Chapter Thirteen
*DK's POV*
Exiting the dorm, the laughter around me echoed down the street. Checking the time, I sighed. A feeling appeared in my chest, a sad feeling. Maybe I should change my lock screen? It's been 5 years after all. But every time I go to change it, I get choked up, and just cannot bring myself to do it. Seeing her smile, seeing her happy, seeing her smile, it just made me happy. Maybe sometime in the future I might be happy again. Maybe sometime in the future, there might be someone else. But for now, and for the past 5 years, there's been no one else. Perhaps focusing on my career has been a good thing. I've grown, I've accomplished so much without distraction. Not that Hyo was a distraction, she was never a distraction. More of an inspiration really.
"Hey hyung," Dino ran up behind me, big smile plastered on his face. "Ready for practice?" Giving him a weird look, I just smiled.
"Is it today we are filming? All days are blurring into one," turning to ask him, he laughed.
"Yes hyung, that's today, we have around 3 hours practice beforehand, then an hour filming," seeing him run off and jump onto Hoshi's back, I couldn't help but laugh again.
For the past week I have been practicing a song that will get filmed and put online, mainly for our carats. The song Driver's License has been circulating for a few months now, and it's quite popular. A week or so ago, Seungkwan, Joshua, Jeonghan and I decided we would cover the song and whack it up on youtube.
The song itself to me is quite special, as a few months ago I finally managed to get my drivers license. It was something Hyo and I talked about, not kong before she left. She was so excited for me to get my license, so we could go places and see more fo the world. She also planned on getting hers, and did take a few lessons, but from what I remember, she thought she was an F1 driver and never really got past the gears section. She insisted on driving a manual, even though automatics are way way easier. I never understood why. I guess I will never know.
Breaking my train of thought, we arrived at the practice studio. Seeing everyone pile in, I noticed Woozi heading straight to the sound system, getting ready to start the session.
Setting myself up at the mics that were ready, I saw Hansol whisper something to Seungkwan, who was putting an earpiece in. Seeing Hansol and Dino try and creep out the room unnoticed, I couldn't help but laugh. Whatever they have planned, no doubt there is a hidden camera somewhere.
I hope you're up there watching, Hyo. I hope I am making you proud.
One day, I will see you again, and I will give you the biggest hug you have ever had, and I will never let you go.
*Hyolyn's POV*
Hearing my phone ping, I parked the car down the street from the destination Hansol gave me. Checking my phone, I saw a text from Dino.
From: Dinosaur Boy
Hi Noona! We are outside
Smiling at my phone, I sent him a text back saying I'll be two minutes.
Checking myself in the mirror, I sighed. A guess this is as good as I'm going to look.
Casting my mind back to this morning, I smiled a little.
***
Trying to curl my hair, my hands shook. Seeing Bora walk past the door, I saw her glance and then backtrack, smirk on her lips. The past few weeks we have talked a little more. Jungkook has been over more, but never said anything. He thinks she is staying here for the comfort, not just for protection from him. That's what Sungho told him anyway.
"Need help?" She smiled, seeing me struggle.
"I've got sloppy. Dimitri always made me dress up and look good, but I just can't be bothered. That and that target I fought with the other day really fucked my shoulder up" I tried to come up with excuses, but truthfully I will never really be good at anything with my hair other than growing it a ridiculous amount.
"Sit," she pushed me back down, taking the curler from my hand. "So, what's the occasion?" Thinking a lie up on the spot, I chose to go with the lie. I trust her a little more than I did before, but I will never trust her enough with the truth.
"I have a target tonight, proper swanky restaurant," I lied. Seeing her nod, her smile dropped a little. Feeling her hands brush through my hair, I smiled. Looking in the mirror, she curled my hair loose, just so it still hit my waist.
"Any makeup?" She asked. Seen as she was being nice, I just nodded.
"Just natural, please. Thank you, by the way. I'd do it myself, but I really fucked my arm up," laughing, she smiled grabbing some products. A few minutes later, she stood back.
"You're so naturally pretty, Hyolyn," she said in a low voice. Staring at myself in the mirror, I felt as though I had been transported back to when I was 18 again. I looked younger, I looked as though time had stopped.
"Thanks, Bora," seeing her smile again, she left the room. Grabbing a playsuit, I pulled on my sneakers.
Well Hyo, here goes nothing.
***
"Noona, over here," hearing Dino shout, I headed to his direction. "You like pretty, Noona."
Blushing a little, I forgot what those words meant for a second. I'm used to being called many others names, but never pretty.
"Are you ready?" Hansol asked, smiling to me. Giving him a smile back, I felt butterflies flip around in my stomach. Suddenly, I felt so sick I couldn't even move. Thoughts dashed around my head, doubts I hadn't had about myself in years.
What if when I see him, he doesn't want me?
What if he's fallen out of love with me?
What if I don't look good enough?
What if, what if i'm not good enough at all?
Standing, I felt frozen to the spot. Feeling Hansol grab my hand, I looked up. Finding his eyes, he looked directly into mine.
"Hyo, you look great. Trust me when I say, he's not going to know what to do when he sees you. Please don't take it as a bad thing, I mean... his girlfriend who he mourned for 5 years will be stood in front of him. He might think he's going insane. I did, when I first saw you. It might take him a while, but trust me when I say this. When he sees you, all he will want to do is hold you." Hearing those words, I felt a tear fall down my cheek. Feeing a knot in my stomach, I held back the tears. For it isn't just Seokmin I'm regaining today, it's all of my boys.
Nodding to say I was ready, they nodded back, leading us into the building. Heading up the stairs, I heard music coming from the practice room down the hall.
"This is our floor," Dino smiled, pointing out all of the rooms. Not being able to stop myself smiling at him being excited, I froze when I heard the voice which was singing.
It's him, it's Seokmin.
"Hansol, what if he doesn't love me anymore?" The same doubt ran through my head over and over. I've only just remembered him yes, but memories we shared together have come flooding back, making me miss him so much. I wish I could just run to him right now, but I'm stuck. Feeling Hansol place his hands on my shoulders, he sighed.
"Kim Hyolyn. The voice you hear is someone who has not stopped loving you in 5 years. He only ever you he thinks about when we are in downtime, I know this for a fact. So get in there, and as much as it pains me to say this as your brother..." he trailed off, heaving for dramatic effect. "Get in there, get your man." Looking to Dino, he smiled to me , linking my arm.
"Okay," in a small voice, I started walking to the door, my legs shaking. Hearing Seungkwan restart to the song, I took a deep breath.
"I got my drivers licence last week just like always talked about,
'Cause you were so excited for me, to finally drive up to your house,
But today I drove through the suburbs, crying 'cause you weren't around,"
I heard Seokmin sing those words, and a knot appeared in my stomach. Standing behind the door, I felt more tears roll down my face.
"I know we weren't perfect but I've never felt this way for no-one,
And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay, now that I'm gone."
Glancing to my right, Dino smiled as I placed my hand on the handle. Looking to my left, Hansol placed his hand on my shoulder.
Hesitating, I took some deep breaths again.
"All my friends are tired, of hearing how much I miss you and,
I kinda feel sorry for them, 'cause they'll never know you the way that I do," his voice was heavenly, almost angelic to my ears. I've missed that voice so much.
Pushing the handle down, Hansol walked in front of me, entering the room, followed by Dino. Walking in behind Dino, I held myself back from breaking down. Looking up, I saw heads tiredly turn towards Hansol as he walked in, but widen as soon as they saw me.
Seeing Seungcheol stand, his mouth hung open, unable to process what he was seeing.
Looking over the boys, they all slowly stood, eyes all moving to me. Feeling my cheeks grow hot, I felt as thought I would throw up. Unable to move, I saw Seungkwan move from where he was singing to stand next to me, grabbing my hand and giving it a quick squeeze.
Looking behind him, I heard a mic fall.
Seokmin. He was there. Standing right in front of me.
Seeing him go as white as a ghost, he just stood there as the music replayed.
"Oppa," I managed to choke out between the tears that were now streaming down my face. He probably didn't hear me, he just started at me.
Taking a step towards him, he didn't move.
"Jagiya?" He whispered, staring at me, tears in his eyes. A smile played at his lips, but it dropped.
"Is it... am I going mad?" He looked around the room, but all eyes were trained on me still. Oh how I wanted to hug everyone in here and tell them everything, but right now, all I wanted was a hug from him.
"Oppa," unable to hold myself anymore, I ran forward. His arms opened, running towards me too.
Feeling him engulf me in a tight hug, I never, ever, ever wanted to let go. Feeling tears drip down my neck, I inhaled his scent. I hadn't remembered his smell, and it's something I never want to forget again.
Feeling him pull back slightly, he cupped my face.
"Is it really you?" He whispered, so only I would hear. Nodding, I met his smile.
"It's me Oppa, I'm so sorry," managing to choke out between tears, I felt him lean down, removing the space between us.
Feeling his lips on mine, the way we moved perfectly together, I felt my tears stop.
I have him, he is here. He still loves me. He is still mine.
A moment later he stopped, hugging me again. Pulling back, I looked over to all the other guys, standing in disbelief.
"Hi boys," I smiled, wiping tears away.
"Oh my god," Mingyu said, running up to me, giving me a hug. A second later, all the boys were on top of me.
After a minute, they all removed themselves from me, standing back. Looking to my left, Hansol came to my side.
At my right, I felt Seokmin stood there, holding me close to him.
Any fears I felt earlier, any doubts I had had all vanished.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I feel whole.
For the first time in years, I felt like I belong.
Now all I have to do is explain how I'm not dead.
**********