Please Stay[Stray Kids × Reader]

[CH. 2] Identity

I was practicing the choreography in the room for a while-- I think I started at maybe 3 in the morning? I had to keep practicing for my brothers image and sake, it was exhausting I'd have to admit. I checked the time and it was already 4:27 AM. The door clicked and Hyunjin entered the practice room. He looked confused at the sight of me in the room.

"Oh? What happened to lazy Hyun Tae?" He placed his bag down on the floor. I shrugged, and gave an awkward laugh. He chuckled and moved towards me. He cued to play the music and so I did. We danced over and over again until 30 minutes had passed. It came to the point where I couldn't breathe anymore so I decided to take a break.

"Could you give me water?" Hyunjin messed  his hair up a bit by shaking his head left and right.

I got the extra bottle of water that I bought and walked towards him. My legs felt wobbly, maybe an effect of the practice. As I approached him I stumbled on my own feet. Expecting my face to meet the hard and cold floor, a hand held my shoulder.

"You okay dude?" He asked and helped me gain my balance. He placed his hand on my forehead maybe to check if I had a fever or whatnot.

"I-I'm okay. I-I need to start preparing for school... But thanks for that" I stuttered, got my things then rushed out. I was running home, it was already 5:00.

___

I arrived home and immediately took a shower. I took off the wig that was on my head and my dark oak colored hair dropped down. I wore the school uniform and rushed down to cook breakfast.

It was already 5:47, time was ticking. I cooked a simple suniside egg and ate it with bread. After eating, I brushed my teeth then left. Thankfully I was able to put BB cream on before I went out.

6:13 AM.

"I'm here!" I banged the door open but I only saw Jeongin in the room. I looked around in disbelief, I couldn't say anything.

"Where are the others?" I felt dumbfounded.

"I got outdated too. They moved the practice at lunch" He opened his phone and gave it to me.

In the group chat, they talked about the practice time being too early so they moved it. I just want to hit my head on the wall right now. I rushed just for nothing?!

I gave his phone back but then he asks a question. " Which hospital is he in?" He slides his phone back in his pocket and leaned at the chair opposite to me. I stayed quiet trying to analyze the current situation.

"What? What do you mean? Who are you talking about? Hospital?" I simultaneously asked him questions.

"Your brother. Who else am I talking about?"

"How do you know about that?" I asked him back. He bit his lip, a bit hesitant to tell me. He bowed his head down with his hand behind his neck.

"I know it's kind of like a crime... But I eavesdropped on your conversation with Chan hyung. Sorry about that" he apologized. I didn't say anything and couldn't think of any words at that moment. It was a moment of silence and awkwardness between us.

"Goodness, keeping this secret will be hard..." I looked up the ceiling trying to think.

"It's okay. Just for a year, don't worry" He his hand on my shoulder and did a thumbs up with the other. More students entered the classroom and we went to our seats.

____

The classes were finally finished and I immediately got my things to head for practice. When my hand reached out to get the ballpen that fell on the floor, Jeongin was faster.

"Will you go to your house first?" Jeongin placed the ballpen in front of me. I gave him a look.

"Seriously? Why are you asking?" I got the ballpen and placed it in my bag.

"Just suggesting that we'll go to the company together after you get changed" He smiled at me with his braces visible.

"I don't want to go alone. Plus, I also need to change my clothes, the dorm is a little far too" He continued. I sighed and was a bit hesitant but then he pleaded so I couldn't do anything about it, so I agreed. We rode a bus and started walking to my place.

There were no cars that would pass by, so we crossed the street. Jeongin walked faster so he was infront of me. He already reached the other side while I was still at 3/4.

Just then, a black car was running full speed towards my direction. I almost reached the other side, then Jeongin pulled me. The car passed by, leaving a trail of strong wind behind.

"There was a lot of space in the road. Why'd he drive right next to the sidewalk?" Jeongin said, looking afar at the direction the car went.

"Are you okay though?" His eyes made his way to mine and it looked worried. I took a deep breath then nodded.

That was really scary though...