I slept for three hours, and woke up to the song of fairies. Everybody else was still asleep, and so was Jessica. She fell fast asleep on the other end of the couch, and was still sleeping away with Dragon on her stomach. I sat up, careful not to make a sound. Jessica didn’t jerk awake. But as soon as I stood from the couch, Dragon’s ear twitched, and his eyes popped wide open.

I put a finger to my lips at the little kitten. He said nothing and jumped down from Sica, straight towards me.

I didn’t bother changing into new clothes. I was still in my tear-stained overalls.

During my short sleep, I had a dream—and that dream would lead me.

I quietly dug inside my backpack, and there it was. The silver jacket. I stared at it for a moment. Dragon cocked his head as he looked at me as I still hadn’t said a word.

Then, I turned to him as I hauled the jacket. “Want to come with me, boy?”

He purred, and I scooped him up and grabbed my big tote bag, big enough to fit him right in.

I was staring at the building for a long time.

Finally, Dragon peered out from the tote bag, and he watched me as I made my way inside. If he could talk, I bet he would surely ask my just what was I doing at SM early in the morning. The sun hasn’t even risen yet.

When I put my hand on the door handle, something flashed my mind. It was like I could feel the pain right on my forehead, the pain when I was hit by the door itself. Strange. Why would I miss the pain?

I entered the building. It was so quiet, I could hear my breathing. The only noise there was were my footsteps. The receptionist looked up from his desk, then returned to whatever he was doing. He didn’t need to wonder about me anymore. I bet he’s seen my face here more than he wanted.

“Erika?”

I turned around.

Kyuhyun entered the lobby and blinked twice when he saw me. He looked like he’d just woken up and had to rush over for some early schedule.

“What’re you doing here?” he asked. He was looking at me up and down, probably wondering if I had even slept the night. I knew my eyebags were visible. And being in the same clothes made me look sloppy.

I opened my mouth. I was going to reply—but then I realized. I didn’t even have the answer.

We headed over to the cafeteria, and Kyuhyun left me at a table to grab some coffee. I stared at the table till he got back, two cups in hand. He placed one in front of me, then sat down on the opposite side, so he was facing me.

“Now, what are you doing here? It’s five o’ clock, Rika.”

“What are you doing here?”

I heard him scoff a little when I shot back the question at him.

“I have my rehearsals,” he said. I could sense a weary tone in his voice. He still looked sleepy. He was wearing just a sweater and jeans. And his hair was uncombed. “Don’t you have a plane to catch?”

The sudden topic made me queasy.

“Yeah. In a few hours.” I probably didn’t look too ecstatic.

“Huh.”

I didn’t know why, but after that he let silence take over. We both continued to sip our drinks. The cafeteria was practically empty. Not a soul had woken up yet except for us, the receptionist, and the cafeteria lady.

He broke the silence all of a sudden. “I’m sorry to say this, but SM trainees don’t come over until ten.”

My eyes must’ve been as wide as tarsier.

“Erika?” He said my name, so softly, I barely heard it.

He looked at me for a long time, and I barely moved an inch away from the wide-eyed look of internal horror.

“You like him,” he said. “Don’t you?”

Somehow, the hor