High School

“How about her? She’s pretty.”

Gary’s eyes trailed the girl in question. Yeah, she is pretty. Nice face, dimples, brown hair. All the things he finds attractive. But somehow, something was off. There’s always something missing.

He shrugs and continues to look down at his phone. This flappy bird game is starting to piss him off.

An elbow was jabbed squarely at his side. “Hey. Hey. ‘bout that one?”

Gary looks up from his game. Sure, this one is smoking. But again he ignores his friend.

“Oh my god, you are so picky.”

Groaning, Gary press the button at the side of his phone to put it to sleep. “I don’t need a match-maker. Especially you. You’re terrible.” He turns a little to look at his best friend.

“I don’t know why I hang out with you,” she says, playfully punching him on the arm.

The contact made Gary shudder and he was pretty sure it wasn’t the wind. It’s been happening lately, and it’s always when Jihyo is around. When she loops her arms around his; when she flicks him on his cheeks; when she smiles too long at him. Gary knows deep down this isn’t what a friend should feel towards a friend, but he can’t shake it off.

Jihyo places a small hand on his arms, her face full of worry. “You okay?”

Gary suddenly feels shy under her gaze. “Yeah.” He gets up from the bench hauling his black bag up from the ground. “I’m going to head home early. Joong Ki