ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗬-𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗘
─◌✰್ 𝗂𝗇 𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖻𝗋𝖺𝗂𝗇𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗆𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖾𝗋𝖺

sunshine.lix we can't keep him, sunshine
> ramenoodlaska ...
    > mymymy @sunshine.lix uh oh, now you've done it
        > ryerye @sunshine.lix you're gonna regret saying that, dude
            > sunshine.lix @mymymy @ryerye wait why, i'm just telling the truth!
                > ramenoodlaska @sunshine.lix i see you just hate me is that it? and you hate bingsu too?? maybe i'll just move out and take the dog with me what do you think about that??
                    > sunshine.lix @ramenoodlaska we don't even live together yet? and where would you go?? babe???
                        > the.official.hwang @ramenoodlaska good riddance tbh i'll turn ur room into a movie theater. thanks @sunshine.lix ur a real one

the.official.hwang he's a menace. a big, fuzzy menace
> changaroo97 don't lie, i saw you giving him pets yesterday!!
    > minniemouse- @the.official.hwang do you like bingsu more than kkami??? 😱
        > sk8terjj @minniemouse- literally i think he does, that's rude. poor kkami
            > robin_is_a_penguin @the.official.hwang cheating on kkami i see
                > the.official.hwang @changaroo97 @minniemouse- @sk8terjj @robin_is_a_penguin no i literally am not??? and jj how could you turn on me like this??

mymymy i wish i could have a dog, humph 😔
> nomnominnie you'd have to pick up the poop everyday
    > mymymy @nomnominnie but... puppy!!! 🥺
        > ramenoodlaska @nomnominnie you won't be able to change her mind, just like lix and i
            > mymymy @ramenoodlaska yeah we're twins like that
                > nomnominnie @sunshine.lix uhh how do you deal with this kind of stuff please help 😃

cheesecakehannie no the way he's looking at you? you have to keep him 🥺
> ramenoodlaska THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING @sunshine.lix LOOK
    > changaroo97 @cheesecakehannie oh dude you shouldn't have taken a side...
        > catdad_lee @cheesecakehannie dumbass smh
            > matchatess @changaroo97 @catdad_lee should i grab a bowl of popcorn? is this gonna get good?

It had officially been a whole twenty four hours since you left the campsite.

And predictably, you were the only thing Changbin could think about.

The way you laughed, starting off reserved, before full-on belly laughing. He patted himself on the back every time you laughed like that. Those whisker dimples that appeared on your cheeks whenever you smiled at him, that adorable blush appearing on your flawless face. How did you get your skin to be so damn glowy all the time? Like you were a porcelain doll.

The way you smelled, just the faint whiff of matcha and honey, just as clean and perfect as you were. And the way you tasted... don't even get him started. Soft and sweet all at the same time, kind of like a matcha White Rabbit candy. His mouth watered at the thought. Then, his eyes followed suit when he remembered, yet again, that you weren't there. That he couldn't smell and taste and touch you at will.

One would have to be blind to miss that Changbin was still having an absolute shit time. He was sitting by himself around the empty fire pit, staring at nothing. He'd been like that ever since breakfast. Everyone had been talking, trying to lighten the tense mood. But he hadn't participated, hadn't even cracked a smile at Han and Seungmin's antics, or Chan's concerned stare.

It was like he was dead to the world, ever since you left. Like he'd given up. It certainly felt like it. Everyone noticed, but no one was opening their damn eyes, let alone mouths, to do anything about it. Changbin wasn't sure what was worse: everyone treating him like a wounded puppy (that phrase brought back major PTSD) like they were now, or if they'd actually voice their worries, even call him on his shit.

Yeah, that would definitely be worse. He'd rather sit by himself, wallowing and grouching until it was time to go home. And then he would never see you again. Not like this, at least.

Just thinking about it was a punch to the gut.

Sighing, he stood up. But as he did so, his legs almost buckled underneath him. How long had he been sitting there? He looked at the stump he'd collapsed onto this morning, then checked his phone. It was almost 2pm. Had he really sat there for over four hours? Damn, but you had him so fucked up.

As he started to stretch his legs, trying to get feeling back in them, he strolled past Robin, Han, Alaska, and Felix's shared cabin. Awhile earlier, through the fog of losing you, he thought he'd seen the rest of the guys tromp off to play some frisbee golf. He thought he even recalled Chan inviting him, but he'd totally ignored it.

"We have to bring Lanhua back!"

Changbin froze at the sound of your name, filtering through the half-open window of Alaska and Robin's cabin. His heart began thudding so hard he could hear it in his ears. What were they talking about? Hadn't you already gone back to Jeju? Taken an early flight and gotten the fuck away from him as fast as possible?

Against his will, his legs carried him closer, until he was standing right outside the window, eavesdropping like a creep. If anyone saw him like this, they'd probably call the cops.

But he had to know what the girls were saying. If they were planning on bringing you back... shit, he didn't even know what he would do.

"How do we even know she wants to come back?" Robin asked Alaska, the one who had uttered those first words. Doubt laced her voice, but she eyed her friend with interest. The two were wearing matching gray hoodies, with the same style sweats. Robin's were black, Alaska's were white.

Changbin peered through the window, trying to get a better look at what was going on in there. All seven girls were sitting on what he assumed was Robin and Alaska's shared bed, not caring that there was hardly enough space for them. Alaska and Robin were sharing a bag of sour cream and onion chips, while Mya, JJ, and Riley were eating chocolate chip cookies. Renee opted for pretzels, and Tessa munched on sour patch kids and sour skittles. Just seeing her eat those sour skittles had Changbin's chest squeezing. They were probably left over from your stash, when he'd bought you some as a welcome gift before the trip.

"The fact she didn't leave Seoul right away is telling enough to me," Tessa interjected, fixing the strap on her tiny black tank top. If that was what she was always wearing, Changbin could understand Minho's frustration. If you wore stuff like that, he would be going insane. "If she didn't want to stay, she would've booked the first flight home."

JJ nodded. As the queen of hoodies, she was wearing one of her dozens of baggy sweaters. This one was gray with the words 'cool cat' across the front. "Instead, she went to stay with Rory. She didn't have to do that. She has more than enough money to change flights, even without a refund. She's waiting for something."

"Or someone, more like it." Robin grinned.

"As much as she wants to pretend she's over Changbin, she's totally not," Mya sighed, tugging on the hem of her pink t-shirt. Apparently, it was her favorite one, because it "has two cute little hamsters!!". "Thats so romantic."

Changbin swallowed around a lump in his throat, but it wouldn't go away. Was it common knowledge that you still loved him? It didn't feel like it.

"But Changbin won't do shit to bring her back!" Alaska added, throwing her hands up, accidentally sending a chip flying across the room. Changbin ground his teeth at her words. She didn't know the damn half of it. "And if he won't, then we have to."

"The guys are acting like it's totally normal." Riley frowned, burrowing into her black hoodie, one that Changbin had seen Chan wear a few times. "I think they're walking on eggshells around him, like they don't want to make it worse."

Changbin had to admit, that was true. His friends cared about him, and while some of them were all about tough love, even they were steering clear. He must be acting like a whole new level of asshole.

"Well, that's what we're here for then, huh?" Tessa smirked. "We're not scared of an angry man."

Alaska nodded furiously. "I have to deal with a dramatic, angry man every day. And I don't mean Lix. Whatever Bin throws at me, I've seen worse."

Renee laughed, shaking her head. Her hair was tied in a careful bun, finished with a white bow. Even when she moved, it didn't budge. "I don't want to make him angry, though. Do you think there's a way to bring her back that won't piss either of them off?"

All the girls paused, thinking.

"With the way things are going right now, I don't think so," JJ admitted.

"Oh no..." Mya sighed. "I don't want to see them upset either!"

"But!" JJ continued. "If we could message her something more convincing than just saying that we want to see her, maybe she would come back. Even if she's upset at Changbin, she still loves us, right?"

"Don't you think she'll be pissed if she finds out that we tricked her?" Riley asked. "I would be."

"And what about Changbin?" Renee chimed in. "It doesn't seem like he wants her back, either. He's been... pretty upset ever since their argument." 

"He's been scary, that's what he's been." Mya shuddered. "He may be small, but he can be mean when he wants to."

Changbin's brows furrowed at her words. But he knew she was right. He'd been snapping at everyone left and right, and when he wasn't doing that, he was giving them the silent treatment, completely closed off.

Riley snorted. "Says you! You're the shortest out of all of us!"

"Yeah, and she's mean, too!" Tessa accused. "Did you see the way she woke us all up at six in the fucking morning?? That's real cruelty."

"Okay but seriously, how are we going to convince Changbin to go after Hua again?" Riley asked. "Chan told me that he tried to talk to him, and he was totally against chasing her. He said something like, 'I don't want to chase her anymore', or something lame like that."

Alaska nodded. "Felix told me about it, too. He's being completely stubborn, like he wants her to come back on her own."

"But he was the one who hurt her feelings!" Robin protested, frowning. "Why are men always trying to get girls to apologize first?"

"Ugh, tell me about it," Tessa sighed. "Minho has been mad at me ever since Halloween, and I don't even know why! Like, more angry than usual! I have nothing to apologize for, stop glaring at me!"

"Well, I had a good idea that wouldn't even involve him, if he didn't want it to," JJ said, and the other girls quieted. "You all know how much she cares about those dogs. Even though she doesn't work for Park and Paws anymore, the shelter, the one Namjoon works at, loves her. I was thinking we could invite them back, and maybe get them to say one last farewell and thank you."

"Do you think she would come back for that?" Mya perked up. "She does love the dogs!"

"I bet seeing that Miso is doing okay would make her feel a lot better," Tessa added. "She was so broken up over him."

Was that true? Changbin ached to see you, to let you know that it was okay. Tell you everything that he hadn't told you when you were here. Even more guilt set in, just thinking about how bad you must have felt knowing that Miso had gotten hurt under your watch. Instead of comforting you, supporting you, what had he done? He'd gone and talked shit about you, said that he didn't believe in you. No wonder you'd left.

And now, your friends were trying to bring you back, with the perfect fucking plan. Why hadn't he come up with it himself? Instead, hed been stomping around the campsite, causing trouble for all his friends and yours, and being an overall douche. If he didn't deserve you before, he sure as hell didn't deserve you now. Even if you did come back, there would be no way that you would forgive him, let alone take him back. And seeing you, in all your glory, would destroy him. Knowing that he couldn't have you, that he'd had you but fucked it all up, would cause him to put his fist through a damn wall.

"Should I text her now?" JJ offered, pulling out her phone, the teddy bear case glinting in the autumn sun. "Who knows if she'll answer, but at least we tried."

"Do it." Alaska scooted closer, looking over her shoulder while she typed.

The longer Changbin watched, the more certain he was that he couldn't have you coming back. Not while he was here. Because if there was even the sliver of a chance he would see that hurt expression on your face again, he could never see you, period.

And before he knew it, he'd ripped the door of the cabin open, and marched inside. All seven girls looked up at him with stark surprise. Mya even jumped off the bed, almost falling on the ground, eyes wide. After the way he'd spoken to her yesterday, he deserved that, or worse.

But there was no way around it. He had to speak his mind. Even if he didn't deserve their audience, he had to say it.

He tried to swallow around that stupid lump in his throat, the one that just wouldn't go away. "Please, don't try and bring her back," he rasped, voice cracking on the last word. "Please," he ended lamely, hoping against hope that the girls would understand where he was coming from, even though he had been beyond an asshole all day.

The girls turned a collective frown on him, brows raised, arms crossed over their chests. Tessa squinted at him, while JJ pursed her lips.

"And why should we listen to you?" Tessa demanded suspiciously.

"You're just too ashamed to see her again, is that it?" Renee jabbed an uncharacteristically aggressive finger at him. Clearly, the Jeju girls stuck together.

Changbin took a deep breath. He absolutely hated sharing his feelings with anyone that wasn't you, for fear that people would laugh at him. Tell him to get back in his lane. He was the funny one, he wasn't allowed to have deep feelings, let alone burden other people with them.

But fuck, he was hurting. And while he didn't want anyone to know it, he had accepted that all of your friends could see right through his facade.

After a pause, Alaska reached a sympathetic arm out to him. "You miss her, don't you, Bin?"

And that was his breaking point.

Tears pulled at the corners of his eyes, and he was crying. Not his usual quiet crying, where he mostly just sucked it up and waited until his eyes dried. Seo Changbin didn't cry. But today, it was his chest heaving against his ribs, body shaking on the bed, choked gasping as he tried to breath. Saltwater ran down his face, burning his cheeks, and he covered his face, equal parts embarrassed and bewildered as to what was happening to him.

When he finally looked up, he almost cried all over again. Tessa, who looked sheepish and sympathetic, held out a tissue to him, supplied by Renee. All seven girls were smiling, eyes filled with pity.

Usually, he would grumble at them, say something about how much he hated people feeling sorry for him. But he could see something else in their expressions: understanding. And it was that look that made him sigh, and smile back.

"Do you want to help us with our plan, Bin?" Mya asked quietly, scooting over on the bed to make room.

There was great risk in Changbin agreeing to joining in on the girls' plan. Namely, risk for him and his heart. He wasn't sure he could handle the soul-crushing guilt that would consume him if you came back, and ignored him.

But this wasn't about him. He couldn't be selfish anymore. This was about you, and giving you closure. Because no matter how badly he'd been hurt, he still loved you. More than anything he'd ever loved before.

But could he really put aside that hurt, all for you?

hua 💅

jj 🤙
hey girl

i know you haven't been
answering me all day, but i have
something important to ask

the girls and i wanted to
say one last goodbye to
the shelter dogs, and they
want to see you

would you be able to come
by on the 14 and see them off?

no pressure, but they'd
love to see you 🤎

love you babes

laska's note —
omg, is hua coming back?? and did changbin decide to help the girls out with their plan, or was he too scared? it's crazy that the trip is almost over, and with it, the book is almost over too... 😭😭 let's hope that both hua and changbin are able to put their pride aside and talk to one another! because whether changbin decided to help the girls or not, they are trying to bring hua back one last time. we miss her so much already! do you think she will come back? and will her and changbin actually talk it out, or not? 🥺🥺

𝖭𝖤𝖷𝖳 𝖴𝖯：
𝟰𝟬 - 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘅
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