I borrowed a book from the library and went to the cafeteria while ordering my usual meal, I sat down at my usual spot and started letting my imagination roam with this book in my hands.

I giggled, awww, this story was so soft. Soyeon sat beside me, she was the friend that I always needed and wanted, she respected my privacy and my personal space. We sat there in comfortable silence, while occasionally exchanging small talk about our day. Unbeknownst to me, a small girl walked towards us. I looked up at her and saw her glowing pretty eyes.

Wow, I accidentally let out a small gasp and blushed when I noticed I did. The girl giggled at me,

"Hi, do you need something?" Soyeon asked while smiling, "Oh? Nothing, we just wanted to make friends," the small girl said, with her clique beside her.

Oh? They were the popular ones, the pretty ones that everybody drools over. Yuqi, Minnie, Shuhua, and Miyeon. Soyeon was pretty close with Minnie so maybe that's why they approached us.

I gulped and shyly answered "s-sure." why did i stutter? ugh why am i so shy. the world can swallow me, now. I'm so embarrassed, i don't want to be here.

The girl, Shuhua, giggled at me again. I felt my cheeks flush.

————————————————

Days would go on like this from then on, their clique would sit beside me and soyeon, while the school stares at us in shock. Some in awe, some in jealousy.

I got annoyed once and glared at a student for glaring at us. It's not my fault they enjoyed our company *rolls eyes*

"Soosoo, what are you thinking about? Why are you glaring at your food?" Shuhua said sweetly at me while grabbing my arm.

I've always hated affection and being in public made it worse. But why am I not pulling away? My cheeks became red at the thought, but I quickly hid it.

"N-Nothing, shuhua." I stuttered, not failing to notice the nickname she naturally just let out.

Soyeon looked at me and raised her eyebrows, feeling her stare at me with a glint of amusement, teasing, and shock. She knew I wasn't the type of person to be like this, yet I'm letting a girl do it I've met only a week ago.

Shuhua giggles at my stutters, Minnie looked at us with a smirk. "Why?" I shyly said to Minnie.

"Huh? What do you mean why?"

"Why are you smirking?"

Her smirk grew by my statement, "Ah nothing." her statement laced with unknown emotion. I grew confused and looked at Shuhua, who has hiding herself. Isanghae. The other 4 just looked at us, giggling. Am I stupid or is there something they're hiding from me?

I got back to reading my book and ate my food quite quickly. "Soojin-ah, drink your water," Shuhua said while handing me a bottle, looking up at me and for a second, I saw her eyes glimmer. That made me choke. *cough cough*

"Yah! Shuhua, you made her choke!!" Yuqi said jokingly. I drank the water and gulped it, feeling my face redden once more. "Pabo!" Miyeon laughed.

"it's not my fault.. is it, jinjin?" My eyes widened at the sound of another nickname. A smile creeped up at my face subconsciously, but I fought it. She was pouting and her eyes were like of a puppy's.

"N-No, shuhua." I shyly smiled reassuringly, "See? I told you. Jinjin likes me!" I almost spit out my water on Soyeon but she glared at me, knowing my face was about to burst, so I stopped before I got into trouble.

I'd hate to be scolded by Soyeon right now. Yuqi pretended to gasp, "Wow! No shit sherlock"

Minnie hit Yuqi while giggling, "dumbass shut up"

What does that mean?

"You're all being a mess," Shuhua said loud enough for them to stop their quarrels, and smiled when they did. I could see that smile all day. My stare didn't go unnoticed by Soyeon though.

"So jinjin, do you?" Shuhua started again with that pout. "Do I what?" I responded.

"Like me." I felt my breath hitch, but thought teasing the small girl would get me out of this situation. "No." I replied with a smile.

"Eh! Wrong!" Yuqi slammed the table, making passersby look at her. She sat back down embarrassed. I giggled at her action and I could see Shuhua looking at Yuqi as well, but not with amusement.

"Guys! I've got nothing to do, lets sleep over at my place?" Miyeon said enthusiastically, while the girls nodded. I thought about it, Soyeon also knows I hate socializing so much so she looked at me for an answer. She was shocked to hear my answer be "Yeah sure, okay!"

———————————————

"You like her don't you?" Soyeon started interrogating me, I stared at her in pretend confusion. Hiding the fact that my heart is beating wildly in my chest.

"Who her? Her who? What?"

She facepalmed at me, knowing I was stubborn when it comes to these types of things. But she's never going to let this topic go. "Oh please, like you don't know who I'm talking about" she smirked at me.

Like a dear caught in the headlights, I sighed. The thing is I don't know either. I shrugged as an answer. "You don't seem straight— I mean, for god's sake, I've known you my entire life! You never liked PDA but when it comes to her, you become cherry red. I've never seen you so shy like this, tell me, you like Miyeon, don't you?"

The last part startled me, what?

"Jk, I mean Shuhua."

I pursed my lips, not showing any sign of giving an answer. "You're stubborn, soojin-ah" We got to the place and boy, I was relieved. Soyeon finally stopped bombarding me with all these questions.

When we went inside Miyeon's house, I was engulfed in a hug by a small girl. "Haiii jinjin! Hello, soyeon" She smiled at both of us, but paid closer attention to me. Mhm, she must just think I'm closer to her lol

The night went on, we were playing 2 truths and 1 lie. Yuqi went first, we're going to try and guess which statement she says is a lie.

"I named my first stuffed toy Popo, I've had my first kiss, I tripped while walking today."

"You've never had a first kiss, dumbass, you're too chickenshit to do that" Minnie stated matter-of-factly. We all giggled as Yuqi glared at Minnie,

"Okay, who's next?... Soojin?" Soyeon said, with a glint of cheekiness in her voice. Oh god, really? Is she trying to get revenge at me because I wouldn't answer her questions earlier?

"Aish fine... I don't like affection especially in public, I'm scared of thunderstorms, and I hate puppies."

They all thought about it but Shuhua was the first to answer, "the lie is the first one!" she said confidently, while I giggled, "No."

She sat back down and looked at me in confusion, Soyeon stated "Easy, the lie is you hate puppies. Nobody hates puppies or you're an asshole"

"Jinjin hates affection??" We all looked at Shuhua who was pouting, she looks so cute at this moment and only if I could—- *snap* Yuqi took a picture while laughing. "Easy memes"

"She does," started Soyeon. "but apparently that rule doesn't exist when you're around" Miyeon hit Soyeon and laughed. "Be quiet, you're going to get us in trouble!" I hear them murmuring and smirks arise from each of them.

Shuhua blushed but became more clingy, as if she wasn't already. It's cute though, so I'll let her be.

—————————————————-

I put my books in my assigned locker, Monday feels like forever. I gathered all my things and turned around but a particular brunette stood face to face with me. "Hi shuhua~yah" I greeted her softly, she giggled and greeted back. Her clique was beside her, smiling and smirking. I tilted my head in confusion but they just shook their heads and nudged Shuhua towards me. "Jinjin~ah"

She called me by the nickname, making me look at her. My eyes softened when I saw her smiling like a little baby, but I can sense she was nervous. She was fiddling with her thumbs while talking to me, it's her habit when she's anxious. Minnie patted Shuhua's back, encouraging the small girl. "Would you like to have lunch with me~?" she finally let out, singing it cutely. The girls behind her looked at me, Yuqi and Miyeon laughed. Why..- The reason they were smiling is because I was smiling.. subconsciously, while blushing. Aish, I'm flustered. That was the cutest thing ever.

"Sure, little one!" I agreed, teasing her height. She pouted, as if she couldn't get any cuter!! Aish! I want to pinch those cheeks!

Her clique woo'ed behind her, earning stares from other students. Miyeon bowed, "sorry hehe." Why were they woo'ing? Why were they nudging her? Why am I smiling? Why am I overthinking?

All day, Shuhua was on my mind. Questions spiraling in my head like some sort of tornado. Has she been this pretty all the time? Why haven't we met earlier? The weather has been so much better when she asked me and Soyeon to sit with them. Why am I smiling rather than listening to the professor? Why am I blushing?

I put my head down on the table, hoping to get a sense of relief. Escaping from so many thoughts. I sighed, I'm not going to overthink this. She's just really friendly, right?

I groaned while my head is still down, my frustrated face can't be seen by anyone right now. That is when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked up annoyed, but immediately softened when I looked up at the girl.

Her corner smile made my heart soft. I wish I could capture this moment forever, just let me freeze in this timeline. I'll never ask for more. She blinked, trying to snap me back to reality. I shook my head and smiled back at her.

Realization hits.

I have a crush

on Yeh Shuhua.