Meet Again ☽ Zhong Chenle

2

Sitting in class, packed with 40 other students, a girl sitting in the front on the side, staring at the board.

"We will have an upcoming project soon and I expect all of you to be dedicated to this. We'll be having visitors come in and watch our performances so I expect all of you to do your best. It will be an individual project based on the topic you'll like to choose for a social issue. Research all ideas and make sure to show the use of internet platforms on how these issues could be solved or helpful." The professor spoke as he passed the papers around to each student and earning some sighing in between his words. This professor always gave so much work that most students failed his class.

"There is more information in the packet, I hope all of you read it, or else you might fail this project. It's worth 40% of your grade. I expect all of you to have it done before next month on the 17th."

Aera rolled her eyes, she liked this professor but she had to agree that he gave too much work. She felt overwhelmed, looking at her schedule. Classes starting from 7 am to 9:50 pm and two cafe jobs in between these classes. "When will she have time to study or do any of these assignments?" she wonders. "That's it class, I'll see you all tomorrow. Have a good night everyone!" The professor spoke before hearing chairs being pulled back and everyone chattering ready to leave.

Aera on the other hand stayed in her seat still. Trying to copy all the notes down before leaving. "Ms. Kim, you may leave." The professor said wondering why she was the only one left in the classroom still. "I know, just trying to get all the notes down. Thank you professor." Aera stood up and gathered all her stuff inside her bag before leaving the empty classroom.

Aera went to NYU, the most known school in New York, majoring in marketing and media as a minor, her grades were always good. She was determined to study well as she was living abroad and felt wasteful if she didn't get the grades she wanted. Being in her third year and most likely valedictorian, Aera didn't have much time to spend. Scrolling on her phone checking Twitter, she sees many NCT Dream concert clips making her sigh. She wanted to attend so badly that she tried her hardest to finish all her work to make some free time to attend, but in the end, her luck didn't work.

Aera had night classes today, the day of the concert and she dreaded it. Although it would be fine to miss one class as she attends all of them and the professors wouldn't mind her missing one, she still didn't have enough money to pay for tickets. NYU was expensive and leaving Aera in debt making her work 2 part-time jobs in between her classes. Aera had a fan account on Twitter (@goldnjm), mainly as a dreamzen, and seeing the clips of them in New York brought a tear to her eyes.

She wasn't able to attend even though she had the chance too but the world was against it. "Fucking hate my luck" she whispered. She saw how a clip of Mark crying during their ending ment. "Aww my poor baby is crying". Scrolling more through their feed, she sees Jaemin. "This is why he's my bias" It was a clip of Jaemin looking at a fan with literal sparkling heart eyes. I mean who wouldn't want to be adored by this man :)

It was 10:45 pm, she had a morning class tomorrow sadly at 7 am, and needed sleep quickly. She walked over to her normal train station, swiping for her metrocard and waiting at the station. Aera connected her airpods in to play 'Tangerine Love', one of her favorite b-sidetracks from NCT Dream.

She quietly jammed out and was about to scream her vocals until she remembered she wasn't at home and instead was at a public underground station. Aera walked towards the end of the station, she wanted to be alone and not crowded with people. That is until she stopped in her tracks when she sees two people she thinks she knows. They looked too familiar, almost like she's seen them somewhere in her life. The two guys were trying to do something on their phones, Aera was watching them struggle and overheard their conversation.

"UGH, why can't my phone work?" Chenle was getting pissed that none of his messages were getting through to his manager. "I can't even call him, my phone is broken or something." Jisung whined as he kept trying to press call but there was no sound. Aera watched until she finally had the courage to walk up to them. "Uh hello" she spoke to them in english as she didn't want to seem creepy if she knew they spoke korean. The two guys just replied "Um hi" in a questionable tone.

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