Jessica’s POV

We used to be just friends… and then our friendship yearned for something more… I’ve known Donghae for so long… since freshman year of high school and we became closer friends in sophomore year. I started to like him in sophomore year when we had like two classes together. I knew that he already had a girlfriend, but I still like him… Now in junior year, I attempted to hide my feelings inside of me.

“Jessica, I heard that Donghae broke up with his girlfriend,” my friend, Tiffany, told me one time during lunch. She was the queen of gossip and loved to poke her nose into everything.

When I heard this, I became interested. If I was a dog, my ears would have perked up. “What’d you say?”
“Uh, like, Donghae’s single!” Tiffany repeated.

I smiled a bit, but quickly hid it with my hand as I pretended to cough. “Do you know why?” I asked curiously.

“I heard that he fell for someone else,” Tiffany gossiped, “I wonder who it could be?”

My heart pounded. I’d been his good friend for a while, my feelings were… who could it be? I couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous. My smile disappeared from my face; all of a sudden, I wasn’t so happy anymore…

“Tiffany, I’m going to go now…” the day had ended and now I just wanted to go home. I felt a surge of “depression” rise in me.

I wanted to feel happy for him, but my heart was not even considering that option. I walked out of school and stood at the bus stop.

“Hey, Jessica.”

My eyes peered to the side and I saw… Donghae?! Even though we were just friends, I did feel a bit “special.”

“Donghae oppa,” I greeted.

“Are you on your way home?” Donghae stared back.

“Yes, I am…” I clenched onto my bag. “You?”

“Yeah,” Donghae replied.

“Oh, okay,” I peered away from Donghae to cover my blushing face. He was just so good looking… “Oh, here comes the bus,” I pointed in the direction in which the bus approached.

♥

“Stop 39, the next stop is Incha Station.”

Donghae’s POV

Oh, this is my stop… but Jessica is sleeping and she doesn’t get off until the next stop… I’ll just stay with her, for now.

I peered at her peaceful sleeping face, so beautiful like the ice princess she was. Was Jessica the reason for my eagerness to break up with…? I peered at her lips and drew myself to kiss her. This would be a secret only I knew: maybe I love you?

♥

Jessica’s POV

I opened my eyes as I heard the bus driver announce “Stop at Incha Station.” This was my stop! I opened my eyes and realized that my head was lying against… I looked up and saw Donghae- Donghae’s shoulder?

I quickly lifted my head, my face was hot pink. I peered away from Donghae and said, “sorry about that.” I stood up, “This is my stop… (which means) you missed yours!!!” I gulped. Oh this was all my fault for sleeping like a pig… “I’m so sorry! You could’ve waken me up!” I began to bow my head in apology.

“It’s okay, I don’t really mind…” Donghae admitted while placing his hands on my shoulders. “So take it easy.”

I couldn’t help but blush. This was why I liked him… but that would always just remain in my heart. Only I would know… I slowly removed his hands from my shoulders and laughed. “I’ll see you back to the bus station, at the very least.”

“Okay,” Donghae agreed as we both got off the bus.

Together we walked back to the bus stop. We walked in silence, our hands brushed against each others. I wondered if there was even a slight chance of us becoming one… a couple? Would he ever consider me more than just a friend? Maybe-

“Woah!” I yelped as I tripped over a rock that I didn’t see, my thoughts were too deep. I felt a strong arm grab me and before I knew it I fell into the grass on top of Donghae. OUr bodies were pressed against each other. Wait, was this a dream?

I immediately got up off Donghae because… hello! People were watching, I looked like a ert, and this was just… weird.

“I’m so… sorry!!!” I stuttered. I peered at Donghae just lying on the floor looking up at me. The way he looked at me just gave me this feeling…

“Yah, Jessica. Are you going to just leave me in the grass?” Donghae just stared up at me.

“Oh, of course not!” I held out a hand to him, that was all I’d offer.

Donghae reached for my hand and grabbed hold of it. I attempted to pull Donghae up, but… he pulled me down and now he was on top of me, looking down at me. My heart was pounding so fast that it was ready to fly out any second.

Donghae’s serious face changed into a calm smile. He beeped my cheek and stood up. This time, he stuck out his hand to me.

I stared up at Donghae and blinked twice. What was that about? I confidently took this hand and stood back up. I gently hit Donghae as if “punishing” him for teasing me.

“I guess I’ll go,” Donghae broke a temporary silence.

“Do you want me to walk you there?” I questioned feeling an awkward aroma surround us.

“But then I’ll have to walk you back. We’ll be walking all night,” Donghae smiled. “Good night, Jessica.”

“Goodnight Donghae oppa,” I replied. Suddenly he grabbed me and pulled me in for an embrace. My eyes opened wide in shock. I was enjoying the moment but it was a bit sudden… Should I hug him back?

Before I could officially decide, Donghae peeled himself away from me. “Sorry. Goodnight,” and with that he left.

I was left standing and staring after him. Just what had that hug meant?

♥

No one’s POV

Jessica stood at her locker and was putting her books into the locker. She accidentally dropped a book onto the floor. She sighed while holding two textbooks, a couple of books, and her bag. Would she really need to drop everything just to pick up the book? She started to place her things back into the locker so that she could pick up the book.

“Here.” Jessica saw a shadow hover over her. She saw Donghae holding the book out to her.

“Oh, thank you. Good morning by the way,” Jessica retrieved the book and placed it into her bag.

“Morning…” Donghae smiled as he opened his locker and pulled out the same book. “I’ll help you hold something if you want.”

“Oh-” Jessica eyed the load in her arms. Before she could asay anymore, Donghae took the majority from her arms and held out his hand.

Jessica blushed. Was he asking for her hand? Like to hold hands? She peered at Donghae, her cheeks flushed pink. She put her hand onto his.

“Your book,” Donghae clarified.

“Oh,” Jessica snatched her hand away and felt a bit foolish. Why would he ask to hold her hand? It wasn’t like they were even a couple… She placed her book into his hand.

They walked to class together and at the door Donghae stopped and stood in front of the door blocking her from entering.

Again, Jessica felt like she was being teased.

“Jessica, can I ask you something?” Donghae looked down at her. They were standing so close that she was sure that he could hear her heart pounding against her chest.

Seeing no reaction, Donghae took that as a “yes.” He bent down and whispered, “do you like me?”

Taken by surprise, Jessica pulled away and stared at Donghae with wide eyes. Again she blushed. She began to stutter, “I… I…”

Donghae smiled, “okay, I understand.”

Jessica was shocked again. Really? He understood?

Donghae leaned over and gently kissed Jessica’s lips. It was a soft, simple kiss that spoke everything Donghae wanted her to know. He peered into her eyes, “Cuz maybe I love you too.” Donghae kissed Jessica once again, catching all the attention in the room and outside too.

Jessica’s POV

Those words kept ringing in my head… “Maybe I love you…” I later discovered that I was the reason why Donghae had broken up with his previous girlfriend.

“You were all I thought about and saw, Jessica. I knew that I was in trouble when you appeared in my dreams. I love you, Jessica,” Donghae had told me.

My lips formed into a smile, “I love you too Donghae oppa. I always did.”