𝐏𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐄 •ﻌ• [ᴄʜᴇɴᴊɪ]

6: ᴇᴍᴘᴛʏ

Chenle tossed and turned in his king-sized bed, the soft, cool sheets feeling more like a burden than a comfort. His new apartment was spacious and modern, but it still felt empty and foreign without the presence of Brownie, his beloved plushie. The dim glow from a streetlamp outside filtered through the curtains, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Despite the room being comfortably warm, Chenle shivered, feeling a cold emptiness inside.

He sat up with a frustrated sigh, ruffling his already messy hair. It had been weeks since he had lost Brownie, and each night without his cherished companion seemed to stretch longer than the last. He missed the comforting weight of Brownie nestled in his arms, the soft texture against his cheek, and the sense of security it provided.

He rolled over and hugged his pillow, trying to trick himself into believing it was Brownie, but it was no use. It needed to be Brownie. Nothing else could replace the plushie that had been with him through thick and thin, across countries and stages of life.

Chenle groaned and glanced at the clock on his nightstand. 1:27 AM. He had to be up for classes in a few hours, but sleep was eluding him yet again. He knew that exhaustion was making it harder to adjust to his new life at the university, but no amount of reasoning could ease his discomfort.

Frustrated, he grabbed his phone and scrolled aimlessly through social media, hoping to distract himself. He came across a few posts from his friends back home in China, including Yangyang, who had been his closest confidant before the move. Yangyang's cheerful updates and funny comments usually lifted his spirits, but tonight, they only served to remind him of his loneliness.

Finally, with a resigned sigh, he decided to text Yangyang. Maybe talking to someone familiar would help.

Chenle: Hey, you up?

A few moments later, his phone buzzed with a reply.

Yangie: Yeah, what's up? Can't sleep?

Chenle: Yeah... I just can't get comfortable without Brownie. It's so stupid, but I can't help it.

Yangie: It's not stupid. Brownie's been with you forever. I can't imagine how hard it must be without it.

Chenle: I feel like such a baby. I'm in a new country, new school, and I can't even sleep because I lost a plushie.

Yangie: Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. It's a big transition. Have you talked to any of your new friends about it?

Chenle: Not really. I don't want them to think I'm weird.

Yangie: You should. They seem like really nice people. Maybe they can help.

Chenle hesitated, thinking about his new friends. They had been kind and welcoming, making his transition to university life a bit easier.

Chenle: Maybe... I just don't know how to bring it up.

Yangie: Just be honest. They're your friends. They'll understand. And who knows, maybe they'll have some good advice or a way to help you.

Chenle sighed, feeling slightly better after talking to Yangyang. His friend's words made sense, and he knew he couldn't keep struggling alone.

Chenle: Thanks, Yangyang. I'll try to talk to them soon.

Yangie: Anytime, Chenle. You're going to be okay. Just hang in there.

Chenle put his phone down, feeling a bit more at ease. He lay back down, trying to relax, but his mind was still restless. He kept thinking about how to approach his friends, what to say, and how they might react.

✧˖°.𖹭🧸

The hours dragged on, and Chenle found himself staring at the ceiling, unable to drift off. The apartment seemed too quiet, too empty, and he wished for the comforting presence of Brownie more than ever.

He closed his eyes, trying to imagine Brownie was there. He could almost feel the soft fur against his cheek, the familiar scent that brought him so much comfort. But the illusion shattered every time he opened his eyes and saw the empty space beside him.

⸻🧸
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[Unedited]