I hope you realize that you trying to keep your distance from me, in no way lessens my affection for you.

28^th January 2007

“Here.”

Haewon looked up from her cup of ice-cream to see a piece of tissue before her.

“I don’t need it.” She looked away, turning her face away from the boy but from the corner of her eyes she saw how he placed the piece of tissue in front of her before standing up and walked away.

Instinctively, the girl turned her head at him, curious to where he was going. For the past 2 weeks he had been following her to everywhere she went. He would shamelessly hold onto her hand and ask her to hide him when she leaves YG after dropping her brother’s lunch off. Even if she would to shake her hand off, he would still hold it down firmly till they reach the mall, unwilling to let go.

Somehow she had slowly gotten use to his presence. It was not that she minded anyway. He wouldn’t try to talk to her if she doesn’t want to. He would just make sure that he is always around her, always surprising her with the smallest detail in her daily life that she probably wouldn’t have notice – like going down on one knee to tie her shoelace for her when it unties, pouring her water when her cup is empty or even take away the sesame seeds that were on her rice even before she could do it herself.

It was all these small yet heartwarming gestures that make Haewon unable to be mean to Jiyong. Guys call her pretty and beautiful, but none of them ever did things more than bringing her out for a date. Even if they did, they had never refill her cup or fetch her tissues on their own accord. She had even overheard her brother complaining that he was not able to practice late into the night anymore because Jiyong refused to talk to the receptionist; he was keeping his promise to her.

“You must be thirsty after your chocolate ice-cream.” Jiyong placed a cup of water he took from the counter in front of the girl and she accepted it, taking a small sip before putting it down. That acceptance made the boy smiled.

For Jiyong he had reached a time in his life where he is infatuated with this amazing girl before him. For her, he is willing to do anything and not think twice about it, but when asked why, he has no answer. He doesn’t mind spending his whole life trying to understand how she can affect him so much but he knows he will never do. Even if he was going to be hurt badly, he was sure he would still love her without regret for the rest of his life. He was sure.

“Oppa?” Haewon picked up her phone that was vibrating and pressed it beside her ear. Jiyong just watched her quietly. He likes it whenever he is with her because even for a few hours, he can forget that everything is not okay.

“Is Jiyong with you?” Kiwon asked angrily.

“Ji..yong?”

Shaking his head furiously, the mentioned boy mouthed to her not to let his whereabouts known. He couldn’t afford to. “No.. he’s not with me. Why?”

With a sigh, Kiwon knew instantly that his sister was lying. Her tone of voice was too serious for the usual chirpy Cha Haewon. “I know Jiyong is with you Wonnie.”

“Tell him to come back to practice and not run away anymore. Evaluation is coming. And this is the second time he is running away already, he won’t be able to debut if this goes on!”

“Oppa, I told you he is not with me. You tell him yourself okay? I got to go! Bye!” Haewon hung the phonecall and glared at the boy, her brother just raised his voice at her cause of him.

“Oppa asked you to go back to practice. He said if you continue running away you won’t be able to debut anymore.”

“I see…” Jiyong nodded his head and avoided her eyes. He didn’t want to be reminded of the evaluation that is happening in less than 2 weeks that was why he choose to come out with her. He knew better than anyone else that he might not be able to debut afterall. Maybe getting kicked out from YG was a better choice.

“Is that why you are not in YG for the past few days?”

“Oh? You realized that I’m not there?” Jiyong had been waiting for her outside the building instead. He risked himself getting caught just to spend this few hours with her, but he didn’t mind.

“I… what… no?” Taken aback by his reply, Haewon stood up abruptly and walked out of the smoothie shop in attempt to cover her lie, leaving a smiling Jiyong behind. He caught up with her quickly as they strolled down the streets of Myeongdong that was crowded with people. At this point of time, he would be telling her all about himself. From where he stays to where he likes to go but today, he didn’t. Silence engulfed them and when Haewon turned to look, his eyes seemed sad and weirdly, her heart felt heavy.

“I think you should go back.” Stopping in her tracks, she turned to the boy beside her. Her brother words were ringing beside her ears, about how he would be kicked out if he didn’t return and it kinds of bothered her. A lot. “To YG.”

Shaking his head, Jiyong forced out a smile as he changed the topic. “Are you going home already?”

Haewon didn’t know if she should. The boy before her was acting so strangely that unknowingly she bit her lower lips.

“You should. You look tired today.” Jiyong hooked her loose black hair behind her ears before grabbing her hand, “Come, let me send you home.”

-

“Haewon?”

Jiyong called her lightly before she pulled open her house’s gates. She turned around to look at him and felt herself being buried in his embrace. Instantly, she froze as her eyes widened in shock.

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart okay? I promise to stay there forever.”

“You… jerk!” Pushing him away, Haewon stared at him crossly. Being less mean to him didn’t mean that he could force himself on her like this. Did he just think that he could get her if he did that? She hated boys who think they can get any girl, especially boys like him. Turning her heels, she stormed right through the gate, hearing his voice behind her.

“I am going to fall in love with you! You don’t have to love me back! I am going to give you my heart!”

“Stop it!” She screamed as she fumbled for her keys in her bag. She was supposed to be mad but her heart was racing too fast for someone who is angry.

“How can I stop liking you when I see you everyday? It’s impossible to emotionally detach myself from you..”

“Then stop seeing me everyday.” With that, Haewon slammed the door shut behind her, leaning onto her door as she placed her hand over her chest.

On the other hand, Jiyong watched the door closed on him with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“I never really mattered right? Not even to you.”

A big hello to my new subscribers! Nice to meet you guys!

My proofreader told me to speed up today but I really can't speed up my story omg. I feel weird speeding up. /:

Nonetheless, enjoy! I probably won't update till next Monday or so. Topik exam is on Sunday. ):