Left Out Friend

13

Sunoo lay sprawled on his bed, eyes locked on his phone screen as he mindlessly scrolled through social media. It was 9:12 AM on a Sunday—one of their rare days off. Normally, he’d be hanging out with the others, chatting or playing games, but today, he just couldn’t bring himself to face them.

Not after what he realized yesterday.

He couldn’t bring it up. He didn’t want to. If they felt guilty, so what? If they felt awkward, would that even be real? The thought made his stomach churn.

At breakfast, he barely spoke, only nodding when necessary. He didn’t even greet them with his usual cheerful “Good morning.” And yet, as much as he told himself he didn’t care, guilt gnawed at him.

Why did it feel like he was the one doing something wrong?

Maybe because… they weren’t pretending today.

This morning, for the first time in what felt like forever, they didn’t seem annoyed with him. He caught them glancing at him—subtle but unmistakable. Jay looked at him before quickly averting his eyes. Jungwon pushed extra food onto his plate, murmuring a quiet, “Eat.” Heeseung, of all people, had smiled at him. And Sunghoon? He was… unusually touchy, lingering close to Sunoo’s side like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And then there was Jake and Ni-ki. The way they looked at him wasn’t just different—it was unsettling.

Sunoo sighed, tossing his phone onto his chest and staring at the ceiling. His thoughts raced. Were they trying to make up for yesterday? Or was this something else entirely?

Whatever it was, it left an uneasy feeling in his gut.

***

After what felt like hours of overthinking, he finally decided to shower. He needed to clear his head.

Slipping out of bed, he padded downstairs toward the bathroom, relieved to find the hallway empty. He stepped inside, turned on the water, and let the warmth cascade over his skin, washing away the tension clinging to him.

Once finished, he wrapped a bathrobe around himself, standing before the mirror to begin his skincare routine. He hummed softly as he patted his face dry, momentarily distracted—

Until he heard the doorknob turn.

His breath hitched.

He hadn't locked the door.

The realization came a second too late as the door creaked open.

Jake.

Sunoo stiffened, turning to face him with a nervous smile. “J-Jake…”

Jake leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. “You take too long,” he remarked, voice lower than usual.

Sunoo swallowed hard. “S-sorry if I made you wait, hyung.”

Jake’s brow lifted. “I told you not to call me ‘hyung,’ didn’t I?”

Sunoo’s heart pounded in his chest. “S-sorry… Jake.”

Jake took a step forward, gaze sweeping over Sunoo’s damp hair, the collar of his robe slightly parted to reveal the pale skin of his neck. His smirk didn’t fade, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.