"Hi." A guy with a long eyelashes greeted me but I didn't answer and went back to reading.
I heard him chuckled.
"Hi, I'm Seungcheol." He offers one of his hand but I just stared at it.
To be honest I don't know how to react so I ran away.
I want to avoid that person, simply because I know him.
He's one of the school's cassanova.
I don't trust him because I know there's a reason why he approached me.
It's obvious he wants to play with a nerd like me.
Yes.
Nerd.
❦❦❦
I was in the library again and as usual I'm reading with my specs again.
Well at least this place is peaceful, no one can disturb me here.
"Hi." I turn my head to look when I heard a familiar voice. I pretended not to hear him as I slowly hide my face in the book I'm currently reading.
I heard him chuckled.
A few seconds later I just found my book on his hands.
He stole and closed the book. I just lost the page I'm in.
"So.. this is the way how to get your attention Miss Im Nayeon." He said, smirking.
"Give me back my book." I demanded.
"I'm Seungcheol. And it's the second time I introduced myself to you." He offered his hand again but I didn't accept it.
"How do you know my name?" I asked instead.
"I have my own ways." He playfully replied.
"Give me back my book." I lend my hands for him to give it.
"Sorry jagi but I won't give it back. If you want me to get it back, then you can find me in my class." He said then wink.
After that, he leaves with my book.
Jagi what?
❦❦❦
Ring.......
When the bell ringed, I gathered all my things and stood up.
"Miss Im," I stopped when my professor calls my name
"Yes sir?"
"I want to talk to you.. it is something important." He said.
"What is it sir?"
"Class E is getting worse. I can't have the full control over them anymore. Their behaviour is getting out of control. They were becoming hard for me to handle especially Mr. Choi."
Seungcheol?
"And what about him sir?"
"His grade is such a failure. He didn't pass at least one subject. You are all graduating soon and he still doesn't change. Miss Im, I am assigning you to help him with his studies. Be his tutor."
What?
"Uhm.. I... sorry sir but I-"
"Ms. Im, your participation would be a really great help." He cuts me off.
I cannot refuse so I nod my head instead.
Gee.
"Okay then.. I'll help sir."
❦❦❦
I went to Class E but there was no one there.
I planned to just go back but...
"My jagi is looking for me?" Seungcheol just popped out behind my back.
"I have two reasons why I'm here. First is.. where is my book?"
He smiled.
"You had a nice taste at book. I read it last night and I started to like it."
"So?"
"I won't give it back."
I sighed hard, enough for him to hear and to understand that he's being a burden to me.
"Mr. Choi." I warned, but he didn't seem to get alarmed.
"Yes jagi..?"
I rolled my eyes and bring up my most serious tone.
"I'm also here for another reason."
"And what is it?"
"Starting now I will be your tutor. I'll help you with your grades.
He laughed.
"And who told you to do that?" He asked.
"Our mathematics professor, Mr. Kim."
"Ah! That bald loser."
"Hey! Don't you speak to him like that." I exclaimed.
"Anyway, I think I would love it. I like you to be my tutor." He said and I glare at him.
"Only to be your tutor Mr. Choi. I just want to inform you that we will start tomorrow at the library. 8 am sharp."
"No prob jagi." He winked again.
Tsk!
❦❦❦
I'm 15 minutes early while he is 30 minutes late.
He is wasting my time and I don't know why I'm letting it get waste for him.
"Jagi!" I looked back and he waves his hand then he run in my direction with his stupid loud footsteps. It makes the students here look at us. I just want to disappear with so much embarrassment, he called me jagi which I totally hate.
Ew. Curse you Choi Seungcheol.
"I guess I'm a little bit early..?"
I cough intentionally, letting him know how windy it gets whenever he'll appear.
"After being late for 30 minutes, you still have the guts to say that? I'm so sick of you."
"I'm sorry my jagi.."
"And please stop calling me jagi, stupid! Turn your book on page 63. Move." I demanded.
And thank goodness he obeyed me this time without complaining.
"Answer the equations given then read the discussion on page 64, 65, and 66."
"What the hell!" He freaked out.
"Shhhhh!"
"I don't know how to solve those equations." He lowered down his voice.
"Where?"
"All of it. I can't even understand why the numbers are mixed with letters. Fuck those mathematicians!"
I rolled my eyes upon hearing his foul words.
"If you know how to read and to follow the basic steps, you won't even complain that it's hard. You won't even curse and involve the mathematicians in solving the equations."
"Okay fine. What's the first 'basic' step?" He asked, emphasizing the word basic.
I explained it one by one for this man's sake.
I stop only to find him staring at me.
"Are you listening Mr. Choi?"
He didn't answer but he removes my specs instead.
And it made me speechless.
I'm lost as I began to stare back on his eyes.
And that is the first time my heart beats faster... again.
❦❦❦
"Yah yah Coups! It's your turn.. it looks like the hot chick in class C likes you." Jun, one of my friends said.
"I don't have a thing with bitches and y'all know that." I said.
"Really? Since when?" And they all laugh.
"We're not believing you unless you prove it to us." Vernon, one of my friends said.
"Here's a dare. Nerds are in Class A, but I want the president of the students council, Im Nayeon to be your victim in this game. Make her fall for you then break her heart. Simple right?" Mingyu, one of my friends suggested.
"Easy. I'm in. Let's play this game."
-
"You're late again Mr. Choi." I reminded him as I put my specs.
"Sorry." He apologized and it surprised me.
He just said what?
"Homework?"
He handed me his homework and I'm impressed that after one week of teaching him, he improved so much.
"See. You're good in your state right now. Congratulations Mr. Choi you're really improving." I can't help but to smile.
"Really?" I saw how amazed he is by his wide smile.
"Yes." I answered.
"Wow. Let me treat you." He said, not looking at me.
"What?"
"Thank you for helping me Miss Im. I want to pay you back and treat you. Just accept it as my thank you gift, okay?"
"Thank you gift?"
"Aish! No more question please and get up from your seat 'cause were leaving."
Even if my mind is still debating whether to go or not, I just found myself following him.
We're out of the campus. Good thing it's our lunch break now because he brought me in the nearest cafe to grab some sandwich and milk shake.
We're peacefully eating when I heard some girls whispering something nearby our table.
Is Seungcheol dating her?
What is happening on earth?
The next thing I heard was laughter.
I think Seungcheol heard it because I saw how his mood changed. He looks agitated.
"Let's go somewhere else." He said before grabbing my hand.
As we left the cafe, we didn't find another place to eat. We just walk and walk while no one dares to speak again but he.. he's still holding my hand.
"I'm sorry." I started.
"No, don't say that. I should be the one apologizing. Anyway, don't mind them.. they were just bunch of fucked up girls." He whispered the last part but I still heard him.
"I told you not to curse. And what you said right now is bad. I don't like it."
"Sorry." He laughs and I swear it's so good to hear.
"Yeah you should be. I just skipped my first class in the afternoon because of you." I said as I glanced at my watch.
"Oh hell no!" He looks really surprised.
I gave him a questioning look.
"You didn't noticed?" I asked.
"No." He answered, eyes widen in shock.
"You're being weird." I chuckled.
"I'm weird and you're nerd so..." He said and we both crack up before he grab my hand again and started to run.
He held my hand tight as we run. That's when I felt an unfamiliar joy within me. Is this what they called happiness?
Then I realized.. I'm starting to like this black sheep guy.
❦❦❦
Today is Saturday. I yawned as I get out of my bed.
I was about to go downstairs when my phone suddenly rings.
"Hello? Nayeon speaking.."
"Jagi?"
I froze.
My eyes widen when I heard Seungcheol's voice.
"Cheol? How did you get my number?"
"I have my own ways." He said it again.
I can feel the smirk on his face right now.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Are you free?"
"Today? I think so... why?"
"Let's go out."
My heart skipped a beat.
"Huh?"
"You know what, sometimes I'm wondering if you're a deaf or something.. you always ask 'what' even though I know you totally heard me." He laughs, making me smile wide.
"My nerdy jagiya, I'll pick you up later at 7 in the evening."
"Hey, you know where my house is?"
"Like I said, I have my own ways."
❦❦❦
"Omo! Is this real? Is my daughter really going out with a guy?" My mother exclaimed like it's really impossible for me to date some guy.
"I said it 5 times already mom."
"Then you should look like a human!"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you should get dress so pretty today and for your information I'm an expert when it comes to these things."
"Fine." I sighed and just agree like I still had a choice.
After 10 minutes of quick change, I faced mom with a black off-shoulder knee-length dress and a 3 inch stilettos.
She was literally jaw dropping right now.
"My daughter!" She suddenly acts like she was wiping her tears.
My mom really jokes alot.
"Come here. For the finishing touch!"
My mom puts a light make up at my face because I told her not to make it darker. Then he straightened my curly hair.
I was about to wear my specs when she stops me.
"No specs for today. It will only ruin your looks darling." She said then she handed me my purse.
After a few minutes, we heard a knock on the door.
I feel really nervous about my looks today especially to what he'll going to say about it. He might think that I put too much effort to look pretty in front of him.
For now, I just wanted to hide at my mom's back.
I walk in front of the door then I took a deep breath before I open it.
It reveals a man in a descent look with an awe shown on his face when he saw me.
I am so nervous by his expression.
I was about to shut the door when he stops me.
"Wait."
"Nayeon?"
"Yes, seungcheol?"
He smiled.
"You're so beautiful that I didn't recognized you." He said.
"Thanks. Was that a compliment?" I scratch the back of my neck.
"And what do you think it is? It's true, you look beautiful today."
"I'm not just wearing my specs today. That's all."
"As you say so. Shall we go?" He offered his hand with a smile and this time I accepted it.
❦❦❦
After our simple dinner, we decided to walk hand in hand. He said he would bring me home so I agree.
He suddenly stops so I stopped too.
He faced me but he didn't speak, he just smiled at me.
"Weird." I mumbled.
I heard him chuckled.
"Here." He handed me a paperbag.
I accepted it and when I saw what is inside, my smile immediately grows.
"My book." I saw him smiling too.
"I just finished reading it." He said.
"I thought you wouldn't give it back to me. You're so selfish, you already finished it while I'm not done yet reading this." I pout.
"Sorry my jagi."
"Stop with the jagi thing. People might think I'm your real jagi."
"But you really are."
There was an awkward silence until I realized I was already in front of my house.
"Uhm. I guess I need to go now. Bye and thanks for today." I said.
But he stopped me by grabbing my wrist, pulling me closer. He leans in slowly before he softly kissed my cheeks.
"Goodnight my jagiya."
With that, he left. He left with my cheeks still blushing.
One thing is for sure now.. it will be hard for me to sleep tonight.
❦❦❦
"So..? How was your flirting session with miss nerdy-spectacles-boring president of the students council?" Jun said while laughing.
"Stop calling her that." I said with my most serious tone.
"Woah there! What on earth is happening now?" Mingyu teased.
"Let's stop the dare." I said.
"Bro, a dare is a dare. You need to finish the game you started." Jun reminded me.
"I can't. I lost the game. I can't hurt her. I can't fool her. I can't break her heart because I can't lose her."
"You've fallen already, you pabo!"
-
"Hi jagi."
"Hey."
"Where are you now?" He asked.
"I'm at Vernon's house right now. I'm teaching him math."
"What the hell? Get out of there right now! I'll be there in a minute, promise me you'll get out of there. Now. "
What is his problem?
I put down my phone.
"So where are we again?" I asked vernon.
"We're in the middle of discussing things about us." Vernon said playfully as he closes the book.
"Excuse me Mr. Chwe, what?"
"Oh come on, miss Im! You like me don't you? You make it too obvious." He said as he leans on closer.
"I think I need to go." I said, standing. Seungcheol is right. I should just listen to him when he called and told me to get out of here.
I was about to go when he grabs me before pushing me hard in the couch.
"You are not going out. Enjoying with Seungcheol? Might as well enjoy my company."
I started to cry when he said that.
He cornered and trapped my hands on his grip tightly. He's stronger than I thought.
"Help! Seungcheol! Seungcheol! Help me, anyone.. please!"
The door flew open revealing Seungcheol.
"Let her go you shithead!"
He grab Vernon by his shirt then he throw him dangerously, causing a crash at the nearby table where he fell.
Seungcheol went near him then he punch him over and over again. He's fuming anger.
"I told you not to touch my girl asshole!" He exclaimed.
He looked at me then his gaze soften. That's when he went near me.
"You okay?"
I nodded.
He took a deep breath before giving me a bone-crushing hug.
"I swear if something bad happens to you, I'll kill this shit." He said while caressing my hair.
We both pull out on each other when we heard Vernon laughs behind us.
"You think it's over? This ain't a happy ending bro." Vernon said shaking his head.
"You afraid now Seungcheol? Do I need to remind you that all she knew was a lie. A stupid game from a stupid dare." He said while grinning.
"Dare?" I asked.
"Yes, baby. A dare." Vernon said.
I look at Seungcheol, the guy I'm starting to have feelings for.
"Is this true? You're just playing a game with me all this time?"
Tears fall down as I asked him those words.
Not again..
"I'm sorry. I had to admit it's true. It's my plan in the beginning but I..I started to learn how to love you. You changed me and now I don't think I can ever live without you." He said. His eyes stared deep into mine.
"That doesn't change the fact that you lied Seungcheol." I said before I walked out.
Not again.
Not again.
This will be the second time I fell for a stupid dare.
I thought everything he showed me is true but I've been fooled for the second time with the same reason.
❦❦❦
It's been a month now since I stopped communicating with Seungcheol. He tried many times to approach me but I always push him away, never allowing him to went near me.
"Hey isn't she Nayeon? The president of the students council? Wow she's really beautiful!" I heard some student said on my way.
Anyway, I removed my specs and I straightened my hair for good.
There are guys asking me out but I always refuse to go with any of them because there is still someone living inside my heart.
"Jagi?"
"Seungcheol?"
"Why do you look so pretty? I saw another guy asked you out. Aish! That's why I hate removing your specs."
"Jealous?" I asked.
"Of course. I just want my jagi to be mine. Only mine." He act cutely as he puts back my specs. He then embraced me.
"I'm sorry jagi. I'm really sorry for everything." He sincerely apologized.
"I forgive you."
"I love you Cheol." I confessed, earning the sweetest smile I've been longing to see.
"I love you more my jagi. Can I?" He said while looking at my lips.
I nod, giving him permission.
He kissed me passionately. I smiled then closed my eyes as I kiss him back.
❦❦❦
I fell for a stupid dare again but this time it was real.
A dare from the start,
A love in the end.
A game he started,
The game we ended..
together.