“Yuck…this is so bad.” I mumbled sipping on the juice the nurse had given me. I eyed the guys at the table across the room shoveling chicken into their mouths. “Give me a piece of that.” I said sneakily. The boys looked up at me shocked.

“Sorry hyung…you know you aren’t allowed to have solids right now.” JB said apologetically as he took another bite of chicken.

“Traitors…all of you.” I said sipping the horrible drink that was supposed to take place of my solid foods. “Yah…just go…leave.” I said pouting as I waved at them angrily.

“Hyunnnnggg!” the boy’s whined. I had done this to them a few times this week but I couldn’t help it.

“Whatever…do what you want.” I said turning on the television.

“Oppa!” I looked up as chaeren barreled into the room.

“Ohhh my little dongsaeng.” I cooed as she crawled onto the bed beside me.

“How are you feeling today?” she asked cutely as she swung her legs back and forth on the edge of the bed.

“Fine…how are you?” I asked nervously. She had an episode a few days ago and has been on 24/7 watch.

“Perfect, I got off watch today so I came right over.” she said giving me a thumbs up.

“Are you sure?” Jb asked from his seated position at the table. The guys had met chaeren that first day and just like with me she had them wrapped around her finger in five minutes.

“Nae, doctor cleared me.” she said proudly. “Oppa, did you ever call noona?” she asked right on cue. Everyone went quiet as they watched us. The tension in the room was building at a high rate. Chaeren had taken it upon herself to convince me that I needed kairen, she constantly said she wanted to meet her noona, one time she even pulled out the horrible point of ‘oppa I wanna meet noona before I might pass away’ I had broken down crying that day and she never brought it up again but it was always in the back of my mind. I did want kairen back, I had gotten over the fantastic fantasies before I went into surgery that Sunday, it occurred to me when they were preparing me that I really wanted her there with me…even though I had the guys with me and I was thankful for them…I felt completely alone and it hurt me. After the surgery I asked one of the guys to go see how she was hoping that seeing one of them would incite her to come see me…when they came back they said she wasn’t home, the parents said she was staying with her uncle for the remainder of break. That was four weeks ago, break ended three weeks ago and she still hadn’t returned, but I hadn’t pushed to look for her either.

“Ahjusshi, we’re going for a hike.” Daehyun called as he slipped into his boots. I slipped into mine and moved to tie them when he beat me to it tying up my shoes.

“Komawo.” I said smiling at him. He grinned that adorable grin of his as he stood up grabbing his hiking bag and slinging it over his shoulder. He picked up mine and helped into it.

“Ready to go?” he asked holding out his hand. I nod taking it as he led me away.

I had originally come here only to stay for a night to rest, but I fell in love with this place. It was so quiet and serene, and being her I could almost forget about the hurt I received from mark, but when it came time to leave I couldn’t do it and asked to stay a few more days, and that turned into the end of the week and that turned into indefinite as I picked up a job as hostess and get my school work emailed to me from the teachers. I hadn’t updated fantastic fantasies since that night except for the cancelation notice I put up. I left everything else there not able to delete years of work.  I constantly wonder how mark is doing of course, he did go through a serious surgery but luckily it’s like bambam can read my mind, even without me replying to him he constantly sends me updates about mark and the guys. It helps me cope I guess.

“Watch it…” daehyun says as he helps me over some taller rocks as we climb higher. Daehyun was always attentive to me, he was a sweetheart and I’m glad I met him. I think if mark had already made camp in my heart then I would have fallen for him. I felt comfortable with him, and I enjoyed his company.

“Thanks.” I said chuckling as I finally righted myself where he was.

“Do you want to keep going higher?” he asked looking around. I followed his gaze to see where we were at. It was quite pretty here.

“Anni, let’s just sit here and rest for a bit.” I said moving to slide my bag off. daehyun reached over and helped me shimmy out of it before doing the same.  

“It’s a nice day.” he said leaning back slightly. I nodded agreeing. We had ended in a spot where the sun was breaking through the trees perfectly to heat out skin. daehyun was a tan boy from living up here so long, I had a brushing of tan now from our daily hikes. “Oh watch it…bug.” He said swiping my shoulder. The bug buzzed and flew away.

“Ha thanks.” I said shivering a little grossed out by the bug. I hated bugs.

“You know I’ve been meaning to tell you this.” He said looking at me. “I much prefer your hair like this.” He reached up and flicked the short strands of my hair. “The long cut just looked like it would be heavy and bothersome.” He said ruffling his own messy short hair. When I had decided to stay here I cut my hair, because it was giving me trouble in my hostess job. Now I wore a short pixy cut and I had to admit I did like it a lot better.

“I do too.” I said slipping it like I was some snobby girl making us laugh.

“So are you prepared for this weekend?” he asked curiously. I took a deep shaky breath.

“I think so…I think being here really helped.” I said nodding as I dug a couple pieces of mix out of the trail mix bag he had opened for us. “I think I’m ready to go home now.”

“I’m glad you feel you’re ready. I would have hated to leave you behind.” he said laughing.

“I know, how awesome is it that you are attending Seoul University…its right by my school.” I said happily.

“Alright, let’s head back. We’ve got packing to do before we head out in the morning.” He said standing up. “Tomorrow we’re Seoul bound!” he cheered cutely. Yea, tomorrow I’d be going home.