Fourteen years old. Fifteen for Hoseok.

As always, I ran into the dance studio, eager to share my unbelievable news with Hoseok. I couldn't tell my grandmother or Kito my news, because they would probably kill me, but Hoseok needed to know. He was my best friend after all. After being dance friends for three years, we had begun to hang out outside of the dance studio. My grandmother loved him, and since he and Kito were in the same year of school, they got along fine, too. Grandmother always made sure Hoseok ate a ridiculous amount of food when he would come over, and he would help Kito with his math homework.

Every Saturday, we would take a three hour train ride from Gwangju into Seoul, and Hoseok would perform on the streets. He was a sensation with the pedestrians, and I would walk around with a hat collecting their donations. After an hour or so, Hoseok and I would count up our earnings. No matter how much we made, we always made sure to go to a small ice cream shop, tucked stealthily in between a bank and a Gucci store. The old man who ran it, Mr. Bang, knew us by name, and knew our orders by heart. Green tea flavor for me, and the most ridiculous flavor he had for Hoseok.

The old man switched it up every week, just for Hoseok. At first there were basic flavors, like cotton candy or bubble gum, but as we started to become regular customers, he made pop rock or goat cheese flavored ice cream. No matter what, Hoseok would eat the whole thing just to please the man. He was such a people pleaser, and I never failed to tease him after we left, especially when he was struggling to enjoy a cone.

The little bell to the dance studio tinkled as I entered. I smiled at the parents of the little girls and boys in the kid's classes as I made my way back to the place I always met Hoseok: next to the water fountain. Surely enough, there he was, hot and sweaty from his previous class. I grinned to myself as he leaned down to get a drink from the fountain, spotting the perfect opportunity to mess with him. I ran forward and hopped onto his back.

Hoseok let out a surprised hum and his hands immediately left the water fountain button to grip under my legs on instinct. He stood up straight with a laugh and let go, letting me slide down back onto the ground. His radiant smile practically sparkled as he turned to face me. Normally, he would ruffle my hair, but since I had it pulled back today, he simply tugged on my pony tail. Like always, I flicked under his chin in greeting.

"Zomi, I almost choked. You could have killed me." He teased me, wiping the excess water that was dripping down his chin with his sleeve. I rolled my eyes at his dramatics.

"Good thing I didn't kill you, because you might actually die from what I'm about to tell you." I grinned, barely able to contain my excitement. Hoseok raised his eyebrows in question.

"Is it that you got your math grade up?" He asked. I shook my head. I was worse at math than even Kito was, and that was saying something.

"Better." I said. Hoseok bit his lip in thought.

"Oh, I know! You got that solo you wanted in contemporary! You're an amazing dancer, Zomi, I knew you would." He said, reaching for a hug, but I slapped his arms away with a sly grin.

"Nope. Even better." I informed him. Hoseok's eyes lit up with a final idea.

"Did Grandma make her kimchijjigae? Oh my God, please tell me she did because I am so coming over later." Hoseok asked excitedly. No wonder why Grandmother loved Hoseok so much, he was the most enthusiastic about her food out of all of us.

"You're terrible at guessing." I said. Hoseok groaned.

"Dang it. I'm hungry." He pouted playfully, and I slapped his shoulder. "Yah, don't hit me! Just tell me!"

"Okay, so, remember that guy I was telling you about?" I grinned. Hoseok nodded, his smile smaller than usual. "The one in your grade, Min Yoongi?" He nodded again. "He asked me out on a date!" I squealed. Hoseok's eyes almost popped out of his head.

"Yoongi asked you on a date? Min Yoongi?" He asked. I laughed and nudged him with my hip.

"Mhm. Don't sound so surprised." I teased him. Hoseok rolled his eyes. Something about him was off, but I couldn't put my finger on what. "We're going to the movies on Friday."

"Does Kito know?" He asked. I scoffed and shook my head vigorously. My brother was ridiculously over protective of me with everyone except Hoseok.

"God, no. Yoongi-oppa would be dead within the hour." I said. Hoseok nodded in agreement, but stopped, wrinkling his nose.

"Yoongi oppa?" He asked, eyeing me skeptically.

"Yes, Yoongi oppa. He's older than me." I pointed out.

"I'm older than you and you don't call me oppa." He countered.

"That's because you're my Hobi, not my oppa." I reminded him, and he hummed, his vibrant smile returning to his face.

"I'll take that over oppa any day. I'm happy for you, Zomi." He said. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding, thankful that my best friend approved. "But if he hurts you, I'll make sure he won't be able to have children. Just letting you know." He interjected. I guffawed, crossing my arms and looking up at him.

"Oh, yeah, right. Said the guy who apologizes when he steps on an ant." I smirked. Hobi's cheeks flushed and he grabbed me, putting me into a gentle headlock. He was only holding me firmly enough to keep me there, but his fingers were delicate on my skin. "Yah!"

"Take it back! Ants deserve lives, too!" He exclaimed. I laughed and steadied my shaky posture by wrapping my arms around his torso.

"Jung Hoseok, let go!" I choked out through my laughter.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you?" He teased me further.

"I'll ask Grandmother to make the kimchijjigae tonight if you let me go." I said. His grasp loosened instantly, just in time for the teacher to open the door for my class to come in. "See you tonight?"

"Wouldn't miss it, Zomi." He reassured me, and I grinned, sticking my tongue out at him before slipping into my own class and leaving Hobi at the water fountain.