Break Into My World

22: Fragile

Weeks were spent going between the house and the hospital. Every visit proved that Hwanwoong's grandmother was getting better, but with every visit Hwanwoong grew more uncertain of himself. The difference between leaving and staying was becoming difficult to determine. He didn't want to give up the new life that he loved closer to the city, but he couldn't stand to think if something like this happened again and he wasn't here to witness it in time.

Hwanwoong sent updates to his housemates, but it seemed like every text sent a briefer response followed. He stuck to his word, but it hurt that the people he's lived with for months didn't seem to do the same. It only made the pink-head anxious, making him wonder what the hell is happening with them. If Leedo has told Keonhee and Xion everything that's been going on, if Seoho is still acting just as unusual and crazy, if Ravn was okay.

Messages were sent to Leedo, asking about the boy in the mirror, and those were the messages that Leedo seemed to never respond to. He hated it, but Hwanwoong even sent a few messages to Seoho, asking if everything was going okay. Those messages still sit unread even after a couple weeks of being sent.

Both Xion and Keonhee seemed to message him, but even through text Hwanwoong knew something wasn't right. Their messages didn't seem as cheerful, they hardly used their emoticons, and some just seemed to lack interest.

It was nice reconnecting with Mingi and Yunho for the time being, and some other friends on the few outings Hwanwoong went out on, but it wasn't the life meant for him anymore. Hwanwoong felt left out whether with the couple, or the group of eight, despite being close with a most of them before he left.

Hell, it seemed like he got more messages from Juyeon and Changmin than he did his housemates. At least they seemed to check up on Hwanwoong every other day at the minimum, sending thoughtful messages or random updates from the studio. As much as Hwanwoong appreciated it, and don't get him wrong he loves that he's grown so close to those two, but it hurts seeing the studio he's grown to love as well and not be able to be there. He can't dance his heart out, participate in events, or even consider signing up for an in-house competition he wanted to attend. He's too busy with his old life here to consider doing the things he loves.

Hwanwoong winced when a cat jumped up onto his lap, claws out and everything. He snapped his gaze down to the feline, who didn't seem to care about the pain it caused. It began kneading against Hwanwoong's leg, causing the boy to sigh, knowing he can't think about getting up anytime soon.

"I know I didn't feed you on time this morning, but that doesn't mean you have to take out your anger on me." Hwanwoong muttered, hesitantly petting the cat. It batted it's eyes at the boy and began purring in the process, leaning into his hand. "I don't even understand where half of you came from, it's like more of you just keep showing up out of nowhere."

His gaze snapped in a different direction once more when he heard hissing. The living room was actually pretty empty, so Hwanwoong was able to locate the two cats that proceeded to chase each other about mercilessly. Jumping on and across furniture, knocking things over, swatting at one another when they were close enough, they were a blur of orange and brown.

No matter how much Hwanwoong raised his voice the cats didn't listen. And of course the one in his lap was completely unbothered, still kneading away, probably used to the other cats shenanigans.

It wasn't until the cat on defense jumped up onto a bookshelf that Hwanwoong had enough. But despite moving the cat off his lap urgently, he was too late, and the orange cat had knocked over some picture books, some falling over on the shelf, others completely falling off the bookcase, onto the floor where old photos spread like confetti.

Hwanwoong only stood in disbelief at the sudden mess, even more so when the orange and brown cat proceeded to take their fight in another room. Hwanwoong couldn't even tell if it was play fighting or not, so with a sigh he went and stopped it regardless. He distracted one with a battery powered toy and the other with a sting attached to a fan in another room.