c h a p t e r 3

"You've got a mean right hook." Blondie beamed a boyish grin.

I hate how God spent too much time perfecting this guy.

My upper lip involuntarily twitches. "Oh yeah? Get ready for the left one." I raised my fist about to swing only to have my arm twisted back. I yelp in surprise.

"Ah! Not this time." Blondie kept hold of my arm behind me. His breath fans the hair by my ear. I attempt to wriggle to get away from him but to no avail. His scent, proximity, and ridiculously handsome face is not healthy for me.

"Would you chill?" He asked.

"Would you let go?"

"Will you stay still?"

"Will you get your garbage breath away from me?"

Lie. Total lie. He smelt really good. And I hate it.

It seemed to work anyway since he let go and discretely tried to smell his breath.

I held my wrist as I glared at him. I noticed that there was a bruise forming by his jaw. A wave of guilt washes over me.

"Damn, Pororo. For someone whose name literally means 'smile', you do frown a lot." His hand sweeps his beautifully long hair.

(a/n: 미소 - Miso - Smile)

The guilt instantly vanished. I hate how his hair suited him. Why couldn't he look like some sort of hobo? My eyes flew to the name tag by his blazer.

"For someone whose name is Hyun-jin, you're stupid."

I could practically see the question mark by his head. "What?"

"I said you're stupid."

I didn't have a good comeback. Sue me. "Not to mention, a pervert!" I spat.

"Okay, first of all, I wasn't the one who lifted your skirt!" He defended himself, a hand on his chest. "Second of all, I was crouching because I was searching for my earring and you happen to be standing right there." He added. "And lastly, I don't need to look up through girls' skirts. They voluntarily do tha-"

I cut him off before he could finish. "Do you really expect me to believe that?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Well, yeah. I could show you some if yo-" He whipped his phone out.

"No! You genius! I meant with you not being the one who lifted my skirt!" I exclaimed. "And it doesn't help your case that you have saved girls' pictures in your phone." I point out.

He chuckled. "I was just kidding." He showed me his gallery. I could make out that it was only him, a few friends, and a dog. "Believe me now?"

I looked at him skeptically. He could have saved it in a different album for all I know. "I don't know why I'm still talking to you." I said before starting my walk home.

I was only half surprised that he followed. "I believe I deserve an apology." He walked alongside me with his hands inside his pocket.

"I believe that I'm the one that needs the apology." I glared at the road ahead, refusing to meet his eyes.

"We could apologize to each other?" He suggested.

"Yeah, no." I scoffed at the idea. "Leave me alone and I'll never lay a hand on you again." I suggest back.

I had no time for this. Things happen all the time and I almost never hold a grudge. The incident already flew from my mind up until he showed up and mentioned it.

"That doesn't work for me. A bruise is blossoming on my left cheek." He pouted.

"And an apology will make it better?"

I wonder where this guy lives. At least I didn't have to walk alone. It wasn't late at all, but I'm still secretly glad that he followed me, but I will never admit to that. And I doubt that he followed with the intention of walking me home. Either way, this was a win for me. I tire him out without apologizing and I get to go home without a scratch.

"No. But a kiss might."

I wasted no time in kissing my fist and punching his shoulder. 

He winced, jumping away. "Ouch?" He cried dramatically. "Where do you live, anyway?" He asked.

I live a few blocks off campus. A 10 minute walk, thankfully.

I didn't bother answering since I assume he will follow me all the way. "Where do you live?" I ask back.

He kept rubbing his shoulder. "I live on campus."

Our high school offered dormitories. Lucky them. Being a scholar comes with dorm privileges, I had to decline since I couldn't leave my mother alone in that house.

"Sorry to break it to you, girls aren't allowed inside. But I could sneak you in." He smirks playfully.

"You sound better with your mouth closed."