"Jake!" you shout from your desk.
Jake comes rushing in, swift to take a seat beside you.
"How can I help you?" he asks with a big smile.
"Are you busy?"
"Mm... not really. I was just reading," he responds.
"Stay in here, then. Please?" you ask with a tug on his arm.
"Of course."
You are almost done with your current assignment, a way too long packet of math problems. Jake sits with you through the entire thing, occasionally helping you when you don't understand what to do or how to do it. When you finally finish, he lifts you out of your chair and guides you toward the kitchen. As soon as you see what is on the table, you wrap your arms around Jake and hold on as if you can't let go.
A plate of nine ggul tteok balls is the only thing on the table, but it feels like an entire feast whenever you eat it.
"Ggul tteok is my favorite!" you squeal, clasping your hands together and walking to the table.
You put four on a napkin and give the other five to Jake.
"I made them just for you, Y/n, you can have them," he mumbles with red cheeks.
Your heart flutters when you look at him.
"I insist, Jake. Have some or I won't eat any."
"Alright, fine."
You had noticed that Jake didn't interact with you as much at school and work so whenever you were home together, you made sure to show him how much you cared. You had given much thought to it and finally decide to ask him what was wrong.
"Jake, I've noticed that... at school you tend to... I'm not sure how to say this without seeming overly protective and obsessive but you seem to be distancing yourself whenever we're in public."
Jake clears his throat and messes with his napkin in his lap.
"I- I'm sorry, Y/n. I've just heard people talking about... us. I hear people talking about us all the time and how you're way prettier than me, which isn't the problem, but that I don't deserve you because I'm ugly. People think they'd be way better with you then I am and... I don't know, I wanted to give you the chance to leave," he speaks, getting quieter and quieter as he reaches the end of his sentences.
These words absolutely break your heart. Without any hesitation, you rise out of your seat to stand by him.
"Stand up," you whisper, which he follows.
You hug him as close and tight as you feel you possibly can.
"I love you so much," you speak into his chest. "Nothing is ever going to change that. You are absolutely amazing. I think you're totally beautiful, funny, and way too kind for your own good but that doesn't matter if you can't see that for yourself. Don't listen to people when they speak like that. I love you, Jake. Only you."
You become suddenly aware that you are crying onto his shirt and pull away.
"I'm sorry I got your shirt wet," you mumble with a laugh.
"Don't worry about it... You really mean that, Y/n?"
"Of course. Here, have another ggul tteok," you reply, holding it up to his mouth.
"I love you," he says between chews.
"Shh, you're going to spill out all your food," you laugh.
