Stay - Yang Jungwon 양 정원

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗

Throughout the day, we continued having Heeseung lead us, but I could tell no one liked the way practice was going. I think I had an easier time since Heeseung often let me lead on my own and just let me do my own thing, as well as Niki, but with the other I-Landers... it was easy to tell that Heeseung was hurting their pride unknowingly.

"Noona, we're going to have a team meeting, they wanted me to call you over," Niki said in a quiet voice as I was practicing for the second verse.

I frowned, not aware that Heeseung called a team meeting. In fact, I didn't even hear him say anything, "Team meeting? What team meeting?" I asked, looking around suspiciously.

Niki shook his head, "No... uh we're going to talk to Heeseung hyung about... you know..." Everyone knew... apparently except Heeseung since I watched Seon and K gather everyone one by one.

We all sat by the staircase, no one spoke at first. I shifted uncomfortably. The tension was so thick you'd have to cut it with a knife. I honestly didn't even know what they planned on talking about.

"Uh..." We all looked at Youngbin, "I know that I'm not good and all... I was okay with dancing in groups of two, but Heeseung made us dance one by one, and I understand why; to see us dance individually, I felt horrible and was really humiliated. If I'm being honest I cried..."

Heeseung held his hands together, "We shouldn't be worrying right now. If we voted for someone to lead us, then we should just trust and follow that person. We're running out of time."

"It's fitting that Heeseung hyung is center, but you're really good and you keep hanging out with those who are good so the team balance is off. That's what I see personally.," Daniel said carefully.

I looked and Jungwon and he gave me a small smile. Both of us were really unsure what was happening.

"I said this on the first day. I predicted this," Heeseung said suddenly. "So on the first day. I said I didn't want to be center. I knew it would result in this so that's why I said that. It's not about completing the choreography, but it has to look good. I wanted to lead us that way, but I didn't tell you in advance and got ahead of myself... I personally think... it'd best if I'm not the center." All of us stared at him. "I really mean it."

"Let's try voting at least once," Seon suggested.

K cleared his throat, "But, even back then...our first suggestion for the center was Chaeri," I snapped my head up. When was this conversation suddenly about me? "Chaeri, you said you didn't want to be center back then... but what about now?"

I looked down in my lap, "Uhm... I don't know if you guys would want me to be center," I said quietly. I felt a hand on my back and I realized Jungwon was trying to comfort me.

"We want you to be center, Chaeri," Seon interjected. "Do you want to be center?"

"I do..." I muttered. "But again, is that what's best for the team? I'm perfectly happy with my part as it is. And I don't know how good of a leader I can be," I added, worrying about filling Heeseung's spot. I looked at Niki, "Niki-ah, didn't you want center on the first day?" I asked.

Niki shrugged, "I want center too, but noona, I think you should do it instead though. We're both good dancers, that wouldn't be the problem, but you sing better than me."

"And what do you mean you don't know if you'd be a good leader?" Jay asked, "You've been teaching us the choreography too."

"Well, that's... different," I argued.

"Chaeri, I think, if you take up the center position, we don't even have to vote," K explained.

I looked up at Heeseung who was now standing, a step away from everyone, "Heeseung...?" I felt horrible that they were choosing me as his replacement... right in front of him.