As soon as practice was over, Aera was out of that room. She hadn't even been singing or dancing, but she felt exhausted just watching those boys. Singing and dancing for hours upon hours... how did they manage it? Especially on top of school... it seemed impossible. But they managed to do it, and they made it seem effortless. 

For the first time, she really really realized how hard it must be to be a trainee. They had so much to do, and yet they had to pretend as though everything was fine. They had to make it seem easy, even when it definitely wasn't. 

She could never. That was too much. 

She plopped on the couch, turning on the t.v and waiting for the boys to finish washing up. They were sweaty and exhausted, so maybe after their showers, they would come to watch with her. She'd already taken a shower earlier, while they were having vocal lessons. 

"Hey there," Sunoo said, hopping on the sofa next to her. 

"You were sure fast," she said, staring at him suspiciously. "Did you really wash up?" 

"Don't I look better?" he asked, pouting at her playfully. 

She laughed, ruffling his hair. "You look adorable," she assured him. 

"How about me?" Sunghoon asked, jumping on the sofa with them and placing his head on her shoulder. 

"Oh gosh," Aera said, rolling her eyes at him. "You get your head off of me, it's hurting my shoulder." 

"Not until you call me adorable too," he whined, giving her puppy eyes. 

"Fine," she huffed, pretending to be annoyed. "You're adorable. Happy now?" 

"Kind of," he said, getting up and looking at her face. Immediately, she forced her smile to be wider, trying to hide how stressed and tired she was. 

She really felt as though she had nothing to do here. What was her job supposed to be? Bringing the boys together, making sure they did their work. But now they were on top of everything. So then what? What could she offer?

If she lost this job, she could lose everything. She needed it so badly. At least until her father found another stable job. 

If she broke up with Heeseung... 

She closed her eyes, shaking her head and trying to get rid of those thoughts. 

"Hey, you alright?" Sunoo asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. Both he and Sunghoon were looking at her in concern.

Aera forced a smile back to her face, but Sunoo shook his head at her, his eyes scolding. "You need cheering up," he decided, looking at Sunghoon. "Any ideas?" 

Sunghoon grinned. "I have a great idea," he said. "You guys get ready and meet me outside in ten minutes," he said, clapping his hands together and standing up. "You'll love this," he promised them. 

Aera exchanged a glance with Sunoo and they both shrugged at the same time before dashing off to their rooms, excited to get ready and see what Sunghoon had planned. 

***

A/N

This isn't Enhypen related but... 

Oneits anyone? 

Is anyone else's heart breaking today? I just feel like crying. I feel numb. I feel like I'm being hella dramatic but I miss them like crazy. Someone give me a hug😭