28

Mia leans her head back, relying on the bench as she inhales the cool winter air. The feeling of sensation brings smile to her face, releasing all the stress and the busy schedule she's had.

Her main reason was to get her mind off of everything from her surroundings, but one thing was keeping her disturbed. That one thing, that reminded her, everywhere she goes and everything she does.

Everytime it would rain, her mind would take her to that night where they first had their real conversation after buying some milk by the bus station. Every elevator she uses would give her the security feeling when he held her in his warm protective arms. The pain she's dealt with and the comfort he never failed to provide for her. The restaurants and the foods they've shared made her want to see him more.

That one stupid person that keeps occupying her mind every second of the day.

That stupid Park Jimin.

Mia puts her phone by her ears, waiting for the other person to pick up.

"Do you have some time? Can we meet up now?"

Her mind wanders off to more memories that were precious, that she never realised how much she treasured every minute of it, how thankful she was because of them.

Not long after, the figure she was looking for appeared in her sight, automatically curving her lips the right way.

"Are you okay?" He pants, exhausted from the quick sprint. "What's up?"

"Woah, I wasn't in trouble or anything." She chuckles, "I didn't ask you to come straightaway."

"Oh," he breathes in relief. "I thought something was wrong. I came as quick as I could."

She tightly smiles from his concern, showing his true careness. "Sit. And relax. I figured you could get some help with relieving stress."

Jimin complies. "Why are you out here? It's so damn cold." He shudders in his jacket.

"I told you. To relieve stress." Mia leans her neck on the bench and Jimin copies her.

Everything was peace and quiet, full of serenity.

"So, I've been thinking about.." She pauses, causing Jimin to look at her side profile. "I don't even know," she sighs. "You, I guess. And about what you said a couple weeks ago..."

Jimin's face scrunches, resisting his beaming smile, making Mia hesitate to say what's on her mind.

"Go on, continue." The grin on his face reflected on how he was feeling.

"Stop it!" She pushes Jimin's face towards the front.

"That time when you were avoiding me, I didn't realise how much it would affect me. I guess it was because- one day, we're good, then the next day, you seemed mad all of a sudden, and I didn't know what I did wrong. I thought about everything I did, and I thought it was just because you got sick of me." She pauses as her mood drops down, thinking about the past. Jimin grabs her hand, apologetically rubbing it with comfort.

"When you weren't there anymore, it felt as if something was missing. I had nothing else to do apart from practising. I realised how much I missed your presence, and I hated it. You were what distracted me from the pressure of the real world. I didn't want to seem like I needed you, like I relied my happiness on you- or something. But I was just really heartbroken when you would just give me the cold stare. Uneasiness would start creeping up my stomach. Ugh, that was such a dick move, Jimin."

"I'm sorry," he whispers, tucking in both their hands in his jacket.

Mia stares into Jimin's side profile. Her eyes soften at the guilt that was on his eyes. "But we're past those moments, right?" Her pursed lips softly smile, shaking Jimin's hand in reassurance.

Jimin's head falls onto her right shoulder, causing her heart to beat rapidly. His softness towards her gives her confidence to pursue her intentions of calling him here.

"I called you here, because I wanted to be honest," she pauses. "I think... I like you." She spits out, snickering from the corny vibe. Jimin's head shoot up to look at her, heating up her cheeks, causing her to hide her face in both her palms.

"What was that?" He smirks, "come on, say it again. I didn't seem to hear it properly."

Mia could only shake her head, face still covered from embarrassment. "It's good that you didn't hear it."

Jimin stops bugging her to spit it out, "hmmph!" He pouts, looking down at the fallen pink flowers from the trees.

"I don't like you!" She raps before getting up to walk away, chuckling. Jimin grins, as he also get up to follow her. Soon, it was a chase around trees, like the typical romantic movies, as Mia scream at the top of her lungs when Jimin easily catches up to her.

"Okay, wait! Time out," she forms a letter 'T' with her hands, puffing for air, as Jimin stops a few metres away from her request.

"Ugh! I'm not cut out for this!" She yells in frustration.

"Just admit to what you said before, you don't have to take this the hard way." He grins, brows moving up and down.

"Why would I wanna tell you?"

"So you can know my reply." He softens, automatically fluttering Mia's heart.

She purses her lips in deep thought. Just repeat it, you've already embarrassed yourself. Repeat it and you'll know how he feels. JUST DO IT MIA!

She sits on the grass, hands behind her on the ground to support her. "I like you... A lot." She bites her bottom lip from cringing, looking at the sprouts of grass, replacing the dull brown ones. She hears Jimin's footsteps get closer, she clenches her jaws, nervous. He settles next to her. Mia slowly looks toward him, waiting for him to say something, but he just chuckles before resting his head on his bent knees. It was his turn to cover his face.

"What?" Mia asks about his behaviour, thinking he's laughing at her.

"Nothing," he shakes his head, "I'm just.. really happy right now."

Warm smiles reflected on both faces.

• • • 

"Ahhhhhh! That's so exciting!" Hyeji squeaks as she shake Mia's squirming form from shyness. "So what, you guys a thing now?"

Mia shrugs her shoulder. "I mean, all he said was that he was happy. Either way, I didn't ask him to be my boyfriend or anything-"

"GIRL." She cuts Mia off, "don't you dare be taking your time with this. He's practically a meat to all those thirsty dogs out there, so desperate for a bite." She emphasises on the word 'desperate' making Mia cringe.

"What the heck! You sound gross right now." She shudders.

"I'm just so happy!" Hyejin exclaims.

"Thanks."

"That I was right all along from the very start! My instincts told me something would happen between you and Jimin! Wow, I'm never wrong," she flips her hair.

"Ugh, geez." Mia rolls her eyes.