“Must you be such a moron? We are on a ranch. What’s there to do if not riding?” that was Chan.
“What? It’s possible sunbae has his eyes set on a girl,” Lay again.
“Nah, I don’t think so. Sunbae's not one to do something for a girl,” Kai.
“What? You don’t think Xavion does not know how to be caring?” Zane’s clipped tone could never be mistakable.
“I... I didn’t say that, I just meant I haven’t seen him with anyone. And remember the rumors with actress Kim Shin-ye?They said he does not know how to commit and that’s why they did not work out.”
“Aigoo!” Zane grunted.
Xavion chuckled and headed into his room. He turned on the shower and stepped under the cool stream, relishing how it washed all the dirt and grime off his body. The guys could all be goofs behind closed doors but when they were all outside, they knew how to maintain a certain dignity that was needed in the entertainment world, well, except for Kai. Now, he still had a ways to go. Well, at least he had not caused any problem since they got here.Don’t rejoice too soon,a voice said in his head.It’s not yet three full days.
Xavion sighed and washed his hair, shutting his eyes as the soap suds ran down his face. He had been a member of YNO for over six years and been with MG Entertainment for ten years. First, he had started out as a trainee before YNO K-pop group had been created a little over six years ago. Originally, it had been him, Zane and three others. The other three had sued MG Entertainment to get out of their contract a couple of years ago. It had not been the least bit easy and he had seen the toll it took on them, their finances and any future career they might have had. Chan, Kai and Lay had joined the group a little after that.
Xavion stepped out of the shower stall feeling a bit more refreshed. He was tired of it all, the paparazzi, the tours, the contracts, K-pop, the hallyu star life but he could do nothing about it. He could not dare make a misstep and end in a sea of debts. In eight months’, time, his contract with MG would expire. YNO was one of their biggest performers so he was sure that they would be renewing and he would have to renew. It was what was expected of him, for the group to keep going on. Andit was not like he had anything else to move on to. He still loved music, there was no doubt about that but the K-pop life was what he did not have the passion for.
He was just slipping on a white turtleneck when he heard the sound of the bugle the help desk had told him about. He grabbed a plaid, woolen coat and headed out the room. As he hurried down the stairs, he slipped his feet into a pair of black fur-lined slip-ons.
Kai and Chan were already waiting for him, jittery and eager to step out.
“You know, no one said you should be indoors all this time. You should have gone out and smelled the fresh air,” Xavion teased them as he got to them. He ran a hand through his still wet hair, tousling it.
“Who are you trying to look good for, sunbae?” Kai asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Why the sudden interest in my love life, Kai?” Xavion asked as he poured himself some fresh lemonade. He stepped out onto the front porch. He settled onto one of the wooden chairs and crossed his legs. Kai settled right next to him.
“Boredom I guess,” Kai winked.
Xavion chuckled and shook his head. The others came out just then and the guys took some snaps before they headed out. As soon as they turned off the path from the cabin, Xavion realized that the girl at the help desk could not have been more right. There was no way one could miss where the fun was happening. The light of the bonfire was very obvious and they could also hear the music from the line dancers. It was calmingwalking through the ranch at night, despite the sounds around them.
The aroma of s’mores and cocoa pulled them towards the fire-pit. There were people around and laughter drifted to them. A woman hurried to them and pulled them over to some barrels that were serving as seats. The welcome was followed with plates of s’mores and hot cocoa.
“Now this is fun,” Kai grinned.
Soft music floated towards them as a man played the guitar near the bonfire and sang. There was also conversation going on. Before long, the guys blended in and were striking up conversation with people around them and enjoying the company.
Xavion's eyes flitted around just then and he found her. Reflexively, he ran a hand through his hair. She saw him as well, across the bonfire pit and smiled. She waved him over and he turned to point at the guys around him when he saw that he was alone. He looked around to see that his band members had all dispersed, and were immersed in different groups. There was Chan at the center of the circle, now holding the guitar and singing.
Laughing, Xavion stood and rounded the circle to her. It looked like he was the only one not having fun at the bonfire.
She grinned as he settled beside her, “How are you enjoying our weekly tradition?”
Xavion could not help smiling as he said, “It’s pretty great.”
She leaned forward and toasted some marshmallows. The light from the flame glinted against her blonde hair which shehad held back in a French braid. She straightened up and handed one of the toasted marshmallows to him.
He looked at it quizzically and she quirked a blonde brow, “You do know how to make s’mores, right? I mean, that is the reason I called you over, you know.”
“Uh...” Xavion stammered which caused her to laugh.
“I’m just kidding. You actually looked lonely and lost sitting there all by yourself,” she told him as she placed the marshmallow on a cracker that was topped with chocolate. She covered the marshmallow with another graham cracker. Once she had pressed down on it, she handed it to him, “Here.”
He accepted it gratefully and took a large bite of the snack. He smiled as he relished it. He looked at her and said, “I actually came here with friends, but I was lost in the dancing flames and had no idea when they disappeared.”
“Oh it can be like that, the quiet night sky out on a ranch can make you just want to relax and forget everything, even your best friend.”
Xavion chuckled and took another big bite. “So, how are the kids? Home with their dad? I apologize if I’m too forward.”
