Sam’s P.O.V:

 

Going to the dumpling store was a complete waste of time. Christine wasn’t there. This sent Lee into a frenzy as she complained that she first had to worry about Zoey and now Christine. It’s strange how Christine left without telling us where she was going. Maybe she saw something and decided to leave, thinking she would be back soon. If she had gone back to the shop we were at first, she would’ve called to ask us where we were. So far, all our phones have been silent. Just like Lee, I couldn’t help but worry.

 

Now comes the hard part. Deciding whether Christine might have gone missing and we go look for her; or she’s probably somewhere, and we don’t have to worry.

 

“Well, if she did go somewhere, she would answer our calls,” said Daniel. “We can’t tell whether she’s safe or not.”

 

“When I see her, she’s also getting an earful,” said Lee, who, just like before, looked like an angry aunt.

 

“Perhaps we should try calling her again,” Jungkook suggested.

 

“Let me try,” I said. I pulled my phone out and quickly called her.

 

“Let’s hope she picks up,” said Mino.

 

“I know,” said Zoey, who had her arms folded. “We were supposed to be out here having fun, and she walks out on us like that.”

 

“Well, you also did the same an hour ago, didn’t you?” Mike asked.

 

“Your point, Mike?” Zoey asked, trying her best not to lose her temper.

 

Mike zipped his mouth shut with an invisible zip, and that almost sent Zoey fuming. But she bit her lower lip, stopping herself from saying anything rash. Everyone knew what Mike was going to say, and it’s a good thing he didn’t bother himself by saying it out loud.

 

As usual, Christine didn’t pick up my call, and I made sure to let everyone know. They all groaned in frustration. This was really weighing us down. Before I could say anything, my phone beeped. I have a message from Christine. I didn’t say anything as I opened it.

 

“There’s nothing to worry about,” I said as I out the screen of the phone. “Christine just texted me to say she’s fine.”

 

“Thank goodness,” said Lee, looking relieved. “That’s all I needed to know. Where is she?”

 

“She went searching for more dumplings near some restaurants,” I answered. “She got a little distracted, and that’s why she didn’t pick up the phone.”

 

“Well, she should’ve said that before leaving,” said Jimin. “We would’ve gone dumpling hunting with her.”

 

“Yeah, I wish I had joined her,” said Daniel, looking crestfallen. “We would’ve eaten different kinds of dumplings.”

 

“I’m sure she’ll save some for you when she gets back,” I said. “So, should we continue shopping or do we do more looking around?”

 

“We can do a little of both,” said Zoey. “Once Christine is done, we can meet at the store and head back.”

 

Everyone else agreed, and we made our way back onto the street using a different route. I hope we don’t find ourselves where Christine is. She texted me, saying that she was having a dinner date with Jinwoo. If the others, especially the other Toxins, find out, they will want to go there and see how it’s going. She needed privacy, so this is the least I could do to keep them off her back.

 

Luckily enough, we found ourselves on the artistic side of Hongdae. We found colorful graffiti on the walls and some street performances, like singing and dancing. This will keep us distracted. I hope.

 

***

 

Christine’s P.O.V:

 

Jinwoo couldn’t stop smiling under that mask of his as I finished the story of how we came to Hongdae with Jungkook and Jimin. We were eating a delicious Korean meal for the main course, and it was great sitting there with him as he listened. The atmosphere had set me in the mood to be free and excited as I spoke. I couldn’t help but avert my eyes to often to avoid looking deep into Jinwoo’s. He was so fixated on me for some reason, and I thought for a moment that I had been talking too much. I forgot about that, as I soon felt comfortable and told him the story.

 

“It’s good you found her on time,” said Jinwoo after I finished my story. “If she did meet Johnny, something tells me it would’ve been ugly.”

 

“We all knew that,” I said. “That was why we had to be quick. If it weren’t for Jungkook and Jimin, who knows what would’ve happened? Zoey has a temper, so I’m guessing she would’ve ended up being arrested.”

 

Jinwoo agreed with a nod of his head. “Mino would’ve ended up in the same predicament.”

 

“True. It’s clear that he likes her. Or else he wouldn’t be here to help her out in the first place.”

 

“There’s no denying it there.” Jinwoo picked up the glass of water beside him. “He really does like her.”

 

I felt my cheeks suddenly flush. I didn't expect him to admit it so openly. “Wait, for real?” I asked.

 

“It’s not hard to notice,” Jinwoo answered after taking a sip of water. “I’ve noticed the way he looks at her sometimes.”

 

“They would make a good couple. However, they would've a lot of ups and downs since Zoey can sometimes be a little dramatic. Mino might handle her, but the question is, for how long?”

 

“Nah, he can handle her. I wonder how Sam can handle Seunghoon since he’s jumpy all the time.”

 

“Oh, trust me, she will do fine,” I said with a smile. “She might not be interested in him, but given the chance, they would be great. I feel Sam is compatible with anyone. She’s understanding, loyal, and kind. All she needs is someone who can take care of her like a queen and treat her the way she would treat them.”

 

“Yeah, Sam is pretty awesome,” said Jinwoo as he stared above my head as he looked lost in thought.

 

I start to wonder if he’s thinking of her. Can it be that he likes her too? The thought of it makes me a little jealous, no offense. Sam has always been popular, even though she has never dated before. In high school, so many boys crushed on her, but none ever had the guts to ask her out. Now that she’s famous, she’s probably the ideal girl every guy would prefer to date. I wonder if Jinwoo felt the same way.

 

He suddenly looked at me, and this time he had a smile on his face. That caught me off guard, and I found myself dragging my head back. He felt too close, and his gaze came out of nowhere.

 

“You thought I was thinking of her, weren’t you?” he asked.

 

“Ah-n-no,” I stuttered. My mouth went completely dry all of a sudden. That question also came out of nowhere. He read my mind, and I can’t let him know that he was right.

 

I nervously laughed. “Were you really thinking of her?” I asked, trying my best not to sound like I cared. However, my laugh wasn’t all that believable. Dang it. I shouldn’t have laughed.

 

“I don’t believe you,” he said. “You were jealous that I was thinking of Sam, weren’t you?”

 

I really shouldn’t have laughed. If I hadn’t, I would’ve found a good way to counter his attack, but I was left to be hit wide in the open. There’s no running away from it now, but I’m not going to back down without a fight.

 

“You’re wrong,” I said, finding the courage to speak. “It’s normal for guys like you to think about her, since she’s nice and all. But that doesn’t make me jealous.”

 

Jinwoo placed his elbows on the table and leaned in closer to my face. “And if I were to tell you that I was only thinking about you, would you believe me?”

 

The top of my head felt like it would blow up like a lid off a pressure pot that hadn’t been removed on time. Jinwoo was joking, wasn’t he? He’s only telling me this to make me feel better. Yet he’s making me blush all the more.

 

I sat a little straighter and folded my arms, looking the other way. “Well, I know you’re only joking with me,” I said.

 

Jinwoo leaned even closer. “And if I’m not?”

 

My cheeks heated up even more with the way he was so close. I couldn’t keep my eyes away from his for too long, and I found myself getting lost in them. What should I do? Those dark eyes of his were so mesmerizing that I was afraid I was going to say things that shouldn't be said aloud.

 

I look away quickly. “Stop it,” I said. “You’re wasting your time.”

 

Jinwoo sighed, but I noticed a gentle smile on his face as he straightened himself in his chair. “If you say so,” he said. “Would you like to have dumplings for dessert?”

 

“Yes, please,” I said, turning to look at him. It’s then that I realized what I had done, and Jinwoo couldn’t help but laugh.

 

“You really like dumplings, don’t you?” he asked.

 

I folded my arms and looked away, angry with him. I'm angry with myself most of all. I did mention earlier, while telling him the story, how we went to get dumplings, and how much I had enjoyed it. He’s obviously making fun of me. Now I regret telling him about the dumplings.

 

He looked around the restaurant for the waiter, and on cue, a waiter appeared right beside him. Jinwoo ordered the dumplings, and the waiter cleared our table. I sure hope I don’t unleash this beast that’s dying to eat all the dumplings it lays its eyes on. I wonder how this restaurant makes theirs. No doubt, they must be delicious. Their main meal was tasty, so the dumplings should be too.

 

“You can’t wait to taste them, can you?” Jinwoo asked as he turned to look at me.

 

My face grew hot, and I almost let out a squeal. I quickly had to cover my mouth to stop myself, and I let out something similar to a tiny hiccup instead. Better that than a squeal. That would’ve been embarrassing.

 

“Well, they are tasty, aren’t they?” I answered with a question.

 

He smiled, obviously mocking me. “You really like them. Your face says so.”

 

Gosh, I wish he could stop looking at me like that. I still had my hand covering my mouth this time around, too afraid to speak. I wish I could find a place to hide from this embarrassment. I wonder how Sam would’ve dealt with this. Zoey, no doubt, knows how to get out of these situations. I wish I could call Sam and ask, but I don’t want to look rude. Moreover, the others don’t know where I am. I wouldn’t like to get unwanted attention. Knowing The Toxins, they would come rushing here if they knew about this date.

 

Anyway, all that is left is dessert, and this dinner date will be over. I dropped my hand from my mouth and put up a composed face. What could probably go wrong at this point?

 

***

 

Sam’s P.O.V:

 

We cheered and clapped for a group of random people that had just finished a dance to a famous K-pop song. We stood among a group of people watching the open dance floor. There were huge speakers on the side of the street, and whenever a song came up, anyone who knew the moves to the song could take center stage and dance. Usually, the chorus of the song is played. So far, we have watched a few dances, and most of us couldn’t help but anticipate which song would be played next.

 

“Wouldn’t you guys like to dance too?” Jimin asked Zoey and me, who stood close to each other.

 

“If I knew most of the dance moves, I gladly would,” Zoey answered. I agreed with her with a nod.

 

“And what if they played the song you did with BIGBANG? Would you go?”

 

Mike, who was eavesdropping on the conversation as he stood next to Jimin, answered, “Yeah, I would. This looks like so much fun.”

 

“Oh, to hell you are,” said L