[010], aera and a soccer game

AERA was back at Jake's apartment to finish up her assignment with Sunghoon, but their focus doesn't last long. Their assignment was shoved to the side as music blasted through the condo from the T.V as Jay walked around the kitchen like he owned it, baking scones and cookies just because he felt like it. Sunghoon and Aera sat at the dining table with Riki opposite them. Riki was trying to hypnotize them and Sunoo watches on with major amusement with a snickering Jungwon beside him. 

      Aera's and Sunghoon's eyes follow the watch dangling from Riki's hand as it swings from side to side. Aera's eyes were beginning to hurt and she didn't even know that could happen. Aera was beginning to grow tired — and not because she was being hypnotized, but because of Riki's attempts of hypnotism. It just wasn't working and the poor kid needs to give up, but neither Aera nor Sunghoon have the heart to tell him so. 

      Sunoo, on the other hand, does. "Riki, it's not working. Just give up." 

      Riki hisses at Sunoo. "Shut up."

      Sunoo mouths a 'sorry,' at Sunghoon and Aera who grimace back. This time, Jungwon speaks up and tells Riki to stop, more firmly than Sunoo and Riki gives in, letting the watch drop down onto the table with a loud bang. 

      Riki takes his head into his hands and groans loudly, Aera reaching over to give him a sympathetic ruffle on the head. "It's okay, baby, with a little more practice you'll be able to hypnotize whoever you'd like." 

      Riki looks up at Aera, "you really think so?" 

      Aera nods her head, "I know so." 

      There's a grateful smile on Riki's face. Then, a hand with a plateful of scones enters Aera's line of vision. "Here, eat up," Jay says, also pushing butter and jam onto the table. "I made lots of scones." 

      Now, this was something Aera could get used to. The smell of freshly baked scones, the smell of cookies being baked in the oven, laughter spilling over, and spreading joy through the air. Aera wouldn't choose a million dollars over this moment. Call her cliche or stupid, but something about this moment made Aera feel warm and tingly all over. 

      "It's Jake's birthday next week," Sunghoon speaks up after taking a bite of his scone coated in jam, "what are we doing?" 

      "What day is it?" Sunoo asks, spreading butter all over his scone. 

      "Tuesday," Riki says immediately, licking leftover jam off his fingers. 

      "It's Jake's birthday next week?" Aera asks.

      Sunghoon hums, "the big two-oh!" 

      "One year closer to the legal drinking age!" Jay calls out from where he stood in the kitchen, "not that it matters!" 

        "We should throw a party," Sungoon says, "on Wednesday — not Tuesday because Jake has that stupid Physics test to study for. We also probably won't be able to take him out for dinner, so Jay, you should make him his favorite dinner dish." 

         "Ooo! Yes! A party, you haven't hosted one in ages," Sunoo gleams eagerly, leaning forward in enthusiasm — and because he wanted another scone. "The last party you held ended early because Jay's dad called him." 

          "Worst phone call of my life," Jay mumbles as he takes the seat next to Riki. "But I think that's all blown over now, we'll have the party here." 

         "Won't your neighbors get mad?" Aera asks. 

         Sunghoon scoffs, "Aera we literally have like two neighbors. Plus, Jay's dad owns this apartment block — in fact, he owns most of the apartment blocks here. And some other businesses, I don't really know the intracity of Jay's family business, but just know, Jay is loaded." 

         Aera turns to Jay, her eyes wide. "Is that true?" 

        Jay shrugs, "yeah. That's why I'm majoring in Business and minoring in fashion design. I'm going to take over my dad's business soon, and I also want to branch out to fashion as well." 

         Aera nods her head and turns back to Sunghoon is grinning widely, "no one will ever think to complain about their apartment owner's son!" 

          "I guess so," Aera says. 

         "Should we make this a surprise party?" Riki asks, finishing his sixth scone in a single bite. 

         Jungwon perks up and grins over at Aera, "yeah, Aera can keep him busy the entire day." 

        Aera scowls, "shut up Jungwon." 

       "I agree," Sunghoon speaks up, "he'll want to hang out with you for the entire day. Me, on the other hand? Not so much, we already see each other 24/7 — plus I want to help out with the party prep." 

          Sunoo claps his hands together enthusiastically, "aww man, I'm so excited! It's going to be the best party of the semester!" 

          "Duh," Sunghoon says, but they don't get to further their conversation because the front door opens and in comes, Yena yelling about how much she hates college — and then Jake calling after to take off her shoes. 

          There's a quiet second of peace before Yena barrels into the shared kitchen and dining area, throwing herself down onto the seat on the other side of Sunghoon. She moans loudly and reaches for a scone, "stupid college, stupid professor. Aera, babe, you know that one professor you had in your History class?" 

         Aera hums, "yeah." 

        "Well, he's going to be teaching my class for a while and we had this big project that's worth half our grade coming up and everyone already had their groups figured out, but boom, he assigned us our groups instead and I've never felt more murderous in my life." Yena angrily bites down on her scone, "I got put into a group with Jake and some bitch named Nicole." 

         Both Sunghoon and Aera reach out to comfort the angry girl. "Nicole's not that bad, Yena," Jake says as he also enters the kitchen after ditching all his stuff in his bedroom. He settles into the seat next to Jay and smiles at Aera who returns his smile. 

         Yena rolls her eyes, "whatever, Jake. Just know I am going to be frothing at the mouth for the next couple of days so don't do anything I don't like." 

         Jake chuckles, quite entertained by Yena's bad mood. They all watch the angry girl grab another scone and viciously smooth on butter and jam. "Wait," she glances around the table, "where's Heeseung?" 

         "Oh, he's on a date," Jungwon says as if they were talking about the weather. 

         "He's — he's on a date?" Yena said with disbelief lacing her tone. 

         "Yeah," Sunoo perks up, "with some girl in his year, I don't know her name though. He's coming to the apartment after though, so we could ask him then. I think Beomgyu set him up with her, we don't really know the details." 

         Yena falls silent. Aera offers the girl a slight smile, to which she gets a frown in response. The oven beeps and Jay jolts up from his chair, breaking the silent tension hovering over the room. Conversations start back up and Sunghoon slams their last open history textbook closed, "I think we're finished, Aera, we aren't going to get anything done now that Yena and Jake are back." 

         "Yeah, yeah, blame the girl." Yena scoffs. 

         Jake grins and laughs, helping himself to the last scone without asking anyone. "Aera can't focus with me around, isn't that right, baby?" 

          Aera rolls her eyes, "you wish." 

         Riki gags from where he sat and grips his watch tightly in his closed fist, "literally get a room." 

          Jake shrugs, "we can if you'd like, just make sure to turn up the music louder." 

         Riki whacks Jake on the shoulder. "You're fucking gross, Jake." 

         "And you have a dirty mouth. I wonder what your mother will think when you go back to Japan and kiss her with that mouth." 

         Riki whacks Jake again. "You're a loser, Jake. Go get laid." 

        Jake turns to look at Aera, "well, you heard him, Aera, he wants me to get laid." 

        Riki groans and drops his head into his hands. Aera snickers and reaches across the table to ruffle Riki's hair again, "it's okay to regret every life decision leading up to this point, baby." 

          Jake gasps, "you call Riki baby, but not me?" 

         Aera shrugs, "yeah, I like him more than you." 

        Aera watches as Jake brings a hand up to his chest, "ouch, I don't think I can handle another insult from you, Aera." 

         Aera rolls her eyes, "be a man Jake." 

         Jake grins, amused at Aera who returns his amused smile with one of her own — they both knew she didn't mean was she said. Aera's phone began to buzz repeatedly on the table but she paid no mind to it as she gets involved in a heated conversation with Sunghoon about whose Instagram is better. (It was clearly Aera's!) 

          "Are you going to answer your phone, Aera?" Sunghoon asks, breaking off their argument. 

         "it's just my brother," Aera shrugs, "he's just complaining about his life to me over text, I'll respond before I go to bed." 

          Sunghoon raises an eyebrow, "you're telling me, a twenty-eight-year-old, multi-millionaire complains about his life to you over text?" 

         Aera hums and nods her head, "sometimes over a phone call too!" 

         Sunghoon's clearly in disbelief and Aera giggles at the expression on his face, "what does he even have to complain about?" Sunghoon asks. 

         Aera shrugs, "his kids." 

        "His kids? What — why does he even have kids then?" 

         "This is too exhausting to explain," Aera rubs her forehead, "maybe later when we're best friends I'll explain it to you, Hoonie." 

        "You're such a tease, Aera," groans Sunghoon, leaning back in his chair, "just give me the damn tea — or whatever the younger people say these days. My mom would love to hear what someone like Kim Seokjin has to complain about." 

         Aera scoffs, rolling her eyes. 

        "Aera being a tease is something I can agree on," Jake pipes up. 

        Aera reaches across the table and grabs the butter knife, "I won't hesitate to slit your throat, Jake." 

         Jake smirks. "Kinky." 

        Before Aera could deliver on her promise, the butter knife is plucked from her hands. "Ah," Jay says, "I've been looking for this knife." His eyes fall onto a glaring Aera, "not today, Aera. I don't have any bleach." 

      Aera frowns and her eyes soften slightly. "You lucked out today, Sim." 

      "Heeseung!" Sunoo exclaims as the older boy enters the room. 

      Aera glances over at Heeseung and smiles at the boy who returns her smile. He pulls out the chair next to Aera and slumps down beside her, grabbing Aera's last bit of scone and popping it into his mouth. "How was the date, Heeseung?" 

        Heeseung's smile is golden. "It was fun." 

        Aera steals a glance in Yena's direction. She finds the girl with her mouth popped open as she stares at Heeseung, her eyes shaded with overwhelming emotions. Sunoo decides to help out Yena and places some food into her open mouth. 

          "Do we know her? What's her name?" Sunoo asks eagerly as Yena chews harshly away at her scone. 

          "I don't think so," Heeseung says, nodding at Jay who drops in the seat he had abandoned a few moments ago. "Her name is Grace, she's a third-year like me." 

          "What's her major?" Riki asks. 

         "Marketing." 

        Aera hums and pats Heeseung's shoulder, "well, I'm happy for you Heeseung." 

      Heeseung's grin is broad as he turns to look at Aera. "Thank you, Aera. We're going out again soon! Once her schedule clears up." 

       "Can we meet her?" Jungwon asks, his eyes trailing back over to where Yena sat rigidly. 

       "Maybe at the party after the soccer team wins on Friday," Heeseung winks in Jake's direction and he, along with Jay and Riki all cheer loudly and exchange fistbumps. 

        "We're going to smash Riverfield!" Riki cheers ecstatically, Aera smiling after catching onto Riki's infectious smile. Aera hopes they beat Riverfield, it's practically their rival college. The competition is always stiff and tense whenever the two schools verse each other in any kind of sporting event. In fact, any event that has the two schools competing against each other always results in stiff tension that makes everyone in the room queasy, both wanting to beat each other just as badly. 

        "Are you going to the game, Aera?" Jake asks. 

       Aera shrugs, "I don't know," she glances up at Jake, her eyes moving away from Riki's elated face. "Do you want me to go?" 

        Jake's smile holds hidden embarrassment. "Yeah." 

       "Then, I'll go and cheer you on." 

◾◾◾◾

Aera groans loudly as she listens to Seokjin's words filter through the phone. It was a struggle to hold onto her phone while slipping on her converse, but Aera was managing it well — even with Yena shouting in the background for her to hurry up. 

      "A family reunion? Why?" 

      "Some excuse to compare our lives," Seokjin sounds amused, "and compare kids. Don't worry, I'm going to put my kids through a grueling BootCamp for Good Manners." 

      Aera scoffs, "if my nieces and nephews are anything like their father, a Good Manners BootCamp won't do them any good." 

      Seokjin makes an offended noise. "Aera, what the fudge?" 

      "Still not allowed to swear?" 

      "I have to put ten dollars into the swear jar if I swear, Aera. I'm literally dying, please come and visit soon." 

      Aera laughs and successfully manages to pull her converse on. "Nah, I'll see you at the family reunion." 

      "At least send Moon over!" 

      "Talk to mom about that, loser. I'm not her legal guardian."

      "Mom won't pick up my calls." 

      "I wonder why. The last time you called her, you called her cooking trash." 

      "She gave me Samonella, Aera!" 

      "That was your fault, Jin." 

      "Whatever," Aera can hear the familiar squeak of his desk chair. He's spinning around again. Her older brother is nearing thirty and still acts like he's a twelve-year-old. "It's not like you're any better at cooking." 

      "Bye, Jin, unlike you, I actually have a social life." Aera hears her brother shout before the dial tone sounds. She'll deal with him later, right now, she has a soccer game to attend. Grabbing her coat, Aera chases after Yena who is halfway down the hall with Sunoo, and Jungwon. 

      "My brother never shuts up," Aera complains. "He would fit right in with the ladies at the nail salon Yena frequents." 

      Yena hums in agreement, "they would eat him right up." 

      "Is your brother younger than you?" Jungwon asks. 

      "No, but he acts like it sometimes." 

      "He's older?" Sunoo seems shocked — along with Jungwon.

      Aera laughs at their facial expressions. "I know, insane!" 

      "He acts so. . Childish," Sunoo says, "and I know what childish is since Jungwon and I hang out with the textbook definition." 

      "Who? Riki, Sunghoon, or Heeseung?" Yena asks. 

      "You forgot to include Jake and Jay," Aera pipes up, snickering with Sunoo and Jungwon. 

       The group of four all step out into the cool, crisp, November evening air. Since the soccer game was held off-campus, they were carpooling with their friends who had cars; namely, Heeseung and Sunghoon. 

         (It was unspoken that Yena was going to carpool with Heeseung, while the rest would climb into Sunghoon's flash car and give him a migraine). 

         "SHOTGUN!" Aera dashes for Sunghoon's car as Sunoo and Jungwon yell out complaints. 

        Yena happily walks over to Heeseung's car, pulling open the passenger door, and finds Heeseung tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. When he turns to look at Yena, she feels winded. 

         "Hey," Yena says. 

         "Hey," Heeseung responds, his eyes lingering on Yena as she climbs into the car and shuts the door, blocking out the sound of Aera, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Sunghoon all bickering. "You look good." 

          "You don't look half bad either," Yena responds, grabbing the seatbelt. 

        "Are you trying to impress anyone?" 

       Yena scoffs and dares to look Heeseung in the eyes. "Who do I have to impress?"

         Heeseung smiles softly. "Consider me impressed." 

         The car begins to move and Yena's heart quickens in pace. The car's engine and her heart morph into one. Her heart's never thrummed this fast before. It scares Yena, maybe she should finally pay her family doctor a visit. 

         "I don't think you look good, Yena," Heeseung speaks into the silence confidently, "I think you look beautiful." 

           Yena's cheeks slowly begin to color themselves pink. 

           "You've always looked beautiful to me if I'm being honest." 

           Yena allows herself to blush a brilliant pink. 

        While Heeseung and Yena stole glances, Aera buckers loudly with Sunoo and Jungwon, proclaiming that she earned shotgun fair and square. "I called for it first!" 

        "Shut the fuck up before I dump the three of you on the sidewalk and make you walk all the way to the game," Sunghoon threatens, and with the tone of his voice, the trio knew he really meant it. 

        It's silent in the car for a few moments before Sunoo decides to speak up. "So, Aera, have you dated anyone from Riverfield?" 

        Beside Aera, Sunghoon snorts. "She dated some dude named Sean. Not exactly the brightest guy." 

         Aera gives Sunghoon a look, "since when were you well-versed in my life?" 

       "I'm friends with Beomgyu," Sunghoon responds, "he knows all." 

       Aera rolls her eyes but turns her body so she's facing the two younger boys sitting in the back. "I dated Sean O'Ryan for a couple of months. I broke up with him for a couple of reasons, one being how small his dick was." 

        "Seriously?" Sunghoon asks. 

        "And he cheated on me, but it was more because of how he didn't really perform well in the bedroom." 

        "So, size matters?" Jungwon asks, wearing an asshole-like grin on his face. Aera shivers because it reminds her of Sunghoon's asshole smile. Aera's pretty sure Jungwon is being influenced a lot by Sunghoon. 

          "Depends on who you ask," Aera responds, "but to me, yeah, I guess it does." 

         "So, I'm guessing Jake's size fits your standards," Sunoo grins, a smile matching Jungwon's devilish one. 

         Aera grows flustered and turns back to the front. "I will not talk about my sex life to two freshmen and Jake's best friend." 

         "So, it's big then?" Jungwon teases Aera and the older girl grows more flustered. 

        "Yeah, it's big," Sunghoon answers for Aera. 

        Aera stares at Sunghoon, who stares back for a second before turning his attention back to the road. "What, Aera? We're three boys who live together, of course we're going to see each other's penises." 

          Aera buries her head into her hands. "Can we please talk about something else?" 

       Thankfully, the three boys comply and each shared stories of their high school days together. 

       Arriving at the soccer pitch, it's already full of students eager to watch the showdown between the two highly competitive schools. Aera doesn't mind the chilly air as she walks alongside Yena, mentally telling herself to tease Yena about the blush on her cheeks later in the night when it's just the two of them. 

         "Let's hope this will be an easy win," Sunghoon comments, shoving his hands into his pockets, "because I don't think my heart will be able to take the stress I'll feel if it's a tight match." 

          "Don't jinx it, Hoon," Heeseung warns the younger boy. 

         "I don't jinx things, Heeseung," Sunghoon scoffs, offended. 

        Not long after they take a seat in the bleachers set up, the players all file out onto the pitch. Aera's eyes immediately find Jake's number in the crowd. She smiles softly as she watches Jake interact with his teammates. She really hopes Jake wins tonight. 

       As if Aera was living in a K-drama, Jake finds Aera in the crowd. His smile is blinding. Aera swears Jake's never looked more attractive as he stands on the soccer pitch grinning at her, pure elation and jubilation displayed on his face. Jake's attractive when he's indulging in the things he loves to do. 

         Jake makes a small heart for Aera and then turns around, paying attention to the coach who had called for attention. 

         "I feel like Aera will be giving Jake his pre-game kiss instead of you, Sunghoon," Jungwon says. Sometimes, Aera wants to strangle Jungwon. Like right now. Especially as Sunoo, Yena, and Heeseung laugh loudly. 

         Sunghoon pouts, "well, he has been avoiding the kisses I've been trying to give him lately. Maybe it's because I major in Anthropology." 

          "You major in Anthropology?" Aera asks. 

          "Yeah, didn't I tell you?" 

        "No, you didn't." 

        The game starts before Aera could further the conversation. 

        Aera couldn't help it; her eyes trailed after Jake the entire game. As he raced up and down the soccer pitch, as he tackled the ball off from the opposition, as he kicked the ball down the field and scored for the first goal. Jake was unstoppable tonight. 

         In fact, every single player on the field was unstoppable. It was like their passion had been elevated to a new high — Aera was sure the parties tonight will be neverending if her college wins tonight. 

         Jay kicks the winning goal and everyone, including Aera, explodes into loud cheers and screams. While Riverfield walks dejected off the field, Aera and the rest of the spectators pour out onto the field and elatedly indulge in the celebration with the soccer players who fought so hard for this win. 

         "Baby! You were amazing tonight!" Aera screams in Riki's face, ruffling his hair. 

          Riki's arms wrap around Aera's waist and he hugs the life out of her. "Does this mean you'll make me some Bungeoppang?" 

          "As many as you want!" Aera declares.

          Riki rambles on about the soccer game and his Bungeoppang, but Aera wasn't listening — sorry, Riki! — she was instead, searching for the one soccer player who her heart chases after for unknown reasons. 

         Aera finally spots him through the crowd and apologizes to Riki before making her way over to Jake. He looked exhausted, sweat clung to his skin, and there was dirt all over his legs (it was a dirty game after all — both literally and figuratively) but he wore the brightest grin Aera has ever seen. 

           "JAKE!" 

          His eyes, almost instantly, tear away from the brunette girl he was talking to. He says a few words to her, before dashing over to Aera, his arms spread out wide. Their bodies clash, their limbs tangled together, and for once, Aera doesn't mind how dirty she feels herself get. (She'd do anything for Jake). 

          Drawing out of the hug, Aera grins up at Jake, her grin matching Jake's illuminated one. Once more, golden sunlight bathes down onto Aera, but this time, it also bathes Jake. It's radiant and shining, it doesn't hurt her eyes as he stares at Jake who has never looked so golden to Aera before. 

      "You were incredible, Jake! I don't even know what the hell soccer is, but all I know is that you were definitely the best player tonight." 

      Jake laughs — fully belly and all. His hands tighten around Aera's waist as his head tilts back, the golden sunlight washing over his face, and Aera's lungs stop functioning. 

      Time is frozen. 

      All Aera can do is just stare at Jake. 

      All Aera wants to do is to continue staring at Jake. He's the one person Aera would never get tired of staring at. You can always find something new to appreciate and love about Jake, whether it be his words,  his personality, or his looks. 

      "You may be a bit biased, Aera, but thank you." 

      Aera scoffs, "I am not biased. If I were, then I would be saying Riki was the best player tonight." 

      Jake laughs again, holding Aera flush against him. 

      "But I'm just saying it like it is, Jake. You were the best player tonight, there's no doubt." 

      Time doesn't freeze, rather, it slows down as Jake looks at Aera. His look pins Aera to the ground and her breath lumps in her throat. He was searching for something, but Aera isn't sure he'll find what he's looking for. 

      "You're no good for my heart, baby," Jake mumbles. 

      "I never was," Aera smirks. 

       Jake rolls his eyes, but his laugh mingles with Aera's. Her hands trail up from his shoulders, lightly across the sides of his neck, then they perfectly fit on his face. "You know, I could kiss you right now." 

          Jake squeezes Aera's waist. "Why don't you?" 

         There was nothing stopping them this time, but Aera indulges in something both of them long for. She rises onto her toes and her fingers curl delicately round Jake's jaw as they both lean in closer — 

           "Hey, Yeonjun's throwing a party at his place. Hurry up if you want a ride." It was Sunghoon. Why was it always Sunghoon? 

          Aera turns around and gives Sunghoon a withering glare. "Okay. Thank you. Be there soon. Now, fuck off." 

           Sunghoon rolls his eyes but does as Aera asked him to. 

          Aera watches him depart and then turns back to Jake, still determined for that kiss. "We should probably —" 

           "No. We're going to kiss. Is that okay with you?" 

          Jake smiles, "it'll always be okay with me."

          Aera's smile is light as she finally leans in and melts against Jake, his lips perfectly aligning with Aera's. Golden spills over both of them, sealing its spot on their skin forever. It's clear that whatever they felt for each other, could only be described as something akin to golden. 

       "We should probably go now," Jake says, his voice low as he pulls away from Aera, his thumb ghosting over her red lips. 

        "We should," Aera mutters, kissing Jake again. And Again. His lips were addicting — that much was clear to Aera. Jake's lips were a drug, and Aera was the addict. 

         "Want to take this back to my place?" Jake murmurs against Aera's lips. They were still in public after all. 

          Aera giggles and draws away, absentmindedly curling her hands through Jake's hair. "And miss out on all the parties? Sorry Jake, but maybe later in the night when I get bored." 

          Jake rolls his eyes, but kisses Aera one last time and trails his hand down to take Aera's hand. "Okay, let's go for real this time." He drags Aera through the crowd, grinning and nodding in thanks to those who shouted out their praise toward him. 

◾◾◾◾

Aera was wasted as Jake helps her through the apartment door. The others were already home — bar Yena. Jake's sure he saw Yena leave with some random dude after being introduced to Grace and having to watch Heeseung dance with her the entire night. 

        Aera groans and Jake is drawn back to his situation. "Aera? Baby?" 

        "I feel sick." 

        Jake quickly removes their shoes and helps her to the toilet, where Aera instantly kneels in front of the toilet and begins to puke. Hastily, Jake pulls Aera's hair away from her face and kneels beside her, rubbing her back. 

      "You drank too much, baby," he says gently, "you should pace yourself." 

      Aera pukes in response. 

      "Need any help?" Jay rests against the doorframe, his arms across his chest as he watches Aera puke. 

      "Um, maybe a bucket, some medicine, and a glass of water? You can put it in my room." 

      "We have the guestroom for a reason," Jay mutters as he walks away from the toilet.

      "I'm sorry," Aera slurs, slumping over the rim of the toilet, her face colored red. Jake wonders if it's out of embarrassment, or because she's drunk out of her mind, or because she's just puked up her stomach. 

         "It's okay, Aera," Jake gently tells Aera, his hand still rubbing her back while the other held her hair away from her face. "We all need to get blackout drunk once in a while." 

         Jake manages to coax out a drunken eye-roll from Aera. 

        "Are you finished?" 

       "Yeah. I just want to sleep." 

        Jake helps Aera off the toilet floor. He shuts the lid of the toilet and flushes it, making sure his arm is firmly around Aera's waist before bringing her into the bathroom and giving her some mouth wash. Jake's eyes cant' stray away from Aera as he watches her through the mirror. Even after she's finished throwing up, she still looks worthy of all the love and appreciation in the world. 

        "Your hair is messy. Do you want me to brush it for you?" 

         Aera slumps against Jake, her face buried in the crook of his neck, "no," he can feel her breath on his neck and his heart speeds up. "I just wanna sleep." 

        "Okay, let's get you to bed." 

        Jake was careful as he walks to his bedroom, seeing a bucket, some medicine, and a glass of water waiting for them. He smiles. Gently, he sets Aera down. "Aera, hey, let's take some medicine, okay?" He holds out a glass of water and one singular capsule. 

        Surprisingly, Aera isn't a difficult drunk — but Jake supposes it's because she's exhausted. 

         "Here," Aera thrusts the empty glass of water into Jake's hands. "Let's sleep now." She shifts on the bed and pats the space beside her. "Sleepytime, Jake." 

          Jake laughs. He feels warmth spread through his chest. "Let's get you changed first, okay? Do you want me to help you, or are you okay on your own?" 

         Aera slides to the edge of the bed and lifts her arms up, staring at Jake. Jake laughs again and gently lifts Aera's top off of her. He slides on one of his own over Aera's torso that swallows Aera whole. "You can take your pants off yourself, Aera." 

       After Aera's finished changing, Jake helps her beneath the covers and assures Aera that she's going to be okay. "There's a bucket here, okay?" 

        "Okay," Area mumbles, half asleep. She grabs Jake's hand, rather tightly for someone half-asleep. "You're not going to leave me, are you?" 

         Jake can feel the mood shift. He breathlessly chuckles. "No, Aera. I'm not going to leave you." 

        Jake gets no response from Aera. Her hand was now loose as it held Jake's. A fond smile crosses over Jake's face and he pushes some hair behind Aera's ear and leans down to kiss her forehead. 

      "Sleep well, Aera." 

author's note,

hey...lol. um, i don't like this chapter, but that's beside the point, i love how my warnings at the beginning of this book say that there won't be any scenes that go beyond making out...but then chapter eight happened. oops. anyway, im just putting this here now: there may be other steamy scenes like the one in chapter eight, i haven't really decided lol. but anyway, here is your warning!!