Haneul’s POV

I woke up and found myself hugging Junhyung’s arm. I quickly moved away and tried to recall when was it that I started hugging his arm. I touched the corner of my mouth and realize it was wet. I took a closer look at his arm.

“Damn it. Did I drool on him?” I asked myself in panic.

I took a piece of tissue and dap the drool off as lightly as possible so as not to wake him.

“Skye, why the hell are you so embarrassing?” I scolded myself.

He shifted a little in his sleep and opened his eyes slightly.

“Oh~ You’re up..” He said as he stretched.

“Still hungry?” He asked, massaging his arm.

My eyes widened when his palm landed on my drool.

“Why is it wet?” He mumbled, looking at his palm.

He looked at me and made a ‘Oh~’ look.

“I’m so sorry!” I covered my face.

“It’s okay.” He smiled, wiping off the saliva.

“It’s so gross!” I said.

“It’s really okay!” He said, pulling my hands away.

“So, are you still hungry?” He asked.

“Not very.” I said.

“But do you want to eat?” He asked.

“It’s 3AM.” I mumbled.

“Is there a rule stating that you can’t eat at 3AM?” He said, taking up the bowl of ramen but dropped it.

“I’ll do it.” I said.

His arm must be numbed by now, seeing the fact I slept for so long.

“Thanks.” He said.

I came back with two bowls of noodles. There was an awkward silence between us while waiting for the noodles to cook.

“So, going back to the dorm later?” I asked.

“Going to work.” He said, yawning.

“Not going back to sleep?” I asked.

“I slept already.” He said, poking his noodles.

“How is that enough?” I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders and started eating. After food, I closed up the place.

“How are you going home?” He asked.

“Walking.” I said.

“Walking? It’s late, and dangerous. I’ll walk with you.” He said.

“Walk with me? Crazy. If you have so much time on hand, might as well go back and get some sleep.” I said.

“I’ll walk with you.” He said.

“Don’t be stubborn.” I said.

“You don’t be stubborn!” He said.

“Chingu ah~” He called as we walked.

“What?” I answered.

“Erm.. Are you cold?” He asked.

“No.” I said.

Junhyung’s POV

“Is your bag heavy? I’ll carry it for you.” I said.

“No.” She answered.

“Do you always walk home this late?” I asked.

“No. Usually I go home at dawn. Why are you asking the obvious?” She said, sounding a little irritated.

Yong Junhyung, what is your problem? Why can’t you just get the damn question out of your mouth?

I walked behind her, staring at my shoe. I felt so hot for some reason. I took off my jacket but it was still hot.

“Why is it so hot?” I mumbled, but she heard.

“Hot? What are you doing!? Wear it back! You’ll catch a cold!” She said.

“I’m hot.” I smiled nervously.

“Why is your face so red? Are you sick!?” She asked, touching my cheeks.

“No no!” I pushed her hands away slightly.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

“Haneul ah~” I called out. I could feel my hands tremble in my pockets.

“I want to tell you something. But promise me, just listen first. Don’t hit me or what yet. You can do it after I finish. Okay?” I said.

“Yea, okay. What?” She asked.

I looked down, trying to calm myself down.

“Are you going to talk or not!?” She got impatient.

“I LIKE YOU!” I blabbered out.

“I know.” She said, with no surprised emotion on her face.

“YOU KNOW!?” I asked in shock.

“Yea, I like you too. Or else why would I be your friend?” She smiled.

“NO!!! I don’t mean that kind of like!” I said.

The smile on her face faded. She is now glaring at me; exactly the kind of face that she gives me when she wants to punch me.

“I know you said ‘nothing more than friends.’ But the more I tried to hold it back, the more I’m falling for you. Haneul ah, can’t you see? I really, really like you. When I say like, I mean head over heels kind of like. I can’t do anything without thinking about you.” I said.

“Yong Junhyung, we had a deal.” She said.

“I know! But I cannot just ignore my feelings for you! It’s killing me! I’m sorry I broke our deal. I really tried, but I couldn’t stop myself! Haneul, I like you. I want you to be more than just my friend.” I said.

“It’s not possible.” She said.

“Why!? I mean, why not!?” I raised my voice a little. I sounded like a kid whining for ice cream, but I don’t care.

“It’s just not! Me and you, we’re different kind of people. Besides, I wouldn’t be here for long. We wouldn’t last. I told you to not hold any expectations. Why did you still let yourself fall?” She asked.

“How the hell can I control my feelings?! I’m human! Not some robot in which you can program to be immune to feelings!” I said.

She stared at me.

“How do you know we wouldn’t last if we don’t try? How do you know things wouldn’t work out?” I said.

“I told you, I don’t wish to have any thing holding me back from leaving Korea. What is your problem?” She asked.

“MY PROBLEM IS YOU! My problem is that I really, really like you!” I said.

My heart was beating so wildly and I felt so light headed, as thou I would pass out any moment.

“You mean after so long, you don’t even have the slightest feeling for me?” I asked.

She shook her head. My heart sank and I felt like vomiting.

I grabbed her hand before she could walk off. I was half expecting her to punch me, but she didn’t.

“Please, give it some thought. I don’t expect an answer like now, but promise me you’ll think about it. Don’t reject me without even thinking. Please. I’m begging you. I’m desperate, okay? I really am. Laugh at me or whatever, but I really am desperate for you.” I said.

“Yah, let go. Go home.” She said.

“Promise me you’ll think.” I mumbled.

“Mmm.” She mumbled before walking off.

The cold wind blew against my sweaty body made me shiver. I got onto a cab and headed back to the dorm. I already expected such an answer, but why am I still feeling so hurt? As long as she has not given me a direct answer, I still stand a chance, don’t I?

Haneul’s POV

I ran all the way back home. As usual, it was empty. I took a cold shower despite the cold weather. His words kept replaying in my mind. His disappointed face kept appearing in my head.

What an idiot, that fellow. Of course I at least have the slightest feeling for him. But I can’t, I really don’t wish to disappoint him in the end. I want to leave this place. I don’t want to break him when I leave. I don’t want anything permanent here.

I grabbed my duffel bag and shoved some clothes and other necessities inside. I texted my parents telling them I would be away and left the house. I needed to leave. I needed to be far away from here, where I can think properly.

Sorry Junhyung, but please, give me some time.