Dear G-Rain. 

I have been dropping hint after hint to my roommate that I’m interested but she just brushes it off. What am I supposed to do when I’m already so obvious?

Sincerely,

Neighborhood’s Intimidating Guy

To: Neighborhood’s Intimidating Guy, 

Stop dropping hints. Stop everything altogether. Love is dead.

Sincerely,

G-Rain

Opening my bedroom door early in the morning, I didn’t expect a beautiful sight but nonetheless, I am still shocked by the aftermath of last night’s drinking session. They were pretty much sprawled out in any space that they could find available in the living room. 

Out of the corner of my eye, Hanbin’s sleeping form comes into my line of vision. I take a single step towards the front door before I give into an urge that brings me backtracking towards him. Sneaking past the free limbs (that clumsy me could trip over), I kneel down and pull Bobby’s blanket in Hanbin’s direction to cover him a little more. I shoot an unknowing Bobby a glare. This will be considered my petty payback. 

With a sigh, I head out of the apartment to get started on my Friday. 

***

The kids at the internship were pleasant but they kept remarking about my appearance. Apparently, I looked exhausted and I couldn’t even be mad because I certainly felt that way. This whole week has been draining. Physically and mentally. 

“Teacher, I think it’s time for you to go home and sleep.”

Blinking back from my thoughts, I smiled down at the young boy. “You’re right, but disaster is waiting for me.” And, I shouldn’t keep it waiting.

Getting off at the bus stop that drops me off in front of the food court building, I start walking down the pathway towards the apartments when my feet automatically halt at the sight of a different kind of disaster. This time, Skull Pounder doesn’t see me and I have a chance to run off. Rounding the corner of the building, instincts bring me hiding behind bushes. 

And, boy, does this bring back memories.

I really do have to wonder though. 

Does Skull Pounder not have anything to do?

I mean, he’s probably a student here, right? And, he has to go to the gym to keep all the muscles looking scary, right? So, why do I have a feeling that he’s spending all of his time skulking around for me instead? How can someone have that much hate or that much time? I find it hard to believe that he hates me more than he loves working out. 

Come on.

And, isn’t it easier to find another girlfriend?

I pulled my legs against my chest while tilting my head back to look up at the night sky. Not like I had anything else better to do. While busy moping about my sorry life, I suddenly flinch at the sound of thunder and lightning crashing against the back drop of the night sky. 

Come on.

Crawling across the grass, I take a look around the bushes to see if anyone is lying in waiting. Someone as big as Skull Pounder wouldn’t ever be able to hide. I guess that’s one good thing about this. 

Just as I was able to look, a pair of legs blocked my line of sight. Seeing where the torso connected to the feet, then the neck, I finally reached his face.

“Have you been seriously hiding this entire time?” Hanbin asks as he looks down at me and while seemingly out of breath. 

Honestly, I didn’t know if I were still hiding at this point. It has been a while since I were able to be by myself with no one bothering– yeah, I just think I liked the silence so I stayed. I look up at him to take in his appearance. Someone doesn’t look like he recovered from last night–,

The thought of last night brings the thought of his words. 

“How did you find me?” I ask. 

“I know you,” he responds easily. 

And, I didn’t like his tone but maybe I’ll cut him some slack because of his hangover. When I offer no response, he sighs. 

“Alright, get up,” he says while reaching his hand out to me.

Giving in, I place my hand into his and he pulls me to my feet. I brush off my bottom to free it from the grass and loose pebbles and straighten out my clothes when I find a familiar face quite a distance away. 

“Oh, it’s Jae–,”

Before the rest of my words can come out, Hanbin suddenly pulls me off to the side and places a hand over my mouth. I stare up at him while feeling the bark of the tree behind my back. I peel away his hand with some struggle.

“What are you doing?” My words manage to sneak out before he replaces his hand back over once more to cut off my question.

“I saw the big guy–,”

“You’re such a liar.” I hold onto his hand this time so he wouldn’t be able to block my mouth. “I just saw Jaewon.”

“Just because you saw Jaewon, that doesn’t mean I’m a liar,” he mutters lowly and I narrow my eyes at him. 

The distance between us is minimal and I