Two Paths

Stupid Boys!

"Noona stop laughing at us!" Jeongguk whined.

"I'm sorry, but you four flirted with one girl correct?" Emiko asked, trying to hold in her laughter. They all nodded their heads, a little confused why she didn't understand.Then she burst out laughing again. "You guys are so stupid!" She laughed. 

"And Taehyung ruined it by hugging the girl? Wow, who wouldn't want a Taehyung hug?" They all looked glum. "It's just that unless the girl is very...um...inappropriate, she wouldn't necessarily want four guys flirting with her. If I was her then I would say no to all of you because it would be wrong to pick just one of you guys."

"No noona! You would pick Hoseok hyung because you have a crush on him!" Jimin exclaimed, tossing his hands up, into the air.

Emiko's cheeks heated up. "Jimin, what are talking about? I wouldn't-"

"Noona don't lie! Jimin hyung, Jeongguk, and I saw one of your texts," Taehyung concluded with a nod.

Hoseok gave her an amused look. "You really like me?" He whispered. He was happy on the inside but remained cool on the outside.

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" Emiko ran out of the door, sighing loudly when she wasn't at an earshot. "Why did the boys have to squeal? I didn't want anyone to know I have a crush on him." She repeatedly hit her head on the wall.

For the rest of the school day Emiko avoided Hoseok. By the end of the day, she was leaning on a tree texting her brother to hurry up and- "Emiko?" A voice spoke.

She looked up to see Hoseok awkwardly standing in front of her. She looked to her feet. "Yeah." She didn't want to speak to him because it would be...awkward. How would you feel if you found out your best friend had a crush on you?

"Do you really like me?" She nodded her softly. There was silence for a few minutes so Emiko though that Hoseok had left. Emiko looked up to see Hoseok smiling. "You look cute when you're shy." She blushed.

"Ah Emiko I'm here!" Emiko's brother yelled, waving from his car and honking.

"I'll see you Hoseok." She said walking away. Saved by the-

"Wait." Hoseok took her wrist and brought her back. When Emiko was in front of him, he kissed her on the lips, wrapping his arm around her waist to be sure she'll stay. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He brushed her against the tree as they kissed.

Eventually they both pulled away, breathless. Hoseok smiled at her and she smiled back. Emiko shook her head in regret. "Hoseok please." She whispered desperately. "Don't lead me on like this. You like that other girl."

Hoseok's eyes drifted to the ground. "Yeah but the kiss was nice."

She shook her head again. "I know you don't return my feelings Hoseok. I don't want to date someone who is only dating me because they pity me. I need to go."

Emiko ran into her brother's car and sniffled. "Hey what's wrong?" He asked softly, focusing on the road, but also squeezing her shoulder.

"I like this guy who likes another girl, but he kissed me." She answered honestly.

"Well aren't you happy that he kissed you? That means he likes you back." He answered with a smile.

"No. He doesn't like me back."

"Well maybe you should tell more about how you feel about him. Then maybe he'll like you." A voice piped up, startling Emiko.

"I...I doubt it. Hoseok he..." Emiko slapped her hand over her mouth, cheeks blaring red.

"You like Hoseok? And he kissed you!" Her brother yelled.

"Calm down hyung," his friend sighed. "Let Emiko live her life."