Eunji was sitting by the window sipping her tea. She had been texting Key since morning (of course, he was the one who started the chat). They had a lot of things in common and even shared their ideal type with each other. She was careful not to make hers too obvious, but the same couldn't be said for Key. Every trait he pointed out seemed to direct at Eunji. She didn't want to get her hopes up, though. There were plenty of girls at their school who was confident, funny, and smart too. There were also plenty who shared the same interest in art like him. 

Krystal had texted her earlier to ask if she and Naeun wanted to grab lunch together with the boys before strolling around Starlight - sightseeing and taking pictures together before ending the day with ice-skating. "That girl sure has it all planned out," Eunji chuckled. She agreed to Krystal's plan and vouched for Naeun that she too would be delighted to have the boys around. Krystal sent her a smirking emoticon. Eunji continued texting Key when a sudden shriek jolted her up. 

"Naeun-ah!" 

Naeun's body drenched in sweat as she gasped for air. Memories of her nightmare resurfaced. She's had her fair share of nightmares in the past but none were as horrifying or felt more real than the one she dreamt. 

"Kwenchana?" she looked at her worried friend and nodded slightly. "Bad dream," Naeun mumbled. Eunji pulled her into an embrace, patting Naeun's back. She wondered what nightmare had caused her friend to look as white as snow, but knew better than to ask now.  Once Naeun had calmed down, Eunji told her about Krystal's plans for the day. Naeun merely nodded before heading to the bathroom to get dressed. A text from Krystal appeared on Eunji's phone.

Krystal: I'll be down in fifteen minutes. 

Eunji: Alrighty. We'll be down shortly too.

~~~

The cafe Krystal recommended was pretty far from the hotel, so they had to take a carriage ride there. The girls rode in one carriage while the boys rode in another. Krystal noticed Naeun continuously checking herself in her compact mirror and chuckled, "Since when were you into vanity?" she joked. Naeun blushed. Truth be told, vanity never concerned the raven-haired girl but she had to put a little extra on to cover her puffy eyes. She kept her mirror in her purse and continued staring out front for the whole ride, in silence. 

Unfortunately, Naeun's nightmare made her lose her appetite. While everyone ordered large main dishes, she opted for a bowl of french onion soup with sourdough toast on the side. Their stroll around Starlight didn't cheer her up much either. She gladly took pictures for her friends, and the boys' humorous attitudes, especially Kai's, made their stroll entertaining. Naeun enjoyed their company and had never seen her girls so happy but her happiness refused to come out. Eunji shot her a few worried glances, but Nauen shook her head at each of them, signaling to her that she'd be fine eventually. Eunji wasn't convinced, but let it go as she too did not want to ruin the happy atmosphere.

~~~

The moment their eyes met, Taemin knew something was wrong with Naeun. Her sudden silence and loss of appetite had only confirmed his suspicion; she looked bothered. He wasn't sure if he should bring up his concern. They'd only known each other for three days, and he didn't want to ruin the happy mood that the rest were spreading. So, he stayed quiet. It was only after taking pictures and strolling around town did her mood start lightening up. He could tell she was trying to stay happy for the others. When they had reached the town square, an idea popped into Taemin's mind. He whispered it to Kai and Key and as the two girls were busy deciding which pictures looked the cutest and Instagram-worthy, "Snowball fight!!" Taemin yelled and threw a snowball in their direction, Kai and Key following behind. The sudden ambush startled the girls but they hurriedly kept their phones and ran toward the nearest snow pile.

"Game on!" Krystal exclaimed as she threw a snowball at Kai's direction. It hit him square in the face causing Key to burst out laughing before he too was hit by a snowball. Passersby stopped and stared while a few others started their own mini snowball fights. Soon, the town square was filled with squeals and snow flying around.

Naeun couldn't stop laughing. Her cheeks ached, but she didn't care. All thoughts about her nightmare disappeared, replaced with fun and thrill. She spotted Key chasing after Kai with a large pile of snow in his hands.

Since when did it become a solo battle? She was then hit in the head by a snowball behind her and turned around to catch the culprit. "Yah!!" she screamed at the two and chased after Taemin and Eunji before the two split directions, leaving Naeun to decide quickly who to chase. She stopped for a second to grab a pile of snow before continuing her chase after the black-hooded figure.

Come and get it, pretty boy, and threw her snowball at him.

"You missed!" he mocked and Naeun cursed under her breath. She grabbed another pile of snow and continued chasing after Taemin. It was hard to catch up with the guy! Not only was he fast, but Naeun was also running out of breath from all the chasing and laughing. Another snowball was sent flying in her direction.

"Yah! Jeong Eunji!"

Naeun switched course and chased after her screaming friend.

~~~

Who knew snowball fighting could be so tiring? 

Taemin's body ached all over but it was worth it. Everyone seemed closer to one another now and he noticed especially how close Eunji and Key had become.

 It had only been a day since their first meet up, yet Taemin felt like he had known the girls for longer. He stared at them as they brought hot cocoas from a nearby stall back to the table where he and the boys sat. Naeun's smile looked genuine now and Taemin couldn't help but smile too. His plan had worked.

"I'm hungry!" Naeun whined. "That's what you get for only eating a bowl of soup," Krystal lightly scolded the grumpy girl. She brought them to a nearby bakery store before heading out to the ice skating rink. On their way to the rink, Kai asked Krystal how she knew so much about Starlight Resort which made Naeun and Eunji look dumbfounded - how did they not think of such a question? Krystal simply answered that it was because her sister worked there, but that didn't convince the girls. For Krystal to be so indulged in Starlight's geography, it had to be more than just her sister's job. 

Krystal wasn't sure if she should spill her little secret. It wasn't official yet, but they've been going on for so long, it was bound to happen soon. She turned to her friends and announced that the CEO of Starlight Resorts was dating (and probably planning to propose soon too) Jessica. Their eyes widened.

"MWO?!"

Krystal immediately shushed them. She told them to keep her sister's relationship a secret as she worried that their peers may take advantage of her to get free souvenirs or, specifically, free tickets to Starlight's amusement park. It wasn't included in Headmaster Han's briefing which meant students would have to use their own pocket money to purchase them. Being privileged students (mostly), money wouldn't be a problem but Krystal wouldn't be surprised if a handful of them start plotting ideas on how to get their hands on free tickets if they knew about Jessica's secret. Everyone nodded at her before continuing their walk to the skating rink.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Key asked, nervously looking at Eunji. He was hesitant to step foot into the rink. He was barely able to walk his way to it without tumbling every five seconds. Eunji chuckled at him and offered him her hand, "Relax, it's easy!"

"Easy for you to say!" he snapped, but Eunji grabbed his hand and dragged him into the rink. Key nearly lost his balance, but her firm grip helped him regain it. Slowly, Key started skating with Eunji guiding him.

Taemin looked at the two brunettes and smiled. He spotted Kai and Krystal who seemed to be in their own world as well and wondered where a certain raven-haired girl was. He found her near the railings, holding on to them for dear life.

"Need a hand kitty?" he called out from a distance. Naeun tried letting go of the railings, but immediately lost her balance and slipped. "Ow," she grumbled. Taemin crouched next to her and offered his hand. She accepted it before mumbling a thank you to him. Like Eunji, he held Naeun's hands and guided her to the center of the rink. As they skated together, Naeun sensed her peers staring at her.

"Who's that girl with Taemin?"

"Is that his girlfriend?"

"No way! Last I asked, he was still single!"

"What's so special about her?"

Naeun's cat-like ears caught every comment they said. Taemin heard them as well but he had learned to ignore them over time. He noticed her uneasiness and tightened his grip on her to get her attention.

"Don't listen to them," he said firmly but gently, "Just keep your eyes on me."

Naeun bit her lip but nodded in reply. They were getting closer to the center and as Naeun started getting the hang of skating, Taemin slowly loosened his hold on her. 

Panic rose up, "W-what're you doing?" 

"Letting the little bird take its wings," he smirked, "You'll be fine. I'll be right behind you." Once he had let go, Naeun focused all her balance on her core and attempted to move forward. She was skating - slowly, but it was a start. A smile appeared on her face. She heard her friends cheering for her and saw Key getting the hang of skating too. She turned around to smile at Taemin. 

Big mistake.

The moment she did, she lost focus and her balance.

Oh crap!

She waited for the cold, hard impact to come as her legs left the icy ground, but her back was instead greeted by something soft and firm.

"Ow," he winced. 

Naeun quickly got off of Taemin, "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! Are you alright?"

"Told you I'd make sure you land on me," he winked and she giggled.

"You failed the first time."

"You were too far from me!"

It was their second squabble and the two couldn't help but laugh it off. They didn't realize how close their faces were until Kai skated past them.

"Get a room you two." 

Naeun quickly pulled herself away from Taemin, avoiding his gaze. She managed to get up on her own and tried skating on her own again. She half-heartedly wished Taemin would stop trailing behind her, but it also brought her assurance to know that someone was ready to catch her should she fall again. She prayed she wouldn't, though. The girls around her shot daggers at the brunette. 

Just keep your eyes on me. 

Naeun sighed, You're not in front of me anymore...

Nevertheless, she did ignore their glares and focused on her form and balance. To her surprise (but her heart's dismay), she didn't fall for the rest of her time at the skating rink. She happily skated alongside Krystal and Eunji but swore she could still feel Taemin's presence near her.

~~~

Eunji immediately collapsed on her bed once she had finished cleaning herself up. Naeun was busy putting cream on her face. 

"You looked like you had the time of your life back there with Key," she teased. Eunji's face immediately grew red before she covered her face under her pillow which made Naeun laugh and cooed. Eunji threw a pillow at her, "Oh yeah, what about you and Taemin with your googly eyes staring at each other's soul?"

"H-he was just helping me learn how to ice skate," Naeun retorted. Eunji scoffed, "Right, and I guess I should say the same about Key and I, huh?"

"That's different! You admitted you have feelings for him!"

"And you don't for Taemin?" Naeun's lips formed a thin line. 

"I'll take your silence as a yes" Eunji suddenly said, interrupting her thoughts.

"What! Hey! I d-don't, it's just-" Eunji couldn't stop laughing. She'd known Naeun too well to know that she was a terrible liar. She continued on, "I meant what I said - he's a pretty good catch. I thought he was a typical cold, rich, pretty boy that you'd see in dramas. He sorta is, but he's also friendly and caring, especially towards you."

Naeun averted her gaze to her reflection. Taemin wasn't just friendly and caring. He was also kind, affectionate, and from the skating incident, she could sense he was protective too. She could still feel his strong, but warm grip on her hands as he guided her through the rink. His firm, but gentle voice echoed in her ears. Naeun wasn't sure what it was she felt for Taemin. She had only known him for a few days, so she didn't want to jump to conclusions so soon. Perhaps spending more time with Taemin might solve her unresolved feelings.

It was then that Eunji decided to ask Naeun about her nightmare. Naeun was still anxious to see how Eunji would react. 

"Let me text Krystal first."

Once all three girls sat comfortably together, Naeun confessed everything to them. Remembering her nightmare made her stomach churn, but she conjured herself to describe the dream to her friends. She told them about the pain she felt on her wrists, how scared and weak she felt as the darkness pulled her in like a heavy anchor, and how the blood that gushed out of her head colored the floor red. She told them about the horrific reflection she saw in the mirror she was pointing at which answered Eunji's suspicion as to why Naeun had been avoiding it all day. 

Krystal took all that information in. She'd be lying if she said the descriptions didn't frighten her. 

"And as for the night before," Naeun continued, "L approached me while I was down at the lobby." Their eyes widened but remained quiet. 

"I-I'm not sure why, but when I saw the way he looked at me, whispered to me, i-it frightened me so badly that all I wanted to do at that point was to run away." Naeun braced herself for the nagging at scolding that was to come but they didn't. "I'm sorry you had to endure that nightmare," Eunji spoke softly, "But like I said this morning, you're safe now, nothing is going to harm you here, not on our watch." 

It was Krystal's turn to speak, "And if that L guy ever dares to make you feel that way again," she punched her left palm with her right fist. Naeun laughed at the facial expression Krystal made. What did she do to receive such wonderful friends? She felt so blessed to have met her beautiful girls who'd always stick by her side. Naeun would forever feel grateful to them. 

"Well, I don't know about you girls, but I'm calling it an early night," Eunji announced. Krystal nodded in agreement.

Today was pretty exhausting, Naeun thought. 

Exhausting, but unforgettable. 

~~~

Naeun couldn't sleep. She'd been trying for the past thirty minutes but was still wide awake. She tossed and turned a hundred times before giving up. A part of her refused to sleep, fearing she would have the same nightmare as yesterday's, or worse. Just then, her phone vibrated; a text from an unknown number.

Unknown: Hey, you asleep?

Who is this, she thought. She prayed so badly it wasn't whom she feared it was. How would he even get her number when she hadn't seen him all day today?

Unknown: It's me, Taemin ;)

Oh, thank God! Her heart had stopped for a moment. She added Taemin to her contact before replying to him.

Naeun: How did you get my number, pretty boy?

Pretty Boy: Eunji gave it to me.

Of course, and shot the said, restless girl a glare before continuing the chat.

Naeun: What do you want -.- ??

Pretty Boy: Ouch :<...What's with the cold shoulders, Kitty? You're hurting my feelings T^T

Naeun's lips curled up.

Naeun: Good night, Taemin.

Taemin: I can't sleep...and Kai and Key are out like a light. Wanna hang? :D

Naeun: Yeah, we should totally hang each other :D

Taemin: ....

Naeun: Hehehe ;) 

Taemin: So, are you up for it? There's something I want to show you.

Naeun checked the time on her phone: 21 35. Perhaps a stroll was what she needed to tire her out (and clear her mind too).

Naeun: KAJJA!!

Taemin smiled at her response.

Taemin: I'll meet you at the lobby then ;)

Naeun: See you, pretty boy~