Journal entry: 03
May 5, 2012
Time recorded: 8:02 a.m.

I will be turning nineteen tomorrow. And I'm not happy about it. The bullies promised me a special birthday present, and I'm so afraid I threw up in the bathroom for an hour. I told my brother I was sick.

He believed me.

He didn't notice, even despite the fact that he's my sole provider and best friend, he was still blind to all my suffering.

But aren't the ones closest to you usually?

I had a request. The day before my birthday I asked my brother if I could get my hair down, claiming I wanted a fresh start - which was true. I wanted to be someone different. Someone the bullies wouldn't think twice about messing with, but instead they would plead to be me.

I was going to conform to the perfect image of society to escape my everyday pain. I would fit perfectly into the intricate fabric of life. I would be one of those teenagers who snuck out late at night to hang out with friends and party early into the next morning.

I would be happy no longer being casted aside. I would immerse myself and throw caution to the wind and scream from rooftops. I would finally enable myself to live a judgement-free life.

End of journal entry.

--

May 5, 2012

Baekbeom stood behind Baekhyun with his chin in his hand, analyzing his new look through the floor length mirror.

Baekhyun always felt comfortable with his brother and didn't fear rejection, but sometimes when he doesn't tell him what he was thinking, Baekhyun's insecurity would start to poke through his carefully constructed façade. He bit down on his bottom lip in nervousness, his fingers picking at the hem of the new shirt he hoped to buy.

"Wh-why aren't you saying anything? Do I look bad?" Baekhyun muttered.

Baekbeom shook his head and a slow smile crept into his lips as he reassuringly said, "No, Baek. You just look so different and it's strange seeing you this way. But don't worry, because you look amazing." Baekbeom paused, then continued by asking, "You like it, don't you?"

Baekhyun nodded with a small smile of his own as he softly replied, "Yes, I like it a lot. I feel . . . so much better. I really needed this, Baekbeom, thank you."

Baekbeom smiled and said, "Of course, baby brother, anything for you." And then he slung an arm around Baekhyun's shoulders and kissed his temple.

Baekhyun blushed and cried, "Ahh, Baekbeom! Stop hanging on me! It's embarrassing!"

Baekbeom laughed and playfully shoved Baekhyun away as he said, "I bet the kids at your school will be jealous." Then he paused for a moment, before saying, "Hey, why don't we have a party this weekend and invite some of your friends? Do you like that idea, Baek?"

Baekhyun smiled and nodded his head as he softly replied, "Yeah, that would be nice. Thanks, Baekbeom."

Baekbeom smiled and lightly tousled Baekhyun's hair as he said, "Like I said, baby brother, anything for you."

Word count: 515