The cozy café buzzed with life, a mix of laughter, clinking cups, and the soft hum of conversation. The Dreamies were already at a booth near the window, laughing about something only they found funny. Ningning led Ara, Giselle, and Chenle toward the table, giving them a playful grin.
"Alright, boys, scoot over. We've got company," she called.
Renjun raised an eyebrow. "Is this a group study session, or did you just bring us here to pay for your coffee again?"
Chenle plopped into the booth with exaggerated ease. "Relax, Renjun. We're here for serious business."
"Business? You? That's a first," Jeno teased.
Ningning ignored them, turning to Giselle. "This is Giselle. She's Ara's friend and part of our project group. Giselle, these are the Dreamies... Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, and Jisung."
Giselle gave a small smile. "Hi. Nice to meet you all."
Jisung waved shyly. "Hey."
Haechan grinned at her. "Nice to meet you too. You're already cooler than Chenle for showing up."
Chenle pretended to be offended. "Excuse me? I brought you coffee last time!"
Jeno laughed. "Yeah, but you drank half of it before giving it to us."
Ningning clapped her hands to quiet them. "Focus, people. We need ideas for this project. Chenle suggested community art programs, but we barely got anywhere with Karina and Danny always being annoying."
Renjun frowned. "Karina is in your group? That's rough."
Ara added quietly, "And Danny..."
Mark frowned. "Isn't he the one who's always trying to impress Ningning?"
Ningning groaned. "Unfortunately."
Giselle spoke up softly. "It's not just that they're annoying. Karina... she has a habit of making things difficult for Ara."
The Dreamies shared concerned looks, their playful energy fading as they listened.
Jeno's voice was calm but firm. "If they try anything, let us know. We'll make sure they don't get away with it."
Haechan nodded. "In the meantime, let's focus on the project. Community art programs are a good start. We could look at how they help people express themselves or bring neighborhoods together."
Giselle smiled, writing it down. "That's a great idea. Maybe we could even interview local artists or visit a community center for inspiration."
Chenle grinned at Jaemin. "By the way, how's your project going? You guys are doing sociology, right?"
Jaemin groaned. "Don't remind me. I hate sociology. It's so boring."
Renjun chuckled. "You hate everything that isn't about yourself."
Jaemin pointed at Chenle. "You hate sociology too! Don't act all superior."
Chenle laughed and raised his hands. "Okay, fair. It's just... dry. Why do we care about systems and structures anyway?"
Jisung added quietly, "It's ironic. You two are probably part of the reason systems exist to handle chaos."
Jaemin shot him a playful glare. "Careful, Jisung. You're supposed to be on my side."
Ningning, already frustrated, rolled her eyes. "Can we go back to the project before Jaemin starts a sociology rebellion?"
The group chuckled, and the tension eased. Ideas flowed more freely now, and even as Jaemin and Chenle complained about their own project, the energy at the table lightened.
Ara watched quietly, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. Ningning's reassuring presence beside her, Jeno and Haechan's promises to protect her, and Giselle's thoughtful input made her feel less alone.
She looked at Chenle, who had finally stopped exaggerating, and even Renjun and Mark, who were listening and offering suggestions. Everyone was working together, joking, and supporting each other. It wasn't perfect, but it felt good.
A small smile tugged at Ara's lips. Maybe this project wouldn't be so bad after all. She had friends by her side, people who cared and who would have her back no matter what. And for the first time in a while, that made her feel safe.
Even with Karina and Danny lurking somewhere out there, Ara realized she didn't have to face them alone.
With the group's ideas starting to take shape on the paper in front of them, Ara felt a sense of hope. This project might be difficult, but with friends like these, she could handle it.
She took a deep breath and looked around at the table again, letting herself relax just a little. They were all in this together. And for now, that was enough.
