An Unlikely Love Affair

14 - Dawn

IRENE

"Is this really necessary?" I frowned as Lisa crouched in front of me, gently lifting my leg onto her lap.

I was seated on a wall ledge outside a pharmacy. We ended up here since she was insistent on buying a first aid kit to treat any wounds or bruises despite me telling her not to bother.

Lisa ignored me and continued to roll up my pants. She bemoaned the sight of little scratches and bruises that unsurprisingly marked my leg.

"It's not that bad. I don't even feel any pain at all." I lied. My knees were actually still stinging from the fall but I'd say anything to make her worry less. Once again, she dismissed my remark and proceeded to remedy the abrasions that although were minor, proved to be glaring against my pale skin.

"Do you even know how to do that?"

"I watched my mom do this for me many times when I was younger. Don't worry." Her brows creased in concentration.

"I wasn't worried when you cooked for me and look where that got me." I teased.

"Yah." She stopped and looked up at me imploringly with those big doe eyes. "I thought you'd already forgiven me for that."

I can feel a small smile work its way across my lips. She looked really cute despite the worry lines forming on her forehead. "I was joking, Lisa."

My other leg was unscathed save for a medium sized bruise below my knee. The concerned blonde was softly touching it, running her long fingers over the light bruise, as if doing this would make it magically disappear.

"Does it hurt?"

"Not anymore, now that you've checked it, Dr. Manoban." I answered playfully but Lisa didn't respond and just proceeded to gently touching the mark.

"I'm sorry." she mumbled, looking genuinely distressed.

"Don't apologize to me. Apologize to my members before they come after you for not taking care of their leader." I continued to jest, desperately trying to get her back to her happy, outgoing self.

When she just gazed back at me with those sad, worried eyes, I cupped her troubled face with my hands. "It's really ok, Lisa. It's not your fault and besides, I had fun running away. It was quite a rush." I gave her a reassuring smile.

She fixed my pants and straightened herself up, a serious pout forming on her lips. "I promise I'll take care of you better next time."

"What makes you think there's a next time?" I lifted an eyebrow.

"Well, you keep showing up unexpectedly, I was hoping it'll become a regular thing."

In truth, I wasn't planning on seeing her. I admit, I like being with her and discovering all her little quirks but after giving it much thought, I've decided it's best to stop this madness. Yes, it is that because she's 5 or 6 years younger than me and these unfamiliar feelings certainly aren't entirely friendly.

However, despite my resolve to distance myself, I'd somehow ended up at their dorm after our music show appearance, convinced that I needed to see her one last time.

"My phone..." I stared blankly as Lisa's expression got increasingly anxious. "I don't have it on me." She added as she continued to search her pockets.

"It's probably just here." I said, getting mine to call hers. She rushed back inside the pharmacy while I went to check inside the car.

I can hear it ringing. I followed the sound and finally found it under the driver's seat. Sunbaebae calling was displayed on the screen.