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| January 3rd, Saturday, 2021 |

Eight in the morning, the weather was freezing cold when Annie left her warm bed with only a thin set of pyjamas on.

She opened the door, lazily walking to the kitchen.

"Oh! You're awa-" "Oh my God!"

Annie jumped at the sudden voice.

"What the hell!? Weren't you supposed to be in a plane now?"

"Ah, right. I got a few things mixed up...apparently I'm going to my grandma's house today and then we're going together to Japan tomorrow."

Remi explained with a sheepishly smile.

"Oh...but when are you leaving?"

Don't tell me I won't be able to see him for lunch...

"Soon! I'm just organising a few things."

Annie nodded and started to prepare her breakfast.

"What about you? Don't tell me you're staying inside the dorm the whole day..!"

She stayed silent, innocently looking left and right.

"Haerim! You should have some fun, we don't get breaks often!"

"But I will have fun!"

More than you, probably.

"Get some delivery food at least, then, treat yourself."

"Hm!"

Remi eyed her one more time before going back to their room.

Annie, on the other hand, took the opportunity to open her messages, being welcomed by a good morning text from her boyfriend.

"Good morning!"

"Did you sleep well?"

"I'm preparing everything so you don't need to worry, just bring yourself"

The girl contained herself not to let out a scream, she did feel her cheeks burning hot though.

It took her a minute, but she was able to text back, teasing him for the sentence that quickened her heartbeats as she skipped the part where she couldn't fall asleep because she was too nervous for today.

"Rima, I'm going!"

Her friend showed up at the door with a bag and her well-known baby pink suitcase.

Annie got up from the sofa, grabbing the girl's suitcase and walking towards the elevator in the corridor.

"See you in a week, babe."

"Don't forget to bring me something when you're back!"

The elder joked before being nearly suffocated by a hug.

"Bye!!"

"See ya."

Annie kept on waving until the blonde was out of sight.

"Alright, now I run to get ready."

She rushed upstairs, already giggling thinking about how her day was going to be. Luckily, she wouldn't spend hours choosing an outfit, Hyoseop had given pretty concrete advice on what was suitable for the date.

Annie put on white wide pants and a white long sleeve sweatshirt. Since she was going to be inside the whole time, she didn't bother to choose a pair of shoes and just put whatever she had worn yesterday – that, coincidently, was a pair of white sneakers.

Now I just wait for his call.

● ● ● ● ●

"Hi!"

"H- oh my God, you look adorable."

Minho said as soon as his eyes landed on her.

"Thanks...you don't look too bad either."

She looked at him and grinned before speaking again.

"You really take that sponsorship seriously, huh?"

He was wearing a blue sweatshirt with "Mahagrid" written in white in the middle, while his grey sweatpants had the brand's name on his left leg.

"They're comfortable! Now come in."

Minho gently held Annie's hand, pulling her inside and closing the door after them.

As soon as the girl wore her slippers, she started sniffing.

"This smells so good! I smell garlic...no way!! How did you guess spaghetti aglio e olio was my favourite food!?"

Her eyes sparkled at the sight of a restaurant's worthy food.

"Really? I made it because it was easy."

He lied.

Of course Lee Minho wouldn't be this careless about his first actual date.

Right after he ended his conversation with Annie yesterday, he messaged her brother and asked for advice.

Yeah, you could say Hyoseop was the main star of today's date.

Anyhow, Minho was able to get info on Annie's favourite foods, what she enjoys doing when she's home and, most importantly, what's most likely to make her heart race.

"Sit down, I'm gonna get something for us to drink."

As Annie appreciated the dishes in front of her, Minho came back with a fancy yellowish bottle.

"Oh, wow, white wine?"

"Apparently sweet and fruity white wines go well with spaghetti aglio e olio."

He shrugged, putting two white wine glasses on the table.

"I'm surprised you're giving me alcohol after what I did the other night."

She let out a soft laugh.

"So you do remember!"

Minho yelled, recalling all the times the girl acted clueless about the event, saying he was probably overreacting.

Annie smiled innocently.

"If that works as an excuse, it's just that you're really cute when you're frustrated."

"That- that's not an excuse!"

"...just like now..."

She whispered while looking down, smiling to herself.

"Let's eat before it gets cold, shall we?"

"Hm! I can't wait to try your food, I couldn't eat the bibimbap the other day."

Minho waited anxiously as Annie put the food on her plate.

It's not like he feared the food would taste bad, he knew he was a great cook, everyone who had tried his food had said that – even that one time he went on a cooking show with Hyunjin –, but still. What if she likes spaghetti with less garlic? Or maybe he didn't put enough? Has the food gotten cold already? Maybe he should've tried before. What about the wine? Should he have gone with her favourite drink?

"This tastes amazing! Oh my God!! Woah! Where did you get this recipe?!"

Annie covered her mouth as she spoke with sparkles in her eyes, stunning the boy.

"You like it?"

"Dude! This is much better than a lot of restaurants I've gone to! And I'm very serious about spaghetti aglio e olio."

He laughed, the smile not leaving his face for even a second.

"I'll cook it whenever you want, just ask."

She put the cutlery down, placing both hands in front of her mouth, just like those dramatic characters in movies do.

"You're the best boyfriend I've ever had."

Minho tilted his head.

"You've had other boyfriends?"

"Well, no, but like...you get what I mean."

He giggled once again.

"I don't think I've ever had such a big reaction to my food before, thank you."

"Thank you! I could give you a kiss right now, I'm not even kidding."

Annie said before filling her mouth with spaghetti.

She stopped munching after noticing the silence in front of her.

Ah, right.

He's not used to these kinds of jokes.

I say this to Yeonjun and Remi all the time.

The girl awkwardly laughed in hopes he'd say something.

Well, he did.

"Are you coming or should I go to you?"

"Come here."

She signed with one hand. Hesitantly, he got up and stood in front of her with arms crossed.

Annie nearly jumped from her chair to give him a peck on the cheeks, sitting down as quick as she stood up.

"You said a kiss!"

He complained with ears tinted red.

"I said that I could, not that I would!

"Hmph."

Minho went back to his place pouting.

"Don't be sulky, we still have the whole day left."

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