The Journey Of US || A Seventeen FF

40

🍒You ready to go?
He walked inside the room looking at his phone,
👶Knock before entering will you?
You snapped at him
🍒You haven't g-
He looked up from his phone to see you,
🍒You are ready, then why are you snapping at me?
You sighed and left the room leaving him dumbfounded,
😇Aww, look at you all dre-
Jeonghan stopped as Seungcheol gestured to him. You walked past him into the living room where some of the parents are settled. Mr Choi, Seungcheol's dad is retiring as he handed over the company to Seungcheol. So you guys are going to his farewell party today.

🐸Mickey is here, so let's go. Are you comi-
You ignored his question as you walked out of the house leaving the rest of the boys assembled to exchange glances at each other.

.

Before entering the venue, you were confiscated by Wonwoo and Seungcheol, who were pissed.
👶Just leave me alone, will you?
Before they could speak you guys were called inside and you rushed away from them. The party started just fine but you were uncomfortable with the stares that had been shot at you by a bunch of strangers.

.

"Didn't expect to see you here, Junior," You turned around at the familiar voice with a smile,
👶Hey Sunbae, how come you are here?
"Dad dragged me," He sighed sitting next to you, "But what are YOU doing here?"
👶Oh, Uncle is my parents' friend. You see that bunch, they were all friends from their childhood. And we all live next to each other,
"Woah, that's cool! But why are you sitting here alone?"
👶Nah, I'm not a people person. Plus I don't wanna talk to anyone.

.

"Do you know them? They are kind of glaring at me and honestly, it is scary," You followed his gaze and found the boys standing in a corner and shooting daggers at Wooyoung.
👶Oh yes. They are my friends, we all grew up together and they are kind of protective over me.
You shrugged but Wooyoung wasn't convinced by your answer,
"Nah, they are way too protective for friends. You sure there isn't a boyfriend in that? At least a love interest?"
👶Maybe😁
"Thought so,"

The silence was comforting and Wooyoung did not talk much as he hated such gatherings.
"It's not my place to ask, but did you fight with them? Looks like you aren't on good terms,"
He asked as he found the looks you have been exchanging with the boys.

You didn't know how to respond but Seungcheol already walked closer making you give up on thinking an answer.
🍒Come with me, I will introduce you to someone.
👶No Cheol, I don't want to meet anyone.
He sighed calming himself down from creating a scene,
🍒Fine, then why don't you come and sit with us, why are you sitting here alone and avoiding us?
He sounded pissed toward the end making you look away,
👶 I'm not alone, I'll be fine here. Please...
You plead making him storm away from you both,

"He didn't get the wrong idea, did he?" Wooyoung panicked a little
👶Oh don't worry about that, it has nothing to do with you Sunbae.
"You should go and be with them, they seem genuinely pissed," He said scratching his nape as you looked down with a sad sigh,
👶 It's not like I don't want to

"Wait did something happen? Why are you sad?"
👶 It's nothing. I'll be fine,
"Oh my god Mickey, you can talk to me about anything, okay?"
You looked up at him with teary eyes,
👶 It's just... I'm not confident, I'm insecure and whenever I go out with them, people always give me weird looks. And everyone here knows them all and I don't want people to think low of them.
"What do you mean?"
👶I don't know, I just don't look good next to them. And people notice that they even talk behind our backs. The boys are pretty famous and have their line of work and reputation, I don't want them to be judged or ridiculed because of me. I just hate being judged, even as a friend. I always feel pressured and end up comparing myself with others...

👶Ah, I'm sorry I sound stupid I know...
Wooyoung was silent for a couple of minutes as if he were processing how to respond
"Have you told them?"
👶What?
"About this. About how you feel. Have you told them that you feel pressured when you are with them? I don't think they know that,"
👶I-I haven't. They will tell me to ignore it,
"Then you should and find a solution, avoiding them doesn't work..."
👶B-but I'm afraid they are going to call me silly and stupid
"This is not silly and stupid Mickey. I don't know what relationship you have with them. But if you feel uncomfortable you should let them know and talk it out."
👶I don't know how,
"Be honest, just like you did with me, hmm?"
You modded as he smiled at you. Wooyoung went back to his dad after some time leaving you alone.

.

You walked closer to your parents as they called out to you,
"Oh is this YN? Ommo, she doesn't look like you at all," A woman said pulling you closer,
"She looks like her dad," Your mom replied
"No, he was way too handsome," She joked again making the other two ladies laugh.

"How old are you YN?" Another one asked
👶 I'm 23,
"Mrs Oh, you should get her married soon, she is all grown up," She commented
"YN, Aunty will share a tip with you. You should focus a little more on taking care of your appearance. Men like slim women-"
👶Are you calling me fat?
"Oh no dear, you are chubby, not fat. And men will never find it interesting, you don't have a fair complexion compared to your mother, so you should focus on your looks, okay?"

.

Mr Choi finished up his speech as the crowd broke into cheering. Seungcheol was introduced to the gathered family of the partners and other business shots. Most people know him, but a formality it is. Once again you found yourself in an unpleasant conversation that helped all those insecurities surface.

"Is Seungcheol single?" You listened to the conversation from the next table, "We think so, he hasn't introduced anyone," Mrs Choi answered. "I saw Mr Han's daughter the other day. She is a fashion designer, she graduated from the States, I told them about him. They seemed interested. She is a good girl, absolutely gorgeous, she would make a perfect match for Seungcheol." Mrs Choi smiled a little at the information. "We have two more at home, you know, Jeonghan and Joshua. We would love to see those kids settle down." Mrs Wen interrupted, "Certainly. I was gonna bring that up. If the boys are interested we can set them up. They are the daughter of Mr Lee, the Westsiders. The eldest is a surgeon and the youngest is helping Mr Lee with their business..."

You withdrew your attention from the conversation, not wanting to be any more sad. But another table caught your attention. "I heard Mr Jung's youngest was set up with Mr Son's daughter," A lady gossiped to the one next to her. "Wait, Mr Son as in Son Anderson?" The second one asked, "Yes, that one. His daughter and Jung's son were seen on a date," "Oh, what happened?" "Isn't that obvious, he rejected her. Have you seen that girl?" The woman joked, "She is a nice girl, isn't she?" "Nice? No way. She didn't get her parents' looks, also I heard she is mentally unstable."

You walked out of the hall without being noticed by anyone. Leaning against the wall in a secluded corner you let your tears fall. You covered your mouth to prevent yourself from sobbing.
🐶Baby,
Mingyu wrapped you in his arms pulling you closer and securing you in his chest. His familiar scent reminded you how safe you felt in his embrace as you broke down in tears. He tightened the hug as his right hand caressed your back in an attempt to calm you down. After about ten minutes, you finally looked up at him, with glossy eyes. It broke Mingyu's heart, his eyes gave out his secret. But he placed a kiss on your forehead as he hugged you once again.