But I'm okay {Stray Kids Spanking Story}

Stand By Me {Hyunjin}

// Third POV //

The water Hyunjin drank was freezing. He didn't even know he was almost chugging it until he held a large portion of it in his mouth and almost spit it out because he put so much of it in.

There was so much exhaustion inside of Hyunjin. Physical, mental, emotional. He couldn't actually make clear which one overwhelmed him the most.

Practice ended four hours ago for Stray Kids but not for Hyunjin.

They were still perfecting the dance for their title track and it was going smoothly, nearly zero flaws. There wasn't usually zero flaws in dancing, there is always something that can be done to improve it.

The guys were working extra hard on this comeback because Hyunjin is back.

All seven of the guys cried the day of the first practice, Hyunjin wasn't only observing this time like he had when Kingdom went on, their tall brother was back for good this time.

Stray Kids showered the Korean with attention and love, praising him for everything and anything they could find. Minho, who was usually not too friendly during practices, was really nice to Hyunjin when he made mistakes in the choreography.

Chris was being his usual overprotective self, telling the staff not to scold his little brother if he made a mistake and being extra cautious of Hyunjin getting injured during practice.

Hyunjin was more than thankful for his members being so welcoming, even though they lived together, the guys were so busy and tired with the show that he barely ever saw them. Because of this, Hyunjin was alone a lot. More than he should have been.

The scandal Hyunjin was faced with seemingly came out of nowhere.

That day was the worse for Hyunjin, he was called down to JYP's office and had to explain the entire situation to the company. It was humiliating, Hyunjin didn't even remember anything the accuser was talking about so he plead his innocence.

Hyunjin wasn't surprised that none of their fans believed him, overtime, the dancer switched up his beliefs..Maybe he did do it.

Memory loss wasn't a crime but in K-pop, you can't really argue with someone online who comes forward with a accusation like that.

Maybe Hyunjin just didn't want to believe it. He wasn't raised to be a bully, and he didn't think he was one. But just seeing the comments and rereading the victim's story over and over again made him believe that he wasn't telling the truth to himself.

Chris did his best but at the end of the day, Hyunjin had to step away.

It wasn't just for him but for the good of the team.

Then Hyunjin was "kidnapped" and forced to stay in LA with Mark for a couple of months. It was fun and relaxing, he didn't even think of work, but reality soon crashed back on him as soon as he went back.

Chris confiscated Hyunjin's phone and laptop; mainly because the company told him to but also because the leader wanted to avoid Hyunjin reading hate comments.

Without a phone or computer, Hyunjin was alone with his thoughts. His members were busy, had their own fun time at Kingdom, so he was at the dorm 24/7.

He cried a bunch. He couldn't rest his eyes for a minute, he didn't deserve to rest. What he did will stay with him forever, he had hurt someone, he was a bully.

After the night Hyunjin got drunk and hurt I.N, the hyungs locked the liquor cabinet. Hyunjin couldn't have the release of letting his mind go for a few hours anymore. The thoughts stayed and set up camp.