Rollin' in the Deep || B1A4 || Complete

Episode 36 - Empty Mind

     It was the day of the SHINee concert, where B1A4 was scheduled to perform the opening. The members spent a few hours rehearsing before eating a big, healthy lunch and getting ready for the concert. They were freshly groomed and changed into the colorful suits they had bought a week ago.

     Shinwoo called to schedule a cab to pick them up in a half an hour. He thought it would be best if they arrived early, just in case. This was a huge opportunity B1A4 couldn't afford to miss. Shinwoo scanned the apartment, checking on each of his friends to see if they were ready to go.

     Baro was styling his hair in the bathroom mirror, Sandeul was reapplying fresh bandages on his nearly-healed arms at the kitchen table, Jinyoung flipped through their song sheets, and Gongchan sat on the couch, tying and re-tying his necktie in an absent daze.

     "You okay, Gongchan?" Shinwoo said, concerned about him. "You seem tired... You're not about to transform into a werewolf yet, are you?"

     Gongchan shook his head, blinking his baggy eyes slowly. "I won't transform until tonight. At least, I hope so. I've been worried about that, and I didn't get much sleep last night," he let out a long yawn. "Mianhae, guys. I'll still do my best though."

     "Of course you will, Channie," Baro said as he left the bathroom to join them. "You'll do great. Just as long as you don't freak out the audience with furry paws– Ow!"

     Shinwoo stopped Baro by thumping him on the head. "Don't make it worse. We're already worried as it is. A lot can go wrong tonight, and we don't need you..." Shinwoo pointed a stern finger at him, "making us nervous with your jokes."

     Jinyoung looked up from the music sheets, realizing the uncomfortable atmosphere hanging in the room. "Guys, relax, okay? The stress is going to make everything worse."

     Baro and Shinwoo's gaze sunk to the floorboards in shame. "Mianhae..." they muttered in unison.

     Gongchan gave up on his tie and put it away. It didn't matter what his band mates said—he was too nervous and stressed to tie it anyway. He had to calm down, the sooner, the better. The one person in the whole apartment who could relieve stress better than anyone was Sandeul. Gongchan headed to the kitchen where Sandeul was obviously struggling with bandaging his right, scarred hand.

     "Here, hyung. Let me help with that," Gongchan volunteered, taking the gauze away.

     "Thanks. It's tougher than it looks," Sandeul smiled, then laughed. "Aren't we an interesting opening act? Imagine if I go all zombie, and you turn into a werewolf, and Jinyoung's vampire fangs come out all at the same time! No one will forget us for sure then!" Sandeul laughed again, not noticing Gongchan's white-washed face. "Maybe we should think of a new band name, like the Supernatural... something. I don't know, but I could come up with something better. Imagine that– Ow, ow, ow! That's too tight, Gongchan!"

     The other three looked into the kitchen as Gongchan released the tightly wound bandage on Sandeul's hand. "What's going on?" Jinyoung was the first to ask.

     "I'm sorry. I'm just really stressed, that's all," Gongchan wanted to disappear, embarrassed that he was hurting Sandeul without noticing.

     "No worries," Sandeul smiled, managing to loosen the bandage himself. "You really are stressed about this performance, aren't you? Just remember that it's only two songs. We'll be done before you know it. You d-don't... have to... uh..." Sandeul froze, making everyone concerned.

     "Sandeul!" Baro gasped, waving a hand in front of his friend's face. "Don't go zombie on us again!"

     Sandeul swatted Baro's hand away. "I'm fine, but you might want to worry about Gongchan now." Sandeul pointed to two gray, fuzzy ears that sprouted from Gongchan's head.