Should've Held Onto You (CHA EUNWOO)

13 - Fight

After art class, the day went on until lunch as usual. Nothing was super exciting about my classes, and I could tell I would have a lot of homework for the weekend, which I planned to get done early so I could spend all weekend with friends. Yes, that means I'll actually do it. Maybe. I promise.

It's odd, because I've always been the type of girl to get tired of social interaction quickly and need a break from people, but all my friends here make me feel alive. It's really a good feeling to be so accepted and to build that natural friendship so fast.

Once again, before lunch, I called Sarah and Jay. Jay hadn't talked to me yesterday, so this was the first time hearing from him since then. He sounded fine, and I knew Sarah wanted to talk to me, but he was right there so that wasn't an option. They still waited around together for me, and I still felt bad about it. I told them we'd video chat on Sunday. I'd tell them everything, even from the past, if I felt Jay could handle it.

"I didn't do anything!" I heard MJ screech as I walked out to the courtyard with my tray of food. "It was Moonbin's fault!"

Almost choking on his food, Bin laughed, asking, "How was it my fault? You're the one who forgot to feed the dog.."

"What did I just walk into?" I whispered to Sumi, who was laughing loudly with the others.

Sumi shook her head. "I don't think you even want to know."

"Hey, Sumi?" JinJin called from her left.

"Ne?" Just as she turned to meet him, he wiped a finger covered in apple sauce on her left cheek, and she gasped, her lips forming a straight line. "JinJin.." She was seething.

JinJin grinned cheekily. "Don't you mean.. JinJin oppa?"

She glared before turning her frown into a sarcastic grin. "I will end you."

JinJin's eyes instantly widened. "W-Wae-"

In an instant, her mashed potatoes were all over his head.

"Yah!" His voice went up an octave. "I just dyed this.."

Sumi smiled, putting a hand on her shoulder. "It looks good." When she turned to talk to me, JinJin attempted to toss more food at her, but missed, hitting MJ square in the face.

"I-I.. MJ hyung, mianhe.." JinJin struggled to contain his laughter, while the rest of us cackled at MJ's annoyed face.

One thing led to another, and food was being thrown everywhere.

"What in the world is going on here?"

We all sheepishly waved at the principal.

-----

"You got into a food fight?!" My mother looked at me incredulously and confused, arms waving frantically.

I hung my head, worried she'd be mad. "I apologize.. I guess we just got carried away."

"Apologize?" Her tone of voice softened, making me look up. "I'm so proud of you!" I was enveloped in her arms immediately, to my utter confusion.

"Ummm wae?" I asked, being squashed by her arms.

"We've only just got back and you're already living. All you've ever done is get good grades and study, and that's great, but now you're home. And you've found your old friends and made some new, and they're pulling you out of the shell you've confined yourself in for so long. God, I can't wait to meet these friends of yours. I can't wait to thank them!"

"Eommaaa," I whined, embarrassed.

Playfully glaring, she scolded, "Don't, 'eommaaa' me, Miyeong. This is all I've ever wanted for my little girl. Beautiful, smart, and surrounded by great friends."

I smiled a little, hugging her. "Saranghaeyo, Eomma." I didn't often show too much affection, so I felt her tense up before relaxing into the hug, smiling against my shoulder.

"I love you too."

-----

I was in my bed doing homework. In fact, I was almost done, and, to be honest, it felt pretty great to be done with it so early. Now my weekend was completely cleared. Finishing up my last problem in calculus, I shut my book, lying back on my bed and unlocking my phone.

I opened up Instagram.

Oh Sehun posted a photo with Vivi. Liked.

A girl from our school posted a photo with her friends. Liked.

A picture came across my feed of Sarah and Jay, smiling together. My immediate reaction was happiness. My friends were doing okay. But then I realized how much I missed them. Would they move on? Surely they would, I mean, that's what I've always wanted, right? Do they think I've moved on? Do they think I've replaced them? Suddenly, I felt anxious.

"Miyeong," I told myself, "Everything will be fine. They're your friends, they'll understand, and you're their friend, so you understand what they're going through as well."

I liked the photo right before my phone rang in my hands.

Lee Dongmin.

"Annyeonghaseyo?"

"How are you?"

That's the thing about Dongmin. Most people my age ask "what's up". Dongmin has always asked how I am first. Some people may find it annoying, but I know he does it because he truly wants to know.

"I'm doing well, how about you?" I answered, lying on my side.

"I'm good... Listen, I-I don't know why I called, so I guess I'll just-" He sounded frustrated.

Before I could even think about what I was saying, words came out of my mouth. "No," I interrupted, "Stay." I remembered how he used to have trouble sleeping back then. He used to call me a lot, and he'd talk to me, tell me a story or something, before bed. It helped him sleep, and I didn't mind. "Tell me something."

"Like what?" I heard him yawn vaguely, and I couldn't help but smile.

"A story. It can be made up or real, I don't mind." Anything. Though I know he hated making up stories, he always said he was no good at it.

He cleared his throat. "Alright.. Well, one time there was this girl. Everyone really liked her, because she was so nice to everyone, but she knew when she needed to put her foot down. Everyone liked her. Even this boy. Especially this boy."

As he spoke, my eyes caught sight of the bulletin board above my desk, a picture of him and I front and center from years ago. I was laughing, and he was smiling, looking at me.

"Then one day.."

His story continued on, but he soon fell asleep, and I followed suite, the soothing sound of his breath lulling me to sleep.

I know he's always hated making up stories. I know.