You knew better than to keep running after her. This kind of love? These feelings toward a friend of a friend who can't see you as less than a friend but not more than an acquaintance? These affections toward Minji?

You thought of it while you walked down the sidewalk beside her to meet up with friends at a nearby mall. Her hand and yours linger near each other, but not closing contact, no matter how much either of you were itching to.

It felt one-sided. Unrequited, but you always thought it could be more. The way she'd look at you when you were in a crowd. The subtle kick she'd aim at you when she wanted to leave without saying anything to anyone else. It kept you chasing.

Were you reading too into things? No, no. You can't be.

But, what about the times she was cold to you? The times she'd scold you for your selflessness and catch you in white lies? The pit of despair she'd leave in your stomach when you thought she'd drop you for good?

You should be second-guessing, but part of you was determined and wanted to believe she liked you too. Just had a hard way of expressing it.

*The two of you eventually arrived at the mall. Stepping in and immediately greeting your friends who shouted your arrival from across the large scene filled with various others who came either to eat or buy something else. Perhaps both.

Amongst the crowd was a good friend of yours and best friend of Minji’s, Ha-neul. Some of your sunbaes, of which you hated the men, were there waiting too. An equal number of guys and an equal number of girls.

You and Minji sat across from each other, glancing at each other for a moment before Minji looked away. Immediately talking to Ha-neul.

You sat there quietly while the guys ranted to the women. Trying to impress them by telling them half-bullshit stories.

"We should go to the Photo Booth!"

’I know what you are.’

"I have lots of money. Let’s go to the jewelry store and I’ll get you something."

’You mean the money you borrow from your daddy? I’m sure as shit not paying for your food when you’re flat broke, cheap ass.’

The more you listened and watched these guys drag these girls in different directions, the more irritated you were about being here. Isn’t this supposed to be a group outing? Even Ha-Neul got dragged away.

You need a distraction. Something to keep you from just turning tail and ditching all of them.

Oh, right. You did have a distraction. One that was looking right up at you and pulling at the front of your shirt. Basically dragging you along.

"I need some new clothes, so let’s find a store.”

You didn’t particularly get a say in it, but it’s not like you were going to decline either.