Humming, Jieun adjusted the crooked ribbon of her uniform. It’s the first day after her casts were taken off. She missed moving without using her crutch. She moved her leg. The pain’s not there anymore. Sighing in relief, she touched her arm which was also properly healed. For the last time, she looked at the mirror. “Be positive, Choi Jieun. Be thankful and just be happy,” she muttered before taking a deep breath. Pasting her usual bright smile, she got out of her room.

“I’m going to school~” she said as she started wearing her shoes.

“Already? Wait for me. I’ll drive you to school,” Sooyoung asked as she peeked from the kitchen. Jieun shook her head. “You don’t have to. It’s your day-off so just rest. Bye~” Without waiting for Sooyoung’s next words, she rushed out of the house.

She stuffed her ears with her earphones as she started walking down the stairs. She could use the elevator but she opted to take the stairs. She missed walking freely without her crutch. Besides, it’s still early so she can take her time. Listening to AKMU’s cheerful songs is a pretty good way to start the day. She could feel the refreshing and positive vibes filling her again. She’s been into so much that’s why she needs to feel the ray of sunshine once again.

Stomping her foot in sync with the beat of the music, she quietly waited for the bus. Her phone vibrated as she received a message from Chanyeol.

From Yeolie: I’m nervous. I don’t want to see the results. T^T

Right, the result of the examination will be released today. With a small smile, she started typing a reply.

To Yeolie: Then close your eyes. :)

From Yeolie: You’re really mean T^T

To Yeolie: I’m just joking. I’m sure you’ll pass. You did your best after all.

“Good morning.”

Jieun flinched when she heard that. She turned to her left in surprise and saw Sehun smiling at her. For a second, she felt like her breath hitched and her heart stopped beating.

“You’re pretty, Choi Jieun.”

“G-Good morning too,” she muttered before giving him a small smile. “Why are you early today?” She couldn’t explain why she sometimes feels like she’s on the edge of a cliff when she’s talking to Sehun but then most of the time, she feels comfortable when he’s around.

The orange head casually shrugged. “I just felt like going to school early. How about you?”

There’s actually no special reason why she’s going to school early. “Me too. I just felt like it.” They stood there in silence as they waited for the bus. Jieun started playing with her earphones. Unconsciously, she found herself stealing glimpses at Sehun. He was constantly yawning as if he did not sleep last night. There’s always this portion of his hair that keeps on sticking out which she actually finds cute. Her musing was cut off when she saw the bus coming. As the bus stopped in front of them, the two of them entered. Jieun was in the middle of looking for a free seat when Sehun pulled her by the hand.

His hand was so warm that she felt like the cold was swept away. He led her to the only free seat in the bus. “Sit,” he stated softly. She did what he said and he casually stood by her side while holding unto the handle. She could still feel the warmth of his hand on hers. She shook her head and folded her hands together.

“He likes you.” Chanyeol’s voice suddenly echoed inside her mind. Her brows furrowed. What am I thinking about? Stop thinking nonsense, Choi Jieun. The possibility of that happening is less than the possibility that the sun will rise from the west. Sehun’s just taking care of you because he’s your friend. He just sees you as a friend. Nothing more.

The fight with her own thoughts continued until the bus stopped near their school. They both walked to their classroom in silence. She noticed that he’s been looking at his phone every 5 minutes. She couldn’t decipher why his expression’s like that. He looked angry and disappointed at the same time. Students started entering their own classrooms and after some more time, the lively atmosphere of the school’s back.

“The grades are posted!!” one student informed and the others started running to where the list was posted. Jieun looked at Sehun who was staring at his ringing phone. With a heavy sigh, he rejected the call. She pursed her lips before she decided to call out his name.

“Sehun.”

“Huh?”

“Do you want to check the list?”

He looked out of it for a second before he nodded with a smile. “Yeah. Let’s go.” He was about to stand when his phone started ringing again. He rejected the call once again before he stood and walked towards the door. Jieun could tell that there’s something going on with him but she couldn’t find the courage to ask. Sometimes, not asking anything helps.

Students were standing in front the bulletin board. Some were shaking their heads in disappointment while others were smiling from ear to ear. As some of the students left, Jieun and Sehun stood there while scanning the list. She sighed in relief when she saw that her rank did not change. Junmyeon successfully defended his rank and so did Kyungsoo.

“Look at who’s in rank 6.” The students started mumbling to themselves.

6th – Oh Sehun

“Oh Sehun? That guy who sent his former teacher to the hospital with 4 broken ribs?”

Jieun nudged Sehun lightly as a she looked up at him with a smile. “Congratulations. Sixth rank is pretty high,” she said and Sehun looked back at her. He smiled as he patted her head. She felt her cheeks burning when he did that.

“You too. Second rank is really pretty high.”

Suddenly, she felt a pair of arms around her. She squeaked in surprise. “Choi Jieun, you’re really a lifesaver.” Chanyeol was squeezing her into a very tight hug. Jieun patted the giant’s arm, telling him that she can’t breathe. Chanyeol let her go. She looked at him and he was smiling from ear to ear. “Choi Jieun, my rank jumped into 130. That means I improved my grades.”

Jieun couldn’t help but smile. “See? I told you that you’ll pass. You were worried about nothing.” Chanyeol’s smile was brighter than the sun. She swore he can even do a backflip there and then. Wait…Jongin’s… Her eyes quickly scanned the list. Kim Jongin. Kim Jongin. Kim Jong-

84th – Kim Jongin

She felt like her heart’s going to burst because of happiness. Maybe this is the first step to bring him back. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Jongin staring at the list. His expression was complicated. And when their eyes met, he smiled at her. His smile is one of her weaknesses. “Congrats,” she mouthed.

“Thanks,” he replied in return. Sarang appeared out of nowhere and she held Jongin’s arm with both hands. She looked genuinely happy. Jieun stared at them and couldn’t help but admit to herself once again that they both looked good together. Sehun suddenly put his hand on top of Jieun’s head, making her turn to him.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She nodded right away. “Yeah. I am.”

“Jieun, do you want to eat anything? I’ll treat you,” Chanyeol suddenly asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. Chanyeol kept on blabbing and before she knew it, Sehun was not there anymore. She looked around, but she couldn’t find him. “I still can’t believe that my rank jumped up to 130. Can you believe that?”

Jieun looked at the list again. All of the flower boys made it to the cut line. That’s an improvement.

After some minutes, Jieun found herself getting out from the cafeteria because Chanyeol insisted on buying some drinks for the two of them to thank Jieun for tutoring him. Jieun kept on saying that they could just buy during lunch break but Chanyeol really insisted. Jieun started tapping her fingers on the window sill as she looked back to check on Chanyeol who’s in the middle of buying some sweets.

As she looked outside the window, she noticed Sehun talking to a man who’s wearing a suit. Her brows bristled when the man bowed at Sehun. The latter had his hands in his pockets. He looked disinterested. Sehun started talking but she couldn’t figure out what he was saying.

“Jieun, let’s go.”

Jieun turned to Chanyeol in surprise. He was holding plastic bag of sweets. “Oh? Y-Yeah, let’s go,” she stuttered before looking back at where Sehun and th