"Okay."

Was my reply to him. That's what I really wanted to tell him, of course. And he replied me with just: " :-) "

I was unable to attend the school Christmas party because I was grounded. I didn't have any excuse to go. The party was not compulsory, so I was not really expected to be there. Some students don't really attend. But because it was a fun school event, I felt bad.

Christmas parties in school were like a kiddie party. Full of games and prizes. I sure would miss out on all the fun and prizes.

All the boys went for their grade level parties. I was left at home to spend the day in boredom. The party starts after lunch until dinner. So, it would be me, and the househelp the whole afternoon. I would also be eating dinner alone. Mama was at the pedia center helping out Mrs. Min.

Jungkook had texted again that morning that he was willing to pass the chance experiencing the school party in FIS. But I told him I was fine at home. I didn't wanna deprive him of the fun and prizes that awaited him in school.

The boys had teased me because I was home alone. Well, except Suho and Sehun, the idiot brothers teased me for being grounded and unable to enjoy the fun.

Baek and Tao didn't have martial arts classes too. It would resume the next year.

Luhan and Kris had been calling me every hour to check up on me. They had also instructed the househelp not to let me out or anyone else in the house.

If you only had allowed me to go, you wouldn't have to call me every hour, you know.

Anyway, to pass away the time, I decided to text the Brat. I was actually wishing he didn't tell on me about almost getting hit by a car. If he hadn't done it, I would have been in school and with my friends, having fun until dinner.

I sent him a text message saying: "You are the biggest tattle-tale in all of Beijing and Korea combined."

He replied with: "I was just telling your gege the truth."

"You should apologize, you know."

"Perfect people don't apologize."

"You know what? You come off as spoiled. Spoiled in the sense that you are like spoiled food. From a distance, you look really nice. But nearer, one will realize what a rotten piece of junk you are. Spoiled brat."

"You should chill, Wu Yinzi. Or you'll look older than your real age. The wrinkles..."

"I am seriously considering taking back my offer of friendship with you."

Just a few seconds after I sent that, my phone rang. I was not expecting him to call me. It was a first. The first thing he said when I answered, was: "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be obnoxious about it."

Well, what do you know? The Brat has apologized.

Him: You are...the first person I said sorry to...

I was dumbfounded. I couldn't believe he just said that.

I hung up the phone.

He called again. I hesitated to answer it first, but answered it nevertheless.

Him: Why did you hang up on me?

Me: .... *stil dumbfounded*

Him: Cat got your tongue? Anyway, if you don't wanna answer that, answer this. Can I be your first dance at the party?

Me: Jungkook...

I just had to mutter. But he heard.

Him: Oh. Him.

Me: Yes.

Him: Okay. Maybe next time.

And he hung up after that.

I didn't know why, but I somehow felt bad for him.

Shut up, Xiao Yi.

Right.

Sunday. Everyone was at home, except papa and mama.

The Soo Kui Beijing office party was going to be held on Friday the coming week. The boys who were leaving for Korea to spend Christmas had to reschedule their flight. They originally were leaving on Thursday.

Papa had called and wanted the boys to leave together. And he instructed Xiumin to make sure his younger brothers were all accounted for going to the airport and boarding the plane. He was also supposed to look out for them while in Korea. Although they would go their separate routes when they arrive, papa had wanted to make sure that the boys still had communication with each other. They were also supposed to be coming back to Beijing on the same day. Before the new year, they were supposed to be back already.

Lay was going with Chanyeol to spend Christmas there. He had called his mama and told her that he decided to go to Korea with Chanyeol this year. He had promised to visit his mom during Chinese new year.

Chen and Kyungsoo were also spending Christmas with their moms. Chen's mom was expected to pick him up in Beijing, but he called his mom that he was old enough to travel alone and just pick him up at the airport. Besides, Xiumin was with them. Kyungie's mom called him and also wanted to come pick him up, but he used the same dialogue that Chen did to his mom.

LOL.

I bet they were just excited travelling without parental supervision again. They had enjoyed it most when we went to Hong Kong. Actually, we all enjoyed it. We were free to be ourselves whenever papa was not around.

Anyway, Kai was going to Japan with his mom and he didn't really wanna go. He'd be stuck with models again. The boys , saying he was just pretending to hate the company of pretty women. But Kai dismissed the idea. He said his mom would just show him off to her friends. Like he was some sort of gold dug up in the middle of the Amazon...rare jewel.

He did look like he wasn't up to spending Christmas with his mom.

MK was going to pick him up here, because she currently was in Hong Kong.

And Kai looked more distraught than ever. The last time his mom was here, it was a disaster.

Kris was leaving for Singapore. His mom had a show there and would be spending the holidays there. The dragon gege had told his mom that he'd be leaving on Saturday, after the party. He was part of the staff for the party planning committee along with Luhan and Xiumin.

After breakfast, when mama left for the pedia center, the boys planned on going to the mall to buy Christmas gifts. As half of them won't be here on Christmas, they wanted to give their gifts earlier.

Well, what about me? I was grounded, so I can't go out to buy my gifts.

Bummer.

Xiumin: Who's coming with me?

Suho: I'm coming with you.

Lay: Me too.

Chanyeol: Count me in!

Kai: Me! Me!

Chen: Can I go too?

Kyungsoo: Okay, let me go with you.

Chen: Why?

Kyungie: Why not?

Chen: Why do you have to?

Kyungie: I'm not getting in the same car as you are.

Chen: Sure, Chagiya.

Kris: Alright, I'm going, too.

Kyungie: I'll ride with you, ge.

Kai: Me too.

Chanyeol: Me three!

Kris: Others go with Xiumin and Lay...well, if you're driving your own car, Xingxing?

Lay: Uh...okay. I could.

Xiumin: Anyone else who wants to come with us?

Baek: I'm going out later with Namjoon and J.

Lay: Oh, are you?

Baek: Yeah. Why?

Lay: I heard J's got his Chinese driver's license already.

Baek: A couple weeks ago, yeah.

Lay: Cool. How about Namu?

Baek: He's still waiting for his license. Maybe before the year ends.

Suho: Yoongi already got his a month ago.

Baek: He's older, ge.

Suho: But they applied at the same time, you know.

Kris: The older always gets it first. Don't be pabo, Snow White.

Suho: Shut up Li Shang.

Luhan was silent. He didn't join the conversation and was eating his breakfast really slow. Sehun and Tao were in their own world. Sehun was making a pancake cottage with his buttered pancakes. Tao was slicing his pancakes into thin strips...just like bacon. I had just finished and was just listening in to whatever the boys were talking about. The whole day they would be out, I was sure of it.

Christmas was just two weeks away and I needed to do my shopping before half of the boys leave for Korea or Japan or Singapore.

I need to go shopping before they disappear for a week!

I got my savior in the form of mama. She called before the rest of the boys went out, saying she was taking me out to shop for my party dress. Sehun and Tao was about to go with the others when mama asked them to go with us. Luhan had no choice but to allow me to go, but he reminded me that I was not allowed to go anywhere else after.

Luhan went with the other boys, while me, Sehun and Tao waited for mama to pick us up.

So, I got the time to buy gifts for the boys, mama and papa. I also found a little something for...Jungkook...okay.

Papa arrived Tuesday. He got the boys going to the construction site with him. The house was almost finished. He had an early Christmas present for the boys when they went to the house. He had sent the workers on their holiday. They were to return to work after the New Year holidays. By end of January, we'd be able to move back.

I stayed with mama at home. We knew of papa's surprise when they returned. The boys were excited and so noisy when they got back. The oldies and Baek actually knew the surprise already, since they were the ones who frequented the site and they had access to the blueprint and got to talk to the engineer.

Papa decided to divide the upper and lower bedrooms equally among the 13 of us. That meant, each of the boys will have a room for himself. Although, papa said, that the rooms won't be as big as if it would be a shared room. The boys were pretty much ecstatic about it.

Luhan: Thank god I won't have to endure Kai's loud snores!

Kai: I don't snore when you're in the room, Lu ge.

Luhan: You don't know.

Chanyeol: I like my new room.

Chen: It's not even finished yet.

Chanyeol: Just the door, okay. Just the door left to complete it.

Sehun: Why my room is downstairs?

Papa: So you won't keep tripping down the stairs.

Sehun: But I want to have my room upstairs.

Xiumin: You wanna swap?

Sehun: You would?

Xiumin: Sure.

Papa: You boys decide for yourselves. But remember, no more major room modifications because I plan to have us all move back by end of January.

And with that, he excused himself and went to his study.

Kris: I ain't swapping mine. It's strategically located near the bathroom, hahaha.

Tao: Mine, too.

Kyungsoo: There are three bathrooms upstairs. Three downstairs. I wouldn't have to wait for you guys to use the bathroom.

Luhan: Baekhyun and Sehun would need to have their own bathroom, though.

Kris: Don't forget Tao.

Suho: I actually want a downstairs room. Tsk...

Lay: Sorry, you can't have mine.

Suho: I wasn't looking at you.

Lay: Okay.

Chanyeol: We can swap, hyung.

Suho: You would?

Chanyeol: Okay. But you have to swap the bed's headboard too.

Suho: Why would I do that?

Chanyeol: Because I like the one on my room now.

Suho: Okay, okay fine.

Me: Nobody wants to swap with me?

Tao: Your room is girly. I'd have to have it repainted.

Me: What's so girly with pastel blue?

Tao: It looks like you're in the clouds.

Kai: Like you're playing with fluffy bears.

Chen: Care Bears!

Me: What's wrong with that?

Chen: We are manly.

Tao: Yeah.

Chanyeol: But you don't mind dressing up as a girl...hmmm?

Tao: Don't forget you dressed up as a girl, too.

Chanyeol: Shut up.

Kai: Hahahaha.

Chanyeol: Shut up you, too. You wore that Cinderella dress one time.

Tao: At a tea party. Hahaha.

Kai: You forget that we were doing it for Xiao Yi.

Sehun: Because mama and papa forgot to make another sister for her.

Luhan: There's Sohee now.

Sehun: But she ain't gonna be playing tea party with Xiao Yi anymore. And mei baobei is old enough to play tea parties?

Luhan: She can still play whenever she wants.

Me: But I won't.

Luhan: Don't be in a hurry to grow up.

Me: I'm not.

Kris: I'm thinking you want to grow up faster because of Kim Jungkook.

Me: No.

Chanyeol: Four more years. Not even Taeyong, okay?

Luhan: Four more years and then, another four.

Me: What?

Kris: Hmmm...yeah. Twenty one years old, mei baobei.

They wanted me to die a spinster.

Fine.

Not gonna happen.

But I just might. If they don't stop preventing me from assessing my prospects this early.

Okay. I think that's too serious.

Lalalalalalala!

I covered my ears and walked out of the room. I left them talking about my future. They were going to decide my future the way they wanted it. But I was going to live my life as I wanted it. My future will come and I am not going to spend it being stressed over having twelve brothers trying to decide for me.

They were just doing what they know was best for me.

But they had to mellow it down sometimes. I'm not a prisoner.

Sometimes I really wished I was a boy.

They wouldn't be this hard on me. I wouldn't be so sheltered.

But I wasn't really that sheltered. They still let me do things I wanted to. Except that it's limited. Or someone has to be there to watch over me.

I was nearing the end of my second week of being grounded. By Sunday, I would be free. By Sunday, half of the boys would be travelling to Korea, Japan and Singapore. MK would arrive on Friday to pick Kai up. Kris ge would be going to the airport with the boys who were off to Korea.

I had spent my days in prison wrapping up gifts for them. I actually had a hard time picking out which gifts to give them. I didn't wanna give them the same things. I wasn't rich, like papa. LOL. So, I bought what my saved allowance could buy.

Friday afternoon. Soo Kui and Associates Beijing office Christmas party going to happen in a few hours. The party was set at seven in the evening. Dinner served first, then the program, before the night of music and cocktails. It was going to be held at the ballroom of the hotel the boss owned.

Papa briefed us all again on how to properly behave at the party. The three oldies who were interns at papa's department, were staff of the party planning committee. They were supposed to be there an hour early.

Suho and Lay were in-charge of us, younger kids.

Papa: Boys.

Yup. I was still one of the boys.

Papa: Dinner will be served at seven sharp. I hope you'll all be ready by then.

Luhan: Pa, I think I'll just bring my change of clothes there.

Kris: Me, too.

Papa: Okay. You better go there around five.

Kris: Yes, papa.

Papa: Suho, Lay.

The two stood attentive. Lay was sort of still trying to get used to the sudden responsibility.

Papa: You two are in-charge of your younger brothers.

Me: Ahemm...

Papa: And sister.

Me: Xiexie, papa.

Papa: I haven't forgotten you, Xiao Yi. Anyway, Suho, make sure your brothers are well-behaved, especially during dinner. Lay, see to it that you help Suho.

Suho/Lay: Yes, papa.

Papa: Baixian.

Baek: Huh?

Papa: Prepare a piano piece for the program. I know it's late notice, but the boss just called and wanted a sort of variations in the program. Kyungsoo, Chen, you too. Prepare a song or two.

Baek: Uhm...What piece?

Papa: That would be up to you. The boss is rather fond of Sinatra. You do have something of him that you've practiced?

Baek: I'll try papa.

Baek looked blank. Frank Sinatra? The boss liked classics. What song of Sinatra he had to play? He immediately excused himself and went up to his room. Probably to Google and download the music sheet of whatever song from Sinatra he found to be suitable for a Christmas party.

Chen and Kyungsoo looked at each other. They probably were thinking what song they would have to sing at the party. Papa didn't give them any hints or suggestions what the boss liked. However, they nodded all the same. Anyway, it was a Christmas party and the guests would love to hear some nice Christmas songs.

After papa briefed us, he then told us to get ready for tonight. It was only two in the afternoon. I decided to just go back in my room and wait until everyone was done. After shower, mama would be doing my hair. It didn't need to be too classy. I was not going to a wedding or something.

Mama knocked on my door at around four. She asked me if I already showered. She told me I could use their bathroom if the boys were using the others.

Mama had to blowdry my hair before she tied the top portion into a loose braid and knotted it.

Mama: There. You look like a princess now.

Me: A boyish princess.

Mama: No. Girly princess. So, I don't wanna hear you snorting at the party.

Me: Heheh.

Mama: Kim Jungkook will be there, you know.

Me: Geez, ma. Not you, too.

Mama: Crushes are fine.

Me: He told me he liked me.

Mama: Did he? Well, that's nice of him to tell you that.

Me: Is it, really?

Mama: Of course. You're bound to get...well, possibly be together for the rest of your lives, so it's nice to know he likes you. And you like him, too. Don't you?

Me: He's...cute.

Mama: Hahah. Yes, he is. Quite the charmer, really.

Me: You like him, too?

Mama: Hmm...yes, I do. In fact, I like him more than Taeyong.

Me: Aish...

Mama: Ah, enough of this talk. I know you're starting to get awkward with mama, now. I'll go prepare myself. Don't go running around or you'll ruin your hair. Do you need help with your dress?

Me: Nope, thanks. I got it, ma.

She smiled at me and went to prepare for the party herself.

We were all at the hotel's ballroom by six thirty. Most of the Beijing employees with their families were already there. There were food attendants and ushers hired for the night. We were ushered to our table. Papa and mama were seated by the head table.

Of course.

I was with my brothers on one table. Actually, we occupied two tables that were beside each other. Luhan, Kris and Xiumin were nowhere to be seen at the moment. They were still doing their job in making sure the party was going to go smoothly.

I looked around for the Kim family. I saw their appa and eomma by the head table earlier. I knew they were already here somewhere. Instead of them, I saw Taehyung walking with Yoongi towards a table not far from ours. Namjoon was already seated there and the two other Min boys went to sit. I sort of craned my neck to see who else were seating at their table. The Kim boys were there, too.

They sat far from me.

Why did I feel sad?

I saw Soo Taeyong walk in. He walked with an air of "this is my father's hotel. I can walk like I own it" kind of walk. I smirked. I knew he didn't see me, because he went straight to the table where his sister was. Jeno walked in after him. He smiled at the people who greeted him.

There's the difference.

Dinner was served at exactly seven. Suho and Lay kept eyeing each one of us. The boys tried their best to behave. Sehun slouched on his seat and Suho glared at him. Kai started to yawn as he tried to pry open the crab shell. Suho called his attention. Lay observed everything and attempted to try scolding Tao who put his fork down and used just his spoon for everything else.

I chuckled when Tao just sideglanced him and continued eating as if Lay didn't scold him.

Chen kept looking behind him. Chanyeol noticed that and sort of whisphered.

Chanyeol: What are you looking at?

Chen: I think I saw Lee Geum-in.

Baek: The bad breath guy?

Chen: SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Baek: Why? It's true, anyway.

Chanyeol: Shut it, shut it.

Sehun: Where is he?

Chen: Two tables away from ours. By the big vase of pink flowers.

Sehun: Oh. I hope those flowers are enough to muffle out his bad breath.

Suho: Guys, guys...he might have brushed his teeth now.

Chen: I doubt it.

Suho: Shhh...finish your food.

Chanyeol: I don't think I can. Anymore.

Kyungsoo: He just looked in our direction.

Baek: Hahahaha...

Me: You might get punched in the face.

Suho: Shhhhh! Papa's facing our table.

Lay: Uh-oh.

Baek: What?

And he looked at papa's table. Papa was indeed facing our table, but he was talking to mama. However, Luhan was walking over to us.

Baek: Inhale, exhale, Baixian.

Chen: Don't. You might get a whiff of...

Luhan: You. You. You. And you. I can hear you from over there.

Chen: Ooops...

Luhan: Stop talking about bad breath at the dinner table.

Silence filled the Wu table.

Luhan had sat on an empty seat beside Tao. He was done with his dinner, I guessed.

After dinner, the boss went up to say a little speech. First, he commended Mr. Kim for bringing more projects for the company this year. He then thanked the employees, regular and interns alike. Which meant Luhan, Kris and Xiumin were part of that. Then, he announced that the Hong Kong office would have their Christmas party the coming Wednesday. It meant that the Mins were supposed to be there. It was three days before Christmas, so they'd probably spend it there. Their Korea office will have a yearend party on the 28th, so papa, Mr. Min and Mr. Kim were expected to be there. We just hoped papa would be able to return before evening of December 31.

After the speech, music, dancing and cocktails were served. The oldies were lax this time. They allowed us kids to wander around. The adults stayed to dance and chitchat. Chen, Kyungsoo and Baek weren't able to enjoy much, because papa had called them to sit nearer the stage.

Jin had to play the piano as well. J, Jimin and Jungkook had to sing. The boss specially chose them to start the presentations.

Chanyeol had the urge to get out of the ballroom and wander around the hotel. I got up and followed him. Sehun, Tao and Kai followed us. Suho and Lay stayed at the table, talking about whatever. LOL. Luhan had gone back to his seat by the interns' table with Xiumin and Kris.

Chanyeol led us out into the hall and in front of the elevator.

Kai: Where are we going?

Chanyeol: Roofdeck!

Tao: Whoa, cool!

Kai: Are we allowed to?

Chanyeol: They didn't stop us. Look, there are others going out too.

True enough, some kids were strolling outside the hall and chitchatting outside the ballroom. Some were by the french windows, leaning out and talking amongst each other.

Chanyeol pressed the "up" button.

Yup. We younger kids were not expected to stay around and dance the night away.

Well, that was one of the reasons why I followed Chanyeol outside. I was avoiding seeing Jungkook or Taeyong who would ask me to dance with them.

I promised Jungkook, though.

He'd have to wait. I need to go to the roofdeck and breathe in fresh air!

The elevator door opened. Before we stepped in the elevator, we found ourselves face to face with the Dong brothers...and Hua Chen...and Ah-Zi...with their moms.

Invited or gate crashers?

Probably gate crashers. They weren't at dinner. So...

We stepped aside, so they could pass. The two Dong cousins smiled at my brothers and eyed me from toe-to-head.

Hah!

Now, there's a difference when you look at a person from head to foot and looking at the person foot first, going up. The first meant you consider the person the same level as you, whereas the second meant, you consider the other person someone below you.

We stepped in the elevator. Ah-Zi looked at Sehun and smiled.

"Hi, Sehun!"

Sehun just frowned and said, "Who are you?"

LOL. Thanks Sehun ge.

At the roofdeck, there were already other kids there. Bored from staying at the cocktails. We spent almost half an hour taking pictures of ourselves and breathing in the fresh air. My feet ached from wearing strappy heels. I had to wear them because I was expected to dress like a girl.

I took it off and walked barefoot on the roofdeck floor. Chanyeol saw me and he scolded me. I told him my feet hurt already from walking wearing my shoes. He took my shoes from me and carried it by the straps. He then said we'd better get back to the party before they came looking for us.

We went down the elevator with me barefoot. LOL. The halls and ballroom were carpeted, so my feet didn't feel cold or anything. I took my shoes from Chanyeol and carried it myself.

When we went back to the ballroom, there wasn't much people left there. I guess we stayed at the roofdeck more than thirty minutes. Papa was near the door talking to Mr. Kim and Mr. Min. As we entered, I saw Jungkook. He was walking towards us. I hurriedly placed my shoes on top of a table beside papa and started walking away. I didn't wanna burden myself with carrying my shoes, so I left it with the nearest person I knew.

I heard Mr. Min say, "Was that Xiao Yi?"

And papa answering with, "And she's barefoot."

I heard Jungkook call, "Xiao Yi!"

I had to stop.

Ahhh, I didn't wanna dance.

I didn't turn my head, but stopped to wait for him. He stood beside me and chuckled.

Him: You're barefoot.

Me: Yes. My feet ache from those shoes.

Him: *chuckles* Where are your shoes?

Me: Left it on the table by the door.

He turned his head to look behind him.

Him: Your papa's carrying them now.

Me: Oh?

I had to look as well. Yeah. Papa carried my strappy shoes on one hand.

Him: Do you wanna dance?

Me: Nope.

Him: But you promised.

Me: Okay.

Him: But you're barefoot.

Before I could answer him,Taeyong appeared in front. He tilted his head at the sight of me barefoot.

Taeyong: Where are your shoes?

Me: Threw it away.

Taeyong: Your feet might get cold.

Jungkook: *clears throat*

Taeyong: Oh, you're there.

Jungkook: Yes. And she's with me.

Me: Go away.

TY/JK: Who?

Me: Uh...I'm going.

And I walked faster away from them. I walked over to one of the french windows and sat down.

"You still owe me your first dance."

I raised my head. Jungkook had followed me. Taeyong still stood on the same spot where I left them.

Jungkook reached out a hand.

Me: Right.

I don't know what to say. Hehehe xD  Just...I hope you liked it.   → 사랑해요! ♥♥♥ 我愛你們！吴愛你們！

I sort of imagined Xiao Yi's dress to look like this: