Always Seven // Xdinary Heroes 7th Member

ׂ╰┈➤ part 17.

I.

Fast forward to December 26, 2022, and the dorm was cloaked in the quiet stillness of the early morning. It was barely 1 am, and Minhee was frantically finishing packing her suitcase. Her flight to Florida was at 4 am, and she had underestimated the time it would take to prepare, having spent the previous day celebrating Christmas with the boys. 

The room was dimly lit by a small desk lamp, casting long shadows across the room. Minhee hurriedly folded her clothes, her mind racing as she tried to ensure she had everything she needed for the trip. The rest of the dorm was silent, with the boys fast asleep, exhausted from the festivities. 

As she zipped up her suitcase, she took a moment to look around her shared room. Gunil was peacefully sleeping on his bed, his face serene. Minhee noticed that he still had his earphones in, probably having fallen asleep listening to music. She chuckled softly, contemplating whether to remove them but deciding against it, not wanting to wake him. 

Jooyeon, on the upper bunk, was lightly snoring, his long hair disheveled and tangled. The sight made Minhee giggle quietly, knowing he would be annoyed by the mess when he woke up. The room felt cozy and familiar, a stark contrast to the excitement and chaos that awaited her journey home. 

Minhee took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. This was the first holiday vacation they would spend with their families since joining JYP Entertainment and Studio J. The thought of seeing her family after such a long time filled her with warmth. 

She glanced at her packed suitcase, mentally ticking off the items she had included. She couldn't afford to forget anything important, especially since she would be traveling alone. Her flight was in a few hours, and she needed to hurry. 

She tiptoed around the room, making sure everything was in place and that she had all her essentials. "Okay, passport, tickets, wallet..." Minhee muttered to herself, double-checking her bag. She glanced at Gunil and Jooyeon again, feeling a pang of sadness at leaving them, even if it was just for a short while. 

II.

They had become her second family, and she knew she would miss them. But the excitement of seeing her own family again after such a long time overshadowed any lingering sadness. She finished her last-minute packing, ensuring her carry-on bag had everything she needed for the flight. 

The clock was ticking, and she didn't have much time left before she needed to head to the airport. Preparing to leave, Minhee decided she couldn't just slip away without saying goodbye to Gunil. She left her luggage by the doorway and hurried back to her shared room. She gently shook Gunil awake, his eyes fluttering open as he groggily rubbed them. 

He glanced at the clock, his brow furrowing in concern. "Are you going out alone?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep. Minhee nodded, offering him a brief but warm hug. His frown deepened, and he shook his head in disapproval. Despite the early hour and his clear lack of sufficient sleep, he immediately sat up, his determination evident. 

Gunil stood up, a bit wobbly from the abrupt awakening, and Minhee tilted her head, curious. "What are you doing?" she asked, a hint of laughter in her voice. He looked at her seriously. "I can't let you go to the airport on your own, and you can't leave without saying goodbye to everyone. Come on, wake everyone up. I'll drive," he said firmly, stumbling toward the bathroom to take a quick shower. 

Minhee laughed, shaking her head at his stubbornness and dedication. She quickly climbed the small ladder up to Jooyeon's bed on the upper bunk, preparing to wake him. It was considerably the hardest to wake Jooyeon up, but when he heard about her going to the airport, he immediately sat up and gave her a frown before abruptly hugging her.