“Do you remember when we were 9 or 10? We started to hang out more with each other. We became best friends but society being as it is, other kids started picking on your looks and I became socially awkward.

I never warmed up to people easily, so you would always talk to me while I painted pictures for you. I was happy that I had you in my life, but suddenly, one day that changed. You stopped dreaming about your future, you barely spoke to me or hung out.

You started attending to others and what they think about you. I remember and saw how hard you strived to fit into this mole that society created, and it hurt me to a point that I locked myself up from the world.

Immersing myself in art and music to a point I landed in the hospital. You were there after I woke up, and that was when we made our promise that years later I couldn't keep.”

***

Namjoon ran from floor to floor in the hospital, looking everywhere for his best friend. He hated himself for pushing her away from him, like that. When he found out that she had been admitted, he left school to come and find her.

To make sure that his best friend was okay and give her support and comfort, that he was there for her.

“Namjoon?” He stopped in his tracks, turning around to find an older male looking at him with a sadder look.

“Aaron-hyung? Where is Aro noona? Is she okay? What happened?” Namjoon started spitting out questions at the elder as he jogged towards him.

Aaron didn't answer him and instead, looked at the room that Aro was in. Namjoon bowed to his hyung and went to enter the room. Aro was asleep in the hospital bed and Namjoon made sure to be extra quiet as he edged near and sat on the bed by you. He reached out, taking her hand in his.

“Namjoon? W-what are you doing here?” Aro said as she slowly opened her eyes.

“I was worried about you, noona,” Namjoon replied, rubbing small circles and shapes on the back of Aro's palm.

“I'm fine, it's nothing to worry about. I was just silly and forgot to take my meds.” Aro said as she moved herself to a sitting position. Namjoon looked at her confused before she continued.

“Joon, I'm the last born twin. Amy and I were born premature, which resulted in me having health issues. I'm on a lot of meds and if I forget to take them, well, this is what happens.”

Namjoon nodded and mumbled a soft sorry for not being there for her. Aro moved Namjoon's chin up to look at him in the eye before continuing.

“Look, I was born this way. Nothing can be helped and I have accepted it. What I don't accept is the fact that you had shut me out, Namjoon.”

“I-I'm sorry, noona. I didn't know what else to do.” Namjoon apologized, beginning to tear up.

“You come to me, Joonie. You come to me and I will help you the best I can. We are friends, and that's what friends do. Screw what society thinks about you. They don't know you. They don't know what's going on in your life, day in and day out.
It's your life and yours only. You need to live for yourself, and you'll see how happy you can be. Haters will hate, that's how humans are. We never please, even if you make one person happy, there are 10 others who hate you for doing that. Please, Joon live on for you,” Aro said in a soft voice.

“I will if you promise to take better care of yourself, noona,” Namjoon said, wiping his tears away before he looked back up at Aro.

“Only if you promise never to leave me alone. Promise me you will always be by my side.”

Aro was met with a hug from Namjoon as he said, 'I promise'. From outside the room, Aro's older siblings watched the two, muttering and sharing knowing glances.

Perhaps, maybe, he will save her in the end.