the heated stares, Tao strangely wasn’t surprised he was somewhat forced to start off.

“I like listening to music, doing wushu and walking along the beach. Your turn hyung.”

“I like listening to music, singing, playing PC games and driving everyone in EXO insane.” Baekhyun mused, sacrasm dripping off his voice as Jamie smiled.

“I like listening to music as well, singing, drawing and tormenting Tao sunbae until he admits he looks like a panda.”

“Hey! I said no lying!” Tao pointed a finger accusingly at Jamie who was quick to swat it away.

“I wasn’t.” She smirked.

While Baekhyun internally praised Jamie for her humor, Tao was less than pleased when Jamie knew just exactly when to put her natural born ability into use. Glaring at the young girl, totally unamused, he attempted to steer them away from the panda topic, or so he thought.

“My turn on the topic.” Tao quickly intercepted, not leaving space for either to object.

“Who said so?” Baekhyun said as he sipped on his water.

“I said so. You’re the oldest hyung, you should let the young ones go first.” Tao argued though Baekhyun was having none of it.

“Usually it’s the oldest to get everything first you know. In cases where the youngest got it first, the oldest would be next then the middle ones. And in this case, since the youngest got her chance. It’s my turn.”

Jamie was having fun, watching from the sidelines as Tao’s face contorted as he slowly gave up and let the older got his chance.

“Fine.”

“First love.”

Author's Note

I was running low on inspiration so I didn't update for quite a while. I hope this chapter is good enough. Since I get quite a long semester break, I would try to update as much as possible. Thanks to everyone who reads my story. Thank you. Oh! It might be a bit soon but HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR guys. I tend to lose track of time so I would like to do that now. TOODLES!