the boy next door • donghan

29

kwon eunbin

i spent the rest of the night thinking hard about whatever happened. i was really confused, but i wasn't that dumb to not realise that what donghan said was a confession. i was unsure about how i felt towards him, he was handsome, kind, humorous and an amazing friend. i couldn't deny that he made my heart race sometimes, but i never really thought about us getting into a... romantic relationship or whatnot.

i had only two choices. first is to think thoroughly about this and give him a clear answer, second was to pretend it never happen and try to brush it off.

eventually, i decided to go with the latter. clearing all of my thoughts, i fell into a deep slumber.

-

the next morning, after getting ready for school, i sat beside the window in my room with the view of donghan's front door as i sipped on my strawberry milk slowly. when i saw him coming out of his house, i immediately threw my bag on my shoulders and hurried downstairs.

"mum i'm late i'll get going first!" i shouted to my mum who was sitting on the sofa, watching the television.

"okay be careful," she replied, her eyes glued to the screen.

i quickly slipped on my shoes, rushed out of the house and the gate to see donghan staring at me. he instantly turned away and started walking.

i quickened my foot steps a little to catch up with him so that we were walking side by side.

i took a deep breath and swallowed my saliva before opening my mouth to speak.

"how was your - uhm.. i mean.. did you sleep well?" i blabbered, interlocking my fingers together as i felt my palms getting wet.

donghan turned back, giving me a slightly confused look at my dumb question.

"it was fine," he gave me a simple reply.

we continued our walk in utter silence afterwards. i didn't know what else i could say and i sort of forgot every single thing i had practised saying to him in my head the night before.

i saw a little boy riding a small bike coming our way, the pavement was narrow and the boy seemed to be struggling to keep his balance. i was walking in front of donghan and i didn't know if i should keep to the left or the right as the boy came closer.

feeling startled, i took a small step backwards as the bicycle came close to me, causing me to miss a step and step onto the grass, falling against donghan.

what startled me even more was when donghan's arm wrapped around my waist slightly. the little boy rode past us, leaving us in that awkward positon all alone.

i quickly got up from against him as his arm fell from my waist. brushing a strand of loose hair behind my ear, i started walking forward, only to feel my arm being tugged back.

i turned around as donghan stopped me from walking.

"what?" i ask softly as i felt my heart paltipating.

"about yesterday i... you... do you... i mean... like i.. no you.." donghan stuttered as he pulled his hand away from my arm.

"i understand, i get what you mean," i say, even though i had decided to brush the matter off earlier on.

my eyes fell onto his fingers which were interlocked together with his knuckles turning white. he was staying silent and so was i, i could feel my heart hammering so fast in my chest that made me feel extremely nervous.

i couldn't lie that he was able to make my heart flutter, but i didn't know if i really liked him. i've never been in a relationship before and i really didn't know if he was the right one and if it was the right time.

also, i was afraid. i couldn't see why such a good looking boy like donghan would ever like someone like me. not to be those kind of girls who always despise themselves but i was awkward, introverted and far from good looking. i do love how i look and i've never been ashamed of my outer appearance but there are far too many girls that are much more pretty. probably three quarter of the girls in our class are prettier than me. plus, i wasn't those cutesy girl who squeals at cute animals and does aegyo all the time. to cut it short, there wasn't any good trait of mine that could be the reason why donghan fell for me.

so i was afraid that he was just being flirty and not take this relationship seriously. if he wasn't sincere, i couldn't see why i should date him aimlessly.

"no.. you know what just forget it," donghan suddenly says, causing me to shift my gaze to him.

"forget it? so you weren't even serious about it were you?" i instantly reply. i knew it.

"no! that's not what i mean! i was super hundred percent serious about it! it's just that i... i..." he says anxiously.

"i don't know.. i don't want to make things difficult for you. and i don't want to make us awkward," he finishes off.

"i think it's fine," i reply out of a sudden without thinking twice.

donghan's eyes widened a little at my words.

"what do you mean?" he asked.

"i mean.. okay," i said softly as i felt my cheeks heating up under his gaze.

"okay what?" he continued asking. geez why was he like that?

"nevermind," i quickly say and started walking off.

donghan immediately chased after me.

"you mean... okay? as in you... you're saying yes?" he said as he walked next to me.

i didn't reply him, but i couldn't help but let out a small smile. donghan probably caught me smiling and tugged on my hand softly, causing me to stop walking.

then, he hugged me. he pulled me into his embrace which left me a little taken aback.

"thank you, eunbin," he says, causing me to smile even wider.

my heart was paltipating and i could feel my cheeks aching from smiling too much.

it made me feel blissful.

-

after like 1 month???? yAy an udpate :D not edited though hehe i'll edit it tomorrow but for now good night !!

oh yep btw late but thanku guys for 5k :")