Title Reference: "The Kids Aren't Alright" by The Offspring.
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THIRD PERSON POV
Chanyeol, Junmyeon, and Jongwoon enter Onew's room where they find him resting and with a tray of food; soup, fruit, and water. Onew is eating a cup of soup. The doctor cleared Onew and he is set to go home.
"Hey... honey," Jongwoon is grossed out by his own words and Chanyeol hits his arm
"Honey?"
"It was the first thing that popped in my head," Jongwoon argues
Junmyeon goes straight to Onew, "Jinki- Onew. Whatever- we know you're-"
Chanyeol covers Junmyeon's mouths and whispers in his ear, "What if he doesn't know?"
Junmyeon's eye widen. Chanyeol and Junmyeon look at Onew. Onew puts down the cup of soup and knocks over the apple from the bowl of fruit. He gets on his knees and picks up the apple. Debates whether to still eat it or not, he shrugs and takes a bite.
Oh gosh, he's having a baby! Chanyeol thinks to himself.
"You have a bun in the oven!" Jongwoon burst out. Junmyeon and Chanyeol groan
Onew stands up, "I know"
"What! When?" Junmyeon asks
"Um, couple of days ago," Onew says nonchalantly
"Wa... were you not gonna tell me?" Jongwoon asks
"Yes. But I wanted Minho to be the first person to know," Onew says
"Oh..." Jongwoon nods
"Make sense to me," Junmyeon tells Jongwoon. Chanyeol glares at Onew
"You're not trying to get Minho back, are you?" Chanyeol asks
"Chanyeol, please. He has other things to worry about. Right, Onew?" Jongwoon asks
"Well... this will be perfect. I tell Minho. We get back together. And we'll be a family," Onew smiles
Jongwoon knits his eyebrows, "But just the other day, you told me that Minho was already dating someone else. That he kicked you out of his house-"
"Because he thinks I didn't choose him," Onew says
Mr. Jongwoon doesn't say anything
Chanyeol scoffs, "Onew. Are you listening to yourself?! You are using your unborn child to get someone- who doesn't want to be with you"
"I'm not! Minho and I belong together" Onew pouts and rubs his flat tummy, like if it already had a baby bump
"You're trying to fix what you had with Minho by having this baby and it's not gonna work"
Onew grits his teeth, "Why are you saying this, Chanyeol... you're supposed to be one of my best friends"
Chanyeol sighs, "That's why I'm saying it. Onew, this a baby we are talking about! It's a hard job and you are not cut out for it!"
Junmyeon and Jongwoon both lower their heads. Even though they agree with Chanyeol, no way in hell are they telling that to Onew who probably is having a lot of mixed emotions right now
Tears form around Onew eyes, "Get out. I never wanna talk to you again"
Chanyeol gives up and sighs then heads to the door. Before he leaves he turns to Onew one last time, "Take care of that baby... because it's the only reason Minho will get back with you"
*TIME SKIP*
OCTOBER: WEEK 4/ SATURDAY
BAEKHYUN'S POV
It's October 27... this month is taking forever and school has not been the same since Chanyeol and I broke up.
Chanyeol has actually not been coming to school. Luhan, Sehun, and Kyungsoo bring his homework back and forth. I know he still comes to soccer practice but he has not been showing up for choir. Also, he only rehearses for the play at home now. I saw Wendy visiting him multiple times, but I lost my privilege to be mad about that
Kyungsoo has not been talking any one of us. He has isolated himself, just like Junmyeon. Luhan, Sehun, all of us have tried talking to him but he tells us he wants to be alone. I guess we'll just wait until he comes to us, and we'll have open arms for him.
Luhan and Sehun are still the same. Well... not exactly, Luhan freaked out when he found out he gain three pounds so he's on a strict diet again. Sehun had lost a couple of pounds but then luckily, he gained his weight back after a talk with Coach Lee Donghae. Unfortunately, Donghae was unable to convince Luhan as he did with Sehun.
Yixing and Junmyeon broke up the same night as Chanyeol and I did. Neither of them will say why they split up. Yixing spends most of his time with the same group (Sehun, Luhan, and Jongkey) while Junmyeon is mostly seen with Mr. Jongwoon nowadays.
Jongdae misses a lot of school days now. I worry about him. Last time I saw him was on Thursday, he was with Zico and they smelled like skunks. I asked Kibum and Jonghyun about it but they said that Jongdae ignores them now... you don't understand-they were like a trio. Inseparable before so this is a big deal.
Minseok's doing okay. I saw Minseok this Friday during the first game between JYP High and SM High. SM High won by just a little so Minsoek wasn't too sad about it. I saw him with this guy named Jackson. He goes to JYP High and actually lives in the same block as Minho, Chanyeol and me. Minseok said they're not dating because Minseok doesn't want a boyfriend right now. Poor Jackson... I hope he doesn't fall into the spell of Minseok. I wish him luck. Anyway, Minseok also mentioned that has been mad at Minho for kicking Onew out of his house. I told Minseok that Minho regrets it but he doesn't have the balls to go and apologize to Onew. I told him to go easy on Minho and that Minho needs him
Minho told me he's dating this girl name Sooyoung. She's the girl I once saw in Onew's apartment. I knew she looked familiar in the club. He told me he really likes spending time with her but in the end, he only sees her as a good friend, almost like a sister so he's gonna call it off. But doesn't have the heart to do so. I told him he has to do it soon or I will. He has to go see Onew. It's killing me knowing that they should be together and THEY'RE NOT.
Onew is the biggest news of all. He invited me over to his place yesterday and told he's having a baby. The only ones that know are Taemin, Mr. Jongwoon, Chanyeol, Junmyeon and me. He's only told Taemin and me while the others found out at the hospital. He doesn't want Changmin, Kyuhyun, and Jongin to know just yet cuz they might spill it to Minho.
Kris and I... well we're together. Everyone in school knows... Luhan, Sehun, Jongkey, and Yixing are mad at me for my decision. They said I was unfair to Chanyeol... I realized that too, I finally remembered what happened that night. Chanyeol was telling the truth... I told everyone at school it was a misunderstanding. I told everyone at school that Chanyeol didn't try to hurt me but no one cared cuz but it's too late. It's my fault. I should have trusted Chanyeol. But I can't change that now. I made my bed and now I have to lay on it.
Like I said my friends are mad at me. They're mad because even though I know Chanyeol didn't hurt me, I still have not visited him and I'm still with Kris. I'm just so scared to go see Chanyeol. He has every right to be furious with me and tell me what a bitch I am... I'm just a coward to face him.
As for Kris. I've had all of them (Hunhan, Yixing, and Jongkey) telling me Kris is not what he seems. I ask them why but they just tell things that I know are rumors. Rumors are what got me to break up with Chanyeol so of course I'm not gonna listen to them now. So, I blow up to tell them to stop.
Even Onew told me that Kris is a horrible person. I asked him why but he said he couldn't tell me why? I think he's just biased since Kris dumped his cousin, Jaehyo. Sehun told me that he saw Kris treating Jaehyo like shit but I told him to keep his mouth shut if he has nothing nice to say about Kris. I am not Jaehyo.
Kris treats me well. He's sweet to me and always puts my feelings and safety first. He's just like how I imagined him to be. That's why I'm still with him even though I realized my feeling for him have changed. I don't have the same feelings for him like I had last year.
It's not my fault. It's Chanyeol's fault
I sigh and put on my sweater. The sky is a bit grey today, hope it doesn't rain. I head out to Minho's place... it's right next door. As I walk across the front yard I look over to Chanyeol's house like I do every day. Chanyeol... I think about him every day. No matter how much I try not to
I sigh and look away then head out the gate
"Why the long face, beautiful?"
I look up and meet Minho's smile. He's leaning against the gate. He's literally my only friend now. Since the others aren't talking to me. Well, Sehun, Luhan, and Yixing. Jongkey still talk to me but it's always casual and ends quick
"Just thinking," I mutter. We head to his car.
"About Chanyeol?" Minho asks, unlocking his car and we enter. Minho and Onew are the only ones that know I still love Chanyeol. YES, LOVE. I realized way too late that I am in love with him.
I nod. "Baek. Just break up with Kris already," Minho says as he turns on the engine
"I know. I will-"
"You keep saying that but when are you gonna do it?"
I look at him, "When you break up with Sooyoung"
Minho pauses then chuckles, "Wow, we're fucked up people"
We pause for a second then nodded. "It's cuz we're good-looking," we say at the same time. Minho then heads into the road
"Tomorrow. After the party," I say
Minho wrinkles his nose, "Damn it-"
"I know you don't want Kris there but... you uninviting him will cause more trouble"
"My god, you breaking up with him will cause the beginning of the end"
"That's what I'm afraid of"
We stop by a café where Minseok is waiting for us. I convinced the two that they should talk again and be done with ignoring each other. We take a seat in a booth. After the waitress takes our order, Minseok finally breaks the comfortable silence between us
"You guys remember Park Jimin, right?"
Minho and I both nod. That son of a bitch was the first guy to break my heart
"He asked me out on a date," Minseok continues
"Well..." I say
"I know he played with you and he, who should not be named," Minseok says, referring to Junmyeon
I chuckle, "Min, that was years ago. Go out with him. Who knows- maybe he's changed," I say
Minseok looks at Minho who's sitting next to me, "What do you think, Minho?"
Minho puts his coffee down and shrugs, not looking at Minseok, "Whatever"
"Thinking about dry humping him in the back of my car," Minseok casual says
Minho hits the table, "The fuck, Minseok-"
Minseok whines, "Talk to me-"
"No," Minho says
"Why are you mad at me, huh?" Minseok asks
Minho crosses his arms and shrugs, "I don't know- I just am"
"Little bitch," Minseok mutters then turns to me. "So, how are you and Kris?" he asks
I smile through this awkwardness, "Great. He's really sweet. So weird cuz he used to treat me so cold back when he dated Jaehyo. If I didn't know any better, I would say he was a total dick"
"Ah Baekhyun, they all started out as total dicks," Minseok mutters. Minho chokes on his coffee and covers his mouth
Minseok snaps his fingers and nods, "And they end as total dicks but there's that sweet spot in the middle-"
"That's where I am! Between two dicks"
Both of them look at me. I phrased that wrong
I know Minho is judging while Minseok has a sparkle in his eyes and smiles, "That's where I need to be"
CHANYEOL'S POV
"Hello darkness, my old friend"
I hit my alarm clock. Why do I still have an alarm clock?
8:30 am
I close my eyes. I hear the door open. I know it's Sehun and Jongin. They come over every day now. One of them pulls the cover that's over me.
"Enough with the grieving already!"
I look over at the door. I was right. It's Sehun and Jongin. Jongin pulled the blanket
"Did you hear me?" Sehun asks. I groan
"You just gonna keep laying here? It's been over two weeks, Chanyeol! You need to move on and stop feeling sorry for yourself," Jongin says
I whine and pull my blanket back. I cover my face with the blanket and close eyes.
"Fine," Sehun mutters
I hear his footsteps and thought he left. I uncover my face to breathe and suddenly feel cold water splash on me. I jump out my bed
"The hell!" I yell
"Glad you're up," Sehun smiles while holding a cup while Jongin laughs in the back
I ruffle my hair that's now soaked and glare at him
Sehun's smile goes away, "Chanyeol... It's time to move on. I love Baekhyun- I really do. But what he did... I- I can't even look at him- cuz I'm so mad at him"
"I was the idiot who let myself get played. It's was my fault- not Baekhyun's. Don't be mad at him"
Sehun sighs "Chanyeol, I'm serious. Baekhyun played with your feelings only to get to my stupid stepbrother. Also, Baekhyun knows you didn't try to rape yet he still hasn't apologized to you... He's not going to so-"
"I have to meet up with Mr. Jongwoon. What are you guys going here?" I change the subject
Jongin sighs. "Just checking up on you," Jongin says
"I'm fine," I lie
"You're fine? ...Then can we sleep over here tonight?" Sehun asks
"What are we ten?" I ask
"I'll take as a yes. We'll be back. And since you're fine now, I don't wanna see any more tears, okay?" Sehun asks
"Okay," I say
Sehun grabs Jongin's arm they head out. I take a seat at the edge of my bed. I have to get ready to head to Mr. Jongwoon's house.
*Two hours later*
I'm still seated in my bed hugging my knees
THIRD PERSON POV
Jongwoon rings the doorbell. Chanyeol, you better have an excuse for not showing up an hour ago.
Seunghyun gets the door and escorts Jongwoon to Chanyeol's room
*Knock knock*
Jongwoon opens the door and finds Chanyeol crying on his bed. Seeing Chanyeol still crying over that boy who didn't deserve one tear from him... it really hurts Jongwoon. Especially when he has seen that Byun kid with Kris. He knows that they're together, everyone in school is talking about it.
Jongwoon swallows the lump in his throat, "You're late"
Chanyeol looks up then rubs his eyes, "I'm sorry..."
Jongwoon sighs and closes the door, "You need to talk about this- It doesn't make sense. One day, Baekhyun and you are in love- then, all of a sudden, you stop showing up to school. Baekhyun is holding hands with another guy-"
"Because it was fake!" Chanyeol gets up. "It was all an awful act"
Chanyeol sniffles, "I love him- but he doesn't love me. He never did!"
"Chanyeol, calm down," Jongwoon holds Chanyeol's arm but Chanyeol backs away from him
"You don't get it! He never liked me- it was all for Kris. He even kissed him when we were together! When he was sure Kris liked him back- he threw me to the side- I'm such an idiot!" Chanyeol cries and covers his face with his hands. Jongwoon hugs his favorite student who he has neglected for so long.
"I'm sorry," Jongwoon mutters
Chanyeol looks up to him, "What?"
"I'm sorry. I know it's been over two weeks since this happened and I only now come to you-"
"No-no. You were right- you're always right- Damn it! I'm so stupid!" Chanyeol sits on the edge of the bed and lowers his head between his knees
"Chanyeol, I'm trying to comfort you here-"
"But I should have listened to you"
"Chanyeol-"
"You told me the relationship-ugh. Whether it was fake or not-"
"Chanyeol-"
"You said the relationship was unhealthy. That was a big red flag there. And I should of know when I noticed you didn't like Baekhyun-"
"CHANYEOL!"
Chanyeol pouts, "What"
Jongwoon takes a deep breath, "I knew that Baekhyun cheated on you"
Chanyeol looks at him, "You did?"
Jongwoon nods
"Were you not gonna tell me?"
Jongwoon grabs Chanyeol's arm, "I thought-"
Chanyeol yanks away from Jongwoon's grip and stand up, "You let me walk around like an IDIOT?! With a stupid big smile on my face?! While Kris and Baekhyun were probably laughing at me behind my back?!"
"I thought he regretted it-"
"You knew!"
"I thought he cared for you"
"You let him toy with my feelings!"
Jongwoon slaps him, "Chanyeol get a grip!"
Chanyeol puts his hand on the cheek Jongwoon slapped, shocked. He pouts and crosses his arm then sits on the floor, criss-cross. Jongwoon mutters sorry and gets on his knees to face Chanyeol. Chanyeol turns around to his back face Jongwoon. Jongwoon rolls his eyes to Chanyeol's childish behavior
"Why didn't you tell me, Jongwoon? I can't believe you let him continue to be with me while kissing another guy behind my back"
"I... I didn't have the heart to tell you. You looked so happy- I told Baekhyun I saw him and I had hoped he would open his eyes and... hoped he would do the right thing- ugh, I'm so sorry, Chanyeol... I never meant to hurt you. That's why it took me this long to see you- I... I wasn't a good friend to you-"
"You weren't"
"Like how you're not being a good friend to Onew-"
"Are you serious!" Chanyeol turns to Jongwoon
"Yeah, I am"
"He's crazy!"
"You think I don't know that-"
"Then why aren't you saying anything?"
"Chanyeol! All of us want to tell him the exact same thing but we're not stupid!"
"How is that being stupid!" Chanyeol defends himself
"You told him he wasn't cut out to be a parent!"
"You think he's fit to have a baby?!"
"God, no. It's exhausting. It's a lot of work. But guess what! He's pregnant, Chanyeol. He's having the baby! His body is going through a lot"
"Ew," Chanyeol wrinkles his nose
"Also... he's going to tell Minho tonight about the baby"
"...why did it take him so long?"
Jongwoon shrugs, "I don't know. I think your words had him think about it twice"
"Because he knows I'm right-"
"Doesn't matter. Minho will either get back with Onew because he wants to, only be part of the baby's life, or lastly, and I hope it doesn't come to this, not get involved at all"
Chanyeol pouts, "I miss Onew... I miss Baekhyun..."
"Chanyeol-"
"I wanna be alone," Chanyeol hugs his knees
"Chan-"
"PLEASE!"
"Okay, I'll see you around," Jongwoon gets up from the floor and heads to the door leaving Chanyeol the same way he found him.
Crying
LUHAN'S POV
I walk out of the shower and wrap my robe around me. I wanna get dressed up extra early to go see Kyungsoo. He's been in serious pain ever since Park Kyung left him. I walk into my room when I hear my phone ring, it's Sehun
I answer, "What's up?"
"Are you going to Minho's party tonight?" Sehun asks
"Yeah. I thought we agreed on that?"
"You did. Should I drag Chanyeol along?"
I think about it, "Probably not the best idea. Baekhyun will obviously be there"
"Then Chanyeol has to go. We need to find him someone that will make him forget about Baekhyun"
I shrug, "I'm drawing a blank"
"...You're not using me to get to someone else, right? You're not pulling a Baekhyun on me."
I roll my eyes by his question, "Sehun. Is there anyone else in school who can compete with your face?"
Sehun chuckles, "No. Not even close. Lucky you, huh? Dating the charming Oh Sehun"
"Idiot"
"Hey! But what about JYP High, huh! Minseok's there?!"
"Minseok was your only competition and now he's gone... Lucky you, huh?" I mock him
"What do you mean by that? Minseok's better looking than me?"
"Bye, Sehun," I hang up to mess with him
I walk to my closet and suddenly everything's blurry and my heads pounding so loud. I quickly hold onto the nightstand next to me and try to clear my vision.
I try to keep my balance but my legs are no help. I fall on the floor and then everything went black.
THIRD PERSON POV
Jongwoon left hours ago. Chanyeol laid in his bed all day, not caring about the time... he didn't care what day it was... he simply didn't care about anything anymore. He lost his friend and the love of his life in less than two days. He felt like he could have done more for Park Kyung but was too self-centered to notice. As for Baekhyun, he simply felt used. Maybe he was too desperate that he fooled himself.
He didn't care for school but his family and friends didn't allow just to skip school. Kyungsoo, Sehun, Jongin, or Luhan would come by every day to drop off and pick Chanyeol's homework. His parents also made sure Chanyeol ate every day, not caring how it took the giant to finally finish his food. He often would have someone there in his room to watch over him. He would never say a word to whoever it was, whether it was Sehun, his sister, or anyone else who would visit him.
Yoora was the one who watches over him the most. She hated seeing her baby brother like this. This not Chanyeol. This is not her happy virus. This is not her brother. Her brother always tried to look forward even when things looked bad. Just like when he was accused back in his old school. Things did not look good for him but faced the problem and never broke down, even when he was getting bullied. He turned away and gave an I'm okay smile.
But not this time. Chanyeol has never had these feeling for anyone. He's never taken an interest on any of classmates. Baekhyun was the first person to make him blush. To kiss him. To have Chanyeol understand what love was.
How he regrets every laying his eyes on those beautiful eyes of Baekhyun. He thinks about Baekhyun's sparkling eyes, his pinks lips, his smile, his laugh, his gorgeous hands that Chanyeol would kill for just hold one more time.
A knock on the door interrupts Chanyeol's train of thought
Sehun opens the door and groans when he sees Chanyeol laying on his bed just like how he was this morning, "Please tell me you went out for a least an hour?"
Chanyeol shook his head
"Chanyeol, you're killing me over here," Sehun says
"I thought you were fine. I thought you were gonna visit Mr. Jongwoon," Jongin asks
"He came here instead," Chanyeol mutters
Sehun sighs and sits next to Chanyeol on his bed, "Chanyeol... It's time for you to go out and have fun. To distract yourself- and move on... Baekhyun already did"
The last part killed Chanyeol on the inside. He knows that Baekhyun and Kris got together the same night he and Baek broke up. He practically handed Baekhyun over to Kris.
"Chanyeol, we're going to a party tonight," Jongin says
Chanyeol shakes his head, "No. I don't wanna"
Jongin walks up to Chanyeol, pulls him out of bed then escorts him to the bathroom, "I didn't ask. Chanyeol, I will tie you up if I have to- you are going to this party- you are gonna have fun -And you are gonna get laid tonight"
Chanyeol stops his tracks and turns to Jongin, "Promise?"
Jongin chuckles, "Yes, you one horny boy." He pushes Chanyeol into the bathroom
"Thank you!" Chanyeol yells then notice what Sehun and Jongin are wearing. "Is it a costume party?"
Sehun and Kai nods
"Okay, I know you're David Bowie, Jongin. What are you?" Chanyeol asks Sehun who is wearing a suit and glasses
"I'll never tell," Sehun says
Chanyeol snaps his finger, "Kingsman"
"Fuck," Sehun mutters. " Anyway, every year Min-" Sehun elbows Jongin before he finished his sentence
"Minseok always throws a Halloween party the weekend before Halloween and it's always a blast. You have to go- if you don't go it social suicide-"
This time Jongin elbows Sehun then glares at him, "Poor choice of words." Jongin refers to using suicide considering what happened just a couple weeks ago with Park Kyung
Chanyeol immediately bushes it off or he'll end up crying again, "It's okay... he's no longer suffering..."
Sehun looks at Chanyeol, "I'm sorry-"
"I'll just shower quick. Be out in twenty minutes," Chanyeol quickly shuts the door, leaving Jongin and Sehun in his room
Jongin turns to Sehun, "Hey, do you think he has a diary like you-"
"IT'S A JOURNAL!" Sehun defends himself then thinks about. "You check the drawers. I'll check his closet"
They split up and search for the possibility to find Chanyeol's diary
Inside the bathroom, Chanyeol hears them since he hasn't turned on the shower faucet. He's still undressing. He chuckles to himself
"Idiots," he mutters. I don't have a diary
LUHAN'S POV
*Knock knock*
"Come in," I hear Kyungsoo mutter
I enter and see that he's outside his balcony, sitting on a chair and looking up at the sky.
I walk up to him and lean on the balcony's doorframe, "How are you doing?"
He glares at me, "Don't ask- I'm sick of hearing that stupid phrase"
"Sorry-"
"What took you so long? You texted me about an hour and a half ago that you would be here in twenty minutes... and what the fuck are you wearing? Halloween is on Wednesday"
"Sorry. I got into this one video on YouTube and then an hour later, I realized I just had a marathon of Yixing's videos," I lied. If I tell him that I fainted. It would only burden him.
"Oh okay. Why did you wanna see me anyway?"
I look at Kyungsoo's wrist when he takes out his phone. He has scars on his wrist... he's been cutting himself.
I try to act calm, "Hang out with me tonight"
He shakes his head
I know I shouldn't leave him alone again. Not after seeing those scars. Think. Think."Kyungie, you owe me"
He looks at me, "For what?"
"For covering your ass"
"When?"
"Sixth grade. Art class. Ravi put red paint on your seat and I let you use my jacket to cover up. Everyone would have laughed at you if it weren't for me," I say
"Tsh, that's invalid," Kyungsoo says
"Fine. Eighth grade. P.E class. I gave you my gym shorts when you had an accident-"
"Fine, I'll hang out with you. Just stop bringing up the dark past"
"Deal. Now get ready," Luhan pulls Kyungsoo up from the chair and directs him to the bathroom
AMBER'S POV
"Yeah, he's getting there. Got him to smile the other day. He must have really liked Junmyeon... What I would give to take the pain away-"
"Amber! Are you ready?!" Yixing yells from outside my room. I hear him coming to my room
"Um, Mrs. Zhang? I have to go. Yixing is coming- I'll call you later. Bye," I hang up right away
"Who you on the phone with?" Yixing asks leaning against the doorframe
"A co-worker," I lie. I can't let him know I talk to his mom on a daily basis. He might get mad at me, but his mom is so sweet and funny. I answered the phone one day when Yixing was locked up in his room crying over that dumb fuck Junmyeon. We've been talking every day since
He gives me a small smile and looks away, "Okay"
"Are you ready?" I ask
"Yeah, let's go before I change my mind," he mutters
He's so serious now. I was barely able to convince him to go to Minho's party since I promised Minho I wouldn't miss it. I hate Junmyeon. He did this to him. Yixing is the nicest person I've ever met. How could Junmyeon cheat on him like this?
I get up from the bed and head out with Yixing.
Published: October 18, 2018