Eric Nam: The American Maknae: Book 2

Healing One's Pain

October 2015

Eddie Nam and Sooyoung were at a hotel room as they set aside some items they were going to confront Seohyun. With We Got Married still going on, the company announced a trip to New York to enjoy the fall festival. Using the savings, both parties purchased two tickets without notifying Eric nor Seohyun. It was a gamble, but they needed to remain as discreet as possible.

"Alright, here is the all the things we'll need for the big flight to New York. I've already excused myself for a few days for an "Emergency Meeting " back home. That should be just enough days for the entire trip." Sooyoung placed a set of clothing to help them remain anonymous including face masks, baseball caps, sunglasses, hoodies and jog wear, pajamas, and one or two "fancy clothes" in case the couple goes on a fancy date. Aside from the apparel was a pack of tissues, bandages, toothpaste, body lotion, a hairdryer, a bag of chips, cookies, and other snacks, and some bottle of water.

"I get the need to come prepared, but don't you think it is excessive?" Questioned Eddie.

"I know it's a lot oppa but trust me that we're going to need every single one of them!" Sooyoung replied placing all the packed clothes, and other objects in a luggage.

"Do we have to stay here Sooyoung-ah? I mean we're not leaving Korea yet." Eddie felt conscious for some reason. Maybe it's the fact she's stripped down to her basic pajama wear. She barely wore any makeup from the looks of it.

"What are you standing oppa put some pajamas on!! I won't be able to sleep without you!!" She threw a pair of pajamas at Eddie's face. Hearing the implications from her words, he awkwardly grabbed them and locked himself in the bathroom to change.

"What's her deal today? I get the need to help Eric, but she's going at it too strong. I'm sure she still holds some feelings." Eddie put on pajamas.

He felt very awkward having to share a bed with Sooyoung. Not that he didn't mind her presence, but she was Eric's fangirl for a reason. All she ever talked about was his brother. The fact he was sleeping with a girl he wasn't all too familiar with made it even more embarrassing.

"Thank goodness mom isn't here to see me. I would be a dead man if I got caught." Eddie thought unlocking the door. He saw Sooyoung watching television while on bed.

"You're back oppa I like the green color you're wearing! Come sit there's plenty of space!" Sooyoung gestured.

"I don't have any problem with you but it is kind of awkward sharing a bed with a friend especially when that friend is the opposite sex." Eddie noted.

"Don't so weird about it, I used to stay over with oppa during the trainee days!! I know you well you won't do anything to me." Sooyoung said with a reassuring smile.

"Is there any way to turn the brightness back a notch?" Eddie's face was red. This was not what he signed up for. It almost felt like they were couple. Before they even checked to a hotel they ate dinner together. Sooyoung had her strange habits, she loved eating but apparently her friend Yoona has a larger appetite.

Tiffany was just as energetic as Sooyoung and was super flirty, Hyoyeon was the DJ and the girl who loved to dance, Yuri was a secret pervert who loved to look at lewd pictures of men, Yoona loved to gorge on lots of food, Sunny was the comic relief and her funny faces was always hilarious, Taeyeon was just quiet, barely saying a word and lost in her own world, and Seohyun was obvious. None of the SNSD girls were ever normal.

Maybe it's SM that breeds such strange characters. Still it was at least nice to spend the night with a good friend.

"You know I can enjoy it being around with you. To be honest I afraid I wasn't going to like you."

"What makes you say that Sooyoung-ah?..." Eddie blinked.

"You remind so much of Eric Nam that it brings me a lot of pain. It's not your fault of course! Every time I see you those memories of being rejected keep coming back. I don't know how to react. That's why I've been avoiding you and oppa. I just needed time to heal..." Sooyoung confessed.

Eddie noticed her tone changing. She was not her energetic self. In fact, she sounded a little devestated. It seemed her crush ran deeper than he originally thought.

"It's been one year since that rejection. I cried every single night feeling guilty at what I've done. Because I tried to get him to confess to me, I've made oppa miserable. I don't want to do that ever again. That is why I have to do everything to stop Seohyun from doing the same thing. I know she's not going to like it and she may go through the same heartbreak but I want my oppa to live his life in peace! Ailee deserves a man like him, it's only right he should be with her!!" At this point Sooyoung was crying.

"She really sounds hurt for all this. Poor girl. To try to intervene on your friend's relationship. It must be a lot to handle on her own." Eddie gently messaged her hand.

"Sounds like you went through a lot of pain. I've only heard from my brother's perspective about this. You know he told me how guilty he felt after he rejected you. He said it was hardest decision he ever made to be honest. It seems like both of you were hurting, but you know what? You don't have to carry this all by yourself. This type of burden shouldn't be yours to carry. My brother is living his life, you need to live yours. From experience I can understand what it's like to be heartbroken. I myself wasn't that lucky with girls. I learned later in life that if you love yourself then it wouldn't be so painful." Eddie said with a thoughtful expression.

"Love myself? I don't know if I can do that... Eric Nam was the only person I ever loved. It took so long to just talk comfortably. It's so hard to forgive myself for what I did."

"Then let me help you heal! They say that sharing your thoughts with people you know is the best way to heal that pain. I believe you'll find a way to forgive yourself. I think we should start getting some rest because it's almost midnight. Let's take it one day at a time together..." He held her hand gently as he smiled.

Sooyoung was left perplexed at his kind gesture. It almost felt like as if Eric Nam himself was telling her this. She felt inner self in disarray so she what did she did best.

"Hahahahaha!! You're really strange oppa!! You're just like Eric oppa to a tee it's funny!" Sooyoung threw into a fit of laughter as she held her stomach.

"Hey I meant every word Sooyoung!!" Eddie shouted with a huge blush. Sooyoung just kept laughing until she didn't have the energy too.

Even though he slept next to her, he at least felt more comfortable with her. Eddie observing her sleeping form. Her mouth was open and her arm was dangerously close to him. Despite that Eddie found it cute.

"Don't worry Sooyoung. Everything is going to fine. I appreciate you looking out for my brother as always. I can tell you're an amazing girl." Eddie then laid down so he can drift asleep. They left Korea early in the morning on a mission to breakup the couple and confront Seohyun.