I never thought that one day I could end up with someone with my introverted but sassy ***** attitude. How did I, the foul-mouthed girl who despised boys more than anything in her life, even got a chance to be with the most popular and generous guy in the entire school. It's still a mystery to me.

That person ended up making a huge difference in my life, removing all my negative thoughts and also convincing me that not all boys are bad. I can't even imagine I would also have a 'True Love' like of those fairy tales some day.

Back in my school days, I had a fear of love called philophobia. The idea of 'Love' scared me. That's how my hate towards boys came to me. I didn't...more likely couldn't talk to boys. I truly hated them because whenever I saw 'love', there's only tears, cuts, harms and sometimes suicide. At least, in my perspective... I only could see pain in love not the slightest amount of warmth, yet...

My aunt Mia's life was the greatest Example. When she was in the final year of school, she fell in love with a boy, a popular, handsome as well as kind boy. He would often get confessions because of his pure gentleman behaviour. My aunt was too, she was one of his secret admirers. She only saw him from afar and admired him like he was the moon, until one day...

She couldn't resist her overpowering admiration towards him, build up courage and finally brought herself to confess. But that guy didn't care about it. He insulted aunt Mia in front of the whole school by throwing away her handmade chocolates. In my opinion, he could have just simply decline her confession with a simple 'No' like a gentleman he were, right? But, he chose to insult her and her efforts, her love.

Despite all of that happening, she still never gave up. She tried again and again, but that guy never responded to her one-sided love. And, when my Aunt got into a big post in her office, that guy finally agreed to date-no, no, he wants to marry her now. Dude! We can totally see what's your motive here! And guess what?...that guy is my Aunt's boyfriend now. I stopped her a millionth time, but she never listened to me. One day, she'll know that boys do everything just for their own benefits. Well known, Einstein also dumped his love for another woman, why wouldn't he?

This whole story fuelled me even more. But who knew, one day someone will break these thoughts of mine into pieces and make me believe that not all boys are jerks and indeed 'Love' is real...

It all started in 2016, when I was only 18 years old. It was my first year of high school. I was not a good student back then, and I failed to pass on the final exam of junior high school due to some serious illness because of which I had to skip one year. It was hard for me to start over my studies again after wasting a whole year and so my mom decided, it'd be great to send her lovely child to the asylum...well, sending me to an after-school academy is equivalent to sending me to an asylum, hell, it'll be nice to be in asylum than studying after school for another few hours.

It was the month of January. I used to go to school at 9:00 am and came home at 5:00 pm. The academy starts at 6:00 and will end after a few hours, it depends on how long the students can take it, stupid system. It was my first day at the academy as well. Everyone and everything was new to me. After a year of gap, my social skills are all gone now. I put my head down onto the table for a couple of minutes. Everyone's chatting with their friends, and I'm here all alone, sitting in the corner. I sighed as I sat straightly and suddenly noticed a familiar face. It was Emma, my Kindergarten friend. She came up to me with a bright smile on her face.

"Heyyy, what a pleasant surprise! Since when did you go into this academy? I never saw you before!" - She squealed so hard that my ears were tingling. I hugged her back as tight she hugged me.

"Today! I had to take a year gap because of my illness, and now it's hard to keep up with the flow. My mom somehow found out about this academy and got me in." - I said as I pulled my bag from the seat beside me, gesturing Emma to take a seat beside me. She gave a quick thank you before taking the seat.

"This academy is very popular for their teaching system. It helped me a lot and I hope it'll be helpful to you too. If you need notes, advice or anything, just call me. Oh! Here's my phone number!" - She gave me her phone number, SNS username and more.

"Thank you so much for the help, though! I was worried about being alone here, too."

"Ah, don't sweat it. I'm glad we meet again. We were like besties when we were in kindergarten. Remember? How much did I cry on the last day of school?"

"Yeah, you looked so ugly!" - I said with a nasty smile.

"Don't be meaaaan. I was just sad. I'm so happy to meet again. Friends again??"

"Is that even something to ask?"

"You're still the same, a total meanie!"

"Thank you very much for the sweet compliment"

We chatted, joked around, made fun of each other like how we used to do. I felt a little comfortable after knowing I have a friend now who's willing to help me if I need something. Maybe coming here was not a bad idea after all. And just like that, a week has passed!

Our school was different, so we get to meet each other in the academy. We always came to the academy together, since our house crossed paths this way. Just like any other days, we went to the academy together and sat beside each other. When the class ended, it started raining hard.

"It's raining so much. What are we going to do? It's near 9:00 pm. Mom will kill me if I go home late. She already suspects me of doing drugs and stuffs. Gosh! My aunt is there to..." - Emma said with an urgency in her voice.

"Emma, they have two eyes to see it's raining, don't they?" - I said with annoyance. Sometimes I just don't get Emma's parents.

"But they don't know that I didn't bring my umbrella. What do I do?"

"Just call your dad and tell him to bring an umbrella for you. That way they wouldn't be able to scold you, right?"

"But Bella, I also have to go to see Joseph. He's waiting for me."

"Why do you have to see Joseph at this hour? I bet he knows it's raining. Tell him that you will meet him tomorrow." - I said, now getting pissed. Anything related to boy pisses me off. Even today, a bunch of stupid guys tried to pick up a fight with me when I was purely minding my own business. Why are guys like that? I don't even want to know...

"I can't. Today's his birthday. He invited me to his house."

"TO HIS HOUSE? ARE YOU DUMB? WHY WOULD YOU G-"

"H-Hey look look it's Aaron. The sexiest, cutest, hottest handsome boy I told you about from our school!!"

"Stop changing the sub-"

"Oh, just stop that nagging and take a look at him. Isn't he the perfect example of some Greek god!" - She said as she took my hand in her hands and turned around quickly towards an old vending machine. I couldn't see anyone because of the rain and darkness.

"Where..." - I said with zero interest.

"Over there. Right beside the vending machine."

"Which one?"

"Are you kidding me? There's literally one guy standing there." - She said, pointing at a tall figure. His height, his hair and his face, although I couldn't see it clearly, looks perfect even in this weather. I couldn't see his features clearly because of the heavy rain, but I can tell that he's quite handsome. But of course, Emma does not need to know that! I was staring at him for a couple of minutes when he suddenly turned his face towards me. I was startled.

"He's so cute, right?" - Emma said, her voice sounding perkier.

"He's not even that handsome nor sexy. What do you kids even like these days?" - I said, hiding the fact that I kind of... sort of...um liked his face. Honestly, If I said he was handsome, she would probably scream it out loud. That's too dangerous!

"I think you're blind. Every girl likes him, no, no, loves him for his divine beauty. If I didn't have a boyfriend, I would have proposed to him by now."

"Stop! I don't want to hear any more."

It's been like 15 minutes since We're standing right beside the gate of the academy waiting for the rain to stop. We took our gossip topic from Aaron to Justin and Selena. That Aaron guy must've gone by now, can't see anyone there. Well, who cares about him, not me!! I was looking at the ground, in deep thoughts of that Aaron guy, when I felt someone's feet in front of me. This shoe looks quite familiar. I looked up slowly and froze when I noticed who it was...

It was Aaron, standing in front of me with a soft grin. I couldn't decipher what he meant by that grin. He took some beautiful red and pink shaded roses out of his backpack and kneeled down...

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

Emma and I became stunned. 'Why the heck would a guy I never met or even talked to before suddenly propose to me to become his girlfriend? Is it that easy too? I'm sure he's just fooling around.' - I thought as I was staring at the roses.

"Why would I?" - I said, shocked at my own answer.

'AGH dammit, Bella, Just 'No' would have been perfect, don't you think?' - I thought, biting my inner check.

"Hmm... Because I fell in love with you at first glance" - He said with a calming voice that gives chill to the spine. He's voice is equally beautiful, like his face. The way rain made his hair completely drenched, making it hard to keep my eyes away from him. Everything about him screams 'Hot and Sexy'

'WTF, Bella, get a hold of yourself. What are you even thinking? What if he's hot, you don't just confess to a stranger, do you? This guy is weird. I won't be even surprised if he turns out to be some serial killer. Am I his target?' - I thought with a long sigh.

"I don't like you. Try someone else" - I said after a long pause.

I practically ran out of the academy because of the immense anxiety I was feeling. My heart stopped beating, seeing the way he's expression changed into a very sad one when I rejected him. I don't need to think about this. All I need now is to go home and calm my racing heart down.

After running for a while, I finally found a taxi and got into it. I texted Emma that I was in a taxi. She didn't ask me anything and with a 'take care' she went offline, which I appreciate a lot. I don't even know why I ran out of there, why I said to try someone else. I don't know how to face him again when I see him in the academy.

After that incident, I felt so uncomfortable going to the academy that I pretended to be sick for 2 days. But unfortunately, mom found out about my fake sickness and scolded me a lot. I had no other choice but to go to the academy from the third day.

I was getting ready for school when Emma suddenly called me.

"Hey, Bella. My grandma is very sick. So we're going to see my grandma. We'll be heading tonight and staying there for a couple of days. So, I'll not be able to come to the academy. Remember to take class notes while I am gone. I'll beat you up if you don't, OK?

"Wait what? You're leaving me now... after what happened that night? What am I going to do if he does something to me?"

"Oh, stop being so dramatic! He's going to give up anyway after what you said to him that day.

Just do what you feel is right! You are never wrong and I know that"

"Thanks for understanding! Love you a million!"

"Love you a trillion! I have to go. Bye for now." - With a quick 'Goodbye' I hung up the phone.

It was a half-day school. I finished my breakfast quickly, today's breakfast was salmon fish and beans. Both of them are my favourite. After breakfast, I put on my shoes hurriedly and started walking... running towards the school as I was already very late.

Today's school was rather boring than any other day. I couldn't stop myself from thinking about that night for the entire class. I'm extremely afraid of this whole situation. Emma's not here, I'm all alone... I hate this.

Thinking about this and that, school ended. The academy starts at 6:00. I have around a few hours before the academy. So I decided to go by the Academy's Library, which is the most amazing part. The library is very highly furnished and delicately decorated. It almost feels like I am in the Victorian era, everything is so pretty and elegant. To my surprise, I found all the amazing books I've wanted to read in one place, and I couldn't stop myself from reading them. I took "True Love's Fury" by Hilton Morey from the shelf and started reading it. It's one of my favourite books of all time. Because the Female character is a lot similar to me, and it feels like I'm reading my own life story.

I had no idea how long it had passed. I looked at the phone and noticed it was 5:00 and decided to pack my bag and go to my classroom. Furthermore, I issued my library card and collected those books. When I reached the class, it was nearly 5:30.

"What the hell? Why there's nobody in this class. It's almost time for class. Or am I too early?'' - I checked my phone, indeed I was too early. I was standing in front of the door with a dumbfounded face when I felt someone was coming. I looked at the stairs, waiting for someone to come already. And guess what... It was Aaron... Seriously, why him out of everyone.

"Oh, hey, How are you doing? I didn't even get the chance to exchange our numbers. You just ran out of there before I could say anything." - Aaron said as soon as he spotted he.

"And why would you think I would give my number to a complete stranger?" - I said, crossing my arms above my chest.

"Then let's get to know each other. I don't mind! How about we go somewhere. I know a very nice arcade." - He said, sparkling eyes with hope. Sorry, I have to reject that too.

"I do mind." - I said before entering the classroom and took a seat beside the window, where I always sit with Emma. Aaron entered the classroom and sat beside me.

"Dude, what's your problem?" - I couldn't resist any more. I want to know his motives. Why's he doing this?

" You didn't give me any answer that night!"

"I did! My answer won't change, okay!"

"How is that an answer? You didn't let me finish what I was going to say.

"I told you my answer will be the same no matter what. Why don't you understand?"

"If your answer will never change, then why do you think my feelings towards you will change after you decline." - He said, a bit serious.

"I don't care. It depends on you, whether you love me or hate me. I have given you my answer." - I don't know how long I will be able to keep my panic attack in myself. My legs started to get numb and I don't know why my heart was racing so fast. I got up from my seat to go outside when he suddenly grabbed my hands and pulled me towards him. I ended up crashing into his laps, which made blushing harder.

"You're blushing, and you still want me to believe that you don't like me?" - He said with his soft calming voice. His voice soothes my panic attack and all the anxiety is leaving my body. It feels like I am on a cloud or something, it feels amazing, but I don't want to admit it to him. His hand reached my face and I grew more red. His face came closer to mine and I couldn't push him away. I don't know what happened to me, but I did the most embarrassing thing imaginable. I... closed my eyes. I could feel his dark smirk before his lips crashed into mine. It was soft. It gave me chills the way his hand reached my back. My mind went blank. I felt funny in my stomach with the small movements going on my lips. I liked it...

'Wait... Bella. He's kissing you. A complete stranger kissing you, and you're allowing him to do that? Are you stupid?'- I jerked my head and pushed his juicy lips-focus Bella, his face away from me. He looked dumbfounded. He just took my first kiss. How dare he!

I slapped him hard on his right cheek and quickly got out of the classroom and the academy. Fortunately, a taxi came in front of me and I got into it. I couldn't believe myself to let that happen. I closed my eyes first, gave him the signal that it's OK to kiss me. I'm at fault, Why did I slap him when I was the one at fault?

I decided to go home, but then I remembered mom would ask me a bunch of questions if I was home early. So I changed my direction to my aunt Mia's house. I looked at the front mirror by accident and was shocked. I saw Aaron riding his bicycle and following me. I can't meet him. I won't be able to control my feelings once again and do something stupid.

In a few minutes, I reached aunt Mia's house and realized Aunt Mia had gone on a date with her boyfriend. I don't have her keys, I can't go inside, but if I stay here he'll catch me. Without much thinking, I went to the backyard and hid behind a huge tree in front of my aunt Mia's house. My heart was about to burst.

My heart was about to burst. I was worrying if he comes in and sees me, who knows what he will do this time...more like what will I do! I couldn't calm myself down and decided to lie beside the tree. Maybe Aaron lost me on the way. I should stop worrying.

After a while, I found myself in deep slumber. When I opened my eyes, it was already dark. I saw my aunt right in me, looking at me with a clueless face.

"Bella, what are you doing here?" - Aunt Mia said as she helped me get up from the ground.

"Oh...um, I missed you a lot...?"

"Haha... You missed me? That's the funniest joke I've ever heard! Come inside. You're freezing."

"Thanks!" - I went inside and slouched on the warm and cosy couch. Aunt's house is huge compared to mine. She has a lot of guest rooms and also arranged one for me a room so that I can always come here and stay here to spend some time with her. And because she's a lovely, kind-hearted woman who helps me with my homework, I bless her with my company sometimes.

"So tell me the real reason now!" - Aunt said, in a demanding way, as she put two cups of warm coffee on the table in front of the couch. I signed before speaking up.

"It's a guy!"

"TELL ME MORE ABOUT IT!!"

"Geez, stop shouting, aunty!"

"Pardon my tone, miss. Tell me your adventure!" - I told her everything from that night to today. I was a blushing mess by now. I can't forget the way his lips touched me and how much I came to like it now. At the end of the story, she started laughing like a crazy woman.

"What? Why are you laughing?" - I whined

"That boy Aaron will be your boyfriend. Mark my words, miss''

"Don't make me swear. I'm leaving now, take care." - I said as I was getting up.

"Off to another one." - She said, laughing hard at her lame joke...

"Picking up a fight, huh! I see, come here!"

"Oh please... Have mercy on me!"

After a bit of our stupid girly fights, we both got tired and lied onto the floor. She begged me to stay with her, and I couldn't say no to her. It's been so long since I came here. I should spend some time with her and make her do my homework. That's a good idea. I called my mom and informed her that I was staying here, which she agreed to in a second. Since mom is always busy with her job, she never gets a chance to meet her and that's why she always tells me to go there and spend some time with her, which I very much love.

Before going to bed, I went to the bathroom to wash myself. As soon as I saw myself in the mirror, the memory of that kiss came gushing past my brain. I washed my lips aggressively, I don't want to keep this stupid memory in my mind. In the process, I accidentally cut my lips, and it started to bleed out a little. I got out of the bathroom and went to bed despite that cut on my lip. I couldn't sleep for the whole night. The only thing in my mind was the kiss. How did I let someone whom I don't even know properly steal my first kiss so easily? I'm so dumb...

The next day I went to the academy a bit later than usual and realized that Aaron was not there. I didn't think much of it and decided to focus on the class. Again, the next day, he's absent. I thought Emma said he's an absolute genius and never misses his classes.

After classes ended I decided to pay another visit to my aunt as mom gave me some Kimchi to deliver her. In front of Aunt's house I saw a familiar bike and instantly remembered it was Aaron's. I hid beside a house and saw Aaron waiting in front of the house with a sad look on his face. I couldn't bring myself up to him and waited there until he left.

After around 30 minutes, my legs started to fall out due to this cold weather. Still he's standing there, waiting for me. He might think I live here and waiting for me to return from the academy. In a few minutes he finally decided to go home and I came out of the place and entered my aunt's house.

"Was it that guy who kissed you?" - Aunt asked as soon as I entered the room. Her face was sparkling.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Hmm... He's so cute, why won't you date him already?"

"Aunty, you're forgetting that he kissed me without my consent." 'Damn you, liar. You closed your eyes first.'

"But still, you hear him first."

"I don't think so. Here's some Kimchi and I am leaving soon. I have to go home early today. Bye."

"Bye. Take care."

Today was the last day at school, as well as the last day at the academy before the summer holiday. I was relieved to know that I won't see Aaron these days.

Every summer, we go to our grandma's place. Because of an incident, we couldn't go to our grandma's last year. It had been two years since we met our grandma. So, mom told me that we're going to see our grandma this year. I was so excited. I asked Emma to come with me, but she couldn't, not because of his parents but some issues with her boyfriend...

We booked our bus tickets. My mom and dad sat together in front of my little sister's seat. Behind them, my little sister sat with her friend, and I was behind her, all alone. I asked aunt Mia to come along, but she had to refuse because of her job. I began to listen to some music in a few minutes, I fell asleep knowing it's going to be a long journey.

I woke up in an hour or so. Yawning, I felt someone sat beside me. The shoes felt awfully familiar. I remembered... I jerked up to see it was him... Aaron. He's sitting beside me, and I panicked.

"Why are you everywhere? Are you stalking me or something?"

"This is a public transport, Bella." - He said with a mischievous smirk.

"......"

"What are you listening to?"

"None of your business!"

"You're so mean!"

"I am? If you have any problems then go sit somewhere else."

"If I were to go somewhere else, why would I be sitting here in the first place. I want to sit beside you."

"You know what, I'll go"

I stood up abruptly but before I could take any step, he grabbed my hand and dragged me close to him. His eyes were dark and serious. It's intriguing.

"If you move even one inch from here, you can't even imagine what I might do next. Sit. Here. With. Me." - He said with a very intimidating, serious voice. I don't want to admit it, but it was scary, like of some serial killer. I have a feeling that he won't hurt me but do something that'll kill me from inside and haunt me for the rest of my life, and I don't want that.

He dragged me to my seat gently and flashed his infamous smile. I couldn't do anything about it and sat beside him with my ear phones on. I couldn't look at him for the rest of the journey. I hate to admit that, I don't hate this at all... What is wrong with me??