Woozi ran back to the practice room to get his phone which he had forgotten. He saw Minghao curled up in a ball in the corner of the room.
"Hey," he called out. "You okay?" Minghao let out a sigh. "I'm fine," he said. "Just thinking."
They all knew how he got when he was thinking. Woozi sat down next to him and the two of them just sat there for about an hour and a half when Minghao started crying quietly.
Woozi turned towards him and gave him a hug and Minghao buried his face in his shoulder. After a little while Minghao lay his head on Woozi's lap and Woozi started playing with his hair. Minghao slowly drifted off to sleep.
After about fifteen minutes, Woozi called Vernon and asked him to come pick them up. He arrived shortly after and brought Minghao out to the car, Woozi following after them.
"What happened?" Vernon asked.
"He was thinking again."
Vernon nodded and the rest of the ride to the dorm was quiet. When he was carrying Minghao Inside, they heard Seunkwan and DK screaming at the top of their lungs. The noise woke Minghao and he looked up to see Vernon. Confused and a little bit out of it, he tried to get out of Vernons arms. Vernon noticed and placed him down. He sat down and the couch and stayed there, zoning out.
S.Coups sat down next to him. "You want to talk?" he asked. Minghao shook his head. He went to the kitchen to be by himself and make himself something to eat. He brought his food to his room and distracted himself with YouTube until he fell asleep.
The rest of the members were worried. He had always had times when he would zone out and think, leading his mind to places that were bad for him, but recently it had become a lot more common. They all tried to talk to him but wouldn't tell them much about what went on inside his mind. They all wanted to help him but they didn't know how.
Joshua was getting ready for bed when he heard Minghao start whimpering and then sleep talking. "Don't go!" he said. "Don't leave me! Stay with me! Don't leave me by myself!"
Joshua gently shook him awake. Minghao sat up and burst out crying, hugging Joshua and seeking comfort. "Don't leave," he mumbled through his tears. "I won't. Don't worry."
Joshua rubbed his back and helped him calm down. "Are you feeling better?" he asked. Minghao nodded.
The next morning Minghao was back to his quirky, usual self. The day passed fine as well as the next but on the third day, he started thinking again. S.Coups noticed immediately and brought him to the studio which was empty. He sat him down and called his friend, Dr. Christopher Bangchan.
Dr. Chris arrived a few minutes later and S.Coups left him with Minghao.
"How are you?" Dr. Chris asked.
"I'm fine," came the answer.
"How's work?"
"Work's fine."
The two conversed for about an hour and then Dr. Chris asked Minghao if he wanted to meet again. Minghao agreed and they made an appointment for the following week. Minghao started going to Dr. Chris regularly and slowly, his thinking spells went away.
The members were no longer worried as they saw that he was happy and doing well. Minghao was having the time of his life, enjoying every moment he spent with his members and Carat, glad to be free of his burdensome thoughts. He now truly felt free.
A/N it's a little early today because tonight starts Passover and for the next three days I won't have any access to the internet. I hope you enjoy this one!!!
