Cruel Reality [B1A4 Fanfic]

The Lapse

Julie's POV

I sat still, digesting in what was happening.
"Auntie, what are you talking about?" I asked her.
"They didn't go to that mall. Mom always complained about the fake earrings she bought there." I laughed nervously hoping she'd agree with me. But instead she looked at me with sad eyes.
"Sujeong, I.. I'm sorry." She said and my heart stopped.
No. No. No no no.
I was panicking inside but my body wouldn't move.
I felt my chest constrict as my anxiety kicked in.
Tears started to blur my eyes as I groaned in pain and clutched my chest.
"Sujeong-ah! What's wrong? Sujeong-ah!"

***
I woke up to the gnawing feeling of hunger.
I sat up despite my aching head.
"Eowi?" Yoora tugged at my sleeve.
"Are you alright?" Auntie Pat rushed to me.
"Yes, I am." I replied.
"But I'm hungry." I added.
I ate as I watched the ongoing news.
They cancelled all the other shows for the news. The bombing caused a lot of casualties and no body has been found yet because all the entrances were blocked by fallen ceiling and debris. The fire was still blazing but smaller now.
It was already 4:46pm.

Auntie Pat paced near the TV holding her head.
"Auntie, sit down." She ignored me.
I played with Yoora to distract myself and I made sure the pills were in my pocket.

Yoora laughed cutely.
As I stared at her smiling face, my own smile faded.
They were still alive, right?
Eonni can't leave Yoora. Yoora can't grow up without a parent. I.. I can't lose them.
I quickly fished out a pill from my pocket and swallowed.
"Did your dad know?" I jumped and looked up at Auntie Pat.
"N-no."
She sighed and sat beside Yoora.
"You were so cheerful like her." She caressed Yoora's silky short hair.
"Your parents boasted about you and your brother to everyone." She continued.
"I was jealous. My parents never cared for us like your parents did to you. And it broke their heart everytime you were hurt and cried."
Tears were dropping continiously from my eyes.
"Dad, your grandfather, was diagnosed with cancer. Despite what we went through him as children he.." her voice cracked. "He still cared for dad and went and paid for everything." She was crying now. Both of us were. And Yoora sat there staring at us wondering why we were crying.
"Eventually, dad died and he got buried in debt. He had to do something. I always admired him. He always knew what to do."
I gulped down another pill as my chest ached. I felt calm but my heart was breaking apart.
Yoora innocently wiped my tears with her hand. It made me cry all the more.
Auntie hugged me. And caressed my back. I cried out.
"Auntie. I.. I can't lose them. I haven't even surpassed Jay in Physics. I haven't told him how annoyingly caring he is. A-and mom, I haven't told her that I had Anxiety Disorder. T-that I liked her new cardigan. I haven't told dad I was satisfied. That I'm okay as long as were still a whole family. I.." I couldn't continue as my sobs came in horrible gulps.
"Shh.. It's alright." Auntie comforted and I eventually fell asleep in her arms.

***

Daphne's POV

"Woah. Look at how much casualties the mall bombing caused. It will take a toll on our country's economy." My dad sighed at the news.
It had been 2 days since the bombing and class was suspended for a week because the teacher's compound was located near the mall.
"Terrrorists are frightening. Even innocent people get caught up in their twisted plans." Mom replied.
My phone rang.
"Yes?"
"I'm gonna conference call with you and Carl, hang on." Ashley hurriedly said.

"What is it?" Carl asked.
"Bad news, guys. It's tragic." Ash replied.
"Just tell us already." I said.
She took a deep breath. "Julie's orphaned." My jaw dropped.
"Her family was in the mall when the bombing happened. I saw her parents' and brother's name on the dead list my mom was hiding from me for days. They'll air the names tonight so the families can pick up the bodies in the nearby morgue." She explained.
"Oh my god." Was all I could say.
Normally, I would reply with 'what's that got to do with us?' but Julie was different. She was nice, kind and smart. And pretty too. She disliked bitches.
"Should we go and visit her?" Carl asked.
"I think we should." Ash replied.
"I don't think so. She needs time for herself. If that happened to me..." I shivered at the thought. "I wouldn't want to talk to anybody for days." I continued.