✻   chapter 2  .     one  sided  crush  ,

난 정말 멍청하지 말도 곧 잘못하고 nan jeongmal meongcheonghaji maldo got jalmothago

얼굴만 붉히면서 니주윌 맴돌아도 eolgulman bukhimyeonseo nijuwil maemdolado

난 너를 원해 냉면보다 더 nan neoleul wonhae naengmyeonboda deo

난 네가좋아 야구보다 더 nan negajoa yaguboda deo

The shrill ringing of his alarm clock slowly woke Wooyoung up. He rolled to the other side of the bed and forced to open his sleepy eyes. February 12, the digital clock on his bedside table displayed. He groaned and wished to return back to his sleep. He dreamt of her again, just like every night since their drama, Dream High has ended. Ji-eun, I wonder how have you been? Wooyoung dreamily thought as he buried himself under his blanket. So, Valentine's is coming, should I ask her out?

With his heart pounding, he bolted out of bed and grabbed his phone. His hands were shaking, partly because he was still sleepy, but mostly because of nervousness. Pull yourself together, Jang Wooyoung, he psyched himself up. It will just be a simple phone call.

He smoothly scrolled down to his contacts in search of Ji-eun's name. He had her number ever since they grew close on the set, but he has never called her before. They have spoken in Twitter a few times, but it was all casual and friendly. 

Wait, would it be too obvious if I ask her out on the 14th? Should I set the date for tomorrow then? Wooyoung held his phone closer to his ears and anticipated the chirpy voice on the other end of the line.

It's been a year since he first met her on the filming of Dream High. Most of his co-stars were new to acting and they helped each other out. Wooyoung was amazed at their determination and hardwork. But what struck him the most is the petite girl who's popularly known by her stage name, IU. He have heard about her before, but when he finally met her in real life, Wooyoung was shocked to see this small girl full of energy. He thought she was cute, bubbly, and very friendly. He also saw her determination and effort she gave in her first starring drama role. It took her hours of sitting and applying of make-up and prosthetics to complete the chubby look of her character. But Wooyoung never heard a complain or even a sigh from her. This was what attracted him most to her.

넌 아마 모를거야 아냐 그건괜찮아  neon ama moleulgeoya anya geugeon gwaenchana

저번에 집에갈 때 내게 웃어줬잖아 jeobeone jibegal ttae naege uteojwotjana

넌 너무예뻐 햇살보다 더 neon neomu yeppeo haetsalboda deo

난 네가좋아 우주보다 더 nan nega joa ujuboda deo

"Yoboseyo?" he finally heard. He straightened his back and cleared his throat but he couldn't make a sound. "Yoboseyo?" the voice repeated.

"Uhh," Wooyoung scratched his head. Now, what do I say to her?

"Wooyoung oppa?"

"Ah, ne Ji-eun-ah," he forced out a small laugh to hide the nervousness of his voice. "How have you been?"

"I'm doing great, oppa! Although schedules have been tight and busy."

"Ahaha, I know how you feel. Uhm, listen, I know this is a bit sudden but will you be free tomorrow?" Wooyoung gulped as he silently prayed in his head. A lump formed in his throat and he felt his chest started to pound. 

"Oh," he heard her say that was followed by a deafening silence. "Yes, I'm free oppa. What do you have in mind?"

"I was thinking," Wooyoung heaved a sigh as he felt his chest loosened up. "It's been a while since we have last met since Dream High. And maybe you would go out with me tomorrow night? Probably to a karaoke or something?"

"Ne, that sounds great!"

Wooyoung beamed a smile that showed off his pearly whites. He sat on the edge of his bed with the feeling of being up on cloud nine. "So, let's meet up at Su Noraebang in Hongdae at around seven tomorrow?" He asked as he curled up his toes in embarassment. I asked her out, he thought. I finally did.

"Arasseo, oppa, I'll let Suzy know, okay?" She quipped which made Wooyoung bolt upright again. "See you tomorrow!"

"W-wait! Ji-eun-ah!" he exclaimed but it was too late. All he heard on the other line was the monotonous dial tone.

불난집에 부채질하듯 bulnanjibe buchae jilhadeut

내사랑 맨날맨날 활활 타올라 nae sarang maennalmaennal hwalhwal taolla

맘은 점점 더 숯검댕처럼 mameun jeomjeom deo sutgeomdaeng cheoreom

그렇게 자꾸자꾸 까맣게 타버리지 geuleoge jakkujakku kkamage tabeoliji

On the first day of the scheduled filming of Dream High, Wooyoung was nervous and shy. His real personality wasn't the same as his onscreen character, Jason who was confident and a bit arrogant. He always stuck close to Taecyeon and followed him around. He tried hard to be comfortable and natural -- as how Ji-eun was. He was always dazzled with her innocent charms and beauty. And on their first scene together, Wooyoung's nervousness multiplied.

"Annyeong," Wooyoung greeted Ji-eun with a bow as he nervously gripped his script. The hours of memorizing his lines and blocking went out of his head in a second.

"Wooyoung-ssi, it's our first scene together alone," Ji-eun said with a smile. "Look after me, okay?"

"Ne, danghyunaji, Ji-eun-ssi," he replied with a smile that displayed his bedimpled cheeks. He looked into her eyes but lost his voice. The two were enveloped in silence, with the occasional smiles and glances.

"It's...awkward, isn't it?" Ji-eun finally broke the silence between them. 

Wooyoung just gave a small nod in reply. "Kurom, maybe we should try speaking casually? You can call me 'oppa'."

"Ne, Wooyoung-oppa," Ji-eun repeated with a warm smile. 

"Ji-eun-ah." He said and exchanged smiles with her.

난 네가 원해 포도보다 더 nan nega wonhae podoboda deo

난 네가좋아 칡꽃보다 더 nan nega joa chikkkot boda deo

Dream High was filmed in the middle of the freezing winter. In between takes, the cast members buried themselves in numerous layers of thick jackets and coats. During one break at night, Wooyoung saw Ji-eun huddled in a park bench. He slowly approached her and sat beside her.

"Gwenchana?" Wooyoung asked as she rubbed her hands together.

"Oppa," Ji-eun answered with a pout. "It's so cold tonight."

Wooyoung smiled at her and took off his outer jacket. He draped the thick jacket over Ji-eun's shoulders. "Here ya go," he said.

"A-aniyo, I can't accept this, oppa." Ji-eun was about to take off the jacket but he stopped her. 

"It's fine with me. And besides, I'd rather be the one who will feel cold than you, Pilsuk-ah." Wooyoung said as he tried to hide his embarassment with a joke.

"Aigo, oppa, are you really concerned or are you just using me to rehearse your lines?" Ji-eun said with a pout. She stuck her tongue out at him and laughed. "Jason~"

A cold draft of wind suddenly went by which sent shivers down Wooyoung's whole body. He couldn't help but shiver as he waited for his own body to warm up. Ji-eun noticed him shivering and felt guilty about it.

"Oppa, mianheyo."

"It's nothing, Ji-eun-ah."

In a flash of moment, Wooyoung found himself wrapped in Ji-eun's thickly-wrapped arms. His eyes widened as he processed what was happening. He faced her direction and found his face just inches away from hers. His heart started to pound so loud he was afraid that Ji-eun would feel it as well.

"Uhm, I figured this would stop you from getting cold," she said in an almost whisper. Realizing their closeness, Ji-eun also felt her face blush red and she turned away in embarassment.

언젠가 어떤날에 둘이 손을잡고서 eonjenga eotteonnale duli soneul jabgoseo

언젠가 어떤날에 같이 갈수있을까 eonjenga eotteonnale gati galsuiteul kka

Su Noraebang was busy and packed, but Wooyoung and his group was still able to snug a room at the far end of the hall. Suzy, Taecyeon, Ji-eun and Wooyoung were enjoying themselves inside the room, withh music blasting from the speakers that echoed across the room. The table in front of them was lined with different snacks and drinks. Taecyeon and Suzy enjoyed their cocktails, while Ji-eun sipped on her grape juice. Wooyoung, on the other hand, just watched along with a small carton of milk in his hand.

"Oppa, how have you been?" Ji-eun asked as she sat closer to him. They were the only ones left at the plush couch. Suzy sang along to Wonder Girl's Nobody with Taecyeon showing off his own interpretation of the dance.

Wooyoung slowly took a drink from his milk while he thought of what to say to her. He faced Ji-eun and thought, I've been missing you a lot. I remember waking up in the morning everyday, getting excited at the thought of seeing you. But he shook his head and smiled at her. Instead, he said a small reply, "Doing good."

"Hmm, you seem bored." Ji-eun frowned.

"Aniyo, of course not."

넌 너무예뻐 하늘보다 더 neon neomu yeppeo haneul boda deo

난 네가좋아 만화보다 더 nan nega joa manhwa boda deo

Wooyoung had always wanted to approach Ji-eun on the set of Dream High. He followed her around to the point where he seemed like a stalker. Taecyeon was the first to notice and he would always tease his friend whenever he got the chance.

"Aniyo, hyung." Wooyoung would say to deflect the teasing. "I just want to get friendly with her."

"Aish, jinja." Taecyeon said. "Ji-eun-ah!"

"Ne?" 

"Wooyoungie here wants to get your number," Taecyeon said while he saw Wooyoung's face turned bright tomato in embarassment. 

"Ah, ne, here's my number oppa."

아침에 눈을 떠보면 achime nuneul tteobomyeon

널 볼수있단 생각에 neol bolsuitdan saenggake

난 너를 어쩜 짝사랑하나봐 nan neoleul eojjeom jjak sarang hanabwa

난 너를 진짜 사랑하나봐 nan neoleul jinjja sarang hanabwa

The night was ending as the group of four made their way to the parking lot. Despite it not the way as Wooyoung originally planned, they all had fun as the gang reunited again after almost a year. Suzy even baked them oatmeal cookies to take home.

"You guys, I really had fun tonight," Suzy said as she walked to her car. "Let's do this again next time."

"Ne, take care Suzy-ah," Ji-eun said with a wave. 

"Ahh, good thing we don't have any schedules for tomorrow," Taecyeon said as he stretched his arms. He smiled to himself as he eyed Wooyoung and Ji-eun. Taecyeon cleared his throat. "I'll go ahead, okay? Have fun, guys." He said as he walked away and patted Wooyoung's shoulder.

Wooyoung and Ji-eun were left alone in the parking lot. Above them, a single fluorescent lamp hummed silently. Ji-eun smiled at Wooyoung as their eyes met.

"Oppa, the truth is, I have something for you," she said as she fished a small heart-shaped box from her purse. Wooyoung, surprised, accepted it. "I was shy to give it earlier, since I had nothing for Suzy and Taecyeon oppa."

"Gomawo, Ji-eun-ah," Wooyoung said as he bowed. 

"Well, it's pretty late. I better get going as well." she said and started to walk to her car.

It's now or never, Wooyoung, a voice ran through his head. He gulped as he mustered enough courage. He firmly grabbed Ji-eun's arm as his chest pulsed so loud. Ji-eun stopped dead in her tracks and faced him again.

"Oppa?"

"Ch-chogiyo, I'm wondering if you're free tomorrow?" Wooyoung stammered as his eyes met hers. He bit his lip in anticipation of her answer. Tomorrow, Valentine's day. Will she get the hint?

"You want to meet again, oppa?"

"Uhm, this time, just the two of us."

"Ne, I would love to, oppa."

난 너를 어쩜 짝사랑하나봐 nan neoleul eojjeom jjak sarang hanabwa

난 너를 진짜 사랑하나봐 nan neoleul jinjja sarang hanabwa

난 너를 어쩜 짝사랑하나봐 nan neoleul eojjeom jjak sarang hanabwa

난 너를 진짜 사랑하나봐 nan neoleul jinjja sarang hanabwa

난 너를.. nan neoleul...

.  end     ✻ 

credits,

lyrics:  hangul and romanization   ||  song:  짝사랑 (One Sided Crush) by 긱스 (Gigs) - the song played during Pilsuk's post-it confession scene in Dream High 1

⇨     thank you so much for reading!!

thank you so much for the comments, congratulating me for winning the bid. I couldn't reply to all of you so I'll just say my thanks here. Also, I would really appreciate it more if you would read my story and would give me a constructive criticism and not just a simple 'congrats.'