𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 | csc

𝙭𝙭𝙞𝙞.

1 week and 50 unread text messages; seungcheol was starting to get worried. And he hated that.

He ran his hands through his hair as he sharply inhaled. His mind wasn't really in the right place at the moment and that was starting to become more than evident to his members. They'd been together for about a decade no shit they would notice the slightest change in his demeanor.

Seungcheol was fed up. He needed someone to talk to BESIDE his members, yet the person in question had gone completely MIA. It's not like the male idol was obsessed or anything but he was more confused than anything. He knew she didn't have a comeback anytime soon so why? Why was she avoiding him?

His mind simultaneously went back to their "interaction" only two days ago where she was clearly trying to avoid him as best as possible. Sure he knew about the allegations he wasn't stupid but that didn't mean she couldn't at least message him back right?

Just as he was getting up from his bed, a knock was heard along with the sound of pattering feet. "come in." His voice sounded reluctant but nonetheless the door opened to reveal jeonghan who held a look of empathy on his face.

Jeonghan walked to the leader's bed and sat down on the edge, taking in a sigh and looking the man in the eyes. "What's up with you recently? Don't think I haven't noticed, that we haven't noticed." Seungcheol sighed. Jeonghan was another person he didn't want to see. Not because of what he voiced to Aerin, but because he felt guilty; guilty he had dragged his best friend into a mess for his own benefit surrounding something he wasn't even sure about.

"I'm fine okay? Practice is in 10." Seungcheol stood up to leave but was stopped by Jeonghan who grabbed his arm. "I'm not fucking with you right now." His voice was stern and his face determined. This was a new side of him; a side that scared Seungcheol. His actions were justified though. Seungcheol did have to admit he had been 100% grumpier, more stern, and completely just negative. It was not only exhausting for him but for the people around him. Each day that passed the members were becoming gradually more unmotivated, much due to Seungcheol own un-motivation.

"Look, it's none of your business Jeonghan, just stay out of it" Jeonghan let out an amused scoff.

"You always do this, you always fucking do this and yet you still complain that you're completely miserable. You just push everyone away and lock yourself in a loop of emotions all because you're too fucking stubborn to ask for help or just simply fess up no matter how small the problem is. It's getting annoying hyung, open your eyes." He strictly exited the small dorm room, leaving Seungcheol in a daze.

"open your eyes"

Seungcheol shook his thoughts away as he tapped his pencil on the wooden desk in front of him. He hated the fact that Jeonghan was right, but then again when was he not. He always knew just the words to say and yet here Seungcheol was, abusing his name to keep a measly crush in contact. Well. . .that didn't seem to be working though, did it?

The sound of the door opening and closing behind him awoke Seungcheol from his trance, causing him to turn the chair around and be met with the figure of his co-member.

"Anything?" He asked to which Seungcheol only shook his head no. 

Jihoon let out a deep sigh as he rubbed his temples. He seemed to be fed up with this little era Seungcheol was in, and he was reaching his breaking point. No one screwed up the flow of his production, absolutely no one.

"You know what? Just uh take a deep breath or something i dunno and meet here in an hour, i think i have something that could help you." Seungcheol was curious, yet he he decided to obey the producer's wishes and exit the led-lit studio into the harshly lit hallway. 

If he was being honest with himself, fresh air was the last thing he needed at the moment. Fresh air meant silence, and silence allowed for all of his subconscious thoughts to cloud his brain with little to no problem. It would certainly be an hour filled with everything and nothing at the same time.

An hour had passed quicker than Seungcheol thought it would as he anxiously made his way down the familiar hall only to stop at the door engraved with his group's name. For some reason, seeing the name made him feel guilty. What was he doing to the group? The group that he so faithfully led these past years? 

These thoughts were not very called for though, and Seungcheol turned his attention to the situation at hand.

He twisted the doorknob and leisurely let himself in to the dark studio, but as soon as he entered, his whole body froze. His mouth was dry and he was at a loss for words as he stared at the girl who had just stopped swiveling in the chair only 10 feet away, seemingly as shocked as he was.

"Aerin?"