The Man Who Could Not Stop Time (Monsta X Fanfiction)

Chapter Two: Dilemma

Areum's POV

"Where are they?" I wondered, glancing down at my watch.

I had given up on singing. Now I sat in the karaoke room, waiting for the boys to return. It was no fun singing on my own. So I decided to wait for them to come back. The TV screen across from me kept prompting me to pick another song, but I ignored it.

I was starting to worry that something bad happened between Shownu and Jimin. They could be outside fighting right now, and I would have no idea.

'Should I go look for them?' I wondered.

I stood up, deciding I should search for the two, when the door opened. Shownu walked in slowly, his head hung as he stared at the floor. My face lit up when he walked in, because I thought we would be getting right back to the singing.

"Hey!" I beamed, "Do you want to sing another song? How about Rainism?"

I picked up the mic, handing it to Shownu.

Eventually, Shownu looked up from the ground at the mic. Then he looked at me, his face solemn. Shownu was obviously thinking about something. But I had no idea what was going on in that head of his.

"I should go..." Shownu muttered, walking past me to grab his things.

"Huh?" I asked, disappointed. I followed closely after him, hoping I could convince him to stay, "But we were having fun! Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," He replied curtly, shoving his wallet into his back pocket. He checked his phone, putting that in his pocket too, "I just... I need to rest."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

I was sad that he was leaving, especially because it had been so long since I last saw him. We were all doing so well before he left the room! What could have possibly happened?

Then it hit me.

"Did Jimin say something to you?" I finally asked. Now I was suspicious that the two did fight.

Shownu was heading out of the room, his hand on the doorknob. He froze at my words. I waited expectantly for him to say something next.

"Shownu?" I pressed.

He finally turned back around, clearing his throat, "No, Jimin didn't say anything. Everything's fine," he replied, rushing his words, "I just got a text from my manager. One of my shows was canceled."

I was suspicious. But Shownu had no reason to lie to me. Shownu would never life to me. And I was certain that Shownu would snitch on Jimin if he ever did anything cross. The two of them had a cat and mouse relationship, and they barely knew one another.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that," I muttered. "But you're still going to be on Hit the Stage, right?"

Shownu nodded, forcing a smile.

"Good." I smiled.

Shownu looked at me for a while before saying, "I'll see you soon."

I nodded, waving him goodbye.

'Hopefully everything works out for him,' I thought, letting out a sigh.

I sat back down on the couch, now waiting for Jimin to come back. After about ten minutes, the door opened again. This time it was Jimin, and he looked visibly anxious.

He walked slowly over to me, his attitude was strange. Jimin seemed like he was walking on egg shells, practically shaking in his own skin. I could tell something was up with him too.