[004], aera and her drunken antics

AERA sat slumped over her books as the lecture droned on. Kai and his friend, Kang Taehyun, took up the seats near Aera, talking to each other quietly. She was rehashing last night in her mind. After spin the bottle, Aera, Yena, and Chaeryoung made their way back upstairs and disappeared into the massive crowd to dance some more. Yena disappeared with her lips attached to another body, leaving Aera alone with Chaeryoung, which Aera didn't mind. She and Chaeryoung moved outside and sat on the porch — Aera sent a text to Yena to let her know where she was so they could all leave together once Yena's finished.

Then, the three of them walked back together, dropping Chaeryoung off at her Sorority and then continuing the last stretch home, bumping into Sunoo, Jungwon, and Riki who were also on their way home. Thankfully, their other four older friends weren't around. Though, she could feel their targetted stares.

Kai elbows Aera in the ribs and she scowls. "What?"

"You kissed Jake last night?" He asks, astonishment lacing his tone.

Aera huffs, "yeah, what about it?"

Kai shrugs, "just curious. Does this mean you're dating him?"

Aera scoffs, "why would I like someone like him? He's friends with Park Sunghoon, who I have decided to hate for the rest of my life."

Kai blinks, taking this all in, from beside him, Taehyun asks, "why do you hate Sunghoon?"

"He's an asshole, that's why."

Kai frowns, "he's actually really nice, Aera."

Aera groans, "look, let me hate him in peace. I need someone to hate during a time like this."

"You're insane," Kai mutters.

Aera grins, "but I'm your friend though!"

"Unfortunately."

Aera punches Kai, and then the lecture is over, leaving Aera to dash for the exit and breath in the fresh fall air. It reminds her of a spiced pumpkin latte that her mother often drinks during these months. Halloween's coming up, it's in three weeks and Aera can't wait for all the Halloween parties, they're so much fun to go to.

"AERA!" Riki's shout cuts through the quiet fall air. He's chasing down Aera, Sunoo trailing behind him. Jungwon was nowhere to be found.

Aera wraps her arms around Riki as he barrels into her, a boxy grin on his face as he peers up at the girl. "I'm starting!" He exclaims happily, breaking out of Aera's embrace and doing a cute little dance. Aera giggles softly, enjoying seeing the younger boy this happy.

"Sorry to ruin the mood, but you're starting what?" Aera asks, not really used to the terminology Riki's using.

"Soccer! I'm playing this Friday!"

"Soccer's starting up already?" Aera asks, confused.

"It's pregame season, Aera," Riki sighs exasperatedly, "you really are hopeless, aren't you?"

Riki receives a whack from Aera for those words. "Where's Jungwon?"

"With Jay," Riki rolls his eyes.

"Who's Jay?" Aera asks, puzzled.

"Jay, you know, rich guy? He wears a Rolex every day? He also wears the necklace Jungwon got him when he was seventeen every day? He tells those awful jokes? He drinks honey when he's stressed?" It still wasn't clicking for Aera, who was still puzzled as ever. Riki sighs, "a lost cause you are, Kim Aera. Park Jongseong. Jungwon's with Jongseong."

"Oh! You guys call him Jay?"

"I thought everyone did. . ." Riki says, trailing off and a little confused.

"Hey, Aera! I'm guessing Riki told you the news?" Sunoo asks, grinning a golden smile as he finally catches up to Riki and Aera.

Aera nods her head, "I'm happy for him! I don't know if I'll be able to make the game, I have loads of homework to do."

Riki pouts, "really? Please come anyway, I'll do your homework for you!"

Aera laughs and ruffles Riki's hair affectionately. "Maybe. I'm going to MOA cafe, wanna tag along?"

"We have class," Sunoo says, pushing Riki forward, "we'll talk later!" With a hurried wave, Sunoo rushes off to class, pulling Riki by the wrist as the latter yells out to Aera, begging her to come. Aera shakes her head, amused, and heads off to the cafe she mentioned, ready to try their spiced pumpkin latte just so she could be near her mom.

The thought of purchasing and drinking a warm spiced pumpkin latte disappears from Aera's mind the moment she walks into MOA cafe and spots Sim Jake, Park Jongseong — who is also called Jay?? —, Park Sunghoon, and Lee Heeseung all sitting at a table, laughing.

Lia spots Aera and grins, "Hey Aer — oh?"

Aera's out the door and sprinting down the sidewalk, wanting to put as much space between her and MOA cafe as possible.

◾◾◾◾

Kim Aera doesn't necessarily hate Sim Jake, per se. It's just easier for Aera to say she does. This whole thing dates back to Kim Aera's freshmen year. She was new to college, with wide eyes and an air of innocence around her, it was unavoidable for Kim Aera to get asked out by guy after guy. Of course, with Kim Aera on the search for love, she would date them, and then dump them. One after the other.

Aera didn't think about the repercussions. She just wanted true love. A love like the books. A love like the movies. The repercussions were awful. So much so, Aera's things were branded with 'slut,' words whispered behind her back were never good things. Usually, this would hinder someone, but for Aera, she couldn't give a shit — instead, she took that title on with pride. She wore it like a scarlet letter.

Where Kim Aera was branded with the title; campus slut, Sim Jake was congratulated for every girl he hooked up, for every girl he kissed, for every girl he dated and then dumped. He was branded with the title; campus heartthrob.

It was only natural for Kim Aera to regard Sim Jake with such hate, it consumed the girl. Sure, she hated him, but it didn't consume the girl — or it hasn't yet. Still, Aera smeared Jake's name as much as possible. He was a manwhore. He didn't have his future planned out, he just did whatever he wanted because he had the privilege Aera never had the benefit of having. He was everything Kim Aera was, but worse. He probably wasn't searching for love like Aera, he was probably bored and wanting to fill up his spare time. It didn't help that he was on the soccer team.

Aera made it her mission to stay away from Sim Jake and his cronies. She would rather be dead than have to interact — or hang out with them.

Girls adored Jake, boys wanted to be friends with Jake. When it came to Aera, girls wanted Aera out of sight, out of mind, boys either wanted her in their bed or nowhere to be found.

And then, Kim Aera and Sim Jake share a kiss through a game of spin the bottle — no one expected the campus slut and the campus heartthrob to share a kiss, they were like two opposite ends of a line! (Trust Aera when she says she didn't want to kiss that fucker, but, Aera's not a pussy).

"Look, I know you hate Jake and all," Yena was saying to Aera as they get ready for the soccer game the following day, "but please put your hatred for him aside so I can have a chance with Heeseung."

"Why does my hatred have to do with you hooking up with Heeseung? Just go do it, I don't care."

Yena frowns, "it just does, Aera."

"I'm ready to go, are you? We were supposed to be leaving five minutes ago," Aera says, ignoring Yena's pouting and attempts at provoking the girl to give up her so-called 'hatred' for Sim Jake.

Yena rolls her eyes and walks out of the dorm, Aera following after. Together, they walk to the soccer game in silence. The sounds of students cheering loudly and other noises associated with the infamous first pregame soccer game carried through the wind along with the cheers.

Riki's taught both Aera and Yena a bit more about the soccer atmosphere at their college. Like, Yena, and Aera knew, soccer was a big thing at their college — for many reasons; hot boys playing a physical sport that leaves them sweating like a madman, which apparently some girls find attractive for some reason, another reason was that it gave college students another way to get drunk, to get wasted, and another was for the reputation of their college. They usually always got to the finals but lost. Well, according to Riki, they won last year! Aera wouldn't know because she doesn't attend soccer games and only has because of her (many) current boyfriends at the time who she dumped later that night at some party.

So, basically; this game was important. In some random, college, way. There were going to be a multitude of parties thrown after this game, regardless of whether their soccer team lost, and Aera's certain she and Yena would spend time party-hopping.

"Ooo! A food truck, look, Aera!" Yena tugs on the girls' coat, pointing in the direction of a food truck set up outside the soccer pitch. Aera snorts, amused at the long line of students waiting to buy some warm food from the greasy, over-priced truck — Aera wasn't complaining though, along with Yena's, their stomachs growl in sync.

Lining up, Aera digs around her pockets to find her phone, which had her credit card tucked away in. Though, since Aera wasn't aware of her surroundings, someone stumbles into her which leads to Yena stumbling into the person lining up in front of them, all thanks to Aera's shitty balance. "Oh! Sorry!" Yena squeaks, her cheeks flushing bright red, caught off-guard herself.

The tall, black-haired boy turns around and Aera wants to disappear. It's Lee Heeseung, wearing a grin that makes Yena melt into the ground. "It's all good, what happened?" Even his voice sounded heavenly. God, there wasn't a single flaw Aera could pick out just by looking at and talking with Sim Jake and his cronies.

"Some bitch bumped into Aera who bumped into me and then I bumped into you. Are you excited for the soccer game tonight?" Yena was a skilled conversationalist. Usually, at social gatherings, Yena took the reins.

Heeseung laughs — well, it at least sounded like he did. "Yeah, I'm excited about the soccer game, are you?"

Yena nods, rising up and down on her toes excitedly, "more excited for the parties afterward. I don't know much about soccer, I've been spoonfed soccer rules and positions for two days straight at a rapid pace and I still don't understand it — like what the fuck is tackling? Honestly, I usually go to games just to scout for eye candy."

And sometimes, Yena runs her mouth without hesitation.

Still, Lee Heeseung laughs and Aera's oddly surprised — the boy is usually long gone by now, terrified of Yena's no-filter conversation. "Tackling is where the opposition steals the ball from the player kicking it down the field."

Yena's eyes were wide as she nods her head, "really? That's so cool, kinda. Why not just call it stealing-the-ball? I mean, cause tackling could mean you literally tackle the other player to the ground just to kick a ball you can't touch with your hands — what kind of rule is that, by the way? — away to score a goal like ninety meters away? Soccer is insane. But the boys are hot."

The conversation carries on between Heeseung and Yena. Aera stays silent, wondering where it all went wrong. Oh, she knows where it went wrong; befriending the three freshmen who live opposite her and Yena.

"Do you want to come and sit with me? I can teach you some more about soccer, if you'd like," Heeseung says with a very warm and inviting smile. Yena's even more of a mess than she was before and she eagerly tugs on Aera's coat again, leading her in the direction Heeseung was walking.

The burning desire to run away grows even more as Aera also notes who Heeseung's sitting with. Of course, two of the Three Musketeers are there — Jungwon, and Sunoo,— and then one of the two Parks are there. Seeing Sunghoon makes Aera want to bash her head in. Even more, Heeseung helps Yena up onto the spare seat beside him, leaving no room for Aera. Great. She's third-wheeling a couple that isn't even together.

Of course, Jungwon and Sunoo were excited to have Aera and Yena sitting with them. Sunoo hands Aera a sign for Riki as she takes a seat between Sunghoon and Sunoo. Aera already feels too intoxicated by Sunghoon's presence. Especially his eyes boring into the side of her head.

"What's your problem," Aera snaps, her eyes burning.

Sunghoon smirks. Aera's ready to tackle him to the ground. Not in the soccer way.

"Ignore Sunghoon, Aera," Jungwon calls out, "he's pouting because he didn't get to give Jake his good-luck kiss."

Sunghoon throws a nasty glare Jungwon's way. "Could you just shut up for a minute? I don't need your fucking input every god-damn second."

Jungwon rolls his eyes, "seriously, I didn't think getting rejected would make you this pissed. He wasn't even that attractive any, plus, he was taken, so basically, being rejected by that monstrosity was actually a good thing, Sunghoon."

Sunghoon hisses at Jungwon who snickers, "calm down, Hoonie, you'll get over this rejection so enough, we have loads of parties to attend after this game, you'll find someone to hook up with."

"You got rejected?" Aera asks, "by a guy?"

Sunghoon's attention is back on her, "yeah," his eyes were far too intense for Aera to look at, "do you have a problem with that?"

"No, why would I? I've seen you and Jake make out more times than necessary."

Heat rushes to Sunghoon's face and Jungwon explodes into another round of happy giggles, "your face! It looks like a tomato! Sunoo! Look at Sunghoon's face!"

Sunghoon growls and throws himself across Aera's lap and spilling his cup of whatever all over her jeans. Aera shrieks and jumps in her seat, causing her thigh to hit Sunghoon's chin who wasn't expecting to get hit in the chin and he falls onto the ground.

Jungwon's gasping for air and Sunoo cackles so loudly, attention is drawn to the group.

Sunghoon lifts himself off the ground, dusting off his pants and his face redder than any red Aera's ever seen. He looks at Aera's damp jeans and scratches the back of his neck awkwardly, picking up the now empty cup off the ground. "Uh, sorry," Sunghoon mutters, sitting back down next to Aera. "I didn't mean for that to happen."

"Clearly," Aera mutters, the cold drink seeping through her jeans, "now I'm gonna have wet jeans for the rest of the night."

"I'm sorry," Sunghoon says again, "sincerely."

Aera looks up at Sunghoon and shrugs, "you're lucky I'm in a forgiving mood. Watching you publicly humiliate yourself put me in a good mood. You owe me though, whether it's new jeans or something else."

Sunghoon's face is still bright red as he agrees to Aera's words. He then offers his coat to place over Aera's legs, which she happily takes, enjoying Sunghoon shifting about in his chair uncomfortably. Aera still thinks he's a piece of shit, though.

"So, Sunghoon, what's your major?"

"Uh, science. Marine Biology."

"Ahh," Aera nods her head, "cool."

There's an awkward lapse of silence. "W — what's yours?" Sunghoon croaks out, obviously not really into social interaction.

"Forensic science," Aera echoes out monotonously.

"Cool," Sunghoon says.

Thankfully the game starts, saving Sunghoon and Aera from the awkward tension surrounding the pair. Aera's surprised to find out Sunghoon's major, she for sure thought he majored in like dickhead-ness or something like that.

Riki scores the first goal of the game and the bleachers explode into loud cheers, Aera joining Sunoo, Jungwon, Sunghoon, Heeseung, and Yena as they all jump up and down with excitement, screaming Riki's name loudly and waving their signs around as Riki grins in their direction. Aera even shares a genuine smile with Sunghoon, who looked very proud of the younger boy.

Aera continues to watch the game, Jungwon and Sunoo eagerly helping her out to understand beyond her basic knowledge, and yeah, Aera admits, there's something about Jake that makes him ten times more attractive as he runs up and down the field, but still, Aera wants to punch him — just so she knows how it feels.

Aera also takes glances over at Yena and Heeseung who appear to be in their own world. Aera scrunched up her face in distaste and turns away, her gaze meeting Sunghoon's. "Is Heeseung with your friend?"

"Yeah. Her name is Kang Yena."

Sunghoon nods his head, "I've seen her around. Heeseung's commented on how cute she looks a couple of times. I didn't think he would ever have the balls to talk to her — he gets really shy around girls he takes a liking to."

"Really?" Aera asks, astonished, "I never pegged him for that type," she steals another glance over at Heeseung and Yena. The boy looks very smitten with the girl as she passionately talks about something with hand gestures.

Sunghoon shrugs, "you'll find there's more than just what meets the eye."

"I suppose, but some rumors spread are true, are they not?"

"Depends," Sunghoon responds, stretching his legs out in front of him.

"Using me as an example — everything said about me is true," Aera honestly doesn't mind the rumors. Sure, there are moments where she wishes to be a nobody, at the very back of everyone's mind, but at the same time, Aera likes the attention. It makes her feel better about herself.

Sunghoon's silent as he stares at Aera, "really?" He sounds surprised, "everything said about you is true?"

Aera suddenly feels very naked beneath Sunghoon's calculated stare, "I mean. . . Yeah. Even if it wasn't, there's nothing I could do to stop those rumors. I can't change people's preconceived notions about me."

"So, you don't mind being called —" Sunghoon pauses, unsure if he should continue his thought.

"Campus slut, you can say it, Sunghoon, I'm not going to burst into sobs. I'm not some damsel-in-distress."

Sunghoon rolls his eyes. "You don't mind being called the campus slut?"

"People can call me whatever they want, Sunghoon, I couldn't care less because I know what I am. A nineteen-year-old girl desperate for love."

Sunghoon stays silent.

"I mean, it's all stupid," Aera mutters, suddenly conscious of her words.

"What is?" Sunghoon asks, intrigued.

"The double standard. Myself versus Sim Jake."

"You versus Jake?" Sunghoon furrows his brow, "what do you —" the people around them explode into loud cheers and the pair lost in their own conversation stare out at the field, finding Jake sliding across the grass on his knees in celebration. He must've scored a goal. Sunghoon cheers loudly for his best friend and Aera remains quiet.

Why the fuck did she say that to Park Sunghoon, of all people?

The game comes to an end quickly after Jake's goal and Aera has to literally drag Yena away from Heeseung. "We're going back to the dorm," Aera demands, tugging Yena away from the horde of students scrambling to get on the soccer pitch to congratulate the players, "I need to change out of these jeans."

"Why? What happened to them?" Yena asks, concerned.

"Park Sunghoon spilled his cup of water all over them," scowls Aera. "Fucking menace. Did you know he's majoring in Marine Biology?"

"Heeseung's a music major," Yena sighs contently.

"You're acting like you didn't know that beforehand," snickers Aera.

Yena slaps Aera, "look, get changed quickly, okay? I need some alcohol in my system before I attempt to kiss Heeseung."

Aera rolls her eyes but picks up the pace. Her mind was clouded, full of unbridled thoughts that Aera simply doesn't want to delve into because then she'll end up overthinking and come out with such an insane theory that her brain would simply shut down and settle for social suicide.

But then again, Aera thinks more about Park Sunghoon and how dense the boy seems. He probably won't understand Aera's feminist take on the double standard between herself and Jake.

Aera pulls on (too) tight jeans and is dragged out of their dorm, Yena's tightly gripping her wrist with one hand, while she texts Heeseung with her other hand. When the fuck did Yena get Heeseung's number? ("I did this thing called asking, Aera, you should try it sometime, instead of playing some weird mind game to get the boy to ask first!).

They stand outside a frat house. "God, not a frat party," Aera complains, "I can only handle frat parties once a month."

"Suck it up, Kim," Yena jeers over her shoulder, "Heeseung's here so we're here."

Aera makes a face and makes her way over to Yena who stands on the porch, waiting for the complaining girl. "I'm going to kick your ass if you leave me alone, Kang," Aera threatens. Yena laughs and pulls Aera into the frat house that played — very loudly — trashy rap music that makes her ears bleed.

They reach the kitchen and once more, Aera finds a plastic blue cup shoved into her hand, full of alcohol. "CHAERYOUNG!" Yena squeals over the loud music, beckoning the red-headed girl over. They crash into each other and share words that Area can't quite hear. She edges closer to them and wraps Chaeryoung up into a hug.

"You're not here with those girls who left you in the bathroom, are you?" Aera asks Chaeryoung, "because if you are, we have some talking to do."

Chaeryoung grins and drains the last of her alcohol, "no! I dumped them — or did they dump me? I don't know, but I've gotten closer with some girls in my Sorority." She points over her shoulder and Aera watches a girl with black hair with pink stripes sway to some shitty rap song, her arm wrapped around the waist of a familiar brunette. Aera squints, she's pretty sure it's Lia.

Yena smiles, "I'm glad! Guess what, Chae? Heeseung talked to me today!"

The two girls exchange loud squeals, and at that very moment, Sim Jake decides to enter the kitchen, Park Sunghoon, and Park Jongseong by his side as they animatedly talk about something Aera thinks is stupid. After Jake, trails in a few girls, sneaking glances at the three boys occupied with each other.

"Let's go dance, Yena," Aera pulls on her arm.

"Actually, Heeseung asked me to meet him on the back porch," Chaeryoung squeals as Yena flushes, "don't wait up for me."

Aera nudges Yena knowingly and followed Chaeryoung out into the dance floor, introducing herself to her Sorority sisters. (Aera also scowls at Park Sunghoon over her shoulder as he drills holes into her back).

◾◾◾◾

Aera's drunk. Her giggles are loud and high-pitched as she stumbles her way out of the frat house, Charyoung's friend, Yeiji, has her arm wrapped around Aera's waist which keeps the drunk girl standing. "Woah! Watch out, dude!" Giggles Aera as she stumbles into some random dude, Yeiji apologizing soon after.

Aera finally makes it out of the house and stumbles down the porch loudly, her goodbye to Yeiji very over the top. Slowly, Aera begins to walk towards Yena who stood with a group of guys at the curb. Aera places one foot in front of the other, attempting to walk in a straight line, giggling when she sways too far, knocking herself off balance.

"YENA!" Aera shouts, waving her hand through the air, "YE-NANA!"

Yena grins back, waving her own hand through the air, "KIMMY!"

Aera runs to Yena, almost tripping a solid ten times, but she makes it safely into the girl's arms. "Where were you," Aera complains, stumbling over her words, "I missed you," Aera pouts as she stares up at the tipsy girl.

Yena bumps her forehead against Aera's, "with Heeseung," her voice was low but her cheeks blush a violent red.

Aera's eyes widen and Yena slaps a hand over her mouth. "Don't say a word. He's right next to me."

That's when Aera takes in the group Yena's standing with. She spots the three musketeers, then the Park's, and then Lee Heeseung and Sim Jake. Her eyes linger on Jake longer than needed, but Aera isn't bashful about it. She lets herself openly and shamelessly check out the star soccer player — something she would never do if she were sober. (She'd check him out through careful stares).

Riki finally takes notice of Aera and walks towards the older girl, his smile growing brighter. "Aera! Did you see my goal?"

Aera nods her head enthusiastically, sloppily pushing Yena's arms away, and stumbles into Riki's embrace, squishing his cheeks together and cooing, "yes I did baby! You did so well, I'm super proud of you! Did you like the sign I was holding? Sunoo made it and gave it to me." Aera squeezes Riki's cheeks harder and he giggles as he peels her hands away from his face.

"I loved your sign the most, Aera."

"Hey!" Frowns Park Sunghoon, "you said you liked mine the most."

"I lied, obviously," Riki responds, his hands now framing Aera's body as she rests all her weight against the soccer player. He looks back down at Aera, who had her eyes shut and hums to herself, completely unaware of her surroundings. "Aera, we're going back to our dorm, do you wanna come?" There was clear hope in Riki's voice, but Aera was too drunk to identify that hope.

"I'm tired," she mumbles, "I was gonna go back to my dorm anyway. Oh! Do you wanna sleep together?"

Yena pulls Aera away from Riki who is slightly stunned. "She didn't mean it, don't worry," she assures the younger boy before sleeping Aera on the shoulder.

"I didn't mean it like that," Aera whines, her words slurring together. "I wouldn't sleep with anybody here."

Aera takes a few stumbling steps forward and out of Yena's grasp as the group moves forward, heading to their ending destination; Sunoo's, Jungwon's, and Riki's dorm. "How much did you drink tonight, Aera?" Yena mumbles under her breath.

"Enough," Aera tries to mumble back, but unfortunately her voice still carries through the wind, "parties are made for drinking."

Someone scoffs, but Aera's too drunk to care. And she's also focusing on not falling face-first into the ground. The world around her seems fuzzy and hazy and her stomach rolls around. Oh no, this isn't good. "I wanna throw up," Aera tells Yena and the person on the other side of Aera steps away.

"No, you are not fucking throwing up."

"It's not something I can control, Yena," Aera whines, her bottom lip jutting out. "And, I can walk by myself."

Yena raises an eyebrow, "can you?"

"Yeah, watch!" Aera pushes herself away from Yena and stumbles forward, like a baby deer taking its first steps right after birth. Aera stumbles a lot but holds her arms out to maintain her balance. Turning her head, Aera grins smugly at Yena, "see! I can do it!" Shamelessly, Aera also throws in a half-assed pirouette to show off.

Aera is left to walk by herself, and she eventually rejoins the group, laughing loudly as she walks alongside Sunoo and Jungwon. "You're so cute, Sunoo," Aera coos, pinches his cheeks and sways slightly on her feet. "You should dye your hair pink, you'll look even cuter."

"Really?" Sunoo perks up, his hand carding through his white hair unconsciously, "I've been wanting to dye my hair for a while now."

Aera squeals loudly, "do it! Send me a picture after!"

Finally, they reach the dorm building but first, Aera had to tackle the stairs leading up to the entrance. Aera frowns, and then steps forward. Aera struggles climbing stairs when she's drunk. Always has, and apparently always will. Though tonight seemed to be going well and Aera wore a triumphant grin —

"EEK!" Aera sprawls forward, her palms hitting the cool concrete, immediately stinging after the impact. Her knee slams into the edge of the stairs, scraping the concrete. Aera scrunches up her face, willing herself not to cry as she sucks in a breath.

Her palms and knees sting badly. Everything hurts, Aera wants to throw up and spend forever on the cool concrete because her head pounds too much. Aera's in pain everywhere.

"Aera, hey," it's Sim Jake.

Aera opens her eyes and finds Jake crouching down to meet her eye level. He smiles softly and Aera wants to throw up even more. "Let's get you up, okay?" His hands are warm beneath Aera's cold skin. Aera drunk, so she finds his warmth inviting. Her eyes wander across his face, taking in his chiseled jaw and cheekbones, his plump lips that are far too red for Aera to understand, his dark brown eyes and brown hair that falls across his forehead in soft waves.

Looking down, Jake hisses, "your knee, it's bleeding."

Aera removes her eyes from Jake's face and looks at her knee. Yeah, it's bleeding. A lot. "Oh."

Jake's arm lingers on Aera's waist as he helps her walk, steadying her when she stumbles or sways off balance. It's a silent walk. Aera doesn't know what to say, but at the same time, she's holding back every drunk thought begging to escape her mouth. Their friends are long gone, so Aera doesn't have any saving grace. Yena won't be around to take Aera away from Jake — which is something Aera desperately wants.

"Can you make it up the stairs?" Jake asks, his voice too gentle for Aera's liking.

"Yeah," Aera mumbles, not wanting to appear weak in front of someone like Sim Jake.

"Are you sure, Aera?"

Aera hates the way her name sounds in his mouth. "Yes," she snaps, "I can do it." Aera feels oddly sober.

The walk up the stairs is long, but Aera pushes through. She trips a couple of times, but Jake is there to hold her steady. Aera hates how comfortable his hand feels digging into her waist to keep her balanced.

The form is loud and noisy, but Jake calmly directs Aera into the bathroom, shutting the locking the door behind them. The noise filters into a soft hum and now Aera and Jake are just staring at each other. "There should be a first aid kit in here," Jake explains half-heartedly to a drunk, yet somewhat sober and bleeding Aera.

Aera struggles to lift herself up onto the sink, so once more, Jake's hands are firmly placed on her waist and he helps her up, their foreheads knocking together. Aera's breath catches and she tumbles further into the depths of Jake's warm, chocolate brown eyes. Aera's unable to pull away. Jake's magical. He's addictive. She wants to kiss him again — wait, what?

Jake's digging around beneath the sink and Aera swings her feet through the air, humming to herself again. Her knee hurts like a bitch, but Aera doesn't stop the swinging. Her palms still hurt, but Aera lets them dig into the edge of the counter. It helps Aera keep conscious and focused.

"Are you comfortable?" Jake asks, pulling out a first aid kit and attempting to give Aera a reassuring smile.

"What?"

"On the sink — are you comfortable to sit there?"

Aera shrugs, "I don't mind."

They fall silent once more. The room is tense. Aera doesn't know what to say or do. Her eyes watch Jake's movements, watching the one person she never thought would be patching her up after a drunken fall. "This might hurt," Jake cautions, "I have to clean the wound first."

"Okay," Aera utters out, not looking at Jake. Then, she hisses in pain, gripping the edge of the sink harder, letting her palms sting with pain even more.

"Are you okay?" Jake seems to be asking her that a lot. He seems to be wanting to keep Aera safe and comfortable. Aera doesn't know how to take this revelation — isn't Jake supposed to be a dickhead? An absolute douchebag?

Aera looks at Jake and attempts a half-hearted smile. "Yeah, it just stings. Don't mind me, just do what you have to do so I can sleep, I have a stupid headache, ugh," Aera lets her mouth run empty, rubbing at her temple as Jake smiles and continues to clean Aera's bleeding wound.

"Do. . you want medicine for the headache?" Jake asks, his voice wavering slightly.

"Oh, no, it's fine. It's just a headache from drinking. . A lot."

"Oh." Jake falls silent, "do you usually drink this much?"

"Sometimes, Depends on my mood. You did well today," Aera switches the conversation topic. She really didn't want to be talking about her drinking habits with Sim Jake of all people.

"What?" Jake asks, making eye contact with Aera as he searches for a plaster.

"During the soccer game. You did well."

Jake smiles, "thank you. Did you enjoy the game overall?"

Aera shrugs, "I dunno, yeah, I guess. I don't know much about soccer. Riki's goal was good, though. I'm happy for him."

Jake's smile gets softer, "yeah, Riki was super happy about that goal. I'm glad I convinced the coach to let him start this game, Riki has so much potential to be a professional soccer player if he doesn't follow his dreams of becoming a choreographer for some big-shot studio or K-Pop company."

"You convinced your coach to let Riki play?" Aera asks, Sunghoon's words ringing through her head. There's more than just what meets the eye.

Jake nods his head, pulling out a bright yellow plaster. "Riki deserves to play. I don't understand the hierarchy within the team. Good players should get the chance to play and strengthen their skills, rather than just be water-boys and let their talents go to waste."

"Wow," breathes out Aera, "you seem passionate about that."

"Of course I am," Jake says, his fingers warm against Aera's knee as they gently rub over the plaster applied. He draws up to his full height, his thumb ghosting over Aera's plaster one again. "Everyone deserves a fair chance at shit like that. They're talented for a reason."

"You're — you're not what I thought you would be," Aera says softly, her eyes stuck to Jake's face. She can't look anywhere else. How could she, when someone like Sim Jake stands in front of her?

His eyes darken, "what did you think of me?" He stands between Aera's legs, his thighs warm against Aera's own. His hand drags across the top of Aera's hand, uncurling it from the edge of the sink and raising it into the light. His fingers trace lightly over her stinging injury. "Does this hurt?"

"A little bit," Aera feels breathless. even more so when she watches Jake raise her open palm to his lips, gently kissing away her pain. "I thought you were full of yourself. An egotistical asshole," Aera doesn't know why she's openly admitting this. Why doesn't she feel more embarrassed? "I thought you didn't care for others."

Jake takes Aera's other palm and places many kisses along her injury, sending shivers down her spine. "Clearly, I was wrong."

Jake drops Aera's hand. "Clearly."

"But," starts Aera, "I'm not wrong when I say you should be the campus fuckboy, if I'm the campus slut."

Jake smiles, amused, "you're not a slut, Aera."

"Do you believe that?" Aera's breath is caught in her throat. Jake's face was too close for her liking. His fingers ghost over her chin. It tickles a bit.

"I believe what I want to believe," Jake admits gently, his breath blowing across Aera's dry lips. "I don't let rumors dictate who I should and shouldn't hang out with. I use my judgment alone to decide who's nice and who isn't."

"Am I a nice person?" Aera's almost too afraid to ask. Her fingers curl back around the edge of the sink and she leans forward, taking up inches of space between them. One more move and she'll be kissing Jake again, but this time it'll be on her own terms.

Jake's chuckle is deep and his fingers trace Aera's jaw, "you're the nicest person on campus, Aera."

Jake leans in —

"HURRY UP!" It was Park Sunghoon. He bangs on the door intensely, "SOME OF US HAVE TO PEE! THERE ARE BEDROOMS FOR A REASON!"

Park Sunghoon is the bane of Aera's existence. She's sure of it now.