broken dreams club // nct 127 [ex-applyfic]

❝Happiest Memories❞ (pt.1)

"Now that we all are gathered here," Haeun started the session. Her legs were crossed and she gently looked around the circle of people, including the two other leaders. "We can start this next exercise. I want everyone to tell us one of your happiest memories and then we can either act it out, or others share how they can relate to this situation. I've done this with a previous support group I worked with. It was a little awkward at first, but after some time, it really brings people closer together. I hope we all get to share some laughs and a little more about who we really are."

The person to Haeun's right was the first to start: Junhyun. She readjusted her sitting position before beginning. "Mine is when I was back in Hermosillo with my mom and I was younger. It was the last time I saw her and was also when I received my guitar from her."

"This would be a good one for us to share what we can relate to."

"I also play guitar," Mark spoke up and Taeil added that he does as well. A majority of the group could connect with not seeing a parent, or even both parents, ever since they were little.

"My happiest memory is..." Sashimi thought for a second. Her arms crossed over her chest while leaning back in the chair. "It would probably be in my younger years when my dad took both me and mom out to look at the stars. It was when my family was still together... and functional."

The group started a short discussion on the stars and their thoughts. A few people loved the night and could connect to the story in that sense. Some were able to connect with their sense of longing for a happy family they used to have but no longer do.

"I was sort of expecting you to mention something about video games." Taeyong tilted his chin up while peering at Sashimi. A small smirk formed on his face. "You know, since you seem to be so good at them." Before Sashimi could respond, Taeyong turned back to the group to share his happiest memory. "Mine is probably when my sister was home from college after my parents divorced and took me away for the day. We went to all my favorite place and took pictures together."

"Do you like photography?"

Taeyong nodded with a distant look. "I don't usually do it anymore."

Haeun briefly left the room but reappeared only a moment later with a camera in her hand. "I want you to take pictures with this camera. Not only for this activity, not only for the day, but for the whole program. Use it as something to hold memories and continue a passion you shouldn't give up."

Taeyong gently took the camera from her hands with a look of appreciation and started to mess around with the controls while they continued around the circle.

Yuri cleared her throat before starting. "My happiest memory... I was with my dad in the kitchen when the song that played at my parent's wedding came on. He then danced with me, letting me step on his feet since I was so small. My mom then arrvied back home and they started dancing together while I held onto their legs."

Haeun let out a soft chuckle. "That would be fun to recreate, wouldn't it?"

Yuri stood in the center. Her eyes ran over everyone, but landed on Jaehyun. With some convincing, she pulled him to the center while Haechan started to play a cheesy, classic slow song on his phone. Jaehyun was awkward and stubborn about the situation, but Yuri found it amusing and even stood on his feet as an extra detail.

Haechan stood from his chair and gave a high-pitched giggled while continuing in a woman's voice. "Honey, shouldn't you be dancing with your wife?"

Jaehyun rolled his eyes and stood there as straight as a board. Yuri stepped away as Haechan played the mother's role by slow dancing with Jaehyun. Haechan batted his eyes at the poor embarrassed guy. Yuri curled herself around Haechan's legs, eventually making him trip. Taeyong was grateful for the camera to capture moments like this. People around the group joined into a fit of laughter while the three in the center ended on the floor after tripping.

Though, two people in the room seemed to be silent as they looked in each other's eyes. On Jaehyun's way down, he seemed to have landed over Yuri, making Yuri speechless for once in her life.

When the three had returned to their seats and the group's laughter died down, Mark was ready to start. He drew in a long breath. "My happiest memory was before my brother's accident and we were kicking around a soccer ball in the park. I wish I could go back to that day all the time."

This started a short group activity where everyone played indoor soccer. Since the living room was quite simple and there was no longer a potted plant, they could easily kick around a soccer ball that was stored in a supplies closet as long as it was with ease. The two teams had ten minutes to score as many points as possible. However, the game was soon canceled when Yuta and Taeyong started to bicker on if one of the points should've counted or not. They had to be quickly pulled away from each other.

"Bickering really isn't necessary." Haeun gave the two boys a warning, getting a sense that they aren't going to get along all that great.

"I can't really think of a specific memory that's my happiest," Jaein admitted when it was her turn. "I just find the days back home when everything was okay to be the happiest."

"It must be really hard when you're away from home," Haeun sympathized. The rest of the group agreed with her statement and shared their thoughts on the situation.

"Have you ever tried to send mail to your family?" Sashimi suggested.

"I tried mailing. I tried texting. I tried calling." Jaein shrugged and leaned back on her chair. "Nothing works."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually, Jaein." Haeun gave her a reassuring look before the activity went on. "And if I think of a way to help, I'll let you know immediately."

"My happiest memory is when I moved to a different school," Yuta put in.

"I would hate moving schools," Johnny stated his opinion. "All the stress of meeting new people and learning a new location." A few others in the group joined in with Johnny.

"Well, I hated my old school so that's why I was so happy to get away," Yuta added.

"What was so bad about your old school?"

Yuta didn't answer the question at first. He hesitated with it. "I... It's not important. I just didn't like it."

Haeun eyed Yuta with suspicion, but decided to let it slide for now. Her head motioned for Taeil to start his.

"My happiest memory was when I beat my best time running a mile while at a competition." Taeil let out a pitiful laugh. "Obviously, that was a while ago since I can't run anymore. Only walk." Taeil's hand pat the side of his leg where the bone cancer had developed.

To loosen up the sadness in the atmosphere, Johnny and Taeyong took the opposite sides of Taeil's chair and carried him to where Sashimi and Junhyun had their arms together like a makeshift finish-line. Taeil gripped the sides of his chair tightly, but laughed as they carried him quickly through.

The group gave Taeil an applause and cheered him on for winning. Taeil felt a feeling of warmth because even if they were just having some fun with picking him up, it felt like they cared enough to help him relive something that meant so much.