Taemin...Stay With Me

13. Unmasked

They both looked at me with wide eyes. They looked surprised to me. But why would they look surprised unless they knew something. They're suspects. I squinted my eyes at them and wondered if they knew anything. I know for a fact it's one of these two. They are the only people I know that play piano. Unless I have a stalker or something then I'm never meeting him again. But I have a secret plan. Hee hee...
"Why you guys can't answer?" I asked.
"What are you even asking us right now?" Jonghyun said confused.
"Don't play dumb my friend. You know!" I said dramatically pointing at them.
"You okay Ari?" Taemin laughed.
"I'm fine. I just know it's one of you guys." I said standing up.
"This isn't over." I backed out the room and back into the kitchen to Key to finish dinner.
"Where did you go?" Key asked me when I came back.
"To ask them which one of them was the pianist." I answered.
In the corner of my eye I saw Key looking at me. When I turned my head he was giving me that straightest face he's ever given anyone. I couldn't help but ask why he was looking at me like that. I moved my eyes back and forth and then asked why he was looking at me like that.
"Are you dumb?" he finally said.
"Mwo?! I'm not dumb!"
"As if they would just be like 'oh yeah that was me'."
"I mean they totally could have said that." I said wanting to be right for once in my life.
"Whatever Ari." he laughed and we continued making dinner.

"Ok I'll get going now!" I said putting on my shoes and opening the door.
"Ari wait!" I heard Taemin calling me. But before I could turn around he had already encased me in his arms. I froze and blinked a few times. Every time Taemin hugged me it felt so amazing that I couldn't speak.
"Don't go." He whispered.
I smiled and turned around facing him.
"Imma see you at school tomorrow so chill out." I laughed a bit.
"I know but I always miss you too much when you leave."
"You're corny." I laughed.
"But you blushed." he said catching me by surprise.
"I can see it Ari." He smiled poking my cheeks.
I puffed out my cheeks and turned my face.
"At least let me drive you home."
I smiled and nodded.
As Taemin drove me home I kept looking at him as he concentrated on the road ahead of him. I felt my heart beating and I was unable to look away. The last time Taemin drove me home we kissed. I looked at his lips that once connected with my own. Then as I was starring he suddenly looked at me. Scared that he saw me, I looked out the window and my face burned from embarrassment. Suddenly I felt his hand grab mine. I widened my eyes and looked down at my hand. Then I looked at Taemin and he was smiling at the road. I just sat back and held his hand too. I didn't wanna let go so I left his hand there. That's not wrong right? I felt my heart tighten and I felt so happy that I could jump out the car and run all the way home. But I know for a fact after running for about 10 seconds I would regret it. After a few minutes we arrived at my apartment.
"You seem stiff Ari." Taemin suddenly said.
"Huh? Oh no I'm fine." I said nervously. He was still holding my hand.
"I'll walk you to the door."
"W-Wait! You don't-" before I could finish he was already getting out the car. I sighed and undid my seat belt and got out too.
We walked together to my door and as nervous as I could be I turned to face him.
"Thanks for taking me home." I said timidly.
"Ari."
"Hm?"
"Go on a date with me tomorrow." he smiled confidently.
"Huh? R-Really?!" I asked shocked. Taemin was asking me on a date! Me! Out of all people in the world! Oh ma gawd I cannot breath!! Where is the Oxygen???
"Yeah. I wanna take you somewhere." he smiled.
"Uh o-okay. Sure." I agreed as I was screaming inside.
"I'll see you tomorrow okay?"
"Mhmm."
And with that he turned around and walked back to his car. I quickly got out my keys and opened my door. I closed it behind me and leaned against it looking at the ceiling for a few seconds before exhaling deeply. When did Taemin get so cool?

The next day at school it was that time again to meet up with my masked pianist. I had a plan today. Somehow I needed to build up the confidence to just rip that mask off and find out who he was. As I walked to the music room I took deep breaths because I knew this would be the last day I would being seeing him since I planned on revealing him myself. I walked inside the room and I saw him standing by the window with his back turned to me. I slowly walked up to him and patted his broad shoulder. He turned around and this mask was different too. The eyes were showing like normal but now his mouth and chin were revealed to me this time. So it was like half a mask. I stopped to think because I've definitely seen those lips before. But who's? He smiled a bit and handed me a small box.
"For me?"
He nodded.
I gently took it from his soft hands and opened it. Inside was a necklace with the letter "T" on it.
"T?"
I looked up at him but he just smiled gently. He then walked over to the piano and sat down. I followed and stood beside him. He began playing and it was a soft song and then to my surprise he started singing. I was so shocked that I covered my mouth and stared at him. This was the first time I heard him say or sing anything. I felt so shocked and relived and so many other emotions I couldn't even list. I was simply taken back. He sang so beautifully that I couldn't help but feel special. After the first verse he stopped singing and just played for a bit. I swayed to the melody and out of no where someone tapped my shoulder.

I yelped and I turned around and saw someone behind me. I couldn't see his face yet since it was still dark in the room. I squinted and tried making out his face.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"Hey Ari."
".....TAEMIN?!?!"
I looked back at the pianist and he smiled and stood up from his seat. He removed his mask revealing his face.
"JONGHYUN?!?! It was you this whole time??" I yelled surprised.
"Nope." he laughed.
"W-what?"
I was so confused. It was Jonghyun playing for me but not the whole time? And where did Taemin come from? Answers are needed immediately.
"It was me." Taemin answered.
"I just had Jonghyun play for me this once so that I could surprise you."
"Taemin..."
I was so happy and grateful that he planned all this just for me. I became super sensitive and started crying. Taemin chuckled and wiped my tears away.
"Thank you." I said.
"Do you like the necklace?" he asked me.
I finally got it. "T" for Taemin.
"I picked that one so I could always be in your heart." he said smiling brightly.
"Taemin... Thank you so much." I hugged him tightly and I felt his arms wrap around me containing me in his safety.
After I hugged Taemin I walked over to Jonghyun and smiled at him.
"Thank you too. For singing for me."
"No problem Ari. I needed to help out a friend. Plus you're special so you deserve a special song."
I laughed slightly when I heard Taemin call me.
"So how about that date now?"
"Now?"
"Mhmm. Then a second one tonight."
I smiled softly at him.
"Yeah. Okay."
He held out his arm for me to take and we headed out to eat lunch together. I was so happy with what he did for me. This whole time it really was Taemin who was playing for me. And he even went through the trouble of getting me a present. I'm so grateful for all of this. Now I know that I want Taemin to stay with me. To stay by my side always.