Should've Held Onto You (CHA EUNWOO)

21 - Trouble

"Get out of there!" The three of us simultaneously sighed, as Mr. Min dragged us out of the supply closet. Behind him were Sanha, Dongmin, Bin, and Sumi, all looking guilty as charged. "Why in the world were you sneaking into my classroom? I want an explanation now, not that it will help your case."

All seven of us turned our heads to look at MJ, who gave a sheepish grin, but Mr. Min shook his head, signifying he wasn't having it.

MJ sighed before mumbling, "We were getting my phone.."

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"What?"

"No!"

"But that's unfair!"

"It seems pretty fair, but I don't want to!"

The principal narrowed her eyes at us. "Its final. Your punishment could be a lot worse, so suck it up."

"With all due respect, why is it that we have to do this?" Dongmin asked respectfully.

The principal smiled at Dongmin. All the teachers loved him and fell for his charm, of course, but he had no idea he even possessed a special charm. "Well, two of our usual musical stars moved away this past summer, so we need to fill in spots. A lot of the usual participants just graduated last year as well. We're really short on cast members, so if a couple or all of you audition, it would really help, and you'd get in no matter what. Even some of you on crew would be helpful."

When we all stared at her with pleading expressions, she smiled widely, mocking us, handing us packets. "Here's audition excerpts, I look forward to hearing you all act and sing!"

We all groaned simultaneously, before exiting the office. The bell had already rung, and school was out, so the hallways were empty.

"This is your fault MJ.." Sumi grumbled.

"Hey, but I got my phone!" MJ smiled widely, his eyes closing almost completely as his cheeks rose to maximum height. He loved messing with her. It was too easy, I suppose.

Minhyuk rolled his eyes. "Seriously, I have no time for this stupid play or musical or whatever. We have no time for this, guys! Hello? Debut?!"

"It doesn't matter," JinJin attempted to calm everyone down. "No matter what, the punishment could've been a lot worse. We're going to take this with a grain of salt. We're going to audition for the musical, we're going to go to practices and Astro practices, and we're going to debut and perform this musical to the best of our abilities. Most of all, we're going to have fun."

I grinned to myself, looking down at my feet as I walked. That's what I admired about JinJin. His head was always on straight. He thought things through logically; a true realist.

"Alright?" JinJin stopped, and we formed a kind of circle. "Everyone hands in.."

I looked upon them in confusion as they added their hands to the circle, until I understood and followed suite.

"Astro on three?" Sanha grinned like a child.

"Astro on three," Minhyuk nodded happily.

"One," Sumi smirked.

"Two," Bin drew out.

"Three," Dongmin and I said simultaneously.

"Astro!"

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"No pressure or anything, but we have to have this ready and done in two days," Dongmin broke the silence in my room, the only sound previously having been his foot tapping anxiously on the floor.

I was working on part distribution for Miracles In December, the song we were planning on performing for music class in two days. It was more difficult than you would think. Also, I was figuring out harmonies. We wanted to switch it up a little, as not to be completely unoriginal. "I'm trying here," I murmured, focusing on the task I was currently invested in.

"Not to mention," he continued stressing aloud, "We have musical auditions tomorrow, and I have an Astro practice until 10."

"I know, I know, I know. I'm sorry.." I tapped my pencil furiously on the notebook in front of me before scribbling more. "You know, you can go and practice for auditions or whatever, I can do this, and we can wing it, or... I don't know, but we'll be fine." He and I were both worried about musical auditions. Although neither of us really wanted to participate, we were both creative and a little competitive. When an opportunity arises, we want to climb the ladder as high as possible. We wanted to do well, and that was something the other members had trouble understanding. They just saw it as another thing stressing us out, which, technically, it was.

I heard my bed creaking as he got up, approaching my hunched over figure at my desk. His breath hit my neck as he leaned over my shoulder to see how far I'd gotten.

"Miyeong?"

I wouldn't turn around. Nope. I refuse.

"Yeah?" I asked, still staring at the notebook, as if I was really focused on it, but the only thing I could actually think about at the moment was how close he was and close we were and how much closer I wish we were sometimes.

".. Miyeong.." He wanted me to turn around, I knew it, but I couldn't.

"Can you work on this for a second? I need a drink." I was almost out the door, when he grabbed my hand.

Dongmin cracked a small smile. "You don't need to be nervous around me. Or run away. I don't want to give you one more thing to stress about. Everything's going to be fine, alright?"

And something in his eyes or his smile or the way his hand felt in mine assured me that he was right- everything would work out. I felt like I was 13 again, and he was holding my hand, and we were both blushing, because we liked one another, but we didn't dare say a thing. Nostalgia. We were so similar. Was that similarity a ticking time bomb, or was it the solution to every problem we'd ever face?

"Thank you.." I nodded to him, and I was startled when he pulled me to him, my face hitting his chest as he hugged me tightly.

I felt my cheeks heat up instantly, my heart racing faster than I thought possible. "W-What are you doing?"

"We're best friends. Best friends hug."

"Right.."

Crap. I didn't want to be just friends. Well, there's another thing to stress about. Thanks, me.

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A/N- Check out "Trouble" by Kriesha Chu
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