"You're so beautiful. Are you sure you're not a statue?"

Hanbyeol wanted so badly to hit the boy for his unoriginal flirting. Instead, she gave an awkward smile.

She didn't find him ugly though. Minwoo was a dark-haired boy with big eyes and tan skin as rich as honey. He wore neat pants and a clean, grey t-shirt. Like a gentleman, he held open the door to the restaurant and pulled out Hanbyeol's chair for her, which she politely thanked him for.

Hanbyeol clutched her hands in her lap, sitting as straight as she could. She wasn't nervous but she felt like she had to try and act perfect as he was Sua's friend. Early this morning, Hanbyeol made sure her wavy hair was styled elegantly with its usual part to the side, and that her little makeup was smooth. She wore a sky-blue dress that flowed to her mid-thighs coupled with a pair of slick boots. With the happy sun, her spring outfit matched the weather.

"What should we eat?" Hanbyeol looked down at the menu to avoid Minwoo's constant staring.

"I know what I want to eat," the boy said in his husky voice, loosely holding the menu in one hand but not even giving it a glance.

"That's good. I'm a bit indecisive so I'm not sure yet."

Hanbyeol's head was still buried in the menu as she tried to absorb the food options. They were at a Korean restaurant next to the cinema, a common place that Minwoo recommended. Being a fairly large place, nearly every table was occupied, and the menu was also displayed on the walls.

They both eventually ordered, and Hanbyeol chose cold noodles and kimchi dumplings on the side. Now with no small talk, she fiddled her fingers to think of a topic, something that all the other people in the restaurant seemed to be doing well. Her eyelashes fluttered as she licked her lips, hoping her mind would stop wandering to other things she could be enjoying right now.

"Are you doing anything next weekend?" Minwoo asked her.

Hanbyeol tilted her head in thought. "Not much. Maybe just hanging out with my friends, studying and playing guitar."

"You play guitar?"

"Yeah, I'm in the school band; we do some rock and we're playing at a few festivals and high schools this year."

"That's so cool," Minwoo leaned his elbows on the table. "You should play for me sometime. For my hobbies, I like basketball. I'm really good and I always shoot the most goals in my team."

With her mouth forming a small circle in interest, Hanbyeol was taken back to the night when she played basketball with Suho. Picturing them under the night sky in the park after the fresh rain brought a smile to her face.

Minwoo thought she was impressed, so he bragged about his competitions and best games, his shoulders high with arrogance. Although she nodded like a broken record, she would forget his sentences after a few seconds.

People talking blended together, and Hanbyeol perked up when she spotted their food arriving. Her eyes ate the large portions that were placed in front of her. Smelling the salty noodles and the spice of the dumplings, she smiled like a student who just aced a difficult exam. They dug in and Hanbyeol let out a sigh of satisfaction.

"Is it good?" Minwoo asked, scooping up some of his tofu stew.

"Yeah," Hanbyeol nodded, her full hair bouncing lightly. "Is yours?"

"It's pretty good too. Make sure you don't eat too much, or you'll get fat. I don't think you can finish all of that and the dumplings."

Hanbyeol's face fell as she glanced down at her food. She swallowed, suddenly feeling a heavy stone in her stomach. It was always comments about people's looks – their face or their weight, and she hated it. Were people not more than how they looked on the outside? She decided that she didn't want to go on another date with him.

"Don't worry, I can finish it all. Worry about yourself. You've got stuff on your mouth," Hanbyeol stated bitterly without looking at him.

The boy wiped his mouth with a napkin, not noticing her tone. There were only four dumplings, and she cleared most of them quickly, while letting Minwoo have one. As they ate through the rest of their food, he carried the conversation, though it was mostly about him.

Hanbyeol kept her polite manner as she listened and contributed where she could, but it was like trying to get a word in when your mum was scolding you. Her face started hurting from trying to keep her pleasant expression and her back slowly lost its straight posture. Distractedly, she moved her chopstick around her clean bowl, drawing circles in the chilli sauce stains.

When their delicious lunch was over, the long-haired girl was thankful that she could stretch her legs and back. They left the big restaurant and headed to the cinema next door.

* * * *

Hanbyeol's eyes widened slightly as she surveyed the place. It had been a while since she'd gone out for a movie. Crawling with couples and teenagers, it was as if someone sprayed happiness in the air. They made their way through the large foyer and bought popcorn and drinks.

The smell of the salty and buttery popcorn reminded Hanbyeol of watching movies with her family when she was younger, and she found herself smiling as she clutched the cardboard bucket. Following Minwoo into their cinema, they got comfortable in their seats near the front. That was another mark in Hanbyeol's bad book – you shouldn't book seats at the front when she saw that there were back seats available.

"I heard this movie's really good. It's also got one of my favourite actresses," Minwoo said, grabbing a handful of the popcorn from in between them.

"Yeah, I think it should be good," Hanbyeol nodded with a pinch of enthusiasm. "I like watching a lot of genres."

They were watching a rom-com that had been advertising the past few weeks. While Hanbyeol was more into action, she wasn't one to put up a fuss.

More people entered their cinema, bringing in footsteps and hushed whispers. The tall space with its black walls still had the lights on, but Minwoo's stare felt stronger and quite uncomfortable. Making sure her dress reached for her knees as much as it could, Hanbyeol listened to Minwoo ramble about his favourite movies and celebrities. She sighed to herself, fighting the urge to roll her eyes or look as if she was about to take a nap.

As the lights dimmed, the large screen at the front came to life. Hanbyeol's head turned to the movie in an exaggerated motion, which gave Minwoo the message to 'be quiet', or to 'shut up' - as Hanbyeol intended.

Silence swept the cinema. Sinking into her seat, Hanbyeol loosened every muscle. It wouldn't be a surprise if she did fall asleep. While it wasn't a bad date, she would rather be studying. Not that she had any other date to compare it to. She unknowingly frowned, feeling lonely and empty in the crowded space.

When the film started playing, a shadow crept into the dark room. Suho felt bad for following them, but he couldn't help it when he saw them in the cinema foyer. It was the biggest and most popular cinema in their neighbourhood. So, he decided to peek inside since he knew they were going to watch a movie. It must've been a sign when he saw the couple waiting for their popcorn, a few feet apart and Hanbyeol standing quite stiff.

Ducking down as he moved, the tall boy found his seat at the back. Of course, he bought a ticket instead of sneaking in, though his black attire blended with the surroundings. Suho looked around. The cinema was nearly at full capacity with teenagers focused on the wide screen. With wandering eyes and a restless body that seemed as if it was in a massage chair, he tried to find a certain girl.

After a few seconds, Suho finally spotted Hanbyeol near the front with another boy. No doubt it was her – a bit short with silky, black hair. As Hanbyeol watched the movie, Suho's eyes kept drifting to her like a magnet. He wanted to be with her, but he was also scared – scared that things would change, his family would oppose, or he would hurt her the same as he hurt his friend.

Eventually, the credits rolled onto the screen and the room lit up again. Suho's gaze was still fixated on the small head at the front, but his eyes nearly shot out of his head at what he witnessed next. The girl kissed the boy next to her. Suho's nostrils flared as he jumped up and leaped over the seats. How could she kiss her blind date on the first day of meeting him?

"How dare you!" he shouted, ripping the couple apart.

Suho froze. That wasn't Hanbyeol's bright eyes and beauty spot on her cheek. His mouth slightly agape, Suho took a hesitant step back.

The girl furrowed her eyebrows at him before turning to her boyfriend. "Wooyoung, do you know him? Did you get into a fight with someone again? I told you to stop picking on people."

"No, I don't know him," the other boy shook his head with strong denial. "Yoojin, I swear I haven't been fighting random people. He's just fucking crazy."

"Language," Yoojin scolded cutely.

"My bad, I just fucking love you," Wooyoung teased her with a smirk.

Suho looked between the two, an awkward cloud hanging over him.

"I'm sorry," he apologised to the couple of strangers he interrupted. "I'm so sorry."

He bowed his head a few times, feeling himself burn up with embarrassment. Never had he done something so crazy before in his life. Hanbyeol was really making him feel too many emotions.

Rushing out of the cinema, Suho went to find the girl. He looked like a lost puppy in a foreign country as he stood in the foyer. His head swiveled left and right while people walked around him, not giving him a second glance.

* * * *

Hanbyeol and Minwoo's seats were closer to the front and the cinema entrance than the random couple. When the movie had finished, they immediately left the cinema. Making their way through the foyer, they stopped outside the building. The sun still played in the sky as the streets and shops bustled with life.

"Do you have time for some dessert?" Minwoo asked.

Hanbyeol bit her lip, clutching her bag strap that hung over her shoulder. She didn't want to drag it on any longer.

"I'm sorry, Minwoo," she decided to say. "It was nice, but I should head home now. Thanks for taking me out."

"That's okay, we can go next time," the boy shrugged.

"I don't actually think there'll be a second date. You're a great guy but not my type. You deserve someone better, and I'm sure you'll find them."

Although Hanbyeol hated buttering people up, she felt this was the only way to make Minwoo feel better. She was worried he might yell at her or cause trouble.

Avoiding his eye contact, she noticed movement behind a poster stand nearby. The white movie sign used to be closer to the cinema doors, but it had somehow waddled closer to the couple. She looked at it quizzically before noticing the figure in black behind it. Raising an eyebrow, she tried to hide her laugh.

"... Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find someone too. You're beautiful, so don't cry about it." Minwoo was rambling on with his chin held high. "Thanks for the date too."

Hanbyeol's head snapped back to the boy in front of her, feeling bad that she missed most of what he said.

"Yeah, I guess I'll see you around," the wavy-haired girl nodded.

"Did you want me to walk you home?" Minwoo asked.

"No, thank you. I think I'll hang around here for a bit."

"Alright, goodbye."

Hanbyeol waved to the boy as he walked off, and she released a breath. Now, she was left at the front of the tall building by herself. Trees stood on the footpath and people walked through the large concrete area that formed a semi-circle to the cinema.

Peeking out from behind the movie poster, Suho felt the corner of his mouth lift up when he noticed the other boy was gone. The thick paper was a head or two shorter than him, so he had to duck down and bend his knees a bit. Suho sighed with relief. If her date didn't walk her home, it must mean that the date didn't go so well.

"You can come out now," Hanbyeol said, crossing her arms and facing the poster standing just a few metres away from her.

Suho's eyes widened a fraction. Surely, she didn't see him. He kept his head down and held his breath, not making a sound. His legs held their position with great strength.

"Suho, I know you're there," the girl tried again as she glared at him.

Reluctantly, Suho stood up and cleared his throat, walking closer to Hanbyeol. Despite being a deer caught in headlights, he still looked composed as usual.

"How did you know I was there?" he asked her.

"You're wearing all black behind a white poster that hardly covers your whole body. How do you expect to hide from anyone?" Hanbyeol looked at him pointedly.

Suho glanced down at his black shirt and pants. Then, he took in Hanbyeol's outfit. In her light blue dress, she was radiating, and her red lips and judgemental stare at him was hot, especially as he'd never had anyone look at him like that before. His heart skipped a beat.

"Who even wears all black on a hot day?" Hanbyeol wondered as if he just ate chicken with ice-cream.

"It's... fashionable," Suho replied.

Unfortunately, she had to agree that he looked good in everything, and today was no exception. She cleared her throat, flipping her wavy hair over her shoulder with new-grown confidence.

"Are you saying that I'm not fashionable?" she teased.

Panicking, Suho shook his head. "I didn't mean it like that. You look beautiful."

"Seriously though, were you following me?"

Hanbyeol ignored the way her cheeks heated up when he called her beautiful. He was just trying to be nice, right?

"I was going for a walk and happened to see you," he lied. "I guess you had your blind date here. How was it?"

"It was fine."

"Just fine?" Suho prodded for more, hoping to hear about how the guy was a douchebag who couldn't even remember the famous poets of the 90s.

"He was... very talkative and narcissistic. Great guy, I'm sure. But seems to care too much about appearances. So, I guess you could say it didn't go too well," Hanbyeol played with the ends of her hair as her eyes tilted down.

"Don't listen to him. There are better guys out there."

Hanbyeol's light brown eyes met Suho's dark ones. They were so close yet felt far at the same time; it was like a tug of war in her mind. A year ago, she wouldn't even be thinking about guys or have the courage to talk to them, but now, she could picture herself with Suho. One thing that blocked that thought was the attention that would come with dating the God Suho – she didn't want girls glaring at her every second. More worries seemed to surface the more she realised that she might like him back.

"Did you want to get something to eat? Maybe some ice-cream?" Suho offered as a way to spend some more time with her and to cheer her up.

"Sounds good!" Hanbyeol didn't need to hesitate as she lit up. "Let's go to Baskin Robbins. I've tried all their flavours, and nothing beats ice-cream after a whacked-up date."

Suho lightly chuckled to himself. Though his feelings were moving fast like a river current, he would get ice-cream with her any day, even in winter.

As they headed off down the street, they argued about the best flavours with Hanbyeol being quite enthusiastic while Suho calmly inputted some comments. He had already dented her walls, but Hanbyeol felt them crumbling down even more. 

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Did I reference my own fanfic? Yes. Mwahahaha. I decided to use the cameo for Yoojin and Wooyoung from 'His Reason to Fight' (my Weak Hero Class 1 fanfic) - feel free to check it out if you like the kdrama.

I liked this chapter. The next one though... I haven't started so it'll be a while for the update, I'm so sorry. It'll be longer than a week cos I'm travelling next week!

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it! Please comment and vote :)