STRAY KIDS: THE 9TH MEMBER

Chapter 8: Jeongin POV

Our group became a mess after Chan and Aera left for Australia. Jisung began to starve himself, and since Chan wasn't there, no one could stop him. Changbin became more antisocial, not even talking much to me. And Hyunjin had become so obsessed with impressing people, to show them he had talent, even though everyone knew that. I was very much worried, not knowing what to do. I was the youngest, it wasn't like they would listen to my reasoning. And I knew better than to just sink down and cry, no I had to be strong since my Hyungs were obviously not in the right mindset. Unless, I thought, they would take pity if they saw me crying and try their best to fix themselves up.

And so that's what I did.

"Hyung?" I whispered quietly to Changbin after a full day of training. "Hyung please answer me, I can't take it."

It wasn't like I was tricking them, I was very much affected by everything happening.

My Hyung turned, probably surprised to see me so quiet, when I was generally loud and trying to lift the mood.

"Jeonginnie," he said, "is everything okay?"

"N-no Hyung!" I began to cry, making his eyes widen, and he began to hug me.

"What's wrong? What happened? Did someone hurt you?" He asked me.

"Hyungie, everyone has become so distant, make it stop!" I croaked. It felt like all the feelings I had bottled up began to spill, as cliche as that sounds.

"Jeongin," Changbin chuckled slightly, "what are you talking about? There is no one around to be distant."

I looked up at him in confusion. What on earth was that meant to mean?

"Jeongin, you don't have anyone to be distant from." He explained, when I voiced my confusion. I began to sob in fright and hurt. How on earth could he say such things to me?!

"Stop! This isn't you!" I began to pound my hands on his chest, but he just cackled.

"Nobody, Jeongin." He walked away.

I fell to the floor and clutched my head as I felt a huge headache take over me.

"Jeongin." I heard someone's voice, "Jeongin wake up."

I woke with a start and looked up to see my roommate, looking a little dull and off.

"Hyunjinnie Hyung?"

"You were having a nightmare." He explained. "And it's time to get up anyways. We have to go to school."

I sighed and got up. Was he not even going to make sure I was okay? I huffed and made my way to the bathroom. So that part of the nightmare was still real. Everyone was still distant.

I got ready quickly, leaving Hyunjin in the room. It was time I actually did something.

"Hyung," I said into the phone, "thank god you replied."

"Is everything okay?" Channie's voice came through the phone.

"No," I sighed, "everything's a mess."

"What do you mean?"

"Wait, before I answer that, when do you come home?"

"Tomorrow-well I fly out then." (Trip from Sydney to Seoul is about 10-11 hours)

"Oh, okay then." I explained the situation and I heard the older boy stifle a gasp as I told him about Jisung's eating issues. "Look, Hyung, I just need you back as soon as possible."

"I know, Jeonginnie. And I would come back today, but there are no flights. And I know this is affecting you the most." Chan told me. "But please, stay strong for just a one more day and I'll be home."