T A E H Y U N G

I've heard about this first stage of love in relationships. When they first start, you want to be with each other all of the time. You want to hold hands and hug and sometimes, you want other people to see. You're in love with the idea of love and that's why you act like this in the beginning.

You're flirty with each other and you still act like they're just your crush. Except when you're dating, you have the confidence to say everything you wanted to say.

I used to think I didn't want to date. I didn't want to get married in the future. I just wanted to live my life on my own. I thought it would be easier that way.

I don't know. The moment I met Mina, something in me changed. I didn't realize I liked her in that moment, but I knew I wanted to have something with her. A friendship, at the least.

I, like many of the other people at our school, thought she was beautiful. People call me handsome and good-looking from time to time, but I don't think I'm all that. I've been asked out by a few girls, but I never went out with any of them. Most of them I barely even knew, My thought was, how could you have feelings for me if you barely even know me?

But Mina was different. At least she got to know me first.

She doesn't use me for some kind of status. It was a mutual liking.

There's still quite a lot that I don't know about her yet, but that's why we're together. We're still getting to know new things about each other.

She's so sweet when we're together. I can't help but smile. She's just adorable.

I don't mean to, but I definitely feel it. Whenever another guy I don't know goes up and talks to her, I get...protective. I wouldn't say I get jealous, because there's nothing for me to be jealous of, but I get that feeling in my chest and watch her.

We've only been together for a few weeks, but I think our loyalty for each other is already pretty clear. I've never had a girlfriend before either so that's probably part of why I'm so excited about this whole thing.

On our date, walking around the shopping district, we came across a street market. I'm usually really hungry after school and the smell from all of the food vendors was making me even hungrier.

"Can we get some food? I'm kind of hungry." Mina says.

"You just read my mind. I'm starving. Let's get something to eat."

We held hands walking around the little area, but at some point, I notice some kids from our school. They were wearing our school's uniform. I didn't think much of it, but then Mina lets go of my hand. I look at her, but she doesn't look back. She just puts her hands in the pocket of her hoodie.

I couldn't read her face. Did I do something wrong? Was it something I said? It didn't seem like she wanted to talk about it right now.

We got our food and went to find somewhere to sit. She tucks her hair into her hoodie and flips on the hood as we sit down. I could barely see her face from the side.

"Mina, are you okay? Is something wrong?" I finally decide to ask.

She looks at me and shakes her head, "I'm okay."

I was confused. So what was that all about?

I tried holding her hand again when we walked around the shops. She took it this time and she didn't let go.

I don't know. Maybe I'm just thinking too much and that was nothing. I just tried to enjoy the rest of our date.

I waited for her to try on some clothes she picked out. We were in a women's clothing store so I kind of just stood there while I was waiting.

"How does it look?" She walks out of the dressing room in the outfit she picked out.

"It looks great on you. I like it." I say.

She smiles, "Then I'll get it. Since you like it."

At another store, we got matching bracelets. They had little magnetic charms on them, so whenever we held hands or the bracelets were close together, the magnets would connect to form a complete shape. The shapes we chose were supposed to resemble the sun and the moon. She had the sun, I had the moon.

We started for home after a while of shopping. On the way to the bus stop, we passed those kids from our school again and Mina lets go of my hand again. So this has something to do with them.

After we couldn't see them anymore, I asked her about it.

"How come you don't want them seeing us holding hands?" I ask.

She doesn't reply right away.

"It's not you, Tae." She says, "I'm just...worried."

"About what?" I stop walking to look her in the eyes and take her hand again.

"You're one of the most popular guys at school. Girls always stare at you when you walk by. They all wish they could get a date with you. If they find out we're dating, they're going to talk about us. I just think..." She pauses, "They'll think I'm not good enough for you."

"Mina," I scoff, "Do you realize that guys do the same to you? They all stare when you walk by too. You're beautiful. Everyone knows that. If they talk, let them talk. I don't care and neither should you. You love me, right?

She nods.

"Right. And I love you. That's all that matters. I want them to know. I want everyone to know I'm taken and they should all stop staring now. I don't care what they think, I love you, Mina." I wrap my arms around her, gently pressing her head into my chest.

She takes a deep breath, "I'm sorry, Taehyung."

"Don't be sorry for loving someone."

She hugs me tighter and closes her eyes.

I push back just far enough to make sure contact with her, but still hugging her. I lean in to whisper to her.

"I think we're perfect for each other."