Love in the Air

Chapter 10

I wake up the next morning around 6 am and my whole body is aching so I call for my mom. She checks me over and determines I have a fever and should stay home for the day. I go back to sleep and wake up around noon. I look at my phone and I have several texts from Aetae and Jisang asking me where I am. I text them back and tell them I'm sick so I had to stay home.
"That's too bad. I was hoping to see you today. Get better," Jisang replies.
"Sorry. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow," I text back. Maybe I should forget about those stupid boys and just run away with Jisang... I shake off the idea and decide I should leave my bed. I force myself to get up and stumble into the kitchen to get some water. As I'm drinking, I look out the window and see Hakyeon by their house watering their plants.
I look down to place my cup in the sink and when I look up again, I see him pointing at me with a surprised look on his face. He runs out his gate and before long, there's a knock at the door. I slowly make my way to the door and since it takes me so long he continues to knock more and more frequently like an impatient child.
"Whaaaaaaat?!" I ask as I open the door.
"Shouldn't you be at school young lady?!" he says with furrowed eyebrows.
"I'm sick, leave me alone," I retort.
His expression goes from anger to concern very quickly. He reaches out, puts one hand on my head and another on my shoulder before firing a series of questions at me. "Are you okay? Did something from last night make you sick? Do you want to sit down? Should I bring you something?"
"I'm fine. I just need some rest," I respond after he finally stops talking.
"Okay... I'll leave you alone then. Go rest up, text us if you need anything, okay?"
"Thank you for your concern Hakyeon. I'll be okay though."
"Take care of yourself, eat well. Goodbye Rigi."
"Bye oppa." I stumble into the living room and throw myself on the couch. As I start to drift off, I hear the front door burst open.
"Rigiiiiiiii," Jaehwan sings. I groan in response. "She's in the living room," he says.
"Jaehwan have some manners," Wonsik scolds as footsteps approach. As I sit up, six of them pour into the room and surround me. Again the flood me with questions.
"Hey! Will you guys stop talking, you're giving me a head ache," I say in the most stern voice I can manage.
"Sorry," Wonsik whispers.
"I'm okay guys, really. I just need to sleep it off," I murmur as I lean my head on the armrest of the couch.
"Well we're going to make you soup whether you like it or not," Hakyeon holds up a bag of stuff that I can only imagine are the ingredients of the soup he's going to make.
"Hi boys," my mom says as she enters the room.
"Hello eomeoni!" Jaehwan exclaims. "We heard Rigi was sick so we're going to make her soup. You can sit down and relax, we'll take care of it."
"If that's all right with you, of course," Wonsik chimes in.
"Of course. That's very sweet of you boys," she says. "I'm taking care of some things in the office if you need anything."
"Will do eomma," Jaehwan says.
"Okay let's get started then," Hyuk says. The file out of the living room and the clanging of utensils in the kitchen begins almost immediately. Every now and then I can hear them begin to argue about how big to cut the vegetable or something stupid but as soon as their voices get too loud, Wonsik or Hakyeon shush them, saying that they're disturbing me.
Despite the fact that I'm not hungry at all, I can smell the soup and it does smell pretty good. I allow myself to fall asleep and it feels like I've only been asleep for about 30 seconds when Hongbin is gently shaking my shoulder. "You're soup is ready, sleepyhead," he says with a small smile on his face.
I sit up and rub the sleep out of my eyes. I lay my head in my hands and try to gather my strength before standing on my wobbly legs. I stumble a little bit but I place my hand on the couch to keep my balance.
Hongbin reaches out to help me but I shake my head and refuse his help. I know I'm breathing too rapidly so I try to control it before I start toward the kitchen. As I walk through the hall I keep one hand on the wall to ensure I have my balance and Hongbin walks beside me with his hand hovering just behind my back.
I finally stumble into the kitchen, I make my way to the table and take the first seat I can get to.
"Our sleeping beauty is very sick," Hongbin says.
"I'm okay," I mutter as I rest my head on my hands.
"You don't look okay," Hyuk says.
"Let me check your temperature," Hakyeon pulls out a mini first aid kit from his bag and pulls out a little thermometer. He turns it on and motions for me to open my mouth. He sticks it under my tongue and I close my mouth and wait until it beeps. He pulls the thermometer out and looks at it. "It's really high... I don't think you need to go to the hospital just yet but if it gets any worse, we're taking you to the hospital."
"Eat a little bit of soup and then we'll take you back to the couch and try to bring your fever down a bit," Wonsik says as he places a bowl in front of me. I don't bother looking to see what's in it and make myself swallow a few spoonfuls before giving up.
"You sure you don't want a little bit more," Hakyeon tries to prompt me to eat more.
"No thank you," I groan.
"Okay let's go lay you down," Wonsik says. I stand up and wobble my way to through the hall and collapse onto the couch. The boys follow close and sit around me, watching me with concerned expressions. Wonsik and Jaehwan come in last holding a bowl of water with a few pieces of ice and some towels. They kneel beside me and submerse the towels in the cold water. They ring out the excess water and dab my forehead and neck while holding some on my wrists and the inside of my elbows.
"You feeling any better than you did before?" Hyuk asks.
"Eeehhhhh," I groan. "I'm grateful you guys are taking care of me though."
"That's what we're here for," Taekwoon says.
"You guys can turn on the tv if you want so you won't be too bored," I mutter.
"What could be better than watching our Rigi suffer through a fever," Jaehwan laughs. I give him a death stare and then close my eyes, hoping to get a little more rest.
When I come to, only Wonsik is still in the room. He's sitting on the recliner with his hands pressed together, placed on his chin as though lost in thought. I rub my eyes and slowly sit up.
"Oh you're awake," he says.
"Yeah. What time is it?" I ask.
"It's almost 5," he says.
"Wonsik you didn't have to stay. I told you I'd be okay."
"It's no big deal. Now let me check your temperature." I comply and when it's ready he checks it and says, "you're fever's gone."
"Thank you for taking care of me, oppa."
"Anytime, I'm just glad you're feeling better." He sits by me and wraps his arm around my shoulder. I allow myself to lean on him since I'm still weak and very grateful for what he's done.
"Oppa..."
"Yes?"
"What would you do if you had a friend that liked you?"
"Well.... If I liked them, then I'd date them."
"But...."
"What?"
"Never mind."
"You sure you don't want to talk about it?"
"I'm sure."
He raises an eyebrow at me but questions me no further. "Do you need anything else?"
"No, I think I'm okay. You should go home and rest."
"Yeah that's probably a good idea. I'll see you later then."
"Bye oppa." He stands up, gives me a smile and starts for the door. I'm starting to stand up to walk him out when he orders me to sit back down. I comply and just wave as he leaves. The door closes and I question why I don't think before I open my big mouth. I groan a bit and decide to watch some mind numbing tv.
After about an hour, there's a knock at the door. I get up and slowly make my way over only to reveal the three boys who have caused me more grief than I thought any boy could. "You feeling all better now?" Hyuk asks.
"Yeah I definitely feel much better. Thank you guys for taking care of me," I answer.
"Can we talk to you real quick?" Hongbin asks.
"Sure, take a seat on the couch, I'm just going to go get some water," I reply. Obediently they head toward the living room while I take off to the kitchen. I grab a cup and curse under my breath, dreading the awkward conversation to come. I drink my water and take a deep breath before walking into the living room. The second I step inside, all three boys jump to their feet. "You guys can sit down... You can feel at home here."
"Right... It's just... we were waiting for you," Hyuk stammers.
"It's fine, sit down," I reply. "So... What did you guys want to say?"
"We talked about what happened last night and we just wanted to apologize. We can't make you choose and you shouldn't feel like you have to. We're really sorry. We'll always be here to take care of you no matter what," Taekwoon says.
"Thank you, Taekwoon. I accept your apology but I'm not sure how easily we can return to our old friendship status or if we even want to. I haven't had much time to think but... I don't know how I feel about any of this," I hang my head and feel bad for everything that's happening.
"It's okay Rigi. We talked it out and we're all willing to wait for you to get comfortable again, even if that means none of us can have you," Hongbin says.
"Thanks again guys but I think I just need some time to think. I'm glad you guys took time to think about me though," I reply.
"We'll leave you to your thoughts then. Let's go. See you later," Taekwoon gives me a small smile and waves as he leaves. Hongbin and Hyuk both follow suit and follow Taekwoon out.
I bury my face in my hands and I'm ready to yell in frustration and confusion. I love those boys but I don't know if I want to date any of them, and looks and personality have nothing to do with it, simply because I don't know how it would affect my relationship with any and all of them.
I decide to call Jenny and give her a rundown of everything that has happened.
"Well... What about Wonsik?" she asks after I tell her everything.
"What about him?" I reply.
"Does he like you too?"
"No, we're just friends. He takes care of me like a little sister."
"It sounds to me like he likes you."
"I.... Well I mean I never thought about it but I don't think he does."
"Okay.... I still think he does but alright. If I were you I'd just go for Taekwoon. He's quiet but it sounds like he's done the most to try get your attention.
"Yeah... I don't know... This is frustrating."
Jenny scoffs. "I'd kill to have all of VIXX be in love with me. I'd make them my slaves."
I laugh, "are you kidding me? You'd die the second you laid eyes on them and you wouldn't even give them the chance to get to know you."
"You're right... Okay well I should go now. I miss you Gigi."
"I miss you too Jenny. Come visit me sometime."
"Ugh I'd love that. I'd spend more time next door though. Okay gotta go, bye."
"Bye." I hang up and throw my phone aside. I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling for a few minutes and contemplate everything Jenny said. Does Wonsik like me? No. He'd tell me wouldn't he? He treats me like a sister... Right?
The more I think about it the more I realize he's been the most considerate, thoughtful and caring. I shake the thoughts because I know they'll only confuse me further. I decide to go for a run since it helps me cool down and clear my head. Since I'm still a little sick, I know I'll have to take it easy and maybe I should ask someone to go with me but the only people I can think of are the boys and I just want to get away for a little bit. I change into my running clothes and stretch on my front steps before taking off in the direction of the park.
I jog until I get to the park and though I'm not that tired, I feel weak and decide to sit on one of the benches. I drink my water and give myself time to recover my strength. As I'm about to head back, I see a familiar figure sitting on the swings. I walk over and take the swing next to him.
"Hi Wonsik," I say.
"Oh hi Rigi. I didn't see you," his eyes flicker to see what I'm wearing. "Were you exercising?"
"Yeah, it helps my clear my head so I wanted to go for a jog."
"Are you sure you're okay for that already?"
"Yes I'm fine. I took it slow and gave myself time to rest." I feel a drop of water hit my forehead so I look up and hold my hand out. "Is it raining?" The sky looks cloudy but it doesn't look to be raining just yet.
"I felt that too. We should go back before we get soaked and you get sick again," he replies.
"I like the rain. Let's stay here a little longer."
"I don't want you getting sick."
"I'll be fine." I wrap my arms around the chains and rest my head on one of them. "Oppa... Thank you for always being there for me. I'm glad you're around to make me feel better."
"You're welcome. Rigi... I should tell you something... I..."
"What is it?"
"Never mind. It's not important, plus it's not the right time."
"Oh.... Okay..." By now the drops have become a steady sprinkle and I realize that Wonsik was right and we should start getting home. "Let's go now," I say as I stand up.
We begin walking toward our homes and before we're even out of the park, the sprinkle has become full on rain. I look down trying to keep the rain out of my eyes and despite the fact that my eyes are on the ground, I manage to slip. I'm able to catch myself so I don't fall but this is enough to worry a protective Wonsik. "Come here," he says. He pulls me closer to him, throws his jacket over me and wraps one arm around me while grabbing onto my arm with his other hand.
"Thank you but you should put the jacket on now, I don't want you getting sick either," I tell him.
"It's fine, we're pretty close anyway," he replies.
I take loosen my arms from his grip and throw the jacket over both of us. "There, now it's covering both of us."
He looks down at me and smiles. "Lets hurry." Still smiling, we start running toward the house. We laugh as we jump into puddles and before long, we're both soaking wet.
When the house is in sight we stop running and walk side by side. I grab onto his arm and lean my head on his shoulder as we walk.
"Rigi?"
"Yes?"
"I like you."
So she was right... Why does she know everything.
I look up and see Wonsik looking down at me intently yet his eyes look apologetic. "I didn't want to say anything earlier because I knew you were already stressed out about Taekwoon, Hongbin and Hyuk. But... I just can't hold it in anymore."
"It's... I...," I'm stunned and struggle to find anything to say.
"It's okay, I don't expect you to like me back and I don't want you to feel upset about it. I just wanted to get it off my chest," he says. By now, we're at the side of my house. Without another word, I jump up, wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. He stand still for a second, unsure of what just happened but then he wraps his arms around my waist and kisses me back gently yet passionately. I break the embrace and look into his eyes. He still looks a little confused but he smiles.
"I like you too..." I say. Before anything else can be said or done, I run into my house.