The Marriage Assignment [4]

Chapter 23, Nanami's Gift

[ YOONGI'S P.O.V. ]

Last night wasn't weird for me. If anything, it was one of my best nights. Relaxed, smiling, and feeling butterflies at my stomach every chance I got? I never realized I could be so smitten.

Whenever I've liked someone, I'd tease them. It's been a thing since I was younger, growing, and even now. When sitting with her, eating cake and ice cream, I came to terms with this habit when I kept picking cute arguments on fire throughout. From the way she chewed, to the way she sat, to the way she hit me so pathetically on the shoulder...I made fun of it all because that's how I dealt with such scary emotions.

I remember doing something similar when I was younger. Making fun of her nose, pulling her hair, pushing her into sand or grass. I don't condone the behaviour, nor do I think that every boy that's mean likes the other, but all I know is that I did. I guess from the way I tease now, I still do. I...more than like her. More than. That's a scary thought right there.

I know what I feel. I know I should tell her. I know.

But I can't when knowing how smoothly things go between us lately. Coming to the cabin, eating, laughing, and watching some old television recorded into the players, nothing was awkward. That's what I like. I like that nothings awkward. I kissed her, she kissed me. We actually did that, but even then, she didn't make it weird! That's the best part! She didn't cling, she didn't mope about a label.

She simply stays in the moment with me always and that's what I admire.

Like a best friend. She's my best friend. It's easy to admit that.

I smile. Shaking my head at my thoughts, I glance over at you bounce down to sit on the steps next to me, carrying boxes. On the porch we both are. Your eyes are glistening in excitement, and I repeat 'best friend' in my heart and mind over and over and over. It's true, it really is.

"Quit staring at me," you chuckle, making me blink like a maniac before shyly glancing away. The smile that lurks on my face lingers, clearing my throat.

"What you got there?"

"Gifts," you pipe, rubbing your hands together in anticipation. "Ready to dive in? You've been impatient since yesterday."

I nod, my smile faltering a little over how you hold my thigh close to you. The fact that you've gotten comfortable enough to drape your naked legs over my lap scares me, just a little. Because I look at your legs, I look at our position, and my mind flashes to Terin. There's sudden guilt that builds within the walls of my stomach and I want to throw up. I've got to tell her. My eyes are now sad, seeing you open the first box.

It's a gift from my parents. Some house warming antiques, and then the photo album we were supposed to gawk at long ago. Placing it on to your lap, you scoot closer and I wrap my hand around your waist, saving you the difficulty. You smile and say, "Thank you," gracing my cheek with your soft touch. I smile in response, binging with images in front of me.

There's pictures of us both when younger. Some individual, some together. If I weren't so distracted by your face, your laugh, and the way you smell of my shirt and scent, maybe I'd be laughing and smiling at the pictures too. It is a surprise to me when going down memory lane, however. It's sad how I don't remember much of it...or rather, I force myself not to remember, ashamed of crying if I do. It was tough, but no matter how poor, there was always happiness.

"We look so cute here!" I blink, stare to the picture you point at, and then I smile. Genuinely. We do look cute. She's always been cute, I'm...meh.