CHAPTER 015: TANGHULU

STELLA'S POV

"Will you be able to perform on Friday?" Michelle unnie asked me with her worried tone. Winston Oppa called her to check for me since he's going to fetch mom from the airport. She even came with William who's munching his potato chips.

"There's still plenty of time. I can practice by myself." The doctor said that I only have to stay here for two days. My injuries are just minor, and my fever just made it a bit worse.

"How can you dance?" She asked again while looking on my feet.

"I can do freestyle." I coolly answered as I put my hands at the back of my head, leaning with my eyes closed. Freestyle dance isn't hard though.

"Yah! We're in a group, remember?" She protests as she hit my arms forcefully which made me groan.

"Remove her from the group. I'll take care of her." William said out of the blue, making us look at him in disbelief. "Let's sing as a duo." He added calmly as he took another bite of potato chips.

"Yah! She's our dance machine." Michelle unnie seems like she doesn't want to remove me from the group.

Well, I kinda agree with Will. I mean... I need to distance myself from Shelby. I am not mad at her though.. And we're totally okay. I just need some time to move on.

"Shelby can dance as well too." I decided to be on Will's side, and I haven't tried a duo before and it'll be really exciting.

Michelle unnie's eyes suddenly became teary for the reason that I couldn't comprehend.

"Ahmm. About earlier..."

"It's okay," I cut her, trying not to lose my cool. I finally know what is she trying to point out.

"S-stell?" I know she's doubting. She doesn't really believe that I'm totally fine.

"We talked about it earlier, so don't worry." I gave her a reassuring smile.

"Wait, wait, wait," William said as he stretched his hands as if he's trying to stop a fight. "What are you talking about? I'm being left out." He added with a pout.

I could only chuckle at his cuteness.

"Then stay like that," Michelle unnie says, making him pout even more.

"Sometimes, I don't really understand girls." He stated, making Yongsun unnie laugh, while I'm just frowning because of disagreement.

"Do I look like a girl?" I sat up at the bed, still with a frown on my face.

"Shut up, pabo! Of course, you're a girl!" Michelle unnie said.

I really hate that fact.

William just laughed at me. His laugh is really hilarious since he sounded like a girl. No wonder why Clyde and Him complement each other.

*****

TYRON'S POV

"Why she's not picking up?" I asked myself.

I've been calling Stella since earlier but she did not pick up. I tried calling her friends, but they lost contact with her as well.

I started to feel uncomfortable since I remember how eager she is to leave earlier.

*****

It's been five days since I lost contact with her. I badly missed her and I wonder what she is doing right now.

"Stella, where are you?" I impatiently asked myself.

I heard from Jade that she hadn't attended any of her classes this week. Other of her friends have no idea since they haven't visited her because they're exhausted for practicing hard for the upcoming event.

I wonder if she's still mad.

I've been staring at my phone for quite a long time, hoping that her name will pop up on the screen. She hasn't updated her social media accounts as well.

I'm going crazy, for real.

*****

STELLA'S POV

"You're spoiling me, Will-ie." I couldn't hide my smile as William brought another bag of my favorite snack, Tanghulu.

He's been doing this for days ever since I got discharged from the hospital, and I couldn't help but forget about my worries. Tanghulu always makes me happy.

I forget about Shelby.

I forget about my dad...

about my mom.

In short... everything.

And it's all thanks to him.

"Just finish eating this one then we will practice." He said as he handed me one stick of tanghulu.

"Just one?" I asked with a pout and puppy eyes.

I also learned how to act girly whenever I want something, especially to this sweet snack. Who cares?

Everyone says it's cute.

"Yeah, just one," he repeats what I've said, emphasizing the last two words.

I felt a bit embarrassed since I just failed on making him give me more. Like... I just acted cute, which is not actually my thing.

Why did he buy a bag of it if he's not going to let me eat all of those?

I just accepted the one stick of tanghulu. It's better than none.

*****

WILLIAM'S POV

I watched her eat her tanghulu.

She's really cute. Her mouth is full of it since it's too big for her mouth, which made her look like a hamster.

I never failed to make her smile whenever I give her that sweet strawberry. I know it's her favorite since we've known each other for so long.

She's such an adorable person... Which made me treat her special.

I couldn't help it. She's irresistible.

But sadly, this hamster is quite oblivious.

"Yah! You okay?" I did not realize that she already finished eating it, and I've been staring at her the whole time. She waved her hand in front of me, which I find very attractive.

William, be normal, and stop staring, will you?

I couldn't help it. My eyes are glued on her.. which is not normal at all.

"Hey! Will, you're as red as a tomato" what she said made me turn back to reality.

God, that's embarrassing.

"H-here, just eat another one." I tried to shift her focus by giving her the tanghulu that is meant to be mine. But I was left with no choice.

I'm glad she accepts it.

"You're being nice to me lately," she said with her mouth full, but I can clearly understand what she has said.

"You're just cute, that's why."

I mentally slapped myself for saying that. She looks at me with a grin.

Gosh, it's driving me crazy.. over and over again.

I bit my lower lip, and bowed my head, hoping that she did not notice how red my face is right now.

William, you're not normal. You even said something that's too far from her question.

"Cute, huh?" Even though I did not look at her, I can sense that she's grinning right now.

I think I should distance myself from Clyde from now on.

I'm being as corny as he is.