“Class, today we’ll be learning about a special word,” Kris spoke loudly as he wrote the word on the board in English, “Does anyone know what the word translates to?”

•  

“Very good, Taehyung,” Kris smiled, “Now, what do we generally associate the word love to? Raise your hand. Remember, in English.”

He pointed to one of the girls, “Romance!”

“Valentine’s Day!”

•  
•  
•  
•  
•  

“Black Day.”

“Don’t you think that’s a bit sad, Namjoon?”

The said boy shrugged, “Well, love is not all sweet roses and hearts.”

Kris nodded, “He’s got a point. Love is positive, but can be negative too.”

“How can love be negative?”

Kris smiled at his students, forgetting he was teaching students that would go to middle school soon, “Well, how about one-sided love? You might have a crush on someone, but they might not like you back. That seems pretty sad to me. Or if you’re the only one without a boyfriend or a girlfriend while all your friends do. It feels pretty lonely, right?”

The class seemed to agree in silence, but there was always one boy who wanted to prove the theory wrong, “Well, I would be glad if I wasn’t in love with some girl. That gives me more time towards my video games!”

A lot of the boys agreed, which made the girls offeneded. Before a battle between the es could break out, Kris stated, “Well, maybe at your age you think that way. But wait until you get in middle school. You’ll start looking at girls and may fall in love with one.”

But like many elementary students, they all scrunched their noses at the silly remark, and swore never to fall in love.

Ah, silly children, Kris thought as continued the lesson.

 

Tao was looking between the couple, who were looking through the catalog of cake designs that was set in front of them. Tao was having one of his early morning appointments for an engaged couple wedding cake shopping.

“We like this design,” the woman pointed at the two-tier yellow fondant cake with sugar perals and a ribbon around the cake, “But we would like it golden vanilla and chocolate.”

“Like a marble cake or each tier separate flavors?”

“Separate,” the man stated, “I have a few relatives that are allergic to chocolate.”

“Pity,” Tao smiled, “Do you want it yellow?”

“My wedding colors are green and black.”

Tao nodded, sketching out the design and writing notes on the side, “Okay, so I can make the cake look like this one, but the base will be a light green, and these pearls and ribbon here will be black. How does that sound?”

“Perfect!” The woman cried, “Thank you so much, Mr. Huang!”

“It’s my pleasure. I’ll be sure to have it ready by your wedding date.”

 

“I smell something amazing!”

“Too bad you’re not getting any!”

“Tao, when are you going to fire KyungSoo here for bad manners towards customers?”

“Beat it ChanYeol, I’m busy.”

“You’re rolling flour for some bread, you’re not busy.”

“Kyungsoo, where’s my rolling pin. I’m gonna hit this idiot.”

Chanyeol stuck his tounge out, “So, how’s the cake thing going?”

Tao shrugged, “Designed a nice cake for a lovely couple. Should be ready to go by their date.”

“Don’t all this wedding cake design make you a bit sick?”

Tao rose his brow, curious for him to continue.

“Like, don’t you feel depressed that you’re not marrying anyone or in a relationship while you watch others who practically ooze out newlywed-ism just make you want to vomit?”

“Ah, yes. You and Baek weren’t as bad considering you married after five days of knowing each other.”

Kyungsoo’s laugh was heard from further down the kitchen, making ChanYeol frown, “I just would be kind of sick of it.”

“And I would be kind of sick being asked what the news was since if I was The Korean Time’s favorite columnist.”

“Tao, I’m just worried. You’re thirty-three. You need to get out there!”

“ChanYeol, every time we have this conversation, I am not less afraid of allowing Kyungsoo to personally kick you out. Now cut it out before I plant your weird face in this dough.”

“Okay, geeze! Just being your awesome best friend!”

“Why are you here, ChanYeol? What do you want?”

“Well, Baek and I are having an announcement party next Friday and he requested to have your almond horseshoe cookies and your special dipped fruit,” ChanYeol said he picked up one of the cooling cookies, earning a glare from Kyungsoo. He pretended not to have seen it.

Tao slammed the dough on the wooden block, surprising his best friend, “Announcement? For what? I thought you already told your parents you married a guy.”

“I did, and it’s been a few months, and they have yet to speak to me. My sister on the other hand was so happy to hear that I was finally married, but kind of mad that I didn’t invite her, she’s bringing our wedding gift.”

“Huh. So this announcement, who are you telling?”

“Friends and willing family.”

“So what is it?”

“Ah, we’re expecting.”

“Baekhyun’s finally pregnant?” Tao asked playfully, earning the eaten cookie to be thrown directly at his face. Kyungsoo laughed so much he had to turn away from the cake he was making, which made Tao glare at him. “You’re paying for that.”

ChanYeol shrugged and leaning on the wooden block, “We’re adopting this cute little girl from Japan.”

“Aren’t there certain requirments towards adopting for couples like you had to be married for a certain amount of years?”

“Depends on your nationality,” ChanYeol shrugged, “She’s the cutest thing! We’re still deciding on a name for her. Baek wants to keep a very traditional Korean name, but I want to mix it up. I’m not even supposed to tell you about her, so act very surprised when we announce it! Oh, and can you tell Kris he’s invited?”

ChanYeol’s phone started to play a very cute ring, the picture of Baekhyun in one of ChanYeol’s button down shirts displayed. Before Tao could tease his bestfriend for using such a racy photo of his husband as the caller ID, ChanYeol answer, “Yes, babe? Of course I told him about the announcement. Yes, I did tell him of your requests. What? Oh,” He directed his attention towards Tao, “He also wants cheesecake.” Tao nodded, watching as ChanYeol’s face changed from listening to a his nose scrunched, “No, I didn’t tell him what the announcement was! Yes, I’m heading to work now. No, I can’t drive you, I’ll be late. Ask Hyoyeon, she’s cool with it. Okay, love you too, bye.”

ChanYeol hung up and sighed, “Alright, so next Friday.Oh, and don’t tell Kris!”

“No promises.”

 

Kris was staying afterschool to proceed on grading projects and essays for his students. He was so into fixing mistakes and writing on the paper that he almost didn’t hear Jessica enter the room, “So… I have some news.”

Kris looked up, taking off his glasses, “What’s up?”

“Well, I was talking to my recruiter, went through a few Skype interviews, and I apparently got another job set for me after this one,” Jessica smiled as she went to sit on one of the students desk, crossing her legs, “And guess where I’ll be.”

“Somewhere in Europe?”

She smiled and shook her head, “Nope. Brazil!”

“That’s awesome!” Kris said, “I heard the next World Cup will be there. I’m so jealous!”

She shrugged, smiling, “I’m just saddened that I won’t be able to stay here. I really enjoyed visiting my home country. It’s changed since I was a kid.”

“Well, of course it has. You were a kid of the ninties, everything changed.”

Jessica gave a sweet smile, “Well, before I go, we should do something together. You’ve been one of the most welcoming teachers here for me, and I really appreciated our off friendship. You really made my stay here a bit more enjoyable.”

Kris nodded, “Anything you want.”

“Hm… well, I’ll be leaving after the semester ends, so a week before?”

“Sounds like a plan. I hope you’ll stay in touch. It’s been fun having orivate conversations in front of the others with you,” Kris smiled as he looked back down to the projects.

“Oh, you mean all that ?” Jessica shrugged, “It’s a good thing the school hasn’t found out. I think we would be fired.”

“They can’t fire me. I have a ten-year contract that clearly states that they can only fire me if my teachings are unsuitable. Teacher relationships don’t fall under that.”

Jessica laughed, “And I am just the lowly foreigner?”

“Hey, I’m one too!”

Tao walked in to the scene, somewhat a bit angered as he saw Jessica in the same room, but glad that all her clothes were still on. Kris looked up, the smell of chocolate and mint wafted towards him, “Oh, hey Tao. What brings you here?”

“Uh… wanted to see if you were free for a bit, but if your busy then I can wait.”

“No, it’s alright. Jessica was just telling me where she got here new job.”

Jessica shrugged, but Tao didn’t ask. He instead kept his attention on Kris, “Baekyeol invited us for an announcement party next Friday.”

Kris nodded, only to have a teacher calm in, panting, “Mr. Wu. Two of your students are fighting in the boys bathroom!”

Kris rolled his eyes, groaning, “Again? Alright, I’m coming. Tao, if you wait here, we’ll go home together.”

Tao nodded as the man passed him, looking down at the floor.

“You like him, don’t you?” Jessica smiled, crossing her arms, “I can see it. You have this soft look in your eyes when you look at him.”

Tao raised a brow, “I have no clue what your talking about.”

“You don’t like me,” Jessica shrugged, “I can live with that. But I could tell you got pretty upset at the party when Kris said we were friends with benefit. So either you like so much that you don’t want others to touch him or you’re madly in love with him.”

“I am not in love with Kris,” Tao said, his glare deepening at the woman, “And you have no right to say any of this to me.”

Jessica shrugged, “That’s true. But even if I didn’t asked to have with Kris, he would still be the closest friend I have here. I get that just because I’m pretty, people are intimidated that I’ll steal their loves if I befriend them. I just feel more comfortable around men, always have.”

“Why are you tell me this?” Tao asked, “I don’t even like you.”

“Because I once liked my best friend like you did. And she rejected me outright, stopped being my friend, and ignored me,” the woman sighed, standing up, “Tao, Kris cares a lot about you. Take the chance and try to make him yours. I like Kris too, but only because he was the nicest person to me here. Sure, the on the side was great, but I wish I said no.”

“So why didn’t you?” Tao asked, watching as the woman walked closer to him, the clack of her heels echoing the room.

“Ever felt so lonely that you believed that even intimate touches could make you feel like someone loved you?” Jessica whispered, “I would love Kris to love me back, but I can settle for our relationship now. He’s lonely too, your lonely. Buck up and tell him your feelings, or something might come back and bite you in the for it.”

It was silent, as the man was contemplating what he was feeling for the woman. Was it pity? No… not that. Maybe it was a mutual understanding, that he was like her at one point. He felt a bit of respect towards her and was about to say so when Kris walked back in.

“Stupid kids, fighting over a PSP,” Kris said as he held up the toy like a prize. He wrapped his arm around Tao’s neck, “Didn’t you say you always wanted a PSP? Want this one?”

Jessica smiled at the scene, taking out her phone as se watched the two bicker over the PSP, and took a picture of the two. She thought that looked adorable together, which made her feel a bit sad that she was settling for her school girl crush for Kris. She knew Kris wasn’t a hundred precent straight. She caught him a certain guy’s name before, and it only proved her theory. With her, Kris was gentlemen-like and very sweet, but around him, he was himself; comfortable.

 

“Why are we looking at baby clothes?” Kris asked as Tao picked up onsie with a  baby bird on it, “Is one of your sisters expecting?”

Tao shook his head, “Nah, someone I know is.”

“Ah, cool,” Kris nodded, “I’m guessing it’s a girl, judging by the massive amounts of pink?”

Tao nodded, picking out a few outfits, “I’m just excited. I hope to see the baby. I want to be able to take care of her for a bit.”

“You?” Kris smirked, “Please.”

“I took care of Meilin when she was a baby and when she was kid,” Tao rushed, “I’m great with kids.”

“Sure you are.”

“Alright. Then let’s bet.”

Kris rose his brow, ready to hear this one, “If I am ever given any sort of responsibility to take care of a child, and they like me, then you are to do whatever I want, and the same goes for you. If it ends up not liking me, then I’ll do whatever you want.”

Kris nodded, “Fine, deal. Prepare to lose.”

“I’ll defintitly win. Now, tell me, which one do you like better? The one with the tutu or the one with the hat?”

For the rest of the afternoon, Kris and Tao were looking at baby items. Kris never took notice of how a serious shopper Tao can be, but the act that Tao was looking at the small things made a stir in Kris’s heart. He couldn’t stop but imagine as if they were shopping for their own baby, as in both of theirs. It made him feel a bit happy, a bit light at the thought.

Tao’s cart was practically filled with dozen of clothing items, shows, toys and essentials. When Kris told Tao that it was too much, Tao shook his head, claiming the baby girl needed every outfit so she could try out many styles like girly girl, tomboy and edgy. Kris slapped his palm against his face, claiming the kid was not going to care.

Kris and Tao were arguing so much that the sound of Kris’s stomach announcing his hunger made Tao laugh so much, that he settled on buying everything that he placed in his cart (coming to a price that Kris swore he would never see on baby items in his life) and they walked to the food court.

Buying some donuts and coffee, they sat at some table and ate, making comments about their parenting styles, which they discovered were similar but at the same time different.

“Kris, I believe that the sort of discipline in martial arts that I dealt with as a kid makes a person better. So of course I’m gonna place my knowledge on them!”

“And what would that be? Having them stand on one leg while balancing buckets for a few hours is discipline?” Kris chuckled at the idea as he took a sip.

“Of course not,” Tao shook his head, “One of the diciplin methods is balancing buckets, but its on our head while we medidate. It helps retain balance and posture. It’s also one of those ways to think about what you did so you wont have the bucket on your head.”

“Well what if the kid is like four?”

“Cleaning. No kid likes it, it teaches him discipline, makes him not want to get in trouble. My teachers thought of everything!”

Kris shook his head, “I’m sorry. I agree towards a good spanking, not letting them watch their favorite TV show or not giving them dessert. I wouldn’t do martial arts discipline unless they were in martial arts.”

“Please, I would be the better parents. Your kid would walk all over you.”

Kris didn’t say anything, which made Tao laugh, “See! I would so be the better parent over you! Nothing said is total defeat—what are you looking at?”

Tao turned around to see the wave of shoppers moving here and there, and he would have totally missed the one guy that looked like he was staring at Tao, but really was staring at Kris. The guy was leaning against the railing, holding some bags. He made wearing jeans and a simple graphic tee really good, and his brown hair really suited him.

Tao would stop staring at him. He was really hot, and had such a cute face. He was about to make a comment about it, but he felt someone clutch on the front of his shirt and pull him forward over the table. Tao knew something was up if Kris was the one forcing a kiss on him, but Tao didn’t pull away. He instead stood his ground and kissed back, which caught Kris off guard. He pulled away quickly, sitting down, panting.

Tao looked back over at the guy, and his expression was hard to read, but this time a girl went over to him, holding a bag and hugging him. The guy looked at the girl, and a conversation between the two occrued, in which the girl looked over to where Tao was staring. He quickly turned away, looking at Kris who was staring back at Tao.

 

“You kissed back.”

“Yeah, so?”

“I didn’t think you would.”

Tao gave him a look, “Kris, I catch on really well. You’re trying to make that other guy, jealous, right? You needed it to look pretty realistic.”

The sound of high heel clacking stopped arupbtly at their table, in which Tao got a better look at the girl. She was really plain, with long black hair and large eyes. She wore a brown skirt and teal shirt, smiling at Kris, “Hi, you must be Yifan. Lu Han has told be so much about you!”

 

.author's babble.

dun. dun. DUH!