Stranded (An EXO and SHINee ft. B.A.P fanfic)

Chapter 6 - Jenny

The moment we arrived at the usual hotel, Taemin immediately asked for room 288, the room we always had every summer we visited. We moved our stuff there and as it was already 6:56 p.m., we headed out to the balcony.

It was always the usual conversation

"Hyeri, why do you like writing?" Little Taemin would ask.
"I just do," Little me would answer.
"Why?"
"Because."
"Because what?"
"Because." I would say.
"Because." Taemin would repeat.

"Hyeri, why do you like writing?" 10 year old Taemin asked.
"I just do," 9 year old me answered.
"Why?"
"Because."
"Because what?"
"Because." I said.
"Because." Taemin repeated.

But now it was different. It was us, the same us, with a few tweaks here and there, but it was still us. The same balcony of the hotel we always visited every summer of the same room, same positions, me on the left, him on the right. Same time, too, 7:00 pm. But the conversation was different.

"Hyeri, why do you like writing?"

"I just do."

"Tell me honestly."

I was surprised for a second. I glanced over at Taemin who was looking at the waves crashing onto the shore of the beach across from the hotel. The sunset cast a warm orange glow on the waves. I sighed, making Taemin look at me.

"Honestly?"

"Honestly."

"Besides singing and dancing, it's the only thing I can ever do right. When I was little, nothing I ever wanted to do was good enough for my parents to be proud of me," I murmured.

"I'll always be proud of you."

"Thank you."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Now go to sleep, little sis." Well, that strangely hurt.

"Night, Taemin," I said softly, going indoors.

~3rd Person POV~

Taemin stood on the balcony edge, looking over at the ocean side.

"You're driving me crazy, Jung Hyeri. Crazy," he muttered.

"Do you like her or not?"
"Yes, I do like her. A lot."
"Then tell her."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because it's not up to me to ask."
"Do you want her to ask you?"
"No, it's just... I can't date her."
"Why?"
"She's my cousin."
"Yes, but she's ADOPTED."
"So?"
"You're just asking for me to break her heart and trust."
"Believe what you want." The man rose from the armchair and walked out the door, leaving Taemin to think.

I'm not falling for her, Taemin forced himself to believe. But he couldn't. Because he knew he was already falling in love. Hard.

~~~~~~~~~~~

~Jenny's POV~

Midnight. Yet I was still tossing and turning. I couldn't sleep. Something had been bothering me. Something about the guy on the plane, Baekhyun, and the way he said that we might meet again. Something about that made me uncomfortably comfortable, if that even made sense. His tone was hopeful, tranquil. It was strange. We were meeting the new guests today. I hope they're not annoying. I don't know when, but I drifted off to sleep somehow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Taemin woke me up, as always in the summer, and told me to get ready. I brushed my teeth and changed, not bothering to take a shower because I had one the night before. I wore some black high tops, blue denim shorts, and a loose t-shirt. I grabbed my notebook and pen and slid it in my shoulder bag as well as a water bottle and my iPod and phone.