Chapter 33

May 01 – May 31 

The days passed, as usual, packed with my schedules and routines. Life was a mix of readings, study sessions, filming, and time with friends. It felt like everything was moving in a steady rhythm, though there was always one constant disturbance: someone trying to hit on me wherever I went. Whether it was in college or at places I visited, at least one person attempted daily. 

Nora, being Nora, had a solution ready. She brought up the idea of having a fake boyfriend to ward off these advances. "Think about it," she said with a mischievous smile. "If you have a boyfriend, you can just send them away without a second thought. Problem solved." 

Her "solutions," however, left me speechless. She presented three options: "You could date Zach, Ryan... or even my brother Owen!" she declared, completely deadpan. I blinked at her, utterly stunned, before realizing she was joking. Or at least I hoped she was. 

On the 4th, Wyatt arrived in Boston, and his presence added a new twist to my life. Wyatt Wagner, the youngest son of the Wagner family, who was doing fine in San Francisco, had come to the city to settle in before starting at Brown University later in the year. I helped him settle into one of our guesthouses until he could find a place of his own. 

A few days later, on the 8th, I wore a light, halter-style bodice with a pastel purple tone. It is paired with sheer, long sleeves that provide a delicate and airy vibe. A high-low ruffled skirt with cascading layers, incorporating semi-transparent fabric with subtle floral or abstract patterns. Off-white cowboy boots, silver accessories, and a matching Lady Dior bag

I joined Wyatt, Ryan, and Nora for a tour around Boston. The day was filled with sightseeing, casual banter, and more than a few laughs. Wyatt seemed genuinely happy to be starting fresh in Boston. 

It was during this time that Wyatt came up with the idea of fake dating. He needed to fend off pressure from his family, who had gone so far as to arrange a fiancée for him. "You don't have to post anything or pretend publicly," he said. "Just let me put a few pictures of us on my Instagram. It'll keep everyone off my back, and it'll help you, too, right?" 

After thinking it over, I agreed. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. Wyatt's Instagram soon became a gallery of photos with me, though he was careful never to show my face. For me, it was a practical solution to brush off unwanted advances, while for Wyatt, it was a shield against his family's matchmaking schemes. 

His older brother, Joshua, and his Aunt and Uncle Wagner were surprisingly not that supportive of the idea. They were fond of me, but they understood that a real relationship between Wyatt and me was unlikely. They couldn't resist teasing us back then whenever we met, making jokes about me being the perfect daughter-in-law for the Wagner family.

At the end of the month, our OST members headed to Australia for our monthly outing. It was meant to be a fun, relaxed trip, but as usual, the staff tagged along to document everything. 

We kicked things off at Bondi Beach, the iconic stretch of sand in Sydney. The energy was infectious as we spent the day under the sun, enjoying the waves and exploring the local shops nearby. 

"Let's split into teams for beach volleyball," Yuji declared, her alpha energy immediately taking over. "Losers buy dinner tonight!" 

Somi, half-asleep on a beach chair, barely opened her eyes. "I'm just here to tan and nap," she muttered. 

"You're on my team," Hani said with her usual 4D enthusiasm, tugging at Somi's arm. "We'll call it 'Team Sleepy Champions!'" 

Lily adjusted her sunhat with elegant poise. "Hani, you'll need more than enthusiasm to win this match," she teased. 

Chaeyeon, with her anime-girl charm, jumped into the conversation. "I'm making Team Kawaii Warriors! We'll crush you all." 

Heaven, ever the goddess of the group, smiled sweetly. "Let's just have fun, okay? Winning isn't everything." 

The volleyball match was chaotic but hilarious. Hani tripped over her own feet multiple times, Somi barely moved unless someone shouted at her, and Yuji's team played with fierce determination. Meanwhile, Lily's elegant movements somehow worked against her, as she refused to dive for the ball. My team, anchored by Haeven's athleticism and Chaeyeon's boundless energy, managed to pull off a narrow victory. 

"That was rigged!" Yuji grumbled after the game, crossing her arms. 

"Excuses, excuses," Hani teased, sticking her tongue out. 

In the evening, we went back, and we decided to relax with a classic Australian barbecue by the pool at the luxurious villa where we were staying. The staff had set up everything beautifully: twinkling string lights hung overhead, the grill sizzled with an assortment of meats and vegetables, and the aroma of smoky barbecue filled the air. 

"I claim first dibs on the grill," Yuji declared, rolling up her sleeves. Her energy kicked in as she grabbed the tongs and began flipping skewers with precision. 

"Are you even qualified for this, unnie?" Chaeyeon teased, poking Yuji's arm. "I saw you burn toast last month." 

Yuji shot her a playful glare. "That was a one-time thing. This is my redemption arc. Watch and learn, little one." 

Meanwhile, Somi sprawled across a lounge chair by the pool, nibbling on a fruit skewer. "Wake me up when the food's ready," she mumbled, pulling a fashion magazine down over her face. 

Hani, the most talkative among us, was busy trying to convince Yuji unnie to let her try grilling. "Come on, I'll be careful! Just give me five minutes with the tongs," she pleaded, her personality shining through. 

"No!" Yuji interjected, shielding the grill protectively. "I don't trust you near open flames." 

"Wow, no faith in me," Hani said with mock offense, dramatically clutching her chest. 

Lily, who was sitting on the couch, sipped on her sparkling water and watched the chaos unfold. "I think it's safer if Yuji handles the grilling. Let's not turn this into a 'disaster barbecue'," she said with a knowing smile. 

"Agreed," Haeven chimed in, arranging the salad on the table. "We don't want the fire department showing up tonight." 

I sat back, watching the banter unfold with an amused smile. "I'll be the food critic," I said, crossing my arms. "Make it perfect, or I'll roast you instead." 

"Pressure accepted," Yuji replied with a smirk. 

As the food was finally ready, we gathered around the table, plates piled high with grilled chicken, prawns, sausages, and veggies. The pool's shimmering surface reflected the glow of the string lights, creating a dreamy atmosphere. 

"This is amazing," Chaeyeon said, taking a bite of her kebab. "Unnie, I have to admit, you redeemed yourself." 

Yuji grinned triumphantly. "See? Told you I could handle it." 

"Fine, you're officially the grill master," Hani said, giving Yuji a mock bow. 

Somi, still half-asleep, finally joined us at the table. "Is there dessert?" she asked, her voice muffled by a bite of grilled corn. 

"Priorities," I said, shaking my head with a laugh. 

As the night went on, we shared stories and jokes, the sound of laughter echoing into the warm Australian night. Heaven, as always, kept the mood light and cheerful with her natural charm, while Lily's subtle quips had us all giggling between bites. 

When the plates were nearly empty, Hani stood up dramatically. "Let's play a game," she announced. 

"Oh no," Lily said, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of game?" 

"Truth or dare!" Hani exclaimed, clapping her hands. 

"Hani, it's always truth or dares with you," Chaeyeon said, rolling her eyes but already laughing. 

"And it always ends in chaos," I added, though I couldn't stop the small grin forming on my lips. 

"That's the fun of it!" Hani shot back. 

The night continued with playful dares and half-embarrassed truths, the atmosphere filled with lighthearted camaraderie. By the time we finally wound down, some of us were sitting with our feet dipped in the pool, while others lounged around in chairs, completely content. 

As I leaned back and gazed at the stars, I couldn't help but feel grateful for moments like these. The chaos, the laughter, and the bond we shared as a group made everything else in life seem so much brighter. 

It was the perfect way to end the night before the adventures of the next day.

The next day, we ventured to an inactive volcanic site, an excursion that was as thrilling as it was beautiful. The rocky landscapes and lush greenery provided the perfect backdrop for our group photos. 

"Let's get some dramatic shots," Yuji instructed the staff. "Something that makes us look like action heroes." 

Somi groaned, leaning against a rock. "I'll stand here and look cool, but don't ask me to climb anything." 

"At least pretend you're enjoying yourself," Lily said with a graceful laugh. 

"I am enjoying myself," Somi retorted. "From this exact spot." 

Meanwhile, Chaeyeon climbed every rock in sight, occasionally posing for the camera with exaggerated anime expressions. "This place is like something out of a fantasy game!" she exclaimed. 

Heaven, on the other hand, effortlessly blended into the natural beauty around her, her serene smile lighting up every shot. 

"Let's not forget the real purpose of this trip," I said with a smirk, breaking my usual on-camera stoicism. "It's to show everyone how chaotic we are." 

We ended the day with a picnic overlooking the breathtaking scenery, sharing jokes and stories as the sun set behind the volcanic peaks. 

The rest of our time in Australia was spent exploring local attractions, indulging in delicious food, and creating memories that would last a lifetime. From quirky shops in Melbourne to snorkeling adventures along the Great Barrier Reef, every moment was filled with laughter and the unique dynamics of our group. 

By the time we returned home, I felt recharged and ready to tackle the month ahead. Though my life was still hectic with filming, studies, and everything in between, these moments with my friends reminded me why I loved what I did.