Monsta [book 4]

NINETEEN

Kai's point of view

Aunt Char watches in horror as we scarf down our fourth chili dog, once our plates are clean we decide to order a platter of chili fries.

Char: Your mom is going to kill me if you don't have any vegetables. A piece of broccoli, spinach, a leaf, something!

I chuckle before shaking my head.

Me: She won't mind.
Char: She totally will!
Yeonjun: Ah, if the chef chops up green onion and put them on the fries doesn't that count?

I nod my head as she looks at us unamused before sighing.

Char: Fine, but after this you better order some cabbage or something!

We smile innocently as she goes to give our order to the kitchen.

Yeonjun: This place is so cool.
Me: I know right, firtst it was a bakery but she started expanding. Now I come here to eat and do homework sometimes.
Yeonjun: I can see why.

My eyes linger on his face. His bruises are slowly going away, a bit faded now. Living a life like his can't be easy. In the beginning I hated him for judging my family without knowing anything, but it's fair to say I judged him too.

Me: What did you think of the whole training thing?
Yeonjun: Taeyun-hyung is insane but it just goes to show he's serious about his craft which I can respect.

That's true.

I remember one time I heard Mom and Jooheon arguing because he had a cold and refused to stay home. He wanted to go to practice despite having a high fever.

I thought it was stupid to do such a thing but in retrospect he just loves his job and fans.

Yeonjun: Why? Are you thinking about becoming an idol?
Me: What? Me? I could never.
Yeonjun: Why not?
Me: B-because.
Yeonjun: Because what?
Me: Do I look like the idol type?
Yeonjun: If you look at pre-debut idol pictures none of them look like future idols. Who cares what you look like, you have talent.
Me: So do you.

He scoffs.

Yeonjun: I don't know if I'm coming or going these days, but you, you have a family who loves and supports you. You can do anything.

He means what he says but there's so much pain in his eyes.

Me: If you have a dream you should go for it, I'll support you.

His eyes widen.

Aunt Char comes from the back placing the giant platter down, as well as two spinach salads.

Char: When you're done let me know and I'll drive you two back to Santana's.
Me: We can walk.
Char: Nonsense! It's too dark outside, it's scary so you shouldn't travel alone.

I giggle.

Me: Are you scared to travel alone?

She pinches my cheek making me whine.

__

Santana's point of view

Shownu and I sit on the couch barely paying attention to whatever is playing. He adjust his glasses before going back to scrolling on his phone. I yawn cuddling further into his side.

"Mom, uhhh Shownu?"

We look over at Kai whose standing in the doorway.

Me: I thought you were sleep?
Kai: I couldn't stop thinking about something.
Shownu: Something?
Kai: Back in Vegas I didn't have many friends, but now I feel like Yeonjun is my friend. No one wants to see their friend in pain, right? Like how you're protective over Aunt Char and Aunt Cina.

I nod.

Kai: Yeonjun is trying to give up on himself and I don't like it. He deserves better, he deserves the chance to have better.
Me: I agree.

He sighs.

Kai: Can he stay here a little while?
Shownu: A little while?

Kai nods, I tap my chin pretending to think.

Me: How about for, forever?
Kai: Forever?

Shownu and I nod.

His eyes widen. He begins to scream jumping up and down.

"YEONJUN WAKE UP MOM AND DAD ARE KEEPING YOU."

Shownu begins to choke.

Shownu: Dad?
Me: Dad.

Minhyuk comes flying down the stairs.

Minhyuk: Why just you? I'm like his dad too.
Me: You're more of a cousin. He broke my vase and blamed it on the dog. You said you seen the dog do it as well.

He grins.

__

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