Catching Up With The Truth

I got up from a very very very long sleep. I think I slept for more than twelve hours. My back was aching and my eyes felt all puffed up from oversleeping.

I looked at the digital clock on my bedside table - 'Jul 2 - 5:00 AM' - it read.

"Wow!" I stretched my arms over my head. "That was what I needed."

I got up and took a shower, brushed my teeth and checked my schedule.

Our promotions for our debut song were over, our promotions with mark are also over. Now, I just need to concentrate on our comeback.

I headed down to the living room and was surprised at what I saw. 

Jun and Yonghwa were sprawled on the long sofa with an empty bottle of whiskey on the floor.

"Tsk, tsk." I picked up the bottle. "They have houses, don't they?"

I put the bottle in the trash bin in the kitchen. 

"When did these two come here?" I asked Jane who just came in the kitchen too and was taking something out from the refrigerator.

"Around 1 AM, they were trying to wake you up but you were sleeping like a baby."

There are times when Jun and Yonghwa would crash into my house even when I'm not around. They know they're always welcome.

"I'll just be in the music room," I told Jane. 

"Okay, I'll call you when breakfast is ready."

It's already 10 in the morning when I finally left the music room. Jun and Yonghwa were still on the sofa. 

"Don't these two have work to do?" I shook Yonghwa first. 

Ugh! They stink.

"Kuya," I shook him hard. "Hey! Wake up!" He just groaned, shifted and started snoring again.

I went to Jun's side. I shook him and kicked his boot.

"Yah, Kuya," I shouted. "Wake up." 

Still no movement.

Upon hearing me shout, my two huskies came in and started barking. 

"Wake them up, will you?" I ordered my dogs.

They started licking the two on their faces. I watched them as they shifted and opened their eyes to a horrible sight. My dogs are on the sofa licking and pushing them. 

"Yah, get down, Blue," Yonghwa pushed Blue down the sofa. 

Jun woke up, too, and started pushing Sky. 

I was laughing so loud. I should've taken a picture of them. 

"What do you think are you doing?" I had my arms crossed and I was facing both of them who were fixing their ruffled hair.

"Is this what you do to your guests?" Yonghwa looked at me, miffed.

"Guests?" I said sarcastically. "What guests come in the wee ours of the morning, drunk?"

"You're a meanie," Jun stood up and tried to remove the fur stuck on his shirt.

"Good doggies," I patted Sky and Blue.

"I'm hungry," Yonghwa looked at me with his puppy eyes.

"Wash up! I'll fix something for both of you."

Yonghwa and Jun were sitting on the counter waiting for the food. I served them soup for their hangover and pancakes. 

"Where'd you two been?" I asked them.

"Just out."

"Ugh...." I said. I grabbed a stool and sat across from them.

"Did you rest well?" Jun asked me.

"Yeah, that was the longest sleep I've had in years."

"Good," Yonghwa said.

"You're still free today, right?" Jun asked.

"Yup, we start practicing for our comeback tomorrow."

"Perfect!" Yonghwa was smiling now. "We'll take you out on a date."

"Yeah! Wherever you want to go," Jun gave me two thumbs up.

"Why?" I was wary. What are these two up to? Why are they taking me out? Did something happen?

"Why? Can't we take our little sister out sometimes?" Yonghwa pinched my cheeks.

"There's gotta be a catch, right?" I eyed both of them.

"No catch. It's just two older brothers taking their baby sister out. That's it." 

"Hmm.....," I was a bit skeptical but, what the heck, might as well take advantage of this time.

"So, where are we going?" I asked them.

"Where do you wanna go first?" Jun was behind the wheel.

"They're showing this movie I had always wanted to watch."

"To the movies then," Yonghwa said.

"You two are being super suspicious right now." 

We ate a late lunch at my favorite restaurant, went shopping for some clothes for me which, I may add, they have paid. 

It's already seven in the evening.

"Are you having fun?" Jun handed me ice cream as we sat at a bench in a park near the mall.

"Super," I asked as I licked my dripping ice cream.

"Good," Yonghwa patted me on the head.

"What's this for anyway? My birthday's in three weeks, don't tell me this is my present."

"Of course not, we have something else prepared for your birthday."

"Then what?"

"We just missed you, that's all. And besides, you would be busy again for your next album." Yonghwa pointed out

They looked at each other as if they were waiting for each other to tell me something.

"That's it!" I stood up. "Tell me!"

"Tell him, Yonghwa," Jun pushed Yonghwa slightly.

"No, hyung! YOU tell her. You're the one who knows the whole story." 

"Kuya? What story?" I faced Jun.

"Ok, so you remember I met this couple in LA, right?" 

"Yes?" 

"Mark knows them, right?", he was confirming facts one by one. 

"Just tell me the whole story, will you?" 

"So, they have another friend who is here in Korea for a vacation. I met up with him yesterday after I came from your house. I told him about Mark. And he was shocked that I know him."

He stopped and I waited.

Yonghwa nodded for him to continue.

"I asked him why."

He stopped again.

"And?" Why does he have to say it slowly?

"He said, that Angela, the girl in the picture, is Mark's girlfriend."

"What? I don't understand? I thought you said she was Jason's?" How could this be? Was that why Mark wasn't feeling good all of a sudden yesterday?

"She is," Jun said slowly.

"What?"

"Ugh...it's complicated. Can you continue it for me, Yonghwa." 

"Ok, so in short, when Mark debuted he had to pause his relationship with Angela. You know, they're still boyfriends and girlfriends but they have to keep it a secret for three years."

I'm starting to understand now. My heart sunk for Mark. I know what he's going through. I've been there.

"Angela might have felt alone and Jason came in the picture. Now, they're dating without Mark knowing." 

"That sucks!" Were the only words I could say.

"Kris, we know that Mark is close to you and you've been through the same situation. But, please, just try to keep away from him for now." Jun put his arm around me.

My tears poured down in a stream of anguish. I feel heartbroken for Mark. I want to go to him and comfort him as much as I can. 

"Don't cry, little girl," Yonghwa wiped my tears but they just continually fell.

"We were hesitant to tell you this because we know how you feel about Mark. We don't want you getting hurt again."

"But, he would need someone to talk to." I said.

"Yes, Kris," Yonghwa knelt down beside me, "but that 'someone' is not you." 

Ouch! I know this as a fact, but it hurts to hear it, nevertheless.

That night, I cried myself to sleep. Not sure whether I'm crying because I feel sorry for him or crying because I feel sorry for myself knowing that he has a girlfriend. 

____________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                       MARK

I couldn't sleep at all last night, I kept on waking up with tears on my eyes. I kept on dreaming. 

It was a very similar dream to what I had with Angela and Kris. But, this time, it was between me and Jason, and Angela was in the middle.

"Hyung, are you up for practice today?" Junior came in the room. 

It was already eight in the morning and I can hear everyone busy preparing to go out in the living room.

"I think I'll pass," I said weakly.

"You want me to stay with you here?" he offered.

"No, thanks." I wanted to be alone.

"Ok, hyung. We'll be back before dinner." He closed the door.

As soon as I heard everybody go out the dorm, my phone rang.

It was Angela.

Great timing. Why's she calling? 

I checked the date - Jul. 2. It is her birthday tomorrow. 

Is she calling to remind me that? She already had an advance party, what else does she want?

Should I answer it? What would I say? Should I pretend I don't know?

I left the phone ringing.

Good, it stopped.

I received a text message. It was still from her. 

Mark, please call me when you get this. I need to talk to you. Please.....

It sounded really urgent. I'm guessing, something might have happened in school, at home, or with friends.

Should I?

I pressed 'call'.

"Mark?" She sounded like she wanted to cry.

"Uhm?" I don't know how to respond.

"Say something, please," 

"Hello, uhm... how are you?" I sounded cold and distant.

"Is that it?"

"What do you want me to say? You said you were gonna say something. So, start saying it." I grumbled.

"I'm sorry, Mark," she was crying now.

"For what?"

"It just happened. I was lonely and...and..." She couldn't finish her sentence because of her sobbing.

So, she knew that I know.

"Why Angela?" was all I could ask her. Tears came flowing down again.

"I just missed you, and he was always there...and...it just happened."

"It just happened? You think that's a valid reason? It just happened?" All my frustrations came out. "You promised, Angela. I was trying hard to keep that promise. I even had to....ugh...."

"I'm really sorry. I still love you, Mark. I still want you."

"I don't know, Angela."

"Let's just start over again. I promise nothing like this would ever happen again. Please, Mark."

"Happy Birthday, Angela." That was the last thing I could say. I pressed 'end'.

I still love her, I still do. But, this was just more than a heartbreak. Like my whole world collapsed in front of me. How can she do this, and with my friend, Jason. 

I took a shower, changed, and headed out. I thought I needed some fresh air. I left my phone in the dorm because I don't want to hear anything from her just yet.

I got out the building and started walking. Not sure where I was going, I just wanted to clear my mind.

My legs were already hurting, but I didn't mind. 

There were some people gathering behind me and I realized they're fans. 

I have to get out of here.

I wasn't ready to interact with them. Not when my eyes are bloated and I look like shit. I'm just not in the mood.

I entered a restaurant and I can see them stop at the entrance. I headed towards the other exit. I ran inside a mall beside it.

Phew! That was close.

I looked back to check if they're still following, but all I could see were shoppers.

I got out of the mall and started walking again.

I looked at the time and it was already afternoon. 

How long did I walk? 

I looked around and saw unfamiliar buildings. Where am I?

I checked my pockets for my phone and remembered I left it in the dorm. I checked my wallet, I only have a card and a few bills. 

I think I have enough for a taxi ride home.

But, I still don't want to go home. The boys would just be digging me for some answers.

I sat at a bar and ordered myself a drink. I drank the glass in one shot and felt it burn my stomach. I haven't eaten all day and I can feel the heat from the shot. I didn't care.

I got home really drunk. I don't even remember how much I gave the taxi driver. 

I entered the dorm only to be met by a fuming JB. 

"Yah, hyung! Where have you been? I thought you were sick?" He slightly jabbed my right shoulder. 

"Hmmm?" I smirked and walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water.

"Are you drunk?" he was on my heels.

"Uh-huh," I held up the glass I was holding in front of his face.

I could see the other guys peeping at the entrance of the kitchen. 

"Hey, guys," I waved at them and walked towards the room.

JB grabbed my hand.

"Is this the kind of example you want the younger members to see?" He is such a nagger. "You skip practice just so you could go drinking?"

"Sorry, leader-nim," I bowed at him while grinning.

"Hyung," Junior came to the rescue. He held JB's hand that was holding my arm and tried to let me loose. "Let's just leave him for now. Please?"

JB let go of me, released Junior's grip on him and punched the wall really hard.

I could see the other younger guys trembling in fear. 

Because I was too drunk, instead of going straight to the room, I went back and faced him.

"What did the wall do to you?" My words were slurred. "Punch me! You're mad at me, right? Just punch me. Right here." I pointed at my cheek.

The next thing I know, I was lying on the floor. The other members were standing around me. 

"Hyung, are you ok?" Yugyeom helped me to my feet.

I felt something warm coming out of my nose. I wiped it with my fingers. It's blood.

"Is that all you've got?" I shouted at JB.

"Enough," Bambam was holding me back as I was about to go near JB.

"Do you want more?" JB faced me.

He threw a punch on my left cheek, and another on my shoulder, then at the bridge of my nose.

Then everything turned black.