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First full-length album was a lot to prepare. ITZY has a long planned schedule throughout the year and the full album was only half of it. But at least it’s a big leap they got to finish. As the Loco promotion reach its end the members get the chance to take a small break, enjoying their great achievements by going home to meet family, going out to buy delicious food, or simply resting in the dorm.
All members except Yuna haven’t gotten their second dosage of COVID-19 vaccine due to their busy schedules. Aside from group activity some members had solo activity as well.
Today on the first day of break the manager divided them into two groups (exclude Yuna). Yeji and Chaeryeong went together to the pedriatics department while Lia and Ryujin went later than them with their “couple robber look” as Ryujin claimed it since they both wear black beanies and grey hoodies with mask on leaving only their eyes uncovered.
The vaccination process went well and pretty quick. Chaeryeong decided to visit her parent’s house after that because the break won’t be over until a few days later. Ryujin did the same with Lia tagging along. Uncertain to going home, afraid she will get dizzy during the trip and simply too lazy. Meanwhile, Yeji went straight back to the dorm as she wanted to lie in bed, a bit sleepy.
The dorm was quiet when she arrived. Yuna already left to her parent’s house, saying she missed Sarang her lovely cat. Yeji’s lips formed a small sad smile. She missed her dogs, her niece, and her family too. It’s been a year she didn’t go home, which is far away from Seoul and take a long time to reach. A consequence of the career and path she chose. It’d only tire you more, her mother said once so Yeji waits patiently for the right time to be able to go home and spend quality time with her family. It wasn’t so bad after all itzy is her family too.
She was fast asleep as soon as she plopped herself on bed.
Around 5 PM she woke up by the sound of door opening. She is always the light sleeper in the group that she could wake up right away if there was a small sound or movement near her.
“Yeji? Where are you?”
Someone called from the TV room. Yeji was about to get up, showing her presence to the caller. However, her arm suddenly hurt so much she barely can move.
“Yeji?”
The caller called once again. Based on the footsteps the caller was walking nearer to her room.
“I’m here!” Voice croaked but she tried to answer anyway.
Not long after that the door in her shared room opened, revealing Lia who looks small and warm behind those beanie and hoodie. Yeah, the air was getting chilly it’s easy to get sick these days. Yeji is glad Lia took care of herself.
“Hey, you just woke up?”
Yeji nodded, “how was your date with Ryujin?”
“Psh it wasn’t a date. We ordered king crab and ate in her house, that’s all.” Lia rolled her eyes, walking closer to her bed and sat on the edge of it, “how are you feeling?”
“My arm is starting to hurt and now I’m hungry.”
“You’re lucky I brought you food on the way home.” She pinched her waist playfully.
“No pinching please. And I’m lucky I’m not alone in the dorm tonight.”
Yeji grinned as she get up slowly, not wanting to worsen her arm or worst it would get swollen if she wasn’t careful.
The day was spent mostly doing nothing special. Something simple like watching videos or listening to music while laying in bed. Yeji didn’t forget to communicate with their fans through a special app that enable fans and idols to have real-time chat. The after effect of vaccination was starting to strike but didn’t stop her from doing a live.
Lia joined her soon after, bored and tired. They were lying down, body pressed, on Yeji’s bed.
“You must’ve felt bored because Chaeryeong isn’t here.” Lia stared silently at Yeji’s stunning side profile, wondering how come the leader has such perfect features and angles. But then again face card is one of the criterias to become an idol. Except Yeji’s is extraordinary. Her feline eyes are enchanting in a way it captured the attention of many. Hard to look away from, as if contained a spell inside her chocolate orbs.
“Right.” Yeji continued talking to her fans, “although not really because you’re here.”
She whispered the last part, only for Lia to hear.
The leader were capable of many things such as being responsible, hard working, dancing to difficult choreography, taking care of the members, keeping a good relationship within the group as to avoid any drama and fight between the members, etc. She was a multitasker Lia was aware of that even she was capable of making her heartbeat goes crazy. Sometimes it was too much to bear, like right now. Her words struck hard she was close to explode that’s why she abruptly left the leader and into her own shared room.
“I’ll be in my room.” She managed to say before completely left.
“Your room? As far as I remember Ryujin’s occupying the single room.”
“I meant Yulia’s room.”
Yeji smirked, didn’t say anything. Silently enjoying the rare time her fellow same age member became a blushing mess.
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Stir left, stir right, as if there wasn’t any single comfortable spot to sleep on. She was supposed to rest after taking the second dosage yet her consciousness refused to shut down. The dorm was really quiet, like she was the only one in there while in fact the leader was probably sleeping in her own room a few meters away. Lia can’t help but wonder the times Yeji spent literally alone in the dorm, how did she sleep with all this quietness. Was she afraid? Was she lonely?
The warm comforter was put aside. She didn’t care that her bed will get cold later. Getting up silently she proceeds to Yeji’s and Chaeryeong’s shared room. From the underside of the door she saw the light is on indicating the occupant of the room was still awake. Didn’t mind to knock beforehand she twists the doorknob slowly.
First thing that greeted her was Yeji’s pale face, visibly breathing hard under her comforter. To say that she was surprised is an understatement. In a flash she kneeled beside her, leveling their faces, palm on her forehead.
“Oh my…Yeji you’re hot.”
“I..am hot? As in…sexy?”
“No, silly. You have fever. This must be one of the after effects. Wait here I’ll get a thermometer.”
Never in her lifetime she met someone so smiley. Not even her family members or her classmates. Yeji likes to smile, this time while fighting the fever she shot her big smile to Lia. That smile where all her eyes turned stripes and her pearly white teeth just couldn’t not show behind her stretched lips.
39 degree’s celsius hot, quite a severe fever she got. Lia clicked her tongue in annoyance as she handed the leader paracetamols along with a glass of water.
“Why are you mad? You can go back to sleep. I can take care of myself you know.”
“I’m not mad.” Lia sighed, “I’m worried as hell.”
“I’ll get better I promise. Sleep with me?“
The leader always knows the younger can’t sleep without her roommate around that’s why she came to her room. Without arguing (bickering) like what they do most of the time she lays down beside her. Searching for a comfortable position and when she did find it it was on Yeji’s arm which doesn’t hurt.
Her body warm transferred to hers.
Lia once again looked at Yeji’s side profile. Her eyelids already closed. Long lashes kissed her upper cheek. Breath was getting steady unlike before. She traced her eyes, nose, and lips, with her stare. Too afraid to do so with her finger.
Oh is it okay to do that?
“Yeah it is.” Yeji suddenly spoke, lips are pale but wide in a form of smile.
Did I accidentally let out my thoughts? She panicked.
“Only with your finger though. Sadly for now you can’t use your lips because you’ll get fever from me.”
“Am I sad or are you?”
Lia dared to challenge suddenly getting brave.
“I think we both are.”
And Lia did, tracing her finger on her girlfriend’s warm face. Feeling the soft skin under her tips, and every curve there that is perfect.
That night despite worrying over the condition of the person next to her she felt somehow at peace. Simply knowing that someone dearest to her was there, holding her until sleep eventually takes over her consciousness.
It was the moment she felt that the time was theirs and theirs only.