Work of Art- KNJ

trois | three

Namjoon and Soohyun had been messaging each other for a few days now. Saturday night had been echoing in their minds like nothing else. Nothing remotely significant happened, but it was their first real interaction. Soohyun was very happy to hear from Namjoon, they were getting along beautifully. They settled on seeing each other the upcoming Sunday, they would meet up to be able to get to know each other in person. Namjoon was excited, it was only Wednesday morning, but he was wishing for Sunday to come a little bit quicker. He would see her Friday when he had to pick up Aerie but it wasn't the same as being able to spend time with her. Namjoon hadn't been on a date in what seemed like forever. One would think this would make him nervous, however, he was so excited. Already, Namjoon knew he and Soohyun shared many interests. Both work in an artistic field, Soohyun was an art professor and Namjoon was an art critic.

김남준: Good morning. Have a good day at work today pretty lady

서수현: i will now 🥰

김남준: Cute.

서수현: yes, you are.

The two were also bold with each other in their messages. They didn't feel as if they needed to outgrown an awkward phase. Especially since both already knew what they wanted out of each other. Neither of them were uncomfortable with the other. Soohyun loved being able to expect a small message. Of course, it had only been four days. Namjoon would message her in the mornings and Soohyun would message him at night. They kept it short but it was still something both looked forward to.

-

"Uncle Joon, Eomma's calling you." Aerie called out from the dining room. Namjoon had left his cell there before heading into the study.

"Thanks honey." Namjoon had gotten his cell from the girl and answered, "Hello?"

"Namjoon, we can't go pick up Aerie today. Hwandu's mom is in the hospital and we're here to make sure everything is okay. I don't know what time we'll leave." His sister seemed rather frustrated and upset.

"Don't worry, she has a key, doesn't she?" He asked, he was forming a plan but in order to go through with it they would have to be able to get inside his sister's home.

"Yes." She spoke quickly.

"Okay, we'll go over there so she can get whatever she needs for the night and for tomorrow. I'll watch her." Namjoon reassured his sister.

"I owe you one! Thank you so much. I'll call you if anything." Her voice began to sound as if it were breaking. It was evident she was in an emotional situation.

"Okay, stay safe." The call ended before he could formally give his sister a goodbye. He was a little stunned. "Hey Aerie, looks like you're sleeping over tonight. Your mom said you have a key, do you?" Namjoon turned his attention to the girl sitting not too far away from where he was standing.

"Yeah, it's in my backpack." The girl pointed towards her school bag.

"Perfect, we're gonna go get you everything you need so you can stay the night. I'll drop you off at school tomorrow." He explained.

"Okay, but why am I staying over? What did my mom say?" She seemed rather calm. She had stayed over before but she knew with time.

"She and your dad have a few things to take care of so they don't know what time they'll be able to come. They would rather play it safe and have you stay the night." He came up with an excuse on the spot. He didn't want to lie to her so he danced around the truth.

"Oh, okay." The girl simply shrugged.

Namjoon drove with the girl to her home. His sister's car was parked in the driveway but his brother-in-law's car wasn't. He pieced together that the two had left in his car. The thought of how they would break it to Aerie that her grandmother was being hospitalised hurt his heart. He remembered being her age and absolutely loving his grandparents. It was devastating to him when his parents had to tell him his grandfather was having to go through treatment for a destructive illness. He wasn't religious but he was praying that Aerie wouldn't go through the same pain or heartbreak.