𝔽 𝕝 𝕠 𝕦 𝕣 𝕚 𝕤 𝕙 || ᴊᴀᴋᴇ - ᴇɴʜʏᴘᴇɴ

32. New Fear

"I'm home" Aerin entered the house. She had her hair down and the bubble tea was still in her hands.

She closed the door and turned to 9 pairs of worried and angry eyes that were glaring at her.

For sure, it hurt to see them look at her like that.

They were all waiting on the stairs, their phones in their hands. Jaehyun was there too, he looked the most worried besides Jake.

"Where the hell have you been?" Jake raised his voice.

"Aerin, we have been trying to call you all evening." Hanee frowned, pointing to her phone.

"It's fucking 8pm Aerin, where were you? Why did you lie to me?" It was Jaehyun's turn to scold her.

"You said that I was going to fetch you? Aerin, I didn't even know that you were going to stayback for your project" Sunghoon frowned.

"Noona.." the maknaes looked at her with a little disappointment. Aerin scanned the room and their faces.

There it was. The disappointment. The frustration they had. Towards her, she thought.

"Bubble tea?" She raised the bubble tea that was in her hands. Water from condensation started dripping down her arms.

They stared at her in disbelief. Aerin didn't know what to say actually. She forgot about the excuses she was supposed to make up.

"This isn't funny Aerin," Jay said.

"I just..went for a walk." She looked down to the ground and then at Jaehyun.

God, she knew Jaehyun was eager to tell them that she got detention but she knew he wouldn't say a thing.

"I- A walk? Can't you at least answer your phone when we call or reply to our texts?" Jake yelled at her.

"My phone died. I'm sorry" she replied shortly, not wanting to argue or say anything more.

"Aerin, it's my job as the eldest one here to take care of everyone, including you. Especially since Eomma isn't here since she's overseas. Can't you be a little more considerate? Can't you see how worried we are?" Heeseung finally spoke up.

'Eomma. Mrs Sim... ahh, i miss her' 

Aerin felt her eyes tearing up at the thought of the women who used to give her words of comfort.

"God knows what could have happened to you. You could at least inform us first, or tell Jaehyun" Aerin could hear the disappointment in his voice.

"I'm sorry. I know I should have told you guys about it first. I should have not lied to Jaehyun or any of you. But it really wasn't my intention to make you guys worried" she started tearing up, only god knows how much she wanted to hit herself for crying all over again like a weak bitch.

"I just need some goddamn time alone. I'm not thinking straight and I'm so exhausted. I feel like such a burden. I- I don't even know what i'm doing here"

"I'm sorry, I really wanted to stop bothering you guys but-"

'But i can't be fucking alone'

"Ughh" she wiped her tears and covered her face.

Hanee approached her and pulled her into a hug.

And that was what Aerin wanted to say and envisioned but instead, she said.

"I'm really sorry. All I wanted was to get some fresh air. I really didn't mean to make you guys worried, " she said with a smile.

"I promise I won't do it again. And see? I'm perfectly fine. I know it's not a good reason to be selfish, but I promise" she held up her hand.