HoeforAu

Another passenger hops down the steps of the coach and shimmies past you. It's your seatmate, Inhyung, a young girl with long hair tied in a ponytail and a bright blue backpack in her arms. She rolls on the balls of her feet as the two of you take in the view together.

"Well," turning to you with a smile, she asks, "what do you think? Are you glad I persuaded you to bring factor fifty?"

A wide smile gathers on your face. "Yes, Inhyung, I am. Thank you."

"We wouldn't want you looking like a salmon." She grins, leading you away from the bus and towards a tall wooden cabin. It's tinged with green from the moss that grows on it and the windows are almost covered by the weeds on the floor. You watch a boy place his hand on the exterior, then remove it and inspect the green tinge to his skin. Then, he shoves it in the face of his shrieking friend.

You'd met Inhyung on the bus ride when she'd plopped down next to you. Her little town was the last stop before reaching the summer camp and the only free seat was next to you. So far, you knew three things about her: she was energetic, liked to travel, and could only tolerate small children in the holidays

"Inhyung!"

A figure waves to her from nearby; a tall girl with a pair of sunglasses and two bulging backpacks in her hands. Dodging the moss-tinged boy (who was now frantically wiping his hands on the grass), she makes her way over with a smile and you shuffle back to allow her to greet Inhyung with a hug.

"Sooyoung," Inhyung beams, while you plaster on a pleasant smile. "This is Y/N. She's the new hire I told you about."

All around you, small groups have started to congregate. Returning instructors greet familiar faces with enthusiastic handshakes. Friends reunite with hugs and laughter. It reminds you of your college freshers' week somewhat.

Inhyung turns to you. "Sooyoung's done this longer than me. I met her last year."

"Nice to meet you," Sooyoung smiles, raising her sunglasses so they're perched on the top of her head. "Are you nervous?"

"How did you know?" You joke weakly.

She laughs. "Don't be. The staff here are super nice and the kids are easy to handle. We'll have a good weekend."

"We will if we can bag a room together!" Inhyung butts in. "Please can they not put me with Dasom again-"

"Make way!"

Distracted, you turn to try and find the source of the sound. The little sea of people gathered begins to part as some unknown force makes its way towards the cabin. As you squint you make out a hand in the air, clenched around a set of keys that jangle to gather attention.

As you shuffle to the side you see an older woman emerge with a taller, lanky boy in tow clad in shorts and a baseball cap.

"That's Mijung and Mark," Sooyoung mutters in your ear. "She's the site manager, he's the first-aid officer."

You send her a grateful smile. "Thanks."

The crowd watches as Mijung slides the keys into the lock, giving a cheer once the door opens. Mijung turns around with a triumphant smile and gives a mock bow in response to the hollers and applause.

"Now we have to line up to check in and get out schedules." Inhyung tugs at your sleeve for you to follow her, so you grab your bag and join everyone in wandering inside.

Similar to the coach, the reception so hot it's nearly unbearable, but Mijung and Mark work quickly to unpack their gear. Little lines start to form as information packs are handed out and you slip into one just as someone else gets the same idea, accidentally knocking your back against their shoulder. An apology forms on your lips as you jump away and turn to face them.

To make things worse, it's a cute boy with a tank top and a bandana who brushes off your apology.

"It's fine," he smiles, ushering you to take his place. But before you can apologise again someone calls his name and he turns, slipping away to rejoin the queue and leaving you stranded in line to wonder if all boys at this summer retreat were that good-looking.

It wasn't easy, being somewhere new, but like Inhyung, you needed the money. And working one weekend wasn't exactly going to kill you, either. Especially when everyone seemed so friendly.

Mijung hands you the key to your lodge and a welcome pack within the space of a second, beckoning you close and directing you on how to get to your cabin through the window. Her instructions don't make sense but you nod along anyway, too anxious to take up any more of her time and too eager to get out of the stifling building.

Sooyoung and Inhyung are waiting outside for you, eagerly taking your pack out of your hands and opening it up for you, while you watch on in bemusement.

"Room number, room number..." Inhyung scans the paper. "Yes! Fourteen! You're with us."

You crane your neck to where she's pointing. "Really? That's great!"

She grins at you. "This year is going to be so fun."

Sooyoung leads the way, leaving the cabin behind as the three of you trek down the dirt paths. Drumming your fingers against the strap of your backpack, you draw your attention away from the tall pines and over to Inhyung who walks beside you.

"So," you begin, "how many kids do you usually have?"

It isn't that you need Inhyung to like you- this was just a job after all -but there was something about the two girls' friendly demeanours that had you drawn to them like a moth to a flame.

"Hm," Inhyung thinks for a moment, "well, we usually get quite a few. Since it's the summer holidays, we should have over a hundred."

"Over a hundred?" You repeat incredulously.

"Yep!" She laughs. "Don't worry! Honestly, that's how I felt when I first started, but you're grouped up so you get to know the kids you'll spend the weekend with. Plus, there's a lot of staff this year, so we've definitely got it handled."

From the front, Sooyoung laughs. "Tell me about it. Inhyung, did you see the guys on the bus?"

"Um, yes." She laughs, before elaborating upon seeing your lost expression. "Don't worry, Y/N, it's just a few regular guys who are super cute. We see them every year."

"Like Na Jaemin," Sooyoung turns to you with a wink. "Just wait till you see him, Y/N, seriously."

"Okay." Despite your hesitance, you laugh along with them.

-

Upon reaching the cabin you're staying at, the first thing Inhyung does is whip out her phone and snap a picture of the place. You don't blame her, it's gorgeous.

"I do this every year," she glances at you with a sheepish grin. "I have a mural on my wall at home with all the different cabins I've stayed in."

The cabin is arranged in a circle shape with three others, marking the end of the long path you've been following. It's cute, cosy even, with a lantern dangling from each roof and the cabin numbers engraved into the oak doors. Unlike the reception, these cabins are solid colours, not yet invaded by the forests' touch.

"The instructors' cabins are spaced out so we're always within earshot of the kids." Sooyoung comments, digging around in her bag before pulling out her keys. "Our cabins usually don't get a lot of noise but you might occasionally have to tell the kids to keep it down. We're usually the last to be bothered though."

"And we're super close to the lake." Inhyung catches the keys Sooyoung tosses to her and shoves them in the lock. "It's great for a midnight swim... Ta-da! Here we are!"

Following Inhyung in, the first thing that greets you is the thick, stuffy air from inside. As if hibernating, the cabin is full of hot air that you quickly release by heading to the windows and pushing them open.

Apart from that, it's cosy. There's a fan on the dresser (which is immediately switched on) and mosquito nets around the three beds at each corner of the room, with an exception being the furthest left corner which leads to a washroom with a fitted shower and sink.

"Cute, right?" Sooyoung smiles at you. "Better than what they had before- I heard you had to bring your own tent. Anyway, you take this bed," she gestures to the bed on the right. "It's the furthest away from the toilet so you should sleep through the night better if anyone gets up."

"Oh, no," you begin to protest, hands raised, "we should all be comfortable. I don't mind-"

"It's your first time!" Sooyoung wags a finger at you like a stern teacher. "You need to have the full experience. Trust me, just take it."

"Fine." You eventually admit defeat. Satisfied, Sooyoung moves away to unpack, leaving you to tackle your own bag.

You haven't brought much- mostly clothes and snacks -but your attention is drawn to the welcome pack and so you sit on the mattress and begin to browse through it, skimming over your timetable and the 'frequently asked questions' page.

"I've got water activities first." From her bed, Inhyung releases a sigh. "Oh my god, I'm with Donghyuck. Someone shoot me."

"I'm with Y/N!" Sooyoung shouts. You whip your head around to meet her beaming smile before scrutinizing your timetable page. Sure enough, your two names are at the top of the page in bold, followed by the names of the children you'll be instructing.

"Thank goodness," your shoulders sink in relief.

"You're so lucky," Inhyung mutters enviously.

"Hey," Sooyoung elbows her. "At least we've got tonight together. Actually-" she checks her watch, "we need to get going. Training starts soon."

-

Training consists of an introductory talk, safeguarding and first aid reminders and then a barbecue. The heat festers in the air, threatening to draw you into an early afternoon nap, but those running the training- mainly Mijung and Mark, pick up on the subtle slumped shoulders and roaming gazes of the other instructors and release everyone early. Inhyung links arms with you and drags you to your feet.

"Come on," she pats your shoulder and shakes some life into you. "We're having a barbecue now, down by the lake."

"Nice," you mutter tiredly, rubbing your neck. The long bus ride to the camp is finally catching up to you, but once you get back to the cabin and step into the nice, cool shower, it's like you've been given a new lease of life. The three of you shed your sweaty staff shirts and emerge in summer dresses and shorts, and for Inhyung, with a crate of beer in her arms.

"Hi, Inhyung!" A boy shouts to her from the green just next to the lake. It's a huge body of water, encased by willows and reeds, but the surface is still, like a mirror. "I can't wait to be your partner."

Inhyung shuffles her beers into one hand and gives him the middle finger with the other. "Fuck off, Donghyuck."

The group of boys behind him laugh and you do too from the safety of behind Sooyoung. Taking the beers to where a crowd has started to gather around a campfire, you're introduced to the countless people Sooyoung and Inhyung know. Remembering their names is impossible, but everyone greets you with ease.

"Nice to meet you, Y/N."

"Great to see you!"

"Y/N, hi, I hope you enjoy it here."

While Inhyung goes off to get you all some food, you and Sooyoung take over a log bench. Thanks to the alcohol you soon draw a crowd of who you realise to be the girls' closest friends.

"How are you finding it so far?" Sooyoung asks, biting into her burger and glancing over at you.

"Everyone's so nice." Turning your own food in your hands and staring down at the charred edges, you admit what's been gnawing away at you since you arrived. "I'm just a little worried about tomorrow, you know? With the kids."

"Awh, Y/N, you'll be fine." Sooyoung laughs. "They're just kids and you'll be with me all the time, okay? Trust me, it's easy money."

Your reply is interrupted by a newcomer, a girl with short hair who carries several cocktails in her hands, which she hands out to the other girls in the circle. "Guys, you'll never guess who I bumped into."

Inhyung leans forward. "Who?"

With a shy smile, the girl sinks into her seat and bites down on her bottom lip. "Na Jaemin. He's back for the summer."

Giggles break out amongst the girls. "He's always working here," one of them groans, "of course he's back for the summer, Mina!"

"Keep your voice down!" Another hisses, before breaking out into a laugh herself.

Confused, you turn to Inhyung, who's already picked up on your cluelessness.

"He's easily one of the cutest guys here," she leans over and points, directing your gaze to one of the boys sitting with Donghyuck. He's watching the latter talk, smiling at the exaggerated gestures and flashing a brilliant grin as he laughs along with the rest of the boys. He's strangely familiar.

"I bumped into him earlier." You realise.

"Really?" Mina chimes in, "Lucky."

You take another look at Jaemin, positioned on another log nearby with his legs spread carelessly as he listens in as if he were a model posing for a shoot. "Yeah."

No one speaks for a second, causing you to look back in alarm. The girls are all staring at you with humour in their eyes, bursting into laughter as you flush and look down.

"Oh, Y/N," Sooyoung wraps an arm around you and pulls you to her. "Don't worry, everyone thinks that."

"Just don't bother though, okay." Inhyung smirks. "Jaemin doesn't exactly do romance or crushes or anything. Hey- does anyone remember when he rejected Dami last summer?"

"Don't." Another girl buries her head in her hands as the others laugh. "I roomed with her. She was inconsolable."

Their laughter isn't directed at you, but you grow hot and uncomfortable anyway. "I'm not interested in him."

No one hears you, too engrossed in the continuing conversation, but Sooyoung, with her arm still around your shoulder, gives you a comforting squeeze.

"Sure, Y/N," the older girl acknowledges, "just focus on the kids."

-

The next day you're pulled out of your warm, comforting slumber by a hand on your arm gently shaking you awake and a soft calling of your name.

"Y/N," as you roll over and open your eyes, you find Sooyoung standing above you in her dressing down and smiling sympathetically, "time to get up."

She moves away as you fumble with your phone to check the time. It's just past seven, giving you enough time to unfold your schedule from where it lies on the floor and check to see how long you have before the kids arrive.

Less than an hour.

Throwing the covers back, you stumble to the bathroom and begin to get ready. The dress code is casual with the only rule being you must wear the camp-provided shirts, so you pair it with some shorts and some trainers before shoving a toothbrush into your mouth and attempting to make your bed.

"Breakfast ends at about half past, Y/N." Inhyung gasps breathlessly, jumping to wriggle into her shorts.

In the end, you just have time to finish off the last of the toast and coffee before the first round of coaches pull up, with children's faces squished up against the glass like in an aquarium.

"Well," Inhyung sighs, watching them forlornly with her arms crossed. "There they are. We better split up now since I've gotta go get my group. I'll see you both at lunch?"

"Sure," Sooyoung waves her off, before turning her attention back to you. "We've got hiking first, Y/N, so would you mind heading down to pick up our gear? It's just down that path over there."

Following her directions, you set off and head into a little storage office, where you're required to sign in and out along with documenting the items you're taking. For you and Sooyoung, it's two backpacks filled with camp-provided items like a branded water bottle and a map, while you're handed more bottles than you can carry and ordered to fill them up for the kids.

Lugging them around the back in a spare crate, you reach the rusty bronze tap at the same time you witness another water bottle being shoved under, disheartening enough that you drop the crate and glance at your watch. Hopefully, you wouldn't keep anyone waiting.

"Oh," the person at the tap watches you struggle with your multiple water bottles sympathetically. It's Jaemin, fully prepared for the hot weather in shorts and a tank top, filling up his own canteen. "Sorry, I didn't mean to jump ahead of you."

"No, no," you wave your hands dismissively with a polite smile. "It's fine. You wouldn't want to be stuck behind me anyway."

He grins. "Thanks. You're new, right? I haven't seen you around before."

You nod. "This is my first year, I'm Y/N."

"I'm Jaemin," you don't tell him you already know his name. "Let me guess, you're going hiking?"

You look down at the crate and laugh. "What gave it away?"

"It's fun," he assures you. His bottle is full now, but he puts it aside and motions for you to hand him one of yours. "I've got it this morning as well; it's a good starting activity."

"I hope so," you pass over the bottle, breaking eye contact as you accidentally brush your hand over his. Inhyung had mentioned he was popular earlier so the last thing you wanted was him thinking you had some stupid crush on him.

As he finishes screwing the lid on the first bottle, you move closer and take over from him with the second one.

"I guess I'll see you around," Jaemin picks up his bottle and sends you one final parting smile. "Good luck on your first day."

"Thanks!" You keep your eyes on him even as he turns away, watching his disappearing figure until the cold tap water runs over your hand and dribbles down to the ground.

-

"There you are!"

When you next see Sooyoung, she's surrounded by ten kids. They orbit around her like little satellites, some in pairs and some shyer than others, hiding behind her as they watch you with caution in their eyes.

"Everyone, this is Y/N." Sooyoung introduces you. "She's your second instructor for this weekend."

"Hi, everyone!" You slip into your 'work' persona easily, setting the crate down. "Who's ready to do some hiking? I've got your water bottles here, come and choose!"

The bolder ones do just that. You're introduced to the boys first: Hyunoh and Junyoung, the two eldest and most confident. Trailing behind them is Taehyung and his little brother Eunjo, with the youngest, Daekwon, behind Sooyoung's legs. With him is Yuri, an adorable little girl with two plaits, while another, Minseo, latches onto you as you answer her questions.

The final three girls, Dohyun, Joohee and Heejin, are returning campers, so you explain to them that it's your first time as you set off on the blue trail.

"It's okay," Joohee slips her hand into yours and stares up at you with serious eyes. "We'll look after you."

Exchanging a glance with Sooyoung who leads the group from the front, you smother your laughter with a smile. "Thank you, Joohee, that means a lot."

Even though you're only ten minutes into the walk, it's as if you've been swallowed by the forest. Amidst the floppy sun hats and cheery, white-cast faces of the children, the wilderness flourishes under the sun.

"Last time we were here, we saw a deer." Heejin tells you. "It was huge!"

"Wow!" You reply. "Keep your eyes peeled for me, then!"

The blue trail is a dirt path carved out by many hikers before you. It's far enough from the winding lakes and rivers that you're not disturbed by mosquitoes or midges and wide enough that Sooyoung is comfortable allowing the older kids to chase each other short distances. The majority, however, are tucked between the two of you and chatting amongst each other whilst examining their maps.

For the most part, it's scenic, calming your frazzled nerves from the morning. The children naturally gravitate to you and Sooyoung but, for the most part, they're more independent than you'd expected.

"Sooyoung!" Halfway into the walk, Junyoung tugs on her arm. "Can we take a break? My feet hurt."

She looks over at you to check and you give her a nod. "Sure," she smiles down at him before raising her voice to catch the attention of the others. "Let's sit down here, guys. Have a big drink of water for me!"

Even though her request is directed towards the kids, you do the same, swallowing as Sooyoung comes to sit beside you.

"Can you do me a favour," she asks urgently, sitting beside you and putting the map in your lap. "And take a look at the map?"

"Sure," you oblige, scrutinising it- although you're unsure on what you're supposed to be looking for. The blue trail starts at the camp, then winds off around the lake before coming around-

"Hey, did we pass the lake already?" You turn to her, brow furrowing.

She shakes her head. "No."

"Then we've...?"

"Gone the wrong way. Look," she points to the lake, "we're supposed to be here by now because we're at the halfway mark. I don't know where I went wrong!"

"I-it's okay," you hand the map back to her, glancing over at the kids. They've begun a game of I-Spy. "Let's walk for a little longer, maybe, and then if we don't find it we can turn back?"

Soyoung nods. "Okay, cool. Thanks, Y/N."

Smiling, you pat her shoulder. "Don't worry about it. We'll be fine."

Nevertheless, Sooyung's doubt is like a seed planted in your stomach, which grows as you continue walking. Every turn has you craning your head to try and spot a mass of blue, which, to your dismay, never happens.

"Hey, Y/N," tugging on your arm, Daekwon pokes at your legs to get your attention. You hum to confirm you're listening, still straining to see past the vibrant green bushes.

"I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with... P!"

"P? What begins with P out here?" You turn and smile at him as he giggles. "I'm never going to guess that!"

"It's a person!" He laughs, pointing up ahead. "Look!"

Sure enough, figures are coming your way, another small group of hikers.

"Sooyoung!" You call to her. "Who are they?"

"I'm not sure!" She replies. Then, you watch as her body stiffens, the kids coming to a stop behind her before she turns on her heel and hurries towards you with a panicked expression on her face.

"Y/N, it's Jaemin," she mutters to you. "It's his group. Can you go over and ask for directions?"

"Me?" You stare at her incredulously, and she counters with a pleading look.

"If I go he'll think I'm totally incompetent! It's your first time, so you'll be fine. Please?"

You swallow. What made her think you would be okay with being seen as incompetent? Nevertheless, her pleading eyes aren't something you can say no to, so with a sigh, you squeeze past the kids and head over, embarrassment already creeping up your neck.

Jaemin sticks out like a sore thumb, towering above the kids. You see him raise a hand to shield his eyes from the sun and squint at you before a questioning call of your name leaves his mouth.

Your traitorous heart, for the first time, begins to speed up. He had remembered your name!

"Y/N, hi." He sends you a confused but sincere smile as you reach him, dropping his hand. "What are you doing here?"

With a sheepish smile, you explain your situation. "We must have taken a wrong turn somewhere and might be a bit off track."

He raises an eyebrow. "A bit?"

"Okay," you laugh off your embarrassment the best you can and hold out your map to him. "Do you think you could point us in the right direction?"

"Sure." He comes so close he blocks out the sun. Now you can see properly, the droplets of sweat on his forehead are noticeable, and his face is glowing with the heat from the sun.

"You need to be here," he cranes his head downwards and points on the map. "You must've taken the right turning earlier instead of the left."

"Oh, really?" You nibble your bottom lip. "Dammit."

"It's fine!" He smiles brightly, reassurance in his tone. "If you just take the next left you'll still reach the lake, no biggie."

"Really?" You let out a sigh, shoulders drooping as you let go of the map. "Thank you so much."

"Don't mention it." He watches you with a grin that has you shying away, retreating to Sooyoung and relaying the information to her.

"Thank god," she sighs. "Thanks, Y/N."

Luckily, your group makes it past the lake and back to camp just in time for lunch, which is served on picnic blankets on the green near the lake. Halfway through eating the two of you spot Inhyung nearby, drenched from head to toe. Seeing the two of you, she gives a big thumbs up with a smile before returning to her kids.

"I hope I don't fall in when we go to the lake," you shudder.

"Inhyung always goes overboard with the kids, don't worry." Sooyoung consoles you. "We've got canoeing next though."

Yuri overhears your conversation, pausing from chewing her sandwich. "Don't worry, Y/N, I'll save you."

Laughing, you gently cuff her cheek. "Thank you, Yuri."

She blinks up with adorable, sparkling eyes, before reaching out and passing something to you. "Will you please go and refill my water bottle?"

With a pretend sigh, you shake your head and reluctantly take it from her while she giggles at your little performance.

-

Despite Inhyung's appearance, you're thankful to be going down to the lake. With the sun high up in the sky, you finish reapplying Daekwon's sunscreen and straighten up, wiping the excess on your legs.

The youngest boy nibbles on his lip. You blink down at him, frowning. "Everything okay, Daekwon?"

He nods shyly. "I don't really want to get wet," he murmurs.

"Hey, it's okay!" Giving a cheery smile, you take his little hands in yours and give them wiggle around. "I'll make sure no-one pushes you in."

He nods, slipping his hand into yours as you stand up and take him over to where Sooyoung has gathered the rest of the kids.

With the lake behind you, an official canoeing instructor- another member of staff -comes to give the children a safety talk. While they explain the dangers of the water, you and Sooyoung are delegated the task of collecting the life jackets.

Daekwon beelines straight for you as the instructor dismisses them, so you make a big fuss of putting on his life jacket, assuring him it's extra tight. When he's finally soothed, you straighten up to help the other kids, only to find a new group has joined you and are having the safety brief- Jaemin's group.

At least, this time, you weren't going to seem so unprofessional. Water sports were where you excelled.

Though you slip into your life jacket with practised ease and begin to help haul the canoes to the water, you can't help but notice Jaemin dawdling with his own, making half-hearted attempts to bring his own to the shore.

Your head tilts in confusion. Surely he could lift it, right?

It would make sense to leave him and focus on your own group. It would. But you find yourself inching closer and closer.

"Do you need any help?"

Jaemin looks up at the sound of your voice with an emerging smile. "Y/N," he gives you a once-over, "glad to see you made it back in one piece."

He's staring now, and you look away across the lake as if a giant wave will leap out and swallow you whole.

"Yeah, thanks to you."

He laughs again, running a hand through his hair and tousling it up. "Don't mention it. I mean, to be honest..." His gaze follows yours out to the lake, except his is more contemplative. "I've never loved water. Which is stupid since I work here, I know, but yeah. I try to get in last usually, which is why I'm still here." He gestures to his canoe.

"Oh." You blink at him. It's hard to imagine Jaemin, good-with-kids Jaemin, local-secret-camp-celebrity Jaemin being scared of water, but you nod your head like you understand and then actually try to. After all, you'd been scared of hating it here at first too.

"It's not fun," you agree, before amending your comment with a hasty cough. "I mean- my family is really into, like, water sports, so when I was younger they would all push me in because they thought it was funny, but in reality, it just made me scared. I got better once I could take it at my own pace, so what you're saying makes total sense.

"Plus," you shrug as you turn your head to find him staring at you, "it's good to teach kids boundaries, right?"

"Yeah..." He's still staring at you, before he seems to realise and looks down, then away, then back to you with a grin tugging at his lips. "I guess I'm in capable hands, then."

His smile is contagious. "I guess you are."

Taking the other end of his canoe, the two of you make it to the water at last, where you have to leave Jaemin in favour of Daekwon, who watches the water warily, shrinking back as it laps at his feet eagerly.

"Come on, Daekwon," you sigh. Someone is staring at you from behind and you don't want to leave the poor boy to enter the water alone. "Why don't we get a two-man canoe for the both of us?"

-

Your first point of call once you're in the water is to steer Daekwon clear of the older boys, who have immediately started splashing each other with their oars. The further you get from them the more Daekwon's small frame relax, melting into you until he's holding the edges of the canoe and peering into the water to try and see some wildlife.

"Over there, Daekwon," you lean down and point to the river bank. "Do you see the birds?"

He's silent, in awe over the mother bird and her chicks that are barely concealed by the reeds. While he looks, you manoeuvre the boat so he can see better, allowing your gaze to swim over the other children on the lake.

Taehyung and Eunjo have, like many of the other kids, trapped Jaemin in a circle of canoes and are splashing him with their oars, relentless in their attacks while their shrieks of laughter ripple out over the lake. The mother duck squawks at the disruption, but both you and Daekwon stay mesmerised.

Him by the ducks, you by Jaemin, who emerges from the water to stand up with water dripping from him and a broad grin. The children squeal and he throws back his head and pushes his hair out of his face, eyes opening to try and spot a target. He lunges for one of the kids in his group, grabbing an oar- which is promptly abandoned by the child -before wading towards the escapees.

"Y/N." Daekwon draws your attention by poking you, brown eyes blinking at your silence. "Can we go a little further to see some more birds?"

"Huh?" You cough, pulling at the neck of your life jacket to try and get some air. "Sure. Come on, you take a turn at using the oars."

-

The best thing about having canoeing as the last activity of the day, you realise, is that once the kids are released after dinner, they're completely exhausted.

After walking the last few stragglers to their cabins, you and Sooyoung meet up with Inhyung inside your own and, after a quick shower and change, pile onto Sooyoung's bed with the fan turned towards you to watch a film on Inhyung's laptop.

"One down, two more to go," Inhyung sighs, slumping further on the mattress. "God, trying to get those kids to walk after canoeing was torture. And then Donghyuck was like, 'let's go swim in this lake', so I had to come back with wet kids, again."

"That sucks," you sigh, grabbing a handful of popcorn. "At least you didn't get lost."

"Oh my god, that was embarrassing!" Sooyoung laughs. "Inhyung, I made Y/N ask Jaemin for directions."

"Ugh," She pouts "I wish I were with you two."

"We were lucky he was kind enough to help us." You reply.

Sooyoung elbows you. "She thinks he's cute!"

"I didn't say that!" You defend, sitting upright and turning to her in outrage. Thankfully, she's laughing.

"Sure," Inhyung smiles at you knowingly. "It's just a weekend, Y/N, remember that."

"I know," you defend again, but you can feel your heart beginning to stir in your chest, for what reason, you don't know. So, to drive home your point, you repeat yourself, forceful enough that Inhyung can only giggle and then settle back down with her eyes on the screen.

-

On your second morning, the early starts begin to catch up. Not even a cup of coffee can help you greet the kids enthusiastically, although Sooyoung has it down to an art.

It means you hang back as she tells them about this morning's exciting activity: capture the flag. The children quiver as they munch on their toast and cereal, unable to hide their anticipation. Meanwhile, you nurse another weak, watery coffee, resisting the temptation to turn a slow blink into a few minutes of shut-eye.

You're working. You need to be alert.

Thankfully, today the sun hides behind the clouds and is accompanied by a gentle breeze, providing perfect conditions for the kids to run around to their hearts' content.

The capture the flag area is, according to Sooyoung, the furthest activity from the main camp.

"It's so they can properly run around, but we know they're safe," she explains as you make your way through the forest. "We have fencing all the way around too, so it's normally a really fun activity."

"Cool." You nod, arms crossed as you walk alongside her.

To make things worse, Jaemin's group is already at the site. His group is clad in blue vests to signal which team they're on whilst a box of red ones waits for you.

Spending another day with Jaemin means another day of uncertainty. Stealing a glance at him reminds you of the other day- when he'd tilted his head to the sky and grinned. Looking at him now, bending down to help a child secure their vest, you feel almost guilty for thinking of him in such a way. Ever the traitor, your heart rebelliously speeds up, as if to prove a point.

He's just being friendly, you tell yourself over and over again like a mantra. Just friendly.

Dohyun doesn't help, darting forward and shouting over to Jaemin's group: "You're going to go down."

Jaemin's partner, Jeno, turns to face her with his hands on his hips and a cocky look in his eye. "Oh yeah?"

She squeals, darting behind your legs and almost colliding with you until you place a hand on her back to steady yourself. Irritation unfurls in your stomach, eager for you to step away from her, but with a measured breath, you remind yourself of the cheque you'll be receiving at the end of this, and more importantly: she didn't mean it.

"Be careful, sweetie." You chastise her gently, though she pays no attention, joining Joohee in shouting over to Jeno until Sooyoung silences them.

"Okay, right, let's-" Her attempts at organising the group are interrupted as her phone rings. It's the one issued by the camp, so she passes over control to you before ducking out to take the call, leaving you to start distributing the red vests while waiting for the arena staff to go over safety procedures.

As the rules are finally read out, Sooyoung calls you over while pocketing her phone.

"That was the kitchen," she explains apologetically. "They've had a few staff call in sick and need a few volunteers to help them out."

"I can go," you blurt out. Sooyoung gives you a look, but with the threat of having to chase and be chased all morning looming over you, your only option is to square your shoulders and strengthen your resolve. "I don't mind."

"You sure?" She fishes her phone back out. "Okay, great, thanks. Let me just text them. You know where the kitchen building is, yeah?"

"Yeah." You don't.

Sooyoung pauses. "It's where we usually have lunch. We'll meet you there once we're done."

"Sure." You give a serious nod before the two of you part ways. With your back to both the groups, you bite down a triumphant smile and make your way back along the path to freedom. For the next few minutes, it will just be you, nature, and-

"Y/N!"

Turning around, you watch in surprise as Jaemin jogs your way.

Was he coming to say good morning to you?

He slows until he's by your side, then- to your surprise -continues to walk, pausing once he realises you're not following.

"Are you not coming to the kitchens?" He asks, confused.

Your brain does an automatic restart. Helpers, Sooyoung had said. Plural. "Oh, yeah! I am. You're coming too?"

"Yep!" He puffs out his chest. "I did my health and safety training with food last year, so it makes sense."

"Oh," you drag the word out slowly, "cool."

Was it just you, or was it awkward? Despite the cool air you feel stifled with no other option but to plough forward at a pace Jaemin can easily keep up with, your head facing downwards where all you can see are his long legs in those shorts-

No! You needed to get a hold of yourself.

"I'm so glad I'm not doing capture the flag." Words tumble from your lips like vomit. You're forced to explain yourself as quickly as you're broken the silence. "I'm not competitive and I'm so tired."

To your surprise, Jaemin doesn't scold you for being unenthusiastic or slacking, he just nods. "Me too."

You blink. "Huh?"

"I hate anything competitive." He grins, and the sight of it causes your knees to buckle. What was wrong with you? "Jeno was up all night last night talking tactics, you'd think he was the one actually properly playing the game! I'd rather save my energy."

"Word." You mutter, jumping when Jaemin throws his head back and laughs. "I mean it! No amount of coffee could get me to wake up this morning."

"That's 'cause you're doing it wrong," he shakes his head, laughter still evident in the smile lines around his eyes and the fond grin he wears. "How many sachets of that instant stuff do you put in?"

"Just one."

"You need to put in at least two. Trust me-" he laughs again at your frown. "The food we get here is good. The sachets? Not so much. Adding more makes it pack a punch, trust me. Try it tomorrow."

"Okay," you nod slowly. This was Jaemin's third year here now; he couldn't be wrong. "I will. You better not be tricking me into making a really strong, bitter coffee though."

To your surprise, he slings an arm around you and gives a casual squeeze. "I promise you, I'm not."

Once you arrive, you find the kitchen to be stuffy and boiling despite the three (three!!) fans that are working overtime to try and push around some cold air. The head chef, an older man in khakis and a stained white apron, looks like he's going to melt into the black and white tiles below him.

"So we're gonna need you to prep the plates and run them to the benches outside." He waves a wooden spoon carelessly to stress his point before sticking it back into his suspicious brown mixture. You look at Jaemin and the two of you bite down on a laugh.

"Then if you get us out some pans after that, so we can start portioning stuff, and then get the desserts out of the freezer for us." He grunts. "Sound good?"

"Sounds perfect." Jaemin replies. Then, without even glancing at you, he asks. "We can do it together, right?"

The cook looks at him, then grunts. "I don't see why not."

All the while, your heart thump-thumps in your chest, while your nails dig into your skin to calm yourself. Jaemin was just being friendly.

...Right?

"Come on, Y/N." He places his hands on your shoulders and steers you around. "I'll show you where the cutlery is."

The work begins, first by setting the picnic tables with easy-wipe cloths in case of any spillages. Then you both get to work piling plates and cutlery into boxes for you to transport. After finishing the cook's instructions, you're asked to fill up huge bottles of squash for the kids over at the tap.

"Here." As you start filling the first container up with water, you find Jaemin holding out a strawberry popsicle for you expectantly.

You take it hesitantly. "Did you steal this from the kitchen!?"

He removes his popsicle from his mouth and cocks a brow. "What's the point in being health and safety trained if it doesn't come with benefits?"

You can't help but giggle, clamping a hand over your mouth to stifle the sound. "You-"

"Careful!" In an instant, Jaemin steps forward, crowding you so that his chest is directly in front of your face. You're left frozen, with nothing but the faint scent of cologne and sweat as he turns off the tap, then steps back and sends you a sweet smile as if nothing has happened.

"Sorry," he grins. "It was gonna overflow. Shall we do the next one?"

You can't reply, so you nod, shuffling to the side so he can swap the bottle around. You watch his arms strain as he lifts the full one, trailing your gaze upwards until you're staring unashamedly at his size profile.

A chunk of your popsicle melts, the red slush dripping onto your fingers, then falling to the floor.

Oh, you think, still watching him, I'm so fucked.

-

After lunch, you've got the fourth activity of the trip: survival skills. Heading deep into the forest, the kids are greeted by a survival specialist, then paired off to try and gather sticks to build a fire. You and Sooyoung hover like restless mother hens, swooping in whenever they need help.

Despite your poor start to the day, being in the woods helps. As you follow Heejin around and pick up the sticks she points to, it gives you time to think, mostly about a certain dark-haired boy.

"Over there," Heejin points in a vague direction while you amble over, scouring the ground. You shouldn't be doing the gathering for Heejin, but the younger girl is in no mood to be by herself. You watch her, with her drooping shoulders and listless shuffle, and conclude that getting her to do anything this afternoon will be an achievement and so turn back to your gathering with a clear mind, satisfied you're doing the right thing.

You had to get over whatever you felt for Jaemin. It shouldn't be something you were contemplating over. Inhyung had said it herself! Jaemin, the boy who had been kind, helpful, and friendly had not been flirting. He had been...?

"Bored!" Heejin huffs. "Y/N, I'm bored. Can I go back to my cabin?"

"Not yet, Heejin," you send her a sympathetic smile. "Just try to get through this, okay? I know it's boring."

She nods, holding the sticks she's found up to you to carry.

The two of you are both plagued by opposite problems. Heejin was desperately trying to find something to intrigue her while you're actively ignoring your feelings no matter how they tug at your heartstrings.

Content that you're handling Heejin, Sooyoung floats around the other children as you help build the fires. You create the little square home for the cotton balls and petroleum jelly while Heejin takes interest in lighting it all.

The tiny flames lick at the white cotton, lapping up their fuel before growing steadily. Heejin perks up, clapping happily as the sticks begin to crumble and burn.

You gaze down, into the growing fire, and realise what exactly your feelings are evolving into:

A crush.

-

One that needed to die.

There was no way Jaemin felt the same. Absolutely none.

Which is why, as you follow Sooyoung down to the first activity of the morning, treetop rope courses, you deliberate what to do with yourself. Ironically, the two sachets of instant coffee you'd drunk this morning under Jaemin's recommendations have worked. Your mind is clear and the kids seem to sense your upbeat mood, clinging to your hands and swinging them to and fro.

It's just a shame you'll never get to tell Jaemin that his coffee hack worked.

Because you're going to avoid him.

"Excited for two hours of tree top excitement?" Sooyoung grins at you.

"You bet." Nodding, you come to walk beside her, the kids all around you like a swarm of birds.

"I just wanted to know..." She begins, but her words fall on deaf ears. Already at the starting hut is Jaemin's group and he's there with a huge grin on his face, looking down at the kids. You immediately turn back to her and try desperately to make it look as if you're avidly engaged in the conversation.

"... If you're happy to do that?"

"Of course." You reply instantly. "More than happy."

A smile breaks out onto Sooyoung's face. "Oh are you sure?" She gushes. "Thanks, Y/N. I would, it's just, I really hate heights."

"Su-ure." You continue, smiling through your confusion. What had she been talking about?

"So, just go over to the instructor over there, Heejun, and he'll take you up." Sooyoung points the man out for you.

"Take me... up?" You echo. "Where?"

"To the trees, silly!" Sooyoung laughs. "Someone's gotta wait for the kids at the end of the course, right?"

You look upwards, towards the long zipline that's roughly 30 metres high.

"Right," you give a disbelieving laugh, "of course!"

You can feel eyes on you as you approach, but rather than confronting them, you head straight over to Heejun so he can begin prepping you.

Surprisingly, it goes... smoothly. It's only after two hours of horror and fear, suspended on a tiny platform whilst encouraging (mostly) terrified children to take a leap of faith towards you that you're allowed down and asked to help pack up. Between collecting the hard hats and harnesses you feel a shadow fall over you as someone approaches.

"Hey," Jaemin smiles. "You alright?"

"Yes!" You nod a little too eagerly, then wince at yourself for your schoolgirl response. "I'm fine."

"That's good," he hums, rocking back on his feet. "Hey, I was, uh, wondering if we were-"

"If we were...?" You repeat cautiously.

"Like," he struggles for the words. "If we're okay? I know it sounds stupid, but I just wanted to make sure I hadn't annoyed you or anything."

Your heart drops to your stomach. "No!" You shout. "I mean- yes! We're fine."

His forlorn expression transforms instantly. "Really? I thought you might be mad at me or something."

"We're totally fine!" You insist through gritted teeth. The image of Jaemin looking like a kicked puppy was now permanently imprinted in your brain. How had you ever thought ignoring him was a good idea? You hadn't lasted half a day. "I, um, was just... Sad! That we're going home tomorrow!"

"Oh, really?" Jaemin pauses for a second, thinking. "But there's always next year, right? I mean, if you liked it enough this year."

"Yeah, definitely." You nod along without thinking again.

Jaemin steps closer. "Seriously though," he murmurs, resting his hand on your shoulder briefly. "I'm glad we're okay."

Then, with another smile, he's gone, back over to his group to help Jeno round them up and leaving your heart to beat like a battle drum.

-

"I can't believe it's our last night," Inhyung sighs, pulling on her hoodie. "It's crazy how time flies."

"I know," Sooyoung tosses a jumper your way as she ties her hair up in the mirror. "I feel like we got here yesterday!"

"Tell me about it," you murmur. "We have to do this again next year."

"Awh, Y/N!" Inhyung bustles over and wraps her arms around you. "You've grown on me too, you cutie! I'm glad you've enjoyed it!"

Laughing, you swat her away and focus on lacing up your trainers.

"We've still got tonight, though." Soohyung sends Inhyung a look. "After the campfire we've got to try and keep them in bed."

Inhyung fills you in. "They like to run around on their last evening," she says. "Which means we get no sleep."

"It's great!" Sooyoung adds on sarcastically. "And since we've done no night shifts yet, just watch them ask us to do tonight. Just watch!"

Unlike the little fire you'd made with Heejun earlier, the one set up tonight is huge, almost as tall as you with enough logs to let it burn well into the light. Surrounding it is a ring of logs where everyone sits, campers and instructors alike, though each group sits together as hot chocolate and marshmallows are passed out in mugs and on skewers.

"Okay everyone!" With a mug in hand, Mijung stands up and shouts to be heard, looking adorably small in her hoodie. "Who wants a campfire song?"

The kids cheer, someone hollers, but then she's interrupted by another camper who stands up with a shit-eating grin directed at her.

"Or, we could have a scary story!"

This suggestion is met with more cheers from the kids. Defeated, Mijung sinks back down.

"Don't scare them, Donghyuck!" She barks with a stony expression. "Not like last year."

Dohyun pokes at you. "Last year he made everyone super scared." She whispers. "Someone in my cabin threw up all over the fire!"

"Oh my god." You murmur.

Donghyuck begins while the kids listen on, enraptured. Occasionally some recoil at his story and halfway through Dohyun's tiny hand curls around your own and she tucks herself under your arm. A few minutes later and Joohee does the same on your other side.

You watch Jaemin from across the fire. You can't help it; the orange flames cast dancing shadows across his face like a puppet show, transforming his expression with every movement.

As another shadow spreads across his face, you fail to notice his gaze shift until the darkness moves and you find him staring straight at you. Face burning, you whip your head away and stare determinedly at Donghyuck, relaxing your grip on the girls' hands to wipe them on your jeans.

"And so, the campers were never seen again," Donghyuck looks around the circle dramatically, voice low. "Although sometimes, when the winds are high, maybe, just maybe, you'll be able to hear something, something akin to a scream perhaps, or a -"

"Right. Okay, thank you, Donghyuck." Mijung cuts him off and stands up. "Thanks for that. You're all free to go back to your cabins now everyone, if you want. You can stay here and chat but we'll be requesting lights out at ten, okay?"

She's met with a murmur of affirmatives as bodies slowly being to be swallowed up by the darkness as they head out.

"Goodnight, Y/N," Junhee releases your hand. "Will I see you tomorrow before I go?"

"Of course, sweetheart." You smile endearingly at her. "I'll wake up extra early, okay?"

"Okay." She smiles, satisfied, before following the other girls down the path.

"Oi, let's get out of here." Inhyung nudges your foot. She's wrapped up in a jacket that isn't yours but seems unbothered, so you don't comment, signalling to Sooyoung as she finishes up waving off the last in your group.

Back in your cabin, your bag lies on your bed, half full of old clothes and your shoes.

"We've gotta stay in touch, okay?" Inhyung says it like it's a threat. "I gave you my number, right Y/N?"

"Yeah," you nod, thinking back to your initial journey down here. Back then, Inhyung had been nothing more than a friendly stranger. "We should meet up sometime."

"Really?!" She turns to you with an emerging smile. "I'd love that. Just us three?"

You think back to around the fire when you'd been caught gazing at Jaemin's beautiful side profile.

"Sure. Maybe the other instructors could come as well sometime."

The hopeful glint in Inhyung's eyes hasn't diminished. "I'd love that!"

"Bad news, guys." Sooyoung emerges from outside the cabin where she'd gone to take a phone call, frowning when Inhyung groans. "Not about that meet up, Inhyung, you idiot, we've got some wanderers." She shakes her phone for emphasis. "And guess who they've asked to go round them up?"

"Yay." You grumble, rummaging in your bag and snatching up your hoodie. "I can't wait to be bitten to death by the mosquitoes."

"This is all Donghyuck's fault," Inhyung follows you outside. "Why did Mijung let him tell them that story?"

Outside, despite the residual heat from the afternoon lingering in the air, it's completely dark save for the lanterns above the cabin doors which are dive-bombed by the local bug population.

"Let's go." Sooyoung pushes a torch into your hands before marching onwards, leaving the two of you to follow behind her.

The first culprits are easy to find. Keeping silent and following the trail of voices, you catch three unknown boys creeping around the cabins while using their phone torches for guidance. You've never seen Sooyoung angry, but her voice is stern as she scolds them, with the two of you on either side of her like bodyguards.

"Not to be that person," Inhyung mumbles as you watch the boys slip back into their cabin, "but shouldn't we split up? We could get this done a lot faster."

"I'm fine with that." You chime in. The more sleep you can get before the ride home, the better.

Sooyoung pauses, before deciding. "Sure," she relents. "Inhyung, go straight, I'll go left and Y/N can go right?"

"Sure."

"Fine with me."

She nods. "Just keep in contact on your phone then. See you guys later."

Left alone in the wilderness, you adjust your grip on your torch before continuing down the path until you reach the next set of cabins.

Out in the darkness, something moves.

"Boys!" You call sharply. "Get into bed! Now!"

There's the sound of giggles, then the world around you goes silent once again. Satisfied, you move onto the cabins at the edge of the camp until you're immersed in the darkness with your torch shining on nothing but grass.

"What a journey," you mutter to yourself sullenly, pulling up the hood on your hoodie with a shiver.

A twig snaps behind you. Surprisingly, the forest is silent, devoid of any animal calls or leaves rustling. There's a slight breeze from behind you and you shiver again, deciding to finally, finally just turn around and see-

There's a hand on your shoulder gripping you down to your collarbone. You shriek, jumping away and shrugging it off. With a swing of your torch, you turn to face whoever it is out there, shining the light onto a pair of squinting eyes and black hair.

...Black hair?

"Jaemin?" You question, dumbfounded. He gives a guilty smile and pushes your torch away with the tip of his finger. "Fuck, you scared me!"

"Sorry." He shrugs. "I'm on night watch and thought you were a kid."

"And you decided to sneak up on me?"

"Yes?" He frowns, before- "Wait, don't tell me you're scared?"

"I'm not!" You deny, turning back around and carrying on. Jaemin stays by your side, gesturing for the torch and lighting the way for you both once you hand it over.

"Whatever you say." He hums, lips twitching.

He's right next to you, a fraction of a centimetre away. If you were to stumble slightly you'd collide right into him. If you were to turn, you'd be face to face with his lips.

"I can't believe everyone's going home tomorrow." Jaemin breaks the short silence. His voice is a welcome distraction from your thoughts and you jump at the chance of a response, nodding even though he can't see you.

"Me neither. But it's been a good experience."

"Oh yeah?" You can hear the smile in his voice. "You gonna come next year?"

"I think so."

"Good." Is it just you, or did he just nudge you? "I'm glad."

An involuntary smile blooms onto your face, hidden by the darkness, and for that you're thankful. Twisting the sleeve of your hoodie, you finally come to the last three cabins to find...

They're completely silent.

"Oh." Jaemin shines the torch at each one individually. "I wasn't expecting this."

"Neither." You mutter, squinting at the windows to see if any lights are on. "Maybe we didn't give them enough credit?"

Reluctantly, the two of you peel away and head back up the path.

"Where's your cabin?" Jaemin asks.

Your eyes go wide. "No... Really, you don't have to-"

"It's okay, I want to." He affirms, gesturing for you to lead the way.

He's just being a gentleman. It's dark and you're alone, you think to yourself. Even so, your pace slows enough for him to catch up and you curse yourself for the way you gravitate towards him, resuming the side by side position he'd initiated earlier.

"This year was pretty awesome." Jaemin murmurs.

"Oh? Why's that?"

"Well," his voice drops a little more. "Because I met you."

You pause, eyes widening. All you manage to do is squeak out a small "what?"

You've covered a lot of ground during your short walk and your cabin is in sight. If you wanted to you could step away from Jaemin's approaching body, break the eye contact which has now dropped to your lips and never speak to him again.

Instead, all you do is swallow. "We go home tomorrow."

Your fingers pinch at your wrist and the sharp pain is the only reminder that this is real. Up close, you're lost in Jaemin's doe eyes, drunk on his breaths that merge with your own, delirious on the fact that this is happening.

"But I can't just let you go," Jaemin's eyes trace over the curves of your lips and his voice is barely anything more than a breath. "Without letting you know how I feel."

"How you... feel?" You echo dumbly.

He takes your head in his hands, handling you as if you're porcelain, and in one swift movement presses his lips to yours. There's no time to think or move or even breathe as you try your best to reciprocate. But Jaemin's a master, and the next thing you feel is your back up against a cabin, fingers brushing against the coarse wood before you snap back into action and allow yourself to explore his body.

Carding your hands through his hair, you do what you've wanted, dreamed of doing since you'd seen him in the water. He breaks the kiss briefly with a hand cupping the back of your head to keep you close, before smiling against your lips and then continuing.

Once the two of you finally break apart, you stare dazedly at his chest and catch your breath before looking up to find him smiling softly, his thumb ghosting over your jawline tenderly.

"You taste like the hot chocolate we had earlier," he admits, causing you to burst into giggles.

"I can't believe you... you..." He silences you with another kiss, this time a short one before the two of you are interrupted by a light flickering on.

He curses softly. "I should go."

"Really?" The disappointment in your tone is evident but you can't hide it, hands curling around his jacket involuntarily. You'd only just got Jaemin, so why did he have to go?

"I'll see you tomorrow," he promises, dropping a kiss to your forehead that draws another smile from you. "Seriously. Don't get on that bus without me."

"I won't." Your fingers curl around his as he steps away, out of your reach, before he gives you a contented smile and disappears back into the darkness.

You pinch yourself a final time, smiling at the sharp sting, before heading indoors yourself.

-

The next day both Inhyung and Sooyoung chalk up your good mood to you being able to go home. You don't let them think otherwise.

"Someone's happy to get to their own bed, huh?" Inhyung elbows you teasingly as you finish zipping up your bag.

You laugh. "Sue me, Inhyung."

The spring in your step doesn't leave even as you lock up the cabin and hand in your keys. As you reach the breakfast area you see the coaches lined up and waiting patiently as the kids pile on in little lines.

The send-off of your group is bittersweet. You've never been hugged so many times but with a promise that you and Sooyoung will be there next year, the kids are satisfied.

"We got lucky with our group." Sooyoung comments as you eat breakfast.

"Yeah," you agree, depositing two coffee sachets into your mug.

Your table holds the three of you and a few others, like Mijung, who wait around for their bus to come. Jaemin is nowhere to be seen but you hadn't seen Jeno either. They were probably still packing.

"It won't be long now." Mijung says, tapping away on her phone. "The buses to the city should be here in twenty minutes."

"Is this it then?" Inhyung asks. "Just us left?"

To your horror, Mijung nods. "Yep," she answers, "everyone else left earlier. Makes it nice and easy for the coach drivers."

"What do you mean?" You lean forward, coffee forgotten. "Have the other instructors gone?"

"You didn't know?" Sooyoung frowns. "Everyone comes and leaves in waves. We weren't the first ones here, remember?"

Nausea bubbles up in your stomach as you sit back, numb. This had to be a sick joke. Jaemin was the one who had said to wait for him!?

"Oh, look!" Inhyung nudges you frowning at the way your body rocks from the impact. "There's our bus!"

"Are you okay, Y/N?" Sooyoung asks. "You've gone pale."

"I'm fine," you choke.

He'd already left.

You grip the straps of your bag tightly, willing yourself not to cry. You won't, not in front of the people who'd warned you about Jaemin. Not in front of your manager.

Sooyoung's hug as she says goodbye is too tight, too smothering, but you plaster on a smile nonetheless. While Inhyung boards to save you both a seat you say your final goodbyes to everyone before handing over your luggage to the driver with a heavy heart.

"Y/N, wait!"

Your head whips around faster than a whippet, one foot already on the steps.

It's not Jaemin.

Instead, another dark-haired boy sprints towards you with an outstretched hand. It's Jeno, who ends up gasping in front of you as he regains his breath.

"For- you-" He splutters, thrusting something into your palm.

It's a piece of paper, crumpled and sweaty with something scribbled in the middle. You thank Jeno as politely as you can and, with a pounding heart, read what's written down.

It's a number.

Sorry I broke my promise. Call me?

Jaemin.