To Be Loved... (BOOK 1)

Open Your Eyes

Felix's POV:

"So I just talked to him." Minho sat on my bed and sighed. "Be very gentle with him right now. I don't know how this shit works still." I could tell he was stressed.

"What happened?"

He paused and tried to think of the words to say. "Hyunjin has a condition." He whispered as quietly as possible. "It's a response to trauma."

"I know." I whispered back. "Wooyoung told me."

"Of course he did." Wooyoung and his big mouth. "But I just had to take him out of it myself."

"What do you mean?"

"He was still in little space when he got here." He sighed. "It's just a theory, but I think something happened before he got here."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because why would it last outside the house?" He stood up. "I don't know if bringing up his parents will put him right back into it because he's only been out for like five minutes, but just be aware." He left the room and Hyunjin walked in, going straight to my bed.

"Did he tell you?" He sighed. His voice was muffled as he shoved his face into the pillow. I didn't really know what to say. I don't want to throw Wooyoung or Minho under the bus.

"Jinnie, listen to me. What did I say to you yesterday? I love you for you."

"But that's not me." He stressed. "I don't want this. I don't even know when I do it either." He was starting to panic. "I didn't want anyone knowing. I never wanted Wooyoung knowing, or Minho, or you." He sat up and ran his fingers through his black hair.

"How did this even start?" I sat up along with him and held his hand.

"I don't even know." He was so frustrated with himself. "I don't know why it only happens at my house too. It never happened at Wooyoung's. It just never made sense to me."

It made perfect sense to me. It made perfect sense to everyone that knew. I wasn't sure if he was in denial or just delusional. But I know the last thing he wants to hear is someone telling him how awful they think his parents are. I'm here to help and comfort him.

"Maybe we could try and figure it out." I suggested. "Did anything happen today that may have triggered it?"

"I don't wanna talk about it." He whispered, looking away from me. I won't push him, but the curiosity may kill me.

"Do you think that may have done it?"

"It isn't because of my parents, okay?" He got slightly defensive, but I understood. Maybe he does know it's because of them deep down and refuses to believe it. "I know it's not. I love my parents, they take care of me." If there was anyone who could convince him, it would either be me or Minho. We would take different approaches so I hope this works. I can't watch this happen anymore. Seeing Hyunjin struggle and not knowing why is probably so draining for him. He thinks he's the problem, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

"I just want to understand where you're coming from. I know you feel like people are still against you when it comes to your parents so help me help you." He nodded. "If you could sum it up, how would you say your childhood was? Be honest, I won't judge you or your parents."

He shrugged. "I mean, it wasn't great, but it could've been worse. They were just a little strict, that's all."

"What were they strict about?"

"What I was allowed to watch or listen to, what I ate, things like that. But they always let me hang out with whoever I wanted, they got me Kkami, bought me things. It wasn't all bad." He was quick to defend them. I needed to think of something that was inexcusable.