(Nia's POV)

[The Nurse's Office]

 

They all turned their attention towards me while adjusting the tables.

"Eek. That looks like it stings.", Chanyeol said lowering his eyes to my lower half

I bent down to look at what he was talking about. The bandage on my knee was slightly soaked a tint of red. 

"Oh. I forgot about that.", I mumbled looking at it.

"Oppa~ Scooch! Scooch! I gotta get through~!"

Tip. Tap. 

I mean, I should be feeling some type of pain.

I pulled my leg up onto the point of my toes.

"She really does ballet.", Jong-in remarked in the distance. I rotated my leg from left to right.

Tip. Tap.

Is the tape cutting off my circula-

TIP! TAP!

A pair of pink adidas stomped its way into my view.

"Yah!"

Still crouched over, I lifted my head. It was Yoo Jung. She looked very upset. Her face had that glow. You know that glow people get when they're so angry, that they forget how to breath. I quickly straightened up, looking at her for a second.

Is she mad at me?

"What's wr-

"Where the heck were you?!" 

I flinched.

Yes. 

"I was looking all over for you. I checked every single bathroom stall. I went to the library, the cafeteria. Even, outside.

Her question was obviously one of concern. But, her body language and everything overall felt like a strong pinch.

"Yoo Jun-

Still looking me in my eyes, she held her hand out in the direction of the denied mediator. Drawing it back, she crossed her arms, tightly. 

"I wa-

"It doesn't matter.", she said after letting out a sigh. She threw her hand down.

I stuck my neck out a bit. She stunned me with her quick withdrawal, as if she didn't just demand an answer. I looked back at the guys, who stood their equally as confused. 

"B..But didn't you..just.."

"It doesn't matter, because...because you're hu-hu-urt." she hiccuped through her statement. Her eyes became glossy, then followed her bottom lip, as it puffed in and out.

Is she really about to..

"Are you about to cry..?"

The sharp glow she wore on her face turned into a sad blush. She nodded.

I couldn't help but smile a bit. I haven't seen someone cry over me in a very long time. 

I pouted my lip out, before leaning in, giving her a one limbed hug. I brought my eyes to a close and laid my chin on her shoulder. 

"Yoo Jung, I'm fine~ Really. I don't feel a thing."

She began to wailing like a roaring engine.

pat. pat. pat. pat. pat. 

"There, there. It's okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry about me. But if it makes you feel better, I'm glad you did. " 

pat. pat. pat.

She started to loudly sniffle, as she rested her head against my shoulder. I could feel everyone looking at me. It would be hard not to be nosey, in such an enclosed space. Connecting with Nurse Yoo's gaze, I mouthed  "tissue".

click. clack. click. clack. click. clack.

I took it into my hugging hand, and whispered, "Thank you."

click. clack. click. clack. click. clack.

Gently grasping on her arm, I caringly pryed her off me. Her face was covered in a swampy mess of hair and tears. With the back of her hand, she cleared her face. Her eyes were still watery and her nose was a bit runny. 

I put on a playful smile and waved the tissue box out.

"Peace offering?"

She smiled. Letting out a puffy chuckle, she took the box and pulled out a tissue. 

"You're silly..", she mumbled, wiping her eyes.

"No." I plopped my hand down into her shoulder. "But, I'm hungry."

Swapping smiles we brought ourselves closer to the others. Step by step.

"Don't forget your soup.", Mr. Z reminded me.

"Oh, right." I quickly napped it off the bed, returning to a waiting Yoo Jung. 

I nodded my head, making sure a greet everyone I pass, as Yoo Jung escorted my to my seat.  

"Hi. Hello. Hi. Hi. Hi. Hello. Hello. Hi. Wow, there's a lot of you. Hi. H- ", I mumbled shyly.

Sniff. Sniff. 

My nose was slapped with the most aromatic scents, I've ever scented. It smelled light. It smelled fresh. Passing the Great Wall of EXO, I was stopped in front of my seat, which sat at the head of the makeshift boardroom table.

THIS is our LUNCH?!

I sat down, not breaking away from the overly luxurious lunch that sat before me. I couldn't help but let my mouth catch a breeze. Everyone started eating and chatting among themselves. I hopped from each item of my plate, identifying it in my head.

Grape Juice. Mango salad. Shrimp fried rice. Udon. Half of a LOBSTER?!

"Dae~bak.."

"Pretty cool, huh?"

Looking up to the right, I saw Jong-in. He had an amused smile. He must have been watching me.

I nodded.

"Very." 

"Don't get to excited about it."

I turned towards D.O., that sat on the left end, in the middle. His mouth was rounded, and filled with rice.

"It's just a mini lobster.", he responded.

How is he not choking..?

Luhan looked at him with disgust. "Yah. Take your time."

"Who said I wasn't?"

"The rice falling out your mouth.", Xiumin added. 

Yoo Jung giggle. In reaction to her reaction, he grined shyly.

I didn't know they were dating.

I turned my attention back to my food.

What should I eat first? So many options.

I bit down on my lip, as I calculated my potential route of the metal tray.

How about..Kimchi, then salad. Or maybe lobster, ric-No. Hmm..Oh! I co-

"Is something wrong?"

I was literally the center of attention..again. Everyone was looking at me..again.

Embarressed at the situation, I scratched at my head, smiling like a dummy.

"Are you allergic to something?", Lay asked as he halted his spoon at his lips

"Oh, no! I..I um..this is gonna sound stupid..." 

"You don't know until you ask.", Chen corrected me.

"Ah. That'ss true, isn't it? Well..I..I kinda don't know what to eat first."

Suho spoke up, with an eased grin. "That's easy. We'll vote. All in favor of grape juice, say I."

silence

"As expected. All in favor of lobster."

"I."

"All in favor of kimchi."

"I."

"All in favor of the udon"

"I."

"All in favor of the fried rice."

"I."

"Last but not least, mango salad."

"I.", said a lone Yoo Jung.

"I too.", Xiumin added.

Chanyeol turned to Xiumin, "Hyung, you already said I for the lobster."

"I'm moving it to mango salad."

Sehun rolled his eyes, and mumbled. "God, he's so whipped.."

Tao and Sehun's desk shifted. Sehun bit down on his lip, so hard it turned to a rose color. He must've kicked him.

Why is he so envious for?

"So, how long have you guys been dating?"

Yoo Jung laughed gleefully.

"I don't know why, but we always get asked that. Minseok and I are just friends."

OOF. 

Xiumin slowly closed his eyes. 

"O..Oh...I see."

"He's like the brother I never had."

YIKES.

His head slowly dropped.

My face malfunctioned, like one of those singing animatronics. I just kept, blinking and nodding and my mouth would not close.

"Would we look cute together?"

She looked over at me as she laid her shoulder. Then xiumin looked at me. His eyes cried "spare me".

I got you covered.

"You guys already look cute together. That's why I thought you were dating."

"Really?"

She then turned to him.

A small smile crept over his face, as he gazed down at her. She turned back to me.

"Maybe in our past lives."

OH WOW.

Everyone tried to cover up their surprised reactions. They overly acted as they ate, and adjusted in their seat, etc. I joined the club and immediately shoveled the rice into my mouth.

"You never got the results from the vo-"

"Mmm~ This is so~ good. What's in this?", I asked not to dramatically. 

"There's a bit of shrimp in there.", Tao answered with the same energy.

Yoo Jung soon got settled in, and the tension gradually mellowed out.

Jong-in started up a conversation. "I saw your form."

"My what?"

"When you stood on your toes. Your form is really good."

"Ha..Thanks."

"How long have you been doing ballet for?", he continued.

"Since before I was born."

"Is that right?"

"Mhm. My mother did ballet."

"Did she teach you?"

"She taught me as much as she could. She was pretty busy. I took a few classes as a kid. After that, I was self-taught."

"You only do ballet?"

"I do a lot. Too much, I think.", I chuckled, before taking a spoonful of lobster into my mouth.

Ugh..So good..

Chen jumped in the conversation. "Like what?"

I quickly swallowed it down.

"Tap. Modern. Hip Hop. Latin. Contemporary.  Those are just a few."

"A few?!", D.O. responded. The way his cheeks puffed out and lips puckered out, reminded me of a goldfish

nod.

"Hull~.."

Kris joined in, asking in his cool demenor, "Alright, so you've got the moves down, but can you hit the notes?"

Is he always this smug?

"Mhm.", Luhan hummed with his mouth closed.

"Did you say something..?"

"Huh? Sorry. Just enjoying my food a bit too much."

"Oh."

I gave my attention back to Kris.

"I mean..I guess? But, I prefer hitting the notes on an instrument?"

"Wind, Strings, or Precussion?", Chanyeol asked. He seemed quite interested in what I was gonna say. He had this look, as if my answer would make or break our friendship. I picked up my chopsticks, ploped a piece of kimchi in my mouth

"Hmm...only one?", I asked snapp

"I'll let you can rank them."

"Hmmm...

I sat back thinking for a second, as I chewed away at the additional food in my mouth. Looking up at the ceiling, I thought outloud.

"Number one would definitely be strings. Most of my instruments are strings..I also have a soft spot for them. I love hard, clean sounds, so precussion is second. But I'm not too keen about electronic drums..The sound is too artificial. Winds is obviously last. I rarely play it. There's just too much cleaning involved. But that's mainly with brass. But the saxaphone...it's the saxaphone. Who doesn't love the saxaphone. Woodwinds are kinda boring though."

"Wow~"

I looked back down to see everyone looking at me amused, and impressed. 

"You really are a prodigy.", Yoo Jung said in awe.

"What's your go-to?"

"Well..I mainly play the harp, but I'm kinda leaning towards the bass."

"The Harp is your go-to?"

"..is..is that a bad thing?"

"No. I'm just surprised. Why the harp?"

"Father played."

"Time out.", Kris said holding his chopsticks, as he made a T with his hands.

He cleared his mouth.

"So, your dad was a harpist?"

I nodded a bit, confused as to where this is going.

"And your mom was a ballerina?"

I nodded once more. Where the rice sat, now became an empty dent, I moved onto the salad. Biting down on the gentle green leafs and the thick mango chunk, my mouth was coated with the taste of fresh dew and a creamy sweet.

Mmm...This..This is it. 

"So, that makes you an angel?", he asked with a subtle grin

WHAT DID HE JUST SAY?!

Caught off guard by his statement, my blissful bite turned into a pitiful choke. 

"w-Cough! Cough!

Noticing I was in distress, Jong-in quickly grabbed my juice, removing the cap for me.

 wha-Cough! Cough! Cough!

I could fell my face warming up, once again. I took the juice from his hand.

thank y-Cough!"

I took a well enough swig, subduing the wedged food in my throat. 

Bringing my fist to my lips, I cleared my throat.

"Ahem! ahem...I'm sorry..a..a what?", I asked after nearly dying.

"I said an angel. They play harps and dance and what not."

"I-I..I guess?"

He really just tried to turn me into one.

Luhan busted out laughing. 

"What's funny?", Sehun asked.

He looked back at him, and then the rest of us realizing his out burst. He wore an awkward smile. 

"Haha..sorry. I uh.. I just remembered a joke."

"About angels?", Yoo Jung asked.

"No."

"Then, what's it about?", I added on in curiosity.

"Well...It's about.."

It got quiet for a second. He went blank in the mind. Their was a slight panic in his eyes, as he sat smiling, thinking in silence. His eyes paned over to the guys, who were acting equally as weird. We were all eager to hear about this joke. But they seemed rather impatient. A tad bit antsy, if you will.

Tao blurted out. "OH! You're talking about that joke."

"That joke?! You're really thinking about that joke, right now?", Lay hopped onto Tao's comment.

Luhan scratched at the back of his head with an embarrassed grin.

"Ha ha..yeah."

"Oppa, what is the joke?", asked a cutely annoyed Yoo Jung, turned in Tao's direction

"It's a Chinese joke."

"Ah~.", she nodded away before diving back into her food. The weird atmosphere faded away after the explanation. But I was still curious, and cheerfully asked in mandarin.

"How does it go? I've probably heard it before." 

They all kinda froze and then fixed their attention on Tao. It seemed as though he forgot about my expansive language bank.

"Oh..Ha ha. I forgot you could speak mandarin.", he responded shy-like.

"Well?"

"The joke..it's..well...sorry, I'm embarrassed a bit."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to catch you off guard."

"It's okay."

I moved onto Lay. "I'm guessing it's pretty funny, huh?."

"Yeah, you can say that...It's Kris's favorite joke."

Kris stopped his chopsticks journey to his mouth, at his lips. Looking at him with his stone cold face. It was a bit stiffer. Lay deflected his gaze onto his own food.

"Why is it your favorite?"

He sighed. Looking at me, he asked, "You really wanna know?"

Plopping a thick chunk of lobster meat in my mouth, I nodded. He lifted himself slightly from his seat, looking over in the direction of Mr. Z. He lowered back down into his seat. He gestured me to lean in, with two fingers, still keeping an eye on him. I followed suit, and leaned in a bit. I chewed slowly with anticipation. Leaning in towards my direction, he wipped his nose. He looked me deeply in my eyes. His expression was dead set, but a bit laid back. Dropping his hand he whispered, flat out. 

"It's about ing."

GULP!

OH MY GOD. OH-OH..OH MY GOD. 

Luhan looked utterly defeated, by the words that came out his mouth.  Those who understood stared at him in disbelief. My eyes kept fluttering. My lashes wanted to take flight. I retracted out of the tunnel vision built by Kris. Adjusting my hair, to cover my bump, I slide the ice pack to my cheek.

"What did he say?", Yoo Jung asked Xiumin. 

Wearing cheeky smile, he said:

"It's about a dragon.", making the real answer more palatable. 

He slowly leaned back into his seat, looking satisfied with my reaction, and went back to eating, like nothing happened. As he moved back, I noticed someone something no one else did: Baekhyun. I leaned over to the side a bit to look at him. His head was low, and was turned a bit away, eating from the smallest scoops of food. He was overall gloomy.

"Are you okay? You haven't said a word, since you got here.", I asked.

He stopped in his tracks, realizing I was addressing him. He didn't turn towards me. He didn't look at me. He just gave the vaugest nod. 

"He's kind of under the weather.", D.O. said placing his hand on his shoulder.

Click. Clack. Click. Clack. Click. Clack. Click. Clack.

"Who's sick?", asked a concerned Nurse Yoo, as she came to a halt nearby.

"Baekhyun is, but he's fine. Just a bit of fatigue."

"If you want, you can stay an-

He lifted up his head, greeting her. He seemed depressed.

"No.", he said in a rather defensive tone. 

I could hear Mr. Z's magazine go limp in the back. He was equally stunned by his abrasiveness.

"No, thank you.", he corrected himself, as he drooped back down over his food.

"O..Okay. Well..if you start to feel worse..just stop by.", she informed him cautiously. 

He nodded quietly as he slid three grains of rice into his mouth.

"Nurse Yoo?"

"Yes, Sehun?"

"Are you still on that game?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Why aren't you on PUBG, with the rest of Korea~?"

"I've come to far to throw it away for some other app."

"I'll let you join my clan~", he teasingly, cooed.

She crossed her arms, bring her eyes to a slight close. "You're bluffin'."

"I've seen your stats. And we just so happen to have a spot open."

"Hmmmm....."

BING!

An alert went off on what sounded like a phone. It came from Mr. Z's direction. 

"The food is here."

He got up off the couch, collected his things, and made his way over to the door.

Tip. Tap. Tip. Tap. Tip. Tap.

"About time. Give me one second.", Nurse yoo said looking more happy then when she leveled up.

"I'll think about.", giving Sehun some hope.

"But in the meantime."

Clap!

"Here are the rules, while I am gone. Rule number one. Follow the rules. Rule number two. DO NOT play with my medical equipment. That INCLUDES my tongue compressors."

She darted her eyes at Chanyeol. He looked a bit away, whistling softly, as he laid back in his chair. 

She rolled her eyes, in annoyance, before continuing on.

"Rule number three. DO NOT let any other students in."

I raised my hand.

"Yes?"

"What if they're hurt or need help?"

"I don't care if they're screaming bloody murder. The infirmary is closed. DO NOT let them in."

I lowered the pack from my face to my lap, and looked around for any equally worried faces.

Is she being serious?

"I will be locking the door, which brings me to rule number four. DO NOT leave this room. You need to use the bathroom? It's over there. You need water? Sinks that a-way. Last, but not least, the most important rule of them is rule number five. DO NOT break rule number one. And what's rule number one?"

"Follow the rules."

BING!

"There's a line."

"ALREADY?!"

She started a speedy walk towards the door. We all watched as she made her frantic exit.

Click! Clack! Click! Clack! Click! Clack!

She snatched her keys, walkie talkie, and phone off her desk as she zoomed by.

Click! Clack! Click! Clack!

Cling!

"Remember what I said! Ni-ah, ICE!"

I quickly put the pack back on my bump.

CLANG!

Clink!

We all sat in silence as their footsteps and the jangling of her keys couldn't be heard anymore.

Chanyeol turned around slowly with the most maniacal grin. He looked over to the other side of the room, looking at his prey: A glass jar, full stocked with tongue compressors. He rose out of his chair, with a cocky energy. The episode of National Geographic that was scheduled to play was quickly cancelled. Chen stretched his arm out and firmly gripped on his ear. 

"Sit." He warned him in a fatherly tone.

"Hyung, I was jus-"

He twisted it like a look, staring blankly.

"OKAY! OKAY! OKAY! I'll sit! I'll sit!", he beggingly whispered as he dropped back down to his chair.

He's so silly. Everyone is so nice and cool. And...

I looked over at Kris, who's head was laid back, as he gulped down his juice. His adam's apple had a soft but aggressive movement, as it went up and down.

That...

I snapped out of that, softly tossing my head. A hand came into my view. It screwed a bottle cap on my juice. I followed from its finger tips, up its arm, stopping at the rather charming face of Jong-in. 

"I forgot to give it back to you."

Sure, you did.

I smiled and kindly whispered, "Thanks.."

Jong-in. Hmm. That's a nice name. It fits him. 

I looked at D.O. 

He doesn't look like a D.O. What is a D.O.?

"What are your names?", I abruptly asked.

"You don't know our names?", Lay asked.

"Well..I mean.. I know who you are. But I don't know..who you..are?", I asked in a confused tone, as I questioned if what I said made sense.

"I'm Zhang Yixing."

"Yixing? Like the city?"

He smiled. "Yeah. But you can call me Lay, if you want."

"I'm Kim Joon Myeon."

"It sounds like a King's name.."

"That's because he's loaded.", Chanyeol joked.

He glared at him. "And that's why I prefer Suho."

I verified my understanding, with a simple "Noted."

"Lu Han."

"Kim Minseok."

"Do Kyungsoo."

Ah~ Do. D.O. I get it~

"Huang Zi Tao. Tao works fine."

"Kim Jong Dae."

"Oh Sehun."

"Park Chanyeol."

"Kim Jong-in, but I already told you that." He flashed a smile

Stop it~

I smiled back.

"Wu Yi Fan. Kris. But you can call me whatever you like."

..I..Wha..uh...

My face crinkled a bit as I smiled and nodded away. I tilted my head to get a view of a still silent Baekhyun. He finally finished his rice. Everyone else looked at him. Kris nudged him a bit. He sighed before mumbling,

"Byun Baekhyun.."

Yoo Jung stuck her head out.

"Kim Yoo Jung."

I cracked a bit of a giggle before speaking, "Well, it's nice to meet you all..again."

"What about you?", Jong-Dae asked.

"Well..My name is Lee Ni-ah. But I like to be called Nia."

"English name?", he added onto his previous question.

"Mhm."

Kris asked, "No middle name?"

"Oh..Yes, I have one.", I shyly answered

Why did I tell them~?

He plucked his eyebrow upward and continued, "You gonna tell us?"

"..twyla-odette..", I mumbled.

"Twyla-Odette?", D.O. asked.

nod. 

I tried to subdue my embarrassment with food. I scooped up the broth of my udon, letting it slide back, between my lips.

"Odette as in Swan Lake?", Jong-in asked me.

I was completely caught off guard by his knowledge. I turned to look at him. He was smiling pretty hard. I must have looked very shocked.

"You know Swan Lake?"

"I've done Swan Lake."

"You do ballet?!", I asked in a gasping tone.

He nodded sipping on his juice. 

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why did you think I said you have good form?"

"That..That makes sense..."

Yoo Jung complimented me sweetly.

"It's a really pretty name, Nia."

"..Thanks."

My cheeks are gonna hurt if they keep making me smile, like this.

"Do you guys have any nicknames?"

"Several.", Suho spoke up.

"..are there a few I should knom?"

Cough!

"Dobi!" 

Cough!

Sehun teasingly exposed a nickname.

"Dobi?" 

"Or Yoda.", Xiumin added on.

"..who?"

Chanyeol laid back in his seat and sighed quietly, before confirming it.

"Me. But Loey works too."

"Why?..Is..is it..because of..?"

He nodded, looking elsewhere. He was smiling through the discomfort of the nicknames.

"But..you don't look like them though.. You look like.."

I let my eyes wander as I ran through my memory bank.

Who does he look like? Oh! I haven't thought about him in a long time. What was his name? ..A..Al.. 

Snap!

I looked at him and pointed.

"Alfalfa.", I blurted out.

"A what?", he asked.

"Alfalfa."

"He looks like a flower?", Yoo Jung asked confused.

"No, no. Not the flower. It's a character from a movie I loved as a kid."

Tao asked, "What movie?"

"It's called Little Rascals. It's an american movie. It's mostly about Alfalfa. He's part of this clubhouse. The club's whole thing is no girls, because girls have "cooties". But what the other don't know is that he has a girlfriend named Darla. They're so cu-"

"What does this have to do with him looking like the character?", Sehun interjected.

"Sorry...I went on a bit of a tangent, didn't I?"

I awkwardly scratched at my head, smiling out of embarrassment.

"You're fine. He was just being rude.", Tao said flashing him a look.

"Go on.", Chanyeol told me. He seemed a bit intrigued at the story.

nod.

"Alfalfa has ears, just like yours. But.."

"But?", he repeated with slight excitement.

"When Darla kisses him on the cheek...his ears wiggle.", I ended with a wholesome smile.

"That sounds so cute~.", Yoo Jung cooed.

"I know, right?", I responded.

Chanyeol laid back into his chair with a somewhat pleased grin.

"I might have to watch this movie."

"I highly recommend it."

I had found myself, becoming even more comfortable around the others, with each passing minute. We all chatted amongst ourselves, except for Baekhyun, as we finished our meals. Me and Jong-in swapped stories of ballet experinces. 

"So, you're a ballet major?", I asked

"No."

"Oh, really? What's your major then?"

"Industry."

"But..why?"

"Because I'm in the industry. I mean, I would love to continue studying ballet. But not here."

"What do you mean?"

"The ballet department's got a reputation."

A reputation? What does he mean a reputation?

"Nia?"

I looked over, locking eyes with Yoo Jung. She looked as though she had something on her mind.

"Yes?"

"Did something happen to your hands?", she asked wearing a cautious smile. It felt as though the Earth stood still. Everyone's chatter came to a screeching halt. The air became so quiet and crisp..and fragile.

I shoved food in my mouth to sooth myself, from the painfully asked question. I chilled my face with the now slightly slushed ice pack. I swear I heard it sizzle.

"Kim Yoo Jung!", Lay shouted at her in shock.

"W-What?"

"Why would you ask her that?", Chen asked

"I was only asking her a question?"

"Yeah, a messed up one.", Chanyeol told her, staring at her disapointedly.

"Was it really a bad question to ask?", she turned to Minseok asking.

He stuttered as he looked her, then the others, who sat across.

"It wasn't that bad."

She turned back to the others and said, "See?"

"Are you being serious?", Kyungsoo asked Minseok.

"I mean, she was just curious."

"Ha! Just curious? Really?", Sehun asked.

"Yes."

"Alright, let's say that I was just curious.", Sehun started up

Suho lowered his head, as he covered his face with his hand, and groaned

"Oh~ no...",

"And I ask Yoo Jung why she wears a bra, because to me she doesn't have any .", Sehun finished.

"EXCUSE ME?!", she yelled covering her chest by crossing her arms.

"Not nice, right?", Sehun cockingly asked.

"What the hell is wrong with you?", Minseok growled at him, like a he was a protective mother bear.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? You don't know how to act when she's around."

"I don't know what you're talking about, but apologize."

"Now, you want to have amnesia. Ladies first. She needs to apologize to Nia. Then, I will."

"Apologize or else."

"Or else what, Hyung? Or else what?"

It began to build up. The sound of them arguing became that of a whistling kettle. Yoo Jung began to cry. So did the kettle. Some screamed, so did the kettle. With each person added into the commotion, the kettle became higher and higher in pitch.  People were holding one another back. The tables began to shuffle violently, sending my juice flying off my table. It fell as though it was swimming. Making a deep, graceful decent. It softly toppled, before slowly spilling out onto the floor, like an oil spill. Why wasn't anyone going to turn off the stove? It was so loud. My lips quivered at the imaginary, yet torturious noise that filled my head. My head was pounding like crazy. Fighting the urge to emote, proved so difficult with my rowdy surroundings. I looked at the juice label, which read "Bitter Sweet".

How ironic.

sigh. 

I quietly got up, holding my cool pack, and walked over to the bathroom. The kettle stippled a little bit, as they noticed me leaving.

cling.

"Ni-

clang.

flick.

I found myself once again resting on a familar friend. Sitting their quietly, I let the sound of the rumbling fan, take me away, easing my headache. I wanted to cry so bad, but it was like my body wouldn't let me. It was there. I could feel it in my eyes and chest. The inability to do so, left me feeling like a water balloon, left out in the sweltering sun. Boiling inside. Ready to bust. I craddled the pack to my forehead, prying my arms up on my knees, as my head hung low. My breath trembled as my anxiety started to build up.

This was a mistake. This was all a mistake. What was I thinking? I was doing just fine before this. I only had a couple more months, before I could leave FOR GOOD. I literally can have anything I want and have everything I need at home. I spent years up to that man, putting people's jobs on the line. Risking my tail and my freedom. All because I wanted to go to school? ...freedom? Ha. I barely had any.. Oh god..He's going to kill me if he finds out.....

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Nia."

It was Jong-in.

"Are you alright?"

sigh. "yes...my head just hurts."

"Do you want me to go get Nurse Yoo?"

"No..I don't know. I..I think..I think I just need space."

"Alright. I'll leave you be."

His soft footsteps dissipated. I sat there, quiet, blank in the mind for a bit. Until I could hear them. Although, muffled, I could imagine what was happening. First, they fixed the tables. They started talking after, which meant they were all seated, most likely. Probably getting the bra comment out the way. I heard Sehun raise his voice a bit. He was probably, passive aggresively trying to make his point. He calmed down, before they continued on. It went on like that for a while. Then, all of a sudden it got quiet. I looked towards the bottom of the door, to see a shadow of feet, peeking from outside the door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Nia~"

I rolled my eyes once realizing it was Yoo Jung.

silence.

"Are you upset with me?"

What do you think?

"Yoo Jung.", someone said in an annoyed whisper.

"Sorry.", she whispered in response. 

She cleared and continued

"I talked to the others and it came to my attention, that I was being very insensitive and rude. I know you've had a rough day and all. I didn't mean to do anymore damage. I'm really sorry."

This girl.

I pulled myself up off the toilet and went over to the door. I reached out my hand to the door knob, to open it. But I stopped. I wasn't ready to embrace the others just yet. I still felt uneased by everything that happened. I moved it over to the light switch.

flick!

I stood in darkness, as the fan came to a stop. I could still see her feet, for the light from the office was shining from underneath the door.

"I have a skin condition."

"Ah~ I see. I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"It's okay. I should have told you this morning, when I took my glove off."

"Is it like eczema?"

"No. It doesn't cause me any pain

Yes, it does.

or irritation. It's just there."

"Are the gloves to protect your skin?"

"No, I wear them so people won't stare. But I guess the gloves are just as distracting."

"Okay. Well, thank you for telling me about it. I'll be more mindful from now on."

"Thank you."

"Are you gonna come out?"

"Yeah. I just need a sec."

"Ah. I'll let you finish pooping."

"AM NOT!"

"Are too~", she said teasingly. 

Cling.

I cracked the door, to find her playfully pinching her nose and fanning her hand in front of her face.

I couldn't help but embarrasingly frown.

"Stop it~ I didn't poop~", I whined as i softly slapped at her hands.

She laughed dropping her hands, then gently pushed my shoulder. 

"I kid~. I kid~."

Leaning in she cupped her hand and whispered, "But I need to."

"Eww..", I whispered back.

"Hurry~ I need to use the bathroom." She swayed whining.

I rolled my eyes, before turning on the lights, and stepping aside. 

She put her hands together in a prayer pose, looking at me, as she walked in.

CLANG!

The slam of the door startled me, making me jump. Standing still, I looked over to the guys. They sat quietly staring back at me. 

"You know it's rude to stare.", Tao said smiling.

"Back at you.", I quietly responded, finishing with a bit of an awkward grin. 

Knock! Knock! Knock!

We all turned to the front door. 

Knock! Knock! Knock!

I took two steps towards the door, before being signaled down by Chanyeol to stop.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Ms. Lee! It's Mrs. Ho from the front office! I have your lunch."

I turned to him and flashed an "I told you so" look, as I walked to the door. 

Cling! 

It was the lady from the front desk. She held out a cloth wrapped lunchbox and letter. I took the two and bowed

"Thank you."

"He said to ready the letter first."

"Who?", I asked confused.

"The delivery man."

"Oh. Okay. Thank you again."

Bowing once more, I closed the door.

Clang!

I turned around, and headed back to my table, as I examined the envelope.

Tip. Tap. Tip. Tap.

"Whose it from?"

Tip. Tap. 

There was nothing written on the front. No "Nia" ,"To Nia", "Open Me." Nothing. 

"I don't know. It doesn't say."

Tip. Tap. Tip. 

I flipped it over.

Ta-

I stopped in my tracks as I looked at the back of the envelope.

"Is everything okay?"

On the back of sat a red and gold wax seal, imprinted with a small tiger.

"Nia?"

The stove started ticking again, getting ready for the kettle.

"Nia? Earth to Nia?"

"."