Bang Chan // Stray Kiss

넷.

"How are you feeling?" Woojin asks, sitting beside me.

"Like a million bucks," I replied sarcastically.

"Look on the bright side," Woojin replies, patting my back.

"What is the bright side?"

"You finally kissed someone?" 

"I feel bad."

That's when I noticed the music had stopped and everyone had their eyes on me. I shivered as their attention focused on my slightly moping state. I don't want to delay or hinder any more potential progress, especially with our debut coming up.

"I'm kidding, I feel ecstatic! Let's get this done!" I exclaimed, getting up while clapping my hands thunderously. 

The boys shrugged it off, resuming practice. I tried my best not to get distracted, and I succeeded somehow. However, when the staff finally let us go, I felt anxious.

Taking the bus means possibly seeing her again.

"You look pale, mate." Felix points out.

"I'll be fine. Thanks for the concern." I sighed, giving him a pat on the back before leaving the building, but not without saying goodbye and thanking everyone for their hardwork.

I sighed, bringing out my phone and taking a glance at the lock screen. It was around this time when I rode the bus yesterday. I somehow felt relieved thinking she might've caught the earlier bus so I didn't have to face her anymore. I shook my head, smiling to myself as I tried to cheer up.

However, my breath hitched by the time I exited the large doors of JYP. I squinted my eyes, wanting to confirm if I'm not hallucinating.

There she stood with a large black hoodie on and a new set of headphones. Her eyes stared out into the open, as she rocked back and forth on her heels. Her cheeks were rosy and cold smoke came out of her mouth due to the freezing weather.

I slightly panicked seeing her figure. However, there was no turning back now. I silently prayed she wouldn't notice me as I tiptoed my way to my usual route. I felt relieved upon reaching a few meters away from where she stood. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Thank goodness.

"Bang Chan?"

I spoke too soon.

I hesitantly turned back. My heart was racing. The sound of her footsteps echoed loudly in my ear, possibly making me deaf. I gulped at her approaching figure.

"Got a minute?" She asked.

"Um, sure." I replied.

She smiled at me, her eyes were soft. She walked ahead of me and I followed suit, unsure of where she was leading me. She skipped happily as if she was hopping on a stone path by the river.

I didn't bother to call her out, seeing how much fun she's having just by dashing through the dark and cold streets. I kept my hands warm in my pocket, quietly humming a tune to myself. It took a few minutes before I realized where we were - the bus stop.

Did she just want someone to accompany her here?

I flinched a little when she spun around to face me. She had a little smile plastered on her face with her hands behind her back. I only looked at her, waiting for some sort of explanation.

"I-", She starts off, biting her lip. "I just want to know why."

"...Why?" I repeat hesitantly, raising my eyebrow.

"That kiss," She says, her cheeks instantly darkening red. "That was a bold move, but why'd you do it?" She asks quietly.

I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. I couldn't find the words to tell her, but that was because I myself is still searching for an answer. I stood there with beads of sweat forming on my forehead despite the cold breeze, but I focused on her eyes that were curiously staring back at me.

"I don't know, I'm sorry." I finally admit, turning to look away.

"That's okay, I know I'm just vulnerable." She mutters under her breath, more to herself than to me.

My eyes widen and I snapped my gaze towards her. She had her head low, suddenly finding the ground interesting. I never thought she felt that way. I feel even more terrible now.

"Anyways, I'm sorry for wasting your time. I just needed closure to calm myself." She sighs.

"No no, don't apologize. I forced myself on you, that wasn't very gentleman-like at all." I told her.

She smiled at me, and I didn't understand the pain and sadness hid behind her dazzling eyes.

"This will probably be the last time we see each other, I'm moving away." She tells me.

"You are?" I ask.

"Yeah, long story but I guess it shouldn't matter. It's just a shame that we just met, yet I have to walk away." She shrugs.

I didn't know what to say to her. I don't know whether to ask her to stay, which is selfish of me to do so because I don't mean anything to her. I don't know whether to whisper comforting words, which is something she might not want to hear from a man who kissed her without consent.

"I hope to see you soon, Chan."

And just like that, the unexpected comes once more.

My heart skipped a beat upon feeling her lips softly press against my cheek.

Then she was gone.

She left quickly just as she entered my life.

Why does my heart ache all of a sudden?

Could it be the right person but at the wrong time?