The sound of sizzling vegetables was heard as Hana entered the kitchen. Kyungsoo was busy running around the confined area while Kai, who was supposed to be helping his cousin, sat on the counter consuming disks of orange and green vegetables. The aroma of the tomato sauce Kyungsoo asked Hana to stir had her stomach growling for food. Kyungsoo chuckled as he saw Hana take a whiff of the heavenly scent shortly before smacking Kai for wiping out a portion of the ingredients. Hana watched Kai retreat from his cousin’s approach and hide on her left, leaving Kyungsoo on her right.

The big eyed boy didn’t make any further pursuits and instead made his way towards the fridge while shouting out instructions.

“Hana, could you please pour add the onions? Thanks! Clap once you’re done!”

She did as she was told and stirred; allowing streaks of smoke escape the boiling pool of red. She clapped to inform Kyungsoo that the task was done and inhaled the flavored steam. Her mind was too clouded by the scent to notice the intent stare of the boy on her left. Kai observed Hana closely. Yes she was pretty, but not drop dead gorgeous, and from what he had seen so far she was really nice. She did help him with his sore ear so he figured she was decent. His cousin liked her, which was new for Kai as Kyungsoo was never really welcoming to new people. But to think that he had befriended someone outside their usual circle, she had to be something.

Kai was told by Kyungsoo that their new friend was not a person of many words. Back then Kai figured that maybe his cousin meant that she belonged to a different genus from the regular female species. That maybe Hana wasn’t like the girls who’d talk nonstop about stuff no one could care less about. Even the quietest of people Kai had met spoke at least once in an average of 30 minutes, but Hana had not uttered a word in two hours and it bothered him to no end.

“You don’t talk much do you?”

The question caught her off guard, and when she looked to her left, she saw Kai boring holes into her face. Slightly uncomfortable, she moved a little to her right, increasing the gap between them and refocused on stirring the slowly thickening broth.

“See! Exactly that. I haven’t heard you say a word since you entered the house.”

She gave him a small smile, hoping it would dismiss his further questions but it didn’t. He only asked more and more questions.

“Stop harassing her will you? Go help Kyungsoo, I think he died in the storage room.” Came Baekhyun’s voice,  helping Hana escape from her predicament. Kai protested but gave in eventually since Baekhyun pulled the ‘My house my rules’ card and left the kitchen, leaving Hana sighing in relief and Baekhyun replacing Kai on her side.

“I’m sorry about that brat. Don’t let what he said get to you ok? You’ll show him one day and then he’ll be begging for you to shut up.”

 That earned him a chuckle from Hana, exactly what he was aiming for. Kai's words made Hana scold herself for not working hard enough, but with the upcoming exams and stress she wasn't left with much time to practice. Baekhyun felt the need to snap the web Hana was currently spinning in her head. The toxic words tangled between the fibers of the fragile web in her mind were almost predictable. Predictable and dangerous. 

So when Baekhyun told her about John Travolta having an airplane in his parking lot, he effectively grasped all her attention and distracted her from further degrading herself because of her temporary inability.

If wishes came true, then Baekhyun’s pants would probably be on fire because Lay felt irritated at his friend's closeness to the girl. But then again, he couldn't complain. He was reluctant enough to grab the opportunity and when Baekhyun made the most out of the situation, it ticked him off. Lay tried convincing himself that he didn't feel the urge to pull his friend away. Who was he kidding, he wanted to take his friend’s place so badly and he had no idea why. So while he saw his buddy and the recent source of his internal turmoil, he tried to figure out the reasons why he shouldn’t go there and stand between the two.

They were all friends. Baekhyun could do whatever he wanted because he was Hana’s friend, just like himself and Kyungsoo, unless….Baekhyun liked her. He couldn’t could he? Why would he like her? She’s pretty, smart and nice too, not to mention great at music. No way Baekhyun wouldn’t like her. Heck anyone would like a girl like her.

‘This is frustrating….’

Shouldn’t he support his friend if Baekhyun DID like her? Somehow Lay didn’t want to….

His head hurt, and Baekhyun and Hana’s mingling laughter didn’t help at all. Lay jumped when he felt something crawling up his arm and looked to find Hana staring intently at the white fabric of his rolled up sleeve with a magazine in her hand.

Correction, rolled magazine. The hit wasn’t unexpected but Lay didn’t have enough time to mentally prepare himself for the impact. The yelp escaped by Hana was heard ‘til the storage room because Kyungsoo came running out at the noise with a huffing Kai in tow.

“What happened?!” Kyungsoo asked worried as he saw Hana sitting on the couch hugging her legs and Lay standing next to her with an equally frantic expression. Kyungsoo’s question was answered shortly. Kai next to him jumped and let out a scream Kyungsoo was sure he’d be embarrassed of later, and ran towards the couch. Kyungsoo saw a ridiculously large black colored arthropod scurrying past him and although insects didn’t usually have an effect on him, he had to admit this was one hell of a bug.

Baekhyun came running with a pan and bug spray in hand, ready for charge, however Kyungsoo held his friend from moving any further.

“Relax Sparta, it ran away. You can’t catch it even if you try now.”

“BUT IT WAS SO HUGE!”

“Dude I kno-“

“AND IT WAS SO FRIGGIN UGLY!”

“Yes. And I’m sorry to hear that but-“

“WE MUST KILL IT NOW!”

“SHUT UP would you?! It’s gone now and there’s nothing you can do about it! Just have Suho hyung call an exterminator later or something.”

Kyungsoo held Baekhyun’s wrist until he relaxed, his arms loaded with ‘weapons’ limp on both his sides.

“Yeah you’re right. But if that thing attacks me at night and impales me with its big horns, I’m blaming you.”

“I’ll notify my lawyer. Now on a more serious note, I couldn’t find any cheese. How do you expect me to make Kimchi Spaghetti with no cheese?”

Kai refused to set foot on the floor, Hana however, had grown the guts to take the chances. Lay had descended as well and was inspecting the wacked area on his arm. Although his probably pink skin was hidden underneath the layer of cloth, he could feel it sting because Hana really knew how to deliver a hit. It didn’t kill the bug, but sent it flying and Lay wondered how he hadn’t noticed the sensation before Hana invaded his proximity.

Speaking of the girl, he saw her perusing the floor. He stared, until he himself wasn’t aware of what he was doing. And then suddenly he wondered what it would be like if she was with Baekhyun. He didn’t like it that’s for sure. He needed some air and Kyungsoo had just unconsciously helped him.

“There’s no Kimchi spaghetti without cheese! Go get some right now, I don’t care.”

 “But-“

“I’ll go.” Lay volunteered raising his hand. Hana gave him a curious look while Kai leaned ahead to get a clearer look at him, almost falling off the couch in the process. Kyungsoo huffed and turned to Baekhyun who was looking at his friend on the couch.

“See! You should be the one getting it, not him.”  Kyungsoo scolded while Baekhyun scoffed.

“No, it’s fine really. I felt like I needed some air after all this anyways.”

Kyungsoo nodded but didn’t forget to glare at Baekhyun, who just shrugged in his defense, and went towards the kitchen.

“Hana, how about you go with him?” Kyungsoo suggested and the said girl looked up. She nodded; she kind of liked the idea. Lay had been awkward all day today, and she really wanted to know what made him act this way.

“It’s ok I can go alone. You don’t have to bother her.” Hana, who had jumped off the couch suddenly froze. He didn’t want her to come?

‘But it’s not bothering me….’ she thought but Lay couldn’t possibly know, because if he did, he wouldn’t walk past her towards the door.

“Alright then, Hana how about you help me make pancakes? We can throw flour at each other.” Baekhyun’s voice was mischievous, and Hana thought it was solely because of the idea of playing with flour that made him sound that way. Still bummed about the recent event Hana figured it’d help her cheer up. So just as she was about to take a step towards the kitchen, she felt a grip on her wrist followed by a voice.

“On second thought, I may get bored on the way. Hana wanna come?” Lay asked with big, anticipating eyes and with that look, she just couldn’t refuse. Lay beamed as she nodded and waved the others goodbye. They went out the door, leaving Kai, Kyungsoo, and Baekhyun.

“Am I a genius, or am I a genius?”

“None of the above.” Baekhyun glared at Kyungsoo who just smiled innocently.

“Did he honestly not figure it out yet? I met the girl just two hours ago and I can already tell he likes her.”

“Tch. I know right?”

“Well for now, let’s just appreciate that he fell into the trap that I laid, you’re welcome. He needs some alone time with her if he wants to figure something out.”

“Well excuse you, I had a part in this too.” Kyungsoo pointed out as he held a sealed packet of cheese in his hand. Baekhyun’s eyes widened as he gaped at the blue pack in his friend’s hand.

“Wow……”

“But what if he still doesn’t figure it out? Then?” Kai asked and the other two looked his way.

"Try again until he figures it out?"

" Probably...."

" I can't believe we're the same age..." Kai said thoughtfully.

" Trust me, neither can I." Kai missed the sarcasm in Baekhyun's voice, or pretended to at least.

"- I mean I probably would've felt my undying attraction for her even before I met her." Kai rambled on, and Baekhyun and Kyungsoo stared at their friend. Kyungsoo almost protested, but then held himself because with hyper mode Kai, nothing gets nowhere. So instead they shook their heads as they watched their friend, both of them having the same thought.

"So done with him."

_

new chapter yay! so sometimes i get these weird vibes....like the story isnt gong anywhere.... well i have a direction but i dont know what the heck is wrong with me ._. 

i have consecutive exams after the coming week....so chances of an update are low....BUT! i swear after my exams are over, i will update frequently! 

thanks to those who read this and thank you all the subbies because u guys motivate me! so thank you guys!

<3