Starting Anew [junew] [bxb]

Part Four

A week ago:

Jacob couldn't focus in class all day long. He kept falling into the spirals of his thoughts about what was bothering Juyeon, because something surely was.

Both of them had been best friends for as long as either one of them could recall.
So it was justified why the Canadian fellow couldn't stop wondering about the reason his friend was acting off.

And it wasn't the little issue of Juyeon wishing to go home alone yesterday. That was no biggie, obviously. In fact, none of them thought much of it.

The real confusion settled in once Jacob voiced his worries about Juyeon's mood to the other boys, later that day.

All of them had something to add, only fueling the feeling of something being out of the ordinary. Sangyeon's apartment had become a forum of discussion as the boys contemplated what to do next.

"Wahhh, this is so much fun!" Hyunjae clapped his hands together, evidently feeling more pumped about having a late night talk with his friends in the living room, rather than the actual topic of the conversation.

The rest of the guys ignored his childish antics and continued.

"Guys, we need to figure out what's wrong with Juyeon," Jacob said, his brow furrowed with concern. "He's been acting really strange lately, and I can't help but worry about him."

"I know what you mean," Sangyeon chimed in. "He's been all quiet and distant, like he's got something on his mind but he doesn't want to talk about it."

The rest of the boys nodded in agreement, their expressions somber.

"Well, we can't just sit here and do nothing," Younghoon spoke up. "We need to find out what's going on and help him if we can."

"I agree," Jacob said, determination in his voice. "But how do we even approach him about this?"

The boys fell silent for a moment, contemplating their options.

"Maybe we could invite him over and try to get him to open up to us," Younghoon suggested.

"That's a good idea," Sangyeon nodded. "We could have a movie night or something and see if he's willing to talk."

The Boyz all agreed that it was worth a try, and they made plans to invite Juyeon over the next evening.

As the night wore on, the boys continued to discuss their friend and how they could help him. Even though they didn't have any concrete solutions yet, Jacob felt better knowing that he wasn't alone in his concern for Juyeon. Together, they would figure out what was going on and make things right.

But if only it were that simple.  Hyunjae, Sangyeon, Younghoon and Jacob each tried their level best to get Juyeon to come clear with whatever was bothering him. Very discreetly, of course.  But judging from the magnitude of the latter's odd behavioral tendencies, it wouldn't take a genius to guess that all their efforts were in vain.

if anything, Juyeon became even more cautious around them, somehow finding the means for distancing himself further away from the band. he rejected each member's advances throughout the course of 7 days, not even putting in conscious efforts anymore, in his excuses that were gradually becoming painfully obvious and lame.

Undoubtedly defeated, the quadruplets convened at their oldest hyung's residence yet again; discussing their failed attempts over the week.

"Whatever happened to him? we tried so hard to get through to him, but to no avail. Why couldn't he just tell us?" Younghoon pondered. 

The four were perched on the comfy sofas in Sangyeon's living room, having arranged themselves in an amply-spaced seating order so each one could listen to, and see the other 3 clearly.

"We can't force him to spill his secrets, Hoon. We've clearly made it known that he isn't alone and if he needs to talk, we're all there for him. Honestly, that's all we can do now" explained Sangyeon.

"I guess so. Like you said, we tried our best. Going any further isn't right, I believe. We shouldn't invade his personal space. " Jacob all but sighed as an observation.

This was followed by a series of hums. But one member of the crew didn't feel the same way. 

"Y'all are such angels, omo I'm so touched." Hyunjae said, making an ugly face. 

"This is friendship. The best kind kind. The closest kind. There's no such thing as personal space. Not on my watch."

"um, I don't think that's how it works- "

"Zip it. I'm not taking counter arguments.  Just get off your pretty little asses and hop in the car. " he shushed.

 The guys looked at Hyunjae quizzically.  Looking at their confused expressions, he started explaining.  "We're going over to Juyeon's place. That little shit has some explaining to do."

The others still weren't very convinced, but slowly got up to follow along. They did not think blindsiding a suffering friend was a feasible solution [not all of them, at least]; but they followed through with the idea because they knew that despite being obnoxiously spontaneous and dense sometimes, Hyunjae's drive was fueled by nothing but care for their friend.

As everyone rushed to the car, putting on their shoes and grabbing their phones, Younghoon approached the originator of the idea. "hey, that's all fine with me. but do you have a plan? otherwise. this is going to be a very stupid effort. and trust me, saying that to you..is saying something alright." The bread lover begrudgingly enquired, while in the middle of untangling his arm that was stuck in his jacket sleeve due to all the rush.

Hyunjae gave him a distasteful look. "What do you take me for?"

"So you do have a plan" Sangyeon half - asked.

"Yes."

"Will we regret it?"

"Probably."

"Is it dangerous/ idiotic?"

"Absolutely"

"Okay come on, more details on the way.  The first birdie to reach the car gets a kiss. 

Now SCRAM!" he yelled, clapping his hands twice and jogged towards the driveway.

They all chuckled at this, and Jacob shook his head.

"Lee Jaehyun, why are you like this?"