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스물 여섯

Yeona stands between both Chanyeol and Kibum as they wait for Taemin to exit from side of stage, she feels sick, overwhelmed, her mind still racing as she continues to hear Jonghyun's lyrics sing through her head. There is no doubt in her mind that his songs were for her, and now thanks to Chanyeol's question, and every other event that has happened this week, Yeona has realised how wrong she has been.

She begins to worry that Jonghyun will come out first, before Taemin, but she thanks her lucky stars as Taemin walks through the door alone. Yeona turns on her heels and the others go after her, Taemin raising a brow at Kibum, silently asking him if Yeona is okay. Yeona doesn't see Kibum shake his head, as she is too focused on getting out of the building before she sees Jonghyun.

"Yeona, wait up!" Taemin calls

Yeona stops as she reaches the road, Chanyeol is close behind her, and Kibum and Taemin follow. She still hasn't said a word since she replied to Chanyeol before they left the show. She turns just as Chanyeol reaches her, outstretching his arms for her to step into.

Yeona tries not to cry, but droplets fall, staining Chanyeol's red hoodie with her mascara. Taemin and Kibum catch up, and Taemin holds Yeona from behind. She quickly composes herself, tilting her head back into Taemin's shoulder as she stares up at the sky.

"We don't have to go out..." Taemin starts

"No, I want to." Yeona replies

"Are you sure?" he asks

"I need it." Yeona says

Taemin furrows his brow, worried for his friend. He had listened to the words Jonghyun had sung, and written, for her. He had tried to speak to Jonghyun, both before and after his performance, but he had been ignored by him. He was hurt, and confused by the exchange, but right now he is more concerned for Yeona. After hearing her admit to him, in her own ways of admitting, that she had made a mistake by leaving Jonghyun, Taemin was worried about how hearing his songs has affected her.

"I'll drive us, I have to open tomorrow so I can't have more than one drink." Kibum speaks up

"Let's go, I want to get out of here." Yeona replies

She turns to walk towards the parking lot, finding Kibum's car in its usual spot. Impatiently tapping her foot on the ground, each second pushing her closer towards a full-blown panic attack. The three others catch up, and Kibum unlocks the car for them.

With Taemin in the passenger seat, and both Yeona and Chanyeol in the back, Kibum starts driving towards the same nightclub that they went to the night before Yeona left Jonghyun. The only club that isn't awful, and the only one that they can be sure that there will be no issues with Taemin and Kibum being an openly gay couple.

"We really don't have to go." Kibum says

Yeona shakes her head, watching as Kibum pulls into a parking spot around the corner from the club. As soon as he pulls the handbrake, Yeona steps out of the car and into the cool evening breeze. With her arms folded over her chest, she watches as her three friends step out after her, and they walk together to stand in line for the club.

———

Once inside, Taemin and Chanyeol link with either of Yeona's arms, and they walk together to the bar. Kibum orders their first round of drinks, a shot for each of them. They take their drinks in hand and cheer before downing the liquor. Yeona shakes her head, feeling a mild burn as it flows down her throat as she places the glass back down on the table.

"Can we dance?" Yeona asks

Before waiting for a response, she turns and starts to walk out to the dance floor, her arms still linked with Taemin and Chanyeol, forcing them to follow. Kibum's hand is intertwined with Taemin's, and once they are in the centre of the floor, Yeona lets go of the other two and begins to dance.