DAY 7

Kai wants you to get to know the whole group more, since they are his hyungs. "They're like my family", he had said with a peaceful smile, and you knew what he meant. He must be very close to all of them, and you could tell that they were indeed like a family. So he invites you to the dorm where you could hang out with EXO-K for a while.

Kyungsoo turns out to be the chef of the group, and he offers to cook instead of going out to eat. You happily nod your head in agreement and join the rest of the members in what seems to be a lounge area. While Kyungsoo is cooking dinner, Kai says that he's going to go with the other members to buy various drinks that they don't have in the dorms. He asks if you want to come, and you say that you're still a little tired from your fever (its effects still wore at you even now) and he nods understandingly and says goodbye. You hear the door close. You feel a little awkward since you've only met Kyungsoo once before at the dance rehearsal and now you approach him in the kitchen. "Hi, do you need any help?" You ask him, unsure if this was the right question to ask. He looks at you with a laughing smile and says that it's okay. "I've got it handled." He says. He tells you that it's his job to cook for them when they're at the dorms and not travelling. He asks you where you're from and you tell him. Kyungsoo continues asking questions about your home, but you weren't sure if he's actually curious, or if he's just trying to keep the conversation going.

You still have to look up at Kyungsoo since he's a lot taller than you. When he seems to be able to take a break from his cooking, he turns to you and says that he can let it sit since it's done. You two go to the lounge and he suddenly turns to you and asks "Are you and Kai going out now?"

You blush a little before shyly nodding. It's a very slowly and unsteady nod, but he notices it nonetheless. He smiles a little kid smile and says "Congratulations! Jongin's heart is a hard one to reach." You're not quite sure what he means, but just then the other members come back with a few shopping bags full of different bottles of juice and soda.

You eat with them happily and Kyungsoo turns out to be a promising cook. It's an enjoyable meal and there's still hours left in the day. So who's idea was it to tell scary stories? It's not sure. Suddenly, there was chat about scary stories and someone brought up the idea (you think it might have been Sehun). But then Baekhyun and Chanyeol suddenly look very excited as they realize that they thought of the same story to tell, and indeed they tell it well....

Well, they would have told it quite well except that as one was talking, he would start laughing and then the other would hit him. Then everyone would be laughing. It wasn't much of a "scary story telling" so much as a time to just ridicule each other. So someone else started the idea to tell you all about pre-debut days and training together. You jumped at the idea; you were quite curious as well. Kai was one of the first members to be part of EXO, what kind of stories did he have?

The whole conversation is so casual and so friendly. Everyone in the group was really close to each other and they talked almost nonstop. 

By the end of the day, you're close to almost all the members. Almost because Kyungsoo seems a little nervous near you. With your sharp instincts, you could see this. Kai drives you back to the hotel and he hugs you as you're just about to leave the car. He seems rather affectionate today, a little sensitive. He seems a little weak, even. He's the strong dancer of EXO-K, the face of the group, one of the most popular members. He has an endless boundary of confidence. But to you, he showed you a weak side. He shows you vulnerability. He wants to let you in to his life.

And you want to be part of it too.

You give him a smile and tell him that you'll see him later. He gives you his adorable smirk and tells you goodnight. For some reason, you can sleep easy at night. 

You walk into the hotel lobby and head to the elevators. As you head up, you're still thinking about meeting the other members; it was a lot of fun. You hear a "ding!" and step out of the elevator doors. You head down the hall, and stop in front of your room when you see that your friend is waiting for you. She tells you to go into your room and you ask her where your roommate is. She looks very serious and says that your roommate went to buy snacks and a convenience store nearby. You nod and let her in.

You sit down at the desk chair and she stays standing, looking very uneasy at what she seems to want to say. You ask her what's wrong. She looks at you and says, "We're only going to be here for three weeks."

"Yes," you reply, almost sadly, "I know. But what's so wrong about it?"

"What are you going to do about Kai when it's time for us to leave?"

You'd been trying to avoid this question for a while. "I don't know." You look down, then back up at her, as if she could give you a solution.

"I don't want you to get hurt." She says. She's one of your best friends, so you know this. She's just trying to be kind. "But maybe it's not meant to be. Having a boyfriend all the way in Korea? Can you...can you survive the long-distance relationship?"

Was she telling you to end it with him? It hurts to think about that. You nod slowly. "Yes, I think I can handle it." There's a silent pause and she looks at you, as if expecting you to keep going. It sounds strange as you say it out loud. "I really love him." It's only slightly louder than a whisper. She smiles.

"I know you do." She nods reassuringly. "I just don't want you to get hurt again." She says this again. You smile back at her.

"I won't. I'm strong now." She nods -- you can see the mental message she wants to send: good -- and then turns to leave. She says goodnight and closes the door. You're touched by how much she cares. 

But what will you do after you leave? Before you can think too deeply about it, your roommate arrives with the snacks from the convenience store. "Do you want some?" She asks, and then her expression changes to worry as she sees your expression. "Hey, you okay?" 

You quickly smile. "Of course," you reply. You take some pocky from the plastic bag she puts on the table and you tell her about your dilemma. When night came, your dreams are bittersweet.

I need more time... is your last plea.