HELIOTROPE ↻ NCT DREAM

five

The freshman wasn't able to eat breakfast before attending her first class for the reason that she was dead tired last night.

As the level representative for first year students of their organization, Ayeon had to attend the meeting with the other heads as their general assembly was coming up. They had to plan the whole schedule and line up the possible activities that they could use to entertain the members.

As someone who enjoys lending a hand, Ayeon volunteered to be the runner for that day and ended up buying possible designs that they could stick on the wall of the hall. She bought various colored papers, strings, and cellophane on the school supplies store that was 4 blocks away from the University.

Unfortunately, when she was on her way back to their meeting place, the once cloudy skies poured and drizzled over the cobalt pavement. Good thing Ayeon was wearing a jacket that she hugged the materials inside before zipping it up for safekeeping.

The sun was already setting and couldn't be seen as dark grey clouds scattered over the sky. The freshman safely kept the materials in their organization hall, the girl finally made her way home. Even though she was already quite soaked from earlier, Ayeon used the hood of her jacket and her hands as a shield from the pouring rain.

She was about to turn left on the street but a honk of a horn caught her attention. For a moment, she was unsure as to why and got nervous until the window on the passenger seat rolled down. It was Hyuck and the unknown guy that he had seen him with, a few weeks ago.

The boy had told her to get on and that they would drive her home, but she was reluctant. Ayeon shook her head, declining them. She did not want to be a bother to them as she was indeed already soaked and taking the offer would only result in the backseat getting wet and moist.

With a scowl in the face, Hyuck repeated the offer to more of a demand and said that the boy on the driver seat has a spare towel on his gym bag. Of course, upon knowing that Hyuck offered the boy's towel, the young woman got reluctant again. However, the unknown boy had assured her that it was alright for him to lend it to her. To that, Ayeon finally accepted and got onto the backseat.

Turns out, Mark was the name of the unknown boy who she had seen Hyuck with a few times already. He was an extremely friendly and open person, entertaining and conversing with the girl for her not to feel awkward during the whole duration of the drive. His statements and expressions made Ayeon laugh and eventually relax.

Once they had arrived outside her dorm, she muttered a quick thank you to the both of them before running up inside the building.

Ayeon took a quick dinner and shower before proceeding to do her school requirements for that night. It was already 4 am when she printed her last output. She jumped off to bed and was about to set her alarm for her 9 am class when she drifted to deep slumber, forgetting to click the button.

"Mind if I sit here?" Ayeon heard a familiar deep voice spoke, to which she froze - stopping her from taking another bite of her sandwich.

It was lunch break and she still felt quite drowsy, only running on 3 hours of sleep.

Jaemin gave her his famous smile that made others feel butterflies inside their stomach.

The girl only shook her head in reply.

"Why are you alone? Where's Hyuck?" Ayeon questioned the guy in front of her.

He shrugged. "He told me he got something to do."

"So, he won't eat lunch?"

"Probably." He answered and munched on his pizza again.

The atmosphere around them was a bit quiet and awkward as the two young freshmen students have not really hung out with each other without the missing Donghyuck.

Taking a quick glance at Jaemin, Ayeon realized that he was indeed looking at her already. She couldn't point out the exact emotion on his face, but he saw that there was a hint of curiosity.

"What is it?" Ayeon asked, raising her brows and tilting her head in innocence and curiosity.

Jaemin's eyes widened when he realized he was caught. "O-oh. It's just that you have something on your neck." His hands flailing around his own neck trying to describe what he had seen.

The girl's movements halted, dropping her sandwich on the table - good thing it's wrapped in a tissue.

Ayeon shut her eyes tight, fingers fumbling around her neck as she tried to remove what it was.

"What is it? Please remove it off me." She pleaded, each word being emphasized as her voice raised from speaking quick.

The young panicked girl got a bit annoyed when she heard the boy in front of her only chuckled at her actions.

"There's no insect on it." Jaemin started to explain, still a bit breathless from laughing. "Y-you have a flower tattooed on your neck."

"What?!" Her eyes widened in shock, couldn't believe what she heard as she never got one before.

Ayeon quickly unlocked her phone and opened her front cam to check. Her breath hitched as she saw a faded purple heather flower tattoo below her collarbone and up until her neck.

Although she definitely knew what it was, the freshman still couldn't believe it.

It wasn't an unusual thing in a world that is filled with soulmate bonds that vary from one another. Although the one that she has could not be considered as a bond as it is only a sign, a symbol. It could turn 180 degrees and would be considered as a disease. Furthermore, only 3 could possibly have it in every 10 people. It is when a certain flower tattoo blooms on one's skin depending on the person's feelings towards a specific someone. If it is love that a person is feeling and is not reciprocated, it could possibly lead to the disease and painful bleedings.

In Ayeon's case, a purple heather bloomed on her skin which only means that she harbors admiration for someone.

She was still inspecting the tattoo on her neck when she heard Jaemin's comment.

"It's beautiful." Jaemin whispered, still has his eyes on it. "Oh. Don't worry, I won't ask about it, I respect your privacy." Immediately backing off when he thought she was getting uncomfortable.

To that, Ayeon could only smile and chuckle while she shook her head as she was thankful.

"But just in case you want a hint, I'm still unsure though. I haven't even thought of my feelings for that person for weeks now, until this showed up." Ayeon stated playfully, sending a wink to the boy.