Mark’s POV

“I’m hungry.” I heard BamBam complain as he wiped the sweat from his neck with a towel.
“Yeah, me too.” Youngjae exclaimed as he collapsed onto the bench.
All morning we’d been hard at work in the practice room, doing the same dance over and over again. I looked at the other team members.
“Let’s take a break.” JB said as he looked back at me. Nodding, I made my way to the bench and collapsed myself before sinking into the seat. Jackson took a seat right next to me and pulled out his phone.
“Wow, the V-app broadcast from the other night is still getting a lot of views.” Jackson said as he replayed the video. I unconsciously followed along until suddenly, his phone rang with a message.
“Oh!” I said as I recognized the name on her screen. “It’s Ayana.” I looked from the phone to Jackson to find him staring at the phone. “Well…aren’t you going to open the message?” I asked, curious.
“Oh…yeah.” Jackson gave me a goofy smile before tapping on his screen. I read along with him and turned to look at him as he stared at me.
“I’ll go get her.” I said quietly as I motioned for Jackson to hide it from the other members who were busy on the other side of the room acting like idiots.
“Guys, I’ll be right back.” I quickly left the room before anyone could ask me anything and ran down the stairs and out the front door. Leaving a startled receptionist and guard behind, I looked left and right to see if I could find her.
“Hey.” I jumped at the sound behind me and immediately turned to find Ayana standing there in the midday sun clutching a paper bag in her hand.
“Hey!” I smiled. “What brings you here?”
“Oh well…this.” She motioned to the bag in her hand and I could see through the gap that it was Jackson’s jacket.
“I see. You were expecting to see Jackson weren’t you?” I asked in a teasing tone. Her slightly flustered expression betrayed her feelings and something inside me stirred unexpectedly.
“Are you unhappy that it’s me and not Jackson?” I meant to say it jokingly but somehow I came across angry.
“No, no. I’m happy to see you Mark.” She said quickly.
Embarrassed, I shot her a quick smile and turned to lead the way. “Let’s go inside.”
When we entered the building, the receptionist’s questioning gaze fell on me. “She’s a friend.” The woman looked over at Ayana who greeted her formally before following me to the stairs.
“It’s downstairs. Careful.” I took the bag from her hand so that she could hold the railing. “How is your arm doing?”
“It’s much better, thanks.” I looked at her sideways when she wasn’t looking and once again, I felt weird. Shaking my head as we got to the entrance to the music room, loud noises flooded out of the music room and we gave each other a look before I pushed the door open.
Jackson’s POV
I waited quietly, silently looking at the door and then at my phone. Mark had been gone for only a few minutes but why did it feel like an eternity?
Just then, JB seemed to have BamBam in a headlock and Yugyeom and Youngjae were laughing their heads off as Junior tried to free BamBam. Normally, I would’ve been part of that chaos but I held myself back and hoped Mark would hurry back with Ayana.
I wanted to go get her but because he’d already said he would, I held back. Something about Mark was different whenever she came up and I couldn’t help but feel a little different towards him whenever I saw him act like that. It was stupid since Mark was such a dear friend.
“Jackson!” BamBam screamed for me, bringing me out of my thoughts and I looked over to see the poor member reaching out for help. The expression on his face was enough to make me laugh. Seeing my members now, they looked like a tumbleweed lost in a Texan desert.
“You guys-“ I got up and started walking towards them just as the door opened.
JB’s POV
I was distracted with the chaos ensuing inside to notice when the door opened and Ayana stepped in. I could only imagine what she thought of us, seeing us in that ridiculous situation.
“Ayana!” Youngjae was the first to see her. Immediately, my arms went still and we all turned awkwardly to see Mark with a disappointed expression masking his face and standing next to him, Ayana with her wide eyes.
“Ayana!” BamBam said as he removed his hands from mine where I had them locked around his body and waved at her.
“What are you guys doing?” Mark said as he walked towards us. I slowly let go of BamBam and stood quietly to the side as BamBam rubbed his neck and walked towards Ayana.
“Nothing.” I said as Mark nudged me. I realized that I’d been staring at her and I looked away, my gaze settling on Jackson who seemed to be doing the same.
“What brings you here?” BamBam asked as he hugged Ayana.
“Oh…nothing…sorry for bothering you guys like this.”
“It’s okay. What’s that?” BamBam asked pointing at the paper bag in her hand.
“Oh this?” She motioned towards Jackson and slowly walked towards him. “This is yours. Thank you.”
“Mine?” Confused, Jackson took the bag from her and reached in as we all watched curiously. “Oh…you didn’t have to bring it back…” He said looking at her.
“Of course I did.” The two of them stood in silence as we watched them.
“So…did you have lunch already?” Mark said, breaking the awkward silence.
“Oh, not yet, but I will when I get home.” She turned to look at us with a smile on her face. “Sorry for dropping in like this. I should’ve called before, but please, get back to your practice. I’ll get going.” She bowed politely and started moving towards the door when Mark suddenly grasped her hand.
“Wait!” I looked on with the other members at Mark’s weird behavior as he slowly pulled his hand back. “Umm…stay for lunch. What do you say guys?” He looked at us expectantly. I caught Junior’s eye and I could see the disapproval in them. It’d be a big mess if our manager caught us.
“Mar-“ I started to say before Yugyeom suddenly interrupted me.
“Yes, it would be great!” He said suddenly at her side. He grabbed her shoulders lightly and pushed her towards the bench.
“What do you like to eat?” BamBam said, quickly accompanying them.
“It’s okay. I really should get going…” She trailed off as our eyes met. Her slight smile faltered when she looked over at Junior and I noticed that Junior still had that look on his face. Knowing I would get an earful about this later, I still said nothing.
Junior’s POV
My intention was never to make her feel bad and so when I saw her smile disappear, I knew it was my fault. I was surprised when she walked through the door with Mark at her side in the midst of that chaos. This wasn’t supposed to happen. We could get in serious trouble with the higher ups for allowing her in here. I was angry at Mark for pulling such a stunt in the first place but I was even angrier at JB for not having said anything.
Deciding not to make a scene, I quietly sat in my corner and waited for the food to come. Ayana sat with Mark, Yugyeom, and Youngjae at BamBam’s body gags. JB and Jackson sat together and observed quietly.
The mood in the room was tense. I could tell by the way JB and Jackson whispered that something was wrong. I could tell by the way Ayana flitted her eyes even whilst laughing that she was nervous.
“Junior!” Mark suddenly called out, bringing me out of my thoughts. I looked over at the older member as he waved his hand at me. Reluctantly, I got up and walked over to them. We sat in a circle, me directly across from Ayana. When our eyes met this time, she looked away immediately and I couldn’t decide if I felt relieved, anxious, or angry.
“Let’s play a game while we wait for the chicken. Guys! Come here!” Youngjae said.
“Good idea!” BamBam said as he high fived Yugyeom next to him.
“Alright, what should we play?” JB said as he walked over. BamBam scooted over making space for Jackson and JB.
Ayana turned to give JB a quick smile before looking over at Youngjae.
“Ayana, do you have any other games like yesterdays? That was fun.” BamBam said.
“Umm…I guess there is this one game. We’re going to need a pillow or cushion. Or at least something that can be easily passed around.”

“Oh! We can use my plush doll.” Yugyeom quickly ran to his bag in the corner and pulled out the Got7 limited edition plush doll he carried around a lot. He quickly handed to Ayana who cuddled it in her arms happily.
“He’s so cute!” She said and then looked at Yugyeom who was smiling like an idiot. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
“Okay, so how do you play this game?” JB asked.
“First, one of us can’t play. The idea is a person who can’t see the players is in charge of the music and as the players pass the cushion from person to person, he or she needs to turn off the music. Whoever has the cushion when the music is turned off is out of the game. You can decide whether or not you want it to be a penalty game or not.”
“Oh so it’s a bit like musical chairs?” Jackson asked, sounding more like his usual self.
“Umm, sort of. Do you understand how to play?” She asked looking at each of us.
“Yeah…but who doesn’t play?” Mark asked looking around him too.
“Let’s decide by play rock, paper, scissors.” JB recommended.
Sighing, I joined in as we all played one round of rock, paper, scissors. Surprisingly, Ayana was the one to lose first.
“Oh! Come on. Let’s play again. I want Ayana to play.” BamBam complained.
“It’s okay. I’ll be judging the game so make sure you don’t cheat.” Ayana said as she stood up. “Can someone show me how to turn the music on and off?”
Mark complied and walked her over to the music station and after a few tests, we were ready.
“Alright. Everyone sit in a circle so that we can start. Remember, no cheating.” She was about to start when Youngjae interrupted.
“Wait! What about the punishment?”
“Yeah, it won’t be fun without the punishment!” Yugyeom chimed in.
“Okay…what do you guys want to do?” I noticed that she looked at everyone but avoided my gaze.
“Well, since you’re our guest how about we do something for you?” BamBam said.
“Oh that’s a good idea!” Yugyeom said and high fived BamBam.
“Alright, then it’s decided. Every time someone is out, they have to do something for you.” JB said and smiled at Ayana who nodded.
“What about the winner, though? What does he get?” Mark asked.
“Oh…what do you think the winner should get?” Ayana asked.
“How about you doing something for the winner?” Mark said. The smile on his face was mischievous as he continued to eye Ayana.
“Me?!” Ayana said looking at all of us.
“I think it’s a good idea.” Jackson said suddenly, meeting her gaze.
“Alright, then it’s decided. Loser’s do something for you. You do something for the winner.” JB said.
“I have an idea. Let’s each write one punishment down and then draw to see who gets what if they lose.” Youngjae said.
“Okay.” Yugyeom ran over to his bag again and pulled out some paper and some pens. We looked at each other as we folded the chits of paper and placed them into a large plastic container.
“Alright, let’s start.” Jackson said and cued Ayana to start. One by one, the plush doll was passed along as Just Right played in the background. When Youngjae’s part came on, he started to sing and I heard Ayana giggle from where she was seated.
The music suddenly stopped just as I passed the plush doll onto Youngjae.
“Ey, no no no!” I heard him shout as the others pointed and laughed at him. “Ayana!” He whined as she apologized while trying not to laugh.
“Pick one.” BamBam said excitedly as he finished shaking the container. Youngjae dramatically reached into the container and picked out a chit. Anxious eyes continued to look on as he read the paper.
“Aaah!” He shouted just as BamBam plucked the paper from his hands.
“Haha! Aegyo!” The members laughed at Youngjae as he stood up and walked closer to Ayana.

“This should be fun.” JB said as he looked at Youngjae.

“Here I go.” We burst out laughing at his cute actions and it was even funnier as Ayana tried to cover her blushing face.
“Aaah!” Youngjae shouted again as he finished up, his face a deep shade of red as he bowed and sat down on the bench.
“Alright, good job Youngaje. Let’s continue.” JB said, trying to calm the laughing members down.
“Youngjae was cute.” Ayana said as she smiled at the blushing member who hid his face in his hands.

“Ooooh!” The members shouted as the music started up again.
The game was exhilarating as the anticipation continued to grow. Who would get caught? Who would win?
“NO!” Mark shouted as the music stopped suddenly.
“Oh it’s Mark!” BamBam said as he shook up the container.
“No, no it’s not me!” Mark insisted.
“Mark, no cheating.” Ayana said in a voice one would use on a child.
“See? No cheating. Hurry up and pick one.” Yugyeom said excitedly.
Mark scowled at Ayana but smiled as he reached in and picked a chit.
“What is it?!” JB asked.
“Sing.” Mark looked at us and then at Ayana.
“I should’ve gotten that!” Youngjae complained.
“Right?” Mark said, equally disappointed.

“Alright, hurry up!” Jackson said.
“What do you want me to sing?” Mark asked looking at Ayana.
“Hmm…how about your rap from Stop It?”
“Okay…” Mark stood up and walked closer to Ayana and unexpectedly, grabbed her hand and started rapping.
First I looked at Mark and the way he looked at Ayana, an odd passion in his eyes that was unseen to the rest of the members. I followed his gaze to Ayana who seemed to frozen in time as she stared at Mark while he held her hand.

An odd feeling welled up in my chest and I looked away from them only to find the awed faces of my other team members. Yugyeom and BamBam just seemed to be enjoying the show, but the other two seemed a little too interested as they stared with their eyes narrowed.
I didn’t even realize when Mark had stopped singing, but when the Youngjae started to clap, I knew it was over. JB turned and caught me looking at him and shot me a questioning look before I shook my head and looked away. What was going on with our members? I chanced a look at Ayana who smiled at Mark as he sat down. What was this girl doing to Got7?
One by one, the members got caught. Yugyeom probably got the jackpot as he was allowed to kiss Ayana on her cheek. BamBam was next with his sexy dance that sent us all over the edge while laughing. The next one to be caught was Jackson who had to improvise and act out a scene for Ayana. It was embarrassing and I noticed how much more nervous Jackson was around her than he usually was.
“It’s just us two.” JB said as the music started again.

“Yeah…” I hadn’t thought about what I’d have Ayana do if I won.
“JB! JB!” I heard the chants behind me as the members were all riled up.
“Junior! Junior!” I smiled as JB smirked at me while the plush toy continued to pass between us. Even with the smiles, I knew exactly how JB felt. My own heart rate had gone up and the nervous feeling gnawing at me was driving me crazy. Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, the music stopped.
“Oh! It’s you!” I heard Mark say and looked straight at Ayana who seemed as surprised as I was.

Notes

Sorry it took so long for the update. Thanks for being understanding and hopefully you continue to love the story. Ahgase's, fighting! <3