Feelings

I wore my usual cardigan above my top and was about to take my bag and leave when my eyes fell on the abandoned headphone I found that day.  I had a feeling that it was Soo-ho's but I shrugged it off as my usual gut feeling.

I went down the stairs and took my sneakers and remove dust by stomping my feet. As I was tucking my ankle in the shoes ,someone cleared their throat behind me. I turned around my head with the same hunched position to see Ms.Choi standing there with crossed arms.

"May I know where you are going Ms.Kang jr.?" Her voice held an undertone of both sarcasm and concern. I don't even know how she managed to do that, she just did. And for some reason, I felt intimidated.

"Uhh to the playground..." I said and grabbed my baby's strap and fiddled with it as I always did when my father used to scold me.

"Aren't you too old for that Miss?-"

"Not for playing Ms.Choi! To return someone notes I accidentally took." I confirmed as she nodded.

"Please do inform me if you are going to be late. I will be waiting for you." She bowed and I bowed back to her.

"I am sorry. I will keep that I mind." I was moving out the door when she spoke up again.

"It's that boy on call earlier, isn't it? You like him don't y-" I groaned and closed the door the before she could complete the sentence. I sighed and walked to the playground slowly. The night felt refreshing as cold winds blew through my hairs. I passed by my neighbourhood, which is was quite as always.

I lived in the rich side of the town where either silence greets me or the late night parties, nothing else. Initially it felt good but now, it feels boring to be stuck in this side of the town where nobody cares if they have neighbours or not.

I would kill to get a neighbour that has a friendly pet with whom I could play with.

A shiver ran down my spine as I felt harsh cold wind blow.I put my hands in my jeans pocket to avoid them getting numb from cold.

Given to these thoughts, I didn't notice when I reached the playground. I went for the other side of the playground where the basketball court was.

However, what I did notice that Soo-ho wasn't alone. To my surprise there stood another girl with him and my feet involuntarily stopped.

That girl was none other than Lim Jukyung.

He and Jukyung were crouching down near the ground while looking at the wild cat. I was standing at quite distance so they still didn't notice me. My brows furrowed slightly at the sight. What made me even more perplexed was the fact that I was feeling uneasy.

Meanwhile they were talking about you only. Jukyung pet the cat as Soo-ho stared at her silently.

"She seems to like you. She was acting fierce before." He says as Jukyung smiles.

"Y/N introduced me to him yesterday. We both begged him for his attention." Jukyung smiled at the memory when you both were returning from school and get off the bus in the middle. There you guys met this little one and almost got scratched but eventually after a treat, he softened upto us.

"So you both are nosy to everyone."

Soo-ho muttered under his breath bitterly and stood up, putting his hands in his pocket. Jukyung ignored his words and spoke.

"Sorry, your clothing isn't dry yet. You came this long for nothing." Jukyung says as Soo-ho eyes darted around the playground to look for you.

"It's alright. You can give it to me in the school." He says as Jukyung gave him an embarrassed smile.

On the other hand, I was beginning to feel like I was intruding in their personal space. I shouldn't be watching them like a obsessed creep so I decided to sit out of their view and wait for the time when I could hand him his notes and flee to my house. Feeling cold, I rubbed my hand and blew air to make them warm.

I heard a low ruffle of grass behind me as I turned my gaze towards the sound. The same cat me and Jukyung fed yesterday came upto me.

I smiled as he snuggled upto my leg. I pet his small head deliberately and he snuggled more into my leg, seeming warmth just like me.

Suddenly my breath was knocked out by a sudden force on my back as I choked on my breath.

The cat got scared and ran away as I groaned. I looked behind me to see a lone basketball which I picked up furiously and looked for the source of force exertion.

"Hey! If you don't know how to play then don't play at all!" I said indignantly to the boy who came in my view but we both stopped in our track when we saw each other.

"Y/N? You were here? I was waiting for you there." He says as he approaches you but was taken aback when he sudden jerk in his stomach. He groaned in pain and held his abdomen while leaning down a little.

The basketball ball bounced to the side as Soo-ho coughed a little to cover up his fresh injury.

"Payback bitch. Anyways, you were with Jukyung so I thought I shouldn't disturb you two." Instant guilt filled Soo-ho's heart.

You were already here waiting for him while he was talking with Jukyung who came without his jacket.

But then most absurd and hopeful thought hit him. You were waiting for him. Is it becaus-

"Hello? Earth to Narcissist?" I said to pull him out of his trance. He cleared his throat and picked up the basketball while beckoning me to follow him to the basketball court.

"I am not a narcissist." He said in his usual monotonous tone as he dribbled the basketball. Then he began to show few moves with the dribbling of basketball. I scoffed and crossed my arms.

"Show off."

"I was Basketball Captain till last year. You would have fainted if you saw me play." He brags and I rolled my eyes.

And he says he isn't a narcissist. Bro is in denial.

He threw the basketball but it missed the hoop. I caught it deftly and dribble it slightly then aimed for the hoop and shooted. To my luck, it was a score. I smirked and cheered, then gave Soo-ho a mocking glance.

"What do you have to say now captain? Are you about to faint?" Soo-ho scoffed in offense as he took the ball once again to score but missed.

"Now I see why there was 'until last year' in your sentence." I began to remove my bag from my shoulders and was totally unbeknownst to the fact the ball was about to hit me again when I felt a sudden pull on my hand. My face was met with firm chest of Soo-ho making my nose hurt a little by the impact but then, a sudden strong smell hit my nose.

He smells....expensive.

What's gotten into me? Why my first instinct is to smell man?

"What the h-" Soo-ho was in trance when you accidentally end up in his arms. I tried to pull back and my eyes met his. He suddenly held my head again and pulled me in a hug, once again. My eyes widened as I stared behind his shoulders.

What is he doing?

I am feeling little weird.

Why am I letting this happen!?

What's going on?

Then suddenly Soo-ho jerked back as if shocked to the core. And he really was shocked to his core. His cheeks were blushing furiously as his body warmed up.

"Huh?" I spoke.

"Huh?" He spoke.

What did just happen right now?

"How was it?" He asks and I was dumbfounded ny his claim.

"....Mwo? You mean the hu- "

"The scent!!" Soo-ho exclaimed rather in a loud voice contrasting to his usual flat voice.

"Uh-...oh."

"I changed my detergent yesterday."

"De..tergent?" I was dumbfounded with every sentence he spoke right after.

"Because it said that it won't go away even while exercising. Checking the effectiveness." I blinked rapidly and then nodded ansentmindedly.

"Ohh....it was nice. The scent is nice." I laughed awkwardly. I suppressed my will shove the basketball in his-

Before I could complete my thought, Soo-ho ran to and hugged out of blue to just arrived Mr.Maoi. I noticed him sniffing Soo-ho while saying things like-

"It's nice and refreshing."

My lips parted as a thought made it way to my mind.

"What a flustered way to check the effectiveness of the scent." I sighed and took out the notes and handed them to him nonchalantly.

"Here." While I was handling him the notes, I noticed that his cheeks were red.

"Are you feverish?" I asked and was about to check his forehead when he pulled back as if my touch would give him electric shock.

"No, why?" He took the notes from me and didn't even spare a glance at it. I narrowed my eyes but kept my cool.

"Your cheeks are red." I pointed out as he touched is warm cheeks and coughed to cover it up.

"Must be cold."

Probably.

I shrugged it off and waved a goodbye. Soo-ho seemingly panicked, trying to find a way to make you stay with him for little more. Walking down the street, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around to see Soo-ho catching up to me.

"You don't need to walk me home."

"I called you to give me notes so I must walk you home."

I looked at him out of the corner of my eye and analysed him. A small smile formed on my lips as I noticed his stoic face contrasting to his current behaviour.

"Aren't you a gentleman." I once again put my hands in my jean's as we walk together.

"Do you want to....grab some ramen?" My eyes lit up at the suggestion however the shine dimmed once I realised it was late. I shouldn't stay out late or Ms.Choi is gonna be worried and eventually tell it to my Cow brother. He is gonna chew me like grass for real.

"It's late. Maybe some other time." Soo-ho nodded in approval. He could get another chance to meet you. The truth was, he was the one who purposely put his notes beneath yours so that you would 'accidentally' take his notes.

The length you go when you like somebody.

"This is my street. You can go home now." I bowed slightly.

"I could walk you to your house."

He suggest and sarcasm made over to my tongue.

"Then next time come to my house to take the notes rather than calling me and hitting me with a basketball." I mockingly said making him blink rapidly as he tried to form a sentence.

"It's alright." I laughed. Truth to be told, I enjoyed his company and leaving him speechless was my favourite hobby. I gave him one last smile and waved him goodbye. Then I  began to walk other way but I could feel Soo-ho's stare behind my back.

Right. He couldn't sleep that day because he was constantly facing the problem of heated cheeks while reminiscing the moment.

The very next day in school was hectic. Constant classes without any break. We only got to breathe a little in P.E. classes. All of us changed into our tracksuit and joggers for dodgeball.

Everyone was busy playing dodgeball while I was peacefully chilling around the corner, enjoying my alone time. Our P.E. teacher wasn't around at that moment so I could relax without any fear. My ears perked up when I heard someone say-

"God Soo-ho is returning to basketball!!"

I was shocked.

Was it the fact that he was returning to basketball shocked me? No, of course not.

Someone used 'God' in his name. That's what shocked me, like how good is he at playing basketball.

My gaze involuntarily moved towards Soo-ho who was already looking back at me with a smug look as if he knew I was taken aback.

"You can't even score." I mouthed these words as he visibly scoffed. I was so lost in mocking Soo-ho that I didn't listen the conversation that had my name. My attention was grabbed when I heard Seojun's voice calling out my name.

"Well then, you should ask Kang Y/N. I only listen to what she says." His friends began to chant his sentence once again and acting on impulse, I threw the dodgeball at them. They immediately got the hint and shut up.

"Kang Y/N, want to see me play basketball?" Seojun asks in a haughty way as if anticipating an excited 'yes'.

"Not at all."

The ball Seojun was holding fell down as his expression froze.

"Not..at all..?"

The guy with glasses immediately came towards me and began to request.

"Y/N, please tell him to play! I don't want to lose to that guy!" He says while side eyeing Sua's boyfriend.

"Do it or don't, I don't care." I shrugged it off.

"I will then listen to you. I will play in the game. "

Whatever.

"Does he have crush on you? He wouldn't act like that just because you took photo of him riding a motorbike." Sua said making my brows furrowed. Now that I think about it, it does seems weird how he acts around me. But let's not just jump to conclusions just yet.

"I am going to wash my face" I said and began to walk inside when Soojin spoke up behind me.

"You slept the whole period."

"Yeah. That's the reason I am going to wash my face." After hearing my reply, Soojin muttered 'unbelievable' under her breath as Jukyung laughed. Then she volunteered to come with and I let her.

When we entered the washroom, I witnessed the same girls from before bullying the girl with glasses. My brows furrowed as I recognised the girl, the one who was singing earlier. I was about to step in when Jukyung picked up the bucket of mop water.

I looked at her face and was taken aback to see emotions swirling in her eyes. She held a determined look with hint of familiarity with it. As if, she has been through this. Jukyung threw the water on the other three girls making them scream.

"Are you crazy!? Why would you splash dirty mop water on me!?"

Even her voice annoyed me but not more than her personality.

"Because your mouth is filthy, she figured that it needed to be washed." I spoke while advancing towards them in a menacing manner making them take several steps back.

"Is looking pretty outside all that matter, even if your insides are filthy and disgusting?" Jukyung said with a tone of anger, agitating the other girl.

"You are grade 11? Who the hell are you to throw a fucking fit?"

That was the point where I lost it. I swing my right leg at her face, purposely missing few inches or else she would have to do lot of makeup to cover the aftermath.

She screamed and backed off along with the other two. Their faces held astonishment and fear.

"If I catch you like this again, I will make those silicone fillers come out of your nose. And just for your information, we are her sisters."

I put emphasis on the word 'sister' but soon, the girl, named Go-woon ran out followed by Jukyung. Soojin and Sua entered the washroom at the same time and were perplexed to see both girls running out.

"Now who is this bitch again..." the girl muttered and Soojin eyes became hooded as she did the exact same kick which I did moments before.

"Ah...I missed." Soojin mocked and enjoyed how there faces contracted in fear.

If anyone doubted she was cousin till now, they must be sure by now.

I went where Jukyung and Go-woon went, that is, on the terrace but my feets halted when voices hit my ears.

"You are pretty, you won't understand how I am feeling." This was Go-woon's voice.

Now that I think of it, she reminds me of the girl in my previous school. How she ran out of there just because she was being defamed for her looks.

I closed my eyes shut to supress the rising guilt. I hated the fact that I watched it happen but didn't do anything to stop it. I am equally guilty as the bullies. But I need to understand that it was in past. And I also need to help that girl.

With this determination, I began to think of how I could help her gain confidence to stand in the crowd and sing in her melodious voice without any fear.

Maybe makeup?

Because I believe my words alone cannot help her. But the problem arises that I don't know how to do makeup-

Wait-

Jukyung!!

She is an expert.

And I could help her practice, this way she would gain confidence among the crowd. With that thought I talked to Jukyung and turns out, she was already watching makeup tutorials to help her out. I smiled at her thoughtfulness and also because I knew.

I was walking down the hall of school when suddenly a box of dodgeball came in front of me. I halted and looked at the person who kicked it. There stood Seojun with prominent scowl on his face.

"Who stole your girl man?" I eyed him in confusion as he scowled even more.

"Why are you here?" He puts his hand in his pocket and asks in an annoyed tone.

"Perhaps I study here. Like seriously, why are you being such a jerk?"

"Why are being so obnoxious? After giving Soo-ho the keys of my bike you are asking me-" I cut him off mid sentence.

"Wait a minute. I threw the keys at your face remember?" Seojun scoffs.

"I put it in your bag again but it seems like you gave it to him. What's so special-"

"Listen here Mr.Cheshire cat, I didn't give anyone keys of yours and I swear, if you do that again, I will sell your bike without your acknowledgement. Am I clear?" I threatened seriously while advancing towards him as he backs up to the stairs' railing. He gulps and nodded. Then I stepped back and put my usual sarcastic smile.

"And it's your duty today, so any damage caused to box will be on you." I winked at him and brushed past him while walking sassily upstairs.

"She is more delirious than I thought."

Seojun mutters under his breath as stares behind your back but somehow you scent was still tickling his nose. He shook his head proceeded to pick up the box while cursing himself and Soo-ho for reporting his bike. He guessed that he stole the keys from you.

After school, you were last to reach the bus stop because of Mr.Han giving you worksheet to complete for the upcoming competition. I unlocked my phone to see no notifications currently except from my stargram account.

Disappointment.

I briskly walked towards the bus stop and sat at the waiting bench. I was looking at my phone during that time so I failed to notice Soo-ho sitting beside me.

"What are you doing?" The voice startled me as I almost dropped my phone but I caught it in time.

"Don't sneak up on me like that!" I regained my composure and again began scrolling through makeup tutorials.

"It's not my fault you weren't paying attention." He shrugs and began to peek into my phone like a little kid but I put the phone away.

"Makeup tutorial?" He asks and I laughed embarrassed.

"Actually there is this girl I want to help but I don't know how to do makeup so I was trying at least get a gist." I sighed and swayed my legs a little out of embarrassment.

"However Jukyung knows makeup very well! She does it beautifully while I am confused at my foundation shade."

I don't even know why was I blabbering these things.

"You want to do makeup?" He asks and I nodded my head lazily.

"I mean, it won't hurt to try right?"

"But you look beautiful without makeup."

I shrugged and looked ahead. But soon his sentence registered in my mind.

Wait-

I turned to look at him but he was already sitting up straight like a robot as his cheeks blushed furiously. I was not a fool, it was clearly visible that he absentmindedly said that. Even I am taken aback from his claim.

"Was that a dare?"

Where that even came from?

I don't know, but that was the first thought that came into my mind.

"Why would you- ahem. Why would you think that?"

He clears his throat mid sentence because in beginning his voice began by sounding meek. Despite the awkward situation, I laughed. He stood up straight and put back of his hand on his cheeks, realising they were extremely warm now.

The situation seemed hilarious and flustering both to me but more funny because of his reaction.

"Thanks, I appreciated it."

I wasn't good with compliments because I always felt like they say so to make me feel good.

Before he could say anything else, my bus came and I went inside sharing a last glance with Lee Soo-ho.

I smiled and waved him goodbye as he just stares back.

Just as the bus got out of the sight he immediately sat down and ran a hand through his hair. Your smiling face kept flashing in his brain again and again. He blinked rapidly as he replayed the moment that just happened. When his bus came, he sat down and leaned his head against the window while questioning himself.

___________________________________________

Hello everyone!!

I hope you guys like this chapter.

I am kinda confuse how to make this love square work but I will try my best.

Anyways! See ya in the next chapter!🍁