The knocking didn’t just wake her it dragged her out of sleep like someone pulling her out of water.
Rose blinked into the dim light of her room, her head pounding a little, the blanket tangled around her legs.
Whoever was at the door was relentless, knocking again and again as if determined to break the wood instead of waiting.
She groaned, rubbed her eyes, and forced herself up. Her legs felt heavy, as if the night had been longer than it actually was. For a moment, she paused with her hand on the door handle, breathing out slowly.
Then she opened it.
Her brother stood there, leaning against the frame, scrolling through his phone with the seriousness of a man checking national news. He finally looked up and his eyebrows flew up.
“Oh finally!” he exclaimed dramatically, throwing his hands up. “I thought you weren’t gonna come out today. I was this close—this close—to calling the fire department.”
Rose simply blinked at him, unimpressed.
He pointed at her in warning. “Don’t make that face. Anyway, get ready. We’re leaving for the airport. Mira’s flying to France today. She told me to bring you. Which means we both go. And you know very well—angry Mira is not a sight either of us should witness, So you can't say no.”
Rose rubbed her temples. “Today is Mira’s departure?”
“Yeah. And she wants to see you specially.” He squinted at her. “So don’t make me the reason she hunts people down.”
“Oh.”
That was all she could manage.
He gave her a little pat on the head. more like tapping a coconut to see if it’s hollow and walked off to get ready.
The door closed, sealing her in the quiet, and she found herself standing in the middle of her room, her fingers curling slightly.
Did Ren get the note?
The question slipped in like water under a door quiet, impossible to stop, and annoyingly cold.
Her stomach dipped in that familiar way she hated. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to shake the thought away.
Not now. Not today.
She breathed out, then forced herself toward her closet, picking something comfortable, something she didn’t have to think about.
She tied her hair in a loose ponytail; half her short strands rebelled instantly and stuck out. She stared at herself for a second.
Whatever. Not worth fighting with hair today.
She slipped into her sneakers and followed her brother out to the car. The driver pulled from the driveway, and she rested her head against the window, watching the streets blur. It felt like everything outside moved fast, while her thoughts moved slow dragging, heavy.
Her chest was strangely tight.
So tight she didn’t realize they’d arrived until the car jerked to a stop.
“Hey,” her brother called, nudging her lightly. “We’re here. Earth to Rose.”
She blinked, startled, and stepped out. The airport breeze brushed her cheeks, cold enough to wake her fully.
People rushed in every direction families hugging, wheels rolling, announcements echoing. And there, near the gates, she saw three members of F4.
But not Ren.
Why wasn’t he here?
He should've been the first one came early to send Mira off. After all she is his first love.
“Oh! I finally get to see you!” Mira’s voice rang out like a bell.
Rose turned just in time to be wrapped in a warm, enthusiastic hug. Mira held her like she’d known her for years. Rose felt herself soften, hugging her back.
“You grew up so much,” Mira said when she pulled back, her hands still on Rose’s arms. “I wanted to make memories with you, but life kept getting in the way.” Her eyes glimmered with regret.
“It’s okay,” Rose murmured. And she meant it. Mira’s warmth made it hard to feel anything else.
“But don’t worry,” Mira added with a playful grin as she reached up to pat Rose’s head gently, “I’ll visit soon. So you better not disappear.”
A small smile found its way to Rose’s lips. “I’ll wait for you then.”
“Oh! I’m so sorry I’m late!” Gorya came rushing in, waving wildly. Rose stepped aside so the two girls could talk.
While she moved away, someone approached her from the side, footsteps too familiar.
Kavin.
He stood beside her, avoiding eye contact like he was planning to flee any moment. Then he suddenly extended a chocolate bar toward her.
Rose stared at it. “What is this for?”
Kavin cleared his throat. “Um… apologies.”
She narrowed her eyes. “For what?”
He scratched his neck, “So… you know that note? The one you gave me a few days ago? For Ren.” His voice trailed into a guilty whisper. “I… kinda forgot to give it.”
He braced himself. Rose was unpredictable when annoyed. He actually shut his eyes like he was about to be hit.
But all she did was blink slowly, then shrug.
“Oh. That. It’s fine. Not that important.”
Kavin’s eyes flew open so fast it was comical.
“That’s it?”
Rose took the chocolate. “But thanks for this.”
Kavin stared at her, betrayed. “Hey! I thought you will be angry. That’s why I brought it to calm you down. Now that you’re not mad, you should give it back.”
Rose raised an eyebrow in smug slow motion.
“So I need to be angry first?”
Kavin stiffened like a soldier being threatened. “No, Nope. I am perfectly fine. You keep that. Forever. Please.”
Rose bit back a laugh as he wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead.
"Guys so I guess it's time for the goodbye. I love you all" Mira waved goodbye and walk towards the gate.
“Ren didn’t come after all.”
Gorya’s shoulders slumped, her voice small as she traced invisible circles on the floor with her shoe. She looked genuinely guilty, like someone who’d accidentally stepped on a kitten.
Rose frowned. “What do you mean? Why wouldn’t he come?”
Gorya hesitated, lips pressing together. She peeked at Rose, who gave her a soft nod.
“I… kind of did something stupid,” Gorya admitted, wringing her hands. “I begged P’Mira to stay by Ren’s side. I told her not to leave him since… well, he loves her.”
Rose’s stomach twisted, but she kept her expression still.
“And Ren heard us,” Gorya continued. “He was furious. He accused me of interfering in things I shouldn’t.” She sighed. “We ended up fighting outside P’Mira’s house. I yelled at him to run after her. He yelled back. It was a whole chaotic”
Rose stayed quiet for a moment.
Will he actually go after her?
The thought stabbed sharper than she expected.
And then, immediately, another thought followed.
Why am I even thinking about this? I don’t have any right. He loves Mira.
She drew in a slow breath and looked away, pretending to focus on the airport doors, on the people walking in and out, on anything that wasn’t the ache settling uninvited inside her chest.
Before she could answer, Kavin suddenly gasped. “Ren!”
A/N: OK FINALLY I POSTED I WROTE WHOLE IN ONE SITTING...I HAVE BIOLOGY EXAM TOMORROW AND HERE I AM😭. HAPPY READING!
YOU ARE READING
PERFECT (F4 THAILAND)
Fanfiction"Something on my face, or are you just admiring my good looks?" "Neither, I was just zoned out and your ugly face just happened to be in my line of sight." She replied
