June 10, 2019

The past few days have been so much fun. We practically spent the whole day out exploring Seoul, there were some days where we even went outside of the city. There was not a moment of boredom between Olivia, Macy, Yongjin, and me, since there was always something happening. Like when Youngjin got lost and his phone ran out of battery. We spent hours searching for him just to find him having lunch at a café. He didn't even try looking for us because he said, "I knew you'd find me eventually, so why stress." I almost smacked him into the next century.

As the older sister, I was terrified of what might have happened to him and, most importantly, about my parent's reaction of having lost a kid. There was another time where we spent the day at an amusement park. After years of visiting Korea, I had never been to one. Everything was cute and photo worthy, Macy had a field day with her camera that day, while Youngjin stepped in as the model.  That boy sure loves the attention and Macy was more than willing to give it to him. Meanwhile, Olivia and I had fun going on all of the rides and laughing at our roller coaster pictures. 

All that fun though brought exhaustion. So, we decided that today was a day of rest. We woke up late, had lunch, and we were now lounging by the pool.

"This is so relaxing," I sighed melting more into my chair.

"I know, I can stay here for hours just soaking in the sun," Olivia agreed laying down on her lounge chair trying to tan.

"I needed this, these past few days have been hectic," Macy spoke applying some sunscreen.

"Tell me about it," Olivia scoffed remembering how Youngjin got lost. 

Olivia might have seemed like she didn't care on the outside, but on the inside she was freaking out just as much as I was when we lost- no- when Youngjin got lost.

"I was thinking we need to start planning what to do on your birthday Mace," I told her scrolling through my phone.

"Yeah, what do you wanna do?" Liv asked, glancing at her through the top of her sunglasses.

"Well, there is something I've wanted to do for a while," she said, smiling mischievously. 

"What's that?" Olivia questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"I want to go to a noraebang," she revealed with a clap of her hands.

"Again, what is that?" Olivia looked at her confused.

"A karaoke room Liv," I explained, "That's a great idea Mace," I exclaimed.

A noraebang seems like fun. I already know that between the three of us, we would have a blast. It was basically what we did every day when we were alone in a room, but in a cooler location and with mics.

Thinking about it now I don't think I've ever been to one either, so it's a win win situation.

"I can call Hana and ask her which one is good," I offered, already a plan forming in my head.

"That would be great," She said with a grin.

I could tell she was very excited to go to a noraebang. I think I remember her mentioning it briefly before we left for the trip. Macy loves to sing, and she actually has a pretty good voice even if she's never had singing classes. In fact, she is the person who is always and constantly singing. No matter the situation. I mean we sing all the time too, but she actually good.

"Am I invited?" Youngjin asked from his place by the pool.

I had forgotten momentarily that he was there... oops!

"Of course, silly," Macy exclaimed, "In fact, it can be the four of us, Hana and if she has someone to bring, and maybe... a certain guy Nari is talking to?" she trailed off, looking at me with raised eyebrows in question.

"Um," I began, "I could ask him when I go see him, I guess, but I don't know maybe he will be busy," I responded unsure.

Our day out hadn't even happened so I don't know if he would like to go out again. Besides, he is probably busy with the muster and the other part of the tour. He possibly can't have time to go to a birthday party of a girl he barely knows. Depending what happens, I'll consider asking him.

"Don't assume things, just ask. We still have to meet him properly," Olivia insisted excited at the fact she might get to meet him.

"We have a right to! He has been stealing Nari from us," Macy added trying to convince me.

"Yeah!" Liv exclaimed with an offended look.

"Alright, alright, I'll ask him," I agreed defeated.

It's just better to agree because if I kept denying they'd keep insisting and we'd be the whole day at it. My two friends just cheered. I know deep down, they just wanted to tease me.

"What are you going to wear for your date?" she asked curiously.

"For the love of god, it is not a date we are going out as friends," I yelled exasperated.

Olivia has spent the whole trip teasing me saying I was going on a date. At this point I was so annoyed of having to correct her. I knew she was teasing me, but she still got on my nerves.

"Same thing," she scoffed with a glint in her eye.

"No, it's not," I glared. 

"Okay, okay," she said, raising her palms in surrender. 

I just know she is going to bring it up again, wait for it.

"Do you know what you are going to wear?" Macy asked seriously sitting up to look at me.

"Nope, I don't even know where we are going," I confessed with a shrug.

"UHH send him a text," Olivia spoke in an obvious tone.

"Now?" I asked, unsure.

"Yes," she said, riled up at my uncertainty.

"For what?" I asked confused

"Ask him what you should wear," she explained annoyed.

"Oh, okay, I'll do that now," I nodded finally understanding. Olivia just whispered a finally, falling back in her chair.

I got out my phone and started typing a message. In my peripheral I saw the girls trying to take a peek at my phone.

(If for some reason you can't see the photos, the texts are at the bottom)

My phone vibrated again, but as I went to check the message, I heard Olivia and Macy tease me, making me look up at them.

"Look at her with that stupid smile on her face," Olivia teased with a smile.

"I don't know what you are talking about she always has that face," Youngjin mocked getting out of the pool. 

"You guys are horrible," I frowned, crossing my arms, pretending to me mad. 

We all burst out laughing soon though not being able to contain the laughter.

A while later we were on our way to Hana's house and once we got there we would take her car to the mall.  We had decided to go out on a little shopping spree to get outfits for Hana's birthday. While we did bring a lot of clothes that would work, we used this as an excuse to get more clothes.

"Hana, we are here," I hollered as I knocked on the door. 

"Come in," she greeted, opening the door, "Let me just send an email and we'll be off."

I stepped inside and went to the kitchen to get some water. My aunt was out with some friends, so Hana was alone at the house. I walked over to her to the dining room table and saw a bunch of papers spread out, a pamphlet catching my eye.

"Hey Hana, what's this?" I asked, picking it up, scanning it. 

"That's an exchange program my university has," she said, looking at me briefly before going back to her email.

"Seems cool," I spoke as I kept reading the details of it.

"You can take it and give it a look if you want it works both ways. We can apply to other schools and other people can apply to ours," she explained.

"Thanks," I gave her a tight-lipped smile. 

A semester abroad seems cool. It can broaden my experiences as a college student and give me other social experiences too. I think it would be cool to live in Korea even if it's for a semester. Deciding to give it a proper look later, I placed the pamphlet on my bag.

"Alright! Let's go!" Hana exclaimed as she shut her laptop.

Let me tell you something Shopping Malls in Seoul were a whole other level. They were huge with lots of stores, obviously, but they were so different to what you find in the United States. We all had a huge field day going into all the different stores, well, except for Hana, she is used to it. We were all so busy looking at all the stores that we hadn't noticed it was night time until we sat in the food court.

"I am so exhausted," I whined plopping down in a chair with my food.

"I can keep going," Olivia mentioned sitting across from me.

"How?! Look at all your bags you can barely walk with them," Macy exclaimed, staring at her like she was crazy. Liv just shrugged, beginning to eat.

"You guys might look Korean but you sure aren't from here?" Hana laughed, sitting at the table.

"Why'd you say that?" Youngjin questioned already digging into his food like a starved man.

"You were like kids in a candy store fawning over everything," She explained with a shake of her head, a smile still on her lips.

"Oops," he mumbled, mouth filled with food.

"I'm tired can we go back to the hotel now?" I asked, my stomach full and drowsiness setting in.

"I think we should. Mom sent me a text to make our way back," Yongjin told me, taking a sip of his coke.

"I'll miss this mall," Olivia said sadly, looking around taking it all in.

"We'll see if we can come back before we leave, okay?" I tried cheering her up to which she sadly nodded. 

"I think I'll be broke by then," Macy whispered.

"We all will, hun," Jin told her, nudging her side.

By the time we had gotten to the hotel it was 10 pm and we all went our separate ways to get ready for bed. I noticed that I was alone with the girls since Youngjin went to shower and decided to bring something I had noticed up.

"So Macy?" I whispered, rushing to her side.

Seeing my movements Olivia sped walked to her other side, leaning in forming a little circled between us.

"Hm?" She looked at us weirdly.

"Do you have a crush on my brother?" I asked with a teasing smile and wiggling my eyebrows.

Throughout the week I've noticed their interactions and they seemed a little more than friendly. With Younjin serving as her model too willingly, Macy's casual blushes that were thought to be mistakenly caused by the sun, the way Youngjin playfully joked with her, it all pointed in one direction. They had a crush on each other.

She choked, "What?"

"Op- she didn't deny it," Olivia mused.

I giggled, "I've seen the way you look at him."

"I-I," she stuttered, searching for a way out.

"Look she got all red," Olivia teased

"It's okay, I give you my blessing, It'll be nice to have you as my sister in law," I joked, pinching her cheek.

"Come on guys stop it!" she whined, her cheeks red from all the unwanted teasing.

"You're so cute Mace," Olivia giggled.

"It's just a stupid crush, I don't know how it even happened," Macy mumbled as she played with a strand of hair.

"That's the thing, it just happens," Olivia assured her, patting her shoulder.

"He doesn't even like me," Macy sighed.

"Who doesn't even like you?" Youngjin asked as he came into the room.

Macy began to stutter as Olivia and I began laughing and walked out of the room. We stayed close enough where we could hear Macy's excuse and Younjin's confused reply.

"Are we bad friends?" I asked Olivia, a smile breaking out from my face.

"Probably, but we sure make a great best friend," Liv laughed.

A/N:

This is one of my favorite chapters. There's just something about Nari's relationship with her friends and brother that brings me joy.

I tried the text thing with the picture, what did you think? Should I keep doing it?

A reminder, this isn't a texting ff, there is some, but it's only because it's necessary. In the chapters to come there will be more physical interaction between them.

Guess what comes next?

I started a oneshot/ short story award so if you know anyone please share it with them, there are still slots left. Or if you ever wanted to try writing one take it as encouragement!

As always, please, remember to vote, comment, and share with a friend.

-Nikki Marie 💜

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'Hey, Tae 💁🏻‍♀️! Just wondering what I should wear for Friday???'

-Nari

'Nari-ah!! 😄Hi!! Casual? Comfortable? There's gonna be some walking involved!'

-Taehyung

'Thank you! Can't wait!!🤪'

-Nari