Sam's P.O.V:
I mourned in frustration when Zoey started singing in the hall again. She had been singing "Lotto" the whole morning. As if singing it at the concert last night wasn't enough. She kept on singing the chorus and she sang it wrongly as usual, getting a few Korean words right. It's not that I hate the song. It's one of my personal EXO favourites. It's just that the more she sang the louder she became.
And I mean obnoxiously loud.
"I'm not going to enjoy my breakfast today," said Mike who sat next to me at the dinning table as Zoey walked in, hitting a high note.
"Me too," said Daniel who sat across from me and had his elbow on the table and his cheek on his hand. He looked miserable.
Zoey came over to sit next to Christine who looked rather irritated.
"Can you please stop singing!" Christine fully blurted out in Zoey's face.
For a moment, the whole place was quiet. What a way to silence the boom box. I was stunned and so were my brothers. Zoey on the other hand, looked embarrassed.
"Wow! What just happened?" Mike asked.
"I silenced her, that's what happened," Christine replied as she went back to eating her breakfast like nothing had happened.
"You should be doing that more often," said Daniel.
"Excuse me?" Zoey asked. Looks like despite the shock, she was trying to put herself back together.
"She should be shutting you up more often," said Mike as he smiled. "That's what he meant."
"After all, Christine's done a pretty good job doing so," said Daniel.
My two brothers laughed and gave each other a look. I shook my head and smiled. I almost laughed too.
"You see, Sam," said Zoey. "I didn't want to argue today and your brothers are already putting me on edge."
"Just ignore them," I said. "Oh and Christine, that was a little harsh, don't you think?"
Christine gave a shrug. "Zoey was making too much noise."
"I know. That's why I'm saying thanks."
Zoey gasped in horror as she held her chest. "I don't know who you're anymore."
I gave Zoey a shrug as I put a strawberry in my mouth. My breakfast couldn't be any sweeter.
It just got more sweet when Lee came in the lounge with a huge bouquet of beautiful flowers.
"Ah, flowers," said Zoey. "Who are they for, Lee?"
"Obviously to all the girls in this room," Lee answers as she put the bouquet on the table. "From EXO."
Christine clapped her hands with glee. "So sweet of them."
"Too bad they never got anything for us," said Mike as he rolled his eyes and drank his juice.
"Well, they invited you two boys for a boys' night out tomorrow," said Lee as she held up two tickets and waved them like a fan. "You're going for a baseball game."
Mike spat out the juice in his mouth and the droplets almost splattered all over Christine and Zoey's faces. They squealed in disgust as they closed their eyes.
"For real!" he finally stood up with an unbelievable look on his face.
"I'm waving the tickets in front of you," said Lee. "Of course, for real."
"So cool!" Daniel also jumped up from his seat.
"But why didn't they invite us?" Zoey asked looking hurt.
"It's a boys' night out as earlier said," said Mike. "No girls allowed."
"But I'm also a fan of baseball." Zoey sulked.
"No, you're not," the rest of us said at the same time.
"Fine." Zoey folded her arms looking red faced.
"It won't be wrong for the boys to have some quality time with them," I said. "It's a good thing if you ask me."
"At least I won't have to see them for a while," said Zoey, looking at my two brothers.
"Mmmm, imagine what I'll tell EXO about you," said Mike with a little smirk on his face. "And all your embarrassing moments."
Zoey grew wide eyed and threatened. "Don't you even dare."
"We will see about that."
"Are you guys ready? We need to go to YG," said Lee.
"Yes," the four Toxins said at the same time except Zoey.
"I haven't even eaten yet," Zoey complained.
"If you weren't singing that song in the bathroom for thirty minutes, you would have eaten already," I said as I got up from my chair.
"Fine, I get it," said Zoey as she got a slice of toast and stood up. "Lets go."
"I'll get you a cappuccino on the way," said Lee.
"You're an angel," said Zoey giving Lee a hug.
We all headed out of the lounge, into the elevator and out of the hotel on our way to YG. But first, we made a stop at the café (not the one Zoey met with Jehan last time) to get a cappuccino for Zoey.
"I change my mind," said Mike before Lee got out of the car. "I also want a cappuccino."
"What?" Lee looked at him with a confused look on her face.
"I want one, too," said Daniel.
"Me three," said Christine.
"Me four," I joined.
"No, wait a minute," said Zoey as she stood upright on her seat with a hand raised. "I wanted a cappuccino. You all can't get one. I didn't have my breakfast."
"But we all want a cappuccino," said Daniel as he pouted his lip.
"You guys are so unfair."
"I'll go with Lee to help her out," I volunteered.
Lee and I got out of the car, leaving the others in a fit of a conversation.
"You guys are so impossible today," said Lee as we made our way to the café. "What's up?"
"Who? Us?" I asked as Lee opened the glass door to the café and the tiny bell rang. The strong smell of coffee filled my nostrils. I couldn't help but sigh with delight.
"Who do you think I'm talking about? Of course, I mean all of you. You look all jumpy as though you all took some kind of energy drink or something. You should have been tired from all the practice and the fun at the concert yesterday, but you aren't."
"I didn't notice," I said with a smile as Lee and I joined a small queue by the counter.
"Zoey on one hand, couldn't stop singing Lotto, Christine told her to shut up."
I raised eyebrow. "You heard that?"
Lee turned to look at me. "I don't miss out on such things. And you and your two brothers have been on Zoey like wolves. I wonder what's up with all of you. It's like you want to take over the whole world or something."
"Nah, I think that's how we are."
"Times two," said Lee as she lifted her index and middle finger.
The line in front of us moved up pretty quickly and soon, Lee was ordering our cappuccinos. I stood beside her while I waited.
I hadn't noticed this before, but the café had been playing music for a while and it was until I heard a familiar song being played that it caught my attention.
I gave out a little squeal of delight that didn't capture much of people's attention in the whole café, but Lee turned to look at me.
"Now what's wrong with you?" she asked.
"Can't you hear the song that's playing right now?" I asked with excitement as I moved from side to side to the tune and snapping my fingers.
"Let me guess, Monsta X. Hero, right?"
"Yep," I said with a smile as I stopped dancing. Didn't want to attract too much attention.
"You see. Now you're acting weird. It feels like you're jolly for some reason."
"It's Monsta X, Lee."
"Even if it was BTS you would have controlled yourself. Something is a little off with you and with the others too. Did a full moon come by and changed you all over night?"
"If you're thinking we are werewolves of some sort, it's so not funny." I gave her a grim look.
"You're right. Maybe you all just woke up on the right side of the bed this morning."
"I don't know. I just feel something good is going to happen today. You know that feeling when you're all happy and you don't know where it all came from?"
"I get that once in a while. But it's strange that you five all have it. Anyway, let's go."
Lee paid for the cappuccinos in front of her and she carried three cups on a cup holder tray and I carried the other three as well.
As we were heading out of the café, I kept on singing Hero in a low tone, snapping my fingers with my other free hand and with a smile on my face. I had to admit, I was really enjoying myself.
Just as Lee reached the door of the café and went out first, someone was just coming in while I wanted to go out. The person looked preoccupied and was looking at his phone the whole time. I for one didn't mind at all.
We both passed through the doorframe, which apparently was wide enough for two people to pass through, but at the same time, my shoulder slightly brushed the person's shoulder.
It happened so fast that when I found myself outside the café, I stopped. Something funny happened when I brushed shoulders with that person and I couldn't tell what it was.
"Hey, are you okay?" Lee asked as she reached the car and saw me standing there like a statue.
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out of my mouth. I looked back at the café and I could see through the glass door the person I had bumped into had also stopped in his tracks just in front of the door as he was inside. Could it be that he felt it too?
I wanted him to turn around so that I could see his face, but Lee snapped me back to reality.
"Come on, Sam! We're going to be late," she called out to me.
I quickly ran over to the car and got in why Lee got into the passenger's seat.
"What was that all about?" Zoey asked as soon as I settled in the car.
"Nothing, I just remembered something," I replied as I looked out the window towards the café.
Christine and Zoey got their cappuccinos from Lee while my brothers got them from me.
"Mmmm, this is so good," said Christine as she drank some.
"This so much reminds me of home," said Mike at the back.
The chauffeur soon started the car's engine. I still had my eyes towards the café and I noticed that the guy I bumped into had joined the small queue at the counter. And he was looking out the café window at the car. He was looking directly at me and me at him.
My face flushed and so did his when we both recognised each other.
Before I could utter a word, the car already started to make its way down the road and away from the café.
"Sam, are you alright?" Lee asked.
I hadn't noticed till then that all eyes were on me. I felt so lost and confused. Not after seeing who I bumped into at the café.
"I...um," I stammered for a bit until I pulled myself together. "I'm fine."
"You haven't complimented on the cappuccino and you've been sitting like a statue looking out the window," said Daniel.
"And you're blushing," said Zoey. "Tell me, did you see a cute guy in the café?"
"Zoey," the rest in the car muttered apart from me.
"What? I was only asking."
"Yes, I did," I answered.
That made everyone grow quiet and have their eyes on me again. Zoey and Christine soon squealed in delight. Lee and my two brothers looked otherwise confused.
"What did he look like?" Christine asked excitedly.
"Yes, tell us! Give me details," said Zoey and she soon drank from her cup.
"I don't even know where to start," I said as I tried to drink my cappuccino.
"Awww, looks like she likes him," said Lee with a smile.
"Of course she does," said Zoey as she now held my shoulder. I looked at her. "Now tell me. Does he have brown or black hair or is his hair dyed in some crazy colour?"
"Why do you want to know about his hair colour?" Daniel asked.
Zoey shrugged. "I just want to know. Not about his hair colour but everything."
"Everything, everything," muttered Mike as he took a sip of his cappuccino.
"It doesn't matter because you'll be surprised when I tell you who he is," I said.
Again, all eyes on me. Looks like I caught their attention.
"We know who he is?" Christine asked looking surprised.
"Yep."
"Why aren't you telling us anything?" Zoey insisted. "Now I really want to know."
"Okay, okay. You might as well eat me alive, so I'll tell you."
I paused for a moment before I could open my mouth and say anything. I even took in a sip of my cappuccino.
"Mmmm, this is so good," I muttered.
"Sam!" they all exclaimed at the same time.
"What?" For a moment there, I was startled.
"Tell us who you saw at the café?" Lee asked.
"You know what, Lee, I'm even surprised you didn't see who the person was yourself because just as you came out of the café, he was coming in."
"I didn't notice. For the record, he was looking at his phone the entire time."
"Aren't you going to tell us who it is or not?" Daniel asked sounding anxious.
Just before I could say anything more, my phone in my purse beeped. And so did everybody else's. That was weird. Anyway, it's not the first time this is happening.
I took my phone out. I had a message from Seunghoon.
"The second teaser is out," I announced.
"I got the same message from Lisa," said Mike.
"I got it from Jinwoo," said Christine with a smile on her face.
"Mine from Mino," said Zoey with a grin.
"Got it from Rosé," said Daniel.
"Collins," said Lee.
"Weird," I said.
"Let's check it out first before Sam could continue with our mystery man," said Zoey swiping away on her phone obviously looking for her YouTube app.
"No can do guys," said Lee. "We're already here at YG."
"What!?" The five of us muttered at the same time and we all looked out the car windows. We were definitely at YG alright. How did we get here so fast and how hadn't we realised it sooner?
"Dang it," muttered Mike.
"Come on," said Lee as she opened the door on her side. "You're supposed to be at the studio hall in two minutes."
"Ha, I don't want to be on bad terms with Miss Sharky," said Zoey. "We better get moving."
"Miss Sharky?" Christine and Daniel asked looking confused.
"Let me guess," I rolled my eyes. "Our dance instructor for the event, Ji Yeon."
"Da," Zoey replied. "Let's go. We might be remaining with one minute."
I opened the car door and dashed out first. I ran round the YG main building, towards the huge studio hall. I could hear the others running right behind me. As soon as I passed through the open doors of the hall, I stopped when I found BlackPink and WINNER inside and no sign of the organisers.
"Hey, Sam," greeted Jisoo. "Where are the....?"
Before she could finish her sentence, Zoey and the others all ran in and stopped behind me. Just like me, they were also panting for air.
"Are you guys okay?" Jennie asked as she came towards us.
"We're fine, just trying to catch our breath," said Daniel.
"Hey, did you receive my message?" Seunghoon asked as he stood in front for me.
"I did," I said after I was relaxed and drank my cappuccino. Surprisingly, I still had it and I hadn't spelt a drop while I ran here.
"Did you see the video?" Mino asked.
"We are just about to do so right now," said Zoey as she gathered her composure and took her phone out of her pocket with excitement.
"Ah! The rest are all here," came a woman' s voice behind me. I noticed the annoyed look on Zoey's face when she heard her voice.
Ji Yeon came in with Ji Nun and BigBang.
The Toxins, WINNER and BlackPink bowed upon seeing the the two dance instructors. A few of us waved at the BigBang members.
"Okay, let's pick up from where we left off," said Ji Nun.
We followed the two dance instructors further into the studio. We stood apart from where the construction set was still being worked on.
"This is so unfair," Zoey whispered to me before we could organise ourselves. "Why does Miss Sharky have to ruin everything?"
"Who's Miss Sharky?" TOP whispered as he came from behind and almost stood in between Zoey and I.
"You already know given that look on your face," I said lowering my voice.
"What are you so upset about?" TOP asked Zoey.
"I didn't watch the teaser," Zoey answered.
"'We' didn't watch the teaser," I rephrased.
"Oh, I see," said TOP. "And Miss Sharky ruined everything."
"You got that right," said Zoey.
"Stop calling her Miss Sharky," I insisted.
TOP and Zoey smiled and we soon paid attention to the dance instructors in front of us giving out their instructions on how each group were to go through with their dance routine.
As much as we complained over the change of routine yesterday due to Ji Yeon's demands, today was a whole lot easier to go about it. I grew surprised when Zoey didn't complain much when Ji Yeon was taking us The Toxins through the routine she planned out for us. We were actually enjoying ourselves.
"Good," said Ji Yeon after she watched us go through the routine she had showed us to do for the third time. "You're getting better and better the more you practise. Let me go and check up on WINNER."
Ji Yeon left to check on WINNER who were with Ji Nun a few feet away from us. The two instructors decided to share between them the four groups. The Toxins and BlackPink with Ji Yeon and the other two with Ji Nun.
"Wow, you guys are really having fun today," said Lisa, who stood with the rest of BlackPink nearby, watching us practise.
"You think so?" Christine as she took her hair to the side and wiped the sweat on her forehead with a towel.
"Ji Yeon said so just now, didn't she?" Rosé asked.
"Yep," said Zoey. "Now that Miss Sharky isn't here, now is the right time to check up on the teaser."
"Wait, you haven't seen it yet?" Jennie asked who was squatting on the floor.
"Nope," Daniel shook his head.
Zoey went over to get her phone from my purse that was with Lisa. Just as she was about to remove her phone from my purse, Ji Yeon came back.
"Okay, Toxins," said Ji Yeon. "Let's get back to work. We still have to finish the routine."
"Awwh, seriously? Now?" Zoey looked at Ji Yeon.
"Do you have a problem?" Ji Yeon had a stern look on her face that she even folded her arms.
"No," Zoey replied dully.
"Okay. Back to your positions."
I could see Zoey sulk and when she went back to her position behind Ji Yeon, she gave her a funny look. BlackPink and the rest of us Toxins noticed it that we almost burst out laughing but we controlled ourselves. We were dealing with Ji Yeon after all.
After Ji Yeon was done with us, BlackPink were up next. We still had an hour before lunchtime. While we The Toxins sat down to rest and watch BlackPink practice, Zoey decided it was the right time to watch the teaser.
"Are you really sure you want to do that with Miss Sharky in front of us?" I asked.
Zoey held up her phone in her hand. "Yes," she replied.
"I don't know if she'll like it."
"Don't mind her," Zoey whispered as she unlocked her phone. "Let's just watch the teaser."
The five of us were seated on the floor and huddled closer together with Zoey in the middle. We were all looking at her phone as she tapped on the YouTube app. She was connected to wi-fi and as soon as she was on the home page, the page started to load and the first video on the list was the second teaser.
Just as Zoey's finger was about to tap on the video to watch we heard a "ahem" in front of us.
We looked upwards and there was Ji Yeon looking down at us with a serious look on her face. We continued to look at her without a word.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Ummm," I muttered. I didn't know what to say. Most of us were scratching our heads thinking of what to say to her.
"We just wanted to check on something," Zoey answered.
"While you're busy?" Ji Yeon had her eyebrow raised.
"We thought of doing something since we don't seem busy at the moment," Mike answered.
Ji Yeon didn't say anything for a little while as she continued to stare down at us.
"You can always checkup on whatever it is when it's lunch time," she said with her hands on her hips. You had to admit, she really had a nice slim figure of a body. "Right now, it's practise session so no funny business during this time. Is that clear?"
The five of us all nodded our heads. I noticed BlackPink had stopped practising to watch the scenario in front of them.
"So, put that phone away and with the remaining time, go through the routine we just did." She turned around and looked at BlackPink. "And what are you all looking at? I'm not done with you yet, so keep practising."
Blackpink did as they were told and we stood up to do the same until lunchtime. By then, we were all exhausted especially us Toxins since we were told to go for another round or two when we were supposed to be resting.
"Hey, are you okay?" Daesung looked down on me as I laid on the floor. I felt so exhausted.
"I'm fine, just tired," I answered as I closed my eyes.
"Get up, you've to have your lunch," he insisted as I felt him take hold of my hand to pull me up. I soon complied and got up from the floor.
"I don't think I want to get up," said Jisoo also laying on the floor with her eyes closed.
"Me neither," said Christine who lay next to Jisoo.
"And let's not forget about the teaser," I announced as I stretched myself.
Zoey who was lying on the floor quickly rolled over and stood up quickly.
"Oh, goodness, I totally forgot," she said looking horrified as if she just woke up from a terrible nightmare.
"Wait, you seriously haven't seen the teaser?" Seungyoon asked.
"Trust me, we haven't," said Mike as he sat up from the floor.
"Well, that's scary," said Seungri. "Where have you guys been this whole time?"
"Here! Where else?" Zoey asked as she shrugged her shoulders. "Where did I put my phone?" She started to look around the floor for her purse.
"So you five all haven't seen the teaser?" Jinwoo asked.
"Yep," said Christine as she now sat upright on the floor. "And we couldn't watch the video since....."
"....Miss Sharky..." Zoey added as she looked at Christine.
"....Miss Sharky," Christine rolled her eyes, "prevented us from watching the video while we took a break."
"That's harsh," said Mino.
"Tell me about it," said Zoey.
"Let's watch the video now while we wait for the others to get back with the pizza and 'Miss Sharky' isn't here," said Daniel.
"Good idea," said Mike.
"Guys, where's my phone?" Zoey asked looking like a crazy person.
"Let's use mine," I suggested as I pulled out my phone from my pocket.
"Great idea," said Zoey as she came over to stand next to me pushing Daesung out of the way by accident.
"Hey?" Daesung looked stunned.
"Don't mind," said Christine as she also stood up and came over to stand on my other side. "I apologise on her behalf."
Mike mumbled as he also came to join the Toxins circle. Daniel came over and made the circle complete.
My phone was connected to wi-fi and immediately it made the connection, I started to receive so many notifications from so many social media accounts. Including Twitter.
"Wow, so many notifications," said Daniel.
"Too many followers everyday," I said. "And people still can't stop talking about us attending EXO's concert yesterday."
"Ya, it was fun," said Mike.
A notification on YouTube soon appeared. The second teaser. I felt the Toxins around me hold their breaths.
"Quickly, press it," Zoey insisted with so much glee. I rolled my eyes.
Just as I was about to, another notification appeared pushing the YouTube notification downwards. I got irritated. I hated when such things happen.
I looked at the notification that just appeared. I got a new follower on Twitter. I paused. Oh, my.....
The Toxins around me gasped. They saw it too.
"Are you guys okay?" Mino asked. "You all look like you've seen a ghost or something."
"It's a ghost alright," said Zoey still looking at my phone.
"Follow him back, Sam," said Christine.
"What? I thought we wanted to watch the video," I looked at Christine with an eyebrow raised.
"Okay, you can quickly follow, then watch the video," said Mike.
"May we all know who you're talking about?" Jennie asked.
The five of us Toxins looked up and saw everyone else looking at us with questioning looks. G-Dragon, TOP and Seunghoon soon appeared with lunch.
"Oh, lunch is here," I announced.
"Really?" Lisa and Rosé quickly got up from the floor and ran over to those who came in with the food. Everyone else turned their attention to the food, leaving us Toxins alone.
"What a nice way to keep them distracted," said Mike.
"I know," I said. "Let's get back to what we were doing."
We all went back to looking at my phone. And since the others had insisted I follow the person back on Twitter, I did. Just as I was about to leave the Twitter app, I received a message from the follower. When I read the message, I was stunned.
"Hi. Can we meet at the café I saw you at this morning?"
Christine and Zoey almost screamed but their hands flew to their mouths in an instant. They did a good job so as not to attract attention. I couldn't help but blush when I saw the message. My brothers had their mouths wide open.
"Are you kidding me?" Mike couldn't belive it. "He was the one you saw at the café?"
"Uh....ya," I stuttered. "He is."
Zoey couldn't help but jump a little with excitement. It could show all over her face that she wanted so much as to scream.
"Say yes, Sam," she insisted as she held my arm. "And ask if we can come along too."
"I don't think he will mind," said Daniel as he shrugged.
"Well, let's see what he will say," I said as I went on to replying the message.
"Sure. We can meet in the evening at 5. Should I bring the Toxins along?"
I tapped the send button and we all waited eagerly for the reply.
"Hey?"
The five of us almost jumped up in fright by the sound of G-Dragon's voice. He stood right in front of us with his arms folded and looking at us with an eyebrow raised.
"Hey to you too," said Zoey.
"Everyone is having lunch," said G-Dragon. "You all seem occupied."
"Don't mind us," said Mike. "We will join you."
"There will be no pizza left if you aren't coming," Seunghoon announced.
The five of us growled in frustration. Seunghoon was probably right. We should eat first or else we might not eat at all. The others were as hungry as wolves. And so were we.
"Fine," I muttered. "Come on, guys, let's go."
We soon joined the others and had our lunch. When we were done, I checked my phone for any messages on Twitter. There was the message from the person who had followed me earlier. And it read:
"Great. I would equally love to meet all five of you. See you later then."
I replied:
"Ya. See you later."
I smiled when I hit the send button. As soon as I turned around, I found myself bumping into Seunghoon. I almost spilt my can of coke all over his shirt.
"Wow, Seunghoon, where did you come from?" I asked as I took a step back.
"I should be asking what you're smiling about," he said giving me a corky smile.
"Nothing," I replied quickly as I felt my cheeks start to heat up.
All of the sudden, I felt someone lean onto me from behind and giving me a tight hug. For a moment I thought it might be Seungri until....
"Has he replied yet?" Zoey asked in my ear.
"Uh...yes," I answered. "Can you stop hugging me now?"
She quickly turned me around instead so that I could look at her. Again, I was a little surprised that my coke hadn't spelt all over the place
"What did he say?"
"That he can't wait to meet us all," I answered.
Zoey jumped and squeaked with glee.
"Wait, who are you talking about?"Seunghoon asked.
"Nobody," Zoey answered giving him a smile.
"You guys are really acting weird," said Taeyang. "I was just from talking to Mike and Daniel about what was going on with you all but they never said anything."
Mike and Daniel who stood next to Taeyang, both did the expression of zipping their mouths shut.
"Ya," said Rosé as she folded her arms and looked at Zoey and I. "Mind telling us what the excitement is all about?"
"Nothing," Zoey and I replied at the same time.
Mino rolled his eyes at us. "Are you talking to any EXO member? Because you all had quite a blast yesterday at the concert."
"Don't remind me," Seunghoon and G-Dragon muttered at the same time.
I smiled at the annoyed looks on their faces. Zoey couldn't help but giggle.
"No, it's not any EXO member," Christine replied to Mino's question.
"Then what's going on then?" Lisa asked.
"Nothing," the five of us Toxins replied.
"This is going nowhere," said Jennie, shaking her head.
"That reminds me," said TOP. "Have you all seen the teaser, yet?"
Zoey hissed. Christine clicked her tongue. Mike rolled his eyes. Daniel shook his head and I started tapping my foot.
The rest all looked at us and didn't say a word. Looked like they enjoyed intimidating us.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Jisoo asked as she folded her arms.
"No, we aren't," said Christine.
"We're going to act like civilised people and walk away," said Zoey.
"Ya, we will do just that, right now," I said.
"We'll be right with you," said Daniel.
I walked round Seunghoon and Zoey followed. The next thing we knew, we Toxins broke away from the others. I bet the rest were confused with our behaviour today. After TOP had asked the question about the teaser, we would have gone into an outburst, complaining how he's rubbing salt in the wound.
But we didn't.
And now we were all huddled up together, on YouTube watching the one minute teaser on my phone without any disturbance.
"Okay, this teaser is just awesome," said Daniel. "I can't wait for the actual music video."
"It's only a few days to go," I said.
"That day is going to be exciting," said Zoey.
"May I say, you guys are really acting funny today," said Taeyang as he came to join us.
"Ya, Lee said the same thing about us this morning," I said.
"She did?" Christine asked.
"At the café."
"So, are we going to tell us what's going on and why you're all so excited?" Lisa asked as she came to stand beside Taeyang.
"We look excited?" Daniel asked with an eyebrow raised. "I thought we looked tired?"
"With all the training and the concert you had yesterday, I'm surprised you're all energetic," Lisa answered. "Because even with practise today, you all had some new kind of energy that you danced so well."
"Oh, thank you," said Zoey with a smile as she flipped her hair to the side. "I know, we are awesome."
"I noticed that too," said Taeyang. "And Ji Yeon looked really impressed."
"Despite that frown she puts on her face, I highly doubt it. She just did that just to make us feel good."
Mino who passed us by looking at his phone shook his head, obviously over Zoey's comment. I smiled and Zoey silently hissed at him.
After our lunch break, we went straight to practise till four in the afternoon. We Toxins couldn't help our excitement after we were done refreshing ourselves up in the showers. I had texted Lee earlier to get the car ready and that we will be heading back to the café. She had a weird look on her face as she waited for us in the lobby.
"May I ask why we're heading to the café, again?" Lee asked as we walked out of the building and she followed behind us.
"We love their cappuccinos," Zoey answered as she reached the car first.
"Really? I doubt that," Lee shook her head. "What's really going on?"
I smiled at Lee as the four Toxins made their way in the car. "You'll see."
"Wait, it has something do with the person you met at the café, right?"
"Yep."
I left Lee with a blank look on her face as I went in the car. She soon got herself together and went in the front passenger's seat.
The driver started the car and we were out of the YG premises in seconds.
"May I know who the person is and how you managed to get into contact with him?" Lee asked.
"With so many social media platforms, you shouldn't be asking that question," said Zoey with a smile on her face as she looked at herself through the rear view mirror.
"Let me guess, Twitter," said Lee. I noticed her roll her eyes as through the rear view mirror. "Can you tell me who it is?"
"I don't think so," said Christine as she looked at her phone.
"Really? If I wanted I wouldn't have even agreed to take you to the café. So at least do me the favour of telling me."
"Ya, Lee's right," said Mike. "But it would be so much better if she takes it as a surprise."
Lee turned to look at us with a confused look on her face while the rest of us agreed with Mike.
"What?" Lee looked ready to oppose.
"Now you're talking, Mike," said Zoey.
"You guys are acting like total jerks."
"We know," Christine and I said at the same time.
"Why can't you just tell me?" Lee insisted as she turned on her seat to look at us.
"It doesn't matter because we are already here," said Daniel.
Lee looked out the window and so did the rest of us. The café appeared a few feet away and in a matter of seconds, the chauffeur parked right in front of it.
Zoey clapped her hands with glee. "I can't believe we are finally here."
"Now, you all better chill," I said. "We should all act normal. This is a café, not a club."
Christine and Zoey shook their heads and said at the same time, "got it."
"We're meeting celebrities, aren't we?" Lee asked.
The five of us turned to look at her.
"How did you know it's celebrities and not a celebrity?" Mike asked.
"Given with what's going on nowadays, I had to think and come up with a conclusion it's some k-pop group. Again," said Lee with a smile. "Now, tell me who are they?"
"Let's go," I said as I pulled at the door handle and I quickly stepped out. Surprisingly, Lee stepped out quickly too.
"Looks like someone is as eager as I am to finally meet this stranger in person," I said as I smiled at Lee.
"Huh? Are we talking about one person or more than?" Lee asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Does that even matter?" Zoey asked as soon as she came out of the car and Christine followed.
"You're confusing me, that's the problem," said Lee, almost pouting her lower lip.
"I don't know about you ladies," said Mike as his feet touched the pavement. "But I'm going in."
Mike started his way to the café with Daniel. The rest of us soon followed the two.
Going in the café was almost a hustle, especially when the six of us all wanted to walk in through the door all at the same time, which was very silly of us to do because some of us almost got stuck on our way in until we let the others walk in first.
"Okay, this is ridiculous," said Lee as she combed her hair back with her hand after we all got in the café. "Let's not do that again."
"Noted," I said as I looked around.
"Tell me when you see him," said Zoey who stood next to me. "Or them."
"Can you please tell me who he is or who they are?" Lee asked. "I'm dying of curiosity."
I didn't answer her as I continued to look around the café. The place had a reasonable number of people, mostly couples but a lot more tables were empty. I started to wonder where he could be.
I turned my eyes to the corner and I saw him all dressed in black like he was this morning and was staring at his phone. I smiled. Looked like he really liked going through his phone. I couldn't blame if he all he had to do was sit in this café and wait.
As though he knew I was staring at him, he looked up from his phone and his eyes landed on me. He and I both smiled at each other at the same time. Okay....that felt weird.
He stood up from his seat and I walked straight up to him. I could hear the others grow quiet behind me obviously holding their breaths as they saw who I was approaching.
"Nice to finally meet you in person, Shownu," I said he and we were just a few feet apart from each other.
Shownu gave me the brightest smile ever and said, "the pleasure is mine."
Zoey and Christine gave out an ear splitting scream. Shownu and I turned to look at them. The two actually had the whole café staring at them now.
"SHOWNU!" the two girls exclaimed as they ran for him. I quickly moved out of the way and Shownu got caught in their embrace.
"Wow," Shownu looked surprised and smiled when he realised Zoey and Christine weren't going to let him go that easily. Lee and my two brothers came to join us.
"Can you please stop hugging him now?" Mike asked. "You're going to suffocate him."
"No, we don't want to," said Christine with her arms still wrapped around Shownu and leaning her head on his shoulder.
"Just a few seconds," said Zoey on Shownu's other side.
"Wait," I looked at the table Shownu had been sitting at and the other surrounding tables. "Where are.....?"
Before I could finish asking my question to Shownu, I felt Daniel who stood beside me tap my shoulder. I turned to look at him. He was already facing the other way towards the counter. I also turned to see what he was looking at.
In front of us stood the remaining six members of Monsta X. They all looked stunned each holding a cup of cappuccinos in their hand. Some of them had their mouth wide open.
"Oh my gosh, it's them," said Lee after she saw them.
Mike also turned around and his mouth dropped wide open.
"Oh, my gosh, it's really you guys," said IM, Monsta X's maknae (막내). He put his cup aside on a table and ran to hug me. I couldn't help but blush.
I heard Zoey give a little scream and I saw her run past me and towards the rest of Monsta X hugging Jooheon first and went on to hug everyone else.
"Okay, now I see why Shownu said he had a surprise for us," said Jooheon as he approached us. IM soon stopped hugging me.
"We were coming to meet you guys all along," said IM. "This is so cool." For moment he sounded like a little kid.
"Sam also didn't tell me who we were meeting at the café," said Lee. "This is also a surprise to me too. The other already knew what was going on."
"I can't believe these guys are all standing in front of me," said Zoey who had finished hugging every Monsta X member and was now standing in between Minhyuk and Wonho with her arms wrapped around their shoulders.
Hyungwon came straight up to hug me. That felt so unexpected but I smiled anyway.
"I can't believe I'm meeting you in person," said Hyungwon after hugging me. "I'm such a fan."
"You're his bias, actually," said Kihyun.
I blushed. "For real?" I asked.
"And mine too," said I.M.
"When he is actually my bias," said Christine with a smile on her face staring at Hyungwon. I was surprised that she didn't seem so upset.
"You shouldn't have said anything," said Hyungwon, as he turned to look at Kihyun.
"Don't worry," said Mike. "Almost every guy I know who likes The Toxins, always says Sam is their bias."
"Zoey is my bias," said Jooheon with his arms folded and a cool smile on his face.
"Awww," Zoey blushed and smiled at Jooheon.
"Are we going to keep talking about whose bias is whose or are we going to do something else?" Lee asked.
"Like getting to know each other?" Wonho asked. "Totally."
"Then let's all sit down and have a chat," said Shownu.
"Great idea," I said.
We all settled around the table that Shownu had settled on earlier. It was big enough to cater for everyone since some of us got chairs from other tables. Shownu and I went out to get cappuccinos for the rest.
"I have to admit," said Shownu as he looked at me as we stood by the counter. "This is great."
I know what he meant and I turned around to look at the table where Monsta X, The Toxins and Lee were all seated. Zoey and Mike had already brewed up a fun story and everyone else was having a blast.
"Tell me about it," I said with a smile. "You know, I had a feeling something nice was going to happen today."
"Oh, really?" Shownu had his eyebrow raised.
"Ya. When we came here to the café this morning your song was playing."
"What song?"
"Hero."
The cappuccinos we ordered were now on the counter. I got the one set of cappuccinos while I waited for Shownu to get the other.
"Are you serious?"
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Do you really think I am lying?"
Shownu chuckled. Cute. He got the other set of cappuccinos and we made our way back to the table.
"I believe you," he said.
I smiled. When we got to the table, everyone was laughing. I wondered what they could be taking about now.
"What have we missed?" I asked as I took my seat in between Daniel and Hyungwon.
"Oh, nothing," said Minhyuk, who sat next to Zoey. "Zoey just said something funny."
"He just called me fun," said Zoey with a grin.
"When you're actually annoying," said Mike who sat next to his brother.
Zoey growled at Mike and he stuck out his tongue at her. Lee clapped her hands to grab their attention.
"We're not going to have any of your little fights right now," said Lee. "So behave."
"Do they fight this much?" Jooheon asked.
"You've no idea," said Christine.
Shownu and I gave out the cappuccinos to the other Toxins and Lee.
"Mmmmm, this is just delicious," said Daniel as he took a sip of his cappuccino.
"Tell me about it," said Kihyun. "We love coming here because this café is just the best. Even their coffee is awesome."
"I've no doubt about that," I said.
"I was thinking," started Shownu who sat opposite from me on the table, "that after this we go do something fun."
Zoey clapped her hands. "I'm loving this idea already," she said.
"Are you up for it?" Shownu asked. The question was directed to us Toxins but he was looking at me as he asked.
"I'm up for it," said Daniel.
"Me too," said Mike.
"You already know I'm in," said Christine.
I know I was supposed to say something after this, but I was quiet. Like really quiet. Somehow, I felt completely lost for words.
"Aren't you going to say anything, Sam?" IM asked. For a moment there, he looked really concerned.
"Oh, ya, right," I said trying to gather myself together. "I'm in."
"Let's just hope you don't get into any trouble," said Lee. "Collins will kill me."
"Don't worry," said Shownu giving Lee an assuring smile. "We won't."
"So what are we up to?" Kihyun asked.
Shownu had a smirk on his face. "You will see. The Toxins are going to love it." He continued to look at me.
"Now I'm pretty hyped up," said Jooheon. "This should be fun."
"Totally," said Hyungwon.
Everyone else grew excited, including Lee. I for one couldn't help but feel Shownu had something up his sleeve, and that it had something to do with the song.