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CHAPTER TWELVE :
HOME.

SUNGHOON 'S POINT OF VIEW

being happy in minseo's house would be an understatement.

honestly, it felt like i was right at home.

her grandmother was an absolute joy—sweet, caring, but always finding a way to embarrass her at every turn. it was like a full-time job for her, and minseo didn't make it any easier, trying to act like it didn't bother her whenever her cheeks flushed with that unmistakable shade of pink. every time it happened, i could see minseo's small gasp, her dramatic eye-rolls, but the smile tugging at the corner of her lips betrayed her.

when we finished putting away the endless christmas decorations and all the random bits they had bought during the day, minseo and i finally had a moment to breathe. the smell of her grandmother's cooking was already filling the house, warm and comforting like a big hug.

i plopped down onto minseo's bed, stretching my arms out and feeling the softness of the sheets.

i had a feeling this was going to be a pretty great evening.

minseo walked in moments later, holding a tray in her hands. milk, cookies, and—of all things—a small flower tucked into a tiny vase. it was cute, ridiculously cute, and i couldn't help but chuckle when she placed it on her nightstand with the kind of flourish only she could pull off.

"what?" she asked, giving me a quick side glance when she wiped her hands on her pajama pants.

i shrugged but couldn't hide the grin forming on my face. "you really didn't think i'd remember, huh?"

her brows knitted together in confusion. "remember what?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

i let out a little laugh, leaning back on her bed and folding my arms behind my head. "your grandmother told me you've had a crush on me since high school,"

she paused for a second, her face turning a shade of pink i recognized all too well. "you're still thinking about that?" she questioned while chuckling.

i grinned. "how could i forget someone like you?"

"well, apparently you did," she muttered, trying to act cool but clearly not succeeding. she plopped down beside me on the bed, sinking into the softness with a little sigh. "you didn't even remember us going to school together?"

i furrowed my brows, giving her a sideways glance. "we went to the same school?" i asked, the confusion apparent in my voice.

i honestly didn't remember.

minseo let out a dramatic groan, flopping backward onto her pillow. "honestly, i don't know if that's more embarrassing for you or for me,"

i chuckled at her dramatic display. "hey, give me a break. i didn't even recognize you back then. so much for fate bringing us together?"

"fate?" she looked over at me, eyes narrowing. "are you trying to be all mystical on me now?"

"no, just wondering how we crossed paths so many times and didn't even know it,"

she gave me a playful shove, making me roll off the bed with a startled laugh. "it's not like we were in the same friend group," she said, tossing a cookie at me. "i barely even knew you existed,"

i caught the cookie, taking a bite with a wide smile. "well, now you do,"

her eyes softened when she watched me, and for a moment, the playful teasing stopped.

i wasn't sure if it was because of the cookies, the flower she'd given me, or maybe the warmth of just sitting beside her.

just then, i decided to get a little bold. "so, what was it like... having a crush on me? was i really that unforgettable?" i cocked an eyebrow at her, scooting just a little closer. my thigh brushed against hers when i leaned in slightly, my gaze focused on her, waiting for her to say something.