A Wish Upon a Star | Yeonbin ✓

Prologue

Maybe it was the fact that it had been the last time they'd ever see him, maybe one of them had been having the worst day or maybe it was just something about Soobin that inspired such negativity in them, Soobin's bullies had been absolutely ruthless this particular day. It had been the last day of junior high school and the bullies who had been bullying Soobin all year long hadn't missed their last chance to lay a hand on the poor boy. The boys had trashed his locker, thrown all of his belongings out the class window and had even locked him in one of the classrooms after everyone had gone home.

As Soobin climbed out of the first floor window and slowly lowered himself to the ground with the rope he had found in one of the desks, he sighed to himself and thanked god for the fact that the bullying had hopefully now, come to an end. Their school didn't continue all the way to high school and he doubted that they'd all end up in the same high school, especially since Soobin had applied to a prestigious all-boys school which, he doubted his tormentors would prefer.

Soobin then went to collect all his things from his locker, as he was stuffing all of his belongings into his book bag, he came across a small letter; it seemed to be from his stepbrother, Taeho. It was a little note which said, "It's my birthday and we'd like to go out celebrate. It's my birthday so I'm allowed to be a little selfish, right? I would like to celebrate with my family today so call mum and make some excuses about being busy and not being able to attend, say you've been invited to a sleepover or something. Thanks"

Slightly stung but not surprised, Soobin called his mum,

"Hello?"

"Hey, mum."

"Yeah?"

"I'll be home a little late today, got to hang out with a friend and I'll be having dinner at his."

"But it's your brother's birthday today," Soobin could tell she was frowning.

"You can't do that to your brother, Soobin."

"He's my stepbrother."

"Anyway I'm slightly busy right now so I've got to go, just be home before midnight, and call Taeho to wish him a happy birthday and to apologize," his mum hung up.

"But it's my birthday too", Soobin whispered softly to himself, walking to the hill behind the school to lie down under the trees, until he could go home. Soon Soobin had reached the hill and was quick to fall asleep in the early spring breeze.

When Soobin woke up from his nap, he realized it was darker than he anticipated and felt slightly anxious about being alone in the dark night. He wondered if it was already 12 but decided that it didn't matter, his mum wouldn't have checked anyway. The pitch black skies, though creepy, also had a peaceful feel to it and he wondered what his family was doing about then. His step dad would probably crack a joke, his mum would've laughed and his two brothers would talk about how they'd never heard such shallow comedy whilst also sniggering. They'd praise the good food, raise a toast to Taeho and tell him how proud they were of him.

Soobin couldn't help but silently wish that it was actually he who was the pride of his mum, couldn't help but wish that he had the affection of both his parents.

Soobin felt awfully lonely thinking about them. He wondered what his own dad would be up to around then, probably asleep. Remembering that his dad didn't even call to wish him a happy birthday, he didn't know who he was more upset at, his mum or his dad.

Soobin softly sang happy birthday to himself and made a wish, tightly closed eyes and fists balled up without even realizing, "I wish I had a friend, someone who'd care about me, someone whose first priority would be me, someone who'd celebrate my birthday with me, tell me I'm worth the love too and then I'd never have to be alone like this."

"I WISH I HAD SOMEONE TO LOVE ME TOO!" Soobin shouted into the night, tears spilling down his face and his heart all wrenched up.

What Soobin didn't realize then was that just as he yelled those words into the night, a shooting star shot down across the sky, hearing the pain in his voice and granting him some pity.