Chapter 3: Bruises and Tears

It was finally time for all of their nerves to be going haywire as their announced debut date is nearing. It has been officially announced on the internet that they are set to make their opening as Stray Kids on March 25. They are finally going to be on stage as idols.

Everyone is in high spirits, both nervous and anxious for the future that looms over them. Jisung couldn't help but think of what will happen to them when they debut, the questions running in his head repeatedly. Will they get a lot of fans? What if they stay underrated and don't overpass the JYP standards? He's thinking of way too many things at once that his mind decided not to shut up until it's too late for him to fall asleep at night.

When the sun came up and it was time for them to go, things were not going his way as soon as he leaves the dorm. He was rushed to the company, forgetting to buy his coffee that serves as his energy for the day, he was given a dance routine to practice with the others and to train their vocals right after and everything was getting a little bit too overwhelming for him. Their manager also told him that they were set to make their first impression on the public through Vlive by tomorrow, which then sends Jisung into an anxious mess.

His mind went elsewhere, drifting away from reality as they are having a dance practice, this means that he keeps having little mistakes there and then. Minho had taken pity on him, giving only a warning But, Hyunjin wasn't having any of it at all.

From time to time when Jisung stumbles over his steps, Hyunjin would make some remarks that would actually be advisable if it weren't only the way that he speaks. It was set in a harsh tone, made to piss him off and if he wasn't already having a bad mood, he would definitely be in one now.

Jisung gritted his teeth, "I know, Hwang. Will you shut up now? I'm clearly trying, okay?!" He burst out, his voice filling the practice room and making everyone freeze as they watch their next move.

"Sure." Hyunjin rolls his eyes, "Trying. As if." He mumbled the words that could only be caught by Jisung.

"If you know what's best for you. I highly suggest that you stop fucking mumbling." Jisung hisses silently between them, conscious of the eyes watching them. He took a deep breath, trying to calm down and restrain himself from actually inflicting physical pain on the other.

Hyunjin steps closer where they knew that only the two of them could hear each other as their music still keeps playing in the background. "Why? You're riled up with just some silly words? Didn't know you were still the same pathetic person that I broke up with." The tension raises between them, Jisung looking down at the floor as he shakes in what seems to be anger. "You never change."

His blazing eyes snapped back to Hyunjin and to everyone's shock, he raises his fist and punches Hyunjin straight in the jaw.

"Ya!" It became a commotion as they all were shocked by the sudden movement.

"What the hell?!" Hyunjin cups his jaw, his wide eyes meeting Jisung's furious ones. "You want to play that game, huh?!" He pounced back before anyone could stop him, punching Jisung in his cheeks.

"Stop!" Chan grabs Hyunjin by his waist, pulling him back before Hyunjin could land another one while Changbin goes over to stop Jisung from having his revenge.

"What is wrong with the both of you?!" Changbin voiced out laced in disbelief at the situation on hand. "Seriously, we know that we are all stressed but this is no excuse to fight!"

"He started it!" Jisung points out, his eyes never leaving Hyunjin's. "Didn't I give a warning? He keeps getting on my nerves!"

Minho tsked, "That's no excuse to punch someone, Han-ah." Frustrated, Jisung could feel the tears welling up in his eyes.

"Go ahead! Be on his side, of course. It's always my fucking fault!" Jisung shrugs off Minho's hold on him, walking past Hyunjin.

"No one's blamin-"

"It's always about you." Jisung interrupted, looking at Hyunjin with so much pain in his eyes. He shakes his head and then runs away from the studio before anyone could chase him. Everyone was quiet except for the song playing in the background. It was only when Jeongin stops the music that Chan sighs and checks on Hyunjin.

"Pack up. It will only be me, Hyunjin, Jisung, and Minho left here. Everyone goes back to the dorms. Dance practice is canceled for now." Hyunjin flinches when Chan touched the bruise forming on his jaw. "Minho, go find Jisung and bring an ice pack if you can." There was no room for any other complaints as they all move in sync with what they were supposed to do.

They all filed out except for Hyunjin and Chan, "What's with the two of you?" Chan asks him. "Fights like this are not normal unless something happened." Hyunjin huffs, his own tears being fought back before they flow down. A lot of things. He wants to answer. A lot of things happened between us, but I can't tell you anything, hyung. You won't understand. It's all in the past...

He wanted to spill all the details of what had happened between him and Jisung. He wanted to cry and break down to finally be let off of the weight seated on his chest. He wanted to yell and explain why he desperately doesn't want to see Jisung any longer, but it was as if his words are stuck in his throat.

"Hyunjin?" Chan's gentle voice lulls him back to reality, the concerned gaze settled on him.

"I... It-" Before he could actually say anything, the door to the studio opens. Minho comes in with one hand holding two ice packs while his other hand is holding onto a sulking Jisung. Hyunjin hates it. He hates seeing him more than ever at that moment. Not because he got punched or because of the horrible break-up. There's an ugly clench in his heart that he is oh-so-familiar with when he sees the both of them together. He despises that feeling.

"Can't I just go home?" Jisung whines, "We're both bruised up as you can see." He gestured at the both of them. When he makes eye contact with Hyunjin, he stares before it moves down to his jaw where the bruise is slowly forming.

"Who's fault do you think it is?" Hyunjin retorted. Chan shushed them before they could start another argument, giving them a glance that says 'one more word and I'll lock the both of you inside here.' None of them were brave enough to utter a word.

"Look," Chan started, feeling the tiredness falling off of his voice. "I know that we are all stressed about the nearing debut date. It's only a matter of days and we're all going to be appearing in a lot of shows. This also means that we are still not officially in contract until our debut and if the both of you are not going to work out whatever problems you two have, I'll have to consider removing you both." They felt as if their ears deceived them, eyes snapping towards Chan with panic climbing up slowly.

"Isn't this a bit harsh, hyung?" Jisung said, horror seeping on his face. "Remove... that's too much!"

For the first time after they met again, Hyunjin couldn't help but agree. "I know." Chan calms them down, "Not the best decision I could ever think of. As I said, I will consider this only if both of you still don't plan on working out the problem at hand. I will not pick any favorites. Do you both understand?" It was a beat of silence before Chan was satisfied with receiving verbal agreement from the two boys.

"Alright then." He gestures to the bags. "Pack up and go home. Let's rest this day, yeah? Talk if you have to. Minho, let's go." Minho spares them a glance, hesitating before he follows Chan out of the room, leaving them together,

"Do you think they'll work this out?" Minho asks as soon as they step out of the room, closing the door so that they could get away from earshot. Chan takes a deep breath, his eyes downcast as he says:

"I hope so."