Insouciant | Mark Lee

44~ Blackout

Days passed by like a gust of wind. 

Aera was lying on her bed with Soa beside her. Blankly staring at the ceiling, the girls were spending the time together without their partners. "Ae, we planned for a girl's day but we are just lying on your bed doing nothing. It's like our brain doesn't work when we are apart from these idiots whom we call our boyfriends," Soa mumbled lazily. 

Aera heaved a sigh and hummed out of response and replied, "True. Mark is literally a year older than me but at times I still feel like he's going through puberty." Soa nodded her head, "Jihoon does questionable things too. Like the other day he just sat on the couch and came closer to me and burped on my face and said 'guess what I ate from my burp."

Aera scrunched her face in disgust. "Ew that's gross. I wonder how he's still my bestfriend." she remarked. "I wonder that too," Soa commented as the girls sighed in unison. 

An hour passed by quick. The girls were still lying down of Aera's bed, their bodies sprawled on the bed while their head was hanging at the edge. 

"Huhhh, this isn't gonna work," Soa sighed and got up. Collecting the phone which was on the night stand, she checked the time. It was 12 in the noon. 

The door of the room opened wide.  Mark and Jihoon entered the room and observed the girls. "What's going on?" Mark asked and made way towards his girlfriend who was still laying down in the previous position. He bent down and quickly pecked her forehead causing a smile to bloom on her face. While Jihoon walked towards Soa and flicked her forehead making her groan in pain. 

Mark affectionately caressed Aera's head as she now sat up straight giving in on his touch. "Hey, you boys are not supposed to be here. It's a girl's catching up day go back," Soa whined and started pushing the two males out of the room. Once successful  she came back and plopped down on the bed. 

The two girls sighed out of boredom again. "Let's dress up and click some pictures!" Soa suggested ecstatically. Aera nodded in agreement as they stood up. 

The photo and dressup session continued for an hour or two. And the girls were back to lying down on the bed. 

"Now what should we do?" Aera asked, boredom laced in her tone. "Ae, lets go shopping!" Soa suggested. The said girl's ears perked up in interest. "I like where this is going," Aera said. "Let's go to the mall, shop, eat and gain some calories. How does it sound?" Soa asked with excitement. "This sounds fun. Let's get ready." Aera said. 

"Oh, Soa, get ready. I'll just come back in 5. Gotta tell big bro about it," she said and took an exit. 

Aera in no time entered Taeyong's office and saw him drowned in the paperwork. His head quickly snapped up. "Geez Aera, atleast have the courtesy to knock," Taeyong said and rolled his eyes. "Sorryyy!" Aera said in cute voice which softened the brother in an instant. He brushed it of and questioned, "What's with the visit to my office?" "Oh I just wanted to inform that me and Soa are going to the mall. You know like girl's time out without the boyfriends."

 Taeyong just nodded his head. "Okay go, but remember the watch. Don't forget to wear it. And call us or Mark immediately if you feel like something's off," he instructed. "Yes Sir!" she exclaimed and saluted the older. He chuckled at her actions and ruffled her hair. "Come back before dinner!" he reminded her. "YEs Hyung!" she retorted back. 

Aera skipped her way to Mark's room only to find him laying down on the bed peacefully. She slowly crawled in on his bed and wrapped her arms around torso. Mark acknowledged her presence as he embraced her. 

"What are you doing here princess?" Mark asked, his voice still raspy as he just woke up from his slumber. Aera snuggled more in his chest while Mark kept her giving little forehead kisses. "I'm going to the mall with Soa, I'll be back before dinner." Aera said and looked up as she filled him on the details. 

He looked down at her. Planting a chaste kiss on her lips, he replied, "Okay, stay safe and call me if anything. Okay?" Aera nodded. She kissed him back. "Now get up so that you can come back early and we can hug and kiss. I can't keep myself away from you anymore," Mark said with a pout visible on his face. "Okay Mr. Lee. I'll be back soon." She got up, pecking his lips and running out of the door. 

Aera and Soa were now in the car, on the way to the mall discussing on what to buy. "I don't know what should I get for myself that Jihoon will like," Soa slumped in the passenger seat. "Honey, you will just be in a sweatshirt and that man will still coo like you're the most adorable person. Trust me that man is whipped for you!" 

Giggles erupted in the car after Aera's comment. Soon the girls arrived their destination. They started moving just like they planned it at home.

It's been over three hours and the girls were still in the mall. "Aera I'm tired lets eat something," Soa suggested. "Okay, what do you want to have?" Aera asked her. " I'm in a mood for a boba tea." "Oh great let's get it!"

"Aera you go and search for a table. I'll get our orders," Soa advised. Aera nodded and started searching for a table. As soon as she found it she sat on the chair and rested the shopping bags on another chair. 

Waiting patiently at the table Aera saw Soa returning with two boba teas in her hand. "Here," Soa handed her the order and settled on the chair. 

"My legs are about to give up!" Aera said tiredly as she took a sip out of her drink. "Totally, I feel like we shopped alot." Soa commented and continued, "But atleast we have this to relax ourselves!" she pointed out to the drink happily. 

The girls conversated and took their time to finish the drink. While talking to Soa, Aera suddenly became too quiet while Soa kept rambling. Her vision started to get a bit blurry and started feeling light headed. Shaking her head, Aera tried to focus on Soa's word. 

A throbbing pain was felt in Aera's head. She clutched her head and started rubbing. "Aera, you okay? Ae? What's happening?" She heard Soa's voice fading like an echo and soon Aera blacked out.