It was the second period after lunch break and Chen couldn’t keep his eyes off of the girl he was attracted to, Han Jihyun. She wasn’t the most appealing girl, sure, but she had that simple beauty that boys like Chen liked. A girl who did not cake her face with makeup, and studied instead of peeking through the gymnasium's windows just to see her crush. 

“Kim Jongdae, would you start listening to me and stop staring at Han Jihyun for once?” Mrs. Kim, their History teacher scolded him. Startled, Chen blushed as his classmates laughed and . Jihyun blushed too, but she immediately hid her face with her long and straight hair, making her reddened face unnoticeable.

“I’m sorry Mrs. Kim! Jihyun’s beauty keeps on distracting me,” Chen answered as he smiled apologetically, albeit cheekily,  at the teacher before taking another peak at Jihyun. He saw how she was hiding herself, and the only thought he had in mind was that she was adorable that way. The students howled once more as they thought that Chen was finally taking a step further. It was no secret that Chen liked Jihyun, but she kept on stopping his advances, saying that she was busy with her studies and that she had no time for ‘stupid’ things like love. Chen did not stop his advances though, as he truly liked the girl.

“Well then, I certainly hope that you would try wooing Jihyun at a different time, and not while we’re in class, Jongdae,” Mrs. Kim reprimanded. She didn’t care that much though, as Chen had always been among the top students in their class.

“Okay, Mrs. Kim,” Chen agreed before taking his pen and copying the lecture.

Their classes ended an hour later, and Chen scrambled to get his things inside his bag as he saw Jihyun start to leave.

“Wait, Jihyun-ah!” Chen called out to her before he lost sight of her. She turned around and saw Chen signaling for her to wait for him, and she did.

“Do you need anything, Chen?” She asked with a small smile.

“Uh… nothing much. I was just wondering, can I bring you home?” He asked nervously.

“Oh,” Jihyun muttered as she thought about it. “Um, I’m sorry Chen, but I’ll be going home with Baekhyun-ah. I promised that I'll meet him today…” she explained. “But you can go with us, if you want,” she added.

Chen faltered for a bit, unsure of his next move. Byun Baekhyun. Why must he always be there? Why must he also court her? Should he, the kindest and the most popular boy in Daesung High School, like her too?

'Of course, Kim Jongdae, Jihyun's perfect,' Chen scolded himself before giving Jihyun an answer, "Oh, I think I’ll pass. Let me take you home tomorrow?” he suggested as he rubbed his nape shyly.

“That would be appreciated,” she replied before bowing and walking off to wherever Baekhyun was.

With depressing thoughts, Chen walked home.

“I’ll finally have my answer, and it’s not going to be a good one.” 

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