It’s funny to Seoeun that Luhan’s birthday is actually 2 days after hers; hers being on October 18, and Luhan’s on October 20. Sometimes the parents would be lazy and celebrated their birthdays together (which was every year, to be exact), but this year, since they’re turning 18, they decided to just let them have their individual celebrations instead.

Seoeun didn’t want any party for her birthday, since it was a school day that day and she wasn’t really someone that likes parties – especially if it was her own, so her parents decided to tone down that day and just settle for a little dinner celebration at her favorite Japanese restaurant.

October 18 finally reached and Seoeun was woken up by her mother as usual. “Wake up, sweetie~ it’s your birthday today but it’s still a school day so get up now if you don’t wanna be late.” She kissed her forehead and patted her twice before going out.

Seoeun groaned and turned around in bed before fully getting up. She glanced at the clock by her bedside groggily and yawned. *I’m officially turning 18, hurray for being old.* She sighed at the thought of finally being legal and washed up.

It was ironic, really; how she wanted to grow up so badly when she was 7 and now she couldn’t help but wish she was back to being a child again.

She changed into her uniform and went downstairs for breakfast. “Morning, sweetheart. Happy birthday!” Her father grinned and gave her a big hug, which she returned happily. “Thanks dad.”

“Happy birthday, midget. You’re finally legal, huh?” Her brother, Jaehyung, ruffled her head affectionately and snickered. “Yah, my hair’s ruined now!” Seoeun pouted and ran her fingers through her hair in an attempt to fix it.

“It wasn’t very neat to begin with, you know.” Jaehyung stuck his tongue out and Seoeun raised her fist jokingly. “Aish, you’re the older one but why do you behave like a 5 year old.” Seoeun muttered and sat down beside him. “Because I love you~” He cooed and placed a slice of bread on her plate. Seoeun smiled back and nudged him with her shoulders. “You are the best brother ever.” She grinned and ate her breakfast happily.

There was a knock on the front door moments later and Seoeun shot up, grabbing her bag and stuffing the remaining breakfast into and grabbing a banana on the way. “Bye, see you guys later!” She hollered and opened the door, revealing Luhan. “Let’s go!”

She handed him the banana as they walked to school, as usual. “So, where do you wanna go later?” He asked, peeling the banana in his hands. “I thought you were supposed to plan it.” She replied. “I did, but I wanted to see if you had any other places that you wanted to go to since, you know, it is your birthday.” He bit into his banana and Seoeun smiled. “I’m fine with anywhere, just make sure I’m not gonna die of boredom.” She joked and Luhan rolled his eyes. “Please, when you’re out with the awesome Luhan, you will never be bored.” He said smugly. “Sure.” She scoffed.

Before they know it, they reached the gates of the school already and they began parting ways as they had different classes. “Meet you outside your house at 3, don’t be late!” Luhan reminded her again before turning to the right to his class. “Yeah yeah, umma. Go before you’re late!” She laughed and pushed him towards his class while she turned left to get to hers.

Practically every girl in school are heads over heels over Luhan, and Seoeun could clearly see why. He was smart, athletic (captain of the basketball team), and he has the looks. Which sane girl wouldn’t like him?

Seoeun, apparently.

Girls were jealous over her close friendship with Luhan, and would die to be in her shoes. But even the es in their school didn’t dare to do anything to Seoeun, simply because she was Luhan’s best friend, and bullying Seoeun practically meant that you’re in Luhan’s death note. That is, if he had one.

Sometimes, she would wonder “why didn’t I fall for Luhan like everyone else?” and then the image of him snoring like a pig with saliva running down his chin would pop into her mind and she would remember why.

When she stepped into her class, she heard a few hushed whispers about her and Luhan again, which she had learnt to ignore by now. She sighed and went to her seat, which was beside this girl called Jungmin. She wouldn’t really call Jungmin a close friend, but she was a friend nonetheless.

“Hey birthday girl! Happy birthday!” She squealed and engulfed Seoeun in a big bear hug, causing the latter to almost fall backwards due to the sudden movement. “Morning to you too.” She laughed and Jungmin pulled back.

They sat back down on their seats and the boy in front of Seoeun turned back. “Happy birthday,” he smiled and pulled out a ginormous present from under his desk. “This is from all of us.” He added, pointing at the 3 other people around her, including Jungmin, which was her usual clique in school.

“Aw thanks guys, you shouldn’t have but thanks!” She smiled, touched to have a few true friends by her side other than Luhan.

Just then, their teacher came in and everyone scrambled back to their seats as he started the lesson. “So did Luhan ask you out today?” Jungmin nudged her and smiled playfully. Jungmin knew about Luhan and everything, since she was seatmates with Seoeun after all and the they tend to get bored easily in class (who wouldn’t). And if it wasn’t obvious, she was part of the “Team Luhan” too.

“You make it sound like we’re going out or something.” Seoeun sighed and answered Jungmin’s question. “Of course he’s gonna spend the day with me; we’ve been spending it together since we were kids.” Seoeun scribbled down notes in her notebook while Jungmin’s face lit up with a big smile. “Your love story is so sweet!!” She gushed and Seoeun regretted phrasing her words like this.

“So where is he taking you?” She asked excitedly and Seoeun just shrugged. “Don’t know, he didn’t say anything.” Jungmin bit her lip, deep in thought. “Maybe he’s gonna bring you out to Lotte World or something, and when night falls and the clock strikes 12 he’ll kiss you under the faint moonlight and-“

“Alright Shakesphere, enough with the scriptwriting and focus on the lesson.” Seoeun laughed and cut Jungmin off. “And there won’t be any ‘kiss under the faint moonlight’ because a) we’re not together and we’ll never be and b) I’ll be with my family at night so you can kiss your fantasies goodbye.” Seoeun sniggered and grinned happily and the pouting Jungmin.

“Fine, but he’s gonna confess, I swear. Someday he’ll just explode with his overwhelming feelings for you and confess under the most weird conditions ever but it’ll still be as romantic as .” Jungmin sighed dreamily and Seoeun shook her head amusedly at her.

“Are you sure you’re talking about me? Or are you talking about your own love life?” Seoeun’s question caught Jungmin off-guard and the latter rolled her eyes. “Pft, of course I’m talking about you! Why would I talk about my own non-existent love life?” She retorted.

“Ms Han and Ms Song, mind sharing with the class your conversation? I’m sure it’s more interesting than my lesson.” The teacher’s voice boomed and they immediately faced the front and bowed. “Sorry sir, it won’t happen again.” Seoeun apologized. “It’d better not. Last warning, you two.” He glared at them before turning back to the board.

The two girls exchanged looks and burst into a short laughter and they shushed each other, not wanting to get caught again.

“I’m home!” Seoeun hollered and dragged the huge present through her front door. “Welcome home, dear! Oh, what’s that?” Her mom asked. “Oh, a present my friends gave. I think it’s a plushie.” Seoeun answered as she lugged the present up the stairs to her room with difficulty.

“Well how nice of them.” Her mother smiled. “Oh right, Luhan called here like 5 minutes ago and asked me to remind you to not be late.” Seoeun rolled her eyes and placed the present in the corner of her room. “He nags more than you, I swear. But why didn’t he call me directly?”

“I don’t nag! And he said he tried calling you but you didn’t pick up.” Seoeun dug her bag for her phone and saw 5 missed calls from Luhan. *Oops, I forgot I had it on silent.* she saw the time and she gasped, immediately flinging her closet door open and throwing clothes everywhere. “ I’m gonna be late!”

“I reminded you not to be late and what did you do? You were late.” Luhan nagged immediately when he heard Seoeun’s footsteps coming down the stairs. “Sorry! It’s my fault alright?” She pouted and looked up at Luhan, who looked at her weirdly. “Aren’t you gonna come up with some reason why you were late?” Seoeun shook her head and smiled. “I’m not gonna argue with you today.” She stuck her tongue out and grabbed his hand. “I have to be back by 8:30 so that gives us a little more than 5 hours to do what you planned. Let’s go!” She grinned and pulled him out the door. “You don’t even know where to go!” He laughed when he saw Seoeun dragging him around in circles and pulled her towards his car (which was actually his dad’s).

“Hop in.” He opened the door for her and she raised an eyebrow. “You know how to drive?”

“Learnt from my dad. Now hop in, we don’t have all day~” Seoeun got in the car albeit reluctantly and fastened her seatbelt while Luhan went over to the driver’s seat.

“You never told me you got your license already.” Seoeun commented.

“I don’t. You have to be legally 18 to get a license, remember?” He smirked and started the car. Seoeun’s eyes widened at the sudden realization and grabbed onto the seatbelt for her dear life. “ I’m gonna die on my birthday and it’s gonna be your fault.” She looked at Luhan with horror and backed against the door. Luhan just gave her a ‘wtf’ look and shrugged. “At least you’ll die with me.” He smirked and drove off.

“Lotte World? Wow Jungmin was right.” She got out of the car and Luhan came by her side, holding her hand. “I figured we needed a little fun and Lotte World just popped into my head. You okay with it?” Luhan asked, worried that Seoeun might not like the idea. “Duh! I haven’t been here in ages! Let’s try everything!!” She exclaimed and began dragging Luhan towards the ticketing stand.

They started off with the Viking, followed by the roller coaster. They wanted to try the haunted house as well, but Seoeun was a bit scared so they skipped that and went on to parts of the park.

It was ironic how the girl likes reading and watching horror shows but is still scared of horror, really.

After lunch, they passed by the booths lined up everywhere in the park and decided to try a few.

Seoeun had her eyes on this cute dolphin plushie that was hanging as a display at one of the booths and she dragged Luhan there excitedly. "Let's try this!!" She exclaimed and paid the vendor and he gave her 3 balls in a basket. The objective was to knock down all the cans with one ball. It was a test of aiming. 

Which was something our dear Seoeun at, unfortunately. She could throw a paper ball at someone who was right in front of her and still miss. 

Yes, her aiming is that bad. 

But that didn't discourage her from trying her best to get what she wanted, and she really wanted the dolphin plushie right now. 

She finished all three tries and missed all three times. "Wow, your aiming really ." Luhan snickered, remembering the time where she tried throwing her pen at him while they were playing around and she missed him by a whole shot – which was quite a feat considering he was right in front of her. She pouted and frowned, making her look like an adorable little kid. 

Luhan chuckled and paid the vendor. "One more try please." He gave the former another basket and Seoeun looked at him. "Since it’s your birthday, I'll get it for you." He smiled and began to aim for the cans.

"Go Luhan go!!" Seoeun cheered happily and watched closely.

Luhan threw the first ball and it hit the top can down. "Close, but not close enough!" The vendor hollered and placed the can back. "Hwaiting!! You can do it! Your aiming is better than mine!" Seoeun cheered beside him and this made him want to win the plushie even more.

He tried again and this time all cans toppled over. The crowd around them clapped and Seoeun jumped in joy. "YOU DID IT!!! OHMYGOSH YAY!!" She hugged him and jumped up and down and Luhan couldn't help but laugh. 

He chose the dolphin plushie and gave it to Seoeun, who received it gladly. "Thanks." she beamed and he ruffled her hair. 

"Aw her boyfriend is so sweet! Why can't you be this sweet as well?" Seoeun heard a couple say and she pinked slightly, knowing very well that they were the ones the couple was talking about. 

"Hear that? I'm a sweet boyfriend." Luhan smirked and placed an arm around Seoeun, who scoffed and shrugged it off. "I heard nothing." She stuck her tongue out and walked off. Luhan smiled and ran to catch up with her. " Aw is my cute girlfriend playing hard to get?" Seoeun couldn't help but laugh. "Who's your girlfriend?"

"According to everyone around us, it's you." Luhan laughed and placed his arm around her shoulders again. This time, she didn't shrug it off. 

"Huh, that's weird. Because I don't remember being in a relationship with a gay." Seoeun teased and Luhan tightened his hold around her. "Yah, what did you say?" 

"I said," she cleared . "I DON'T REMEMBER BEING IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH A- AHAHAHAHAHAA" she was attacked by tickles before she could finish announcing what she wanted to say and she squirmed about. "AHAHAHAHA STO-STOP IT!!" She laughed and tried to run away from Luhan, but he was following her everywhere. 

"See how cute they are!!" The previous couple gushed but Seoeun couldn't care less; she was having fun with Luhan and that's all that matters. 

"Thanks for the fun day today, I really had a lot of fun." Seoeun beamed and Luhan ruffled her hair. "I promised you a day of fun, didn't I?" He chuckled. "You'll be back by midnight, right?" Seoeun tilted her head at the random question but nodded back nonetheless. "Yeah, I think so. Why?" 

"No reason." He smiled and pushed her towards her house. "Go, I think they're waiting for you already." 

Seoeun checked her watch and realised that it was ten minutes past the time that she was supposed to be home by. "Oh right! Bye! I'll see you tomorrow!" She waved goodbye to Luhan and headed in. He sighed with a smile on his face and went home, preparing for part 2 of his "Seoeun's birthday celebration."

Seoeun came out of her house with her family ten minutes later and drove all the way to Myungdong, where the Japanese restaurant was. 

"Welcome to Sashimi Palace!" the waiter at the door greeted them. "We have a reservation under Mr Han." Her father told him and he led them to the table. 

Just like the name of the place suggested, it was famous for its fresh sashimi and the best part was, it was a buffet so Seoeun could eat to her heart's content. 

She was on her fifth round around the place when her phone rang with a new message. She fished it out of her pocket and saw that it was from Chanyeol, the boy who passed her the present earlier in class. 

From: Chanyeol

Hey birthday girl! I know you have dinner plans with your family and we celebrated your birthday yesterday, but do you think you can meet me at the Han River later at 11? I have a present for you (:

To: Chanyeol

Wow I feel blessed to be friends with you guys; so many presents!! There really isn't a need to though, I'll feel bad ):

From: Chanyeol

There's no need to feel bad! We're friends, right? And besides, I bought it already so you'll have to take it!

To: Chanyeol

Pft so pushy. Fine, I think I can meet you later. Thanks in advance!

From: Chanyeol

No problem (: See you later!

That night, after a scrumptious dinner (and a random birthday surprise thanks to her family - the waiters started singing the birthday song and brought out a cake for her), she parted with her family and went to the Han River to find Chanyeol.

Chanyeol reached 5 minutes after Seoeun and found her sitting on one of the benches lined up along the river. "Hey, sorry I'm late." He apologized sheepishly and Seoeun shook her head with a smile. "Nah, I was early so it's cool." Chanyeol nodded and snapped his fingers. "Right, before I forget," he searched for something in his pockets and fished out a small box. "This is your present from me, which you will get after you spend the next hour with me." He grinned widely, showing his full set of pearly whites and Seoeun couldn't help but smile back. "So is that a threat to get me to spend time with you?"

"Maybe?" Chanyeol laughed and grabbed her hands. "Let's celebrate your birthday!" 

They went to the night market parade that was near where they were and strolled around, eating snacks along the way (Seoeun's stomach is like a bottomless pit; don't ask me why) and playing games at the booths. 

They were strolling along the streets when the parade started. There were dancers and performers parading in the middle of the streets and they decided to stand by the side to watch, together with the other passers-by. 

One of the dancers passed by Seoeun and pulled her along with him to dance. Seoeun was startled and dragged Chanyeol along with her as well. Soon, the two of them were dancing and enjoying themselves in the middle of the parade, as if they were part of the act themselves. 

It was soon midnight, and Seoeun decided that it was time to go home. "Thanks for the fun night, Chanyeol. I had a lot of fun on my 18th birthday thanks to you." Seoeun smiled. "It was nothing. Uhm, I have something to say." Chanyeol scratched the back of his head shyly and took out the box from his pocket again. 

"Here's your present." He handed her the box and she smiled. "Can I open it?" She asked and he nodded vigourously, making Seoeun chuckle. 

She opened the box to see a ring in the middle and she took it out to admire it. She realised that it had only half a heart and she had a feeling what was going to happen next. 

"I like you. A lot. So would you be my girlfriend?" She looked up to meet the big, doe-like eyes of Chanyeol's and regretted looking up.

"I- I'm sorry but this is so sudden so-" she started blabbering and Chanyeol stopped her. "I know I know. I'm not expecting an answer now, but tell me when you've decided." He smiled and Seoeun can't do anything else but nod. "I will." She looked down, unable to meet eyes with him. 

From a distance, Luhan was humming a tune while walking towards Seoeun's house. He felt around in his pocket for the familiar bracelets and smiled to himself. 

But that smile was short-lived when he saw a tall guy standing in front of Seoeun at her front door.

He decided to go closer and he hid behind a tree, trying to get a closer look at the guy without showing himself and he recognized the guy to be Chanyeol, one of Seoeun's friends. 

And when he saw Chanyeol's lips connecting to Seoeun's forehead, he felt a sudden pain in his chest and he clawed at the tree trunk in an attempt to grab it.

Seoeun bid goodbye to Chanyeol and went into her house while the latter grinned happily and went on his way.

With that last scene, Luhan went back home with a heavy heart.