Of Cafés and Men

Friends?

It was now nearly the end of our year together as freshmen, Hongbin and I now being close to becoming sophomores in college. Summer was approaching, and fast, only two weeks left of school. We've grown a lot closer, and there's not a single day we don't see each other. We do have many of our classes together, so it's not like we could really avoid each other anyway.

I grew feelings for Hongbin along the way, and I recently began to suspect that he did too. No, he hasn't confessed... yet. But he's been so obvious lately. Asking me what my favorite flower is, what's my ideal type ("because a friend was curious"), if I consider him a good friend, etc.

How could I not have picked up the hints by now? Or was that his plan? I kept acting aloof, as if I had no clue of his feelings or intentions. Soon enough, on the first day of the last week, he invited me out after school. Hongbin glanced over at me during our last class and moved his hand as if it were a phone. I looked over at my phone and it lit up, indicating I'd just gotten a text. "Ah, how cute," I thought.

"Meet me outside class? Café, my treat. –Bean"

Bean was his nickname, but only his close friends, the guys he sang with that day we met, and I were allowed to call him that. I tuned out of the lecture, which had gotten pretty off-topic anyway, and thought about how today might be the day. But then I quickly reminded myself not to get my hopes up.

As expected, he confessed that day; small bouquet of my favorite flowers at the ready, table pre-set up with my usual (and his), as well as Hongbin's famous shy dimple smile that greeted me once we were inside.

"What's all this?" I asked, continuing my innocent act.

"Aw, c'mon Les, if you don't know by now, you're not as smart as I thought you– Ow!"

I'd lightly punched his arm to silence him. Ok, so maybe I was a black belt in Taekwondo, but I know how to go easy!

"Sorry, but you had that coming," I cleared my throat and straightened myself up. "Of course I know, I've known for some time now. But I thought watching your efforts was cute, and I didn't wanna discourage you so..."

"So it's a no?" Hongbin barely whispered, eyes full of sorrow.

I rolled my eyes and wrapped my arm around his, pulling us together, forcing us to be very close. "If it was a no, as you said, wouldn't I have told you flat-out instead of leading you on and making you suffer?"

"But I thought-"

"No you didn't," I cut him off, "You were so focused on the confession that you tuned all else out." I motioned for him to come closer, as if to whisper something, and Hongbin eyes me suspiciously. He still leaned over though.

I placed my hand by his ear and leaned up, but then sharply turned my face and pecked his cheek. There was no denying how the room suddenly felt a lot hotter, and both our faces had turned red. I then grabbed my usual vanilla frap and ran out the door, pausing once outside to see if he'd follow. Of course, knowing Hongbin, he did. Still flustered, but with the widest, dumbest grin I'd ever seen him wear. Glad I'm not alone on that one.