You Can't Pass As A Boy

Apes and a kiss

"You like me then?" Amber stuck her hands in her pockets. "Like, actually?"

"Yeah." Henry bit his lip.

"And it's not just a thing?"

"Um, no."

"But it is a thing?" Henry began to feel like it was an exam.

"Amber," he said slowly. "I am in love with you. I didn't want to love you, I wanted to fall for a normal girl, but I don't care now. I can't just stand by as you and Onew—"

He stopped talking as Amber covered his mouth. "Shh," she hissed. "Don't call me that out loud."

"A girl?" Henry pulled her hand away. Amber nodded frantically. "Sorry."

Amber patted her hair down. "So, you want me to give up everything I have with Onew...for you?"

"I just wondered if you might...prefer me over him," Henry muttered, going red. "Stupid of me to think that I might ever be preferred. Stupid to think you haven't already accepted him. I'll just...go."

"Henry, I was joking!" Amber's voice rose an octave. She grabbed his shoulder and yanked him backwards. "Of course I prefer you! I..." she trailed off and her eyes flicked down to look at his mouth.

"Don't pull that on me." Henry closed his eyes in exasperation. "I should never have told you; I should have just left you to be happy with Onew."

"How could I be happy when I don't love him?"

"You do love him."

Amber wrapped her arms around Henry. "I don't and I never will."

Henry slipped a hand round to Amber's back to hold her properly. "Well you can't love me, anyway."

"I do and I always will. Stop putting yourself down." Amber rested her head on his shoulder. "I love you. I love you. I love you."

Henry stared. "Are you...sure...?"

Amber nodded. "I would kiss you, but the rules of dating..."

Henry stroked her cheek. "What rules?" he tutted, then brushed his lips against her forehead.

Her fingers slowly tangled themselves in Henry's hair and she tightened her grip around him. Suddenly, she nuzzled into his neck. He whispered her name and began kissing her hair. It felt so right, and—

"Are you coming?" Key appeared in the doorway, hand on hip. He finally saw them break apart. "Oh, er, sorry."

"Now you'll be completely lice-free," Henry said, punching Amber's shoulder cheerfully. Amber stared.

Key walked out, confused, but that was nothing to what Amber felt. "Lice...?"

"I saw it on a nature programme," Henry said awkwardly. "Apes—"

"Are you guys, like, together?" Key had walked back in.

Amber shook her head. "Just experimenting, hyung."

Key still seemed confused, but he left the room again.

"Are we just experimenting then?" Henry frowned.

"Not if you don't want to."

"Is that a backwards way of asking me out?"

"Yes. If you wanted—"

"Yes."

Amber blinked. "Okay."

"So we're dating?"

"Yeah."

Henry rolled his eyes. "Can't you be a bit more romantic?"

"I don't know how..."