"First loves always hurt the most," Jace muttered, trying to calm his shaking and crying friend, Woong. Vasco frowned and a tear slipped from his eye. He'd never had a first love. But of course, it'd hurt even more when they left. Like a dog getting off your lap after finally deciding to sit. Or not being able to get a kangaroo because you found out that they don't live in Korea.

But Vasco wished he'd have a first love.

__

I sat down in the a chair in the Architecture Department after cleaning the halls. My face was flushed after the effort I put into mopping all the grimy tiles. I was a germaphobe, what can I say? I couldn't stand the slimy-muddy brown that covered the normally grey polished marble.

I heard the door open and I turned my head, taking out an earbud to face the person who stood in front of the doorway. It's Vasco. It's Vasco. Vasco and I are here alone. Don't freak. Don't freak.

"What are you doing here?" I laughed nervously. "Everyone else had left already, right?" I continued to ramble as the muscular blackette just stood, staring at me.

"I have cleaning duty as well. We're both here late, and I brought two chocolate milks. I was going to drink two, but do you want one?" I tried suppress the blood creeping up my neck.

"Y-Yeah! That would be nice, thanks." I smiled and accepted one of the brown yellow cartons, poking a straw through the top and took a sip.

"It's good, thanks Vasco." He smiled and took a seat on the desk next to me.

"No problem." I noticed he was more quiet that usual, spacing out a lot, the brown pools he called eyes getting almost lost in the distance.

"Hey." I put a hand on his arm, furrowing my eyebrows and biting my bottom lip in concern. "You okay? You seem lost in something. Do you mind telling me?" Vasco looked into my eyes with this adorable, deep puppy-dog gaze, seemingly touching the very center of my heart. My chest felt like it was being sat on, with me squeezing his arm now.

"What's it like having a first love?" I almost cried because of how innocent this phrase seemed. How old is he mentally?

I struggled with an answer, since I myself haven't experienced one yet, and it takes a lot for Vasco to understand things.

"Well... it's a lot like cherishing someone, and hugging, kissing, holding hands... or wishing to," I explained, smiling at the male sitting in front of me. "It's a fragile thing, easy to lose, but very few have kept it for a long time. That way it's special. First loves are ones that you remember forever." Vasco looked lost in thought, clenching his jaw, and his hands going slack, muscles tensing and releasing again and again.

"I think I know what it is," he finally answered, after a couple of minutes of consideration. "I'm going to say who my first love is tomorrow, and tell them I know they're my first." My heart raced, after skipping a beat. Vasco grinned and crossed his arms, getting up.

"We'll finally be able to get a dog and a kangaroo!" I laughed and followed him, eyes glimmering with excitement. Same old Vasco.

__

I couldn't sleep at night, bouncing up and down in my bed through midnight. Maybe I would actually have the chance to be with Vasco. What am I saying, no, that's silly. I smiled and blushed, wringing my hands together as I turned to corner to go to school.

"... will you be my first love?" I stopped and looked to my right, recognizing Vasco's normally stern expression melted softly, his body adorned by some rather nice clothes, flowers clutched in his right hand, and-

Zoe.

Oh.

__

"I just told you, I'm tired, that's it." I smiled at Jace again, then at the whole Burn Knuckles team. "Go ahead to the store without me, just this once. Today I'll opt out." The big-eared male sighed and tapped my shoulder, a cocky side-grin lacing his features.

"Alright, but don't regret it when you end up wanting something-" They all left as I stared at their backs and the symbol printed in ink. My smile dropped, hands dropping as I felt emptiness boiling in my chest.

Zoe and Vasco. I mean, both of them are good looking, but there's no real chemistry between them. Zoe likes Daniel, right? Did she reject him? Man, I'll have to be on the lookout so I don't bump into Vasco and feel these butterflies again.

__

"Why isn't (Y/N) here? Don't they usually come and get snacks with us?" Vasco asked, scratching his head in disappointment. Jace looked to his best friend and replied curtly.

"They didn't want to come today, for some strange reason." Vasco's good mood drained a bit, replaced by a bit of sadness and confusion.

Why didn't they come? The flowers were almost wilting.

__

I discreetly left the classroom, snaking my way around, trying to figure out a non-direct route to take on the way back home. I'd usually walk with Vasco, but I needed to avoid him for now.

"(Y/N)!" Shit. I sped up my pace, ducking my head through the dispersed crowd, not making eye contact with anyone except the ground. I yelped as I felt a firm hand on my shoulder.

"I swear I didn't do anything, don't hurt me!" Someone chuckled and released the grip they held.

"I'm not here to hurt you. Vasco needs to see you," Jace said airily, still grinning. I turned around, laughing.

"Actually, I'm kinda busy after school-"

"We all know that's a load of steaming crap, (Y/N). You hang out with us after school." I sighed and wrung my hands together, looking down at my feet.

"I'll go, I guess."

__

Everyone was at the meetup spot at the fish roe soup restaurant. They were already sitting, beckoning for me to come over. I noticed Vasco wasn't here. Probably with Zoe or some couple shit.

"Hey everyone." Jace smiled and tapped my shoulder, causing me to look behind me and see Vasco, holding the bundle of daisies and a card. He was slightly disheveled, hair messier than in the morning, but he still looked goddamn beautiful.

"(Y/N), about the first love thing... I want it to be with you." I felt my heart ache. Is this a joke? Was Vasco just a secret player? No, it can't be, right?

"If you think this is funny, it's really not, Vas. I'll leave if you don't really want me here." I dusted myself off and started to walk away, but felt a tug on my arm as a hand enclosed itself around my wrist.

"Why would this be a joke?" Vasco's voice was almost like a little kid's, innocent and completely oblivious to the standing situation. "I-I like you. A lot. You're the first person I've liked in... forever." I sighed and turned back, furrowing my eyebrows and pulling my wrist out of his iron grip.

"What about Zoe? How long is forever, Eun-Tae? Just less than 5 hours, you confess to me after Zoe? I didn't know you were this type of person." Vasco's expression looked blank, then amused, and then blank again, but with this sharp determination.

"In the morning? I don't like Zoe, I was just worried that you would reject me, so I wanted to give my best effort if I failed." My heart clenched at the thought. I wanted to believe him so much. I knew Vasco. He wouldn't be a player, he couldn't be a player. I saw his expression falter.

"If you don't believe me that's fine."

"I-I want to believe you, Vasco. I know you. I want to be your first." I looked into his eyes and clasped his hand. "I trust you, okay?" The guys in the background started to cheer and whoop as we embraced. I felt Vasco's muscles loosen up, his jaw falling slack, seemingly melting under my touch.

You're my first. Hopefully my last, Vasco.

(Bonus)

"Bravo! Bravo!" the old lady yelled from behind the counter, wiping her tears away with a handkerchief and blowing her nose. "I just love young love! Keep at it! Your babies will be blessed to have such beautiful parents!" I laughed awkwardly and looked at Vasco, who was full-on grinning.

"We'll have a dog and kangaroo too!" he called, pumping his arm up. I slapped the side of my face with my palm. Oh dear lord.