VII.

I am NOT REAL

JEONGIN

I sit on the bench, waiting. Today I will meet him. Today everything will change. I feel a little bit nervous. Have I made the right decission? Is this really what I want? It's so easy to follow the order. To blend it. You don't have to think, you don't have to worry. I look to the ground. No. It's not easy. It's not easy not to feel, not to be myself, not to be able to express who I am. For a short time I felt good, relieved, everything seemed so peaceful but soon I realized... that I may have walked into the cage on my own but I can no longer escape it by myself. Is this really freedom? Is this really what we all want? I don't think so... and today, I will confront myself. I will spread my wings and fly away. I just hope, he will follow for without him... I am not me. I see the bus approaching and smile. It's here. The moment, I've been waiting for. 

I sit on the bus, looking outside but I can't really see anything. The ads are displayed on the window but I pay them no attention. I feel hollow. Empty. As if something important was missing but I can't tell what. All days are the same. There is no change so why today... Why I feel so sad? Then I see myself outside. How is that possible? He is smiling, looking so happy. I don't understand. I run outside to follow him. They say, you die when you meet someone who looks like you. However, I do not fear death. I just wish to know. Can I be as happy as him?

"Which one is the real me?"

VIII.

I am NOT FAKE

FELIX

I don't belong. Never have and never will. They will not break me, they will not take away my passion. So every night I come out and dance. In this high place, hidden from unwanted eyes, I break free. My light shines brighter than any neon signs. My inner self sings in happiness. Especially today, I feel strong, determined. Strange confidence overwhelms me. Why are we all agreeing to a lie when we know the truth? Why we still wish to preserve this world? I dance and dance until the mirror holding my reflection breaks... It shatters just as I wish to shatter this prison we build in our minds. How long I need to hide? Why should I? I have not agreed to this. Nobody asked me my opinion so why should I follow theirs? It's time for me to stop. 

"Let your dreams give you wings and soar above the clouds for you are only completely set free when you dream."

IX.

I am NOT ALONE

CHAN

I have wandered, roamed. Looking for something. Someone. I desperetaly wished for a sing. An omen. Anything that would make this painful journey worth it. Why have I taken that leap in the darkness even when I had to close my eyes because I was scared to see what will happen to me? Would I be happier have I not made that choice? For years, I've lived in a hell worse than anything I've ever known before. No hope. No chance. Every day was the same. Just repetition of tasks drilled to us. However, then it happened. When I was sure it may be better for me to just die... I found it. I found them. Some scared. Others fearless. Some innocent. Others sinful. They are all bold, daring. They are my salvation. My dream. A burden that was too heavy for me to carry alone, is very light when shared. A goal that was out of my reach, can be achieved together. Together we are unstoppable. Holding each other, trusting, loving, giving comfort in the midst of pain. We may be the deviants but we are the true winners here.

"Through chaos as it swirls... It's us againts the world."

I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX

WE ARE STRAY KIDS