Halfway Around The World (Changlix)

Gone

Changbin's POV

I was sitting talking to Jae and Dowoon whilst waiting for their flight. It was early afternoon and we had just been to eat. Young K and Dowoon were leaving for Seoul today so we had a goodbye lunch in a restaurant at the airport. I hated to think that it was unlikely I would get to see them again, but it was true. I hadn't told any of them that I had this disease. This curse.

I sighed and Sungjin asked if I was alright and I replied with: "Yeah. I'm fine. Just tired, that's all."

I didn't want to hurt them or make them worry. They'd find out in a months time anyway. I rested my eyes upon Young K and Dowoon. I would miss them. Maybe I could visit before I die, and I could take the others with me. I looked up at the screen for a moment. My mind was filling with all sorts of depressing thoughts so I started to rap to myself quietly. I didn't have any clue why I was rapping but I just was.

"Hey BRIAN. I hope you have a nice time in Seoul, BRIAN" Jae was saying, teasingly. It pulled me out of the pool of negativity I was swimming in and made me smile a little.

"Hey, aren't they those guys from that one kpop group...oh, what was it called...." Young K was pointing at a group of 7 boys and one older man standing together and talking.

"Don't you mean Stray Kids, BRIAN?" Jae was laughing now whilst Young K was looking at him with a disgusted face. I looked over to where Young K had pointed and I saw the same guys from the hospital, including Felix. He didn't look well, but I could see that he was trying to focus on staying positive. He was looking around until he saw me. His eyes met mine for a brief moment before he looked down. From all the way over here I could see him sigh and that made me sigh. I told Sungjin that I would be right back and I walked over to him.

"Hey Felix, can I talk to you?" He nodded and I pulled him aside.

"Listen, it's going to be alright. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm right here okay? Never forget that."

"But I'm going back to Korea. We can't talk if I'm in another country." Felix said in response. He looked sad as he spoke and I stared at the ground for a brief moment. Then I pulled my phone out and opened my contacts before handing it to him.

"Here. Then we can talk. Over the phone anyway. Stay positive, okay?"

I wanted to make sure he stayed happy, even if I wasn't. Felix handed me back my phone after typing in his number. I texted him to make sure and it went through to his phone. And sure enough, it pinged.

"Bye Changbin." He said quietly.

"See ya around, Felix." I replied, smiling ever so slightly. He walked back to his group just as the screen changed to say that the gate was open. I put my phone back into my pocket and walked back over to my friends. I looked behind me to see that they were at the gate. Felix saw me again and gave me a small wave. I smiled and waved back and then he was gone. Just like that.

I said goodbye to my friends and hugged them. I may never see them again so I have to make the most of this. Dowoon and Young K walked up to the gate.

"BYE BRIAN!" Jae yelled out. Young K shot him an annoyed look and Jae seemed to be dying with laughter. Me, Wonpil and Sungjin were also laughing. It was pretty funny. I watched them as they disappeared just like Felix had. I couldn't help but wonder if I'd see them again. I stretched out and looked at the other 3 guys that were with me. There was silence between us. Nothing was said, until I broke that silence.

"Let's visit them soon yeah?"

"Yeah." Sungjin agreed.

"I miss Brian already!" Jae said sadly.

"I'd like to see Seoul again too." Wonpil added, nodding. After the silence that followed, I spoke.

"Let's go home"

(that evening)

I was sitting at home watching tv and minding my own business when my phone started buzzing. When I looked at it, I saw that is was Sungjin calling me so I answered.

"What's up?"

"Hey Changbin guess what?"

"What?"

"I got tickets for a flight to Seoul!"

"Wait really!? For when?" I was so surprised. He got them so soon? On such short notice too.

"The flight is the day after tomorrow. It's going to be a long one. Start packing!"

"I can't believe this! How long are we going to be in Seoul for?"

"Just a month and a few weeks!" He replied. My eyes widened. So if I go then that will be the last place I see. I was kind of happy about that because I've always wanted visit Seoul again and it's nice to be with my friends. The only downside is that I won't see my family again. 

"Have you booked a hotel room?" I asked.

"Yep. Changbin, don't worry! I have it all sorted. See you at the airport if I don't see you tomorrow. And start packing!" Sungjin then hung up. I stared at my phone in disbelief and then set it back down on the coffee table. I went to find my suitcase and when I did, I went into my room and started to put clothes into it. I couldn't wait until we left.

(the day of the flight)

My coat was drenched as I ran into the airport with my suitcase. The rain didn't seem like it was stopping anytime soon. I found my friends and we checked our bags in and then we went through security. Jae got stopped because he had packed a pencil case so that he could study and he forgot to take his scissors out. We waited for him as he argued with security but they ended up binning Jae's scissors. He returned to us looking grumpy. I put an arm around his shoulders.

"They were only a pair of scissors, don't worry about it!"

"They were special scissors." He said with a sad tone. We all laughed at him but he just looked genuinely confused.

"What? What did I say?" He asked looking at each of us. No one answered him though.
We made our way to the gate. We were already a little late thanks to Jae's scissors. The gate was open and we went straight through and onto the plane. It was going to be a long journey; 7 hours to Dubai, 3 hours in between flights and 8 hours to Incheon International Airport.

I tried to sleep but I couldn't. I never can when I'm on an aeroplane. But that wasn't the only reason. I suppose being close to death makes it hard to sleep. Either that or insomnia is a side effect of this stupid disease. But that didn't matter now anyway. I just closed my eyes and thought about an alternate universe where this curse doesn't exist and I am able to live my whole life, instead of just part of it.

Eventually, we arrived in Seoul. It was evening now and the sun was setting behind me. I wheeled my suitcase down the path as we started our journey to find a taxi.