Serendipity

Chapter 18

HongJoong's POV

Later that evening, following an intense dance and vocal practice session with ATEEZ, I couldn't help but notice a shift in Wooyoung's demeanor. It was evident that he was deeply affected by his recent breakup with Jennifer. Nevertheless, we both managed to maintain our bond and stay focused on the band's progress for the sake of our team's unity. Upon returning home, I observed Jennifer diligently carrying out her housekeeping tasks while me and the rest of the band members moved into the dorms.

"Welcome home everyone.. how was practice?" she asked politely.

"Thank you, Jennifer. Practice was pretty intense today, but we managed to get through it," I replied with a weary smile. She nodded empathically, seeming to understand the physical and emotional exhaustion we all experienced.

The other members exchanged brief greetings with her before heading in various directions to unwind – Seonghwa and Yunho settling in the living room for a game of Mario Kart; San and Mingi escaping to their shared room for some much-needed quiet time; while Jongho opted for a shower in hopes of rejuvenating his tired muscles.

Wooyoung, on the other hand, remained conspicuously detached throughout the evening. He made his way to the kitchen with a somber expression, rummaging through the pantry before settling on preparing cups of hot tea for everyone. His attempt at keeping busy was all too transparent to those who knew him well enough.

Meanwhile, Yeosang remained by my side as we retreated into our own dorm room for some downtime. "HongJoong-hyung, have you spoken to Wooyoung about what happened?" he queried cautiously.

I shook my head regretfully. "Not yet... I figured he needed some space to process things naturally. But I know I need to have that conversation soon." Yeosang's eyes held evident concern, but he nodded in agreement before succumbing to the welcome embrace of his bed.

I decided to take a moment for myself as well - sitting on my bed and skimming through my digital diary filled with lyrics and compositions that chronicled many sleepless nights. As thoughts of Wooyoung swirled through my mind, inspiration struck like a bolt of lightning - my fingers danced across the screen hurriedly yet gracefully, scribbling down words that seemed to flow organically.

Several minutes ticked by until I found myself staring at a complete set of lyrics that felt emotionally charged – born out of empathy for my friend's aching heart. Saving them carefully, I resolved to find the right moment to share with Wooyoung in hopes of offering solace in his time of need.

Deciding it was time to finally have that conversation with Jennifer that I promised I went to her bedroom door and knocked. She let me in and smiled.

"Hey you made it..." she said letting me in. We finally had to discuss our feelings for one another that caused and Woonyoung's break up.

I hesitated for a moment, collecting my thoughts and trying to find the right words. "Jennifer, we really need to talk about what happened."

She nodded, her eyes displaying a mix of emotions ranging from sadness to hope. "I know... ever since Wooyoung and I broke up, it feels like there's been this unspoken tension between us."

Sitting down beside her on the bed, I took a deep breath before continuing. "When Wooyoung found out about our feelings for each other, it was devastating for him. But... it wasn't just because of us. He felt like he was losing both his girlfriend and his best friend at the same time," I admitted solemnly.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she let out a soft sigh. "HongJoong, I never intended to hurt Wooyoung or jeopardize your friendship with him. My feelings for you just grew over time, and I tried to ignore them at first... but eventually, it became too difficult."

I reached out to gently hold her hand as we delved further into our emotions. "I know... and neither did I intend for any of this to happen. But now that we're here, we can't change the past, and we need to figure out what our next steps should be."

Wiping away her tears with the back of her hand, Jennifer offered a fragile smile. "At least now that everything's out in the open, we don't have to hide anymore."

As much as I wanted to be with Jennifer and move forward in our budding relationship, Wooyoung's wellbeing still weighed heavily on my mind. Once again finding inspiration in my friend's turmoil, I decided it was time to share my newly written lyrics with both Jennifer and Wooyoung.

The next morning came sooner than expected with ATEEZ's bustling schedule demanding our undivided attention. As breakfast commenced, I noticed that Wooyoung appeared increasingly detached and deep in thought. Catching Yeosang's concerned glance only further cemented my resolve to address the situation sooner rather than later.

Gathering everyone in our shared living space after breakfast, I unveiled the surprise I had prepared: an impromptu performance of the empathetic ballad I wrote in tribute to Wooyoung's heartache. With everyone's attention captured, I poured my heart and soul into delivering a message of hope, understanding, and solidarity in the face of adversity.

As the emotionally charged lyrics echoed throughout the room, I could see that the raw emotions resonated with all who listened – but none more so than with Wooyoung and Jennifer. By the end of the song, they both held a noticeable shimmer of tears in their eyes.

Accepting warm words of praise from my fellow ATEEZ members, we took a moment to collectively bask in the therapeutic power of heartfelt music. Breaking the silence that had settled over us, I turned towards Wooyoung and Jennifer, offering a soft smile. "I wrote this song for you two... to remind you both that you're never alone. No matter what life throws at us, we're all in this together."

Wooyoung seemed to struggle for a moment before finding his voice. "HongJoong-hyung... thank you." His acknowledgment was quiet yet profoundly impactful as he carefully met Jennifer's gaze.

Jennifer's eyes remained teary but held a newfound warmth as she responded to Wooyoung. "The song was beautiful, HongJoong. And thank you too... for helping me find some semblance of closure."

Following this emotional exchange, ATEEZ moved outside for some fresh air amid the crisp morning sun – allowing Wooyoung and Jennifer to have an overdue conversation in private.

The minutes that passed felt like hours for those anxiously waiting outside within earshot of murmured voices emanating from inside our home. As conversations between other members became focused on hopeful outcomes and unwavering support, our faith in one another was strengthened further – surpassing any hardship that might lie ahead.

Eventually, the door creaked open, revealing Wooyoung and Jennifer. Their faces appeared weary, yet a subtle aura of peace radiated from their posture.