It was a fairly cold Wednesday. Mari was walking alone downhill a lollipop in . Her hands was in her coat’s pockets. It was almost winter.

Mari took out her lollipop and sighed, “Where are you, Lee Yeorum? I can’t even call you.” She whispered to herself. Yeorum didn’t come to school today and this was a rare thing happened to her.

Mari was worried. She couldn’t contact her either. The only thing that came to her mind was Yeorum’s parents.

Yeorum had a complicated family. Her parents are entrepreneurs. They’re too busy and forget that they had a daughter. Yeorum actually understand it. She was just tired everytime they came home, they were always fighting.

Mari stopped walking when she spotted someone familiar was playing basket ball alone in the park. A smile appeared on her face. She put her lollipop into again and approached the guy.

Mari smiled widely when the guy made a cool move and threw the ball into the basketball hoop. She spontaneously clapped her hands and made the guy paused playing and spun around. He smiled to see her, “Mari,”

Mari smiled back, “What are you doing here alone? Where is Wonwoo?”

“He’s at Vernon’s house. And why are you here alone? Where is your friend? Yeorum?”

“I don’t know,” Mari shook her head sadly, “She didn’t come to school and I can’t call her.”

Mingyu nodded in understanding.

“You didn’t answer my question.” Mari looked at him in wonder.

“Ah… I was practice at school. You know, basketball.” Mingyu laughed, “So, I told them to go first and I will join them later.”

“We can go there together.” Mari said as she sat on the bench.

“I think I’m going to practice a little while longer. You can go ahead,” Mingyu said as he dribbled his basketball.

Mari saw Mingyu ran towards the field and smiled, “I will wait for you!” She shouted.

Mingyu stopped dribbling and turned to her. He started to smile again, “You sure?!”

“Why not?!” Mari shouted back.

Mingyu raised his thumb to her and started to play again and Mari watching him enthusiastically.

After a few minutes waiting, Mari sometimes clapped when Mingyu managed to put the ball into the hoop and she was clapped and cheered. Mingyu laughed as he felt so happy that day.

Mingyu threw the ball away and ran over to Mari, “You’re bored, right?”

“No, I enjoy your game.” Mari grinned.

“Really? Then, I should treat you.” Mingyu said as he took his bag.

“You serious?! But, this is my choice. Okay? Not yours.”

“Sure.” Mingyu chuckled.

“Let’s go, then!” Mari stood up and walked on the long bench while Mingyu walked down there.

“You know, I always watch Seungcheol sunbae, Jeonghan sunbae, Joshua sunbae and their friens playing basketball but I think that you—Ah!” Mari was talking and suddenly she almost lost her balance and Mingyu quickly held her arm.

“Mari, that’s dangerous. Just come down and walk next to me,” Mingyu warned her.

Mari grinned and did what Mingyu told her to walk next to him.

“Ah! There, there!” Mari pointed to a street food cart and she ran towards the cart before Mingyu. “I want this.”

Mingyu nodded with a smile and Mari ordered the food virgorously.

“Can I try one, Halmeoni?” Mari asked the seller. The seller nodded and Mari ate the food with pleasure.

Mingyu smiled again, he didn’t know how many time he smiled just because of Mari today. “Slow down, Mari. It’s hot. No one’s gonna get you.”

“Aigo, such a care boyfriend.” The halmeoni cooed. Mari paused and turned to the grandma as well as Mingyu.

“Halmeoni… We’re not couple.” Mari chuckled, “We’re just friends.”

“Aw… Really? You’re beautiful and he’s handsome. Both of you will make a beautiful couple!”

“You think so, Halmeoni?” Mingyu asked.

The grandma nodded eagerly, “Why don’t you guys dating?”

Mingyu started to laugh. Mari turned to him and immediately shook her head to that grandma, “Halmeoni, we’re not dating.”

“I agree with you, Halmeoni.” Mingyu suddenly said, which makes Mari turned to him in surprise, "That she’s beautiful.” Mingyu continued as he gave Mari a sweet smile that could makes any girl blushed in embarrassment. Including her right now.

Mari took the plastic bag and bowed to the grandma, “Thank you, halmeoni! Have a nice day!” she said and walked away, leaving Mingyu behind.

Mingyu couldn’t help but laugh again. He gave the grandma his money and bowed as well and then he ran over to Mari.

“Mari, wait! Why are you running away like that?” Mingyu asked as he walked next to her.

Mari didn’t say anything but Mingyu could see her ear reddened and he couldn’t help but smile again and again. She’s so cute.

Mari sighed. She was probably so red right now. She wanted to look at Mingyu but she could see that he was smiling to her with that stupid smile that was just melted her.

She quickened her pace so she couldn’t see that stupid smile again, How can he smile like that? And how can I fine when he said that I’m beautiful with a smile like that. Ugh!

*****

Mingyu stepped into Vernon’s room as he kept laughing. Wonwoo spun his body and gave him a strange look, “Why are you laughing?”

“Nothing.” Mingyu finally stopped laughing even though when he remembered how cute Mari was, he started to laugh again.

“Ah… When she’s going to show up?” Someone who was watching Mari’s room suddenly spoke.

Mingyu took off his coat and stared at him, “Lee Chan, you’re here?”

“I’m sure that you’re also not aware there are me and Jun here.” Someone with funny accent said.

“Ohhh… I don’t know you’re here until you said something, Minghao.” Mingyu smirked.

Minghao gave him a cynical gaze and played the game again with Jun.

“There, Chan.” Hoshi suddenly said.

Chan or Dino, you can call him like that turned to Mari’s room.

“Woah! She’s indeed beautiful! I mean, so beautiful! Hyungs!” Dino stunned.

Minghao and Jun immediately paused the game and rushed to see Mari. They stunned as well just like Dino.

Mari was untied her hair until she realized there was someone or maybe more were staring at her. Mari startled and closed her window.

“Ah!” Dino sighed in disappointment.

Vernon closed the magazine he has been read and he looked so pissed off. “You guys are excessive. She’s not a fallen angel from heaven.”

“I thought she was,” Jun blinked innocently to Vernon.

Vernon rolled his eyes, “Seriously, guys? She’s not that beautiful!”

“She IS beautiful, hyung! How can you say that!” Dino snapped.

Vernon gaped, “Yah, Did he just snap at me?” He asked Wonwoo.

Wonwoo turned to Dino and nodded, “Yeah, he snapped at you.”

“Hyung!” Dino gave Wonwoo a look.

Vernon heard Minghao whispered in Chinese and shook his head, “Hoshi, this is your fault.”

“WHY?! What’ve I done?!” Hoshi gawked at him.

“You’re probably saying something excessive to them,” Mingyu shrugged.

“But, I told them the truth. Didn’t I, maknae-ah? I told you that Vernon’s childhood friend was very beautiful, didn’t i? and what do you think, our Chan?” Hoshi said.

“You were right, hyung! She’s so beautiful!” Dino gave him a thumb and then he gave Hoshi a high five.

“Hey, hey! She opens the window!” Minghao suddenly said. Everyone in the room including Woozi who has been writing on a book turned to the window.

Mari has changed her uniform and she smiled to them, “Hi! I never see you three before! Are you guys Hansol’s friends, too?”

“Yes! Yes! We’re his friends too!” Dino nodded eagerly.

“Can I come over?” Mari asked.

“Of course you can!” Hoshi shouted.

Mari giggled, “You don’t have to shout, Kwon Hoshi! I can hear you. I’ll be there!” And Mari disappeared from there.

Vernon didn’t know why he was so upset to see his friends’ point of view to Mari. He didn’t like it. He hated it.

Not long after that, Mari showed up in front of Vernon’s room. Mingyu was the one who opened the door. He smiled to Mari, which makes Mari remembered his smile again.

Mari hit Mingyu’s chest and tried to act cool, “Stop it, Mingyu.”

“You’re not red again.” Mingyu smirked.

“Stop it.” Mari secretly blushed and walked into the room. “Woah… Someone don’t want to tell me who they are?”

“They’re our friends too. The two of them are Chinese, Minghao and Jun.” Hoshi introduced them. Minghao waved his hand to Mari and Jun smiled sheepishly.

“And this is our maknae, his name is Lee Chan. Or you can call him Dino.” Hoshi nodded to Dino.

“Noona! Can I call you like that?!” Dino eagerly asked.

“You rascal! Of course you should call her like that!” Wonwoo said.

“Hansol! Did you hear that? He called me noona.” Mari giggled and approached Dino, “I’m so happy to have a little brother like you. Please always call me like that.”

“Of course, noona!” Dino and Mari laughed together.

Woozi looked at the two of them and he smiled as he shook his head.

“Ah, Mingyu bought me this from earlier. You can enjoy this too.” Mari said as she gave them the food she bought earlier with Mingyu.

Vernon paused and turned to Mari, “With Mingyu?”

“We met at the park.” Mingyu said as he turned to Mari and smiled to Vernon.

Vernon nodded in understanding and didn’t say anything after that. He suspiciously stared at Mingyu who was looking at Mari and Dino. They were talking and Mari laughed because of their jokes and Mingyu smiled to see that.

Don’t tell me that he likes Mari…

Mingyu realized Vernon’s stares and turned to him. He gave Vernon a question look. Vernon startled and shook his head. He pretended to read his magazine again. God… What’s wrong with me?

****

It was night. Vernon was walking around Dongdaemun with Hoshi and Seungkwan.

“I lied to my mother.” Seungkwan said.

“About what?” Vernon replied.

“I told her that I went to library to study and now I’m here with you guys.” Seungkwan rolled his eyes.

Hoshi laughed, “We didn’t ask you to come.”

“Whatever.” Seungkwan shrugged. “I heard from Jun that Dino is in love with Mari. Is it true?”

“True.” Hoshi said.

Seungkwan laughed, “Who doesn’t like a pretty girl?”

“Probably Vernon.” Hoshi said as him and Seungkwan looked at Vernon.

Vernon stopped walking and eyed Hoshi, “Why did you say that?”

“You’ve been knowing her since years and you don’t feel anything.” Hoshi stated.

“Makes sense.” Seungkwan nodded in understanding as he put his finger on his chin.

Vernon waved his hand in front of their face so they could stop talking about Mari. And then, he spotted someone he knew very well.

“Guys, I have to go. See you tomorrow.” Vernon waved and left his friends.

Vernon followed this person. Who was Yeorum. But, she wasn’t dressed like her usually. She was different tonight. Vernon chased her just before she was about to go into a nightclub.

Yeorum gasped and spun around. She widened her eyes when she knew it was Vernon.

Vernon gave her a serious look and dragged her far away from there.

“Let me go, Vernon! Let go of me!” Yeorum rebelled.

When he was sure that they were far away, he let go of her hand and stared at her from her head to her toe. Vernon took off his coat and put it around her shoulder.

Yeorum didn’t say anything. Even though she was touched by Vernon’s action to her.

“You know what you’re doing?” Vernon finally said something.

“I didn’t do anything.” Yeorum quietly answered.

“You almost get into a nightclub!” He snapped, “Have you gone insane? You’re underage.”

“This has nothing to do with you! Just let me!” Yeorum snapped back.

“You are my friend!” Vernon angrily said, “How can I let you?! Don’t be stupid. Let’s go home. I will take you.”

Vernon pulled her hand. Yeorum slapped his hand away and sobbed, “It’s not home.”

Vernon spun around and stared at Yeorum. He saw her crying. Her tears were falling down to her cheek. Vernon softened. He slowly walked to her and put his hands on her shoulders, “You’re just having a bad day. It doesn’t mean your life is bad.”

Yeorum slowly raised her head and looked at Vernon. Vernon continued, “Although everything is falling apart, you may not be wrong in taking a step.”

Yeorum started to cry again and it went louder. She didn’t stop. She knew that she was wrong. Vernon softened. He softly patted her shoulder and let her cry.

They were sitting on a bench in a park. Vernon was staring to the sky. There were so many stars that night. He turned to Yeorum who’ve stopped crying.

Yeorum looked up to the sky, “I can’t believe someone like you can talk like that.”

Vernon laughed in disbelief that Yeorum quipped him.

Yeorum turned to Vernon and smiled, “Thanks, Vernon. I need that.”

“Mari told me that you didn’t come to school today. She was very worried, you know. You should call her.” Vernon said.

“And in the end you only care about her, huh?” Yeorum said.

Vernon turned to her in wonder. Yeorum stood up of the bench and took off Vernon’s coat. She gave it to him and said, “Thank you, I mean it.”

Vernon took his coat but he put it on Yeorum again. Yeorum blinked. Vernon tidied up his coat on her and looked up to her, “You need it. It’s cold. You should go home.”

Yeorum stared at Vernon for a few seconds and laughed slightly, “Thanks. Again.”

“Go.” Vernon nodded to her home’s way.

Yeorum smiled and turned around. She waved at Vernon and got into a bus. Vernon wrapped his arms around his body and started to run.

Vernon arrived at his home. His mother told him that Mari’s father will be overtime and her mother was abroad for a fashion show. She told him that Mari was in his room waiting for him.

Vernon skipped upstairs and opened the door of his room. He found Mari was sleeping on his bed.

Vernon put his scarf on the table and walked approaching her on the bed. Hoshi’s words suddenly haunted his mind.

“You’ve been knowing her since years and you don’t feel anything.”

He sat on the edge of his bed and looked at Mari. He put his hand on his palm and sighed as he whispered, “I don’t know… I don’t know about that. Now you make me scared of losing you..”