c h a p t e r 15

"I hope your Calculus exam went well." I hugged the paper bag, closer to me.

He whipped his head towards me with a mocking smile. "Aw. You care about me!" He cooed, nudging me with his shoulder since he was carrying the half of my groceries.

After getting everything that I needed, Bang Chan, Jisung, Felix, and Jeongin insisted on helping me bring the groceries all the way home yet somehow Hyunjin miraculously made them change their minds. I didn't really mind them coming over but Hyunjin dragged them to the side and after muttering something to them, they were out the grocery in an instant.

I asked Hyunjin what he told them- in the hopes of using it in the future, but to no avail. I also asked why he didn't leave with them to which he replied that he had to talk to Minho. Given that we were heading the same way, I made him carry half the bags.

I sneered. "No. I just wanted to prove to myself that I'm an effective tutor." I raised my chin.

"Nerd."

"Hey, math's fun!"

"Exactly what a nerd would say." He rolled his eyes at me. "Why do you like math, anyway?" His face scrunched up in disgust.

I shrugged, giving it some thought. "Probably because it's the same in every country." I hummed, already seeing the convenience store that Minho worked at.

"So is cancer but you don't see me loving it." He scoffed.

"Quit making excuses to hate math." I huffed, losing the argument. "Anyway, hand me those, Minho works here." I gestured to the store we were standing in front of. I laid out my left arm for him to give the other bags.

"You want a hug?" He smirked, stepping a little too close.

I immediately felt my cheeks heat up as I stepped back. "You want another bruising jaw?" I asked back with gritted my teeth.

He laughed, brushing his hair up in the process. I hate his long, beautiful, blonde hair. I hate the fact that he was able to do that even with his arms full of paper bags. "I just texted him. He said someone else took his shift." He walked ahead.

I quickly tailed behind him, shooting the store a look. "When did you text him?"

"Just now."

"H-how?" I asked, baffled. He had his hands full and I never saw him take his phone out.

He simply smirked. "Stop asking. Let's just bring these to your house." He gestured to the bags as we continued to the direction of my house.

I walked alongside him in silence.

It was nearing spring. As I walked beside him in the cold weather, carrying my groceries, I was a little flustered. A little surreal for my part. We had only known each other for almost one week and I've done things -PG things, if I might add- with him that I should've been doing ages ago. In a span of one week, my pitiful list of things to do before graduating had been half filled.

"What're you thinking about?"

I look up at him and quickly averted my gaze after meeting his eyes. It was difficult to hold a conversation with him when you had to look at his ridiculously handsome face.

"Just the fact that I let a pervert carry my groceries." I shrugged like it was no big deal.

"Sounds like a gentleman if you ask me."

"It seems to me that you're deaf." I murmured. "When did perverts become gentlemen?"

"Selective hearing. I only heard 'carry my groceries'. " He beamed a closed lip smile. "And how many times do I have to tell you! I'm not a pervert!" He exclaimed dramatically.

"Selective hearing. I only heard 'I'm a pervert'."

•••

"Why did you have to live at the top of a high hill?" Hyunjin collapsed on our couch, heaving.

I smirked at his discomfort. "I didn't tell you to bring the groceries all the way here." I shrugged, taking out the items from the bags. "You insisted." I added, shooting him a look from the kitchen.

"Can't I at least have some water?" He asked out of breath.

I chuckled before pouring him a glass of water. I approached him, handing him the glass. "You weren't this out of breath when you came by last time." I placed my hands on my hip, waiting for him to finish.

He inhaled the water before turning to me. "That's because I've been knocking for 10 minutes and you wouldn't answer the door." He rolled his eyes, giving back the glass.

I cringed, turning away. "My bad."

I was expecting him to leave after but to my surprise he followed me into the kitchen. "You're not leaving yet?" I asked as I tried to ignore the fact that he was simply too big for our small apartment. If he got on his tip toes, he could already touch the ceiling.

He did not answer and instead, passed me to get closer to the fridge. I thought he was getting another glass of water. "Is this you and your mom?" He asked, lifting the magnetic photo.

I nodded before getting back to arranging the groceries.

"You look like her." He scanned the photo.

"Do I still? I'm still a baby in that photo." I regretted the question as soon as I asked it. He approached me and openly stared at me. I could see that he was literally scanning my face as his eyeballs focused on different parts. I laughed awkwardly, feeling my cheeks heat up. "I probably don't, right?" I murmured. "My mom was really famous when she was younger. She was very pretty, sociable, and smart." I babbled, wanting to fill the silence. "People wanted to be around her all the ti-"

"You're beautiful as well." He said with a tilted head. I could catch that he was confused. With what? I do not know.

"Sure." I sneered waiting for the punch line. The punch line that never came.

"Anyway, where is your mom?" He helped folding the paper bags.

I shrugged. "She'll be home soon." I said, saying no more. "And you should too." I pointed out, dusting my hands. "Would you like me to escort you all the way back, dear prince?" I asked dramatically.

"Prepare the litter." He announced loudly with a raised chin.

(a/n: litter - is a class of wheelless vehicles, a type of human-powered transport, for the transport of persons)

I ended up just walking him outside our building. I tucked my hands inside my pockets, feeling cold. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" I asked.

It wasn't late but it was already dark out.

He smirked a little. "So, you care about me now?" He asked, leaning on the wall beside us.

I felt my cheeks heat up from his annoyingly beautiful smirk. "Since I'm the last person you were with, I just didn't want to be accused when you are found dead in a ditch." I muttered with gritted teeth, avoiding his eyes.

He laughed. "You're blushing."

"It's hot."

"Will you always blame the weather when you blush?"

"Yes."

He ruffled my hair, chuckling. "See you on the trip." He started to back away.

I merely nodded. Waiting for him to turn his back.

"By the way," He stopped walking. "Bring the scarf."

"I thought you didn't want it back?" I asked with furrowed brows.

"I don't. I'm asking you to wear it." He smiled. "Later." He waved.

Despite the cold weather, you could fry an egg with how hot my cheeks had become.

(a/n: this one's for adalia2019 ! your wish is my command :> happy 169 reads ! "