Just one smile

Chapter 5

"I didn't really have the courage to make a move before.. but right now I'm doing it.. I just hope it's not too late yet"

Hina pulled herself away and stared at him as if she heard the most ridiculous words ever. Eyes wide open, mouth slightly agape and body trembling due to the cold wind hitting on her face.

"Stop joking. It's not funny" Hina muttered, eyes narrowing.

In return, Jaemin looked taken aback.

"You should stop being like this. It's getting out of hand already" Hina continued. There were some things that she wanted to say but she clamped her mouth shut instead. How can he be like that especially when he was with another girl awhile ago? Hina thought. She noted that she sounded so frustrated and so to ease the awkwardness in the situation, she let out an awkward laugh.

She took a few more steps away from him, ready to leave when Jaemin cut her off. "Jeno.. The boy awhile ago. Do you like him?"

Hina turned around to look at him again and blinked a couple of times. "Why do you want to know?"

Jaemin sighed. "Are you dating him?"

Hina starts to feel more frustrated. "Seriously, Jaemin why are you being like this? It's not your business if I'm dating him or not. What about you? Did I ask you about the girl you were with awhile ago?"

"If you're talking about Rena. We have nothing. She's only a friend"

A friend? Being all that clingy? She wanted to scoff but stopped herself from doing so Hina only stared at him.

"How about you? You didn't answer my question yet". Jaemin's voice sounded like he was whining which made Hina almost smile. She was still trying her best to flash her poker face as much as possible. Smiling would mean she lost this battle that only exists in her mind.

"Jeno's a good friend" Hina answered. She swore she saw him smile after she said that, it was just a small smile and almost invincible.

"Can I ask you something?" Jaemin spoke, his hands were inside his pockets. Hina didn't answer but he continued anyway. Somehow, the question made her feel a bit nervous. "What do you think of me?"

Hina felt unsure how to answer the tricky question. They stared at each other's eyes for a moment until Hina's eyes wander around awkwardly, breaking eye contact. "What do you mean?"

"I like you, Hina. Do you like me too?"

She feels taken aback by that. Jaemin was too straightforward. It felt like getting hit by a truck all of a sudden.

Of all the places, he decided to confess in front of the building of her dormitory, at the side of the busy street of Seoul. And if this isn't the most ridiculous place to confess to someone then Hina doesn't know anymore.

The two of them kept silent. Several people walking passed by them but they were too engrossed in their own little world that they didn't care about everything anymore.

She tried to recall the past. How did she even like him? Sure, because he was really good-looking that most girls in their school liked him but as time passed, she realized that Jaemin's personality is just as perfect as he looks.

Hina tried to think of the possible best answer.

"Of course! I like you" No. She would look too desperate.

"When did I ever stopped liking you?" Ridiculous, she thought.

"I used to like you.." She mumbled, almost too quiet that she doubts he would hear.