I hope you enjoy reading since its done from a different perspective. It's the last opportunity to share your views. See you in the next book!

----------------------

"And I think that you're an arrogant, selfish and immature pig and you'd be doing both of us a favor if you just left me alone!"

Mirae's words seared through me like a sharp needle piercing my existence. I couldn't believe my ears. I stared at her for a while to give her some time to repent, maybe to realize what she had blurted out and back down. But that never happened. Mirae was glaring fire at me with the same deep-rooted hatred in her eyes which I've seen since years, if not doubled.

"Okay."

I turned around to my dorm, anger and disappointment churned from my eyes, nose, all of me. As the door slammed behind me, I couldn't stop myself from hurling the contents of the table in the air and they went thrashing on the floor. The metal jug clanked, Junmyun's notes were scattered and my football and books collided noisily. I screamed aggressively because even if I had wrecked the whole room into bits, I know my anger wouldn't die down. In a matter of minutes, I heard rushed feet shuffling outside and the door creaked open, letting in Junmyun and Baekhyun. "Chanyeol! Are you all--"

Baekhyun's mouth dropped to the ground as his eyes met the ruckus I had just made. Looking up again, he approached me gently this time. Junmyun clapped my shoulder, "It's okay, mate. Don't get worked up over this."

"I have nothing to do with her fight with that filthy friend of hers!" I yelled, punching the bed spread. "You know that!"

"Yes, yes!" Baekhyun nodded quickly. 

"Why is she always like that? What did I even do to her?!" I threw a pillow across the room.

They kept exchanging nervous glances but stayed silent. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. Her words replayed on my mind no matter how much I tried to block it. When my breathing slowed down, Baekhyun said, "You can have anyone to go out with you, mate. Leave her on her own." I scoffed in response.

He spoke convincingly, "Come on. She isn't worth it."

I chuckled humorlessly. "Oh, she is all the more worth it now."

Junmyun frowned. "What do you mean? Are you still going to chase her? Even after tonight?"

"Yes." Before today, I used to believe that the reason why she wouldn't fall for my charms is because I never tried hard enough. Well, we'll see now. "Differently."

Baekhyun rolled his eyes. "Was that insult not enough for you? Do you want her to stamp your pride until it's there no more?"

"What are you planning?" Junmyun asked again, his eyes wide in disbelief. They didn't seem to believe me. They thought I was playing around when I was flirting with Mirae and perhaps . . .  at times I was, but her insult had revoked my pride, her words had ignited a spark in me and I was prepared to go at all lengths to set fire to her too. I will flame the unwoken feelings inside her. I want to make her feel what I was feeling right now. Not the rejection, no. The desire. The fire.

I took a deep breath and answered my friends who were still looking at me like I had a lose nut. "I'm going to give her a taste of her own medicine."

Clasping Yoori's hand in my own, I led her towards the classroom. She was laughing along to something my friends had said but no matter how much I tried, my attention kept wavering to the girl striding in front of me. New term had begun and my plan was full in action. I chuckled silently as Mirae's words pushed through my memory for the hundredth time. 'What, you aren't even going to try and ask me out?' 

She was noticing the change and I could tell it provoked her.

Yoori tugged my hand and pecked on my lips before skipping off to her classroom. I realized that I had reached mine. Entering the Chemistry Lab, I smirked when I heard Madam Jung pair me with Mirae. The look on her face was priceless. This was going to fun.

"So you wanna prepare the ingredients and I'll begin the experiment?" I asked after a while.

She nodded but I could detect discomfort on her face. I sighed, starting again, "Look I know you prefer to work alone--"

"How do you know that?" She demanded.

"You roll your eyes every time our teachers want us to form pairs." I replied and flinched at the sound of it. I sounded like a stalker.

"Do you have a habit of watching me in your every class?" She asked.

Yes, I almost said. "We've shared the same classes for over 3 years. Anyone must have noticed by now."

After a second, Mirae said slowly, "Are you trying to leave me alone?"

I whipped my head at her. Was she really this clever to work out my plan? No, I couldn't give up so easily. "Uhh---what?"

"Nothing, I mean. . .  I think I just figured out why you are acting so . . . so not like you--and--"

I couldn't help myself from smiling. It had hardly been a week since school started and she is already so flustered with my attitude. "You're not making any sense."

Mirae looks so cute when she's stuttering. "I mean you're dating Yoori now and... What I mean is that all the time you used to flirt and ask me out and finally you've stopped and ..."

I rolled my eyes.  "Don't flatter yourself, miss. Not everything I do revolves around you." Or at least . . . that's what I am trying.

"So what if I had said yes? Are you telling me that you wouldn't have actually dated me? That it was all for your amusement." She asked me quietly. Gulping, I realized I have to agree this, it might put Mirae and I to a risk but I had to take the risk if I wanted her to believe that I had no feelings for. I wanted clear the slate, I wanted to start off fresh.

"You were just easy to annoy, that's all." I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Oh, that's great. So all this time, you had been using me for entertainment." Mirae glared at me fiercely.

"Because I knew you'd never say yes." I shot back, looking away. When I glanced at her again, she was quiet and avoided my eyes throughout the class.

Days rolled so quickly yet the progress was pretty slow. I had thought that it would hardly take me two to three months to get on Mirae's good books but I realized that she wasn't an easy person to deal with. She had many insecurities, she was still skeptical about our platonic relation. On the other hand, my best friend and girlfriend were being a pain in the ass.

Baekhyun found it so hard to bear Yoori that it was getting on my nerves. And I agree, she was not being helpful at all. Same was today.

It was a regular, sunny and bright Sunday spent on the grounds but the mood was anything but sunny and bright. It had been only the three of us in the beginning, planning another prank. Though I was reluctant to do anything actually harmful because my reputation in Mirae's eyes was already at stake.

Baekhyun, who was flopped on his elbow, licked the pencil's end thinking hard. "What colors should we use?"

"Red?" I said.

"Nah, that's too typical. Something bright."

Junmyun opened his mouth uncertainly but closed again. I didn't ask because I knew what he was trying to say but we were having none of it. "Orange?"

Baekhyun lifted his head and smiled lop-sidedly. "Yes, that sounds good!" He quickly bent down on his notebook and scribbled. "So one orange banner. And yellow paint would work fine, right?"

Junmyun started, "I still think it's too--"

"Oh come on, I won't tone it down anymore!" Baekhyun exclaimed "This prank is already so childish and easy, even Mirae could pull it."

"Why are you guys always talking about her?" A loud voice demanded.

I turned my head and smiled in greeting. "Hey baby."

Yoori smiled, though her eyebrows were knitted, leaning down to sit beside me. I pecked on her lips. "So?"

"Hmm?"

She raised an eyebrow and threw each of us a hard look. Before I could feed her a valid reply, Baekhyun nudged me from my side. He whispered, "I thought you said it was going to be just us today!"

I nodded and signaled him to stay quiet. Looking back at her, I simply shrugged. "No reason. What brings you here?"

Yoori jerked her shoulder, "It's Sunday. We're both free and it's been a while since we---"

She stopped when Baekhyun groaned quite audibly, throwing his head down. "What?" She demanded coolly.

Baekhyun rolled his eyes but didn't say anything. It was Junmyun who answered. "Nothing."

She smiled sweetly, running her thin fingers through my hair. My scalp tingled. "What were you guys doing?"

Baekhyun, in a flash of thunder, rumpled the paper and shoved it in his pocket. His movement was caught by all of us and I'm certain he wasn't trying to hide.

I cleared my throat. "I--umm--we were working on a--"

"Quiz. Quick Quiz for Chemistry." Junmyun smiled at her.

She pouted, looking around. "Without text books?"

"Don't you think you're being too nosy?" Baekhyun looked up, annoyance dripping from his tone. 

"What?"

"You're too nosy."

She gasped. "How can you--"

I shook my head, raising my voice. "No, he didn't mean--"

"I did mean what she understood, Chanyeol." His voice became loud too.

I huffed. "Looking we're just working on a prank that--"

"No, Chanyeol!" Baekhyun called out. "I won't let you tell her about anything."

Yoori narrowed her eyes and stood up in one fluid motion, clenching her fists. "What is wrong with your friend?!"

"Just stop poking your nose every--"

"Baehkyun, shut it!" I bellowed.

He gaped at me with his mouth wide open. "She spends every  freakin' hour with you, all day, all week and now when it's finally time to--"

His voice was overshadowed when a sob emitted from her mouth and tears started flowing across her cheeks. I groaned, my hand gripping my hair. "Come on--"

"I'm leaving!" She announced.

"Why, thank you!" It was Baekhyun again, his voice light and airy.

Everything was happening at the speed of light and I couldn't even make of this situation anymore. I felt torn between my best friends and Yoori.

"I hate your stupid friend!" And she left.

I wanted to make a move but my legs felt like jelly. Finally I got up from the grassy field and glared at Baekhyun. "What's your problem, mate?" I growled.

"Don't tell me you're going after her." Junmyun spoke quietly.

"Yes I am." I said angrily, pointing at Baekhyun. "And you bloody well learn how to behave if--"

"If? If what? If I want to stay friends with you?" There was a challenge in his voice that I resented so much. "Are you seriously going to put her above us?"

I just stared at him. Finding myself at a loss of words, I turned my back to him and left.

"Chanyeol? Is this you?"

I looked up from my leather-bound register. In the dim lighting of the dusty locker room, it was hard to make out the owner of that voice. I was alone here, working on newer strategies for the team. The dark silhouettes of the person seemed familiar. Too familiar.

"Uhh---Jinyoung?" I made a guess.

"Yeah!" The musical voice replied. He came forward and my vision became clearer. I laughed, in surprise getting up from the bench and hugged him briefly. "When did you return?"

He grinned. "Last week. Had some class schedules to arrange and the minute I was free, I came here to find you."

"Oh man, it was hard to replace you in the team. I'd be glad to have you back." I rejoiced. Closing the register, I reached for the door to leave with him.

"Wait." I halted. "You did come back to join the team, right?"

His eyes widened in surprise. "Of course! And, I must congratulate you. On your captaincy."

I laughed. "Thanks, mate. How was Hong Kong? Did you have a good time?"

"Yes! The whole program was totally amazing." Jinyoung's eyes twinkled. "But boy, I missed quite a lot there too. Especially football. They didn't have a proper team and I missed being here."

I smirked, as we turned down a corridor. "Well, then I hope you are more than ready to play for us."

"I am." He nodded. "And libraries! I didn't like there library either. They were too stuffy."

I looked at him. A simple, lean and straight forward guy, nice smile, good heart. And an immense love for books. The more I thought about him, the more it occurred to me that he resembled Mirae so much.

The thought that just crossed my mind was perhaps idiotic, but I felt a sudden resolution flow through me. Maybe it could fix many things.Things that have been on my mind quite a lot recently.

"Are you listening?"

"Hmm? Yeah. Libraries, yes." I pointed towards the left corridor. "Then, why don't you take your sweet time to wander our own library now that you're free."

"Mirae! Why aren't you outside?" I sped after her one free Saturday.

She looked back, I immediately recognized the irked expression that crossed her features. "I could ask you the same thing."

"True." I uttered, as my steps matched hers.

She clutched her books tightly to her chest. I knew I was getting on her nerves. Finally she spoke, "Did you just happen to be going this way or are you-"

"Following you just to annoy you? No, dear, don't think that you're that special." I smirked. Sometimes, I even surprise myself how well I read her.

"That is a possibility."  She scowled.

Glancing at her, I found my eyes glued to her face. Hair that was un-brushed since days and that face, delicate and pretty. Looking away, I sighed inwardly. I want to keep myself from falling for her again until she and I were at the same page at least.

Changing the topic and my train my of thoughts, I began, "I'm going to the common room to enjoy a relaxing Saturday. Which is what most people do when they are not hanging out. But knowing you, I think I'm not wrong to assume that you are not one those people, right?"

"Hmm..I'm just coming to grab my book."

"I should have known that you would even consume this time for studying." I shook my head disapprovingly. Sometimes, she reminds me so much of Jinyoung. "Seriously do you even need to study? You're already on the top of every class."

She rolled her eyes. "Some of us have to make some effort to stay there." Then, she added, " Besides you beat me sometimes."

Wow, did Mirae praise me?
Okay, stay cool. Don't take notice.

I stopped abruptly outside the common room, "See, we can get along."

She blinked in surprise and added with a smile. "Yeah, whatever."

She went inside and before I could decide whether it would be alright to stick with her or not, she was back.

"I thought you were going to spend a 'relaxing Saturday' today." She commented dryly.

"Well, plans change." I smirked.

"So, why didn't you go out today?" Her interest piqued.

"I already told you."

"Not technically."

I decided it wouldn't hurt to share a bit with her if I intended to be friends with her. "Okay fine." My smile dropped. "So as you know, Baek and I.....we're not exactly friends these days. Junmyun's back home and believe me Yoori's no fun to hangout when she's in a bad mood. So...here I am." My mind traveled to last week's event when we completely lost it over the fireworks.

"Hmm, fair enough. But you sure you aren't actually staying here for...I don't know maybe setting the fireworks on the roof again?" Her tone was loaded with false sweetness. Clever girl, she is. I laughed.

"Ahh...so you figured out." I nodded. "We had planned that one prank before the term even started. That's why Baekhyun was so pissed off when I did it myself."

"Sorry, why are you telling me all this?"

Hmm . .  valid question.

"Don't know. Maybe because you're the third neutral party. Cause whenever I try to talk to Junmyun about it, he wants me to apologize and why should I do it when I'm not wrong?" I rolled my eyes. I'm so sick of his bowing attitude all the damn time.

"First of all, you are acting like a five year old." Raising her head, Mirae stated intelligently. "Second, what makes you think I wouldn't ask you to do the same thing?"

I grinned. "Come on, you wouldn't want me and him to be back in business."

"You do realize that you're losing your best friend over a girl."

I couldn't believe my ears. It was the same thing I have been thinking about since the last few days but I always concluded that it was wrong to think like that. But if she said it, maybe it is true.

"And she's worth it, you think?" She asked with raised eyebrows.

I glanced at her. "Things with Yoori" I answered slowly. Really, how were things with Yoori honestly? Am I certain that getting over Mirae isn't the only reason why I began dating her in the first place? But there must be other aspects that attracted me . . .  "She's.... it's complicated." I  finally muttered.

"Not really. Either you want to stay with him or you date her." She said it like it was the simplest rule of the world. Things are never that simple for me, I thought miserably.

"That's not fair!" I insisted.

"It is if you really-"

"Well, thanks for advice. I mean I think there was some at least in there." I joked.

She smiled exasperatedly and turned to the left. It took me a minute to realize we were already standing outside the library.

"Oh and Mirae? If you're so concerned of failing behind in class, I can tutor you if you want." A smug smile curled over my lips as I waved at her. A laugh bursting from my lips when I caught sight of her retreating back, seething in anger and clenched fists.

I stared at her until the library door shut before me. And I wondered if I ever would be truly able to get over her.

"Brrr . . . it's too cold. Couldn't they have postponed the tournament till spring?" Jinyoung complained after practice one day, he was hunched beside the electric heater in the locker room as the guys washed up and changed.

"What's the problem with now?" I smiled, looking at him through the wet hair strands.

"I'm freezing like ice lollies. My hands and feet are numb. I keep sneezing all the time. And then you want me to goal in this weather." He said indignantly, making us laugh.

Baekhyun noted,"You sound like Mirae."

Jinyoung's head whipped up. "Isn't that the girl you guys hang out with?" His eyes twinkled with sudden interest and I couldn't help feel a little helpless.

"Yeah." Baekhyun nodded.

"She's very pretty. I've seen her around a couple of times, she really does love to boss around, doesn't she?" He said with a dreamy look in his eyes. Baekhyun stole a glance at me but I turned around, my mind running at thousand miles per hour. If he likes Mirae so much, would it be okay to introduce them? Knowing Jinyoung, I knew he would always hesitate to make the first move himself.

"Hmm . . . she is our prefect, after all." Another player added.

"Yeahh. Wait a second, I remember there was a . . . . there was a girl Chanyeol used to flirt with back in first semester before I left. And she was a prefect too, wasn't she?" He was confused, though amazed with his sudden realization.

"Hmm . . . " Baekhyun gave a short nod.

"So?" Jinyoung was eager to prove his theory. "Is it her?"

I pressed my eyes shut and and returned on cleaning my muddy boots. Baekhyun glanced at my direction again in question as if for permission and this time, I nodded in response.

He smiled, "Yeah, that was just a phase. She's our friend now."

Jinyoung nodded slowly. I smiled widely, "Do you like her? Want me to introduce you?"

A smile sketched across his lips. "Yeah, sure! She's too intimidating to reach out on my own. I would be a great favor." He chuckled.

I smiled. "Great, just wait for my birthday party."

I crossed my fingers inwardly. Was I doing the right thing?

I am so pleased with myself today. To be honest, its hard to believe my luck. Has some lucky star passed over me today? My eyes flickered to my cell phone again and re-read our chat over the last few days of Christmas holidays.

I was seriously not expecting her to answer me. I mean she never has done it before, I swear she had my number blocked then. What made her answer me and then even joke and chat like old friends during the Christmas holidays was above my knowledge. But I'm not complaining.

Yoori trotted over to my side. Turning off my phone, I focused my attention on my girlfriend.

"Oppa . . ." She pouted. "I can't find for my heels for the New Year party."

I chuckled. "You can borrow your friend's."

"Nahh . . . our size doesn't much. I'm been looking in my closet all morning." A scowl appeared on her mouth.

I ruffled her hair. "It's okay, honestly. Nobody's gonna look at your feet."

"Wouldn't you?" She looked up.

I stopped a second before answering. "Yes, but . . . it doesn't matter dear. It's indoor anyways."

As we slipped in our benches for dinner, she grunted in disagreement. I was about to say something when I realized that she was looking far ahead at something. Following her gaze, I spotted Mirae on the other end of the table. She was staring at us and the minute she realized she got caught, her cheeks flushed. With a short wave and a smile, she turned back to her dinner.

Yoori rolled her eyes. "Seriously, I'm so sick of her."

"What?"

"Why was she goggling at us? It's so rude, isn't it? I get weird vibes from her all the time. You know, I've noticed she is trying to come close to you."

Yeah, you wish.

"Bitch." She mumbled before spooning her soup. "I wouldn't let her."

"Stop it."

Yoori directed her glare at me. "Shut up. I know girls like those."

"Oh, you do?" I asked bemusedly.

"Yes, yes." She nodded her head quickly. "They keep doing petty things to catch the attention of other people's boy friends. I can't tolerate these people. But I know how to deal with--"

My smile dropped. "I don't know about others but Mirae is not one of them, she's just a friend..."

"What ever." She rolled her eyes. "She still ain't an angel."

I sighed. "Come on, she has a crush on Jinyoung. There's no way she's trying to steal me."

Yoori gasped. "Oh my god, look at her. I never thought it that way. She's trying to catch two birds with one stone!"

I closed my eyes. Some people really never change.

"What the hell is this?"

The screeching voice reached me clearly, thoroughly startling me. I whipped my head at the source and found Yoori shooting daggers at me. Her facial muscles were screwed in outrage.

I raised an eyebrow. The cluttering of chairs and tables and the blabbing noise of everyone talking slowed down. In fact all I could hear was the pop music playing in back ground. She raised her hand, holding my cell phone. On looking closely, I could make out an open Kakao chat. Holy shit.

"I can explain that." I said quickly.

"Well, start then." She demanded in a loud voice.

I looked around. Almost everyone was gaping at us, especially me.

"Wait. . . can we not do that here?" I hissed and grabbed her wrist, dragging her out of the common room.

She wrestled her hand out of my grip and gritted her teeth once we were alone. "So?"

"What is it?" I tried to calm my nerves.

She glanced at my phone that was still holding. "You've been flirting with her!"

"Look, don't jump to conclusions--"

She gasped loudly, massaging her forehead. "I can't believe this! I wasn't just her in it all this time. You were--I mean. Oh my god. This is such a long chat. You've never texted me this long!"

"Because we haven't ever parted! And is it seriously so wrong to have a friend who's a girl! Stop with this nonsense, Yoori." I exclaimed in an annoyed tone.

She jabbed a finger at my chest. "You can befriend anyone but not her. I know you used to like her, Chanyeol. And I swear that bitch will ---"

"Seriously, shut up." I closed my eyes.

"--How could you even invite her to a match! Since when have you been this buddy to her? Huh, I'm telling you Chanyeol, this is too much to tolerate! I wouldn't have any of this anymore."

"Then don't."

The words rolled from my mouth before I even processed them. I looked up at her and comprehended that it was time to put an end to this. I wanted to be friends with Mirae and that bit is impossible while dating Yoori.

"What did you say?" She narrowed her eyes.

I took a deep breath. "Let's end this, Yoori. It's not going anywhere cool. Let's break up before things get nastier."

She gasped. After a moment of registering the shock, she smirked. "You like her, don't you?"

"Yes, I still do. I'm sorry that you knew about it this way. But I can't date you when I'm interested in someone else."

She pursed her lips tightly. After a brief nod, she left me standing in the dim corridor. I leaned against the corridor. My own words were playing in my mind. 'Yes, I still do. I'm sorry that you knew about it this way. But I can't date you when I'm interested in someone else.'

Where did my promise and resolutions go? My vows to stay away from her, my resistance to this craze. I can't afford to start over again when I've gained Mirae's trust now. When I have set her up with Jinyoung, who has no plans to let her go . . .

I just hope that these words slipped from my tongue only to get freedom from Yoori, only as an excuse.

"Mom please, I want this." I insisted again, gripping my hair.

"It's no use, Chanyeol. You can do better."

"We've argued a hundred times about this. I don't want to go over it again. Have you-"

"But I'm your mother, I know this will just ruin your health. Why can't you choose a better career option??"

"I can't." I denied, my voice becoming louder. "I'm happy playing football. It's what I want to do my whole life."

"Don't argue, Chanyeol. You're a young man, I know you'll just go ahead and do what you want to but---

"What? No! I swear I won't-- why else do you think I want your approval?" I was again filled with hope, maybe she would give in when she understands how important her permission is for me.

"I can't give you approval then." There was a pause. "I can't lose my son to something like that."

I felt myself getting hot. I needed to end this call before I'd lose control and say things I shouldn't "Fine. You know what? I'll talk to unnie, I'm sure she'll understand me better." 

Without giving mom another chance to say something, I hung up the call and refrained from throwing the cell phone across the corridor. 

All my life, I have dreamt ofgrowing up to be a professional football player. And she knew it. She's my mother. How, even the thought of playing with Dad would get me thrilled. How the best birthday gift would always be something to help me get better at it. Can't she see how much I have thrived to be the captain in the school team? How serious I take my scores?

 I gritted my teeth and punched the wall in exasperation. A sound of shoes clicking on floor filled the corridor. I looked up in surprise. As far as I remember, I was alone here.

I narrowed my eyes as Mirae's frightened face came into view. "How long have you been standing here?"

Here was another problem that kept kicking me in the shin. Every day, I couldn't help questioning my decision whenever I'd see Mirae's happy smile when Jinyoung and her were on there own. Or maybe, they would have fallen for each other even if it wasn't for me? Whichever it was, I wasn't too happy about it.

The anxiousness in her eyes was replaced by reassurance as she walked closer. I breathed tensely, my eyes scrutinizing her every move.

"Long enough to know that you're too pissed off right now." 

A smile threatened to form on my lips, this was the Mirae I know, strong and upright. Not like the scared mouse she looked like a moment ago. I let out a large breath. "It's nothing."

She placed a hand on my shoulder. "Is everything fine, Chanyeol?"

I looked in her eyes, they were so clear and intent. Why does she pull me in like this and then push me back? Or was it me who wanted to get closer and got reminded of my limits every time? I cleared my throat, and nodded slightly. "Nothing to worry 'bout."

"You can share when you feel like it. Perhaps I can help." Mirae offered with a smile making me chuckle humorlessly. I ruffled her hair like you do with children. Look who's asking to help.

"What can you give me, Mirae? You can't even see what I want." I smiled bitterly. She was confused by my words but if I were to explain them, this was not the time.

Mirae's words were burning me like fire.
I thought things were good, life was chill, we were friends, our relation was progressing but tonight I landed back to zero before I could even figure it how and why it happened. I knew Mirae felt strongly for Jinyoung but I never thought she would stand up in my face for him.

Not wanting to ruin it further, I stood up and gathered my things to leave but Mirae, who was seething, spoke in a biting voice.

"As far as I remember, you had to take a re-exam last year too, right? You should understand Jinyoung's stand even better."

I narrowed my eyes. "Look, I had football practice everyday last year too, and I made it fine through my paper. So I don't think Jinyoung-"

Fuming in anger, She even stood up. "Oh, right sorry, so if it's fine for the great Park Chanyeol, then it should be good enough for everyone else." 

My nostrils flared at her words. Okay fine, I did have ego issues in my younger years but I have done every thing in my effort since last year to change my attitude, my way of thinking and that isn't easy. Mirae clearly did not realize the significance of the words she was sprouting but for me, it was equal to dismissing everything I have done for her all these years.

She spoke, "I know for a fact that you hardly studied all of last year-"

"And the how the hell would you know that? You didn't think I was worth your precious time, back then, remember?" I snapped.

"Well, you certainly had plenty of free time to bully people and ruin my life, didn't you?"

My mouth dropped, something large and heavy dropped in my stomach. Tense silence suspended in the air, I felt hard to breath. Baekhyun gasped. How could she say that? I needed to get away from her, and quick. With a humorless laugh, I made for the door.

She called after me, "Wait Chanyeol, I didn't mean-"

I whipped back, glaring at her, "Why don't you do all of us a favor, Mirae, and shut up?" I wanted to scream so much more, tell her how she is seeing it all wrong but sometimesits tiring to explain yourself over and over.

I made a run for an exit, any place to put some distance between us. I tore through the night, in the empty corridors. It was only when the cold, biting air whacked me that I realized I was outdoors. Suddenly there was no energy left in my legs and I collapsed on the marble stairs, catching my breath.

The disappointment I felt in myself was enormous. All this time, I had believed I was the one with the upper hand and everything was under my control. But my plan had just pretty fucked up. Mirae's words were circling in my mind. Does she honestly think I am the same arrogant tyrant who used to bully her friend to get her attention? I mean yes, I admit I was. But as long as I am informed, I've changed.

"Chanyeol, oh my god, where were you all this--looking for you---so worried-- should have told--" Baekhyun and Junmyun burst open the doors and sprinted outside to where I was sitting, gasping for breath.

Junmyun threw me his jacket. "Here, it's freezing."

I caught it, shaking my head quietly. "I don't feel the cold."

They exchanged a glance, advancing towards me. "Look mate, I told--"

"Don't say 'I told you so'." I cut him sharply. "Say anything but don't you say that." I bent my head low, examining my shoes. They were quite rugged.

They sat beside me and silence suspended in the air for a while. "Are you okay?" Baekhyun asked in a meek voice.

"Ye-yes."  I intended to sound sure but my voice came out a little croaky, further demeaning my response. Baekhyun wondered, "Was it the right thing to be friends with her, you think?"

"I can't say anything now."

"I think it was the right thing to do. Before that, he was so wierd and obvious when he hovered around her, it's a miracle she didn't realize he was stalking her whenever he had the chance to." Now atleast he has a legal and valid reason to do that."

I pressed my eyes close and gripped on my hair to think the right way through this and find a reason why she had said all that she did. "Did she mean it?"

"No . . ." Baekhyun shook his head quickly. After a second he added, "And yes."

"Is it worth it?" I asked again, sighing.

"What?" Junmyun was confused.

"Waiting for her."

"Yes."

And that was all that I needed to hear.

 After a long, warm hug, I released Mirae, stumbling slightly. It's been long since we've talked after the cold war we held for the last few days.

"Mirae, I'm-I just...sorry about...the thing." I stuttered, damn I think I drank too much tonight.

She laughed. God, the music of her laugh made me more crazy. "You're drunk!"

"Li'l bit." I hiccuped. "But I mean it, I--I mea-"

"I know, I'm sorry too. I shouldn't try to tell you how to run your team." She quickly apologized. 

"I am the Capt'n."

She laughed again. Is she trying to kill me?  "Yes you are, that's why I'm apologizing. And I also-"  She stopped but I didn't ask for her to complete it. I wasn't even listening in the first place. My eyes were fixed at her, her lovely face and those lips. Those soft, soft lips. I sighed. I've longed to touch her, how much more to endure?

"Righ' yeah." I grinned. "Well, glad that's settled."

"Me too, because, I really didn't-"

My emotions overcame my entire sense of conscious. Because I leaned down to her height, claiming her lips with mine. A small gasp emitted from her mouth but she didn't pull back. Instead, what surprised me the most was her arms which hesitantly wrapped around my neck. My lips moved desperately on hers and after minute or two, she responded, only slightly. Suddenly the fact that we were at a public place dawned upon me, I pulled back reluctantly.

A crazy grin etched on my lips. I wanted to stand there relishing the moment, not every day you get to kiss your crush without her pushing you away. 

"I--um." Her voice broke down. Yeah, I tend to have that effect on people.

 I whispered the first words that came to my mind before walking away, "Shh.. it'll be our little secret."

The rest of the night passed in a blur. All I remember is that I kept re-experiencing the moment when our lips touched. I was high the entire the night but the actual trouble emerged when I wobbled back to the dorm and the intoxicated effects of alcohol began to wear off and realization dawned upon me. I had just kissed Mirae.
Mirae who has a boyfriend.
Mirae, just a friend.
Mirae who has always despised me and my feelings.

"Holy shit." I rubbed my forehead, the head ache was killing me. 

I looked up at the noise of the door opening revealing Baekhyun and Junmyun in high spirits. "Guys!" I stood up quickly.

"Yeah?" Junmyun was smiling idiotically.

"I kissed her. I kissed Mirae!" I waved my hands exasperatedly in the air. Hearing that fastened my heart beat to the next level.

"Great." Baekhyun grinned. "That's just---WHAT?"

"You're joking." Junmyun said hopefully.

"I'm not!" I almost shouted. "She-she came to . . . I- we patched up, okay? and I was drunk. I wasn't thinking right. I don't know what got over me because she was saying something one minute and I was kissing her the next."

Baekhyun's mouth formed an 'o'.

"What do I do now? I have spent six months fixing our friendship. She'd finally believed us having a platonic relation. She's going to ahte me, she'll never talk to me again. And--and Jinyoung! Uhh man, I'm so---"

"--screwed up." Baekhyun, sobered up now, leaned against the wall.

"You need to have better control, Chanyeol. Is that how you're going to---uhh, you're so stupid." The other scolded. "Think about her! She'll be so confused. What were you thinking?" Then he said, "Did she kiss you back?"

I nodded lightly. 

"Really?" Baekhyun looked up. "Maybe she likes you, breaks up with Jinyoung tomorrow and you guys get together the day after tomorrow?" Junmyun burst into laughter. "This ain't a Disney film!"

I paced around the room hysterically. My mind was running for solutions. How can I undo it, how can I erase her memory? "What if . . . what if I tell her I don't remember anything?"

Jumyun rolled his eyes. "No way. That's unfair to her."

"No he's right!" Baekhyun exclaimed. "That's the only way to erase tonight. And if she likes you, she would tell you that you kissed her! That way you'd know about her feelings."

"Yes!"

"No." Junmyun jumped in again. "That's not right."

"I don't care. I just want to get back to where we were." I concluded.

The bitter detergent was seeping in my mouth, making my taste buds twinge. Mirae, unaffected by my expression, kept on pressing the sponge around my mouth. She was clearing the blood that had spurted from my nose during a small fight. I made a choking sound and the soap touched my tongue again. "Told you to shut up." She smirked.

Lips tightly closed, I stared at her. These days, I've found myself doing that quite a lot. And I never get bored. Every time I look, there's unique smile, a different expression or a special twinkle in her eyes. After that kiss, my feelings just decided to drop in and say a hello but the problem is that decided to stay. I wonder if she thinks about our kiss from that night? Or has she forgotten it just like I claimed to?

"I feel like your mother or something." She joked.

I raised an eyebrow, wanting to say something but stopped at the last moment.

"Right, you can't talk, sorry." She grinned. She neared me this time, scrubbing at dried blood. But I don't care what she was doing, all I needed was to see was her up-close. I bet I could count her eye lashes . . .  there's a faint mole on her right brow. Her determined expression made my heart clench. When would I be able to caress her cheeks, tuck her hair back, graze at her without a purpose, tell her what I'm feeling?

"What?" I realized Mirae was staring at me too.

That's when I realized that no matter how many walls I lift around my heart to shield it from her, it's no use. I could act around all day but it's always me who knows what storms are raging inside, no matter how long I stay away from her and keep myself from falling for her again; sooner or later, I am always going to be smitten by her at the end of the day. 

"Shit." I muttered.

"What?" She repeated.

I needed to get away from her. It's hard looking at her knowing I could get close . . . but not close enough.

"Uh, nothing. I should probably go. See you later."

I frowned as a bright red rose popped up in front of my eyes. Rolling my eyes, I faced the happy face of the person holding it. "Jinyoung, seriously don't."

His smile dropped. "Come on! Pass it to her."

 I groaned, pushing the stupid flower away. "I'm not in the mood. Ask somebody else." Seriously, is that all he can think of? Flowers?

"Please." Jiyoung insisted. "Shit, she's coming this way." He threw the flower in my lap and ran out of sight. I sighed, called Baekhyun and handed him the rose. 

He warmed up. "Aww . . thanks mate. I know you love me--"

"Give it to her."

"Why don't you do it?" Baekhyun took the seat beside me.

"I'm not feeling well." I shook my head, burying my head in my hands.

"You're just jealous, you know." He smirked.

"Well of course, I am. He is going to such extreme--"

Baekhyun interrupted. "No, he isn't. I know for a fact that you would have done more if it was you celebrating a three month anniversary with Mirae. She is getting suspicious, you know? I think you're being too obvious."

She is suspicious yet she is still blind. Either she's turned a deaf ear to my hints or she's actually that naive, whichever it is, it's killing me. When I kept on sulking in misery, he said, "I told you it was a stupid idea to--"

"Shut up. Just. . . ."

I looked up, my eyes landing on Mirae, she was beaming, her eyes lit up as a kid handed her another red rose. My eyes began to burn, forcing me to look away.

Proudly, I adjusted the Head Boy badge on my chest, straightening my back as I walked out of last class for today. A few minutes later, Mirae's steps paralleled mine. "Meeting in one hour. Inform all the prefects you see on your way."

I nodded. Ever since the last semester began, I couldn't help marveling at my unforeseen luck. Becoming Head Boy was the last thing I expected and doing everything along side her was more than perfect. Not that I can make a move since she's still dating Jinyoung, but this is a huge step forward. Mirae's been asking me about Hyori quite a lot and I find her curiosity so cute. I want to name it jealousy but everybody knows it's not.

Later that night during patrol, Mirae blurted the words I'd never even dreamt of hearing from her. At least not for someone else.

 "I think I'm in love with Jinyoung."

Do you know that indescribable feeling when you suddenly realize you want to fade away and . . . . and evaporate and just vanish into thin air? When something breaks inside you but you're too tired to speak, to explain. When everything you've done isn't enough, that everything ruined right under your nose. That unspoken helplessness was all I felt. I stopped walking, "Uh, good for you." I mumbled.  "And for him, I suppose."

No, no, no . . .  did I do this? Jinyoung wasn't supposed to stick around for so long. He wasn't supposed to make her feel all of this. He, damn well, wasn't supposed to be at odds with me. And to make her fall in love with him? I don't understand. I could feel something breaking inside me, no wait I could hear my my whole world breaking apart.

"Right, well that's the thing..." She was unfazed. She didn't realize the damage she was doing to me, she never does. My heart still hadn't got hold of the fact. Mirae loved someone. Someone else. It wasn't me. A blast of jealousy ran through my blood; how did he do it? What does he have that I don't? That bloody idiot must be feeling the freaking king of Korea when Mirae confessed to him. 

"I haven't told him yet." 

Oh. "Because...?"

"Because what if I'm not? In love with him. I mean, I said it when I was talking to Yumi, without actually thinking, so it must mean it is true but I don't want to confess until I'm sure--"

I seriously wanted to strangle her then and there. The more I tried to to keep myself from her, the more she was ranting about 'loving' him. "Mirae, shut up." I hissed. "I don't know why the hell you're telling me this, but--"

"Because I want your advice."

I halted again. "You do?" She nodded. "You. Want my advice. On. Relationships." I uttered.

"Well, why not?"

Wow, what a way for karma to bite me back. "Well I can think of several reasons for that. One, I'm a guy." And secondly, I have, quite hopelessly, fallen for you as well, do you honestly want my opinion on this? my opinion? " And two...well no that pretty much covers it up."

Mirae rolled her eyes, "Right so, since you're a guy so you are not into talking about feelings and stuff?" I nodded. "But it's not your feeling we're talking about--"

okay, friend zone levels exceeded. Mirae officially claimed that she wants to have nothing to do with my feelings. "Oh yeah." Glaring at her, I stated dryly. "It doesn't matter to you if it's my feelings. I get it." I nodded tightly.

"I didn't mean-"

"Carry on." I said firmly.

Mirae was getting frantic. "Look, we've talked about my feelings before." 

Nuh-uh. I raised an eyebrow. "Not really. Unless you count all the negative ones you had for me over the years."

"Either way, that's not the point. Because I really wanted to ask you if I should tell him that?"

"Tell Jinyoung you love him?" I questioned. Say that to me instead.

"I don't care."

"Well of course you don't--- oh, never mind. I'll just stick to Yumi for this kind of stuff."

"Yes, please do." I looked ahead and accelerated my steps.

As we fell into silence again, I could tell she sensed my obvious irritation. But it's her fault bringing it up in the first place. I avoided her eyes the whole night, fuming in my own misery. She was nervous too, she continued to throw glances at me but I refused to look at her. God, why can't I erase her from my life?

She asked, "So how're things with...Ahn something... what was it? Hyori? Whatever."

What? I'm thinking of her, fighting to keep myself sane and she's thinking about Hyori? That girl whose happy to be my back up? "Er, no 'things' to speak of really."

"Moved on already, have you?"

"Still judging me, I see?"

"Oh yes, most definitely." She made a funny face inducing a laugh from me. "But of course that wouldn't bother you."

"Well it does bother me, sweetheart." I smirked at her. "But I'm very good at hiding my pain."

"Sure you are." She smiled obnoxiously. Sighing, I looked at her briefly. Will she ever pay attention to what I am saying? "What?" Mirae asked.

"Nothing."

I laid my head back on the wooden bench after having lunch. A crisp white page was lying on the table before me but I knew its fate would be similar to that of the crumpled pages beside my feet. I glanced at the words I had written.

You don't know who I am anymore
But if you knew the truth, then
Then you wouldn't feel insecure
'Cause if I didn't have you
I wouldn't have nothing at all

I wish you could see yourself through my eyes
I always forget that you can't read my mind

As long as I got you and me
Moving through this world as a two-man team
I'll always have everything I need
You don't even realize what you mean

The lyrics sounded fine until now. There was almost nothing in my mind to write further. That's the problem, whenever I sit down to compose a good song and jot down what I'm feeling, I get too immersed in my emotions and then suddenly the flow of words just closes like that.

Chewing on the pen, I attempted to rhyme words. Mirae's words popped up in my mind, 'I think I'm in love with Jinyoung.'  That was two weeks ago, she's already told him that and . . . whatever happened next, I don't have the heart to inquire. Though I did hear her telling Baekhyun not to ask her about it because she was too 'depressed' thinking about it. And I don't know what that meant. But those wicked words have haunted me ever since I heard them. Prom's been announced and I would give anything to have her with me that night.
But she'll obviously go with her boyfriend.

I held my pen again. 

No one could fall for you quite like me
No one could get me so perfectly
You don't even realize 
You're all that I need
'Cause I want you and me, you and me

I was brainstorming for more but a girlish voice brought me back to senses. Looking up, I spotted Hyori waving from a distance. I didn't want her to come over and ask what I was up to so I folded the paper and made my way towards her. She beamed when I neared. I saw a file which she handed me almost immediately as I reached her.

"Jiyeon was coming to pass this on to you but I offered since I was coming to see you all along." She explained. Hyori has really big eyes, which happened to be bigger when she's excited.

I looked down to see a revised schedule for patrol in the file made by Jiyeon, a prefect. Mirae and I were supposed to approve this. I nodded and smiled. "Thanks."

Hyori smiled. "Are nervous for the final match?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Not really."God knows, how tense I was.

As I turned to leave, she grabbed my hand. "Wait, there's something else . . . Let's take a walk?"

I think I have a feeling where this is going, I sighed. As we slowly wandered back to the school yard, she fiddled with her hair. After a while, she spoke. "Do you have somebody in mind to take to prom?"

Yes. Ever since last three years.

"Not exactly." I answered. She grinned. "It's just that--well, to be honest, I was expecting you to ask me out but time is running out and I am definitely not one to have such feminine insecurities so I'll do the big job myself. Will you go to prom with me, Park Chanyeol?" She said it all in one breath like she's been preparing for this.

I was not surprised. When you make out with a girl so frequently, it's obvious you're giving her hope for that kind of stuff. I knew this would come up. I'm thankful she said it herself because I didn't have the motivation to ask anyone that's not Mirae. That's the thing I like about Hyori, ever since we were little (our families are friends) she would never meddle her mind with with things like shyness or self-consciousness. Hyori would just say it without contemplating.

Okay, enough introductions, so back at the problem at hand. I had guessed that if Mirae wasn't single till prom, Hyori was the one I'd be taking as my date. But saying yes wasn't a cup of tea. For no particular reason, my sixth sense said that it was too soon to take a decision. "Hey, are you there?" She laughed.

I nodded quickly. "Yes, yes." I paused. "Hyori . . . I-um. Can you give me some time to think about it?"

The twinkle in her eyes faded. "Oh . . um--so how long do--"

"I'll tell you." I smiled, patting her cheek. "Don't worry, even if I say no, you'd still get a decent date."

She pursed her lips and nodded before walking away. I sighed. I hated to disappointed her. Making my way back to the bench, my heart clenched when I saw Mirae leaning against the wooden table, reading the lyrics I just came up with. My eyes widened as I rushed to her side, snatching the paper away.

She gasped as it disappeared from her eyes. As her eyes met me, she smiled that Juliet smile of hers. "What's this Chanyeol? It sounds so sweet. Oh my god, I can't believe you could write songs so well---"

"You shouldn't have read it!" I accused her, folding and the paper again and again until it was as small as my palm. I hope she doesn't notice my red, burning ears. "It's--it's personal."

She raised an eyebrow. "Personal?" Then a teasing smile appeared on her lips. "Ohhh . . so you were thinking about a girl--"

Oh no, no, this is why I never let her mess her head in my things. She always ends up assuming the most non-existent notion. It was her, not anybody else. "Shut up." I rolled my eyes.

She folded her arms and huffed. "Okay fine."

I changed the topic. "Is Jinyoung taking you to prom?"

She chuckled. "Well, obviously." Flipping her hair back, she continued, "I'm his girlfriend. Isn't he at least bound to do that when I've done my share of 'I love you's?" She blurted out but instantly sobered up as her mind caught up to what she had said. I tightened my jaw. So, I suppose the confession must have gone really well if she's acting like this.

"Never mind."

"No, I meant--"

"That's fine, Mirae." I snapped at her. "I was just asking." No need to rub it in my face. Here I am, writing songs for you and turning down dates and you don't even give a shit.

She looked embarrassed. "Who are you taking?"

Hyori, I finalized. There's no use waiting around for someone when they're all set.

Without answering, I handed her the file, picked my things to leave and say the impending 'yes' to Hyori, throwing the folded piece of paper in my palm in the garbage can on my way.

The next few days were undeniably the most miserable ones of my life. I was disappointed, discouraged, depressed and at the epitome of jealousy. I was at the verge of throwing myself from the tower and it's harder when you have to act like you're totally okay.

But things started going uphill after Mom's call. It was just after first class and it's quite weird since she really emphasizes on not disturbing me during school hours. But the news she brought me was enough to make my eyes tear up. I could finally feel the air revolving in my lungs.

She said I could do whatever I want to do with my life and that she hated being a hindrance to my dreams. When I asked her what made her changed her mind, she told me there was a guy in our neighborhood who committed suicide cause his parents wouldn't let him be an artist. And she was afraid I might do something like that too.
God, my mother was so cute.

"Yeah, it's a little messy." I shrugged, kicking open the door to my room. Mirae followed on my heels and  bent down to place the soda crate on the floor. We were stocking up drinks for the after party of the Final match.

"You think?" She scrunched her nose. "How do you live here?"

"Quite well, thank you."

She chuckled. "And here I thought you were being vulgar when you said you'd put a single room to good use. There's no way you've brought a girl up here."

I glanced at her sideways. "I brought you, didn't I?"

Mirae's eyes widened at my words and I face palmed inwardly. Shit, that was so inappropriate and cringe worthy. I just hope she doesn't get the wrong message behind my intentions, but she began cleaning the mess.

Seeing her move around my room so naturally like it was her own, made my heart burst with happiness. I got up too and shoved my night suit in the closet.

I asked her as she settled on the chair, "Did you know about Jinyoung? His audition, I mean. I found out today." And I was outrageous when I did. What kind of person make such a big decision without even informing his girl friend? I hate it when he makes her feel so small, so worthless. Can't he realize what he is over-looking?

She looked away. "He didn't tell me by himself but I did find out on my own."

I gaped. "And you're not mad at him?"

"He's upset about other things." She sighed sadly. "I didn't want to add in the list."

Oh my god, what could I do to make her mine, this thoughtful heart, I want it so badly. "You're bloody amazing, you know that?"

"Why? Because I'm covering up for you when it's completely against my morals or because I'm not mad at Jinyoung for being discrete?" She gazed at me deeply.

"No, because you're you." I answered simply.

I could tell she was touched by my words because her eyes sort of turned up. "Thank you."

Mirae was looking at me so strangely that my heart began throbbing rapidly. Like--like she was considering me, like she was thinking about me the same way I do for her, like she had a little something in her heart too. My smile slipped, "You make me nervous when you look at me like that."

"I thought you never got nervous."

I grinned. "You really are impossible."

I bent down on my elbows, unknowingly leaning into her. Suddenly I noticed she was too close. Her cheeks were pushed up and her eyes alight. Her nose was--she pulled back, breaking the eye contact. "Well, now that I have officially lost my mind and achieved the title of a rule-breaker, I should get to bed."

"Sorry for scaring you with the diving and such." I shouted over the rain which pouring down in torrents as Mirae and I sprinted back to school building after a wild night of bike rides.

"It's okay, I'll make sure your death is quick and painless."

As we made it under roof, I halted. "Well that was fun. Should do it again some time--" My words stopped as I saw the cranky old care-taker on the end of the corridor squinting at us.

"Looks like we're off again for a marathon." I grinned.

I took hold of her hand raced up the stairs. When I was sure that we were leading, I pulled her under a marble staircase.

"Are you s-sure we r-r-ran far en-enough?" Her teeth were chattering, she was still wearing my jacket.

"Nope. But he's probably going to go all the way back to our dorms to check. Trust me."

She nodded, her wet face was glistening in dull lighting.

"Your teeth are really loud." I whispered.

"Sorry--" Mirae started. I heard footsteps advancing towards us, I clapped a hand over her mouth. When the sound faded, I released her mouth. I realized I was still holding her hand but I didn't let go.

"We really need to start setting a better example as Head Boy and Head Girl." She joked, turning at me. There was a bright twinkle in her eyes, her cheeks were still pink from all the running. Something shifted in my chest. My eyes were fixed at her while she stared back with the same intensity.

An uproar of emotions bubbled in my chest, maybe it was the adrenaline from that ride or running in the rainstorm. For a moment, I felt like I was the one who was the cause of my misery, I was the one who was holding back and being too damn patient. I wanted her so bad.
In that moment, I felt like she wanted me too.
So I leaned in, she closed her eyes and we kissed.

A blast of ecstasy raced though my whole body. I touched her neck with my other hand and deepened the kiss. It was when I felt her kissing back, that I realized that there was no return. I couldn't say I was drunk this time, I couldn't say I didn't remember it. And that fact scared the shit out of me.

I withdrew from her abruptly, she was confused. Practically racing back to the dorm, I forced myself to shut my mouth on the way because my blood was boiling. Not at her, no. But at myself. Usually I'm proud of my confidence and bold attitude but this time, I knew I was in loss. Why on Earth did I have to take such a big step?
No matter what I do, she was still somebody's girlfriend. And at the end of the night, I was still her friend.

'It's okay, you've obviously moved on, so we'll . . . just pretend it never happened'.

I massaged my temples, my head was pounding. It was a golden opportunity. She had broken up with Jinyoung, and not only that, she had broken up with him because of our kiss. That must have meant something but I missed it because I was too nervous.
God, I'm the biggest idiot on Earth. Why did I let her go believing that I had moved on from her? That our kiss was a mistake? That is the last thing I wanted her to know.

And her eyes were glistening. Did I make her cry too? Great Chanyeol, just driver her further away. I was so immersed in my fear that she was going to end our friendship that it made me hold back. I felt insecure. She had came by herself to talk to me and I ended it because I'm the stupidest person ever.

The regret heightened on through the next day. This was the day of prom but I had zero motivation. Mirae was going with Sehun and that part made me a little happy that she wouldn't be alone at least. As I left the hall after breakfast to lock up all the football apparatus for next term, my mind was still wandering around her words and my stupid answers.

I wish I had acted upon my conscious when it told me to wait for a while about accepting Hyori's offer. My jealousy got the best of me making me say yes. Maybe if I didn't have a date, Mirae and I could have gone together?

I got distracted as I began to gather all the thrown off items from the floor of locker room. Every thing we had never bothered to organize after our victory. A smile curled on my lips as I fell into the memories of that day. The door creaked open slightly, making me look up.

I stood up upon seeing Jinyoung, who was just as uncomfortable finding me, standing opposite. He was staring at me accusingly. I looked away and pointed to a pair of sneakers beside the shoe rack. "Your sneakers. You left them here."

He narrowed his eyes and walked closer.  "You lied to me."

My eyes shot up to his face. "What?"

Jinyoung's voice became quieter. "You should have told me that you had your eyes fixed on my girlfriend this entire time."

I sighed. "When I told you I had moved on, it was the truth. I had . . . at that time."

Jinyoung growled. "And here I was thinking you were my friend."

I shook my head. "I never tried to steal her from you Jinyoung, if that's what you're implying. Because if I had tried, you guys wouldn't have dated so long. The only reason I held back was her relationship with you."

The intensity in Jinyoung's eyes died down as his gaze fell to the floor. "Since when?"

"Since never." I answered bitterly. "There's nothing between us even now."

"No, since when did you. . . "

"Since ever."

He looked surprised for a minute but then he silenced, his jaw tight. Without saying anything else, Jinyoung picked up his sneakers and left the room.

I explained to Hyroi , "We'll be back in some time, Hyori. Why don't you chat with your friends in the meantime?"

She looked upset but she left me with Mirae. Tonight wasn't as bad as I had expected. I spent most of the time telling Hyori about the football training I was doing for the trials. But this moment was something I was waiting for since all evening, a dance with Mirae.

To say that she looked drop dead gorgeous would be an understatement. Although there were dark circled under her eyes, she still managed to appear ethereal.
A scream interrupted us. My eyes widened when I spotted Hyori in the middle of the crowd with broken shards of glass and stained clothes.

 "Come on." Mirae tugged at my sleeve.

A cry of pain emitted from Hyroi's mouth, seems like she hurt her feet with all that glass on the floor. I groaned, not now, man.

More than being a date, she was a companion and I had to look after her tonight. As I walked towards her, Mirae tugged at my sleeve again. "Mirae--"

"Chanyeol, she--she can look after herself. I mean it's just a scratch and . . . and . . . "

I raised a brow. I was sure she would understand the situation. "What do you mean?"

"There's no blood, she isn't bleeding--"

Oh god, how badly I wanted to turn a deaf ear to Hyori's cries and just spend the night with Mirae. But I have to do what I must. "Please, let me go."

I lowered my voice, hoping that she would see the helplessness in my eyes. "I have to go and see her. She---she's my date and--"

Suddenly Mirae let go of my hand and stepped back, her eyes pooling with tears.

"Mirae, I'm sorry."

And once again, I pushed her away when she was willing to get closer.
As she left, I ran back to Hyori and helped her limp back to a chair. After making sure that her foot was properly bandaged and that she was feeling better, I didn't stay around for a single second. Striding back to the dorm, I contemplated on whether I should show up at her door and say sorry again. Or ask her for a dance.

But the minute I reached her door, I could sense her weight slopped against it and the sound of quiet sniffing. She was crying. Didn't I hurt her again? She must have looked forward for the dance too and I made her feel that I cared for someone else, more than her. My hand was dangling in the air but I decided against knocking. Slowly, through the dejected mood, in the darkness of the night, my steps led me back to my room and on my bed.

I grumbled in my sleep. There was something different tonight. My heavy eyes opened at a slow pace. I shifted in the bed, pain shot up my leg and I realized what I'd gone through tonight. An accident. A cut up abdomen and a swollen foot. I looked around and the sight before me was nerve-wracking.

Mirae laid here on my bed, her head resting on my arm.

Gosh, Is this a dream or something? Waking up next to your crush? I smiled and looked closely. She seemed peaceful and delicate. Like if I touched her, she'd break. Mirae was snoring lightly, she must be very tired. I brushed her cheek. I'm sure my hormones were going crazy at the moment. Breathing in her scent, I felt an energizing zeal flow throw my blood. I thanked my stars for blessing me this moment. Even tonight, through all my agony, I tried to tell her about my feelings but she was panicking too much to hear anything I had to say.

She shifted uncomfortably. And slowly, she woke up in a frenzy looking around in shock.

"Careful Flower," I smiled "I've been fatally wounded, remember."

"How d-did I---" She was being frantic. "I mean. what am I--when--" She rapidly got off the bed. "Sorry."

I pushed myself to sit. My heart was still racing at a thousand miles per hour. "Don't apologize, Flower."

"Hang on. I started off the other side of you, so that meant I had to get up, walk all the way around the bed, and---for heaven's sake, how could I possible have done that without even remembering it?" She frowned.

I didn't reply because I wasn't awake to witness the hilarious scene either, but it doesn't matter to me.

"Sorry."

"Really, Mirae, you don't need to apologize."

"Well, I don't understand how I--I mean, who knows what else I have done all the year without knowing it!"

"You must have been really sleepy." I laughed. "This is the first time I've woken up with you in my bed, if that makes you feel any better."

"Oh, yeah, loads." She looks so adorable when her eyes are sleepy, her voice raw. "What time is it anyway?"

"Three thirty-four."

Now she was way more nervous. "I should get back to my room. How are you feeling?"

"Much better. You could just stay here, you know. I always thought I needed some beautiful company in bed when I'm sick." I winked at her.

"You should know I'm refraining from hitting you right now because of that." She pointed at my foot. "But my self-control is rapidly slipping away."

"Consider me warned."

I could see it. It could see it so clearly in her eyes tonight. The temptation. The desire. The fire. Everything I've been feeling since years, it was there too. I kissed Mirae's forehead tenderly, as we sat tangled up in uncle's library at my place. "What are you thinking?" She smiled.

I looked in her eyes. "I'm thinking since how long I've wanted this."

"How long?" She placed her head on my chest.

"I don't remember, to be honest it's such a long time. But I can say that you've been in here ever since we were younger." My index finger tapped at my forehead.

She smiled, that wide one with all her teeth and reached her ears. "It's--it's seriously shocking how long it took me to--to come around." She flushed at the last part.

I chuckled. "Not really shocking." She raised an eyebrow. "Girls like you . . . they aren't that easy to get."

"But I never played hard to get." She frowned.

I smirked. "You have no idea."

I leaned in for a chaste kiss. When I pulled back, she chased my lips again pulling me down with her.

"Mom, Dad." Mirae breathed deeply. "This is--" she gulped, I squeezed her hand. "Park Chanyeol, my boyfriend." The words sounded so sweet coming from her mouth. But it was no time to squeal. Gulping, I stretched my hand to the man smiling warmly in front of me.

After a strong handshake, we settled on the dinner table. Sweat beads were forming on my forehead but I tried my best to look cool and collected. The conversation was pretty ordinary, we talked about high school times, Mirae's recent college acceptance letter as well as my own enrollment. Her sister Minji joined us later too, with a tiny doll-like baby in her hands.

"So Mirae told us that you wanted to join the National team?" She asked.

I nodded, "Yes that's true. And I must say I struggled a lot for it." I paused. "But certain things . . . happened and I couldn't make it there." The regret enveloped me again and I became silent.

Mirae smiled proudly at me and continued, "And so he chose the second best thing he was fond of. Music. And it wouldn't be long when he'll be perfect in that too."

I whispered her a thank you. I told them about my university majors and plans after graduation.

"I must say, this is still a big surprise for me," her mother spoke as we dug in the dessert.

I looked up. She said, "Mirae was always so intent on strangling this pair of boys who pissed her off all the time. You were practically the first person she mentioned when she called us the first time from dorm."

I chuckled, glancing at her. She was red with embarrassment. "What did she say about me?"

Mirae cleared her throat, glaring at her mother. But oblivious to her daughter's request, she said, "She screamed that it wasn't good idea coming here. When we asked why, she just ranted about a 'stuck-up prissy boy always on his high horse, thinks he is the bloody king of Korea." Her mother ended, imitating her daughter's shrill voice.

Mirae gasped, face palming herself as everyone on the table roared with laughter. I looked at her, she was scowling so hard. From under the table, I caressed her hand.

"However, young man." Her father spoke. I looked at him cautiously. "I hope I never get to hear these words regarding you from her again." His tone was light but his eyes meant business.

Smiling, I glancing down at Mirae before answering him, "Don't worry, sir. That'll never happen."

I paced down the crowded men's washroom with frenzied steps. My brain was trying to revise all the cheesy, pick-up lines and speech I had came up with and learnt by heart but everything was just sort of jumbled up. I stopped before the wide mirror and observed the crazed man looking back at me.

"Seriously, mate. It's not that a big deal." Baekhyun smiled wickedly.

"Come on, its natural to be nervous. It's an important day of his life." Minseok Hyung answered, he was leaning against the wash basin.

"But hasn't he been preparing for it since an eternity?" The latter voiced out.

I scowled and muttered. "Stop talking about me like I'm not in this room."

"Then act like you're in this room! Answer us. Or better, go already."

"Let him relax." The door opened, revealing a smirking Jongdae.

"But he's driving Mirae crazy!" Junmyun turned to me. "You have no idea how worried she is looking everywhere for you."

My eyes sprang open. God, I promised her so much for tonight, I'm a really horrible boyfriend. "What? Where's Sehun? Tell him to go and--"

"Chanyeol." Baekhyun spoke calmly. "He left fifteen minutes ago."

"Oh."

They didn't say anything furthermore but the looks on their face was a screaming that you're totally done, Park Chanyeol. You're lost and you're wasted.

Minseok left because he felt it would be too suspicious if all of us are cramped in the same place for long. After splashing some cold water on my face hoping it would help me regain my senses and courage, I nodded at my friends and instructed them.

Ten minutes later, I was standing on the school roof leaning over the railing and looking over the party, the twinkling lights piercing the darkness. The reluctant clicking of heels behind me made my lips curl up. 

Glancing to my side, I found the most drop-dead gorgeous girl looking over the expansive lands in front of us. Without looking at me, she said, "You're an asshole."

I chuckled. "Hello to you too."

She shook her head. Her back rested against the railing and faced me. "I'm serious. You were testing my patience back then."

I raised an eyebrow seductively. "I'll make it up to you."

I could tell Mirae was fighting hard not to smile. She pursed her lips asking for what I already knew she wanted. Leaning in, I brushed her hair from her shoulder. "Sorry." I murmured against her ear. 

A pair of arms wrapped firmly around my neck. Dipping her in, I kissed her like it was the end of the world, like if I didn't have her close to me right now, I might not have her at all. I felt like I was finally home, that this was where I wanted to be my whole life.

I pulled back, looking at my watch. Mirae disgruntled, closing in the space between us. Holding her shoulders I commented, "Slow down, flower. We have the whole night."

"Why do I feel like you've been avoiding me?" She asked. I have a feeling this has something to do with me running away from her since the last two weeks not just now. I looked up, knowing this would come up.

"What?" I frowned.

She shrugged. "Ever since you came from Japan, its like a cat-and-dog chase between us. We never seem to hang out. Are you-" Mirae looked at me with a concerned expression and touched my hand lightly-"Are you okay? Are we okay?"

I smiled. Giving her hand an assuring squeeze, I brought to my lips and kissed her fingers lightly. "I've just been a little tired. That's all." Well, it wasn't entirely a lie, right?

When she didn't say anymore, I added, "But never tired of you, of course." That was definitely not a lie.

She grinned. We turned to the railing again and I wrapped my arm on her shoulder, a peaceful silence suspended between us. Her fruity perfume was making me sort of hazy. I struggled with words for the next few minutes, it seemed that a cold sweat broke over my forehead every time I opened my mouth. Our conversation was too short.

"Jinyoung was looking for you, you know." She stated.

"Yeah, I met him too."

"And Sehun told me he was talking to you. What was that all about?" She was too curious for her good.

I shot her a look. What did he tell her? "Nothing special."

I massaged my temples. Soon she's going to notice my strange behavior. It was becoming hard to focus. She was saying something about her dress now I think. "I thought it wasn't going to fit, I've been eating so much lately--"

"This dress looks way better on you than it did on the dummy." I kissed her hair.

She flushed, "Really?"

"Yes." I nodded. "Stop fretting. You seem perfect."

She laid her head on my shoulder. "Except for one thing." I continued.

Mirae's head shot up and she whipped back at bullet speed to look at me in question. "What's that?"

I smirked mischievously and took my sweet time to answer while her rapid heart beat and anticipation was amusing. "Your surname."

Her eyebrows met in confusion. Before letting her speak, I explained, "Kang Mirae." I made a 'tsk' sound from my teeth as if considering it deeply. Then settling with a disapproving shake, I added, "Sounds better if you replace it with 'Park'." Mustering courage, I faced her finally. Her mouth was hanging open. She gasped in shock and I felt her shift away to look at me properly.
But the twinkle in her eyes didn't go unnoticed by me.

"Park Mirae." I smiled serenely, brushing a few strand of hair from her eyes. "Don't you think?"

"Oh my-- you--you're not serious, are you?" She was laughing.

I folded my arms. Shit. What am I supposed to say. I can't let her think I'm joking. Suddenly all the cheesy dialogues I'd prepared faded from my memory. Every single line just vanished into thin air. I cleared my throat. Okay Chanyeol, you're on your own on in this one.

Holding Mirae's hand, who was still looking astoundingly at me, I rubbed her fingers. "I waited for years until your heart completely came to me. But... I was happy while waiting for you. I-I had confidence, since I was sure we were fated together. But now, it seems like I can't live without you for a single moment." 

Her shock turned into shyness as her lips curled into a delicate smile. "I know I've been distant lately but believe me, I was thinking about us a lot. Hell... this--this moment. That's what I've been crazy over."

"I-I don't know what to say." Mirae stuttered.

"You should say nothing but yes."

She looked up in astonishment. I took a deep breath to throw the big question. I opened my mouth but she beat me to it. My smart girl had questions of her own.

Putting up a strong, determined expression she asked, "Will you ever look at another woman?" I was taken aback. "When I'm--I'm probably fat and old and ugly and--"

"What? Never."

Mirae nodded. Stepping away from my embrace, she gulped. I could tell she was just as nervous as I was. "And when . . . . you're away for, work obviously, and- um . . . "

I could tell where it was going this time so I answered for her. It was like already saying vows as you do on your wedding. "Mirae, you'll always be my first priority."

"Will you stay by my side when I'm sick. When I have--"

"Definitely."

Her eyes were sparkling. She opened and closed her mouth several times. "Chanyeol. . . I know I'm stubborn and annoying. I know I get on your nerves. I know I've given you a hard time."

I chuckled. Standing straight, I simply asked, "When will you ever understand that it's you. It's always you. It will always be like that."

Mirae walked closer to me again. The tears in her eyes were glittering brightly. Her face, her smile was brighter that the vibrant array of fireworks that erupted in the sky just then. Even though it was for New Year but I told myself it was a celebration for our fourth anniversary. She touched her forehead with mine. I held the sides of her face and closed my eyes.

I whispered quietly, "Kang Mirae, I don't have much but I can make you happy. Will you marry me?"