Me, Myself & I (Catnipz)

Chocolate cake.

 I got into my car, not bothered at all by spending the day with Jongin and Sihyun. After all, if I didn't, I'd be completely bored at home.

I drove to Sihyun's school, struggling a bit to remember the way. The last time I had gone with Minji, I had spent the time observing her.

"Haerin, you came!" Sihyun exclaimed happily upon seeing me.

"Yes!" I replied just as excitedly. "And not only that..." I smiled widely. "Today, I'll take care of you guys," I told them, and a cheerful "yay" escaped Sihyun's lips. She sat in the passenger seat and buckled her seatbelt on her own. We set off towards Jongin's school, who, like his sister, was excited to see me. Why couldn't Minji be like that?

"What do you guys feel like eating?"

"Spaghetti," said Sihyun.

"Chicken strips," Jongin said moments later.

"Both?" I asked, and they clearly didn't object. According to the kids, they had chicken at home, so we just needed to buy the ingredients for spaghetti. We went to a supermarket near their house to get the things.

"Haerin, can we take this?" Sihyun asked, shaking a box.

"What is it?" I asked, taking it from her. "Sihyun, but I don't know how to make cakes," I warned when I realized what it was.

"The instructions are on the back," Jongin pointed out.

"Okay," I said. How could I deny them anything? "But you'll help me, right?" They both nodded, and I dropped the box into the basket with the other things.

We cooked, ate, and I helped them with their homework so they could have Saturday and Sunday free. We played, watched TV, and at exactly seven thirty, we started on the cake.

Jongin read the instructions, Sihyun mixed the ingredients, and I only helped her with certain things she couldn't do. We poured the chocolate mixture into a special cake pan, and then I took care of putting it in the oven. Eight forty. Minji still hadn't arrived, and the cake wasn't ready either.

"Why don't you guys go upstairs, take a shower, change, and then come down when the cake is ready?" They both obeyed and went to their respective rooms.

I took the cake out of the oven and started putting on the frosting, also chocolate. It didn't take me five minutes. Once done, I left it on the counter while I took all the utensils we used to the sink.

"I'm here," Minji's voice echoed in the living room. She was an hour late. I continued cleaning the things we used for the cake; I was almost done, just needed to put everything back in its place.

"And the kids?" I heard her now closer. I turned around to see her.

"Upstairs," I turned back to the sink. "They went to take a shower and change." I dried my hands with a small white towel and walked towards the counter.

"Wow..." she said, sitting at the counter. "It took Jongin weeks to get them to obey him." She focused on the cake still on the table. "And that?" she asked, looking at me.

"Sihyun and Jongin made it."

"I don't believe you," she shook her head.

"Really!" I laughed. "I just helped them put it in and take it out of the oven." It was true.

"I still don't believe you," she laughed. Her laugh was beautiful; I didn't know why she didn't do it more often. She reached for the cake and took a piece.

"No!" I exclaimed in a reproachful tone. "Get a plate and utensils." I turned around to get them, but when I handed them to her, she already had her mouth full. "Minji..." I said, laughing.

"Sorry for my bad manners, I'm not like Eunchae," she took another piece and put it in her mouth.

"What does Eunchae have to do with this?" She was giving herself away. "Don't tell me..." I said surprised, leaning closer to her. "Don't tell me you're jealous," I smiled, biting my lower lip.

"No, I'm telling you because it's not true," another piece of cake was taken to her mouth and chewed in the most sensual way I had ever seen.

"You have chocolate here," I said, pointing to the corner of her lips as I began to laugh.

"I don't care," she said and continued eating.

"Enough!" I said desperately. "Stop eating with your hands." I took a fork and a napkin from the table and brought them to her.

"I refuse to use them." Couldn't she stop eating?

"You're rude," I said, laughing while I moved the cake away.

"Give it to me," she demanded.

"No," I replied. "Leave something for your siblings." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaning on the table.

"Come here," I took the napkin and approached her, taking her arm to make her and the chair turn toward me. Her gaze wandered the ceiling, while inside, I debated whether to clean that chocolate with the napkin or with my lips. I had to do it, despite saying I would leave her alone.

I gently put my hand on her cheek and then closed the little distance between our faces. It wasn't exactly a kiss. I put my lips on the corner of hers and slowly slid my tongue, removing all traces of chocolate. The taste of sweetness was delicious, but not as much as the taste of her lips.

Somewhat embarrassed, I moved away. "You don't have any more chocolate," I cleaned with the napkin, trying to ignore her fixed gaze. "I think it's better if I go." I adjusted my hair and turned away to leave the kitchen, but she thwarted my escape by grabbing my wrist.

"I'm sorry, I said I wouldn't bother you anymore, but..." I started talking rapidly.

I looked at her, and she was standing again with that intimidating look, then she took two steps closer to me. Decisively, she put her hand on my waist and without breaking eye contact, released my wrist to take me by the nape and bring me to her lips.