A few years later, Wooyoung was no longer the scrawny boy he used to be and although he was shorter than Youngbin, he was now evidently taller than Yoojin, which he liked to tease her about. He had even become more handsome, attracting many girls. It was currently the day of Yoojin's 15th birthday and their last year of middle school. The night before, she had spent it with her twin and Seokdae.

"And then after eating BBQ, we'll go to coin karaoke," Yoojin's friend, Eunhye, was explaining excitedly.

She was a typical planner who liked everything to be neat, especially her jet-black hair and bangs. Yoojin nodded, only half-listening as she habitually played with the ends of her dark hair, which now almost reached her hips. They were at school, sitting at a wooden table outside for lunch. Next to Yoojin was their other friend, Huiyeon – a tall girl with a small face and long, wavy hair that was a gentle chestnut shade. As usual, she was absorbed with her phone.

"Yoojin, your boyfriend won another fight last night," Huiyeon said teasingly.

She showed Yoojin her phone, which was playing a recorded video from a boxing ring fight that was live yesterday. Yoojin sighed. Last month, she found out that Wooyoung had started fighting broadcasts since last year. She was already worried when he started learning boxing, but now she was more worried. Even though she knew he had grown stronger, she couldn't help but feel responsible for his hobby and resulting injuries. She didn't want him to get hurt. Yoojin had asked him to stop and just get a normal part time job, but he said 'no'. Wooyoung got paid for beating other people up, so he found it convenient.

The birthday girl looked away from the video. She hated violence and most of all, she hated watching Wooyoung fight. So, whenever her classmates watched his live matches, she would turn away.

"He's not my boyfriend," Yoojin blushed. "Just my friend."

"Hey," Eunhye frowned, glaring at the pair. "Are you guys even listening to me?"

"Of course," Huiyeon said as she popped a chip into her mouth.

The table was covered with snacks for the joyous occasion, even though they were sure to splurge on more junk food later that night. The girls also decided to gift their presents at lunch. Yoojin received a pretty sketchbook from Eunhye and some make-up and hair accessories from Huiyeon.

"But don't forget, I have to leave at 8 tonight. Wooyoung wanted to see me," Yoojin told the girls.

"Boyfriend," Huiyeon sang with a grin, causing the other girl to whack her shoulder.

They all shared a laugh. Lunchtime quickly finished up after they gossiped about their classmates and their favourite dramas. The day went by and after school, they went to a Korean BBQ place for an early dinner. Their stomachs were full without regret and the next schedule followed: coin karaoke. They belted many songs and Yoojin let out her excitement, being louder than usual. The girls encouraged Yoojin to sing the last song and she instinctively chose 'Love Me' by BE'O, Wooyoung's favourite song. Even though she couldn't sing it well and didn't know all the lyrics, it didn't matter.

When it reached 8pm, Yoojin thanked her friends for the day, and they walked her to Wooyoung's house. It was dark but she felt safe with them, and they used a different route to avoid the alleyway they haunted her for many years.

Once they arrived, Eunhye and Huiyeon said goodbye and left. Yoojin knocked on the door, still in her school uniform with her backpack. The door opened to reveal Wooyoung, who was wearing black tracksuit pants and his favourite grey hoodie. He smiled softly and invited her in. She had been to his house many times and it often felt like a second home. Wooyoung's parents were out for the night until tomorrow afternoon, so the two kids went to the empty living room.

She was relieved she didn't have to see his mum – she was always scary and strict, wanting Wooyoung to only study and succeed academically. His father was sweet though. So, while Wooyoung suffered with a controlling mother, the Jeon twins sadly had both parents be the unloving kind.

Yoojin dumped her backpack by the entrance and curled up on the sofa with a yawn, fixing her school skirt.

"So, what did you do today?" Wooyoung asked, sitting next to her but facing her.

"We got BBQ with a lot of pork, which was so good – there goes my savings. And then we went to coin karaoke, and it was so much fun. I think Huiyeon lost her voice from all the singing, and even Eunhye was louder than usual," Yoojin's smile widened as she recounted the day's events.

"That's good. I'm glad you had fun. And now it's finally my turn to have you."

"Hey," Yoojin scrunched up her nose at him. "You say that like I'm some kind of toy or something."

"Well, I couldn't talk to you much at school or after school because Eunhye and Huiyeon kept hogging you but now we can celebrate together."

Wooyoung suddenly stood up, telling her to wait for a bit. He went to the kitchen and took something out of the fridge. When he returned, he was carrying a small, pink cake, which he placed next to a tiny box on the coffee table. He put a candle on the dessert and lit it up.

"You didn't have to get me a cake," Yoojin said, but thanked him still.

"I'm trying to get you fat," Wooyoung joked.

"Wow," replied Yoojin with fake shock. "You actually know how to joke."

The boy rolled his eyes with a smile. "Just blow out the candle."

"Usually, people say to make a wish."

"Okay. Make a wish."

Yoojin giggled, closing her eyes. She thought deep and hard about what she wanted. There wasn't much that she desired – she had a comfortable life with friends and family who loved her. She blew out the candle.

'I wish Wooyoung doesn't get hurt.'

"What did you wish for? This?" Wooyoung asked.

Yoojin was confused. But not a second later, Wooyoung's lips touched her cheek. Her eyes widened. As best friends, they'd often hugged or kissed each other on the cheek playfully, though quite rarely. This, however, felt more gentle and closer – much closer to her lips. When did he get so bold?

Wooyoung enjoyed her scent and their proximity. His arm rested on the back of the couch behind her. He had liked the girl for a long time, but he was worried that Youngbin wouldn't let them date or she didn't like him back. As their last year in middle school, he decided to go for it, especially since he hated all the looks the other boys would give her.

Yoojin pushed him back in alarm. "What was that?"

"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking," Wooyoung cleared his throat. "I – I have something to tell you. I really –"

"We should quickly eat the cake before it gets cold," Yoojin blurted.

Was Wooyoung about to confess? Truthfully, there were times when the boy had made her heart flutter, but she was scared of starting a relationship with her long-time best friend. She was worried that things would be awkward and if they broke up later on, she'd lose their friendship. So, she always left her feelings in a box at the back of her mind and never opened it.

Wooyoung blinked at her.

"You're meant to eat cake when it's cold, dummy," he finally said.

His gaze pierced her intently and Yoojin looked away, avoiding all his unspoken feelings that were almost released.

Since they couldn't be bothered cutting the cake, they just had a spoon each. Yoojin quickly picked up her utensil and dug in.

"Oh my god, it's delicious," she exclaimed.

Wooyoung finally decided to try the cake, taking a spoonful from the other side. He chewed the strawberry cake, satisfied with its sweetness. Yoojin ate one of the strawberries that was lying on the pink icing. She loved fruits and sweets.

As they enjoyed the cake to its crumbs, they talked about school, and the air felt normal again. They had shared food like this before a lot; though when they first used spoons to eat from a full cake, they found it funny to destroy the perfectness.

"Why do you always make such a mess?" Wooyoung shook his head at the girl.

Yoojin went to reach for a tissue but before she could, Wooyoung leaned forward and wiped the corner of her mouth with his finger. Her eyes widened. The spot on her lips that he touched burned. Instead of wiping his finger, he licked the pink icing. 'Could he be any more cliché?' Yoojin thought.

Wooyoung often kept to himself and his close friends, never really speaking to girls or flirting with them as the other boys did. He seemed like a quiet, serious person, but with Yoojin, he always set her heart on fire with pleasure.

"Stop doing that. Don't do things like that," Yoojin spluttered.

Wooyoung just smiled. He was definitely getting bolder and bolder during the years.

"Why?" the boy asked. "Did your heart flutter?"

"Stop joking around," Yoojin said.

"Fine, I'll be serious," Wooyoung's grin dropped, and he took a deep breath.

The boy was nervous. He never got scared; he was a great fighter. But somehow, Yoojin was the only person that could make him weak. What if his feelings weren't reciprocated? Surely, she felt the spark too. He had decided that today would be the day he would do it and he wasn't backing down now. Wooyoung wanted to be the one to confess.

"Before we graduate middle school, I've always wanted to tell you that I liked you. I know you know it too. You're not stupid. I've had a crush on you for a long time – probably since I first saw you drawing at school, and I sat with you – your smile was so captivating when you talked, and you were cute when you were so focused. I've never met anyone who could make me feel so happy before. With you, I feel like I can be myself and forget all my stress."

Yoojin sat there gaping like a fish. She had intended to stop him again, but her mind was blank, and her throat refused to say anything. Besides, it would be rude to dismiss his confession for the second time, right?

Finally, Yoojin collected her thoughts. She hadn't prepared a script though and she was afraid to make things worse.

Her words were slow and soft. "I'm sorry, Wooyoung. I don't know what to say. I suspected you might've liked me but we're best friends. People always say that relationships that started from a long friendship don't end well, and I don't want to ruin what we have."

"So, you're not saying that you don't have feelings for me," Wooyoung figured out.

Yoojin fiddled with her fingers and didn't say anything, so the boy tried again.

"Can I kiss you?" he whispered.

The girl stopped functioning. She had to admit, she had imagined kissing him before, but she never thought she would actually do it. Her heart raced; she had never been kissed before. Yoojin was still scared to be alone with another guy or have skinship with a guy, but she felt comfortable with Wooyoung. He was always there for her when she needed and would always listen to her well. Wooyoung was the only one who knew what she needed and how to make her feel safe. Secretly, she wanted to try kissing Wooyoung.

When she did say anything, he inched closer. Yoojin looked at the hypnotising curve of his lips that were now dangerously near her own lips. She swallowed.

Finally, Wooyoung's rough lips connected with Yoojin. At first, she didn't move. Wooyoung kissed her slowly and she eventually melted into his embrace, kissing him back. When they broke apart, they were both red in the face and feeling nervous. Yoojin felt like she should regret it, but she didn't. With her first taste, she wanted more. 

"I should be heading home now," Yoojin broke the silence.

"Now?" Wooyoung asked, glancing at the clock. "You'd get home when it's nearly midnight. Just stay here for the night and tell your parents you're staying at Eunhye's house or something."

He did have a good point. She didn't want to walk home this late and she was already feeling tired. They've had a few sleepovers before, so it wasn't anything unusual but now that they were older and they just kissed, Yoojin's heartbeat was faster than ever.

Her parents didn't really pay attention to her so they wouldn't care. Plus, it was a Friday night. With a disconnected nod, Yoojin texted her parents that she would sleep at Eunhye's house. Although her body craved sleep, her mind was wide awake with thoughts she shouldn't be thinking. How was she going to fall asleep?

"Ah," Wooyoung exclaimed. "I almost forgot to give you your birthday present."

He picked up the lonely box on the coffee table and passed it to Yoojin. "Happy Birthday again."

The white box was as small as her palm. Yoojin thanked him and lifted the lid. It revealed a delicate, silver necklace that held a single flower charm.

"It's beautiful," Yoojin breathed out.

"Just like you," Wooyoung flirted.

She bit her lip. "Let's... not do this tonight."

"We have to talk about it someday so let's just do it now. I want to date you," Wooyoung announced bravely.

You only get to live once, right? His body was so close to her, fogging her mind. Yoojin bit her lip, thinking about what to do. She was clueless about relationships and wasn't sure if she was ready.

"Why don't we think about it for a few months? We're going to be in high school next year and we don't even know if we'll go to the same school. What if things change?" Yoojin worried.

"Nothing's going to change. We'll still be the same Yoojin and Wooyoung," the boy reassured her.

A pause. "I don't know."

"Do you trust me?" Wooyoung asked. "Do you like me?"

Yoojin decided to be honest with herself and live for herself. "Yes."

"Then how about we take it slow? We don't have to tell anyone we're dating, and we can just act like how we've always been. Let's live in the present, instead of worrying about the future. I really like you."

The idea sounded nice and harmless, so Yoojin agreed. 

"I like you too, Wooyoung."

This caused the boy to smile widely and hug her. She let out a laugh, feeling like she wouldn't regret her decision. He always encouraged her and made her feel strong and confident in herself, even more so after the incident.

After cleaning up the living room and preparing for bed, they moved a mat and some blankets and pillows into the area. Yoojin got the comfortable sofa while Wooyoung slept on the mat beside it. Minutes ticked by as Yoojin laid there, staring up at the ceiling like an owl. She begged for sleep to come but she was too giddy.

Today was their day one.

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This would sadly be a kinda short story. I prefer long stories but as it's based off a webdrama (sorry, not the webtoon but let me know how good it is if you've read it), it's got the short style. And I didn't want to unnecessarily drag it on. 

*Pic is Seokdae, in this kind of present, not when they were younger. And video is Love Me by BE'O