Won't You Help Me Out

03. Last place

Being the youngest in a group had its advantages. The person in the maknae position was usually the one with less responsibilities, the most spoiled member, the one the others would look out for more — the maknae was the member the hyungs would do anything for. Changkyun would forgive anything the maknae of his previous group did, and would hold him through the hardships even when he needed to be held too.

Being the youngest also had disadvantages. Changkyun knew looking out for someone also meant restricting him sometimes. Being treated like a baby was both about getting what he wanted and not being allowed to do what he wanted; in Changkyun's case, it was as if they considered him not old enough to do things correctly or alone. He was also constantly nagged, even more then the other guys who were more troublesome than him.

Being the maknae meant he was the last one. He was the last one to deserve respect; he had to put up with the others' jokes and injustices and couldn't say anything back. He was the last one to get something: the last one to choose a movie, the last one to shower, the last one to introduce himself, the last one to be acknowledge by sunbaenims, the last one to play on variety shows and fan signs, the last one to choose a treat, the last one to speak. The last one on his hyung's concern.

Since Changkyun didn't look like the maknae of the group, he suffered more of the disadvantages than he got something good out from the advantages.

"Come on, you have to help me with today's breakfast. You can shower once you're done, I'll wake up the others," Changkyun sighed turning around on his bed.

He could deny Kihyun's order and complain, except that it would be disrespectful and give him more problems than he needed being who he was for the group.

"Yes, hyung."

"Good morning," greeted Hyunwoo coming into the kitchen with his phone in hand.

"Good morning, hyung."

"How's your ankle? We have dance practice scheduled for today, but if you're still hurting we can go for vocal practice and dance tomorrow- What is it?" Changkyun had a puzzled expression that made the leader curious.

"Uh- nothing. It doesn't hurt anymore, we can do dance practice.."

It was the first time his well-being was taken in consideration to do or to cancel some activity. It was particularly weird since he had hurt his angle on dance practice because he was distracted and not doing his best. He should be nagged, not worried for.

"Good."

One by one the members came into the kitchen to have breakfast, Changkyun served to the six of them and then left to take a shower.

"Oh- we ran out of hair conditioner," announced Jooheon with an almost-apologetic smile.

"Better be quick, we have to leave in half an hour," Kihyun gave him a sincere apologetic smile that stopped the youngest from complaining.

He was also the last one to get on the van, the last one to get help with a difficult dance move, the last one to get a bottle of water at the end of the practice, the last one to know they were having an interview that same night, and eventually he was the last one to get his make up and hair done.

"Changkyun-ssi you should use hair conditioner, especially in days like today," complained one of the noonas and the youngest could do no more than sighing at the irony of his day.

"You ready?" asked Hyunwoo when the youngest joined them in set. 

"Yes, sorry for making you wait."

The show was coming out perfectly until it turned awkward. They were asked to say good characteristics of their members starting from the eldest.

There were several things Changkyun wanted to say to help his band mates describe their leader, but as soon as he was about to talk the interviewer moved onto the next member. Changkyun did say little and pretty much general or insignificant things about the next five members, fortunately the others agreed with his participation.