|Aera's POV|
"You just don't back down, do you?" SunMi sighs in defeat.
"Of course not. Now, how long have you been a thing? If it makes you feel better, I'll let you in on a little secret of my own." I try to even the playing field as I get to my feet and move toward my own jewelry box. I tug the bottom drawer open and pull out the small box Mark had given me.
"It's been awhile I guess. Probably about a year—maybe a year and a half." SunMi gives in and dishes out more information on her relationship.
"Really? It's been about a year for me, maybe a little less. He's the one who remembers anniversaries and stuff." I shrug as I set the box down on my dresser and pull the lid off.
I smile to myself as I stare down at the blue sparkly AirPods. I don't know how to connect them to my phone, so I have to wait until Mark can help me, but I still love them more than anything. He let me borrow his once and I loved them. He kept telling me he was going to get me a pair, but I didn't believe him.
"Who is it? I spilled the beans on my relationship now it's your turn." SunMi chuckles.
"You can't tell anyone. If someone found out—I don't know what would happen. His fans would probably hunt me down—it's Mark." I close my eyes as I let his name slip.
"Really? I would've guessed it'd be JaeBeom or even YoungJae. Mark is so quiet and you—well you're you." SunMi mumbles.
"Yeah, I know. We seem like polar opposites, but isn't that a good thing? Isn't there a saying about opposites attracting or something like that?" I close the lid of the box and carefully return it to its spot.
"That's true. I gotta get going, Aera. We're at the Ateez dorm. I've got to spill some beans to SeongHwa. So if I don't make it home by five at the very latest, SeongHwa murdered me or dropped me off in the middle of nowhere. Okay?" SunMi explains as the sound of a car door opening fills the air behind her.
"So should I go after him or—what?" I question playfully as I move back toward my bed.
"You hide my bracelet and don't let him find any evidence, deal?" SunMi responds happily as JongHo mumbles something.
"I think I can handle that. Hurry home, Sun. I miss you!" I sigh as I let her hang up.
I toss my phone aside and lay back on my bed. It's not even ten yet, I have time to go do something. I don't have to sit here with the others. I could call Mark up and see what he's doing. I could even get ahold of Mina and Momo. Maybe they would want to do something. I just need something to make the time pass by faster. I want to see my Sun.
"Aera?" NaHee taps on the door and sticks her head in.
"Yeah?" I sit upright and turn toward her.
"Did you want to eat your waffles? I put them in the microwave to keep them warm." NaHee opens the door the rest of the way and steps inside.
"Yeah—I have a question though." I climb toward the edge of the bed and move back toward my jewelry box.
"What's that?" NaHee slowly makes her way toward me.
"So—I got these AirPods as a gift and I don't know how to hook them up. Do you think you could help me?" I hold the small box out toward NaHee.
"Of course. Where's your phone?" NaHee smiles brightly as she delicately takes the AirPod case out of the box. She sets the box down and follows me to my bed.
"Here." I place my phone in her hands.
"Can you unlock it for me?" NaHee chuckles as she holds it out for me.
"Oh—yeah." I quickly type in my password before taking a step back.
"I'll do this and you go eat. I'll bring it to you. It'll only take a second." NaHee motions for me to head toward the kitchen.
"Okay." I nod happily and make my way toward the door.
"Did you talk to Sun?" JuHee asks as I fall down on the nearest stool.
"Yep." I smile as JiSu pulls my waffles out of the microwave and places them in front of me.
"What do you want? Nutella, right?" JiSu opens the cabinet and grabs the Nutella before turning toward me for more direction.
"Yes, strawberries and blueberries, too, please." I take the Nutella from her and coat my waffles with it.
"Whipped cream?" JuHee asks as she peeks around the fridge door.
"Yes!" I nod joyously as they both bring me the remaining ingredients for my masterpiece.
"So, what are your plans for the day? I know we have to be back by three for Sun, but that still gives us quite a bit of time to do something." JiSu slides onto the stool next to me while JuHee stands across from us.
"I was thinking I might make a trip out to see a friend or two, but I don't know for sure." I shrug as I take the first bite of my waffles.
"Here, Aera." NaHee places my phone and my AirPods in front of me.
"Thank you, Na!" I chirp as I set my fork down and quickly slip one of my AirPods in my ear.
"When did you get those?" JuHee asks as she delicately picks up the case and turns it over in her hand.
"I got them from Ma—a fan at the meet. Aren't they pretty?" I try to hide my slip up. I was just talking to SunMi about him, it just kind of came out.
"What's the M for?" JuHee asks as she holds out the other AirPod.
A small pink crystal M is hidden amongst the blue sparkles. I quickly take the other one out of my ear and search it for another letter. A faint smile crosses my face as my eyes land on a small A.
"It's probably nothing." I brush it off and take the AirPod back from her. I place it safely in the case before returning the other to my ear.