“Good morning, Princess.”

Mari sat down in the kitchen with her parents for breakfast. She looked around and didn’t find Vernon in her house.

“It’s so quiet. It’s rare, isn’t it?” Mari questioned as she pretended not want to know where Vernon was. She took her spoon and eat her soup.

“Your morning devil was here.” Her father said without turning to Mari and kept reading a newspaper. Mari raised her head as he mentioned Vernon, “He finished his breakfast and he said he want to… What was that, honey?”

“He’s walking in the morning.” Mari’s mother said and smiled to Mari as she sat next to Mari.

“His parents haven’t come home yet?” Mari asked.

“Tomorrow.” Her father answered.

Mari put her chopsticks on the table. She suddenly stood up and was about to leave the kitchen until her mother stopped her, “Where are you going? You didn’t finish your breakfast.”

“I want to walk too. I will finish it when I’m back.” Mari said and left to her room.

After she changed to her sport clothes, she walked out of her house and heading to a park near her house.

She looked around to find Vernon and then she spotted him playing soccer with some kids. Mari quickly hid herself behind a tree and peeked to watch him again.

Vernon was laughing with the kids and it made Mari smiled a little to see him happy. Mari then remember what happened two days ago. Since Vernon brought her home when the camp fire, she didn’t talk with Vernon.

Yesterday, Mari didn’t go to school because she was still sick and today is Saturday so there’s no school.

Mari wanted to talk to him but she wanted Vernon to talk to her first.

Mari turned to watch him again but suddenly Vernon wasn’t there anymore. Mari looked around in panic. She was afraid if Vernon found her first.

“What are you doing?”

Mari froze. She closed her eyes as she got caught watching him. Mari slowly spun around and looked up to see Vernon.

Vernon softened, “Why are you here? You okay?”

“I… I’m jogging.” Mari cleared .

“Jogging or watching me? Or following me?” Vernon with a smirk on his face.

Mari pouted and looked away, “I’m jogging!”

Vernon smiled as he found how cute she was, “I thought you’re still sick.”

“That’s why you didn’t bother me?” Mari asked as she turned to him.

“So, you miss your morning devil.”

Mari didn’t say anything. She started to walk and Vernon followed her.

“Are you still mad at me?” Vernon asked.

Mari crossed her hands behind her and shook her head, “I’m not mad anymore.”

“Do you want to watch a movie tonight with me?” Vernon suddenly asked.

Mari paused and looked at him. It was rare, she thought. Vernon never like that before to her. Asking her suddenly to watch a movie.

“Are you serious?” Mari asked back.

Vernon nodded, “Hmm. Why do you look so surprised?”

“That’s weird. The way you ask me is weird…”

“Which part is weird?” Vernon laughed, “But, we can’t go together. I have something to do today and we can meet there. How about that?”

“As long as you buy the ticket.”

“Sure. I’m the one who ask you, right?” Vernon smiled.

“And you have to buy me beef too. Oh, I want sashimi too.”

“Yeah, okay. Whatever do you want.”

“I think I need new clothes too. You know, there’s a beautiful dress I really want.”

“Where are you going with that dress? It’s cold.”

***

“So… It’s a date, isn’t it?”

“What? No!”

Mari was talking with Yeorum on the phone. She told Yeorum about the movie and she was busy choosing what clothes should she wear for tonight.

“Then why are so busy choosing clothes? This is just Vernon. Your childhood friend.”

“I don’t know. My instincts say so.”

“Huh? Instincts? Mari, you’re drunk.”

“This is not a date. I think he just want me to forgive him. That’s why.”

“But… why are you choosing clothes? That’s the only question I asked you from earlier.”

Mari paused. She looked around the clothes she has been choosing. Yeorum was right.

“I don’t know…”

Mari could hear Yeorum was laughing, “Listen. Just be yourself. It’s looks like you’re going with someone you love.”

“What? I don’t love him! I mean, I do but not in that way!”

“Yeah, okay. I get it, Mari. You don’t have to yell.”

“You make me so nervous right now, Lee Yeorum.”

Yeorum laughed again, “Ah, gotta go. See you tomorrow.” And she hung up.

Mari stared at her phone and put it on her bed. She sighed when she saw how messy her room was. She started to clean it again and decided to wear whatever she wanted.

***

Night had come. Mari arrived at the place by herself. She looked at her watch and the movie was about to play but she didn’t see Vernon.

“He better not make fun of me,” Mari whispered to herself and looked around.

She paused when she spotted someone she knows very well. She squinted and froze when she was sure who was that.

That person also aware of her and he ran towards Mari.

“Seungcheol sunbae?” Mari blinked at him, “Ah, you’re to watch a movie too. Are you alone?”

“I’m waiting for you.” He quickly replied.

Mari’s smile disappeared. She gave Seungcheol a confused look, “What do you mean? I’m here to watch a movie with Hansol but he has not come yet…”

“Vernon called me this noon,” Seungcheol said, “He said that he couldn’t come and asked me to come instead. He said he was busy.”

“Huh?” Mari still didn’t get it. She felt her phone vibrated inside her bag and took it out. It was text from Vernon.

From : My Morning Devil

Subject : It’s a gift for you.

“A… gift?” Mari whispered uncociously.

Seungcheol stared at Mari, “Mari? Or… You don’t like it?”

Mari snapped out of her daze and immediately shook her head, “No! It’s okay. Let’s go.”

Seungcheol smiled and walked together with Mari into the movie theater.

Nor far from where it was, Vernon was looking at them both. He felt his phone vibrated and opened a message from Mari.

From : The girl next door

Subject : Thank you, Hansol. I love you.

Vernon was silent. He turned to the movie theater once again before he put both of his hands into his coats’ pockets and left.

***

“The movie is pretty good, isn’t it?” Seungcheol said when he came to Mari. They were in a Coffee Shop.

Mari nodded in agreement, “Do you like that kind of movie, sunbae?”

“I like action movies.” Seungcheol replied, “How about you?”

“Me too.” Mari said as she took a sip of her ice coffee. “Sunbae, can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Seungcheol nodded in curiosity.

“Why did you agree to go there?” Mari asked.

“Vernon said that he could only entrust you to me,” Seungcheol laughed, “He didn’t know who to ask else besides me. He said if he asked Hoshi, you will upset.”

Mari chuckled, “Thank you, sunbae. Ah, How was the camp fire?”

“I told you that there was nothing special about the camp fire, didn’t I?”

Mari smiled, “Yeorum told me that Joshua sunbae played guitar there.”

“Then what else did she say?” Seungcheol smiled back.

“Umm… nothing.” Mari grinned and sipped her ice coffee.

“Vernon said I have to take you home. Come on,” Seungcheol stood up of his chair and led Mari to the door.

Mari couldn’t help but smiling as she walking behind him. She couldn’t help but staring to Seungcheol’s back. She was very grateful to Vernon. Even if only briefly, but she was very happy.

After a few minutes, they arrived in front of Mari’s home.

“Thank you, sunbae. I’m so happy.” Mari looked at him with a smile on her face, “I mean it.”

Seungcheol chuckled, “Why are you so happy?”

Mari bit her lower lip, “This is a secret. I had been admiring you since you’re the president of the student council.”

“Really?” Seungcheol blinked and then he laughed, “But, me… as an ex president, sneaked out with you that night.”

Mari giggled, “It’s an experience.”

“Thank you, Mari. I mean it, too.” Seungcheol smiled to her and Mari smiled back.

After saying goodbye, Mari ran into her house in excitedment.

“Kim Mari! Don’t run!” Her mother scolded. But Mari didn’t hear it, she skipped upstairs, throwing her bag to her bed and ran towards her window. She widely smiled when she saw Vernon was playing video game in his room.

“HANSOL!!” She yelled his name.

Vernon startled and immediately turned to her, “Are you crazy?!”

“Can I get there?!” Before Vernon said yes, Mari went to his room and sat in front of him. She hugged him tightly all of a sudden and giggling to herself.

“What are you doing, Kim Mari?” Vernon asked.

Mari pulled back and giggled to him, “Thank you.”

“Aigo, you look so happy.” Vernon pushed her forehead and continued to play.

“Why did you do that?” Mari asked.

“I gave you a gift. I told you that there will be another chances.”

“Nevermind. I’m so happy! I didn’t expect you would do that for me! Thank you!” Mari hugged him again.

“Ah! Mari!”

“Thank you, Hansol! Thank you!” Mari didn’t stop as she continued to hug him tightly.

Vernon softened. He was about to hug her back but changed his mind. He patted her back a few times. “Okay, okay. Now let me go. Let me play the game.”