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Chapter 08

"Mingyu... is kind, he will treat you well..." Mina said, not sure to Sujeong or to herself.

"Mingyu is freakin tall, he doesn't have pale skin like Eunwoo, but it makes him exquisite isn't it?" Sujeong clasped her hand on Mina's as they walked out of the building.

Mina kept nodding like a broken doll. She listened to Sujeong, who talked about Mingyu, animatedly. She hung her head even lower the more Sujeong talked.

~

When they passed the basketball court, the usual spot for engineering boys to hang out, Mina eventually dragged her gaze toward the court and observed the noisy bunch of boys. They were chilling on the bench as they watched the others playing three on three.

She watched from afar when Jackson walked and gave someone a high five, Mingyu followed behind him, grinning from ear to ear while giving another freshman a bear hug. Eunwoo politely stood as he waited his turn to high five everyone on the bench. They all looked so carefree and alive. Mina sighed.

Being a boy must be easier than being a girl...

Sujeong suddenly squeezed Mina's hand with force, the taller girl jolted as her head flicked. "Aww, that hurts, Jeong."

Sujeong squeezed it even harder. "You like Mingyu, don't you?" She looked at the court before turning to Mina.

Mina shook her head sluggishly.

Sujeong laughed. "Oh, poor girl, I was just messing with you, alright! I mean, I'm a fan; but I think he's clearly into you, silly!"

"Huh, nonsense..." Mina mumbled.

"So, you like him or not? Poor guy is waiting for you. I'll take him anytime if you reject him!"

"He is not waiting for me, for God's sake! You can have him if you like him so much..." Mina snapped.

Sujeong stopped walking and let her grip loosened on Mina's hand. "I-I was joking, okay? Are you-mad?"

Mina shut her eyes after realizing her unnecessary remark.

"I'm sorry I think I joke around too much, you seem to be in a bad mood," Sujeong said.

"I shouldn't have said that; I mean... I don't know why I said it all," Mina stuttered. She grabbed her hair for a while and breathed through her teeth.

What the hell am I doing?

"Come here, you're stressed, sweety..." Sujeong pulled her into a hug.

"I think my period is near..." Mina whispered. Sujeong patted her back slowly.

Mina buried her face in Sujeong's shoulder. Sometimes one only needed a hug, then everything would be all right. Finally, someone could give her a warm hug. A hug she never knew she needed.

***

Namjoon strutted down the cafeteria, at five sharp, he looked around the busy hall with confidence. Somehow the coffee smell was stronger than other condiments that afternoon. And the buzzing place didn't faze him as he searched the corner seat. Some familiar faces greeted him along the way; he gave them either a cordial bow or a high five.  

He saw her seated gracefully at the desired place, with two glasses of orange liquid on the table. He smiled a little. She knew how to keep a promise, so just about right if he did the same to her.