#exoimagine

“And you’re positive you want to do this?” Chanyeol asks, looking at the maknae. “You do know it’s gonna be hard to be- well; normal, right?” Just as he was gonna respond, Kai had came in with a flick to his ear.

“You shouldn’t scare him like that!” He exclaims. “If he wants to do this, he can.” He defends, “You can’t just tell him not to go to school.” The two had pulled Sehun aside to talk as all three of them were standing in front of the ‘Dunkook University School Of Music’ sign, and to be frank; It was more like two parents playing good cop - bad cop if anything.

“You guys have nothing to worry about.” Sehun reassures, looking at the hyungs about to rip each others faces off. He had to admit- he always loved the care the other members give him; but sometimes being babied over a long period of time could be a little too overwhelming. He wanted to explore outside of his abilities and try his hardest to improve on his dancing, singing, and rapping skills not just for himself- but for the fans too. And if going to school means he’d make that happen, then so be it. He was ready for anything.

Chanyeol looks over at the campus a few feet away from where they were standing before sighing and turning back to his friends. “I just don’t want you to be even more stressed out now that you’re taking in classes.” He explains. “You already have a lot of weight on your shoulders and you’re still too young to go through all of this.”

“I chose this life, hyung.” He reminds camly. “You have to remember I’m allowed to make my own decisions down the road.” He looks at Chanyeol’s worried expression before leaning over and pulling him into a hug, in which Chanyeol returns by resting his head on his shoulder in the process.

“We’ll both be here to pick you up.” Kai mentions after pulling him into a hug. He rubs his hands together for a bit of warmth before talking again. “I’m sorry again that the rest of the guys couldn’t be here; It just would’ve been too obvious if all of us went.” 

Sehun lets out a small laugh, reassuring that everything was okay. “I’m only gonna be gone for a few hours.” He points out. “It’s not like I’m enlisting into the army or anything.”

“Might as well.” Chanyeol mumbles and Kai just flicks the back of his head, having Chanyeol flinch in response. Sehun keeps his smile up, brushing aside the small bundle of nerves in him and pulling the both of them into one more hug before saying his last goodbye until they meet again.

“Oh wait!” Chanyeol says just as he was gonna enter the vehicle. He rushes back to Sehun and hands him a face mask. “Just in case.” He breaths. “I mean, you never know when you’re gonna need this.”

Sehun smiles down at the cloth in his hand before taking it. “Hyung, I already have one-” He tries to explain and Chanyeol sends one more smile his way, ignoring him and turning around, heading back into the car. Sehun shakes his head, waiting a little by standing on the pavement and watching the car drive until he could no longer see it.

Once he felt their presence disappear, he turns to face the school before him, sighing contently. He began fixing the straps on his back pack before walking up to the building.

Entering, he notices rushing students passing by each other, some with instruments to their side or guitars attached to them, some with nothing but a hopeful look on their faces, but nevertheless; to Sehun- they seemed like they knew what they were doing. Sehun couldn’t lie at the thought of feeling out of placed. There were so many people there starting from scratch that he felt he was rather taking the easy way out. But then again, everyone makes mistakes, and he’s just as human as anyone else there.

He walks up to one of the kiosks, leaning over to get his schedule. “Oh Se-hun” He says, looking at the girl who was behind the table. She looks over the papers in front of her, scrolling through each one individually. After finally finding his name, she holds the schedule up to hand to him, and meeting eyes. 

Sehun just sends a warm smile and her bored out expression from before soon turned into star struck. She opened her mouth, and Sehun squints his face a little in hopes she wasn’t gonna scream; but instead of waiting for her to fangirl, the boy takes the paper out of her grip.

“Thank you.” He bows and exits quickly down the hall, leaving the girl speechless. While walking around, he notices multiple stares from unfamiliar faces his way. The boy sighs, keeping his head down; taking the mask out of his pants pocket and wrapping it over his face. He holds his back pack straps closer to him before looking down at his schedule at the first class of the day.

“Fourty-One B.” He reads through the mask. He then looks up and around at the random numbered lettered rooms and it didn’t take him long to realize; he was on the wrong side of the building. Sehun sighs once more, looking at the time on his wrist watch.

“Fuck.” He curses slightly, now rushing past everyone and passing the kiosk from before to walk to the other side. After walking around for what felt like an eternity- Sehun slowly began to feel himself give up. He then takes out a school map he had taken earlier from aside the girl and opens it up.

His eyes scan from left to right, trying to find his location when someone had bumped into him, making him drop the paper. He leans down quickly to pick it up only to see a very scary looking dude in front of him afterwards. The guy just stares at him before laughing and shaking his head.

“Watch where you’re going next time, yeah?” He warns, walking away and Sehun did nothing but tighten his grip a little on his map, ignoring the negativity and continuing to mind his own business. He was there to learn and improve, not get into fights with people who were probably having a poopy day.

Once he finally reached his classroom, the boy enters inside and has almost the entire class and even the teacher look at him. His hands began to feel clammy and his heart began to beat fast. Sure he’s experienced having everyone look at him; but this felt incredibly different. He felt judged, and he hasn’t even spoken one word yet.

“First day?” The teacher asks, and the boy nods in response, unable to speak. The professor then smiles at the boy, stepping aside a little. “In this class we show our faces rather than hide.” He explains. “You have a name?”

Sehun blinks a little before snapping back into the moment, rushing to take his mask off. “Sorry, sir-” He apologizes, slowly unhooking the edges from his ears to reveal his full face.

“Oh Se-hun.” He introduces, bowing in a respective manner and trying his hardest to ignore the instant chatters and whispers that were now filling up the room. He didn’t dare to look at anyone but the teacher, standing up in a straight position.

The teacher just raises his eyebrows, slightly shocked at the idol and Sehun smiles a little at that.

“I knew we were gonna have a famous presence at this school- I just didn’t think I’d be the one to teach him.” He laughs. Sehun just stays in his position, before the teacher head motions him towards the rest of the class. “Take an empty seat anywhere.”

Sehun bows once more, now moving past the front row and up the stairs to the farthest cornered spot he could find. He sat down quickly, calming his speeding heart down by shaking his leg nervously and paying attention to the lesson.

The rest of the time in class was the longest time Sehun’s ever felt anxious. It seemed as if the low talkings from other people were getting louder, and he could’ve sworn he saw someone even take a picture. He wanted to put his mask on so badly, but had to restrain himself from doing so to obey the rules from the teacher. He just wished the time would go by faster, and when the bell rang to indicate class was over, Sehun didn’t hesitate to pack up his stuff and leave.

He lets out a few quick breaths before placing the now crumbled mask over his face again. Running a hand through his hair, Sehun takes out his headphones, plugging it into his phone and turning up the volume on whatever song was playing on shuffle. He looks at the time on his wrist and sighs. The day wasn’t even close to ending.

He finds himself walking around in his own thoughts and staring at the art of music notes along the walls; admiring its beauty. He slows down on his walking as he notices an open, empty music room filled with instruments. Looking around the halls and stepping in, Sehun takes off his mask and looks around in awe. He smiles to himself as he lets his hand run across a big grand piano in the center of the room.

He steps in front of it, pressing a few keys before playing a small melody Chanyeol had once taught him during one of their studio sessions. Sehun felt a little at ease as he plays the familiar song. It reminded him of the reason to why he was there in the first place and sort of gave him back that confidence boost to continue the day. One melody turned into another and soon Sehun found himself sitting down and playing one of EXO’s famous songs - ‘For Life.’ 

He hums along with the sound, mumbling the words even; when he was interrupted by a small cough.

Snapping back into reality, he lets out a frustrated sigh, angry at whoever ruined the moment. “Can’t a guy get some peace?” He almost yells, looking up from the instrument to see an awkward girl standing at the doorway. He looks at her before noticing it was the same girl from the kiosk.

 “Sorry-” She stutters, “I didn’t mean..Sorry.” She steps closer into the room and Sehun rolls his eyes. Usually he would be polite and humble, but considering how everyone was treating him, he couldn’t help but feel frustratingly overwhelmed.

“You said that already.” He says bluntly, resting his hands on his lap and the girl continues to look at him with wide, apologetic eyes. “Sorry-” She apologizes again. “I, uh-” She stops a little before coming in again. “Was that you? Playing?” She asks “You’re really good- It sounded different, coming from you.” She says quietly and Sehun continues to look at her before replying.

“Than my usual ‘stupid cookie cutter pop star’ stuff? Sorry to disappoint.” He huffs, and the girl was quick to step in. “You didn’t!” She reminds before turning awkward again. “I liked it.” She nods “I mean, it was good for ‘stupid cookie cutter pop star’ stuff.” She sends him a warm smile and Sehun couldn’t help but send one in return. He felt his anger slowly dying down and now he just felt plain mean.

“Wow.” He laughs. “You sure know how to make a guy feel better.” He comments and the girl just laughs along with before Sehun moves aside on the chair, patting the seat next to him. She looks at him with wide eyes again as Sehun laughs once more. “Come on.” He pats “I don’t bite- I promise.” He jokes a little, having the girl feel a bit at ease.

She just awkwardly makes her way to the piano and takes a seat next to him, tensing up a bit when she feels Sehun move close to the point where their legs were touching. She wanted to believe this was a dream, and that she wasn’t sitting next to EXO’s youngest member Sehun; But she decided to scream and jump later when all of this is done.

She had noticed Sehun’s anxious behavior after their encounter at the kiosk, and after noticing what happened in the class they just so happened to be in together- she could only imagine the ‘being left out’ feeling he was going through. So with that being said, she took it in her gut to maybe try and be friends with him; She just didn’t think it would turn out like this.

“What’s your name?” He asks, looking over at her, and seeing his features and hearing his voice that close up almost made her faint. He looked and sounded exactly like the pictures and videos- just in person and more clear. She looks at him in his eyes, smiling nervously.

“Y/N.” She introduces and Sehun stays quiet, smiling in return. He holds a hand out, infront of her before introducing himself. “Sehun.” He speaks and the girl just places her hand in his, shaking it gently; trying to push away the tingling feeling.

“I know.” She blurts out before having her cheeks turn a bright pink. “I mean- I know like- it’s obvious, and I mean, who wouldn’t know? You know?” She rushes through her explanation and Sehun lets out a small laugh, sending chills down her spine.

“None of what you just said made any sense.” He mentions and the girl lets out a nervous breath. The two look at each other, and it looked like Sehun was gonna make some sort of move, until they were both interrupted by the bell ringing throughout the halls.

Sehun doesn’t wait to stand up and grab his bag, wrapping both straps around his arms and placing his mask on. He looks down at the girl, offering a hand to help her up, and it wasn’t even a second later when she felt that tingling feeling again.

“Well, I should be going.” She says, brushing herself off and Sehun just stands close, nodding. “If I’m late to class, professor would literally kill me.” She laughs. Sehun looks at her, and she couldn’t help but be even more attracted at how good he looked in a mask. It was like every Sehun college AU coming to life.

“Before you get killed and all-” He eye smiles her way. “Do you think you could show me to my other class? You seem to know more about this place than I do.” He asks before cutting in again. “I mean, if not- I have my map” He laughs “I just thought, it’d be easier to you know- have someone next to me.”

The girl couldn’t help but feel butterflies before saying “Yes” rather quickly, having Sehun laugh once more. She just laughs along, but her smile slowly fades when she realized something.

“Wouldn’t people talk even more?” She questions “I’m pretty sure everyone knows who you are behind that mask.” She tried not to sound too rude and started to even regret what she had said as Sehun stares at her quietly.

He thinks a little, sighing and nodding before taking out his spare mask.

“That’s true.” He agrees, offering it her way. “So why don’t we pretend they don’t know together?” He asks, sending another eye smile through his mask and the girl looks down at the offering before grabbing it and wrapping it around her face.

“This is risky, no?” She asks and Sehun shrugs. “It’s school.” He says “They shouldn’t expect me to not have any friends.”

“What if we do get caught?” She then questions, feeling nervous herself. She looks up at the boy as they both stop in front of the door.

“Well then I guess it’s just a risk I’m willing to take.” He replies, looking down at her and the girl smiles to herself before following Sehun’s lead out into the halls.

Chanyeol and Kai wait outside at the same spot before Chanyeol claps his hands excitingly after seeing Sehun walking towards them.

“How was it?” Kai asks, placing a hand on his shoulder and Chanyeol pushes Kai off to have his turn by wrapping an arm around him. “Yeah,” He says “Was it how you pictured?” 

Sehun looks between the two elders and smiles to himself at the thought of the girl he had met. 

“Yeah.” The maknae nods, then looking up at Chanyeol. He just stops the two before continuing. 

Behind the dark clouds, there is a dazzling light

You glance to the bedside beside yours, your room mate has not come back yet. Night class or maybe in the library, that’s what you thought.

Your eyes close one more time, letting go off the pain, grief, and stress away. Next month will be your mid term weeks. Your brain tries its best to not think of any responsibilities not to mention tasks and home works. You’re dying to have a good rest.

Your phone lights up one more time, this time along with the annoying buzz of an alarm. You bring your phone to your face and turn the reminder off.

“Greet your friends on Instagram and update your tumblr. Check along wattpad for any requests.”

A small smile appears from your lips. The bulking notifications from your fandom families, are waiting for you impatiently. You recollect yourself, energy, and mood. Chugging down a bottle of water, your fingers slowly scroll through today’s waiting replies.

You shine like the stars You light up my heart At the end of today’s hardships Brightly shine on me

You started off a blog and an account for fun, for your fandom purposes, and for an escape. Since then, you slowly make new friends, listen to their stories, and you even pour your imagination over fanfictions where you don’t mind if anyone read it. From light conversations, to deep talks, you learn how diverse and wonderful your new friends are. Soon friends turn into families, and families help you cope up with life.

Aside your parents and siblings, your fandom friends you made over the internet are the sources of energies you needed. They are your mood boosters; they are the reason you keep going on.

In a blink of an eye, your hands are dancing over the comment sections, replying and trolling people. You find back the fire in your soul and the laugh in your lips. Though everyone came from different part of the globe, with awful time difference, and various culture, you relate with them and vice versa.

Snap out of it, get up and brush it off Pain is just a passing storm to me I must get through it all Cuz it’ll pass, it’ll pass Just need a moment Cuz it’ll pass, it’ll pass Cuz it’ll pass, already

One talk about hurdles of taking pre-med, another casual talk to comfort a friend losing a bet, another deep quick talk to those afraid coming out in their true colors. Within one hour, you’ve felt your life change. You realize everyone has their battle; everyone has their own challenges.

The alarm went off one more time, and you sadly have to stop the social media time and stick your nose to some pages or review a module and two.

In the grey sky, there is a brighter light Behind the dark clouds, there is a dazzling light You shine like the stars You light up my heart At the end of today’s hardships Brightly shine on me This isn’t the end Better days will come At the end of that day You’ll shine on me like this

Your wallpaper flash the picture of nine men standing over a big stage, surrounding them are thousands of silver lights. The silver ocean, the one ocean you want to be a part of and drown yourself in. You cheer yourself up. Til the day you can be a part of that silver ocean, chanting fan chants in unison, seeing your role models eye to eye, and hugging those families standing on your side with the light sticks, you won’t give up.

The sun is behind the clouds that cover the light Without change, you shine on me forever The quiet air, the warm wind They’re all there, always in the same place In the gray sky, there is a brighter light Behind the dark clouds, there is a dazzling light

Those nine men had a rough journey to climb the mountain where they’re now standing on. If they can do it, you have no reason to stop your steps. They took one step at a time, looking into our eyes when they think of stopping. And with that one glance, they saw the silver ocean, and they fight back the urge to quit.

If they do that for you, why can’t you do that for them?

You shine like the stars You light up my heart At the end of today’s hardships Brightly shine on me

EXO keep climbing the painful mountain climb, with Aeris supporting them from behind. Now why don’t you do the same?

You always motivate yourself by picturing a similar scene. You’re climbing your own mountain, and if you take a small look over your shoulder, you can see the lights in their nine pairs of eyes holding back tears as they feel very proud to have a fan… a baby… a child… or a friend like you. They are proud for every milestone their supporters achieve, even more than proud when they discover you can keep going on… thanks to their effort to stick together for Aeris.

Until the day we can stand side by side with our idols, heads held up high, smiling through the worth it blood and scars, and hands over one another shoulders: congratulating each other for not stopping for making it to the top… let us all stay and support each other forever. Even when we reach that highest point of our life one day, please remember the smiles and chants this fandom and EXO had given to you. Please remember the tears, the laugh, and the smile.

If one day we lost our way, look around and follow the silver ocean. If Peter Pan guides you back with the second star to the right, then EXO and Aeris will guide you back with our one and only silver ocean.

Brightly shine on me

To you, reading this… keep on going. I know you can finish it and I believe in you. All that’s left is to believe in yourself the same way EXO believes in us. We’re family here, brothers and sisters, together in this one big family called Aeris, let me tell you I am always here to discuss or listen to your pains or love story or any dry jokes. I am here, if you need a motivation, a listener, and a friend. I am here and I am staying til the end.