Page 74 of XOXO

“I’ll see you guys later,” I say without looking up.

“Have fun. Don’t get pregnant,” Gi Taek says as a farewell.

Practically sprinting to the PA building, I take the elevator up to the fifth floor. I guess I could have taken thestairstomeet Jaewoo in thestairwell, but I refuse to be sweaty and out of breath.

As the doors open, I’m surprised to find people in the hall. I feel self-conscious as I take the short few steps from the elevators to the exit door, like theyknowsomehow I’m on my way to an assignation. The door is one of those industrial fire escape doors and I have difficulty pushing it open, finally stumbling out onto the fifth-floor landing.

I yelp as a hand grabs my wrist, pulling me into the corner. Jaewoo wraps his arms around me.

“Why here?” I say. “And why are we bunched in the corner like this?” Not that I’m complaining.

“Look up,” he says.

In the corner of the ceiling, angled right above us, is a security camera.

“They have them all over school,” Jaewoo says, “but of course there are some blind spots.”

“And you know them all. You’re like a spy, or a criminal.”

“Yes, please continue comparing me to unlawful citizens.”

I hook my arms around his neck. “What are we stealing?” I can feel Jaewoo’s grin against my lips.

“Time?” he suggests. He must mean it as a joke, but it’s actually the very thing we’re trying to steal. Moments like this are so few and far between. Once XOXO starts promoting their second single next week, time with him will become even more precious.

Maybe it’s the fear of that, the looming separation, thatmakes every kiss that much more desperate.

When we finally break apart, Jaewoo gasps, “Are you free this Saturday?”

“I am,” I say, equally breathless. “Why?”

He grins. “Would you like to go on a date with me?”

Thirty-One

I’ve never actually been on a date. I realize this the following Saturday when I’m supposed to meet Jaewoo and everything in my closet looks overworn and not special enough for the occasion.

“This is my moment to shine,” Sori says.

“Yeah!” Angela agrees from where she sits cross-legged on Sori’s bed with Gi Taek. As for Gi Taek, he’s reading one of the smut manhwa from the hidden stash in the bottom drawer of Sori’s side table.

“Sori.” I grimace, when she pulls out a tight bodycon dress. “We’re not going clubbing.”

“You don’t know that,” she says, returning the dress to the rack.

“I doubt he’d take me to a place where he’d probably be recognized within minutes of stepping inside.”

“You wouldn’t get in anyway,” Gi Taek says, not looking up from his book. “You’re both underage.”

“Didn’t Bae Jaewoo tell you anything about where he’s taking you?” Sori asks, exasperated.

“Not the location,” I say, “but he did tell me the activity. We’re going to watch a movie.”

“Boring,” Gi Taek and Sori announce.

“I love movies!” Angela beams, my only true friend.

“Well, what doyouwant to wear, Jenny?” Sori says. “You’re partly dressing up for Jaewoo—I mean, it’s your first date and you want him to lose his mind—but this is mostly for you. What sort of outfit are you imagining for yourself? What will you feel confident in?”

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