𝙲𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚗 ; +×+ 𝟼𝚝𝚑 𝙼𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛

+ 𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝙰𝚠𝚊𝚢 +

Lately, Hayeon hasn't been feeling like herself for the longest time. She was involved in a scandal saying that her real personality is not what she showed herself to the world. A video of her fight playing with her make-up artists goes out to the public and some people who's sick in the head turned the situation around so that it seems like Hayeon is the bad guy. She has been getting a lot of hate from people on social medias, saying that she shouldn't be so proud about being a bully and so on.

They urged her to apologize but she did nothing since she didn't do anything wrong. Why would she apologize if she's not wrong? That's what she thought over and over again. On one night that her head felt like it's about to burst, she made an excuse to the members so that she could leave. Hayeon then walked down the streets and head towards the spicy food store to release some tension with spicy foods.

As a Kpop artist, Hayeon had barely any freedom to do anything she wants and go anywhere she likes. It's like her life is a constant movie where she's the main character. Mind you, she had to act like she is the most perfect person to ever live on earth because people are waiting for her to slip and make a mistake so that they could drag her down to the bottom.

It was expected but what kind of a 15 years old would expect such harsh treatment from others? It was such a young age and she was only pursuing her dreams, the dreams that was once so great and mighty but the reality is far from it.

Hayeon sits at the very back corner of the restaurant with her back against the people. She put her hood up so that no one would recognize her. "Ahjumma, one plate of tteokbokki and make it extra spicy please. And a glass of peach tea. Thank you." While waiting for her order, she looked out the window. Even though it's getting late, the street of Seoul is as busy as it was in the daytime or maybe even busier. Couples holding hands while walking down the street, beautiful smile adorning their faces. Families having a great time together.

She suddenly felt a jabbing pain in her chest. Hayeon forgets what it felt like to genuinely be happy. All the smile that she show people nowadays felt like a workout as it wasn't sincere. Not long after, her order finally arrived but it arrived with a plate full of fried goods. She looked up at the restaurant owner with her jaw dropped. "Ahjumma, I didn't order—"

The woman just smiled and patted Hayeon's shoulder. "Aigoo, don't worry. It's on me, dear. Eat a lot and feel better, okay?" Hayeon forced a smile on her lips while she thanked the woman. She was not in the mood of eating too much but she can't say no to someone's act of kindness. Just as the woman walks away, Hayeon began eating and without her realizing, rivulet of tears scrolls down her cheeks like rivers.

No one had been kind enough to her when she was a nobody. The people she involved herself with everyday feels like they're actually just pretending to be nice to her just for the sake of it. It wasn't sincere or genuine but what the woman did touched her heart. It was such a simple act of kindness but it had her crying rivers. She chuckled and continued eating with tears accompanying her.

———

After having such a filling meal, Hayeon takes herself to Han River for a change of pace. She sat on the rock by the river, with winds blowing into her tears-stained face, cooling her down. She couldn't stop crying but the weird thing is that she doesn't even know why she's crying. There's just a heavy feeling that's been sitting at the very bottom of her stomach. It's making her sick and emotional for no reason.

Suddenly, she felt something being drapped over her shoulders. She look to her side and sees Hueningkai. "Oppa—"

Hyuka just smiled, "I'll stay here with you until you feel like leaving," and he sat next to Hayeon in complete silence. She was surprised as to how he found her because the river was a bit far from the company. However, she heed no mind to those thoughts because with Hyuka's presence by her side, she felt even more emotional. Tears flow out nonstop but she made no effort to make it stop or wipe it away. She just wanted to let everything go.

"You don't have to act like you care, oppa. I don't mind." It's just something she said to not burden Hyuka with her presence but having someone who understands and appreciates her as she is feels so good that she crave for it. "Why do I have to act if I genuinely care for you, bunny? At this point, you're like my little sister so it is my responsibility to know that you're fine."

It's cold out in the open but Hayeon felt warm. She used to think that no one was ever there for her but she's most definitely wrong. It was just her head messing with her as she knows a lot of people care and love her. Just like her fans who defended her against those hate comments online. "But you shouldn't feel like that. My feelings are not your responsibility and it's okay to walk away." Hyuka smiled while shaking his head in disapproval.

"Walk away? Are you being serious right now?" He turned to face Hayeon. "Hayeon, it's okay to rely on others because you might not see it but you need to know that there are people around you who cares for and about you. You're too focused on those who hated you that you failed to see that there are actually people who defended you." Hayeon sighed. It's so hard for her to believe that there are actually people who cares for her.

Hyuka pursed his lips into a thin line and pulled his phone out before searching for something online and handed the gadget to Hayeon. "BigHit have released a statement about your case and even the stylist nuna defended you." Hayeon's eyes widened in disbelief. She took the phone and scrolled through the comment section where most of them is taking her side and defending her. "People can try to bring you down, bunny but that's not you and the truth will be revealed sooner or later."

The girl felt bad for being down and pushing people away over something so insignificant. Hyuka understands that because as an artist himself, he too, would do the same if he was in her shoes. Without thinking much, she engulfed Hyuka in a tight hug, making the tall guy chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her. She smiled and looked up at him through sparkly doe eyes.

"Is this a bad timing to say that I'm hungry?"

Hyuka smiled, "nope. Not at all. Let's go get you something to munch on."

———