√ mask off | lee haechan

12

Haechan always comes home late and you would find him wrapping his arms around you when you wake up the next morning. You don't want to make it hard for him but he always makes it hard for you.

You lift his arm that rests on your waist carefully, not wanting him to wake up.

It has been a routine. Haechan would wake up to an empty bed, but he never found out where you go because he is apparently too busy. You are just avoiding him so that he wouldn't see the state you are in. Disheveled and a mess.

You quickly took fresh clothes from your wardrobe and tossed them into your school bag, After washing your face with cold water, you took a last glance on Haechan's tired face before closing the door slowly. Locking the door, you walk on the empty street as it's still early, 6.30 am. You tapped on your phone, calling Jeno.

The thing is, you want to avoid having any talk with Haechan and you have been visiting the other guys' place. Most likely helping them out to distract yourself and you earn a small amount of money from them.

Washing dishes at Jeno's family's restaurant, cleaning up Renjun's art studio, helping Jaemin babysit at his mother's daycare, and helping out Mark cleaning the instruments after every class.

Today, it's Jeno's turn and later that evening, Mark requested your help because they had a packed schedule.

"Yoojin?" You heard Jeno from the other line, his voice is groggy probably just woke up.

"Why are you still sleeping?" You asked him, he would usually help out on morning shifts so he can play games at night. He sighed, "What time is it?" You heard ruffling noises from him, shifting around the bed.

"It's 6.30?!" You heard him yelp as you could hear him get up on his feet. "Tell my mum I'll be la-"

"Jeno, the thing is, can I have a shower at yours?"

You heard him stop rushing, thinking about what you are talking about but you are already in front of his apartment.

"Open the door, please," You said, almost in a whisper and you heard shuffling of his feet behind the door before he opened the door for you.

His eyes went wide when he saw the state you are in. He thought you couldn't be worse than last week. Your swollen eyes are the evidence of you crying to sleep and the dark circles under your eyes revealing that you are stressed.

He did ask if something happened but you would act fine in front of him and just said you watched sad Netflix and ended up crying. He knows you are lying and that's why the worry in him grows. He hates seeing you in this state.

Jeno sighs as he grabs your wrist, pulling you into a hug. "You said you are fine, then what is this," he sighs, stroking your hair, and you could feel the lump in your throat.

No, you don't want to cry in front of any of them. They have other things to take care of too, other than your silly feelings towards someone who'll soon be someone else's.

You push Jeno slowly, blinking your tears away. "Don't, I'm just here for a shower." You whispered and walked in his house, straight to the shower in his bedroom.

Jeno sighs, closing the door as he reaches for his phone again, calling Mark.

"Hyung, I think she knows about Haechan. She's at my house now."

Mark sighs, he was on his way to the academy but he stopped the car at the side of the road immediately.

"Is she okay though?" Mark asked.

"No. She's a wreck. What do we do?"

All of them know why you decided to help them and keep your summer break busy without Haechan. They just want to be there for you, to keep you strong because they know how much you love Haechan and of course, you would be affected by it.