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American Casual

Something Amazing

Julia stared out the airplane window as they came into view of New York City. It was swathed in early morning mist, but it only gave the iconic skyline another layer of mystery. I missed this city, she thought, looking fondly over the sea of freeways and skyscrapers. It seemed like she had only graduated from Columbia yesterday, but she couldn't wait to touch down and immerse herself in the city again.

“Do you have a moment?”

Julia reluctantly tore her eyes from the city. “Sure,” she said politely.

Youngjun slid into the seat beside her. “I have a little surprise for the boys, but I thought I'd tell you first.”

“Why me?” she asked in surprise.

“I thought you'd enjoy being in on it,” he shrugged, “unless-”

“Okay, tell me,” Julia pleaded.

Youngjun leaned over until his lips were right over her ear. “Guess what famous New York talk show we booked the boys for?”

Julia shrugged.

The Tonight Show,” he said triumphantly.

Julia's jaw dropped. “Are you serious? The Tonight Show wants to interview the group?”

Youngjun nodded. “They'll get to play a game and perform Ko Ko Bop. The show airs live tomorrow night, but we're not telling them until morning. Can you keep the surprise until then?”

Julia nodded enthusiastically. “They're going to be so excited,” she whispered.

The plane landed and it took all of Julia's composure not to spill everything as they headed to the hotel. This is going to be awesome, she thought, trying to keep her face neutral.

After settling in at the hotel the boys were to be taken straight to the arena for rehearsal, so Julia decided to take the opportunity to reacquaint herself with the city.

“You're not coming with us?” Chanyeol asked, seeming genuinely disappointed.

“I've got some things to do,” Julia replied. “Besides, your rehearsals get kinda boring after a while.”

Jongin and Jongdae laughed while Chanyeol pretended to be hurt, but they didn't ask any prying questions. They really are trying, she thought as she left the hotel.

She took a cab to her favorite pizzeria and ate three slices of double cheese, then went to The Lion's Den, a bar that sat near Columbia University. She wasn't much of a drinker, but she had spent many weekends at that bar with her college roommates, one of whom still worked there. She paid the cabbie and peeked in the bar window.

Her roommate, a tall Italian girl named Gracie, was busily piling glasses into a bucket as she went from table to table. Gracie had long, curly black hair that cascaded down her back, and her long arms were dark against the blue and white Columbia shirt she wore.

It's like freshman year all over again, Julia thought. She went inside, but Gracie didn't see her and she decided to be funny. “Got any more of those shirts?” she called over the noise of the bar.

Gracie looked up, presumably to give a snappy retort, then locked eyes with Julia and her face lit up. “Julia!” she shrieked, startling the nearby patrons. She barely stopped to set her bucket down before throwing her arms around Julia's neck. “How long have you been in the city? Why didn't you call?”

“I wanted it to be a surprise,” Julia gasped.

Gracie let go and cupped Julia's face in her hands. “It’s so wonderful to see you,” she trilled, her black eyes shining luminously.

“Gracie! Stop touching the customers for the tenth time!” a male voice called.

“Harry, look who just blew into town!’ Gracie said, patting Julia's cheeks affectionately.

“I don't care if it's-”

“The Queen of England riding on a unicorn?” Julia finished, remembering the old joke.

A thin man with a beard popped up from behind the bar. “Julia Park!” he exclaimed. “Gracie, why didn't you say so?”

“I wanted to surprise her, but I didn't expect to find you here,” Julia replied. “What happened to violining your way through Europe?”

Harry shrugged. “My dad died a few months ago,” he said, wiping the bar with a damp cloth.

Julia's heart sank. “I didn't know. I'm sorry, Harry.”

Harry smiled. “It's okay, Jules. He left me the bar, so now I'll be able to save enough money to stay in the finest European hotels instead of camping in the woods.”

Another group of patrons came in and he sighed. “Gracie, finish clearing that section and seat that group. Julia,” he said, turning back to her, “how long are you in town? A few of our old friends are coming in tomorrow night and I know they'd all love to see you.”

“I'll be here a few days, so I’ll definitely stop by,” she agreed. “Want me to throw on a shirt and whip everyone else into shape?”

Harry laughed and grabbed a pair of glasses from under the bar. “Dad always said you were his best waitress,” he said, filling each glass with frothy brown beer.

“I won't hear of it,” Gracie proclaimed as she swept the last dishes into her bucket. “Besides, I thought I was his best waitress.”

“No, you're my best waitress,” Harry said, blowing her a kiss before taking the beers away.

Julia raised her eyebrows. “Are you and Harry…?”

Gracie laughed. “He was always sweet on me, you know,” she reminded her, “and inheriting the Den has really matured him.”

She took her bucket into the kitchen and returned with an armload of menus. Julia sat down at the bar as Gracie began wiping each one with a rag. “I wish I'd known about Mr. Daniels’ death,” she said in a low voice. “He was a good man, and a kind friend to all of us.”

Gracie smiled sadly. “It happened too suddenly. One day he was fine, the next he was dead of a heart attack, but Harry wouldn't hear of dragging you home so soon after you began your international adventures. He insisted that his dad wouldn't approve, and that at least one of us should be out there doing something amazing.”

Julia smiled. “It's definitely been amazing,” she said softly.

Gracie gave her a piercing look. “Something's different, you're different,” she said accusingly.

“No I'm not,” Julia retorted, “I'm just not used to having most of my conversations in English.”

Gracie seemed unconvinced, but didn't press the issue. “Tell me everything,” she begged. “I want to know all about Timbuktu or wherever you've been.”

“Gracie!” Harry shouted, and Gracie rolled her eyes.

“Don't worry, you'll get the full scoop after your shift,” Julia laughed. “Get over there before Harry blows a fuse.”

Gracie breezed away and Julia leaned her arms over the bar. It's good to be home, she thought blissfully.


******


Chanyeol pulled the last piece of toast out of the toaster and set it on a plate. There were six other similar plates lined up on the small counter, each one with two slices of toast. Chanyeol wondered which ones to butter, then he shrugged and buttered them all. He cracked a full dozen eggs into a bowl, then added handfuls of cabbage, carrots and chopped onion and stirred it together with a butter-smeared fork before dumping them into a hot skillet. Within minutes the eggs were done and he scooped some onto each toast slice, then he stuck the slices together to make a sandwich. Even with his best efforts several bits of egg and vegetables fell to the floor and he swore under his breath. How does Kyungsoo do this for us so often? he wondered, trying to get egg off his sleeve.

“What's taking so long?” Jongdae called.

“I'm coming!” Chanyeol replied, kicking the last bits of egg under the counter before loading the plates onto a tray. For a final touch he added a few scoops of prepackaged fruit salad, then he took the tray into the living room. “Dinner is served,” he announced.

“Smells like breakfast,” Jongin commented without looking up from his phone.

“I'm not complaining,” Jongdae said as he snatched a plate from the tray.

Minseok looked over suspiciously. “Are you sure you cooked those eggs long enough?” he asked. “They look runny to me.”

“That's how eggs are supposed to look, Min,” Baekhyun said reproachfully.

Chanyeol finished passing out the plates and sat down with his own food. “Fine thanks I get for making everyone dinner, especially after a long day,” he sniffed.

“Not everyone,” Jongin said, peering at his sandwich. “There's only seven plates.”

“Sehun ate at the arena, and Kyungsoo refused to eat anything I made,” Chanyeol replied.

“He didn't refuse, he just wasn't hungry,” Junmyeon amended as he entered the room.

“That's not what he was implying,” Chanyeol retorted.

The door opened and Sehun and Yixing came in, both of them sweaty and tired. “Are you just now getting back?” Minseok called.

“I asked Sehun to stay for an extra practice,” Yixing replied. “I still feel a little behind the rest of you.”

He spotted his plate on the coffee table and scooped it up eagerly. “Awesome, thanks Chanyeol!” he said, taking a huge bite of his sandwich. Chanyeol gave the others a smug smile and continued eating.

“Sehun, are you sure you don't want anything to eat?” Junmyeon asked. “You've got to be starving.”

Sehun wrinkled his nose and tossed his bag onto the floor. “I'll just have a shake,” he said, going to the small refrigerator.

“Does anyone else think it's weird that we got here two days before the concert?” Baekhyun commented. “What's with the extra day?”

“Maybe it's some time off,” Jongdae suggested.

“After four months of no work?” Kyungsoo said as he came in. “Well, no work for you.”

“Yixing worked too!” Chanyeol protested.

“Soo’s right, I don't think it's time off,” Junmyeon mused. “I'll ask Youngjun about it in the morning.”

There was a knock on the door and Sehun looked through the peephole. “Finally!” he exclaimed, letting Julia in. “I was gonna go by your room before bed.”

“Sorry Sehun, you know my policies on goodnight kisses,” she replied.

Jongin nearly choked on his sandwich and the others laughed, but Sehun just shook his head. “You're in a good mood,” he commented.

“I am,” she agreed. “What smells so good?”

Chanyeol groaned. “It's my egg sandwiches,” he said, showing her his cleaned plate, “and I should've made some for you too.”

“It's okay, I already ate,” she shrugged.

“Julia, what's your opinion on SM giving us an extra day in New York City?” Baekhyun asked. “Is it time off, or is something else in the works?”

Julia's expression became guarded and Chanyeol sat up. “You know something!” he shouted excitedly.

“I think I should head to bed,” she said, ignoring Chanyeol’s outburst. “We've all got a busy day tomorrow.”

Everyone started begging her for more information, but she just smiled and left the suite without another word.

“I don't like it when she's mysterious,” Jongdae said.

“Maybe she can't tell us,” Minseok guessed. “Maybe the managers told her something and she has to keep it secret.”

“I hope it's something good,” Yixing said anxiously.

Notes

Comments

Love this story! Thank you!

Krazzi-J Krazzi-J
8/14/18

@Kaimin
Thank you!

Now I can't wait to know how Minseok does. I'm crying ! Hahaha ! I really liked it dispite you living it in uspence. Hihihi !

Kaimin Kaimin
10/7/17

@Kaimin
Thanks! It's nice when they all get along lol

Every chapter catches more my atrention. Its sp funy ! Hahaha ! Fifhring !

Kaimin Kaimin
9/15/17