Unbidden

5

Cali's POV

"Did you see me? I messed up, didn't I?" I pouted as I hugged my legs while sitting on one of the steps on the fire exit, him squatting just right in front of me. 

My heart fluttered the moment his face softened, his right hand stretching to reach the side of my face. 

"You didn't mess up Boo bear. You were amazing right there. And I am so proud of my Chu..." the smile showing on his face is more than enough for me. 

Ever since I knew I wasn't as amazing as the others in terms of both singing and dancing. And I used to get stressed about it. I always have to practice trice as much as they did just so I can keep up, one reason why I am thankful for having Storm when I was still a trainee. 

He always gives me hope, the courage to move forward. He always reminds me that it was all part of the process, for a better me. 

And the constant support that I always get from my members, that no matter how much I struggle, they don't leave but make sure I move forward with them. As each of us always says, we're sisters and friends more than a team. We don't leave anyone behind. 

"Do you guys have any other schedule?" I asked and he shook his head. A huge smile escaped on my lips, an idea coming to my mind. 

"Can we cuddle? Like, just one or two hours at home, please? I miss you," I cooed and again, butterflies started going wild on my stomach when I saw his gummy smile. 

Like before, Storm always gives in to me and I am normally the one who seeks attention. One thing I love about him is that he gives whatever I want - time, love, attention, and I'm normally the clingy type. He spoils me, like, a lot. 

"Will it be okay?" He asked, his eyes boring into mine. He was looking at me lovingly and I felt my stomach churning. 

Nothing's changed. He still looks at me like I am the most precious of all. He looks at me like I am the only person his eyes can see. He looks at me like he loves me, and I know he does.  He always does. 

What happened a year ago - why he left, why he let go - we never talked about it, rather I don't wanna know the reason coz I know it will hurt. 

I'm fine as long as I have him back. I know that I'll be in a lot of trouble for repeating my mistake but Storm to me will always be special. I can take everything, even hate from the fans as long as I have him. 

"The girls stay inside their room after nine," I moved a little and reach for his cheeks, my hands fitting perfectly over his face, his soft skin grazing over mine. 

"You seem thinner; did you not take care of yourself when we were not together?" I whispered letting out a long sigh. 

"Chu, you know why... " he whispered and it's as if something got stuck on my throat once again, the heavy feeling I used to have just a few weeks ago coming back to me. 

I know, that even though he left me, he had been miserable the way I do. I don't have to ask nor confirm and he doesn't need to tell me. 

Storm won't leave if he doesn't have to.  I may have gotten angry about his decision but I know that he had suffered too. 

I know. 

The two of us, we just happened to fall in love with the most unfortunate circumstances. And we both know we're bound to feel a lot more pain after this. 

With a heavy heart, I repeat the question he asked earlier, only this time, we both know it's out of different context. 

"Will we be okay?"

And he knew that once again, my heart is starting to feel heavier, doubts clouding on my mind. He leaned closer and gave me a peck on my forehead, something he loves doing ever since. 

"How about we go on a date instead, like the first day?" he smiled and my heart skipped a beat, remembering the first time we went out on a date. 

"You're going to catch me some stars?" I exclaimed, excitement building in my system. 

His gummy smile emerged once again and I'm lucky to be still breathing. 

"This time, I'm going to catch the moon for you too," he smirked and my memory brought me back to the first of our many dates. 

*flashback

It was Thursday night and not a lot of people are walking around Han River, or was it already Friday midnight? 

On my bed, soundly sleeping, that's what I should be doing, except not. Instead, I decided to go and sneak out of the house, all because a certain Storm asked me if I wanna grab something to eat. And that's food. Cali finds it hard to refuse food - very rarely. 

So here I am, in my white shorts and a yellow baggy shirt. Or maybe I should have worn some pants? 

I decided otherwise because I feel like I would attract even more attention if I would be roaming around fully covered. That's what idols do these days and even though I haven't debuted, I've done a few commercials, and the fact that I'm going with an idol like Storm spells even more trouble. 

Slightly, my hand reached for the mask covering my face, slowly adjusting it so I can see clearly.

Why did I forget to wear a cap? 

"Why are you wearing just that?"

I was startled when I felt something on my head, and the moment I turned around, my eyes caught the confused expression showing on his face. His brows furrowing as he fixes the cap he was putting on my head occasionally brushing the hair covering my face. 

"What am I going to do with you Chu?" 

I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or more to himself but my cheeks redden, his gesture I'm finding so adorable. 

My cheeks got even more flustered when in no time, he suddenly moved two steps away from me, staring my body like I am some object of his affection. 

"What?" I whispered and he titled his head, unsatisfied by what he is seeing and that made me feel a little more conscious about myself. 

Normally, I would be confident because apart from my supposedly "lack of natural talent" as some may say, most people normally praise me for my looks. But seeing him examine me like this makes my confidence drop a little. 

"Do I look weird?" I whispered, my gaze dropping down a little and I heard him release a sound that seemed like he was hissing or something. 

"Aside from the fact that you seemed cold, there's nothing wrong with how you look because you are perfect to me. But I don't think this will work," 

My breath hitches as I watch him removed his hoodie, his stomach showing a little and the sight of undefined abs almost took my breath away. 

He probably got it from practice and most idols are doing exercise to keep in shape. 

They weren't chiseled but they were attractive, especially to my eyes. 

In a flash, he removed the cap that he put in my head and instructed me to raise my hands which I did and oh boy, I never thought that being dressed even in just a hoodie like I'm some child would make my heart beat so fast I'm afraid it'll jump out any minute. 

I didn't know what happened or maybe it's because everything was a blur but in less than five minutes, I was wearing his large black hoodie, his cap, and a mask to cover my face. 

I would have protested but the satisfied look on his face made me think otherwise. 

And then my eyes widened at the realization, "You're not wearing any mask!" I exclaimed, my hand immediately reaching the mask covering mine but he stopped me, an amused look showing on his face. 

"I have one, thank. Though I like the idea of you worrying for me," he mumbled and I starred coughing earning fits of laughter from him. 

After covering his face by a mask, his hand reached for mine and the irregular beating of my heart filled my ears as I follow him, my eyes focused on our intertwined hands. 

It's not two years, two months, or two weeks but just two days but we are now holding hands. 

I don't know where we went but once we entered the stall, I almost yelp when I bump into something, rather someone. 

"Awwww!"

My eyes widened when I realized that it was a young kid who maybe around five or six years old. Thank God, Storm was quick enough to catch her before she falls releasing my hand from his grip. 

"Careful hunn," he mumbled and we heard someone screaming in panic. 

"Sohee!" our eyes met the frantic expression of who seemed to be her mom. 

"Oh, thank you," she smiled at us as she hugged her daughter and I felt my heart warming up with her. She seemed kind. 

"Oh, you're here to eat. Come and I'll take your order," she guided us closer to the counter and I felt Storm's hands on my back. 

I would have stiffened but I'm not sure why I feel comfortable with him. 

Do I trust him this much? 

"What do you want to have?" he asked, his eyes boring into mine and I shyly smiled.

"Anything will do," he raised his eyebrow but shrugged his shoulder anyways before facing the old lady, the girl named Sohee looking at me intently. 

She looks adorable, with a pink shirt and black legging, her hair tied up in a bun. The girls would be gushing if they see her. 

"Missy," she suddenly whispered, tugging the edge of the hoodie I was wearing. 

Surprised, I bent down and moved closer to her. 

"Let's catch some stars," she exclaimed and before I knew it, her hands were already in mine as she guides me on a corner, a what seems to be rectangular pool came into view. 

"There!  Help me catch them!" she exclaimed before giving me a paper net. 

"Oh, Goldfish scooping?" I yelp in surprise, seeing a traditional Japanese game like this being available in a secluded eating place like this. And take note, the place doesn't even look Japanese. 

Come to think of it, the moment we entered, we've only seen one table occupied with what seem to be two students doing midnight study on the corner. 

"No, Missy, those are stars! Look, their eyes are shining" she pouted and I giggle at how adorable she looked. 

"Chu?" I turned my head a little as I heard Storm's voice. He was looking at me expectantly as I crouched on the ground with a scooper on my hand. 

"Missy will catch me stars!" Sohee was now clapping and my heart fluttered when I saw Storm's face softening. 

"They are beautiful stars. Do you want me and to catch them for you?" he stated before crouching down too. 

The way his eyes shines and smiles adorably to the kid, I didn't know it back then but it must have left an impression to me. 

But it was that time that I know that Storm will play an important role in my life. 

He will be a part of my life, a part of me.