“Excuse me, are you Hana?” a girl asked as we walked passed her.

Hana nodded.

“Oh! I’m a big fan of you guys! Can we take a picture?”

Hana looked at us and laughed. “Sure.”

 

Ever since we performed on our school’s showcase, there are a lot of unknown people coming up to us telling they are our fan. We were happy that there are people who like our songs, but it feel weird at the same time.

 

 “I hope they are not trying to be friendly with us to get close to oppa.” Hana said after we left.

“Don’t think so much.” I said.

“Now I know how oppa feels like when fan girls chased after them.” Yuri laughed.

Hana checked her phone. “Speaking of oppa, where is he?”

 

-

After meeting up with Sandeul and Baro, the girls left while I stayed back in the library to study. Since it was a Friday, there are only a few people in the library. I was struggling to reach for a history book on the shelf above until I saw a hand next to mine.

“This?”

I looked up. “Jin Young?”

He smiled. “Which book?”

“Erm, the brown one.”

He nodded and took it without struggling.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

He followed me back to my seat and sat opposite me. He chuckled as he saw the table covered with all my notes.

“Sorry, it’s a bit messy.”

He shook his head. “It’s okay. Are you alone?” I nodded.

“Let me get a book, I’ll be right back.”

“You don’t have to stay.”

He turned back to me and ruffled my hair. “But I want to.”

I fixed my hair and sat down as he left.

“What are you smiling at?” a voice asked.

I turned and saw Jin Ah standing behind me.

“Oh, hi.”

She sat next to me and flipped her hair.

“Alone?”

“Erm, yeah.”

She nodded. “Good job at the showcase.”

“Thanks.”

She sounded bored when she said that, I knew it wasn’t sincere.

“What’s your relationship with Jin Young oppa?” she suddenly asked.

“E-Excuse me?”

“Jin Young oppa, what is he to you?”

I was stunned by that question. Did she saw him just now?

“We’re friends?”

“Just friends?” she asked.

“Yes, just friends.”

She shrugged. “But he gave you flowers.”

 “He’s just being friendly.” I said.

She suddenly laughed. “Well, of course. He doesn’t want you to feel left out on stage.”

Left out?

She stood up and forced a wide smile.

“I’ll see you around. Hope to hear more songs from you soon!”

She left and went towards the door. At that moment, Jin Young was walking back with a book in his hand. Jin Ah rushed over to him happily, clapping her hands as she talked to him. Jin Young smiled and bowed at her as they chat.

I quickly open my book and pretend I’m reading it rather than looking at them. I can’t help it but to think back what Jin Ah told me earlier.

Left out huh? Well, she had a point. It would be weird if only one girl on stage didn’t receive any flowers. Since Jin Young was kind, he must have bought it the last minute so I won’t feel awkward.

“Hey.”

I looked up from my book. “Hi.”

He raised his eyebrows and looked at me. “Is everything alright?”

I nodded. “Yes, of course. Why?”

“Your book is upside down.”

 

-

“Do you have a curfew?” he asked as we took a seat in the bus.

“Not really. Why?”

“Want to hang out?”

“You mean, now?”

He nodded.

“Erm, where?”

He tilted his head and tapped his chin. “You pick.”

“I want to sleep.”

His smile faded. “Oh. Okay. I guess we’ll just-”

“Just kidding.” I said.

He looked at me and pushed my forehead. “Aish. So where do you want to go?”

“Somewhere warm.”

“Hmm…how about a coffee shop?”

“Sounds good.”

 

We got off at the next stop and headed towards a coffee shop. Jin Young offered to take my books when he saw me struggling.

“Where’s your guitar?” he asked.

“I didn’t bring it today.”

He nodded and opened the door for me.

“Hello, welcome to Club Espresso. What would you like to have?”

“Hello.” Jin Young greeted the person at the counter. “One Americano, and…what do you want, Mia?”

“Can I have a hot chocolate?”

“Oh, we don’t have that at the moment.”

No hot chocolate? Is this a joke?

“Pick something else.” Jin Young said.

I’m not really a fan of coffee, not that I hate it, i just don’t drink it.

“Anything?” Jin Young asked.

“One minute.” I said, looking at the menu.

He laughed. “Sorry.”

The girl shook his head. “It’s okay. Is she your girlfriend?”

I looked up from the menu and shook my head. But Jin Young slung an arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer to him.

“Isn’t she cute?” he asked.

The girl nodded. “You both make a cute couple!”

“Nono we’re not-”

“Have you chosen your drink?”

“Oh, erm…”

He laughed.

“One macchiato for the girl.”

“Got it.”

Jin Young release me to take his wallet. But I was faster than him.

“Hey, no.” Jin Young said and pushed my hand away. “The man will pay.”

“But-”

“No buts.”

I sighed. “Okay, at least let me carry the coffee.”

He nodded and took my bag.

“Window seat.” I said. He laughed and left.

“You have such a good boyfriend. I’m jealous.” The girl at the counter said.

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

She looked shock. “Really?”

“He’s just a friend.”

She smiled. “He will be soon. I can tell.” 

“Eh?”

She shook her head. “Enjoy your coffee!”

 

-

“Can you stop studying?”

“Sorry.”

Jin Young laughed and propped his elbow up on the table. “I didn’t ask you out just to sit here and watch you study.”

I looked up at him and closed my book. “Sorry, I’m just, worried.”

He shook his head. “It’s not healthy to study all day. Come on, aren’t you hungry?”

“Are you?” I asked. He laughed. “You got me.”

“Okay. I could use a break.”

He stood up and collected my books, motioning me to walk ahead.

 

We walk for a few minutes without talking. I don’t even know where we were heading to since Jin Young didn’t say anything.

We walked pass a food stall by the street, it smelled really good. All of a sudden I was feeling really hungry.

Jin Young must have notice me looking at the stall. He asked me whether I want to have anything there, I nodded.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yeah. Why?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I didn’t think a rich girl would eat street food.”

“Number one, I’m not rich. Number two, if I am rich, what’s wrong with eating street food?”

“So you admit your rich?” he teased.

I just shook my head and headed to the stall.

The lady greeted us while stirring the dokbokki. Jin Young started ordering, which was a lot.

He held up an oh daeng. “Say ah~”

I tried taking it from his hand but he lifted it up and shook his head.

“Open your mouth, ah~”

Instead of opening my mouth, I took a piece of mandoo and put it in my mouth.

He pouted when I smiled at him.

“Just one bite.” He said, putting the stick in front of my mouth.

“I can eat myself.”

“But I want to feed you.”

“Stop. It’s embarrassing,”

“Aigoo.” The lady of the stall said. “Don’t be shy, it’s normal for their boyfriends to feed you.”

“No he’s not my-”

“You heard her, don’t be shy.” Jin Young grinned.

The lady’s husband chuckled. “He’ll be sad if you don’t eat it.”

I looked at them then to Jin Young. He nodded his head a few times.

“Fine.” I said, taking a bite.

“Is it good?” he asked. I nodded.

“Good girl.” he patted my head. “Eat more.”

I touched the part where he patted. I couldn’t help it but to smile.

 

-

The sky was slowly turning dark. It was getting more and more crowded with people everywhere. It’s either they were rushing home or going out since tomorrow’s the weekends.

I was walking behind Jin Young, who was still carrying my books. It was kinda funny that he’s walking ahead of me, since we’re actually walking to my house.

I jogged a little so I am now walking next to him. He turned his head towards me and smiled, which makes my heart flutter every time he did that.

 “Did you have fun today?” he asked. I nodded.

“Sorry if it’s a bit boring. I’ll bring you somewhere fun next time, okay?”

I nodded again. He smiled and continued walking.

Wait. Did he say next time? He wants to bring me out again? Does this means something else?

Then Jin Ah’s thoughts came back to my mind.

“Well, of course. He doesn’t want you to feel left out on stage.”

Yeah, that’s right. He’s just being nice. I’m a new kid after all. You’re thinking too much Mia.

“You alright?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Tired?”

I looked up at him and nodded again.

“Are you always this quiet?” he laughed.

“Am i?”

“You’re always nodding.”

I didn’t reply him. I just keep walking, eyes on the floor.

“Is something bothering you?” he asked again. Damn. Did he see through me?

I sighed. “Oppa.”

He smiled. “I like it when u called me that.”

I completely forgotten what I wanted to asked him when he give me that smile. It’s so contagious.

“Yes?”

“Oh, erm. That day, the showcase. Why did you give me flowers?”

He stopped walking and turned to face me. “Why are you asking me that?”

“Well, I didn’t ask you for it. So why did you gave me one?”

“You don’t like flowers?” he pouted.

“No.” I shook my head. “It’s just, well, weird.”

“Why?”

I looked up at him. “Well, your erm, the first person who gave me flowers.”

He laughed and continued walking. “That’s good to hear.”

Good to hear?

I chased up to him and tapped his shoulders. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He shrugged. “Nothing. How are the flowers?”

“Erm, some has wilted.”

“Ah, of course. It’s been almost a week.”

We didn’t spoke for a moment. Until I break the silence.

“You’re just being friendly, right?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re gave me flowers, so I won’t feel left out right?”

He didn’t answer me. He just keeps walking.

“Oh, one more thing. How come you didn’t tell them I was just a friend when they were asking if I am your girlfriend?”

He still remain silent.

Before I could open my mouth and ask him another question, he turned to me and pointed to his left.

“Home sweet home.” he said.

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“What question?” he said, looking blur.

I sighed and took my keys out.

“It’s okay. Thank you for today.” I said and walk towards the gate, but I got pulled back by him.

“Books.” He said.

“Oh, right.” I took the books from his hand, but he didn’t let it go.

“What if…”

“Huh?” I said, looking at him.

“What if, those flowers weren’t just a sign of friendliness?”

He wasn’t looking at me when he said that, he was just staring at my books.

“And what if..” he said, this time, looking up at me, straight into my eyes.

“What if, I wasn’t just playing along with the rest today? What if….”

 

I don’t know why I was so scared to hear what was going to come out from his mouth next. I just have a weird feeling about.

 

“It’s okay.” I said without realizing it.

He shook his head. “No. What if…”

“Oh, look at the time!” I quickly cut him off. “It’s late. You should get going.” I pulled my books out from his hands and jogged towards the gate.

“See you on Monday!” I said, running into the house without looking back.

 

I shut the door and lean on it, dropping my books and school bag on the floor.

Why was I feeling so scared? It’s not like he’s going to eat me up or something.

All of a sudden I regretted stopping him from telling me what was on his mind. All of a sudden I really wanted to hear what he wanted to tell me.

 

You’re such a fool, Choi Mi Yan. A selfish fool.

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is this long enough to make up for not updating for one week? hehe..

sorry, school has been busy lately. so many quiz coming up =(

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