For the –umph time that night, you tugged on your skirt willing it to behave and cease riding up your thighs.  You weren’t a big fan of going to nightclubs but a good friend of yours, Soobi, had urged – well more like guilt tripped you into going, reasoning that it was the last time you’ll ever get to see her since she was moving away for graduate school.  And somewhere on the back of your mind, you thought, “Maybe he’ll be there too”.    

But after an hour of uncomfortably dancing in a tight dress and ankle-scraping heels, you excused yourself to the nearest sofa. 

You stared out the window, watching as rain droplets collected on the glass like forming crystals.  For some reason it was so surreal to you – so out of place from the loud aura of the nightclub – so peaceful and therapeutic.  An hour must have passed by with you like that – just sitting there, stuck in your own little world. 

You were temporarily interrupted from your reverie when a few men offered to buy you a drink but you smiled and politely declined.  Moments later, your phone alarm began to ring, telling you that it was midnight and that Miss Cinderella was due home.  With a contented sigh, you got up to say your goodbyes but your body stiffened at the sight of someone’s reflection on the glass window. 

A tall young man dressed in a black suit and pants chatted nonchalantly with a few of his friends.  His hair, the color of golden honey brown, almost glittered against the disco lights.  Unconsciously, your body sat back down and you found yourself staring at the window yet again. 

Oh Sehun. 

He looked so happy; his eyes turned into crescent moons every time he laughed at a joke his friend humored him with.  Today, he was quite popular with the girls as well.  But then again, you were used to him being surrounded by female companions – at least that’s how it’s been for ten years. 

Involuntarily, your fingers stretched out to reach his reflection but you halted midway, not wanting to ruin such a beautiful scene.  With a sad smile, you mentally agreed to be satisfied with just looking at him. 

“________ah”, Soobi motioned you to join her on the dance floor.

You shook your head but Soobi wasn’t going to take “no” for an answer.  She threw you a cold stare before hopping off the dance floor and dragging you from your comfortable sofa back to the spotlight – all happening in a matter of seconds.  You didn’t even have time to gasps when she pulled you over to where Sehun stood.

Your gaze locked with Sehun’s.  The close proximity was so suffocating.  For that moment you mentally contemplated that if you just so much as reached over your arm, you would be able to touch him. 

“Hey,” Sehun’s mellow and smooth voice sounded. 

You opened your mouth to respond but Soobi beat you to it, “Hey, Sehun.  I’m bored.  Let’s all play a game!”

And then it was decided.  A group of your mutual friends gather around to play drinking games.  For the first few rounds, luck aided you and you avoided any drinking penalties.  However, by the sixth round, you were on a losing streak.  Soobi had helped you down a few shots but was already dead drunk.

“What?  Are you too cool for alcohol or something?” one of Sehun’s friends teased.

“No, um…I just…” you tried to think of an excuse but before you finished, Sehun had taken your shot and gulped it down.

Your eyebrows furrowed at him but he just gave you a reassuring smile.  So for the rest of the twenty rounds, Sehun took your punishments for you. 

Stop being so good to me.  You inwardly pleaded.  Your eyes began to water but you clenched your fist, reminding yourself to not make a scene. 

Soon, everyone was basically drunk and tired.  You followed the group as they began to pile into taxis but your eyes never left the drunken Sehun, who now was being held up by two of his friends.  One by one they began to leave until only Soobi, Sehun, his two friends, and you were left. 

“Soobi, we live in the same neighborhood right?” one of the guys asked and Soobi nodded.

“Perfect!” he said then threw you a set of car keys, “Hey ________ah.  Since you didn’t drink any alcohol, drive Sehun back.  He lives the opposite direction from us.”

Great, you now have become the official designated driver.  Before you could even respond, you felt Sehun’s body fall into your embrace.  Thump. Thump.  Thump.  Your heart raced as you felt Sehun’s warm breath against your neck.  So close.  You held your breath when he threw an arm around your shoulder for support. 

“Sehun…” you whispered.