My Star | Im Changkyun {COMPLETE}

Chapter 21

After receiving a weirdly vague message from her brother, Hyebin's mind had been plagued with random thoughts all day. He usually only messaged her on her secret phone so for him to message her on the group phone must mean that he did something serious.

Immediately after receiving the message, Hyebin had been called back to work so she was unable to question it any further. Throughout her schedule, she'd tried her best not to show her true emotions and put on a smile for the fans who had came out to visit the girls, deciding to immerse herself into her work and leave behind her worries for a little while. Admittedly, it felt nice. She'd forgotten how much he enjoyed work. 

With busy schedules after the tour, Hyebin had been feeling a little down. There was a lot going on during that time that focusing on her work became a chore. Everyday felt repetitive and tiring but finally, being around her fans, she felt a little better. With each word of encouragement as they passed her by at the fan meeting, she was beginning to gain courage. It felt as if she could face her problems head on.

By the time the fanmeeting was over, she no longer felt nervous. She needed this boost of confidence. Now she was going to attempt to get back to the old her. The girl who wanted to work hard for her dreams without fear. Being with Changkyun had changed her a bit. Some of the changed parts she liked, others not so much. It was time to work on that now. Changkyun inspired her, she wanted to boost that part of her and reduce the part of her that acted like a fool around him... the part of her that didn't think things through properly. If things were to work out well for them and their careers, she needed to work on herself too.

With Changkyun going away on his world tour, Hyebin decided to work on herself. Nothing would change between them, she just wanted to become a better person. Not only for herself but for those around her too. She didn't want to worry anymore and she didn't want to worry those around her.

"Are you okay?" Sooyeon questioned as they walked down the corridors side by side, trailing behind the rest of the group.

"Yeah," Hyebin smiled, no longer having to fake it. She was determined to work everything out. " I'm good. Can I borrow the phone a moment? My brother messaged me earlier but I never had a chance to respond."

"Yeah, of course." Sooyeon reached into her bag, handing it over with a smile. "You look... different."

"Huh?" Hyebin frowned, looking up at her in confusion. 

"I don't know, you seem happier suddenly." Sooyeon shrugged. "Before the fanmeeting you seemed quite down but now you're- I don't know... glowing."

"Ah, yeah." Hyebin nodded, realizing where Sooyeon was coming from. "I've been a little stressed but I think I can work through it. It felt good today."

"If you ever need to talk, remember I'm always here." Sooyeon comforted her. "I know you've been avoiding talking to me about your private life these days since... But I promise I'm okay with it." Sooyeon remained vague since they were surrounded by staff and thankfully Hyebin had caught on. She was talking about Wonho.

"Thank you," Hyebin held onto Sooyeon's arm. "I'm sorry if I made things awkward by avoiding it."

"No-" Sooyeon shook her head. "It was a difficult situation. I completely understand."

"Sooyeon, Hyebin, Mirae," A manager called out, gesturing towards a car behind. "You guys are taking the second van."

Noticing a crowd swarming around them suddenly, the girls waved and gave them a smile before getting into the van. Waving goodbye out the window one last time as they drove off, Hyebin finally glanced down at the phone in her hand.

Finally it was time to face one of the situations which had left her feeling anxious. 

📩 

HYEBIN: What do you mean?

HYEBIN'S YOUNGER BROTHER: The box. I heard about it from our parents... I'm really sorry. I dropped the box before and I was drunk. I spilled beer all over it and I panicked since I'm underage and didn't want mom and dad to find out. I put it back in the box and put it on the fridge. When I went back the next day to clean up, the photos were all stuck together. 

I tried to separate them but they ripped and the faces came off. I should have told you right away but I was scared. I didn't want to get hit for drinking. They were completely destroyed. I thought I'd tell you because someone stole the box and you're probably worried but they're useless now. I'm really sorry for ruining your memories.

HYEBIN: I can't believe you got drunk. You're too young! But...

I'm glad they were destroyed. As precious as they were, I'm relieved.

HYEBIN'S YOUNGER BROTHER: I'm sorry.

Also mom and dad said I can't go to America with you now :( I'm on house arrest for drinking.

HYEBIN: Good. Maybe you'll learn from it.

Hyebin let out a hushed laugh as she read over the message again. Even though many drank underage, she still felt like her brother needed a scolding but she didn't act too harshly since he'd unintentionally saved her career from going down the drain.

HYEBIN: I need to go now. I'm heading back to the dorms.

Handing the phone back to Sooyeon, Hyebin tilted her head back with a relieved sigh as she  closed her eyes. Today felt way too nice. No doubt she'd be able to get a good sleep tonight without worrying as much.

"By the way, when are we getting our phones back?" Mirae asked their manager, Juri.

"Oh right, you girls might get your first win." Juri responded warmly. "I'll ask CEO Joo when I drop you off at your next schedule."

"I can't wait to get my phone back," Mirae sighed happily. "Finally we can all start a groupchat to chat while at our different schedules. Sometimes I get so bored just sitting around and waiting alone."

"Absolutely," Sooyeon agreed as Hyebin nodded in response.

"Even though we aren't super famous, doesn't it feel like we've made it?" Hyebin spoke up as the other two agreed happily.

"I get recognized walking down the street. It's fun." Sooyeon chuckled, recalling the previous times it had occurred. "It's exciting."

"I hope we can start our own instagram too. I want to make a cool feed," Mirae added on as they all began to bicker now about all the things they wanted to do when they get their phones back.

Although it was something small, they were still really happy to get their phones back. In a way. it was a symbol of how far they'd gotten since their debut. By no means were they making history but that didn't matter. They were doing well to stay relevant in a saturated market, where 40+ groups were debuting yearly now. They were proud of what they had achieved.