Ling's POV

The dorm was noisy early in the morning. I dragged myself out of bed and headed for the living room in my pajamas. The members were all there in the living room, all of whom were in dishevelled clothes.

"Good morning," Xiumin called to me from behind the kitchen counter. I hesitated, then moved over to join him on the tall bench. He passed me a cup of coffee with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"

I nodded and took a sip from the mug, letting the delicious familiar flavours flood my taste buds. "What's happening here? I thought you didn't have a schedule today?"

"I have a feeling we're starting to film today." He said leaning closer over the counter and chuckled. "Everyone's still in their pajamas though."

I giggled and leaned back towards him. "Life with EXO is supposed to show EXO's real image isn't it?"

He scratched his head then looked at his clothes. "I guess I'm not giving the fans what they want."

I looked at him, he was right. His hair was styled perfectly and he wore a white tank top over his blue jeans. I couldn't help but stare at the finely sculpted muscles on his arms as he moved around the kitchen. Had they always been there?

"You're staring." He said with a chuckle came over to sit next to me. I blushed and looked back at the living room where the members had started to laugh about some kind of joke.

"Are we waiting for someone?" I muttered into my coffee, trying to divert our conversation elsewhere. Perhaps it was me thinking too much, but there was always a strange tension between Xiumin and I, one that I wasn't comfortable with.

"We're waiting for a call, I think." Xiumin muttered. As soon as he said that, Suho's phone rang. I watched him pick it up briefly then smile at the other members.

"EXO!" He stood up abruptly and widened his smile. "The cameras are live, filming starts now!"

There was a moment of silence then suddenly the members erupted in small cheers. In a blink of an eye, each of the members stood in front of the camera and waved delightfully at their fans.
Xiumin nudged my shoulder. "Shall we go and say hello too?"

"Why, is this live?" I muttered as he pulled me by the hand.

He shrugged and pushed me in front of him. He rested his chin on my shoulder and pointed at the camera in the corner of the room.

"Hello everyone!" He sang and waved.

I followed him and did the same. Although I didn't want it to, my heart was racing extremely quickly. Xiumin's chin dug into my shoulder and his cheeks brazed mine only slightly. He was standing so close to me that I could hear his breathing as if it was my own. In and out, in and out.

"Ah hyung, aren't you embarrassed?" Sehun whispered and dragged me out of Xiumin's grip. "The fans will talk."

"Ling, let's go see what the director left for us." Sehun said leading me to the living room. I glanced back at Xiumin whose eyes stayed on me as Sehun steered me away. He made me sit on an empty seat and moved to open the boxes on the table.

"Hold on," I tugged on Sehun's sleeve and he turned to look at me. "Where's Borin? Isn't she filming too?"

His eyes widened slightly but he recovered quickly. He smiled lightly and shrugged. "I don't know."

I frowned and leaned back in my seat, waiting for further instructions on the filming. A few minutes later Borin walked into the room with another box. The minute she saw me, she grinned.

"Lingling!" She placed the box next to the others and slid into the seat next to me. The members gave her a strange look and moved to open the new box. "I can't wait to start filming with you. Oh, this is going to be so fun!"

I nodded. "What did you bring over?"

Borin giggled and opened her mouth to reply. "It's just-"

"WHAT IS THIS?" Baekhyun erupted making me jump in surprise. I darted my eyes over at him where he stood around the new box with the other members. They all gasped as they looked at the contents.

"What's wrong?" I asked, standing up to join them at the table.

Before I could take a peek at the box, Lay steered me backwards. "Don't, it's not pretty."

"Yah, Borin, what is this?" Baekhyun stepped towards her but D.O stopped him.

"What are you talking about?" Borin puckered her lips in distaste.

"Don't pretend you don't know," Kai spun on her. "You just can't go a day without ruining something can you."

"Lay," I leaned closer to him. "What's in the box?"

He waved a hand at me and shielded me from view. From his shoulder, I watched as the members approached Borin slowly with accusing looks.

"It's not me, I didn't do it." Borin's voice cracked but she didn't move from her spot.

Kai grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up. "Oh yeah?"

"Hey!" I pushed Lay away and stepped between Kai and Borin. "What are you doing?"

"Ling-"

"Why are you all so against Borin?" I growled, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. "She already said it wasn't her."

"Ling, Borin is-"

"No." I spat. "Leave her alone. Why do you guys hate her so much?"

Luhan pulled Kai aside and looked me straight in the eye. "Ling that's not what they were saying."

I scoffed and pulled Borin back with me, away from the members. She stood her ground and lifted her chin at them. "What, I already told you it wasn't me, what else do you want me to say?"

Luhan pointed a finger at her. I could see the colour rise in his cheeks as his eyes flared with anger.

"It's because you act like this that no one here likes you!" He bellowed and silenced the whole room. Everyone stared at him in surprise at his sudden raised voice.

No one here likes her? What was he talking about?

"Luh-" I started.

"Ling," He grabbed my shoulders firmly and leaned in closer. "Before, Borin did something really bad to you, you have to-"

And then it happened again. A piercing pain in the back of my head, unrivaled by any other pain I have experienced in my life. I clutched the side of my head and gasped as the feeling shot through my whole body. My hands trembled as I struggled to keep my balance and I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Ling? Ling!"

I hear the voices calling my name but just barely. I tried to open my mouth to say something but no words could come out. I hear a scuffle in front of me but didn't open my eyes.

"Luhan, I told you, you can't rush her memories!" A voice shouted.

Xiumin? Is that you?

===MEMORIES===
It was dark.

The hallway was illuminated by a single light hanging loosely on the ceiling. It rocked back and forth as I walked down the narrow hallway, trying to focus on the figures at the other end.

There was me, standing there.

I feel my heart race as I picked up my pace.

Am I recalling memory?

I'm almost there now. Excitement rushed through me as I kick my feet out for the next step forward.

This had never happened before. Never had I experienced such a flashback.

So vivid.

SLAP

I jolt my head up to see the unmistakable figure of Luhan and Borin.

I'm running now, but I don't seem to be getting closer to the figures. What had happened?

Luhan's hand was raised and Borin's face was facing one side.

The sound, the action, piecing everything together. Does that mean-

Luhan slapped Borin?
===EXT===

When I woke up, I was in my room again. Luhan, Xiumin, Sehun and Baekhyun sat on either sides of me, holding their heads between their arms. My hands twitched and I realised that Luhan had been holding them. I shook my slowly to rid myself of the lingering dizzy feeling.

Was that a memory?

If it was then-

"You're awake!" Luhan stood up from the chair causing the others to do the same. They all rushed towards me with a relieved smile on their faces.

I pulled my hand out of Luhan's grasp. From that memory, Luhan had slapped Borin.

Why?

Nothing was making sense!

Luhan leaned closer. "Ling are you-"

"Stay away from me." I retreated further in my bed, bringing the blanket with me as I went. Xiumin let out a small gasp and moved towards me, his hand resting on my back. His warm hands calmed me, but I was still shaking from the memory.

Why had Luhan slapped Borin? For what reason-

"Ling?" Luhan's voice was barely a whisper.

Without warning, I felt his hand touch my shoulder.

SLAP

The deafening sound echoed in my ears as if it was right next to me and I let out a squeal. Luhan retracted his hands immediately and took a step back as Xiumin pulled me into his arms. I felt his comforting chin on my head but I couldn't keep myself from trembling. Cold sweat dripped down my back and my hands felt icy cold. Something wasn't right.

My face was stinging and my ears were ringing loudly, almost as if I was slapped.

What is this?

What is happening?

Notes

Author's Note:
Here's part 2 of today's update x3
Ling is remembering more of her memories little by little, even if they might not be right.

Thanks for reading, and as always, enjoy the story.

**still crying from last post aha**