CHAPTER 031: Stop And Listen   Kris hasn't dated much. Once or twice, he can't remember. His first girlfriend was a possessive freak. At least that's how he remembers it. She almost choked him one time when he gave a ride home to a female classmate. He was living in Canada by then. His second girlfriend was a total angel, but she was too sensitive. A little too much. When he would , she would cry or be enraged. She wanted Kris to be more serious, because she didn't date clowns. Problem with that was, Kris was a clown. So they parted ways. This happened in China.    Kris was an all around guy. He traveled a lot with his parents and Lucy. He hooked up a lot and had fun with different girls that were all up for it. He didn't dislike relationships, but he wasn't very fond of them.    It felt like a waste of time, because he spent almost five years in total in relationships but they all sort of failed.    It bothered him how one day he would be kissing this person with all his passion and the next day, he will have to force himself to be a stranger to that person. He hated it. It was lame.   Weren't unofficial relationships better?    They would break and it would be no big deal because they were never solid in the first place.    Besides, he's never actually been hurt in his relationships before. Just a tad bothered because he wasted his time. And his time is precious. But what if one day, he were to fall in love- that cheesy word people use- and then he would end up crying and in depression like he has seen in movies. What then? What if his girlfriend- which he is deeply in love with- suddenly doesn't love him anymore and decides to end it? What if she cheats on him? What then? He doesn't want to be emotionally broken. It sounds stupid. He thinks he's too young to get a heartbreak, it sounds really awful.    He remembers when he was 12 and Lucy was around her 20's that she was dating some guy and he cheated on her and she sobbed for days. He doesn't want to be like that.    It sounds really pitiful.    But anyway, It's not like it's going to happen.    Why?   Because Kris is picky with his girlfriends.    He will always date a girl that loves him more than he loves her. That way, he'll make sure he's safe from any awkward relationship chaos. In fact, that has been working so far.    Kris has had two relationships and in all of them, he has come out just fine. No tears, no sleepless night, no heartbreak.    He's too awesome, he doesn't deserve that crap.    Girls come and go, he thinks. They're not worth it. He shouldn't sweat over something that could end as soon as it started.    He's not looking for a relationship now, anyway. He'll find a serious relationship when he needs to get married. Right now, girls do not matter.    He's a young and wild soul looking for fun.        Except now, it doesn't feel like that.   He went to drop off the kids with the safe thought that Eunsul, Yixing and Jongdae would stay with you and Chanyeol. But the ers have left you alone.    He can't hear well, but he hears some things. He hears you ask about Yuri and he hears you say something about Chanyeol hurting you and then the most awful part, the part where Chanyeol questions your feelings with the simplest of words: "Do you still have feelings for me?"    Kris jumps because his phone starts vibrating in his hand. He panics and walks backwards to move away from the door, almost falling down the stairs. He had been in a crouched position against your door the whole time trying to hear anything through the thick wood of your door. Even if it wasn't fully close, he could barely hear a thing.          "Hello?" He hisses into the phone, trying to sound quiet until he has moved away by the top of the stairs so he's a fair distance from your door.   Luhan screams from the other end, "Yifan! I'm already packing up! November couldn't be any closer, huh?"    Kris rolls his eyes, "There is still October left, Lu."    The other boy lets out a groan from the other end of the phone, "Don't destroy my happiness. October is gonna pass by in a flash. I have testing so I'm prepared to just study and sleep. Which is sort of why I'm packing up already."    Kris sits at the top of the stairs and sighs, "Yeah, me too. Korea seems to take their education seriously."    Luhan scoffs, "No ."          "Okay, stop sassing me and just tell me why you called, Lu."    Luhan makes a happy sound. "Right! I called to let you know about my flight. I'm coming on November 2nd. I'm not sure if you have a car to pick me up, so I guessed that I could find my way and go in a bus-"         "No, no," Kris says, "You'll get lost. I'll use Lucy's car or some other car, don't worry. Besides, I'm planning on getting a job this month and buying a car for myself. I need to try to become more independent."           "Really? Doesn't Lucy give you an allowance?"    Kris sighs, "Yeah, but I don't want to depend on her anymore. I'm eighteen. I need to stop depending on her. She's married now and all she wants is to work and create a family. I'm pretty sure babysitting her baby brother is not part of the plan."           "What about Nana?"           "You haven't heard?" Kris laughs, "She took a flight to China earlier today. She wants to stay for a little while, but she's coming back soon."             "No way! So I'll see her today? That's cool. I'll ask her a bunch of things about Korea."           "You don't have to Lu, we have Internet, remember?"    The boy on the phone laughs and while he's doing so, there's noise behind Kris. He stiffens and stands as the door to your room is swung open.          "Anyway, how's the girl you're living with-" Kris hangs up the call and stuffs the phone on his pocket.    He looks straight at you and Chanyeol.           "What are you doing here?" You ask.    Kris feels oddly uncomfortable.          "I live here," he says and he stares at your lips to find any sightings of swelling or saliva or a sign that says "I've been kissed!"    You nod, "Yeah, but... Why are you by my door?"    Kris shrugs and hands Chanyeol his car keys. "Here, Curly."    Chanyeol hums as a response and takes the keys.          "You should leave," Kris says, "It's almost midnight."    He expects you to argue with him and make Chanyeol stay, but you don't say anything and Chanyeol doesn't fight it either.    This makes him think that something really bad or important happened, something he has a feeling that he isn't suppose to know.   Except he sort of knows.    And he hates it.    Chanyeol moves past him and you follow, and Kris feels a burning in his stomach because you don't even glance at him.    He takes a deep breath and follows third, watches you wave goodbye to Chanyeol with no words as he sits on the couch.    You close the door and when it's shut and locked, you let out a groan resembling a whale giving birth and he's genuinely surprised.    You slide down against the door until you're sitting on your , your face buried in your hands.    Kris frowns, "Hey, you okay?"    You shake your head without looking up. "I'm scared."   Kris doesn't say much to that, because 1. He's confused. 2. He freaks out when you groan again and actually sound like crying.          "Yifan," you say and Kris blinks at how pleasing it is to hear you call his name. "I'm scared of the future."   Kris sighs. He feels kind of bad. Yet, he figures that this is a good chance to be a good person and figure out what the heck you were talking about with Chanyeol.    Also, to confirm the almost written fact slash theory- that you are or were in love with Chanyeol. He didn't get to hear your answer.    Nevertheless, he cares. No matter how much he hates to admit it, he cares.    He sighs and stands up, sits with his legs crossed in front of you.    You're actually crying, he sees now that he's sitting close.          "Look at me," he mumbles. You whine like a brat because it's embarrassing that he's seeing you cry.   He chuckles, and instead of asking nicely, he grabs the sides of your head and makes you look up at him.    He was really planning on yelling at you and telling you to woman up, but when he sees your big, red watery eyes and your cute runny red nose, he softens completely.    He stares at you and his eyes trail down to your lips, and now they're actually swollen from the crying. Plus that stupid habit of biting your lips, he thinks.    God, he wants to ing eat you.          "Anyway," Kris puffs out, letting go of your head, "Why are you crying?"    You sniffle, "Because I'm scared."          "About?"           "I can't tell you."    Kris grins a big creepy grin, and then he smacks you in the forehead. You gasp, "What was that for?"   Kris sighs, "Because you're an idiot. How am I suppose to help you feel better when you don't want to tell me what's wrong?"    You pout and whine, "Can't you pretend you know already and just skip to the making me feel better part?"   The male glares at you. He's not really sure how to make you feel better. He makes a face, "With one condition?"    You raise a brow, your tears drying, "What?"          "What were you and Chanpyol talking about?"    You glare, "Stop calling him Chanpyol. Now you're just doing it on purpose."          "I actually am doing it on purpose," Kris sticks his tongue out, "and you can't really stop me."    You roll your eyes, but there's a small smile playing on your lips.           "So can I know what you two were talking about?"             "Feelings."    Kris frowns, "Feelings?"    You nod, "His feelings- because I'm a good friend and I care. My feelings, because apparently they matter all of a sudden. And I didn't know they did."    Kris is very confused but he lets you talk, because he notices how you badly need someone to listen.          "I'm scared, Yifan. I'm scared of the future!" You grab onto his shirt and he lets you. "Will we date? Will I fall even deeper? I'm scared! Will I be okay? Will we be okay?"           "Who? Me and you?" He asks, confusion and surprise on his face.    You groan, "No, not you!" Actually, maybe it could be you.           "Then who?" He asks, swallowing a knot on his throat.           "Me-" you pause, "Me and... some person?"   Kris feels anger in the pit of his stomach so he closes his eyes and rubs his forehead in frustration.    He's not stupid. He knows who this person is. You couldn't have made it more obvious.   But why does he care? Exactly. He doesn't.    Yet....          "You should stop talking to Chanyeol the way you do," he says.    You make a face, "What?"    You're literally an obvious innocent little bunny. How are you even surprised that Kris knows you're talking about Chanyeol. You made it so obvious.    And he's so annoyed.          "Hana, I don't think it's right that you and him were alone in the room earlier."    You frown, "Why not?"           "Are you really asking me that?"           "Yes."    Kris' face gets serious. "He has a girlfriend."    You sigh, "Not anymore."            "So? He just got out of a relationship, it's basically the same thing, Hana."             "No, it's not."    Kris groans, "You're so stubborn. Chanyeol is playing with your head!"   You roll your eyes, "It's not like that, Yifan."             "Then what were you talking about with him in there, huh? You said feelings, and that's not something that is brought up in a casual conversation!"            "Why are you getting angry?"             "I'm not angry!"             "You're yelling!"            "I'm not!"             "You're an idiot, Yifan."             "And you need to stop talking to Chanyeol!"             "Why do you care?" This question has been eating you alive. Because for someone that claims not to care about you and your business, Kris cares a lot. And it's making you go crazy. It makes you more confuse because he's making you feel something.            "Because he has a girlfriend, Hana!"            "Not anymore!" You groan out.            "So?"            "So what?" You huff out, annoyed, "Just answer the question. Why do you care about what I do with Chanyeol?"    Kris tenses and so do you.    You want him to answer. Kris doesn't want to answer.            "Tell me, Yifan. Why do you care?"    Kris looks away from you, "I don't..."    There's a pinch of hurt, you won't deny. And then that conversation you had with Jongdae comes up in your mind and you wonder, Is he really the reason why you're moving on? How?          "Where are you going?" You ask, watching Kris stand up.           "To make a snack," He says, not even looking at you.   You feel sad but you still want him to stay. You want to talk to him, question him and find out why you find him attractive. Why he makes you feel something.          "Wait!" You say, "Don't go!"    Kris turns around and looks down at you, "What? I'm not staying, if that's what you want. I'm hungry."    You smile, raising your arms, "Then take me with you!"    Kris raises a brow, "Did you injured your legs?"          "I want you to carry me," you say, "Please? I feel like being babied."             "Why would I do that?" The boy tries to hold back a smile, "Give me a good reason. I'll probably still won't do it, either way."    You frown, "I'll give you some money."             "I get allowances just like you."    You groan, "I just wanna be carried for once in my life! Just to the kitchen!"    Kris thinks a little and he decides to give you another chance, "Give me a better offer."           "Fine!" You say, "I'll do your math homework! It'll be super easy."    The tall male smiles, "Deal."            "Yes!" You cheer in happiness.    While Kris walks over to you and leans down, you ask, "So how is this gonna go? Bridal style? Piggy back- oh!" You gasp, as Kris just grabs you by the waist and pulls you up.    You automatically wrap your arms around his neck and your legs around his waist. Kris' hands grip your thighs tightly and he presses you closely against his front, and for a second you're left breathless at the sudden closeness.            "Wow, this is really personal," you gasp out. "And wow, you're really tall! I did not expect to feel this high up!"    Kris frowns, "I did not think about positions." He tries to put his hands on your thighs to keep you in place, but it does not help the situation.   You glare at his face, "No ."              "I can put you down?"              "No," you whine, "Just take me to the kitchen. Let's go cook a midnight snack, ugly. Also, watch your hands, don't touch my ."   Kris scoffs, but moves around the living room and towards the kitchen, which is really a tough task when you're pressed against him, yet he still takes his time and handles you gently. He makes it to the kitchen with no problem and smiles as you hold on tight and scream for your life when he pretends to drop you.    He sets you down on the island counter in the kitchen and then makes a big show to make you feel bad, which really doesn't work.            "Ow, my back!" He says and leans his forehead against your thighs, "You killed me, ugly."    You roll your eyes, "You're just weak. Besides, it's kind of obvious you're pretending. Woman up!"    Kris raises his head and shrugs, "It was worth a try." He moves away, and starts rummaging through the cabinets for something to eat. You watch him from afar, still sitting on the counter, swinging your legs in boredom.    Kris decides to make ramen noodles, and as he sets the water to boil, you scan his body. He is attractive in every possible physical aspect. He is tall, has a beautiful lean body and a broad back. And he's kind. You know he is, even when you bring out the worst part of him when you two play around, you still know it.            "That was the first time I've ever been carried in the last ten years," you tell Kris. He chuckles, "Really?"    You nod, even when he can't see you, "Yeah, and it was really uncomfortable."    Kris smiles, turning to face you. "You're still doing my homework."    You shrug, "We'll see."    He continues cooking ramen and you stay quiet, thinking of whether to ask the question that you've been meaning to repeat, hoping he'll answer differently this time. Only that this time, you enhance the question.             "Yifan?"   The boy hums, back facing you.    Your feet keep swinging from the counter.            "Do you care about me?"    The boy pauses his stirring in the ramen and you grow a bit anxious, your feet still swinging.            "I do. Though I seem rather cold, I care about all my friends."   Ouch.           "Yeah, me too." Your feet stop swinging. "You're a good friend, Yifan."            "Just a good friend friend..." You mumble to yourself.   The boy hums under his breath. He shouldn't have answered like that. It doesn't feel right. Not anymore.            ***********************              "Bye, Chen Chen!" Eunsul smiles.              "Bye! Thanks for the ride!" The boy gets off the car and waves goodbye.    That leaves the tan girl alone with Yixing. Or who she like to mentally call a bunny.             "So where do you live?" She asks.    Yixing has pressed himself against the car window, keeping a safe distance from the girl.    Eunsul rolls her eyes, "Stop being stupid and sit straight. Put on your seatbelt, too."    Yixing glares at her in a suspicious manner. "I don't trust you."    Eunsul rolls her eyes, "No way! I didn't even notice!"    Yixing pouts when he notices the sarcasm, "I don't understand why you're so mean? Did someone hurt you?"    Eunsul starts the car again. She smiles, "Indeed they have."          "Who?"    The girl keeps her eyes on the road, "Society has."   Yixing doesn't say much to that. She sure has some way with words, he thinks.             "Where do you live?" Eunsul breaks the silence again, repeating the same question.   Yixing tells her his address and she begins to drive on the right road.             "So... I heard you and Sehun went on a date? Are you guys planning on becoming a couple?"    Eunsul scoffs, "First of all,