He wanted to come over today. I denied his request, but then he looked at me with that pleading look in his eyes, and the 'no' died on my lips. Instead, I mumbled a 'yes.' I feel like I’m going to regret that decision. At least Sungjong-oppa is still home. Maybe that’d be okay. Maybe they wouldn’t argue and stare daggers at each other when they see each other.

I was nervous, very nervous. I could see Myungsoo walking beside me with a smile on his face, without a care in the world. But then there’s me, the polar opposite, with all the burdens that there could possibly be on my shoulders. I bit my lip as we turned the corner and neared my house. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that my father’s car wasn’t in the driveway. I unlocked the gate and the front door before showing Myungsoo inside.

“Mikyung, is that-”I heard Sungjong say, as he peeked his head out of the kitchen, “-you? Who’s he?” Sungjong asked pointing at Myungsoo.

“A classmate. Oppa, we’ll be in my room doing homework okay?” I looked at Myungsoo, who was standing there awkwardly, and tugged on his shirt sleeve. “Let’s go,” I said, pointing at the stairs with my head. He followed me, after giving a short nod to Sungjong.

“Don’t do anything weird. I’ll bring up food!” Sungjong called after me. I turned back and looked at Myungsoo.

“Sorry about him,” I mumbled. “He’s my cousin.” He offered me a small smile.

“It’s okay. I like his hair...it’s pink.”