Stigma #3 » k.th ✓

two

All my life, I would’ve never thought a girl would ask me out bluntly like what had just happened. Kim Soon Hee, I still can’t believe this, but then again, this could be a prank; usually it is when it comes to popular ones asking those who don’t stand out as much as they do. Though, I want to give it a chance. Like she said, I shouldn’t be stereotyping cheerleaders. Yeah, maybe I was just overreacting. 

“Taehyungie got himself a girlfriend.” Lisa came up behind me with that annoying scrunched up face whenever she smiles too much. I laughed at her enthusiasm on teasing me with this. For my revenge, I squished her cheeks with both of my hands, treating her like a kid; I know how much she feels embarrassed whenever I do that to her, especially out here in the public. She pushed my hands away and almost shouted at me. “Ya, oppa, don’t do that! I’m a big girl now.” She pouted at me with thosr stern eyes of hers darting mine.

"Sure, you are," I didn’t want her to grow up. Soon enough, she’ll be able to fall in love with someone who loves her just as much, then I wouldn’t be there much in the picture anymore. I do feel blessed having her as my sister; at least, I can say I have a family I love and want to protect. "Now then," I wrapped an arm around her as we started walking our way home. "You go ahead and do your homework. Oppa will do his homework, as well. Understand?" She nodded without hesitation. Nothing new. Just the daily basis; I clean up Dad’s mess, she concentrates maintaining her high grades to be able to get into a really good college in the future before I go to my work place.

However, I wasn’t informed until I saw it closed. I end up walking back home, waiting for a text for explanation from the manager. While at that, Soon Hee seemed to be walking towards me, her eyes staring on the screen of her phone. I called out to her without thinking it through, how our conversation could start. "Soon Hee-ya,"

Hearing my voice, she stopped at the right distance in front of me, her face lighting up. "Oh! Oppa,"

"Am I really older than you are?"

"Not really. I just wanted to try it," She laughs, pushing her phone into her pocket. "What are you doing out here at this late hour? Do you work here or something?" Soon Hee asks curiously, pointing her thumb at the closed milk store.

I nodded. "Unfortunately. But they were closed for the day."

“That’s too bad,” She swayed her arms a bit around her weirdly, as if she was thinking of something else to say. “Hey, I asked you out, didn’t I?” The smile on her face didn’t fade, it just became more emphasized and more direct.

"I—I guess." Which I couldn’t answer before since she asked that out of the blue. I wasn't prepared, nor will I ever be prepared for something like that. It was happening to fast, I don’t even know her. Back at the library, she just walked out on me after leaving her question unanswered. She just told me to think about it. Doesn’t she think this is too soon?

“How about we do it now?”

"What are you talking about?"

"The date."

The way she asked me so casually about it wasn’t taking affect on me. She's doing this on purpose, I think. With that conclusion of confusion for now, I decided: "Soon Hee, you're a really pretty girl, but I'm sorry."

"Eh?" The smile on her face faded again.

"I have problems at home and I have to keep my grades up. I won't have any time for you, I'm sorry." To walk out of a situation I was afraid to take part in. That night, I only told her one thing for an advice; to find someone more worthy than I am. Then, I didn’t have much choice but to walk out on her. She stood there, frozen, without me being able to do anything to make the situation any better.