“That’s an E,” Himchan smiled, trying to hold back a chuckle as Rena hit the wrong note.

                She smiled sheepishly, “Oops?”

                He shook his head, “Are you sure about this?”

                Rena pouted and breathed deeply before facing the piano again, “I can do it!”

                “Rena.” Himchan gently took her chin in his hands and directed her to face him as he spoke with his husky voice. She gulped at how close they were. Even after dating for a year she could never calm down when he got that close to her. Himchan’s dark eyes pierced her own, even through the strands of bleached blonde bangs he was growing out. “Love, why do you torture yourself? You’ve tried many different instruments before and you haven’t clicked with them.”

                She gave in to him, just like they both knew she would. She’d never been able to keep a secret from her boys, especially not from Himchan. Lying was impossible. “I miss spending time with you and I thought learning an instrument you would be able to have me around more. When I come to sing for you I’m too tired to really speak so, I thought an instrument would be better.”

                Himchan smiled sweetly as he laid a kiss on her nose, “You only have to ask and I’ll make time for you.”

                “Even now?”

                Himchan chuckled at her slowly growing smile, “Give me a little warning next time but yet, even before a big concert I’ll make time for you.”

                “Channie!” She jumped up from the piano bench, pushing it backward slightly and she threw her arms around Himchan’s neck. “I love you.”

                “And I love you, Ren,” Himchan kissed her head as he returned the hug.

                “I’ll love you forever, Himchan. Nothing will ever get between us.” Full of determination and a heart overfilling with love Rena hugged him tighter.

 

                A small squeak escaped Rena as she jumped in her chair. She blinked a few times, looking around only to drop her shoulders along with her smile.

                A laugh came from beside her, “Wow you were out of it, Ren. I had to flick you in order to return you to planet Earth. Where were you?”

                Ren embarrassedly smiled still thinking about the memory from two years ago, “Thanks, Layla. I was off in a world I shouldn’t have returned to.”

                “Wha—“

                “So does anyone understand the assignment?” Hyosung, one of Rena’s co-workers at the nearby café asked as she blew a bubble from her chewing gum.

                “Well…” Rena took a look at the sheet which Layla had put in front of her.

                “It looks like a scavenger hunt!”

                Rena smiled down the column of chairs to one of her closest friends, Jongup. She was happy they were able to sit close together and hoped the next time they had class their original seats weren’t taken. Didn’t people know about how unofficial seating charts worked? It had been 3 weeks already that they had been sitting there. But no, they walked in today to see the annoying kids in their spots.

                “We have to find the objects that match the description given and then pick the right word from the word bank,” Layla concluded.

                Rena redirected her eyes to the sheet again, trying to make out the Japanese instructions. “These aren’t really descriptions…” Rena mumbled.

                “Right, they are descriptions of places or even just directions. We have to find them around the campus,” Jongup said.

                Hyosung popped her gum while shaking her head, “How is this supposed to help with learning Japanese?”

                “You must explore and use your new language in the real world,” The teacher whimsically said as she floated from group to group, her flowy clothing trailing behind her. “Partner up if you wish and take the campus by storm.”

                “When is this due?” One of Rena’s classmates asked.

                The professor twirled to face him, her flowing shirt swishing in a circle dramatically, “Next Monday. I hope the weekend will give you enough time as well as the rest of this class period. Be free and delve into your Japanese knowledge banks.”

                A collective sigh sounded throughout the classrooms as the students once again wished they had picked a different professor. Rena packed her bag except for the assignment sheet, a pencil, and a folder to write on.

                “Rena, you wanna be my partner?” Jongup asked around Layla.

                Rena couldn’t help but smile, “Of course! Layla, want to join us?”

                “Two people only,” The professor said in a singsong voice. “That is what a partner is.”

                Layla smiled weakly, “Its okay. Hyosung, you want to go together?”

                “Sure. Easier to partner up than do it alone. Let’s grab coffee first though.”

                Rena waved goodbye as she met Jongup at the end of the column, “Text me later.”

                “I will!”

                “Don’t forget the backside!” The professor called out before students could leave.

                Jongup opened the classroom door for her and they walked outside into the sunny but, windy day. Rena pulled her cardigan together in front to button it as protection from the cold.

                “Where should we go first?” Jongup asked.

                Rena looked at the sheet, “itsumo… Always sunny? What do you think that means?”

                “The beach?” Jongup offered as he started walking away from the classroom.

                “Hmm… I don’t see anything beach related,” Rena said as she followed.

                “Oh!” Jongup pointed to the right.

                Rena followed his direction and smiled, “The greenhouse! Flower, hana, of course.”

                “That was easier than expected,” Jongup smiled relieved.

                “Next!” Rena smiled at their victory even though it was only one of the many they still needed but, she knew with Jongup no matter how difficult the questions got she would still be entertained.

                They continued on down the list one of them dragging the other to where they thought they were supposed to go, laughing at the most bizarre answers they could come up with. Some of these were easy to guess without even going to the location but, they still tried to find the right locations, having fun all the while. Since that was their last class for the day they didn’t stress about going fast. Their only countdown was the setting of the sun which would signal the time Rena would need to be getting home.

                “Students… get fat? What is this?” Rena laughed.

                Jongup joined her, “I think she was trying to use all our new vocab too. So Rini, where do you go to get fat?”

                Rena rolled her eyes, “Jongup please no more Rini. I don’t know why you all continue to call me Rini after all this time.”

                “But, it is our special name for you,” Jongup grinned.

                “If I could remember who started it, I’d go smack them,” Rena sighed knowing her protests were useless and then remembering his question she glared playfully at him, “Hey! Where I get fat? Are you trying to tell me something?”

                “Only that you could use more weight on your bones. You’ll never be able to keep up with Zelo and me if you don’t gain some muscle.”

                She lightly tapped him on the top of his head with her folder, “You better watch your words more, Uppie.”

                “Oh, so I can’t call you Rini but you can still call me Uppie?” Jongup asked as he followed Rena who was heading towards the university’s food court.

                “At least I didn’t call you Puppy,” Rena teased.

                “Hey!”

                Rena giggled, “You really were like a puppy always following Himchan and I.”

                ‘Himchan,’ Rena’s heart painfully beat in her chest and she accidentally let her smile falter.

                “Daehyun was there too!” Jongup quickly said, trying to return her good mood.

                Rena smiled, although she wasn’t all there, “Yeah he was. Eventually Yongguk and Youngjae joined which is when the name stuck. Our little puppy.”

                “I still don’t know why Junhong wasn’t called puppy too. He followed with me.”

                Rena shrugged, thinking back to the days when they were all so young and carefree, “Yeah, but by then you didn’t have to follow to keep up. You both were just… there.”

                Jongup shook his head, “Only a year younger than you yet, I was treated like a baby.”

                Rena smiled again thinking about the way Jongup would trail after her or ‘fetch’ the items she’d ask for. She did treat him like he was a lot younger but, in ways he had been. Being around Daehyun and Himchan had made her grow up fast. Rena internally sighed at the thought, ‘Those rich kids were a lot of handle.’

                “Ice cream!” Jongup shouted suddenly.

                Rena blinked in surprise, “What?”

                Jongup showed her the word bank on the sheet, “That word. I’m pretty sure it means ice cream.”

                Rena squinted as if a narrower gaze would make the characters more understandable to her. She sounded out the words in her head until finally the lightbulb clicked on. “Aisu! Ice… ice cream!”

                Jongup nodded as he started writing it down and crossing out the word, “Ice cream is very delicious but, fattening.”

                Rena smiled as she followed suit and when finished looked at their last question. “What… near the... Near the tiger? There isn’t a tiger on campus,” said incredulously.

                “Tiger?” Jongup looked at the page in confusion. He scratched his head as he stared at the page, as if the answer would magically appear before him.

                “Maybe it’s a typo…”

                “The tiger!” Jongup shouted suddenly, “I know where it is!”

                “Wha—Jongup!” Rena shouted as Jongup grabbed her hand and started running.

                He dragged her through the building and up the stairs. Not being athletic, the stairs were causing Rena to breathe heavily but, Jongup didn’t stop.

                “Jongup, where?” Rena pushed out between breaths.

                “There is a better view of it up here, I promise.” Jongup happily said, not affected by the stairs.

                A few more agonizing flights of stairs and they ran onto the roof of the building which was also a stage with more steps leading up acting like seats. Rena whimpered at the sight, “Please tell me we are done with stairs.”

                Jongup laughed, “Yes, we are. You really should join Junhong and me in the dance room again.”

                Rena groaned as she panted, leaning against the railing for support, “No thanks. I don’t want to be laughed anymore.”

                She looked at her right hand still held captive in Jongup warm and comforting hand, “Do you still have somewhere to bring me?”

                “Just a little further,” Jongup coaxed her away from the railing and to the far side of the roof/stage. “Over there,” Jongup pointed.

                Rena took a quick breath in as she finally looked. The sun was setting coloring the sky in pastel oranges, reds, and purples with the dusting of clouds to give it texture. Some trees on the campus, even from their position, seemed to be touching this painting while connecting the scene down to Earth where the colors of the sky and surroundings reflected in the lake Rena forgot was behind campus. Distant laughter filled the air as well as shouts from the dragon boats on the lake. Couples could be seen taking slow walks or sitting on benches.

                “Jongup, it’s… it’ beautiful,” She said breathlessly, from the sight and the long jog up.

                Jongup smiled shyly and effectively became a part of the view for her. His tousled light brown hair shone in the lighting, his sharp features became sharper, and his smile seemed almost divine. He looked like an angel. The group of friends had always joked about Jongup being the purest and most angelic member of their posse but, right now Rena truly believed it.

                “So beautiful,” she spoke without meaning to.

                Turning away from him she stepped past him to the railing to take in the view more. Then she saw the large tiger statue sparkling in the light by the lake. She gave a small smile, “Glittering. Well, I suppose it makes more sense than scary which is the other word left.” After writing the word she put her homework and pencil away.

                A huge gust of wind whipped by them, messing up Rena’s shoulder length brown hair, gaining a frustrating sigh from Rena. She frowned and turned right to look at Jongup who was standing right next to her, staring at her and not the view, “Did you say something?”

                “Let’s date.”

                In the midst of fixing her hair she stopped from shock. Her brain ran over the phrase a million times, making sure she had heard him correctly because what he said was something she never in a million years thought would be something he would ask her.

                “Are you joking?” she asked seriously.

                He shook his head, “Rini—“

                “Stop,” she took a step back, “I don’t know what has gotten into you. Do you know what you are asking?”

                “Of course! Ren, I want to be your boyfriend,” Jongup said more seriously than Rena had ever seen him look. He reached out for her and she pulled away. His hurt expression about broke her and she could feel the tears rising up.

                “Jongup, I can’t do this. You know I can’t do this.” Rena started backtracking to the door. “Himchan and I… we just… how—why--” she shook her head and walked out the door.

                “Wait!”

                Rena began to run, stairs and her full backpack be damned. Down the stairs she went, away from one of the few boys she loved like a younger brother. She jumped steps and faster than she could have ever imagined she was at the bottom and rushing for the front door.

                “Rena, please!” Jongup called after her.

                Surprisingly, anger rose up within her from this betrayal she was experiencing. She stopped suddenly and turned around to face Jongup.

                “Woah!” Jongup ran into her but, caught them both so they didn’t fall to the ground. Even after they were steady he didn’t let go.

                “Jongup,” Rena pushed against him.

                “Please Rini, just listen,” Jongup pleaded, hurt in his voice.

                Unable to cause him pain she stopped struggling, “I’ll listen but, if I don’t like what I’m hearing I’m walking away.”

                “Okay,” Jongup breathed out, relaxing his hold on her a little.

                “Jongup,” Rena practically whined as she looked up slightly to see his eyes, “You don’t even like me that way.”

                “You don’t know that.”

                Rena groaned and leaned her head against his shoulder, “Jongup.”

                “I don’t know what it is like to date someone and I thought dating you would help me,” Jongup started to explain.

                “Why not find another girl? One who likes you back?”

                “Because…”

                She stood up straight at his pause and stared him down, “Because?”

                “Because Himchan—“

                “Did Himchan tell you to do this?!” Rena interrupted with a voice full of fury.

                “No!”

                Rena broke out of his hold but, he caught her arm. She glared at the offending hand holding her back, “I don’t know what the guys have told you but, this is not how you make a good impression on a woman.”

                “Himchan is sad and you are sad. He just wants you to have the best and I don’t really understand what happened two months ago between you two but, I just—I just” Jongup let go of her arm, “I was hoping I could help you get out of your slump while also learning about girls. And I have been feeling differently about you lately so, I thought maybe exploring these feelings and everything would help,” Jongup said quickly, emptying his mind out.

                Rena stood there quietly in front of him working out what he had said. She knew he wasn’t telling her everything especially about Himchan but, there was truth. He liked her more than before? Himchan wants what is best for her—what does that mean? Jongup, the cute puppy, doesn’t know about females?

                “Rena?”

                Rena sighed, “Women. You would be learning about women.”

                “Women…”

                She looked up at Jongup, “I’m not a good first girlfriend for you, Uppie. We’ve known each other for over 15 years.”

                “Same situation with Himchan,” Jongup reminded her.

                She didn’t even hide her smile clouded by her watering eyes, “My heart still belongs to Himchan, can you handle that?”

                In a matter of seconds Jongup had her back in his arms and this time she returned the hug, letting the familiar comfort sink into her.

                “I don’t know why you broke up with him if you still love him this much—none of us do but, I’m willing to be your rebound if you will at least treat me kindly.

                Rena let out a wet chuckle, “You are such a kind boy, Jongup.”

                “Man. A kind man.”

                She laughed and shook her head, “I suppose you are now, aren’t you.” She sighed and pulled back after wiping the few leaked tears away, “Last thing, this is going to look really bad on me.”

                Jongup frowned and cocked his head to the side, “How?”

                “You and me? Right after Himchan and I? Jongup, honey, this makes it seem like I’m jumping from one boy—guy in a group of friends to the other. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

                Jongup thought about it. She tried imagining what he was picturing in his head, perhaps even running scenarios in his head. ‘Is he really going to understand or is he too nice to get it?’

                He finally nodded, “Do those kinds of people matter to us?”

                She blinked in surprise, “Well… no, I suppose not.”

                “Then their opinion is not important,” He answered with one finally decisive nod.

                “So, just like that we are dating?”

                Jongup smiled, “Are we?”

                She laughed at the absurd situation, “I don’t see a reason not to.”

                “Yes!” Jongup squeezed her tight and picked her up off the ground. “We’re dating!”

                “Jongup!” Rena squealed. “Stop! You are embarrassing me!”

                He spun in a circle once and then set her down while having the biggest smile on his face. “Is it always this exciting?”

                “In the beginning, I guess,” She couldn’t help but laugh. Jongup’s smile was contagious.

                “Wow,” He breathed out. “I was so scared and… wow. You said yes.”

                She chuckled and shook her head, “Come on, Jongup. Let’s get away from this growing crowd. I swear someone is taking our picture.”

                “Really?!” He looked around. “Think we can ask for a copy?”

                “Jongup, no!” Rena took his arm and started dragging him away from the scene.

                Once a good distance away Rena relaxed a bit more but almost jumped when Jongup grabbed her hand.

                “You’ve been doing that a lot today,” Rena said.

                Jongup kept smiling while looking ahead, “I was testing it out earlier when we went up to the roof.”

                “Ah, I see,” Rena nodded her head in understanding. She had wondered what had gotten into him earlier. Things were clicking into place. So many things in fact that she was once again feeling fooled by Jongup.

                “Well, do you like it?” Rena asked as she started leading them to the parking garage where her car was.

                Jongup took time to think before answering, “It has a different feeling than when we were kids.”

                “Well, yeah! There is different meaning to it.”

                “Right. I like it,” Jongup answered.

                “That’s good,” Rena laughed internally.

                “Because we are closer together and if something unsafe is happening then I can always do this,” Saying that Jongup pulled Rena against him before she could even ask what he meant. “See? Now you are safe.”

                “Maybe some warning next time,” Rena said as she got her feet under her and stepped aside but, still held his hand.

                “Do you like it?”

                “Yes.”

                “Why?”

                “Why…” Rena paused to think, “I like feeling connected to the person I like. And I know we won’t lose each other because we are linked together. I like—I like knowing we are together.” Rena turned away. She almost said too many truths but, to cover one truth she had said another. Rena loved Himchan’s hands, the hands of a musician. Having those hands touch her was always some of her favorite moments. She savored the feel of those hands like one savored dark chocolate.

                Rena groaned internally, ‘I have a thing for hands but, Jongup doesn’t need to know that and if we are to date for real then I should try not to talk about Himchan as much.’

                “Knowing you are together… that is strange,” Jongup commented.

                “Is it?” Rena snapped out of her thoughts.

                “Like you weren’t together often so you would forget you were really together.” Rena’s silence only made Jongup want to probe further, “Himchan and you were together all the time.”

                “Yeah, we were. All the time. I saw him almost every day.” Rena answered.

                “So, what do you mean?”

                Rena stopped just as she reached the top of the parking garage, “You are taking what I said too seriously, Uppie. Himchan and I had a great relationship.”

                “Then why did you break up?”

                Rena sighed, “Is this something my new boyfriend should be asking?”

                “I don’t want to make the same mistakes.”

                Rena patted his cheek with her free hand, “Just be your wonderful self. If you make ‘mistakes’ or do things I don’t like then I’ll tell you and if I do things you don’t like then you had better tell me too, okay?”

                “Okay,” Jongup answered honestly while giving up on finding out the reason of the breakup for now.

                Rena relaxed, “Now, are you going to give me my hand back or did you want me to drive you home?”

                Jongup looked around as if only now noticing where they were, “Oh…”

                “Yes, oh,” Rena smiled. “You didn’t drive today?”

                Jongup shook his head, “Himchan drove me.” He looked back to campus as Rena looked down but, Jongup felt her grip his hand tighter. “I’ll text him that I’m going with you.”

                “Okay,” She started leading him to her car. “Am I taking you home or to the dance studio?

                “Not your home?” Jongup asked.

                “What? You want to come with me?” She asked in confusion.

                “Shouldn’t I tell your parents and ask their permission?”

                Rena laughed, “Jongup, oh Jongup no. That isn’t needed.”

                “Oh… then home is okay. I wasn’t expecting to get back so early anyhow.”

                “Okay,” Rena was still smiling as they got to her car, “You’re going to have to let go now.”

                Jongup frowned slightly, “Maybe I can get in first, then—“

                “Jongup,” Rena tried not to laugh at his cute way of thinking. “Just for a little bit then you can hold it while I drive.”

                “Really?”

                “Most of the time. Sometimes I need both hands.”

                “Alright,” Jongup let go of her hand reluctantly and hurried to the door, wanting to hold her hand again.

                ‘Well, this will be entertaining at least… and its Jongup so… there is always the possibility we could work out well. Jongup and I…’ She sat down into the driver’s seat and once she had backed out her hand was back in Jongup’s hand. She was already getting used to the warmth his hand flowing into her and the feel of his worked hands. Hands that didn’t touch instruments but, workout equipment and the floor for dancing on a regular basis. She looked again at his smiling face as he started talking about where Youngjae, Zelo, Daehyun, and Yongguk were and once again she started smiling too. ‘Yeah, this could be good for me. This might even work.’

                

a/n: to those of you reading my other ongoing stories... I apologize. I have been meaning to write them but, this first chapter actually came to me in a dream. Yes, I dreamed Jongup asked me out, dream me thought about my recent breakup with Himchan, and when dream me said yes to Jongup there was another man in her heart.

So, I'm trying to get more into writing and hopefully there is time :D This should be a cute story but, gotta have some sadness and danger (maybe I can throw in a fight!!-- wait no no... there is a reason I need to write Time to Live :P)

Feel free to tell me what you think~!

 

PS I should mention this story is going to mostly be Rena's POV but my co-author will also be writing Layla's POV and some of the guys so all the information gets explained. Trying to do collaborative work soooo hopefully more updates???