Together As One

Hopefully a start to something better

[Solar's POV]

It pained me to see our baby member having to go through all that, although she finally accepted help, I knew that hyejin was still doing it, but understood that it wasn't a thing that couldn't be stopped immediately as and when the person wanted. As a leader, this was scary and I was extremely nervous because I had to protect my members, ever since Wheein had her own mental health shaken last year, I had learnt to watch my members' facial expressions more, when the things the public said went overboard, I had to step in, the things I myself said and the way others treated us. Now with our comeback getting closer, it was the time where the public would be more nitpicky on us again and with Hyejin's condition at the moment, i wanted to shield and protect her from the hateful people as much as i could.

[Wheein's POV]

The moment Hyejin agreed to seeking professional help, Yong Sun unnie approached Manager unnie to help arrange things with CEO Kim. The very next day, he called us down while we were practicing to his office. CEO kim spoke to us and addressed the situation very fatherly. I glanced at Hyejin's expressions every so often. She looked so out of it, like she was going to break any moment but was holding in her emotions again. CEO Kim told us that Hyejin similar to myself as before, would have to attend sessions during the times we had no schedules. He gave Hyejin an option, either to attend them alone or to go with the members. I noticed Hyejin's shoulders tense up and her body frame become tinier than she already was and understood immediately what she felt. When i was asked the same question last year, i was in the exact same position as her. Back then, hyejin was the one who helped me and offered to go with me. She knew i didnt want to go alone. Yong san sensed the awkward silence and gently nudged me to shift me out of my thoughts. I spoke up and offered. Hyejin looked up at me and gave me a look of gratitude. I smiled warmly. After we were dismissed from the office, CEO Kim called me back suddenly. I was surprised as I was not expecting him to need to speak to me regarding anything.

"Wheein... How are you feeling about this?"

"Ah... I'm honestly very worried for Hyejin... The last time I saw her so sad was when her uncle passed away in the car accident."

/FLASHBACK/

I unlocked my phone and dialled for Hyejin. The ringtone rang multiple times before it went silent. Strange... I thought to myself. She should be awake by now. Maybe she was still sleeping... we were all very tired the past few weeks due to our hectic schedule. But there again, no matter how tired she was, she always never failed to be present at our arranged gatherings. Especially when it was a meal with the other 2 unnies.

"Is she coming?" Byulie unnie asks.

I shrug my shoulders in response.

"She's not picking up. Maybe she was too tired and couldn't wake up."

"Let's go in first?"

"Okay unnie."

By the time the 3 of us had finished our meal, there was still no sign of Hyejin. I started to worry a little. This was unlike Hyejin.

"Unnies, I think I'll go back first? I want to drop by Hyejin's place and see if she is really still sleeping or something happened to her." I waved goodbye and left hurriedly, leaving the 2 unnies still happily chit-chatting at the restaurant.

"Hyejin? Are you in? Are you at home?" I called out.

Silence filled the corridor.

"I'm coming in now okay?" I called out again and punched in the passcode to enter.

When I stepped into the apartment, darkness filled the house. I was used to her not turning on any lights or drawing the curtains to let light in but this time, her place looked and felt so dark as though something bad had happened.

"Hyejinnie? Where are you?" I check everywhere except the 2 quiet spots in the house - the area behind the kitchen at the balcony and the toliet. I check the balcony first as I was nearer to there. No sign of her.

I rush to the toilet and pull open the tightly shut door.

I saw her lying on the dry floor with soju glass bottles and many beer cans all empty, sprawled on the floor. She was lying in a fetus position and I got so scared.

"Hyejin! Hyejin! Wake up!" I raise my voice and gently tap her face to try and wake her up.

She didn't respond. I pushed the alcohol remnants on the floor aside and bent down to carry her out of the toilet. I place her on her living room sofa and I see her eyes slowly fluttering open.

"Wheein? What are you doing here?" She stutters, barely managing to finish her sentence.

"Yah! Ahn Hyejin! What were you trying to do? Intoxicate yourself?! You drank 5 bottles of soju and I don't know? Easily 8 cans of beer?" I exclaim a little too loudly.

I had barely finished my questioning and I see her start to sob. I pull her into a tight hug. The way she was crying was so painful to watch.

"What happened Hyejin ah?" I ask, gently stroking her head.

"My... my... my uncle... he got... in a car accident... papa said... he passed away yesterday... wheein ah..." She sobs and squeezes the words out of her throat.

I feel my eyes begin to tear up but hold them back and continue keeping her in my embrace.

/END OF FLASHBACK/

"Okay.. Do keep me updated on how she is okay? I know this must be affecting you as well, so do take care of yourself as well..." CEO Kim said kindly before letting me join the girls back at practice.

[Moonbyul's POV]

I was so glad that Hyejin had finally accepted to get professional help, being willing to see a therapist. I knew it meant that she was likely to need to take anxiety pills & anti depressant medicine and would need a lot of support to recover. But at least now, she looked visibly much more well, her cheeks were less sunken in, her eye bags were slightly better, she was more lifely. The happier Hyejin was coming back slowly. Hyejin was like my younger sister. She was always very thoughtful, being very conscious about the small details that others would not notice but were of great importance. Her heart was big and always willing to lend a hand. I remember the time that we had rapping lessons together and I struggled initially. She was always staying back with me till the wee hours in the morning to practice no matter how tired she was from vocal lessons. There was once she even fell asleep while waiting for her rap lines. It was a cute sight to see indeed.