MIA

If there was one superpower I craved at that moment, it would be invisibility.

Not the kind that makes you vanish into thin air, but the kind that shields you from embarrassment when you inevitably say something dumb or stupid. Like me.

Yeppuda. Really!

Out of all the words in the world, that's what slipped out of my mouth. I couldn't even bear to look at him after uttering such a cringe-worthy statement.

It felt like an eternity before I heard his laughter.

"I'm sorry, I just need a minute," he managed to say between laughs. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, but he didn't seem angry or offended. His laughter was infectious, and I found myself smiling despite myself.

As he bit his lower lip to stifle his laughter, I couldn't help but notice how it turned a shade of red. Unconsciously, I found myself biting my own lip, mirroring his actions.

Our moment was interrupted by the arrival of our sushi, dropped unceremoniously on the table by the waiter. I sank further into my chair, at a loss for words.

My curiosity was piqued when I noticed the waiter had placed a pair of chopsticks on my side of the table. Glancing at Jackson's side, I saw the same. "The kimchi will be ready shortly," the waiter said before bowing and leaving.

A cough brought my attention back to Jackson, who was already staring at me with a smirk. "So you think I'm pretty, huh?" he teased.

"It... was a joke," I mumbled, fiddling with the chopsticks nervously.

"I see," he replied, leaving it at that.

"You need some help?" he asked, gesturing to the chopsticks in my hand.

Confused, I followed his gaze to the chopsticks. "Oh, no need, I can manage," I said, hoping to sound independent. I didn't want him to think I always needed his help.

I needed to escape the friend zone with him.

"Are you sure?" he persisted. "Remember, I said I would teach you."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Jackson, I'm sure. Now..." I used both hands to awkwardly maneuver the chopsticks, offering him a slice of sushi from my plate. "Eat," I instructed.

He didn't seem thrilled with my decision, but he complied, skillfully using the chopsticks to transfer three slices of sushi from his plate to mine.

"But..."

"You wanted sushi, not me. Besides, I've eaten plenty of it back in Korea," he said, adding two more slices to my plate.

"So, now..." he leaned in, resting his chin on his hand, his eyes twinkling mischievously, "...eat."

I swallowed nervously, avoiding his gaze.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I picked up a piece of sushi with the chopsticks. My fingers trembled slightly as I maneuvered the slippery morsel towards my mouth.

As I focused on mastering the art of using chopsticks while delicately picking up sushi, my world suddenly shifted when I felt a presence beside me. My heart raced as his touch grazed my hand, sending shivers down my spine.

"Let me teach you, Mia," his voice, warm and reassuring, echoed in my ears, causing me to gulp nervously.

I could feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment as I became acutely aware of the curious gazes from those around us, yet he remained unfazed, solely focused on guiding me.

His gentle touch as he positioned my fingers correctly on the chopsticks ignited a fire within me, my body reacting to his every movement.

Each breath he took near my skin felt electrifying, sending waves of excitement coursing through me. Despite the world around us, in that moment, it was just him and me, lost in time.

As his touch lingered on my hand, my heart pounded relentlessly, a wild rhythm I couldn't tame. I dared not meet his gaze, fearing that if I did, the floodgates of my emotions would burst open, and I might succumb to the overwhelming urge to kiss him right then and there.

It was as if every nerve in my body was on edge, craving more of his touch, yet simultaneously afraid of what it might unleash within me.

With each passing moment, the intensity of my feelings only grew, threatening to consume me entirely. I focused intently on the sushi before me, pretending to be absorbed in the delicate art of using chopsticks, but in reality, my mind was a whirlwind of desire and longing.

It was a delicate balance, teetering on the edge of restraint, as I fought to contain the rush of emotions threatening to spill over.

"There," his cheerful tone snapped me back, and I felt his warm fingers leave mine. A frown suddenly fell upon my face.

Gosh, I've fallen too deep.

He returned to his seat with a smug expression, which piqued my curiosity, but I let it slide and picked up a slice of sushi.

"No thank you?" he questioned, reminding me of my lapse in manners.

"Sorry," I mumbled, staring at my plate. "Um, thank you, Jackson," I glanced at him, then back at my plate, taking another piece of sushi.

A chuckle escaped him. "So cute," he whispered, then continued eating.

I definitely heard that, and did it send my body into a frenzy? A hundred times, yes.

A different waiter arrived, placing two plates of kimchi before us and then left.

I stared at it for a moment. "Looks good," I stated.

"Sure," he hummed, but it lacked sincerity. "Try it first."

"Okay…" I trailed off but followed his suggestion, taking a slice and relishing the aroma. I decided to savor the whole slice. "Hmm, really good," I licked my lips, preparing to take another. "Jackson, you need to taste it," I muttered between bites.

He nodded, taking a slice into his mouth and swallowed. "It's good," he said before mumbling something under his breath.

"What?" I inquired.

He sighed sadly, merely toying with the kimchi. "Nothing, just seems like you love this kimchi more."

"Huh?" Confusion clouded my thoughts.

"It's nothing," he offered no further explanation, then his phone suddenly rang.

"Yours is better," I giggled.

He raised his head, gazing at me like a lost puppy.

Just adorable.

"I'm serious, it's so good that if it were possible, I'd ask you to make it for me every Friday since lunch food isn't that great," I wasn't exaggerating, and he needed to hear more praise about his cooking.

His neck turned slightly red, and he coughed awkwardly, avoiding my gaze.

Was he blushing?!

"If you want, I could do that for you," he coughed, trying to play it cool. He must have noticed my puzzled expression because he continued, "I mean, cooking kimchi for you every Friday."

Oh.

"No, it's okay. I really don't want to trouble you…"

He frowned. "You've never troubled me, Mia. In fact, you've done the complete opposite,"

Now it was my turn to blush.

"But I feel bad," I admitted.

He whispered gently, making me extremely nervous as I raised my head back, "Mia, you have been a huge help. Trust me on that, okay?" He shifted closer to my side after saying that.

"But…" he trailed off.

"But?" I repeated.

"Since you feel that you want to help, then…" he picked up a slice of kimchi and handed me his chopsticks with it, "feed me."

"H-Here?" He couldn't be serious.

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mia, here."

I glanced around the restaurant, relieved to find that most people were immersed in their meals or engrossed in conversation with their families. It seemed like the perfect moment to act.

Here goes nothing.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my hand trembling visibly as I offered him the kimchi. Suddenly, his touch on my hand sent a jolt of electricity through me as he took a bite from the chopsticks.

He seemed to relish it more now, which struck me as amusing.

I think I've discovered his flaw. He loves to be pampered.

But it's a cute flaw.

I noticed a speck of sauce on the corner of his lip.

"What?" he asked, awaiting my response.

"There's…" I hesitated, placing my finger on my chin. "There's rice here."

"Oh," he reached for the other side of his face. "This side?"

I shook my head. "No, this side," I pointed it out on my own face.

"Oh, here then," he didn't listen, instead, he moved to another area of his face that wasn't his chin.

Annoyed, I leaned in and wiped it off his chin. "See, it was here."

He pretended to be surprised. "Oh, I see now. Thanks, Mia."

This guy.

I was about to inquire about the sauce incident, but he abruptly got up. "Wait here, let me pay the bill, and don't even think about suggesting we split it," he said with a seriousness that made me smile.

I nodded. "Okay."

He flashed his usual, charming wink before striding out.

That shouldn't have made my cheeks flush, but they did.

A million times over.

....

"Mia, where are you?"

I rolled my eyes. "Maddy, since when are you the oldest?"

Jackson and I were wandering the streets aimlessly, a newfound habit of ours. It seemed like exploring new streets was becoming our thing.

Our thing.

"Since my so-called big sis isn't here to watch the latest Marvel movie with me," she retorted.

Maddy and I didn't have much in common aside from our shared love of movies and our tendency to ogle cute guys we found online.

I think my days of ogling are over, though.

"Oh really, it's out?" Jackson noticed my excitement and gave me a curious look. "Sure, I'm on my way, but I'm hanging out with Jackson, so I might–"

"Shut the butt, you're with him? I thought you and the girls went to that cafe."

"Long story, but I'm with him. I'm on my way, though, don't worry," I assured her.

"Great, but could you do one thing though?"

"What?" I asked.

"Take a picture with him. I don't think you even have a picture of him with you aside from when you guys were kids."

"Oh," that's smart.

"Exactly, and don't worry, he'll totally agree," she giggled.

"Fine," I sighed. "See you at home, and don't start the movie without me."

"Aye aye, captain," she teased before hanging up.

"So, you're going home now?" Jackson asked.

"Um, yeah, and honestly, it's getting late. You should head back too," I said, glancing at the darkening sky. It wasn't too noticeable yet, but it was getting there.

"Sure, let me get an Uber then," he reached for his phone, but I stopped him.

"Before that, let's take a pic."

"A pic?"

I nodded.

"Oh sure, why not. But why all of a sudden though?"

"Maddy asked for it," I answered.

He nodded. "So, if she didn't ask, you wouldn't have taken one with me?"

"No, it just slipped my mind since I see you all the time. I didn't think I needed to have a picture," I said, lowering my tone.

It felt like I liked him, which of course I do, but I didn't need him knowing that.

He chuckled. "I'm just pulling your leg, Mia. Come on, let's take the pic."

I nodded while biting my lip.

"Stop doing that," he said.

I looked at him, confused. "Stop doing what?"

I think he realized what he did and shifted his gaze from mine, scratching his head. "Uh...nothing."

That was odd, but I ignored his weird behavior and got my phone out.

"Okay, let's go for a silly pose," I beamed my smile at him. He nodded, smiling back.

"I have an idea. Most people in Korea do this pose, I bet you know it since you watch their series," he said.

"I guess, show me the pose first."

He nodded, then took my phone from me. "The one with the longest arms always takes the picture, and you are…" he thought for a moment, "not tall enough."

I rolled my eyes. "Just tell me the pose."

He chuckled. "Fine, do this," he raised one of his arms and curved it so that his fingers touched his head.

It looked odd, but I followed his lead.

I mimicked his pose, and then I felt his other hand on my shoulder. I froze for a moment but tried to remain calm.

I stared at my phone, waiting for it to take the picture. My eyes widened when I realized the pose.

I turned my head to him. "Isn't this…" my voice trailed off when I heard the snap sound from my phone, indicating that it had taken a picture.

"Here you go," he smirked, handing me back my phone. "Send that to Maddy while I get the Uber," he said, stepping back and focusing on his phone.

I was beyond speechless.

"That was a couple pose," I whispered to myself, trying to process everything.

Does he think we're a couple?!

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