Less than a week before the finals, you were hunched in one of the old tables of the library near an open window, scribbling furiously on your notebook, flipping page after page. You're mentally drained but you had no luxury of time to stop. The last few days, you were so engrossed about the dramas revolving around your life and you were suddenly dragged back to the reality that you're still a student——college for that matter——who needed to prioritize her academics over anything.

While you were digesting every word in the book, Jaemin was sitting across you, skimming the pages of the unread ones leisurely. You were blasting a loud music in your earphones to distract yourself from his presence yet your eyes would automatically move to look at him.

He was true to his word when he said one time that he would not leave you alone until you forgive him.

"Okay, fine! I forgive you! Now leave me alone," you said irritably as you were taking big strides back to your dorm. You were in a hurry to go home because you had to do your laundry, then make a reviewer.

"I will only leave you alone if you sincerely forgive me," Jaemin said as he effortlessly matched your strides. You were annoyed, but not annoyed enough to punch him. Somehow, having him around kept you sane.

"How can I forgive you when you're only giving me more reasons to hate you!"

"Hate is a strong word."

"Yet the most fitting word to describe how I feel about you."

"Hate would be an understatement then. I suggest you use the word ‘loathe’."

"Jaemin!" you exclaimed and stopped walking. You suddenly regret yelling at him because you earned weird looks from strangers passing by. You cleared your throat and looked at Jaemin who was enjoying your outburst. "I am asking you nicely to please leave me alone for a while because I am a busy person and I don't have the luxury of time to be bothered by you. I suggest you spend your time on something of importance."

"This is important," he retorted and you let out an exasperated sigh. It was just a simple sentence, probably had no deeper meaning to it, but enough to send butterflies into your stomach. It's crazy and disappointing at the same time because such simple words from him had a big impact on you.

"If you can waste your time like this, I can't. I'm too busy to be dealing with your stubborn ass so do me a favor and disappear from my sight."

"If I stop bothering you for now, can I continue after the finals?"

You rolled your eyes at him. "Do whatever you please."

He listened to you but he still let his presence known.

He would ask Giselle for updates about you and your best friend would gladly do so every time. He learned from her that you always skip breakfast so one morning when you're running to the lobby, BoA, your landlady, called you.

"Yes?" you asked, slightly breathless.

"A young man left this for you," she said and handed you a paper bag. You took it and felt that it was slightly warm. "He dropped by rather early and still in his pajamas. He told me to give it to you because you always skip breakfast."

You didn't have to guess who it was because his initials were written on the paper bag.

"Your boyfriend is quite cute, huh? I see you have a certain type. Don't worry, I won't tell your parents," BoA said and winked at you.

"He's not my boyfriend," you replied.

"Yet. But don't let that man out of your grasp. He's such a rare gem. Now off you go!"

You bid BoA goodbye, clutching the warm paper bag on your hand and the other covering your mouth as you tried to suppress the smile that spread across your face.

His efforts didn't stop there.

One time during lunch, you weren't able to meet up with your friends because they were just as busy as you. Jaemin was looking for you everywhere and he found you at the bleachers. You were startled when someone sat beside you and when you looked up, Jaemin was smiling down on you. He laid the huge paper bag between you and him and he started bringing out its contents. Sandwiches, chocolate bars, energy drinks, banana milk, and a lot of other snacks.

"Go sit somewhere else," you told him.

"The last time I checked, this place doesn't belong to you," he retorted back.

You rolled your eyes at him before you started picking up your books.

"Where are you going?"

"Somewhere far where an inconsiderate man wouldn't follow me."

"Me? Inconsiderate?" he asked incredulously.

"Would you consider yourself a gentleman for eating beside me knowing I don't have time to eat?"

He heaved an exasperated sigh. "I bought these so we could share. I know you haven't eaten yet. It's so stupid of you to think that you can retain something in your brain when your stomach is empty."

"Did you just call me stupid?"

"Fascinating. Just... fascinating. Here I am giving you an important advice and all you heard was stupid."

One afternoon, you were walking down the streets when you noticed someone following you. When you turned around, it didn't surprise you to see Jaemin who pretended to be strolling around.

"Oh, hi. Didn't see you there," he lied and looked around in an unnatural manner.

"Can you stop following me?"

"Me? Following you? Don't flatter yourself."

"Don't you have a car? Why don't you use it?"

"Saving the environment, perhaps? Walking is more efficient. Keeps me in shape," he said.

"I don't know what's going on inside that little head of yours but please, stop bothering me?"

"I promised not to get in your way, didn't I? I don't see myself breaking that. Don't mind my presence and get on with your life. Just think of me as invisible, like a guardian angel watching over you."

You rolled your eyes at him. "Guardian angel? More like a phantom lurking around."

"Think of me as whatever you please, just know that I won't stop. It's such a futile thing to do, honestly, and I expect that you should've realized that by now. Now, walk ahead and go home."

You were slowly getting used to his presence that you didn't mind when he's following you like you're his mother. You also got tired telling him off which would only lead to an unnecessary bickering, something that would waste your time.

Now you're back in the library with him, the light breeze entering the open window. You were distracted when the wind blew his black hair, revealing a portion of his smooth forehead. He must've felt your eyes on him because he looked up and he caught you.

"What?"

You didn't answer and went back to scribbling.

I don't have time to be distracted, you reminded yourself.

"Here," Jaemin whispered to you as he slid a couple of papers stapled together. "I made a reviewer for you, just in case you need it."

You looked at him first, then to the papers he just gave you. You scanned the pages and you realized it was about the lessons you still haven't read. You looked at him once again and he was now napping peacefully on the table, the faint glow of the afternoon light illuminating his face.

How could you stay mad at someone who had the face and a kindness of an angel?

After a grueling week, the finals was over in a blink. You submitted your test paper to your professor and left the classroom, stretching your limbs and back. You heard the satisfying crack of your bones and felt as if the burden were lifted off of your shoulders. The exams were difficult but the reviewer that Jaemin made for you helped you a lot because all the pointers showed up in the exam.

You were expecting him to be waiting outside of the classroom but unexpectedly saw Giselle instead. You smiled as you made your way towards her.

"How's the exam?" Giselle asked.

"Ugh! Piece of cake," you answered sarcastically and brushed off your shoulder. "Can't they give me harder exams? I didn't even break a sweat."

"Be careful with what you wish for, darling," Giselle warned you playfully and you both laughed it off. "The girls wanted to hang out at Karina's house. Let's go!"

"Wait!" you said, stopping Giselle from dragging you. You looked around, searching the faces of every students in that corridor but you didn't see the familiar one you're looking for.

"Are you looking for Jaemin?" Giselle asked.

"No," you immediately denied.

"Haechan dragged him earlier, they're going to Jisung's house if I'm not mistaken."

"He didn't even tell me..." you whispered to yourself unconsciously.

"Don't worry, your boyfriend will update you how he's doing."

"He's not my boyfriend!" you exclaimed and Giselle only rolled her eyes.

You met Karina, Ningning, and Winter at the front gate and the five of you went to their house. Her mother wasn't around because she had a night shift in the hospital and asked the four of you to accompany Karina for the night to which you agreed.

While Winter was pouring her heart out singing karaoke, you
felt your phone vibrate inside the pocket of your sweatpants and you took it out. You didn't expect to receive a text from Jaemin. You were slightly sulky that he didn't tell you that he was going to Jisung's place but you suddenly remembered: Why am I disappointed? I'm not his girlfriend or whatever!

Jaemin: Jisung's mother baked a cake for us. These fuckers didn't tell me that it's a strawberry-flavored cake. I wanted to spit it out but that would be disrespectful so I chewed in agony.

You: Serves you right!

Jaemin: Mean. What are you doing right now?

You: Drinking vodka. Smoking cigarettes.

Jaemin: You better stop that or I will call your parents.

You: Geez, old man. Can't even take a joke. I'm at Karina's place. We're having a really good time.

Jaemin: That's great. How's your exam?

"You would know if you went to see me," you snickered and Ningning heard you.

"Who are you talking to?" she asked.

"She's texting her boyfriend, Na Jaemin," Giselle teased and all the girls joined in.

"We're not dating!"

"Yet," Karina said and wiggled her eyebrows. "I noticed that you're hanging out with him these past few days. Have you rekindled your... friendship." She put emphasis on the word 'friendship' to annoy you even more.

"No," you simply answered.

"They're probably planning to take it to the next level," Winter said and poked Karina's waist and the latter squirmed.

"I must applaud you for your hyperactive imaginations," you replied sarcastically and rolled your eyes at them.

"But you and Jaemin would look good together, though. I mean, have you seen the way he looks at you?" Ningning asked and all the girls screamed in high-pitched voices.

"Yes! OMG! I probably lost count of how many times I caught Jaemin looking at you as if you were the only girl who's interesting enough to look at!" Karina said.

"And I have never seen him look at anyone like that," Giselle agreed. "Except from Jeno."

"He doesn't look at me like that. Stop exaggerating things."

"How will you know? He only looks at you like that when you're not looking at him."

You couldn't find a witty response and the girls took it as a victory. Fortunately for you, they found another activity to do and they had stopped teasing you that night.

There was one problem, however. You forgot to reply to Jaemin's last text.

"Why isn't she replying?" Jaemin asked and as he stared at the screen of his phone. "Is the signal too weak? Did she break her phone?"

"Shea probably having fun. Didn't she say she's at Karina's house?" Jeno guessed. "Let her be. You didn't leave her side for a week, she probably wants to have fun."

"Are you saying that I am not fun to be with?" Jaemin raised his eyebrow at his best friend who only shook his head hopelessly. Jaemin leaned on the couch and stared at his phone again. He had been waiting for your reply for an hour and he thought of different scenarios, different reasons why you were unable to reply but he ended up thinking he was just being paranoid.

"How's the strawberry cake?" Haechan taunted Jaemin when he joined them on the couch.

"Don't talk to me, moron," Jaemin said.

"That was the most delicious cake I have ever tasted. You should get your tongue check or something. You're so weird," Haechan said and shook his head.

"That's called having a preference, you dipshit!"

"Calm down, my guy. I know you're mad at me for dragging you without letting you see your girlfriend first."

"Jaemin has a girlfriend?" Mark asked, clueless.

Renjun rolled his eyes at Mark. "Isn't it obvious? Jaemin and (Name) are dating!"

"They're not dating," Jeno defended Jaemin but his best friend glared at him. "Yet. Well I mean, technically you're not dating. You haven't even confessed!"

"There's nothing to confess," Jaemin said but his heart was already beating so fast at the thought of dating you.

"If you want to be with her, you gotta act fast because there's someone I know who's not going to hesitate to snatch her away from you," Chenle said as he sipped his drink in a sassy manner.

"Who?" Jaemin asked, suddenly intrigued.

"Jung Sungchan. That guy has a huge crush on (Name). If I'm not mistaken, he's planning to ask her out soon," Jisung answered.

"Oh they would look so cute together! If Jaemin doesn't want to be with (Name) then I will approve of Sungchan," Haechan said and he earned a hard slap on his arm by the one and only Jaemin.

"Shut your trap," he said angrily.

"Yeah, I agree (Name) and Sungchan would look good together," Mark commented and Renjun glared at him. "But of course I would vote for Jaemin."

Days before the festival were the busiest. Luckily for your department, there wasn't much stuff left to do, only a few decorations and it's ready for the event. You were walking to the field carrying a box of fairy lights that will be used to decorate the poles and  metal braces of the tent to create a romantic ambiance when the night comes.

While you were walking, Sungchan also happened to be going at the same direction as you and he spotted you right away.

He called your name and you turned around. You saw Sungchan carrying pails of paint. You instantly smiled at him and he gave you a shy smile in return.

"Sungchan! Long time no see," you said.

"Indeed. Been busy the past few days. How are you?" he asked.

"I'm good! So excited for the festival tomorrow. I heard the school hired a famous band to perform on the last night of the festival. I can't wait to see it!" you said and you could feel the excitement thrumming within you.

"Yeah... the last day of the festival... do you have any plans on the last day?" Sungchan asked.

"Plans? I'm going to be with---"

"Me. She's going to be with me.

You were surprised when Jaemin appeared out of nowhere and snatched the box from you. Little did you know that he had been following you and was about to approach you when Sungchan beat him to it. He listened to your conversation and panicked when he realized that Sungchan was about to ask you out.

"Who said I'm going to be with you?" you asked Jaemin irritably, rolling your eyes at him then returning to Sungchan. "I'll be with my friends on the last day. Do you want to join us?"

"Maybe next time," Sungchan declined, trying to hide the disappointment. "I'll see you around!"

He bid you both goodbye before running towards their booth where his fellows students were waiting for him.

"Give that to me," you said and tried to snatch the box from Jaemin but he deflected it.

"No, I needed something to do for our booth because I didn't help the last few days," he said.

"Yeah right, you were busy hanging out with——" you stopped mid-sentence when an unwanted memory came back to you. The image of Jaemin pinning Nayoung on the wall, and you weren't exactly sure if they kissed or not.

"Hanging out with who? Nayoung?"

"Obviously."

"I only did that because I had to get an information from her."

"Does that include pinning her on the wall and kissing her at the back of the building?" you blurted out before you could even stop yourself.

Jaemin stopped on his track and looked at you with an incredulous expression.

"The fuck are you looking at?"

"Nayoung and I didn't kiss!" he said. His shoulders started shaking followed by a boisterous laughter. You had garnerd attention from nearby students and they gave you strange looks.

"What did I see then?"

"Oh, so you saw us?"

"I thought you and her didn't kiss?"

"We didn't! I mean, you saw us that day," Jaemin said. "Yes, it's true I pinned her. That's because she wouldn't stop talking shit about you and I had to control myself from yeeting her out of the universe so I pushed her on the wall instead. I wanted to shut her up without making it obvious that I hate what she's saying about you."

You were speechless after that. Nayoung badmouthed you and Jaemin got angry because of it. You looked at him as if he had done something unexpected. He noticed the way you look at him so he turned away to avoid your gaze.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing. You're ugly."

"Why did you get mad?" Jaemin asked and you weren't ready to answer that question. You asked yourself the same thing. Why did you get angry? Why did you cry? Why did it hurt?

"I was mad because we're doing all the work and you didn't even help us!"

"I'm helping right now!"

"But the booth is almost finished. Give the box to me."

"Admit it, (Name). You're jealous."

"I will not admit anything because I didn't even feel that!"

"Suit yourself, (Name). I just know for a fact that you got jealous."

"I didn't!"

The night before the festival, you were in your dorm, scrolling through your phone when somebody called, Jaemin's name displayed across the screen.

"What do you want?" you asked.

"Come down. I'm here in front of your dorm."

Your eyes widened in surprise as you got up from your comfortable bed. "What are you doing there?"

"Found a nice restaurant, thought you might want to see it."

"Why tonight?"

"Because it's best to go there at night. Just wear something casual. I'll wait for you."

Jaemin ended the call.

"He wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, would he?"

"Who?" Giselle asked who just got out of the shower.

"Jaemin. He's waiting downstairs."

"Oh! He'll take you out for a date?" Giselle asked and wiggled her eyebrows.

"Maybe? I don't know," you said, not bothering to deny the idea. You rummaged your closet and found the most decent dress you owned and sat in front of the mirror to put on a light makeup. Your hands were shaking in anxiety, thinking about all the possibilities when you see him.

"Don't rush, girl. Your date won't run away," Giselle said and slightly moved the curtains aside, glancing on the road. "On the second thought, I think you should hurry. He's sitting on his fancy car and there's a group of girls approaching him."

With that, you rushed to put all your stuff inside your sparkly black bag that you use for all occasions.

"Bye, Giselle!" you bid your best friend goodbye as you left the dorm, slamming the door behind you. Your palms were sweating and you almost jumped in your skin when the elevator dinged and before you knew it, you were already on the lobby.

"What took you so long——oh..." Jaemin stopped mid-sentence when he saw you. He eyed you from head to toe and he could feel the blush warming up his cheeks.

You suddenly felt conscious when you felt his gaze on you. "What are you looking at? Stupid," you scoffed and tried to play it cool.

"You look... amazing," he said. One compliment was enough to send you spiraling. A bubble of happiness bloomed inside you and you tried to suppress your smile. His gaze was still on you, the kind that made you feel as if you were the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Tell me something I don't know."

"I see, confidence does look good on you," he said. He opened the car door for you and you got inside. He occupied the seat beside you and started to drive away from your dorm.

You feel the excitement of going out at night, with him. You had never imagined that you would be with him again. Of course you're happy, but there's always that nagging fear that he would leave again sooner than you expected. That's why you always keep your guard up, preventing yourself to form any attachments.

"What came into your mind when you suddenly asked me to come with you?" you asked curiously.

"I told you, I thought you'd like to see the city view from that restaurant. You're the first one I thought of when I saw it," he said.

"Did you search for that place?"

"No, Jeno told me about it. We ate dinner at that restaurant last week."

You felt a twinge of disappointment at his answer. But then again, why would it matter to you if he searched for it or not? It's not as if he should prioritize you or anything.

No attachments, remember? You reminded yourself.

Even though you started talking again, nothing would change the fact that you were not his best friend anymore. It was never brought up. You just started talking and he started following you around but that's it. Nothing was settled.

"Are you okay?" Jaemin asked. "You suddenly went quiet."

"You don't expect me to talk nonstop, do you?" you asked sarcastically. "Just turn on the radio if you wanted a background noise. I'm too tired to talk."

"I was just asking," he said and you instantly felt guilty. "Are you on your period? You're so grumpy."

"No, but I can make you bleed if you wouldn't stop bothering me."

"Okay, okay, I'll leave you alone. For now."

The rest of the ride went by quietly as you chose to watch the scenery from outside the window. You didn't notice that Jaemin would glanced at you from time to time, watching your reaction. A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of a tall skyscraper.

The building had a total number of fifty floors and the restaurant was situated at the highest level. You rode in the elevator with glass doors and you swore you felt your soul leaving your body. You closed your eyes and grasped Jaemin's arms without thinking.

"Are you scared?" he asked.

"What do you think?" you hissed at him.

He chuckled at your viscious response when you couldn't even open your eyes. He removed your hands grasping his arm and wrapped it around his waist before wrapping you in a warm embrace. You opened your eyes and looked up, Jaemin was admiring the view below. Your heart was beating wildly inside your chest and they were there again. The butterflies that wouldn't stop pestering you when he's around.

The elevator dinged open and you were now at the top floor of the skyscraper. You immediately separated yourself from him and fixed your dress. A waiter approached you and Jaemin only gave him a hand signal and he understood what he meant. He led you to the table near the glass window with the view of the city lights below. You were hundred feets above and everything became a tiny speck, like beautiful tiny lights sprinkled on the ground, illuminating the whole place.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Jaemin said and you nodded without looking at him. His eyes were trained on you, memorizing your every reaction. He was fascinated by how you could change your expressions in mere seconds.

After admiring the view, he ordered the food and you talked about a lot of random things, mostly things that involved your academics. As you talk about school, your conversation drifted to the festival tomorrow.

"I'm really excited for the last night of the festival!" you exclaimed. "Giselle told me that the band they hired is WayV! I have a huge crush on Kun, you know, the leader and one of the main vocalists. He has a really cute dimple."

Jaemin gripped his utensils tightly as he watched you daydream about a celebrity that would never notice you. "I'm cute, too."

"Who said so?"

"You. When we were kids."

"Are you comfortable bringing up the past now?" you asked. His past had always been a sore topic and to watch him reminisce it was really surprising.

"I admitted to everyone I'm Nana. I don't see the problem if I'm talking to my childhood friend."

"Ex-friend," you corrected him.

"Look," he said and put down the utensils before clasping his hands above the table and looking at you. "I'm really sorry about what I did to you. I regretted that night. I was so blinded by my anger that I didn't see reason. I was so stupid to hurt you, (Name). I promised to myself when I was young that I would never make you cry but I did it. I'm not making up excuses. Call me selfish, but I... I wanted to get close to you again. If you don't want me as your friend, that's fine. But please, don't push me away."

There was so much pain, hope, and sincerity in his eyes and you swore you had seen a sheen of tears forming but he blinked it back.

"I'm not mad at you anymore," you admitted. "I don't really know what's going on with your life after you left that made you so different from the Nana I used to know... but I accepted it already. People change, bonds break, we are not an exception."

Silence fell between you. You were looking at each others' eyes and nothing else mattered in that moment. Just the two of you lost in your own universe.

"Can I ask you one more favor?" Jaemin asked.

"What is it?"

"Can you stay with me at the last day of the festival," he said. "Let's enjoy the last day together."

You were speechless. You couldn't handle the intensity of his gaze but at the same time, you couldn't look away. He was too beautiful, too good to be true. Your heart hurts so bad but it felt good. He broke into a small smile and that's when you knew.

God, I was smitten by him.

"Yeah... um... sure. Let's do that. But don't complain if I drag you from booth to booth because I wanted to enjoy everything," you said.

"That's alright as long as you're with me."

"Can you stop?" you asked, not being able to take the intensity of his words. You had no idea if it had double meaning or you were just overthinking but it was too unbearable.

"Stop what?"

"Stop saying things like that! 'My time isn't wasted if I spend it with you.' 'Please don't push me away.' 'I wanted to get close to you.'. It's... confusing..." you admitted.

"I'm sorry," he said. "But I don't think I can stop when those are the exact same things I wanted to say to you." He brought out a blue velvet box from the pocket of his pants and placed it on the table, sliding it to you.

"What's this for?"

"A gift. Thank you gift, I'm sorry gift, Welcome back gift, whatever you want to treat it," he said. "And no, you can't decline. I bought it, especially made for you."

You opened the velvet box and your eyes widened at the sight of the pendant. It was a crescent moon shape pendant made of small crystals and there was a heart shape at the tip bearing your initials.

"That's custom made so you can't really decline."

"Who says I'm going to decline?"

"Let me put it on you," Jaemin volunteered and stood up from his seat. He placed the necklace around your neck. The cold pendant sat in between your collarbones. His fingers slightly grazed your skin which sent jolts of electricity in your body. "Beautiful, just like you."

"Are you drunk? Why are you showering me with compliments?"

"Can't you just accept it? You're ruining the moment."

You didn't reply as you fought back the smile that was forming on your lips. There was no way you could forget such a memorable night with the man you had deeply fell in love with.

When Jaemin got home, he couldn't erase the smile on his lips and Jeno knew exactly why. After all, he helped Jaemin find the best jewellery shop that makes customized pieces.

"How's the date?" Jeno asked.

"The best one I've ever had," Jaemin said.

"I see you didn't drink any coffee today. I noticed that you drink less when you're with her. I guess she's the only who can stop your caffeine addiction."

"I was just about to make myself an iced Americano but I'll let you do the honor."

"That's fine, but in return, I will call (Name) and I know for sure that she wouldn't like it."

"Snitch," Jaemin snickered and rolled his eyes at his best friend. Before he could enter his room, Jeno asked him a question that made him stop.

"Are you sure about this?" Jeno asked and Jaemin faced him. "This whole thing that you're doing. You know full well that your life isn't going to be yours anymore. You know what's about to go down. It's getting nearer. I'm worried for you and her."

"I am fully aware of that," Jaemin started. "That's why I'm doing all of these so I will have no regrets once my life isn't for me to control anymore. I'm making happy memories as much as I could before they make me miserable for my entire life."

"Your family will not approve of this."

"That doesn't matter. My life will become irrelevant anyway so I might as well be selfish and take the risk."

And with that, he entered his room. He will not let anyone ruin the happiest night of his life.