Pains Of Stray Kids

Drown - Lee Know

Had I ever thought of drowning? Yes.
Was I ever expecting it to happen? No.

The fact that I'm alive enough to tell you how I in fact almost died because of a simple liquid is honestly mind-blowing.

What we assumed would be a fun day at the beach, turned into something much more serious.

I would later be fighting in the line between life and death.

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Just like every few weeks, Stray Kids were off schedule. It was the summer season, meaning hot weather, chilled drinks, and sunny afternoons.
None of them had any plans to travel, so they managed to find different activities to do, like pottery making, karaoke, going to an amusement park, and more.

All was going well, until they ran out of ideas. In the tranquil abode of their dorm, Stray Kids were languishing in boredom. The last three weeks of their holiday were slipping away, and they had yet to find any semblance of amusement. I.N, the youngest and most imaginative of the group, finally broke the monotonous silence.

"Why don't we go to the beach?"

Chan tilted his head. "The beach?" As he takes a few steps forward, he looks at Hyunjin.
"Don't you remember what happened last time? Hyunjin got a bit by a jellyfish. It's a miracle he's even still alive."

"Yeah, I know, I know. But we can't fear the ocean forever. What would that make us look like?"

Felix crossed his arms, intrigued. "Channie-hyung, I.N does have a point. We've had nothing to do for a few days."

"I mean I don't mind going the beach. Just won't swim this time." Hyunjin joked.

Chan did feel a little bit guilty to turn down his doesangs, so finally, he gave in."

"Okay, okay. We'll go to the beach."

The group cheered, all filled with excitement, apart from Lee Know. Sure, he enjoyed a game of beach volleyball, or resting on the side for a tan, but he wished he could swim. That's what he's always dreamt of achieving one day.

Han noticed Lee Know looking a little off, and came towards him.
"Everything okay, hyung?" he asked with a soft smile.

"Mm. I'm fine."

Han grew closer to him as he whispered, "Is it because you can't... swim?"

"You guessed it."

Han sighed, rubbing his back. "You know, I can tell Channie-hyung and the rest that you don't wanna swim if you want."

"It's not that." Lee Know scoffed. "I do want to swim. Seeing everyone else capable of doing so while I sit on the sand alone annoys me."

Feeling a little guilty, Han suggested that he'd talk about it to Chan. But Lee Know felt too embarrassed to.
Sure, he could go to talk to him, but he's the second oldest of the group. Would it make him seem a little childish?

Secretly taking down Jisung's advice, Lee Know decided that while the others weren't watching him, he'd go into the ocean by himself.

"I can learn by myself." he muttered under his breath.

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I.N's POV:

After a twenty minute drive to the beach, the sun glistened on the sea as we excitedly ran to the sand, already dressed in our swimwear.
The whole atmosphere was filled with joy.