The Girl Aria (A Stray Kids Fanfiction)

Chapter 30

Last night had been a healing experience, both for me and Hwan. I felt a little guilty somehow for not recognizing he was human too and struggled with dangerous intrusive thoughts like the best of us. How could I have been so careless about myself? Stop scolding yourself, you did your best. That's all that mattered because from now on I would ask how he was doing, I would start really caring as if he were myself.

* * *

I had a vocal training session today. It was going to be long, and I could feel it. I was hesitant to go back to the studio due to the PTSD that had been left there from Hyo. Could I bring myself to step foot in there after everything that had gone down terribly? It was time to see if I contained that kind of strength. When I was packing my bags with the essentials to keep me going for the long day ahead, the front door opened. I glanced over to see Chan in the doorway, Jisung leaning on him for support.

I jumped to my feet, rushing over with my eyes stinging. He looked much healthier, but still weak. His bright personality had returned to his gaze and that's what made me happiest, besides the fact he was standing right in front of me in the doorway. I approached him with an embrace, and he responded eagerly by hugging me back. I laughed a little for no particular reason.

"Glad to see you too, kiddo." I grinned at the nickname. It felt natural to me.

"How are you feeling?" I asked cautiously, examining the bandages and faint bruises.

"A little sore, and tired." He brought himself to laugh, and it wasn't until now that I realized how exhausted he actually was. No one could contradict him; he had experienced so much. We all had. Lee Know and I escorted him to his bedroom to rest and have quite time to himself. Han whined a little, saying he wanted to hang with us, but we thought it better for him to recover fully before spending his hard earned energy. And besides I don't Chan would let him out of the house for a solid month.

"I.N. we need to get going!" I shouted to him from across the room. He was still gathering his things, trying to make sure nothing important was left behind. I waited about another two minutes before we walked out the door and headed to the studio.

* * *

I took a stable breath as I entered the building. Even though I had been here with Hwan yesterday, I still felt vulnerable now that he wasn't here. But I'm sure their security was better after what went down, and Hyo was dealt with properly according to her actions. I felt a little lightheaded from anxiety but I.N. put his hand on my head reassuringly, like that of an older brother.

"Do you want to hang after our vocal session?" I felt the blood rush back into me and my muscles relax as I forgot Hyo and focused on what he said.

"That would be great!" We laughed the rest of the way to the room as we joked around and shoved each other. It really did feel like home.

* * *

"Pitch it higher, Aria!" The vocal instructor said gently to me. I could feel everyone being sensitive around me after the whole incident. I smiled to hide my disappointment. I wouldn't let it get to me, this was natural in tuning your vocal cords. I asked if they could rewind the music so I could start over. I waited for the beat so I could try again.

Three, two, one.

I started again, better this time, and more confident in myself. I felt satisfied when the song came to an end and words of praise came from the instructor. We discussed areas that needed improvement, and talked about what we would be doing next lesson. I bowed and was dismissed for the day, and I exited the room to leave with Jeongin.