pink lens.

“Unnie, can you read us another story?” a little girl by the name Solji pleaded, tugging on the hem of Miyoon’s shirt.

“But I already read five,” the medical assistant pouted holding up the same number of fingers to emphasize the reasoning to her refusal.

“Unnie, just one more.” She held up one finger almost mimicking Miyoon’s actions, “Pleeeeeasse.” Solji cooed batting her lashes soon after.

“Okay, okay. One more and then you have to take your medicine. All of you.” She ordered and the children, twelve in total, bounced jubilantly in their beds. Gosh, children are such a handful and not to mention exhausting. Why did Dr. Yoo have to assign me to the playroom and by myself too. When I have kids, I’m only having one so it’s easier for my husband to take care them. Tch, if I have to carry a tiny person for nine months, I can say I did my share. “So what story will it be?”

“Little Red Riding Hood!”

“The Three Little Pigs!”

“Peter Pan!”

“101 Dalmatians!”

All of these titles were being shouted out simultaneously, causing her mind and train of thought to become disorganized. For the past few days, Miyoon hadn’t been feeling so swell and now, she was starting to feel even worse. Her head was throbbing as she rubbed her temples wanting to soothe the ache. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar it is!” she exclaimed trying not to sound miserable. Yeah she wasn’t feeling good but that was no excuse for her to take it out on innocent, sick children. That would be plain out immoral and wrong of her especially with their state.

She had no right to do that, she was there to learn and work so she had to endure these kinds of things. For crying out loud, she was studying to be a doctor. She should know very well how to handle these kinds of things. Surprisingly enough, they settled down before getting involved in heated argument on which book was better. “Awww,” the kids all disenchanted in unison.

“Okay, if you guys don’t want to listen I guess I’ll get going.” Miyoon declared, standing up from the stool she was seated in.

“Ani!” they cried out in a panic.

“We’ll listen!” a boy whose name was Hyungsik ensured, nodding his head excessively. He was the oldest and Miyoon was aware the other children would certainly listen to him.

“Good, now I’ll start.” She cleared and held the book out to display the illustrated and vibrant cover to the children. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” Miyoon repeated and as she began reading the book, her mind was drifting somewhere it shouldn’t have been wandering off to. How she managed to read a book while daydreaming of something else? Who knows. The human mind functions in various ways. 

◄ A Week Prior ►

“Y-yah. Don’t do that.” Miyoon stammered as she pulled out from Hoya’s hold. “People are going to misunderstand,” she mumbled as she glanced away from him. Her heart was going bonkers while her cheeks were burning up. Since when did he have this affect on me? She thought back to that night where she almost saw him and blushed a deeper shade of crimson if that was even possible.

Suddenly, Hoya did the unthinkable and leaned dangerously close to her ear, “As if they already haven’t.” Hearing his remark and sensing a hint of amusement, Miyoon recklessly twirled her head back around but instead of bumping skulls, their noses brushed against one another, making both of their eyes mutate into saucers. They were so close. Hoya gulped and sensed his heart accelerating automatically. They were both lost in the moment when a loud and arrogant whistle brought them back to reality.

At the same time, they whipped their heads in the opposite directions, neither uttering a single word. “Look, they’re shy!” someone teased.

“Oh my gosh, is this what I’m going to have to deal with?” Miyoon whispered, pouting slightly. “This stinks.”  

“What you have to deal with?” Hoya scoffed, peeved at how she was acting so crushed. His male ego was definitely offended by this. “I’m the one who has to deal with them everyday. They’re my team. You only have to see them thrice a week depending on where the game is. You act like it’s hell being seen as my girlfriend. Do you know how many women are enflamed with jealously thinking I’m taken by you?” It was like that scene never even happened.

Miyoon looked at him with brows puckered in the center. “What’s so great about being taken by you. Only your crazy fan girl would be happy and honored.” She snorted. “Speaking of that psycho, where is she? I’m surprised she wasn’t sitting here.”

“Psycho? Are you referring to Kyung? She’s actually in the bath—”

“AHHHH!” a shrill screech ran through the entire bus, forcing everyone to throw their hands over their ears. “APPA! WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE!?” Kyungmi seethed, marching to where Miyoon and Hoya were seated. With the look in her eyes, anyone could see how enraged she was. She was still stalking to them but before she could attempt to strangle Miyoon a second time, Coach Sang stopped her and maneuvered her into her seat which was located next to his.

“Kyungmi, settle down.” He hissed, trying to get her to sit still but she kept standing up while she rudely pointed at Miyoon who just stared at her with a blank expression.

I should’ve guessed. Miyoon shook her head and rolled her eyes.

“Is that why you wouldn’t let me sit next to sunbae?! Because you knew she’d be coming?!” she fumed.

“Kyungmi, I didn’t know Howon’s girlfriend was going to be here. I just wanted to keep an eye on you. Besides he’s already dating someone, can’t you see that? Aigoo, control yourself before you embarrass yourself any further.” Her father wisely advised.

“No! She is not Howon sunbae’s girlfriend! No freaking way! All the stuff the media is spewing is nothing but nonsense!” This statement caused Hoya and Miyoon to peer over at each other.

“At least one person can differentiate fact from fiction,” Miyoon murmured. Hoya could only sigh in response. Then Miyoon felt something smack the back of head and yelped, “What the heck?!”

“Kyungmi! Why did you throw your shoe at her!? She is a medical personnel!” Coach Sang reprimanded spitefully.

“She deserved it!” Kyungmi snapped shamelessly.

“Kyung! That was too far!” Hoya boomed defensively. “You can’t go hitting people for no reason!” The girl frowned hearing his words and knew very well she had angered him. She hung her head low and everyone was silent. Hoya had never raised his voice at her, ever.

“You!” Miyoon spat as she stood up from her own seat. She didn’t need anyone fighting her battles for her, she was more than capable of doing so alone. She snatched up the sandal that had assaulted her head and clenched her teeth. She was prepared to hum it right back at Kyungmi’s repulsive face when another idea came in mind. Her body eased up as she forced herself to smear on a more calming expression. “You don’t even throw hard,” she snickered. “Why don’t you try again, I’ll even give you a free shot.”

“Yah michosseo?” Hoya growled at her trying to yank her back into her seat. “Do you like getting hurt?” he could spot Kyungmi getting fired up and he seriously didn’t want any serious injuries to be inflicted upon Miyoon.

“I can handle this.” She told him with determined eyes and oddly enough Hoya dropped trying to get her to sit back down.

“So how about it?” Miyoon smirked, baiting Kyungmi.

“Fine! But don’t go crying when I bruise your face.” And before her father could stop her, Kyungmi took off her other shoe and chucked it at Miyoon. All the men held their breaths but exhaled shortly after. Kyungmi was expecting it to slap her across the face but instead Miyoon easily caught it and smiled victoriously.

“I hope you like walking around bare footed, Kyungmi-ah!”  She chimed sweetly. She tucked the pair of shoes under her arm before leaning over Hoya to open the window. Being in such an intimate position for the umpteenth time, he couldn’t control his curious eyes as they skipped to her chest hovering not too far from his face.

Does this girl not understand the concept of personal space?! He whipped his head away but not before he caught a glimpse of her other lady part located on her backside. I’m really going to lose it.

“YOU THREW MY SHOES OUT THE WINDOW?!?!” Kyungmi raged. Hoya immediately glanced up to a smirking Miyoon who folded her arms against chest with the window ajar. God was he finding her appealing especially with that current expression.

“It’s not my fault you threw them at me first. Look here you obsessed sasaeng, harass me again and I won’t turn a blind eye. I’m here to intern and I will intern; interfere with my studies and you’ll regret it.” Never in her life would Miyoon have