We all were entering the apartment after a very long day of practices for EXO and an annoying day of procedure review and all that annoying junk that goes along with this job. I sighed as I locked the door behind me. It wasn’t all fun all the time. The guys had already all gone and sprawled out around the living room. I chuckled as I came in to see them all passed out in various odd places and positions. I noticed that Lay had saved a place next to him on the couch. He patted the seat and I was about to approach and take a seat when my phone rang. I was startled and rumaged around in my bag untill I found it. Mom? That’s weird.

“I’ll be back,” I answered the phone and began making my way into the kitchen to talk to her.

“Nina?! Oh, thank goodness! Honey, listen…”

~~~

I stared down at the phone in shock. I’d just gotten a phone call. Not a very happy call at that. I had to go home. Now. It wouldn’t be for very long hopefully… I mean, I would be back… I sighed. There was a family emergency. My brother was in the hospital. He’d had a bad accident yesterday.  I hadn’t been given very many details yet since my mom was still freaking out and only able to tell me the basics and that I needed to come home. I was really worried about what was going on. I haven’t been able to see my brother in quite awhile now, but I love him with all my heart. He’s about two years older than me and everyone tells us that we look just alike. He’s silly and annoying, yet one of the nicest people in the world (when he chooses to be -.-). He always makes me feel better when I’m sad and was always my best friend growing up.

That stupid boy better be okay or I’m gonna kill him.

I needed to go and be there for my family now. It was my turn to make him feel better now. I glanced into the living room where EXO M was all sitting and playing.

But this family needs me too…

 I finally composed myself, wiping away any tears that I had let slip. I forced a smile on my face and joined them.

“Hey Nina! What was the phone ca-” Lay started to ask, but stopped when he saw my face. I made a face at him and sat down beside him. He peered over at me, concerned. Luckily no one else seemed to be paying attention to our interaction. This had become a common occurance since Lay and I told all of the members about our relationship. He leaned over and whispered in my ear, “What’s wrong?” I shivered and shook my head,

“I-… I’ll tell you later….” I mumbled. He grew even more concerned, I could tell, “Please. Yi Xing. Just… Let’s just enjoy this right now. I’ll tell you later. I promise.” He pursed his lips, not pleased, but nodded and turned back to the T.V., wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I sighed and leaned my head against him.

Who knows how long I’ll be able to do this?

~~~

Eventually I couldn’t avoid it any longer. Lay was growing extremly fidgety and looked over at me every few minutes with a concerned and curious look on his face. I sighed and stood up. He watched me with wide eyes as I walked away from them all and went into the room that he, Chen, and I all still shared. I entered and sat down on my bed. A moment later I heard the floor boards’ squeek and he looked up as he peeked into the room. He just stared at me for a moment. I sighed and waved my hand, signaling for him to come in. He entered, closing the door behind him, and sat down beside him.

“So… What’s up?” He asked, thoroughly concerned. I sighed once again, fighting back the tears as I thought about what I was about to say.

“That- That was my mom on the phone. My, uh… My brother… h-he had an accident yesterday…” I faltered a few times but finally got it out. He gasped and grabbed onto my hand. I grimaced at the next words formed in my head. I had to say them. “I… I uh… I have to go home.” I looked down, avoiding his gaze. I didn’t want to see the hurt in his face or whatever else I might find there. I felt his warm hand reach out and cup my chin, pulling it up so that I had to look at him. What I saw before me was nothing like I expected. In his eyes was only concern and worry.

“You’ll be back though, right?” I nodded stifly in his grip. He smiled softly, “Then that’s all that matters. You need to be with your family right now. Don’t worry about me, or any of the guys. We’ll be fine. We’ll miss you like crazy, but this is more important than us.” Tears pooled at the edges of my vision once again and he saw this. He reached up to cup my cheeks in his hands, “What have I told you? If you need to cry, just cry. I’ll be here with you.” At that I let it out and he hugged me to him. I was so scared. I love my brother so much and I want him to be okay, but I was also scared and sad to be leaving all of this behind. What if SM replaced me? What if Yi Xing didn’t love me anymore? What if…? So many thoughts swirled around in my head as I cried against him; clinging to him like a child. He rubbed my back and soothed me. Finally I was able to speak again,

“You won’t forget me, will you? You’ll still love me when I come back? No matter how long it takes?” He looked down at me and his eyes softened as I said this.

“Nina. Of course I’ll still love you. I could never forget you or stop loving you. Don’t be afraid of that, okay? I’ll still be here by the time you get back. I’ll always be here.” I nodded slowly as I looked into his kind eyes, so full of love.

“Thank you…” I leaned against him once more, never wanting to leave his side but knowing that our parting was coming all too soon.