Jangmi could feel her cheeks burning. She looked to her right, at Kai who was holding the cat on his arms. She needed the cold breeze to stop her from feeling all the warmth from her cheeks.

“Falling for me already?” he suddenly asked. She looked away as quickly as possible. “Dream on” she replied. He chuckled. “What’s funny about that?” she asked, eyes narrowed. “Denying won’t work” he chirped, looking at her. “Jerk” she blurted, looking away.

“Rose”

Jangmi was not minding him. He’ll just make fun of her.

“Rose”

She continued walking.

“Rose”

She sighed.

“Why?” she asked, irritated. She stared at him and he was looking back at her. “I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to her” he replied, showing the cat which was snuggling on his arms. She cocked a brow. “The cat’s name is…Rose?” she asked.

He nodded casually. “Why? You don’t want to share your nickname?” he asked playfully. “My nickname’s not Rose” she replied. He grinned. “Then why did you react to that name?” he asked. “Just…because” she paused and looked in front of her.

“You’re irritating” she finished. She mentally slapped herself. She could come up with better excuses than that.

“Am I?”

“Yes, you are”

“Do you hate me?”

Jangmi stopped and looked at him. He was playing with the cat and he looked like he was having fun. He lifted his head to look at her.

Do I hate him?

“No”

“Then do you like me?”

“No” she replied immediately. He pouted and tickled the back of the cat’s ear. “Rose” he said once again. “Why?” she asked. “I’m not talking to you, I’m talking to her” he replied, still pertaining to the cat. Jangmi grunted and started walking faster.

“This unnie said she doesn’t hate me but she also doesn’t like me. Then what does she feel about me?” he mumbled and she heard the cat’s soft purring. He chuckled and Jangmi couldn’t help but look at his direction. It was already dark but she could see how the corners of his eyes crinkled while looking at the cat. He looked like a kid with his favorite pet.

She shrugged and looked in front of her. She noticed that they were already entering their subdivision. She turned to him and he stared back at her. “Are you really going to follow me all the way to our house?”

“Can I come?” he asked, grinning.

“Get lost” she hissed but that did not make him falter. He was already stifling laughter from her reaction.

“I’m also going to this direction. My grandmother’s house is in this subdivision” he said in a matter-of-fact tone. Before she could even speak up, he was already walking past her.

The plague of the Prince Syndrome has reached their subdivision. And she hated thinking about being in the same class and subdivision with the suspect of that plague. Breathing the same air with him is another story.

She stomped her way towards their house’s gate. When he noticed that she stopped, he turned around and looked at their house as if memorizing how it looks like. “Don’t even think of paying visits or you’ll be dead” she warned him, pushing the gate open.

A smirk came to his face.

“Sounds like a nice idea. I’ll visit you everyday, Rose”

Turn around and slam that damn gate! Talking with this freaking, alien monkey will not help! Her mind shouted and she narrowed her eyes.

“You’re impossible” she muttered.

“And you’re pretty” he said in reply, smiling. She felt her cheeks burn. She grunted in frustration before slamming the gate before her. Before she could even enter their house, he heard him bid her goodbye casually.

She plopped on her bed as soon as she entered her room. Her parents were still not home and her younger brother was in his room, probably playing with his gadgets. Her life was originally stressful but with Kai adding to the pile, it’s now chaotic.

A warm shower would make her feel better. And with a heavy feeling, she dragged herself to her bathroom.

It took her more than 30 minutes to finish her warm bath. Turning her computer on, she dried her hair with the towel on her head. She quickly checked her e-mail and downloaded some files which Hayoung and Jonghyun sent for her to review for their meeting the next day. She can already feel the pressure as the day of the school fest is approaching.

She searched for their school’s webpage and started reading some new posts which Hayoung added since she’s the SC’s secretary. They were all about the SC’s report about the school fest and other school activities. She saw a comment on one of the posts and she quickly clicked on the link which was posted.

Sangin High School’s Golden Boy Transfers to Shinhwa High School

She scrolled down and read the article. It was about Kai – Kim Jongin. As far as she’s concerned, the article’s praising the golden boy and they’re – Sangin High School – disappointed that he transferred to Shinhwa. The way that the writer wrote it, she sounded like a big fan of his. She rolled her eyes and closed the article. Who in their right minds would be a fan of that guy? He’s like the epitome of what they call as the Prince Syndrome.

Jangmi pulled her towel and hung it on her rack before sitting in front of her computer once again. She pursed her lips before dragging the mouse to the new tab icon.

Kim Jongin Sangin High School

She hit the enter key and after some seconds, articles showed up on her screen. She scanned the titles of the articles. It looks like he’s really a big shot. How come she never heard about him?

Kim Jongin – Kai becomes the new face of a sport’s wear label.

She scrolled down.

Who is Kim Jongin A.K.A. Kai?

She stopped and stared at that title. It looked like one of those blogs of fangirls. Who is he anyway? She wanted to know who the hell he is. She clicked on it.

Kim Jongin, also known as Kai, was born on January 14, 1994. She raised a brow. He’s three months older but that doesn’t make her think that she should give a damn about that. She skipped the other facts and stopped on the next part.

He is the only son of Mrs. and Mr. Kim who are known to be the owner of S Telecom. Despite being in a rich family, he’s known as a humble and down-to-earth person. Jangmi almost punched her screen. Humble? Who is this person joking with? Does she know what she’s talking about? 

He’s been into several academic competitions and has been winning most of them. He has been given the name ‘golden boy’ of Sangin High School because of his achievements. He’s the captain of the basketball team and the leader of the school’s dance club alongside his friend – Lee Taemin.

And with the sudden announcement of his transfer, many were disappointed.

She raised a brow and bit her lip. It looks like many were really blinded by this guy. Her thoughts were suddenly cut by the ringing of her phone. It was a message from the contact name: Jack.

She grunted and picked up her phone. There’s only one person she could think about. She never saved a number under that name. Kai’s the suspect. And she knew that he shamelessly saved his number when she caught him in their room a while back. She mentally noted that she really needed to put a password on her phone or never leave her phone again unattended.

She clicked on that small message icon.

From Jack: Thanks for not ignoring my message, Rose.

She rolled her eyes and put her phone down. She closed the tabs on her computer and shut it down. She pulled her notes from her bag and started making her home works. She heard another ring from her phone.

From Jack: I know you read the first one Rose. You’re ignoring me right now. I’m sad :(

Jangmi made a face and was about to put her phone down when it rang once again.

From Jack: Next time, don’t roam on the streets when it’s dark. It’s dangerous without anyone with you.

She stared at the screen of her phone for a while. Another message came. He’s like throwing bombs at her phone right now.

From Jack: I know you’re tired. Take a rest. Good night Rose.

She sighed and put her phone down. She continued writing on her notes. With a frustrated grunt, she picked her phone and clicked the reply icon.

To Jack: Thanks for a while back. Good night Kim Jongin.

She sent it and regretted it quickly. Showing a soft spot will never help her get rid of him. Maybe it’s the wrong decision. A reply quickly came.

From Jack: Anything for you Rose :)

And with that, she decided not to send texts anymore.

Replying to his messages was really a bad idea. Kai has been glued to her side after that night. He literally never left her except for those times that she would go to the restroom or he would go to the restroom. The rumors reached their level and it was giving her a hard time. She kept on explaining to the people around her that they’re not dating because they really are not dating.

Kai looked like he was enjoying what’s happening. But she already waved her white flag along the way. Explaining to people about what’s hap