Always Seven // Xdinary Heroes 7th Member

ׂ╰┈➤ part 29.

I.

It was now midnight and everyone in the beach house was asleep, their small smiles etched on their faces a testament to the joy and exhaustion of the day's adventures. The gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore provided a soothing lullaby, coaxing the boys into a deep slumber.

Seungmin's arms were loosely wrapped around Minhee's waist, the blanket above them keeping them warm in the cool night air. However, sleep remained elusive for Minhee. As she lay in bed, facing the wall, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and worries. She thought of her family, Xdinary Heroes, and the bond they had forged over the years.

She couldn't shake the unsettling thought that Xdinary Heroes might not be a forever thing. Call her cliché or too emotional, but she was scared to lose them. For the first time in her life, the fear of losing someone gripped her heart with an intensity that made her chest tighten.

The thought that the band might not last forever, that they might eventually go their separate ways, kept her wide awake. The idea of a future without the boys by her side was too painful to bear. She tossed and turned, unable to find solace in sleep.

Eventually, she decided to get out of bed, gently removing Seungmin's arms and carefully slipping out from under the blanket. She moved silently, not wanting to disturb Seungmin's peaceful slumber. The cool floor sent a shiver up her spine as she made her way out of their room and up to the beach house's balcony.

The view from the balcony was breathtaking, the vast expanse of the ocean stretching out before her, illuminated by the soft glow of the moon and the twinkling stars above. She sighed deeply as she opened the sliding glass door and stepped outside, the cool night air a welcome change from the warmth of the bed.

She sat down on one of the chairs, her eyes fixed on the sky, seeking comfort in the familiar constellations. As she gazed at the stars, her breath became shaky, and tears threatened to fall from her eyes. The memories of the countless moments she had shared with the boys flooded her mind, overwhelming her with a mix of joy and sorrow.

II.

She recalled the endless memories she had with the boys, her mind drifting back to December 2019, the month that marked a pivotal moment in her life. She could still see the meeting room in Studio J, the place where she first met the boys who would become her second family.

It was a nerve-wracking day, filled with introductions and tentative smiles, as they were brought together with the ambitious goal of forming a band. Minhee remembered the initial excitement that was quickly overshadowed by the overwhelming pressure to keep up with the boys.

Each practice session felt like a hurdle, and the sense of isolation she felt during those early days was almost unbearable. The boys, with their natural camaraderie, seemed to bond effortlessly, while she struggled to find her place among them.

But as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, something changed. She remembered one particularly tough day when she had fled to the rooftop to cry, feeling the weight of her insecurities pressing down on her. It was there that Jiseok and Jooyeon found her, their concern evident in their eyes.

Their unexpected kindness broke down her walls, and for the first time, she opened up about her fears and struggles. From that moment on, Jiseok and Jooyeon became her protectors, her confidants. They treated her like their little sister, always looking out for her, always making sure she felt included.

Whether it was a reassuring pat on the back after a tough practice or a late-night chat to vent her frustrations, they were there for her. She could still hear Jiseok's comforting words echoing in her mind, "You're not alone, Minhee. We're in this together." And Jooyeon's playful yet sincere promises, "If anyone messes with you, they've got to answer to me."