21 |nineteen|

I pace back and forth anxiously at the front door. I fed Skye already, so she should be good until I get back. I cleaned up our mess from last night. Everything should be perfect, but I still feel like something is off.

I jump as the doorbell echos through the house. I grab my bag and coat before stuffing my worries in the back of my head and hurrying outside. My face lights up as MinHo stands just outside the gate with his hands stuffed in his pockets. Light, fluffy snow falls from the sky like a magical land of happiness.

"Hey—did you sleep well?" MinHo asks as I slip out to join him.

"Honestly, no, but I'll live. It's normal for me." I shrug as holds his hand out for mine. I know it's just a precaution so I don't fall, but I'm worried someone might recognize him and snap a picture of us.

"Just hold my hand, I'd rather have to explain a picture than have to explain why you ended up in the hospital." MinHo shakes his head as he forces my hand into his. He then stuffs our intertwined hands into his jacket pocket.

"Do the others know you came to get me?" I ask softly as he leads the way toward the building.

"The only one who knows is HyunJin, but he was still asleep when I left. JiSung was up when I left, but I don't think he suspects anything." MinHo explains as he nudges me further from the road.

"What about Chan? Did you tell him?" I question as I watch the dozens of shops pass us by.

"I texted him before I left, but he didn't answer. He slipped out before Felix and ChangBin did. He went to the studio. I figure we'll surprise him with coffee and you." MinHo chirps as he nods toward a coffee shop.

"I'll wait out here. I don't want people to assume things." I mumble as I slip my hand out of his.

"You have to come with. I can't carry coffee for nine people." MinHo scolds as he grabs my wrist and pulls me inside.

"Nine? There are only eight of you." I look at him in confusion.

"You make nine. What do you want?" MinHo questions as he hands the girl behind the counter a list of drinks for the others.

"I'm okay—I can't drink coffee." I wave him off and lower my head.

"Add a hot chocolate to the list, too, please." MinHo speaks up as he reaches in his pocket to pull out his wallet.

"You don't have to—I'm fine." I attempt to object, but MinHo pulls me behind him.

"Did you eat?" MinHo tosses a glance over his shoulder at me.

I don't want to answer. If I tell him the truth, he'll insist he has to buy me something.

"Could we get a dozen donuts, too?" MinHo picks up on my hesitation and buys food anyway.

I linger closely beside him, the small shop much too crowded for my liking. Next to him, it's not as overwhelming. I know that if something happens he'll step up and take care of it.

MinHo quickly reaches out and wraps his arm around my waist before pulling me toward him as a group of guys make their way into the shop. I swallow hard as he holds me close while they pass. My waist tingles and my heart races long after after his moves his arm.

MinHo hands her his card and places the box of donuts in my hands. He patiently waits for her to return his card before putting into his wallet and back into his pocket. He locks arms with me before grabbing the drink carriers. We both bow our heads slightly before making our way back out onto the street.

"Why'd you buy food? I don't need any. I don't usually eat much anyway." I mumble as MinHo stops us at a crosswalk.

"I have a feeling the others haven't ate anything either. I figured why not surprise them with some food. It'll help keep the mood up so early in the morning." MinHo smiles as nods for me to start walking.

"Isn't that what I'm for?" I mumble softly, attempting to be funny—despite my inability to do so effectively.

"I was going to call them and tell them I have a present once we get there, then go in with the food and drinks. You'll wait in the hall as a second surprise." MinHo chuckles as he glances up at the JYP building.

"I thought most of them weren't here yet." I state confused as he leads me slowly up the front steps.

"Chan sent a group chat this morning saying he wants everyone here at nine. So, they should all be here within the next twenty minutes or so." MinHo explains as he struggles to open the door. It takes him a couple tries before he finally manages to tug it open.

"What if they didn't wake up to his message? I feel like sleeping through a message is something that happens a lot." I sigh as I follow him into the building. With it being fairly early, there aren't many people in front of the building. I don't think many of them even noticed us.

"SeungMin is home, he'll wake them up. The only ones not there are Chan, Felix, ChangBin, and of course me. So he's only got three problem children to handle." MinHo shrugs as he sets the drinks down on a table in the lobby. He pulls his phone out and dials Chan's number.

"Right here." Chan calls as he steps off the elevator.

MinHo hangs up and stuffs his phone in his pocket. Chan approaches us with a bright smile.

"How'd you sleep?" Chan asks as he squeezes my shoulder. I flinch slightly from his unexpected grasp. The feeling of MinHo's arm around my waist still lingering.

"Better than nothing." I mumble as Chan takes the donuts from me.

"If you want, you can sleep on the couch in my studio. I might have to kick ChangBin off of it though." Chan offers as he holds his arm out for me to hold onto.

"Did Felix start recording yet?" MinHo asks as he picks up the drink carriers once again and follows Chan and me toward the elevator.

"Nope. We had to change plans, that's why everyone is supposed to be here at nine. I need extra hands—specifically JiSung." Chan explains as he hits the button for the correct floor.

"I can run back to the dorm and grab him if you want. It'll only take a few minutes." MinHo reaches out to stop the elevator doors from closing.

"No, it's all good. SeungMin called just before you and said that he had them all up. They should be here within ten or so." Chan mumbles as he glances down at his pocket.

"I can take them." I take the donuts from him so he can answer his phone.

"What's up?" Chan questions as he puts his phone on speaker and sets it on top of the donuts. He delicately takes the box back from me.

"I'm sorry—I'm on my way. I'm about three minutes from the building. You should've called me sooner." JiSung grumbles as the sound of his labored breath fills the phone.

"Stop running. We're not that far behind. We'll get it done in no time. MinHo has a surprise for us all, too, so don't wear yourself out before you get here." Chan states as he looks at me with a slight grin.

"What? Did he bring coffee again? That's honestly not that big of a surprise." JiSung groans as his steps seem to slow.

"Something better." MinHo leans in front of me to startle JiSung.

"Better? Did you bring food? I mean—food is better, but it's not that impressive." JiSung mumbles.

"Just hurry up and get here before the surprise disappears." MinHo teases as he glances at me.

"I don't think it's going to disappear, but if you're only like three minutes away—I'll see you in the studio. Felix is ready whenever you are." Chan quickly hangs up in attempt to leave JiSung lost and confused.