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Chapter Text

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration as he exited the classroom. A poem? It was bad enough to enroll for Literature 201 because he had failed to take this class during his earlier academic years due to an irregular schedule. How was he supposed to write a poem?

Just then, somebody bumped into him on the way out.

“Sorry,” the girl murmured softly without so much of a glance at him.

There she was.

Do Kyungsoo was walking away with her cluster of friends. People seemed to flock around her all the time, like moths to an outstanding and brilliant flame. Chanyeol momentarily forgot where he was, or even his own name, as his eyes helplessly watched her leaving. He returned to his senses when she turned to a corner, and he couldn’t see her anymore.

He proceeded to the opposite direction, towards the university paper office. This silent one-sided love affair had already celebrated its third anniversary. He remembered every detail as though it happened yesterday.

It had been enrollment time and he was a sophomore then while she was a freshman. She had randomly asked him where the Humanities Building was. He had stared at her for quite a while before nimbly pointing the direction of the building. Kyungsoo had nervously thanked him and never looked back.

He hadn’t forgotten her after that. It turned out that she had hailed from Ilsan and was studying to be an actress. She had transformed into a celebrity of sorts—the campus star, if you will—headlining a couple of plays per year and naturally a lengthy string of male admirers. Chanyeol had watched every single one of her plays and thought she was amazing. Now, there had been various talks that the College of Performing Arts was doing Miss Saigon before the end of the semester. He had a pretty good inkling who would play the part of Kim.

He sighed as he laid down his things on the table upon reaching the office. He had been the resident graphics artist for nearly three years now. He had volunteered to make an outlet for his infatuation with a certain junior from the theatre club.

Blame it on the Dean for giving him the junior Performing Arts Lit 201 class to complete his requirements this semester. He would find himself staring at the back of her head than actually concentrating on what the professor was imparting about the forlorn works of Shakespeare. There was everything he needed to know about poetry and prose right there, three rows diagonal from his right corner seat was the shiny flow of her long hair that delicately swayed whenever the wind touched it. He would briefly be granted a glance of her radiant face and a hint of a smile as she would pass the papers from the front to the person behind her. He would only observe her, as silent as a mouse. It seemed as though he always had to borrow Harry Potter’s Invisibility Cloak to wear whenever she was around. Maybe he was doing it out of protection—that if he got too close to the dream, his heart would break and his world would never be the same.

For now, he was content with this—just the sight of her and the thought of her to calm his heart. Risks were too frightening for him. He would only plunge in when he was sure.

Now for the poem. He had never been a bookworm, much less inclined to writing stuff down. If only there was some sort of guideline to follow...

“Hey, Chanyeol.”

He looked up. It was his childhood friends, who were also contributors to the school paper. “Oh, hey, Nini. Hi, Baek.”

Jongin grinned, who wrote about sports events for the paper, ruffling his friend’s hair. “What’s wrong? You look like you lost 112 million KRW or something.”

“Huh?” Chanyeol tried to clear his head. “Uh, nothing. I just have to make a poem.”

Baekhyun laughed. “Oh my God, that’s a disaster waiting to happen! I don’t think the world is ready for that, Yeol.”

Chanyeol let out a weak laugh. His past attempts in poetry had struck out with would-have-been potential girlfriends. He had concluded that he didn’t have a single nugget of romantic partiality in his bones.

Baekhyun had to bestow him some sympathy. Chanyeol was an excellent student but when it came to literature, he was a bit off. “Want us to help you?”

“No, thanks,” Chanyeol said graciously. “I have to do this on my own. I have four days anyway. When I realize I’m in too deep, I’ll just holler S.O.S.”

Baekhyun laughed. “Okay. Well, I’ll just see you guys tomorrow. I still have to prepare my questions for Do Kyungsoo about her upcoming play.”

“W-What?” Chanyeol stammered. Seemed like everytime he heard her name or anything even remotely associated to her, his heart would skip several beats.

Jongin patted Chanyeol on the shoulder, filling him in. “Junmyeon outlined the features for our next issue and assigned Baekhyun to get that interview from Miss Do.”

Chanyeol was gutted. If he had been in the meeting, he would’ve known an opportunity to feature Kyungsoo again was open. Suddenly, he was... envious. A close friend of his was to be permitted of a few minutes of her undivided attention.

Before Chanyeol could even think up of an absolutely fool-proof offer of switching places with Baekhyun, she was waving goodbye.

“Baekhyunnie, wait up!” Jongin said and then turned back to Chanyeol. “I’ll see you tomorrow, bro. I still have dance rehearsal.”

Chanyeol only nodded, knowing that Jongin was busy nowadays being in the university’s elite dance group, Younique. He turned back to his computer in dread, rubbing his temples. It took nearly all of his willpower to concentrate on his pending tasks and to worry about poetry—and Do Kyungsoo—later.

Chapter Text

Chanyeol grudgingly stared at the blank page of his notebook for hours now, his mind totally lost. Three days to go until the recitation of their self-penned poetry and he lacked the skill to express a single word.

He sighed, settling more comfortably on his bed. Baekhyun was probably talking to Kyungsoo right this very moment. He grabbed his cell phone, thinking of calling his friend, to have Baekhyun at least mention his name in Kyungsoo’s presence in surprised greeting, but he decided against it. Baekhyun, being the no-nonsense journalism major, didn’t like being disturbed when she was doing interviews.

He turned his head and buried his face on his pillow. He was downright pathetic and he didn’t have the heart to tell anybody about this hopeless crush...

He’d had a couple of girlfriends before, and he certainly was no shrinking violet when it came to introducing himself to the opposite sex. He normally went for tall, somewhat model types, since he was over 6 feet himself, and such types went for him. Something about this cute, petite girl whose skin shone like porcelain and whose distinct heart-shaped smile radiated like the brightest star in the sky undeniably hooked him. Kyungsoo was larger-than-life and yet she walked around like the rest of them, unaffected. He wished he could explain it, because by then he would have rationalized what he was feeling for her.

Sleep was always the best solution whenever this problem troubled him. In his dreams, he was Mr. Gu from My Liberation Notes, sweeping Do Kyungsoo off her feet and she would go wherever he led her...

The next day at university paper office, he was greeted by Junmyeon, the senior editor, who remorsefully handed him his workload for the afternoon. “Sorry, Yeollie, but these need to get done by the end of the week.”

He nodded. “I understand, Junmyeon.” And off he went to his station.

“Bro,” Jongin called, sliding off his seat and looking over to his friend’s computer. “Edit a picture for me? I already emailed you the basketball team’s photo.”

“Sure,” he answered and clicked open the file Jongin told him about. They were discussing the alterations to be made when:

“There he is,” he heard Junmyeon saying, “Park Chanyeol, our graphics designer.”

He turned, cleared his throat and tried to sit up straight. He didn’t realize that they had... guests.

Junmyeon was leading Sehun, her boyfriend and one of the actors of the theatre club, and Do Kyungsoo towards his station!

Chanyeol stood up shakily as Jongin grinned at their approaching peers.

Sehun waved at Jongin and Chanyeol in his usual friendly manner. He’d met them before, having hung around the office while waiting for Junmyeon to wrap up meetings with the school paper staff. “Guys,” he introduced, “this is our famed actress, the lovely Do Kyungsoo.”

Kyungsoo laughed, her cheeks suddenly coloring. “You’re embarrassing me, Sehun.”

“Hello, Kyungsoo. I’m Kim Jongin,” Jongin said, smiling brightly.

Kyungsoo’s large, round eyes then became transfixed on Chanyeol, recognition lighting up her sparkling brown irises. “Have we met...?” Her blush grew deeper, much to Chanyeol’s enchantment, because it made her so much prettier. “I’m sorry. I can’t place you in my mind... I know I’ve seen you somewhere before... just...”

“Uh...” Jongin faltered, looking at Chanyeol strangely. “Maybe it’s because you’re both taking Lit 201 under Professor Lee?”

Kyungsoo looked at Jongin first in surprise and then at Chanyeol. “Really? How come I didn’t...” She bit her lip. She was going to embarrass herself more by sounding so rude. “I mean... I don’t... seem to see you there...”

Baekhyun, who was watching from the side, had to come forward. Chanyeol was making a damn fool of himself without even trying too hard. “He’s seated at the back. He’s a bit tall so...“  Then she smiled at her, having had the pleasure of getting to know her a little bit better yesterday.

“Oh.” Kyungsoo’s attention switched from Chanyeol to Baekhyun. “Hi, Baekhyun! Thanks for a great interview yesterday. I didn’t realize people would be interested in reading something about me,” she joked.

“Are you kidding, Kyungsoo?  The next printing of our paper will probably fly off the shelves, not the mention the number of views the university paper’s website will get when the online version comes out,” Baekhyun cajoled, laughing. “I wouldn’t mind having another exclusive with you soon.” Then she glanced meaningfully at Junmyeon, who only rolled her eyes.

Meanwhile, Chanyeol couldn’t believe it... Here she was, just two measly feet away from him...

Kyungsoo looked at him again, her smile slightly faltering. He was only staring at her, not even blinking thru his glasses. She laughed nervously. “Actually, I have some pictures here that maybe you want to take a look at? Junmyeon and Sehun spoke so highly of you that the cast director and everyone involved in the play wanted to ask you...” She produced a large manila envelope to present to him. “If... you know, you could design a poster to advertise Miss Saigon all over school?”

Chanyeol wasn’t answering. Kyungsoo didn’t even know if he heard her.

Jongin chuckled apprehensively, not quite understanding why Chanyeol was acting like a catatonic idiot today. “Hahaha! My best friend here will be more than glad to do it. He can make a masterpiece out of a few pictures meshed together.”

Kyungsoo grinned at Jongin. “Well, does this graphics genius know how to speak?”

Then Chanyeol cleared his throat, loudly. Baekhyun cringed. She was a bit of a tomboy but hearing guys clearing their throats was certifiably gross.

“I’m sorry... I kind of... lost my voice for a moment,” Chanyeol attempted hoarsely. Geez, he must be speaking the truth because his voice sounded alien to him right now. It was strangely raspy… and at least an octave lower.  “My name is Park Chanyeol.”

“Nice to meet you, Chanyeol,” Kyungsoo said politely, a bit relieved that the guy appeared... normal.

Junmyeon clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Okay, people! Party’s over! Can we get back to work, please?”

The crew murmured in mock protest but did as they were told.

Jongin watched Chanyeol and Kyungsoo in amusement before going back to his work station. He turned his attention to teasing Baekhyun instead, who downright challenged him for an arm-wrestling match right there.

Chanyeol closed Jongin’s file and wordlessly proceeded to scanning the cast’s pictures. Digital files would have been way easier but the hard copies of the pictures were probably from a photoshoot.  He was helplessly aware of her closeness as she watched what was on his screen.

Her picture popped up first, zooming in at 1000%.

Kyungsoo laughed, startled. “I hope my face isn’t that big on the poster.”

Chanyeol laughed too, shyly. “No... This is the first step to eliminate any red eye, or white spots, misplaced pixels...” He laughed again, not wanting to bore her. “Uh... when will you need this?”

Kyungsoo shrugged. “Maybe in two weeks to one month? You don’t need to finish it today. That’s why I brought it in early so you would have plenty of time. Um... thank you, Chanyeol.” She bowed to him in gratitude. “I guess I’ll be seeing you in class tomorrow.”

Chanyeol swallowed as he nodded. “Uh, yeah. See you.”

She smiled one last time and waved at the new people she had met.  Then, she and Sehun left.

It was as if time had lingered longer than it should as her retreating figure disappeared from the door. Then Chanyeol returned to his screen and adjusted the center until all he could see was the frame of her big, beautiful and evocative eyes that lured him even more.

She saw him now and she knew who he was. He didn’t have to be invisible anymore.

Chapter Text

Professor Lee walked around the classroom without one of her drawn-out entrance speeches, which was unusual. It made the class more nervous than what was healthy. Her eyes scanned the classroom back and forth as though searching for the most frightened and the most petrified... and was also the first one to be called to read his/her poem out loud.

She smiled at last. The class laughed softly in anxiety. Professor Lee clapped her hands to resurrect everyone from their trance. “What’s the matter with you today, class? Did you hope that I would forget today is the day? Not a chance.” She shook her head as she looked into her improvised seat plan. “Let’s see... I want to call on... Oh, here’s someone I haven’t heard from all semester. Mr. Park?”

Chanyeol’s mouth dropped, suddenly alert. He willed for his feet to support him to stand. His hand was trembling as he gripped his written work like a shield.

“Come on, let’s go to the front, young man,” the professor encouraged, stepping aside and leaving the center of the platform wide open for Chanyeol.

He swallowed, daring not to look at anyone. He could hear faint whispers going around as he made his way towards the front. He wasn’t sure if this poem was good enough. All he knew was that yesterday, he had written it down without stopping the moment he reached the confinement of his bedroom. Worse, Kyungsoo was going to hear it...

Kyungsoo looked at his tall, lanky frame as he uneasily walked past her. He turned around then, upon reaching the front of the room. Chanyeol appeared to be very shy. This kind of thing must be so difficult for him. Their eyes met. Her lips upturned into a small smile.

Chanyeol only nodded, somewhat grateful. It was the only go signal he needed. “G-Good morning, classmates, Professor Lee. I’ll start off the day by reading you most likely the only poem I ever will write in my life.”

The whole class laughed at the unintentional joke.

“All right, settle down, settle down,” the professor warned and gave a nod to the student to read his poetry. “What’s it called, Chanyeol?”

He could feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead. “It... it doesn’t have a title, Ma’am.”

Professor Lee’s smile was kind. “No matter. What I’m after is the content. Won’t you read it to us?”

Chanyeol nodded nervously. He sighed and then began:

Dawn breaks for another morning to shine   

Over and over, as always, I pine

Kisses have been stolen behind my closed eyes

You are all I dream about, despite this disguise

Up in the clouds is where you take me

Night falls once more, hoping that I’ll be

Gathering courage, I remain yours

Silence in my stride, running its course

One moment has turned into countless days

Often my love for you leaves its trace.

He braved to let his eyes wander the room, looking for any sign of reaction. He could literally hear a pin drop from a mile’s radius at the silence.

Suddenly, Professor Lee clapped her hands in delight. “That was wonderful, Chanyeol!”

The rest of the class unanimously followed.          

“Very expressive!” the professor continued to rave. “Unrequited love, yet you’re so full of hope, my boy! See what you could accomplish when you write from the heart?”

Chanyeol chuckled, an absurd blush creeping to his face. He never thrived being on the spotlight, and he was definitely on the spotlight now. He desperately hoped the professor didn’t ask anything personal or cheesy, such as whom he wrote it for because lightning would strike him first before he told the truth.

Kyungsoo grinned as he caught her eye once again, incredibly impressed. His smile grew more bashful. Who knew Chanyeol could be so romantic? He was so quiet and... well, perhaps still waters really did run deep...

Chanyeol quietly returned to his seat as Professor Lee called upon the next sorry victim. He smiled slightly as some of his classmates cheered on him.

Kyungsoo’s eyes followed him. She saw him slip the piece of paper into his notebook. Then he caught her looking.

Chanyeol blinked, his mouth parting softly. Then he gave a small smile to regard her and then reluctantly tore his gaze away to concentrate on the next student.

Kyungsoo bit her lip as she turned about face, not really able to listen to their classmate, Jongdae, reading his poetry. She wondered if it would be too much to ask a copy of Chanyeol’s poem. It was so beautiful that she wanted to read it over and over.

Chapter Text

Chanyeol felt too exhilarated that day that he finished two days’ worth of tasks for the university paper. He even was in a particularly upbeat mood by the time he shut down his computer.

Baekhyun was looking at him suspiciously as she gathered her things. They were waiting for Jongin so the three of them could watch a movie. “Are you on drugs, Chanyeol?”

He only laughed at the insinuation. “No. This is what you call natural high.”

“Meaning you’re deliriously happy?”

“Yes!” Chanyeol laughed again and turned the swivel of his chair like a little kid.

“About what, if I may so ask?” Baekhyun pressed, now thoroughly entertained by Chanyeol’s silliness.

“I was able to write a poem. And a good one too!” Chanyeol enthused, giving his friend a full smile. “I can’t believe it! Me! Park Chanyeol! Now I believe I can do anything!”

Just then, Jongin appeared at the door to meet them. He just came from his dance practice. “C’mon, let’s get going,” he urged. “We may still catch the 7 p.m. show.”

They all piled up into Chanyeol’s old yet serviceable red 1992 Chevrolet Camaro. They decided to go to the nearby cinema and see an animated film.

They made it. The three friends found their seats and waited for the trailers to start.

Just as the lights toned down, Chanyeol’s heart nearly stopped beating. Three rows in front of him was Do Kyungsoo.

He had memorized the back of her head for over a month now in class. He couldn’t be mistaken about her now. She was with five other people, and two of them were Sehun and Junmyeon.

He shrank back on his seat, couldn’t concentrate on the newest trailers at all. He looked at Jongin and Baekhyun. They hadn’t seemed to realize that Chanyeol was starting to get lost in his own world...

While Baekhyun cooed on how sweet and cute the main character was, Chanyeol noticed Kyungsoo and another girl stand up. Part of Chanyeol wanted to follow them, but most of him refused to budge.

A few minutes later, Kyungsoo and her friend returned, equipped with some sodas and a huge tumbler of popcorn.

Then Chanyeol remembered he hadn’t eaten anything since lunch.

“Want to get something?” he whispered to Baekhyun.

She absentmindedly shook her head.

“Nini? What about you?”

“Maybe soda.”

Chanyeol turned to Baekhyun again. “You sure?”

She reluctantly tore her gaze away from the screen. “Butter squid.  Get extra dip,” she reminded him.

Chanyeol headed out for some food. He bought popcorn for himself and his friends’ requests.

As he was waiting, he heard a female voice from behind him. “M&M’s, please.”

Then their eyes met.

Kyungsoo smiled. “Chanyeol! What are you doing here?”

Chanyeol ran a hand consciously through his moppy, unruly hair—he definitely was in need for a cut—and hoped he didn’t look too idiotic. “Uh... Just catching the movie with Baekhyun and Jongin.”

“Oh, that’s great. Me too, I’m here with my friends.” She smiled as she paid for her candy. She opened the pack and popped two into her mouth. “Want some?”

Chanyeol couldn’t respond.

Kyungsoo realized that she might be coming on too strong. She turned his palm right side up and tapped the pack on it. Out came four red M&M’s.

She looked surprised and peeked into the small pack. “Now, I don’t have any more red ones.”

Chanyeol smiled finally, eating only one. “You can have the rest of this back.”

Kyungsoo laughed. “I was only kidding. They all taste the same but my favorite M&M’s are the reds for some reason.”

His, too, but he didn’t want to tell her that so as not to conclude any weird coincidence. “I know what you mean.”

If Chanyeol could sock himself up the head that moment, he would have. What in the hell did he just reply to her? Couldn’t he think of anything wittier than “I know what you mean...”?

After what seemed to be an intolerable stretch of awkward moments, Kyungsoo said: “Well, I should get back. I’ll see you around.” With that, she waved and walked away.

And just like that, he lost her again.

Chanyeol could only look at her as she dissolved in the darkness of the cinema. His attention was called by the attendant, telling him that his order was ready. He carefully tossed the remaining candy into the left breast pocket of his polo shirt and paid for his food in a daze, silently grateful that his order took so long.        

“What kept you?” Baekhyun demanded softly and grabbing her butter squid that Chanyeol handed her. “You just missed the best part!”

“The service was a little slow,” he answered as he handed Jongin his soda.

Then he was back to the comfort of his reverie, just being near Kyungsoo. He was afraid to act on impulse, especially when it concerned her. There was that contradiction of wanting to know everything about her and yet being content with what he already knew. He supposed he was terrified of her rejection, being the way he was—a little eccentric and quiet as opposed to her open and charming nature.

He didn’t even realize that the movie was over until Jongin pulled him up to stand.

“Chanyeol! Hello!!!” Baekhyun called, running a hand in front of his eyes.

Chanyeol blinked. “Oh, sorry.”

“You hardly touched your popcorn!” Baekhyun reprimanded, putting her hands on her waist. She turned to Jongin. “I’m telling you, this weirdo is in medication!”

Chanyeol shook his head as they walked out, with Baekhyun and Jongin sharing the popcorn while Chanyeol lazily slurped on his soda.

Just then, they bumped into the other group.

“Chanyeol,” Kyungsoo greeted, with the grin that never failed to melt his heart. “Baekhyun! Jongin!”

Junmyeon laughed. “I thought you guys didn’t have any social life,” she joked as she hugged Baekhyun in greeting.

“Haha,” Baekhyun scorned playfully. “Very funny. Wasn’t the movie great? I was pleasantly surprised!”

Then Kyungsoo introduced their other friends. Chanyeol recognized one of them, it was their classmate Jongdae, and the two other girls were Minseok and Yixing, both from the theatre club with Sehun and Kyungsoo.

As they all went to the parking lot, the girls mostly discussed the movie. Chanyeol couldn’t quite relate because he didn’t understand a thing, not even the funny parts.

The two groups finally separated. Chanyeol first dropped off Baekhyun because her house was the closest in their route.

She peeked into the window sternly at her two best guy friends. “Be careful, all right? Chanyeol, I’m surprised you’re still alert enough to drive.”

Chanyeol rolled his eyes, grinning. “Good night, Baek.”

Jongin waved at her as Chanyeol drove away.

“You’re too quiet, bro,” Jongin observed as they reached a stoplight.

Chanyeol laughed. “Baekhyun says I’m too hyper today and now you say I’m quiet. I’m always quiet, Nini, nothing out of the ordinary. I was just thinking.” Chanyeol shifted the gear as the light changed to green.

“Me, too,” Jongin replied, smiling a bit. “I only realized now that Do Kyungsoo is really cute.”

Chanyeol momentarily looked at his friend. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one who noticed. He cleared his throat. “Well, you know, everyone in the campus really likes her because she’s bubbly and she’s a great actress... but apart from that...” he tried to add nonchalantly. “She’s okay.”

“You mean, not pretty enough for you?”

Before Chanyeol could react, he was in front of Jongin’s house.

Jongin laughed as he alighted. “Anyway, thanks, Yeol. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah,” Chanyeol responded as Jongin reached to give him their special handshake. “Good night.”

Afterwards, he went home himself. He greeted his parents, who were still watching the late news when he came in the door.  Shortly after, he decided to turn in and get ready for bed. 

Just as he was changing into his pajamas, something fell out of his shirt. The three red M&M’s Kyungsoo had given him.

Chanyeol smiled. He took a glue gun from his drawer and stuck the candy onto the lower left corner of his mirror. He took a simple red crayon and made flowers out of them, the center of them having the M&M insignia. Chanyeol chuckled softly at the result. If he could give them to Kyungsoo right now, she probably would have loved them.

Chapter Text

The next Thursday, Chanyeol nervously walked into the auditorium to meet Jongin there. He knew that the theatre club was busy rehearsing for Miss Saigon and the dance group was sharing time with rehearsal as the play’s intermission number.

He momentarily watched from the sides and saw his friend moving expertly through the music at the center with his group mates. Chanyeol grinned. Jongin always was an impressive dancer.

Chanyeol’s eyes subtly wandered, hoping to get a glance of the star of the show. He easily located her, as that of a radar. She was pacing at one corner, running lines with Sehun, who was cast to be her leading man. Chanyeol knew because he was informed through email by the director about the inscriptions of the poster. A few moments later, as though satisfied with their delivery, Kyungsoo smiled at Sehun and seemed to have excused herself. She stepped up to the balcony and turned her eyes to the stage.

Chanyeol watched her as she tapped her foot to the rhythm. Soon after, her body was slightly moving to the music. She didn’t seem aware that she was doing it. It appeared as though she was enjoying watching Younique do their thing.

After the dance group’s rehearsal was over, Jongin congratulated his group mates for performing well and then grinned when he saw his friend was already there. “Hey, Chanyeol! Give me five minutes, okay?”

Chanyeol was startled at the attention, but nodded at Jongin.

Kyungsoo turned around. He was only a few feet behind her. “Hello, Chanyeol,” she greeted, smiling sincerely. “How long have you been there?”

Chanyeol looked away, his face feeling warm. “Uh... not long. I... was waiting for Jongin.”

“He’s an excellent dancer,” Kyungsoo remarked. “I’ve been watching him everyday.”

Chanyeol agreed. “Yeah, he is. He’s been dancing ever since I could remember.”

Kyungsoo nodded, grinning, and watched Jongin gather his things. She turned to Chanyeol again, a bit hesitant. “Chanyeol, can I ask you something?”

His eyes widened as he looked at her hopefully. “S-Sure. W-What is it?”

“Does Jongin have a girlfriend?”

Okay... Where did that question come from? “Uh...” Chanyeol racked his brain to answer immediately. This was not even remotely what he was expecting. “No... Not at this time.”

“Oh,” she replied, her grin broadening. “I guess I’m kind of surprised he’s not dating anyone. He seems like a great guy.”

He swallowed. So she was curious about his friend, not him. “Y-Yeah, he is.”

Kyungsoo laughed, mostly out of embarrassment. “It’s just that he asked me out tomorrow night and—”

“W-What?”

Her smile faded slightly, startled at Chanyeol’s somewhat staggered reaction. “He... asked if I could have dinner with him and maybe play mini-golf... Is... there a problem?”

Chanyeol’s heart seemed to have plunged in his stomach and must have stayed there because he couldn’t feel it beating. “N-no...” He tried to smile. “Jongin’s...” He pretended to laugh—and darn it—what a lousy job he did. He sounded as though he was in pain. “Jongin’s really cool, you’ll have fun.”

Kyungsoo smiled in relief. Thank God, Jongin wasn’t just a shallow charmer. If there was one person to ask about Jongin, then it should be his good friend, Chanyeol. “Well, thanks. I thought you were going to say that he’s a playboy and he’s just going to ghost me or something.”

Chanyeol shook his head vigilantly. “No. Jongin’s a decent guy. He’ll never do that.” He was getting dizzy. He needed to sit down...

He turned as he flipped one of the seats and dragged his sorry butt on it. Much to his dread, Kyungsoo sat next to him.

“How’s the poster coming along?” she asked conversationally, still smiling at him.

He stared at her for a few moments, once again captivated by her warm smile shaped like a heart and large lovely eyes that were only a few inches away... He relied on what was left of his few remaining functioning brain cells to do the talking. “Just fine. I’m just adding the finishing touches.”

“I’m sure the outcome will be terrific,” she enthused, could hardly wait to see the final product.

“Kyungsoo!” Minseok suddenly called. “Time to take the stage!”

She smiled apologetically at Chanyeol. “I’ll see you in class, okay?”

Chanyeol weakly nodded as she got up to her feet to rejoin her cast mates.

He closed his eyes, covering them with one hand. He felt so... hollow. Was this how disheartenment was supposed to feel like? Or had it not hit yet? He wasn’t sure, but it was as though every bit of strength he had was sapped out of him and he couldn’t do anything but give in to whatever this situation demanded.

Then he felt Jongin pull his hand away from his face. “Hey, bro!” Jongin grinned. “Are you tired? C’mon, let’s go!”

Then he turned to the stage for the last time. “Bye, everyone!”

The actors and the dancers waved back at him.   

“Bye, Kyungsoo!” Jongin called, a hint of special sweetness on the farewell that made Chanyeol want to barf. “See you tomorrow!”

That caused a noisy heckling of lovey-dovey from the stage and Kyungsoo’s face turned tomato-red. She only smiled and waved goodbye at the two boys.

Jongin then turned and ascended the stairs towards the main exit with Chanyeol feebly following two steps behind.

Chanyeol dragged his feet to where he parked his car while Jongin turned to the passenger seat and waited for his friend to unlock the car door.

They both got in and Chanyeol was about to start the engine when Jongin began, “Yeol, I need your help with something.”

Chanyeol closed his eyes for a moment. This situation right here was becoming a true test for his patience. “What is it?” he asked calmly.

“You see...” Jongin grinned dreamily. “I asked Do Kyungsoo out.”

Then Chanyeol was overwhelmed with sadness. Just hearing it from both parties confirmed its reality. “You did?” He really tried to sound positive. “And she said yes?”

“Yup! I couldn’t believe it!” Jongin narrated excitedly, laughing. “I want to make it special though.”

Chanyeol opted to start the car and drive away. He just let Jongin drone on and on about how he and Kyungsoo had bonded at rehearsals during the last week.

“Can we stop at a flower shop first?”

Jongin looked so animated that Chanyeol couldn’t say no. So Jongin was even going to give her flowers. Great, how was he going to compete with that? “S-Sure.”

Chanyeol then u-turned and drove to the nearest mall.

At the flower shop, there were literally too many different kinds of flowers to choose from. Jongin politely declined the help of an assistant as he attempted to look for the just right kind of flower to give her.

“What do you think, Chanyeol?” Jongin consulted, too happy to even notice his friend’s crestfallen expression. “I’m thinking roses but... I don’t want to scare her away. I really like her, just that... they say flowers mean a lot of things. I don’t want to convey the wrong message and cause her not to go out with me again.”

Wonderful, Jongin was even contemplating a second date.  What was next? Jongin would ask if him to be the best man to their wedding?! “White lilies.”

“Huh?”

“White lilies,” Chanyeol repeated. He always noticed that amidst all the flowers that Kyungoo was given during her plays, she always looked for, happily picked and smelled the white lilies first.

“You sure? Why?”

Chanyeol sighed. Was this just out of the goodness of his heart because Jongin was his best friend and wanted his happiness more than anything? Or was it because he was a damn coward and intimidated by competition easily? “Because a lily is... pretty and delicate... it smells nice... simple yet it stands out. It’s... kind of like her.”

Jongin grinned at Chanyeol’s brilliance. “You’re right! Thanks, bro, I owe you!” Then he turned to the florist and requested to send a bouquet of white lilies to Kyungsoo’s dorm room tomorrow afternoon.

He didn’t think the afternoon could get any worse until Jongin asked if he could borrow the Camaro, since Jongin didn’t have a car (yet).

Again, in support of this blossoming romance, all Chanyeol could say was: “Sure.”

When he finally got home, he went straight to bed and closed his eyes, couldn’t remember feeling so exhausted than he’d ever been in the last hour. Sleep was so far away from him now, and as punishment for causing treason to himself, he was afraid he wasn’t going to be granted the consolation of slumber that night.

Chapter Text

Jongin left the university paper office minutes ago, and Chanyeol even wished him good luck with a brave face. He had agreeably given his best friend his car key as Jongin told him that he was picking up Kyungsoo from her dormitory.

Chanyeol sighed, staring at the enlarged picture of Do Kyungsoo on his screen. If truth be known, he hadn’t made a single progression with this project. He would do his other work for the paper and then when he came back to his desktop, there would be her beguiling face as his wallpaper and he couldn’t help but be mesmerized all over again.

He didn’t usually stay at the paper office this late, but tonight he would make an exception.

Junmyeon and Sehun were on their way out. “Chanyeol? It’s almost 8 p.m. The building’s nearly empty. You can finish whatever it is you’re doing next week,” Junmyeon said gently, coming up to his station.

He looked up at the couple, automatically opening up a web browser to conceal his desktop background. “Oh, uh... I’m having all these ideas for the Miss Saigon poster.” He smiled at Sehun. “I’ll leave soon, Myeonnie. I’ll lock up and give you the keys early morning Monday.”

Junmyeon still looked concerned but reluctantly gave the office keys to Chanyeol. “All right.” She smiled kindly. “Don’t work too hard.”

“Yeah, dude,” Sehun added, shaking Chanyeol’s hand. “It’s Friday, for crying out loud!”

Chanyeol laughed weakly. “I’m just about to wrap this up. Go, you lovebirds.”

Both laughed. “Oh,” Junmyeon inserted, “Baekhyun is still working on her article. Wait up for each other, okay?”

“Baekhyun?” Chanyeol sounded surprised. “Uh... okay. Thanks. Have fun, guys.”

With that, the couple waved and turned for the door. He heard them say goodbye to Baekhyun.

Chanyeol got up and looked for his friend at her workstation. He found her crouched down with her head on her folded arms.

He pulled out another chair and sat beside her. “Baek?” he called, worried. Then he looked at her screen. There was a slightly miniature picture of Kyungsoo and Baekhyun’s interview with her.

Then he heard her... sobbing.

He shook her. “Baekhyun-ah!”

When she looked up, her eyes were all red and puffy and her face was scrunched up from crying.

Chanyeol’s eyes widened, proceeding to wipe her tears with his sleeve. “What’s the matter?”

Baekhyun sniffed. “Chanyeol?” she asked, her voice cracking. “Do you think I’m pretty?”

“Huh?” His mouth dropped, her question catching him off-guard.

Baekhyun bawled, turning back to her table and burying her face in her arm. “See?!  You don’t even think so!”

“Wait, wait... Baek,” Chanyeol attempted gently, holding Baekhyun’s arms and making her look at him. “What is going on? Where is this coming from?”

“Answer my question first!” she demanded, sobbing. “Am I pretty or not?”

Chanyeol sighed and looked into her eyes. “Yes. Very pretty... in a... sisterly kind of way.”

Baekhyun turned away from him, grudgingly getting some tissue from her drawer and blowing her nose into it. “Gee, thanks a lot!”

Chanyeol couldn’t help a smile. “Well, what do you want me to say?” Then he chuckled.

Baekhyun hit him on the arm. “Don’t you dare laugh at me! I haven’t cried since the fifth grade and now... if I’m crying then it must be something really upsetting!”

Chanyeol narrowed his eyes. “You cried on the fifth grade because Jongin stole a kiss from you. D-Does this have anything to do with—”

“I don’t care what that asshole does with his free time anyway! Jerk! He even asked me which perfume to wear for his date with Do Kyungsoo!” she snarled, trying to glare at the picture on the screen.

“Baek... that means you—”

Her lower lip trembled. “B-Before you get all analytical on me, Chanyeol, he... he... whats-his-name said that he never found...” She avoided Chanyeol’s gaze as more tears overflowed from her eyes. “He never found any other girl attractive all this time because he ... he has a crush on me!” She shrugged, throwing her hands up in surrender. “And now... Do Kyungsoo??? Just because I’m not feminine and... that sweet!!” Then Baekhyun couldn’t help herself. Her eyes closed shut and her throat released broken sobs.

Chanyeol put an arm around her. “Baek... it’s okay. Don’t... Don’t cry...”

“You know the most annoying part of it all?” Baekhyun wept. “I like Kyungsoo. I think she’s amazing. We could even be good friends!” She hid her wrecked face in her hands once more. “This is totally crazy! I hate... I hate...” Then she screamed. “AAAAGGGHHHH! I don’t even want to mention his name! I wish I could erase it from my memory!”

Chanyeol wanted to say he knew exactly how Baekhyun felt, but it would be such a long discussion that he didn’t have the energy or the emotion to get into that. He pulled Baekhyun closer instead and let his friend cry on his shoulder, with him rubbing her back in comfort.

Meanwhile, Kyungsoo anxiously walked into the dark halls. She knew she misunderstood Jongin’s message earlier. His call this morning had startled her and she wasn’t fully awake when they talked about where he would pick her up. She remembered something about being in the university paper office. She didn’t realize that the building would be this empty around 8 p.m.

She noticed that the office door was wide open. She could meet Jongin and maybe if Chanyeol was still there, she could ask for a copy of the poem. She had been so busy with the play and at the Lit 201 dismissal, Chanyeol would be the first one out of the classroom so Kyungsoo never got the chance to make that request.

She approached the office and her hand caught the gasp that escaped her lips as the view that greeted her was Chanyeol and Baekhyun in a rather intimate embrace...

Kyungsoo turned her back to the wall, her eyes growing even rounder.

Just then, her mobile phone rang.

Chanyeol’s big ears perked up. “What was that?”

Kyungsoo immediately answered the call and walked away. “Uh... Jongin?” She smiled. She ran to reach the exit because she couldn’t quite hear him. “Yes, I’m sorry. I’m here at the paper office. I thought you said...”

Jongin laughed. “No, I said I would just drop off some stuff at the office and then I’ll come by your dorm.”

“Oh.” Kyungsoo laughed as well, reaching the front doors. “My bad.”

“Okay, stay at the front steps and I’ll come and get you in a few minutes.”

“All right. See you.” And with that, they ended the call.

Back at the office, Chanyeol looked at Baekhyun apologetically, who sat up straighter and had somewhat recovered. “Baek... I’ll just see what that was, okay?” He swallowed nervously. “As far as I know, we’re the only people here.”

Baekhyun nodded, sniffing.

Chanyeol went to the door and peered in from both directions. Funny, no one was there. He was sure it wasn’t his cell phone because his ringtone was not “Rewrite the Stars” from The Greatest Showman OST and it certainly wasn’t Baekhyun’s... Chanyeol shivered as he walked back to Baekhyun’s station. He hadn’t had any ghost encounters before in his life and he certainly didn’t want to start having one now!

“Uh... Baek? H-How are you feeling?” Chanyeol asked, not wanting to rush her, but the hair was raising at the back of his neck.

“I don’t know,” Baekhyun retorted as more tears fell down her cheeks.

Chanyeol groaned inwardly, patting Baekhyun on the back sympathetically.

Outside, Kyungsoo carefully sat down on the steps and waited for Jongin to come. The image of Chanyeol and Baekhyun in each other’s arms returned to her. Maybe they weren’t just good friends.

And the poem... Wow, he must have written it for Baekhyun. Chanyeol might be shy and quiet but he must have truly loved Baekhyun to be inspired to write something that wonderful. Kyungsoo wished Baekhyun had heard him recite it. He read it with such a serene passion as though he had been a poet all his life.

Then she felt ashamed for wanting a copy of it. Her request now seemed so... selfish. If somebody had made a poem for her, of course she would want it all to herself.

“Kyungsoo!”

She looked up and smiled.

Jongin got out of the car and took Kyungsoo’s hand as he met her at the steps and then opened the car door for her.

“Oh, wow!” Kyungsoo enthused excitedly as Jongin got in to the driver’s seat. “It’s like that car from A Walk to Remember!”

Jongin laughed, starting to engine and driving on. “Really? All I know is it’s a Chevrolet Camaro.”

“I can’t believe I’ll see one of these!” she raved, feeling the texture of the seat. She was so thrilled to be in one of these classic cars. It was so vintage that it was an adventure!

“This is Chanyeol’s car.”

She turned to Jongin in surprise. “R-Really?”

“Yes.” Jongin laughed. “So, let’s go?”

Kyungsoo grinned at him and nodded.

Chanyeol and Baekhyun finally locked up and left the building. Chanyeol looked at the near distance and noticed that it was indeed his car just a few meters away. He couldn’t be mistaken about that plate number. Were they just here? Or did they just pass this way?

“Wasn’t that your car?” Baekhyun asked him, indignant.

Chanyeol immediately shook his head, not wanting to upset Baekhyun more.

“Then where is it?”

“We’re going to have to take the train today,” Chanyeol informed, smiling sheepishly. “Sorry.”

“Great! Here I am, dateless on a Friday night and my one consolation is to get a ride home!”

Chanyeol sighed. “Well, Baekhyun, at least you’ve got me.”

She looked at him incredulously.

Then the two friends cracked up laughing.

Chapter Text

“How do you like it, Kyungsoo?” Jongin asked proudly as he led her in one of those open-spaced classy cafes.

“This is great,” she said sincerely, smiling at him. She thanked him as he gallantly pulled a chair out for her to sit on.

Just then, a waiter approached and handed them menus. For drinks, Kyungsoo ordered orange juice while Jongin went for a latte.

“Do you have any craving?” Jongin inquired, scanning the menu.

“Pizza,” they said at the same time.

They looked at each other and laughed.

“You choose the topping,” he offered, being the gentleman.

“Pepperoni,” Kyungsoo answered.

Jongin agreed and thanked the waiter as he left to get their order. Then Jongin started chuckling.

“What?” Kyungsoo asked, smiling.

“Nothing... it’s just that Chanyeol would have ordered the same thing. It’s his favorite topping. If he were here, he wouldn’t have passed up a slice!”

Kyungsoo’s cheeks reddened. “Oh... if you don’t like it, we could exchange it for something else. What do you like?”

Jongin shrugged. “Anything, really. I eat everything.”

They went on talking about their favorite street food when their pizza arrived. All that conversation boosted their appetite and they both laughed as they grabbed a slice at the same time.

Kyungsoo took a bite and savored the flavor. “I’m so sorry. I forgot to thank you for the flowers.”

Now, it was Jongin’s turn to blush. “That’s nothing, Kyungsoo. Don’t mention it.”

“How did you know that white lilies are my favorite?”

Jongin chewed on his pizza thoughtfully. He sipped from his latte before answering, “Really? Well, actually, it was Chanyeol’s suggestion.”

“C-Chanyeol?”

“Yeah,” he answered, grinning. “I’m really glad you like them.”

“I love them.” Suddenly, she didn’t know who to thank for thinking of the flowers she had been so happy receiving that afternoon: Jongin, or Chanyeol.

It should be Jongin, because he went through all the trouble paying and having them delivered.

What was happening? Why did Chanyeol’s name keep coming up every five minutes? He suggested the right kind of flowers and even lent Jongin his car?

Before she realized it, Kyungsoo heard herself saying, “He must get all his romantic ideas because of his girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?” Jongin repeated, not sure if he heard her right.

“Yeah. Baekhyun, right?”

Jongin coughed on the pizza that didn’t make it quite all the way to his throat. “BAEKHYUN?!”

Kyungsoo was surprised at his reaction. “Uh... why? They’re your best friends, right?”

Jongin then laughed as he recovered. “Kyungsoo, you must be mistaken. I’ve known Baekhyun and Chanyeol all my life and if something is going on...” Then his expression changed; he became somewhat worried. “I’ll... I’ll know about it, or at least... they’ll tell me.”

“It’s just that Chanyeol wrote her a poem and—”

“Chanyeol... wrote a poem?” Jongin replicated slowly, gradually becoming aware that he was losing his appetite.

“H-He... read it in class and um...”

Jongin’s eyebrows knitted in bafflement, trying to come up with a logical explanation. “But Chanyeol can’t write a poem to save his life... How was it possible...?” His voice trailed off as his eyes widened at a realization. “Baekhyun could’ve helped him...”

Kyungsoo bit her lip. “Jongin, you seem very upset right now. I hope I’m wrong. I probably shouldn’t have mentioned this to you...”

Jongin shook his head and tried to smile. This was all too sudden and he couldn’t believe his two best friends doing this to him when he had verbally expressed to Baekhyun of his not-so-subtle interest in her... and Chanyeol wasn’t the most clueless person on the planet. How could they betray him like this? Well, he would show them. For now, he was on a date with a perfectly sweet girl who could charm her way into the Blue House any day if she wanted. “Forget it, Kyungsoo. I’m fine. Let’s just enjoy dinner, okay?”

And he squeezed her hand for reassurance.

Kyungsoo still looked a little concerned as she nodded. And after that, there was no more mention of Chanyeol or Baekhyun.

Chapter Text

“Chanyeol-rah...” He vaguely heard his mother calling him, knocking on his door. “Chanyeol-rah...”

He groaned, turning over on his bed. “Omma...” he called out sleepily. “It’s Saturday.  I don’t have classes...”

“Jongin’s here. He says he wants to talk to you.”

His eyes flew open. He sat up automatically, that adrenaline rush particularly caused by utmost panic. “Okay, Omma!” he called out again. “Just a minute!”

He ran to his private bathroom and splashed water on his face. Then he gamely gave himself a little pep talk. “Okay, Nini’s probably going to tell you about their date last night. Expect that he would be happy and smiling all the time. And because you’re a good friend, you would be happy for him.  Got that, Park Chanyeol?!” Then he reprimanded himself on the mirror. “Serves you right for waiting around so long. Now you know that Kyungsoo likes Jongin too.”

He sighed, staring at the three red M&M’s stuck on his mirror. He was not only pathetic; he was also going crazy...

He shook his head and made himself look presentable. He finally emerged from his bedroom and greeted Jongin with a smile.

Chanyeol was rewarded with a blank expression.

The next thing he knew, Jongin carelessly threw his car key towards his direction. On reflex, Chanyeol caught the key with his hands.

Chanyeol’s friendly smile faded. Mrs. Park came out from the kitchen, bringing out breakfast. “Boys, sit down and eat.”

Chanyeol looked at Jongin, whose mouth was in a grim line. “Maybe later, Omma.” He tentatively put an arm around Jongin’s shoulder. “C’mon, let’s have a chat outside.”

Jongin stiffly went ahead as Chanyeol followed, closing the front door behind him.

His best friend leaned his backside on the Camaro’s hood. Chanyeol did the same a few inches beside him.

Jongin crossed his arms on his chest, his narrow gaze at the opposite direction.

Chanyeol didn’t know if he should initiate asking about last night. He didn’t feel right about it. Jongin appeared extremely mad for some reason. Before he could muster up the courage to find his voice:

“Is there something you want to tell me, Chanyeol?” Jongin asked seriously. He was going to give the chance for his best friend to explain his side.

His friend’s quiet tone startled Chanyeol. “Uh...” What exactly did Jongin mean? “A-About what?”

Jongin rolled his eyes. “About you... and your girl?”

Chanyeol’s mouth dropped. How did Jongin find out? His heart started to pound faster. Had his actions whenever Kyungsoo was around gave away too much? He tried to laugh, to camouflage his guilt. “My girl? You mean K—”

“BAEKHYUN!” Jongin's eyes blazed.

Chanyeol’s eyes bugged out. “Baekhyun?”

“So when did it start, Yeol?” Jongin confronted. “Are you two even planning on telling me? Or am I just naturally left out of the equation?”

“Nini, what are you talking about?”

His denial only fueled Jongin’s anger. “Don’t Nini me!  What I’m talking about is you going after Baekhyun behind my back! Are you her boyfriend already?!”

“Huh?”

“Don’t play dumb, bro! How could you compose a poem unless she helped you?  She’s the only natural writer among the three of us!” Jongin looked at him mockingly.

Chanyeol had to put a stop to this. “Now, wait a minute. It’s not what you think—”

“What do I think, dude? Tell me!”

He inhaled deeply and tried to explain. “I think that whoever fed you with this ridiculous thought is sadly mistaken.”

“So Kyungsoo was lying then?”

“KYUNGSOO?!”

“She said that you wrote a poem for class...” Jongin supplied, looking at Chanyeol suspiciously.

He avoided Jongin’s gaze. Geez... “Yeah, I did. I told you, it was homework. What was I supposed to do?”

“Did Baekhyun help you or not?”

“No,” Chanyeol answered instantly, which caused Jongin to believe him. “I did it on my own, okay? Much as that’s hard to imagine, Dr. Lee gave me high marks for that.”

Jongin was confused. “Does Baekhyun know you wrote a poem?”

“Yeah, she did.”

“And did you write it for her?”

“No, I didn’t!” Chanyeol closed his eyes, as though to prevent a migraine. “Seriously, Nini, where did you get that idea?”

Jongin’s hands limply fell on his side. “So you’re not her boyfriend then?”

“I’m not!” Chanyeol denied strongly. “How could I date her when I know you’ve liked her for the longest time?”

Jongin didn’t speak for a few moments, suddenly vulnerable. “Well, bro... I still do... it’s just that she brushes me off all the time. It’s starting to hurt...”

Chanyeol patted Jongin at the back in sympathy, wishing he could say the magic words for him to feel better instantly but there was the consequence of Baekhyun ending his life if he even hinted to Jongin what she admitted about him last night at the paper office. “Uh...” Time to divert the subject then and he couldn’t think of anything else but the dreaded question. “H-How did your date with Kyungsoo go?”

Jongin shrugged. “It was okay. I feel sorry for Kyungsoo, though. I got upset about this crazy farce that my two best friends were conspiring against me. It ended early and I got her home even before 10 p.m. She must think I’m a total jerk. I don’t think I’ll be getting that second date after all...”

Well, that wasn’t comforting, especially if Kyungsoo was the receiving end of this cruel joke. “Oh, did she get pissed off?”

“No, she absolutely understood, which was really sweet of her. I’m telling you, Chanyeol, she’s wonderful.”

Chanyeol averted his eyes to the ground.

“I really like her,” Jongin went on. “She’s everything a guy could ever want. She’s so awesome, that’s why people are naturally drawn to her. She’s effortlessly pretty and has such a feminine quality about her. I would’ve pursued her if...” His gaze lowered to his sneakers, kicking a stray pebble on the asphalt. “If I wasn’t helplessly and brainlessly hooked on that kick-ass journalist wannabe, who could give me a mean punch anywhere she fancies and knock me out dead any day.” He looked at Chanyeol apologetically. “I’m sorry, Yeol.”            

Chanyeol gave him their special handshake. “No worries, bro.”

“I got... insanely jealous, I guess... at the thought of you and Baekhyun being together, when it should have been me.” Then Jongin got this very determined look in his eyes. “You know what? What am I waiting for? I’m going to get down on my knees and beg her to go out with me if I have to.”

Chanyeol chuckled finally. He wasn’t going to help his best friends this time. “Let me know how it turns out. My bet is that you’ll end up with a black eye by end of day.”

Jongin smirked. “No matter. It’s tough love. I’ll never find Baekhyun’s spunk anywhere else.”

Chanyeol happily invited his best friend back in for breakfast. Jongin gladly discussed his possible strategies to win Baekhyun’s heart.

Jongin laughed as he sipped from his orange juice. “You know what’s funny?”

“What?”

“Kyungsoo thought that you were romantic.”

Chanyeol looked up from his plate. “S-She did?”

“Well, she thought that you wrote that poem for Baekhyun. And then you thought of what kind of flowers to give her.” Jongin patted his best friend at the back. “So maybe you do have it in you, Chanyeol.”

Chanyeol only chuckled, still kind of shaken at what he had just heard. Only this misconception though... just how did she reach that conclusion of the poem being for Baekhyun?

“Do you have any ideas for me? C’mon, help me out with Baekhyun.”

Chanyeol guffawed. “Word of the wise. Never ask her which perfume to wear when you’re going out with someone else.”

Jongin cringed. “She told you about that?”

Chanyeol squirmed. “Uh... I overheard you guys. That was really lame, Nini.”

Jongin looked embarrassed. “Yeah... I’m still thinking if I did it to make her jealous... but I guess it didn’t work.”

Chanyeol had to conceal his amusement. “Well, you know Baek. She likes it black and white, nothing in between. You have to give to her straight.”

“Oh, I’ll give it to her straight all right... and then she’ll give it to me straight, with an uppercut hook like Muhammad Ali.”

Chanyeol laughed out loud. “Hwaiting!“

Chapter Text

Jongin paced back and forth nervously as he rang her doorbell for the second time. He had three long stemmed roses in his hands, not sure if Baekhyun would appreciate them. 

In all the years of their friendship, this was the first time he felt uncertain around her. What would it take for Baekhyun to take him seriously this time?

The door opened and Jongin wheeled around in surprise.

Baekhyun’s expression darkened when she saw her visitor. “What brings you here? Do you want someone to go with you to the arcade?”

Jongin didn’t exactly know why she was angry at him but could somehow conclude that she had a right to be. “Uh, no, Baek,” he answered, awkwardly presenting her the pink roses. “T-These are for you.”

Baekhyun looked at it as though he was handing her the plague. “Are you insane? What are those for?” She took a step backward, her eyes widening at his gift.

“Uh...” Jongin swallowed. “I... I just thought you’d like them...” How was he going to elaborate on his intention? He’d deal with that later.

Then Baekhyun narrowed her eyes at him, trying to assess if he was just playing a notorious prank. Then... to Jongin’s relief, she slowly accepted the flowers. “Thanks,” she said softly, even proceeding to sniffing them.

Jongin smiled finally. “You’re welcome.”

Baekhyun got uncomfortable with him staring at her like that. Then she turned suspicious. Usually he called her bro, now he was saying her name with some kind of weird fondness. 

“Do you want to come in or not?” she asked in that threatening way of hers, to camouflage her anxiety actually. She turned her back at him and somewhat prompted him to follow.

Jongin restrained from chuckling as he obeyed and sat down at the living room while Baekhyun went to the kitchen to find a vase for the flowers.

Baekhyun’s mom suddenly came from the stairs, who brightened when she saw Jongin. He bowed Mrs. Byun in greeting as he was invited to join them to dinner. Baekhyun rolled her eyes and returned to the living room, with the vase and the flowers in tow.

“Wow, did you bring these, Jongin?” Mrs. Byun asked, eyeing the roses in appreciation. “They’re beautiful!”          

“I’m glad you like them, eomonim. Those are for Baekhyun, because I would like to ask her out, on a date.” Jongin looked at Mrs. Byun meaningfully. “If... it’s okay with you.”

Baekhyun’s mouth dropped as she stared at Jongin in shock.

“Finally!  I mean, of course!” Mrs. Byun approved, squeezing her daughter’s shoulders. Then her smile faded as Baekhyun glared at her mother. “Uh... why don’t you kids talk while I get dinner ready?”

Jongin nodded as he sat back down. Baekhyun reluctantly sat down too—making sure that there was at least two feet in between them—as her mom left them alone.

He looked at her then. Her eyes were fixated on the floor, as if waiting for him to say his piece. He wasn’t really sure where or how to start.

Jongin cleared his throat. Baekhyun cringed.

“Baek... I wanted to come here because I’m hoping we could talk. Like I already told your mom, I want for us to get to know each other better... as more than friends, that is if...” He bit his lip. “If you also want to.”

She didn’t answer.

“I... I know we’ve known each other since kindergarten and you’ve been my first crush. It never really... went away...” Jongin admitted.

“And why are you suddenly doing something about it?” Baekhyun asked in disbelief. “What about Do Kyungsoo?”

Her tone sounded angry, and even jealous to Jongin’s opinion, but he was the one under scrutiny here. “I don’t deny that I was attracted to her...”

“Was?” Baekhyun echoed, glowering at him. “As in past tense? C’mon, bro, that was too quick. You just went on a date with her last night!  I’ll give you a whopping that you’ll never forget if you did that to me! Don’t you know me at all? Why would you—”

Her voice was cut off when Jongin pulled at her arm and hugged her tight.

For a few moments, Baekhyun couldn’t breathe, just listening to Jongin’s fast heartbeat thudding in his chest.

“I’m willing to try anything, Baekhyunnie...” he whispered, not wanting to let her go. “Actually... when I went out with Kyungsoo, that’s when I started to realize just how much I really want to be with you...”

Her eyes widened at his revelation.

“Not just as my friend, and not just as someone I have crush on... Y-You’re my first love, Baekhyun-ah. I... I just hope you give me that chance...”

Then in his nearness, she could smell his scent. It wasn’t the brand that she suggested for him to wear for his date last night... Then her blood boiled as she realized something. Chanyeol!

She pushed away from him and glared. “Does Chanyeol have something to do with this impulsive display of affection?” she demanded, her hands forming into tight fists.

“No! I mean, yes!” Jongin answered, suddenly confused. “Uh... no, Baek! I talked to him, yes.”

“And what did he tell you?!”

“Nothing!” Then he quickly explained about Kyungsoo wrongly assuming that she and Chanyeol were an item and what had happened to their date and how he had accused Chanyeol of betraying him and how they had talked that morning.

Then Baekhyun grabbed his collar.

Jongin closed his eyes in fear. Here came the inevitable physical pain.

By end of day, Baekhyun didn’t give Jongin a black eye as Chanyeol predicted. 

The next thing Jongin knew, he was kissing Baekhyun!

He opened his eyes and saw that it was really happening. Then his eyes fluttered close once more as he put his arms around her waist to hold her closer.

Chapter Text

The email that greeted Chanyeol when he came that Monday afternoon at the paper office was from the director of the play, Professor Hwang, asking for the draft of the poster. It was less than a month till opening night and Chanyeol understood its urgency.

No worries. He had done far more tedious work and was able to deliver in two hours. This should be a piece of cake.

Unfortunately, it was also the paper’s release on Wednesday.

Chanyeol was swamped.

It looked like another late night for him, or at least finish everything by 9 p.m. as the building would be really empty by then and he certainly didn’t want that.

He centered Kyungsoo’s image on the poster, made a snow-whitey embossment around her outline almost making her skin glow. Whenever he caught himself getting into a trance as he memorized the form of her heart-shaped lips, her chin, her nose, her eyes and the constellation of those entrancing moles, he would shake his head and work on the other cast members. He was instructed anyway to make Kyungsoo the nucleus of the poster. He reminded himself that the way he was treating this project was absolutely unbiased.

He didn’t realize that the office was nearly vacant when he finally accomplished the pictures in place and Baekhyun and Jongin went over to his station to say goodbye.

Chanyeol had to cover the full grin that automatically formed on his lips. Jongin and Baekhyun had been inseparable all day. If he had foreseen that they would be this sickening—and he meant that in a perfectly good-natured way—he wouldn’t have encouraged Jongin to go for it.

“We’ll go ahead, Chanyeol,” Jongin said, smiling at Baekhyun.

“Yeah,” Baekhyun agreed, smiling back at Jongin. “We would have liked to ask you to join us to dinner, but since you’re still busy and all...”

“And that this is our first real date...” Jongin added, so as not to overlook that very important detail.

Chanyeol’s shoulders shook with laughter as he tried to contain it. They looked so silly, because he’d never seen them like this before, but then again... he couldn’t deny the rush of envy that came over him as he observed them looking at each other in the way that they were. Something changed tremendously, like the tenderness that existed between them became more defined for everyone to see, and for once, they weren’t trying to hide it. He was proud of both of them for finally being true to themselves. “I’ll be fine. I’m a big boy. I can take care of myself.”

Jongin looked sincerely apologetic. “Don’t worry, bro. We’ll hang out some other time,” he promised, retreating to the door while Baekhyun pulled at his hand, which seemed to be literally attached to each other’s the whole day.

“Bye, Yeollie,” Baekhyun said, waving with her free hand.

Just then, they bumped at someone at the door.

“Oh,” Jongin said, his face brightening. “Hi, Kyungsoo!”

Baekhyun smiled and greeted her just the same.

Kyungsoo laughed. It wasn’t hard to notice their entwined hands. Jongin and Baekhyun must have reevaluated their relationship over the weekend. And she was glad for them, considering how upset Jongin was the last time she saw him. “Hi, you guys.”

Jongin and Baekhyun looked at each other as their cheeks reddened. They knew that what happened between them was pretty obvious, but they still felt embarrassed to explain it, especially when Jongin had just gone out with Kyungsoo three nights ago.

Kyungsoo’s smile was unwavered. “Is Chanyeol still there?”

Jongin sighed with relief. “Yeah, he’s still at his desk. The one at the far right?”

“Yes, I remember,” Kyungsoo answered, her smile broadening to a grin. “Okay, I won’t keep you. I just want to give this to Chanyeol.”           

That was when they noticed what she was carrying.

Baekhyun grinned. “Oh, he would love that!”

Kyungsoo laughed as she waved goodbye to them and headed for Chanyeol’s direction.

Chanyeol sighed, thinking of taking a break. He was tired and hungry. He went back to his draft and instantly he was looking into Kyungsoo’s eyes on the screen. What he would give to stare into them in person...

He heard soft, feminine laughter behind him. “I guess my face is a little smaller than the first scan...”

Chanyeol’s heart jumped to his throat as he turned around. His eyes widened as he realized it was her. He reflexively got another chair for her and motioned for her to take a seat.

Kyungsoo continued to smile as she sat down in front of him.

His eyes didn’t leave her face as he mindlessly took his seat again, wondering what remarkable deed he had done lately to be rewarded like this, with Kyungsoo, giving him a visit out of the blue. Whatever the reason was, he didn’t care at the moment.

“H-Hello, Chanyeol,” she greeted nervously, setting down her present to him on a small space on his table.

“H-Hi,” he greeted back, straightening up on his chair. Then his eyes zoomed in on what she had brought.

“That’s for you,” she said. “Are you hungry?”

“Uh...” Chanyeol stammered, looking away, face feeling flushed. Yes, he was, but she didn’t necessarily have to know that. “You didn’t have to do this. I was going to finish the poster,” he tried to joke.

And it pleased him immensely when she laughed. “I know you are. It’s just that... well... this is really for...” she paused, opening up the box as the aroma of freshly baked pepperoni pizza filled the air.

“Hey, what’s that?” Junmyeon asked, coming up to the station. “Pizza! Can I have one, Kyungsoo? I’m famished and Sehun is late!”

Kyungsoo laughed and handed her some tissue paper. “Go ahead. Sehun will be here soon. The professor just talked to him for a little bit after rehearsals.” Then she smiled at Chanyeol, as though to encourage him to share as well.

“Um... ladies, first,” he said gallantly.

And five other staff members requested for a slice as well. After they were satisfied, they went back to their respective stations.

Chanyeol was still trying to look busy with the poster draft.

Kyungsoo patiently separated the last two slices. “Here,” she said, handing him one carefully. “I saved the biggest one for you.”

“Thank you,” he said softly as he took a grateful bite. Oh, boy, pepperoni always hit the spot. He set it down and stood up. “Wait, okay?” Then he left the office, much to her surprise.

He came back after a minute, carrying two ice cold diet sodas from the vending machine.

Kyungsoo laughed. “Oh, right. I forgot about drinks. Thank you, Chanyeol.”

“You’re welcome,” he whispered and enjoyed his dinner with her. Then as he finished his pizza, he cleaned his mouth off with a tissue and then inquired, “Uh... this is really nice of you, but I’m just wondering...”

Kyungsoo’s cheeks colored, and Chanyeol watched fascinated at how the blush rushed at her face and then how the gradual receding was almost breathtaking to look at. “It’s really because I feel guilty.”

Chanyeol was genuinely surprised. “About what?”

Her laughter sounded embarrassed. “Uh... I thought you and Baekhyun were... boyfriend and girlfriend, and I assumed Jongin knew about the two of you and that got him upset last Friday. I don’t like gossiping because it hurts people and if I caused any trouble... then I’m really sorry.” She looked at him humbly.

Before he could react, her mobile phone rang. She went to fetch it from her bag. “Excuse me, Chanyeol.” Then she stood up and walked away a few feet, focusing on her phone call.

Chanyeol leaned back at his chair, knowing that he had heard of that ringtone before. He didn’t even hear Sehun greeting him on his way in as he continued to ponder. He looked at Kyungsoo again and realized that it was the same ringtone he had heard that Friday night just outside the paper office.

Was that when Kyungsoo had seen him with Baekhyun?

Now it wasn’t so difficult piecing things together...

“Sorry about that,” Kyungsoo apologized again, sitting back down as she ended the call. “Where was I?”

Chanyeol smiled, not wanting to embarrass her more. “Were you just outside the door last Friday night? I mean... before your date with Jongin? Because I heard your ringtone... and...”

Kyungsoo looked flustered. How was she going to explain that she was hoping she could ask for a copy of the poem he wrote? It might not be for Baekhyun—that much she knew—but it could be for somebody else. “About that... I thought I was supposed to meet Jongin here and then he called me to clarify things. So yes, it was my phone that you did hear last Friday.” Her blush grew more absurd.

“Oh...” Then it was Chanyeol’s turn to feel the need to explain. “That night, Baekhyun was crying so I comforted her and that’s it... nothing happened and...”

Kyungsoo shook her head. “You don’t have to tell me, Chanyeol. It was my fault I presumed something was more into it.” She bit her lip. “I’m so sorry...”

He longed to tell her that her having that assumption was really the least of his worries—that she would have to do far greater evils to make it even remotely possible for him to feel otherwise for her. “No damage done,” Chanyeol replied, smiling. “As you can see, everything’s just fine, especially between them.” Then he looked at her closely. “B-But are you okay, about Jongin, I mean?”

“Yes, of course,” she answered. “Jongin’s really nice. I told him we could be friends and he agreed to that.”

Sehun and Junmyeon came up to Chanyeol’s work station. “Are you two leaving?” Junmyeon asked.

“In a bit,” Chanyeol replied, looking back into his screen. “I have to email this draft to Professor Hwang for approval.”

Junmyeon remembered that Chanyeol still had her spare key. “Okay. Lock up for me?”

Chanyeol nodded diligently as Sehun, Junmyeon and the other staff members said goodbye to them.

Then Chanyeol was distinctly aware of being alone with her. “Uh... Kyungsoo... d-do you want to go with them? I mean, everybody’s already left and...”

“No, I’ll wait until you finish the draft. That’s just it. You’re alone here,” she pointed out, standing up to dispose of the empty box of pizza to the nearby rubbish bin.

Chanyeol swallowed. “O-Okay, if you insist. I’ll just be adding the cast’s names anyway.”

In a few minutes, he was done with much distraction. Kyungsoo just quietly watched him work. He felt terribly conscious of his movements. Their eyes would meet at times and she would just smile at him, not saying anything. And because she was so near, he found it hard to concentrate.

“That’s beautiful,” Kyungsoo remarked, quite impressed at the outcome. “Professor Hwang would love it.”

“That’s because I have such a beautiful subject to work on,” Chanyeol whispered. When she looked at him, he abruptly paraphrased his statement. “I mean... w-with such a beautiful cast, putting it all together is just natural.”

“Annyeong-haseayo.”

Chanyeol and Kyungsoo looked up.

The guard looked uncomfortable. The paper office wasn’t usually in operation this late and there was a guy and a girl all alone in a station on a far corner of the office. “We’re locking up the building. Are you done?”

“Yes, Ahjussi. Thank you for reminding us,” Chanyeol answered politely, rushing to wrap it up. “Just one more minute.” He proceeded to email the director and attached the file.

Kyungsoo stood up as Chanyeol shut down his computer. He turned off the lights and locked the paper office and the guard escorted them to the exit.

Chapter Text

Once outside, Chanyeol thought for a full minute about following an impulse. What the heck? He got through talking to her anyway, why not just forge ahead? Besides it was late. He wanted to make sure she would be safe. “Kyungsoo?”

She looked up at him. “Yes?”

He hesitated, his heart beating much faster. “I’ll walk you to your dorm. M-My car’s parked near there anyway so...”

Kyungsoo smiled. She wasn’t really expecting him to do that, but sure, she would really enjoy the company. “Okay. Thank you.”

Chanyeol pressed his lips together, adjusting his eyeglasses.  He wondered what he should say next.  Her dorm was about a good fifteen-minute walk. He slowed his pace, hoping to prolong his time with her. He might never get this chance again, and he couldn’t remember being this happy in his entire life.

They walked side by side now. “So... do you like literature?” Kyungsoo asked.

“Huh?” Chanyeol blinked. “Well... it’s okay. I... I missed that class in sophomore year so I’m only taking it now.”

“I see,” she said, shoving her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “Me, I love the classics. Machiavelli, Browning, Joyce...”

“You mean we’re not just discussing Shakespeare?”

Kyungsoo looked at him, and then laughed when she realized he was joking. “No. We finished with him a month ago. Have you any idea whose work we are at?”

His cheeks turned crimson. “Uh... not really.”

Kyungsoo snickered. “I guess it must bore you...”

He hesitated. She must think he was a total dumbass. “Yeah,” he answered truthfully, laughing. “But I like watching live plays.” Then he realized he should’ve kept his mouth shut as she turned to him expectantly. “Uh... like your plays, from the theatre club.” he admitted then, no sense hiding it now.

“And which plays have you watched?”

“Sleeping Beauty, King Arthur, Aladin...” his voice trailed off as surprise on her face became more evident. “The Sound of Music and Gone with the Wind...”

He just enumerated every play she ever acted in. “Have you always watched plays?” she queried curiously.

Chanyeol looked away. He only watched the plays because of her, wanting to see every movement, every piece of emotion, every execution of dialogue, her laughter, her voice, her smile, her tears... He felt like in the plays, he knew her and she was revealing sides of her from somewhere deep in her heart, while he remained in the audience, just an entranced spectator, dazzled by her beauty, wit and charm. “Um... they make it easier for me to understand the books better,” he feigned, hoping she wouldn’t mistake him for a stalker.

Kyungsoo’s smile was still there as she stared at him for a while, didn’t know what to make of this person. He was artistic and romantic, for someone who wasn’t inclined to the literary word, and yet he watched plays. “Would you watch Miss Saigon too?”

“Of course,” Chanyeol answered automatically. He bit his lip. Perhaps he answered her a little too eagerly.

“I hope to see you there,” she said gently, wishing he would really support the production.

Chanyeol nodded, planning on reserving the seat front and center so nothing would be restricted from his sight, and it would be as though she would be talking and feeling only for him, when in fact she would be addressing an entire auditorium.

Then his car was coming to view. “That’s my car,” he tried conversationally, pointing at the Camaro.

Kyungsoo grinned. “Yes, I remember. Jongin told me. I think it’s gorgeous.” She ran to it excitedly, running a hand on the hood with fondness. “How ever did you find this model at this day and age?”

Chanyeol watched her, amused, as he slowly followed, his feet lingering at his approach but nonetheless it was towards her... “It was my parents’ gift to me on my eighteenth birthday. I remember, a week later, I got my license so I thought it was the next best thing that happened to me.”

Her interest was piqued. “What’s the best thing, then, if this isn’t it?”

His smile slowly faded as his eyes tenderly locked with hers. Chanyeol swallowed, cutting off the contact after a moment in the fear that Kyungsoo would realize that it was three years ago that he had first seen her. “Just... turning eighteen. It literally meant I was an adult.” He chuckled softly, leaning against the hood beside her.

Kyungsoo turned her gaze at the Camaro, openly admiring it. “This is so classic. It might as well have been a chariot with white steeds. And the color is so beautiful. Do you like red?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Why?” she asked out of the blue, really wanting to know.

“Uh...” Chanyeol thought for a while. He had liked red since he was young. “I guess it’s so vibrant, very intense. I mean, I love using red in my art. It’s so demonstrative, it doesn’t need any explanation. It’s bold and strong and basic. It’s not as sinister as black and not as pure as white. It’s not as cool as blue and not as calm as green. It’s not as bright as yellow and not as bland as brown. It’s just... passionate.” He shrugged, smiling at her.

Kyungsoo grinned at him again. “Wow...”

His lips revealed a self-conscious smile as his face once more turned into the color he had just described.

Just then, a series of irritating honks came from nearby.

“YAH!” a guy screamed, waving. “Kyungsoo-yah!”

Her smile faded and her eyes grew guarded as she instinctively held onto Chanyeol’s arm.

The guy in a new and expensive SUV alighted, with two other burly guys in tow. They walked towards them, their matching fraternity jackets conspicuous.

“Kyungsoo, sweetheart, how have you been?”

Chanyeol could feel her escalating anxiety because she was trembling.

“I’m fine, Woo Bin. W-What do you want?”

Chanyeol’s arm instantly barred Woo Bin’s intrusion as he stepped forward and locked eyes squarely at the frat guy.

Woo Bin glared at the nobody, who was only an inch shorter than him, with funny glasses and a beat-up old Camaro for wheels. He ignored Chanyeol as though he was merely thin air and smirked at Kyungsoo, who was taking cover behind Chanyeol. “Nothing, baby girl. I just want to see how you are.”

“She just told you she’s fine,” Chanyeol said quietly, but nonetheless dead serious.

“I didn’t ask you, pabo,” Woo Bin snapped as he reached for Kyungsoo’s arm only for Chanyeol to push at his chest, which caused the bully to somewhat lose his balance.

Woo Bin’s thugs were about to attack when the leader stopped them, looking at Chanyeol now like a pathetic prey for him to devour. His lips formed a devious smile as he paced back and forth as though waiting for the right time to pounce.

Kyungsoo’s eyes grew wider as she realized Chanyeol could be physically battered by them. And she didn’t want Woo Bin to pick on Chanyeol every chance he got. So she saved him the best way she knew how—act. “Don’t hurt him! He’s my boyfriend!”

Chanyeol sharply turned to her as Woo Bin’s mouth dropped open. “What?!”

Kyungsoo bravely came up front. “Please don’t bother me anymore,” she told him firmly. “I’m with Chanyeol now.”

Woo Bin looked at her and then at Chanyeol in disbelief. This guy?!  Do Kyungsoo chose this geek over him?! He breathed in and out deeply, absorbing this reality in front of him. He had been tailing the actress for months now and he wasn’t the most subtle person in his admiration for her. Just where did this wimp come from? He hadn’t seen him before, and he didn’t give a damn. Much as he had always obtained whatever or whoever it was he desired, he wasn’t an animal. He should accept his fate as a gentleman. Woo Bin swallowed and reluctantly extended his hand to Chanyeol, to declare a gentlemanly truce. “Sorry, man. I didn’t mean to stir trouble.” he admitted quietly, still a little defiant.

His thugs looked at each other in incredulity, completely flabbergasted at this side of Woo Bin they had never witnessed before. They expected an order to finish the nerd and dispose of him, throw his lifeless body over a bridge or another form of morbid torture. But this...?

Chanyeol was still a little shocked, but strongly gripped Woo Bin’s hand and shook it, only nodding.

Still, Woo Bin wasn’t all that obliging. “Take care of her,” he reminded dangerously, not blinking. “Because if you don’t... I’ll hunt you down.”

Kyungsoo put an arm around Chanyeol’s waist and pulled herself closer to his side. “G-Good night, Woo Bin,” she whispered, wishing desperately that he would go away.

Woo Bin didn’t say a word. He looked at her one last time and then retreated, grunting at his brutes to follow him back to the car. And with that, they drove away into the night.

Chanyeol turned his attention to Kyungsoo, whose eyes still followed the direction of the SUV. “Are you okay?” he whispered.

Kyungsoo blinked as she looked to him, realizing that they were safe now. She nodded as she limply leaned back to Chanyeol’s car. He took her hand, as though the warmth of his body and his steadiness would abate—if not completely eliminate—her fright.

“H-He’s so aggressive... I met him at a party and he never left me alone since...” she narrated softly, her eyes fixated on her feet as though remembering some photo stills of a recent past. “I... I’m glad you’re with me tonight... I don’t know what he could’ve done to me, with all those friends of his...” And while saying that, she shivered.

“Has he done anything to hurt you?” he asked in concern, almost out of fear.

“Only verbally. Thankfully, only words, only bluffs. I could handle those, especially when I’m with people, but he was starting to scare me... I really don’t know what I could’ve done to save myself, if I were alone tonight.”

Then a clap of thunder gave them something more to worry about. Chanyeol looked up at the ever darkening sky as the moon suddenly disappeared beneath thick smoky clouds, making their surroundings impossible to see. And then... rain poured in big, thick drops. Both of them panicked for a second and at impulse, Chanyeol pulled out his car key to let them in the car.

He ran to go around the driver’s seat. That was when they realized, both of them were soaked in only a few seconds.

Kyungsoo looked down at her clothes. “I’m all wet...” She turned her gaze to him, unconsciously touching his arm. “So are you... and we’re ruining your car seats...”

Her fingers felt icy on his skin, but he felt all warm inside. Chanyeol had to smile. He loved the car, no doubt about that. But the occasion was out of the ordinary, at very best, surreal, and his car seats would survive after just one wipe of leather polish. If anything, she had imprinted her presence on the passenger seat, just as she had made her mark indelibly on his heart, because of this memory. Her hair was dishevelled, out of sorts, not with its characteristic shine and lushness. He wouldn’t dare arrange a single hair out of its current place because for him, Kyungsoo was perfect. Her cheeks were paled from the cold and her heart-shaped lips had slightly turned pastel pink. If he could freeze this moment now, he would stare at her forever.

“I’m really sorry, Chanyeol,” Kyungsoo whispered, near tears. “I have managed to ruin your night in less than two hours.”

Oh, God... would it be such a terrible crime to correct her? Chanyeol wasn’t brave enough to do that yet. Instead he suggested, “We could stay in the car until the rain stops.”

Chapter Text

Kyungsoo stirred as she heard a repetitive tapping on the car window.  Her eyes blinked open as she realized in a daze that she had slept on Chanyeol’s chest with him holding her in the front seat.  Chanyeol was jolted awake when the tapping grew even more insistent.  Chanyeol’s eyes grew wide, immediately rolling down the pane because the parking lot security was asking him to do so.  “Annyeong-haseayo, ahjussi.”

Kyungsoo straightened up her clothes, relieved that everything was buttoned up as they should be, and bowed to the officers in greeting.

“Don’t you kids have classes later?” One of the guards asked, shaking his head in disappointment.

Kyungsoo and Chanyeol checked the clock on the car and it said 6:12 a.m. 

“Yes, we do.” Chanyeol answered and started his car.  “We’re sorry we stayed the night.”  He then started the car and slowly pulled out of the parking slot he had occupied to drive Kyungsoo to her dorm.

When they arrived, Chanyeol turned to her and smiled gently. They had talked about everything and anything last night, from their families to childhood memories, to their favorite music and other relatable experiences; something that Chanyeol didn’t think would happen in this lifetime. Kyungsoo fondly smiled back as she alighted. Chanyeol continued to watch her as she disappeared into the front doors.

Then he drove on, the pleased smile still on his face. He could hardly wait to see her tomorrow in Lit class.

That afternoon, everyone’s conversations halted as he walked into the paper office. He had been noticing all day that people he didn’t know would stop what they were doing to stare at him. And when he would meet their eyes, they would look away and resume their tasks, and then eventually would whisper secretively to each other that Chanyeol would feel extremely sensitive that it was about him—although he couldn’t imagine what the hell for.

Chanyeol carefully approached his station, feeling as though he had walked into some kind of twilight zone...

Baekhyun and Jongin decided collectively to ask their best friend. They weren’t sure if someone already had the guts to let Chanyeol know what was circulating at the campus—especially on SNS, X, IG and Tiktok since this morning...

Chanyeol unfortunately wasn’t actively using social media so he probably didn’t know.

“H-Hi, bro,” Jongin greeted tentatively, smiling in a peculiar way.  

Chanyeol grinned in relief. Finally, people he could count on treating him no differently. He was beginning to wonder if he had suddenly grown two heads without his knowledge. “Hi, Nini, Hi, Baek.” Then he eyed them suspiciously. “What’s up?”

Baekhyun and Jongin exchanged uncomfortable glances. “Uh... Chanyeol?” Baekhyun began, swallowing. “H-How did your day go, specifically?”

He shook his head dismissively and switched on his computer. “It was the usual.” Then he turned to them again, crossing his arms on his chest. “Why are you acting so strange?”

Baekhyun bit her lip. Jongin pulled out two other chairs so they could all sit down. “Yeol...” Jongin initiated in a low voice as soon as he and Baekhyun were seated in front of him. “Did you or did you not spend the night with Kyungsoo?”

Chanyeol’s eyes widened. He wasn’t sure how news spread that fast, or how contorted it was, but he didn’t have anything to hide. “I did, but how did you find out?”

Jongin was sweating. “The guard saw you leaving the office late last night with Kyungsoo.”

“SO?!” Chanyeol yelled out in anger.

Several of the staff members turned to their direction. Baekhyun and Jongin tried to hide Chanyeol from their view as they huddled closer together, their heads bowed low in intimacy.

“Not only that... Woo Bin and other frat members attested to seeing you two together last night too...” Baekhyun fidgeted with her hands. “Her dorm mates also confirmed that she didn’t sleep in the dorm and that she didn’t tell anyone where she was... Then there were witnesses when you dropped her off early this morning, even giving the exact description of your Camaro, including the plate number... It’s all over school, Chanyeol! People have been talking about you two the whole day...”

Chanyeol groaned and covered his eyes with his hands. He then met his friends’ gazes seriously. “It suddenly rained and we decided to just stay in my car until it stopped, but it didn’t.”

Baekhyun’s and Jongin’s jaws dropped at the same time.

“And we just talked,” Chanyeol added in emphasis, “and nothing happened. If something did, I think I would know. If you want, you can even ask Kyungsoo.”

Baekhyun sighed in relief, squeezing Chanyeol’s arm. “We believe you, Chanyeol. Nini and I were just worried for you earlier, not sure how you’re taking this or if somebody made a snide remark already or...”

“We didn’t know if we should text you about it, unless it came from you first,” Jongin interjected solemnly. “You know we’d trust your word over what others would say.”

“T-Thanks, guys,” Chanyeol answered quietly. He was too distracted, too distressed, too appalled right now. “Uh... let me just do some work for now, okay? I’ll talk to you later.”

Jongin and Baekhyun hesitated at first.

Then Chanyeol nodded as a sign of assurance. His best friends reluctantly left and attempted to do their own work.

He finished a few tasks when a new email came into his inbox. It was from Professor Hwang, giving him the approval for the draft and asking if he could run it to the printing press for 200 copies.

All right, anything to get out of this stuffy environment. The gravity of judging gazes and wordless assumptions were weighing on him big time... and he hadn’t even been there for thirty minutes.

He stood up, and every person and activity went still.

Chanyeol’s face turned grim as he trailed the editor’s office, ignoring the insolent gossipers. He knocked on the editor’s opened door. “Myeonnie?”

She looked up and immediately appeared uneasy. “H-Hi, Yeol.”

Chanyeol pressed his lips together. Apparently, Junmyeon wasn’t clueless as well. “I’m just going to the auditorium, okay?”

“To see Kyungsoo?” she asked automatically, out of concern.

“I guess,” he answered, shrugging. “Professor Hwang asked me to go see her about the poster. She was going to give me the funds for printing and have me run the errand of going to the printing press.”

Junmyeon nodded, putting down the papers she had been examining. “Okay.”

“I’ll be back soon,” he promised, turning to leave.

“Yeol?”

He faced her again.

Junmyeon came out from behind her desk. “Y-You could leave early, since... you’ve been spending a lot of time in the office. N-Not much work is needed today since our issue comes out tomorrow. Also...” Her voice lowered as she proceeded to closing her door, so to leave in confidence whatever it was she wanted to say to him, “to have all this...” she paused, searching for a more appropriate term, “racket calm down a bit...”

Chanyeol sighed in exasperation. “Thanks for your concern, Junmyeon,” he tried gently. Just because he was pissed off didn’t mean he could blame it out on her when she was trying to be a friend. “But if I leave early, it would just confirm that Kyungsoo and I were guilty of something their dirty minds and senseless babble have concocted—which we’re not.”

Junmyeon patted Chanyeol at the back in sympathy. “All right,” she agreed softly, worried. Kyungsoo was her friend too, and when she first heard about it, about Kyungsoo and Chanyeol, she couldn’t believe it. “Go on.” She attempted a small smile, which he gratefully returned.

Bravely, he opened the door again and exited. He exhaled a little freer the moment he was out the office. The auditorium was a few minutes away on foot. When he arrived, he wasn’t spared a single second.

“Oh, look, here comes the boyfriend!”

The nasty delivery startled Chanyeol as his eyes scanned furiously for the wise ass.

“Goodness, Kyungsoo!” another voice called out, more brutal than the last. “I thought you were prude and now here comes Loverboy hoping for more!”

“That’s enough!” Professor Hwang warned sternly. “One more crack out of you two, and I’m failing you.” And she didn’t sound like she was kidding when she pointed at the two nameless characters, whom then behaved but snickered when Chanyeol glared at them.

Professor Hwang smiled warmly at him, approaching. “You must be Park Chanyeol.”

“Y-Yes, Ma’am,” Chanyeol answered, shaking the professor’s hand in greeting. “Good afternoon.”

“The poster you designed was brilliant! If I can credit you for an A, I will,” she complimented.

Chanyeol nodded as he took the thumb drive and the budget he was handed. “What’s the deadline you could give the printing press?”

“Tomorrow?”

Chanyeol grinned. “Much as I would like to move mountains for that to happen, I’m afraid that wouldn’t be possible.”

“Before the end of the week, then?” Professor Hwang negotiated, a kind smile on her lips.

“I’ll try to haggle for you,” Chanyeol promised. He had some experience in dealing with the university’s printing press people regarding the university paper and it included spacing and allotting for his designs. They were a difficult group to do business with, but nonetheless proficient.

“Thank you, Chanyeol,” Professor Hwang regarded cordially.

Just then, Kyungsoo came out. The loud mocking from backstage was hard to ignore. She pretended as though she heard nothing. Sehun became distracted for a moment and then looked at Kyungsoo in concern. She, in turn, only smiled at him. Then her eyes searched the seats for Chanyeol.

The moment their eyes met, his feet moved on a will of their own towards her direction.

He gazed up to her as he reached the front of the stage, swallowing. She was looking at him indifferently. Without breaking eye contact, she descended the stairs to be in level with him.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

She nodded, trying to laugh. “Good publicity, bad publicity, as long as it’s publicity, we’re sure to have a hit!” she joked.

Chanyeol didn’t buy it, though. He looked at the people on stage. Only Sehun, Minseok and Yixing smiled at him, while the others merely looked away or smirked.

He took her hand and sat down on one of the steps.

“Uh... take ten, everyone!” Professor Hwang announced, looking at Chanyeol and Kyungsoo for a moment before leaving to check something backstage.

She sat down, a step lower than him. She could feel his eyes on her. She knew what he was feeling; it was pity. But it wasn’t just her who was sucked into this cruel insinuation. “How about you?” she asked softly, turning to him.

“I’m fine. I didn’t even find out until Baekhyun and Jongin told me earlier. I guess people were afraid to confront me about it. I don’t really care what people say, as long as we know what really happened last night, especially when our friends believe us.” He looked at her closely. “But what have people said to you, Kyungsoo?”

She shrugged. She was having so much fun talking and sharing stories with Chanyeol that neither of them minded their phone for the rest of the night. “The moment I entered the dorms, there it was... People were panicking as to my whereabouts.” She laughed at futility of it all. “The attendants in the dorms were scolding and lecturing me about curfew and safe sex and some students were leaving disgusting notes in my locker...” A polaroid in the college bulletin board flashed in her mind. It was a candid picture of hers just innocently sticking my tongue out at the camera as though she actually meant something wanton by it. She shook her head sadly. “People can be... really creative when they’re mean.”

Chanyeol felt terrible. Kyungsoo was being accused of sleeping around, and with a geek like him nonetheless. People had remarked she could’ve done better. “Kyungsoo...”

She looked at him, not sure if he was aggravated, frustrated, offended or just plain irritated in her by now.

“I’m sorry.” Then Chanyeol sighed, suddenly pulling her closer.

Kyungsoo’s heart didn’t beat for a few seconds. It was as though time stood still as Chanyeol held her in his arms.

“It’s not your fault,” Kyungsoo whispered back, wanting to soothe him. “And it’s not mine. People will believe what they want to believe.”

“It’s still not fair, not to you. You’ve always been admired and respected in school. We have to fight this.”

Kyungsoo let out a soft laugh, settling her cheek on Chanyeol’s shoulder more comfortably. She prayed she wouldn’t get too used to this—because last night, she actually found Chanyeol’s shoulder such a comfortable and warm place to rest—or else she was a goner... “It would take a lot more than misled lies to ruin me,” she told him softly.

He pulled away slightly to look at into her eyes just then. He didn’t say anything for a while, just searching her eyes. He processed the thought before saying it out loud, not wanting to have the pretext of any malice or misinterpretation. But one answer only came back to him, that he would be asking this in order to help her.

She wasn’t at all prepared when he finally expressed what was on his mind.

“Kyungsoo, will you be my girlfriend?”

Her big, round brown eyes widened even more.

Chanyeol understood her hesitation. This wasn’t exactly how he dreamed going about this. “Kyungsoo... this is just to pretend...” He flinched. It hurt him to say it. “You don’t have to like me, just...” He swallowed.

Oh, God, this was painful...

“Just for appearances?” Kyungsoo whispered. She comprehended his intention, and it was to her favor, in order to uphold her reputation, if the situation was even reparable. But at the same time, she was confused with a slight hurting in her heart that Chanyeol was suggesting a cloud of fallacy in their sudden closeness.

She wasn’t speaking, and Chanyeol wanted to beat himself up for even opening his damn mouth, loosening his hold on her. “Y-You don’t have to answer now. It... It was stupid... I... don’t even know why I thought of it... It’s not...”

“Y-You’re right, Chanyeol,” she answered sadly. “P-People will lose interest if what they’ve been spreading around appears to be true. This rumor will die down eventually.”

Chanyeol nodded, swallowing. “R-Right, that’s the idea.”

Kyungsoo looked into his eyes again, wishing she could see some other reason for them to do this. To her amazement, she found so many of his emotions that she didn’t know what to look for. She lowered her gaze then, feeling overwhelmed, turning away from him. “O-Okay, Chanyeol. I’ll be your girlfriend,” she whispered, sounding defeated.

Professor Hwang looked embarrassed as she approached them. “I’m sorry to break it up, my dears, but, Kyungsoo, we have to rehearse.”

Chanyeol nodded as he patted Kyungsoo on the back.

“Is everything all right, sweetie?” Professor Hwang asked when she saw her best actress about to be on the verge of tears.

Kyungsoo vigorously nodded and smiled finally. If there was one thing she knew how to do, it was to switch to her stage mode when needed. She stood up from her perch. Only then did she realize that Chanyeol was still holding on to her hand.

He squeezed her hand one last time, and then he himself turned to the opposite direction.

Once Chanyeol reached the main door to the exit, he turned to the stage once more and watched Kyungsoo in worry. There she was, Miss Saigon. It was as though she had been waiting all of her life for this role, but Chanyeol knew she was trying to be braver than she really was.

Chapter Text

They sat together at lunch the next day. And people didn’t fail to notice, causing ripples of hushed whispering from all around the cafeteria. However, the supposed couple uncomfortably avoided intrusive gazes, feeling as though they were two specimens under a microscope for their unnecessary scrutiny. Kyungsoo didn’t speak much and Chanyeol, to open up a conversation, gave her his mobile phone number for the first time so in case when she needed him, he could be reached. She appeared offended at first and then accepted, while reluctantly giving him hers.

When they went to class, Chanyeol held her hand. She stiffened, looking at him. A few spectators observed Kyungsoo’s somewhat resistance, and she heard speculations like: “Trouble in paradise, already?” She frowned at them and clasped her fingers with Chanyeol’s in determination, wanting to prove them wrong.

Then she didn’t feel too good inside, or the way his warm hand was entwined with hers. What was this all about? Yes, they had agreed to show people that they were suddenly in love, but she was starting to hate every minute of it. She sighed heavily, feeling troubled.

And this was just the first day.

At Lit 201, she didn’t even glance his way. Chanyeol understood completely since being seated at the back wasn’t all that strange to him. But then again, they had gotten much more personal in the last two days. He didn’t know what was real anymore—being a potentially good friend to her or being the boyfriend everyone affirmed today that he already was?

How was he going to prove his credibility to her now? How was he going to show her that being in this position was supposed to be a dream come true?

He didn’t even realize that class was over until he recognized Kyungsoo standing in front of him. She had been excellent at keeping it all in that he didn’t have the availability or the courage to probe her. It felt as though they had already been spending two years together, and not two days...

“You want to go?” she asked quietly.

Chanyeol wordlessly nodded, slowly getting up from his seat and gathering his things. Their classmates stared at them as they joined them to the exit.

He merely asked to carry her books, which she mutely gave him. But that was the only exchange of words that transpired. They spent the next few minutes quietly walking towards the auditorium for her rehearsals.

They entered and there was the expected jeering. As predicted, it wasn’t as boisterous or as malicious as yesterday’s. Chanyeol should feel relieved that people were getting tired of the scandal already, but he wasn’t. Instead, he felt drained. If he was going to be her boyfriend, and it had to be like this, it better had just remained a dream. He was hurting because of this deception. Worst of all, he was somehow hurting her, making it seem like he was this insincere asshole either riding on her popularity or just plain getting a macho boost from the misconception of having slept with the campus crush.

Kyungsoo didn’t have to say it out loud. He could slowly feel her growing resentment as the minutes lingered for longer than necessary.

Professor Hwang greeted them upon arriving. The actors were already seating in a circle for the briefing. They were all watching the couple. Kyungsoo turned around to say goodbye to him.

Chanyeol squeezed her hand gently, as though in apology. Then his eyes cautiously drifted over to the stage. It was as though all of the cast members, and even the professor, was waiting for something more.

He swallowed and then leaned over to give her a soft kiss on the cheek. Kyungsoo winced, feeling as though Chanyeol punched her in the gut.

It broke his heart to a million pieces to see the look of betrayal in her eyes. He lowered his gaze, extremely guilty of innumerable crimes than just merely putting on a show. “I... I’ll see you later.”

Tears started to burn Kyungsoo’s eyes as he turned away. Why was Chanyeol doing this? She felt more taken advantage of than anyone else who had tried to pursue, stalk or ask her out in the last three years.

She trusted Chanyeol! She wanted to claw at his shirt and turn him around and slap him hard on the face without giving him a chance to defend himself. How dare he...? she thought sadly. And she was starting to... She paused her train of thought, wanting to grip what she was really getting at. What was she beginning to feel towards Chanyeol? Did she like him already? Was she attracted? Interested?

“Oh, Chanyeol?”

At the instant that Kyungsoo knew that he was going to turn around, she abruptly wheeled about face. She refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her upset over him.

“Y-Yes, Ma’am?” he asked, his voice sounding hollow, even to him.

“Your friend, Jongin, came in earlier to deliver the copies of the paper for the theatrical club. Thank you for the insert of our poster in the interview.”

Chanyeol nodded edgily because he wanted to get out of there.

“I asked your friend how good you are at painting, and his very description was an artistic genius. He volunteered to help with the props because as you can see, we’re a little short-handed.”

Chanyeol’s gaze turned to the three props people, who looked disinterested in hearing the outcome of the director’s obvious implication.

“Could you help us with the props too, Chanyeol?” Professor Hwang requested, her charm seeping out from her very pores.

When Chanyeol didn’t answer immediately, the professor quickly amended, “Just on your free time. I know you’re a senior and busy with the paper as well.”

“Uh...” he stammered, turning to Kyungsoo, who looked away.

She desperately hoped he would decline, because he wasn’t her favorite person right now—far from it.

“You could keep an eye on Kyungsoo...” the professor good-naturedly joked, hoping that the offer would be irresistible. It seemed to her that these two didn’t want to be separated for long.

Kyungsoo’s mouth dropped in disbelief, wanting to protest that she had no need of being watched over but her cast mates were already laughing and grinning teasingly that any feeble explanation from her would only be drowned out.

Chanyeol gulped uncomfortably, a furious blush deepening on his cheeks. “I’ll see what I can do, Professor Hwang. I’ll... give you an answer after I fetch the posters from the printing press.”

Professor Hwang nodded in agreement. “Fair enough. Remember, Chanyeol, no pressure.” Then she laughed in her kind manner. “Come on, Kyungsoo.”

Kyungsoo was only too grateful to get away from him, rushing to the steps up to the stage.

Chanyeol closed his eyes as he turned for the exit. Here was another opportunity to spend more time with her, to be around her in her element, to stare at her as openly and as often as he wanted without people wondering what the hell for.

The difference now was that he didn’t want it.

Chapter Text

Chanyeol’s final exams were next week, and whenever he tried to study at the library, he could only stay for less than five minutes because the gazes from the other students would drive him away. They weren’t making so many remarks now, but the staring was impossible to stand. People knew who he was now, but he wasn’t sure if it was quite flattering with being dubbed as just “Do Kyungsoo’s boyfriend, Chanyeol.” Passersby would turn and look at him in ridiculous redundancy. But then again, considering it had already been literally a week, he shouldn’t even be affected at this point. Was this the impression he would leave behind after he graduated next month?

He glared at the newest flyers on the bulletin boards. This time, it even had a stolen picture of the two of them together walking towards his Camaro. Chanyeol angrily pulled at them one by one and threw them to the nearest trash.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk...”

He turned around in rage.

Woo Bin was grinning at him, his back leaning on the opposite wall. He was enjoying watching Chanyeol get all riled up. “Still not over your fifteen minutes of fame?”

Chanyeol’s scowl grew even deeper as Woo Bin walked over and put an arm around his shoulders. “You know, you should feel so lucky, but then, I foresee that this notoriety would last only for another day or so... I’m surprised it even reached the end of the week.” He gave Chanyeol a condescending once over, sneering. “Honestly, I don’t know what Kyungsoo saw in you. You must know some damn good tricks in bed...”

Chanyeol pushed Woo Bin away in seethe and the frat leader was about to retaliate when Jongin arrived to intervene, trying to keep both furious guys at two arms’ length, while several spectators circled around in suspense.

Suddenly, the Dean appeared and the crowd suddenly evaporated, leaving only Woo Bin, Chanyeol and Jongin in the halls.

“What’s going on here?” The Dean demanded.

“N-Nothing, Dr. Song. J-Just a misunderstanding,” Woo Bin explained, glaring at Chanyeol, who glared back.

The Dean wasn’t satisfied with that account of the situation. He looked at both young men warily, and then at Jongin, who quickly lowered his gaze and was holding Chanyeol back to distance him from his antagonist. Then the Dean’s eyes settled dangerously on Woo Bin. “I’m warning you, Kim Woo Bin. One more toe out of line and you can kiss your courtesy diploma and your fraternity brotherhood goodbye.”

Woo Bin’s eyes widened, clearing his throat. “Yes, sir,” he replied quietly.

And when the Dean turned to leave, Woo Bin directed a whispered vulgarity to the older man’s back and turned sharply to Chanyeol. “Later, nerd,” he threatened under his breath as he left himself.

He didn’t blink as he watched Woo Bin turn to a corner, his hands forming into tight fists. Jongin patted Chanyeol at the back to calm him down. “H-Hey, Yeol... relax... Don’t let him get to you.”

Chanyeol sighed deeply and closed his eyes. He didn’t know how much more of this he could take.

“Where are you headed?” Jongin asked nervously, as Chanyeol was starting to walk away.

“To the printing press,” he answered, not even bothering to turn around.

Jongin ran to catch up with him. “I’ll come with you, bro. There’s no meeting with the paper, anyway.”

Chanyeol didn’t answer, but he was actually glad that he had at least one ally at his side. After a while, he asked, “Where’s Baekhyun?”

“She’s doing a project for her class so I’ll probably see her tonight. Have you studied for the finals yet?”

Chanyeol only shrugged in response. He pushed open the printing press’ doors as he and his friend entered. Chanyeol wordlessly got his claiming stub out and waited while the representative showed him and Jongin the finished product.

Jongin grinned as he saw the 30x72 poster with the cast’s pictures and the inserts. “Wow! That’s amazing! I love this white embossment!” he enthused, squeezing Chanyeol’s shoulder. “I think this is your best yet!”

The young assistant grinned, proceeding to rolling the prototype along with the one-hundred and ninety-nine others and wrapping them in manila paper. “If I was doing a poster with my beautiful girlfriend as the star of the play, I’d definitely show it off!”

Chanyeol thoughtlessly rolled his eyes. “Very funny, Haechan.” He got the posters and gave a little wave to the younger kid. Jongin did the same thing as he hurried to follow Chanyeol out the door.

He had promised to give an answer now to Professor Hwang and he was nearing the auditorium. What should he do? He didn’t want to upset Kyungsoo but he also noticed that the props department was too tacky, and this was Miss Saigon. He even dreamed of some great ideas that would help the make-shift balcony and the walls and the helicopter sample look even more realistic. He really would love to help, but what about...?

Then he turned to his best friend, raising an eyebrow. “W-What are you doing going to the auditorium?”

Jongin scratched his head. “I’m not sure if Professor Hwang already told you but I volunteered both of us for the props...” Then he held his hands up in truce. “D-Don’t get angry, okay? It’s just that the professor asked about you, since she knew we’re friends and I just thought you would do wonders with their pathetic props.”

Before he could react, Jongin was pulling at his sleeve into the auditorium.

The rowdy taunting at his arrival had died down a little, and some still made the dismal effort just to attract attention.

“Hello, Jongin, Chanyeol,” Professor Hwang greeted and everyone’s focus turned to the two friends, Kyungsoo included, although she quickly ducked her head down and pretended to concentrate on her script.

“Hey, Kyungsoo!” One of the props people called out from backstage. “Aren’t you going to greet your boyfriend?”

That started everyone laughing and Kyungsoo blushing furiously.

She closed her eyes and counted to five. After inhaling deeply, she got to her feet and stomped towards Chanyeol. If they wanted a show, she would give them a show.

Chanyeol swallowed as he saw her approaching. She still looked mad, as she did everyday. Perhaps she was even angrier at him today, he didn’t know.

Kyungsoo stopped when they were face to face, suddenly attacked by some sort of performance anxiety. She could give him a kiss on the cheek, but now he was so close to her and he was looking at her so awkwardly that she was feeling it too.

Jongin was switching his gazes between Chanyeol and Kyungsoo, who were only eyeing each other as though waiting for what the other would do next. He laughed nervously and patted Chanyeol at the back. “Uh, okay, bro, let me take those.” Then he proceeded to prying the posters from Chanyeol’s hands. Jongin frowned as he struggled as his friend’s fingers gripped the posters too hard. He smiled sheepishly at Kyungsoo, who didn’t even seem to notice that he was there. Jongin finally succeeded, to his relief, and left the couple alone.

“H-Hi,” he whispered, pressing his lips together.

“Hello,” she greeted resentfully.

And then she gave a quick kiss on his left cheek and ran back to the stage as though the gesture never happened.

Chanyeol blinked and watched after her, as she tried to laugh off the jeering she received from her cast mates. He saw Sehun poking her at the ribs in friendly banter and then gave Chanyeol two thumbs up from the stage.

He only smiled weakly and then was about to turn away when a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

“Where are you going, bro?” Jongin asked, handing him a can of brown paint and a fresh brush. “Since you’re here and all, let’s help out.”

Chanyeol wanted to make up some sort of outrageous excuse but then the professor was approaching him with that winning smile of hers that Chanyeol could only bare his teeth in accommodation.

The next thing he realized, he was on top of a stepladder, painting the back wall...

He slanted the brush in such a way that an area was much darker than the outer layer, making the sweep have the illusion of a shadow and to craft the wall in its entirety much larger and more dominating that it really was. He finished one side in less than an hour, just working quietly by himself, unaware that Jongin and the rest of the props people watching him in awe. He distractedly started on the next side, but once in a while, his eyes couldn’t help wandering towards the stage and watch the back of Kyungsoo’s form delivering her lines to Sehun’s character. Then at the instruction of Professor Hwang, she would stop for a while and listen for directions and her method would be so much smoother than before.

When the actors were about to wrap up, Chanyeol shifted his concentration to his own work so as not to appear that he hadn’t even been watching them at all.

Jongin grinned at his friend proudly, after he had stepped down from the ladder. “Hey, nice work there, Yeol.”

Chanyeol smiled, sealing the can of paint tightly and cleaning off the excess paint from the brush. “Thanks, Nini. It’s not much though, maybe I could bring some of my extra paint to give it more color.” He examined the cork-like texture of the wood and nodded in affirmation. “Yeah, canvass paint would work with this.”

Jongin handed him two more cans of paint. “Return these to the supply compartment at the back of the dressing rooms, will you? I still have to help clean up here.”

Chanyeol nodded. He went backstage and almost halted at his steps when he saw how dark and narrow the space there was... It was only illuminated by the faint light of a few working bulbs. Chanyeol bravely forged ahead and tried to shake off any thoughts of supernatural beings appearing out of nowhere. Thankfully, he easily found the supplies room and hurriedly situated the three cans at the top shelf.

Before he was finished, he heard the door slam close.

He gasped, when he heard someone murmuring.

He turned around to see Kyungsoo frantically pacing around, with tears running down her face...

A large hand touched her shoulder, and she screamed, her pitch deafening.

Chanyeol cringed, covering her mouth with his hand. “Kyungsoo! Kyungsoo! It’s me!”

Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she looked into his, taking longer than a moment for recognition to dawn on her. “Chanyeol!” she reprimanded, yanking his large hand off her lips as her tears now were caused by anger. “Don’t scare me like that!”

“I’m sorry, I was returning some paint!”

She ignored his explanation as she looked at him closely, sniffing. “Why is your face so dirty?” she asked, in that innocent and curious tone as that of a little child.

He felt self-conscious all over again, running his hand roughly over both his cheeks, speckles of dried paint on his fingers.

Kyungsoo wiped her tears with her hands. “Wait...” Then she reached into her pocket and revealed a small packet of tissue. Then to his surprise, she reached up to try and clean off his cheeks carefully.

When she realized her effort was to no avail, Kyungsoo stopped and looked at the used tissue disappointedly. “S-Sorry... it won’t come off...”

That wasn’t what he was worried about. “What happened?” he whispered. “Why were you upset just now?”

She avoided his gaze, turning her back at him, before he thought she was completely unhinged. “Nothing.  I often recite my lines out loud to get into character.  I was rehearsing Miss Saigon’s tragic scene, because we’ll have a dry-run later.  I’m getting extremely nervous as the play’s opening night is almost upon us and I don’t want to let anyone down.”

In that confined, claustrophobic space, Chanyeol only gently brushed her tears away with his thumbs.  “You’re going to be brilliant, Kyungsoo.”  He gave her a small smile, framing her beautiful face gently in his hands.  “I know it.”

Just then the door opened.

“Omo, Kyungsoo, I’m sorry!” Minseok exclaimed, gasping, closing the door shut.

Kyungsoo looked at the door in horror. “Minseok! Wait!” she called out.

But they could only hear her running footsteps moving farther away.

She looked at Chanyeol in desperation, who appeared even more shocked about what just happened. This couldn’t get any worse than it already had. Now, even if she explained the situation all over again to Minseok, her friend would only conclude at the back of her head that Kyungsoo really did have a deeper relationship with the quiet artist as everyone now believed.

Chapter Text

They stopped at a nearby coffee shop. He left her sitting outside so he could buy her a cup of green tea. They were several students there who recognized him but somehow Chanyeol opted not to mind their curiosity at the moment.

He handed her the hot drink as he pulled out a chair next to her, hoping that she was at least feeling better. Her nose was red and so were her eyes from all that crying. The supplies closet wasn’t really the most romantic of all places but what added to her injury was one of her trusted friends not believing her.

“Thank you,” Kyungsoo said softly. She took one sip and then sighed.

Chanyeol then had an idea. “Wait a sec, okay?”

Then before she could react, he was gone.

Kyungsoo didn’t exactly know which direction Chanyeol went but she was a little concerned. Was he going to leave her here? Should she call a taxi right now?

Then she bit her lip. She didn’t even know if she could face Yixing and Minseok back at the dorm. Minseok had probably told Yixing what she had seen in the closet. How was she going to explain herself now?

She needed to talk to someone, but whom? She couldn’t remember ever being this sad or confused or isolated. Now her friends thought she was keeping things from them. Also, she worried about what this gossip would bring to the play. Everyone had worked so hard to put this production together, especially Professor Hwang.

Worst of all, she was afraid to ask what Chanyeol was thinking of all of this. She hadn’t asked him how he was feeling after he offered to be her pretend boyfriend, when all of that time, she had always been included on top of his priorities in the last few days—fetching her from the dorm, sitting with her at lunch, sometimes even buying dinner for her and taking her to rehearsals. At the end of the day, he would see her safely back to the dorm to avoid the repeat of what had started the whole rumor anyway.

She fidgeted with her hands. If anything, she had been unfair, selfish and inconsiderate, thinking that she was the only one affected. Who knew if Woo Bin was bothering him again? Or other people for that matter? How come Chanyeol didn’t tell her?

Kyungsoo frowned. What kind of a boyfriend was he if he couldn’t even tell her what was going on or how he was feeling?

She was going to change that right now. She got her cell phone out and called him.

Chanyeol felt the vibration by his leg as he fished for his phone from his jean pocket. He was surprised to see her number flashing. “Hello?” he answered worriedly.

“Where are you?” Kyungsoo asked, on the verge of tears.

Chanyeol chuckled softly. “I’m just buying something.” Then he turned serious, wondering why she felt the need to call when he was only a few meters away. He supposed he was out of her view because he was inside the pizza store opposite the cafe. But he could see her from where he was at. She was craning her neck anxiously, as though to look for him. “Why, Kyungsoo? Is there a problem?”

“I just... Please just tell me where you are,” she pleaded, all kinds of extreme thoughts rocketing through her head like with Woo Bin and his thugs appearing out of nowhere and ganging up on Chanyeol. “If you’re somewhere nearby, just tell me where...” she whispered, hoping she didn’t sound too scared, or worse, possessive.

Chanyeol paid for his pizza, holding on to the phone in his right ear. He thanked the guard who opened the door for him as he exited. “I’m just crossing the street now, Kyungsoo.”

Then she saw him looking from both sides before running towards her.

He deactivated the call but didn’t take his eyes off her. “What’s wrong?” he asked in concern, sitting down next to her.

She didn’t even take notice of what he had brought. She even forgot that she was hungry. “I just thought you...” She turned away as a tear fell down on her cheek, which she quickly wiped with her hand, feeling quite silly now. Then she saw that pizza. It took her a few seconds before she realized how paranoid she had just gotten. A smile cracked her lips until it developed into soft laughter. “Oh... you were just buying pizza.”

Chanyeol smiled back, but was still looking at her strangely. “Yeah... d-did you think I was going to leave you?”

She bit her lip as she nodded, her cheeks reddening. “S-Sorry...” Since the mood was lighter now, she decided against telling him about what did pass through her mind all those minutes he was gone. She suddenly felt afraid to complicate their situation if she divulged anything more, especially when now, it concerned him.

Chanyeol grinned just then, feeling as though he hadn’t grinned all week. “No, I’m sorry, I didn’t tell you where I was going.” He opened the box. It was pepperoni. Then it was his turn to feel embarrassed. “I just remembered this was the pizza that you brought for the staff last week.”

Kyungsoo felt touched by the gesture, especially when Chanyeol remembered something of her liking. Then she remembered something else. “Isn’t this your favorite too?”

Chanyeol laughed, getting her a tissue and handing her a slice. “Yeah, it is. It’s kind of funny. Because when I was younger,” he paused, opening his bottle of water and getting a slice himself, “I would take out all of the pepperoni slices and eat them last. They were like big red dots that tasted so good. I’d outgrown the habit around three years ago. Now, I realize it’s so much better when I eat it all at the same time; the pepperoni, the crust, the cheese, the garlic, the onion, the oil...” He had a serious smile as he looked at her then. “It makes me appreciate all the elements of one thing and see its value—that everything comes in a package, good and bad, the conventional and the quirks... Take it or leave it.”

Kyungsoo bit into her slice thoughtfully. “I see what you’re saying. There are times when I eat at different pizza restaurants and somehow, they have their own flavor. I mean, I almost always order pepperoni but when I eat it, there’s something original... it doesn’t taste the same all the time.” She laughed as Chanyeol was grinning slowly at her input. “Well, the pepperoni is a given, but I guess what you’re saying about all the other elements, those are what make us come back to it—to see if we’ll experience something different when we order it again.”

Chanyeol nodded, just watching her. She lit up whenever she felt free to express herself this way. He relished in seeing her eyes brighten whenever she genuinely smiled, that adorable heart-shaped grin, and he hadn’t seen that for days. The pressure of the last week was slowly lifting, and he was glad.

They talked a bit more about food, and movies and life in general, when the coffee shops attendants courteously told them that they were about to close in 15 minutes. Where did the time go?  They hadn’t been able to finish the pizza so Chanyeol suggested that Kyungsoo take it back to the dorm.

It was only a short drive back to their destination. Chanyeol stopped the engine and got out, ran around the car and then opened the passenger door for her. Kyungsoo secretly smiled and whispered thanks.

He walked her to the front door. He smiled at her as she turned to face him. “Don’t cry anymore. Everything will sort itself out,” he tried positively, gently brushing some stray hair from her face with his fingers.

She nodded and grinned at him. “And go home and wash that paint off your face.”

Chanyeol laughed then, deep dimple appearing, blush tainting his cheeks. Only now did he notice residue of paint in some parts of his clothes as well. He must have resembled a carpenter. “Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. Maybe that was why people were staring at me at the coffee shop and at the pizza place!”

And even Kyungsoo laughed at his lame joke. Then out of impulse, she stood in tiptoe and kissed him on his left cheek, where his dimple was, nearly the same spot where she had kissed him earlier, only her soft lips lingered now a heartbeat longer.

He looked at her, suddenly disoriented. Kyungsoo, immediately abashed by her innocent action, lowered her gaze.

“Uh... good night,” he said softly.

She echoed the farewell as he reluctantly went down the steps.

“Chanyeol?”

He turned again, looking at her expectantly.

“B-Be careful, okay?” she reminded, a veil of concern clouding her eyes.

He nodded in reassurance. “I will. I’ll see you tomorrow, Kyungsoo.”

She didn’t move until he got into his car, gave her one last wave and drove off. Then she entered, closing the door behind her. Then she leaned her back at the closed door and thought for a moment. She wasn’t sure what just happened but seeing Chanyeol tomorrow was something she now realized she wouldn’t mind at all.

She proceeded to the pantry to deposit the leftover pizza when her eyes met Minseok’s and Yixing’s. Her friends were having supper there and abruptly stopped their conversation once she appeared.

Kyungsoo approached them tentatively. Then she laid the pizza box onto the table, as though a peace offering. Her friends still weren’t speaking as she pulled out a chair to sit with them. She looked at Minseok first, who appeared uneasy. “Minseok? About what you saw...”

Minseok bit her lip, looking at Yixing for help. “Kyungsoo, whatever it is... it’s between you and Chanyeol. I... I didn’t mean to interrupt anything...”

“You didn’t,” she answered automatically in plea. “It’s just... I thought the supplies closet was empty when I needed to rehearse my lines and Chanyeol was there returning some paint...”

Yixing eyed her in sympathy. “Kyungsoo, it’s okay.” She patted her friend on the shoulder. “It’s okay, if you’re already Chanyeol’s girlfriend. You don’t have to hide it, since everyone sees you together all the time...”

Kyungsoo sighed in exasperation. “Yes, we agreed to be together all the time, so people would leave us alone and it’s kind of working... just a little slowly. But he’s really not my boyfriend! He’s... he’s...” Then she looked confused. “I don’t know what he is to me!”

“Why don’t you just make it real, then?” Minseok suggested softly, reaching out to squeeze Kyungsoo’s hand. She would never think badly of her friend, never in a million years. “You’re single, and no one has chased after you with an axe yelling that Chanyeol is theirs...”

The three friends laughed.

“You do like him, don’t you?” Minseok resumed, smiling.

Kyungsoo thought about when they said their goodnights a few minutes ago. “M-Maybe, I’m not sure yet. I still don’t know him too well. Chanyeol’s so... hard to read sometimes and because of this gossip, there are times when I doubt his concern towards me, if it’s just for making it look good in front of people or if there is really something there.” She covered her face with her hands, wanting to wake up from this shallow nightmare.

Yixing smiled knowingly. This was exactly the way it was in K-Dramas. “Kyungsoo, Chanyeol’s cute and he’s talented. Have you seen what he had done for the back wall? It was amazing! You wouldn’t think it was corkwood at all!” Then she giggled. “Isn’t it sweet to be spending more time together, especially when he would always bring you home afterwards?” Then her eyes lit up at the pizza box. “And I assume you just had dinner with him?”

Kyungsoo nodded guiltily, not sure if she should tell them that tonight, she actually enjoyed his company. Come to think of it, did she just come home from another date with Chanyeol?

“Yeah, Kyungsoo, I think that’s really sweet of him,” Minseok pointed out. She opened up the box and helped herself to a slice. “Hey, I’ll get one, okay?”

“Go ahead.” She laughed as Yixing did the same.

Moments later, they were giggling amidst their girl talk.

“Kyungsoo,” Minseok began, nearly halfway to her pizza. “Didn’t it ever occur to you that if Chanyeol was only pretending, then why would he extend himself as your dutiful boyfriend after school hours, then? When there’s no targeted audience?”

Kyungsoo looked at her friends in surprise. What would lead her to believe that he was only doing this out of a self-centered agenda? “Maybe he’s just a really nice guy...” And more than once, Chanyeol had already proven that to her.

Yixing shrugged as she finished off hers. “I don’t know about you, but I can so see you two ending up together eventually.” She giggled again. “Kyungsoo, can I have one more?”

“Sure,” she agreed, still quite shaken by her friends’ personal observations. Yixing and Minseok agreed to cut the third slice in half so they could share it.

Kyungsoo absentmindedly got the last one. Minseok and Yixing raised their eyebrows as she started to remove all of the pepperoni pieces and set them aside in one corner of the box. Then she bit into it slowly, wanting to find out why Chanyeol used to get a kick out of trying to eat the pizza slice bare like that.

“Are you still going to eat those, Kyungsoo?” Minseok asked, reaching to eat one of her pepperoni slices.

“Don’t,” Kyungsoo stopped her, grinning. “I’m saving them for last.”

Chapter Text

Over the next few days, she only managed to see him once in the auditorium. He had mentioned that he was finishing up last minute tasks with the paper’s final issue for the year and that it was his finals week so she supposed that was understandable. However, there were times she found herself wanting to text him to ask if he was coming to help with the props, but she would always stop herself. One of the reasons was because she didn’t want to seem so suspicious or nagging... because she wasn’t his girlfriend, right?

And well, the other reason?

She was actually starting to miss him...

Professor Lee assigned the class to write an essay while she gave Chanyeol his final exam that day. Kyungsoo kept glancing at the back to look at him, but he didn’t seem to notice as he was bent over concentrating on the questions.

Chanyeol was double-checking his answers when the professor dismissed the class. He had spent a rare all-nighter devoted to his literature book and was pleasantly surprised that he found a particular liking for Robert Browning’s poetry and that of his wife’s, Elizabeth Barrett. He would definitely take on poetry books after graduation.

She cleared her throat as she stood in front of him then. “All good?”

Chanyeol looked up in surprise. Then he grinned.

Kyungsoo’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. If she had been reacting that way whenever she saw his sweet, kind smile, then this was the first time she became aware of it.

“Yeah,” he answered, standing. “Give me a sec.” Then he approached the professor to submit his paper.

“This is your last day, huh, Chanyeol?” the professor cajoled.

He nodded good-naturedly.

“Well, good luck, Mr. Park,” Professor Lee told him cordially, shaking his hand. “I’ll be seeing you in graduation.”

“Thank you, Professor.” Chanyeol smiled and said his goodbye. He found Kyungsoo patiently waiting for him from where she stood.

Chanyeol then got her books to carry them. Maybe it was because he was so used to it that it seemed like second nature when he enclosed her hand in his as they exited the classroom.

Kyungsoo looked at their entwined hands as they walked. She had never been this sensitive about his touch before. She just hadn’t really seen him in three days. Was that what it was? She gave his hand a subtle squeeze, hoping that he wouldn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.

Nothing in Chanyeol’s expression gave way that he felt her tender response.

She pressed her lips as she attempted to start a conversation. The first thing that popped into her head was her internal question to him everyday. “Are you going to work on the props today?”

He turned to her, nodding.

“But... what about your exams?”

He grinned again. Kyungsoo felt even more glad when that cute dimple appeared on his left cheek. “That’s okay. It would be my last day in school tomorrow and I have two exams left, which I’ve already studied for. I’ll just be brushing up when I get home.”

“Tomorrow’s your last day?” she echoed disappointedly.

He laughed then, which sounded like lovely melody to her ears. “My last day in the classroom,” he clarified, squeezing her hand this time.

She squeezed it back, and Chanyeol grinned in pleasure. “Then I’ll be with my classmates as we practice the graduation march and ceremony, but in the afternoons, I’ll still work on the paper and the play. Jongin and I gave our word to Professor Hwang.”

“Good!” she answered happily. Then her smile faded. Did she just say that aloud?

Chanyeol looked at her, for a moment startled by her reaction. Then he raised his eyebrows in a candid manner. “Well, I’m glad our help is appreciated.”

Kyungsoo looked away, her cheeks feeling warm. She could feel his eyes on her, most likely still looking at her strangely. She had been much nicer towards him during the last week. She even came up to him backstage one time in between her turns and gave him bottled water, because she already noticed Chanyeol looking tired. Jongin only grinned knowingly at her and elbowed his bro teasingly at the side.

It was fortunate that they were reaching their destination. Chanyeol opened the doors for her as she entered, relieved to be in the confines of her safe environment.

People were only smiling at them as they arrived together. Chanyeol and Kyungsoo had adjusted to it. They greeted them back. And then there was that moment again when they had to separate ways. It seemed as though they both agreed to have that one second to themselves to look at each other, with lips upturned in a small smile—regardless if people were looking or not.

After that, they would go on with their specified tasks.

Before Jongin could ask about the real score between with him and Kyungsoo, Chanyeol had already ducked his head and proceeded to spray painting one of the boards that would be used for the cabaret set in Saigon.

Even though hard at work, he could see that the cast were doing their dry-run of the play, sequence per sequence. For a guy who wasn’t keen on literature, he sure managed to effortlessly memorize the lines from watching the rehearsals nearly everyday for two weeks.

He could hear Professor Hwang’s voice cracking with emotion whenever somebody forgot a line or a word, or gave a weak outburst or performance. But nonetheless, no one was deterred. Her instruction was the show must go on. If anything went wrong, everyone had to continue.

Chanyeol stopped what he was doing and observed intently from backstage. This was the scene where Miss Saigon and Chris were supposed to declare their love for each other. His mouth dropped as he watched Sehun cup Kyungsoo’s face and brushed his lips with hers.

He had seen her doing kissing scenes on her previous plays, because he understood that kissing was part of the story. But what was this? Was he feeling... jealous?

How long had they been rehearsing this?

He had listened from a distance while Sehun and Kyungsoo ran their lines for this scene. He supposed he just hadn’t imagined what it would be like when it materialized.

Chanyeol turned away, his thoughts blocking everything else. He wondered if Junmyeon was as tolerant or as understanding with these things with Sehun. He shook his head, not really sure where this unreasonable envy was coming from. This was insane. Kyungsoo was rehearsing! Surely, she didn’t mean anything by it, right?

He braved to watch them again. This time, Sehun was guiding Kyungsoo up to the balcony, which Chanyeol painted to look drearier and darker as the setting was war time in Saigon. This was also the scene where the characters were supposed to make love.

Then he heard something—a kind of adverse creaking that sent imaginary ambulance sirens going off in his ears. His eyes widened in horror as he saw Kyungsoo and Sehun toppling over when the balcony began to crash.

Chanyeol didn’t even think. His feet rushed to her direction as his eyes never left her, his arms extending in an attempt to catch her falling body—all of this happening in a microsecond. He didn’t know how much of her he had covered as he crouched down, pulled her face into the crook of his neck and squeezed her in protection as the heavy board collapsed over his back.

Everyone was immobile for a moment, in utter shock at what they had just witnessed. Then they collectively dashed to the stage, trying to pull Sehun, Chanyeol and Kyungsoo out, while the others lifted the tall board upright.

Chanyeol opened his eyes and immediately looked at her, touching her face and asking her quick questions, “Kyungsoo! Are you okay? Does something hurt?”

She was looking into his eyes in amazement, her mouth parting slightly.

Then it dawned on Chanyeol.

She already knew.

This said it all.

Those feelings that he couldn’t tell her, those feelings that she couldn’t quite confirm... Now, he couldn’t hide them anymore.

He didn’t have to.

Professor Hwang came in between them, after quickly checking in with Sehun. “Kyungsoo! Chanyeol!” she said hysterically, tears running down her face. “Are you both all right?”

Chanyeol blinked and gave a weak nod. Then he felt it, a terrible pain on his back that was only secondary to what he would feel if something worse had happened to her.

Kyungsoo sat up then, as Chanyeol’s arms loosened around her. “I’m fine, Professor, just shaken up.” She looked at Chanyeol again, but this time, he avoided her gaze.

Instead, he crawled over to where Sehun was and tried to help him up. The male lead suffered some scratches but was nonetheless okay.

Professor Hwang sniffed, embracing Kyungsoo close. “How could this happen? We only have six days before opening night!” Then she came to a decision, for the welfare of the cast. “That’s it for today, people! No rehearsals tomorrow! Make sure that you rest tonight, okay, Kyungsoo?”

She nodded quietly, her eyes still on Chanyeol. Why wasn’t he looking at her? Could she be wrong by what she saw in his eyes?

Did he love her?

Could she ask him that?

And if she did, would he tell her the truth, even if it wasn’t the answer that she would like to hear?

The next thing she knew, she was being ushered to the exit by Professor Hwang and her cast mates, who offered to take her back to the dorm safely.

She hadn’t even been able to say goodbye to Chanyeol.

That night, she had trouble sleeping. She kept looking at her cell phone, battling with messaging him or not. And if she did text him, what would she say? An innocent meme, with cutesy hugs and kisses as she would normally send to her friends?

Or ask him if he loved her outright?

She went for the first choice, because that was the safest. She omitted any kisses or hugs and altered it with a casual goodnight.

She found herself typing, Sweet dreams...

Then she quickly erased it and sent the message before she changed her mind.

She waited for a few minutes and frowned when no reply came into her inbox.

Then she looked at the clock. It was nearly four in the morning. Chanyeol was probably asleep.

She sighed and turned over to her side restlessly. She just closed her eyes, knowing that the hours until morning were still long.

Chapter Text

When she awakened, it was nearly noon. She got up and prepared to attend her afternoon class. Afterwards, she found herself going towards the direction of the auditorium.

Since she had been going there everyday this semester, even on Saturdays, something was amiss in her routine if she didn’t spend time rehearsing. She belonged there and was the happiest when stepping on stage, because there she could be anybody and she could do anything without the judgment and validation of others. For her, that was the most liberating experience—whenever she was acting onstage.

It was like jumping on a cliff and not knowing where or how or if she was going to land. It was where she could experience love and hate and passion and sadness and joy and anger and desperation without even leaving the precincts of its oval structure. It was a whole world of opportunities right there for her, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

She peeked in cautiously before fully opening the door. The lights were on but it was empty. She slowly walked down the aisle, her eyes fixated on the stage, noticing that they had erected the balcony upright again. She set her things at the center of the platform when she heard a repetitive drive of a hammer from somewhere backstage.

Her sight zoomed in upward on the improvised balcony. There was a person on his knees, putting it back together! “Chanyeol?” she called uncertainly, not believing her eyes for a second.

He looked down at her, stopping his pounding. “Kyungsoo?”

“What are you doing here?” They asked each other at the same time.

Then they both looked away as they tried to mumble their answers:

“I was working on the props...” he murmured.

“I got bored so I visited...” she reasoned softly.

Since both of their explanations trailed off, Chanyeol ignored her and went back to securing that last nail. Then he put down the hammer and stood up.

Kyungsoo’s eyes widened when Chanyeol started jumping up and down. Was he demented?

He stopped at the third time and dusted himself off, satisfied with the balcony's state of durability.

He looked at her again, didn’t know what to say to her yet. He had received her text message early that morning, before he went to his class for his exams. It was just something about life bringing us unexpected gifts and that she was grateful that he was one of them.  

What was she trying to say with that? He should’ve been the one who followed up on her, called her at least to ask how she was. But he didn’t—douchebag—because he was hesitant about how to act around her now. It felt like she had already caught him guilty of not pretending. He was still afraid to tell her what he felt out loud, because there was always a chance that she would say they were better off as friends...

Amidst all of his thoughts, that was when he realized that Kyungsoo was gone.

He looked around frantically for a few moments. Then he saw her at the bottom of the flimsy stairs going to the balcony. “Kyungsoo!” he scolded, dead serious when she determinedly took that first step. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Chanyeol sounded really angry but she didn’t care as she went on going up as though it were the sturdiest stairs in the world. “I’m going up here tomorrow anyway so why not test it?”

When she finished her statement, she was already at the top and facing him squarely, matching his glare.

Chanyeol inhaled deeply and shook his head, picking up the hammer. If she wanted to fall on purpose then he wouldn’t be here to catch her one more time.

He was startled when he heard her jumping up and down, that he dropped the hammer. He stared at her in disbelief as she turned to him while jumping, even smiling as she did.

She was a little out of breath when she stopped. “Wow, this is great, Chanyeol! It didn’t even shake a bit.”

“It was already upright when I got here,” he simplified, still a little resentful at her insensitivity. “I only added some reinforcement, so the credit’s not all mine.”

Her smile faded, hurt by his unusually harsh tone.

It took every ounce of his willpower not to cave in when her enthralling boba eyes were looking at him like that. “I got scared for you yesterday,” Chanyeol admitted softly.

Kyungsoo bit her lip and stepped closer to him, reaching for one of his hands. “I know,” she whispered. She tenderly touched his back, slowly running her fingers on his lower spine. “Did you get hurt, though?”

He stiffened as he averted his gaze, merely shaking his head. There she was again, making it so difficult for him to tell her. How could she not realize at all how her very presence alone made speech impossible sometimes? Her movements had stopped but he felt his skin tingling through his shirt. His back muscles had felt sore, but he was otherwise able to go to school.

“And the balcony’s safer now. You made sure of that, and we both jumped on it,” she rationalized, walking over to the open and looking out at the seats in elation.

Suddenly, he heard her reciting Miss Saigon’s lines.

That scene in the balcony.

Then she turned to him. Chanyeol realized that at that moment, she was Kim in the play and she was looking at him as though he was Chris.

He didn’t know what came over him, but he found himself saying Chris’ lines tentatively at first.

Kyungsoo bit back a smile as she delivered her next line with conviction, saying that she loved him and would go to the ends of the earth with him.

Then Chanyeol drew her closer, as though he was transported into World War II Vietnam. He didn’t know if it was her performance or if he was really caught up in his own imagination. His eyes skimmed the contours of her face, emblazoning every feature in his memory. Then his gaze lowered to her sweetly parted mouth and only a few more inches, his own would soon seal it...

He was leaning in and suddenly, Kyungsoo lost her balance. His eyes widened as his hands instinctively steadied her by the waist. “Careful,” he reminded, suddenly yanked back to reality—that they weren’t Miss Saigon and the military man—but that they were Do Kyungsoo and Park Chanyeol, play acting in a small bleak space that was to become the production’s balcony. He lowered his gaze now, as though she would discover just how much he truly cared by one glance. At this point, he was at his most vulnerable, and most transparent... That any given moment, at any of her coaxing, he would undoubtedly, and helplessly divulge everything he ever felt for her in his heart.

It was easier to find his voice this way when he wasn’t looking at her. “We have to leave. I told the guard I wasn’t going to be here for long.”

Kyungsoo was so disappointed in him. He was obviously hiding something, possibly something that might hurt her. He looked like he wanted to kiss her just then, and she wouldn’t have stopped him. But what if she was wrong with all of these assumptions? What would it take for him to open up some more? In the past two weeks that she had gotten to know him, she enjoyed it the most when he was sharing his thoughts and himself with her.

He stepped down first and held her hand to help her descend. Once safe on the ground, he softly advised her to stay put while he went to the supplies room to return the hammer.

If this were somebody else, she would’ve backed down from a confrontation. But this was Chanyeol... whom she... What was it?

Whom she was friends with?

No, that couldn’t be it.

Then the answer came, as clear as a summer sky. This was Chanyeol, whom she already cared for and thought about all the time...

When he came back, he stopped at about two feet from where she stood. He shifted his weight from one foot to another, radiating this certain awkwardness that affected her in the same way.

Kyungsoo bit her lip as his presence began to overwhelm her, her feelings on overload, coming in bulks that she still hadn’t quite processed and dissected. She hurriedly gathered her belongings. “Bye, Chanyeol,” she said quickly, running up to the exit.

Chanyeol’s mouth dropped as he watched her leave.

Tears run down her cheeks as she dashed back to the safety of her dorm room. How could she realize she was already beginning to fall in love with someone and couldn’t stand being in the same square foot with him at the same time?

They might have jumped on the balcony together, and had already ensured its solidity. If only where they were at right now, with their untried hearts hopelessly at stake, was as stable.

Chapter Text

“Okay, I’ll see you later at rehearsals,” Kyungsoo said, waving goodbye at Yixing as she turned to a corner. Then she walked over to her locker, turning the lock on her top-secret combination. After she struggled thrice, she managed to get it open.

Just then, a note in a neon pink paper fell out.

She caught it in her hands before it fell to the ground. The paper was a bit crumpled as though it had been forced into the tiny slits of her locker. She cautiously opened it and frowned.

Look up was all it said.

And dumbly, she did.

At the top of the lockers was a single white lily in a transparent tall vase.

Kyungsoo looked at the note again. Unfortunately, she didn’t recognize the handwriting. It wasn’t messy but it wasn’t exactly a pretty handwriting either.  It was in clean print and simple black ink, no frills. It could’ve easily been a guy’s or a girl’s...

She looked around, trying to catch any peering eyes. But students were merely passing by, minding their own business and rushing to their own classes. If somebody was watching her now, then he or she was awfully good in hiding.

Trying to shake off her suspicion, she stood in tiptoe and reached tentatively for the vase. She inspected it closely. The flower was still a little damp. The transparent vase was half-filled and the water was crystal clear. It must have only been there for a few minutes! She scanned at her immediate surroundings again.

Nothing seemed to be fishy.

Kyungsoo couldn’t help but smile as she admired her gift. It was like something out of a picture. Whoever gave it to her, if he or she could see her now, they would know she was pleased.

The next day, she was just walking out of her dorm when a young boy of about five suddenly came up to her and presented her with two white lilies. Before she could even ask any questions, the little boy grinned and ran off. The next thing she knew, the child had disappeared into a crowd of college students.

For rehearsals that day, Jongin told her that Chanyeol was taking time off for his graduation practice. The disappointment must have showed in her face that Kyungsoo had merely shrugged and turned away.

The day after that, she was just submitting her final exams to her professor in Lit 201 when somebody knocked on the door. Everyone in the class turned to see who it was.

“Yes?” Professor Lee prompted.

“Package for Ms. Do Kyungsoo,” the delivery guy said.

The class all looked at each other and then jeered at Kyungsoo mercilessly.

“Is it Valentine’s Day?” The professor chided as Kyungsoo hurriedly signed before accepting.

“Uh...” she asked softly, searching the three white lilies in its package for any card.  “D-Do you know whom this is from?”

The guy shook his head. “No, miss, sorry. I just deliver the flowers.” He shrugged, smiled at her and left.

When she came to the auditorium right after, she was relieved to finally see Chanyeol there, helping Jongin lift a long board on their shoulders. She nearly ran to catch him but he disappeared backstage.

She wondered if she should ask him if it was his idea to send the flowers. She hadn’t seen him for three days, but what if he had nothing to do with it?  That would be humiliating!

But if he wasn’t the culprit and he saw the flowers, would he be... jealous that somebody was expressing interest, even if it had been public knowledge for some time that she was Chanyeol’s girl?

“Kyungsoo!” Minseok exclaimed as she saw her friend bringing her things into the dressing room. “Wow, this time a bouquet from your mystery admirer!” She opened the box to sniff the flowers. “Hmm... do you think it’s Chanyeol?”

Kyungsoo shrugged sadly. “Maybe, maybe not.” Then she proceeded to taking the stage as Sehun and Professor Hwang were waiting for her.

When it was time to take a break, she went backstage to look for him. Then she saw Jongin painting what Chanyeol had been painting earlier. “Jongin? W-Where’s Chanyeol?”

Jongin turned around to see who asked the question. “Oh, Kyungsoo.  Chanyeol’s already left because Junmyeon called him to buy last minute supplies for the paper.  Actually, he lingered a few minutes more, hoping to say goodbye to you himself but he didn’t want to disturb your rehearsals being only two more days left and all.”

“Oh...” Kyungsoo’s shoulders slumped. “I see.” She blinked back unexpected tears welling up her eyes. “D-Do you think he would be here tomorrow?”

“Well, he already told the professor that it would be his last day, because his class would have to practice at the graduation venue all day from tomorrow.”

“W-What?”

Jongin felt concerned.  She looked even more disconcerted than the last time when Chanyeol didn’t show up for the props, and he hated to be the bearer of the bad news. “Kyungsoo?”

She distractedly met his eyes.

“Do... you want me to tell Chanyeol to call you?” he asked slowly, not really sure if it was his place to intervene.

She shook her head, laughing weakly. “What for?” 

Her effort to make light of the situation only made Jongin more sympathetic.

She was probably making a lousy job of hiding just how miserable she had been while Chanyeol was doing what he had to do and not including her at all. “J-Just tell your friend thank you for his help in making the props so fantastic for this play.” And with that, she turned to her heel to return to rehearsing.

“Kyungsoo, wait!”

She halted and slowly turned around.

Jongin dropped what he was doing to look at her intently.  “It’s actually Chanyeol’s birthday today.”

She was too taken aback to say anything.  How could Chanyeol not tell her personally?

Jongin tried to smile.  “Baekhyun and I... We’re planning his surprise birthday party at the university paper office, and I asked Junmyeon to make him run errands to distract him.  I wasn’t exactly sure whether we could pull it off so I was only able to tell some of our friends today.  Baekhyun will be bringing Chanyeol’s parents.”

Kyungsoo bit on her trembling lower lip. 

Jongin reached for Kyungsoo’s hand, which he didn’t fail to notice was cold to the touch just now.  “Chanyeol would really be glad to have you there.”

A tear then dropped to her cheek to Jongin’s surprise.

She quickly wiped it away, exhaling heavily.  “I was just wondering where he was and so... when I didn’t see him, I figured he would’ve said something, you know?”

Jongin cringed.  Did he just make his best friend’s girl so upset that tears were continuously streaming down her face?

“And today’s his birthday?!  He didn’t even have the nerve to tell me!” Kyungsoo retorted angrily.  “Your friend’s a jerk!  That’s what he is!  He’s... he’s...”  She closed her eyes as she continued to rant.  “How could I be with someone and not know something as basic as his birthday?!”

Jongin gripped her arms to calm her down.  “Kyungsoo!”

She opened her eyes reluctantly, a soft sob coming out from her throat.  “Doesn’t he want me to know?”

“Kyungsoo, even Chanyeol doesn’t know he’ll be celebrating his birthday...” Jongin explained gently.  “He’s twenty-two today and he’s just expecting a simple dinner with his family.”

Kyungsoo sniffed, her gaze lowering at her feet.

“One thing you have to understand about Chanyeol, he doesn’t want to make a fuss out of things, especially about him,” Jongin defended.  “He’s... a very quiet person and it takes a while for him to open up.”

Kyungsoo just mutely wiped her tears with her hands.  She already knew that and now she felt a bit ashamed for overreacting.

Jongin offered her some tissue, which she took gratefully.  “When I greeted him happy birthday this morning, he just smiled and brushed it off as though it was an ordinary day.”  He laughed.  “He did promise to treat me and Baekhyun out after graduation though.  He said that he would wait until the play is finished.”

“Why?”

“He didn’t say.”

Kyungsoo laughed bitterly.  “Typical.”

Jongin tilted Kyungsoo’s chin and smiled.  “But I do know my best friend pretty well.  I think it’s because he wants to spend more time with you.”

She sighed, and gave Jongin a feeble smirk.  “Thanks, but you don’t have to explain on behalf of your friend.  Like you said, he’s twenty-two.  He should tell me these things himself.”

Suddenly, Sehun, Yixing and Minseok came up to them.  “Hey, Jongin,” Sehun said, grinning.  “All set for Chanyeol’s party later?”

Jongin grinned back.  “That’s right.  I’m counting on you three to be there.”

All four of them looked at Kyungsoo.

Minseok put an arm around her shoulders.  “Kyungsoo... Are you crying?”

Yixing did the same.  “What’s the matter?”

Kyungsoo looked at Jongin meaningfully, fighting off her tears.  “Me?” she joked to her friends.  “No, I’m not sad.  I just… Silly me, I forgot to get Chanyeol a gift.”

Everyone, including Jongin, laughed in relief.

“Actually,” Jongin piped in sheepishly, “Baekhyun and I would need to see to the balloons and party decorations that we haven’t bought a cake yet...”

“There you go,” Sehun pointed out.  “That could be your birthday gift.”  Then he grinned impishly.  “And then just add a birthday kiss!”

Kyungsoo’s cheeks reddened as the girls began to goad her playfully.  “Okay, okay, fine!  I’ll buy the cake.  Happy?”

Jongin grinned.  “I’m sure my best friend will be happy.  Thank you, Kyungsoo.”

She rolled her eyes and stomped away, leaving Sehun’s, Minseok’s and Yixing’s mouths gaping.

“What’s up with her?” Yixing turned to Jongin in query.

Jongin shrugged innocently and picked up his brush to continue painting.

Chapter Text

Chanyeol glanced at his wristwatch.  It was half past six p.m.  He thought to drop off the stacks of paper, staple wires and other supplies that Junmyeon requested for him to buy before he could go home to have dinner with his parents.

“Why is the office so dark?” Chanyeol wondered out loud, walking into an empty room, trying to switch on the lights.  “Hello?”

“SURPRISE!”

His eyes almost bulged out of their sockets as roughly two dozen of his friends squeezed themselves in their office space.

Deafening claps and cheers were all he heard as everyone seemed to come at him at once, hugging and greeting him joyously.  Much to Chanyeol’s delight, his parents were also there!  His lovely mother kissed him on the cheek.  “Happy birthday, my love!”

The birthday boy wasn’t speaking—only his face turned completely pale.

Baekhyun shook him.  “Yah, Yeol!  Are you mad at us?”

Jongin punched the birthday boy on the arm.  “Don’t be mad.  We worked hard for this.”

Chanyeol emitted breathless laughter.  “No, I’m not mad.  You just nearly gave me a heart attack, that’s all.”

Everyone laughed. 

“Wow...” he remarked in awe, walking towards the center of the room now as his eyes absorbed the hard work Jongin was talking about.  A brilliantly made banner on top of the LCD, several multi-colored balloons and streamers all over the place, a long table filled with his favorite dishes and several boxes of pepperoni pizza and another table was set for gifts.  “No clowns or mascots, huh?” he joked to his guests.

“None, bro,” Jongin answered.  “But there is this.” 

Everyone began to sing the birthday song.

And a vision emerged Junmyeon’s cubicle, with chocolate cake on hand.

“Happy birthday to you,” Kyungsoo sang softly, couldn’t help but smile at the stunned expression on his face as she carefully approached him with his birthday cake.  “Happy birthday, dear Chanyeol...”

He hadn’t even blinked.  Kyungsoo was there, standing in front of him...

“Happy birthday to you,” she whispered.

All his guests screamed and cheered and laughed even more.  But he hardly heard them as he concentrated on what was before him.  Was he dreaming?  He assumed there were only twenty-two tiny blue candles on his cake but there seemed to be millions as the candlelight made her so much more picturesque that her beautiful face shone and glistened...

He came to his senses then, as he remembered his manners and caught his cake underneath, only her hands were trapped in his...

“Uh... Kyungsoo, this cake is heavy...”

“No, Chanyeol, don’t move.  It’s going to topple over...”

“It won’t, just give me the...” 

And just as predicted, the cake started to slide to one side until both of them toggled their hands to balance the rectangular flat surface.

Everyone sighed in relief as they realized that his birthday cake was now safe.

Chanyeol smiled shyly, terribly embarrassed.  Here he was, holding the hands of the girl of his dreams, as she presented him his birthday cake.  He wouldn’t be in his right mind to ruin this night by revealing just how clumsy he was by nature.

Kyungsoo had to laugh as Chanyeol’s cheeks continued to redden.  How could she stay angry at him when right now, he looked painfully uncomfortable with all this attention?  “Make a wish,” she encouraged.

Jongin and Baekhyun and several others grinned knowingly as the birthday boy serenely prayed.

Kyungsoo stared longingly at Chanyeol’s solemn, handsome face, his closed eyes framed by his black-rimmed glasses.  She wondered what he was wishing for.  Was it about his family?  Good health, harmony, and long life?  Or about his dream job?  More money?  A new car?

Or did it include her?  Would he wish... that whatever was between them was real?  That he would tell her that he was the one sending the white lilies?  That if he asked her to be his actual girlfriend, she would say yes?  And if she said yes, his face would light up with happiness as he kissed her?

Chanyeol’s eyes drifted open and met her gaze.  He smiled and softly blew his candles all in one breath, laughter bubbling up his throat. 

Kyungsoo smiled back as she and Chanyeol carefully placed the cake in the middle of the food table.  Everyone cheered and began to help themselves then.

Chanyeol grinned as he saw the script on the cake.  His name was spelt out in red M&Ms. 

Kyungsoo giggled.  “Don’t they resemble your favorite pepperoni?”

He turned to her, the grin ever broadening.  Kyungsoo’s heart expanded as his face then lit up with genuine happiness, just as she had wished.

Kyungsoo lowered her gaze, her cheeks feeling warm.  “I know you would’ve preferred pepperoni but they’re too big!  And pepperoni and chocolate cake?” she joked giddily.  “That would be weird... right?”

“Kyungsoo, thank you...” Chanyeol whispered.  “I had no idea that that my parents and best friends were planning all this, and such short notice too!”

She touched his arm as she looked up at him again.  “Chanyeol?”

He blinked several times.  Her face was so close and her eyes seemed to be telling him something... something he didn’t want to decipher wrongly.  “What is it?”

“Why didn’t you tell me it’s your birthday?” she asked sadly.

He bit his lip.  “It’s... not a big deal... I mean, I just turned a year older...”

“Of course it’s a big deal!” Kyungsoo insisted, squeezing his hand.  “Look around you!  Don’t you realize that the people who are here are those who care about you...?”

His eyes scanned the room, staring at his guests with half astonishment, half disbelief.  His friends from the paper were there, some of his classmates, the crew from the play, even Professor Hwang attended his party.  His best friends Jongin and Baekhyun... his parents too...

Everyone important to him was there. 

Including Kyungsoo...

“Those who love you...” she finished softly.

He turned to her again, startled.  Kyungsoo swallowed.  What did she just blurt out?

“Yah!”

Kyungsoo and Chanyeol laughed as Baekhyun and Jongin came up to them, giving them plates.  “Eat up!  Your mom’s kimchi stew is superb as always!”

Baekhyun and Junmyeon dragged Kyungsoo away to take her to the food table.    

Chanyeol’s eyes remained on Kyungsoo, however.  Did she just say... she loved him?

Mr. Park noticed the birthday boy’s plate was still empty.  “Adul, will you eat something?” Mr. Park reached for a slice of pepperoni pizza, something he knew his son wouldn’t refuse.  “Here.”

Chanyeol chuckled and thanked his dad. 

He settled himself on a corner, greeting and smiling at his guests but his eyes would always rest on his girl.  She was laughing and enjoying herself with his cast mates.  He saw his mother offering Kyungsoo pizza.  Kyungsoo graciously accepted a slice.

To his utter surprise, even though she was engaged in a conversation with Sehun, Junmyeon and the professor, Kyungsoo was setting the pepperoni on one side of her plate and eating it bare...

“Yeol.”

Chanyeol looked up to Jongin handing him iced tea. 

“Sorry, no beer.”

Chanyeol socked his best friend up the head.  “Thank you.”

Jongin only grinned as he observed where Chanyeol kept glancing over.  “You’ve been staring at her the whole time.  Why not just go over there and have her all to yourself?”

“I’m trying to mingle.”

“Bro, according to Webster, mingle means to bring or mix together, but you’re alone here... and from the looks of things, you’re not mingling.”

Chapter Text

Much as he hated to admit it, Jongin was right.  Chanyeol couldn’t keep his eyes off her.  Kyungsoo looked so pretty tonight, barely with any make-up and clad in a bright yellow top with white tights and yellow flats...

God, he wished he could march over there and...

Then... say what?

Hi?

Thank you for coming to my party?

You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me?

I love you?

Chanyeol shook his head to clear his silly thoughts.  She came with her cast mates, and Jongin probably invited her.  Her attendance only meant that she was persuaded into coming, since she was the girlfriend. 

And the birthday cake?

It was a moving gesture.  He wouldn’t be able to forget the trance-like way she had approached to give it to him, with her enchanting heart-shaped smile...

Chanyeol prayed, the moment he closed his eyes to make his wish, that the time would come Kyungsoo would feel the same way for him. 

She was finishing her pizza.  Then, she picked up the neglected pepperoni slices and ate them for last, laughing as Professor Hwang looked at her strangely.  She shrugged, gave no further elaboration and enjoyed her pepperoni. 

Before Chanyeol could ponder whether their conversation about pepperoni had something to do with it, Kyungsoo suddenly glanced at his direction.

Chanyeol quickly cut the eye contact as Mr. Park passed by him then, transferring the massive cooler to the other side of the table.  “Appa, I’ll help you with that.”

It seemed ill at ease to approach Chanyeol now, even if they were only a few feet away from each other.  He hadn’t walked over to her either.  Perhaps because he had quite a number of guests, and that he needed to spend time with them too.  She turned away, listening half-heartedly to Sehun’s punch line to a joke...

She blinked as she realized that everyone around her was already laughing.  She cracked a small grin instead, however, still perturbed about Chanyeol’s... distant manner...

Baekhyun walked up to the birthday celebrant, with a Canon camera around her neck. “I’ve been taking photos of your party for an hour.  Your turn.” Then she unceremoniously put the sling over Chanyeol’s neck and hauled a bag of ice to distribute to guests. 

Chanyeol laughed as adjusted the settings to black and white to test it out.  He closed his right eye and zoomed the lens on what was front of him.

It was Kyungsoo.

Smiling softly.

His right pointer finger froze from pressing the button.  “H-Hi.”  Chanyeol slowly lowered the camera to properly look at her. 

“Hi,” she greeted back, shyly holding up her empty plate.  “Uh... where do I... put this?”  

“Let me take it,” he offered, as she gratefully handed her dish. 

Then she looked around for paper cups.  “Um... where is...”  Her eyes lit up as she located the cooler. 

“You want a drink?” Chanyeol guessed, immediately opening the cooler for her.  “We have soda, water...” He held up a small bottle.  “Iced tea...”

“That one,” Kyungsoo said, grinning.

He handed it to her in relief.  “How’s the food?”

She laughed.  “Terrific.  I don’t remember the last time I’ve ever felt this full.”

Chanyeol grinned back.  “That’s good.” 

Then the unfortunate happened.

He went completely tongue-tied as he stared into her hopeful eyes.

Say it, his brain commanded.

Tell her she’s beautiful.

Tell her you thank God everyday that she came into your life.

Tell her you’re in love with her.

But his mouth refused to cooperate.

His world came crashing as her smile began to fade, and the look in her eyes was replaced with...

Dismay.

Chanyeol looked away, mumbling that he’d take the plate to the trash.  He met Baekhyun on the way and dejectedly returned the camera to her, absolutely in no mood now to play the photographer.

Baekhyun bewilderedly walked back to the food table.  “Hi, Kyungsoo.”

“Oh, hi, Baekhyun,” Kyungsoo greeted forlornly. 

“Mind if I take your picture?”

She swallowed, trying to sound excited.  “Sure.”  She smiled and gave a peace sign.

Baekhyun grinned and took the shot.  “Very cute.”  Then she frowned.  “Oh, sorry.  It’s in black and white.  One more?” She asked as she readjusted the settings to normal color. 

Kyungsoo nodded and resumed her pose.

Baekhyun thanked her, showing her the still and teaching her how to view the pictures. 

As she reviewed the images, she stopped at Chanyeol’s picture by his birthday cake, her vision assessing on his shy smile, his benevolent eyes, his strong jaw line, his quiet stance...

“I could send that to you, Kyungsoo.”

She looked at Baekhyun, who was only smiling innocently at her. 

“And your pictures, of course.”

She nodded and moved on to the next ones.  There were some of his parents and Chanyeol’s friends, mostly random and unguarded.  Her hands halted as she saw the one taken where she was coming out of the kitchen with his cake. 

She was all smiles, her disappointment over not being told about his birthday dissolving instantly.  And the transparent person she was, anyone could see that she was on cloud nine...

And Chanyeol...

He was looking at her in utter amazement, a hint of a smile on his lips.

Would he already discover that she was feeling this way about him?  That he indeed had become very special to her?  What would he do then? 

“Chanyeol looks so happy there,” Baekhyun commented.

Kyungsoo tried to smile.  “Y-Yeah, he does.  And he should be happy because it’s his birthday.”  

Chanyeol came back with a stack of paper cups, glancing at Baekhyun suspiciously.  His friend winked.  “Before I forget, I haven’t taken a picture of you two together.” 

Kyungsoo and Chanyeol looked at each other.  Kyungsoo’s lips upturned into a small grin and leaned closer to him, to which he awkwardly put an arm around her small waist and smiled.

The people around them cheered upon noticing the birthday boy with his girl.  Everyone gathered around the food table again and urged Chanyeol to cut the cake.

Chanyeol chuckled and timidly referred to her.  “May I?”

Kyungsoo had to giggle.  “Of course.”  She handed him the plastic bread knife and all of them clapped as Chanyeol carefully sliced the dessert and Baekhyun clicked away with the photos.

He gallantly gave Kyungsoo the first slice.  “This is for you.”

She smiled in pleasure.  “Thank you.”

“Oh, wait.”  He took the cake from her again and, with the help of a fork, took three M&Ms and formed them into a shape of a flower.

She laughed in response.  “Again, thanks.”

“If you want more M&Ms...”

She shook her head.  “Three’s good enough.”

Jongin grinned, looked over Chanyeol’s shoulder.  “Three means I LOVE YOU.”  Then he nudged his best friend at the side.

Kyungsoo blushed as she walked away while Chanyeol got busy with distributing his cake to everyone.

After half an hour or so, Chanyeol and his best friends were finally sharing a large chunk of his birthday cake when the members of the theatre club and Junmyeon approached him.

Chanyeol turned around and saw that they were carrying their bags.  “You’re leaving?”

Professor Hwang smiled apologetically.  “Yes, Chanyeol, happy birthday.”  She hugged him in farewell.

Chanyeol was disappointed as the guys shook his hand and the girls waved at him.  When it was Kyungsoo’s turn, he said, “I’ll drive you home.”

Kyungsoo shook her head.  “It’s okay, be with your guests.  Sehun said that he would take me, Yixing and Minseok back to the dorm.”

Chanyeol reluctantly agreed. 

“Happy birthday,” she greeted again and hugged him tightly.

He took her waist in his hands and looked like he didn’t want to let go.  He sniffed her neck and caught a whiff of her lavender scent.  He regretted barely spending any time with her and when he did, his tongue would retreat and his entire body would go immobile and...

Everyone around them started teasing them as the embrace lasted longer than necessary.

Chanyeol laughed in embarrassment as he loosened his hold.  “I’m really glad you came.”

Kyungsoo only smiled, still a bit wary about not being able to help herself by her actions.  The only thing lacking was to say it out loud.

She loved him already.

But this was all pretend as everyone around them giggled in delight as he leaned down to kiss her squishy right cheek, but the gesture only saddened her.

“What’s the matter, Kyungsoo?” Junmyeon asked.

“Your boyfriend would still be coming to help with the props tomorrow,” Professor Hwang said, grinning at him.  “Wouldn’t you, Chanyeol?”

“Yeah, it’ll be last day of rehearsals tomorrow, so pretty please, Chanyeol?” Yixing requested, looking at him with puppy dog eyes.

Chanyeol opened his mouth to protest but everyone else, including Jongin and Baekhyun, was cheering and counting on him, insisting that his presence would make Kyungsoo perform better.

He sighed.  He’d just have to rush from his graduation practice then to see if he could still catch the rehearsals.  “All right.”

Kyungsoo gasped happily, again couldn’t control herself.  “Really?”

Chanyeol smiled, squeezing her hand.  “I’ll try to make it on time.”

That was good enough for her.  “Good night, then.”

“Good night.”

“Bye,” Chanyeol whispered.

“See you tomorrow?” she mouthed, looking at him optimistically.

He nodded, giving her one last wave.

As she turned away, she knew she believed him.

Chapter Text

The cast and crew were prepped up to be working until late at night the next afternoon.  She was surprised to see her cast mates huddled at the center of the stage when she came to the auditorium.

She curiously approached and tried to squeeze in the hunkered circle. “W-What’s going on?”

Then she saw it. Four white lilies in a thin wicker basket. It had a lilac silk ribbon at the top of the ring and it had her name in silver glitters.

Her cast mates cheered and laughed as Minseok tickled Kyungsoo at her sides.

Her eyes quickly scanned the props people.  “Where’s Chanyeol?”

Everyone murmured that they hadn’t seen either him or Jongin. 

It was already turning five in the afternoon.  She had a feeling that Chanyeol wasn’t going to show up.

She smiled wearily at the happy crowd as she retreated to the dressing room to set the bouquet aside, crestfallen.  Why was she hanging on to hoping that her mystery guy was Chanyeol?  Sure, he had graduation practice but he couldn’t even keep his promise to be there.

The first flower had already wilted, while the second set had faded. What she received yesterday was on its way to wither. Now she didn’t know what to do with this. If the gift-giver was too scared to support his gestures with a face-to-face encounter then the flowers were useless.

She was sick and tired of this!  She had other things to worry about than set expectations for her faux boyfriend and him not meeting them... She was headlining a play tomorrow, for crying out loud!

The next day, a Saturday, she was having restless dreams of an unsuccessful play when she felt somebody gently shaking her awake. Minseok smiled and invited her to go have breakfast.

Ten in the morning was their call time. Kyungsoo, Yixing and Minseok came in fifteen minutes earlier. Her heartbeat stopped as she saw Chanyeol and Jongin working together on one of the village houses. She was just about to walk over when her friends pulled at her arm to join the cast in one last briefing before the final rehearsal. It was only when the professor announced to have lunch at 2 p.m. that she found him backstage.

“Uh, Chanyeol?” she called abruptly.

He turned, on his way to the supplies closet. “Hi, Kyungsoo,” he greeted, his smile tentative.

She was uncertain where to begin. There were so many things she needed to ask, so many things she wanted to tell him.

Chanyeol bit his lip. He had missed her yesterday since graduation practice took up his time but he was actually in a terrible rush. One of the huts got disarrayed and he was about to get some rope and superglue to find a way to fix it. “Kyungsoo, I’m sorry... I...”

“Chanyeol,” she began softly, her eyes not with its usual sparkle. “Are you avoiding me?”

His mouth opened to directly oppose but then closed it as he locked eyes with hers, his mind battling with extreme thoughts that he felt like being pulled into all sorts of directions.  He had wondered all day yesterday if it was all right to send her a tiny text message to let her know he was thinking of her, until he hadn’t been able to send any message at all. If she only knew how much he wanted to get down on one knee this moment and ask her to be his girlfriend, for real... but this wasn’t the right time.

“No,” Chanyeol answered, hoping she would realize the purity of the truth behind it.  “It’s just that...” He looked at the supplies closet at the far end of the hall. He gripped her hands. “It’s just so chaotic here right now.”

It crunched Chanyeol’s heart when she looked like she was ready to cry. Then he realized how insensitive and cold he must have sounded. “Kyungsoo...” he tried again. “I’m sorry.” Then, to her amazement, he leaned close and pressed his lips tenderly on her forehead. “I’m not avoiding you,” he assured sincerely.  “Graduation practice finished late yesterday so I hadn’t been able to come.  And the play’s in five hours but there’s still so much to do, with props falling apart...”

She didn’t hear the rest of his explanation.  She could only look at him, his kiss confusing her all the more. There was nobody around, and yet he kissed her in affection... What did that mean?

He attempted a small smile as he squeezed her hand. “Good luck with the play later. I know you’ll be brilliant.”

And with that, Chanyeol reluctantly let go of her hand and ran to the supplies closet.

Kyungsoo turned away, two tears rolling down her eyes, feeling as though she only embarrassed herself by asking her dumb question.

Fifteen minutes till opening. Professor Hwang announced for everyone to gather around the stage and hold hands to join each other in prayer—the actors, wardrobe, dancers, stylists, writers, lights, audio and props.

They did the ritual before a performance without fail. She stood between Sehun and the professor as everyone held hands in a big circle.

“Once again, we are gathered here together...” the professor was saying, her eyes closed.

Kyungsoo respectfully bowed her head as the others did while the professor continued her exaltation.

A few moments later, she raised her gaze towards Chanyeol, who was standing between Jongin and Jongdae. His eyes were closed as well and Kyungsoo discerned that he couldn’t see her.

“I know I haven’t prayed as often as I should,” Kyungsoo prayed silently with her heart. “But forgive me for my requests tonight: Please give me the strength to tell Chanyeol how I feel... Please let him take the time to listen to me. Please don’t let him hide behind the flowers, if he turns out to be the one sending them. Please let him know, if my words will not be enough for tonight, that I need to hear him tell me how he feels about me too.”

She felt Sehun squeeze her hand. She looked up to his encouraging smile. Professor Hwang grinned and ended the prayer. Everyone answered, “HWAITING!!!”

Then they all applauded happily, the crowd breaking into a million pieces as all went around giving hugs to one another, murmuring their well wishes for a fine performance. She struggled to weave through the crowd for him, until their eyes met.

Chanyeol didn’t break the contact as he walked towards her. He smiled at her tenderly, his eyes gliding all over her face. She was breathtaking, even in her tattered gray shirt and loose black pants for her first scene as the street rat Kim in the dingy roads of war time Saigon. Chanyeol leaned in to hug her close, his heart beat accelerating at her nearness. “Good luck, Kyungsoo,” he whispered to her ear.

Her arms came around his waist then, not wanting to let him go. She closed her eyes and tried to absorb his warmth. If fear gripped her stronger after the play was over, she might never get this chance again.

Chanyeol pulled back to look at her, wondering what was wrong. “Are you nervous?” he asked softly, searching her eyes.

Kyungsoo shook her head, answering to the question of playing the part of Miss Saigon. She relished at the fact that she could magically transform into any character at the snap of her fingers, because internalizing had become so automatic. She wished she was as confident about being herself, especially when around Chanyeol.

Then they heard the master of ceremonies greeting and raring the crowd up from behind the curtain. Chanyeol smiled at her one last time as he held her hand to lead her backstage. Then she was ushered by Minseok and Yixing to her place as Chanyeol disappeared.

Then it happened. She recognized the lights as the curtain’s illustrious hem dramatically swept the stage floor, revealing their impressive set and she stepped out, saying her first lines.

She was Miss Saigon and everything else melted away.

He had given his front row, center seat to Baekhyun as he was still needed to change the sets and for any last-minute catastrophes. He was content in his spot, however, watching intently from the sides, never taking his eyes off her. Her innate glow radiated, drawing everyone to focus only on her. He felt her pain and her anguish, now more than ever.

Suddenly, it was the end of Act 1. Jongin winked at him as he took center stage with his dance group. It was unfortunate that Chanyeol wouldn’t be able to see his friend dance because the other props people would be rolling in the make-shift helicopter and the army camp set over the cabaret background.

Meanwhile, Kyungsoo and the other female characters rushed to the dressing room for costume change and make-up. They only had fifteen minutes. Once inside, she was immediately escorted onto a chair and was dabbed on foundation.

“Kyungsoo...” Yixing began, picking up a bouquet. “It’s another one from your admirer!”  Then her eyes widened in surprise. “And look! There’s a... What’s this? A card?”

At the strong protest of the one that was doing her make-up, Kyungsoo stood up and took the bouquet from her. This time it was five white lilies tied together with a pink ribbon and fancy lavender paper.

She looked at what was included in her gift. It was a customized card that had a cover made out of pink parchment paper that said:

To

D

O

K

Y

U

N

G

S

O

O

It was strange for her name to be arranged this way but there was no doubt that the flowers and this card were addressed to her.

She gasped as she turned over the page.

D awn breaks for another morning to shine   

O ver and over, as always, I pine

K isses have been stolen behind my closed eyes

Y ou are all I dream about, despite this disguise

U p in the clouds is where you take me

N ight falls once more, hoping that I’ll be

G athering courage, I remain yours

S ilence in my stride, running its course

O ne moment has turned into countless days

O ften my love for you leaves its trace.

Chanyeol’s poem!

She replaced the parchment and looked closely. Suddenly, it all became clear to her as her view floated over the letters of her name that made up the lines of his poetry... the clever pattern made remarkably visible through the see-through covering.

“Hey, Kyungsoo,” Minseok said, grinning knowingly, as the other actresses crowded around, giggling. “I think this fell out.”

She looked at a tiny card her friend was holding up. She took it shakily and read the short message:

Dear Kyungsoo,

You ’ re amazing as Miss Saigon, but much more so as yourself.

Love,
Chanyeol

She swallowed as she tried to assess what just happened. She rapidly recollected what had elapsed in the past four weeks—approaching him at the paper office, reading his poem out loud for class, giving him four red M&M’s at the cinema...

She closed her eyes, overwhelmed. Oh, my God... He had made the poem for her!  After all this time, Chanyeol was not a passive accomplice in their charade... He had been feeling something for her, long before all of this happened... But since when? Surely, they hadn’t met yet, even before she asked him to design the poster?

She vaguely heard Minseok and Yixing chanting the wedding march as she tried to run for the door. She was stopped by two of the make-up artists. “No, Kyungsoo! At least, change into your costume first!”

She halted, rationale returning to her. She reluctantly went back to the make-up chair as the artist hurriedly touched her up, understanding her impatience. After a couple of minutes, she swiftly slipped into her Asian camisole and scarf. “Minseok, will you give me my fan and purse later?”

Her friend nodded, as Kyungsoo exited.

She anxiously searched backstage for him, holding on to the poem for dear life. Professor Hwang noticed her main actress running about. “Kyungsoo?”

She turned, wincing at the deafening music Younique was dancing to. “Professor, have you seen Chanyeol?”

“There he is,” Professor Hwang answered loudly over the booming volume, pointing to Chanyeol’s direction.

She could see that he and the other assistants completed setting up for the next sequence. She rushed to him, oblivious to the professor calling out to her.

Chanyeol looked up as he felt somebody tug at his sleeve. Her eyes were welling up with tears as he saw that she had received the poem.

His lips slowly formed into a smile.

However, the moment was interrupted when the professor caught up with them and steered them backstage again because the music was fading and they could hear the audience cheering loudly.

“Just talk about it after the play,” the professor pleaded. “Whatever it is!”

Chanyeol laughed.  “Don’t cry,” he whispered, grinning at her. Amidst all of the insane activity that he forgot about the intermission when he placed the gifts at the beginning of the first act. 

She shook her head as though to tell him that she couldn’t help it. Then a tear rolled down her cheek, which he gently brushed away with his knuckle. Then she felt relieved as she remembered that her mascara was water-proof.

Again, the curtain was about to open. She handed Chanyeol the poem to be in his safekeeping for the meantime as he nodded and squeezed her hand.

She thought he said, “I love you,” when she read his lips.

She didn’t have the time to confirm it as Sehun suddenly stood in between them and took her to the stage.

Once more, Chanyeol was the bystander at the side as Kim and Chris struggled to make their love work. He felt immersed in their story. He didn’t even realize that tears were burning his eyes when Kim found out that Chris had died...

His first instinct was to run onstage and hold her in his arms as Kyungsoo sank down on her knees and grieved helplessly. His senses came back to him when he felt Jongin beside him and nudged him in approval, regarding Kyungsoo’s performance.

The next thing he knew, it was over. The curtain closed once more as the actors assembled in a straight line for them to be presented again. When Kyungsoo took her final bow, the audience roared and stood up in ovation. She laughed and glanced at Chanyeol backstage. He grinned at her as he applauded passionately himself.

Then it was Professor Hwang’s turn to take a bow. She took the microphone from the master of ceremonies and gave credit to the other departments that helped make the production possible. Chanyeol smiled sheepishly as he, Jongin and the other props people stepped on stage awkwardly and they, themselves, bowed to the audience.

“Woo hoo!!! Chanyeol and Jongin!!!” Baekhyun and Junmyeon cheered from the front row.

After the MC officially closed the event, the audience started to get up from their seats and wait on the queue to the exit. It was a packed house and it had indeed been successful.

Kyungsoo ran over to Chanyeol and hugged him tightly.

He chuckled softly as he put his arms around her as well. “Congratulations,” he whispered in her hair.

“Hmm...” Sehun murmured, grinning at the two of them. “Can’t wait to finally spend more time together, huh?”

Jongdae laughed. “Get a room!”

Kyungsoo blushed furiously as she glared at her two guy friends. “Go away!”

Chanyeol only laughed as they were left in peace.

Chapter Text

They attended the post-play dinner that was sponsored by the theatre club for yet another victorious production. Afterwards, he walked her back to the dorm.

Kyungsoo insisted on carrying the bouquet while she let Chanyeol take her massive duffel containing her make-up and costume changes. She was smiling as they walked, reflecting on the last few hours.  She had distributed the other bouquets she received among the professor and other women at the party, including Junmyeon and Baekhyun, but this tiny bunch of white lilies was the most special and the only one that mattered.

He still wasn’t speaking and she realized, as they neared their destination, that his hand was progressively getting colder to the touch. “Is something wrong?” 

“Huh?” He turned to her, his usual grin was undoubtedly heartfelt but nonetheless apprehensive. “N-Nothing, Kyungsoo.”

Maybe this was really difficult for him. She tried to help him out. “Chanyeol, how did you know white lilies were my favorite? I never told you that.”

He swallowed as they stopped walking.

“And, I remember when I went out with Jongin that it was you who suggested to give me white lilies,” she continued, smiling. She was getting good at this. She should get tips from Baekhyun on how to fish for information, especially for such a hard subject like Park Chanyeol.

“Uh... well...” He coughed, trying to clear his throat. Before Chanyeol continued, he attempted to hastily measure if his level of fondness for her was less than healthy, as in bordering in the psychotic. Was he already a stalker? “R-Remember when I told you I watched your plays?”

She nodded encouragingly.

He shrugged, trying to make it seem trivial. “I’m just a good observer, I guess. You would look for white lilies first and then if you don’t find any, you wouldn’t pick up any of your bouquets at all.”

“Oh,” Kyungsoo said, a little disheartened. That was still a bit unusual of an observation, especially for a spectator who would leave after the curtains had closed.  When was he really going to admit he loved her? She thought of another angle. “W-What about the poem then?”

His eyes widened.

“To tell you the truth, the day you read it in class, I wanted to ask for a copy of it,” she confessed.

He didn’t expect that. “Really?”

“It was so beautiful, Chanyeol. Something about it just... moved me. I didn’t realize that it would...”

Now, he was the one waiting for her to continue. He supposed it would make this whole confession thing so much easier...

But she didn’t let him off the hook just like that. She laughed instead. “I didn’t ask anymore because I thought you wrote it for Baekhyun!”

He chuckled then, recalling how two unconventional couples emerged from those crazy 72 hours.

Kyungsoo sighed in frustration. He still wasn’t budging. “So you really wrote it for me?”

He slowly locked his gaze to hers. Then he confirmed it with only a nod of his head.

“Why?” she asked and then rephrased her question.  “I mean, how come?”

Chanyeol gripped her hand tighter. Her dorm was only a few feet away. She followed him in confusion as he led her to the front steps. He dusted off the spot where they would sit so he could begin to elaborate. He set her things at the side and produced the poem while Kyungsoo sat beside him.

They both read the poem silently at first.

D awn breaks for another morning to shine   

O ver and over, as always, I pine

K isses have been stolen behind my closed eyes

Y ou are all I dream about, despite this disguise

U p in the clouds is where you take me

N ight falls once more, hoping that I’ll be

G athering courage, I remain yours

S ilence in my stride, running its course

O ne moment has turned into countless days

O ften my love for you leaves its trace.

Then he looked at her. Kyungsoo was suddenly nervous about his nearness.

“So the first few lines mean that you’ve pined away...”  Her voice trailed off, looking confused.  “And that kisses have been stolen... but... you haven’t...”

Chanyeol fidgeted with his hands, couldn’t look at her.  “I meant... I’ve kissed you... in my mind...”

Kyungsoo felt herself blushing.  “Oh...” 

“J-Just in dreams...” he explained, couldn’t look at her in mortification.  “Since... what I felt for you was unrequited, I had a hard time believing it...”

“But Chanyeol, you’re... entitled to your... fantasies...” Kyungsoo put in delicately, swallowing.  “Good ones, I hope...” 

His jaw dropped at her implication, suddenly crossing his heart.  “Very PG-13, I promise you.”

Kyungsoo was the one who first looked away, suddenly overwhelmed. Chanyeol was so much deeper when he wasn’t speaking.  When did it all begin? Before she came up to him to the paper office? Was it when they became classmates this semester for Lit 201?

“Kyungsoo...” he began, his heartbeat accelerating.  “The truth is... it started as a little crush. I’m sure you don’t remember.  You were enrolling as a freshman and you just came up to me... to ask for directions to the Humanities building. I thought you were so pretty, like a delicate porcelain doll...”

Her mouth dropped. “So... for three years, you’ve...”

Chanyeol chuckled, his blush deepening. “Crazy, huh?”

She smiled at him tenderly. “I don’t know yet...”

He laughed nervously.

“Go on,” she supported, clasping her fingers with his even more tightly.

He exhaled, as though to build his bravado. “Then... I thought I’d never see you again.   I didn’t know your name or what you were studying here for, or perhaps I just got sucked into some sort of alternate universe and out you came from my imagination.  Suddenly, I saw you in this poster of Sleeping Beauty when Jongin was auditioning for Younique. And that’s when I knew your name. Then people just kept talking about you, until you’ve reached this all-time campus celebrity status.”

“Huh?”

Chanyeol had to smile at her mock innocence.  “You know you’re very popular in this school.”

She wiggled her eyebrows candidly at him.

“Anyway, Miss Do, to cut the long story short, I watched all of your plays. Somehow, it was enough for me to just admire you from afar.” He laughed again, sounding pathetic. “I know it’s lame but it wasn’t just shyness that prevented me from coming up to you and introducing myself.   It was... more of extreme fear and exhilaration all at the same time that seeing you was almost surreal.”

Kyungsoo’s smile faded. “Is that a bad thing?”

“No,” Chanyeol corrected instantly, not wanting her to misinterpret him and possibly jeopardize his chance with her. “Far from it. It’s just like... something out of a book or a movie, only I’m getting first-hand experience. It was as if I understood what the poets and the writers and the actors were trying to immortalize; that...” he paused, wanting to express the right words to give justice to what he had been feeling and keeping in for so long, “that what they’re all saying about love and romance and passion were not exaggerated or overrated at all. It does happen.”

She was about to say something when Chanyeol beat her to it.

He looked at her intently. “We were just too different, I guess. You were such a brilliant and refined gem while I’m... someone who still needed a lot of polishing. So when the rumor broke out, we weren’t the most obvious pair to get together.”

“Chanyeol... don’t say that.  I wish we never let ourselves be bothered by what people have said about us.”  Her lower lip trembled. “I never should have agreed to your plan.”

He stared at her apologetically. “I’m sorry, Kyungsoo. I just didn’t want you to be perceived as someone you couldn’t possibly be.”

She bit her lip. “And for a while, I thought you would only ask me to be your girlfriend because you were taking pity on me.”

He shook his head. “Never.”

“And how could you think I wouldn’t like you?”

He lowered his gaze. How would he compare to the likes of Kim Woo Bin, for one? “My stupid insecurities, I guess.”

Kyungsoo sighed. “I think you’re a gifted artist and such an insightful person.”  She gently removed his glasses, a beautiful smile unfolding on her lips.  “Plus, it doesn’t hurt that you’re very, very handsome.”

He chuckled sheepishly, taking his glasses from her.

“Also the flowers and the poem?  Chanyeol... if you think you have no romantic bone in your body, then what’s the reason behind them?”

“You.”

Kyungsoo’s eyes welled up with happy tears at his admittance.  “Was telling me how you feel so hard to do?”

He smiled back and stared at her for a few moments.  “The number of times I’ve rehearsed this over and over in my head in the last three years... and this turned out none of those scenarios at all!”

She laughed too, finally feeling any mist of confusion being lifted away.

He stood and helped her rise to her feet, leading her to the front door.

“Wait!” she exclaimed, gripping at his arm. “You’re leaving?”

“Uh... is there still something you want to say?” Chanyeol asked slowly, not wanting to rock the boat just yet when they had only started to row off the shore.

“Well...” Kyungsoo hesitated, not sure whether she should initiate.

Chanyeol looked at her curiously.

“Y-You...” She bit her lip. “You haven’t kissed me yet...” 

Chanyeol slowly reached to caress Kyungsoo’s cheek, expressing in every way, apart from words, of how he truly felt for her. Then his gaze lowered to her lips, parting softly in anticipation. Chanyeol dipped his head and gently touched his lips on hers...

Her hands unconsciously crawled to his biceps as they both pressed closer to each other.

Chanyeol leaned back but didn’t open his eyes. He realized he wasn’t dreaming; that this was no stolen kiss.  In only a space of a moment, his lips instinctively found her own once more.

He groaned soundlessly and settled his lips on hers more fully. Kyungsoo’s plush mouth was soft and willing beneath his, and was responding in a way that startled him. His hands came around the small of her back, pulling her just close enough for their sanities. She didn’t make any move to protest.

Kyungsoo felt light-headed and she only became aware of Chanyeol’s lips and Chanyeol’s hands and Chanyeol’s body against hers. She had been kissed before, during rehearsals, during the plays—but this was her first kiss—the first real kiss that counted and would go down to her life history as the kiss that made her feel thoroughly loved and desired...

At last, he pulled back, opening his eyes dazedly. His hands were still steadying her by the waist as he continued to look into her eyes.

“I love you, Chanyeol,” Kyungsoo said honestly, couldn’t help herself. Because she did love him, and at this point, holding back was the last thing she wanted to do.

He smiled. “I love you, too, Kyungsoo.” Then he gave her one last quick kiss, and he reluctantly pulled back again. “It’s late...” he whispered.

“I know...” she whispered back, leaning her forehead on his. “I have to go in.”

He smiled and for some reason, chose to tease her.  “Sorry, that wasn’t very PG...”

Kyungsoo giggled and swatted him on the arm.

He squeezed her hand and then went down the steps. He looked back at her. “Go on. I’ll leave when you’ve gotten in safely.”

Kyungsoo smiled and blew him a kiss. “Drive safe.”  Then she disappeared inside the doors.

Chanyeol’s grin then reached the sky, couldn’t help the obnoxious, uncharacteristic hoot that escaped his lips to release his pent-up enthusiasm and jumped up real high like a lunatic.  

Then he cleared his throat as a few people who passed by were starting to look at him strangely, he bowed at them in apology and walked to the nearby parking lot where his Camaro was as normally as he could muster.

The End