Alex's pov

"What are you doing?" Joshua asked.

It was around fifteen minutes before our shift was over, and since there wasn't much to do at the moment, I decided to hide behind the bookshelves on the back. It was a good place to think, and if Woozi happens to appear, then I can always give the excuse that was cleaning.

"Just, you know...working hard."

"You don't say...mind if I join you?"

"Be my guest." At that, Joshua sat down next to me. 

"Hey, Alex?"

"Yes, Hong?"

"Is there something bothering you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've spent the whole day spacing out and you barely said a word, so I'm guessing something has been keeping you awake at night."

"I guess you could say that."

"Is it what Vernon said?"

"Not only that."

"What is it then?"

I sighed, then proceed to tell him everything that happened a couple of days ago, with Jeonghan's and Mingyu's constant pressure and what Seungcheol said.

"And have you thought about it?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"I still have no idea."

"Wanna know what I think?"

"Sure."

"You're complicating a situation that is actually quite simple." Joshua observed, "You have feelings for him right?"

"Yes, but-"

"But nothing. Your brain keeps coming up with all sorts of reasons why it's a bad thing and how everything is going to end in an awful way before you even tried. You're just predicting scenarios with unhappy outcomes. Let me guess, you probably even thought about Jun?"

"Well...yeah, I did."

"You're denying yourself happiness by overthinking the whole situation! What you really need right now is some time out. You need to relax!"

"What do you suggest then, Oprah?"

"Well...Let's hang out. We could get some ice cream! It will be fun, we will get Vernon and perhaps even Woozi to come. God knows that guy needs some healing time too."

"You had me at ice cream! But it's best if you're the one to convince Woozi though."

"Fine, you go and call Vernon then."

"Who pays this time?"

"...Vernon!"

"Deal!"

________________________________________________________________________________

Wonwoo's pov

I was laying on the couch, looking at the ceiling. Although the tv was on, there was nothing interesting to watch. Just when I when I was about to get up, Mingyu came out of his room.

"Wonwoo, are you alive?"

"Very."

"You've been in that position for so long I was starting to suspect you weren't. I was already planning what to do if you were dead."

"That's pretty morbid, you know? What would you do anyway?"

"Probably call Alex to help me move your body or something. Maybe bury you with all your books, the ones that Alex wouldn't want at least."

"How considerate of you. I'm touched." I sit up. "Speaking of Alex, did we do something to make her upset recently?"

"I don't think so, why?"

"She barely spoke two words to us and avoids eye contact at all costs. I think something is up."

"I don't know...have you tried talking to Seungcheol? Maybe he knows? Perhaps something happened on the roof?"

On that moment someone knocked on the door. Mingyu opened it, revealing Seungcheol himself.

"Hey, guys. The landlord messed up our mail. I came to give yours ba-" before he could finish his sentence, Mingyu pulled him by the arm, dragging him inside our house and closing the door behind him.

"Alright, he's here. Let's chat!"

"Is there something wrong?" Seungcheol asked.

"We just need to talk to you." I reassured him.

"About?"

"What happened on the roof!" Mingyu declared.

"Oh, that. Is there something wrong?"

"Yeah, she basically has been ignoring us for the last few days, so yeah, there's that."

"What exactly did you tell her?" 

"I just wanted to make sure she wasn't uncomfortable, that's all. By the way, Wonwoo, for how long are you going to keep up with this?"

"Me? Keep up with what?"

"Yes! I was hoping that by now you would have confessed honestly."

"I don't-"

"Cut the crap Wonwoo, everybody knows!" Mingyu interrupted. I look down, embarrassed.

"She doesn't like me that way, okay?" At this point, Mingyu looked like he was about to break a table.

"You'll never know if you don't tell her." Seungcheol noted.

"It's too risky!"

"But it's worth it!"

"I don't think I can do it."

"Jesus Christ, yes you can!" Mingyu interjected.

"I'm just saying that-"

"Look, what will it take you to confess?!" 

"I just don't think I can do it."

Mingyu and Seungcheol looked at each other and sighed.

"This is gonna take a while."

"I'm gonna start making coffee then."

_________________________________________________________________________

Three hours.

I'm not even exaggerating.

Three legit hours of Mingyu and Seungcheol trying to motivate me have passed. A time filled with screaming, supposedly inspiring rants, frustration and desperation from both parts.

The sun had already set by now, and the three of us were lying on the floor, completely exhausted despite all the coffee we had drunk.

"You guys are sure I can do this?"

"Yes." They both groaned.

"I'm just scared. What if she rejects me?" 

Mingyu let out a snort.

"She won't." Seungcheol moaned.

"How do you know?"

"I just have a good feeling about it."

"He has eyes and a brain too." Mingyu remarked.

"Alright, I think I can do this!...I hope."

"She's probably on her way home right now. Go wait for her."

I got up from the floor, making my way to the door.

"Wish me luck!"They both let out another groan that I'm guessing it's supposed to be encouraging.

Before I got out, I turned back to look at them.

"You know what, maybe I'm not as ready-"

"JUST GO!" Mingyu and Seungcheol roared at the same time.

"Okay! Okay!"

I closed the door and headed to the entrance. With every step, I could feel my heart pounding, but I wasn't going to go back...mostly 'cause I didn't want to feel Seungcheol's and Mingyu's rage.

I was so wrapped in my own thoughts that I ended up bumping into someone, making them fall in the process. I also failed to notice that I was already outside too.

"Jesus Wonwoo, what was that for?!" I looked down to find Alex on the ground groaning. So far not good.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry! You okay?" I nervously inquired while helping her up.

"Yeah. But where are you going though? You looked like a train!"

"I was just...you know, what it doesn't matter! Where were you?"

"I was hanging out with Joshua, Vernon and surprisingly enough, Woozi. Who would have thought he would actually agree to voluntarily spend time with us? Sure, he looked pretty annoyed when Vernon spilled ice cream on him, but he didn't shout or tried to kill him, so I guess that's a win. It was actually funnier than I thought it would be, I should really listen to Joshua more-"

"Alex?" I interrupted her rant. I probably shouldn't have since this is the first I actually hear her talking instead of just short answers, but if I don't do it now, I don't think I will ever be able to. 

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"You what?"