✎Lesson 30: I Need To Re-Take.
✎♥The Dating Subject♥✎
ONEW'S POV
I hugged Maki's arm tighter.
I actually feel a lot better now, thanks to my nurse.
Something feels different though.
Maki's arm...feels...
Colder?
And it got a little skinnier.
Or is it just me?
"Maki?" I opened my eyes slowly and tried to look up.
"Omo! Oppa! You're awake! Are you feeling better now?"
I blinked, trying to focus my disheveled sight to her.
Maki's voice got...higher somehow.
And louder.
And...when did she start calling me oppa??
Not that I'm complaining or anything.
But something feels wrong.
Which is ridiculous since--
My vision started to focus.
"Jessica?!" I sat up straight, shocked.
"How long have you been here?" I inched away.
"and why are you in my room?"
She smiled sweetly.
"I've been here for a while, oppa. I've been taking care of you. Are you feeling better?"
I blinked. She's been...taking care of me?
Then...
Maki...?
What about Maki coming here and taking care of me?
Was it all just a dream?!
"Where's Maki?" I asked.
She frowned. "Maki? She le--" She suddenly stopped talking.
"She what?"
"She...uh...she was never here."
"What?! She was here a while ago! I'm positive about it!"
She laughed lightly. "Oppa. Maki was never here. You must have been dreaming."
Dreaming? I've only been dreaming? But...
"Are you feeling better, oppa?"
"Yes." I answered glumly.
How could it be a dream? How?
Was I too sick to know what a dream is from a reality anymore?
Jessica stood up, smiling.
"I knew it~ you better eat the soup I prepared for you!"
My stomach turned.
Soup?
But Maki was the one who fed me soup.
So...it was all really a dream?
How disappointing.
"Here, oppa." She opened the thermos.
"Uhm...Jessica. Would it be okay if you leave me alone...for now? I...uh...I need to change." I lied.
"Change?" She tilted her head.
"I'll just turn around then!" She giggled.
Man! Doesn't this girl get that she shouldn't stick around when she's not wanted?!
Besides, I want to sleep again so that I can continue my dream where Maki was taking care of me.
"Err...Jessica. You really need to go now. You'll catch my cold." I said slowly.
"Oh."
"You don't want to have a cold, do you? You can't go to parties if you’re sick."
She jumped up as if she's been infected already.
"Omo! You're right! I need to go now, oppa! Byeee~" She grabbed her things quickly and stormed out of the room.
I shook my head.
I can see that she really likes me.
--
I tried to sleep again but it didn't work.
This is so annoying!
Now I'm wide awake when I don't really want to be.
But honestly, I do feel better.
My fever is gone and I'm not shivering anymore.
As much as I hate to admit it, Jessica did a good job in taking care of me.
Or maybe because I dreamt of Maki?
I walked over to my bed and sat on it, feeling sad.
It's the first time I've had such a realistic dream.
If only it was true...
Should I call her? I just need to hear her--Oh right. She doesn't have a phone.
Speaking of which...I could always call their landline.
I started to look for my phone in my bedstand.
Hmmm...where is it?
Ah. My table is so messy, I really should clean it.
Grabbing the trashcan, I started to rid my bedstand of candy wrappers, stray papers, and just random stuff.
Throw. Throw. Throw. Th--
Oops, not that. So that's where my notes in lit101 went!
Hmmm...throw. Throw. Throw.
Receipt from the chicken shop--throw.
Bored notes from the last meeting--throw.
Taemin's sketch of a sunflower--What the heck?! Why is this even in my things??
Return to Taemin.
More random papers--Throw.
The paper with the teardrop--....Throw.
More random--
Hey.
Wait.
What is this?
I know you're sleeping right now and you can't hear me. I don't even know why I'm writing this. I guess I'm just nervous, I needed to make my words fit with what I want to say. But...I can't find the right words. So maybe I should just come out and say it. I....Omo. I don't even know why I'm being nervous while writing this! ><
I'm in...
OMO! You just moved!!!! Are you awake??
--
Oh. You're not. Okay. I must stop finding excuses and just do this.
Because of all the time we've spent together and all the tutoring and all your kindness and sweetness,
I've realized one thing.
One very important thing.
Lee Jinki...I'm in—
I let out a breath.
I'm in what?? Why wasn't the letter finished?
And...who wrote this?
This didn't come from school surely, because the writer used my personal notepad to write the message in.
That means...only the ones who've been in my room had done this.
Who's been in my room?
My cousin? X definitely not.
My friends? X no way.
Maki?....
She was here yesterday.
Except that we were both asleep together so it's kind of impossible that she wrote this since she was in my arms practically the whole time.
Plus, that's totally not her handwriting.
To be honest, whoever wrote this note had a pretty messy handwriting. It was kind of hard to read.
"Onew!"
Junsu hyung suddenly burst into my room.
"Yeah, hyung?"
"That girl who came here a while ago told me to give you this."
He held up a paper bag and tossed it at me.
"Catch ya later! The game is on!" He quickly walked out.
"Wait! Junsu hyung! Was it--"
He already slammed the door.
I shook my head, sighed and opened the paper bag.
Oh. It's just my sweater.
My sweater...
Hmm...
My...sweater?
Wasn't Maki the last one who used my sweater?
And...and...
Flashback
"Don't be silly. I'll go get blankets." She started to stand up again.
I tightened my grip on her.
"No. Stay here. With me." I continued to mumble with my eyes closed.
"I have your sweater. I'm returning it, so wear it, okay?"
End of flashback.
I have your sweater...
"That girl who came here a while ago told me to give you this."
I KNEW IT!
MAKI WAS HERE A WHILE AGO!!!
How could Jessica lie?!
Wait. Maybe she didn't. Maybe Maki went off before she came in...
I mean, no one would lie about something like that, right?
That's just...
I shook my head.
Even Jessica wouldn't do that sort of thing.
Anyway...
If Maki was here a while ago...
Then...
Standing up quickly, I left my sweater on my bed and walked out of the house.
I need to talk to her. Now.
--
MAKI'S POV
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Teppei. Is Maki there?" Someone asked politely.
I peeked downstairs.
That voice...
My eyes widened. It's Onew!
What is Onew doing here?!
"Good afternoon, Onew! You're looking for Maki, huh? Wait, I'll just go..." My mom looked upstairs.
"and fetch her."
My eyes widened when my mom saw me.
I quickly shook my head and mouthed words: UMMA! DON'T TELL HIM I'M HERE! and made frantic gestures.
My mom looked confused as she turned back to Onew.
"Uhm...I'm sorry, Onew. She's not here. I thought she was but..." My mom looked up again and I immediately climbed up a few more steps.
"I guess she went out." My mom said apologetically.
"Oh." I heard him sigh. "Uhm...well...did she say where she was going?" He asked.
"No, I'm afraid not. I'm sorry Onew."
"It's alright Mrs. Teppei. Thank you very much. Have a nice day." He said politely and I heard my mom bid him goodbye.
As soon as my mom closed the door, I went down slowly.
"What's going on? Is something wrong? Are you guys fighting?" My mom asked worriedly.
"Uh...no."
"Then why are you avoiding him?"
"Oh...that." I laughed forcibly.
"We...are...uh..just playing a game. That's all." I shrugged, hoping my mom wouldn't notice I'm lying.
"Is that so? What game is that? Kids these days, really...Anyway, don't give him a hard time! He seems tired already." My mom commented and went to the kitchen.
I felt guilty. Onew's tired. He's sick. And tired.
Why did he go out of his house?
Why is he even looking for me?
Making up my mind, I took my cardigan and hurried out.
--
I walked to the park. Wait. Maybe I shouldn't be here at all.
Where am I going to go anyway?
Am I going to follow Onew or what?
I shook my head. No way. Maybe that Jessica is with him again or something...
I don't want to see her again.
Let alone see them together. I'm not sure if I can take that.
So what I should do is...
I'll avoid Onew.
Yes. That's a good plan!
I'll avoid him!
I quickly walked towards the one place I hoped he won't find me.
--
"Hello?" I answered Mizuki's cellphone which she lent me since she has to study for her tests and didn't want any distractions.
"Mizuki? Is Maki there?" I heard Mika's voice over the phone.
"Hey Mika." I said, swinging my feet lightly.
"Maki?" She seemed surprised.
"Yes?"
"Why is Mizuki's phone with you?"
"She asked me to keep it for her for awhile."
"Oh. Well, that's good! You're just the person I wanted to talk to! Where are you?" She asked urgently.
"Me? I'm in the--"
"Because Onew's here right now and he's looking for you!"
"What?!" I panicked.
"Don't tell him where I am!"
"Why?" She lowered down her voice.
"Did something happen?"
"Uh...no. Just don't tell him where I am!"
"Tsk. This is a dilemma. Jonghyun is getting annoyed because Onew kept on asking me on your whereabouts."
"Sorry." I sighed. Now I'm ruining Mika's date too!
"Just tell him..." I looked at the flowers.
"Tell him you don't know where I am." I sighed and ended the call.
I looked up at the skies.
Am I doing the right thing here?
--
ONEW’S POV
Where is she, seriously?
She's not in her house, Mika doesn't know where she is (although I don't understand why Jjong was so annoyed when I kept on begging Mika to rack her brain for places where Maki could be. He kept on muttering that I was wasting their precious date time or whatever.),
she's not at the park, in any ramyeon noodle house, Wooyoung's chicken house (although I had to resist the chicken. I really need to find her!) and now, I'm at a loss.
Where? Where could she be?
Wait.
I thought deeply.
Could she be in…
I bit my lip, shivering a little.
Taking a deep breath, I started to walk faster.
I just have to take my chances.
--
MAKI'S POV
"I knew I'd find you here!" I heard someone exclaimed.
I quickly wiped away my tears and turned around.
"Onew?" I blinked and rubbed my eyes.
"Maki!"
I quickly stood up, preparing to run away.
How the hell did he find me?! I ran fast.
"Wait, Maki!" I saw that Onew was panting already and he really did looked tired.
He's sick. Onew's sick. And you're making him run like this.
Aren't you worried?
Some friend you are.
My brain told me.
Or was it my heart?
I shook my head, trying to shake out the guilty thoughts, while I continued to run.
I looked back briefly, Onew was still trying to hurry after me.
"Maki please, wait." He breathed, his eyes looked confused and it made me feel unexplainably hurt.
I sighed.
What am I doing?
I'm really a fool for this guy.
I wanted to run away from him.
I knew that what I felt for him was wrong, especially because he's taken.
So why do I find myself wanting to stop?
Little by little, I decreased my speed into a walk.
Then I fully stopped running.
I knew I couldn't escape him physically, mentally, emotionally, it was inevitable, something so unavoidable.
It felt permanent.
Tell me, how would you escape someone who you craved to be with everyday?
It's impossible.
If only he feels the same...
If only he wasn't Jessica's...
"Finally." I heard him sigh as he held onto my arm.
"Maki...what's going on?" He asked, still looking confused and sad.
"Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry...I'm really sorry." He pleaded.
"Don't get mad. Please."
I felt like crying again because I could never tell him why I was running away from him.
You didn't do anything wrong, Onew... I was the one who was wrong.
I fell for you when I wasn't supposed to.
I'm sorry...
But I didn't end up uttering these words.
"What are you doing here?" I asked instead, my voice hinting worry for his condition.
He looked into my eyes and I quickly felt weak.
Onew really isn't making this any easier for me.
--
ONEW'S POV
"Can we sit first?" I asked and pulled her with me to the benches.
"I was looking for you." I finally said after I caught my breath.
"You weren't at your house...the park...Mika didn't know where you were."
She didn't answer, she wasn't even looking at me.
"Are you avoiding me?" I finally asked her.
She looked down at her feet and I noticed that she was blinking fast. I didn't like this at all.
"Are you crying?" I panicked.
She shook her head fast.
"Of course not. I just had a...uh...a dirt in my eye." Her voice shook.
She's lying. Again.
"What happened? I'm sorry. Did I do something wrong...? I'm really--"
"Of course not. You were sick all day Onew. And we're finally friends, right? Why would you ask these things?" She looked at me and I knew she was trying to make her voice bright but she really couldn't lie to me.
Her lies would never work against me.
"Then why were you crying?" I asked.
"I told you I wasn't crying! Why were you looking for me anyway?" She asked quickly, changing the topic.
Oh right. That...how do I ask her?
"Because..." I looked down, biting my lips.
"Because?"
"Why'd you return my sweater?" I asked her instead while looking at her a little accusingly.
She blinked. "It's yours."
"You should've still kept it. A while ago in my room when..."
I saw something pass through her eyes.
What was that emotion?
Pain? Jealousy?
"Please don't do those things Onew. Other people might get the wrong idea." She said in a flat voice.
I was confused.
"Other people? What are you talking about?"
"Maybe Jessica likes your sweater. You should give it to her and not to someone like me." She frowned a little.
"Jessica?" I tilted my head.
"How did you know Jessica was in my room?"
"Nevermind." She huffed.
I can't help it. I smiled widely.
"Are you jealous?"
She turned her back to me, but not before I saw her face reddening.
"Do I even have the right to be? I'm just a classmate asking for your help... I never thought things would be like this..." I heard her murmur.
I gave her a backhug and rested my chin on her shoulder, to be honest, I'm feeling a little dizzy because of the search I did earlier.
"Don't you remember who my yobo is?" I asked, disregarding what she said earlier.
I could never understand why she doubts the things I do for her.
She stiffened and took my arms off her while turning to face me.
"Onew...don't."
"Why did you even leave so early? I thought you were going to take care of me." I pretended to look hurt and inched closer to her.
"I was kicked out. Not that taking care of you was my job in the first place. You already have her anyway..." She muttered.
"What?!" I was surprised.
She ignored my question though and just sighed.
"Anyway, is that the only reason as to why you're here? About the sweater? You should go home, you know. You're still sick." She said, I can see she's struggling with something, she hid her face by hanging her head low.
"No, wait. What was that you said awhile ago? What do you mean 'I already have her anyway?' "
"Please don't pretend you don't know what I'm saying, Onew." She looked down and she was blinking fast.
But I really don't...
I looked at her wordlessly, trying to comprehend what was suddenly happening.
Weren't we really close a while ago? Aren't we in good terms already? Isn't it that she's my yobo again?
She stood up. "I need to go Onew, and you need to go home too. Alright?" She said and hurried away.
"No." I stood up unsteadily and hurried after her.
Damn. I mentally cursed.
Of all days to get sick, why does it have to be today? How am I going to catch up to her at all?!
"Maki!" I called out, running to her.
"Please..."
This time, I'm so sure, those were tears that I saw cascading down her face.
She quickly wiped them away.
"Go away, Onew. You're not supposed to do things like these and I'm not supposed to feel this way at all. This is wrong. Really wrong." She finally broke down, sobbing.
This is the most confusing moment of my life.
"Maki..." I hugged her.
"What are you talking about? Why is this wrong?" I questioned her tears.
"Because...because..." I knew she was finding it difficult to speak through her tears.
So I just held her close.
"I don't know what's going on." I admitted.
"But I do know one thing: You really feel right to me."
I whispered.
She froze. "Onew!" She scolded me sharply.
"Why would you say that?!"
"Because it's the truth."
"I don't want to hear this anymore. I have nothing against her. I would never do these kind of things..." She muttered and started to walk away again but I held her hand firmly.
"You know what?" I just asked, peeking at her.
"The sweater's not important, my sickness isn't important, Jessica is not important."
She finally looked at me, confused.
"Why are you saying things like that, Onew? Jessica is your gi—"
"In fact, nothing else matters." I continued, cutting her off and taking one of her hands to mine.
"Except for you."
She sniffed, her lips trembling.
"Onew..."
I held her close to me.
"Don't doubt these things. Don't doubt me or what I'm doing. Okay?"
She didn't answer so I continued, although the feeling of dizziness came back.
"I was confused when I woke up and you weren't by my side anymore. I thought I just dreamt of you taking care of me..." I confessed, finally closing my eyes. I feel like I'm going to collapse.
"So please, don't be mad anymore." I whispered woozily.
"Onew, I think you shouldn't do those things anymore...We are not together. We're not a couple, okay?" She looked away backing off my arms.
"No." I shook my head even though that simple move made me dizzier.
"Listen to what I'm saying right now, okay? It's just us two. Just. Us. " I emphasized.
"Maki, I...I really..."
"I'm not--hey, are you okay?" She place her hands on my forehead.
"Hey! You still have a slight fever!" She frowned.
"Why did you even get out of your room? This pabo...seriously." She muttered.
"Later. Listen...first...to...what I'm gonna...say...Maki...I really...like...I mean, I really...love...." I closed my eyes and swallowed and did my best to look like everything around me wasn't spinning.
"Yah, stubborn Onew!" She sighed and focused her eyes on me, looking worried.
I shivered a little.
"Maki, I have something...to...say..."
She took off her cardigan.
"It's the only one I have right now." and laid it on my shoulders.
"Don't. It's cold." I protested weakly.
"See? See how sick you are? It's not that cold right now here in the garden and yet, you're shivering." She scolded me.
"Lean onto me, okay?" She said quietly and awkwardly pulled me closer while placing her arms around me.
"I'm doing this because you're my friend...that's all. I’m probably not allowed to do this…" I heard her mumble while shaking her head and I closed my eyes for a moment.
“I’m really…totally..one hundred per…” I felt very sleepy.
"Let's get you home."
"I’m really…really…fine."
She shook her head and I closed my eyes, finally giving in to the dizziness.
I was vaguely aware of her voice calling out to me.
"I'm really sorry Onew..."
--
My eyes opened and I looked around.
Hey! I'm in my room now and I'm in my bed!
I looked down to the side of my bed to see Maki sleeping.
I smiled, taking off the warm cloth she probably put in my head.
I finally felt better.
"Maki..." I her hair and leaned down to kiss her head but that made her stir and wake up.
"Oh, hey. You're awake!" She stretched a little.
"Are you feeling better?"
I nodded.
"That's good." She mumbled and tied her hair into her usual ponytail.
I stared at her, finally being aware of the reason why I wanted to see her in the first place.
"Maki?" I asked.
"Hmm?" She placed her arm in my forehead, testing my temperature.
"Almost no fever now. But just to be sure..." She took the thermometer and stuck it into my mouth while looking into the clock.
"7pm." She mumbled, writing it down.
"Just like a real nurse." I .
"Ssh!" She smiled. "You can't speak while there's a thermometer in your mouth."
I smiled widely.
"You can't smile either." She crossed her arms and I just tried to hold my laughter in.
The thermometer finally beeped and she looked at it.
"Hmm...yup! No fever anymore." She said happily while writing it down yet again.
Speaking of writing...
"Maki..." I began.
"Yes?" She asked, still jotting down something.
"Do you...like writing letters?"
She froze, almost dropping her pen. "L-Letters? What kind of letters?" She seemed nervous.
"Uhm...I don't know. Love letters? Confessions?" I asked unsurely.
She blushed deeply.
"Uh...no."
Oh. I suddenly felt very disappointed.
Of course, it’s not her. What was I thinking?
I felt for the letter in my pocket.
Maybe...I shouldn’t ask her about this at all.
She probably really didn’t write it and stuff anyway…
What if it was Jessica? After all, I also tutored her, and it’s pretty obvious that she probably likes me.
Unless she flirts with every guy like that.
Besides, I'm not sure about how Maki feels about me so...I've decided.
I won't let things get awkward...not now.
Not when I actually get to be in her arms.
Besides, she said it herself:
She doesn’t like to write letters.
So who exactly wrote this?
class notes
Hello you ! I'M SORRY FOR JUST UPDATING TODAY. SORRY. SORRY. SORRYYYYYYY!!!!!
did you find this chapter lame? You did?
Cause I did too. >< I'm sorry if my writing was a little off, it's kinda blah-ish for me these days.
Boohoo.
By the way, a lot (as in almost everyone) of you was mad at Jessica at the last chapter.
Also lately, I've been getting threats from gorjess spazzers about it.
HAHA. KIDDING.
Anyway, what I wanted to say is that, we only hate the Story Jessica (Thank you for the term ricebunnii! It's very cute. Lol.) and not the real one, right?
I didn't intend to get you guys to hate the real Jessica. I hope no one does that, unless you really do hate her in the first place...
then...yeah, continue to your heart's content. Lol.
Anyway, I need your help! Can you pick one out of these gorgeous guys? I just need it for a little something. ;)
A. Karam (DGNA The Boss. Doesn't he look like our darling maknae, Taemin? I love this cutiepie so much! He's sooooo...adorable. Lol.)
B. L. Joe (Teen Top. Droolworthy. Yum. Lol.)
C. Seungho (MBLAQ. Another lovely bias of mine.)
D. Kiseop (U-KISS. HOTHOTHOT. Lol.)
E. Kan (F.Cuz. Another really hot guy. Keke.)
F. Other. Suggest someone please, particularly someone who's the opposite of Onew. Someone dark and mysterious and isn't so smiley. (If you choose this, please state in your comment WHO you have in mind.)
This will really help me a lot! Please vote? Pleaseeeeee :)
Vote just once, okay? :)
VOTING CLOSED.
super awesome main image by: Distantmoon
[The Dating Subject] OMG! You guys are still subbing even though it's finished?! CAN I GIVE YOU ALL A HUG? I love you! :)
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