Dating an Idol

Thirteen: A PLACE TO STAY

People were looking at me as I dragged my luggage along the sidewalk. Not that I care.

My mind was too occupied to actually worry about that.

I didn't know where to go. I have no place to stay right now and the thought was stressing me out big time.

I got so desperate earlier that I have decided to just go to our old house. Maybe it's time that I patch things up with my dad, I thought.

Even if my dad's still mad at me for choosing my mom over him, I know that he wouldn't want me to sleep on the streets. So I had decided to swallow my pride and took a bus to our old house.

There was an unfamiliar car parked right outside our gate so I thought my dad bought a new car. But to my surprise, a woman I do not know came out of our gate. She looked like she owned the car since she drove it away.

I was taken aback. Did my dad get married again? I mean, this soon? Like it has only been two years!

Not that I expect him to get back together with my mom but still, isn't it too soon for him to start dating again? The thought got me frustrated.

I left our house mad. Even if I sleep on the streets, I will never, ever go back to our house again. I was so disappointed.

My feet were getting sore from too much walking so I decided to find a convenience store. My stomach's growling, too, since I haven't had anything for lunch and it's past five in the afternoon already. The constant walking and worrying must've taken all the energy that's left in me. I needed to eat something so I could think clearly.

I need to come up with a solution. ASAP.

While I was picking at the food in the lunch box I bought at the convenience store I'm in, I came up with a solution. I decided to just spend another night at the sauna. Then maybe I can start hunting for a part-time job tomorrow. Then maybe, just maybe, I can find a cheap place to stay.

But knowing how expensive rooms are in Seoul, I doubt if one part-time job is enough for me to pay for rent. So I was thinking of finding two or three part-time jobs.

I tried to rack my mind earlier for any friends to contact. But sad to say, I don't keep in touch with any of them anymore. I basically cut my ties with everyone when I decided to go to the Philippines.

Just as I did with Skye. I just basically disappeared from their lives.

I felt my tummy growling again so I stuffed a sausage into my mouth. I had no appetite right now but I needed to eat. I needed the energy to be able to think and act well.

I checked my phone and realized that Skye hasn't messaged me yet. He must be busy the whole day.

It was a relief, actually. Since I don't know how I'll explain what he saw earlier without making him worry. I don't want to make him worried.

But like on cue, I got notified on i********:. Skye had just sent me a message! It was as if we connected through mental telepathy and he knew that I was thinking about him right now.

I was torn between ignoring his messages and wanting to know what he had written. But in the end, the thought of not making him worry won.

I don't want him to get worried. It might affect his work.

So I opened my inbox and as always, he started flooding me with messages.

I'm sorry I wasn't able to get hold of my cellphone the whole day. What happened?

I was so worried about you.

Why are you alone? I thought you're with some friends?

And why are you leaving CBX earlier with your luggage?

Where are you now?

Yuri, where are you now?

Yuri, I need you to answer. I'm so worried about you.

What happened earlier?

Yuri, are you there?

Yuri, please reply! You're making me worried!

I couldn't help thinking about you the whole day! You're making me so worried.

A lump suddenly appeared in my throat as I read his messages. I felt so alone earlier but reading Skye's messages doesn't make me feel so alone anymore.

I started typing a reply.

[Me] Don't worry, I'm okay.

[Skye] Thank goodness, you're replying! What happened earlier?

[Skye] Where are you right now?

[Me] I'm fine.

[Skye] No, you're not. Give me your number.

[Me] I am fine, really.

[Skye] Yuri, give me your number!

And before I knew it, I typed my phone number and sent it to him. I wanted to hear a familiar voice, too. I wanted to hear him.

My phone started ringing right away. The call was from an unregistered number so I presumed it was him.

"Hello?" I said.

"Where are you?" Came Skye's voice from the other line. Hearing his voice automatically brought me comfort.

"I'm… I'm okay, don't worry about me," I said as I stood up from my seat and brought my phone outside of the convenience store.

"Stop saying you're okay, I know you're not. What happened earlier?" He sounded so worried that I started to feel guilty.

"My training sked doesn't start until the end of next month," I admitted. I realized there was no point in denying the whole thing. I'll just make him even more worried.

"End of next month? That means you have no place to stay until then?"

"Don't worry about me, I'll find a way."

"So where are you right now?"

"I'm okay, don't worry."

"Where are you sleeping tonight!" It wasn't a question anymore.

"Uhmm… I'll go to my dad. I'm gonna stay there until my training starts," I lied.

"Don't lie," he said. He could really "see" through me. "I know you're not gonna do that."

I didn't say anything. There was no point in lying to him. He knows me too well; he could tell when I'm telling the truth and when I'm not.

"Please stop making me worry, Yuri. Just go to my place," he said. It doesn't sound like a request. It's more of a command, actually.

"You know I can't do that," I opposed.

"Of course, you can. Nobody knows I live there, anyway. Plus it's empty. I'm staying at the dorm with the boys. It's easier that way."

"I can't do that, Skye. Nope I can't. What if someone finds out about it? That'll get you in trouble."

"Nobody will. As I've said nobody knows I live there. Not even my neighbors. I haven't had the chance to really stay there since I bought that place. Stop making me worry, Yuri. Go there right now. I'm gonna send you the address and the door passcode."

"I don't think I can ---"

"Stop it." There was an authority in his voice. "Just stop it, Yuri. Please do as I say."

I heaved a deep sigh. I feel like giving in. It's not like I have a choice right now.

"I'm about to go now," he said. "We're going to start shooting again. We're doing an MV right now. We just had a quick break. Please stop making me worry and do as I say."

"O-okay, I will," I said.

Okay. Maybe I can stay at his place until I find a couple of part-time jobs and find a cheap place to stay.

"Make sure to take a selfie and send it to me once you're there. I really need to go, they're waiting for me now."

"Okay. Please do well in your shoot."

"I will if you promise me that you'll head to my place right after I end this call."

"I promise, I promise," I said to pacify his mind. "Now go."

"I'll call you once we're done. Bye," he said before he hung up the call.

I heaved a deep sigh and stared at my phone for a few seconds after the call ended. It looked like I was left with no choice at all.

I saved his number on my contact list and went back inside to get my luggage.