[012], aera and a terrible fight

AERA thinks distractions are a good thing. They're good for when there's too much on your mind, for when you need a break from something so shocking, from something so terrifying, it renders you speechless. (Well, maybe Aera's exaggerating a bit just to prove her point).

      Still, Aera insists distractions are a good thing.

      Hence, why Aera sits on the lap of the boy from the library — his name is Luka, she's sure. His hands roam across her torso and slip underneath her white blouse, thumbs passing over the small of her back and squeezing her hips tightly, Aera suppresses a groan.

      Hot lips trail down the side of her neck and Aera's hands tug harder at his hair. She likes a good distraction. She likes doing this with boys she'll later dump because the high of love is disappointing when she realizes it's not the true love she's been chasing after for so long.

      Aera's top is slipped off and she pushes Luka backward, his back hitting his bed. Aera gets hit with a sense of Deja Vu as her knees frame Luka's hips and her hair falls forward, shielding their faces. She did this Jake.

      Everything is about Jake, whether Aera likes it or not.

      Aera's eyes burn and she pushes the thought away. She bends down and her lips meet Luka's again as his hands slip lower. She doesn't move them up. She lets Luka do what he wants as she tries to banish Jake from her thoughts.

      Since when did Aera think about a boy? About a boy named Jake this much?

      Aera lets a moan slip and she feels Luka's lips curl beneath hers.

      Aera's phone rings and the tension breaks as Aera rips herself away. It was almost like she was looking for a way out. "Hello?" Aera asks, forgoing looking at who was calling her. Her mind was too constipated to take in anything.

       "Hey, Aera," it was Sunghoon and Aera mentally groans. "Where are you?"

      "Busy."

      "Well, unbusy yourself and pick Jake up from his class in ten. You're responsible for keeping him busy today, remember?" 

        Oh, right. It's Jake's birthday party today.

      Her heart jumps and Aera can't tame it. "Alright. Bye now, Hoon."

      Aera hands up and grabs her top from the floor, pulling it back on and turning back to Luka. "Raincheck, sorry. Something came up."

      Luka shrugs and waves off Aera, "you know where I live."

      Aera's smile is tight and she slips her jacket on. "Right."

       Aera slips out the door and trails down the apartment block's hallway. Her mind was abuzz — she knew it was Jake's birthday party today, but it had slipped her mind when Luka called her up and asked if she wanted to hang out.

       Aera quickens her pace as she exits the apartment block, which was only about a five minutes walk away from campus. Aera wonders what she should do to keep Jake busy, something that didn't depend on both Jake and Aera getting naked and falling into a bed together.

      Sure, it's Jake's birthday party, but Aera can save the birthday sex for later. (Since she wasn't able to see him yesterday — his official birthday).

      Finally, Aera reaches the science building after double-checking her texts with Sunghoon she shared the previous day — and the texts were oddly civil, which made Aera shiver in many ways. Aera often forgets Jake is a STEM Major — more specifically, Physics. Aera forgets Jake is like that for many reasons; because he looks and acts like a frat boy. Because he's on the soccer team that's widely known for their fuckboy ways. (Among other stereotypes).

      People pour out of the building and Aera stands near the field of grass that lay outside the science building. Her eyes watch for the freshly turned twenty-year-old. Aera felt kinda disappointed she wasn't able to see him yesterday, but she had a full day of classes which lead to Aera coming home at 5 PM and falling into a deep sleep, only to wake up at 2 AM to work on some homework and watch some k-drama before falling back to sleep and waking up at her eleven o'clock alarm went off.

      "Jake!" Aera waves her hand, "over here!"

      Jake's grin reminds Aera of a puppy. "Aera, hey! What are you doing here?"

      Aera shrugs, "I felt bad for not seeing you yesterday, so I wanna take you out today to make up for it." Why does Aera feel shy and sheepish? What is going on with her?

       "Oh!" Jake visibly brightens, "where are we going?"

       Aera grows even more sheepish at that question because this is the truth; she doesn't know where she is supposed to take Jake. "Um, I couldn't think of anywhere, if I'm being honest."

       Jake laughs and pushed his shoulder against Aera's. "Let's just wing it then. Are you hungry?"

      "A bit, yeah."

       "Let's go somewhere to eat then. We can start there," Jake checks his phone, "but I have to be back by six, Sunghoon and Jay want to hang out with me since we weren't able to yesterday because of my stupid Physics test."

       Aera nods her head, knowing the exact reason why Jake was needed back at the apartment — because of the surprise birthday party. "We have plenty of time to spend together then!" Aera cheers, taking Jake's hand into her's without a second thought, "let's go and stuff ourselves!"

◾◾◾◾

       The restaurant Jake picks is full of customers, but they were both lucky enough to get a seat in the back of the restaurant, tucked away in the corner and out of sight. Aera hums to herself as she reads over the menu while Jake frowns as he texts rapidly on his phone. Aera wants to ask what's happening, but she doesn't want to be too nosy in case she scares Jake away. 

      Jake glances up and his frown is replaced with a smile. "So, what do you want to get, Aera? Don't be afraid, get anything you want — it's all on me." 

        Aera shakes her head, "no, no, let me pay, Jake. I have money." 

       Jake raises an eyebrow, "I never said you didn't but are you really sure you can afford the food at this restaurant?" 

        Aera finally opens the menu in front of her, and her eyes bulge as she looks at the price of the food. "Oh — well, let me pay next time." 

          "So, there's going to be a next time?" 

         Aera glances up, her face flushed and her mouth trying to force any kind of sound out. 

        Jake laughs and reaches across the table, his hand laying over Aera's limp one. He squeezes her hand and then pulls away. "I'm joking, Aera." 

         Why does Aera want it to not be a joke? 

        Aera can't like Jake — right? I mean, Aera's not going to lie, she doesn't have a type! She just goes for anyone within range, but with Jake, it was like she was mentally telling herself to stay away. Maybe, after Aera realized her affinity with love could be used to someone else's advantage, there was a small, careful part of her that didn't want to fall in love anymore. 

           Aera shakes the feeling off and reciprocates Jake's smile, her eyes falling back to the menu. Aera decides that since Jake was paying, she'll use his money. She's never been able to use Jake's money before, so before anything bad happens to their relationship — which is bound to happen, knowing how Aera works — Aera will take full advantage of how rich Jake is. 

         After they order their food, a slow conversation picks up. 

          "Sunghoon told me you got a scholarship," Aera mentions, picking at her napkin. "What's it for?" 

          "Physics," Jake says, leaning back in his chair slightly, his fingers drifting lightly over the rim of the glass in front of him. "Sunghoon likes to brag about my scholarship. I don't why though, maybe it makes him feel better or something." 

          Aera giggles. "Yeah, that sounds like Sunghoon, using other people's own gains or accomplishments to his advantage — not that I'm trying to make him sound like a bad guy." 

         Jake grins. "Don't lie, baby, we all know Sunghoon's a bad guy. Has he gotten less asshole-y around you lately?" 

         Aera shrugs, "I guess." 

        "That means you're his friend!"

        Aera allows a disgusted look to pass over her face. "Why would I want to be friends with that monster?" 

         "Because he has a nice face? Because he can play ice hockey? Because he's rich? — Do you want me to list more reasons?" 

         Aera raises an eyebrow, "seems like you've thought about why you became friends with Sunghoon yourself, Jake." 

         "Well, duh," Jake says, "he can be a handful at times and I wonder why I even bothered to befriend the idiot — and then I realize what we've been through together." 

         Aera's smile is fond. "Yeah, I noticed that. The seven of you all seem like a family. It's cute." 

        "We were brought together by fate — or that's what Heeseung says sometimes when he's drunk and crying over all of us because apparently we make him incredibly happy and he can't imagine his life without us. He apologizes it for the next day, but we all know we hold the same sentiments as Heeseung, just sounding it out feels weird because we would much rather insult each other." Jake says, a faraway look in his eyes. 

         Aera allows her fond smile to grow wider. 

       "But, you miscounted, there aren't seven of us," Jake states, pulling himself back down to earth and sitting upright, leaning closer into the table. 

        Aera frowns and begins to tick each boy off on her fingers. "Heeseung, Jay, you, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Riki. . . That's seven. Who am I missing?" 

        Jake's smile is oddly mysterious and he reaches across the table, pulling one more finger up, "you're missing you," and he pulls one last finger up, "and Yena. There's nine of us now, baby." 

        Aera's eyes flutter as she takes in Jake's words, as she takes in the way Jake is leaning across the table, his face close to her own. Aera takes in the burning desire residing in her stomach, licking at her heart and tinging it a bright red. Or was it pink? Aera's never really been able to put a color to love —

       Love?

       Internally, Aera panics and pushes herself up. "I have to go use the restroom, excuse me." In a rush, Aera bursts into the women's restroom and grabs the edge of the sink, grounding herself. Why the hell was she thinking about being in love with Sim Jake in the middle of a damn restaurant? She didn't have time for this — she needed to get her priorities straightened out. 

         Kim Aera was not in love with Sim Jake. That was final. All she felt was a little burning desire for Jake, a sexual burning desire, nothing more. Aera affirms that over and over as she exits the restroom with her chin raised. 

        Their food was on the table as Aera sits back down. Jake smirks at Aera, "next time you to the restroom, bring me with you. I'm sure we'll find something else to do that isn't peeing." 

        Aera frowns, "you're gross. I don't want to poop in the same stall as you." 

       Jake chokes on his drink. 

       Aera giggles, "I was joking, Jake — unless you're into that? Then, uh, good. . . For you?" 

        "I don't have a pooping kink," Jake denies adamantly. "I mean sex, god, are you daft, Aera?" 

        Aera shrugs, "no, I just like making you uncomfortable. And maybe we'll have sex later, I was gonna make it my surprise birthday gift, but I don't think it's a surprise birthday gift anymore." 

        Jake chokes on his food, not his drink this time. 

       Aera smirks. "What? Why are you choking?" Underneath the table, Aera shifts her food up the inside of Jake's leg and he struggles to eat or drink without missing his mouth. Aera has to stifle her giggles and Jake glares at her murderously. 

        "You're such a fucking tease, Aera." 

        "But you love it!" 

        There's a pause. 

        "Yeah, I do." Jake's gaze was anything but playful.

       Aera grows uncomfortable and drops her foot, letting it rest on the floor rather than Jake's leg. She was expecting Jake to be serious. She thought he would be playful like her. 

         Jake nudges Aera's ankle beneath the table, "everything okay there, baby? You got a little lost on me." 

        Aera attempts to comfort Jake with a smile. "Yeah, just thinking." 

      "Hopefully about what we'll do after this. There's a park nearby, we could go take photos there to match your Instagram aesthetic." 

        "My. . . Instagram aesthetic?" 

       "Yeah," Jake nods, "isn't that what people say? Or is it like, Instagram theme?" 

        "No, no, it's aesthetic," Aera assures Jake, waving her hands through the air, "it's just — no one has ever taken photos for my aesthetic before." 

         Jake shrugs, "there's always a first for everything. Plus, I get to see your beautiful face while taking the photos for you, so it's a win-win situation." 

          Aera's seriously considering throttling Jake. He can't be serious. He needs to stop. He needs to stop making it easy for Aera to fall in love with him. 

         So, after they finish their meal, Jake takes Aera's hand — and doesn't let go for what felt like ages — and takes her to the park he mentioned, and Aera does think it matches her Instagram aesthetic, then, she realizes Jake must have really thought about her, Kim Aera, and her Instagram page to truly figure out the aesthetic of her profile. 

         Once more, Aera curses Jake for being so easy to love. 

         "You look beautiful in all of the photos, Aera," Jake murmurs against her ear as they look through the photos Jake took of her. Jake's chin rests on Aera's shoulder and an arm was wrapped around Aera's waist ever-so delicately. 

          Aera easily melts into the embrace as she hums, "yeah, but that's because you're a good photographer, Jake." 

          "I'm only good because my model made me look good," Jake retorts, his lips grazing Aera's ear and she shivers even though there was no wind blowing the breeze through the air. 

        Aera scoffs, "whatever. Thank you, though, for taking the photos." 

        "Of course," Jake says gently, "I would take any photo of you without hesitation. You deserve to have photos taken of you, and then stored in an art gallery — speaking of, send me one of the photos of you, please? I'll edit it for you." 

        Aera skips over Jake's compliment, ignoring how warm she felt. "Um, okay." 

        "Riki's gotten me into photography," Jake explains, "he's a really good photographer and he's been teaching me some tips and tricks." 

         "Ah, okay," Aera's eyes flick up to the time. "Oh shit, the time. Let's go." Unwrapping Jake's arm from around her waist and linking their hands back together, Aera drags Jake out of the park and towards his car. "You're supposed to be back at your apartment in a couple of minutes. Is it alright if I come up and use your bathroom?" 

        "Don't I need to drop you off?" 

        "I'm gonna piss myself any second, Jake, just drive!" 

◾◾◾◾

Aera rushes Jake up to his apartment. Though the elevator seems to move slowly and Aera wants to tear out her hair. Frowning, she texts back Sunghoon is already on her ass for being one minute late. Add Park Sunghoon to her list of 'people-who-need-to-be-strangled.'

        Aera snorts at a text she received from Sunghoon and glances over at Jake, who is staring back, a slight frown on his face, but when he sees Aera looking at him, it transforms into a smile. "Who are you texting? Is it your booty-call?" Jake leans over to glance at the screen but Aera quickly tilts it away and shields it with her hand. 

         Aera ignores the hurt that flashes over Jake's face. 

      The elevator doors ding open and Aera grabs Jake's hand, tugging him out. "Quickly! Before I pee my pants!" 

       Jake chuckles, the tension in the elevator seemingly evaporates into the thin air as Jake pulls out his keys and rushes to unlock the door. The pair slip off their shoes and enter the living room, "why is it dark?" Jake flicks on the light and —

        "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" 

        Jake jumps back in shock and Aera giggles, slipping her arm around his waist to steady him. Her eyes slide across the crowded apartment and wonders how this many people were able to fit in Jake's, Sunghoon's, and Jay's apartment — and then she reminds herself to not question them. 

          Jake has the widest smile on his face as he turns to look down at Aera. "Was that why you kept me busy this afternoon?" 

         "Partly," Aera admits, blushing, "Sunghoon asked me to keep you distracted, but I also wanted to make up for not seeing you on your actual birthday, so I guess it worked out."  

          Jake squeezes Aera's cheeks, "you're too cute, baby." 

          Aera watches Jake slip from her side, leaving her dumbfounded. One moment Aera thinks she's got Jake wrapped around her finger, and the next, she's proven wrong by a little action such as; Jake squeezing her cheeks and calling her cute. 

        "I need alcohol." 

      Aera starts for the kitchen but gets intercepted by Yena who pulls Aera into a corner. "Fucking Grace and Nicole are here. The stupid bitches. Grace won't shut the fuck up about Heeseung and Nicole is just giggling like the little bitch she is, like, girl shut the fuck up nobody wants you." 

       "Where's all this coming from, Yena?" 

       "Dude, Nicole flirts with Jake like there's no tomorrow, I suggest you snatch up Jake before that short-ass bitch does. And do not get me started on Grace, she followed Heeseung around the entire time we were decorating the apartment. Heeseung got like no work done because of Grace, so they made me do all the labor Heeseung was supposed to do. I think they went and fucked in the guestroom, I wouldn't know because I didn't stand outside the damn door." Yena was glowing a bright red as she talks her head off, and Aera listens to the girl with an amused smile. 

         "You're funny when you're jealous, Yena." 

        Yena states at Aera like she had grown two heads. "Jealous? Are you insane? Get your mind out of the gutter, bitch. I'm not jealous! You need to go fuck Jake in oblivion before Nicole does." 

        Aera rolls her eyes, "what I need to do is down some alcohol and find some guy — that isn't Jake and dancing with him until I collapse due to alcohol poisoning." 

       Yena stares at Aera in silence for a few moments before shaking her head slowly. "You are insane." 

       Aera slaps Yena upside the head. "Come with me to get some alcohol. After we get some alcohol, you go flirt with Heeseung in front of Grace and I go find some random dude to fuck later tonight." 

         "Random dude, as in, Jake?" 

         "Shut the fuck up, Kang." 

        After finding alcohol and draining the bottle, Yena and Aera go their separate ways. Yena goes in search of Heeseung and Aera squeezes her way onto the makeshift dancing space in the living room. It's a tight fit, but Aera manages nonetheless, and soon, she finds herself dancing in front of a guy, allowing him to touch her without any consequences. 

         The night drags on and Aera continues to dance. She tries to fight her thoughts of Jake and her feelings for Jake out of her mind, but whenever she accomplishes such task, they always find a way to squeeze back into her dizzying mind. It's draining Aera of her energy, but she still presses herself closer to the guy in an attempt to flush the thoughts out of her mind once more. 

         Finding Jake's gaze from across the room was just as natural as breathing. It was bound to happen, and when it happens, Aera's heart burst into damaging flames that consume her whole. It's hard to maintain eye contact with Jake whose gaze burns her heart just as intensely as the flames of passion and desire. 

         Aera watches Jake take one more sip out of his cup before stepping forward. 

        "Excuse me," Aera mutters and pushes herself out of the unforgiving embrace of the guy who Aera thinks is named Joseph. Her heart races unbearably fast as she stumbles down the crowded hallway and into the bathroom that is so white, it burns Aera's eyes. 

          Her chest heaves as she inhales and exhales. The peaceful and serene atmosphere of the bathroom allows Aera to calm herself down. She approaches the sink and grips the edges, controlling her breathing. She can't let Jake affect her like this. 

        The bathroom door opens and the peaceful and serene air dissipates and is replaced with something more tangible and electrifying — Aera's too afraid to move as the door swings shut behind Jake's looming figure. His gaze holds the same desire and passion Aera felt as she danced moments ago while making eye contact with Jake. A passion and desire she pushed out just to repair the defense system she didn't even know she had. 

        Jake runs a frustrated hand through his hair and he steps closer to Aera, every sound Aera hears suddenly sounds muffled — like she was underwater. Underwater where everything is somehow more clear, yet still so foreign and frightening. 

        "Why," Jake begins, his voice sounding hoarse and rough at the edges, "do you dance with everyone but me at parties?" 

         Aera opens her mouth, but she can't respond. Because I think I love you, and I'm afraid that if we begin to date, the feelings I have for you will slowly quell into an emotionless black hole like all my other relationships? Aera can't admit that to Jake. It's too heavy for a night where they're both supposed to drink until they pass out. 

         "It's driving me crazy, baby — you're driving me crazy!" Jake edges himself closer to Aera, who presses herself further against the sink, pressing the cool edge into the small of her back. "Why can you just be mine?" 

          Aera's heart flounders, trying to find its beat it had lost the moment Jake entered the bathroom. "Jake you don't know what you're —" 

          "Can't I just have you?" Jake's voice was low, "just for tonight?" 

          Aera can't believe she's the one who is driving Jake crazy. 

         It's Jake who is driving Aera crazy. 

        "Jake —" 

       Jake steps closer and his hand slips around Aea's cheek. On pure instinct, Aera's eyes close for a moment, and when opens them, Jake is closer than ever, his eyes focused on Aera's. "Would it be okay to kiss you right now, Aera? I don't think I can handle not being able to touch you in any way." 

        Running on pure adrenaline, Aera says, "yes." 

        The moment their lips touch, every thought Aera tried fighting out of her mind earlier rushes back in and Aera allows them to infiltrate every corner of her mind as she allows Jake's hands to roam across her body freely, as his lips harshly kiss her into oblivion. Aera's hands thread into Jake's hair as he lifts her up onto the sink, his hands running down her thighs, and Aera shivers. 

       Aera always shivers beneath Jake's touch. It's impossible not to. 

        Teeth biting on Aera's lip, a tongue in her mouth — oh, cold air hits Aera's torso as her top is pulled off. Jake slips from Aera's lips, sucking and biting his way down her neck, leaving marks that would hurt when she woke up the following morning. His fingers nimbly unclasp Aera's bra and another shiver flows down her spine. Aera's hands slide out of Jake's hair and claws at his top, wanting something from Jake's body removed. 

      Jake complies and Aera's left to roam across Jake's broad shoulders, and chest where Jake definitely has a big heart — if you get what Aera means. Jake's hands turn their attention elsewhere, as Jake's lips remain fixed onto her chest. Aera sucks in her moans, even though the music is loud enough for no one to hear them. Still, Aera's weary. 

       Jake's hands drop down to the waistband of Aera's skirt, then they smooth down her thighs and dip beneath her skirt. Unlike last time in the closet, Aera's wearing shorts. Jake groans against Aera's chest and so she quickly jumps into action, wriggling her shorts down her legs. 

      There are a few moments of peace before a stray moan escapes Aera's mouth and her hands grip Jake's shoulder. Desperately, Aera pulls Jake's head up and moves her lips against his, panting against his lips. Jake was more determined than he was in the closet and Aera doesn't have the strength in her to do anything else but moan. It was like the weariness Aera felt earlier flew away the moment she knew what Jake wanted. 

        Aera continuously, and desperately, kisses Jake as her hands trail down his bare torso and toys with the buckle of his jeans. 

        But, a shriek pulls Aera away from Jake, and both their heads whip to the shut door after more shrieks follow the first one. Aera's still panting heavily, her chest meeting Jake's rapidly pulsing heartbeat. They both glance back at each other, almost matching each other with messy hair and swollen lips. "What's going on?" Aera's aware of how hoarse and winded she sounds, but she doesn't care. She does, however, gasp as Jake pulls away to clean himself up. 

       Aera follows, jumping off the sink and hurriedly pulling on her bra, and then her top before throwing open the door to go and investigate why people were shrieking. The music was turned out and Aera can faintly make out the ending part of Into You by Ariana Grande — and then she walks into Yena on top of Grace. Well. . . Aera should've expected that, if she's being honest. 

       A loud, stinging, slap reverberates around the room as people continue to watch the fight. It's clear Yena has the upper hand in the fight, but still, Grace scratches at Yena's arm and tugs on her hair, but it does nothing to deter Yena. 

         "You're a fucking bitch," Yena grits down, her eyes ablaze. (Aera shrinks back slightly, she's glad she's not the target of Yena's uncontainable rage.)

         "Takes one to know one, bitch," Grace retorts. 

        Yena's scowl deepens and her flattened palm curves into a fist. Aera doesn't bother to stop it, because she knows Yena well — Yena only fights someone if they deserve it, and obviously, Grace said or did something that set Yena off. 

        But, Sunghoon had a different idea as he rushes into the center and pulls Yena off Grace, who shrieks loudly and flails her arms and legs about in an attempt to escape his grip. It doesn't work because of course Sunghoon was stronger than Yena. 

        Grace snarls and wipes away blood spilling out of a scratch at the corner of her lip. "All bark and no bite." 

        Yena launches forward, but Sunghoon holds her back. "Calling your bitch to come and pull you away from a fight you knew you would lose. It's no wonder Heeseung would choose me over some hot-headed, pathetic, and fear-of-commitment freak. I can't believe you would settle for someone like Sunghoon over Heeseung." 

         Aera's not one to stand by and let some bitch insult her friends, so Aera does what any good friend would do; rush into the circle and slap the bitch insulting her friends. "What the fuck?" Grace growls, whipping her head back to see Aera standing in front of her, and her scowl grows into a smirk. 

       "Oh! Aera, nice to —" Aera pushes Grace back harshly and she stumbles into a couple of bystanders, who also move back to get out of the way. No one really wanted to be involved in this fight.  

        "Shut the fuck up, Grace." 

         "Don't tell me to shut up, slut," Grace hisses back, and Aera watches her hand rise to the side, but Aera grabs the hand before Grace has the chance to let her palm hit her cheek. Aera allows her grip to tighten on Grace's wrist, her nails digging into Grace's skin and Aera watches the girl try to hide the pain. 

        "You should be a bit faster than that in a fight, honey," Aera smiles sardonically, her head tilting to the side, "is this your first fight? It certainly looks like it." 

         Grace scowls, "you don't know shit, hag." 

        "Well, lucky for you, or maybe not-so luck for you — it really depends on how you view things — this isn't my first fight." 

          "Getting into fights in and out of the sheets, huh?" 

         Aera grips Grace's wrist tighter. "And, I'm also incredibly loyal to my friends, so I don't like listening to irrelevant and ugly bitches say words that have no right coming from their mouth."

         "I was only saying what everyone else was afraid to say. Yena should know no guy would ever choose her, an unloyal whore over other women who focus on one guy at a time." 

        "At least she gets dick, unlike you, Miss. Vanilla-Bitch," Aera sneers, seeing nothing but red. How dare some unassuming bitch like Grace insult Yena and Sunghoon? And use Heeseung as a way to insult them? How shallow could a girl get? 

          "At least I'm able to get into stable relationships, unlike you, who chases after guys every three weeks. God, could you get and look any more pathetic?" 

          Grace is able to rip her wrist out of Aera's grip, but neither of them is able to hit each other because Aera's shoved to the side and Yena's back on top of Grace. She slaps the girl harshly again and tugs her up by the collar. "I dare you to insult Aera again, Grace. She may be a slut, but she's the hottest slut which is something you'll never be." 

         Grace spits in Yena's face, and so Aera joins the fight. 

         Unfortunately, the fight doesn't last long and Sunghoon is back to pull Yena off, with Jay. Neither of the boys look impressed but Aera doesn't care. Grace had insulted both Sunghoon and Yena and used Heeseung as an excuse. 

       Heeseung grabs Grace who attempts to grab Yena again. "Calm down, Grace," Heeseung says, clearly just as angry as Sunghoon and Jay were. 

        "Did you see what Yena did, Heeseung?!" Grace exclaims, "she attacked me for no reason!" 

         Yena scoffs, "if you think calling Heeseung easy and then insulting my sex life and my personal life is nothing." 

          "Come on Grace, let's get you home. You need to cool off," Heeseung commands, his voice heavily laced with authority. His dark eyes dart over to Yena who scowls, "and I'll be back to talk to you, so don't leave." 

         Yena rolls her eyes but shrinks into Sunghoon's stiff embrace. 

         After Heeseung and Grace leave, the rest of the party-goers are hoarded out of the apartment and heavy tension renders the remaining occupants in the apartment speechless. 

        Sunghoon dumps Yena on the couch and rubs his red nose, while Jay lets go of Aera none-too-gently. 

         "Why is your nose red?" Yena speaks up, breaking the tense silence. 

        "Because you fucking hit me," Sunghoon hisses. 

         "Oh, my bad." 

         "Yeah, it is your fucking bad, Yena." 

           "What is that supposed to mean, Sunghoon?" Yena exclaims, taken aback by Sunghoon's tone, "she insulted Heeseung and then came for my throat. Was I supposed to just let her off scot-free?!" 

           "You should've walked away, Yena," Jay speaks up as Sunghoon ignores Yena to enter the kitchen in search of a bag of cold peas. "Instead of starting up a fucking fight in my apartment." 

         Yena gapes at Jay in disbelief, unable to come up with anything to say back. Sunghoon takes this time to turn to Aera. "And you," his voice was deceptively low, "you didn't have to join the fucking fight. It only made it worse." 

        "What the fuck? She insulted you, Sunghoon! And Yena, and I don't just stand by and watch some bitch insult my friends," Aera defends herself hotly, whatever mood she felt with Jake earlier was completely wiped from her mind. "Was I supposed to not give that bitch what she deserved?" 

        "Her name is Grace, not bitch," Sunghoon reprimands, "and, yes. You shouldn't have slapped Grace, she may have deserved it, but violence is never the answer." 

       "Grace? Bitch? Sounds the same to me," mumbles Yena, pouting. 

        "Yena," Jay sighs, "come on." 

        "For you, violence might not be an answer, but for me, who has experienced most of life being called slut and a whore, punching a cunt in the mouth is the best way to get them to stop running their mouth — and for Yena, who has only ever known violence as the best way to 'resolve' things. Don't go around telling people to not do something when you don't even know why they do what they do in the first place." Okay, so maybe what Aera was saying also has some underlying messages, but still, she's seeing red and Sunghoon's being an asshole about this. 

        "What the fuck are you going on about, Aera?" Sunghoon scowls from behind his bag of peas pressed up to his nose.

          "Get off your high and mighty horse, Sunghoon. Not all of us were able to experience the privilege you were given from a young age. Not all of us were fed with a golden spoon, went to a rich school, had hills of money piling up in massive vaults — I don't know what people hold money in — not all of us had loving, and caring parents who refused to raise a single hand to their beloved children." Aera was sure this argument was more about Yena than herself. She wasn't going to stand by and let some pompous dude rip into Yena without knowing why she defended people the way she did. 

         "You're just an asshole who likes to make assumptions off of people based on rumors. You didn't believe Kim Seokjin was my brother because you assumed a slut like me couldn't come from a rich family." Maybe Aera should shut up now. 

        "Aera," Jake's voice rings out from behind her, but Aera ignores him and steps closer to Sunghoon. 

        "That's the last time I'm ever slapping someone in your honor. The next time someone insults you, or compares you to Heeseung, I'll just laugh and agree." 

        You could probably hear a pin drop in the silence that follows after Aera's words. Still, she continues, pointing at Yena who was now sitting straight up on the couch with wide eyes. "The next time you insult Yena, you'll be the one slapped. Don't tell Yena what not to do. You don't know her, and you don't know me. It's hard breaking out of bad habits, and you of all people should know that, Mr-I-Insult-People-And-Then-Expect-To-Be-Apologized-To." 

        Sunghoon sneers, "you're a hypocrite, Aera. Saying you're loyal to your friends, yet here you are, insulting me — isn't that unloyal?" 

        Aera scoffs, "you stopped being my friend the moment you blamed Yena for something she didn't start." 

        "She threw the first punch, did she not?" 

         "She was obviously provoked, dumbass." 

         "How do you know Yena wasn't lying?" 

         "Because she's my best friend — why are you even defending Grace? Do you want to fuck her or something?" 

          "Aera you're a —" 

         "That's enough." Jay steps in, his eyes hard, "Aera, Yena, I don't appreciate you starting a fight in my apartment," his voice rises over both Aera and Yena's voices as they defend themselves, "and then insulting Sunghoon. So, could you please leave?" 

         "Neither of you believe me when I say it was Grace who started the fight?" Yena's voice breaks the silence and Aera's never heard her friend sound more fragile. "She called Heeseung easy, and then said he lucked out not getting with someone like me because my dad is 'apparently' a wife-beater — which is true, by the way, in case you cared. My dad liked to punch whoever or whatever was near him. She also said someone as fucked up and loose-headed as me would never be able to have a stable relationship. Was I supposed to just walk away from that?" 

        Both Sunghoon and Jay look shocked, and Aera guesses the other boys standing behind her are shocked too. "But, I do understand where you are coming from, Sunghoon. Problems should never ever be solved by violence and Grace doesn't deserve to be dehumanized by me only referring to her as a bitch, and I should've known better, but I'm not going to apologize for what I did." 

       Yena pushes herself off the couch and clears her throat, "it just hurts that none of you believe me." With that, Yena walks out of the living room and out of the apartment. The tense air is now back and Aera needs to escape before she actually blows up. 

        "Fuck you," Aera gets out before chasing after Yena. 

        Well, there goes Aera's friendship with those seven boys down the drain.