|SunMi's POV|
"Are you ready?" I turn to JongHo and adjust his sweatshirt.
"I'm ready. They already like me and if it goes anything like the last one they all already knew and we're far from shocked—with the exception of SeongHwa." JongHo reassures me as NaHee tugs the door open and grabs my arm.
"What the hell?" I spin around to see her dragging me into the living room. She pushes me down onto the couch and stands in front of me with her arms crossed.
"You're late." JiSu states as she comes up behind me. She places her hands on my shoulders and squeezes.
"I—I'm only five minutes late. I didn't think five minutes would be a big deal." I attempt to look at JiSu, but she quickly forces my face back toward NaHee.
"Five minutes is a very big deal, SunMi." JuHee joins in from across the room. She gallops toward me with her rabbit in her arms.
"Why do I feel like Aera is going to come up behind me and chop my head off?" I mumble as I take a shaky breath. They're acting weird, too weird.
"JongHo—go outside." JuHee instructs as she hurries toward him and pushes him back onto the porch. She closes the door before hurrying back toward me.
"Okay—now that's a little much. Why did you just kick JongHo out?" I try to get to my feet, but NaHee quickly pushes me back down onto the couch.
"Just wait thirty more seconds." JuHee sits down beside me and rests her head on my shoulder.
"What am I waiting thirty seconds for?" I groan as I give in and let them continue their little game.
"Congratulations on making it into the finals!" Aera comes rushing toward me with a cake.
"The finals—wait—you opened my mail?" I get to my feet and hurry toward the kitchen counter. I dig through the stack of letters until I come across the right one.
"Did you tell her yet?" JongHo peeks his head in the door, carrying the girls presents in his arms.
"You knew? Why didn't you tell me?" I move toward him and slap his chest as he steps inside.
"They wanted to surprise you." JongHo shrugs as he hands the girls their gifts.
"Don't open them yet! I want to talk to you guys first." I quickly place my hand over the lid of Aera's box.
"Fine." JiSu groans before plopping down on the couch.
The others sit down beside her and set their gifts on the ground in front of them. I motion JongHo toward me as I stand directly in front of them. JongHo stops beside me and takes my hand in his.
"As you all know, I've been dating JongHo." I state calmly as I glance up at him.
"This is old news. Can you get to the juicy stuff so we can open our presents?" JuHee frowns as she taps her foot impatiently.
"The reason I left without much of a warning—I really wasn't feeling well, but I was worried it was something more than just a bug or something. I was scared I was pregnant—I didn't want to tell you guys because I didn't want to mess Candi up." I explain as I tighten my grip on JongHo's hand. I lower my head and close my eyes.
"Okay, so when's the baby coming?" JiSu questions as she leans forward excitedly.
"There's no baby. I took a test and it came back positive, but the doctor said my anxiety pills made it a false positive. So—there's nothing to worry about. Candi is going to be okay. I can stay." I take a deep breath and lift my head to take in their reactions.
Aera gets to her feet and points toward the door. I swallow hard as I try to analyze her facial expression.
"Get out." Aera states firmly.
"Wait—What?" I turn to JongHo in shock.
"Get out of this house and don't come back." Aera moves toward me and grabs my arm. She leads me toward the door.
"Aera—seriously? You want me to leave? I mean—if that's what you all want—I'll go." I try to hold back my tears as everything I'd worked so hard for comes crashing down.
Maybe I shouldn't have told them. Maybe I should've just acted like everything was okay. If they didn't know, Aera wouldn't be kicking me out.
"Get out and don't bring your pretty little butt back until you bring us a baby." Aera's expression shifts dramatically. She smiles brightly as she wraps her arms around me and squeezes.
"You scared me! I thought you really wanted me to leave. I was worried I'd have to leave Candi. I thought I literally just ruined my own life." I break free of her grasp and slap her shoulder.
"It's pay back for leaving me in the dark! You scared me! I really thought someone stole you!" Aera pouts as she takes my hand in hers.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys sooner. I was just worried." I sigh as I fall down on the couch next to them.
"I'm sorry you didn't bring us a baby." JiSu groans as she gets to her feet.
"Seriously?" I chuckle as I glance over at JongHo. He smiles softly as he sits down on one of the kitchen stools.
"Seriously. I agree. I want a baby to cuddle, too." NaHee chirps as she reaches behind JuHee to tap my shoulder.
"I'm not having a baby right now. Later—probably—but not now. Candi hasn't even really started yet. If I have a baby now, we have no chance." I shake my head in amusement as they all trap me in a group hug.
"Now can we open our presents?" JuHee asks as she picks up her bag again.
"Yes, you can open your presents now." I chuckle as JuHee tears into her gift without a second to spare.
I make my way toward JongHo as they all compare their gifts as if they were the best thing they'd ever seen. I sit down beside him and rest my head on his shoulder.
"Are you going to go?" JongHo asks as he wraps his arm around my waist.
"Go where?" I question as I watch NaHee hold her new dress up to her chest. She spins around smiling brighter than I've ever seen her smile.
"The finals? The gaming competition you've been dreaming of for as long as I can remember. The one that you said you would sell your soul to get into." JongHo laughs as I nod, clearly not hearing a word he said.
"Is it the right size?" I get to my feet and make my way toward the girls.
"Yes! It should fit. Thank you so much, Sun!" NaHee sets her dress down and hugs me tightly.
"It was nothing really—I saw how much you liked mine and figured you'd like one of your own." I return her warm embrace.