Every morning those lucky enough would usually get their much needed healthy eight hours of sleep. The tall red headed sighed as if waking up at four or five sometimes earlier every day wasn't enough he had to gawk at the sight in front of him. It was as if waking up drunk not knowing what you did last night but in his case he was too tired to even pay attention to what color the hair dresser had applied to him.

It shouldn't have been a surprise really, since he was surrounded by others sporting the same hair as him almost every day. But to say he didn't look good at all would be a lie and all he could do was smile at himself and strike that one y pose that never failed to drive his fans crazy. 

Thumbs up index fingers in a shooting position, wink, seductive smirk, which then turns into his well-known gummy smile.

"That's it Eunhyuk you got this." The now red headed man told himself as if trying more to encourage himself not to fall asleep then and there rather than complimenting himself.

Really he didn't know why it had to be like this. It was easy at the beginning, after all this was what he always dreamt of, only differently. The moment he got scouted and accepted he thought it'd be all rainbows and unicorns. Not really but that's what he at the moment wanted to believe. His dream was coming true. He finally fulfilled his dream and at the age of fifteen at that! The moment he got accepted almost immediately he saw his free time taken away from him. All he did was train. He had classes to attend- not actual school classes though he did have those only not like every other teen would. He received a tutor for those. The company he was working under immediately arranged for everything he'd needed and wouldn't need now that they had found their new face. Their new solo artist. 

Without his permission was dropped out of school arguing that it'd be better to hire tutor instead now rut he would be spending most of his tine at the company anyways. At first he was thrilled at the fact that he wouldn't get to see those selfish classmates of his that never believed in him but mostly he was thrilled because he couldn't contain the fact that he was living his dream! Hah, take that classmates! He really wished he could see their faces once they discovered he was trainee and would make it big but alas the only place they'd see his face would be in posters, billboards, discs, Tv, and most importantly shining on stage. 

Now about that tutor, he was younger than him! That was the number one complaint about the matter besides arguing that he had no reason to keep studying since his dream was being fulfilled. Even so he'd do it. 

This was also where he met his best friends Yesung and Kyuhyun. They were KY, a dynamic duo. 

The first time he came in as a trainee there was a lot of others in the same place as he was. Some giving him the cold shoulder while others [KY] happily welcomed him. Those two were as excited as he was when they joined the company almost at the same time then KY debuted before him of course it was expected since they had arrived first but it wasn't always the case. Hyukjae debuted before others who had been  training longer than him therefor gaining hate from others. 

The trio of best friends were called KEY by their fans ever since the three started living together. 

When Hyukjae moved into the dorms he didn't expect himself to feel lonely despite everything he had said to his father. 'I can't wait to move out! Once I'm old enough you won't ever see me here again!' Of course he never expected freedom to emanate loneliness as well. At least back home he had the house staff and his nanny to keep him company though that house radiated with memories he'd rather forget as well. 

Yesung and Kyuhyun had become closer to him seeing as they were neighbors (they lived above him) they'd often come by to keep him company. If they weren't busy that is. At first he thought it was out of pity but then he slowly grew fond of those he calls idiots. They were the only ones to acknowledge his true self and see past beyond his idol image after and vice versa. After a while they decided to be roommates and their managers reluctantly agreed (after much begging and annoyance). But even so he felt something was still missing in his life. 

And that's how KEY was formed by fans. Of course the three had activities, collabs together but were never acknowledged as a group by the company. 

Anyways where was he? Oh yeah...

He didn't know where it was or how it began. Maybe it was the lack of sleep or the tiredness and numbness of his body from time to time or the continuous what if's that ran through his mind when he watched normal teenagers out and about minding their own business hanging out with friends not caring about anything else than being happy and having fun around each other. 

And there he was, staring again. He couldn't help but stare off at some group of friends everywhere he went. Sure they had some free time sometimes but instead of resting like his idol friends did he just went out in disguise and stare at any group of friends he'd seen hanging out with each other. Just like right now. 

This time he saw the same group of friends at a table far in the back corner chatting and laughing then getting back to their books and studying only to forget said items and go back to laughing. 

He longed for this to happen with his group of friends but they were always busy including himself. He didn't know why he'd do this always searching for what he couldn't have but wanted so badly. Full freedom. Every time a fan would tell him he's lucky for being who he is and those numerous amount of messages on his online page saying they wish they were in his place would get him mad and he'd want to shake the person who'd say that to him as if trying to wake them up, as if it was himself he tried to wake up. But it was too late when he did wake up. Wake up from that stupid trance of wanting to be an idol thinking it'd be easy and fun. Sure it was at first but then he'd see someone else in the mirror not himself anymore. Someone arrogant, so full of himself believing he was the top of the top, feeling the most loved and spoiled. That wasn't him he didn't want to be like that anymore. Fame got to him his friends would always tell him. How Yesung and Kyuhyun didn't change was beyond him. He realized no one but them knew his real self. His fans? No they didn't even bother to know the guy for who he really was as long as he was still handsome, hot, and provided them with his y dance moves and beautiful voice. But no, not all his fans were shallow he still had a few fans who knew him well not as much as KY but at least loved him for who he really was and always supported him no matter what. Even so Eunhyuk was a sweet lovable person so he loved all his fans equally, shallow or not they gave him the strength and motivation to go on. 

He wanted people to love him for who he was not because of his idol status. 

As he continued to stare at the group someone caught his eye. 

The young brunette couldn't help but laugh when his friend Sungmin bickered with his other friend Ryeowook over an Italian dish he knew nothing of. 

"Blah blah blah you know I'm minoring in Culinary arts mister! I know what I'm talking about." The blond haired guy in front of him pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. 

"Don't blah blah blah me," The younger petite male brunette next to him started "I've been cooking since I could use my hands properly I know what I'm talking about! Plus I'm majoring in Culinary arts." The other two looked stunned. 

"I thought you were majoring in music?" The brunette asked raining an eyebrow in question at the smaller male. 

"Donghae please, my dream of becoming a singer won't come true. I think it's time to give up and face reality." Ryeowook answered confidently though his friends knew better. 

"But Wookie you have a beautiful voice!" Sungmin reasoned. Ryeowook sighed and shook his head and looked down at his books flipping the next page and writing something down on his notebook in the process. 

"I'm not the only one with a good voice Minnie, not everyone makes it big. Now let's focus on studying before they close up again. My parents weren't too happy at the time I got home yesterday." He finished without looking up from his book and started reading a passage from it out loud for the others to follow. They did dropping the subject seeing his friend was serious. 

Before they got to the second page of their homework packet Sungmin sighed dramatically making it know that he was truly bored. "I hate English class! Why passages and questions about them? I thought we got rid of them once he graduated high school!" He complained flailing his arms in the air dramatically. 

"I think the answer is C." Ryeowook started before explaining why he thought this. 

"Yeah I agree it's C. How about you Minnie?" Donghae looked at the blond who was pouting deep in thought. 

"Hey yo two are the brains here and if you say it's C then who am I to contradict?" The other two laughed at the blond. "You're pano that's who." Ryeowook said making them laugh louder. 

Donghae felt as if someone was watching them the whole time. He looked around until his eyes met with a red headed guy. He could see the color of his hair thanks to the bangs above his eyes since the rest was covered by a huge beanie. He wore simple tight jeans and a woolen coat over his white t-shirt and a scarf around his neck and mouth. He could've sworn he saw that guy somewhere before but he couldn't pin point exactly from where. Suddenly their eyes met for a few seconds before Donghae averted his gaze back to his friends. 

Eunhyuk sat there frozen. For a moment he thought the guy had recognized him and would blurt it out for the whole cafe to hear then he'd have to run off somewhere as far away as his legs could get him before his fans snagged him and snogged the daylight out of him. It's happened before and the only thing he could save was his ity and lips of course there was also sane fans who would just ask for a hug, picture, or autograph and some would even save their oppa from being snogged. 

And now he had to take care of himself more than ever because on his last interview a few days prior he had accidentally confessed that he hadn't had his first kiss yet making his fans yell with excitement all over Korea and some even decided they'd be his first kiss no matter what. His lips really aren't safe now. 

He finished his macchiato and raised his eyebrows in amazement. He had stayed here way too long it was a miracle his cover hadn't blown up yet. 

"Donghae hyung umma wants to see you!" He heard a voice from behind the counter shout. 

The same boy he had locked eyes with stood up and rushed over to the back of the counter. He didn't know why but he liked this place. It was simple yet elegant and had a feeling of home with a welcoming atmosphere. Not to mention the relaxing modern day music. He looked around and would see a lot of students with their laptop or sitting at tables studying. It was as if the place was for student trying to study and hangout but then again there were business men here too. It was an epitome of Starbucks only bigger. Big enough that it had a second floor and those above could see the first floor as it had a square opening in the middle just like some libraries not to mention the second floor also had tables and comfortable couches in the balconies. 

His eyes traveled back to the now smaller group as they chatted away and didn't fall silent when the other boy joined them again as if they had nothing to hide from him unlike the trainees and other idols would do to him when he'd enter the room. 

He knew he'd been talked about among the company yet it didn't bother him because he was used to it. Plus it wasn't like he was the only one trash talked either. He was aware he has haters for being much more popular. There were only few he liked and called friends who he trusted and among them the closest were Kyuhyun and Yesung and vice versa. 

He had been so lost in thought that he didn't even notice when the guy from the group he'd been admiring had come up to him and looked as if he was waiting for him to say something. Wait did he perhaps recognized him? Was he asking for an autograph? He had a small notebook and pen after all. 

"I'm sorry, what?" Hyukjae asked the brunette in front of him. 

"I asked if you'd like anything else?" Donghae asked again looking over at the empty mug in front of the redhead. 

"Oh, no thank you." The brunette only nodded before going back to his group. 

Hyukjae only guessed his family owned the Cafe seeing as he was waiter, sometimes cashier and helped out with the drinks or other stuff served not to mention he went behind the counter which isn't even personnel. 

He got up and was about to leave when someone called out to him only guessing it was him when the voice mentioned "redhead". 

He froze with his hand on the handle before slowly turning around. "Me?" 

"Yes, here. You seemed to have forgotten your bags." He looked at the brunette known as Donghae as he handed the shopping bags to him. He stared for a moment at the guy in front of him. He was really handsome and he didn't know why but something about his chocolate brown orbs intrigued him. He snapped out of his trance and took the bags from his soft warm hands. Wait soft and warm? What was he thinking! 

"Oh um thank you." Hyukjae bowed and without another word he left the place. 

Donghae couldn't help but think about that guy. He looked so familiar especially when their eyes met. It was as if he'd known him for so long a simple trance was nothing. He couldn't help but feel sorry for the other, his eyes held loneliness and longing along with something else he couldn't put his finger on it. 

After the the redhead would come by from time to time that Donghae was already used to his presence there but somehow made him feel uncomfortable as if he had to act differently around him. 

Eunhyuk or Hyukjae (he preferred Hyukjae around his closest friends) sighed in relief when his dance choreographer wrapped up the training session. He'd been practicing his new choreography for his upcoming album. He checked his watch and couldn't help but feel disappointed seeing as he wouldn't be able to make it at the cafe he often frequents today. It wasn't that he went every day anyways and he'd blame it on his taste buds and the highly addicting Macchiato NOT the groups of friends he'd been stalking- uh no, observing. 

"Hey pops!" He heard a voice behind him and he didn't have to turn around to know who it belonged to. 

"Kyu I missed you too!" He laughed hard when the maknae strode calmly inside the room in all his glory trying to look cool until he almost tripped in his own two feet. 

"Shut up! I totally planned that." Kyuhyun spoke indifferently while looking himself through the mirrored walls around the dance room. 

"Totally." Eunhyuk replied now smiling as he felt an arm wrap around his shoulders. 

"Hey Hyuk! Man did we miss you." He heard a voice next to him. It was the oldest, Yesung. He watched as the older one held his leg up in midair contemplating whether or not to go on with his little teasing which he did anyways. He kicked the maknae in the making him tumble forward. 

"Yah! What was that for?" Kyuhyun asked glaring at the dark haired smirking male. 

"We know you're handsome and all, no need to praise yourself you evil maknae," Yesung snickered "That's why our fans consider you the "female" in our imaginary relationship." Hyukjae couldn't help but laugh at the younger's flustered face. 

"Aish! You're just jealous because while I'm getting handsomer all you're getting is wrinkles!" The sharp tongue spoke again. 

"Why you little sh-" As much as the redhead was having fun watching those two bicker he had to intervene or those two wouldn't shut up. 

"Alright it's getting late we better head to bed we have full schedules tomorrow." Hyukjae spoke as the other two sighed in agreement. "Then you both can tell me how your concert at Taiwan went." 

They nodded and headed to their apartment. Hyukjae was the only one who could calm these two down even though they didn't mean their constant bickering. They drove their own cars and closed them up in their respective garage before getting inside the fancy apartment complex. 

They rode the elevator and once inside they bid goodnight to each other leaving to their respective rooms not even bothering to eat considering lack of sleep won over hunger. 

Donghae laid wide awake in his bed. He knew he was a selfless person but that guy was a stranger and he didn't know why but ever since that trance he felt as if he should do something about that loneliness. Not once had the redhead brought someone over with him and he was starting to wonder if he really was that lonely. Did he have no friends at all? What about his parents? What college is he attending? Where has he been these past few days anyways? He kept wondering about all this and finally accepting the act that they wouldn't be answered he finally gave in to sleep. It had been like that ever since that day and he didn't even know why he cared so much. 

The next day as he helped his mom make the cappuccinos that a couple had ordered he couldn't help but wonder if the guy would show up today. It wasn't that he was missing him or even liked him- well at least that was what he kept on telling himself or more like convincing himself of it. He was just starting to be a regular until he'd disappeared then come back again and again only to leave for a few days then come back again. He guessed he was just too busy but then again something was off about him. He'd hide or slightly jump if a person stared at him too much as if he was hiding something. He hadn't even seen his full hair or even his full face at that it's as if he disguised himself on purpose which only lured and intrigued Donghae even more towards him. He was mysterious and he was a curious fish who wanted to know more. 

It wasn't until two days later that the mysterious man finally showed up again. Donghae was sitting with his friends at their usual table when they heard the Cafe's door chime ring informing the presence of a new customer followed by a "click" of the door. He didn't know why but his heart skipped a beat when his eyes landed on the boy who just entered and went over to the counter to order the same thing only this time instead of his mother doing it he asked his mother if he could and she only nodded. 

"Dude you've never done a Macchiato before. In fact you rarely even help when it comes to stepping inside the kitchen." He heard Sungmin speak to him as he and Ryeowook walked inside to work on the desserts they'd later display on the dessert stand. 

"Especially a Macchiato. It's no walk in the park like the other drinks." Ryeowook chipped in which made Donghae even more nervous about perfecting the espresso drink just like his mother. Wait, usually his mother would decline his help when it came up to such drinks but oddly not this time. 

Of course he wasn't a skilled barista he only knew how to make the basic drinks an this proved to be very challenging for him enough to most make him quit. He didn't even know why he felt the need to do this for that stranger was driving him mad. At last he finished and surprisingly the leaf symbol looked good despite his shaking hands when he'd done it. Now came the hardest part 

Hyukjae was wondering if his order had been ignored so he decided to stand up and re-order until he saw Donghae come up to him with his Macchiato and strawberry scone. Said boy apologized for taking so long before placing his drink in front of him. 

Donghae stood there watching as the thin boy stared at the drink. He nervously played with his fingers and held his breath once the redhead brought the whit mug to his lips. 

Eunhyuk looked at the nervous boy in front of him arching an eyebrow before takin a sip from the espresso. 

It tasted different somehow, he noted. And just when he thought it wasn't possible to make a better addicting Macchiato this one was just way better. Not knowing why, he just took another sip before placing it back on the table and looking up at the brunette in front of him. He have him a questioning look which prompted the guy to speak up and exhale. 

"Sorry it's the first time I make a Macchiato so I just wanted to hear from the first person I serve it to." He nervously scratched the back of his neck. 

"It's alright and well I can just say I consider myself very lucky to be the first you serve it to." Hyukjae finished before taking another sip to emphasize his words. 

"Oh wow that means a lot thank you!" Donghae beamed making Hyukjae smile a little more. "Is there anything else I can get you?" He asked and the boy only shook his head. 

"Donghae-ah we need you back here!" He heard Sungmin yell. The brunette grinned at Hyukjae dismissing himself and walked towards the kitchen. 

Hyukjae's breath hitched at the sight; the brunette had looked at him in the eye, his lips slowly curled into a boyish grin showing his crooked but adorable teeth and his eyes smiled along. 

Never had he seen such beautiful smile. He inhaled and exhaled shaking those thoughts out of his mind. 

Donghae walked inside the kitchen humming happily to himself and didn't even bother whining about the mess the other two had done with the flour and bowls with batter everywhere that he knew Sungmin had only called him to clean up for them as they continued to bake. Without complaining at all he took a rag and began soaking it in water before squeezing it dry to start on the flour mess. 

"How was it? What did he say?" Ryeowook asked amused at the silence his friend was giving while cleaning up without arguing about how it was their mess therefor they should be cleaning it instead of him as always. 

"It was perfect!" He grinned once again. 'Way better than perfect'... 

A/N: I know I shouldn't be uploading new stories when I have some paused but I couldn't keep this out of my head! I already have some stuff planned out for this story in my head /).(\ 

Anyways thanks for reading! Comment and subscribe~