Watch Out

Acknowledging My Own Emotions

Chan's voice sounded worried over the phone when he replied. "What's wrong? What did he do to you?"

I took a deep breath before answering. "Seojun...He kissed me. He's forcing me to date him, using you guys as leverage. He got your phone number from my phone, but that's not why I'm calling. When he kissed me...For some reason, I―I realized something. I suddenly thought about Jeongin...And...I realized that...I...I like Jeongin...As more than a friend, but I can't see him right now because of Seojun always being around. I don't know what to do..."

Chan's emotion in his next response was not something that I could tell immediately, but I understood why. I told him that I was being forced to date someone to protect him and that I like his friend in a romantic way. "I don't know what to address first: that you're dating him to protect us or that you like Jeongin that way. What do you want me to help with more?"

I took a deep breath, not sure what I expected him to do either. "I just...Can you make sure the other boys understand why I can't go see y'all in person? I really really want to, especially with the feeling I now realize I have, but I can't. I care about all of you, and I can't risk an opposing gang finding you, especially after what happened to Jeongin because of them."

Chan's voice clearly showed a sense of understanding but was also laced with worry. "Just hang in there. I'll tell the boys and try to get more people that can help us get you out of that situation."

He paused for a moment. "And I'll ask Jeongin about the other thing too."

My face turned red, making me thankful that he couldn't see me. "Ah...one more thing. Do you know of anything that can help someone fall asleep? I can't sleep at all. My mind is all over the place."

I could almost hear his smirk. "Yeah. Jeongin is really good at that. I'll give him my phone."

Before I could object, I heard Jeongin's voice. It wasn't much, but it was enough to bring a smile to my face. "Hey y/n, Chan told me you can't sleep because Seojun kissed you today. Are you okay? He didn't do anything else?"

"I'm fine, Jeongin. I'm more worried about you. How's your wound? Chan's been taking good care of it, right?" I really was worried, but more than anything, I just wanted to hear his voice more.

"It's fine. They took me back to the hospital for the doctors to check on it. They had to tighten the stitches a bit more because they'd come lose, but that's not Chan's fault. I still wish you could come though. It's not the same with Chan changing the bandages." His voice was just as bright as always, making me smile and making my heart rate increase slightly when he said it's not the same without me. "Anyway, it's really late, so you should sleep. Do you want me to sing to help you fall asleep?"

I blushed slightly at the thought of him singing for me, but I agreed anyway. Hearing his voice, I tried to stay awake as long as I could to hear it longer, but my sleepiness won.

I woke up to find myself still on a phone call on speaker. I guess Jeongin never hung up after I fell asleep. That somehow made me smile. Very quietly, I started saying the names of the boys, wondering if any of them could hear me on the other side. The first voice I heard was Chan's, but he wasn't talking to me.

"Hey, Jeongin I have a question for you." He was talking to Jeongin? Did he realize that I was on the phone still?

Next came Jeongin's voice, which was music to my ears. "Ah...this early? What is it, hyung?"

Chan's voice was more clear, telling me that he was closer to the phone. "I had a dream last night. You and y/n were dating, so it got me thinking, what do you think of her?"