Youngjae tries to bring their Byeol back
Byeol didn't know how long she had been laying in her bed. She felt guilty for snapping at her friends a few days ago, but she couldn't bring herself to call them right now and apologize. She felt so empty and broken. JYP had an interview for them set up for later this evening and she was seriously debating if she should just not show up.
Holing away in her room right now was the only thing that seemed to bring her peace. She knew they'd ask questions about the articles. About him. About her past that she never wanted anyone to know. At least not until she was good and ready to talk about it. And she wasn't right now. She hadn't told anyone. Not even her parents.
She hadn't even had the energy to work on music. And her deadline was quickly approaching but she just didn't care right now. She was fragile, more than normal. Not that she liked to consider herself a fragile person, but she was smart enough to know she could be overly sensitive. But this—she was not prepared for this.
Let alone having to see him. The police had said they couldn't do anything. There was no physical evidence and right now was just a he said, she said. It had been too many years and Byeol only had one scar (physically) to show from it. That's what was bothering her the most.
He could walk free, doing whatever he pleased while she tried to hide herself away until she was sure he wasn't going to come after her anymore. But lord knows how long that would be. There was a knock at her door and she stilled, panic rising up in her for a second before she remembered Yugyeom was home and wouldn't let anyone in that wasn't supposed to be.
"Moon-ssi?" She sat up, meeting the worried look of Youngjae. She offered a small smile, pulling her hood from Yugyeom's sweatshirt that she had stolen years ago further over her face. She knew she didn't look the most presentable right now. "Oppa," she said quietly.
Youngjae sighed, coming to sit down next to her on the bed. "Gyeom said you've barely left your room for the past few days. He was worried." Byeol sighed, shrugging her shoulders. "Just been really tired." He didn't say anything, trying not to show the disappointment on his face at the dark bags under her eyes and puffy cheeks.
"Bam told us what happened at the mall," he said quietly and Byeol groaned, flopping back on to her pillows. "That boy and his mouth," she grumbled and Youngjae let out a chuckle, patting her leg. She tensed a little but he pretended not to notice. "He feels really bad," Youngjae said.
"He shouldn't. It's my fault for being such a crybaby." She muttered and Youngjae smacked her knee lightly. "You're not, babo. Stop saying that." She didn't respond and Youngjae watched her for a few minutes. Even if she was covered by her blanket, he could see from her face she'd lost weight.
Her cheek bones were sticking out, her skin was paler than normal. Her cheeks were puffy from lack of sleep and her eyes were red with almost black bags under them. He sighed, standing up and opening her curtains to let the light in. She groaned, throwing the blanket over her head.
Youngjae clicked his tongue, walking over and ripping the blanket off her. She looked at him with wide eyes. He was always so gentle and rarely got angry, yet here he was, anger evident in his eyes. "Get your ass up." He said, stern. She didn't move and he placed his hands on his hips.
"We're going out to eat, you and I. And you're gonna eat until I say you've eaten enough. And then we're going to get your haircut and then we have this interview." She didn't say anything, groaning at the mention of the interview. "But I'm comfy." She whined and Youngjae scoffed.
"You've been comfy for two days, Moon. Get up. Shower. And we're going. I'll be damned if I'm going to stand here and watch you waste away to nothing." She cringed at the last part. Was she really wasting away to nothing? Probably. Youngjae sighed, eyes softening a little.
"I know you're hurting, Moon. But you won't let us help you, you won't talk to us. So we have to do it our own way. You're my sister, dammit. And I'm not going to sit here and let you hole up like a mole for the rest of your life. Now get up and shower. We're leaving in 20 minutes."
He left no room for argument and walked out, closing her bedroom door. She groaned again but got up and dragged herself in the shower. And she was glad she did because she felt almost human again. She put on some light makeup just to hide her bags. She didn't want to look like a raccoon.
20 minutes later, dressed in her favorite leggings and one of her favorite hoodies, she was in the living room where Youngjae smiled brightly and Yugyeom looked relieved. "Have fun, Moon! I'll see you for the interview." Yugyeom said, kissing her cheek and she offered him a small smile, squeezing his hand.
Youngjae took her to her favorite food place and was true to his word. He bought everything and anything and made her finish it. She was actually surprised at how hungry she actually was. She cleared almost every plate, with the help of Youngjae of course. The smile on her face was a little wider and the light in her eyes was a little brighter. "C'mon. It's been months since you had your haircut. Let's go."
He dragged her to the company where her stylist was waiting with a large smile and scissors in her hand. "Byeol-ah! I haven't seen you in so long I thought you moved." She teased and Byeol let out a little chuckle. "Sorry, unnie. I've been—going through some stuff." The stylist hummed as she clipped away at her hair. "And if I know my Byeol, you'll get through it and back to kicking these boys' asses in no time." That made Byeol laugh and god did it feel great to laugh.
Once her hair was done, she felt much better. She had been smiling much more since going out to eat and seemed to have a little more energy. Youngjae smiled, proud of himself. Until they reached where the interview was going to take place and she stilled, hands trembling slightly. Youngjae took her hand in his, squeezing it.
"We've got your back. Always. You can do this." She nodded once, stumbling forward a little and Youngjae smiled. That was the Byeol he knew and loved. The one that would march in with her head held high no matter what was going on. The little glimpses of how she usually is was giving him hope that this was working, just a little bit.
When they entered the room, it was chaotic as usual. Staff running around here and there to get them ready, Jackson messing with Jinyoung and BamBam and Yugyeom playing some mobile game. Byeol smiled when she met eyes with JB who seemed to deflate when he saw her, a large smile on his face.
"We've missed you," he said, walking up to her and nodding at Youngjae who just shot him a thumbs up. "I've missed you too. Sorry, I've been kind of MIA." JB chuckled, wrapping and arm around her and kissing her temple. "Go get ready." He gently pushed her towards the chair and she happily took it, sitting down and letting her stylist work her magic.
She looked around at all the boys, doing their own thing, messing with one another. Her heart warmed every time she heard them laugh and she settled back into her chair, a small smile on her face. "Been a while since I've seen you look so content," her stylist hummed and Byeol smiled wider. "Feels nice."
It did feel nice. Because no matter how this interview went, she had 7 people right behind her to back her up.
