It was easy to throw out a challenge. And it was only later that I realized how stupid it was. It's not like he could never find out what my name is. I groaned, letting my head hit the desk a couple of times. I'm pretty sure my classmates thought that I had officially lost it. I could hardly sleep the whole night. Especially after seeing his face. Ugh.

"Hey Sora. Sora!" "Mhm?" I lifted my head, reluctantly. "Hey hey, we're all going on  a blind date. We need another girl, wanna come?"

Truth was that they needed me only because of being the lucky charm. With me, the guys would definitely notice them. But I didn't care anymore. I was used to it. Being a handy girl. The girl who readily agrees to set anyone up. Tch. Being nice was a pain. But I was too lazy to be anything but that.

I really needed a distraction right now. "Okay. Count me in."

-----

I was bored to tears. This was worse than I thought. Fact remained that the legend of me being a 'lucky charm' was known to these guys who were getting along just great with my friends. The guys ignored my outright. I was nothing much to look at, anyway. I made no effort to dress up or put make up. I threw on whatever clothes were around and walked in (fashionably) late. Obviously I made my pals look better, so I amused myself by swirling my drink with a straw and began observing people in the neighboring tables.

Weird guy. Skinny girl. Lady with a kid. Cute child with dimples. Tao. Wann-

TAO.

I choked on my drink (spitting out half of it on the guy seated across me), instinctively shielding my face. Ignoring the disgusted looks I got from my group, I realized he had already probably seen me. Seems like he simply wanted to be noticed by me. When the hell did he get here?!

Too late. He was already up on his feet, a slow smirk spreading across his face.

Yet, why the hell was I hiding. I straightened out a little. Yeah, it's not like I was cheating on him. He's not my guy. Gathering my senses and clearing my throat, I sat up, trying to join in the dull conversation. I smiled (with difficulty) at the guy whose shirt was now soiled, rather cutely (I hope), "Is your shirt okay? Should I get it cleaned." He wasn't amused. In fact, he was pissed. "You! What the heck do you think you are?!"

"That's what I'd like to know." Chinese drawling accent. I gulped as all rest five pair of eyes focused on Tao as my heart was silently jumping off a cliff. My 'date' (I have no other way to refer to him as I don't know his name) gave me another glare. "Your friend?" I opened my mouth to  reply, but Tao beat me to it. "Her boyfriend. And mind your tone around her, mate." Tao was really intimidating at that moment and the other guy seemed flustered. With that, Tao grabbed my hand, not too gently, pulling me up and literally dragged me away.

I was sure I was going to be the talk of the town for weeks.

-----

"My BOYFRIEND?!" I finally managed to collect my senses and yanked my hand away from him. "What's wrong with you, kid"

Tao blinked at me for a few minutes, giving a slight shrug as he still held onto my hand. "Noona, shouldn't you be thanking me for saving you? You yawned fourteen times. Thought I'd do you a favor." He gave me a wink, embarrassing me even further. Why was I being teased by this little kid? "You know, I'd love to punch you right now, jerk." It only made him grin more.

"Well, thanks SO much for rescuing me. I'll get going now."

"No, you aren't." He grabbed my arm tighter, making me wince slightly, and for some reason I was being dragged along by this man once again. "I didn't even finish my dimsum because of you. So, buy me ramen, okay?" He leaned down towards me and smiled sweetly, making my heart turn cartwheels.

I can't say no. "Ugh, fine."

-----

"Why did you get dragged along to something so lame?"

I squirmed in my seat as Tao's daunting gaze made me feel even more stupid by the moment. "I-It's none of your business, y'know."

"Tch, I'll make it mine." He continued to eat, but the tone of his voice made it seem like he was mad at me. Oh, my fate. Getting embarrassed and being explainable to a younger male. But I wasn't going to give in to him. "It really shouldn't be y-" He cut across the sentence by reaching across the table and wiping the corner of my mouth. "You're a messy eater, noona."

I spluttered and swallowed my words along with the steamed buns.

Another grin on his face. Damn it. This guy knew what effect he had on me. I wanted to punch him.

-----
 

It was awkward. But fun. Awkwardly fun.

Almost every girl's head turned as we passed by. Admiring Tao and cursing the plain girl who got to tag along beside him -- me. I felt weird. I was simply noticed because I was at his side. It was something I wasn't used to. It's only because of Tao. I probably make him look bad..

But I couldn't help but glance at him every now and then, admiring the side angle of his face. He was gorgeous in many ways. He looked older than his age, but from knowing him for a short while - he was really still a child. Those childish tantrums and cute expressions, jealousy and recklessness. It amused me. In fact, I was happy to be dragged out of that miserable date. I smiled to myself, stealing another glance at him, who was walking ahead of me, looking and enjoying the scenes around. I wasn't short, but he still stood a good few inches taller than me. My head would fit perfectly in his neck...

God. Get a grip. I knocked my head, as if that would push all the weird thoughts out of my head. If he noticed, he ignored  it conveniently - the fact that I was attracted to him.

While we were window shopping, he was approached many times.

"Would you like to model for our brand?"

"Would you like to audition for a TV show?"

"Can I get your number?"

"Are you alone? Would you like to join me for drinks?"

It was endless. But he either ignored those people or simply glared at them and took hold of my hand, before dragging me closer to him. I could tell he was getting irritated at being the center of attention. "Can't you just stay close to me so I don't have to be bombarded with this crap?!" He snapped at me, clinging onto my hand. I couldn't help but smile as I reached up and flicked his nose. "Yah, is that the way to talk to your nice noona? Ask nicely and perhaps I'll help you." He pouted, rubbing his nose cutely as his tone softened. "Fine... Noona. Please stay by my side."

If only he meant that. "I'm right here...by your side."
 

-----

"Well, I had an amazing day. Thanks." I smiled up at him as we stood at the end of my street. "I can go on my own from here."

Silence.

He was giving me a hard look that made me squirm, uncomfortably. "It wasn't so bad. A date with you."

My brighter smile was returned with silence again. "Eh, erm.. well, bye then, Tao."

Before I could turn, I found myself dragged into his arms and before I knew it, his lips were crushing down upon mine. I gasped slightly, shocked at the suddenness but did not resist. Probably because I was turning into a stone and my knees threatened to collapse. It was surprising, to find him awfully dominating. No complaints, though. His hands cupped my face, pressing a firm needy kiss before finally pulling away. Both of us, out of breath and red in the face. 

My first kiss. I half covered my heated face with my arm. "You-.." I couldn't bring out anymore words out of my mouth.

"Noona. "

I dared not meet his eyes. "Hm, yeah?"

"What's your name?"

This guy! I balled up my fists, quite irritated by the ruining of the mood. "Yah, you-"

"I like you, Sora. You lied about it being your nickname, right?"

Woops. Found out. I gulped, shrugging slightly. "So what if I did?"

"No matter. You're an awful liar."

"EHH?!"

"But, still.." He stopped slightly, hands wrapping around my waist. "I like you."

Three words which I had been dying to hear.

"I like you too."