[002], aera's told a massive life-changing revelation

SETTLING into college was easier than last year. Although there was one downside to this year; Aera has to wake up before eight o-clock every Monday morning. Aera's upset about that. Like, insanely upset. Aera treasures her sleep-ins, especially with her being a night owl and all. She's also an incredibly light sleeper, so any noise within their dormitory building will definitely wake Aera up.

Yena scoffs at her best friend's pouting, "at least it's just one morning class. I have three!"

So yeah, Aera's definitely being overdramatic but still, one morning class?! That's like hell! So, on Monday morning, Yena has to drag her friend out of her bed. Literally. Aera lands on the floor with a thump. Groaning, Aera finally feels wide awake. Her cheek is pressed to the carpet and it's very cold on the ground. Flailing around, Aera pulls her bed covers onto her body on the floor. "Fucking hell, wake up Aera!" Yena drags the covers off the girl and puts them far out of reach.

"Fine," moans Aera, getting off the ground and stretching, her arms above her body, her back arching and yawning loudly. Yena frowns at the sight of her friend as she packs her bag. Aera was so dramatic during the most inconvenient times. Aera's too dramatic for her own good, there have been undramatic moments made dramatic, because of Aera. Like at a college party last year, Aera broke up with her boyfriend because he couldn't satisfy her and she made it this huge thing at the party.

Aera wonders why she has the reputation she has.

"Look, don't crawl back into bed the moment I leave," Yena scolds her friend, "and go get coffee, you look like a fucking rat."

Aera gives Yena the finger as she watches the aforementioned girl leave their dorm. Aera groans into the silence and begins to slowly make her way through her morning routine. The only downside about living in a dormitory is the communal bathroom on each floor. Today, Aera forgot to wear her shoes. Great fucking work, Aera!

Aera's finished with a little under forty-five minutes to spare. Aera perks up at the thought of coffee, so she hurriedly packs everything into her bag for the morning and dashes for the door, her keys jingling. Across the corridor, an identical door opens and closes at the same time as Aera. "Oh, good morning, Aera," Jungwon greets the girl in a chipper tone. How could anyone be this fucking happy in the morning?

Aera whirls around after shutting her door and gives Jungwon a slight smile, "morning Jungwon. Do you have class this morning?"

"Yeah," Jungwon frowns, "I'm the only one who has a morning class on Mondays. Ni-ki and Sunoo like to rub it in my face."

Aera laughs, falling into step beside Jungwon, "I would try and cheer you up, but I hate morning classes. It doesn't get any better, especially with your friends sleeping in. Which is why I get coffee every time I have a morning class — do you want to join me?"

"Huh?"

"Do you wanna get coffee with me? There's a cafe close to campus that's really good, plus I'm good friends with the workers there!" Aera tells Jungwon as they descend the steps, boycotting the elevators that only work during freshmen move-in day, and when someone needs help hauling a large ass box or project up to the next few floors.

Jungwon smiles, "sure."

On the walk over to the cafe, Aera gets to learn more about the freshmen living opposite her. She learns more about Riki who decided to not go back to Japan for university and decided to major in dance, which is something he's exceptionally good at. Aera also found out that Jungwon doesn't mind Riki staying in America for university, though, beneath all the teasing, Jungwon appreciates the boy more than he would like to admit. Plus, Jungwon and Sunoo get free trips to Japan whenever. Kim Sunoo is the sunshine of the trio, he's also an English Major, so their dorm is already full of movie posters, and quotes. Jungwon mentions Sunoo hung a whiteboard up on a wall and writes daily motivational quotes. ("I'm considering hiding his whiteboard markers. I can't take the stupid motivational quotes and it's only been a day," Jungwon explains to Aera passionately). Jungwon, on the other hand, is the mature one out of the three, and Aera's honestly surprised to see how grounded the boy is. He's an animal lover, so his dream in life is to be able to help animals, whether that's through being a vet, or a zookeeper. He's a science major and definitely has his life sorted out, compared to a disorganized second-year, Aera.

"Good Morning, Lia," Aera smiles at the girl behind the counter. The cafe was warm and buzzing with students; new and old. The familiar smell of coffee and pastries waft through the welcoming environment and Aera relaxes, her fraught and tense shoulders relaxing.

"Mornin', Aera. Do you have a morning class?" The barista asks kindly, striking up a conversation with Aera seeing no one else behind them. It was an early morning, after all.

Aera sighs and nods her head, "I do. And on a freaking Monday! The universe is out to get me I swear!"

Lia laughs and flashes Area her kind smile, "sucks for you. I don't have a single morning class this year."

Aera pouts. "Lucky you," she waves her hand in Jungwon's direction. "This is Jungwon, he's a freshman! He also has a morning class on Mondays."

Lia's kind smile appears once more, "welcome to MOA Cafe! You'll find that lots of students come here, to study, hang out, or hopefully score a job. We're open early to give coffee to those taking morning classes. Coffee is a huge must for morning classes. So, what'll be your order for today?"

"A Caramel Cappuccino, please!" Aera says happily, fishing out her wallet.

Jungwon frowns and squints at the menu, "what do you recommend?"

"Well, preferably something with lots of caffeine to stay awake. And maybe something to eat if you haven't had breakfast yet. Our pastries are to die for!" Lia tells Jungwon.

"I don't drink coffee," Jungwon admits shyly, and Lia giggles while Aera shoots him a gentle smile.

"That's okay!" Lia tells the younger boy, "just name something and I'll make it for you. It'll be our mission to find you your favorite coffee!"

Aera nudges Jungwon, "do you like caramel?"

Jungwon shrugs, "yeah, it's alright."

"Make it two caramel Cappuccinos," Aera tells Lia firmly.

"Coming right up!" She gives Aera the total, who pays for the two coffees, ignoring Jungwon's remark that he can pay for his own. Moving to the side, Aera and Jungwon place themselves at a table and Aera asks more questions concerning Jungwon and his friends.

Time passes and Aera finds herself outside her lecture hall, giving Jungwon instructions on how to reach his. With a bright and kind goodbye, Aera leaves Jungwon's side and walks into her lecture earlier than she normally would. And this is all for one thing — to get a good seat. Aera finds more people in the lecture hall than usual, but that's because everyone wants a good seat; not the ones right up the front, but not the ones right at the back either.

Aera finds herself a good seat and settles in, pulling out her phone and sipping on her coffee, waiting for the hall to fill up and the professor to arrive. A body slides into the seat next to hers and Aera raises her eyes to find a familiar face grinning back at her. "Kai!" Coos Aera, wrapping her arms around the boy's neck and hugging him happily. Huening Kai and Aera were well acquainted with each other — they shared many of the same classes last year and always gravitated towards each other for any partner work if they didn't have their friends in class.

"I would be just as happy to see you Aera," Kai tells the girl, hugging her, "but's eight in the fucking morning."

Aera laughs and pulls herself away, holding out her coffee for Kai to take. "We'll get through this shit-show together, yeah?"

Kai reveals a wide, golden, smile. "Of course."

◾◾◾◾

Aera's last lecture was almost over. It was nearing three in the afternoon and the sun was still shining, making Aera feel hot and sweaty when she probably wasn't. Aera was alone in this class, which she was okay with — until it came to partnering up, but for now, Aera will ignore the anxiety of partnering up with someone she's never spoken to before.

Her phone buzzes beneath her hand and Aera picks it up, staring at the text message Yena has sent her. could u get me some choco milk pls (^_<). God, Yena was needy — but Aera was still going to do it. Even if it's an extra five-minute walk off-campus. Aera texts back an okay and places her phone done, focusing back on the lecture.

Finally, the clock hits three and the lecture comes to a close with a promise of what the next lesson will look like. Aera could careless. She just wanted out of the stinking hot hall, even if outside wouldn't be much nicer. Hurrying down the steps, Aera adjusts her bag's strap on her shoulder. Aera can't wait to be free of the bag weighing down her shoulder! Aera wants to get a good shoulder massage one day.

Aera's shoulder knocks into another body and whatever they held in their hand goes flying, spilling across the concrete. "Oh!" Aera exclaims, immediately bending over to help pick up the papers spilled across the dirty pavement, "I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking —" Aera's words die on her lips when she turns to see who she bumped into.

Sim Jake was crouched not too far from Aera, scrambling to pick up the things he dropped. Aera doesn't know what to do. Should she just drop the papers she's holding and dash off? Or, should she say something snarky and in turn, get an ugly look from the incredibly attractive boy? Or, should Aera play it cool, calm, and, collected and hand Jake's stuff back over to him?

"Oh, thanks," Jake's voice interrupts Aera's thoughts as he pulls his papers out of Aera's hand.

"Ah, yeah, no problem. You're welcome," Aera's left flustered. There goes acting cool, calm, and collected!

Jake smiles, "you're Kim Aera —"

"I have to go! Bye!" Aera leaves Jake in the dust, practically running away from him. Aera's just happy Yena's not with her, otherwise, she'll never forget this moment in time. Groaning, Aera stares at the crisp blue sky above her and practically scolds the sky above for sending her into Sim Jake's path.

Aera spends the rest of her chocolate milk run mulling over the embarrassing collision that occurred. Aera's definitely going to fall asleep overthinking that moment. She'll probably curse herself out about this moment in five years. How pathetic could Aera get? How embarrassing could Aera get?

This time, Aera is more aware of her surroundings as she arrives back on campus. Though, because of her awareness, she is more on edge and darts behind many trees — more than necessary — because Aera thinks she's caught sight of Jake. It hasn't been Jake. So she's darted behind six trees for no fucking reason.

Barging into her dorm, she finds it empty. Aera groans and slides off her bag, checking her phone to see Yena telling her to go to Jungwon's dorm. Begrudgingly, Aera walks about three —maybe less — steps over to Jungwon's dorm, forgetting to knock and flings it open, hearing loud voices. Yena's already mixing her voice alongside Riki's. That's never a good thing.

"Here's the chocolate milk you wanted," Aera chucks the chocolate milk at Yena who was resting on the floor.

"Thanks!" Yena says, happily opening the milk and humming in contentment.

"Aera!" Riki exclaims happier than necessary.

"Riki, what's up?" Aera asks, slumping on the sleek, black, leather couch beside Jungwon.

"I made it into the soccer team!" Riki exclaims, flinging a pillow off the couch and watching it hit the wall on the other side of the room. "Isn't that amazing?!"

Aera musters up a smile, "that's great, Riki. I guess you're going to force us to come down to the soccer games then?"

"You bet," grins Riki, "I want to see my Fanclub whenever I score a goal!"

Sunoo snorts, "you're funding all the merchandise, posters, and signs then."

Jungwon snorts, "Sunoo's lying. He'll be the president of Riki's Fanclub."

Sunoo chucks his pen in Jungwon's direction who easily dodges it. "No wonder you were always picked last in PE."

Riki laughs loudly and this time, Sunoo chucks his eraser at Jungwon, who once again dodges the flying stationery through the air. Aera groans loudly and sinks further into the oddly comfortable couch. Aera definitely wasn't this comfortable during her first year in a dorm. She wonders which of the three is rich. Maybe it's Riki since he's an exchange student.

"You doing alright over there, Aera?" Yena finally takes notice of her best friend's crisis.

Aera moans, "no, guess who I fucking bumped into on the way to get your chocolate milk?"

"Oooo. . . I love guessing games!" Sunoo says eagerly, discarding his book in front of him, he looked very interested, "do you have any hints?"

"Was it Heeseung?" Yena asks eagerly, "he's so hot and dreamy."

"No," Aera says, "though it was one of his friends."

Yena's eyes widen, "no way, it was Jake?"

Aera nods her head, "it was embarrassing. And then he goes 'you're Kim Aera,' like, what? Why did he say that? No shit dude, I'm Kim Aera, the manwhore but girl version."

Yena snickers, "thankfully you're giving up that title this year!"

Aera frowns, "it probably won't last long. I need to fall in love before I die."

Yena reaches out from her position on the floor and pats Aera's knee, "you still have like sixty years left! You'll find love, I'm certain!"

"Sim Jake? We're talking about Sim Jake, right?" Sunoo interrupts, his eyes wide.

"Yeah," Yena hums out, rolling her chocolate milk between her hands, "do you know him?"

Sunoo scratches the back of his neck and smiles sheepishly, "yeah. .We're, uh, good friends with him."

Aera feels her heart drop into the depths of her stomach, never to return. Her eyes are wide as she looks at Sunoo, then at Jungwon, and then at Riki who all look sheepish. Yena shrieks and her chocolate milk falls from her hands. "You — if you're friends with Jake, then that means you're friends with Lee Heeseung! And Park Sunghoon! And Park Jongseong."

"So that's how you got into the soccer team," Aera says, pointedly looking at Riki who flushes a bright red. "Not that I'm holding it against you," Aera quickly adds on, "it's just unusual for a freshman to be a starter. You must also be exceptionally good."

Yena whacks Aera's legs, "of course he's good! He's friends with Jake and Jongseong!"

Silence settles over the five of them, each body unaware of what to do next, of what to say next. Aera doesn't know what to think because she kinda trashed Jake in front of Sunoo, Jungwon, and Riki — but it's not like she knew they were friends with Jake and his cronies. Wait, does that make Sunoo, Jungwon, and Riki a part of Jake's cronies?

Yena moans loudly, "damnit! That means you heard me describe Heeseung as 'hot' and 'dreamy,'" her cheeks are bright red as she hides her face in her palms, "this is the worst moment of my life."

Aera's still trying to understand what Sunoo has said, even as Riki and Jungwon snicker at Yena's misfortune and even as Sunoo attempts to soothe Yena's breakdown. So, if the three boys Aera's currently with are good friends with Jake, then does that mean — "has Jake ever talked about me?" Aera blurts out, desperate to know.

Silence settles over the five of them again, and Jungwon speaks up this time, "yeah, a few times. We knew who you were after you introduced yourself to us — I mean, obviously because you told us your name but — you know what I mean."

Aera nods her head. "Oh wow. Yena, we're basically one person away from Jake. I don't know what to feel."

Yena's using her chocolate milk to anchor herself to reality, leaving Aera to fight by herself. "I feel embarrassed, let's go, Aera, I have some homework I need help with." Aera knows how Yena gets sometimes when a big secret is revealed. Yena's a sensitive girl, but it doesn't last for long — well, Aera hopes this one doesn't last for long. Yena's known to hold grudges.

Sunoo throws Aera a desperate look. "We didn't mean to hide it from you," his voice was quiet as they watch Yena trail out of their dorm.

Aera smiles, "you don't need to apologize. It's nothing something we asked about, and it's not like you intentionally hid it from us. Yena will come around, don't worry." She ruffles Jungwon's hair, then Riki's, and then Sunoo's. She lets the door shut softly on her way out and she sighs a heavy sigh.