Soda | Seo Changbin

3

After school, I hung out with Changbin at his house for a bit, and then his older sister dropped me off at home.

"Jihye, we need to talk." Namjoon said once I walked into the living room.

Seungmin and Hongjoong were sitting on some chairs, and Namjoon was standing.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Sit." Hongjoong ordered.

"What's going on?" I asked, sitting across from them.

Seungmin was quiet, like actually silent. That was a sign something was up.

"I'll be honest, you won't be happy about this- but you know I want what's best for you all." Namjoon said, avoiding the topic. "Today was your last day at school."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I have to go to Busan for a work trip. I'll be there for about 4 months. I'm taking you with me. You'll be back at school next year. But you'll spend this semester in a private school." He said.

I looked at him in absolute shock.

"Why didn't we hear about this sooner?" I asked.

"I knew about it since the beginning of this year." Seungmin said.

"Me too." Hongjoong added.

I was too focused to notice the tears coming out of my eyes.

"No. No, Hongjoong is 18, we can stay here." I argued.

"It's already been decided, Jihye. There's nothing we can do." Seungmin said, clearly upset with the situation as well.

"You can't do this." I whined, more tears spilling out of my eyes.

I stood up to hit Namjoon, but Hongjoong stopped me.

"Stop crying, bunny." He said, giving me a quick hug.

Since I was a kid, he'd always call me bunny. Normally it would make me feel better, but in this moment it didn't.

"I don't want to leave- my friends are here-"

"Do you really think he cares? He's just thinking about himself." Seungmin said, getting up and bolting to his room, slamming the door.

"I'll go talk to him." Hongjoong said, following after.

"Jihye, I know it'll be hard-"

I left before he could continue what he was saying. My first instinct was to call my friends. I called the group chat, and only Hyunjin and Jisung answered.

"What's up? Wanna tell us about that kiss?" Hyunjin asked.

"Are you guys busy?" I asked, sniffling.

"No, are you okay?" Jisung asked.

"I need to see you guys." I said.

"Okay. Our usual spot then." Hyunjin said before hanging up.

I slid on a pair of shoes before walking out of the front door, ignoring my oldest brother's protests. I walked to a nearby park, which is basically in between all of our houses so we go there to hang out. I sat on the swing and waited for them to show up.

Within a few seconds, Jisung appeared around the corner, and Hyunjin right after.

No Changbin though.

"Jihye what's wrong?" They asked.

"I'm going to be gone. Until summer." I said.

"What? It's only March- Summer's not for another 4 months? You can't be gone for that long." Jisung said, assuming it was a joke.

Hyunjin could tell by the look on my face that I wasn't joking.

"Jisung, she's serious." He said.

"What?" He asked.

The tears came flooding out of my eyes again as I hugged them both.

"I'll miss you." I said.

"No..No, you can't leave- what about us?" Jisung asked, pulling away.

"I'm sorry." I said.

He began sobbing. It broke my heart to see him cry, considering he rarely did. It didn't help that Hyunjin was trying to hold up his strong act. The tears attacked his eyes, but he didn't want to show it.

"Jisung- I'm sorry, I'll talk to you every day, I swear." I said trying to cheer him up.

I lifted his head up so he was looking at me, and I did what he does when I cry. I wiped away his tears and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

That must've made him even more upset, because he began crying even more, pulling me into a sloppy embrace. Hyunjin couldn't take it anymore, and he joined in.

"Please don't leave." He said, sounding all choked up.

"I'll be back, I promise."

——

The next day, the boys came to say bye to me. It wasn't as teary as the day before, but it was still emotional.

"Please call. Every day." Hyunjin said.

"Of course. I'll be back in summer, and then we can hang out every day. I promise." I replied, smiling.

Changbin walked up, looking confused once he saw my brothers putting luggage in the car.

"Jihye? Why aren't you in your uniform?" He asked.

"Shit." Jisung mumbled.

"Changbin, there's something you need to know." I said.

"Okay. What is it?" He asked.

Before I could say it I began crying again. It was one thing leaving my best friends, but another leaving the person I liked.

He quickly came over. "Jihye! What's wrong?"

Hyunjin pulled him aside and explained what was happening. Changbin appeared to be upset and quite shocked, but he attempted to stay calm.

He hugged me tightly.

"I'll miss you." He said.

Jisung and Hyunjin joined in on the hug. It might've been one of the longest hugs i've had. It lasted at least 3 minutes.

"Jihye, time to go." Namjoon said.

We all pulled away from the hug.

"I hope you have a safe trip." Jisung said.

"Call us when you get there." Hyunjin said.

"We love you." Changbin smiled.

"I love you guys too. More than anything." I replied.

"Jihye, did you not understand what we meant by it's time to go?" Hongjoong asked.

"I guess this is it then. I'll see you guys in summer." I said.

I turned to walk away, but I was instantly pulled back by Changbin. He kissed me softly.

"Bye." He mumbled.

"Bye, Binnie." I replied, hugging him one last time.

This time I actually got into the car. When I looked back in the mirror, Jisung was crying on Hyunjin's shoulder. Changbin was rubbing his back and trying to comfort him.

I would miss them so much.

1017 words