---

Chapter 9

---

---

Woohyun couldn’t believe he said what he said. On his way back home, he could feel his heart jumping around and he would grin or smile occasionally. He was constantly checking on his phone on his way back home, and a car even honked at him for almost creating an accident - but Nam Woohyun didn’t care. He was love struck. 

    

~*~

 

“Who was that guy?” Joonhyuk immediately asked his sister once he closed the door behind him. 

    

“A friend from school,” Sora answered as she took off her sneakers, “Nam Woohyun.” 

    

Joonhyuk chuckled with a smirk, “Are you sure he’s just a friend?”

    

Sora wished she could look at her brother in the eye, but she just couldn’t. And she asked herself if they did look more than a friend? And why did she always feel her stomach churning whenever she thought about Woohyun?

 

Joonhyuk laughed upon seeing Sora’s reaction and ruffled her hair, “Hm, my sister’s all grown up huh,” he said before going up the stairs, “Just take care of yourself. I don’t want to be too annoying.” 

 

Sora couldn’t help but smile at Joonhyuk. She couldn’t ask for more. Since her parents ended their marriage when she was ten, it was only Joonhyuk who was there for her. Her dad became alcoholic and left Sora and Joonhyuk with their mom. Mrs. Han, on the other hand, was too busy with work - and come to think about it again, Sora felt it wasn’t completely her fault especially that she had to take care of three people on her own. But she used to be angry with that. When her friends had birthday parties and all, she couldn’t have it because it was too much money to spend and her mom didn’t have the time to cook and plan for it. When her friends talked about their weekends with their families to the beach, she could only tell them timidly how she spent her weekend at home with Joonhyuk watching cartoons or reading. She was guilty to her mother, of course, but her pride stopped her from apologizing, and she could only avoid any interactions with her because it just made her feel more miserable. Of course, her mother had everything settled now. She married a great guy and lived in a posh neighborhood, she even secured her job as the head of the central bank in South Korea. 

 

Sora shook her head and rushed up to her room. She washed her face, brushed her teeth and changed her clothes. Then she opened her phone and the scene replayed again in her mind. She wanted to say a lot of things to Woohyun. How she was comfortable with him, how she liked the way he approached her and how she thinks she likes him too. But she also wanted to tell him that he didn’t know her enough, he had not seen her through her worst stages in her life and how they have only known each other for a while. Sora regretted promising Woohyun for a call, but nevertheless, she still opened her phone and dialed his number. 

 

“Have you made up your mind, Han Sora?” Woohyun’s voice sounded carefree, but below that he was hiding all his nervousness. 

 

Sora chuckled a bit and sighed, “Woohyun,” she called out, “you know you’re really great with this whole flirting and making girls feel that they’re on cloud nine right?” 

 

“Did I make you feel that way?” 

 

“I guess,” Sora bit her lips nervously, “But to answer your question, I think it’s too soon.” 

 

There was a moment of silence between them. And it wasn’t awkward, but the two didn’t know how to react, especially Woohyun.

 

“Oh, I understand,” he finally said, “I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable in any way.” 

 

“No, no, no,” Sora replied, “I like you, Woohyun- I mean -“

 

“You like me?” Woohyun chuckled.

 

“No, wait, I mean, yeah I think I like you - I don’t know, this is hard,” Sora whined out of frustration and it made Woohyun laughed, “Woohyun, I really don’t know how to put this into words.” 

 

“Say, what do you think if we spend lunch tomorrow together?” 

 

“What?”

 

“I want to eat lunch with you, is that okay?” Woohyun asked again. 

 

Sora stuttered, “Y-yeah, sure.” 

 

“Great! See you tomorrow then.” 

 

The two of them could not sleep that night.

~*~

 

Everything was going well for Sora until it was lunch and she had no idea how to tell her Raina that she was not going to eat with her. But apparently, things turned out to be easier than she thought it would be - or not. When Sora and Raina stepped out of their class after the bell shrilled, Woohyun was already waiting in front of their class, making a small scene. 

 

He went to Sora and asked Raina, “Can I steal Sora for lunch? Just today. I promise I will return her to you.” 

 

Sora widened her eyes, “Do you think I’m-“

 

“Go ahead you two,” Raina laughed looking at them, “I’ll be meeting with Howon anyways.” 

 

Woohyun smiled gratefully at Raina, “Thank you.” 

 

Sora was taken aback by how bold Woohyun was, but she didn’t complain anymore. Rather, she was grateful that she didn’t have to say to Raina by herself that she would be having lunch with Woohyun that day. 

But apparently, the scene of Sora and Woohyun walking side by side into the cafeteria made a little commotion among the student body. Sora could feel the stares from everyone around her, but when she tried to look around to see who’s eyes were watching her, none of them made an eye contact with her. She was restless, and Woohyun was aware of that. Without thinking twice, he slipped his hands underneath Sora’s and pulled her out of the cafeteria, towards the basketball court. They then sat on the bleachers, side by side, under the shade of the tree. 

 

“I’m sorry,” Woohyun apologized softly, “For making you uncomfortable and all, I know what you think.” 

 

Sora let out a slight chuckle and faced Woohyun, “And what do I think?” 

 

“You know how it’s weird for everyone to see you with me,” Woohyun told her, “I'm younger than you, I'm supposed to be with Younha, I'm not supposed to be chasing the head of the high school prefect committee-“

 

“You’re a playboy,” Sora cut him off, but with a tiny playful smile on her lips.

 

“I'm a playboy,” Woohyun looked at her and nodded solemnly, “But with you, I don’t know it’s just… different.” 

 

The female could only stare back at him, not knowing what she was supposed to answer. She was flustered and had to admit that no one had made her feel this way before. Woohyun, to her, was different too. They looked at each other and then bursted into a laughter. 

 

“You’re such a flirt, Woohyun.” Sora shook her head. 

 

“I know,” he shrugged, “You like that, huh?” 

 

Sora chuckled, “But I'm not sure you know what kind of person I am,” she said in a more serious tone, “We just got close to each other for like what? About a week? And I know you’ve liked me for a long time, but I'm not sure if you like me for… me.” 

 

Woohyun stared at her for a few seconds before responding, “Would you let me know you better?” 

 

Sora laughed with amusement, “Nam Woohyun, you’re-“

 

“Unbelievable,” The two of them said in synchrony and laughed. 

 

Woohyun smiled after their laughter died, “I really like you Sora,” 

 

“I know, stop saying it,” Sora replied half jokingly with a small laugh.   

 

Woohyun only chuckled. He stood up and stretched his body before turning to Sora and said, “Let’s come inside, and get food I'm starving.” 

 

But before they could eat, the bell shrilled and Woohyun playfully whispered to Sora as they went out of the cafeteria, “I guess we should do lunch after school then. See you.” 

 

Sora watched Woohyun’s back leaving her and she only scoffed with a small smile while shaking her head. Things only got worse when she was in class and she couldn’t concentrate on anything because she was only thinking about Woohyun. Should she try and take the leap to be with Woohyun? 

 

“Sora.. are you okay?” Raina whispered from behind, and that was when Sora realized the whole class was staring at her, including Mrs. Han. 

 

Sora turned to her best friend with a frown and she before she could open to ask Raina what was going on, Mrs. Han cleared and stared at her with her piercing glare which she did to everyone else except Sora. 

 

“So, what’s the answer, Sora?” She pointed at the board where a series of chemical equations were written. 

 

Sora came up to the board and wrote down her answer as confident as possible. She thanked God when Mrs. Han praised her for writing a detailed answer. She had to concentrate - and with Woohyun running around her mind right now, she knew her brain would not be able to save her next time. 

 

~*~

 

“So,” Raina started, “You’re getting closer to Woohyun now, huh?” 

 

Sora continued to pack her bag, trying to not be taken aback with Raina’s question although she was already half expecting that, “What do you mean? We’re just friends.” 

 

Raina rolled her eyes, “That’s what they always say before they end up being together.”

“Oh, just like you and Howon, huh?” Sora retorted with a grin and that shut Raina up. 

 

When the two exited their class, they were, again, greeted by the beaming Woohyun. Sora felt bad towards Raina. She didn’t want to be that friend who ditched her best friend for a guy. But apparently, Minjae was there too, and Howon, and a bunch of other faces whom Sora didn’t recognize. She was taken aback and had no idea what was going on. 

 

“Come on, let’s have lunch together, we’ll introduce each other while eating.” Woohyun grinned and just so naturally grabbed Sora’s hand, in which, surprisingly, she gave in to him. 

 

Sora was nervous. She hated going through things that were unplanned and that she wasn’t unsure of. And on top of that, Woohyun had been holding her hands as they were on their way to wherever they’re heading. Was this right? Was her hands sweaty? Her heart wouldn’t stop hammering.

Woohyun who noticed that tense look on her face gave her a kind, approving smile and a bit of squeeze on her hand. Sora looked at him and Woohyun gave her his small chuckle as they separated themselves from the group, walking behind of everyone else. 

 

“Stop being scared,” he said softly yet jokingly, “I'm hurt that you don’t trust me.” 

 

Sora bit her lower lip and looked away from Woohyun, half embarrassed - half nervous, “Where are we going?” 

 

“Ramen!” He answered excitedly, “You’re okay with it right?” 

 

“What happens if I'm not okay with it?” Sora tested him slyly. 

 

Woohyun looked rather startled, “We can get whatever you want, then… I guess,” 

 

Sora chuckled, “Nam Woohyun, you like making plans for me, huh?”  

 

The male looked rather relieved that Sora wasn’t actually mad at him. He nodded his head rapidly, “Because I like spending time with you-“ 

 

“Stop it,” Sora rolled her eyes and Woohyun laughed. 

 

“My friends want to meet you,” he said.

 

“So you’ve been telling them about me?” Sora suppressed her voice. 

 

Woohyun was taken aback again, “It’s just today, they were pushing me, I was trying to keep it slow and quiet.” 

 

Before Sora could reply anything else, they arrived at the ramen place. Sora had been there several times with her brother - it was really popular because it didn't cost a lot but actually tasted really good. She didn’t realize that she was still holding Woohyun’s hand until they had to sit down. She sat at the edge of the table, feeling awkward being with Woohyun’s group of friends. There were five girls, including her and seven guys. She wasn’t particularly good with meeting new people. 

~*~

 

Woohyun couldn’t help but smile quietly to himself. He found Sora especially cute when she was dropped in the middle of this pool of new people. She was quiet and she bit her lips constantly that he was actually worried that it would eventually bleed. When the waiter placed the menus on the table, Woohyun took one and shared it with Sora, leaning closer to her. 

 

“Yah, yah, Woohyun, there’s still one more menu left here,” Sungyeol teased from the other end of the table, “You’re just taking opportunities.” 

 

Woohyun glared at Sungyeol and turned to see Sora who looked down awkwardly with a slight tint on her cheeks. Woohyun knew she liked how close they were before Sungyeol had to ruin everything. 

 

“You just can’t stop poking your nose into other people’s business just for one minute huh, Sungyeol?” Nara spoke with annoyance in her tone. 

 

“Why, can’t I be close to Sora?” Woohyun added on and then scooted even closer to Sora, earning ‘eyy’s and sighs from the others. 

 

Sora only chuckled looking at the dynamics in the group.

They finally ordered, and after the waiter disappeared, Woohyun introduced Sora one by one to his friends. Of course, she knew some of them, like Ailee, Dongwoo and Howon who were in the class next to hers and Raina’s. She believed she had seen Sunggyu somewhere in the high school premises, and of course, she knew Minjae from working with her in the arts festival. 

 

“I'm sorry if we made you uncomfortable, Sora,” Dongwoo spoke with his wide grin, “We just wanted to see the girl who’s able to make Woohyun skip his soccer practices.” 

 

“I didn’t skip my soccer practices!” Woohyun defended himself.

 

Sora widened her eyes and turned to the male beside her, “You skipped your soccer practices?”

 

“He always make an excuse to go home early,” Howon added, “It’s just he always stays the latest when it comes to soccer.” 

 

Sora couldn’t say anything because she felt Woohyun’s warm hands, on her knees, searching for hers under the table. She gave her hand and he felt her cold finger tips. 

 

“Now that you are with Sora, what are you going to do with Younha?” Sungyeol recklessly asked again, earning glares from the whole table. 

 

Woohyun only chuckled, “Well, a bet is a bet,” he said and shrugged.

 

Sora was looking clueless, so she asked her thoughts out loud, “What exactly happened?” 

 

“Oh they were betting on whether or not Woohyun’s going to get Younha to go to prom with him,” Sungjong answered, still against the idea how his friends were so into betting on Younha and Woohyun.

 

“You’re betting… on a girl?” Sora lifted one of her brows and Woohyun was just cursing inside why they would talk about this right then. 

 

“Well, it was Younha,” Sungyeol defended.

 

Sora sighed and slipped a small smile, “I guess.” 

 

With that, almost everyone in the table breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently Han Sora was a better person than they thought. She was mature, honest and understanding. And Woohyun couldn’t be happier. 

 

 

~*~ 

 

 

Sora was glad that everything went pretty well although it was rather rocky at the beginning. She liked how Woohyun’s friends were interested in knowing more about her, and how they tried to make her feel comfortable. 

 

“So your house is near Woohyun’s?” Nara asked as they were on their way back. It was just Sora, Nara, Woohyun and Sunggyu as they were heading in the same direction. 

 

Sora nodded with her smile, “Apparently yes.” 

 

“Oh, that’s convenient.” 

 

“How about you and Sunggyu?” Sora asked. 

 

“We live in the same apartment- I mean, we’re in the same building but his unit is across mine,” Nara explained.

 

“I wouldn’t stand living in one unit with her anyway.” Sunggyu added and Nara hit his arms to which he winced in pain. 

 

Sora chuckled at the two, “Shouldn’t you guys be together?” 

 

Sunggyu and Nara widened their eyes and shook they’re head rapidly, “No, no, no, that’s just not happening.” 

 

Woohyun looked at them and laughed as he gently grabbed Sora’s hand, “They’re always like that.” 

 

When the couple had to part ways with Sunggyu and Nara, things got a lot more quieter, but it wasn’t really awkward. Sora and Woohyun liked how they were able to have their own time then. 

“I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable,” Woohyun said with a light chuckle, “As you can see, they were a bit crazy.” 

 

“It’s fine,” Sora dismissed him, “They were fun.” 

 

Woohyun smiled and nodded, “I'm glad that you had a good time.” 

 

“Does it feel nice? To have a group of people you can rely on like that?” Sora asked. 

 

Woohyun had to ponder for a bit before answering, “Of course,” he said, “But that doesn’t mean we never feel lonely.” 

 

Sora kept quiet. She wasn’t sure if Woohyun knew what lonely meant to her. But she decided not to push the conversation further. They were quiet until the two reached Sora’s house. Woohyun looked at her, with eyes which obviously said that he didn’t want to leave her just yet. 

 

Sora chuckled, “Go home and study,” she said, “Don’t leave your soccer practices early.” 

 

Woohyun sighed, “Can I hug you?” 

 

The female laughed, “You’ve been grabbing my hand all day without permission and now you’re asking if I'm okay with you hugging me?” 

 

“Is that a yes?” Woohyun smiled mischievously. 

 

“Nam Woohyun,” Sora shook her head with a smile, “You’re just-“ 

 

“Unbelievable, I know.” Woohyun hugged Sora with a laugh and she hugged him back.

 

At that moment, Woohyun felt like he wanted her in his hug forever. He didn’t care about soccer practice or anything else. And the jasmine scent from her shampoo made his heart flutter even more. 

 

Woohyun was still sixteen but he was very confident with every girls - except for Han Sora. She was special. 

 

~*~

 

a/n: Hi all! I am finally done with finals omg!! And I just officially finished my first year in college! I hope you all are doing great! :) Leave your comments below and subscribe if you like the story hehe I've been trying to relate this to PoBA but it was kind of hard, so I hope I didn't do a really terrible job at it LOL Thank you for reading! See you in the next chapter <3