The project with Eric went well, and continued to do so in the following meetings Areum had with him. Each time she opened the door to the Neoz Hideout for him, his smile seemed wider and realer and the Hideout just felt warmer.

 

 

Sometimes, though Areum had to give herself a slap in the face to remember that Eric Son wasn’t hers. Others saw his smiles all the time, others brushed his hand with theirs, others had been to his house, in his room. Others had heard the same stupid jokes that Areum couldn’t help but laugh at every time.

To her, she weren’t special. Areum were just working on art project with the boy with a cute smile and cheesy pick-up lines. Although perhaps the reason that particular project was not progressing because when Areum and Eric were together, they didn’t get much done. Eventually, the meetings had turned into less of a school thing, and it became more of a friend thing.

 

 

The number of love notes/letters dispensed in Areum's locker each week also grew, each one cheesier than the last, and each time her twins were there hovering over their sister's shoulder, pretending to gag.

 

 

“This is ridiculous,” Jadin said after reading the most recent note. “To me, you look as if you hold the entire galaxy within your eyes." "What the flying falcon is that? Galaxy?? What is he, an astronaut?”

 

 

“Yahhh can't you be nicer, Suh Jadin.. You get letters all the time and I didn't even say anything,” said Areum pouting. “It’s not their fault you’ve been emotionally repressed since birth. Who asked you to reject the girls in school. You could at least accepted one. LOL”

 

 

Jadin rolled his eyes and swung an arm around his twin shoulder, drawing her closer. Areum shoved him away, laughing, but she stopped abruptly when she noticed Eric watching. He wasn’t smiling. His eyes were cold and melancholy. Slowly, Areum shrugged Jadin’s arm off of her shoulder, missing the hurt look in his eyes as she approached Eric.

 

 

“Hey... You okay?” Areum asked, concerned.

 

 

Eric plastered a smile on his face, and Areum frowned. The smile didn’t reach his eyes though. Not like the usual. “Yep!” he said, far too cheerfully to be genuine, given his expression just a few moments ago.

 

 

“Do you want to walk to class together? Final period starts in a couple minutes.” suggested Eric.

 

 

Areum nodded, smiling at him. “Sure, let’s go. Jabin ah, are you coming?”

 

 

Jabin shook his head, looking bitter that his sister has a new playmate now. “I'm skipping final period today. Jadin and I have to go somewhere with Eomma(excuses). I'm going to go ask permission from our headroom teacher.”

 

 

“Eo arrasso.. Ittaboja...”

 

 

“Yeah. Sis you got alot of explaining to do when you get back home." said Jabinnie winking. Jadin was throwing the *I'm watching you* sign from afar when Eric was backfacing them.

*Sssshhhhh* signaled Areum to her brothers.

 

 

Areum waved goodbye to the twins, who, for some reason, was scowling furiously at Eric. Jadin's eyes were dark and fierce, but Areum knew her brothers well enough to look past that tough exterior and see the vulnerability behind their facade.

 

 

“What’s up?” asked Areum to Eric as they walked to class. He’d been fidgeting with the edges of his sleeves since Areum come up to him.

 

 

“Ah,” he said, as if she’d reminded him of something, but his voice was nervous. “I was going to, I mean, are you seeing someone though?”

 

 

Areum gaped at him, her eyes wide. “Excuse me?”

 

 

“You know, I just thought, since your brothers were overprotective and all… I supposed you are?” Eric stammered.

 

 

Areum giggled, putting a hand out to quiet him. “My brothers and I, we are tight. They are my best friends since birth. We came from the same womb, and that’s all we are and all we ever will be. What were you really going to ask me?"

 

 

Eric blushed yet at the same time looking relieved. “I was just wondering if maybe you’d like to come ice skating with me Friday night? My uncle’s new rink just opened and he can get us in off hours and I thought it would be fun.”

 

 

Areum's heart fluttered, but she shoved her feelings out of the way. “Yeah, that sounds great. Who else is coming? Your members? Friends?”

 

 

Eric gulped and was blushing. His cheeks were red as a tomato. “Actually, I was thinking it’d just be us.”

 

 

Now it was her face that was burning, and she could no longer control her rapidly beating heart. “Wow.. Err.. Eric. Hahah I’d love to. Chowa, jamigetta. Daebak!” Areum said stuttering clumsily.

 

 

Eric laughed, loud and clear, his eyes turning into crescents.

There it is.

 

 

At the sight of her favorite smile, Areum couldn’t help but laugh a little too.

 

 

Since Jabin wasn’t there that period, Eric took his place in the seat next to Areum, which was one of the worst decisions he could have made because it was terribly distracting for the both of them.

 

 

Occasionally, he would lean over and whisper some lame joke or pun into Areum's ear, and because she couldn’t help herself when it came to Eric Son, Areum would snort and choke on her laughter, causing their classmates in the seats in front of them to turn around and stare at them weirdly.

 

 

At one point, Eric started drawing on Areum's arm with a black ballpoint pen, with her watching as he traced out a small heart with a small smiley face inside.

 

 

“Kyeopta..” Areum whispered, and Eric blushed.

 

 

“That’s how my sister draws smiley faces.” he whispered back, grinning.

 

 

They stared into each other’s eyes for a few moments, both of them smiling softly, before Eric pivoted back to face the board, his mouth still turning up at the ends. Areum traced the outline of the heart-shaped smiley on her forearm, smiling fondly, and she knew the next time she washed her hands, she would be careful not to get any soap water on Eric’s gift.

---

 

At Hanlim High 

 

 

There was something different about Youn Jung when Sungchan met up with her after school that day. She looked nervous, but at the same time she also seemed cold, and distant.

 

“What’s up with you?” Sungchan had asked as soon as he met her in the school’s garden. The mural of tulips, her favorite flower, was painted on the brick wall behind her, shades of yellow and red contrasting against Sungchan’s dark hair.

 

 

Youn Jung laughed, confused. “Bwo? Wae.. Does it concern you?”

 

 

“Eo.. it does, because i've known you for more than 12 years and you're avoiding me. Your bestfriend. Ignoring me in literature class even as your classmate." Sungchan’s voice was hard, but Youn Jung could still detect that he was upset of how she has been acting for the past few days.

 

 

"Is it because of what our parents had said to us? Are we really gonna avoid each other because of that?" asked Sungchan.

 

 

Youn Jung chuckled nervously. “It’s not like that, not really. Yeah, partly one of the reason is because of what our parents said but that doesn’t have anything to do with why i'm like this now.” explained Youn Jung.

 

 

 

"Then what is it? Youn Jung ah.. We are bestfriends still. Its not like we have any feelings for each other right??" said Sungchan ignoring the feelings he kept inside and the look of Youn Jung face when he said that.

 

 

"I... I.. I don't know.. I gotta go..."

 

 

"Where are you going.. Are you heading to the Hideout? If you are, lets go together.."

 

 

"No.. I'm not going there."

 

 

"Urm then I'll just follow you.."

 

 

"Andwae.. Jaebal.. Sungchan ah. Leave me alone. Give me some breathing space.." said Youn Jung exiting school. Sungchan just froze and saw Youn Jung just exit their school. He sighed and then took out his phone to message his sister. 

 

He was rejected by his sister too. He can't even ask the other guys because Jabin is obviously with HyunA. Bommie has student council community things to do. Jadin.. He just didn't wanna ask Jadin cause.. Geunyangggg.. Sungchan walked to the bus stop and just head home instead.

---

 

"Yeobosaeyo.. Eodiyah?? I'm here already.." said Youn Jung on her phone.

 

 

"Turn around.."

 

 

Youn Jung was puzzled by the answer but she turned around to seeing Jadin smiling at the entrance. The both of them were going to hang out at the arcade today. 

 

 

Another ‘90s revival trend, playing arcade games has sent a jolt of nostalgia through the Korean youth, with plenty of new arcades opening in Seoul. From Street Fighter consoles to claw machines were available at Funnyland, one of the bigger players in Seoul, heavily decorate with their brightly lit machines for a fun and enjoyable experience.

 

It was an overdue date for Jadin and Youn Jung as they never had a chance to go out together just the two of them. Mainly because they had always hang out as a squad or Youn Jung is always with Sungchan on school days 24/7.

 

 

"Finally.." said Jadin.

 

 

"Mwoga??" asked Youn Jungie.

 

 

"This.."

 

 

"Us.. hanging out just the two of us.." answered Jadin all smiley from ear to ear. 

 

 

"Eosaegae hajiman.. Gwenchana.. Jigeumi chowa.." said Youn Jung leading the date.

 

 

"Geurae?? I like how you're giving us a chance despite what our parents said that time.."

 

 

"Hmmm.. I don't know.. Jadin ah.. I trust you and fate.."

 

 

"I'm down if you're down.. Hahahahaha.."

 

 

"Kaja.. What do you want to start first? Oh ya ya.. Look at the plushie!!!"

 

 

"Do you want it?"

 

 

"Geurom halka? Can you win it for me?"

 

 

"Arasso.. I'll win you that plushie.."

 

 

"I want Ryan! Dindinnie i want Ryan!! or Peachh"

Jadin manage to win the Ryan plushie in one try. Which Youn Jung was very impressed with his skills. He proceeds to try winning another plushie for her and he really did! Surprisingly, he won a total of three plushies for Youn Jungie.

 

 

"Jjaaa... I gave you three plushies. Can't I get at least a kiss or a hug from you.." whines Jadin.

 

 

"Jadin ah.. We are in public.." expressed Youn Jung panicly.

 

 

"I'll take back my plushies if you won't give me a kiss."

 

 

"Arasso arasso.. Jjamm nah.. You're so petty." said Youn Jung giving Jadin a kiss on the cheeks. Jadin pulled Youn Jung into a hug and gave her a kiss on the lips in return.

 

 

Youn Jung was stunned. Well that escalated real quickly. Her eyes were opened so widely. Its her first... First kiss. Youn Jungie was blushing so hard that her face and body were on fire. But when she realizes who was in front of her. Jadin were looking at the floor, embarassed with his actions too. Youn Jung started giggling making Jadin look at her. They were both smiling from ear to ear.

 

 

Youn Jung dropped the plushies on to the floor and immediately Jadin cupped her face, giving her small pecks on her lips clumsily. They embraced each other warmly after their last long kiss. They didn't expect that their feelings were mutual all this while. I mean, it was obvious for Jadin. But Youn Jung though.. 

"Let's get out of here.." suggested Jadin.

 

 

"Eo.. hahahahhahaha.." 

 

 

"Where are we going.." asked Youn Jung.

 

 

"Somewhere.. Kaja.."

 

 

On the way out, Jadin saw a familiar face. It was his brother Jabin with HyunA. He quickly pulled Youn Jung to the side shielding her with his body and the three plushies.

 

 

"Yah yah.. Wae?? Wae geurae?" asked Youn Jung.

 

 

"I think i saw Jabin and HyunA." expressed Jadin nervous.

 

 

"Jinjjaru?? Shizzzz.. We need to get out of here. They cannot see us together.." said Youn Jung afraid.

 

 

"I know right.. Hmmmm jangkanman.. Let me see if they are gone.." Jadin was slowly turning his built body around..

 

 

"Yah bwoaniya??" said Jabin now standing near the couple and the plushies. HyunA who was next to him were showing her resting face to her bestfriends.

 

"Yah Kim Youn Jung.. Is this why you're ignoring Sungchan for the past few days?? Jadinnie won your heart already?"

 

 

"Hyun ahhh.."

 

 

"I can't believe my eyes. I'm just gonna close my eyes. Baby.. Lets just go.." said Jabin pulling HyunA's hand.

 

 

"Jjamm.. No wonder Eomma said don't fall in love with your bestfriends. Its much more painful. This is the pain they meant. Aigoo uri Sungchannie.. I don't know how is he gonna take it. Youn Jung ah you Betrayer.." said HyunA to Youn Jung unfiltering her words.

 

 

"Yah.. Leave Youn Jung alone. She has the right to love anyone. She is not Sungchan's in the first place." defended Jadin.

 

 

"Yeah right.. Whatever.."

---