+ MISSION HUH? +

+CHAPTER 46+

Andrea's jaw tightened as she glanced at him, her lips pressing together in a thin line. "I'm just tired," she muttered, her tone firmer this time, as though sheer determination could make them drop it.

The room fell quiet again, the tension settling into the air like a second presence. Victoria exchanged a glance with Johnny, her brows furrowing slightly as though they were silently debating whether to push further. Johnny sighed quietly, his gaze shifting back to the window as though he couldn't bear to look at Andrea for too long. Victoria's fingers tapped faintly against her arm once more, the rhythm now uneven.

Andrea shifted again, her shoulders stiffening under the weight of their silence. The ache in her muscles and the dull throb in her head made her want to crawl back under the blankets, but she knew that wouldn't help. She just wanted to make it through the morning without another confrontation.

Victoria finally spoke, her voice quieter this time. "If you need to talk, you can."

Andrea blinked, her chest tightening faintly at the sincerity in her tone. But she didn't answer—she couldn't. Instead, she forced herself to her feet, ignoring the way her knees buckled slightly as she grabbed her towel. "I'll be fine once I wash up," she said, her voice clipped and final.

Victoria nodded slowly, though her concern didn't fade. Johnny simply watched her, his jaw tightening further, as Andrea made her way out of the room.

As the door closed behind her, Victoria exhaled softly, glancing at Johnny once more. "She's not okay," she murmured.

Johnny ran a hand through his hair, his lips pressing into a hard line. "I know."

The kitchen buzzed with its usual morning energy—plates clattered against the countertop, chairs scraped across the floor, and laughter punctuated the air like a familiar rhythm. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the sweet scent of syrup and butter, creating a warm contrast to the cool morning light spilling in through the windows.

Andrea stepped through the doorway, her boots thudding softly against the tiled floor. Her presence seemed to dim the atmosphere, the chatter slowing as the group's attention shifted toward her. She felt their eyes on her before anyone spoke, the weight of their glances heavier than she cared to admit. Her shoulders stiffened instinctively, though she made a concerted effort to keep her expression neutral.

Haechan was the first to break the silence, his voice filled with his usual brazen humor as he leaned lazily against the counter, a piece of toast in his hand. "Man, you look rough," he said, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement.

Andrea shot him a pointed look, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Thanks for the observation," she replied dryly, the edge in her tone enough to make Haechan shrug nonchalantly.

Chenle snorted from his spot at the table, smirking as he leaned back in his chair. "Don't take it personally. He's probably just mad he lost the pancake versus waffle debate yesterday."

Haechan turned to him, gesturing dramatically with his toast. "Waffles are objectively better! They're engineered to hold syrup. Pancakes are just... sponge discs."

"You're so wrong it's embarrassing," Chenle quipped back, shaking his head.

Mark leaned back in his chair, grinning. "Here we go again," he murmured, exchanging a glance with Jeno, who chuckled softly.

Andrea ignored the playful exchange, stepping toward the coffee pot. She reached for a mug, the handle cool against her fingers, and poured herself a cup. The rich, bitter aroma curled upward, but it did little to soothe her frayed nerves.

"Everything okay?" Jaemin's quiet voice cut through the banter. His question wasn't loud, but the weight behind it carried across the room. He sat at the far end of the table, his posture relaxed, but his sharp gaze flicked between Andrea and her roommates, clearly picking up on the tension she carried.