Make Me STAY

BLEEP

For the next few weeks, Rose was occupied with her soulmates. As she spent more time with Minho, she also made sure that Chan, Changbin, and Hyunjin didn't feel neglected. 

Along with sending her various little gifts, Minho had started acting like the ultimate gentleman. He opened doors for her and carried her bags. Once, when she was observing dance practice, he had noticed she was cold and had taken off his jacket and given it to her. His actions had overwhelmed Rose, who was used to doing these things for others, but that didn't mean that she didn't enjoy them. 

Or at least, she hadn't until her other soulmates had caught on. Now every time she saw them, there was a fight over who got to carry her bag or open the door for her. She often ended up with multiple drinks and snacks being given to her throughout the day. At home, they suddenly all wanted to help her with dinner after seeing Minho in the kitchen with her a couple of times. Rose almost put a stop to it all, but part of her wanted to see how long it would last. And, who wouldn't enjoy the constant attentions of four Idols?

Rose ran into the study room. The youngest member of Stray Kids was sitting at a desk with an array of books and papers in front of him.

"Jeongin, I'm so sorry I'm late!"

Hyunjin had caught her on the way and was reluctant to let her go without sneaking a few kisses in first. Whenever she was in his arms, she found it very difficult to leave. If she was late, he was usually the culprit, and it was ruining her spotless attendance record.

"It's okay, Noona. I know you're busy."

It hurt Rose to hear Jeongin say that while seeing the strained smile he put on for her.

"That's no excuse. I won't be late again, I promise."

She sat down beside him.

"I understand if you don't have time to help me with my english anymore."

Rose paused organising her things on the desk, and looked at Jeongin in shock.

"What? Why would you say that?"

She watched the young Idol fiddle with his hands in his lap, not looking her in the eye.

"This is time you could be spending with your soulmates. I don't want to take you away from them."

"But I want to spend time with you. You're important to me, too, Innie."

He looked up at her, and the smile that appeared on the maknae's face made Rose's heart lift, and her shoulders drop in relief. But then a thought occurred to her. Do the other members feel this way? That she doesn't have time for them anymore?

After their English lesson, Rose and Jeongin walked together to the dance studio. As she watched their rehearsal, she made sure to keep a closer eye on the members who weren't her soulmates. What had she missed while she had been caught up with her soulmates?

Everything seemed fine until she noticed that Felix didn't seem like himself. During their next break, she went over to talk to him.

"Felix? Are you okay? Is your back playing up?"

"No, Noona. I'm fine."

"I can tell everything's not fine. Let me help."

"This isn't something you can help with."

Felix looked so sad, she couldn't bear it.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure there's something I can -"

"Stop trying to fix everything!"

Rose stepped back as she stared at him in shock. He had never spoken to her that way before, and he was the last person she expected it from. However, she could see the surprise in his eyes. Felix hadn't expected his outburst either.