The A-Z of Love

WONDERLAND

The next day, ATEEZ had a schedule in the morning, so Zoey had some time to herself. She did some more research into applying to study at a university in Seoul. After yesterday, she wanted to be here with her soulmates even more. The thought of being apart from them more than being with them hurt.

In the afternoon, some of the members of ATEEZ returned home, but before she could greet Jongho, Wooyoung dragged her away.

"San, babe, follow."

Wooyoung took her to his room, and San followed in behind. They all sat on the bed, San behind his soulmate looking ready to intervene if needed.

"Zoey, Yeosang... Yeosang was acting strange today, and he won't tell me why. Did something happen yesterday?"

San translated Wooyoung's words, and Zoey froze. She didn't know how to respond. If Yeosang didn't tell Wooyoung about their kiss did that mean he didn't want his friend to know.

"Umm..."

Seeing her hesitation, San chimed in.

"You don't have to tell him if you don't want to."

Wooyoung elbowed his soulmate understanding San's words.

"Yah! Zoey, we best friends. You tell me everything. Yes?"

She looked away from Wooyoung's gaze to San who shrugged.

"I kissed Yeosang."

Zoey had to cover her ears at the scream Wooyoung produced after hearing those words. San quickly covered his soulmate's mouth to muffle the sound.

"Woo! Jongho will... hear you."

There was a knocking at the door and Jongho's voice called out.

"What was that? Why is the door locked? Zoey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm okay."

"Let me in!"

She looked back at Wooyoung with wide eyes. With a sigh San let Wooyoung go and went to open the door. Zoey squealed when Wooyoung suddenly pulled her into a back hug and Jongho came rushing into the room.

"What are you doing in here? Let her go."

Wooyoung shook his head as he held her in his arms, his arms around her waist and her back against his chest.

"No! She's mine! I want details!"

Jongho frowned.

"Zoey? Okay?"

She considered using this opportunity to escape, but instead, she nodded.

"I'm okay. I'll be out soon."

Once Jongho was gone, Wooyoung sighed in relief but didn't let Zoey go.

"This is nice."

San stood next to the bed and raised an eye at his soulmate.

"Woo."

"Fine, but ask her for details first."

"He said he won't let you go until you give him details."

"What kind of details?"

"What, where, when, how, I want to know everything!"

Zoey patted Wooyoung's hands, and he let her go. She sat up and looked down at the bedsheets as she told her story.

"We were looking at this hanok -"

"Zoey and Yeosang?"

"Yes, just me and Yeosang. I slipped on some steps, and he caught we as I fell."

Wooyoung jumped off the bed into San's arms.

"Like this?"

"No -"

Wooyoung turned around so San was holding him from behind.

"Like this?"

"No -"

"Like -"

Wooyoung went to move again but San stopped him.

"Let her tell you. Go on, Zoey."

Zoey stood up and did her best to demonstrate how Yeosang had held her. Wooyoung copied with San.

"Like this?"

"Yes! Then I stood up and... Kiss."

She whispered the last word and looked away as Wooyoung continued to act out her words and kissed San.

"Ah! How romantic! I'm so happy! Who's next?"

"I think that enough -"

"Ask her!"

San sighed.

"He wants to know who will be next?"

"Next?"

"Next kiss."

"Oh... I - I don't know."

Zoey hadn't thought about that yet. She was still basking in her first kiss and hadn't considered that it would be a catalyst for bonding with the rest of her soulmates.

As she thought about it now she didn't know what to do. With Yeosang, it had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Would such a moment happen with her other three soulmates? It was unlikely, especially before she went home in a few days. So how would she choose who was next or when and where it happened?

Her distress must have been apparent because San tried to reassure her.

"Don't worry. No pressure. They have no expectations, okay?"

Zoey appreciated it, but the more she thought about it, the more she didn't think she would be able to go home without bonding with all of her soulmates. She wished she had someone to talk about it with, but she didn't have any friends she was close enough with. However, she did have Wooyoung.

"But... Who? When?"

Wooyoung's eyes lit up.

"Want some help?"