When You Were Here ✅

ㅇThe Firstㅇ

Furious knocking on the door roused me from my slumber. I groggily answered the door then felt my body being shaken. "Wake up. It's an emergency meeting." "Emergency meeting...?" Juyeon nodded then left. I looked back at Keonhee and Younghoon who slept peacefully.

"So, I'm sure you're all wondering why we woke you up when our next activity isn't until later." The entire group nodded. "Eric is missing." Murmuring started to ensue. "Missing? You sure he didn't just go out for a walk or you know, leave? Maybe he got bored of this." Jaehyun sighed as if he expected this kind of answer. "Eric texted me. It was strange." He held up his phone for all to see.

Murmuring continued as we quietly discussed amongst ourselves. "We all know how Eric is and something like this he wouldn't type." "Can't we just locate his phone? Why is this meeting even necessary when we can simply do that?" Everyone agreed with Chanhee. Even though I didn't like him, he made a good point. "I wouldn't have called this meeting if I didn't try to locate his phone." Sparks could be seen between Jaehyun and Chanhee.

"Well this works out for me. I no longer have to hear his constant yapping." Jaehyun frowned at Hwanwoong's statement. "Did you do something to him?" "Lil' ol' me? I could never!" A few people held Jaehyun back from strangling Hwanwoong. The group was starting to fall apart. "Everyone. Why don't we just go back to where he last was? Does anyone remember?" "Actually, a few of us got separated, including Eric." My idea sounded great until Younghoon said his statement. "Let's try Changmin's method, but only a few will go as we might mess things up if too many are around."

ㄴㄱㄴㄱㄴㄱㄴㄱ

We checked tree trunks and under leaves for any hints and/or clues. Everything was clean. No sign of a struggle. No signs of him being dragged. "Was he acting weirdly before you separated?" "No." "Anyone else?" They shook their heads. This was getting harder by the second. There was nothing to go off of. "Chang, let's head back. I don't think we'll find anything." I looked at Youngjo who had spoken up. The other two nodded. "Might as well..."

ㄴㄱㄴㄱㄴㄱㄴㄱ

Everyone had gone back to their rooms, but I paid Jaehyun another visit. "When did you get this message?" "Last night at some ungodly hour of the night." I looked the message over then wondered what it meant. "I'm sure it's safe to say that everything after the comma is about Eric." Jaehyun nodded. "I figured as well." "I know everyone likes the past in the past, but now you all need to speak up." Jaehyun sighed then took his phone back. "He's probably dead anyway." I silently blinked at how fast his attitude had changed. Why were they so keen on staying tight lipped about the past? It was only going to increase my curiosity.

"So, hows it going Mr. I-wanna-play-detective?" I swatted Keonhee away as I thought. "Changmin, I know this seems harsh but, we have nothing to go off of. For now, let's forget about it until something turns up." I hated that Younghoon was convincing. "I understand." He patted my back then exhaled loudly. "Anyway, ready to go to swimming?" "I guess." How could I feel excited when someone was missing? A knock on our door garnered our attention. "Keon? Yeah, he's in here. Keon!" Keonhee was now up out of his seat and leaving the room. I caught a glimpse of light colored hair. "You coming? Meetup time is in 5." "Nah, I'm opting out today." "I'll let them know."

ㄴㄱㄴㄱㄴㄱㄴㄱ

I lied on the bed wondering if I should've gone. There wasn't much in the motel room and I could only play so much on the apps I had before it became boring. The door opened and I heard Younghoon and Geonhak entering. I don't know why I hid, but it seemed like the right thing to do. "Are we all going to just sweep this under the rug? We know how his parents worry." "I know. Jae and Chang want to do to something too, but there's so little to go off of." I covered my mouth as Geonhak rested his head on Younghoon's lap. I shook the thoughts away as it really wasn't anything scandalous.

"Do you think it was a one time thing?" Younghoon lied back then sighed. "I hope so. And I hope Eric is still okay." Geonhak sighed as well then sat up. "Are you still upset?" "About?" "You know what I mean." Younghoon sat up as well then stared wordlessly at him. "Yes." Geonhak lightly laughed then stopped when Younghoon grabbed his arm. "I won't forgive you. Ever." Geonhak held Younghoon by his chin then kissed him. I didn't know what to do. Do I keep watching? Did I turn a blind eye? I kept watching. Geonhak was basically cheating on Juyeon. I covered my mouth as it started to go beyond kissing. Clothes started to come off, grinding turned into skin to skin contact, and small bed creaks were now mixed in with moans.

I sat quietly in the closet as I hoped they neared the end. "The sheets are messed up." "It's fine. We can just ask for more. No one will notice." He was wrong in that sense. "Everyone should be coming back, so it's best if we showered now." "Right." I soon heard a door close then peeked out. I hurried out the room then closed the door as quietly as I could. There really was more to everyone that what met the eye. If they felt that strongly for each other, why did Geonhak end up dating Juyeon?