I peered out the window up at a small house situated on a cliff overlooking the sea. Around me, the excited chatter grew louder, the loudest among them Baekyhun and Yixing. We were at Baekyhun's grandmother's home.
I stepped out of the van and immediately noticed that there was a slight breeze in the air. I rubbed my arms to warm myself, mentally scolding myself for not taking the time to grab a jacket.
"Do you want to use mine?" Kyungsoo had not lost his habit of appearing out of nowhere. I gratefully accepted his offer. "Thank you, Soo." He looked at me, eyes full of curiosity. "Can I call you that?" I asked. He nodded, a smile spreading across his face.
The door opened and out came the most adorable little girl I had ever seen. She had straight, black hair that went to her waist, chubby little chipmunk cheeks, and small pink lips. She bared a striking resemblance to Baekyhun but had almost green eyes.
At first, I assumed it was Baekyhun's little sister, but then out came another person that had those same green eyes. I put two and two together and figured out what Baekyhun had been referring to earlier this morning.
He had pulled me aside right after breakfast. "Listen, I need you to do something for me." Noting the concerned expression on his face, I nodded, prompting him to continue. "I need you to promise that you won't tell anyone, I mean anyone, about what you see at my grandmother's house, okay?" I assured him that I would say nothing at all.
The little girl jumped into Baekyhun's arms. "Appa! Annyonghaseyo!" He glanced over at me when she said this, and I quickly smiled to reassure him. He turned back to what I guessed was the little girl's mother, and smiled brightly.
She had the same almost-green eyes and long black hair as her daughter. She was a little shorter than Baekyhun, about 5'5. After greeting Baekyhun with a soft kiss, she turned to me.
"I'm Ireum, Baekyhun's girlfriend. And this," she took my hand and brought me over to her daughter, "is Aerri."
"Annyonghaseyo," I whispered, in awe of the little girl's doll-like appearance.
"Ann-yong-has-eyo." She echoed, pronouncing every syllable. She brought her short little arms up to form a heart, and mine melted right then and there.
"She's adorable," I told Ireum. She smiled and nodded her head.
"Thank you." As soon as the words came out of her lips, the front door burst open. A little old lady came out, and in her hand were a pile of rice cakes. She got bombarded by ten hungry Exo members, but before they grabbed the rice cakes, the performed there customary greeting. "Annyonghaseyo! We are Exo!" Each one bowed, and afterward, Baekhyun came and kissed her forehead.
I stood back and watched. Ireum came from behind me. "How often do you get to see him?" She shifted her feet, thinking.
"He tries to come as often as he can." She finally says. "It's not as much as I'd like, but I know he's busy with promotions, so I understand." I couldn't imagine what it felt like, to have someone I loved being away for long periods of time. She was strong.
—
After everyone had had their greetings, Junmyeon suggested that we go down to the seaside. I had packed a two-piece black and white swimsuit, just in case, so I changed into that. I started to feel somewhat self-conscious and pulled on an oversized black t-shirt that I had packed.
"You aren't going swimming?" Ireum appeared next to me, dressed in a red two-piece. Everyone was already in the water, even Aerri, who was splashing in the shallow area with her Appa. Kyungsoo had tried his best to convince me to come with him but gave up once he saw I wouldn't budge.
"I will in a minute." She turned toward me.
"Don't be too embarrassed. You'll get used to each other soon enough."
I glanced over to Minseok, who had shed his t-shirt, and I couldn't help but notice his abs. They were just, wow. Unfortunately, he caught me staring, smirked, and started walking over. My face immediately turned a deep red that matched Ireum's swimsuit.
"Aren't you coming in?" Minseok questioned, apparently amused. I gritted my teeth, tired of the reappearing question and thought: Oh what the heck.
I pulled my makeshift coverup off and dived into the water. I had always been a good swimmer, starting when I was about 4. My appa always used to take me every Saturday; it was the highlight of my week.
I stopped swimming and began to float, letting the waves carry me. I wasn't able to hear any of the members, so I closed my eyes, embracing the quietness. That was what I missed the most, those days when it was just silent, nothing more, nothing less. The dorm is noisy. Between Baekyhun's mindless chattering to himself, every so often singing out loud, to the TV, which is consistently playing, you don't get the privilege of silence.
"Hey." The break in calmness caught me off guard, and I began to flail my arms. After getting a mouth and nose full of seawater, I righted myself and saw none other than Sehun. A mischievous smile plastered on his face, and he tried to hold back his laughter.
"Thanks for that," I said sarcastically and rolled my eyes. My annoyance made Sehun burst out laughing. "How did I not even notice you?"
He put his hands up in mock defense. "You were zoned out. I'm sorry that I scared you." I splashed him to get him back, and in turn, he did the same to me.
I giggled and looked back. Everyone had gotten out of the water and was heading to the house. "I guess we'd better go."
"Yeah." He sounded almost sorry. "I'll race you?" We took off, and it was apparent that he was ten times faster than me, reaching land while I was still far behind.
"You're amazing." He rubbed the back of his neck, and his eyes turned into little crescent moons as he tried to hide the pleased smile on his face.
"Thanks." As we walked side by side up to the house, I couldn't help but notice how happy I was.
