Midnight Tales | ✔

33

Jaehyun

We stayed there for another hour. Soyoung sat beside me as she watch me play and sing for her. I did not stop until I felt Soyoung fall asleep beside me, leaning on my side. I closed the lid of the piano and turned to Soyoung then picked her up. I carried her over to the bedroom and lay her down, took off her sandals, and lifted the blanket over her. I smiled as I watch her sleep soundly.

"Goodnight Soyoung"

I was about to walk away when she grabbed my hand. I turned back to her.

"What is it?"

"Stay here" she breathed. Sighing, I took off my shoes and lay down beside Soyoung on the bed. I folded my arms beneath my head as I faced Soyoung.

"Are you really staying?" She asked softly, still sleepy.

"Hmm. Sleep now. I'll be here when you wake up"

We fell asleep together that night facing each other with our hands intertwined. Wrapped in that small reality we've created for ourselves.

Things between Soyoung and I started to change starting that night. Soyoung became more comfortable with me, we talk more, spend days under the shade of the tree, and roam around the place together—Lola of course with us. I no longer sleep in the living area at night but stay with Soyoung in the bedroom.

Everything seems to go back to normal too. The afternoon glow came back, the morning was filled with sounds of bird chirpings again. Time seemed to slowly stop and the reality in here seemed to heal itself.

There were still days when my mind wanders back to the life I've abandoned. How many days have passed in there? How are the boys? Are they doing well without me? Are they looking for me?—These were some of the questions that occupies my mind at night when I couldn't sleep. I even left my phone inside the study to avoid thinking about it. But there were nights when it was unbearable.

I turned to Soyoung who was sleeping soundly. I pushed the covers off me slowly and walked over to the study room quietly. I went inside and walked over to the desk and settled on the chair before taking out the phone hidden inside the drawer. I took it out and turned it on. I couldn't help but visit the camera roll and scroll through the photos and videos. I played one, and we were in the practice room, rehearsing.

"Yah, how did Jaehyun hyung did it?" Jungwoo said, calling over Yuta. Yuta walked over to him and stopped in front of him.

They were re–in–acting a scene from my drama. Mark and Taeyong Hyung immediately burst into another fit of laughter as soon as they realized what the two were trying to do. Taeil just watched from the corner smiling while Johnny pulled out his phone to record it too.

"Put your hand on his face!" Doyoung shouted from the other side of the room and Heachan quickly lifted Jungwoo's hand on Yuta's face. Just right on the front side covering his eyes. Then they started, saying my exact words.

"I like you. I don't care about being friends anymore" Jungwoo said imitating my voice.

Yuta then answered in a high pitched voice "But I don't like you Minho"

Haechan then quickly turned to Taeil as both of them sang in the chorus.

"Apado Gwaenchanaa!"

The video ended. I was about to turn off my phone again when I noticed that I have one message left unread. I opened it to find that it was a message Taeyong Hyung sent me while I was on my way to Gangwon-do.

Have a safe trip Jae :)

As I read the simple text I couldn't help but tear up. I badly miss everyone. I badly miss them. I dialed Taeyong's number but just like my first try, it was cut off immediately. It didn't even work in my reality, how more that I'm in a different place? I clicked Taeyong hyung's number and sent him a voicemail instead even though I know this will never reach him.

"Hyung, I'm sorry but I won't be coming back," I said over the phone.

After a long silence, I continued.

"Hyung, I miss all of you. I miss everyone"