The Elites | ATEEZ

01

One year later,

Mingi
August 9, 1:00 PM

As soon as i stepped a foot in the cafeteria, everyone's already staring at me. I rolled my eyes at the stupid gossip girls that were talking about me and continued walking to my now usual spot, at the very back of the place.

I grabbed my lunch tray and went on my way with my headphones blasting music so loud canceling out the chaotic and noise of the already messy place.

As i munch on my food, i couldn't help but think about him.

It's been a year.

Just when i thought this day can't get worse, i see a familiar hand tapping on the table forcing me to pause the music on my playlist "can we eat here?" it was Hongjoong and Seonghwa.

We ate in silence, avoiding the topic.

Until a loud bang was heard, there was San hovering over some kid yelling "you know nothing!" so angry that made all three of us run in concern, Hongjoong pulled San away by his waist and slammed him against the wall "will you calm the fuck down!" Hongjoong is just as angry like everyone else and even though we all had some rough patch trying so hard to remain friends after everything, it eventually crumbled that made us divided and despite that there's still that guilt and feeling of protecting everyone.

But after he went missing, we all fell apart.

I went on my own just casually talking to hongjoong and sometimes san whenever he's alone.

San stayed with Wooyoung, Hongjoong's with Seonghwa while Yeosang is alone all the time buried in either music notes and books. Jongho is the only one Yeosang talks to and the younger is pretty much just after Yeosang, other than that, it's nothing much just some changes; ever since he went missing.

I still missed him every day.

If only i stayed a little longer with him.

Maybe...

Maybe Yunho's still here accompanying me everywhere i go.

Where are you, yunie?

Please come back home.

I've sent these messages every day and i call him every night telling him im alone and he can talk to me.

His missing case eventually come to an end last month and it fucked me up so bad.

The painkillers aren't enough to numb me.

Yeosang
August 9, 4:35 PM

I felt my phone vibrated on my pockets, i ignored it.

It kept vibrating and i know who's calling. I decided to turn my phone off, I went to my locker and fix my things before leaving.

And as expected Mr. Lee, the driver is already outside waiting for me, i feel trapped but nonetheless there's nothing i can do and so i played along if my father is right about everything this is my safe way. I have to play safe.

"Mr. Kang wants you to be present at dinner tonight" he looks at me through the rear view mirror, i could only nod in agreement. We're stuck in traffic, i hope it stays like this until dinner time that way i wouldn't be able to deal with them. Mr. Lee seemed tense and he looks at me once again "your brother's back in town" he didn't sound too happy announcing that information and neither am i.

If hyung is back that only means more comparison and him bugging me about everything.

We eventually made it home, unfortunately. I saw hyungs' car parked just beside dad's— I hop off of the car and went straight upstairs to my room, maybe assignment card would work but who am i kidding? even in dinner we have to look presentable enough. I did just that, picked out my clothes and im going to deal with them tonight calmly to get it over with.