See You In My Dreams (Stray Kids X Reader) [COMPLETED]

Ch. 40: Before I Leave

Your phone buzzes yet again, followed by that automated voice saying that Jisung's phone is unattended at the moment, and probably for the nth time today, you sigh heavily as you drop your hand holding your phone to your side.

It's no use. It's already noon, and you still haven't found Jisung. And even though you tried calling him... It's either you really can't reach him or he won't pick up.

"Dang it, Jisung!" you hiss as you kick the rock right infront of your feet, sending it flying towards a tree and chipping off a bit of its bark upon impact. You wonder, why had he suddenly disappeared? Surely, he can't stay that stubborn, can he? Or have you made him too guilty to ever face you?

You sigh yet again at the thought, then you find yourself dropping down to a squat as you drop your head onto your legs, surrounded by your arms. "Where are you...?"

It wasn't until a few seconds later that you hear several footsteps coming from behind you, and you raise your head and look up behind you to see Changbin.

The boy is cautious in his steps as he approaches you, but as soon as you turn to him, he stops, and gives you a soft gaze as a way to comfort you.

"Oh. It's just you," you say before you stand up and turn to him with a weak smile. "Sorry, I was just feeling a little... upset."

"No signs of Jisung yet, I assume?" Changbin asks you, his voice gentle as if the slightest raise of his voice could hurt you.

"Yeah," you reply with a weak voice, looking down at your phone. "He won't even pick up when I call him. Has he... ever called any of you guys?" You then turn to Changbin only to suddenly see his surprised expression. "What?" you ask him, laughing weakly.

It takes a moment for him to respond. "Uhm, well... You have a little something... over there," he says, gesturing to a part of your face.

"Hmm?" You then look down as you try to feel for whatever Changbin was referring to. "Where-" Suddenly, however, your eyes widen when the boy brings his hand to your face and you feel him gently brush below your wet eye. You look at him, and he quickly pulls his hand away, bringing it to the back of his neck as he looks down.

"Ah, sorry. I just- I noticed-"

"No, it's okay," you say, and he looks back at you. You just give him a small smile before he looks away again.

"Sorry... I know I shouldn't have done that."

"What do you mean? It wouldn't hurt to comfort a hurting friend," you say.

Changbin just stays silent as he nods, his head down the whole time. After some time, however, you suddenly speak up, saying something he wouldn't really expect.

"Anyway, since we're friends, that means I can trust you with a secret, right?"

Once again, Changbin's eyes widen before he turns to you. "H-huh?"

"Relax. It's nothing big," you say with a chuckle when you notice how shocked and flustered he seems. "I'm also telling Denise and the guys later on, anyway."

"Oh," Changbin replies as he drops his hand to his side. "Oh, sure. You can tell me then, I guess."

You wear a small smile before finally letting him in on the secret. "I got a scholarship."

This time, Changbin's eyes widen in amazement, and he looks at you happily. "Wow, really?! That's great! What school did you get a scholarship in?" His smile disappears, however, when he notices how small your smile had gotten.

"I'm going to the States, soon," you then say, your voice laced with fake enthusiasm.

And yet again, that surprises the boy standing before you. "W-wait, what? You're leaving? A-as in... leaving the country?" You just nod while smiling thinly. Changbin releases a sigh of disbelief as he lowers his head. "W-when..."