We are One...For You

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-Voicemail activated-

Message 34
“Shin Hee call us as soon as you get this. It’s already been a week. Please answer this.”

Your head was lying in front of the side of the bed. Eyes droopy, face wrinkled with the soggy tears, cheeks pale red of crying. It has already been a week when you maintained this helpless state. You barely have eaten anything except a few biscuits that you keep on your closet as snacks. Your body was resting lazily, hands outstretched towards the soft sheets. You were like a lifeless soul. Ignoring everything around you.

“Damn it Shin Hee answer this call.” Your phone rang again.

It has also been a week when you started receiving nonstop calls and texts. From Exo you thought. And at the sameperiod of time you have shut out your world from them. No visits, talks or calls.

“All she said wasn’t true. You’re not that person!” your voicemail said again.

‘Seung Shin Hee is a bitch!’ those words played back in your mind again. Just thinking of it made even more tears flow from your eyes. Your chest was on fire and your heart felt like it was being shot continuous times. It was endless pain no one can heal.

“She’s right. Maybe I am.” You were so drew back to that moment that you started believing in it. It just came out too unexpected.

Of all the times it would happen, why the night when you were already having real fun with them? And that was when it popped in your mind. The guys. They were the sole reason of your happiness and misery that night. Without them, the torment you felt that night wouldn’t have happened. BUT at the same time, you weren’t even gonna attend the event. If you haven’t met them, Hyun-ok might have not treated this way. BUT at the same time, you wouldn’t get to experience an awesome sophomore year. If they didn’t came to your life, you would be at peace with yourself again like the usual. BUT again, you wouldn’t be as happy when you were with them.

“UHH! It’s goddamn confusing!” you groaned and buried your face on a pillow. They were the cause of everything that has happened in your life. Your greatest happiness and your worst torment. They were–

“Darling…” you heard someone knock on your door. ‘Must be mom.’ You thought.

“What?” you raised your voice to make sure she would hear.

“I received a call from the school.” You were surprised to hear an even deeper voice.

“Dad? Is that you?” you walked towards the door. But that would be impossible since he didn’t even mind when you pass by lest give an advice.

“Yeah.” He responded. ‘Affirmative.’ You thought.

“They already kicked Hyun-ok out of the campus.” He continued.

You sighed. Your parents already knew what happened to you that night. Your mom was worried as hell, and your dad was…well just being himself. This was so not a surprise to you. Who wouldn’t get kicked out after doing something like that?

“Ok.” You muttered. Your mind was still asking what your father ate that he decided to talk to you. ‘What black magic is this?’ Then a few seconds of silence passed.

“Honey…” he continued.

“Yes?”

“Listen, I know you’re hurt about what happened, but that was already a week ago.” You drew closer to the door to hear more what your appa has to say. “And locking yourself in your room is not going to be the solution.”

“What do you know? You barely even recognize me!” You talked back. All the anger inside you was finally letting out.

“Look I’m sorry if I have been very busy lately that I don’t even notice you.” You could actually hear him sighing from behind the door. “But on the inside, it kills me to not even return your morning greetings. But I just have to work so I can give you a better life.” He explained.

“I love you and your mother very much. And today, at least give me a chance to make it up to you.” He continued.

Your heart stopped. All this time of your despise for him not being a father to you, has changed. You understood him. He was just doing his work to give you and your umma the comfort you need.

“I just don’t know what to do?” you admitted.

“At least be free from all of it. Move on.” he suggested. She was right. You can’t be stuck in this helpless state forever. Sometimes, we just need to let go and start over.

“But how?” you asked.

“Well, start by freeing yourself from this room.”

You took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. Your dad’s eyes widen upon seeing you. No surprise. Your face was zombified from that whole emo moments you did.

“Look at my princess.” he pulled you into a deep hug. Which you returned back right away. Finally you felt a father’s real love. It has been years, and you never thought you weren’t going to have it again. But this moment right now, healed everything in place. It was life-changing.

“Now you go eat downstairs.” He pinched your cheeks like a little kid. The father you have known years ago was still the same. And a hint of smile formed from the corner of your lips.

You quickly headed downstairs. Your mom immediately met you and hugged you endlessly. It was a very affectionate warmth. It seemed like years when you felt this way again. Just you and your family. With no one to disturb the everlasting peace. No one.

“Uh! I love you mom.” You hugged her back.

Then you had your breakfast with your family. You, your mother and dad. All together filling yourselves with the succulent food served before you. This was actually the first time in forever you saw your dad eating without holding any newspapers in his hand. His attention was fully directed towards you and your mom. You can’t help but smile. ‘This is a miracle.’ You thought. It was one of those rare moments. You just want to take a photo of what’s happening and live in it forever. Like forever, if that was even possible.

“Hey honey, I need you to pick something up from me on Jihoo-ahjumma’s store.” Your mom asked.

“Sure. I’ll get it.” You nodded your head in delight. It was the least you could do for them.

After the amazing breakfast with your family. You went back upstairs to change to pick up whatever it is your mom wants you to pick up. As you were going along the process, you tried your best to remember where the store was located. Your mind crossed over different streets and blocks, when you remembered. ‘Shit…’ you mentally cursed.

“That street is where Kyungsoo’s house is.” You groaned in annoyance.

If there’s an Exo guy there, there is a lot of possibility they are all there. And you seriously don’t want them to ruin your whole day. You thought of another way to avoid the street just in case.

“Ah!” you snapped. “I’ll just take the other way.” You laughed in delight. Then after, you quickly headed out to finish the errand. A few seconds of walking you arrived to the block which lets you decide which path to take. The one on the right which was more convenient, BUT it leads to Kyungsoo’s house. The one on the opposite, a bit farther yet far more ‘safer’. You paused for a while to decide. ‘Well, I NEED to avoid them…’

But before you could even fully decide, your legs started walking you through the street on the left. ‘Meh. A little exercise can’t hurt, right?’ 5 minutes passed. Jihoo-ahjumma’s store was already at sight when you saw a fairly familiar-looking guy sitting outside a house near it. Your pace became slower as you approached the store. Just in case, you hid behind a lamppost. You took a quick peek to the guy’s direction. And that’s when it hit you.

Short guy. Round cute face. Auburn hair. Xiumin.

“Oh no! It’s Xiumin.” You whispered to yourself. You immediately covered your mouth. ‘Shut up Shin Hee or he’ll hear you.’ You stood there still hidden behind the lamppost.

“Uh! That’s right!” you remembered. Xiumin lived on that block! How could you forget that?!
Ways, ways, ways to avoid him.’A few minutes have passed, and you were still there. You were waiting for him to at least leave the area. You were still looking at him, staring. Then to your surprise, he turned his direction to you.

You quickly ducked to avoid his sight. But this only made him walk towards your direction. ‘NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!’ you mentally panicked. He was actually walking towards you!

“Hello?” he called. Now you started panicking. “Who’s that?”

You slowly stood up and looked at his direction. His eyes widen in shock upon what he saw.
“SHIN HEE?” his voice loud and clear as it echoed through the streets.

“What? Shin Hee?” a softer voice came from the house in front. You turned your head to see 5 more other guys fighting over behind the window. “SHIN HEE!”

Without thinking twice, you ran away from the place not even caring about your mother’s errand. You ran as much as your legs could carry. ‘This is bad.’ You looked behind to see if they were following you. Coast was clear so far. But anyways, you just ran away as much as possible. Without you knowing it, you already passed by your house and was already on the next block. Exhausted, you took a seat on the corner of a house.

“What were they doing there?!” you tried to catch your breath. You turned your head to all sides to check if there was anyone following you. Fortunately none. You took a deep sigh of relief. Just to make sure, you waited a few more minutes before you could officially leave. Satisfied with your wait, you slowly stood up to head back home. You were already to take a step when….

“Finally got you!” a pair of arms grabbed you from behind. Great. Just what you need.

“Let me go!” you tried to struggle free but he was just too strong. Then, a few seconds passed, a group of guys started walking from your direction. Thinking it was help that arrived, you screamed all your might to make them hear.

“HELP! HELP!” you screamed. Fortunately, the group of guys ran to your direction. But your eyebrows creased as you gained more visual of them. As they drew nearer, their faces flooded your mind. The memories, moments. Everything you shared with them, it was all coming back. It was Exo.

“Good job Chanyeol!” a guy which seemed like Yixing spoke.

“She’s here? Finally!” another guy came out from the house in front of you. It was Suho. Then 4 more other guys followed him.

“I thought I’m not gonna see you again!” Sehun ran towards you and gave you a hug, leaving you speechless. ‘What the heck are wrong with these people?!’

“H-how?-“ you stuttered which grabbed the attention of the 11 guys in front of you. You punched Chanyeol from behind.

“How did you-“

“Get you?” Tao cuts you off. “Well we stayed for already a week at D.O.’s place in case you pass by here.”

“And we stayed at Minseok’s place in case you pass there.” Luhan explained.

“So…no escape for you.” Kai flashed an innocent smile which you shot back with a death glare. Then an awkward silence passed.

“Why did you have to do this?” you broke.

“Why did you not return our calls?!” Kris talked back.

“Or at least reply to our messages.” Chen added.

You bit your lip. You have probably received a hundred calls and text messages from Exo, and none was even answered or returned. ‘But I was just too depressed, stressed, hurt,’you thought. But no word managed to escape your lips. The ain that was just gone slowly filled your heart like poison. A wall of tears started forming on your eyes. It was just too much to take. You rubbed your eyes. Then without their consent, you turned back to walk away from them.

“Wait…” they all said in chorus. You froze in place. You turned your head a bit.

“Let’s talk about it. Please.” Kris pleaded. You fully turned your whole self in front of them. All of them were in their puppy eyes, looking at you. A second looking at them seemed like an hour. 12 beautiful guys pleading in front of you. ‘How did I end up with this life?’

“Ok. We’ll talk!” you almost shouted. Then everyone in front of you cheered like little kids.

“Ok let’s go!”Kyungsooheld your hand and dragged you to the fairly big elegant house in front of you. Then the rest of the guys followed. Kyungsoo then led you to the classy living room. You seated yourself on the velvet couch. The rest of the guys fought on who were going to sit beside you, but at the end they ended up sitting in front of you anyways. ‘Geez these guys.’ You rolled your eyes.

“Well, look who’s here?” a woman on her mid-30s was with D.O. when he entered the room. ‘Must be her mom.’ You thought. “Kyungsoo is she her girlfriend?”

You almost choked on nothing upon hearing her words. Girlfriend? Seriously?! The other guys started giggling, while you just shot death glares at them.

“No mom.” D.O. rolled his eyes. “She’s not my girlfriend. Just a friend.” He explained and drove her mom away which made everyone laugh. Then D.O. finally returned to you guys.

“She’s not my girlfriend.” Baekhyun imitated Kyunsoo in an annoying girl’s voice which made the latter shot him a death glare.

“Yeah she’s not. Cuz she’s mine.” Chanyeol broke in. What he said just made another argument. ‘Here we go again.’ You rolled your eyes and buried your face on the purple cushion beside you. ‘Why can’t they just stop the whole thing?!’

“No she will be mine!” Kai grunted.

“She’s mine!” Chen protested and blablabla.

“STOP!” Kris ordered which made everyone calm down and break in silence. “Let’s just talk to her.” You took a small peek from what was happening, and realizing that everyone finally calmed down, you went back to them again.

“So…what now?” you asked. The silence turned awkward and tense. Now you regretted talking in the first place. The guys took small glances at each other and finally turning back to you…

“WE’RE SORRY FOR WHAT HAPPENED!” they chorused. You were so taken aback.
“It’s not your fault.” You muttered. Their eyes widen in shock.

“But we–“

“It was Hyun-ok’s fault.” You admitted. It wasn’t their fault. It was hers. You shouldn’t have blamed these guys in the first place. Were they the one who humiliated you that night? NO. So practically it wasn’t their fault. “Well, unless you made that video.” you joked, crossing your arms.

“We would never do that!” Suho shouted. You laughed.
“I know.” You said.

“I swear if I see that girl again I would-“

“She got kicked out already, what more can you ask?” you cut Tao off.

“But that doesn’t cover all what she did!” Luhan cried. “She humiliated, embarrassed, hurt-“

“But at least I didn’t lose everything that night.” You managed to flash out a smile.

“Hey! I thought you were miserable after what happened. Why do you look so giddy and happy?” Lay raised an eyebrow at you. You just smiled back which made his expression calm.

“I just realized…I had a great night that time. Heck, the greatest!” you cried. “I was able to save all of you that dance! Imagine…12 dances on one night!”

They all giggled as they recollected that memory of the night you danced with them. It was indeed memorable, not just for you, but for them also.

“But seriously, that night I didn’t lose everything, I still had…” you took a deep breath before saying the next words. “You guys.”

Everyone froze. It was as if you touched your hearts through those words. But it was the truth, that night you might have lost everything, but not them. Your greatest friends. The one who cared, protected and loved you. And you treated them with the same way fairly. The atmosphere became more ‘suffocating’ as seconds passed. No one was able to react with what you just said.

“Wow, Shin Hee…” Xiumin spoke. “W-we never knew you c-care for us too.” He stuttered cutely.

“Huh? What are you talking about? You guys are my greatest friends! Of course I’ll care for you!” you chuckled.

“Of course…” Kai smiled.

“Come here you guys!” your arms formed a hug which made everyone compress right away. Now you were in a long warm group hug with your 12 friends. You closed your eyes. You just want to treasure this moment right now.

“Don’t worry Shin Hee. We are always there for you.” A voice whispered. You couldn’t make out who said it, but you were thankful.

It was really awesome to know that they were always there for you, no matter what.

Notes