Weak || Bang Chan

one

Song:
Forever Young by BlackPink
~~~

"I can't wait to see you, Lix," I smiled, phone pressed to my ear.

My room was finally packed up and shipped over to South Korea, my bedroom only now consisting of a large suitcase and my hand luggage. The walls where picture frames once hung seemed bare and clinically white, the marks in the carpet from the sunken furniture still remained.

This was the new chapter in my life; my journey to South Korea to be a translator for a film studio. They were made up of a small-time Hollywood studio that was bought up by a Korean studio that resided in Seoul. I had only been freelancing up until that point so this was the real deal when it came to my career. I was anxious, but eager to get started.

"I just can't believe that tomorrow, you'll actually be living here! In Seoul! With us!" Felix excitedly replied. He seemed to be more ecstatic than I was. Just Felix's joy made me softly chuckle, his deep voice sounding childish as he spoke.

It had been more than a year since I last saw him. The last time was when he spent a few weeks with his family and we must've hung out every day. After then, I was either in America or Japan, wherever my work took me, so I couldn't easily see him after then.

We grew up together, Felix becoming my surrogate brother, like he needed a third sister, and we became close quickly due to our similar age. He was a month older than me, so we attended school and college together before he left to become a K-pop idol and my path took me to becoming a multi-lingual translator.

"I want you to meet everyone once you've settled," Felix continued, excitement lacing his voice.

"Haven't I technically met them already? You and I FaceTime enough and one of them always take over and chat to me for a few hours," I laughed, also eager to meet the boys that work with Felix.

I remember the first time I started talking to one of the members of Stray Kids, the boy group that Felix was a part of.

Hyunjin was the first; an expensive-looking, dramatic kid who liked to laugh and complain and was incredibly easy on the eyes. He walked in on Felix FaceTiming me, straight up stole his phone and locked himself in another dorm room and we spoke for well over two hours, Felix bashing against the door for ages until the phone ran out of power.

Jisung was another boy, very witty and hilarious, that I sometimes spoke to when he was at the dorms with Felix. The pair would often prop up Felix's phone on the dining room table and we'd chat while eating dinner.

Seungmin was a more tame lad, however secretly a crackhead like the rest of Stray Kids, and he and Felix would often try to cook meals while I was on the other end of the phone giving them pointers, or mainly criticism.

That's just how it all went.

"Not in person you haven't. Besides, you haven't met everyone yet; there's still Jeongin, Minho, Binnie and Chan you haven't talked to yet," Felix explained, "Han and Hyunjin are excited to meet you. Minho has talked about you a bit recently, but to be fair, I keep bringing you up in coversation."

"Well, I can see you guys as soon as I get my front door key, then I have a week off to get settled and explore Seoul a bit before work starts."

"You can come on set while we do our MV!" Felix almost squealed out.

Clutching my ear, I asked, "What, for God's Menu? That came around quickly."

I knew Felix was frantically nodding, forgetting that I couldn't see him, as he replied, "Yeah, then after we have M2 and Studio Choom dance shoots that you can come too if you wanna. Friends aren't really allowed on set, but I can get you in as a translator."

I began chuckling at how childlike this boy was, his energy through the roof, "Lix, don't get in trouble just because you want me there."

"I won't!" He whined like a dog, "I haven't seen you in so long, I want you with me always!"

"Hmm, careful, Frecks, your charms are showing," I giggled, beginning to drag my suitcase to the door. It was a few minutes until my taxi arrived.

"Oh, shut up, Barbeque Sauce, I'm adorable all the time," he pouted through the phone, "What hotel are you checking in to when you land?"

"Vista Walkerhill, I think. The company set it up for me and it looks hella nice," I explained, grabbing my coat and checking over the rooms of my apartment to make sure I had everything, "I get to pick up my car the same day as my house keys which is good."

"Wait, you're gonna be driving around Seoul?" The excitement drained from his voice.

I cautiously replied, "Yeah, I've got to, why?"

"D-do you think that's a good idea?"

"It just is, Lix. I'll be fine, you know I'll be," I answered.

"If you're sure, Rose. Sydney is one thing, Seoul is another," He heavily sighed, "I just don't want you getting overwhelmed here."

"Honestly, it's fine. I can adapt quickly, you know that."

I heard him sigh once more, "Yeah, that's true. Chan can always show you how to manoeuvre the highways though - he has a license."

"Then I'll be sure to ask the guy as soon as I meet him," I began laughing, infecting Felix as well.

"Creep."

"Anyways, I gotta go, Mayonnaise Head, my taxi is gonna be here in a minute and I have to lock up," I told the boy on the phone, fishing for my keys in my pocket.

"Stay safe, Trash Can, message me when you get to the airport."

"Correction, I'm a Trash Can't."

"I swear to God, Rose-,"