Chapter 15- A Thousand Feelings

“What happened between the two of you? I thought you guys were having fun together?” Hansol asked as he watched Wonwoo laughing at one of Soonyoung’s jokes. They had just finished their lunch and were now burying each other under the sand, creating sculptures like mermaids and whatnot.

“I…don’t know…” Mingyu shrugged his shoulders, letting out a sigh.

“Did you guys fight over something?” Hansol asked. He had been watching them since Wonwoo started fooling around with Mingyu, playing pranks on the younger.

“I may or may not have…said something about mums…?” Mingyu gave a guilty smile, and he watched Hansol gape for a moment.

“Now you know why Minghao hyung and I were so adamant about the fact that Wonwoo hyung likes you?” Hansol asked, earning Mingyu’s attention.

“Because…he flirts? But isn’t that what he does all the time? That’s why Jun hyung thinks he doesn’t like me.” Mingyu shook his head.

“It’s more than just that. Wonwoo hyung…he doesn’t open up so quickly and easily to anyone. The only person amongst us who got him to open up the earliest was Seungcheol hyung and even he took 1 month…” Hansol explained.

“Maybe he just feels comfortable around me?” Mingyu argued, his eyes drifting to Wonwoo, who was now burying a sulking Minghao under the sand.

“He wouldn’t tell just anyone about his heart condition. And what’s more about his family…and by family I mean his mum and dad. It’s pretty obvious why he’s telling you all these. He trusts you. And knowing Wonwoo hyung for so many years…he doesn’t trust anyone.” Hansol theorized. How does he know that Wonwoo hyung told me about…his mum and dad? Mingyu must have had some kind of shocked look because Hansol chuckled.

 “Well…anyways I don’t like him anymore.” Mingyu lied, biting his bottom lip, hoping that at least Hansol would buy his story.

“W-What? What do you mean?” Hansol questioned, raising a brow.

“I just…don’t like him anymore…just friends.” Mingyu answered, getting up as he walked away. Nope. I at lying…

“What if I can prove to you that Wonwoo hyung likes you?” Hansol called out, making Mingyu freeze in his steps.

“Just give him some time. You’ll see…” Hansol huffed as he placed his hand on Mingyu’s shoulder. Just as Hansol was about to join his hyungs, he saw Wonwoo glancing at them with a brow raised, seeming to question the sudden closeness between Hansol and Mingyu.

“Chan-ah! Wanna hear about someone’s drunk shenanigans again?” Hansol teased as the three of them sat on their shared bed, applying aloe vera gel over their burnt noses and arms.

“What did hyung do again?” Chan laughed, watching Wonwoo slap his hand over one of Hansol’s burnt spot.

“Whatever you know. Don’t you dare.” Wonwoo stared deadly into Hansol’s eyes, pointing a finger at the younger.

“I don’t really know what he did entirely…but he spoke about…his parents.” Hansol gulped, expecting Wonwoo to storm out of the room, or send another slap in his way. But the older sat there, staring into space, as if accepting his fate that Hansol would never stop.

“Who told you that now?” Wonwoo sent a chilling look in Hansol’s direction.  

“Boys! Come out for dinner!” Granny Jeon called out from the living room, breaking the silence that engulfed the three in their shared room. As the three piled out from their room into the dining area, granny Jeon could sense that something was up. It was evident from the way Wonwoo stared at Hansol’s back to the way Chan scratches his nape awkwardly. The 4 of them settled down and dug into their dinner before granny Jeon cleared , asking for attention.

“Wonwoo-ah…granny has something to tell you. But…you need to promise me…not to get mad like the other time.” Granny Jeon spoke up, placing her hand over Wonwoo’s. She’s ready to tell me…about him coming huh…I need to control myself…stay calm Wonwoo…stay calm. Wonwoo nodded his head, holding her hand in his firmly.

“Your father…is coming to visit as per usual. But…he’s bringing your brother this time.” Granny Jeon said as she massaged Wonwoo’s hand with her thumb.

“Stepbrother.” Wonwoo hissed, his brows drawn together.

“Y-yeah…stepbrother…your father just wants you guys to meet…you know…so that you guys can get to know each other…” Granny Jeon continued.

“There’s no need for that. Not like we’ll be friends.” Wonwoo growled, clenching his fist together.

“W-Wonwoo-ah…don’t be like this…I have good news too. Your father…he says that he’ll top up the remaining money for your surgery. Isn’t that great news?” Granny Jeon asked, not sure how Wonwoo would react. She was actually surprised at how tame Wonwoo was despite receiving the annual news.

“Really?! Hyung gets to go for the surgery?!” Hansol leapt at the information, eyes widened to their limits as if he were the recipient of the mentioned surgery.

“Yay! Wonwoo hyung can finally get to play basketball and join us during dance practices!” Chan cheered, slamming the table in delight.

“And that will be the end of his non-stop speeches about dying before me.” Granny Jeon sighed, a smile creeping up her face as she watched the 2 boys cheer.

“I don’t need it.” Wonwoo spoke up, making all 3 others quieten down.

“We’re not taking a single cent from that bastard. Even if it means no surgery.” Wonwoo restated, wanting them to know that he meant what he said.

Wonwoo had never liked the idea of granny or his grandfather working so hard just to save money for his surgery. And now they’re asking him to accept money from someone who abandoned him when he was a kid. There was no way he would accept it. Knowing his father, there had to be some kind of catch and Wonwoo was not willing to find out what it was.

“Wonwoo-ah stop being stubborn for once.” Granny Jeon pleaded as Wonwoo withdrew his hand from hers.

“I’m the one going for surgery. If I say I don’t want to, no one can stop me or change my mind.” Wonwoo countered, his voice softening a little at the sight of his grandma.

“Jeon Wonwoo!” Granny Jeon shouted, slamming her hand on the table, making all 3 boys stare at her in bewilderment.

“Please…I really…don’t want to see you suffering anymore…” Granny Jeon looked into Wonwoo’s eyes as she sat there, fatigue engraved on her face. Wonwoo could tell that tears were about burst free, her eyes were glossy but begging him.

“Just at least…promise me you’ll think about it…” Granny Jeon’s voice shook as she held Wonwoo’s arm. He nodded before walking out of the house, strolling down the walkway. He squeezed his eyes shut, enjoying the night breeze and the howls that came with it. At least he didn’t blow up this time.

He scrolled through his contact list, looking for someone to call. Someone that would understand his situation. Someone who would lend him a listening ear. As he sat on the grass patch before the river, his mind couldn’t help but wander back to moments ago, the begging look granny Jeon had.

“Hello?” A very familiar but soothing voice answered his call.

“……” Wonwoo remained silent, only staring at the river before him.

“Is this a prank call or what?” The voice asked, slight annoyance accompanied.

“……” Wonwoo cupped a hand over his quivering lips as he felt the familiar hot rush of tears spilling down his cheeks. This has been such a frequent occurrence lately. Wonwoo has never been such a weak child. He was always one who could go to sleep with lots of trouble in mind and wake up the next day with a clear mind, almost like someone rebooted it.

“Wonwoo hyung…? Hello?” Mingyu called out over the phone, this time a hint of concern was evident in his tone.

“…s-sorry for calling…bye…” Wonwoo let out a small cry, ending the call immediately with his trembling hands. He looked afar, watching the waves but his glistening tears were blurring his sight. A sudden non-stop vibration of his phone broke the silence and he rejected the call upon seeing the caller. It was Mingyu. He didn’t want the y