A/N Hooo grab some water and find a comfortable seat everyone, this is going to be a long chapter. Enjoy.

 

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RACE YOU TO HER HEART;
Chapter 14: Who's Chasing Who? (IV)
 

"Do you feel better now?" Nayeon heard Dahyun ask. 

They were at the deserted playground somewhere in their neighbourhood. Nayeon remembered how her dad would bring her here very often after school when she was little, to push her on the swing whenever she was feeling down. Now, after a long long time of not being here, she was at that playground again... Only she was with Dahyun. 

Nayeon was sitting on the swing when she blinked her eyes open to see the younger girl bending down closer to her. She had an innocent look on her face as she awaited Nayeon's answer. 

The older girl couldn't help but think of how nice it would be if she could just press her lips against Dahyun's then. 

But she couldn't. So she only smiled, standing up to wrap her arms around Dahyun's neck.
 

"Yes..." She murmured into Dahyun's shoulder. If she couldn't kiss Dahyun, then a hug would do for now. Hugging Dahyun was always nice. 

 
"Much better."

 
Everything is better with you around. 

 

-

 

Nayeon was overjoyed when Dahyun went back to her routine of waiting for her almost everyday after school. 

She started becoming more clingy towards the younger girl, hoping that Dahyun would somehow get the hint that Nayeon is madly in love with her. But of course... the younger girl seemed to be as dense as ever. 

It was just another regular day after school when Nayeon saw her favourite person at her school gates waiting for her. She automatically lets a grin form on her lips... Until she saw how her said favourite person was talking to one of her 'not so favourite' person.

"Oh look Jihyo and Dahyun are friends," Nichkhyun, who was walking right next to Nayeon, said. 

Nayeon threw Nichkhyun a look that said she was well aware of that and that she wasn't too happy about him pointing that out. The guy shrugged defensively, placing a hand around her shoulder. "What? They do seem like friends."

Nayeon ignored him, going over to greet Dahyun. "Annyeong Dahyun-ah..." She said, before placing her chin lightly on Dahyun's shoulder while wrapping her arms around her waist from the back. How childish of her to behave so possessively towards someone who wasn't even hers. But Nayeon didn't care. 

"H-hi Nayeon unnie," she hears Dahyun stammer out, which made Nayeon grin.

Argh. Dahyun is so cute.

She saw Jihyo roll her eyes at them, going to look at her phone. And Nayeon felt like sticking out her tongue at the big-eyed girl. 

"What were you and Jisoo talking about?" Nayeon asked casually, as though she didn't really care. But the truth was, Nayeon cared. Yes, Nayeon totally cared a whole lot on what Park Jisoo had to say to her innocent Dahyun. Did she badmouth Nayeon to the younger girl? Maybe she even tried to make their relationship worse. Who knew what Jihyo could be up to sometimes? 

"Yah Im Nayeon, for the last time, stop calling me that," Jihyo spat. "And we don't have to tell you what we were talking about. Who do you think you are?" 

Ah, Jihyo and her attitude. Figures. 

Nayeon was about to say something back – that just might start an argument – when Dahyun beat her to it. "Um... Let's go home together Nayeon unnie?" Dahyun mumbled. 

Oh that's right, the atmosphere was probably making Dahyun uncomfortable. Nayeon suddenly felt bad. She decided she didn't want to argue with Jihyo in front of Dahyun. "Okay, let me say goodbye to Nic oppa first," Nayeon said. 

"Sure," Dahyun replied. 

...

Then more things happened on their way to the busstop... 

Apparently, Taecyeon and Dahyun are good friends now too.  

Great. 

Just great. 

Is everyone from her school friends with Dahyun now? 

"Hi Taecyeon," Nayeon greeted him as he came closer towards them. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," he said while waving a hand in front of him, smiling sheepishly. "I just have to um... tell Dahyun something."

Nayeon glanced at him suspiciously before looking at Dahyun in question. The younger girl looked at Taecyeon, equally as clueless. "What's up Taec oppa?" She asked. 

"Well um... What's the size of your face?" He asked. 

"What?" Both Nayeon and Dahyun let out simultaneously. What kind of question was that? 

"Is this some kind of joke?" Nayeon asked taking a step forward, protective of Dahyun. Nayeon didn't know what Taecyeon was up to – the boys from her school could be so cheeky sometimes – but if he thinks he can mess with her Dahyun then he's so damn wrong. 

Turns out he only wanted to get her measurements for a mask. Oh and guess what? He'll be taking Dahyun to their school's spring festival as his date. Ok Taecyeon's date. Nayeon wanted to laugh at the situation, she also very much wanted to cry. Why didn't she ask Dahyun to be her date? 

Because of her lack of courage, she now had to suffer watching her classmate touching the beautiful face, of the love of her life. Nayeon feels like stabbing herself as she allowed herself to wallow in regret. She only had herself to blame. 

God, why is this happening to me? 

Then Dahyun started to laugh, "It tickles!" And Taecyeon chuckled along, "Oops sorry, hold on I'm almost done just let me draw a line here..." He said with his eyes squinting and a tongue sticking out. 

Now Nayeon wants to stab him. 

"... Done," he said. 

"Sweet," Dahyun said. 

"Oh shut up," Nayeon wants to say, but she doesn't. 

"You better make me a super cool one okay?" Dahyun joked. 

"Of course! It'll be the coolest mask at the festival!" Taecyeon replied and they both laughed. 
 

Kill me. Just kill me already.

 

"Okay I'll be going now, you two go home safe alright?" He said patting Dahyun on the head, before going off in the other direction. 

"Bye Taec oppa!" Dahyun yelled happily, and Taecyeon waved, with his back facing them. 

 
Nayeon, who began feeling bitter, sulked as she started to walk in front of Dahyun when they continued their way towards the busstop. 

Of course, Dahyun quickened her pace to catch up to her. And Nayeon tried to walk even faster... 

"Hey Nayeon unnie why are you walking so quickly? Is the bus coming already?" Dahyun asked. 

But Nayeon ignored her. She doesn't know who she was mad at. Dahyun; for not even telling her about going to the festival with Taecyeon. Taecyeon; for having the nerve to hit on her Kim Dahyun and acting like nothing happened in class everyday. Or herself; for being such a coward and now regretting on everything in life. 
 

"Hey Nayeon unnie, wait up!" 

 
"Nayeon unnie?"

Dahyun was jogging beside Nayeon now, having no problem keeping up with her. Dang, why was Dahyun so fast? 
 

"Yah, Nayeon unnie you know I'm a sprinter from track, right?" Oh that's right, Dahyun was super talented in running. 

 
But Nayeon still ignored her. 

"Hey Nayeon unnie? Are you mad at me?"

Still no response. 

"Well if you're upset about me not telling you about the spring festival then... I'm sorry?"

Nayeon halted her steps. 

"I didn't not tell you on purpose though, it really just slipped my mind... I'm telling the truth!" Dahyun explained. 

Nayeon glared at Dahyun... "Really?" She asked Dahyun. God, how old was she to be throwing a tantrum over something like that... You're such a fool Im Nayeon. However, just because Nayeon admitted her childishness to herself, it didn't mean she was going to stop being mad anytime soon. 

Dahyun stared at the older girl, before she started to let a giggle escape her lips. 

"Yah! Why are you laughing?" Nayeon scolded. Stop being so cute, when I'm trying to be mad at you. 

Dahyun then held her laughter in. "Pfft- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh."

"Well what's so funny?" Nayeon huffed. 

"It's just... You're really cute Nayeon unnie," Dahyun admitted. 

Nayeon kept quiet for a while after that, before her she felt her face go red as she stormed off towards the bus stop.

 
Dahyun just called her cute. Nayeon wanted to squeal in happiness as she felt all the frustration she had previously dissipate into thin air.... Heck, Nayeon was already squealing in excitement inside. How embarrassing. Gosh, you're so whipped Im Nayeon. And Dahyun wasn't even her girlfriend yet.

"Hey wait up Nayeon unnie!" Dahyun yelled after her as she started storming off again. But Nayeon doesn't stop brisk walking away from the younger girl until she reaches the bus stop. 

 

-

 

The day of the festival arrived much quicker than Nayeon thought. 

Nayeon started to feel anxious as she neared the sports hall where the festival was held. The event was already at full swing and she could hear the music pounding from within even without stepping into the venue yet. 

"Are you ready?" Nichkhyun asked her, flashing her his megawatt smile in the dimly lit hallways; the kind of smile that would have made any girl fall head over heels in love with him. Any girl but Im Nayeon. 

"I guess so," Nayeon said, still a little nervous. There was no fancy stage for the performance this time round... Instead the show chior thought it'd be cool to perform in the midst of the entire festival. Right smacked in the middle of the bustling hall. Next to everyone else. That's right, everyone would be watching her up close.... Everyone would be in masks... 

The person standing just a couple of metres away could even probably be Dahyun... That thought itself was enough to make Nayeon nervous. She hopes she doesn't make a mistake. Oh and what if one of Nichkhyun's crazy fangirls decided to attack her for dancing with him? Oh gosh, Nayeon prayed that that sort of situation wouldn't happen. 

"Don't worry, we practiced for forever, we'll do great!" Nichkhyun reassured her by giving her a pat on the shoulder. Nayeon nodded at him. 

"Come on, the show's about to start," he said, giving his bent arm to Nayeon for her to hook her hand through.

"Okay everyone quiet down, we have to hear the MC announce our entrance!" Nayeon heard Jihyo's voice boomed through the hallways as the students from the show chior, who were all lined up near the entrance to the hall, started to keep silent. Nayeon shook her head, Jihyo's voice was still as loud as ever. 

Nayeon took a deep breath, before wearing her own mask. It was a white eye-mask with silver elaborate patterns all over it. The mask was... nice? Maybe a little too showy for her liking though... But it wasn't like Nayeon had a choice on what to wear for their performances. 

"And now ladies and gentlemen, presenting to you our school's talented, and fabulous, the amazing show choir!"

 

-

 

After performing, Nayeon was free to roam around and enjoy the festival. Although her first thought was to go look for Dahyun, Nayeon couldn't do so as Nichkhyun and a few of her friends decided to drag her to the dining area. 

Drinks were handed out to her and her friends, before someone decided to start their night of fun with a toast. "Cheers to another successful show!" Jun.K yelled merrily, lifting his cup to everyone. 

The rest of them followed suit. Nayeon laughed at her friends' antics as she herself lifted her cup before she took a sip of the drink. The moment the maroon coloured liquid hit her tongue she cringed. "Yuck, why does the punch taste so weird," Nayeon said while bringing the cup closer to her nose. It smelled odd too... As though it was juice mixed with some sort of... alcohol?

"I guess someone drugged the punch bowl with alcohol again," Nichkhyun laughed. 

"Yeah this happened last year too," Jun.K said, finishing his drink in one shot. "Ahh, daebakk I'm going to get some more!"

Nayeon stared at the odd fruit punch suspiciously before looking at her friends around her. They all seemed to be enjoying the drink without a problem. "Hey don't worry about it, it'll start to taste better after awhile just try it," Nichkhyun told her with a wink. 

Nayeon shrugged, deciding that some alcoholic punch didn't seem like it'd do any harm, so she gulped the entire drink down. 

Hm? Turns out it does taste better after awhile. 

Nayeon started to feel her face grew warmer after having some food and finishing her third cup of "fruit punch". She decided then that she should stop drinking before she got drunk. 

"Hey guys, let's go dance," her friend, Suzy, later suggested. Everyone nodded in glee, grabbing their date as they went over to the dance floor– and Nayeon was once again dragged along. 

The dance floor was a mess of flailing limps and bodies and smiling masked faces. Was everyone perhaps drunk already?

"Wooo I'm loooving this beat," Nichkhyun slurred slightly as he danced wildly next to Nayeon. Their other friends followed after him grooving to the beat in a silly way. Nayeon giggled along as she moved to the music feeling a sort of high all of a sudden. The atmosphere was great and it was indeed a good time for her to unwind. 

She lets Nichkhyun hold her hands as he spun her around and they had a blast dancing their night away. After a couple of fast songs, with heavy bass that made Nayeon's ears ring, the music started to slow down. 

Couples started to dance closely together and Nichkhyun glanced at Nayeon with a cheeky grin. "May I?" He said with a slight bow, a hand lifting for Nayeon to take. 

Nayeon giggled, rolling her eyes at him before placing her hand in Nichkhyun's, letting him pull her along. His hands naturally held on lightly to Nayeon's waist, while she had her's around his neck. They had been dance partners for so long that being close to Nichkhyun like this had felt so natural. 

She was honestly quite glad they got to meet and become close friends. He'd be graduating in less than a year and she suddenly thought of how she was going to miss dancing with him after that. 

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" He asked softly. 

"Nothing..." She mumbled, her head feeling light. Was the alcohol kicking in? "Just about how you'd be graduating soon."

"Oh?" He said still swaying slowly. "Will you miss me then?" He asked playfully with a childish sort of snicker. 

Nayeon scoffed at his question. How shameless of him to say something like that... Was he drunk too? "I probably would," she admitted anyway. Even though he was annoying sometimes, naggy all the time, likes bickering with Nayeon, is a perfectionist, and had often made Nayeon so tired by practicing with him non-stop... He, at the end of the day, was still a good friend. 

And as the two friends continued swaying slowly to the music, Nayeon let her head rest on Nichkhyun's chest. She couldn't help but feel a little bit sad at the thought of him graduating... 

She heard Nichkhyun let out a sigh before he gave her a hug. "I'll probably miss you too, Nabongzzz."

Nayeon clicked her tongue, "Could you not call me that? You're ruining the moment, Nic oppa." She joked, lifting her head up to shoot him a glare. 

Nichkhyun only chuckled at her reaction, going to caress the back of her head. "There there little Nabongz, let us enjoy this moment instead of arguing over something petty like that."

Nayeon was about to say something back when she noticed a familiar looking figure not too far away. 

... Dahyun?

Though Nayeon couldn't really see her entire face (since the girl was wearing a black eye mask) she could easily recognize that smile the girl had on... Nayeon was most certainly sure that she was Dahyun. There was no doubt about it...

Her assumption was further confirmed when she saw who the younger girl was dancing with. A buff looking guy that definitely resembled her classmate, Ok Taecyeon. 

Nayeon furrowed her eyebrows as she stared at the two, slow dancing amongst the crowd. Dahyun had her hands on Taecyeon's broad shoulders as she kept shyly glancing down at their feet. Taecyeon on the other hand seemed very glad to have his hands resting on the younger girl's hips, a wide grin on his face. Then when Dahyun looked up, her eyes met her partner's and they both broke out into a sort of chuckle as they continued to sway slowly to the music. 

Nayeon held her breath, as she looked on. She could feel the uncontrollabe wave of jealousy starting to seep into her veins and she bit on her lower lip, trying not to let those feelings show. 

It's okay Nayeon... she told herself. They're just dancing... that's all. Get a grip.

"Hey what are you looking at?" Nichkhyun asked, head turning to follow Nayeon's gaze. "Oh, isn't that Taecyeon?" He said. "I wonder who his date is? Hmm... Doesn't she look familiar?"

Nayeon didn't answer him, for she began to feel constrict as went dry... Well, she definitely didn't like the idea of Taecyeon slow dancing with Dahyun at all. Heck, she couldn't stand the scene before her.

The more she watched them, the more she felt the urge to go over there and pull Dahyun away. Dahyun shouldn't be dancing with him... She should be with Nayeon instead. 

Then – perhaps being able to feel Nayeon's burning gaze on them – Taecyeon looked over, noticing them. He gave a friendly little wave towards them which Nichkhyun politely returned, later pointing at Taecyeon's date before teasing him with a tumbs up. 

Nayeon's blood began to boil when she saw Taecyeon laugh at Nichkhyun's gesture, seeming to be proud of being able to get a date. To get Dahyun as his date. He even pulled the younger girl closer than she already was to him. 

Nayeon can't help but subconsciously start to glare at Taecyeon and his stupid hands on Dahyun, until Dahyun suddenly decided to look up towards her. That's when Nayeon's breath got caught in , the moment their eyes met, and her glare instantly melted into a loving sort of gaze... How she wished the person dancing next to her now isn't Nichkhyun... 

She greeted Dahyun from a far with a smile and a nod, which she had expected Dahyun to return with one of her usual cheery grin. However, the younger girl had only, briefly, casted her a small smile, before turning her head away. 

That was odd... Nayeon thought as she felt her heart sank. What was with that half-hearted smile? 

And as Nichkhyun continued to dance with her, Nayeon found that her eyes never really left the couple over at the other side. Not long after that though, she saw Dahyun say something to Taecyeon before the older guy held her hand pulling her away from the crowd. 

What? Where are they going? 

Nayeon wanted to follow them. But just then the music started to change again, along with the arrival of the voice of the MC. 

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen. It's that time of the night again! That's right, it's time for the spring fling swing!" 

Nichkhyun's face lit up at that, "Hey Nayeon, let's take part!"

The 'spring fling swing' was a segment of the festival where any student on the dance floor could compete by dancing to whatever song that comes on. The couple with the best dance moves and highest votes (measured by literal votes as well as the intensity of cheers and applause given) wins the title of the 'Spring Fling Swing King and Queen' of the night. 

Nayeon looked at Nichkhyun with a sense of confusion and doubt. She was definitely not in the mood for this. 

"Oh come on Nabongz, it'll be fun! We have a high chance of winning!" He said, getting all excited. 

Nayeon glanced at the spot that Dahyun and Taecyeon were previously standing at. Well, they have already long left the crowd, and Nayeon didn't even know where they went anyway. She sighed after contemplating for a short moment, nodding at Nichkhyun. "Sure oppa, we can take part."

"Yes!" Nichkhyun cheered.

The MC continued speaking through the blaring speakers, "Alright as usual everyone can take part, you just have to be in the middle of the dance floor. The rules are... Just keep dancing till the music stops! If you stop before the music then you are automatically disqualified. Alright, everyone are you reeeeaady!?"

Everyone started to cheer as those who wanted to take part move towards the middle, while the rest started to clear out, crowding at the side to watch. 

Nayeon saw many familiar friends taking part, most of them from the show chior and other dance related clubs. "Ohh, competition is tough tonight," Nichkhyun said with a smirk. "But we'll be fine. Right Nayeon?"

Nayeon rolled her eyes with a grin, "Of course." She said already getting into position, her hand in Nichkhyun's and another on his chest as he held onto her waist. If they were going to do this, they might as well give their all and win.

"Great, I was thinking we could start with a little bit of tango," Nichkyun said. "Followed by some... Rumba? Or if you want we could do one of the choreography we did for the show chior competition the other time."

Nayeon laughed, Nichkhyun was taking this too seriously. "What is this, a national dance sport competition?" 

"Shut up," Nichkhyun huffed. "You'll thank me later when we win."

Just then the pair saw Jihyo and her partner shuffled over, getting ready next to her. 

When their eyes met Nayeon and Nichkhyun's, the competitive spirit suddenly became really tangible. "Hey Nice oppa..." Nayeon whispered. 

"Yes?"

"I don't care if we win or not but... Let's not lose to them." She said eyeing the couple next to her. 

And Nichkhyun's confident laughter could be heard before the MC announced the start of the event. 

 

-

 

They were already into the fifth song... Or was it the sixth?... When Nayeon started to feel a little dizzy. She doesn't know if it's because of the alcoholic punch she had or if it was because Nichkhyun kept spinning her around. 

"Oppa..." Nayeon breathed, starting to regret agreeing to this. "When is this going to end?"

"Um... Soon I guess?" Nichkhyun said breathlessly as he once again did another stunt by spinning Nayeon around. 

The girl wanted to barf. She was starting to get tired, and she could tell Nichkhyun was too. 

Just then the MC standing on a platform made an announcement. "Alright, there aren't many couples left on the dance floor? Ah, but I see everyone's still having fun! That's awesome, and now we're coming to our final song for tonight's event!" Nayeon secretly thanked the heavens when she heard that. 

"Are you excited to find out who tonight's King and Queen are?" The MC asked, and the crowd cheered. "Great because we're about to find out! And guess who gets to decide on that? That's right you will!" He pointed to the ceiling. "See that huge- spotlight up there? When it shines on a specific couple I want you to clap and cheer as loudly as you possibly can if you think that they should win. As usual we already have the voting box being filled but to end off, the couple with the loudest cheers and most votes gets the title."

Nichkhyun grinned– this was going to be a piece of cake. After all, he already had quite a number of "fans" amongst the student body. Plus, Nayeon had some fans of her own too. 

The last song was something rather sensual and y sounding and Nichkhyun suddenly had a smirk across his face. He had an idea up his sleeve. 

Nayeon looked at him oddly, "What's with that smile?" 

"You heard what the MC said right? So... How about..." He trailed off looking almost romantically into Nayeon's eyes as the music continued to play. "We provide some fan-service." He whispered, a hand sliding down Nayeon's back slowly as he pulled her closer. People could already be heard screaming for them as cat calls echoed through the hall.

Nayeon scoffed, she didn't want to admit it but that was quite a clever idea to win. So she played along, looking back into Nichkhyun's eyes in a similar way as they dance. It wasn't difficult to do this at all – this 'pretend to be madly in love with each other kind of nonsense' – since they had practically been practicing these 'fan-service' technics for quite awhile now... Only it wasn't really for this sort of purpose, rather, it's original purpose was to instill a better stage performance... since partners needed to at least look like they have some chemistry on stage.

After flickering between different couples, the spotlight seem to have settled on landing between Nayeon and Nichkhyun or Jihyo and, her partner, Chansung. The audiences continued to roar with excitement (especially Nichkhyun's fangirls) "Okay folks we have counted your votes and heard your screams and looks like we have two obvious couples in the lead!"

"What?" Nichkhyun muttered in disbelief. Looks like there was still competition. 

"Who will be this year's Spring Fling Swing's king and queen?!"

Nayeon's eyes widened slightly when she felt Nichkhyun's hand on her face all of a sudden, removing her mask. She couldn't really process what was going on then, as the song came to an end. Her mind was all hazy from the suffocating crowd, along with all that dancing (and probably drinking too) as Nichkhyun started to inch closer to her. "Hey Nayeon," he breathed, and Nayeon thought she could feel his warm breath on her lips. "You wouldn't mind if I kissed you right?" 

Everything was happening so quickly as Nichkhyun continued to inch closer and Nayeon just stared at him with her mind in a blank while her ears seemed to be temporarily deafed because of all the noise around them and just as Nichkhyun was about to kiss her... the lights went out. 

Everyone was surrounded by darkness when Nayeon felt a small hand, almost instantly, grab onto her arm, tugging her away from wherever she was. 

The noise around her intensified from merry cheers to some sort of panic like screaming. People were muttering things like "Oh my gosh is this part of the event?" and "Why is there a black out?" Which made Nayeon even more confused as she somehow followed the person through the darkness, a hand still gripping her arm tightly, dragging her away from the bustling hall. 

They eventually ended up in the empty hallways, which was dimly lit by the light coming from outside the school's massive windows. The person – Nayeon could now recognize as a girl in a black dress – continued to storm forward with Nayeon in tow. 

Nayeon's hazy mind decided to switch back on all of a sudden and she shook off the girl's hand. "H-hey that hurt," she told her stranger. "Who are you, and where are you taking me?" She wondered out loud feeling rather stupid. Why did she even obediently follow the stranger anyway. 

Her eyes squinted at the figure in front of her, who stood still back facing her. Wait a minute isn't that... "Dahyun?"

But the younger girl seemed to refuse to turn around to face Nayeon, so Nayeon went ahead to walk in front of her in order to confirm if the stranger was indeed the pale skinned, adorable, light of Nayeon's life. 

Nayeon felt as though a small lightning had jolted her mind awake, sobering her up, when she saw Dahyun's face and suddenly her mind wasn't that hazy anymore because... was the younger girl... crying? 

"Dahyun-ah? Hey, what's wrong?" She whispered, moving closer to her. She lifted a hand to take off Dahyun's mask and heard the younger girl let out a sniffle. Nayeon felt her heart break a little as Dahyun look down, refusing to meet Nayeon's eyes. 

Nayeon's first instinct was to envelope the younger girl in a hug. "Shh don't cry," she cooed, her hands wrapped around Dahyun. Then a thought hit her, "Did Taecyeon bully you?!" She asked fury already in her eyes. She pulled away slightly to look at Dahyun's face, "What happened? Did he do something? Are you hurt somewhere?" Nayeon rambled on worriedly with her hands now gently holding onto the side of Dahyun's arms as she eyed the younger girl up and down. "Dahyun-ah? Tell unnie what's wrong?" She said, a tumb lifting to gently wipe away Dahyun's tears. It was warm, her tears, and so was her face. 

Dahyun sniffled, shaking her head lightly as Nayeon stared at her. Well at least she wasn't crying as much anymore. "If you're not going to tell me, then I'm going to look for that Ok Taecyeon and ask him myself," Nayeon stated firmly. She was about to walk away when Dahyun grabbed her arm again. "D-don't go... Nayeon unnie..."

Nayeon's gaze soften as she glanced at Dahyun. "Alright..." She whispered caressing Dahyun's face. Gosh why was her face so hot? Is she running a fever? "Then tell me why you're crying, Dahyun-ah?" 

"I-I'm..." Dahyun stuttered out, followed by a hiccup. "I'm s-sorry Nayeon unnie."

Nayeon lets a small smile play on her lips, "What for, silly?" She said lovingly, admiring Dahyun's features in the dark. She tucked a stray hair away from the younger girl's face, watching as another hiccup escaped Dahyun's lips. 

Nayeon really shouldn't be having this sort if thoughts now but... Dahyun was just so adorable, even when she's crying. Nayeon couldn't help but feel the need to protect the younger girl from all the bad things in the world, and hold her in her arms until she stopped crying. Nayeon couldn't help but want to just grab hold of Dahyun's hand and run away from this place. Nayeon couldn't help but want to lean in closer and just... kiss her. 

"I... I'm sorry I dragged you out h-here," Dahyun started, as though nervously. "Especially s-since you were having fun with N-nichkhyun sunbae-nim..." She stuttered out. 'Oh don't worry about it,' Nayeon wanted to tell her. 'I had enough of dancing with him for the night anyway.' But she decided to just let Dahyun continue. 

"But I... I just c-couldn't help it... Watching you two dancing like that... It..." Dahyun paused taking a deep breath shakily, "It hurts, Nayeon unnie." The younger girl let out softly, once again quietly letting her tears fall as she looked at her feet. 

Nayeon looked at her, confused, as a million thoughts flew through her head. It hurts? What does that even mean? Why would her dancing with Nichkhyun hurt Dahyun? Does Dahyun like Nichkhyun? Or did she like Nayeon? Nayeon doesn't know. But Nayeon was aware of how she didn't like Dahyun being hurt at all. Nayeon didn't like seeing Dahyun cry nor did she like being the one causing Dahyun pain.

"What do you mean?" Nayeon lifted Dahyun's chin, allowing her to look into Dahyun's eyes. Oh how her eyes seem to radiate under the dim light... Sparkling as it's glossed with tears... how mesmerizing. 

You're so pretty Dahyun-ah. 

The younger girl had that dazed look on her face again, and Nayeon felt her heart race when the younger girl stared back at her. "Do..." Nayeon paused, not really prepared for Dahyun's answer, "Do you perhaps... Like Nic oppa?" She asked Dahyun. 

Dahyun tried to look away after that, but Nayeon wouldn't let her. "Hey," she breathed, with a small smile. "Stop avoiding my eyes," she told her, holding her head in place. Oh God, how she wished she could just kiss her. 

Dahyun gazed at her vulnerably. "Well? Do you?" She asked again softly. "It's okay you know, you can tell me. I'm not dating him anyway," she said a matter of factly wiping away another tear. Please stop crying. Nayeon would even let Nichkhyun have Dahyun – if that was what Dahyun wanted – if that could make her stop crying for forever (though she absolutely hated the thought of that, the thought of Nichkhyun and Dahyun together). "And to be honest I don't think I'll ever date him..." Because I'd rather be with you. 

Dahyun kept quiet for a moment, before she muttered an answer so softly, Nayeon could barely hear. "No... I don't."

"Huh?"

"I don't like Nichkhyun sunbae-nim..." She mumbled. 

Nayeon inwardly breathed a sigh of relief before her heart leaped. A sudden urge of adrenaline could be felt coursing through her veins as the next thought that entered her mind was... Could it be that... perhaps... The one that Dahyun liked was... Her? 

"I like... Someone else..." She heard Dahyun say and Nayeon was suddenly hopeful again. In fact she thought she should just confess there and then to Dahyun. 

Yes, this has dragged on for long enough. Nayeon had enough of being a coward and regreting over so many things in life. She was sick of seeing Dahyun all lovey-dovey with Jackson – and now Taecyeon too – and not be able to do anything about it, because... who was she to do anything about it? If she confessed to Dahyun now... there was a chance that they might end up together right?

It was now or never right?

Right.

Man up, Im Nayeon! 

Okay...

Alright...

You can do this...
 

Here goes nothing. 

"Dahyun-ah I-"

"N-nayeon unnie," Dahyun started before Nayeon could say anything. "I-I have something  to tell you..." She said, grabbing Nayeon's wrists as she removed the older girl's hands from her face. 

Nayeon immediately took the chance to shut and swallowed all her words, diligently listening to Dahyun instead. Ah, what a shame... and right after she had mustered up some courage too.

"Nayeon unnie... Meeting you was one of the best things that could ever happen to me and," Dahyun looked down towards her hand on Nayeon's wrist, "Y-you're a really good unnie, a-and... friend... And you're really important to me and... I... I really hope you won't hate me after I say this but..." 

Nayeon involuntarily began holding her breath. Her stomach was fluttering and her heart was ramming so quickly against her chest she thought it was going to leap out from any minute now. She got a feeling that whatever Dahyun was about to say next, it was going to change the entire course of their relationship... 

"I..." Dahyun stammered out, her hands seeming to be gripping tighter onto Nayeon's by the second. Nayeon didn't mind though, she was too busy staring at the younger girl's lips, as she felt everything around her slow down again. The strange feeling Dahyun made her feel; like the earth was taking a break and had stopped spinning. As though time had stopped... Just for Dahyun and her. 

And she had subconsciously started to lean in, closer towards Dahyun. 

"What I meant was..."

"Actually I..."

"I like you... Nayeon unnie," she heard the younger girl whisper, finally looking up at her. She didn't even realise it but by then, Nayeon's face was only inches away from Dahyun's. 

And that was all it took for Nayeon to capture Dahyun's lips in hers, before the earth began spinning again. Slowly, and then really quickly all of a sudden. Really, really quickly. And Nayeon could feel her head getting dizzy as heat rushed to her face and butterflies seem to be causing a vortex in her stomach... in her chest... and all through her bloodstreams.

 

I like you too, Kim Dahyun. 

I like you so damn much.

 

---

 

A/N Hello everyone! Happy Monday! Whew that was a super long chapter wasn't it? Come on let us all take a deep breath and drink some water now shall we? *Breathes* Ahahaha! It's 2.37a.m. where I'm at and I am writing this with a huge smile on my face because OH MY GOSH EVERYONE THERE'S FINALLY PROGRESS FOR COWARDLY IM NAYEON. CAN WE GET A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR HER PLEASE. :') Thank you all for your patience in waiting for something to actually happen. Now that Dayeon has finally kissed I'm going to end this fic in– LOL I'm just kidding! There's more to come folks, and I hope this long chapter isn't too much to digest. Hehehe, have a great week ahead everyone, and remember to tell me what you think. See you guys in the next update!:)

~strangemagnet