The timing of this book takes place months after Mark visited Min Jee during the epilogue.
If you've been reading Stigma: Chatrooms, then you may wonder if I'll be putting the texts here. But I won't. Because the text messages written there are between the time of chapter 37 and the epilogue of Stigma. And that's a span of 2 years. Which meant it was 2020 during the epilogue. And since this book takes after the epilogue, the texts in the Stigma: Chatrooms is considered the past when place into the timeline of the Stigma Au. (Feel free to ask questions for any clarifications)
Before I finish this author's note I just want to thank you for all the support you gave Stigma, that made me consider writing a sequel. And despite only having a preview out, you guys truly showed you're excitement for this sequel, I can't believe there are 151 reads just from the preview! Thank you!
I'm truly excited to write this sequel and I hope you'll enjoy every bit of it like you did with Stigma!
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I actually planned to update on Saturday. But, in the spirit of the release of Wakey Wakey, I updated earlier!
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(Spring of 2021) Monday - 2:35 am chicago / Tuesday - 5:35 pm sk
It's been months since the last time I came back to Korea. As much as I hate sitting for hours inside an airplane, it was worth it if I could see Mark again.
Not only to see Mark again, but everyone else. It feels so long ago since I last saw them all. Because it really has been, I haven't seen the others for about 8 months.
They kept me updated through texts, and when we had the time we video chatted. But nothing could beat being with them in person. It's a whole different experience, actually seeing them eye to eye and hearing their laughters so clearly in my ears.
I couldn't wait to see them. And I was going to make the best out of my two week worth of spring break. Hopefully the boys don't have that much things scheduled, but knowing SM, they would have a lot of events especially on school breaks. Even so, I'll try my best to spend time with them.
Thankfully I got the front row-window seat. It's personally the best seat.
I open my phone to check my last texts, and as I read them I feel more excited. Mark and I got to text before I got on the plane.
Sent at Monday - 1:23 am chicago / Tuesday - 4:23 pm sk
💖 my dream boy 💗: hey hun! do you have everything?
Me: yes hun! i'm so excited!!!
💖 my dream boy 💗: did you double check?
Me: omg yes i did! HAHAHA
💖 my dream boy 💗: i'm just making sure, i almost left my passport
Me: i know, you left it at my house
💖 my dream boy 💗: oh right HAHA
💖 my dream boy 💗: did you check in already?
Me: yep, i finished an hour ago
💖 my dream boy 💗: good good, anyway what time are you arriving here again?
Me: since i chose a non-stop flight, i'll arrive at 7 am on wednesday
💖 my dream boy 💗: that's 14 hours! i hope you don't get air sick 😩
Me: don't remind me 😔 but i got my meds ✊🏻 i'll just make sure to drink lots of water
💖 my dream boy 💗: omg! lucas literally just told me to remind you HAHAHA
Me: not surprised hahaha, tell him thanks
💖 my dream boy 💗: done! anyway i have to go, but i'll text you before take off
Me: alright, byee❣
Sent at Monday - 2:20 am chicago / Tuesday - 5:20 pm sk
💖 my dream boy 💗: see you in 14 hours hun! i hope you get to sleep well on the plane! i love you 💕💕💕
Me: aw! thank you so much, i'm boarding now. see you in a bit, i love you sooooo much! ❤️
I couldn't help but giggle, thinking of the excitement I felt. I really miss him.
The last months have been so busy for the both of us. Just a few days ago, I was rushing to finish my semester project. I had barely reached the deadline, but my professor was kind enough to turn a blind eye and accept my project, with the only condition that I have to submit the next project at least a day before deadline. Which was plausible, I just had the bad habit of procrastinating and cramming last minute.
I stare out the window and it was dark, there was nothing in sight.
Would've been nice to see the stars or the moon. But, I can see them later.
A yawn escapes my lips and I actually started to feel sleepy. I haven't slept properly for a week. I guess this is the best time to get some sleep. There's not that much things I can do on a plane anyway.
Monday - 7:21 am chicago / Tuesday - 10:21 pm sk
I heard some ruckus, but that wasn't what woke me up. I open my eyes and the cabin lights were on. My eyes were squinting, adjusting to the light and then I looked around. There were flight attendants walking down the aisle with a cart. I could vaguely smell the food, but I wasn't hunger. Thirsty? A bit.
The flight attendant was walking back towards my row, "Hello Ma'am, do you want anything?" She asked with a smile.
"Water," I said and she nodded. She prepared a cup of water and handed it to me, "Thank you."
I took a sip of water and then, grabbed my phone, from my lap beneath the blanket.
"Ah," I winced at the brightness of my phone. I instantly brought the brightness down and checked the time. I finished the cup of water and place the cup on the empty seat beside me, another good thing about my seat.
7:23 am Chicago time. It made sense why I woke up. Jet lag is going to bite me for at least a day or two.
In Korea is would be 10:23 pm and Mark must have just arrived back at his shared apartment. Despite, being an artist for 5 years, he still decides to live with the other members. The difference this time - compared to his dorm life - he didn't live with 127 unit members.
Now, he shared an apartment with all the other 99 liners. Which I thought was cute. Mark even started getting better in Chinese, it's been a running joke that Mark will be part of WayV one of these days. Or maybe, he'll be a featured member.
Do I go back to sleeping? Or do I try to stay up until later?
I look back at the time and place my phone back on my lap. I pull the blanket over my body and close my eyes. My seat was already reclined from earlier and thankfully the lady behind me was asleep too.
Wednesday - 7:20 am sk
I got my huge purple luggage from baggage claim and was excitedly walking towards the arrivals exit. I packed all I could for a two week stay.
My left hand dragged my luggage and I had my carry-on hanging on my right shoulder.
In just a few more moments I'll be seeing my brother and Mark. My whole body felt exhausted, but the thought of seeing everyone just made me excited. With every step I took, my heart beats faster. I was back in Seoul, South Korea after months of being away. I was home.
There were families and couples walking out the sliding doors. As they opened I saw a crowd of people waiting behind a railing, they were waiting for their family or friends. And I knew that somewhere in that crowd - wearing horrible caps and masks for disguises - were my brother and boyfriend.
I walk out the sliding doors and searched the crowd. I see a tall figure, holding a sign.
'Annoying sister'
I scrunched my nose but them grin as I fast walk towards them.
A few meters away I let go of my luggage and ran towards him, "Johnny!" His arms were wide open and he hugged me.
"You look decent for someone who came from a 14 hour flight," he whispered to me and I chuckled.
"And you don't look decent at all," I said pulling away and he shook his head.
"Let me carry that," he offered his hand and I gave him my carry-on, "I'll drive the car around. There's someone who ... I think misses you," he gestured behind me and I chuckled.
I turned around and Mark was right in front of me. And he had my luggage by his side.
"I get it, family comes first," he pulls his mask down under his chin, and he smiles at me. I laugh.
"You're my family too," I wrap my arms around his neck and his arms found their way around my waist, "it's been a while Lee."
"It has Seo," he grinned and pulled me for a hug, "I missed you."
"I missed you too," I hug him tightly.
We stayed still for a moment, and then I heard a cough.
"So that's it? You notice your brother, your boyfriend, but not your best friend?" I pull away from Mark and turned around.
There stood one of the tallest members of NCT. He was wearing a cap as well, but his mask was already pulled down under his chin.
"You came too?" I asked in shock and he grinned.
He had his arms wide open and I looked back at Mark, "Just go already," Mark pushed me and I went to hug Lucas's waist.
"It's great to have you here again," he said his chin on my head.
"I'm glad to be here," I pulled away and looked at him.
I felt Mark's hand on my back, "Come on, I told the dreamies that I'd get you to the apartment as soon as you arrive."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" I said holding Mark's hand and he smiled.
Mark held my hand as we walked out the airport, "Mark, let me get that," Lucas said grabbing my luggage from Mark.
"Are you sure?" Mark and I asked Lucas. The three of us laughed and continued to walk out the airport, letting Lucas drag my luggage.
"By the way," Mark started digging into the pocket of his hoodie with his free hand. That's when I realized he was wearing the hoodie I gave him last Christmas. It was my first time to see him wear it in person. He looked great in it.
"Here you go," he gave me a black face mask and I just stare at it, "please," he smiled and I sighed.
I let of of his hand and placed the mask on my face, "Happy?"
He nodded then adjusted his own. "Lucas," Mark said and Lucas nodded adjusting his as well. Lucas winked at me and I winked back, I had missed playing around with him just as well.
We walked out of the airport and Johnny was driving up to us, "That was fast," I said expecting to wait a couple more minutes.
"Johnny got a good parking spot earlier," Mark said as he opened the door for me and Lucas proceeded to place my luggage at the back.
"Thanks," I said towards Mark as I got inside backseat and he followed suit.
I turned my head to look at Lucas through the window and mouthed a thank you. He saluted and then walked towards the passenger seat's entrance.
"Seat belts," Johnny said and he was looking at me through the mirror.
"Done," I said putting mine and he nodded.
"Done," Mark and Lucas said at the same time.
"This is going to be weird day," I said and the three of us laughed, whilst Johnny drove off to the main street.
Once I noticed we were on the highway, I took off my mask.
"How was your flight?" Johnny asked as I held hands with Mark. Everyone had took off their masks too.
"I slept through most of it," I said letting out a yawn.
"Looks like you still need to sleep," Mark commented and I looked at him. I shook my head and smiled at him.
"I'm fine, I need to stay up. Or else jet lag will get the best out of me," I turned to look out the window, "I will never get tired of seeing this view," I said admiring Seoul.
It will always be the most beautiful city to me.
"Me neither," I turn to look at Lucas and he was looking at me.
"Very funny," I put my tongue out at him and he just mocked me.
"Jen," I looked at Johnny through his rearview mirror.
Johnny had gone back to calling me Jenny when I told him that I wanted to get over it. But then, he noticed I was only truly okay when, it was in front of Mark and Lucas. The dreamies were also an exception, but he knew my limit.
"Mhmm?" I raised my eyebrow, and he glanced at me as he changed lanes.
"I have a schedule today, so I won't be able to join the small welcome party the boys prepared. But, I'll drop your things off at my place and fetch you after okay?" He looked at me in the mirror and I nodded.
"Noted. This isn't exactly the first time you left me with the boys at a welcoming party," I teased and everyone laughed.
"So it's settled that you're staying with hyung?" I turned to look at Mark and I could sense the hint of sadness.
"My parents trust you Mark, it's just that ..." I couldn't bring myself to tell him.
Mark laughed, something I realized to be his first reaction for almost anything, "I get it," he squeezed my hand.
"Thank you," I said and then my eyes met Lucas'.
Lucas turned to look straight and I felt bad. He and my brother were the only one's who knew the truth about my sleeping arrangements.
I was the one who decided to not stay with Mark. Because even if I knew Mark is the guy I want to marry, I didn't want to do anything before marriage. And I knew that staying in the same apartment, would just make me do things I didn't want to do, not yet anyway.
Although, I know Mark wouldn't force me to ever do anything I didn't want to do. I couldn't trust myself to be alone with him, in an apartment of his own. Even if there maybe be 3 others living there, that guaranteed nothing.
Lucas coughed, "Did you eat airplane food?"
"I did, it was fine," I said. Thank you Lucas.
"You didn't get air sick?" Mark asked and I shook my head.
"Nope, I didn't. Which I'm really grateful for, I think that was the least bad flight I had," I said and Mark raised his eyebrow at me, "all flights are bad for me, that was just the least one," I said and he chuckled nodding.
"No kidding," Johnny commented, "you've never rode an airplane together, right?" Johnny asked.
"Yeah," Mark answered.
"Don't," Johnny said and I laughed.
"Yeah, that's definitely not on my relationship bucket list," I shook my head.
"You have a relationship bucket list?" Lucas grinned turning his head to look at me.
"It's a joke!" I said threatening to kick him and he pretended to be afraid.
"Oh, trust me Lucas, it's real," Johnny said and I glared at him through the mirror, "she wrote one when she was 12. She had the biggest crush on - Ow!"
I kicked Johnny's chair, "Shut it," I said as he looked at me and shook his head.
"Who? A crush on who?" Lucas looked at me and I shook my head. He looked at Mark.
"No clue bro," Mark shrugged and I smiled, proud that my boyfriend didn't expose me, "but you'll be surprised to know his fictional," Mark said and Lucas grinned.
"I hate you," I glared at Mark.
Then the three's laughter filled the car.
I missed this.
A/N: And that's the first chapter! What do you guys think so far?
I never thought I could actually miss writing about characters, but I seriously did! I'm so excited to show a more mature side of Min Jee. And honestly, just show more character development with everyone.
Excited to see her interactions with Xiao Jun, Hendery and Yangyang? Because I am! I'm currently planning to watch the variety shows they've guested in, to get a better grasp on how I could portray them.
But let's be honest, we're all just waiting for Nuna X Dreamies interaction, right?
I hope you enjoyed this first chapter! Stay hydrated and drink water!
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.