ANGELA   How crazier can this day still get? I take back what I said earlier. Tagging along in this trip was a bad idea.   After drying myself and changing my clothes, I curled up on my bed and had the fresh clean white duvet wrapped tightly around me, all the way from my head down to my toes. I don’t think I’m ever coming out of this self-made cocoon of mine.   The water was so damn chilly! I think I’ll catch a cold.   I wonder how Kyuhyun’s doing though…   Kyuhyun.   Memories from earlier suddenly flashed back. The kiss…the canoe abduction.   “DAMN IT, ANGELA! IT’S BECAUSE I CARE FOR YOU! WHY CAN’T YOU SEE THAT?!”   My fingers gently touched my lips that I felt myself blush. I squeezed my eyes shut as I gave myself a mental slap.   ARGH! It’s not supposed to feel this way. Everything’s so confusing. I hate him for making me feel this way!!   One minute he shows his great disdain towards me and then afterwards he just goes up to me and kisses me with no warning. And it wasn’t just any kiss. It was my first kiss!   And he took it away just like that.   I remember how his arms were tightly wrapped around me and how our lips seemed to perfectly fit each other’s. I felt the rapid beating of his heart against mine as our kiss started to deepen. My mind was telling me to push him away but my body couldn’t manage to do it.   A part of me didn’t want it to end, to be honest.   YIKES! I felt my cheeks becoming hot again that I groaned loudly.   “Angela?” Zee’s concerned voice put a halt to my mourning.   Oh… how long has she been there?   “Yea?”   I felt her sat down on my bed and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Do you plan on crawling out of there soon?”   “Nope.” I said, not moving an inch under my blanket.   “Oh. Well, I thought you might want to take a walk with me by the shore. The sunset looks nice. It might be nice to take a couple of pictures, you know.” I felt her stand up and went to her side of the bed.   “Sounds nice but I’ll pass. Too much has happened today.” I said as I bit my lip. I’m guessing Zee already knew about it. Henry had for sure successfully shown the video to everyone. News travels fast when you’re with these people.   “And isn’t it…more timely to watch the sunset with Heechul Oppa instead?” I asked in sudden realization.   Not that I didn’t want to hang out with Zee but…you know what I mean.   “Yea. Isn’t that what couples do?” A deep, male voice said rather huskily that I stiffened in shock.   “Ya! What are you doing here?” Zee scowled at her beloved boyfriend. Whatever he’s doing right now and how he got in here, I totally have no idea about that.   And I have no plans of showing my face to them anytime soon.   “What?” Heechul Oppa exclaimed innocently, and I could imagine his big, round eyes becoming even wider.   “You are aware that this is the girls’ room, right?” Zee asked knowingly, putting an emphasis on “girls”. I could imagine her raising an eyebrow at Heechul Oppa whom in return would look nonchalant.   “Well, I get a lot of comments saying that I look like a girl.” Heechul Oppa said with a snigger. “Besides, this actually used to be the maknaes’ room too.”   Kyuhyun. I felt myself blush at the thought of him yet again. I groaned in despair, hoping that these sudden reactions would stop occurring to me.   Henry’s a maknae too! Why didn’t I even consider thinking of that?   “What’s up with her?” I heard Heechul Oppa say as I heard some shuffling on Zee’s side of the bed.   “Escaping fate’s calling, I suppose.” Zee said in reply.   “He stole my first kiss!” I couldn’t help myself from saying before breaking into sobs.   There was silence for a few minutes and I could imagine the two lovebirds exchanging knowing glances.   “How did he steal your first kiss when you were kissing him back? We all saw the—ow!” I heard Heechul Oppa flinch in pain. I wonder what Zee did to him.   “You are not helping.” Zee said through gritted teeth.   “I was just telling the truth!” He replied indignantly.   “You are as insensitive as a rock, Kim Heechul!” Zee retorted back.   “Ya! I’m saying these things because I care for these two clueless lovebirds!” Heechul Oppa replied back a little irritably.   “Guys, please don’t fight.” I said starting to worry about the slight tension that was forming.   “We’re not fighting. We’re just having a couple’s moment.” Heechul Oppa replied, the change his tone suddenly wanting to make me laugh but I stopped myself.   “Whatever.” I heard Zee say and I could imagine her rolling her eyes at Heechul Oppa. “Now, if you will excuse me, I’ll just take a walk by the shore.  Last call, Angela?”   “I’ll pass.” I said with certainty.   I heard some shuffling on the bed as Zee stood up.   “Ya! What about me?” Heechul Oppa called back to her.   “Do whatever you want.” I heard Zee say. There was a few seconds of silence until I heard Heechul Oppa snickering before I heard Zee’s footsteps approach the door.   I wonder what these two were on about.   “Oh Angela, still not planning to get out of there?” Heechul Oppa’s voice rang in a sing-song manner.   “Nope.” I said flatly.   “Well, I might as well call Siwon over to drag Kyuhyun here and lock you two up in this room.” Heechul Oppa said seriously that I could imagine the evil glint forming in his eyes.   I dare not test Heechul Oppa as I know that he is capable of putting his words into action. So I heaved a sigh of defeat as I slowly pulled down the blanket over my head then I was a bit surprised to see Heechul Oppa with a triumphant smug smile as he sat at the foot of my bed.   “Good girl. Now, listen.” He began as he peered at the door, making sure that no one was there watching. When the coast was clear, he turned to look back at me, his eyes looking like that as of a puppy begging for food.   “You already know about the surprise party we’re planning for Zee, right?” He said a little softer now.   I nodded my head. Today is Zee’s birthday and for the entire time that we have been together, I haven’t greeted her yet. I don’t think she knows that I know. She didn’t want a lot of people to know, I’ve heard. And now that there’s a surprise planned for her, I thought I’d make my greetings later so as to not risk spoiling anything.   “So what’s the plan? Anything I could help with?”   “Well, your presence would be enough. I overheard that you didn’t want to come out of here soon given what happened earlier. So I had to make sure you’ll come out. Also, I believe the other members are starting with the preparations. Maybe they can use another helping hand and…I think they need you around to keep things in order. You know how messy those twerps can be.” Heechul Oppa said with a wink.   “Huh, those babies.” I mumbled under my breath. Here goes another episode of babysitting grown-up men who happened to be global idols.   Heechul Oppa chuckled as his hand reached out to my head and ruffled my hair. “That’s a good dongsaeng.”   “Anyway, I’ll be out to stall Zee. I’ll see you later.” He stood up from his seat and left the room.   *** It took me awhile before I decided to go down the dining room so I can help with the preparations for Zee’s surprise party. I was careful not to have any run-ins with Kyuhyun. I’m not sure if he is also down here but there’s a big chance that he might be and well, there’s nothing I can do about that. I would’ve opted to lock myself up in the room if it weren’t for Heechul Oppa’s request, and well…it’s Zee’s birthday. My presence would be the least I could do for a friend.   “Oh hey Angela! You’re here!” Ryeowook Oppa greeted cheerfully with a confetti popper in hand.   Everyone else turned to look at me and greeted me with smiles. I carefully looked at each of them, hoping not to catch a glimpse of you-know-who and to my relief and sudden curiosity, I don’t see him around, so as Siwon Oppa, Donghae Oppa and Eunhyuk Oppa. The ones left around here were Yesung Oppa, Leeteuk Oppa, Sungmin Oppa, Henry, Zhou Mi Ge and Shindong Oppa busy inflating some of the balloons.   The dining room looks quite...bare. The only design I see is the colourful letter cut-outs of “Happy Birthday Zee!” banner.   “Where are the others?” I couldn’t help but ask as I looked around the place.   “Don’t you mean ‘where’s Kyuhyun hyung?’” Henry commented with a silly grin on his face.   “Hey! Don’t you owe me an apology?” I retorted back quickly, crossing my arms.   Henry’s small eyes widened, trying to look innocent. “What for?”   Oi, seriously.   The others were now looking at us with interest. I saw Sungmin Oppa nudging Henry on his ribs but I saw how hard he was trying to suppress his laughter.   “Argh!” I grunted in frustration. “Just wait you wait and see when you get a girlfriend!”   “So, you’re actually claiming that you and Kyuhyun hyung are an item now?” Henry said with another mischievous grin.   The others started sniggering and howling. The implication of what I just said suddenly dawned upon me. Oh dear.   Before I could even respond, I felt Leeteuk Oppa’s hand gently touch my shoulder. “Okay. That’s enough, Henry.”   There was something about Leeteuk Oppa’s smile that seemed unusual. It looked kind of forced, as if there was something else he was conveying to Henry. Well, whether it was forced or not, I guess I owe Leeteuk Oppa.   “Is there anything else I can help with, Oppa?” I asked so as to change the topic. Everyone started to go back to their own businesses again.   “Well, you can start putting some of the finished balloons up on the wall.” Leeteuk Oppa said kindly as he handed me two balloons: one white and the other blue. “If ever you need any help, just call any of our attention.”   “Don’t worry, Oppa. I’ve got this.” I reassured him with a smile before I left.   I’ve put up at least four pairs of balloons around the corners of the dining room. I’ve also found some spare baby blue colored ribbons which I used to enhance the ambiance of the place. I tied the thick ones around the sticks of the two balloons and curled the thin ones for it to dangle on the two sides of the banner.   Now the place is starting to feel more party-like.   The next thing I offered to do was doing the table design along with Yesung Oppa. We picked some of the table clothes that the resort had which came in various colors and designs. We just decided to go for the simple one: a plain gold colored silk for the top layer and a white table cloth for the bottom layer.   “It was lovely meeting your brother yesterday, Oppa.” I suddenly told him, remembering my encounter with Jongjin last night.   “Ayiiiiieee! Last night was pretty memorable for you, I see.” Yesung Oppa teased and with that look, I already know what he meant. “Jongjin said you and Kyuhyun really look good together.”   “Not you too, Oppa!” I groaned as I dropped the cloths on the table.   “What? You brought up my brother. He said he really enjoyed playing Cupid between you two. And he looks forward to hanging out with you soon again.” Yesung Oppa spoke really fast with enthusiasm that I just blinked my eyes at him in respond.   Once we have finished doing the table design, I went inside the kitchen to offer my help and the smell of spaghetti sauce wafted through my nose as Sungmin Oppa mixed it. I was surprised to see Henry in there putting breading on fish meat . Ryeowook Oppa was straining the pasta noodles on the sink.   “Hi guys! Anything else I can help you with?” I asked as I approached beside Ryeowook Oppa.   “Oh hey Angela! Well, hmm…” Ryeowook Oppa trailed off for awhile then he exchanged worried glances with Henry and Sungmin Oppa.   “How about you set the table for us instead Angela?” Sungmin Oppa suggested with a smile.   “Yesung Oppa and I finished that already.”   “I’m actually off to cook the last noodle dish. Want to assist me with that instead?” Ryeowook Oppa asked cheerfully.   Now I’m really starting to understand Kei why she likes this guy. He is so gentle and kind.   Ryeowook Oppa and I gathered all the ingredients he was going to use. I learned that what Oppa will cook is Japchae. Cool!   “Henry-ah, the ake mushrooms you cut were too big.” Ryeowook Oppa said as he examined the pieces of mushroom with a pout.   “Oops, sorry!” Henry replied guiltily, flour still all over his hands.   “I could cut it in a smaller piece for you, Oppa.” I offered to them as I reached for the mushrooms.   “No!” The three of them said in unison, worry and concern painted all over their faces.  I looked quite taken aback. I know Kyuhyun probably told them how clumsy I could be but I’m confident that I’ve changed somehow under Zee’s supervision.   “It’s not that we don’t trust you, Angela. It’s just that we know that you’re not used to this kind of activity and we don’t want you to get hurt.” Sungmin Oppa said gently as he probably noticed my expression.   “Kyuhyun hyung will break our necks if anything bad happens to you.” Henry blurted out. Can’t blame him. I bet he’s in Kyuhyun’s top list today.   “Don’t worry about that. I can handle this, trust me. Zee has taught me really well these past few months. Besides, I can’t just stand here and let you all do the work. So please? I promise, I won’t hurt myself.” I reassured them with a smile and they all sighed in defeat.   “All right. Cut beside me so I can see you.” Ryeowook Oppa said as he handed me the chopboard and the knife.   All was going well in the kitchen world. Henry and Sungmin Oppa started singing to Jason Mraz’s Im Yours, just like what they did in one of their shows in Taiwan, which I watched a few weeks ago. I told them about it and they all started telling me how tiring yet fun the shootings were, about how Henry’s team should have won during the cooking showdown, then they started bickering about the Night Market challenge wherein Henry and Zhou Mi really had the advantage of winning because they were experts in the Chinese language so the challenges were easier to do for them.                                                       They would ask me to take each of their sides but all I could do was laugh along and shake my head at them while I chop.   “Honestly though, I think they should have split Zhou Mi Ge and Henry to the--- OUCH!” I suddenly let go of the knife and the three boys suddenly panicked over to my side.   “Is the cut that big?” Sungmin Oppa asked worriedly as he bit his fingers.   “Should we tell Kyuhyun hyung?” Henry had his fist over his mouth, looking scared and worried as well.   “I’ll get the first aid kit.” Ryeowook Oppa said, trying to sound calm.   “Guys, chill.” I chuckled at them because of their reactions. I feel grateful that they are worried for me but they really have to chill once in awhile. “I didn’t cut my finger. It’s my leg. I think a red ant or some sort of insect bit me.”   “Ohh…” The three of them trailed off, looking relieved and then we all went back to our normal chattering.   It didn’t take long until I finished with the chopping and Ryeowook Oppa was finally able to cook his dish. It took around 45 minutes for the dish to finish then Ryeowook Oppa and Sungmin Oppa excused themselves for awhile because they felt like they need to take a shower after all the cooking.   So Henry and I were the only ones left in the kitchen. I was washing the used utensils while Henry started frying his fish fillets.   “I still can’t believe you can actually cook.” I told him as I watched him with interest.   “Don’t believe what you saw on that cooking challenge. I can actually cook better than Ryeowook hyung.” He said with a wink.   I just shook my head and rolled my eyes at him. A few seconds later, we heard Siwon Oppa’s voice in the dining area, asking how everything’s going.   “Ooh! They’ve arrived!”   “Where have they been anyway?” I asked, and hoping that Henry would answer my question seriously this time.   “They bought Zee’s cake and a couple of desserts. Oh and, Angela, do me a favour pleas