You walked through those school hallways with a forced smile. 

It wasn't that you were introverted or anything, you just didn't want to look sad in front of everyone. 

Everyone thought you were okay. 

Actually though, in the insides, your heart was slowly tearing to pieces, the aches becoming more and more sad with each passing day. 

You walked in the classroom and sat down at your seat. 

Sighing, you removed your backpack, and turned to set it on the back of the chair. 

Suddenly, you heard girls squealing. 

You groaned silently, the ache in your heart growing in such a pace that made you so nervous you would explode. 

Turning, you met the eyes of Lee Donghae. 

He gave you a gentle smile, and you gave him one back. 

He passed by you quickly, and sat down in his seat, and you sighed in relief. 

Ever since that fateful day, you'd promised yourself never again.

 

 

"Miyeon-ah!" your best friend, Krystal, ran to you, frantically. 

"Hm? What is it?" you asked, curiously, tilting your head a bit. 

Her eyes were grave and she was frowning. 

"What is it...?" you asked again, your curiosity turning into dread. 

"You'll never believe this," she said in a low voice. 

"Believe what?" you said back in the same low voice. 

"Donghae... he knows that you like him." 

Fear and surprise and horror and so many other emotions settled in you. 

"What?" you said in disbelief, processing it in your brain. 

How could it be?

You've only ever told Krystal. 

"I don't know what happened... Some girls told him, but I don't know who." she said in a fast voice. 

You started tearing up. 

"Really?" you asked. 

Krystal nodded honestly. 

You wiped your tears with the back of your hand. 

"I was going to tell him today though..." you said. 

You had finally mustered up all the courage you needed. 

Then, it all came crashing down. 

What did you do wrong? 

Was it your fault? 

Why did this have to happen to you? 

Everything else was a blur, but all you remembered was that you dashed off, escaping to go back home and get under your bed sheets to cry. 

 

 

Luckily, you and Donghae didn't talk that much. 

You were always shy around him, and you never had much courage to start off with. 

It didn't create much of a rift in your two's relationship. 

After that day, you never talked to him much. 

And you definitely never told him about your feelings. 

You've just... kept a distance. 

To be honest, it hurt. 

A lot. 

But you knew it was for the best. 

The professor came into the room and sat the class down. 

The rest of the period wasn't exactly exciting, just the same as any day. 

He handed you your homework and you got started on it. 

"Miyeon?" the voice was so familiar, you were hesitant to turn around to face the speaker. 

But you had to anyways. 

It was who you expected it to be. 

Donghae. 

"Yes?" you forced a smile. 

"Can you help me with the homework?" he asked innocently, causing you to ache again. "I don't quite understand it." 

"Oh, of course," you replied. "Sit down." 

Dread filled your stomach and overflowed to your throat. 

It was hard to speak. 

You managed not to choke. 

"...So, you take this formula and substitute the numbers in. Get it?" you explained for the fourth time. 

Donghae furrowed his brow as he scribbled in the numbers. 

He puffed out his cheeks, and when he finished, he pushed his paper towards you. 

"Like this?" he asked, hope in his voice. 

You looked at it, and nodded. 

Donghae flashed a threateningly cute smile at you and you instinctively smiled back. 

"Thank you, Miyeon! You're such good help!" Donghae grinned. 

"Ah, no problem," you replied, getting back to your work. 

Donghae got up from his seat and scurried over back to his desk. 

Sadness filled up the empty void he used to stay. 

It felt so lonely next to you. 

Krystal wasn't at school today. 

She was busy with her sister, Jessica. 

You had no idea what, but you just wished the day would end faster. 

Finally, the final bell rang. 

You gathered your things and slung your backpack over your shoulder. 

Walking through the doors, you heard someone call your name. 

"Miyeon, wait up!" 

Your heart ached at that familiar voice. 

Gritting your teeth for a moment, you turned and flashed a smile. 

"Yes Donghae?" you waited as he chased you. 

He bent over, breathing heavily, trying to regain himself. 

In a few minutes, he stood up and took another deep breath and looked into your eyes. 

You looked back at him, anxiousness growing faster and faster in your stomach. 

It was like a virus. 

"Miyeon-" Donghae started to say, but was interrupted. 

"Look at that girl. Didn't she use to have a crush on Donghae? She's pitiful." A stranger snorted, saying it loudly enough for you and Donghae to hear. 

Tension melted in the atmosphere. 

"I-I should go," you said, rubbing the nape of your neck awkwardly. 

You turned away and started to walk off, and you felt Donghae grip your wrist tightly.

"No!" he refused, turning you around. 

You looked at him with wide, surprised eyes. 

"Donghae? What's wrong?" you asked. 

"D-Don't listen to them ... because..." he trailed off. 

"Because what?" you asked again, pursing your lips. 

"B-Because I really like you!" he blushed madly. 

Your eyes widened even wider. 

"Wh-what?" you stuttered. 

He turned his face, so that he could avoid your gaze. 

"Yeah... I like you..." he said slowly. 

You were suddenly too shocked to say anything. 

"Miyeon?" Donghae turned his face to stare at you. 

"I-I like you too," you finally mustered up enough courage to say that. 

Donghae's eyes were wide open. 

"Really?" he said, suddenly excited. 

You rolled your eyes and nodded. 

"Yeah." you replied. 

He smiled, and it sent tingles down your spine. 

Donghae pulled you into his embrace and your face laid on his chest snugly. 

"Miyeon." 

"Hm?" 

"I've liked you since before I heard that you liked me. I was so disappointed when you never asked me out," he chuckled softly. 

You blushed. 

"Sorry," you said in a small voice. "I got nervous and awkward around you, so I couldn't say anything..."

Donghae laughed a bit. 

"Silly girl," he whispered, giving the top of your head a kiss. 

"But you know," you started to say. "I've liked you since forever too." 

You laughed a bit. 

"I've always liked you."