When You Were Here ✅

Bonus pt.2

I waited in the lounge area for them to arrive. I spotted them walking down the hall and proceeded to take deep breaths. I assured myself I could do it, not just for us, but for themselves as well.

"You called?" Youngjo asked as he flopped onto the bench.

Younghoon sat down next to him with a yawn. Kevin hadn't arrived yet as he was still in class. After a while of waiting, Kevin had arrived looking just as indifferent.

"Hey, I'm just going to start off with that we all love you and want the best for you. Don't forget that." I said making sure I made eye contact with the three of them. "As of late, we've all been concerned about your behaviors, actions, words and attitudes. If I were to sum it up, they all reek. I don't know what's gotten into the three you of, but you need to cut it out. And I hear that Eric's been hanging out with you and his grades are slipping. Don't you realize how you're jeopardizing his future? I'm really not asking much of you, but please, straighten yourselves out. We don't like it. We want our friends back."

I looked at them as they gazed at me with blank stares. Youngjo pushed his hair back with a sigh.

"Are you done?" he deadpanned.

I felt a sharp pain in my chest at his words. We spent all that time formulating what we wanted to convey and all he had to say was "Are you done?". Kevin had not once looked up from his phone since he sat down and Younghoon was fast asleep. These weren't our friends anymore.

"No, I'm not done." I said while my voice cracked. "You can say whatever to me, but don't you ever try and hurt one of the others. You three should feel blessed that we all still give a shit about you. You should feel so fucking grateful that we weren't so eager to cut ties with you." I said through my tears.

"We never asked for it." said Youngjo as he got up from his seat then woke up Younghoon and took Kevin's phone. "Good day."

I watched them walk away with my slightly blurred vision. They easily crumpled up our hard work and threw it away. I took out my phone then hesitated. I shook my head and put my phone away. I wasn't going to give up until I could give them positive news.

🐿🐿🐿🐿

I sat in the library as I couldn't face any of them after what had occurred earlier today. What could I do to get them to see that we wanted to help them, whatever it may be? I heard familiar laughter and hid behind a book. It was Juyeon. My pulse quickened until I saw him with someone else. I quietly sighed as I always hoped for too much and ended up hurt in the end. Just like this morning.

🐿🐿🐿🐿

I yawned as I scrolled through social media late at night. I soon received a call from Youngjo and quickly answered.

"Hello?" I said happily.

"Come quick, its an emergency. We need you..." said Youngjo.

I was up and out of bed as I asked him what he needed help with and where. The task was simple, but he had given me an address that didn't look familiar. A part of me wondered why they went out so far.

I jogged up the hill then looked around. I spotted the house with the red roof then rang the bell as no one was outside. I had forgotten it was an emergency and started ringing the bell more. I tried the door and was relieved to see it was open. I walked in, but didn't see anyone. I started to wonder if I had gotten the wrong address. I heard a wail and hurried towards it. Nothing was there.

I found myself entering an almost empty room then heard voices from downstairs. Just as I was about to leave the room, the door suddenly swung open and I was being held at gun point. I silently cooperated with the authorities as I had no clue as to what was going on.

"We found'em." one of the officers said.

I stayed put as I would probably be yelled at for moving and making it worse. Soon I was being handcuffed and led downstairs. I caught a glimpse of what the officer found and felt my eyes widen in surprise. It started to add up. Things fell into place. There was no emergency, they weren't waiting for me in this house, they set me up. I had learned the reason for their constant fatigue and awful appearance. My precious friends were hooked on drugs.

I looked out the police car and saw them watching everything from afar. I gave them a wave before the car sped off. If they wanted me to take blame, then I would. It sounded pathetic and idiotic, but I considered them irreplaceable friends. No matter how long I end up being locked away for, not once would I hate them nor want revenge.