1.9

Wonwoo, Areum, Seungkwan, Jun, Vernon and Mingyu were all together at the park after a long day at school. A day filled with assignments that they had to submit and quizzes they had to take. It was exhausting, which was why they decided to hang out today.

They were all doing that trend where they get to paint something, and then switch canvases every 5 minutes. They were all struggling to paint something, but every time they exchanged canvases, they'd burst into laughter.

"What the hell is this!?" Areum laughed as she picked up the painting from Vernon's hand.

"It's a duck!" Vernon stated. "Why are you laughing?"

"Why is it wearing sunglasses?" Wonwoo asked as he glanced over at the painting.

"Because it's a cool duck," Vernon answered back.

They spent the next ten minutes painting, Areum and Wonwoo's hands kept brushing every time they exchanged paintings, which made Areum shiver. It sent warmth through her chest, something that she'd never felt before.

When they were done, they took pictures of their paintings and then took pictures together. When they looked back at the pictures, Seungkwan realized how close Wonwoo was to Areum.

"Ooh, look at those lovebirds!" Seungkwan exclaimed as he turned the phone towards everyone.

"We're still waiting for the announcement," Mingyu told them.

"Just let them be!" Jun interrupted. "But I'm waiting too."

"So annoying." Areum rolled her eyes.

"We're taking things slow," Wonwoo stated.

"Right." Seungkwan smirked as he looked at them.

They spent the rest of their night together, laughing and talking, with the conversation flowing easily between them. There were moments where Areum caught herself looking at Wonwoo, just watching him as he interacted with the others. She noticed how he closed his eyes and his nose scrunched when he laughed. He looked like a baby, and the sound of his laughter was the most beautiful sound she'd ever heard.

Soon, they started packing their things. Wonwoo dropped everyone home, letting Areum be the last one so they could spend more time together.

"Are you hungry?" Wonwoo asked as he drove, his eyes focused on the road.

"Very hungry." She pouted as she turned to him. "Let's eat something. Wanna go get ramen?"

"Oh, sure."

He drove to their favorite ramen place. They sat across from each other and placed their order. As they waited for their food, Areum decided to break the silence between them.

"Wonwoo..." she began. "I've been thinking a lot."

He turned to her, his expression gentle. "What are you thinking about?"

She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "I'm ready to be with you. Not just as friends, but as something more."

Wonwoo couldn't stop the huge smile that appeared on his face as she spoke.

"I know there's so much we don't know yet," she continued. "I know we've been taking things slow, but I'm ready. I don't want to run from this anymore."

He was still smiling, and it made her heart race. He reached across the table and placed his hand on top of hers. "Areum, I've waited for this for so long. Wait, you're my... girlfriend?"

Areum laughed. "I mean, you're gonna have to ask."

Wonwoo stood up from his seat, walking towards her as he took a seat next to her. He turned to her and held both of her hands, gently caressing her hands with his thumbs.

"Areum," he began as he looked into her eyes. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

Her heart wouldn't stop beating so fast as she looked into his eyes. His eyes were full of warmth and sincerity, and there was a slight twinkle in his gaze. The way he looked at her made her feel like she was the only person in the room.

Without thinking, she leaned in, her forehead resting gently against his. Wonwoo's eyes widened, before his smile reappeared again, his cheeks heating up at how close she was to him.

"Yes," she whispered. "I'll be your girlfriend."

His hands went up to her cheeks, grabbing her face as he placed a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead.

Wonwoo couldn't believe it. She was finally his girlfriend. He waited for 11 years, and it finally happened.