Everyone was soon done packing up and were ready to leave. I was sooo hungry by this point and couldn’t wait to go and get something to eat after this. Lay and I were still sitting together and chatting.

“Mei mei!” Xiumin ran over to stand infront of us. We looked up at him. “What are you doing after this?” He asked.

“Well… I had planned on going to get something to eat. I’m sooo hungry right now.” I smiled.

“Oh!” He clapped his hands together happily, “Why don’t you come eat with us! I’ll buy!” Some of the others came over and joined us.

“Oh, yeah! Come!” Luhan agreed.

“Ahh, really?” I asked. Kris walked over.

“Sure, Nina. Why don’t you join us? We’ll even give you a ride, since I understand you walked here.” He winked and I blushed and Lay looked away.

“Really, Jie jie? You walked?”

“Oh, ah. Yeah… I’m staying pretty close by…” I replied.

“Well, come on. What are we gonna eat guys?” Kris asked as he started walking away. The others all started to follow him and discuss their next meal. I was left standing there dumbfounded with Lay.

“Uhh…”

“Come on.” He gave me a lop-sided grin and grabbed my hand. He dragged me along behind the others. I blushed at the contact. He led me out into the parking lot. I saw them all gathered around a van. He pulled me over to them and releaed my hand. They all filed in and took their seats. Kris took the seat in the front with their manager, who was going to be driving. I stood there by the door, unsure of what to do or where to go. Tao, Luhan, and Xiumin and climbed in the very back. Chen and Lay were occupying the middle seat. Lay looked out at me. He smiled down at me and patted the seat next to him. “Here. Come in.” I smiled back and climbed in tentatively, taking the empty space beside him. “Thanks…”

Apparently everyone had decided on food while walking to the van. Since we were in Shanghai, and, for most of us, it was our first time here; they had decided to try some local food. We finally arrived at a restaurant that had been recommended to us to try by some locals working at the station. We all piled out and headed inside. Everyone began to take their seats.

“Mei mei! Come sit by me!” Xiumin exclaimed as he ran to two free seats.

“Uhh…” I began.

“No! Come sit by me!” Tao smiled sweetly at me from a few seats away. I scratched my head in confusion. I looked around. Chen and Lay had already calmly taken their seats. I knew where I really wanted to sit. I eyed the open seat next to Lay. Just then Kris came up behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Now guys don’t attack her. How about she just sits here between Lay and me.~” He guided me over to where Lay sat and pulled the chair out for me, indicating that I sit. He then took the seat on the other side of me as his own. I smiled and nodded, happy that I wasn’t forced to choose between the members. They pouted sadly and took their own seats. We soon ordered and all talked animatedly as we waited for our food. I learned a lot about the boys as we talked and I told them a lot about myself. I told them that I was from America and spoke English, Chinese, and Korean. I had traveled to different areas to take on various translating and writing jobs. I had yet to find anything steady; which was one reason why I was so excited about their earlier offer.

“But it’s also because you like us a lot, right?” Tao asked with a bit of a pout. I laughed and nodded.

“Of course! If I didn’t like you guys I wouldn’t have even considered it! I want to enjoy what I do. And I definatly enjoy being with you guys, let me tell you.” I laughed and they smiled happily at me.

“So, Lay. How was your walk this morning?” Kris casually asked. He smiled mischeviously at Lay. He stared back at him suspiciously.

“…good…” He replied slowly.

“Meet anyone interesting?” He asked as he leaned down to take a bite of his food.

“Mmm... Well, there’s interesting people everywhere.” Kris nodded.

“Hmm… That’s true. Talk to anyone?”

“Well,” Lay pretended to think hard, “I gave a girl directions…” the corner of his mouth turned up slightly and I quickly busied myself with my plate so as not to give myself away.

“Oh? Really? Was she pretty?” Kris asked with a grin. I coughed, choking slightly on my food.

“You okay Nina?” Kris asked innocently, patting my back. I nodded and quickly took a drink of my water. Kris turned back to Lay. He nodded slightly, a noticable blush spreading across his face. He cleared his throat and took a drink of water. “Chinese, right?” Kris asked. I almost choked again, but was able to keep quiet luckily. Lay just blinked at him.

“Well, she spoke Chinese quite well. But who’s to say that she necissarily was. She could’ve been from anywhere. I mean, you lived in Canada, but you speak Chinese.” Lay pointed out, avoiding the real answer that Kris wanted. Kris smirked and nodded nonchalantly. I decided to break in and direct the conversation away from ‘us’.

“Oh, that’s right. You lived in Canada. Where?” Kris grinned up at me, knowing perfectly well what I was doing.

“Vancouver.” I nodded. “Ever been there?” He asked me. I shook my head,

“No, I haven’t.”

“Mmm. You should go sometime.” He smiled over at me as he took another bite. I smiled back. This guy. He is definatly not the serious leader that he seems to be at first glance. He’s quite mischevious; playing all these word games. I smirked, he forgot who he’s dealing with. I work with words for a living.