Writer's Block (Meanie) [HIATUS]

Just a Little Longer

  "You have to tell him," Soonyoung insisted.  Wonwoo just shook his head.  "Come on," Soonyoung pressed on.  "He'll find out eventually, and as his friend you owe it to him."
 
  "I don't have to tell him anything."

  "Wonwoo--"

  "I just want it to stay like this a little longer, okay?"  Wonwoo sounded almost desperate.  "If I can keep the illusion going just a little longer, please let me."  He started at the monitors and IV lines.  Just a little longer.  Just a little longer before I have to come back, please. 

  "This isn't going to last forever.  You have to. . . You have to tell him before it's too late."

  "I still have a little time left."

  "I hope you're making the right decision."

  "I don't know. . ."

  Soonyoung gave his friend a concerned look before leaving the room.  A few minutes later, the door practically flew open and Mingyu rushed in.

  "Wonwoo!  Are you okay?"  It was cute how concerned Mingyu was.

  "Yeah I'm fine."  Wonwoo smiled. 

  "Have you ever passed out like that before?" Mingyu asked.

  "No, never."  Yes.  Twice.

  "What happened, anyway?  Are you still sick?"

  "No I was just tired and mixed with the stress of the exams coming up it was just kind of overwhelming.  That's what the doctors said."  No.  I wasn't sick in the way I told you I was.  I lied.  I'm lying now.  It's like that's all I know how to do.

  "You're sure you're okay?"

  "Yes, now stop worrying!"

  "Okay, okay.  Are you going to be out of the hospital by Saturday?"
 
  Wonwoo narrowed his eyes.  That was an oddly specific question.  "Yes, probably by Tuesday or Wednesday, why?"

  "No reason."  Mingyu grinned devilishly.

  "Hey, tell me!"  Wonwoo picked up the green polyester hospital pillow and smacked Mingyu with it.

  "I want to take you to the fair.  They're setting up Saturday morning and we should go before everyone gets there and we have to wait in super long lines."

  "Oh!  That's happening again this year?  You really want to go with me?"  No matter how many times Mingyu insisted he cared about Wonwoo, it was still a little hard to believe.  After all, he was still pretty popular and Wonwoo was still the highest level of uncool.

  "Of course I want to go with you, stop being stupid.

  "Right. . ."

  There was nothing left to say at this point, though Wonwoo desperately wanted to cover up the beeping of the machines with pleasant conversation.  The ticking of the clock on the wall was deafening, along with the sound of the heart monitor.  Mingyu didn't leave, though.

  "Are you okay?" he asked.

  No, I'm not okay, the voice inside his head yelled.  But still, Wonwoo provided the same answer as always.  "Yes, of course."  He flashed a reassuring smile.  A pause.  "I want to stay like this forever."

  "What, in the hospital?"  Mingyu tilted his head in confusion.

  "No, just. . . The way we are now.  I like it.  I've been happy recently.  I can't remember the last time I felt like that.  Can we stay like this forever?"

  "Of course we can.  I like it, too."  Mingyu did like it.  So why did he feel just the slightest bit disappointed that Wonwoo wanted things to stay the same.  He thought that was what he wanted too, wasn't it?  Didn't he like the way things were?

Another moment passed, filled only with beeping hospital equipment and the ticking clock.  "See you on Saturday?"

  "Yes.  See you then."

  "Alright.  Bye."

  "Bye."

  And then it was as if someone switched off the light in Wonwoo's heart, because the second the door closed, he was left with only dark thoughts.  Without Mingyu, everything was meaningless.  But maybe it was meant to be like this.  Maybe he wasn't meant to be happy.