Off Key

#34

It was the end of the school day, and Chaeryeong and Yuna decided to meet up to talk to Yeji.

They walked to the dance room, expecting to find only Yeji, but found Ryujin and Lia as well.

"Hey! Have you thought it through?" Yeji said smiling brightly, rushing to Chaeryeong. "Yes, I have and, I'll do it," Yeji engulfed her in a big hug, cutting her off.

"Yay! We're so excited and glad- On one condition.." Chaeryeong said cutting Yeji off this time. Yeji's energy died down, immediately, making the rest curious and get up from stretching.

"I'll join if Yuna joins," Chaeryeong said bringing the girl closer to her. Yeji looked at Yuna. "Are you a good dancer?" Yeji asked, curiously. Yuna took off her backpack and walked to the center.

"I'd like to think I am," Yuna said smiling, knowing what she was about to do. Lia went to play music and once it started they were in shock.

Yuna's moves were clean, precise and she had a way with her facial expressions. Yuna had won Yeji, Ryujin, and Lia over. The music ended, making everyone clap. "Yes, she's in!" Yeji said, clapping.

"You're a good dancer," Lia said. "Thank you!" Yuna said as she gave a bow. "So Chaeryeong, will you join? Since Yuna's in?" Ryujin asked. Chaeryeong shifted her attention from Yuna to Ryujin.

"Yup," Chaeryeong said.

~~~

"Hey, mom," Jisung said as he sat at the dinner table with his backpack. "Hi, Jisung." She said as she gave a hug to her son. "How was school?" She said as she sat down with him.

"It was fine. I worked on some song lyrics during lunch." Jisung said. "Oh, can I see?" Ms. Han asked. Jisung nodded his head and reached for his backpack and pulled out his notebook.

"Here." He said while Ms. Han opened it. "I Am You?" She asked while Jisung nodded his head. She read the lyrics and loved it already. "Jisung, this is amazing." She said and Jisung smiled.

"Minho helped me with it. Well, he gave me an idea of what I should write." Jisung said. Ms. Han's eyes widened. "He did? Hmm." She said mumbling the last part.

"Also, I have to talk to you. It's important." Jisung said, closing the notebook. Ms. Han had her attention on Jisung. "What is it?" She asked, nervous.

"It's about Minho. I wanted to know if he can move in." Jisung said. "Jisung, are you two dating, it's okay if you guys are, he's a good guy and handsome and- MOM!" Jisung yelled out, embarrassed. "What?" She asked.

"What makes you think that?" He asked, making his mom, look at his notebook and back at him. "The song? Mom, it's just a song." He said, making Ms. Han roll her eyes. "Sure. Okay, but why do you want him to move in? What about his family?" She asked.

"His mom said that he can live with us. Besides, he's already packing." Jisung said. Ms. Han wasn't too sure about this. Jisung could tell his mom was contemplating it, hard. "He can cook for us, and I need his vocals for some songs," Jisung said, hoping it'll convince his mother.

"He can't visit for the song recordings?" She asked making Jisung shake his head. Ms. Han gave in. "Fine, but are you sure you guys aren't dating?" She asked, again. "Mom, he's straight," Jisung said, rubbing his forehead. "Yeah, right!" She said getting up, not believing Jisung.

"With the way, he looks at you, that's not close to straight." She said making Jisung curious. "How he looks at me?" He questioned. "How does he look at me?" Jisung asked. "He looks at you the way you look at him." She said, exiting the kitchen.

"I don't look at him in any way.." Jisung mumbled to himself, crossing his arms. "Shit, I need to call Minho!" Jisung said heading for his phone, remembering that his mom said yes.

~~~

"Thanks again for this," Seungmin said to Hyunjin who was carrying three boxes. "Don't worry about it," Hyunjin said setting the boxes downstairs.

"So you're gonna take Minho's room?" Hyunjin asked, in which Seungmin nodded his head, agreeing. "My dad was sad that he wasn't gonna be there but he understood.." Hyunjin was confused.

"You told him about Kimmy?" Seungmin nodded his head. "Felix told me that Minho told his mom about the whole situation and that it's Kimmy," Seungmin said. Hyunjin let out a little 'oh' and headed upstairs for another box, Seungmin following along.

"Are you excited?" Hyunjin asked, passing a box to Seungmin. "Well, I don't know. I've never lived with anyone else besides my dad." Seungmin said. "Hey, Hyunjin.." Seungmin said, setting the box down.

"Yeah?" Hyunjin asked. Seungmin hesitated, thinking if he should say it. "You said, that your dad taught you about loving yourself and all that. Why don't you ever talk about your dad?" Seungmin asked, seeing Hyunjin get quiet.

"I don't like to talk about him because the more  I talk about him, the more attached I'll get, and I don't want that," Hyunjin said, looking at the ground. "Attached?" Seungmin questioned.

"My dad's in the hospital and has been for a long time. When I was young he was sick but not so much where he had to be in the hospital." Hyunjin sat down on the bed, Seungmin sitting next to him.

"Over time, it got worse and he had to be hospitalized. Due to him being in the hospital, Yeji wanted our dad to remember her as the kindest girl. Meanwhile, I wanted to forget our dad because I know he could die any day, and I don't want it to hurt." Hyunjin sighed.

"That's why I was mean and did bad things. I thought I could do whatever I wanted since no one was paying attention, but I regret that." Seungmin held Hyunjin's hand, caressing it.

"He's getting worse every day, and we can't do anything." Seungmin would've never guessed that Hyunjin is going through this. "I've accepted his fate, but I don't want to forget him," Hyunjin said, smiling at Seungmin.

"Hey, don't be sad," Hyunjin said looking at Seungmin's teary eyes. "Fuck you.." Seungmin said, putting his head on Hyunjin's shoulder. "Huh?" Hyunjin asked, confused. "I hated you in the beginning because you were an asshole, but with good reason."

"So now I feel bad for hating you," Seungmin said, pinching Hyunjin's hand. "Ow, but it's fine, you were right to hate me," Hyunjin said, caressing his hand. "Whatever," Seungmin said, getting up and grabbing a box, and leaving the room.

Hyunjin scoffing and smiling, following him after.