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

Chapter Sixty-One: Teambuilding (5)

I didn't want to be here in this cabin, on this trip. With cameras around and producers trying to manipulate a lot of things we should be doing normally.

I wanted everything to be over with. The daunting pressure of the competition, and my legal issues were starting to wreck me. If I didn't make it to that debut group... I would have to...

No, I can't think about that. I will make it. I need to make it.

Focus, Gio. Focus. You can do it.

I spotted Bongcha lounging over Gunwook's neck by the couches near the fireplace, as they were chatting to their little group of friends. Bitna was still here and I almost hated her more. At least Bongcha had some talent, she could actually dance, Bitna was just Bitna. A no talented nobody.

"Who you killing with that gaze, Gi?" Briar asked and handed me a water bottle. "Oh I see." She saw where I was glancing at and dropped that subject real quick. Gunwook would somehow make me instantly angry, by the mere mention of only his name. My friends knew that.

"Ready for the sports segment?" she asked next as if that would cheer me up. I hated sports.

"As ready as I will ever be," I drawled without breaking my gaze from them. Briar just twirled on the spot, a little anxious by my dropping mood.

I knew I needed to snap out of it. Briar was trying to be supportive and distract me, which I appreciated. But my mind kept wandering back to the fact that Gunwook and I might debut together. It was a double-edged sword - on one hand, we used to be close and I missed that bond. On the other hand, I couldn't shake off the resentment I felt towards him for our entire falling out.

I took a sip of water and tried to refocus my thoughts. Maybe the sports segment would be a good distraction. I stood up from the couch and stretched my arms, feeling the tension in my muscles. Briar followed suit and we headed towards the rest of the group.

I sighed and took a sip of the water, trying to calm myself down. "I just can't stand him," I muttered under my breath, more to myself than to Briar. "Gunwook, I mean."

Briar rolled her eyes. "Yeah, we know. But you gotta keep it together. We're all in this together and we need to work as a team."

I nodded, knowing she was right. We couldn't let personal issues get in the way of our goals. "I know, I know. I'll try."

As we walked, I couldn't help but overhear Gunwook and Bongcha's conversation. They were talking about the possibility of debuting together and how excited they were for it. My heart sank a little. Did they even remember I used to be close to him? Did they care?

I pushed those thoughts aside and joined the group. Everyone was already geared up in their sports clothes, with colorful bandanas tied around their heads. The producers had set up a field outside, with various sports stations for us to compete in. I wasn't a fan of sports, but I couldn't deny the competitive spirit in me that was raring to go.

I saw Gunwook and his group of friends were warming up. Bongcha was doing some stretches while Gunwook was throwing a ball around with some of the other guys. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. They looked like they were having so much fun together,

Off to the side, Billie was jutting around like an excited little puppy. Matthew and Keita, were next to her as always. Next to the track field Hanbin and Allison were waiting on the rest of their team. Hanbin's hands were in hers and they were quietly whispering about something, while the producers kept aiming the cameras their way. There was no mistake here, they were the most popular contestants.

I heard a squeal from my left and saw Ricky flinging Choonhae over his shoulder, trying to prove something to someone. Yujin was angrily shouting at him to put her down, while Choonhae couldn't stop laughing. A few of the other cameras were pointed in their direction, Choonhae's newfound fame was also very visible here.

We divided into teams and started the first round, which was a relay race. I was in the same team as Briar and Gunwook, which made me a little nervous. I didn't want to mess up and give Gunwook any reason to smirk at me.

As the race started, I sprinted towards the first station, which was a hula-hoop challenge. I quickly realized I wasn't very good at it, and stumbled a few times before passing it on to Briar. She managed to do it with ease, and soon we were on to the next station.

Gunwook was doing surprisingly well, which annoyed me. I couldn't let him win. We reached the last station, which was a tug of war. Our opponents were tough, but we managed to pull them over the line and win the round.

I felt a rush of adrenaline and high-fived my teammates. Maybe this sports day wasn't so bad after all. As we waited for the next round, Gunwook came up to me with a grin.

"Not bad, Gio. You're faster than I thought."

I tried to hide my surprise and shrugged nonchalantly. "I've been practicing."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really? Since when?"

I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he was getting to me, so I just smirked. "Since always. You just never paid attention."

Briar stepped in before things could escalate. "Come on, guys. Let's focus on winning the next round."

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. I couldn't let Gunwook get to me. Not now, when everything was on the line. I needed to stay focused and work together with my team.

As we continued with the sports day, I found myself enjoying it more and more. It was a welcome break from the stress and pressure of the competition. And maybe, just maybe, Gunwook and I could put our differences aside and work towards a common goal. The chance of us debuting together was high, and I needed to make sure I was ready for it.