It was Friday, 6pm, and I lied on the couch lazily.

I really didn’t want to go.

“Dinner at 7?” Mino asked, coming from the bathroom. He was dressed up in jeans with cuts on the knees and legs. His hair was hidden inside his cap, eyes framed by his thick rimmed glasses. He wore his favorite white shirt printed with “Fck”.

“Can’t you just come with me?”  I asked, my tone a little desperate.

“I really can’t back out on my friends,” he said as he picked up his bag from the table.

“You’d pick them over me?” I sat up, demanding an answer.

“Tonight, yes,” he replied coolly.

“I hate you,” I grunted as I went to lie back, which just hurt my head. I shouldn’t have done that!

Mino stood idly, eyes glued on me. He then reached out to pat my head.

“Good luck on the dinner, sweetie,”

I rolled my eyes at him and he made his turn to leave.

Sweetie!

“See you when I get home, sweetie!” Mino called out and I threw a pillow at him.

“Remember this day, Song Minho!” I missed by an inch, and he didn’t bother picking up the pillow. He just laughed, and soon enough, he was out the door.

Ugh.

I watched the hands of the clock tick by, and they were surprisingly-or not- fast. It was already thirty to seven when I headed for my closet.

I searched the rack from one end to another, finding shirts (mostly black), jackets, and dresses I never got around wearing.

I pulled out a tee and a leather jacket, then thought about going in my faded jeans and boots.

Yeah, that would look good in that formal dinner.

I didn’t even bother fixing my hair specially. I just wore it down like how I normally did.

I faced the mirror, and found my face a little plain and colorless, then decided to leave it that way.

I also saw a post it on the vanity table.

How To Put Off Other People During Dinner Dates According to Song Minho, An expert in putting off people during dinner dates.

I laughed louder than I should.

1.Dress unsuitably

2.Look like a mess

3.Arrive late

4.Make loud noises when eating

5.Do not participate in conversation

6.Look like you’re having a really bad time

7.Drum fingers on the table

8.Restroom breaks!

9.Talk on the phone

10.Smile for me.

This should be easy.

I was running late at 7:20, and my phone was vibrating violently in my pocket. I just turned it off.

Okay, I admit I was not running. In fact, I was walking leisurely; my every step relaxed, as though time wasn’t a thing. I dropped off the bus a street away from the restaurant, and by the time I reached the street, it was already 7:30. I chuckled lightly, and looked up, and saw the posh restaurant.

Plato, the classy signboard said. It sounded Greek. The glass walls showed the inside, lights dim and warm, but just enough for eating. I spotted my mom’s ex and his girlfriend almost immediately. They were both dressed formally, my mom’s ex (oh God it’s a long name) in