Luhan's POV

My heart was pounding so hard that it was starting to be hard to breathe. I Jumped to my feet and paced around the white hallway for what seemed like the 100th time.

Operating

That was what the red light was saying, it had been the same message for the past hour. The anxiety that I thought would pass sooner, only grew more intense as I waited in the hallway.

The other members were here with me, well, the one's that weren't in the first van that went ahead. Nobody spoke to each other, and nobody looked at each other in the eyes. We sat in silence, listening to the ticking of the hospital clock which ticked louder and louder as their lives only went further and further away from the rest of us.

I ran a hand through my sweaty hair and turned to look at Minseok who, apart from me I'm sure, was hit the hardest. He sat on the ground against the wall with his face buried in his arms. His shoulders were trembling and there was an abnormal tremor in his slender fingers. I wanted to go to him, to comfort him with some kind of reassurance.

But I can barely comfort myself.

The crash of guilt that thundered over me when I found out Ling's van was involved in a serious accident was big enough to make me feel the impact of the crash myself. After seeing the aftermath of the crash, it was evident to me that there were more chances of death than there was survival.

I shook my head of the image on the streets that was still fresh in my mind. The rain had made puddles on the ground. Instead of the clear fluid, there was a streak of blood on the floor where the heavy industrial truck had dragged the small black van across the intersection, slamming the van against the pedestrian light pole.

With a lurch, I had to withstand the urge to hurl in the middle of the hospital hallway. I leaned down to get my balance and stared at my reflection on the shiny floor.

Ling had swapped seats with me. I was the one who was supposed to be in this incident.

"Luhan," Kyungsoo's voice was a softness that I have never heard before. "it's not your fault."

I nodded weakly.

"Well, however you look at it," Tao started with his emotionless, raspy voice. "it does seem-"

"SHUTTUP."

Everyone fell silent at Sehun's sudden explosion of anger. Sehun was never one to be so expressive about his feelings in a large crowd, even if he was spoiled as one of the maknae.

"Tao, I swear to god." He continued.

"What, isn't it time to pin responsibilities yet?" Tao snickered. "If Luhan hyung hadn't swapped seats with Ling, then maybe your girlfriend won't be the one on the verge of dea-"

SLAP

I jolted my head up to see Chen standing in front of Tao with his hand extended. "That's enough Tao, what happened to you?"

He snickered and recovered from the impact. "What happened to me? Nothing. The question is, what happened to you guys?"

He pointed an angry finger at Minseok.

"Look at him," He chuckled in a disgusting amusement. "He's the oldest here. When our leaders aren't around, he's the one that's supposed to be taking charge. He's supposed to be helping us get through this."

He paused to hear if anyone had anything to say. When no one spoke he continued.

"So, tell me, what is he worried about? Not the other member, but for that girl. Let me ask you Jongdae hyung, just who has something wrong with them?"

Chen gritted his teeth and pulled at Tao's collar but after a look from Yixing, let go of him. Yixing stood beside them with his hood over his eyes and looked over at Minseok who didn't make even a slight movement. A small sigh escaped his lips and he turned out of the hallway and into the stairwell. The sound of the door echoed through the empty halls, adding on to the suspense that seemed to have swelled in the short time that passed.

Well, at least they're talking.

It didn't make me feel better. Tao's words were harsh, but in some way, they were speaking the truth. I looked over at the hospital door again and furrowed my brows in frustration. Cold sweat ran down my cheeks as I felt the weight of the world crash down on me from the knowledge of Ling being in surgery. I stared at the Operating sign and prayed with all my heart that it will switch, that Ling will come out soon.

If only I hadn't be jealous about letting her go in a van with Minseok and Sehun, it would be me on that hospital bed,

and not Ling.

-----
Ling's POV

"Ling you're hired." Mr. Zhang stood with his hand extended to me. That familiar smile plastered on his face as he congratulated me.

I took his hand, feeling nothing from his hands, not even the warmth.

I left my hat and sunglasses at the cafe, but something tells me there'll be a better use for them later on.

First day of work, I arrived late.

"Ling, I understand that it's your first day and I don't want to pressure you, but please try to be on time to work." Mr. Zhang said patting me on the back just as I ran through the back door of the small coffee shop.

I bent down apologetically. "Sorry, sorry it won't happen again."

I ran to change into my uniform and returned to the front desk where Mr. Zhang had begun to brew coffee.

"There going to be a special visitor today, an old friend of mine."

Special visitor? Why did that sound so simliar? Who was it?
I looked up at him with a smile.
"Sure, I'm flexible."

Notes

Hmm~~

hope this chapter will let you guys piece together some stuff = v=

for a little hint~
check out chapter 1 from "A Deer and A Baozi"

;)

Lots of Love
- O.F