mr. vernon
Are you free on the 18th?
ms. natalia
And why are you asking?
mr. vernon: Secret!
ms. natalia
Well, yes, I am free. Lmao.
mr. vernon: Great! Can I pick you up at 8pm for a certain event?
ms. natalia
Perhaps you may. 😭 Now, is there any chance this "event" might be related to our date?
mr. vernon:
Um... why would you say that?
ms natalia
Okay, then... is there a dress code for this "event?"
5:23pm
Vernon?
5:30pm
mr. vernon
Sorry, I had to ask Jiyeon for help on how to explain this... I can get a little... confused sometimes. Does "casual and comfortable, like jeans and a t-shirt" make sense?
ms. natalia
It does! Thank you, I appreciate it. I'll see you on the 18th?
mr. vernon
See you. :)
Hansol's fingers were practically clammy with nerves. How had asking her out felt so effortless when he first did it? Now, the idea of any follow-up felt like an Everest to climb. Luckily, Jiyeon and Nabi seemed to get along well, at least from what he gathered after hearing Mingyu ramble the morning after the concert. At least that gave him some reassurance that his words wouldn't come off as too awkward, though he couldn't shake the nerves.
He'd promised himself that if there was a second chance with Nabi, he'd do it right. No rushing things, no bulldozing through like he'd done before. It wasn't like he intended to be blunt, but years of poor habits had molded him into someone who often said whatever came to mind without filtering.
But he was trying. Really trying.
As he mulled over his thoughts, he ran his hand through his hair, only to be interrupted by Soonyoung, who appeared out of the practice room door. The last thing Hansol wanted right now was a barrage of questions, but his co-member had other plans.
"We're gonna start going over Rock With You," Soonyoung said, sweat trickling down his face. Hansol immediately guessed he'd snuck in extra practice during the group's break and probably roped in a few other members too.
"I swear you guys can't leave me alone for one second." Hansol muttered, trying to focus back on his phone, sending the final messages to Nabi.
Soonyoung's gaze flicked to the rapper's fidgeting hands, raising an eyebrow. "You good, man?"
"I'm fine."
Soonyoung didn't seem convinced, his grin turning sly. "That didn't sound convincing."
Hansol groaned, internally begging for an escape.
"What? Is this about that girl or something?" Soonyoung laughed hysterically, only for his face to drop when he saw Hansol's not-so-amused expression.
"...Wait. Are you serious?"
Soonyoung leaned closer, crossing his arms with a victorious gleam in his eye. "You two are dating, right? Might as well add her to the group chat."
Hansol immediately choked on his iced coffee, wide-eyed in horror. "We're NOT dating!" He stammered. "And no, I'm definitely not adding her."
Soonyoung just stared at him, unbothered. "Why not?"
"Because you'll scare her off!" Hansol shot back, avoiding Soonyoung's gaze.
"I will not!" Soonyoung pouted dramatically.
Hansol sighed, looking around the hallway with irrational paranoia. "Look, I'll tell you because I know someone probably already blabbed it to you anyway," Hansol muttered, leaning against the vending machine in frustration. "Nabi and I almost dated about a year ago. Things were... rushed, and it fell apart. But I want to do it right this time."
Soonyoung's jaw dropped. "Oh wow. Seriously? That's some serious backstory."
Hansol sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yeah, well... the past was messy. But I want to take things slow, for real this time."
"But I thought she dated Jeonghan?" Soonyoung asked, genuinely puzzled. "Didn't I hear that?"
Hansol's eyes went wide. "Who the hell told you that?!"
Soonyoung blinked. "Uh, Jun, after that dinner... Did I misunderstand?"
Hansol exhaled sharply, facepalming. "Yeah, you definitely misunderstood."
"So you're not in some weird love triangle with Jeonghan, then?" Soonyoung smirked.
"God, no," Hansol groaned. "I just... I really like Nabi. And I want to make sure we do this properly. Slowly, you know?"
"Have you even asked her out?" Soonyoung suddenly perked up, his excitement palpable.
Hansol glanced around the room, half-embarrassed. "I can't believe I'm even telling you this. And if you tell anyone, I swear..."
Soonyoung was practically bouncing in place, full of energy. "Wait, you did? Does that mean you're already planning something?"
Hansol rubbed his face, exasperated. "Oh my god, I'm actually telling you all this. You're the worst."
"I'm just happy you're finally opening up!" Soonyoung grinned, clearly enjoying Hansol's discomfort.
Hansol slumped, exhausted. "Look, just don't tell anyone. Seriously."
Soonyoung stopped bouncing, giving Hansol a teasing smile. "Whatever you say, buddy. Whatever you say."
