Monster

3.6 | I Said Plan For April

Everyone turned to Yuri at the sound of her scream. "Please. Just wait." She said it softer, voice faltering as she looked down at her feet. "I actually have something to confess."

Afia frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Well." She sighed. "I have to stay. No matter where you guys go, I made a promise that I intend to keep. I'm finishing out the year whether you like it or not. I'll help you hide if you want, I'll provide for you, I'll make sure that you're safe. But I can't leave, not yet."

Minghao crossed his arms. "Why?"

"Because of my brother."

Afia's eyes widened in realization. "You promised you'd finish out the year and go get him so you could disappear together, didn't you?"

"I did. What kind of sister would I be if I just left him? Afia, you know what it's like at home! I can't leave him there! I can't! Do you know what they'd do to him?"

"I know, I know. I'll stay with you if need be."

Minghao nodded. "It's settled then. We'll stay too."

Yuri frowned. "You sure?"

"Yes. We're here to protect you. If we're gone, and you get caught, it's over. It doesn't matter if we die, you'll still live. But if you die," he scoffed. "You know what will happen."

"Thank you."

"Of course."

"I'm kind of curious," Seungkwan said.

"Of what?"

"What's your brother like?"

Yuri grinned. "Small. At least in my eyes. He's brave, loving, pretty popular with his friends. He likes to play basketball, steal my gum, rap, watch movies when it rains and cook with me. He's the best brother a girl could ask for. But I'm the worst sister ever, I mean, I did leave him."

"Hey, I'm sure you're the greatest! And you didn't leave without a reason, besides, we wouldn't be here without you."

Yuri chuckled. "Thanks 'Kwan."

Minghao pat her on the back. "He's right. Without you coming here, there would be no story. Who knows? Your life could leave a legacy that people would love to read."

"What? A girl who takes care of monsters is interesting?"

Jun shrugged. "I would read it."

"Jun, you never read anything."

"Not true, I read the ingredients on the cereal boxes Vernon buys."

Seungcheol looked up. "Hold on, Vernon is the one buying all the cereal?"

"Dude. Seriously? You really sold me out? And kinda maybe yes I do."

Yuri laughed. "Wow, Cheol you really got to get a handle on your boys."

"I am doing my best ok, no one ever listens to me."

Chan frowned. "Hey! I listen to you!"

"Sometimes."

"Sometimes? Sometimes! I'm the only person who does work in this house."

"And that's on being the youngest," Jun quipped.

Yuri rolled her eyes. "I come here to talk to you about my brother, and you turn it into a conversation about cereal, why am I not surprised?"

Afia snorted. "Because they're idiots."

"True."

"We are not!"

"Yeah, they are, Minghao isn't though. He's a little oblivious though."

Minghao sighed. "I can live with that. So, when do you plan on getting him? Your brother I mean."

Yuri half-smiled. "I told him to plan for April. Around his birthday. April 23rd. I wanted him to know that I was able to take care of him, that I could keep my promises. I wasn't sure I could if you guys decided to leave. Yes, my brother is my first priority, over everyone. But I can't just let you guys be in danger."

Seokmin stood up. "No. We're gonna stay, we'll protect you, and you'll take care of us, and then we'll get your brother, and disappear forever, just like you planned."

Yuri nodded. "Thank you. Thank you all for staying, for listening, I know I'm a horrible leader, and sometimes I don't treat you like I should-"

"Now hold on a second!" Jun jumped up and grabbed Yuri's shoulders. "You make mistakes. That's normal!" He shook her. "You're still our friend, you're still important. Just because you messed up doesn't mean we'll leave you. You took care of us when we messed up and left you, it's only right that we do the same."

Yuri giggled. "Ok then."

Vernon raised his hand.

"Yes Vernon?"

"So, why exactly do you need to go get your brother, like what happened? Can't he just come to you?"

Yuri's heart sank and her face fell. She shook her head. "No. No, he can't. He doesn't have that liberty, and I'm not allowed to see him at the moment."

"What, why?"

"Because her parents are jerks," Afia cut in.

"Well, you're not wrong-" she sighed and shook her head. "My parents kinda hate me, see me as a failure, a bad influence, and wish I was never born. My dad's a smoker, and my mom's an alcoholic, my aunt just kinda up and died a few years ago, so like, no one in my family actually really cares, except my brother. I grew up in a very bad home, in a bad part of my city, had to witness my parents fight and be general idiots, my dad cheated a lot, threw my mother around, and the only reason I never left is because they took care of him. And I couldn't, not then. That's why I need my degree."

"Wow." Vernon pursed his lips and scowled. "That's horrible."

"Yep."

"But at least you'll be able to get him out soon."

"Yes, that is the plan."

"Can we kill them?"

"Jihoon no!" Yuri glared at him.

"Jihoon yes!" He smiled back innocently.

"Jihoon calm down."

"No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"Yes!"

Minghao huffed. "You guys are giving me a headache."

Yuri whipped around and stared at him. "Who doesn't give you a headache?"

"Uh."

"Don't answer that." Yuri turned back towards the group. "So, anything else you all want to know?"

Mingyu waved. "I do!"

"Ok, shoot. What do you want to know?"

"Uh, ok, what's your brother's name?"

Yuri smiled and looked down at her hands, remembering her brother's face and beautiful smile. "Lee Jeno."

Oop-

Until next time!