Going Solo

Chapter 3

The Next Day

The morning was not fun for anyone, save Hoseok who seemed to have no idea what was going on. They were all gathered in the practice room, stretching before practice started.

"Jiminie, are you okay?" Seokjin asked worried as he rested a hand on Jimin's cheek. "Your eyes are all red."

"I didn't get enough sleep," he said as his gaze shifted to Hoseok who was laughing at something Taehyung did. "Hyung told me something last night," he muttered and silence filled the room.

"Oh, that's right," Hoseok said softly. "Sorry, Jiminie. I didn't mean to spring that on you so suddenly. I was planning to tell you all together," he continued and everyone tensed. The main dancer looked at himself in the mirror and began his own stretching routine before he informed the rest of his members of his absence for the next week.

"What do you mean 'I'm not going'?" Yoongi asked as he crossed his arms.

"I already told Bang PD and the staff know about it too."

"And you didn't think to tell us first?" he continued.

"I'm telling you now, aren't I?" he said, confused at the hurt expression across his hyung's face.

"But-why not?" Jungkook asked and Taehyung walked behind him and wrapped his arms around the maknae.

"I've got something else on."

"Is something wrong?" Seokjin asked as he approached his dongsaeng.

"No, no, nothing bad," he said with a grin. "Besides, it'll give you guys some practice for when I'm not around," he said nonchalantly and the tension in the room increased. Before anyone could respond, their teacher walked into the room and clapped his hands.

"Okay guys, we have a lot cut out for us today," he said, "Hoseok and I worked out how to tweak the choreography for the songs you're performing to fit it with just 6 people."

"Hang on-wait-why do we need to do this?" Namjoon asked, bewildered by the entire situation and how casual the pair were being about it.

"To prepare yourself? For when Hoseok isn't around?"

"And why wouldn't he be around?" Taehyung said in a sudden state of worry. Their choreographer was dumbfounded at their expressions. He turned to Hoseok who shot him a shrug.

"I told you," Hoseok said slowly, "I've got something else on."

"Hyung, what are you-" Jimin said but was cut off when their manager walked into the room.

"Why does everyone look like they're going to be sick?"

"Hyung, what's this about Hoseok leaving?" Yoongi said angrily.

"Oh, you mean next week? He's allowed isn't he?" he said and the rapper was taken aback by the response. "By the way Hoseok, Bang PD wants to talk to you about it."
Hoseok made a move to leave but was stopped by a hand that grabbed his wrist.

"Hyung, wait," Jungkook started, "This is a lot to take in so suddenly." Hoseok just looked confused.

"I'll talk to you guys when I'm back okay?" he said softly as he pulled his hand away from the younger. "Like I told Jiminie, you'll all be fine without me," he repeated with a smile and then proceeded to follow their manager out of the room.

"Okay, guys, let's do this," Seongdeuk said with a hint of exhaustion in his voice. Practice flew by slower than anyone anticipated and the lack of Hoseok as time moved forward only left the others unnerved.

"What's wrong with you guys this time? Did you not get enough sleep again last night?"

"It just doesn't feel right without Hosoek here," Namjoon admitted and everyone silently agreed.

"C'mon guys, this is a great opportunity for him," he said with a sigh, "You should be happy for him," he added and suddenly everyone felt a rush of guilt hit them. Hoseok finally made an appearance but it was only brief.

"I've got to work on something in the other practice room," he said before he waved bye but everyone was left feeling sullen. Practice continued with them executing the positions perfectly but their hearts were heavy when they realised that after this they'd be at the dorms to talk with the source of their troubles.

"I don't want this," Taehyung admitted as they were all packed into the car, waiting on their manager to drive them home. "I kept thinking about being happy for him but I can't. Not when he won't be with us anymore," he said sadly as he clutched his fists. They all fell silent, a loss of words of what to do or say. Seokjin merely offered comfort to whoever he could reach, light touches and pats before he settled himself in his seat, unsure himself of how to feel.

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