barriers | donghyuck

Chapter Eighteen

< Things spoken in Korean will be in italics >

Despite what your parents had talked to you about, you went over to SM with the members after school anyway.

Donghyuck slowed his pace, holding your arm back so you would slow down with him allowing the other members to walk ahead of you both. "Are you sure it was a good idea for you to come here?" He said quietly so no one else could overhear.

"No, but I don't care. It'll be fine." You assure him, and he could only look at you with worry filled eyes. The boys had eventually disappeared into the building, not realizing that you two weren't with them. "I think I should tell them."

"You should." Donghyuck admitted, knowing it was the right thing to do.

"How do I even begin?"

"I will help. No worries." Donghyuck smiled down at you lovingly, hooking an arm around your waist as you traveled to the dorms where the other members would all be hanging out at.

You earned some stares as you entered the dorms causing Donghyuck to slowly take his arm away, but not before giving you a caring squeeze of reassurance. A chorus of greetings were echoed throughout the room as you joined everyone on the couch, Donghyuck still beside you.

You gave a shy wave, eyes suddenly finding interest in your shoes as you realized how hard it was to interact with everyone knowing what you knew. They all seemed to notice your state looking quizzically at Donghyuck for answers, but he only nodded them off.

"___ we're finally debuting soon!" Yuta starts up a conversation, hoping to cheer you up yet to no avail.

"I know." You utter a sad grin. "I'm really happy for you guys."

"You should come to M Countdown for our first stage!" Jaehyun pitched in, and all you could think of was how you wouldn't be here for it.

"If you wanted," Taeyong began, "You could just come backstage with us." This was just getting worse and worse for you.

Now Mark. "We'll all celebrate after too and you should be there with us!" As if.

"You should really come, ____." Winwin exclaimed. You just wanted to rip your hair out at all the excitement that was going on in the room. Everyone was talking over one another. All of them wanting you to come and talking about all the fun things they wanted to do, not knowing you wouldn't be able to do anything them.

And without realizing it, you'd clenched your hands firmly over your ears, hugging into Donghyuck's chest while he wrapped his strong arms around you tightly. And that was when he lost it as well.

"Could you all shut up for one second? You're upsetting her!" He trailed off in some not so nice English that made you flinch. Everyone was dead silent staring between you both and not having a clue as to what was going on.

"What is happening?" Mark spoke up, watching you and Donghyuck closely. You opened your mouth to speak, but no words came out.

"She's not going to be here for any of the stuff you guys are talking about." Donghyuck spoke up for you, allowing you to sit back up straight and face everyone properly with a red face.

"What?" Taeil said from the corner. Him along with some of the others weren't even going to be in the comeback, and yet he still wanted you to be there. It hurt you knowing you couldn't for them.

"Why wouldn't you be able to?" The leader speaks everyone's thoughts aloud.

"I-I'm-" you almost couldn't get the words out. "I'm moving back to America." Everyone in the room gasped, each corner of the room filled with disappointed chatter. Even you yourself couldn't believe this was happening.

"What's happening in here?" SM suddenly came into the dorm, probably overhearing all of the loud banter coming from the room.

Everyone's eyes turned to meet his, except for your own. He almost hadn't realized you were here until he walked all the way into the room. "Oh. ___ I didn't know you were here."

"S-sorry." You stuttered.

"No it's fine." He assured you. Almost making you forget for a moment. "Is everything okay?"

"She's moving back to America." Taeyong informed Sooman, an eyebrow raised like he knew something that you didn't.

Almost immediately Sooman stopped and turned to you. "But that's not possible."

"Huh?" You say, confused as to how that was even possible . It wasn't like you could just tell your parents no. "Why?"

"I should've mentioned this sooner to you but," he took a deep breath. "We want you as a trainee."

Your jaw almost dropped to the floor hearing this news. Facing the boys, they were all already looking at you with smirks on their faces. "Aish you all are so annoying. Did you already know this?" They nodded in confirmation. "Did you?" You look at Donghyuck.

"No!" He almost yelled. "Don't you think you guys should've told me?"

"You were always with her or studying so it's not like we really could." Yuta defended.

You still remained stagnant in your seat, staring at Soonan. "But you've never seen me sing or dance or-"

"I have."

"How?"

"I've seen you dancing with Donghyuck when dance practices were over. And I've seen teacher's videos from your dancing and singing classes. You are so talented ___."

You most likely had the most idiotic look on your face right now. "But how though?" You asked the same question, still not getting a grip on reality.

"When you moved here, I don't think you realized how many trainees go to SOPA. Teachers their are aware of this stuff." He explains. "How do you think I keep track of what these guys are doing?" He points to the ones still in school.

"Thank you," you really were grateful, but you just didn't know how to to take it. "But I'm moving, remember? I won't be able to do this. My parents already said-"

"It doesn't matter what they say."

"What do you mean? Of course it does." You state matter of factly.

"You haven't moved yet. You're still living in Korea. And I'm the one siging you under the label personally. Plus once you sign a couple things yourself, they won't really be able to say no to you."

"All you have to do is say yes ____, and you can stay here with us." Donghyuk explained simply you, eyes reading that he was hoping you would. Everyone stared at you expectantly, waiting for an answer.

Sighing, you'd already known what your answer would be a while ago. "Where's a pen?"