c h a p t e r 40
l a s t

"Miso?"

"Huh?"

"You're spacing out again."

"I'm not."

"You're dipping the chicken in a glass of water."

My eyes travelled to my hand that was holding a drumstick, now dripping with water. I muttered a curse, dropping it before covering my face in frustration.

Minho clicked his tongue in annoyance, throwing a pickled radish at my head. "Hey don't waste food just because you're in a bad mood." He glared, pulling the box of chicken closer.

I glared back, leaning against my chair. "Shut up. You're not the one paying, anyway." I scowled.

Friday rolled around faster than usual and my week was unusually quieter. Honestly it felt like I went back in time wherein I haven't met everyone yet. I wasn't sure what to feel about it. If anyone had asked me if I had plans after school weeks ago, I would have laughed in solitary right at their face. But that did not apply anymore right now since I've been getting dragged to everywhere but my own house.

I don't know if it is karma doing the work but Hyunjin was actively avoiding me and I'd be lying if I said it did not bother me.

Oh, the irony.

I tried to push it at the back of my mind and persuaded myself into believing that he'd come around soon but I proved myself to be wrong now that the week had fled by. I kind of wanted to behead myself for being so confident.

After school today, I had no energy to do anything. I was drained like a prune but I still needed to go to work– which I did. I felt guilty however since my mood reflected in my poor flyer-giving skills. I was supposedly giving out flyers to no one and when the manager called for my attention, I realised that the flyers were literally flying everywhere. I was given the most simple task known to broke high school students yet I somehow managed to fuck that up. Amazing.

I felt sorry that the manager had told me to take a break when I've only been standing for no more than 15 minutes.

I even had no energy to be surprised anymore when Minho showed up at my workplace demanding for fried chicken, forcing me to treat him.

Minho slammed the table once, making the utensils clack. I shot him a look. He merely shrugged, before taking a bite of a wing. "Why are you spacing out like a dead fish?"

I chewed on my bottom lip, deciding whether if I should tell him since I knew for a fact that I would get nothing from him but the occasional insults and teasing. He raised a brow lazily when I remained quiet.

"You're so slow, these chickens are about to lay eggs." He motioned to the box, with his mouth full.

I frowned, deciding I had nothing to lose anyway. "Hyunjin's not talking to me." I mumbled awkwardly, feeling a little embarrassed for having a boy be the reason for my attitude.

I recalled back a few days ago wherein I was walking towards my classroom in the morning and we were a about to meet in between. Subconsciously, my pace slowed down. I guess I expected him to talk to me –like always– but I was more than embarrassed when he only gave a small smile and passed me like I was just a stranger. At the time, I was starting to believe it.

Throughout the week, he gave no more than brief smiles and an accumulation of 10 second glance.

I rejoiced internally when Minho did not relish in my demise. He spared me no glance but gave a shake of the head nonetheless. "Why?" He scoffed, spitting out bones.

I feel like I should be flattered that he's comfortable enough to pick his teeth right in front of me with no signs of insecurity whatsoever.

"I.. don't know." I said, ashamed. I fiddled with my fingers.

He raised a brow. "Really? You don't know?" He sneered with narrowed eyes.

I ruffled my hair in annoyance. "He got jealous of Changbin." I looked away still embarrassed.

"Changbin? Isn't he gonna be your brother?" He sputtered. "What kind of sick porno is this?"

I glared at him. I was starting to regret telling him. "He doesn't know yet."

"And what did you do about it?"

I remained quiet once more. I pondered at his question and I realised that I indeed was doing nothing about it. Did I have the right to be bothered? The audacity.

He lets out the most condescending laugh before shaking his head again. "As expected."

"What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "Everyone in this country knows you have a thing for each other– don't even try to deny it.." He raised a chicken breast threateningly. "Yet even I know that you haven't done anything to show him you do like him." He wiped the dripping sauce with the back of his hand.

Having his hands full, with his chin, he gestured at the tissue between us. Automatically, I lift the tissue to his cheese powdered mouth. "You pig." I deadpanned, my lips curling in disgust.

"You love me still." He gave a sarcastic smile. "Anyway, don't you think it's time you tell him about your feelings?" He raised a brow. "Poor dude, literally tells the whole world that he likes you yet he has no way of telling whether if he even has the slightest chance with you." He frowned dramatically.

I pursed my lips, feeling the guilt creep up to my cheeks. "Are you even trying to help?" I sighed.

I knew he was right though.

"I lost interest once you said 'Hyunjin'." He shrugged, focusing back on the chicken. Not that it left.

Before I could snap at him, my phone buzzed in my pockets.

From: Yeji
A great day to you, my in-law! Care to return me my clothes? :>

I blushed and I wasn't sure if it was because of the nickname or the fact that it had been ages since her clothes had been with me. It was embarrassing that she had to be the one to reach out.

I decided to ignore the term of endearment and quickly typed a reply, saying that I will drop by their house today.

I realised that I did not know how to get to the Hwang residence.

"Hey, can you drive me to Hyunjin's house?" I asked the still chicken devouring devil in front of me.

"Wow. You're really gonna take my advice?" He asked incredulously.

I was but I am not about to feed his already gigantic ego. I also knew that Hyunjin was not there since I saw him enter the dormitories after school.

"No. I have something to return to his sister."

He nodded in understanding.

"You'll drive me?" My eyes literally sparkled. That was easy.

"No." He scoffed.

Spoke too soon.

"Come on! I don't have a car."

"Walk."

I melted to the floor, accepting that I won't be able to persuade him anytime soon. I just settled on glaring at him up until he finished with the box. I did not hide the disgust from my face when he burped loudly, tapping his stomach in satisfaction. I hurriedly tidied up the table, afraid to keep Yeji waiting.

Minho was already out the door when I approached the manager behind the counter to pay for the meal. I also made sure to apologise for my mood earlier, vowing for it to never happen again. I guess I still had some luck with me since I haven't been fired from this job yet.

"Your friend already paid." Seungcheol said.

I was only slightly surprised. Minho tended to say one thing and mean the other. I worry for his future girlfriend.

I bid the manager goodbye, leaving the shop. This time, I was fully surprised when I found Minho waiting idly outside. When I stepped out, he began walking to the car parked in front. I waved as a goodbye before starting to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Minho asked when I was already a few feet away.

I gestured behind me with my thumb. "The bus stop?" I reminded. "I have to get to Hyunjin's house, remember?" I added.

He rolled his eyes before pushing on a button, making the car light up. "Get in." He said, already making his way to the driver's seat.

I literally flew towards the car since I knew for a fact that he would immediately drive away as soon as he got inside.

•••

"Alright, get out." Minho said when we arrived at the mansion's entrance. "Your incompetence is soiling the ambiance of my car." He sneered.

I chuckled, clicking the seatbelt from its place. "Thank you for driving me."

"Whatever."

I stepped out of his car with the paper bag. I waited for him to drive off but instead the window rolled down. I craned my neck to see him. "Kiss him." He said.

"What?" My brows twisted together.

He rolled the windows back up before driving away.

His words left me confused but I decided to ignore it. There's only so much that I could worry about. I instead paid my attention back to the mansion in front of me. It was only my second time visiting yet I don't think I'll ever be used to its grandiose.

Realising that gaping at it won't make it any smaller, I marched up to the front doors. Before I could knock, the door swings open majestically. I found it amazing that it did not produce any creaking. Yeji stood still behind it with what I think is supposed to be a welcoming smile. My skin crawled however at how eerie it looked. "Hello." She said simply, smile still intact.

Unsurprisingly, she still looked amazing.

My foot instinctively backed up the slightest bit. "Hi." I chuckled uncomfortably. "Here it is! I'm so sorry it took so long." I handed the paper bag, bowing as an apology.

She took the paper bag, giggling lightly. "Oh, its fine." She smiled still.

I stood there awkwardly when no words were exchanged. I scratched the back of my neck, wondering why I let Minho drive off. "Well, I guess I'll leave now." I broke the silence, already backing away.

"No!" She reached for my hand, tugging slightly. "I made chocolate covered strawberries!" She said cheerily. "Have a few before you go." I had no time to decline since she had already closed the door shut.

I was literally dragged towards their flawless kitchen and true enough there was a mountain of strawberries sitting atop the counter. Each strawberry was flourished stunningly, it looked like it belonged in a recipe book.

She pushed me down on one of the stool bars, handing me a full plate. This was definitely not 'a few'.

I actually didn't like strawberries but she did not need to know that. I felt that it would be rude to reject now that I was inside so I found myself stuffing my mouth with it.

"They're good, huh?" She smiled widely to which I replied with a nod. "I picked those fresh from our garden." She exclaimed, proud.

"It's delicious." I smiled in return.

"I'll pack some for you to take home!" She was already holding a huge box, picking out the best decorated ones.

I smiled sheepishly, knowing that I had to eat those alone since my mother was allergic to it.

"How are things with my brother?" She asked suddenly, carefully placing a strawberry inside the box.

I found myself silent again just as I did with Minho.

Yeji raised her brows, anticipating.

I sighed, nibbling at a strawberry. "He hates me now." I mumbled.

Much to my confusion, she laughed. She placed her hands on her waist giving a mocking smile. "Hyunjin? Hates? You? Really?" She asked in between fits of laughter. "That's the funniest thing I've heard all week." She shook her head. "Do you hate him?"

There was no point in denying anymore. She was the first to know about it anyway.

"No. I like him so much its actually ridiculous." I said, picking at the chocolate part.

She smirked at that then asked how I came to the conclusion that he hates me and I told her what I told Minho, filling her in that my mother is getting married to Changbin's father.

"Brother, huh?" Yeji hummed.

I nodded.

"You hear that? He's gonna be her brother." She said, eyeing something behind me.

"You should have told me."

The supposedly fresh strawberries that I had been sadly chewing on suddenly tasted so bitter when I heard the unmistakeable voice of our topic. My jaw was hung open as I refused to turn around. I fooled myself into thinking that maybe if I did not move a muscle, I'd camouflage into the marbled counter top.

Oh, to be a chameleon. 

I knew for a fact that the colour had drained from my face but it left me wondering why Yeji was smiling so brightly at me. She hummed before going around it, lifting a finger to her temples. "I think I left the stove on! I'm gonna leave and check." She giggled.

I pointed at the induction stove behind her. "You didn't." I said plainly, keeping the waver off my voice.

She shrugged, continuing to walk away. "I meant the stove we have at Maldives. Bye!"

And she was gone.

No words can explain how much I did not want to turn around. I refuse to. REFUSE. I was burning like the bottom of my old ass laptop. Suddenly, I wished I was allergic to strawberries as well so I could just drop dead then and there.

I knew I had to face him sooner or later but why did it have to be this way?

The bar stool was spun around that if it weren't for Hyunjin holding me by the waist to steady my body, I would have been on the floor. I wasn't sure if I wanted that more. I had not realised that my hands had gripped his arms that when I realised, I immediately let go as if it burned me.

He stepped impossibly closer. "Why didn't you tell me?" He lowered himself to meet my eyes, caging me.

"I didn't get the chance." I said lamely.

He sighed, seeming to be tired. His head toppled to the side, his eyes still on me. The staring went on forever. After a while there was a ghost of a smirk on his lips. "You like me."

So he did hear.

I remained quiet.

"Answer me." He said.

I glared. "It was a statement. Not a question." I took a bite of the strawberry in my hand.

It was a statement I was no longer going to deny.

"Do you like me?"

It was my turn to sigh. "Yes."

"Good."

I dropped the strawberry that I was holding when Hyunjin's plump lips met mine. I was absolutely floored. I was thankful that I was sitting or else I would have collapsed. My hands subconsciously gripped on his shirt with the intent of pushing him away but Minho's words echoed in my head.

Kiss him.

And so I did.

Who was I kidding? Even without anyone telling me, I knew I wanted to kiss him.

My hands grew weak just as my eyes fluttered close. I felt him smile when I finally began kissing him back. It was soft and innocent at first, as if he was asking for permission. His soft lips worked wonders that I had no time to grow insecure. His hand travelled to my neck, drawing circles lazily at the spot just beneath my ear.

What was slow and steady at first soon turned into something more desperate. He lifted me on top of the counter by the waist, probably inconvenienced by having to bend to my height.

I gasped when the box that Yeji had prepared fell to the floor. I had no time to check if it was ruined when Hyunjin tilted my head back to his direction, kissing me once more. I felt sorry for Yeji but my hands still found their way behind Hyunjin's neck, pulling him even closer.

If being ignored by Hyunjin for a week meant getting this in return then he could ignore me all he wants.

I was beginning to grow dizzy but I was torn whether I wanted to choose fainting or kissing him.

Just when I thought I was about to collapse from the lack of air, he pulled away, meeting my eyes. "Sweet." He said, licking his lips.

Maybe I liked strawberries after all.