Jin Baek Hyeon's POV
I laid my head on my soft pillow and plugged in my earphones, while my phone was playing a soft melodic song: I Love You by Park Ha Joon. I can't believe he could write this piece.
I suppose a guy like him could roam around anywhere and have the feeling of love anytime?
Perhaps, he did fall in love. But with who?
… Jin-Ae?
A little bit of laugher escaped through my soft lips. Can that cold-hearted superstar fell for her?
It was hard for me to believe. I've been with him for a few years and have known him good enough to know that Mr Cold-hearted superstar won't fall for anyone. Especially for a girl like Jin-Ae.
Or maybe, she fell for him?
What am I thinking? Why do I care if she falls in love with him? Red blush went through my cheeks.
I covered my face with my pillow.
The moonlight seeped into the spaces between my window, lighting my room with stars. I looked through the window and saw the moon: The pale round moon. Suddenly, I was reminded of that cute girl – Jin-Ae.
I stared at my bedroom ceiling and reached my hands out as if I can hold her in my grasp. Is she worth the wait?
I let out a sigh, even chuckled a bit, and pulled my hands to my chest.
Jin-Ae, do you know how lucky you are?
…my treasure.
***
I walked past the hallway and saw her browsing through her locker; looking from left to right.
'Riiinngggggg' The school bell rang, and everyone rushed to their class except for one, Jin-Ae. She was still searching for her books.
Her pale white was full of red blush not for the reason of panicking, but for the embarrassment of being late to class. Her black hair rested at her shoulder.
She's soo cute…I should give her a hand.
"H-hey, remember me?" I said in a calm tone with a smile on my face. Instead of greeting me back, she looked more panicked as before.
At the top of the locker, she had placed some books and her thin purple pencil case that was unzipped. It might be that she had no time to deal with that.
As she was going through her books, her knee thumped against the locker, leaving a dark shaded bruise on her left knee.
"Are you alright?" I asked. I brushed through my bag looking for a bandage.
"Watch out!" she screamed as the pencil case was falling on my face. Pencils, erasers, and the rest of her stationary were scattered on the floor.
"Hahaha. I'm sorry but are you alright?" she chuckled as she was covering her face with her soft lips.
My gyobok was dirty, covered in graphite and pencil shavings. I wasn't frustrated, but instead, I laughed along with her.
(A/N Gyobok is a school uniform for all secondary students to wear at South Korea.)
Listening to her cute chuckle made my day.
"Ah- it's alright, really," I said while brushing off the dust on my shoulders.
"Anyways, what subject are you taking?" I asked.
"Well, I'm supposed to be in the Mathematics class right now. Speaking if, I need to go now. I'm 10 minutes late!" she said in a hurry. She stood up and tapped her way to class.
"B-but what about these?" I yelled out at her.
She stopped and replied, "Joesonghabnida, Baek Hyeon. I'll make it up to you someday!". She bowed and went to class.
(A/N 'Joesonghabnida' means sorry in Korean)
"How am I supposed to be cleaning this up then? I am also in your class Jin-Ae~" I mumbled to myself. QAQ
Note that I'm still covered in pencil shavings and that she left her whole locker messy. Also, she didn't bring any books with her.
Looks like I must tell the teacher that I'm late today. I can't believe she left pitiful me behind.
***
School finally ended.
Thank goodness that the Maths teacher, Ms Bok Min, didn't scold me today or else I will be toast! Everyone knows that the short-haired Ms Bok Min is not the teacher that will let you go easily. I could already feel shivers down my spine.
As I was about to take a sip from my warm boba tea, Seojun went up to me and rest his arms around me.
"Baek Hyeon ah- why do you look down?" He asked while he was smiling at the girls. To be honest, why do I even hang out with this guy?
"Wait, don't tell me" He closed his eyes and held my shoulders while facing me seriously.
"W-what is it?" I said while sucking from the straw. I tilted my head to one side, and he opened his eyes.
"That Jin-Ae… she rejected you, again didn't she?" he said with a pitiful tone.
"A-ah?" Words didn't seem to come outright. I wasn't really in the mood to interrupt him, so I went along with him.
"Baek Hyeon, men like us are too good for girls like them," He went on.
"Look, why don't you date a girl like Seong Mi Young? She's your friend, plus she's kind of cute. Here she comes now!"
"But Seojun, I know that Seong Mi Young is my friend and all. But it doesn't mean that I-" Before I could even finish, Seojun pushed me towards Jin-Ae and Mi Young's direction.
As I was pushed, the boba tea in my hands spilt onto Jin-Ae's gyobok. Her gyobok was all wet and…I could see her red striped bra.
"J-Jin Ae, I'm so sorry." I apologised while blushing. As I was trying to wipe the tea off her using the tissue from my bag, but at the same time, I could feel the thunder rumbling from Jin-Ae.
Crowds surrounded us and out of the blue, Ha Joon elbowed his way through and covered Jin Ae with his jacket.
"Are you stupid or what?" He said to me while panting. It seems that he came from basketball practice just to protect her.
Why do I feel…down?
"I was just cleaning- "I tried to explain to him but why was he fussy about it?
"I'm sorry, Ha Joon. Baek Hyeon is feeling absent-minded today" He knocked my hand.
Absent-minded? It was he who pushed me towards her!
I grabbed Seojun's hand and pushed him away. I walked back home frustrated.
***
"Annyeonghasseo, my little Baek Hyeon!" Greeted my mother while she was cooking bulgogi for dinner.
(A/N Bulgogi is a juicy, savoury dish of grilled marinated beef.)
Instead of replying to her, I stormed my way up to my room. I am not in the mood for that now.
" Baek Hyeon ah-. Greet your mother back!" screamed my sister, Jin Eun-Hee. Her name - grace and pleasure - does not suit her utterly ridiculous personality: annoying and lazy.
I could hear their conversation through the thin brick walls that stood between the living room and my room. I don't think they are aware of that
" Eun-Hee, what's wrong with your brother within these past few days? He's been giggling in his room alone at night like a mad man. Not to mention, but is he going through puberty?" questioned my mother.
"Eomma, don't mention that! He's already gone through it." She put down her phone and gave my mom a look.
"Eomma, it's clear that he has fallen in love with someone,"
"Eun-Hee ah-, what could I do without you. This old lady is growing older. I just hope that he made the right choice by falling in love with a good daughter-in-law," she sighed.
D-daughter-in-law? My face went red and so does my ears; The feel of my face burning tingled my ears.
"Eomma, I am not getting married yet! She's just a friend. Plus, I spilt my boba tea on her today, so I don't think that she's my friend anymore," I shouted back with annoyance.
"WHAT?!" they both screamed.
" JIN BAEK HYEON, COME DOWN THIS INSTANCE! How dare you spill your drink on my innocent, poor and pitiful daughter in law!" She screamed.
"Eomma-ah, it was an accident! I didn't mean to-" I shouted. My mother was chasing me around with her 'stick of love' that is also known as a CANE!
Our voices filled the whole neighbourhood. Surely, I don't think that anyone slept soundly that night.
***
The next day:
'Aah~' I let out a sigh as I rubbed against my neck.
I can't believe I spent the whole night hearing Eomma's nagging, " Baek Hyeon, you better apologise to that girl! You need to do so because... (and so on)" Besides that, she even gave me a set of gyobok for her. How am I supposed to give this to her without any embarrassment?
Right, I have Student Union and Hockey practise today! Probably I'll see her there.
Wait...
Does she even take part in any extracurricular activities? I guess I must ask around.
" Annyeong nae dongsaeng. (Hello, my brother) I apologise for the incident yesterday!" he bowed. He stood up and put one of his arms around my shoulder.
"Aah- who's your brother? I got canned because of you!" I winced.
" Where did Ms Jin hit you?" he asked while knitting his brows up close. He examined my face and body. Why does he care?
"Guys, look! Seojun is together with Baek Hyeon~ So cute!" Squealed one of the girls. Flashes of light went towards our direction, snapping every angle of our position.
"A-ah, don't get the wrong idea! Seojun, tell them." I said while flustrating.
"That's right ladies, we are not together because Baek Hyeon here is trying to impress his crush! And I'm forever single for you beautiful ladies to date with," said Seojun with enthusiasm. The girls went back giggling and blushing.
"Now, where were we? Oh, right! Are any part of your body hurt?" He concerned again while checking every inch of my body.
"Hh-hey Seojun, eyes over here! What on Earth are you doing?" I asked while pushing his hands away.
" Well, your move yesterday was not so impressive. Instead, try to impress her with your skills! Or- maybe you can get rejected again by asking her out on a lame date." He tucked his hands in his pocket.
He's right... no matter how many times I ask her out, I'll always get rejected because I'm just a fearful and clumsy puppy.
"Okay, I'll follow what you say,"
Even though impressing girls are not my thing, but I'll do it for her! It's easy, right?
"Wait up Seojun, do you know if Jin-Ae joins any extracurricular?" I caught up to him.
"Well, I could ask her classmates," he noted.
"Ah- thank you" I bowed.
"w-wait, one more thing! Can you pass this to her? I wrote down a note apologising to her so that she knows it's me," I added.
" Alright, will do. But this me you owe me one," He said.
" Gamsahabnida, Seojun!" I bowed again and rushed to class. I could feel the tips of my ears tingle again!
But little did I know... will Seojun throw away the note I pasted?
I tried to brush off that thought, but it kept haunting me during my classes.
...Whatever! I just need to wish for the best.
***
Phweep, time out!
Sweat drained down my neck as I was panting heavily. I put aside my ice hockey stick and sat down on a bench. I opened the bottle cap and drank up the water, and even sprayed some on my head; it was hot as hell in that suit. I'm not sure if it's just me or I'm the only one.
"Good game everyone!" said coach Mae Kyung.
I scurried my eyes through the crowds and didn't see her there. I guess she does not stay back for any extracurriculars. A dark sullen feeling went down my chest.
I guess, she'll be the one I must chase after. I can't sit aside and watch her afar! I must be a close friend to her.
" Jin Baek Hyung!" shouted the coach.
"Y-yes coach!" I replied with haste.
" You may leave now. Everyone, dismiss!"