"We're here", SungGyu ushered Mav.

When they got out the van, Mav was in awe as she saw the company building. Wow, so this is Woollim Ent., she thought. It took a while before she finally went back to her senses, thanks to SungGyu's nudge.

"Let's go?", SungGyu invited. Mav nodded in reply.

"Call me when you're done. I'll pick you up. I just need to do a few errands", SunHo instructed them.

"Okay, hyung. Take care", SungGyu replied, as he waved goodbye to him.

After SunHo left, SungGyu and Mav went inside. It wasn't exactly a spacious building but the minimalist interior amazed Mav. A front desk, a few rooms which she could not recognize, and a dartboard machine for leisure. As much as she would love to explore the building, SungGyu quickened his footsteps while grabbing Mav's wrist.

"I bet he's waiting for us in his office. Follow me", he told her. Since she's new to the place, she just obliged to SungGyu's instructions.

It didn't take that long to get to the boss' office. As they entered the room, Mav felt a wave of nervousness striking her again. She saw a figure by the office desk, scanning some paperwork. Sensing their presence, the figure raised its head.

"Oh, you're here", JungYeop acknowledged them.

JungYeop pointed at the couch near his deck, ushering them to sit down.

"Do you guys want something to drink?", JungYeop asked them.

"Some tea would be nice, hyung", SungGyu answered as he made his way to the couch.

Hyung?

"What about you, Mavonne?", JungYeop turned to her, giving her a welcoming smile.

"I'll have the same as SungGyu - ssi, Sir... and you can call me Mav, Sir", she stuttered, frozen at her spot.

JungYeop went to the mini kitchen to prepare their drink. Noticing that she hasn't moved since they entered the office, SungGyu caught Mav's attention and motioned her to sit beside him, in which Mav obliged. When she finally sat down, Mav couldn't help but shoot a meaningful look at SungGyu. SungGyu got the message.

"If you're talking about what I called him a while ago, don't worry, it's fine. He insisted. All of us call him 'hyung'. It makes us and him feel comfortable", SungGyu explained.

Mav only nodded. JungYeop suddenly entered the office again with their drinks and handed it to them.

"So Mav, how's your stay so far? Did you get lost on the way to the apartment? Are the boys already giving you a hard time?", JungYeop asked as he sat down.

"Eyy, hyung", SungGyu said in exasperation and disbelief.

"My stay so far is good, Sir. I was able to arrive at the apartment safely and so far, none of them are giving me trouble. In all honesty, they seem nice", Mav replied, still keeping the honorifics.

"I can sense that you're feeling uncomfortable. If you want, you can call me 'hyung', like them", JungYeop chuckled.

"Okay, hyung", Mav, realizing the joke, and finally releasing the tension she felt inside.

The talk continued, from Mav's schedule to her hobbies. After talking about a Mav's personal interests, JungYeop turned his attention to SungGyu and informed him about the schedule of practice for their upcoming 7 - Day concert.

"SungGyu - ya, despite your personal schedules, we need to prepare for the concert. It's only two months away", JungYeop informed him.

"Okay, hyung", SungGyu replied with a nod.

"We already have a schedule of your daily practices. Since you need to memorize some new dances, you wil be practicing for 8 hours, Monday to Friday", JungYeop informed them, handing over a document to SungGyu.

"Since WooHyun, L and SungYeol are filming a drama, there will be days wherein only four of you will be practicing. I expect more from you since you'll be focused at practicing only", JungYeop added with a firm voice.

"I'll be showing this to the kids", SungGyu assured JungYeop, making him smile in approval.

"Well, I won't be keeping you. I need to attend a meeting later. Take care, Mav. Tell the boys I said 'hi'", JungYeop stood up.

"We will. Thanks, hyung", SungGyu thanked him.

As they got out of the office, Mavonne suddenly fished her phone from her pocket, typing SunHo's number.

"Wait. Since we're already here, would you want to go out for ice cream? We still have plenty of time", SungGyu invited her.

"I'd love that, oppa", she said in agreement.

"I know a nearby store that sells one. Come on", SungGyu grabbed her wrist instinctively.

"But... won't people recognize you? What about your fans?", Mav asked, her voice full of concern.

"Don't worry, the place isn't that crowded", SungGyu assured her.

And with that, they went to the store. They texted SunHo about their current whereabouts and decided to stay at the store for a while.

"We should also buy ice cream for them... I mean, SunHo - ssi, SungJong - ssi...", Mav suggested. SungGyu smiled and agreed.

A few minutes later, SunHo arrived to picked them up. Mav handed him the ice cream they bought for him with an earnest smile. Feeling grateful for the simple gesture, SunHo returned the smile and thanked her. SungGyu couldn't help but look at Mav.

I wish... I wish...

The ride towards their apartment was silent. Mav and SungGyu managed to fall asleep as SunHo drove.

"Let's see, notebook, planner, pen...", Mav stuffed the things that she'll be needing for her first day inside her bag.

"Need some help?", SungJong asked, holding a bowl of ice cream on one hand.

"I'm almost finished. Won't ice cream keep you awake though?", Mav asked.

"Dessert, Mav. I think dessert is optional after dinner", SungJong said jokingly. "Besides, we won't be able to eat ice cream once our practice starts", he added.

"Aww. Then more ice cream for me" Mav said teasingly.

SungJong entered Mav's room and sat at the side of the bed opposite her, staring at Mav.

He observed her every movement; the way she puts her things inside the bag, the way she tries to recall things she needed. She's charming, he thought. The moment she first entered their apartment, SungJong sensed a different kind of aura around her. He felt the need to know more about her.

"Anyway, I should let you rest", SungJong finally spoke.

"Oh. Okay", Mav nodded absent - mindedly, her gaze fixed on her bag.

"Good night, Mav. Sweet dreams", SungJong said as he ruffled her hair.

"Oppa, stop messing with me", Mav jokingly said.

"Eyy, but you're so cute when you're like this", SungJong chuckled.

Mav could feel the heat rush to her cheeks. She can hear her heart beating faster. 

As soon as SungJong left the room, she quickly rushed to the door and closed it, afraid that he might hear her heart.

Calm down... You're his dongsaeng, she tried to tell herself.

A dongsaeng.

To quickly evade the idea, she decided to go to sleep, concentrating at the sound of her breath, causing her to feel drowsy and eventually fall asleep.

The sound of her phone's alarm caused Mav to wake up early. She decided to make breakfast for the members. After fixing her bed, she immediately rushed to the kitchen and preapred the materials she needed. Though she was reluctant about the recipe, it only took her thirty minutes to prepare and cook breakfast, and also clean the aftermath. She prepared the bowls and food, and placed it on the table. Since no one is up yet, she decided to take a shower first and get ready.

She had finished showering when she saw DongWoo heading towards the bathroom.

"Good morning, DongWoo - ssi", Mav greeted him with an energetic smile.

"Good morning, Mav. You're up early", he replied, still trying to battle the sleepiness he felt.

"Can't be late for my first day", she smirked. "I heard that your practice starts today. Please wake the other members. I already prepared breakfast", Mav instructed.

"Really!? Thanks!", DongWoo replied, the thought of breakfast filled him with excitement.

When Mav returned to the dining table, the seven boys were already eating. As she slowly approached them, SungJong saw her and pointed to the empty chair beside him, motioning her to sit beside him. Recalling the incident last night, she pretended not to notice him and quickly made her way beside SungGyu, leaving SungJong confused. All were silent while eating when suddenly, WooHyun spoke.

"I can't take this anymore. It's too salty. Are you trying kill us?", WooHyun yelled, his tone full of anger.

"Hyung, it won't kill--", SungYeol butted in, trying to calm WooHyun.

"I can't eat this", WooHyun cut him off, standing up and went towards his room. MyungSoo followed after him.

WooHyun's sudden outburst rendered Mav speechless. She tried to hold back her tears and put on a smile for the others. She didn't want to show them her most vulnerable state.

"I guess it's salty", she spoke. "I'm sorry, I'll just order something... You don't have to--", she looked at them apologetically.

"I'm going to eat it. It doesn't taste that bad", SungGyu commented, trying to make the girl feel better.

"I guess it's tolerable", HoYa added.

When the others started to eat again, Mav also followed, feeling guilty.

After they finished their food, SungJong volunteered to wash the dishes while the others get themselves ready. As soon as all of them were finished, SunHo arrived.

"Let's go. Mav, we'll take you to the university. We're going to pass by it, anyway", SunHo offered.

WooHyun shot her an intimidating glare. To prevent the tension from progressing any further, she declined the offer.

"I have to stop by the bookstore to buy some pens, just in case", Mav explained, hoping that they would believe her excuse.

The others were somewhat convinced, but SungJong wasn't. He knew what Mav was trying to do. Before he could retort, Mav quickly left the apartment.

She ran... She ran as fast as she could to the nearest bus station. She couldn't hold back her tears anymore. When the bus arrived, she hopped on it and sat at the backseat, putting on her earphones and stared glumly at the window.

The trip to the university only lasts for twenty minutes. When she finally reached her stop, she hopped down, and with a heavy heart, she gaped at the wide university that stood before her. Her knees started to tremble but she forced herself to walk. She saw a huge field near the administrative building and decided to stay there for a few minutes since she was an hour early for her first class. She felt the wind brush her skin, and her tears automatically fell. For once, she felt free. Free from judgement, free from screaming, free from scolding. The area became a breather, trying to soothe her to forget the incident this morning. At the moment, the field became her silent sanctuary, a place where she can let go of her worries and frustrations.

This feels nice, she thought, before standing up and finally walking towards the administrative building.