“Uh, I'm here to pick up ___________. I'm sorry, I should have called ahead first, I suppose,” Jongin stammered shyly to your overjoyed mother.

“Oh, don't you worry about it. She's just upstairs getting ready. Have a seat, Jongin, please,” she insisted, just happy that you were finally leaving the house for once since you rarely got out. “So, Jongin, how is life here, if you don't me asking,” your mother continued the conversation, hoping to learn more about the boy that you had been spending so much time with lately.

“Well, I think that it's just fine. Your daughter has really helped me out a lot here. She really is a special girl,” Jongin smiled sweetly, his heart fluttering with every honest word that spilled from his mouth. To him, you truly were special- a ray of sunshine sent just for him and, despite the recent conflict between the two of you, all he wanted was to make you happy again by any means possible.

“Yeah, she's something alright. A little sassy at time, I* must say,” your mother refuted.

“I think she's wonderful. She's so sweet and full of energy and she's really helpful. Because of her, I am starting to fit into school better and better,” he confessed.

“Ah, is that so? Well, I'm so glad to hear it. She always was the helpful type, always wanting nurture people and their problems. Anyway, she should be coming down soon. What is taking her so long up there?” your mother pondered, wanting to change the subject. “_______________, you have a guest waiting for you. Get down here!” your mother yelled up the winding staircase.

“I'm coming, geez,” you groaned, not even caring if you sounded less than angelic. If Jongin was going to be so close to you, he would have to get used to you when you weren't your best. Moments later, you jogged downstairs, heart beating out of your chest with anticipation for the night. It would be a lie, and a terribly told one at that, if you said that you were not excited to see what Jongin would do at the movies with you for a whole night. You were curious if the dispute between the two of you had made him reevaluate his actions and how he treated you-not that you didn't enjoy being treated like a princess- doing it more out of the benevolence of his heart rather than for a bet.

“Hey, Jongin, sorry for the wait,” you sighed cutely as you pushed a tuft of hair from in front of your eyes once you made it downstairs. You smirked at his utterly shocked face. “Uh, are you alright?” you asked, concerned.

“Y-yeah, it's just that you look so nice right now,” he complimented politely, stumbling over his words, much to your gleeful mother's amusement.

“O-Oh, thanks. It's not much,” you shrugged, referring to the black skinny jeans and v-neck blue and cream striped tunic matched with black cream oxfords. “I tried,” you joked. He cracked a subtle smile, eyes still wide as he admired your beauty. “See, mom, someone thinks I'm pretty,” you scoffed, glad that someone was proof against her usual playful comments about the contrary.

“Good, well then, why don't you just marry him right here and now?” she quipped. Your mouth flew open at the snide remark and how blatantly she had delivered it. You glanced over to Jongin who wore a similar expression of shock and confusion.

“Well, I-I can't do that right now. Not saying that I wouldn't want to...” Jongin mumbled softly. Your mother's eyes widened.

“You wanna do what?!” you shrieked, surprise deepening.

“He wants to marry you, be happy!” your mother yelled as if you were deaf. For your sake, at the moment, you wanted to be both deaf and under a rock, away from all the embarrassment that was forcing your cheeks to turn a bright beet red.

“Oh my god, mother! I'm sure he didn't mean it! We're just teenagers and there is no way that he could possibly mean that! Anyway, come on Jongin, let's go. I can't deal with all of this embarrassment,” you snapped, grabbing for his hand and virtually dragging him out of the house. “We're going to the movies and dinner. Will be back before midnight. Don't wait up for me and don't think of more ways to embarrass me next time!” you informed your mother as you stormed out of the front door and into the cool, evening air, slamming the door behind you.

“What was all of that about?” your dad asked as he sauntered casually down the stairs after the commotion had faded.

“Oh, it was just her and her little boyfriend. Isn't it wonderful? She's finally getting somewhere,” your mother squealed as if she were sitting in the pews at your wedding already.

“You didn't really mean what you said in there, right?” you asked skeptically once you were seated and buckled up in his car.

“What part?” he asked innocently as he buckled up and then started the engine.

“What do you mean what part? There was more?” you asked, voice rising in pitch as shock overcame you again.

“Well, I did tell your mom how much you meant to me and how nice you have been to me ever since I've known you,” he confessed, scratching the back of his head as embarrassment overcame him.

“Aww, really? Is that true?” you asked in disbelief, being the modest and humble person you had always been. You had never expected for anyone to call you, you the tomboy, you the overly friendly best friend, you the nerd, anything more than what you really were- or, at least, what you thought you were. You honestly could not believe Jongin whenever he complimented you, regardless of the underlying fact that there was indeed a bet in the making. Yest, you couldn't help but to feel that he actually meant it and you had been pushing him away for so long, trying to convince yourself that nothing would ever happen between you and your best friend; however, deep down, you know you wanted something to happen tonight and, maybe, it would.

“Of course. I can compliment you to your mother, right? Did I do something wrong by doing so?” he asked, glancing over to you in the sunset light, his eyes sparkling the orange and pink light, before pulling out of the parking space and onto the road.

“Well, it's not that. You did nothing wrong. It's just that I'm not used to it and I can't fully believe you when you say stuff like that,” you muttered.

“Why not? I thought we went over this last time. You have to trust me. All I want to do is make you happy. Isn't that clear?” he asked emphatically, grabbing your hand with one of his as he carefully drove with the other.

“Well, it's not only that,it's just that I'm not usually complimented. The last time someone other than you complimented me was with Minho, but before that, I don't remember the last time, girl or boy, complimented me,” you sighed, thinking hard. You couldn't help but to peek over at him for he had squeezed your hand tighter at the mention of Minho. His brow had furrowed even deeper and he had a slight frown forming over those plump lips of his.

“That's what I'm here for. Trust me, I mean every word. I can't say that for other peopl though. But, those who don't compliment you are just missing out because then they can't see that adorable smile of yours,” he piped up after moments of silence. You decided to say nothing more, but just to relax and think about the rest of the night. You didn't want to cause anymore unwanted tension.

At last, you reached the theater, just as the sun was finally shining its last, dimming rays. “Well, shall we go, my lady?” Jongin asked as he smoothly parked the car and unbuckled his seat belt. You smiled a quick smile at his dorkiness as you reached to unbuckle your own. “Ah, ah, ah, let me help you with that. This night is all dedicated to making you feel special,” he added as he reached over to unbuckle you. As he did, his strong hand grazed your thigh, making you jump unwillingly at the light touch. “I'm so sorry!” he insisted, bolting straight up and waving his hands as a bead of sweat formed on his brow. You only chuckled at his innocent reaction

“Calm down, it was nothing,” you assured him. “Innocent mistake. You don't have to try so hard,” you added, smile brightening as his cheeks flushed with light pink.

“Are you sure? I really didn't mean anything by it,” he vouched.

“Of course not. I believe you,” you cooed, leaning closer to him so that your noses were almost touching. “I know that you would never do anything like that on purpose. You're much too sweet for that. You really don't have to be so nervous. I'm your friend. How much harder can a date like this get when you are with a friend?” you chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood despite your thumping heart, which you hoped that he couldn't hear. You wouldn't want to seem less confident than you were. “Anyway, I'm pretty sure the movie is going to start soon unless we get in there,” you reminded him with a subtle, yet twinkling smile.

“Don't worry, I rented the whole movie theater out, with some help from friends, so nothing will start until we walk in there, but we should get going, huh?” he chuckled nervously. “Hold on a sec,” he requested as he hustled out of the car and to your side of the car to open your door.

“Oh, why thank you. Such a gentleman, Jongin,” you tittered as you gracefully stepped out of the car and he shut the door behind you.

“As always,” he smirked, taking your hand in his and intertwining your fingers. “And only for you,” he added with an adorable wink that made the butterflies in your stomach flutter even quicker.

“Hello,there, for the night, I shall be your server. My name is Sehun and I will try to make your stay here as enjoyable as possible,” the waiter introduced himself with a cute grin and sparkling eyes that almost rivaled Jongin's own once the two of your had been seated in the theater. Jongin's eyes widened at the supposed stranger in front of him before an evil grin stretched across his face.

“Well, hi there, “ he nearly snickered, trying to remember to show that he didn't know him in the least though the urge to laugh at the other male dressed in black slacks and what looked like a doorman's coat was close to too much for him. You only dismissed his behavior, not at all knowing that the two had a connection. Sehun's eyes narrowed as he read the mischief lying in between Jongin's plump lips curled into a smirk. He took a deep breath, as if bracing himself for the long night ahead of him.

“Anyway, what would the two of you like to see for the night?” he asked as politely as possible though he kept his narrow, piercing stare fixed on the older male.

“Um, what would you like to watch,__________?” Jongin asked shyly, his evil confidence disappearing in a matter of seconds.

“I'm fine with anything, really. I would love to watch Nightmare Before Christmas, but I don't think they would have that,” you shrugged.

“Actually, ma'am, we do have that. When people rent us out for the night, that's actually a very popular movie, believe it or not,” Sehun interjected.

“Oh my god, really? That's great,” you squealed contentedly, clinging onto Jongin's arm as you bounced about excitedly, pleased that you could see your favorite movie though it was nowhere near Christmas or Halloween.

“Well, I guess we'll be watching that. Get on it, if you don't mind,” Jongin playfully sneered, beaming down at you in your excited state. Sehun only grit his teeth before balling up a fist, angry that he was being bossed around by someone only a few months older than he. Yet, he desperately wanted to do all he could to help him succeed in capturing your heart and would, therefore, endure the demands that Jongin would relay to him. All the same, Sehun left with an almost inaudible grumble towards Jongin and a sweet, benevolent smile towards you.

“Do you know that guy?” you asked curiously, finally calling attention to his behavior.

“Ah, that's just Sehun. He's part of the EXO club. He's a little brat, but we love each other. We've gotten to be just like brothers. He even hates that I'm only slightly older than him, too. It's funny,” he explained, figuring that he wouldn't be able to keep the charade going all night, nor did he want to try to fake being nice to the younger, blond male.

“Ah, he seems nice, though. He's awfully adorable,” you added, much to the other's discontent. You giggled to yourself at his pouty expression. “Aww, are you pouty that I gave someone another compliment? Aww, no need to get jealous. It's just you and me tonight and I wouldn't want it any other way,” you cooed, cupping his tanned cheek in your palm and smiling subtly yet genuinely. “C'mon, let me see a smile. There shall be no sad faces tonight,” you urged. His pout only deepened though you noticed that he was fighting the best he could to ward off an imminent smile. “Fine, be that way,” you huffed playfully, removing your hand from his face only to poke his cheek. He struggled to keep back the smile. “You want more? So be it,” you smirked, moving to poke his sides as best you could over the chairs in the theater. Finally, at the beginning of your assault, he burst into heart warming laughter, his eyes forming into crescent moons with the radiance of the sun. “There we go!” you exclaimed cheerfully, finally relenting your attack.

“Oh, you're going to pay for that,” he growled halfheartedly.

“Oh really? How do you think that's going to happen?” you challenged, raising an eyebrow and and pursing your lips sassily.

“Is that a challenge?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. You nodded boldly, sticking out your tongue for emphasis.

“What are you going to do about it?” you scoffed. Before you could protest, he had jumped out of his seat and was hovering over you, trapping you in your seat. You gulped loudly, causing him to form a sly smile on his handsome features.

“Are you going to say sorry?” he hinted.

“Of course not. Why on Earth would I do that when all I did was make you smile?” you retorted, maintaing your defiant demeanor.

Oh, so you want me to do this?” he insinuated.

“Do what?” you asked slowly, wondering what he could be planning to do. In an instant, his fingers were swimming over your sides, tickling you furiously, causing you to burst into uncontrollable laughter. He didn't halt once, only smirked and chuckled to himself at your unwound state. “Had enough?” he asked after what seemed like an eternity of wild tickling. You bit your lip and shook your head, not wanting it to seem as if you were surrendering to him/ “Well, so be it,” he shrugged as he continued his assault. “Now say you're sorry,” he whispered as he closed the gap between your faces so that your chests were almost flush against each other. Despite the quick pace at which your mind was numbing and your heart was racing at the close proximity, you still shook your head. “Hmmm, stubborn, I see. I like it,” he grinned as he started to squeeze at your sides. Now, instead of uncontrollable laughter, you had to stifle the urge to moan out loud, even if it were just the two of you in the empty theater. You would never let him know that you were enjoying this. “Oh my god, you're so cute,” he complimented randomly, catching you off guard.

“Excuse me?” you asked skeptically, raising your eyebrow.

“You're reall