Off Key

#23

"Chan, why the fuck are we at a diner at 5:00 a.m?" Changbin asked tiredly.

None of the boys fell asleep. They all went to their separate homes with their partner but stayed up talking about the whole party. Chan suddenly called an emergency meeting, telling everyone to meet at the diner.

"I knew none of you guys would be asleep," Chan mumbled, taking a sip of his coffee. "We're here because we need to talk about the party and something else..." All the boys felt Chan become serious.

"People love us and they're starting to vote us in the N.C.W.F, by how the voting is going, we'll perform there, in winter." They all were surprised at how much the people cared and we're voting for them.

"But, when did the N.C.W.F take voting? Last I remembered, you have to enter and audition or something like that.." Seungmin questioned. "They changed it, maybe about a month ago. I guess, we were all so caught up in the band and party, we didn't pay attention to when the rules changed." Chan responded.

"Since I'm technically kind of new still, what does the N.C.W.F offer, besides the money?" Jisung asked, feeling a tad bit lost. "Well, the winner every year, would get the 5,000 dollars, but you'd also get a road trip during the summer and perform around the world. Kind of like a tour." Chan concluded.

"Then you'd come back?" Chan winced at Jisung's question. "Well, not exactly. You're supposed to come back, but every year, the winners have always found someplace better to live, or got a record deal or something." Seungmin interfered.

"Chan, what was something else you wanted to talk about?" Minho asked, switching the subject. "Oh, I got a text message from an anonymous user and they sent me this." Chan took out his phone and showed it to all the members.

The message was a video of the boys performing, and was captioned,

'Stop the band or else.'

Jisung suddenly got chills all over his body. "I already showed Jeongin and we decided we had to call you guys and meet up," Chan said. "So, we're getting threatened now?" Hyunjin asked, slightly confused and angry. "I guess. I just wanted to let you guys know, since it could just be hate." Chan stated.

Chan noticed Felix and Jisung were pale. I think that caption scared them. "We're not stopping the band, right?" Felix asked.

"No, we're not but if anyone wants to leave, they can, I understand if you want to." Nobody said a word. Yeah, they were scared but they were enjoying the band. Being on stage was a feeling of freedom, in some sort of way. It was a way for them to break boundaries and stereotypes. To rebel.

"We're not leaving Chan," Jeongin stated, firmly. Chan felt relieved. He thought some of them would leave and chicken out but they're still here.

"What do we do next, Chan?" Hyunjin asked. "I think, we should just go to school Monday and think how the crowd reacts. We'll figure it out after that. Is that good with everyone?" They all nodded their heads in agreement with Chan.

"Okay, we should all get some rest and head home. Goodnight guys." Chan said, getting up and waving goodbye to everyone while holding Jeongin's hand.

"We should head home too. Goodnight guys." Minho got up and held Jisung's hand while walking out. Jisung didn't know that he was going back to Minho's after this but stayed with him. Home... I like that.

"Changbin, can we get food?" Felix asked. "Lix, it's 5:00 a.m, you're hungry?" Felix nodded his head and made a cute face, trying to convince the older.

It worked.

"Alright, fine, we're gonna leave guys. Night." Changbin said waving off and leaving with Felix.

Hyunjin and Seungmin sat there. "Can I still sleep at your house? I think my sister wants some alone time by herself." Hyunjin said a bit sadly. "Sure, I'm fine with that." Hyunjin smiled and got up, grabbing Seungmin's hand and intertwining it with his.

~~~

"I can't believe you hated me in the beginning," Hyunjin said, all of a sudden. "Of course I did. You were an ass." Seungmin said as he drove. "So I'm not an ass anymore?" Hyunjin questioned. "You're a better one than before," Seungmin said laughing while Hyunjin kept a straight face.

"No but seriously, you've improved a lot on yourself. I don't know what made you change but it worked." Hyunjin thought to himself. I did change, didn't I? "I even thought you were hot a first." Seungmin blurted out. Hyunjin smirked at the younger.

"So I'm not still hot?" Seungmin didn't expect Hyunjin to respond. "W-well, um, yes, you're still hot." Hyunjin smiled to himself. "Sorry if I made you uncomfortable." Hyunjin's smile suddenly dropped. "Why would you make me uncomfortable?" Seungmin sighed.

"Because I like guys and you're straight so, I didn't want-" Hyunjin cut Seungmin off.

"Who said I was straight?"

Seungmin almost swerved into a different lane. "I- but- huh?" Seungmin was shocked, confused, and didn't know what the hell to feel. "Yeah, I mean, I don't have a definitive sexuality but I've kissed a guy before and I liked it." Seungmin's eyes widen.

The Hwang Hyunjin has kissed a male before?

"I could've sworn, you were homophobic." Hyunjin chuckled. "I think I was." He laughed, thinking back on how he used to be. "Anyways, there's no way you could've made me uncomfortable."

Seungmin blinked his eyes in thought. "O-okay, well, good to know." "And..." Hyunjin continued as he turned his body to face Seungmin, even though the younger couldn't look back.

"Don't ever apologize for being who you are. If they got uncomfortable because of you, then that's their problem, not yours." Hyunjin turned back in his seat.

Seungmin felt his heart beat faster. "Where did you learn that from?" Hyunjin smiled to himself. "My dad.."