Endless • Stray Kids X reader

3🍹

That night ended with a lot of mixed feelings. Stressed, since I had just lost my job. Hurt, because the one person I had thought I could just turned out to be a person you shouldn't be associated with. Heartbroken, since the one person I'd liked for months and thought, no, rather hoped was showing interest back was probably just practicing to do his job. Maybe that was what I was, his practice person. And yet, above all, I felt alone again. I stared up at the ceiling, already giving up on sleeping as I laid down. What was I supposed to do now?

I let out a deep sigh, picking up my phone from next to me, scrolling through my contacts. Most of them I barely recognized, knowing they were probably very old acquantences. My heart fell as I saw Jihoon's name. To think he was actually in prison right now felt unreal. I didn't even have to scroll any further, already seeing Jisung's name right under. For a second I wondered if his dad named him so similar to his on purpose. My finger hovered over the call button, but still I pressed it. Not that it mattered though, as it went straight to voice mail. He must have had his phone turned off. Maybe he actually was able to sleep, though I truly doubted it.

My head turned to the side as I put away my phone, glancing back further on the nightstand, looking at the wallet Chan had left behind. It was probably stupid to go back, I convinced myself. Besides, they were probably closed at this hour, weren't they? If I remembered correctly, they were only open from 8 in the evening, so going now would be a complete waste. Be honest, who'd be at their job two hours after closing. I turned around, facing away from the wallet again. It was best to just get the idea out of my head. Maybe it wasn't that bad to be alone right now.

And yet, there I was, half an hour later, in front of the club. Still in my pyjama shorts and top and my hair up in what used to be a bun, I let out a sigh, once more looking at his wallet in my hand. "What am I even doing..." I groaned, turning back around. My eyes met a man at least twice my age, if not thrice, feeling chills all over my body. It wasn't exactly the greatest neighborhood, let alone being a girl in barely enough clothing with a wallet in her hand. Maybe I at least had to try to get in if I wanted to avoid... well, that.

Holding onto the doorhandle, it instantly opened with the littlest push, nearly making me stumble in. Was it open after all? I tried not getting my hopes up, but already seeing at least ten people in what seemed like a waiting area, each more good looking than the last, I couldn't help it. Before I could get a good look of those there, a lady in about her fifties approached, blocking the view with her body. Not that it was that hard with her posture, I thought to myself.

"Sorry darling, we're closed," she stated kindly, yet with a hint of firmness. I tried to look past her to see if I could spot Chan, yet my eyes fell on the decoration behind her. The place was adorned with neon led strips deviding the wall from the ceiling, giving the place a red glow, a blurry, smokey look filling the air. For a second I actually forgot what to say, confused on why so many people were there if it was closed, but I quickly got back to reality. "Ah, I'm not here for any, ehm, activities," was the best I could get out. Watching her frown, I realised how that must have sounded.

I held out the wallet, giving me a second more to compose myself. "Chan. I'm here for Chan. He's a regular at the bar I work- I mean, used to work at, and left it there. But, due to, well, unforeseen circumstances, it closed suddenly, so I figured I'd come by to return it." The lady gave me a long stare before stepping aside. "Why don't you come in, hun? I could just ask you to leave it with me, but I'm assuming you'd rather give it to him yourself?" I looked down, suddenly embarrased. I couldn't imagine how I looked like to her, but maybe it was best not to image. All I knew, is that I looked like shit. I nodded, slowly entering the complex. "Just wait by the bar, I'll give him a ring. He left early, but now I understand why," she laughed, disappearing into a backroom.

I awkwardly set down on one of the barstools, feeling multiple sets of eyes on me. I continued to look down, endlessly scrolling through my phones setting to try to appear busy enough not to notice the other's staring from the other side of the room. Thankfully, after a few very long minutes, the lady came back, holding up her phone. "He'll be here in ten, darling. Don't think I've heard him so stressed in quite the while over the phone," she said laughingly. "You must be important to him." I felt my cheeks heating up upon hearing those words, glad the red lights would wash them right out. If only that were true.

"So, what happened to your bar?" she asked curiously, getting behind hers to polish some glasses. I let out a chuckle, realizing what she was doing. It was a trick used to get others to be more comfortable around you. Appearing busy, looking as if you weren't paying as much attention always made others open up more. Still, even though I already knew the trick, it actually seemed to work. "Long story short, it turns out the owner had been involved in some illegal business surrounding drugs. As it was only a very small bar, he decided to close it as he wouldn't let his son take over, so it turns out I'm out of a job now."

I didn't even know why I was telling it all to her. It was probably bugging me way more than I wanted myself to believe. I'd always tried not to trust others too quickly, keep my distance from them, but watching it fail again, I realised it probably was a waste of time trying. I looked over at the glassed, watching as she cleaned them. How even would I pay rent now that I lost my job? I was already behind as well. I took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "But, I'm sure all will work out somehow." She hummed, her eyes looking me up and down.

"You know, I could always use someone extra here at the club," she said in a hushed voice. "You've got experience with a bar and thus dealing with people, and to be fair, with some dolling up, I think you might just be a diamond in the rough. Have you ever tried doing a make over?" My eyes widened, instantly shaking my head and hands. "Thank you for the offer, but I really don't think I can take you up on that." She simply shrugged, sliding a card my way. "My business card," she added, watching me look at it. "Just call me if you change your mind."

"Y/N?" a familiar voice called out as the door flew open. Without even looking, a lump formed in my throat, knowing exactly who stood behind me. I took a deep breath before turning around, trying to meet his eyes with a smile, no matter how fake it was. "I'm so sorry to have you come back here at this hour," I apologised, watching him walk up with large paces. "What are you doing here, and how even did you..." he started, confusion clearly spread all over his face. I grabbed the wallet off the bar before holding it out to him.

"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have looked, but I had to find a way to bring back your wallet. You left it at the bar, and since it's now officially closed I couldn't think of any other way to get you your wallet back. I'm really sorry," I apologised again, having trouble actually looking at him. It stayed quiet for a good few seconds, my anxiety only rising even more. He wouldn't actually get mad, would he? Finally looking back up at Chan, his eyes softened, only then making me realise I had a tear rolling down my cheek. "Thank you for bringing it back, but are you okay?"

How I hated that question. I was okay, until he asked me. Okay might have been too big though. Holding it together probably fit better. I was quick to wipe the tear away again, nodding. "I'll be fine. But it might be good to know not to come to the bar again. I can't really explain it well, but it closed off for good, so I'm afraid you'll have to find another bar to get your carbonara and wine," I tried to chuckle, only for it to fall flat. Trying to stay upbeat was hard when he made me feel so vulnerable.

As his hand reached out for me, it was almost immediately pulled back, one of the guys I'd quickly seen earlier inside, now next to Chan, his arm swung around Chan's shoulders. He tapped Chan's arm a couple of times, smirking at him.

"Say, Chan, you never told me you had such a pretty lady by your side!"