Priorities

-AJ

"Hey Yixing," Ana answered the phone with a soft voice.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAAAAAY!," She flinched and smiled." How are you feeling?."

"Honestly, not good at all, but I'll get over it."

It had been 6 weeks since her boyfriend, Kyungsoo, had called. Occasionally, Yixing would call to make sure she was okay, because Kyungsoo wouldn't even mention her at practice."What are you doing tonight?."

"I was going to head down to the studio with Minseok and practice a bit, but I don't really think it's good for you to be alone on your birthday," He paused thinking," I'll go over to your apartment, do you mind if I bring some friends? There won't be so many but it will be fun?."

"That sounds great, I haven't had time to catch up with the styling unnies, let's invite them, I have the day off today so I'll buy some stuff."

"Don't buy too much yeah? We will bring most of it, it's your birthday after all."

She breathed in before answering the phone," Has he been doing well?"

"Ana....Kyungsoo is fine, he behaves like usual, but his face darkens when one of the boys mentions you...Are you sure you are okay?"

"We will get through this," She didn't notice that she was crying, until her cheeks we're completely drenched in tears,"I'm sorry, I have to go." She hung up.

She was hunched over the table, soaking her paper work with tears. Nobody came in her office to check, her door was closed and never opened.

---------

Once she was back in her apartment she cleaned a little bit so it would all look presentable. Ana set out some chips she bought on her way home and some drinks. She even changed into a nice dress and put on some make up. Something she hadn't done in while. She wore that really pretty blue dress Kyungsoo got her. It was one of the gifts she cherished the most. Ana's gaze saddened as she looked in the mirror.

"Maybe I should change,"She was interrupted by her phone's notification sound. She unlocked the screen and saw that Yixing had sent her a few messages.

7:30
On our way!!!! We will be there in a few!!!
After he sent a picture of Jongdae and Minseok.

7:33
CHEER UP!!!

She smiled at the picture and decided to keep the dress on. "Can't change now, they are almost here."

Ana paced back and forth in her living room,leaving her phone in her room. She was nervous. She hadn't seen the boys in a while and her couple of styling friends. Hopefully the small gathering wouldn't go so bad.

____________

The first to come were the styling unnies. The two women held a small gift and greeted Ana.

"Look how pretty you are!."

"You're make up, it so well done, you didn't do it did you? You're learning!"

"Thanks." A smile appeared on her face."You girls looks so well!."

And before she was done greeting them, Yixing and the boys arrived, along with two others.
She recognized the guy, Taekwoon, but the woman was a stranger to her.

"Hey Taekwoon who's this?,"She asked nicely.

"This is Irene, my girlfriend."His eyes twinkled a little. And Ana saddened a bit, remembering how Kyungsoo's used to do the same when they looked at each other. She looked over at Irene and noticed how her eyes had a different expression from Taekwoon's. She was disappointed. Ana gave her a tight hug and welcomed her.

"Thank you for coming. All of you."

They all sat in the small living room that was shared with a small dining table. As soon as everyone was settled, Ana noticed the absence of the boys. But before she could speak, they came out with some drinks and Xiumin tagged along with a small elegant cake.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Anaa, happy birthday to youuu,"Jongdae dragged the last note. Yixing started to walk around, taking pictures.

Ana felt herself truly smile. Actually meaning it. Only for a split second. One of the styling unnies offered to do some karaoke and everyone pitched in. Even Taekwoon, which she knew that he was so timid.

While Xiumin and Jongdae began their song, Ana went to go get another drink and she found Irene munching on some grapes.

"Hey."

"What's with the long face,"Irene asked softly,"It's your birthday no?
You should enjoy it."She smiled.

"I should....but I'm missing someone."

"May I ask who it is?."

"My boyfriend."Ana looked at Irene."I'm sorry you might not want to hear this, it's dumb."

"Ana, I'm sure that whatever it is, it isn't dumb, it's natural to miss your boyfriend. Did you see him today?."

"I haven't seen or talked to him in two months. Not a single text....."

"Did you guys....you know...break up?."

"No, we haven't. We've been together for almost 2 years, but he is different now....we don't talk, he behaves so unusual around me and he doesn't seem to make the effort to come see me. I go to his work or his dorm when I get the chance. To check on him and he tells one of the others to tel me that he can't see me. That he's too busy. I call him and he rejects it ....I don't know if I'm doing something wrong. Maybe I'm too clingy..gosh. And sometimes it's not that he ignores me that bothers me the most. Sometimes he calls, but I can't answer and he goes all out and complains. And it stresses me out."She felt herself choking on her own words," Maybe it's my fault,"She breathed in,"I'm sorry you had to hear this."

Irene hugged her for a few minutes before speaking," Ana, it's tough, I get it. You will get through it. You will figure out what to do soon. And if you don't, I'll be right here to help you. We are friends now."

"Thank you Irene,"She hugged Irene back.

"Anytime, now,"Irene let go and took a step back. She grabbed a napkin from the counter and gave it to Ana,"Cheer up, chica, go and have fun tonight, forget about him."Ana smiled a bit. She went back out to her small living room with Irene. For the following hours, both girls and the rest had so much fun. The boys had started to dance around, while Taekwoon stood by recording everything. The girls joined the styling unnies by the T.V and sang.

The fun lasted for a while. Then they heard a knock on the door. Yixing went to go get the door. He was a bit suprised. Ana went to go see what was going on.She gasped and froze. Was this real?

"Ana look who it is!!,"Yixing spoke. Trying to sound a bit enthusiastic.

"Kyungsoo."

"Hey."

Notes