When Things Get Complicated

"You're Baekhyun, right?"

When Kim Taeyeon came into the boys' locker room after practice on Wednesday, I can't say I wasn't surprised. "Can I help you?" I asked, untying my shoes. If I wasn't so tired, I might have been embarrassed by my sweatiness.

"Actually, I think you can." she said, her voice as sweet as ever. When she said that, I finally looked up from my shoes. "You're Baekhyun, right?" she asked, squatting down and finishing untying my shoes. I'd let Chanyeol tie them today and he always made sure there was no chance of them coming off. Now that she was this close to me, I was starting to feel pretty self-conscious concerning my sweatiness. Kim Taeyeon was at my feet wearing a little cheerleading uniform and I smelled terrible. What bothered me wasn't her proximity (the image of her between my legs wasn't doing much, which didn't surprise me), but I was instead focused on the worry that she would spread rumors about me being unhygienic.

My brain finally remembered her question concerning my name, so I blurted, "Yeah, I'm Baekhyun." As soon as the answer was out of my mouth, I could feel the blush spreading across my face.

"I hear that you're single now." she said, still not standing up. Her words felt like daggers stabbing into my heart, but I kept my composure and nodded. I didn't know why that information was important to her, though. She's Kim Taeyeon, the most feared, popular girl in school. She could have anyone she wanted, so why was she seated on the floor at my stinky feet? "I want to change that."

I was immediately confused. "What do you mean?" This entire situation was so strange and my entire being was exhausted from football practice, so my brain was moving at a snail's pace.

She just laughed, once and without much humor, before she stood back up and walked around behind me. She was out of my sight for only a moment before I could feel her hands coming down roughly on my shoulders. "I want you to be my boyfriend."

"Why?" I turned my head to the side, trying to look at her.

"You're cute." she answered, not seeming to care that this was weird no matter who you were. "Do you not want to be my boyfriend?" she pouted, and I imagined her bottom lip sticking out slightly.

No, I don't. "It's not that... I'm just a bit surprised." I mumbled, knowing I couldn't refuse her.

Suddenly, her head was right next to mine. I could feel her breath on my neck as she whispered into my ear. "I asked you if you want to be my boyfriend."

I knew she was expecting me to agree right away, or at least make it clear I was pleased with her request. She's used to getting whatever and whoever she wants. It doesn't matter that I'm not ready to date anyone yet; I'm just supposed to push my feelings away and become her toy. I didn't want to conform to the rules in place, but I knew that I would come to regret it if I didn't.

"Does it matter if I do or not?" I asked, not being able to stop the question from escaping.

"Of course it does." she replied, the tone of her voice telling me that I'd be correct in assuming the real answer is exactly the opposite.

"Can I get back to you?" Since I've been a part of the so-called 'popular' crowd for my entire life, I knew the rules and I knew I couldn't just agree right here, right now. Someone as important as Taeyeon has to be asked out in front of everyone. It's more exciting that way, more acceptable in our world. Everyone gets to see how happy we are and the moment is rubbed in their faces.

"I sit in the courtyard during lunch." she stated, letting her nails scrape lightly across the back of my neck as she walked out of the room. As soon as I was sure she'd gone, I slumped over and buried my face in my hands between my knees.