“What are you doing here?” Kai asked.

 

“Ohh… I’m…. I’m waiting for Shownu to end work so he could send me home.” Bora replied, technically she is not lying. 

 

“Oh ya… I saw him inside. Why didn’t you go home after school and came here instead?” Kai continued to ask.

 

“I was just running some errands around this area… So I thought I’ll just come and find Shownu.” Bora lied and her face started to flush.

 

“How long more does he needs?” Kai asked.

 

“Let me call him…” Bora phished out her phone and dialled Shownu’s number. 

 

Shownu: Neh?

 

Bora: How long more do you knock off?

 

Shownu: Manager Kang want me to cover for Jim, he is late… So maybe an hour? Do you want to head back first?

 

Bora: Oh…. I’ll just wait for you.

 

Shownu: Don’t waist outside, it’s dangerous, wanna come back in?

 

Bora: I’ll just grab a coffee down the street, come twosome to pick me up ok?

 

Shownu: Neh. If you’re tired don’t wait up ok?

 

Bora: I’ll let you know. 

 

Shownu: Ok. Bye.

 

Bora: Bye.

 

“He still needs an hour.” Bora replied.

 

“I can send you home” Kai said, “Don’t worry, I didn’t drink”

“It’s ok. I’ll just wait for him at twosome cafe” Bora replied “drive home safe” 

 

“I’ll wait with you” Kai replied quickly.

 

“Aren’t you going home already? It’s ok. I can just do some work there.” Bora replied and started walking “Bye!” 

 

Kai rushed forward and grabbed her bag.

 

“ahhhh!” Bora got a shock.

 

“Don’t reject me like that. Lets go together.” Kai replied cooly and walked ahead of Bora to twosome cafe.

 

Bora’s blushed, heart pounding hard, ‘he… what is he trying to do… Bora! Wake up! Focus on school, you can’t let Oppa down’ 

 

— At Twosome Cafe —

 

They grabbed a seat near to the window, “what do you want? I’ll go get it” Kai answered.

 

“I’ll go get it for you. My treat” Bora replied.

 

“Why?” Kai answered.

 

“Since you helped me this morning” Bora smiled, pointing at her clothes.

 

“Yah. I saved your life and you are returning the favour with a cup of coffee? No way… You owe me dinner. Are you ok with cappuccino ?Iced?” Kai continued.

 

“wah! How did you know?” Bora looked genuinely shocked. 

 

“That’s my favourite too.” Kai replied and went off to get the coffee.

 

He got the came back with the coffee. 

 

“Thank you” Bora answered. 

 

He put the straw in the cappuccino and passed it to Bora, and did the same to his. 

 

‘He is such a gentleman’ Bora thought.

 

“Thank you… So… Do you normally go to Fantasy Club?” Bora broke the ice. 

 

“Yea.. the lady bosses are our friends” He replied and took a sip of his cappuccino. 

 

‘He looks cute’ Bora thought to herself.

 

“So why are you there without drinking” Bora asked again.

 

“Not in the mood to” Kai replied. 

 

“Do you like Sistar?” Bora asked again.

 

“Nope…” Kai answered.

 

“Oh.. Why?” Bora replied, a little disappointed with his answer.

 

“Why do you have so many questions?” Kai retorted. “Wait, how do you know Sistar?” 

 

“ah… I’ve been inside before… Shownu brought me in once and I saw Sistar perform…” she lied.

 

“Don’t go there. It’s so messy inside.” Kai replied.

 

“I think they are very pretty… and talented” Bora continued. “Especially Hyorin, Dasom and Soyou.” 

 

“I think they are too complicated.” Kai replied coldly. “Oh but I saw they recruited someone new today” 

 

“Oh…. Uh… Really? How was she?” Bora stuttered, her face turning beet.

 

“Didn’t pay attention to it… But Chanyeol seems smitten.” Kai looked up at Bora. 

 

“I see…” Bora mumbled. “So… How long have you been friends with Chanyeol?” she continued, changing the topic. 

 

“Since we were born… Our family is really close. How about you?” Kai asked.

 

“Me? What about?” Bora raised her brows.

 

“Your relationship with Shownu.” Kai looked away, slightly embarrassed by his own question. 

 

“Ah… We were neighbours since young. Our fathers left us when we were very young, so our mothers depended on each other, and we grew up together… His brother…” Bora hesitated, and continued “His hyung took care of us. In order to better support us, he moved to America to seek for better opportunities few years ago, and he paid for our school fees.” Bora bit her lips.

 

“I see… So Shownu is like your dongsaeng?” Kai perked up. 

 

“Yea.” Bora replied.

 

“He seems overprotective though… are you sure he doesn’t like you?” Kai continued.

 

“Of course not! Actually… I was dating his hyung, so I’m more like a noona to him.” Bora looked down.

 

“Oh… And are you guys still together?” Kai asked.

 

“I don’t really know. Technically we broke up when he left us, but… I did tell him that I would wait for him” Bora continued.

“Oh… No wonder I don’t see you around many guys. I mean…” Kai stuttered, lost for words and feeling a little disappointed that her heart was taken. 

 

“Yeah. I concentrated on my studies and dance, well… My dream is to join the Royal Ballet Academy.” Bora sipped on her coffee. 

 

“Oh! I love dancing too. I have always enjoyed performing… But my parents discourage me on that…” Kai started playing with the straw.

 

“Well, pursue your dreams, and not have any regret.” Bora said, “anyway, let me show you this choreography!” Bora went over and sat beside Kai.

 

“Here” She pass him an earpiece and plugged the other one into her ear. She held up phone in front of them. 

 

Kai took the earpiece and wore it, slightly blushing at the intimacy. They watched the video in silent.

 

“How was it!” Bora turned and look at Kai. 

 

“Looks great. Are you and Lay going to do that?” Kai turned to her and their faces are just inches apart.

 

Bora blushed and moved back immediately, “I’m going to modify it, but more or less this is the sense I am going for.” 

 

“Lay is not good in modern dance” Kai chuckled. 

 

“Yes, he’s been protesting against this. But, I am also adding in hiphop and pop dancing in other segments, but I would like to add in some modern dance elements too. People from the Royal Ballet Academy would be there on our final performance” Bora replied.

 

“My parents actually make me learn ballet when I was a kid…” Kai told her sheepishly.

 

“OMG! That’s so cool! Can you try this choreography with me? I would like a partner to practice with, so I know what to change.” Bora exclaimed. 

 

“ermmmm. It’s been so long since I did ballet.” Kai replied.

 

“Pleeeeeeeeaseeeeeee?” Bora said sweetly, and Kai agreed. 

 

‘how can i reject that aegyo?’ Kai chuckled to himself silently. 

 

“YESSSS! You’re the best!” Bora hugged Kai and Kai blushed. 

 

“YAH! Noona! Why are you hanging out with him?” Shownu appeared out of nowhere and interrupted them. 

 

“Ah! Finally!” Bora released Kai and stood up. “What took you so long!” 

 

“  I was helping them close up. If only I knew you’re hanging out this jerk, I would’ve left much earlier” Shownu scowled.

 

Kai just rolled his eyes at him. “Bora, take care! Goodnight. and it was nice talking to you” 

 

“Neh… Goodnight Kai, thank you for accompanying me. And…. See you tomorrow?” Bora smiled at him sweetly. 

 

“Neh. See you tomorrow” Kai replied shyly. 

 

Bora waved goodbye and head out with Shownu, hop on his motorcycle and they zoomed off.  Kai couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed that Bora’s heart is taken. 

 

 

Next day in school… 

• dance studio - 

Bora was helping Lay stretch and teaching him some basic modern dance techniques. The both of them were laughing and enjoying their practice together and someone interrupted. 

 

“Good morning!” Kai came in, “am I interrupting?” 

 

“Kai! Why are you here? Don’t you have class?” Lay turned to look at him. 

 

“No you’re not! Perfect timing!” Bora gleamed at the presence of Kai. 

 

“What? what for?” Lay continued. 

 

“Kai is here to help me with the choreography of our duet dance piece.” Bora said as a matter of fact.

 

“Oh ya. He has learnt ballet before.” Lay replied. “Wait. How do you know he could help?” 

 

“He told me!” Bora went to the door and led Kai in. 

 

“I’ve been learning the choreograph this morning, we can do a test trial now” Kai told Bora.

 

“Great! Let me go play the music” Bora connected her phone to the speakers and played that video.

 

“I’m so confused guys” Lay whined and nobody answered him.

 

The music played and they started dancing. They look great together, where their movements flowed. Lay was transfixed by their performance, and soon, other students gathered around to watch. Lay got a tad bit annoyed that Kai stole his limelight, now he has big shoes to fill that people have seen his performance. His eyes widened when there’s a part where Kai caressed Bora’s face, then legs, and Bora looked down, and up again, then it looks like they are about to kiss and the music stopped and they ended the dance with both of them looking longingly into each other’s eyes. 

 

The studio filled with clap and whistles. Bora and Kai held hands and bowed to the rest playfully. 

“Wow. I can’t believe that’s our first trial! It was great” Bora said, wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her palm.

 

“I like our chemistry.” Kai handed her a tissue and she mumbled thanks, slightly blushing.

 

‘What’s up with these two’ Lay thought bitterly. 

 

Bora shot Lay a sheepish look, “are you ready for that?” she giggled.

 

“Too advanced. No thank you!” Lay held up his hand. 

 

“You go work on your song! We will work on the choreo to make it simple.” Bora told Lay.

 

Lay couldn’t help but feel replaced. ‘It’s like she’s trying to get me away’ he thought to himself. 

 

Bora and Kai worked on the choreo harmoniously, until the last part, where they are unsure of how the dance should end. 

 

Lee Anjong, the stage director, butted in “I think you should end off with a dramatic kiss. Like a finale of their love. That’s the epidemic of the whole love story, this dance leads up to the passion, so I think a kiss sums it up nicely.” 

 

“Yes I agree.” Kang Sora, the scriptwriter chimed in.

 

“I see… Okay. How do you make it more dramatic.” Bora replied. “Like that?” she grabbed Kai and she held his face and tilted her head, pretending to kiss. 

 

Lay saw that in the side of his eye and he felt even more annoyed that Kai is here in place of him. 

 

“Yes, I think you should also maybe wrap your right leg on his waist and he will hold you up like that” Anjong said while adjusting the couple. 

 

Kai could feel his face burning and heart pounding, it’s the first time Bora and him were in such close proximity and for so long while they adjusted her position on him. 

 

Bora caught Kai’s eyes staring at her, their faces were just inches apart, her arms over his neck and her legs on his waist, his hands on her right thigh and waist, she blushed and mouthed the word ‘sorry’ to him while the stage director adjust their hand placements to find the best theatrical ending to their dace. 

 

After about 5 minutes, “GREAT! This is it!” Anjong exclaimed. “Perfect!” he added.

 

Bora released her hands from Kai’s neck but he didn’t budge, hand still holding her thigh. “erhem” Bora cleared and Kai snapped back to his sense. 

 

“Oh sorry!” he recoiled back and dropped her leg. He was embarrassed as he wasn’t paying attention to Anjong, he was just mesmerised by Bora’s beauty up close, her scent, her smooth skin… 

 

“It’s okay… you must be bored.” Bora chuckled, “anyway, really thank you for helping me with this.”

 

“stop thanking me.” Kai hit her arm playfully, “just take it as a sorry for what my friend did to you.” 

 

“Don’t apologise for that a-hole. Don’t you have class to attend?” Bora changed the subject.

 

“Ah..” Kai bit his lower lip.

 

“ Did you skip class?!” Bora look up at him.

 

“Not quite important though.” Kai smiled sheepishly. 

 

“I wouldn’t want to be responsible if you fail ok! Go for your class!” Bora replied.

 

“It’s just one day. I’m too smart to be in it anyway.” Kai grinned.

 

“Horrible…” Bora pushed it playfully. 

 

“Hello guys, are you ready to teach me?” Lay cut in their playful banter.

 

“Ah yes! We have completed the choreo, should we dance a demo for you?” Bora asked.

 

“Nope. But I would need you to break it down into parts for sure.” Lay replied.

 

So the two of them taught Lay the first 32 beats of the choreography. 

 

About 30 minutes later….

 

“So this part is the big wow moment, where you lay down and prop Bora up into a handstand.” Kai explained and they demonstrated the movement to Lay. “You have to hold her waist tight here, don’t slip, and you got to use your core and arms to support her.”

 

Lay got into position on the floor, quite nervous as he has never tried this before. 

 

“1 and 2 and 3 and 4, lift her up!” Kai counted the beat.

 

As Bora rolled on top of Lay, on the 4th count, she needs to lift herself up into a handstand, that very moment during the lift, Lay’s hand slipped and Bora fell on her right, her whole body slammed on the floor. 

 

“AHHHH” Bora let out a scream before the impact and a sharp pain on her right ankle engulfed her body. 

 

“OH!” Kai shouted, “” Lay exclaimed.

 

“I’m so sorry Bora!” Lay apologised and squatted next to Bora. “Which part did you injure?” 

 

Kai rushed forward to Bora and accidentally shoved Lay aside, “Why are you so careless!” He chided Lay.

 

“You should’ve supported us! It’s my first time doing this, how would I know how to hold her!” Lay defended himself, flustered. 

 

“It’s okay… I was careless too, I put too much weight on his hands, I should’ve propped myself up better. It’s an accident.” Bora said weakly. 

 

“Let me bring you to the student’s health centre!” Lay said.

 

“No, I’ll bring her!” Kai bend down and carried Bora up, bridal style.

 

“OMG…. Wait! I can walk!” Bora shouted. 

 

“No, your ankle is swelling now. Don’t aggravate it” Kai replied coldly and took off, walking to the school’s clinic. 

 

Lay felt bad and he accompanied them. 

 

“I’m really sorry Bora” Lay said. 

 

“It’s really not your fault.” Bora replied, while in the arms of Kai. 

 

‘Why is he so concerned… Is he… Is he interested in me?’ Bora thought and stared at Kai’s face. ‘He is so handsome… and charismatic…gentle… kind… YAH! You have to wait for Oppa!’ Bora snapped out of her daydream when Kai told her they have reached and he placed her down on the clinic’s bed. 

 

Kai explained to the doctor what happened and the doctor examined Bora’s ankle. 

 

“It is very swollen now, does it hurt if i press here?” Doctor asked.

 

“ahhhhhh yes” Bora winced in pain. 

 

“How about here?” Doctor continued with other areas of her feet.

 

“Not so much.” Bora replied.

“Okay. I think it is a sprain, so I’ll give you some painkillers and no more dancing for a week. Then come back for a check up. In the meantime, ice it regularly to bring down the swell.” Doctor said. 

 

“Yes. thank you doctor” Bora and Kai replied.

 

“You’re a lucky girl, your boyfriend is really concern. Well young man, take care of her for the next week! Don’t let her walk too much okay?” Doctor said and scribbled some medication for her. 

 

Both Bora and Kai blushed but they did not explain to the doctor. 

 

“He’s not her boyfriend. I’ll take care of you Bora, you fell cause of me” Lay replied. 

 

“Oh! 2 guys after you.” Doctor winked at Bora and left the room. “Take care and get well soon, see you next week!” 

 

Kai helped Bora up, she sling her hand over his shoulders. 

 

“Should I bring you home to rest?” Kai offered. 

 

“No it’s okay…” Bora is thinking hard, no dancing for a week. ‘!’ she thought, she need to let SISTAR know that she couldn’t perform this week. 

 

“I’ll just go back to the studio, we can work on our lines and song, thanks Kai, I think Lay can just bring me back.” Bora told Kai. 

 

“Oh. I…” Kai replied, reluctant to leave.

 

“You should go back to class” Bora continued, she’s trying to avoid Kai now, afraid that she might fall for him if they continue this friendship. She didn’t want to betray her Oppa. 

 

- END -