(Also ps. I may continue working on “Bitter with a hint of sweet.” I just wanted a break :)

She stood across the room, witnessing her brother's best friend. Hearts appeared in her eyes. She never realized before, but he’d gotten stronger and leaner. He wore a button-up black shirt and tan dress pants.

-

**His** eyes find mine, and I look away shyly. He makes his way towards me. “Are you having fun?”

I look around his paint studio. “It’s so peaceful in here. Everyone is just painting.”

He smiles. “I’m glad you could make it. I love it here.”

And he adds, “Want a tour?”

“Sure! I’d love one.” I grin like a child. I probably look so stupid.

“So this is my office,” he gestures towards a neat room, full of paintings.

“Wow.” I walk closer to his paintings, taking them in. “These are angelic.”

He smiles proudly. “I’ve worked hard on them, but I wouldn’t go that far.”

I dismiss what he says, “No. This is so good. Are they for sale?”

He looks at me and then at a painting of flowers.

-

_ _**_Little_**_ did she know, I made it for her. _

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“I love this one!” I reply.

“You can have it,” He crosses his arms, like I couldn’t change his mind.

“Really? Are you sure?”

He nods and smiles reassuringly.

“I really can’t take this.”

“It’s _yours_.”

“Oh-kay.” I stutter, flushing my face.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll wrap it up for you. Let’s finish the tour first.”

I regain stability, “Okay, sounds good.”

After finishing the tour, we got ice cream and sat at our favorite park, swaying back and forth on the swings.

“I have a question.” I almost choke on my words.

“What is it?” He asked tenderly.

“I saw your painting of a dancer, I love it! What gave you the motivation?”

_ Please say it’s not another girl. _

_“_Well…” He pauses, scratching the back of his head. “It’s you.”

“Me?” I look at him in surprise. “What do you mean?”

_Please elaborate, don’t leave me like this. I need to know. Do you like me like I like you? _

_ “_Well,” He smiles. “I like you.”

My breathing staggers.

_“Me_?” My eyes widen.

“Hm hm,” He brushes ice cream off my chin. Leaving butterflies in my stomach.

“So—“ I start, when he interrupts me.

“I like Mina Joy!” He screams into the distance.

I watch him.

“I like Seoung miles, so much!” I follow suit. He looks at me with a smile.

“When did you start having feelings for me?” I ask, still in a trance.

He takes a minute. “Whenever you almost punched that guy.”

I’m transported in time.

“Hey!” I scream, watching guys close in around Seoung. In no time, I’m sprinting.

“Don’t you dare touch him!”

“What are _you_ gonna do?” One of boys replied.

I squint at him. Lifting my hand up, when Seoung stops me.

“Let’s go.” He drags me.

“This is not over! When I see you next, you’re dead meat.” I drag my thumb across my throat, threatening them. They scoff.

“That was the time I realized. You had no hesitation in hurting those guys. For me. Thank you for everything.”

I smile at him, tears welling up. “It’s okay. I’d still do that for you. I hope you know that.”

He scoffs playfully. “I figured you’d say that”

“It’s true.” We let the silence take over for a minute. “I started liking you…. I don’t even remember. When we were young, you always took care of me. Even when my older brother neglected me. You didn’t care. You took up for me, stayed by my side. Thank you.”

Tears swell up in his eyes. We both had these torches we’d carried. We’d liked each other all these years.

I hug him. “I’m glad you finally told me. I wanted so long.”

He smiles, then says against my hair, “Sorry I was such a coward.”

“It’s okay. I’m not mad. We’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

_A month later. _

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We walked hand in hand, slowly, taking in the lake before us.

“It’s so beautiful.”

“It is.” He looked at me.

“I have a question.” He asked.

“Yes?” I used my free hand to play with his hair.

“Who was that guy at your work? The one who brought you dinner.”

“Him?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you jealous?”

He had a smug look on his face.

I scrunch his face with my hand, “I only like you. He doesn’t exist to me.”

“But you ate the food.” He pouts.

I realize. “Okay, let’s make a promise. Next time a guy gives me food—besides my dad or brother—I'll give it to you? Or we share?”

He nods, happy.

I play with his hair. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He pouts, soaking in my touch.

I kiss his temple. “Feel better?”

“Mm hmm.”

“My little jealous fox,” I whisper.

“What did you say?”

“Oh, nothing.”

“What did you say?” He chases me. Wrapping my waist in his arms.

“Just that you’re my little jealous fox!”

He smirks. His face resting on my shoulder.

My breathing slows and I lean into his touch.

“I have one more suggestion.”

“What?” I ask.

“Don’t ever talk to him.”

“How about this, next time I work with him, you do it for me?”

He laughs. “Sure.”

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