Love Letters

12: Girl

Momoe's POV
Walking into Hoshi's house to surprise him was the best and worst mistake ever. It was good because the boys are so sweet and funny. They're all my friends now, making me laugh and feel special. I won't admit it out loud but they're complete sweethearts compared to Jackson and them. I love them but these boys are on another level of angels.
It was bad because they won't stop texting. They decided to make a group chat and it goes off. Every. Single. Second. Don't get me wrong. They're interesting texts, but I'm trying to sleep or watch a kdrama and my phone is constantly buzzing. At some point, I have to mute the chat to finish the episode. When I get back, Jihoon dyed his hair, Jisoo roasted Wonwoo with his "rapping" skills, Chan horrifyingly found out what hentai is, and Vernon created a new meme of Junhui that went viral around the country. At least Seungcheol attempts to calm the younger ones. Jaebum doesn't even try anymore. Our friends are too wild.
I'm pretty sure I've seen these boys every day that I've been here, mostly Mingyu, Chan, and Vernon. Vernon only comes over because Chan drags him along, but he still likes coming since we can talk in English all he wants without the others understanding. Mingyu and Chan... I have no explanation.
I talked to Hoshi after all the boys were gone the day I came and he told me before I arrived, the boys were being awkward since they weren't talking. Honestly, I didn't even know they were fighting since it didn't seem like it. As soon as they got to know me they were loud and acting like, well, boys. I seriously had no idea. Hoshi thanked me multiple times after that, saying he was grateful I surprised him and got his friends to become comfortable with each other again.
It's my last day in the country for my winter break so I'm over at Hoshi's house, hanging out with Mingyu and Minghao. Mingyu insisted on making me breakfast since I wouldn't see them until spring break. He knows I like homemade food so he wanted to be a good friend and do something I like.
"Are you gonna tell me what you're making?" I ask Mingyu, placing my chin in the palm of my hand.
I watch him cut up a bunch of ingredients for the dish, smiling as he does so. He looks up at me for a second then goes back to what he was doing.
"It's a surprise~" he sings.
"I don't even know what he's making." Minghao sits on the table next to me.
"You don't?" I groan.
"Don't worry, noona." He chuckles, "He's a good cook so it'll taste good." He smiles.
"That's a relief. I didn't want to fake liking it if it ended up tasting bad." I laugh.
"Hey!" Mingyu yells.
"I'm joking! Relax." I look at Minghao and whisper, "I'm not."
We laugh quietly and Mingyu turns around to eye us. He glares at Minghao before continuing to stir.
"So, noona, is there anything you haven't told us about you?" Minghao asks.
"I don't think so. At least nothing that's not important." I tap my cheek, thinking.
"Nothing isn't important when it comes to you." Mingyu cheekily says.
"Yah! Stop flirting! She has a boyfriend!" Minghao yells at him.
"I know. I'm not trying to kiss her, am I?" He smirks.
"You better not. You'll get a beating from Soonyoung hyung, her boyfriend, and me."
"Don't forget Jisoo and Chan." I point at Minghao knowingly.
"Oh right right."
"What about you, Minghao-ah? You haven't told me anything about you."
"M-me?" His eyes widen, pointing at himself in disbelief.
"Ne." I smile, "I'd like to know what you like."
"What about me, noona? Don't you want to know about me?" Mingyu pouts.
"I already know a lot about you. Minghao never talks about himself, but you talk about yourself a lot."
"Pft! Someone else noticed!" Minghao laughs at him.
"Shut up!" He groans.
"So?" I tilt my head at him.
"Well... What do you want to know?"
"What're you majoring in? What are you good at? Are there any girls you're interested in? Do you want a girlfriend, you look boyfriend material not gonna lie."
"Why're you so interested in him and not me? I'm jealous."
"Be quiet. She's asking me questions." Minghao shakes his head.
These two are always bickering. It just shows how close they are. Friendships aren't healthy if you're not mean to each other a least once in a while. I ship it, in a friendly way, of course.
"Let's see if I remember...My major? Dance." He smiles.
"Jinjja? Wah~ You must be good! Are you on the dance team?"
"Well..."
Mingyu stops what he's doing and looks at him, also waiting for his answer. Minghao looks up at Mingyu and Mingyu nods. Minghao sighs then smiles at me.
"Ne... I am."
"Wow! You really must be good if Hoshi-sshi put you on the team. I remember in junior high he tried to make a dance team but he didn't think any of the people who tried out was good enough for competitions so he just performed in the talent show alone. He was upset nobody was passionate about dancing like him, but I'm glad he found people." I smile.
"Chan and Jun hyung are on the dance team as well." Mingyu butts in.
"Chan?! I'm gonna have to bug him about this now."
"Next question... You said hobbies? I like photography and dancing." Minghao nods.
"I like cooking!" Mingyu announces.
"Mianhe... Did you hear something? I think someone is trying to one-up me." Minghao makes a face, making me giggle.
"So mean." Mingyu tries to say in English.
"Girls? I used to like someone. She's no longer friends with me though." He smiles sadly.
"Mianhe." I frown, "You'll find someone better. I told you, you're boyfriend material." I wink.
"G-gomawo." His cheeks redden.
"I'm the one cooking here! Am I not boyfriend material?!" Mingyu stomps his foot like a little kid.
"Not with you acting like a child." I laugh, standing up and walking over to him, "Are you almost done?"
"Ne~ You'll love it!"
"Don't you love that we're at hyung's house while he's at work?" Minghao chuckles.
"I came here all of the time when I was younger. It's nothing new to me. Oh! Are these bell peppers?! I love these!" I quickly pop one in my mouth.
"Aniyo! Those are-" his eyes are wide but it's too late.
"OH MY GOD MY MOUTH IS BURNING!" I stick out my tongue and fan it.
Minghao starts cracking up, pointing at me. I run around the place, my eyes starting to water from the pain. Mingyu only stares at me, chuckling with a big smile.
"You're so cute, Aelia."
It suddenly gets quiet, but I don't pay attention. All I see is the two boys' eyes widening and they start yelling. I rush around the place, not knowing what to do to calm my taste buds. Suddenly, two new boys walk in, laughing about something but stop when they see the three of us making a ruckus.
"Hyungs? Noona?" I hear Vernon's voice.
"What the...?" Chan can't even finish his sentence.
"MY MOUTH! NOT A BELL PEPPER! CHILIES!" I scream, sucking on my tongue, attempting to get the flavor out.
"You need milk or something?" Chan asks.
"Jebal!" I grab onto his shoulders and shake him vigorously.
"Yah! Yah! I'll get it!" Vernon quickly grabs a cup and pours milk in it.
He hands me the glass and I chug it right away. A satisfied expression spreads across my face and I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. Setting the cup down, I look back at the two and smile.
"Gomawo~ I'm okay now. I think?" I shrug, "Anyways, I'm gonna go look at my face in the bathroom. I must look like the weeping woman." I shiver then walk to the bathroom.
As soon as I close the door and look at myself in the mirror, I squeak. My eyes are blood shot red and my cheeks are stained from my crying. I can't believe I just plopped it into my mouth like nothing. I'm never eating bell peppers again...
I sigh and splash my face with water, hoping to make my eyes look less horrifying. After drying it, I walk back, noticing the heavy atmosphere. I raise an eyebrow, looking at both Mingyu and Minghao whom are a bit depressed now.
"Guys? You alright?" I ask.
All four of them jump, just noticing I'm back. Minghao and Mingyu look at each other before looking at me. Minghao walks up to me with a sad smile and pats the top of my head.
"We'll finish making your food, but we gotta leave right away. Mianhe, noona."
"Oh. Well, that's alright. Chan, Vernon, are you staying with me?" I turn to the younger boys.
"Ne! We came to hang out with you before you go back." Vernon smiles.
"My soft heart. Geez." I place a hand over my chest, "I'll be fine with the maknaes, don't worry." I smile.
He nods then goes back to sitting on the table. Chan grabs my hand and pulls me towards the table too and starts act cute, pouting adorably and acting like he's a child. This sudden act has me remember what Mingyu said earlier, making me gasp.
"Chan-ah! Mingyu told me you're on the dance team! Is that true?"
"Hmm? Oh, ne! Do you... like that?"
"Do I? I like dancers, for sure. The way they're able to hit each move so passionately reminds me of gymnastics a bit. That's why I like it at least. I wish I could do something cool like that." I pout.
"But gymnastics is cool! I've never met anyone who was into that!" Vernon intervenes.
"All I do is flips though." I blink at him.
"I can barely touch my toes. Doing even a simple cartwheel is amazing to me." Vernon jokes.
"You can do flips with Minghao hyung!" Chan points out.
"You can flip too?!" I hit his leg.
"N-ne." Minghao chuckles nervously.
"That's it. I'm claiming Minghao as my son. It's official."
"What the- Hyung! You knew I wanted to be in that spot!" Chan pouts.
"It's okay, Chan-ah. You're my son too." I wrap my arm around his shoulder and smile.
"Yay!" He hugs me from the side.
"Your food is done, noona." Mingyu comes to the table and sets down a plate in front of me.
The four of us stare at the plate with wide eyes.
"Wah~" all of us stare at it, drooling a bit.
"This looks delicious! Gomawo, Mingyu-ah." I hug him, a big smile on my face.
He laughs and hugs me back.
"You're welcome. Make sure you text us while you're in the states."
"I'll need someone to help me cook my meals so FaceTime will be great." I joke.
"Annyeong, noona." Minghao says from behind me.
I turn around and hug him tight, making him taken aback a bit. He hugs back once he's okay and kisses my cheek.
"Don't get into any trouble, jebal~" he smiles then follows Mingyu out the door.
"Annyeong, hyungs!" Chan and Vernon wave to the two.
"Thank you for the food." I whisper with my eyes closed, clapping a bit before digging in.
"So what do you plan on doing the rest of the day until your flight?" Vernon asks.
"Ahh. That's a good question." I reply with food in my mouth.
"Aish, noona." Chan wipes sauce away from my mouth.
"Hehe~ Gomawo. Anyways, I wanted to see Hoshi-ah but he's working." I frown.
"Well, I feel bad. You basically burned your tongue off, so why don't we treat you to something that'll cool it down better, ne?" Vernon smiles.
"Jinjja?"
"Yeah! We can also visit hyung while we're there." Chan smiles.
A smile forms and I nod.
"Help me finish this food then we can head out."