Stay - Yang Jungwon 양 정원

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄

Sunoo ended up getting fourth, with just a point behind me, 85.  Heeseung then got fifth with 83, which I could tell disappointed him since he ended up rather low compared to his past ranks.  We all gathered around to hug Heeseung as he broke into tears in K's hug.

Sunghoon, Jay, and Jake followed after Heeseung.  I was happy for all of them of course.  But as the eliminations went by I couldn't help but be more anxious.  Every time the camera panned to focus on Jungwon, I could barely watch.  With every announcement, I could see his hope vanish. 

"Chae, you okay? Your hands are shaking," Sunghoon said, tapping my arm after I hugged Jake to congratulate him. 

"Hm?" I rubbed my hands together, "Nothing, just cold," I lied.  I could be worried for nothing, that was what I was trying to focus on as they moved on to the ninth rank.

"This is the score of the ninth place I-Lander," A 77 appeared on the screen, which compared to past tests, was an amazing score.   However, only three people were left, Hanbin, Jungwon, and Daniel.  There was no good outcome, but I just hoped Jungwon got 77.

"Ninth place I-Lander... Daniel."

Of course, I cheered for Daniel, for the last two tests he had been nominated for elimination.  Despite being low, he definitely looked more relieved than in past tests. However, that means Jungwon was nominated for elimination.  Him and Hanbin. 

Jake noticed me wiping my eyes after I hugged Daniel, "You okay? What's wrong?"

I looked at the screen and could barely get the words out as held back tears, "What if he gets eliminated... I don't want either of them to get eliminated but—" I covered my mouth as I struggled to talk.  That suffocating feeling was creeping into my chest. 

"You wouldn't know what to do if Jungwon did?" Jake guessed, putting his arm around my shoulder.  I nodded before taking a step back.  I knew I should come to terms with the fact that Jungwon had a 50/50 chance of being eliminated, but I just couldn't.  Anytime I just imagined it, my chest aches.

"Fuck," I mumbled, pulling at my vest.  It was almost choking me. 

"Ah, Chae," Sunoo cooed, coming over to us along with Sunghoon and Heeseung. "I know, I know," He said quietly, rubbing my back.

Sunghoon stood next to me, "Do you need to take a minute?" He asked.

I frantically shook my head, "God, no, I'm fine, just please stop talking," I pleaded, running a hand down my face.  I felt tears, not realizing I was actually crying at this point. The floor was swaying beneath me, almost unstable.  I looked at the screen and sucked in a breath seeing Jungwon and Hanbin under the flashing red lights.  "Come on, please just get to it already," I muttered, picking at my nails.  The longer the suspense went on, the less I felt I could breathe.  Jungwon had to make it through... he always scored high and was one of the best in I-Land.  He couldn't get eliminated now.  We were all so close to debut.  I refused to start imagining debut without him. 

"Is noona going to be okay if Jungwon hyung is eliminated?" I heard Daniel ask someone.

Jay spoke up, "You know how they've always been.  If Jungwon gets eliminated... Chae's going to be destroyed," He explained.  "Just hurry it up already."

"Why are they dragging it on so long?" Sunoo complained as the MC finally revealed the score. Whoever got tenth place got 76 points.  Just a one-point difference from ninth. 

Heeseung sighed, "Ah I can't watch this!"

I held my hands together, leaning on Sunoo.  My legs felt like they were about to give out at any point, "Debut together.  You promised... please," I whispered closing my eyes.  I couldn't watch it anymore.