Summer break finally has arrived and yet, the best area to take a walk, have a picnic, and enjoy the sun is out on the campus courtyard. And here I was two weeks after school ended finding myself back on campus looking for a specific someone after he texted me this morning. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his cheesiness when I received his message after waking up.

            I opened my phone back up to reread his messages.

Baekhyun:

Hey, hey are you awake?

You must be still sleeping, ha-ha!

Seoul:

            No, I just woke up

Baekhyun:

Oh… did I wake you?

Seoul:

Nah, I was in that half asleep, half-awake mode and I finally decided to wake up after getting your text

What’s up? You’re texting me while being in the room across from me?

Baekhyun:

I didn’t want to wake you

But I’m not home by the way, I’m…

Working…

Seoul:

….

Baek… it’s summer break

Why are you working?

Baekhyun:

So, I have a reason to text you and for you to come visit me

            Seoul:

Oh my…

So, what are you doing now? Are you on break or something?

Baekhyun:

Hm… just thinking about you

            “What are you smiling about, gorgeous?”

            I looked up to see the fore mentioned man in front of me. I was quite surprised that he wasn’t dressed in his typical “university professor” outfit. He sported an oversized crème colored collared jacket with matching pants and a plain white tee underneath. It was very simple, but such an aesthetic simple street look and I was very much in love with it.

            Blushing, I tucked in a piece of hair behind my ear. “Oh… um…” He smiled and gently pulled me into him for a hug, burying his nose in my air and taking a big whiff.

            I thought it was silly of him to sniff me like that and couldn’t help myself from laughing. “I’m just trying to ingrain the smell of you in my memory.”

            “Oh, stop that,” I hit his chest. “When did you become so cheesy?”

            “Just for you,” he winked.

            “Do you not have classes right now?”

            “No, I actually I came in today to cancel my summer course.”

            I gasped. “The workaholic is taking a break. My lord this is unheard of! Are you sick? Are you okay?” I cupped his cheeks with my hands.

            He rolled his eyes and pushed my hands down. “It took some thought and I realized that work shouldn’t be my biggest priority. Luckily on my part, only like four students signed up and so they’re being transferred to one of my seniors.”

            “If work is not your biggest priority now than what is?” I feel like I know the answer but I’m trying to not get my hopes up to hear the actual answer. Of course, though, he should be really taking a break. I can see that it is taking a toll on him and he just doesn’t realize that it’s okay to not work and to relax.

            He smiled and grabbed my hand, rubbing his thumb against all four of my fingers. “Well, certainly one of them is me because I don’t like being unhappy and stressed out. It really is taking a toll on my body and my mind and I want to be able to breathe occasionally. Second is you.”

            “Me?” It was exactly the answer I was hoping for, but he doesn’t need to know that.

            “Seeing that you’re my second girlfriend in a really long time, I can’t let you go just yet or never as a matter of fact. I’ve got you now and I intend to keep it that way. Plus, I’m not getting any younger and for sure I can’t find anyone else.”

            “So, what you’re saying is you’re only keeping me because no one else would date a workaholic like you?”

            He rolled his eyes and laughed. “When you put it that way it makes me sound like a desperate man.”

            “Aren’t you though?”

            “If I didn’t meet you, I’d still be taking this summer course, honey,” he said of matter of fact. “Anyway, main reason to bring you out here is so we can go on our first official date.”

            I gaped at him in awe. “What?” I wasn’t expecting to hear that to begin my morning. I was beginning to get giddy but nervous like ‘ooh, first date kind of nervous’ type of nervous because it is my first date.

            “You heard me. Let’s go,” he tilted his head and pulled me along to whatever adventure he wanted to go on.

            We walked around campus for some time, weaving through the buildings dodging the hot sun. It was a cute moment for us; very quiet and just so heartwarming to be in his presence. As usual I would rather hear him talk because I love the sound of his voice when he is happy, to when he gets giddy, to then serious. There’s just something about it that makes me mesmerized, however, Baekhyun said he’d rather hear my voice and so he would almost force me (of course, I didn’t mind because I love talking to Baekhyun as well) to talk by asking for my opinions on things and how I felt and even advice and it made me feel so touched that he genuinely cared about what I had to say.

            “I just don’t understand why people don’t like pineapples on pizza,” he exasperated. He even threw his arms up in the air. “It’s just a topping. It’s like corn, sausages, and cheese.”

            “Uhm… yeah, I don’t think that’s it,” I cringed at him.

            “What do you mean?”

            “Hate to break it to you but I don’t fancy the idea of pineapples on pizza.”

            He gasped. “And I thought I knew you,” he faked cried. “Why though?”

            I shrugged. “Hot fruit is just not the way to go.”

            Baekhyun’s mouth was slightly opened as he looked at me in shock. “You’re so lucky you’re cute and I really like you.”

            I smiled brightly at him. “Love that.”

            “Can I ask you something though?” I nodded my head. He took our intertwined hands and swung them gently between our bodies. “You talk a lot, but not a lot at the same time. You seem to stop yourself sometimes. Sometimes you talk the whole time and I love that and yet, you don’t just talk sometimes or seem reluctant to give an answer. Why’s that?”

            I bit my lip. I did promise him to be more open with him and with him being my best friend and boyfriend right now, I want to be vulnerable around and be transparent. “Well, I just think that people find me annoying. The fact that I just blab on without letting them talk must get in people’s nerves because I’m selfish for taking all the time to just talk.

            Sometimes when I talk to my cousin all I do is talk about my struggles and before I could stop and ask about her day, we would move on to something else or she’d be tired and want to hang up. Other times I just don’t think anyone is even listening to the words coming out my mouth and just nodding along. It hurts me when I can tell they’re not listen as well as when they seem annoyed, but they’ve only mentioned one thing about their day and say it’s okay that I’m rambling because they’re day wasn’t as exciting as mine. I’m, as you can probably say, self-conscious over how much I talk.”

            “Ah, now I have a better understanding,” he squeezed my hand. “I get that. I really do and that’s a real concern you can have. I just think with me, you can talk for hours and I’ll still be here remembering each word you speak. I love hearing your voice being excited or agitated because it’s cute. And don’t be feel guilty for speaking the whole time either because my days are honestly not exciting, if you have something exciting, share it! I want to hear you speak.”

            “You really know the right things to say,” I happily pouted my lips and snuggled up to his side. He released our intertwined hands in order to wrap an arm around my waist to pull me closer.

            “Of course, I do! Now let’s go get pasta, I’m starving.”

            Dipping my fork into my Carbonara pasta, I noticed that Baekhyun hasn’t touched his food yet. Didn’t he say he was starving?

            “Are you not going to eat?”

            He smiled. “I am. I’m just waiting for you to take the first bite.”

            I blushed. “Don’t do this, Baekhyun. You said you were hungry. Don’t wait on me, I’m not a princess or anything.”

            “You are one to me.”

            I hid my red face in my hands. “Stop, stop! You’re so gross. I don’t deserve this.”

            He reached over and pulled my hands off my face. Baekhyun kissed my knuckles. “You deserve everything and as long as we’re together, all my attention is you only. This confession is to my dearest princess.”

            I whined, although I’m liking this as much as he. “Stop~ Baekhyun, I’m really going to leave to throw up because you’re being too cheesy right now. Please stop talking and just eat so you can stop talking.”

            “Okay, okay,” he chuckled. Baekhyun scooted his chair over closer to me so we were right next to each other instead of across.  Being in this new relationship with Baekhyun, I’ve come to realize how clingy is. It isn’t the annoying clingy though, he really likes physical touch and just needs to feel me sometimes. Just the smallest touch like his knee rubbing against my thigh is all he needs to feel at ease.

            Not only has Baekhyun realized that I don’t talk much, he’s also noticed that I’m also been reluctant to touch him and/or him to touch me too. I wouldn’t say that my parents were the parents that never showed me a lot of love but for sure, we were never touchy either. Hugging was never a frequent thing unless we were saying goodbye and not going to see each other for a while nor were kisses a thing.

My parent rarely said I love you to each other, so words of affection are also very awkward for me too. Of course, I always say it for the jokes and to show my gratitude but saying it seriously isn’t my forte either. My mom and I were the only ones really doing the hugs, kisses, and I love you and yet, they were things we didn’t do too often.

Most girls hug when they see each other or say goodbyes, but I just never did such a thing either. My friends would do it to our other friends and I just waved my hands wildly at them and maybe hold their hand to then immediately let go. I have changed over the months being here since everyone at home started hugging each other when greeting and saying goodbye so I then started too, and it became normal. With Baekhyun on the other hand, he was rarely home and when we did meet it was at a time when we couldn’t hug, not that I wanted to hug him or anything.

We talked about it and Baekhyun was, of course, very understanding and said he’ll take it slow, but I just had to trust him and be comfortable. Honestly, I love Baekhyun’s small touches. I find it so cute when he uses just the tips of his fingers to grab my fingers, the way he lightly holds the small of my back to guide me, and just the way he’s so gentle with me. And with me loving his small touches, his big ones are extraordinary heart bursting.

“So, when should we tell them?” I questioned him in the middle of our meal.

“Who?”

“Jongdae, Chanyeol, and everyone else at home,” I responded. “I mean we can’t really keep it a secret living in the same home.”

He nodded his head. “Jongdae mentions that everyone kind of knows that we like each other so it wouldn’t be a big surprise to them.”

My eyes widened. “What do you mean they know?”

“Ah, I guess we were both oblivious. Well then again, we do live in a house with 9 pair of eyes. Jongdae was furious that I was so blind to everything.”

“Yeah, kind of blind.”

“Hey… so you and Jongdae, though.”

“What about him?”

“He mentioned that you talked to him a lot.”

I bit my lip. I’ll just try to play it off. “Sure, I did go over to his room and talked but we’re dating now so it’s no biggie.”

“Can I know what you talked about?”

I shook my head. “I mean it’s nothing. I just wanted to know if you ever voiced to him about liking me because I was confused if you were being nice because we were beginning to be close friends or if you genuinely liked me. I have my answer now.”

“You sure do. I was being nice because we were friends and then I soon realized that I liked your presence a lot and wanted to be next to you all the time. Like I said before I was bored without you.”

I pressed my lips together to keep myself from smiling. “Alright that’s enough gooey stuff for today.”

“You love it and I know it,” he laughed with his mouth wide open. It was the best laugh I can ever receive from Baekhyun.

“I think we should keep it a secret a little longer. They may find out sooner or later, but don’t you think it’s fun and a bit thrilling to be in a secret relationship?” Baekhyun finally answered my question after we left the restaurant and began wandering through the alleyways. Baekhyun promised that he’d take me exploring and he is now fulfilling it. That was months along that he promised and that is so heartwarming to that he remembered.

I shrugged. “I’ve never been a in real relationship before so I wouldn’t know. It does sound thrilling though like trying to not be caught doing something friends aren’t supposed to be doing.”

“And that would be?” Baekhyun smirked at me as we stopped walking in the middle of the empty alleyway.

“Uh…” I averted my eyes and put my head down being too embarrassed to say what he wants me to say. He bent down to get a good look at my face.

Baekhyun went back up and turned towards me. I felt him gently wrap him free hand around hips. I was scared to look up because I know he is giving me that gentle look that I always give in too. I decided I wasn’t going to look.

“Are you not going to tell me what was on your mind?” I shook my head at him question. “Were you talking about something like this?” I watched him from below bending down all the way so we were face to face as he leaned in closer and closer making me back away and lifting my head up but that didn’t stop Baekhyun from following along and leaning in more. Keeping his eyes on my lips, especially when I wasn’t cooperating in his want for eye contact. His lips were lightly brushing against mine. I couldn’t help but hold my breath. “Is this okay?”

I nodded trying to mentally and physically prepare myself in a second before it happened. Being content in my confirmation, he pressed himself into me his grip tightening around my held hand and my hip. It felt so surreal and almost magical to be kissed by someone that you hold so much feelings for and so heart melting when he asked permission. Typical soap opera moment when the guy just right out kisses the girl which is very romantic but for me, I find it so much more romantic when they ask because they’re making sure that you really want it too.

He slowly backed away and giggled. “I don’t think friends kiss either,” mentioning what I was thinking of earlier.

I giggled along with him. “I thought so too.”

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I hope that this year will be a good year for us and for our EXO boys~ I CRIED watching videos of them crying on the last day of ExplOration dot T~T They worked so hard and I'm just so proud of them! *sigh* I'M EMO