SHINee | CRUSHED. (editing but complete)

Chapter 22 - He'll be fine

"Oh where is Taemin!" Key moaned for the 100th time. "I have texted him and he's not replying, he's not even picking up!" Jonghyun walked into the living room.

"Key give it a rest!" He groaned groggily, he had been awoken from his nap. "He probably just needs some time to chill!" 

"But it's raining, what if he's cold or lost!" Kibum whined. "This is my fault I should've just let him be with Jessica, I mean, he's old enough to make his own decisions!" Key rested his head in his hands. Whitney scootched to his side and rubbed his back.

"Please don't blame yourself, Taemin's a brainy boy, I'm sure he'll be back by tomorrow!" Whitney assured. Onew walked to the shower, while passing he looked at Key.

"Still worrying?" Onew questioned. Jonghyun nodded for Key and Onew sighed and walked into the bathroom.

"It's eleven at night Key! Get some rest!" Jonghyun moaned. The four were the only ones awake. The rest had fallen asleep around nine-thirty. Key sighed wiping the tears that hadn't yet dropped from his eyes. Whitney's heart tugged, she hated seeing him like this. "We have rehearsal again tomorrow.. but what will we tell the managers..." Jonghyun thought out loud. 

"Oh yeah.. they are going to wonder where Taemin is..." Whitney looked at Jonghyun.

"And if we tell them he's missing, then they'll cancel for sure!" Kibum added. 

"Well, we should at least sleep on it and decide in the morning what to do!" All Jonghyun wanted to do was sleep, he was cold and tired, he turned and said goodnight before dissappearing into his room. Kibum stood and walked to his room, Whitney followed close behind. 

In the morning Kibum was first to awake, the very first thing he diud was reach under his pillow and pull out his phone. The screen read:

No new messages

Kibum sighed, everyone had told him Taemin was going to be fine, only now was he starting to believe them. He walked to his cupboard and got changed and made nine bowls of cereal. He sighed knowing he didn't have to make a tenth. He placed them carefully around the table and smiled. Whitney walked out of the room rubbing her eyes. 

"Kibummie?" She called out.

"Joh-eun achim!" He greeted. Whitney walked over and planted a kiss on Key's lips. For a second Key forgot all worries and enjoyed the moment. After they stepped back, both smiled. 

"I'll go and get the drinks!" Whitney said as she grabbed some fruit from the fridge to make morning smoothies. Key let out a smile. He knew one day he would have to let Taemin go, and that day was today. Kibum didn't have to always be there to make Taemin's decisions. Onew and Zoe came out next. Hands entwined as usual. Key smiled. They greeted eachother and they sat and awaited the rest. Minho and Jasmine slowly made their way to the nicely set out breakfast. Kibum greeted them, when they were seated, Niya and Jonghyun trudged into the room, eyes half closed. Jessica was last to wake up but she still made it before Whitney brought out some fruit smoothies. 

Everyone's eyes widened when they saw the smoothies, they looked so tasty and creamy. Their mouths watered and they took their glass. 

"MMM!" Onew yelled as he swallowed his first sip of the smoothie. Everyone joined in. Whitney smiled and sat with Key at the bottom of the table. 

"Dig in!" Kibum smiled. Everyone ate, worries were pushed aside. After they finished everyone got changed and stood waiting for the managers to come. 

"Wait what are we going to say about Taemin?" Key's worries came back.

"Um.. well, he's ill? And he's sleeping in there!" Onew said as he closed Key and Taemin's rooms door to make it look like Taemin was in there. Key half-smiled.

"I guess that'll do.." He looked down. Whitney wriggled her fingers into his and smiled up at him, he was slightly taller. 

"Everything will work out fine Key!" She said whilst nudging him. He returned her actions with a smile.  A knock was heard and everyone walked towards the door.

Onew opened the door, "Hello manager, right, let's go!" Onew walked past the manager, everyone followed. 

"Well it seems your all raring to go..." The manager watched them pass and closed the door behind them. Everyone felt a wave of relief since he hadn't noticed Taemin wasn't there. "Wait a minute..." Everyone froze and turned to him. "Have you guys had breakfast, because we could stop at KFC or something..?" Everyone relaxed and smiled.

"No we've had an awesome breakfast!" Jasmine said. Everyone nodded and walked to the car.