Behind The Mask (Changbin fanfic - Stray Kids)

2) Is This Even My Problem?

Minseo's P.O.V

My eyes shot open, before harshly closing again due to the light that is blinding me. The ache I feel behind my eyelids isn't something foreign to me and I welcome it back to my life.

It's peaceful. The whole room is still with only the subtle sound of breathing happening beside me. The sunlight is radiating the happiness I someday wish to feel, warming me up in its heated rays. The silence isn't eerie or anything that causes me fear. It's just... Peaceful.

However, I mustn't get too comfortable. This is just a false sense of security, trying to lure me into it's trap before I'm brought back to the sickening reality I live in. The contrasting mornings to my reality is enough to distract me just for a moment. Only a moment. It's the moment I most look forward to in every day, barely even lasting.

I feel so at ease. It's like you're in that state between being awake and being asleep. You're already relaxed, but you're prepared to react if needed. It's so tempting to stay like this and I only ever wish I could.

But that's the luxury of being rich, which I am not.

"Minseo, how long are you going to stare at the ceiling? It's freaking me out." Jiwoo grogily makes her first comment for today.

"I would stare at it forever, if it meant avoiding the outside world." I answer honestly. There is no point in hiding thoughts when you are with the most important person in your life.

"I hate to break it to you, but that's what mentally deranged people say." Her laugh fills my ears at a close range. She's still right next to me.

"Don't make jokes about that." I push myself out of the bed and make some distance between us.

She looks at me, confusion clearly evident on her face as she watches me moved around the room to collect clothing items for today. She's just silent, like she's expecting me to tell her why.

"I figured you wouldn't give me an actual reason." She sits up and holds her feet as she continues to watch me.

"Wow. Are you psychic?" Sarcasm clearly evident in my voice, my best defence and friend.

"God I hope so. Maybe that way I can earn more money than you do." She's fighting back, just like she always does.

"I can always return that book. I still have the receipt." I say, waving the scrunched piece of paper in front of me.

In response, she grabs the book, clutching it tightly to her chest while sending me a playful glare. I know what she's going to do and it's going to happen in...

3

2

1

She bolted. Typical.

She ran with such venom in her that I swear I could taste the poison she sent my way. The speed she was running at was enough to make me stumble backwards, grabbing the door frame that I was once stood in. This was always the daily routine in our "household".

Following routines, I went to the very small bathroom and began to get ready for the day. The only way to start the day properly is by preparing yourself for anything. That usually happens for me when I have a shower.

I thoroughly clean myself while I let the hot water drizzle down my body, thinking about the days possible events. Today could be the day where my fate is sealed and I am taken, or my parents could end it all and split.

My family life isn't the greatest in existence. My sister may actually be the only family member I like, not that there's many left to begin with. As I've said, this world is horrid with those who don't have a higher social status. My family are in the lower part of society with barely enough money to get by. We've struggled and people turned down the wrong path, getting into mess that ended it all for them.

Finishing up in the bathroom, I exited into the now silent hallway. There's no sound coming from anywhere and that's putting me on edge. The absence of yelling isn't helping me calm myself.

I placed everything down in the bedroom and began to slowly make my way to the living room. The room is practically empty, with only a couch and some very uncomfortable chairs. No television was hung on the wall as we just couldn't afford such luxuries.

But something did stand out in the room. My sister, between my two parents...

Crying.

"What have you done?" I glared down to my two unaffected parents.

"We have something important that we need to discuss." My mother replies, looking dead behind the eyes.

"We've made contact with the wrong people. It was only going to be temporary but it's been going on for far too long." My dad's leg is bouncing up and down. I wouldn't be surprised if it was due to a drug addiction.

"What has that got to do with MY SISTER crying?" I'm beyond furious. Get to the damn point already and stop making my sister cry.

"We needed money to survive and it seems we've fallen behind on payments. We can't pay them back." My mother explains.

This is typical. How fucking spectacular! The happiest days of my life are supposed to be right now but my fucking dysfunctional parents will always ruin everything.

"You're... Ridiculous! That's typical of you. Both of you are so unfit to be parents and you can't even handle simple things! Why don't you both get a job?! MAYBE that way we wouldn't be in debt." I continuously scream at them, while they remain unaffected.

"You should work harder, you imbecile! This is your fault that we are in this place. You kept the money for yourself rather than helping us, your family!" My father began to defend himself.

"You are NOT my family! Only Jiwoo is my family in this poor excuse of a house!" I screamed.

I never want to be associated with such low lives. They may have created me but I will never say I have a connection to them, it would only take me further down.

"Well you're going to regret you said that. This problem is also yours, you stupid brat!" My mother was now standing in my face, squaring up to me like she was ready to attack.

"How is this even my problem? Better yet, why is it my sister's problem?" I will not flinch or back down.

I refuse!

"We can't meet the payments. You're sister is crying because she IS the next payment. We have no use for an extra soul living in this house, who does nothing to help." My dad by this point had stood up, grabbing my sister harshly by her arm and pulling her up with him.

I stood still. Expressionless. This can't be happening. They are giving up my sister as a payment because they don't have the money?! How could they sell a soul? That's borderline slavery.

I couldn't even move anymore, losing all the ability to feel anything. They are insane. Tears begin to fill my eyes as I watch my sister, wailing and trying to free herself from my father's grip. My heart is breaking.

My mother is now standing behind me, holding my waist tightly and keeping me in place. Her head incredibly close to my ear as she whispers.

"Say goodbye to the only family member you have. She won't be here after tonight."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey!

So here's the second chapter. I understand the story is kinda moving quickly, but there's a reason. I'm trying to introduce stray kids this way and, ultimately, Changbin.

I'm really sorry that it is moving quickly but I'm hoping the characters are still shining through? Honestly, the character development is the most important to me right now.

Please tell me what you think! Feedback is clearly needed since this is a story a work in progress.

Thanks for reading! Next chapter should be up soon (maybe even today if I'm productive enough).

-babychangbinbinnie