HUMBLE PIE

[The morning before Neoma got her heart broken…]

"APPA, Nero and I are about to go to school with Julian Oppa and Winter," Neoma said while talking to her father on the phone. And, yes, she switched from 'Julian Sunbae' to 'Julian Oppa' because Julian asked her to. "Uncle Kiho will drive us to school."

<"That's good to know. Have you eaten breakfast?">

"Yes, Appa. Aunt Tilly is a great chef. How about Appa?"

<"Glenn is here at my place and, for some reason, he's making me breakfast even when it's not a part of his job description.">

Neoma giggled. "Uncle Glenn is just worried about you, Appa."

<"I know."> Her father paused for a moment before he asked the next question awkwardly. <"So, uh, how's your mother?">

Neoma glanced at the kitchen.

Her mother and Aunt Tilly were busy packing cookies and cupcakes for Neoma, Nero, and the Nam Brothers.