When You Were Here ✅

Bonus pt.1

I happily bounced over to my friends in hopes that they were in better moods than yesterday. I draped my arms over their shoulders with a large grin.

"How are you guys? Feeling better?" I asked cheerily.

They silently looked at me then two of them nodded. They looked somewhat better, but something about them was still off.

"Are we all still meeting up to get lunch?" I asked, hoping to spark some chatter.

"Yeah." Younghoon said with a yawn.

The others nodded then walked off without me. I watched them with somber eyes then felt someone touch my shoulder.

"Sangyeon!" I said full of life again.

Soon my vision was blocked and I heard two people laughing.

"Guess who." the person said in a higher pitched voice.

"Geonhak?" I asked innocently.

"Bzzz. Try again." the voice said.

"Jae?" I asked.

"Wrong." the voice said.

I heard shuffling then regained my sight. I heard myself squeal then hid in embarrassment.

"I told you he'd get like that." said Sangyeon from Juyeon's side.

"Sorry for doubting you. It was really worth seeing." said Juyeon happily.

I smiled widely as I pulled them closer as we walked to our classes. My mind shifted back to the others and my happy mood had fallen. They must've picked up on it as I felt one of them ruffle my hair.

"What's wrong?" Juyeon asked.

"It's Youngjo and them again... I want to make them smile again, but they're just so... bleh." I whined.

"Maybe we should get everyone together and talk about it." Sangyeon suggested.

"We shouldn't bother Hwan, Eric and Keon. It's a critical time in their lives." I said as I singled out whoever else was to be left alone. "In short, it'd just be me, you, Sangyeon, and Chanhee."

"Where should we meet up?" Juyeon asked as he started typing on his phone.

"We can meet at my place. My dad wouldn't mind you all coming over." I said as I sent my father a text to let him know.

"Great. See you at lunch?" Juyeon asked.

I nodded then gave him a brief hug before heading off with Sangyeon. No matter what, I wasn't going to let anything bad happen to my friends. Lord forbid if anything already had.

🐿🐿🐿🐿

I stretched out as my last class for the day had ended. I packed up my bag then frowned as he wasn't waiting for me as he usually did. I missed walking to the dining hall with Youngjo. I sighed then noticed Juyeon heading my way. It was strange as he was supposed to still be in class.

"Juyeon, did you skip class?" I asked full of suspicion.

"No. She let us go early. I figured I'd come and walk with you since Youngjo doesn't." he said as he linked his arm with mine.

"You're too sweet." I said with an obvious blush.

We entered the dining hall and I broke away from Juyeon to push two tables together. I pushed the chairs over then sighed in satisfaction.

"We're the first ones huh?" Juyeon said as he placed his bag down.

"Yeah. I'm usually the first one here. I'll watch our stuff, so go ahead and get something." I said as I took a seat.

"No, you can go. I'm not even that hungry." he said as he sat down as well.

Soon the sound of our stomachs were heard and we both laughed.

"Fine, I'll get both of us food. Is there anything in particular you want?" Juyeon asked as he pushed his chair in.

"Not today. So, surprise me." I said with a grin.

I watched as others filed in and I waved Sangyeon and Youngjo down. I smiled happily as they sat on either side of me. I looked at Youngjo who yawned before resting his head against the table. I looked at Sangyeon who only shrugged.

"Did you not get enough sleep last night?" I asked softly.

"Something like that." said Youngjo flatly.

"I keep telling you not to stay up late making beats." I scolded.

"Ugh, shut up. You're giving me a headache." he said sharply before closing his eyes.

I shrunk back as Youngjo had never spoke harshly to me. Soon the others joined us at the table. I waved to them and didn't receive a greeting back from Kevin nor Younghoon. I looked to Geonhak who was already leaving to get food for himself and Younghoon. Things were quieter than I expected. Though, I shouldn't have been surprised since it's been this way for a while. Youngjo and Kevin always fell asleep, while Younghoon simply leaned against Geonhak while picking at his food. Their foul moods always hurt the good mood the rest of us tried to create.

🐿🐿🐿🐿

We arrived at my place then heard people shouting further down the block.

"Hwan? Keon?" I said as they ran toward us

"How could... you just... leave... us out?" Hwanwoong said in between breaths.

"Well you're seniors. Your grades are important and you need to study." I said as I ushered the others in. "You shouldn't trouble yourself over small things."

"Small things? They're our friends too, Seoho! We care just as much as you." Keonhee whined.

Arguing further wouldn't result in anything, so I ushered them inside. I locked the door then joined them in the living room.

"Wait, Eric didn't come with you?" I asked as I took a headcount.

"Of course not. Either he's busy with Youngjo, Kevin and Younghoon or saying he can't hang and needs to get home. Today was the former." Hwanwoong said with a sigh.

I clapped my hands then explained the purpose of the meetup.

"So, any ideas on how we should confront them?" I asked, leaving the floor open.

"I say we throw out ideas, form one solution and select one person to do the confrontation." Geonhak said.

I looked around and they all seemed in agreement. We started to share ideas and eventually came down to one solution. We then took a vote and I had been selected.

"I'll confront them tomorrow then and tell you the results, okay?" I said.

They agreed in unison then started chattering about classes. I got up from my spot to fetch them all a cup of water and possibly snacks if we had any.

"Hey." I heard a voice say.

"Oh, Juyeon. If you need the restroom it's upstairs, third door on your left." I said as I realized we didn't have enough cups, so I took out a few wine glasses.

"I remember where it is, but that isn't what I wanted to ask." he said as he stopped me from pouring water. "Are you going to be okay confronting them yourself?"

I gave him a bright smile despite quaking on the inside. I couldn't let him know I had become afraid of my closest friends. That I was afraid that what I was going to do might end our friendship or get physical. I didn't want anyone to see me at my worst.

"I'm sure. Could you take these to everyone?" I asked as I positioned a few cups in his hands and arms.

"If it gets to be too much, don't try to handle it on your own. Call for help, okay?" said Juyeon before walking away.

I quickly turned around to hide the blush growing on my face in case he had turned around. Lee Juyeon never ceased to drive my heart wild.