Chapter 3: Friendhips Folded? Crisis?

"there will always be a reason why we meet people"

-Madelaine Sheeha

Maya POV:

I looked at Chanyeol in confusion and alarm then saw the small figure of Lynn- well even though she's taller than me she's still small- run towards me. I immediately went towards her and asked what's wrong

"In my room.... Singing.... No way.... But real.... Exo..." She said and I understood her shock. Probably should have thought of that before but oh well. I decided to a bit

"English sweetie. You know the language we've been speaking for 5 years? Do you still know what full sentences mean?" I said barely hiding my laugh with a snort.

"EXO WERE SINGING IN MY ROOM!!" She finally exclaimed and I hummed unfazed

"I know I sent them to wake you up after all. Although wait... Singing? I'm pretty sure I never asked them to do that. So extra" I let out a huff and rolled my eyes

"WHAT!? You sent them to me? Maya, how could you? Look at how I am. I haven't washed up yet, my hair is a mess and I'm wearing a freaking ugly panda pajama" She said freaking out and I started to fan at her to calm her down trying not to find the situation too amusing

"Hey I bought you that for your birthday panda" I said in mock offense and then rolled my eyes "Chill down honey. They're not here to ask for your hand in marriage. Just to check up on you."

"Still!! I don't think they saw me well since I sprinted out as soon as I saw them. Maybe I still have some time to prepare myself." She said and started patting her messy braids

"Sorry to inform you but... One of them is already here and has witnessed your whole freaking out hon" I said with an unapologetic face and pointed with my thumb at Chanyeol who was behind us by a few feet. He waved and smiled at her and I think I saw her soul leave her body in that moment. So extra I swear.

Just then came a cough from behind. We turned around with dread knowing who it was without looking, Lynn out of embarrassment and me out of fear she'll actually die right there. Burying a body is too much work. Anyways, there in front of us stood the 8 Exo members and soon joined them the giant to become complete.

"Uhm so, we are really sorry for the shock we gave you Lynn-ssi. I guess our attempt at waking you up gently like Maya-ssi told us to was a big fail" Said their leader with an apologetic smile at both of us. One that was answered by an eyeroll from me and a star struck look from Lynn

Speaking of Lynn, I shook her a bit to snap her out of it. After a few small- okay maybe big- shakes she finally got out of her trance. But talking seemed to still be a luxury for her so I took charge to save her

"So now that Lynn's awake how about you guys finally explain what how and why you are here?" I said in Korean.

"Oh, certainly, well as you already know we found your key." The leader said and gestured to the key that was still in my hand which I just remembered and passed to Lynn who seemed to be finally out of her awestruck state as she uttered a thank you and bowed. After that he continued "And so we brought it back to the coffee shop. But we didn't find you and when we asked the manager he said you wouldn't be working today. After that we went for a walk since we were already here and that's when our chanyeol bumped into you Maya-ssi. As for why? As we said we want to make sure Lynn-ssi is fine." He explained and throughout it what I thought was 'wow that guy talks a lot'

I nodded a bit and then turned to go finish making the pancakes.

EXO POV

After explaining everything Suho was expecting at least a bit of a reaction but all the cold girl- that's what they started calling her, it was an unspoken agreement- did was turn her back on them. They then looked at Lynn who seemed to be coming out of a trance.

"Oh my, to think my idols are here to check on me. Thank you very much for your concern. I'm truly fine as you see. It was just a small fainting and the doctor just said I should rest." She said with a bright smile and then looked at her cold friend and back at them

"Excuse Maya. She's just not like other people. Whereas other people would announce their actions she just does it. But she never means to disrespect anyone." She defended and the members waved their hands to signalize it didn't bother them even though it was a lie

"Don't worry Lynn-ssi. You don't have to defend her." Said Kai this time as he seemed to realize no one but their leader was talking

"Yeah. Maya's awkwardness is actually very cute. Like a tsundere anime girl" Chanyeol was the one to speak this time. And all the members looked at him like he was talking in alien language that only him and the cheerful girl in front of them understood.

"That's right. Chanyeol oppa really understands Maya I'm happy." She said and clapped her hands once

"Of course. She's a bit like our Kyungsoo here when we first met" He said and put his arm around the smaller male

"The batter is ready. You, the one with the large eyes. You're a good cook, right? Come help. You guys came all this way so you might as well stay for breakfast since giant boy helped a bit in making it. Panda you go wash up and wear something else" Maya said coming back from the kitchen and pointed to Kyungsoo and gesturing for him to follow her then she left as soon as she came.

He hesitated a bit baffled by the behavior but then Chanyeol was pushing him and when he looked to his other hyungs for help they all turned their heads away. He sighed and walked to the kitchen

"Okay well since we're invited to eat here, we should help right? Let's set the table" The happy virus said and grinned at his fellow members who could do nothing but follow his lead

"Oh, I will help then" Lynn said and moved to do that but she was held back with two arms linked in each of hers.

"No no no. You're a patient. And patients shall not work. Plus, Maya-ssi is quite scary and if she learns we let you work she might cook us with the breakfast. Now listen to doctor Kim." It was the troll of the group Chen. With his partner in crime Minseok on her other side pulling her towards where the bathroom seemed to be.

"That's right. Plus, it's very unhygienic to not wash up as soon as you wake up" The eldest member chided and Lynn knew she couldn't win against these two. Partly because she can't really say anything after being so close with her idols and even touching them so she just went to the bathroom to do as told.

Meanwhile in the kitchen.

"Vegetables!"

"Chocolate!"

"Vegetables!!"

"Chocolate!!"

"VEGETABLES!"

"CHOCOLATE!"

"Why are you so stubborn?"

"I could say the same to you"

The two cooks glared at each other. How did it get to this? Well it escalated really quickly.

A few minutes ago

Kyungsoo walked to the kitchen and looked around not sure what to do. Fortunately, Maya immediately jumped into work giving him an apron and telling him what they were making

The boy then after tying his apron made a move to look for material. But since he wasn't sure where to look he decided to ask his co-chef

"Where do you put the vegetables?" He looked towards the slightly shorter girl and she looked back nodding over at a spot

"Geundae(but)…. Why are you looking for the vegetables?" She asked as she buttered the pan they will be using "We are making pancakes after all"

"To make vegetables pancakes of course." The male answered while taking out some green vegetables. Just then there was a gasp and a 'yah' from the other person in the kitchen. He looked back at her at that moment, confused and offended by the lack of manners

"What are you saying? If it's pancakes it has to be chocolate. No no. I refuse to use vegetables" She said and glared at the thing in his hand crossing her arms

"Maya-ssi. Vegetable pancakes is very much a thing and a common one at that. And in breakfast you should have vegetables rather than sweets" He said and crossed his arms back at her.

Maya lifted her chin and stared at him icily

"Chocolate" She declared with finality

"Vegetables" He said back as stubbornly

"Chocolate."

"Vegetables."

Back to the present

And that's how they ended up here. Both fuming and glaring at each other.

"Maya-ssi. Lynn-ssi has fainted yesterday. Now I see why. You obviously don't feed her enough vegetables. She needs stuff like that for a good health. And so do you." Kyungsoo said matter of factly trying to get some sense into this stubborn girl.

She seemed to consider him for a moment and then shot back "I admit you are right. But sweets are also very important for the energy. And back in France breakfast used to be sweets"

They both seemed to think about the others' words for a moment and then looked at each other and seemed to communicate through their eyes.

"Okay I got it. Let's make both. Equally. And everyone will be happy" The cold girl said and threw her hands in the air

"That is fine with me. After all a good meal should be balanced" The petite male said and smiled his heart shaped smile. Maybe Chanyeol was right after all. She is a bit cute. Rude and bratty, but cute.

They then worked in a comfortable silence, sometimes even helping each other. Maya left the pancakes to him and went to do the coffees listening to the male's instructions about how everyone likes theirs. And she taught him a few tricks about how to decorate the food. When they were done they were both very satisfied with their works and weren't so awkward with each other anymore.

Meanwhile in the dining room

If Maya had succeeded in becoming friends with the awkward bean of Exo, Lynn has charmed everyone else. And she as well has become more comfortable with them. With how chatty she was it was no surprise. She got along well with them, joked with the beagle line, and even succeeded in including Lay and Xiumin. She gave everyone the feel of a cute little sister

"Breakfast is ready" Said Kyungsoo coming out with the pancakes and some toast they decided on making last minute. Following him was Maya with the coffees on a tray

Once they set the things on the table everyone sat down. Kyungsoo took charge like he was used to and served everyone who thanked him. He then served Maya a vegetable pancake and she scowled at him to which he replied with a reprimanding look.

"You two look like a mother and her spoiled daughter" Chen joked and laughed at the glare he received from both.

"It's true though. You two look very comfortable with each other. How come?" Asked Baekhyun addressing his fellow member.

"Yeah Maya what happened in there? You don't make friends easily" Lynn asked her friend who was seated next to her

The two in question looked at each other and then shrugged and replied at once "Cooking" They said simply and started eating their food.

The other people in the room just looked at each other confused but moved on quickly in favor of eating. There was some banter here and there between the Exo members, the Exo members and Lynn, Lynn and Maya and Maya with Chanyeol and D.O who were the only members comfortable with her although the others slowly started feeling less scared.

From an outsider view, it looked like a family. It had a cozy and nice feeling to it. But they didn't know that they will be facing a crisis as soon as they're finished with their food.

After a while

Everyone had finished and they were sitting in the living room after doing the dishes- Xiumin had offered to do it since he liked doing dishes and as a thank you- and they were getting to know the two girls, although the conversation was mostly carried by Lynn as they found out that Maya was not much of a talker.

They found out the two girls were currently studying in NYU. That they came from France, Maya first when she was 17 and then Lynn at 18. That they were childhood friends who went to the same schools since fourth grade. And many other things (Lynn really talks a lot)

"Ah" Maya said all of a sudden and everyone turned to look at her. She looked at them and stayed silent for a moment before realizing they were expecting an explanation

"I only realized it now, maybe because there were too many things to process since your leader talks a lot, but you said that the coffee shop manager said we have the day off" she said to which Xiumin nodded instead of his offended dongsaeng at being called a blabber mouth.

"But I never told him that I will be taking the day off. It's expected of Lynn since she fainted yesterday but it's not the first time I work when she's not on duty. Is he perhaps giving me a vacation to take care of you?" She said mostly to herself and looked at Lynn who shrugged at her. She then excused herself and went to make a call

"Now that I think about it...." Suho began "That guy was really suspicious, insisting that we give him the key, it looked like he was trying to get rid of us" He said with a thoughtful look

"WHAT!" They heard Maya yell at the phone and all stood up to go where she is.

Maya POV:

After excusing myself- well really all I did was stand up and wave my phone as I walked to the hallway- I called the café. Is it a vacation? I really hope so. I don't wanna wake up in the morning.

"Oh hey Tate. It's Maya" I said as soon as the line was connected "There are some guys here who visited the café... Yeah that's them... Ah yes we got the key don't worry... But they said something weird... They said you said I had the day off? Are you perhaps giving me finally a vacation after realizing that I work so well?" I said jokingly but soon I became serious

"Actually Maya... I'm really sorry but Eli, She said she's gonna sue you and the café with if I don't fire you both."

"WHAT? Tate what are you... How dare that... I see... No I understand... I know. You wouldn't if you had a choice... It's fine Tate. Really. You know how capable I am.... Thanks that would be great... You don't have to send it I'll come... Oh yeah you're right. Then I'll be expecting quite a lot of money as compensation... It's a joke Tate.... Yes I'll see you someday if I pass by then... Goodbye" I said to the phone then hung up and massaged my temples.

"I know you're there just come out already" I said to the bunch that were not so slyly eavesdropping.

They came out slowly and Lynn came towards me to ask me what happened

"Tate fired us. He said if he doesn't that Eli will sue both me and the café. He said he'll send a compensation salary though and recommend me if he ever hears of a place hiring" I said and gave a small smile to her sad face "It's gonna be okay Lynn, We'll get over it" I said but she still suddenly started to cry so I took her in my arms. "Oh stop you cry baby." I chuckled a bit

"It's my fault. If you hadn't fought for my sake it wouldn't have happened. Actually if I didn't get in this mess in the first place we wouldn't even have to work part time" She sobbed on my shoulder and I shushed her.

That's when I realized the audience we had. Lynn also seemed to have as she straightened and started wiping at her tears

"You guys are probably wondering. I should tell you the whole story then" she said in korean and I stopped her

"Are you sure Lynn?" I asked whispering. Lynn never told anyone ever since... well ever since her brother and family turned their backs on her

She just nodded and tried to maintain a strong look but she crumbled down once again so I took her in my arms and called for Chanyeol to bring her to bed.

After a few moments

We were seated in the living room. Me and the 9 membered group. Lynn was sleeping cause of the break down.

"So as Lynn was saying she apparently wants to tell you the whole story. But since she's not in the state to do that right now and honestly, I don't think she's ready yet I'll take charge." I said and they all got serious. They sensed probably that what I'm about to talk about is very hard

I took a deep breath and my lips then started

"Around two months ago, it was my birthday. Me and Lynn and my boyfriend at the time went clubbing to celebrate. But between dancing and the drinks I completely ditched Lynn. It wasn't the first time we separate. But what I failed to notice is that Lynn was not feeling great that night. And that drove her to drink, a lot. She got really drunk to the point she doesn't even remember the events of the night. All she remembers is drinking and then it's all a black until... Until the next day when she called me frightened after waking up alone in a hotel room without clothes. I guess you can already guess what happened. I know what you'll think. We're in America. Drunken one-night stands are very common. But no, it wasn't just a normal one-night stand for two reasons. The first is that Lynn was a . She lost it to someone she doesn't even know or remember the face of. So you can imagine the shock. After that day it took two weeks to get her back to smile and talk normally. But soon after another problem arised. A worse one. Lynn found out that she was with child" I took another deep breath at that. It's very hard for Lynn to speak of it but for me as well. Lynn is my sister. And I always blame myself for not realizing she was depressed. I was with her throughout that hell of a month. I saw how devastated she was, how lifeless. I'd do anything to go back in time and prevent it. I shook my head. It's not the time, I have to be strong. I continued "Well after that Lynn was really like a corpse. The lynn you see now is pretty cheerful right? Well she is not even at 40% of the real Lynn. The real lynn was so full of life and she loved to have fun. Now it's like she's scared if she's too happy something will break her. Anyways after that it took so much to get her back on two feet. Especially after her brother... Lynn has a brother who lives in Chicago as she said earlier. She lived with him he took care of her. But when she told him. He threw her out saying she was a disgrace. After that the whole family didn't want her anymore. It was really so heartbreaking. She even tried... She wanted to end it all. If I hadn't found her in time she wouldn't be here now. After that she moved in with me. And without the support of her family we had to work part time jobs to pay for our expanses. But now, because I fought with that blonde , after she said those horrible things about Lynn being a , We got fired. That was what Tate, the manager told me. And that's the story" I finished and looked at them expecting a look of pity, shock but instead what I found was... determination? Pure fire of determination and sympathy. What are they thinking?

-Don't drink guys. It only leads to problems. And no this chapter is not sponsored by a no drinking campaign

-Anyways finally back with a chapter. I suddenly got the inspiration to continue. Has it been a year? How long do you think it'll take next time lol?