Star Planet I - Boys Planet / Zerobaseone Added Members (COMPLETED)

Chapter Fifty-One: No Sleep Crew

"Gio! Gio wake up, dude!" Ara shook my shoulders as I tried to slap her away. I was between dream and awake, and my nightmare was getting the best of me. I mumbled a heavy 'no,' laced with fear.

"Gio!" Ara yelled one more time, more angst and more feelings involved this time and it reached me from beyond the fold. I gasped as I rose and slammed my body forward. Sweat was coating me again.

"What the fuck was that?" she grunted as I saw the worry lacing her brow. Behind her, I spotted Jisoo and Briar, with little sleepy eyes and sleepshirts all awry, staring down at me in worry as well.

"Sorry..." I mumbled. "Didn't mean to wake you."

They didn't need to know about the nightmares and the sword of Damocles dangling over my head. If I didn't make it in this competition my life would literally be over with.

I would see no future.

"I mean, we are used to your sudden sleep-talking and rowdy sleeping habits, but this was next-level scary," Briar added her two cents, and Jisoo just stared at me with her big round eyes.

"Is it the performance? I mean, only two more nights till Friday and...-"

I interrupted Ara. "No, it is not."

"Is it Gunwook?" Briar said, and Jisoo gasped. The girl was as clueless as always.

I groaned a heavy "No!" her way again and slammed my arms over my body, crossing them defiantly.

"I'm going to the bathroom," I said in my scary voice, halting all conversation and questions. I jumped upright and left my dorm room behind.

I heard whispering from some corners. Was that Yujin and Choonhae in the lounge area this late?

I walked down the empty hallway, the fluorescent lights flickering above me. My mind was racing with thoughts, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of anxiety. As I reached the bathroom, I pushed open the door and walked in, locking it behind me. I splashed some water on my face and stared at my reflection in the mirror. The bags under my eyes were more prominent than ever, and my face was pale.

What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I shake off this feeling of dread?

As I was lost in thought, the door creaked open, and I turned to see Lux walking in.

"Hey," she said softly. "Are you okay?"

I sighed and shook my head. "I don't know, Lux. I'm just so anxious all the time. I can't stop thinking about the competition and what will happen if I don't make it."

She came closer and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Gio, you're an amazing singer and performer. You can do this. Just believe in yourself."

I nodded, feeling a little better. "Thanks, Lux. It's just hard sometimes, you know?"

"I do," she said with a smile. "That's why we're going out tomorrow tonight, just us girls. I've just talked with Allison about this and she thinks it's a great idea. A little girl time to take our minds off things."

I couldn't help but grin at that idea, despite Allison being there. Lux always knew how to make things better. "Yeah, that sounds great."

As we walked out of the bathroom and headed towards the lounge area, I couldn't help but notice the other trainees. Billie was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone, while Yujin and Choonhae were huddled together, whispering and giggling. Billie felt like the odd one out at the moment. Something I never thought I would ever say about her bubbly self. I guess that news article must have hurt.

I wondered what the maknaes were whispering about. Were they discussing their performances? Or maybe something more personal? It was strange to think that we were all competing against each other, yet we still had these moments of camaraderie and friendship.

As Lux and I settled down on the couch next to Billie and the other 'no sleep crew', I felt a sense of belonging. These girls and guys, were my competition, but they were also my friends. And in that moment, that was all that mattered.