It Just Happened That Way || JEONGIN from skz!

37

Jeongin's POV

"Stray Kids everywhere, all around the world! You make Stray Kids stay! We love you guys!!"

The boys and I are shouting our final heartfelt goodbyes to the crowd in SF, our final tour stop— potentially our last tour stop ever. I could feel myself tearing up, but I didn't want to show Stay how sad I felt. I wanted them to remember us as the happy guys who they could depend on to brighten their days. We wave and are engulfed by screams from our fans, and finally the stage platform lowers us back to the backstage area.

It's chaotic — staff members rush over to deal with our mics and to give us waters and to put equipment away. It's chaotic, but I catch the eyes of several of the guys, and I can tell we all feel bittersweet about our last performance. Channie visibly sighs and wipes away a tear as he, Felix and Seungmin hug each other tight. Hannie puts his arm around Leeknow, and I can tell Leeknow is trying his very best not to tear up. Hyunjin drags his feet, coming over to me, and embraces me in a tight hug — I can tell he's crying a little bit too. My own tears begin to leak from the corners of my eyes.

Finally we get ourselves back into the dressing room, wipe away our sweat and tears, and change back into our normal clothes. Along with everyone on our crew, we have cakes and pastries and champagne to celebrate our final concert on the tour. There are balloons everywhere, candles being blown out, and endless thank-you's shared with each other. The celebration quickly gets moved to a big house nearby and turns into a fun and private party, just for our big team — our family.

Even though all I want to do is think and stress about meeting Yeona's parents in a day, I take her advice and stay in the moment, since it could be my last with everyone. Time passes quickly, in a blur of drinks and conversations and jokes with our friends. The dancers are exhausted and happy to finally be done with the tour, the budding makeup artists and stylists who joined their pro teachers on the tour are excited for what will come next, and we boys are piled onto each other, bursting out in song every once in a while. I was content. I was filled with love.

"SO are you ready for tomorrow?" Hyunjin asks me as things begin to quiet down.

"God, Hyunjin, I had managed to not think about it this whole time," I whine to him.

Changbin joins the two of us, hopping onto the couch and sinking into it, both legs up on my lap.

"Whatja guys talking about? Are y'all talking about how Jeongin is probably going to be the first of all of us to get married even though he's the Maknae?" Changbin smirks at both of us, meeting Hyunjin's own smirk.

I roll my eyes at their joke, knowing full well that that honestly could be the case.

"Who knows, maybe Felix will be first!" I counter.

"Oh come on, you know that Felix isn't the marriage type," Chan chimes in. When the hell did he get here?

The guys slowly gather for the first time all together that night, all of them trying to get me to open up about the big day tomorrow.

"You better bring flowers and a present or something," advises Seungmin. He adds on, "No merch though, that's arrogant." The guys all laugh at that, and I laugh nervously. I hadn't even thought about that. That's so obvious, I should definitely be bringing gifts and flowers. They're housing me for a week for God's sakes.

I must've looked nervous and concerned, with my eyes glazed over as I thought hard. Felix comforts me with a squeeze on my shoulder.

"Jeongin, it's going to be fine. The fact that her parents are fine with you guys staying in the same house, let alone the same room?" Felix raises his eyebrows at Yeona's seemingly progressive parents.

"Yeah, Jeongin, it'll be fine. Don't worry. Don't be weird," adds Minho.

I start looking around at all of the guys as each one throws out a comforting phrase or a piece of advice ("Make sure to always do the dishes," says Hyunjin. "Oh and wipe down everything!" Chan adds. "Toilet seat down!!" shouts Jisung.)

I start breathing a little easier. All I had to do was...be perfect! Easy. Haha...

The next day comes too soon. Our manager knocks on the door, causing some of the guys in the room to stir. I had been packing and gathering my belongings in silence, hoping not to wake anyone, but at the sound of the knock, Hyunjin pushed himself up into a seated position, rubbing his eyes. He puts on his glasses and gives me a small smile.

"You got this, Jeongin," he whispers, still groggy from sleep.

I shrug in response.

"I'll see you all in 2 weeks or so," I say, before shutting the door gently and heading to the car with our manager.

We get to and through the airport without drawing any attention to ourselves. Next thing you know, I was on the plane for a 70 minute flight from SF to San Diego.

Once there, we rented a car, and went straight to a florist for some flowers. I decided that I wouldn't do gifts until Christmas, and I would have Yeona help me choose out those gifts.

Finally, we were headed to Yeona's house.

My heart was pounding.

My manager was speechless that this was what his job had come to.

My heart...was racing.

I text Yeona, " On my way!" And get an immediate reply of "!!!" which makes me smile nervously. Clearly, we were both going crazy at what was about to happen. This was a big step in our relationship. This made our relationship all new levels of real.

Turn left, and you will arrive at your destination.

We pull up to a big house, palm trees lining the driveway. It was a single story Mexican style ranch home, with big arches and a big front door, all decorated with holiday lights and a wreath on the door. Yeona is... rich? I laugh a little, because I had never realized this. She was always so self sufficient. I guess that came from wanting to not be indebted to her parents?

My manager drops me and my bags off, and nudges me toward to the door. I take a deep breath in, and let it out slowly, before finally ringing the door bell.