Within seconds, I made up my mind: The cat playground was the place for me.

Humming, I skipped to the cat playground.

“May I go in?” I asked an employee that was stationed next to the entrance. Wordlessly, she nodded. I bowed my head in thanks, and excitedly walked through the white gates. A plethora of cats began to swarm around me, nudging my legs with their noses.

Meow meow meow!

Ah… so cute…

“A cat-lover, huh?” Jonghyun teased and poked my back, making me jolt in surprise. I forced back the urge to turn around.

“Yeah,” I responded giddily. “I used to visit this shop frequently before I entered high school. In fact, I named some of the cats according to their personality.”

“Really?” He sat down next to me, crisscrossing his legs.

“Yep. See, that orange tabby in the corner? He’s really easy to approach, so I named him Max. And those two Burmese kitties there are siblings, but they fight a lot! And lonely black York Chocolate cat right there is rather antisocial, but he is really sweet-tempered when you give him tuna.” I spoke, filled with enthusiasm. “Ah… I’m talking too much… I’m weird, right?”

To my surprise, he simply grinned.

“You’re amusing,” He reached up to pinch my cheeks, pulling them up and down. “Tell me more.”

I spent the rest of the morning introducing the cats in the pet store. He was particularly interested in the prickly York Chocolate cat, who scratched his face twice and bit his finger.

“I’m not good with cats,” He nervously his lips as he observed the wound on his slender finger. “I guess I’m more of a dog person.”

“I think you’re completely fine with them!” I quietly mumbled.

“Thanks for the encouragement,” He was one his feet in less than a second. “Tell me more next time, alright? I gotta go.”

“Next time?” I cocked my head questionably, a faint tint of pink on my cheeks. How was I going to meet him next time if I didn’t know anything about him?

“It’s a small world, Jung Roo Ri.”

And just like that, Jonghyun’s broad back faced me as he walked out of the store.

That night, I rested my head on my pillow, his words echoing in my mind.

It’s a small world, Jung Roo Ri.

Smiling, I remembered introducing the cats to him, one by one. And the image of him his lips... his tongue running over those smooth lips...

God, I must be erted!

I quietly scolded myself, and gently slapped my face. A cool breeze lifted my curtains up, revealing a sky of deep, dark blue. The stars outside my window twinkled, seemingly laughing at me. I sat up, shaking my fists at the laughing stars.

Out of breath from talking to myself, I collapsed into my bed again, nearly missing the headboard. Imagine hitting your head on that – ouch.

Time to sleep.

But inside of me- a tiny voice hoped that I would be able to meet Jonghyun again.

Hair clinging to my face. Dark rings under my eyes. Lifeless eyes. A dead expression.

This is what I get for being unable to sleep yesterday?!

Darn you, Kim Jonghyun.

I sighed, and turned a knob next to a sink. Water droplets splashed everywhere as I rinsed my face with water- for the fifth time, mind you- hoping that I could “revive” my face. I banged my fists on the window frustratingly when the dark circles under my eyes continued to taunt me.

You know what this calls for?

Yes.

It calls for coffee.

(click your option)

Brew some coffee at home

Go outside to buy coffee (coming soon)

.