American Casual

Julia paced the hallway anxiously as she waited for someone to give her news of Minseok. It had hours since he was rushed to the hospital and the doctors had been working endlessly to reduce his raging fever. How did he get so sick so fast? she wondered for the millionth time. He didn't seem any worse than the others.

A middle-aged couple hurried around the corner and headed straight for the front desk. “May I help you?” the receptionist asked.

“Our son,” the man panted, “our son was brought here by ambulance a few hours ago. His… his name is Kim Minseok.”

Minseok’s parents! Julia realized with a shock. After a moment of indecision, she went over and tapped the woman on the shoulder. “Mrs. Kim, I was with your son when he collapsed,” she murmured.

The woman turned around and Julia could see Minseok around her eyes and cheekbones. “Are you that girl he mentioned?” she asked. “The American one?”

“Yes, I'm Julia Park,” Julia confirmed.

“What happened to our son?” Mr. Kim demanded. “One of the managers said he had a seizure!”

Several people were staring at them now, so Julia swiftly guided them over to a bench by the wall. “All of the members are sick with a stomach flu,” she said in a low voice, “but they were determined to perform their livestage today. They made it through the performance, but as they were coming off stage Minseok just… collapsed.”

“What did the doctors say?” Mrs. Kim pleaded. “Do they know why he started convulsing?”

“I'm afraid no one's told us anything since we got here,” Julia said apologetically. “The last thing I heard was they were trying to bring his fever down.”

They took a moment to process this, then Mr. Kim looked up at her again. “And why are you here?” he asked. “Don't you have other responsibilities to see to?”

“With respect, sir, my responsibilities begin and end with the group,” she replied evenly. “I consider Minseok to be my friend, and I would like to be here for him, if you'll allow it.”

Mr. Kim didn't object and Julia gave a small sigh of relief. They look so worried, she thought, watching them huddle together on the bench. I hope the doctor comes out soon.

Her phone buzzed and she excused herself outside to answer it. “Hello?” she said, the wind tearing at her hair.

“Hey, just wanted to check in,” Shindo said. “How did the livestage go?”

“It went fine,” Julia said uncomfortably. “The guys all have some kind of bug though, so I've been taking care of them.”

“Why?”

“Why not?” she countered. “They're all really sick, Shindo, I couldn't just let them-”

“It's not your responsibility, Julia,” Shindo interrupted. “You shouldn't be trying so hard to impress them.”

“Impress them?!” she said incredulously.

“All I'm saying is it's not appropriate for you to spend so much time and energy on them,” he said flatly. “You're behaving like a girlfriend towards them, and I don't like it.”

“You don't have to like it,” she replied, then she hung up abruptly. I wish he would get over himself, she thought in annoyance.

The phone buzzed again and she checked the caller ID before answering this time. “Hey,” she said quietly.

“How is he?” Junmyeon croaked.

“They haven't told us anything yet,” she sighed. “His parents just got here a few minutes ago.”

“That's good. I wish we could be there with him.”

“I know, but you've gotta get better first,” she reminded him. “Even if you came down here, the doctors wouldn't let you into the room as long as you're contagious.”

There was a pause on the other end. “Are you okay?” Junmyeon asked finally. “You've got this weird tone to your voice.”

“How would you know when my voice is weird?” she returned. “You've barely known me a month.”

“Yeah, but I've spent practically every day with you,” he said pointedly, “so I've got a pretty good idea of when you're upset about something.”

“Of course I'm upset. I'm standing outside a hospital after watching my friend collapse and have a seizure in my arms. I think that calls for some emotions.”

“Sure,” he said, still sounding unconvinced.

“How are the rest of you doing?”

“Baekhyun's been throwing up since we got back,” Junmyeon admitted, “but everyone else seems to be resting okay. If you get to see Minseok, tell him we're thinking about him, okay?”

“I will,” she promised. “Get some rest, Jun. I'll call you if anything changes.”

She slid her phone back into her pocket and went back inside, the warm air enveloping her like a blanket. She saw Minseok’s parents talking to a doctor and she hung back, though she was dying to know what he was telling them. He looks concerned, she thought worriedly.

Mrs. Kim saw her and waved her over insistently. “That's her,” she said loudly, pointing at her, so Julia came over cautiously and the doctor turned to look at her. “You were with him when he collapsed?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied. “I've been working with Min… Mr. Kim closely for almost a month now.”

“Have you noticed any symptoms prior to today, anything unusual or concerning?”

Julia thought for a moment. “He had migraines,” she remembered, “at least one or two a week. He didn't like us fussing over him, so it could've been more and he just didn't tell anyone.”

The doctor wrote this down on a notepad. “Anything else?”

“Well, I'm a teacher, and during our lessons he often seemed… distracted. He had a difficult time concentrating on the material, even after several one-on-one sessions.”

“And would you say these coincided with the migraines?” the doctor prodded.

“Sometimes.” Julia glanced at the doctor's name tag. “Dr. Choi, do you know what he has?”

“We think it's viral meningitis,” he said, putting his notepad away. “It accounts for all the symptoms Mr. Kim currently exhibits.”

“Meningitis!” Julia exclaimed. “But… but he's had migraines for weeks! Are you saying he's had meningitis that long and no one had any idea?”

“You tell us, you're the one that's seen him every day!” Mr. Kim interjected angrily.

“Mr. Kim, please,” Dr. Choi said coolly. “Our working theory is that Mr. Kim has been dealing with light bouts of meningitis without realizing it and brushing it off as a migraine, or even influenza. Tell me, Miss…?”

“Park,” Julia offered.

“Tell me, Miss Park, were there periods where Mr. Kim would be in good health, without any visible symptoms?”

“Yeah, definitely.”

“This is rare, but there have been cases of recurring episodes like this,” Dr. Choi mused.

“So he doesn't have the stomach flu?” Mrs. Kim clarified.

“I’m afraid he does,” Dr. Choi said. “We think it was the stomach flu combined with a bad flare up of the virus that caused his collapse. Many of the symptoms can be caused by either one, but the rash and the mental confusion are definite signs of meningitis.”

Julia tried to respond, but the word meningitis kept flashing in her brain and her thoughts were too scattered to be of any use.

“What's the prognosis?” Mr. Kim asked.

“We're optimistic,” Dr. Choi said, “provided we can get rid of the virus once and for all. We can't let it go dormant and flare up again without causing… significant damage.”

“Can we see him?” Mrs. Kim begged.

Dr. Choi waved a nurse over. “Please escort Mr. Kim's parents to his room,” he instructed, “and see they are appropriately equipped with masks.”

The nurse took them down the hallway and Julia turned to leave, but Dr. Choi motioned her over. “I understand Mr. Kim is some kind of celebrity?” he asked in a low voice.

“Yes, he's in a music group,” Julia confirmed.

“Are any of his bandmates ill?”

“All of them came down with the stomach flu between midnight and breakfast,” she replied. “That was one of the reasons none of us suspected-”

“Please don't blame yourself,” Dr. Choi said kindly. “From what I've heard, you've done a commendable job caring for them. But I have a task for you, if you'll accept it.”

“Anything,” she said immediately.

“The other members will need to be brought here and tested for the virus,” Dr. Choi said. “Since they're all sick and likely live in a dorm together…? I thought so. I need you to make the necessary arrangements with their manager to be brought in tomorrow morning.”

“Tomorrow? But some of them are still vomiting! Won't they be contagious?”

“I think we can handle a few people with a stomach flu,” Dr. Choi assured her. “I'll have a special team ready to receive them away from… public eyes. Can you do this?”

“Of course, but-”

“Excellent.” He checked his watch and swore under his breath. “I'm afraid I'm late for my rounds,” he said, giving her a quick bow before hurrying down the hallway.

Julia sighed and pulled her phone out. “Hey Youngjun, it's me.”


******


“But what exactly is meningitis?”

Julia suppressed a smile as Junmyeon leaned against the wall in exasperation. “For the last time, it's inflammation of the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord,” he said patiently.

Baekhyun considered this for a moment. “So… his brain is infected?” he guessed.

The guys all groaned and Baekhyun folded his arms. “I'm just trying to understand!” he snapped.

The lab door opened and Jongin came out, followed by a peppy looking nurse in blue scrubs. “Who's next?” she sang out.

“Baekhyun,” Julia said immediately. “Take Baekhyun, please.”

Baekhyun shot her a pouty look, but he followed the nurse obediently into the next room anyway.

“Thanks,” Junmyeon mumbled. “If he had asked one more time-”

“I think he was just trying to lighten the mood,” Chanyeol volunteered.

“Really?!” Sehun exclaimed. “That's his way of making us feel better?!”

“Did it hurt?” Jongdae asked, looking at Jongin.

“Nah, just a little prick,” he said easily.

Chanyeol burst out laughing and Jongin glared at him until he finally simmered down again.

“Wait, what about Yixing?” Kyungsoo asked suddenly. “Shouldn't he-”

“Youngjun already called his manager in China,” Junmyeon replied. “They'll make sure he gets tested too.”

Baekhyun came back and Junmyeon decided to go next. “Is there something wrong with this hospital?” Baekhyun asked, peering down the empty hallway. “I haven't seen anyone besides that nurse and the doctor all morning.”

“That's because we sneaked all of you in,” Julia reminded him. “We're trying to avoid a tabloid field day, remember?”

“It just feels creepy,” he shivered.

Chanyeol leaned over and whispered something in his ear, then they both started giggling and looking at Jongin. “Chanyeol!” Jongin reprimanded him. “Seriously?!”

Jongdae started chuckling too, then one by one the others joined in until they were all laughing hysterically. Junmyeon came back out and he rolled his eyes. “Alright, we all appreciate the joke,” he called, though Julia could tell he was trying not to laugh too.

Kyungsoo went next and Junmyeon resumed his seat by Julia. “Have you heard anything about Minseok?” she asked.

“They'll keep him tonight for observation, but he'll come home tomorrow,” Junmyeon said in a low voice. “The doctors don't want him doing anything for the next few weeks, and he'll be on a ton of antibiotics, but he'll be okay.”

Julia felt relief wash over her. “That's good news,” she whispered. “That's really good news.”


******


Julia opened her door and nearly leapt out of her skin. “Shindo? What are you doing here?” she said in surprise.

“You gave me a key, remember?” he reminded her. He stood up and stuck his hands in his pockets. “Look, about what I said before, I didn't know one of the members was in the hospital,” he said softly.

“How did you find out about that?” she asked. “It's been kept really quiet.”

“You hear things around the company,” he said evasively, “but my point is I'm sorry. The idea of you hanging out with a bunch of guys just makes me really jealous, and I overstepped.”

Julia closed the door slowly as she considered this. He does seem sorry, she thought to herself. “What's this?” she asked, gesturing at the paper sacks on the table.

“I picked up dinner,” he replied. “I assumed you would be too tired to go out, so I thought we could eat and maybe watch a movie together.”

“That sounds nice,” Julia said, the smell of the food making her stomach rumble.

“So does that mean you forgive me?”

She nodded and he looked relieved. “So... can I kiss you?” he asked hopefully.

There was a knock on the door and they both groaned aloud. “I'll get rid of them,” she promised before opening the door. It was Jongdae, and he held out a stack of folders. “Hey Julia, I just wanted to return your… oh,” he stammered, “sorry, I didn't realize-”

“Byun Shindo,” Shindo said from behind her, giving a little bow.

“Ki-Kim Jongdae,” he replied, obviously embarrassed as he returned the bow. “You left these - I was - we didn't want-”

“Thanks, Jongdae,” Julia said quickly, “I'll see you tomorrow.”

“And maybe next time you could return things at a decent hour, instead of bothering people late at night,” Shindo growled.

Jongdae blinked in confusion and Julia felt a stab of embarrassment. “Bye,” she said before closing the door again. “Was that comment really necessary?” she snapped.

“All I said was he should've been more considerate of you,” Shindo replied. “Was that such a wrong thing to say?”

“No, but-”

“Let's just forget about him and have a nice meal,” he said smoothly. “Okay?”

“Okay,” she agreed, but inside she was still bothered by his treatment of Jongdae. I'll apologize in the morning, she decided.


******


Jongdae returned to the apartment, still trying to sort out what just happened.

“What's with you?” Sehun asked.

“Did you return the folders?” Junmyeon called from the couch.

“Yeah,” he replied, “but-”

“You look like someone said you’re ugly,” Baekhyun teased.

Jongdae threw a pillow at him and he dodged easily. “I think I just met Julia's boyfriend,” he said wonderingly.

“What?!” he exclaimed indignantly. “How?”

“He was in the apartment when I went to return the folders.”

“The look on your face says you weren't impressed,” Jongin commented.

“It's none of our business who her boyfriend is,” Kyungsoo said stubbornly, elbowing him in the side. “Why should we have to be impressed by him?”

“Impressed by who?” Chanyeol asked, emerging from his room.

“Julia's boyfriend,” Baekhyun replied, “who Jongdae just met.”

“Really?” he said, looking at Jongdae interestedly. “And?”

“And nothing,” Jongdae shrugged. “He was tall and attractive, and had a deep voice.”

“You just described everyone in here,” Sehun said, looking around the room. “Well, almost everyone.”

Kyungsoo's head snapped up immediately. “Five years later and you're still making short jokes?” he snapped.

“It wouldn't matter if you didn't have such a short fuse,” Baekhyun giggled. Jongin barely managed to keep Kyungsoo from leaping off the couch and attacking him in response. “Are you okay? You seem a little tense,” he teased.

“Whatever,” Kyungsoo muttered.

“Did this guy say anything to you?” Junmyeon asked, turning back to Jongdae.

“He seemed… I don't know, a little mad that I was there,” Jongdae replied.

“Mad?” Sehun echoed. “Why should he be mad?”

“He made some comment about how I should've waited until tomorrow instead of bothering her this late,” he said. “Doesn't that seem unnecessarily harsh to you?”

“Well, Julia has been doing a lot of extra stuff for us lately,” Junmyeon said. “I'm not sure I would appreciate someone demanding so much of my girlfriend like that, employee or no.”

“I guess you're right,” Jongdae murmured.

“What's his name?” Jongin asked.

“Byun Shindo.”

“I know him!” Sehun exclaimed. “He's been training as a junior choreographer for a little while now. He's a pretty talented dancer himself.”

“So he's nice, then?” Baekhyun pressed.

“I guess so,” Sehun said.. “I haven't spent more than a few minutes around him, but I haven't heard any complaints.”

“Let's just all agree not to press Julia about him,” Kyungsoo said, “okay?”

Everyone nodded and he switched off the TV. “Hey!” Jongin exclaimed.

“We need to rest,” he said, taking the remote with him. “We're still recovering, and we resume lessons tomorrow, remember?”

Everyone murmured in agreement and slowly made their way to their rooms.

I hope Julia's happy with him, Jongdae thought, switching out the light.

Notes