008 : enrolling wonders
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MY EYES fluttered open to the feeling of someone gently nudging me awake. As the gentle shakes from the person roused me from my dreams, I slowly opened my eyes to find Niki sitting beside me, his expression shy and uncertain. My eyes widened, his hand lingered on my shoulder for just a moment longer before he pulled it back, glancing away as our eyes met. In that brief moment, a rush of warmth flooded my cheeks, and I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me.
"Good morning," he whispered, but the softness of his voice only made me feel more flustered. I quickly averted my gaze, burying my face into the pillow, wishing I could disappear for just a moment. The thought of how I must look—disheveled hair and sleepy eyes—made my heart race.
"Ah.. noona?" Niki spoke with a questioning tone, looking at me who covered myself in the sheets.
After a few short seconds of silence, I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, the coolness of the floor beneath my feet sending a shiver up my spine. I could feel Niki watching me, his gaze steady yet gentle, and it made my pulse quicken even more.
Without saying a word, I stood up and practically dashed toward the bathroom, desperate to escape the warmth of his gaze. My heart pounded in my chest as I hurried to the door, my cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. I knocked lightly only for Jake to respond. I sighed hoping Jake would be quick.
"Jake! Hurry up!" I called, my voice slightly more urgent than I intended. There was a pause before I heard his voice from inside.
"Just a sec!" he replied, his tone casual, as if he didn't realize the desperation in my plea. I sighed, thumping my palm against the door in frustration. "Yah, a woman needs her morning routine first thing in the morning!" I yelled, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice.
A moment later, the door swung open, and Jake stepped out, a cheeky grin on his face. He stuck his tongue out at me, clearly amused by my frantic state. "All yours!" he exclaimed, walking past me and heading toward the kitchen where Jay was already bustling around, the rich aroma of breakfast wafting through the air.
I barely had time to register his teasing before I slipped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me with a soft click. The quiet of the room enveloped me, and I took a moment to gather my thoughts, my heart still racing from the encounter.
As I looked in the mirror, I took a deep breath, reminding myself to relax. I splashed water on my face and ran my fingers through my hair, trying to tame the wild strands that framed my face. The reflection staring back at me was still a bit disheveled, but I could see the hint of a smile forming at the corners of my lips as I remembered Niki's shy expression.
I felt a flutter of warmth in my chest as I thought about how he had looked at me, the way his eyes seemed to hold a quiet admiration. Once I finished my routine, I took a moment to compose myself before stepping out, ready to face the morning and whatever it might bring, especially with Niki just a few steps away.
As I stepped out of the room, the soft morning light filtered in through the windows, casting a warm glow across the hallway. There, leaning against the wall with a sleepy expression, was Jungwon. His hair was tousled, and he looked a bit disheveled, but that only made look more funny. I smiled brightly and greeted him with a slight bow, a gesture I had grown accustomed to.
"Nari-ah," he said, his voice still thick with sleep. I tilted my head in confusion, unsure of what he meant.
"Yeah?" I replied, curious.
He chuckled softly, a sound that made my heart flutter. "No need for bowing. We're the almost the same age, let's just be informal." With that, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, a sudden warmth spreading through me. I nodded, feeling a connection that was comforting and reassuring as we strolled together towards the kitchen.
The kitchen was alive with activity. I noticed the clattering of plates and the sizzle of food cooking on the stove. We took our seats at the table, joining the others, though Jake and Sunghoon were still busy helping Jay set the table. I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me as I settled next to Niki, his presence both intimidating and intriguing. I tried to relax, but my heart raced a little as I caught glimpses of his focused expression.
Suddenly, the kitchen filled with delicious aromas as plates of hot Korean breakfast were distributed around the table. My eyes widened at the sight of the spread: fluffy kimchi fried rice, savory bulgogi, and perfectly cooked eggs. It all looked so inviting, and my stomach rumbled in eager anticipation. I could feel a soft smile tugging at my lips as I took in the feast before us.
As everyone settled into their seats, the atmosphere buzzed with laughter and chatter. I found myself tuning out the individual conversations, lost in the delightful flavors on my plate. Each bite was a burst of comfort, and I savored the moment. Just as I was enjoying the food, Sunoo's voice broke through the noise, making my ears perk up at the mention of my name.
"Jake, don't forget to get Nari-ah enrolled in Jungwon and Niki's school," he reminded, his eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Ah— I almost forgot. Tomorrow is Monday," Jake replied, his tone a mix of realization and casualness, indicating that they needed to handle my enrollment before the week officially began.
I hesitated, glancing around the table. "Aren't you all busy today? With... idol stuff?" I asked, trying to gauge their schedules.
Jay, who was still focused on his meal, answered without looking up, "We have dance practice from 9 am to 2 pm. We're learning a new choreography." His words made me feel a little guilty, knowing their commitments.
Jake, however, smiled reassuringly. "Today isn't that busy. I'll find the time to enroll you, don't worry," he said, his eyes warm and encouraging. I nodded back, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I continued to chew softly, grateful for their support. The bond we were forming felt special, and I couldn't help but feel excited about what was to come.
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( A\N )
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