{ Timeline }

 Six years ago, we met for the first time.

I still remember it clearly; the gloomy, about-to-rain type of afternoon once school was out on a normal, stressful Wednesday. I had a project due the following week, so I had to bring home two textbooks. The rain started to pour when I started walking a few steps from the school grounds, soaking the edges of my textbooks. If my teacher found out, he would certainly call my parents and complain to pay back for the damage. I couldn't let that happen, so I stuffed the cold, wet books under my shirt since I didn't have an umbrella.

It was only about five more steps, and I couldn't feel the rain anymore. I was wet, but not drenched to the skin like I thought I would be. Looking up, I felt startled to see the metal branches underneath a bright blue umbrella that was shielding me. It was huge. When I turned to see who it was, it was you.

I never talked to you again after that. You would see me and say hi, but I would dart away as if I still believed you had cooties. I never spoke back then, it wasn't only the silent treatment towards you. If only I could tell you that, since your face showed rejection and hurt to such a degree. I couldn't accept the fact you wanted to talk to me, maybe even be my friend, after that afternoon.

Successfully throughout middle school, I avoided you. When you were assigned to sit in my group, I would cause havoc just so that the teacher could move me anywhere else but near you. The kids around us started saying I was allergic to you, and when you were near, this was my allergic reaction; running away like a scared little puppy.

Again with those pained, hurt filled eyes of yours. I only glanced at them for a moment or two, never longer. Yet, you never complained. You never uttered a word. Not a "Why?" came from your mouth throughout the years.

You also never gave up either.

High school starts, freshman year. You were in my grade, but you were really a year younger. You skipped a class back before you started the fifth grade since your marks were so exponentially high even for an 11 year old. So, here we were, in high school for the first year ever; and you were completely lost. I saw you, since I already knew my way around the school. My older brother went here, and I followed him around a couple times to his basketball games.

Watching you from afar, I recognized you immediately. You were skittering around, trying to locate wherever your first class was. I couldn't take it anymore, since you were bumping into the jocks, who were giving you those sick, erted stares. They were juniors at the most - disgusting. Yet, you didn't say a word of resentment or disgust yourself. You only apologized, bowed, and wandered off.

I stepped up, tapped your shoulder, and took your paper when you turned around. "Hey!" was what you yelled, but nothing else after that. You shut up when you found it was me. I concentrated on your schedule, and found out your first class was with me. I remembered feeling a little rush of blood run to my cheeks, but I cleared my throat and walked you there. We were the earliest ones, and the teacher immediately called us keener students.

After telling you where to head to your next classes with the aid of the school map given to all students, you muttered a small 'Thank you', bowed, and skittered away to find a seat across the room. I was offended - I thought in the least bit, you didn't shy away from your persistent character and sit beside me. I was offended and... disappointed.

We got to know each other so much after that. At least, you talked more than I did. I don't know how it happened - us being decent friends, I mean. Probably bugging you for extra paper and pencils worked? Or was it complimenting you a couple times on your outfits when we reached our first class? I'm not sure, but after a couple months, you suddenly asked me if you could sit with me for lunch.

I answered too fast for my own liking, covered it up with a small nod, and turned back to my work. You decided to move to the desk beside me shortly after. I could've sworn my heart did a flip when the teacher approved of your move and you plopped yourself beside me, but I didn't let myself think of it further.

You met my friends, and I met yours. We formed a small little group amongst ourselves, and then we became the best of friends before our freshman year ended. We were all confident we'll be friends throughout high school, and if our fates were really intertwined then also further after we graduate. You wanted nothing more than that. I didn't miss your glance at me when you said that, either.

Time somehow flew. Sophomore year was lenient with barely anything to do rather than a little bit of homework here and a little bit of homework there. I was on the verge of Honour Roll but my World English course dropped my average. When I complained silently beside you by your locker, you looked up. "I can tutor you if you want."

You first became my first fear. Then you became my first friend. Next you became my first little crush. After you became my best friend and tutor. Finally, near the brink of junior year, you became my girlfriend.

I still treated you like my best friend, but I could freely smile easier around you. I laughed more confidently and didn't feel all that pressured when you were with me. I remember what Jinki hyung told me; "You know, me and the rest of the crew tried to hook you two up for the longest time? It was so damn obvious you two were crushing on one another. It was like you two were trees; you just wouldn't budge!"

Perhaps I fell in love with you long before I asked you to be my girlfriend. Or maybe it was when we were together did I realize how much you truly meant to me. Either way, the first time I said "I love you" to you has got to be the most terrifying thing I've ever thought about. You were simple, yet also complex-minded. I didn't know your view on love... at all. I felt helpless.

I blurted it out by accident when you were saying how sorry you are for the future, since you expected yourself not to be the perfect girlfriend. I told you nobody was perfect... and yet you were the closest thing to that definition rather than anyone else I've ever known. "I love you" came out afterwards, like a footnote to a speech. What I feared was that you denied loving me back since you didn't feel it just yet, or you would say I was rushing things.

You didn't say that. All you did was stare at me, bewildered, as I smiled embarrassingly. I started saying how its okay if you didn't feel the same way about me in that strong of a sense, or if I should just step away and let you think it over. I flustered over my words even more, and damn it, I was the boyfriend! But you didn't see my flustered expression as a deep frightful nightmare of mine. You saw it more as a delighting amusement.

You kissed my cheek, definitely shutting me up, and then rested your head on my shoulder. You simply whispered, "What took you so long, pabo?"

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{ Senior Year: May }

"Oppa~!"

Sighing softly, Taemin pressed a small smile across his features as he turned around. He immediately greeted Jihyun's hug as she collided into him. Pulling back, she smiled softly and looked up.

"How are you, Minnie?"

Flinching slightly, Taemin turned around so she didn't have to see the grimace that was etching on his face. Burying his head into his locker, he grabbed the books he needed and planted them into his bag slowly. Shrugging, he didn't respond to her question. Jihyun nodded, understandingly. "You?"

"I'm okay," She smiled and rested her chin on his shoulder. She grew over the past year, and Taemin noticed how she didn't have to go on her tippy toes to be able to do that; unlike last year or the years before that. Taemin turned his head, and couldn't help but smile sincerely at her. Kissing her nose, he turned back and closed his locker.

"Come, I'll walk you to class..." Taemin muttered. He walked forward, hands in his uniform pant pockets, the school sweater made it look like a model commercial whenever he wore it. Jihyun hurriedly ran to keep pace beside him, looping her arm around his, pressing closer. Taemin winced again, and tried slowly to pull away so she could get the message. Jihyun was a bit blinded with obvious sides to this, making Taemin a bit agitated.

The truth was, he didn't want to act like this at all towards her. It was just his older brother, Taesun, had got into an accident just a few months ago. Taemin was stressed, worried and completely depressed about the entire thing. His family reputation was slowly degrading, and it was affecting him incredulously. He appreciated Jihyun trying to be around him to cheer him up, but in order for him to be happy around her... she needed to give him space to breathe; which she wasn't allowing.

He didn't want to admit it, but he was glad they made it to her class. At least then, he could get some peace and quiet until he got to his first period class. Feeling her arm separate from him, she pecked his lips quickly before waving and dashing into class. Her friends, Jinri and Sunyoung, were inside who waved to Taemin as well. He smiled forcefully and nodded his head in acknowledgement, but eyed Jihyun before turning away. "Bye, sweetie~!" was called behind him, her sweet voice ricocheting in his head violently. A stream of laughter afterwards, and Taemin fastened his pace, slightly pink in the face.

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It was an early Saturday afternoon as, walking hand in hand through the small little park near her house, Jihyun was talking about her dance practice with Sunyoung and her other friend Soojung. She was complaining how hard the dance routine was for the Talent Show coming up, and she wanted Taemin to be the mentor instead of the actual girl. Taemin couldn't help but chuckle, although stayed quiet throughout the entire stroll.

Then Jihyun stopped talking. "Oh! I almost forgot. Oppa, can we go to Minho's party tonight, together?"

Taemin looked at her, startled. He wasn't planning to go since he wanted to stay at home and rest. He had to be excused from school the earlier Friday since Taesun had an emergency at the hospital. He was completely wiped out, but felt bad for cancelling on his plans with Jihyun Friday afternoon for the Cafe. That was why he was with her right now.

He looked down and didn't answer, instead shrugged.

Jihyun wasn't that satisfied with the answer, so she nudged him. "Oppa, come on! It'll be fun! Besides, Minho said they'll be a dance off if the speakers can work and you can show off your awesome moves! You don't have to wear anything that sophisticated, yeah? It's just a little party and--"

"I don't want to go."

"--Mwoh?" She blinked, slightly agape due to the sudden interruption, as she stared at him. Then she smiled softly, holding his hand with both of hers. "That's fine, we don't have to go. We could always watch a movie at your place and--"

"I don't want to do that either." Taemin interrupted again. He pulled his hand away from her, his cheeks slightly pink due to the words he was obviously holding back. He threw his hands through his hair in frustration as he closed his eyes. "Jihyun, I don't want to do anything today."

"O-oh..." Jihyun widened her eyes, suddenly taken aback by his reaction. "Okay, I u-understand--"

"See, that's what you don't get." His voice was like dripping acid. "You don't understand at all, Jihyun. Nothing for the past few months. You... you thought you understood, and you thought you could comfort me. I'm thankful, but the best comfort you could've given me was to leave me alone."

Jihyun backed up a step, her heart feeling like it was getting sliced with every word he said. Her eyes involuntarily watered as she bit her lip. "I d-did-didn't kn-know..."

Taemin looked away so he didn't have to see those pained eyes - those eyes he knew so well out of habit. Grumbling, he turned completely around and shoved his hands in his pocket. "Whatever... J-just... Go without me, Jihyun. I'll be at home."

With that, he walked away without another word given. Jihyun stood there, stunned and speechless, before she found her strength again and ran slightly after him. "Taemin!" She stopped in her tracks when Taemin raised a hand and told her to stop with that gesture without even turning back around.

Watching as he disappeared behind a corner, Jihyun slowly backed up until the back of her knees scrambled against a park bench and she fell against it, numbly. One tear drop, another, another...

"Oppa... Mianhae..."

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Groaning slightly, Taemin woke up from the alarm of his cell phone. Propping his head up, he ruffled his hair slightly as he faced the sunshine that was seeping through the curtains. Grabbing his phone from the table beside the couch, he shut off his alarm. The notification bubble with five missed messages from Minho, two from Jonghyun and one from Jihyun got Taemin up in a moment, his eyes blinking out the quickly disappearing slumber.

Instantly, he listened to Jihyun's message, his mind flashing back to their conversation yesterday. Dread raced through his body as he listened to her soft sniffling from the message she was trying so hard to hide. "I'm sorry... I... Oppa... I didn't know you felt that way... Honest... I... I won't bother you anymore, I promise..."

His heart nearly stopped. Taemin quickly got up, raced to his room upstairs to change as he placed his phone on speaker, listening to the other messages from his hyungs.

"You have five messages from Minho Hyung!"

"Lee Taemin, you pick up the phone this god damned instant!"

"Where the hell are you?"

"Jihyun is here but she cried the moment I asked her where the hell you were. What did you do to her?!"

"Taemin, I'm not kidding anymore, pick up the damn phone."

"God damn it, Taemin, me and the others are never going to forgive you if you did something to Jihyun!"

"You have two messages from Jjong Hyung!"

"Taemin, I don't know what happened but you have to fix Jihyun now. She's... she looks broken, Tae... What did you do...?"

"Please don't make Jinki or Key go after you, Tae. I'll hold them off since it's your business to settle with Jihyun... Just, please, hurry up."

Taemin slammed his phone shut and slashed it into his jean pocket before zooming down the stairs and out the door. His heart was cringing with every step that was pelted on the sidewalk, every step was getting closer to Jihyun's house.

All he could think about was her message. I won't bother you anymore, I promise...

It's going to haunt him for the rest of his life if what was meant behind her words was what she intended between them. Suddenly, the yearning to have her close, to run his fingers through her hair, to caress her cheek, to kiss her, to cuddle with her - everything was coming to him in such speeds, it was suffocating him.

He felt tears run down his cheeks as he ran up her driveway and slammed his fist against the door. "Jihyun ah! JIHYUN!" Taemin was on the verge of injuring himself until the door was clicked open. He immediately backed away a few steps, heaving in breaths he didn't know he kept all along. The door cracked open and there behind it was a tired looking Jihyun, whose eyes were darting back and forth.

Taemin knew no matter how hard she tried to freeze up her face to show no emotions, her eyes were the dead on worst spot ever to glance at in order to know her true emotions. Knowing her for so long, Taemin can read her like a book.

Right now dread, guilt, and surprise were portrayed. "What... are you doing here?"

He flinched. Usually there's 'oppa' or 'Minnie' at the end of her sentences or questions, or perhaps even the rephrase of 'Is something wrong?' But he knew what was wrong, and he knew Jihyun would never call him any of those precious nicknames anymore if he didn't fix this between them. His eyes glazing over again, he took a step forward once she stepped out completely from the door.

Almost immediately, she stepped back. Taemin froze, his heart plummeting to his stomach. "Taemin--don't."

"Jihyun... I'm sorry..."

"No, I am." Jihyun countered back, shaking her head. "I... I didn't realize what I was doing... and I was bothering you--"

"No, you weren't, I was being--"

"Taemin, you said yourself I was annoying--"

"I said you didn't understand, not that you were annoying." Taemin finalized the interrupting debate. "But I didn't want you to think you could understand--I don't want you to go through the things I'm going through, JiJi..."

He noticed how she stiffened and closed her eyes at his own nickname for her. She snapped them back open, and her eyes were glazed over with tears once again. "But..."

"Hit me."

Jihyun looked up. "W-what?"

Taemin pressed his lips into a straight line. "Hit. Me."

"Hit you? Why--"

"Hit me as hard as you can, as hard as I hurt your feelings... do whatever you want with me..." Slowly, he fell to his knees, his face crumpling along with his heart. This was his last chance. "Do... whatever you want... but just don't leave me, Jihyun ah... Just... don't leave me... Please."

There was a moment of silence that passed, and Taemin was just going to it all up and walk away. He messed up really bad. How could he lose the love of his life in a day and not even apologize properly, but uselessly beg for her forgiveness like this--

Suddenly, Jihyun fell on her knees, her fists hitting his shoulders and chest in powerful blows. Taemin kneeled there, his face showing slight shows of pain with every blow, and endured them until the blows seized. Slowly, he reached out and pulled her close. She ended up crying against his shoulders, her hands gripping against his shirt. "Pabo... pabo... pabo..."

Feeling like his chest burst with relief, he hugged her tight against him, nuzzling his face into her hair. "From now on, if you're angry at me, hit me. Hit me as hard as you want, araso? Just hit me, but never leave me..."

... "You're going to be bruised to the pulp, Lee Taemin!"

Chuckling, Taemin pulled back and kissed her softly, wiping her tears away. "So be it."

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Author's Corner: (Edited)

A one-shot for you guys, starring my favourite young man <3 :) I'll be busying myself with one-shots for a long while. It's easier to just write a whole long blurb, rather than ponder for every chapter for a lengthy story, right? ^^ My current two stories will head to a hiatus, so hopefully you guys support me with my one-shots. Thanks for reading, and please look forward to more works by me! -hugs everyone tightly-

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