“Oppa!” She breezed into the room, heading straight towards Minwoo. He smiled and took her hand as she sat down beside him. “Hi, guys!”

“How’s the fanmeet?” Kyra asked, her legs over Siwan’s.

“Good! He gave me a bunny!”

Kyra leaned forward. “He? The cute fan?”

Caryn nodded. Kyra grinned.

Minwoo frowned. “What cute fan?”

“There’s this group of fanboys that always follows Caryn. The leader always buys her awesome little gifts and helps keep her safe from any creepy fans.”

Minwoo hated the bugger on the spot. Caryn dug in her bag to take out the white, fluffy bunny. “Isn’t it the cutest thing ever!”

Siwan laughed behind his hand at Minwoo’s disgusted face.

“I’m going to the toilet for a while, wanna come?” Kyra stood up. Caryn nodded and gave Minwoo the bunny. As soon as the girls left, Minwoo turned the bunny in his hand.

“What’s so cute about this…. Thing?” Minwoo threw the bunny on the couch, next to Siwan. Dongjoon slithered off to disturb Taehun by the mirror. Siwan picked it up.

“Hey, the brand is expensive. It’s so soft!” Siwan smiled. Minwoo grabbed it back, shaking the bunny.

“You are not cute.” He told the bunny. He squeezed it hard and a voice came out. Both Siwan and Minwoo’s eys widened then both heads leaned down to the bunny.

“Hi, Caryn. My name is Jiho. I am a huge fan of you. I am your oppa.” He laughed and Minwoo wanted to burn the bunny on the spot. “I am 21, this year, not too old for, I hope. I think that you are very cute and I want to be more than just a fan. This is my contact number, hope I get to hear you voice soon. I’m not a creeper fan, as you know. Bye, take care, Caryn.”

Siwan stared at the bunny then sat back, laughing his head off. Minwoo turned the bunny around and around. “What are you doing?”

“Finding the seam so I rip the stupid boy’s voice off!” He gritted. Hearing girl’s laughter approaching, he pulled at the velcro at the bottom, yanking out the black speaker. He threw it in the dustbin, pasted the velco back and placed the bunny innocently at this side.

Caryn sat down and picked it up, her brows wrinkling. “Why is my bunny lighter?”

Minwoo adapted his normal lost boy look. “What?”

Caryn shook her head. “Oh, never mind.”

“Hey! Maybe it’s those kind which can talk!” Kyra said, earning a poke from Siwan. “What?”

Caryn nodded and squeezed the bunny. “Oh. It’s not, I guess.”

Kyra scoffed. “That was boring. He should have gotten you the one that could talk.”

Caryn shrugged. “Oh, wells. At least, it’s cute. Right, oppa?”

Minwoo nodded. “Yeah, it’s cute.” After I take out the stupid speaker, of course it’s cuter.

****

Gina stood in awkward silence beside Heechul. “Why are you quiet?”

“Because I’m tired.”

She rolled her eyes. “You had no schedule, last night!”

“And, you were out with that eyebrow guy.”

Gina smacked his arm. “It was a company lunch! All of us were there!”

Heechul looked at her, his eyes burning. “So, you are going to tell me that you didn’t talk to him at all?”

“Of course I talked to him! We’re friends. And, I’m not like you. You and your eyes can rape any girls within ten miles!” She crossed her arms.

“My eyes? I can’t help it!”

“Yeah, right.” She scoffed. “Since you’re being like an idiot, I’m going back to sit with Caryn.”

He grabbed her elbow. “Wait! Don’t go. I didn’t see you for three days!”

“Then, stop behaving like this. Don’t be jealous!” She placed her hands on his waist. “You know, I only look at you.”

He smiled a little. “Yeah?”

Gina nodded. “I brought you something!” She dugged in her jeans pocket for a handphone charm, it’s a starburst. “See, I have one too. And, it’s so common in the market that no one will notice it!” Heechul took the silver charm.

“I have to put this on my phone?”

“No, on your head. Of course, your phone.” She frowned. Heechul guffawed and took out his phone. He put the charm on.

“Thank you, baby.” He smiled, his head dipping down to hers. The staircase door opened and Gina shoved him away. Heechul sprinted up the stairs and Gina innocently walked down.

“Oh, Gina sshi. Annyeong.” The sound director greeted.

Gina nodded. “Hello. Are we going to film now?”

The guy scratched his head. “No, not yet. Just going out for a smoke. In a few more minutes, I think.” Gina watched them leave and was about to leave herself when the door slammed shut and Heechul hovered behind her. She clutched her heart.

“You gave me a shock. Why are you panting?”

Heechul held up a hand, taking a deep breath. “You try running 4 storeys then jumping down the same 4 storeys, just so you can kiss you girlfriend then tell me if you are panting or not.”

She cupped his face. “Aw.” She kissed him once. “There. Let’s go.” She walked out.

“Ya! That’s it? I ran up 8 storeys!”

“You said four!” Gina said from over her shoulder as Heechul walked behind her.

“Same difference. Point is, that was a not even a real kiss!”

She elbowed him. “Will you keep quiet? Do you want the whole world to know?” She looked around her. He rubbed his side. “I need the ladies.”

“I’ll wait.”

She pushed him. “No! Go.” Her phone rang and she squinted her eyes at the cross-armed Heechul and answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Gina unnie, I’m gonna tell you something but don’t panic, okay?” Jaymee whispered.

“What? What are you talki-“ Gina frowned. “Is that an ambulance I hear?”

“She’s not responding!”

“Jaymee!” Gina clutched the phone. “What is going on?”

There were a lot of beepings and sounds. “Oh my god, oh my god.”

“JAYMEE!” Heechul had stepped forward when her expression changed. He heard Jaymee’s muted voice by the phone and Gina’s colour fading. She turned on her heels and ran to the waiting room.

Everyone looked up at her. Jessie stood up. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Nura. And, Mia.” Gina said. Caryn, Kyra and Naj had walked over to Gina. Kevin pushed his chair back and so did Dongjoon. Soon, ZE:A and the girls were crowding her. “At the site, Nura fell in the seawater.”

Caryn clapped her mouth. “She can’t swim.”

“What about Mia?” Kevin demanded.

“Nobody noticed that Nura was gone. Then, Mia saw her jacket in the water and she jumped in.” Gina said. “Nura was unconscious when Mia pulled her up and Mia’s kinda scratched up from the rocks.”

“Ohmygod.” Naj’s eyes watered. “Is she okay?”

Gina turned her eyes on Dongjoon. “She’s not waking up, yet.”

Caryn paled. “I have to see her. My mom and dad will flip out.”

Gina kept her eyes on Dongjoon who looked like he wanted to fly out the door right now.

“Did anybody hear her scream or anything?” Kyra was calling Mikey.

Gina shook her head. “She didn’t scream.”

“Can’t we go and see her?” Jessie demanded.

“I don’t think so.” Gina fretted. “We have a schedule, here.”

Minwoo hugged Caryn and Naj grabbed Junyoung’s arm and buried her face in his shoulder.

Gina’s phone rang again and Heechul placed an arm around her. “Hello?”

“I’ve gotten Caryn out of the schedule. Tell her to be the gate in five minutes. I’m coming.” Nashi hung up.

“Caryn, Nashi freed you. She’s meeting you in five minutes. Go.” Gina relayed. Caryn nodded, pushing past the stiff Dongjoon and grabbing her jacket.

“I’ll talk to you later, oppa.” Caryn tiptoed to kiss Minwoo’s cheek.

“Mikey’s here too. We’ll update you guys!” Kyra one-armed hugged Siwan. “Bye, baby.” She grabbed Caryn and both of them flew out of the door.

Dongjoon wanted to cry. He wanted to know what happened. He wanted to be there fo Nura. Why the hell is he still here? He felt a pressure at his back and Junyoung was pushing him out. To the balcony. “Hyung?”

“Cut the crap and tell me the truth.” Junyoung demanded.

“What are you talking about, hyung?” Dongjoon avoided Junyoung’s eyes.

“The truth, Kim Dongjoon.” He pressed.

Dongjoon lifted his eyes. “I lied.” Tears dropped his eyes. “I love Nura. I lied when I said that I was her rebound. I lied, hyung!” Junyoung pulled him into a hug and Dongjoon spilled everything.

****