taste - skz added member auꨄ

airport part two

The van's tires crunched on the gravel of the Stray Kids' dorm parking lot, each member stepping out with a heavy sense of anticipation. The day had been exhausting, and the tension was palpable as they made their way toward the building. Mei led the way, her steps deliberate and her posture rigid. The air was thick with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.

As they reached the dorm's entrance, Mei stopped abruptly and turned to face her bandmates. Her eyes, shadowed with fatigue, locked onto Hyunjin's, who had been trying to keep close to her throughout the journey. "I don't want to talk right now," she said, her voice cold and flat. "I need space."

Hyunjin's face fell at her tone, the hurt evident in his eyes. "Mei, please. We're just trying to understand what you're going through. You can't shut us out like this."

Mei's frustration flared as she glares at Hyunjin . "And what makes you think you understand? I'm tired of everyone thinking they know what's best for me."

Bang Chan, trying to mediate, stepped in with a calm but firm demeanor. "We're not here to tell you what to do. We're here because we care about you. Ignoring us won't make things better, but we're willing to give you the space you need if that's what you really want."

Mei's gaze was icy as she responded. "You don't get to dictate what I need. I'm not in the mood for your pity or your advice. I just need to be alone right now."

Her outburst drew the attention of other residents in the building. Their curious and worried eyes followed the interaction, heightening the sense of discomfort among the group. The hallway, once a place of comfort, now felt charged with the weight of Mei's anger and the group's collective concern.

Hyunjin reached out again, this time with a more desperate tone. "Mei, I'm trying to be here for you. But if you keep pushing us away, it's only going to make things harder for you and for us."

Mei's eyes were hard, her patience frayed. "I said leave me alone!" she shouted, her voice echoing off the walls. "I'm done with everyone thinking they know what's best. I don't want to talk or explain myself right now. I just need some time to myself."

Bang Chan looked at Hyunjin and the others, seeing the shared concern and helplessness in their eyes. "Okay, Mei," he said, his voice softer but still firm. "If you need time alone, we'll respect that. But remember, we're here for you when you're ready."

Mei turned on her heel and walked briskly down the hall toward her room, her anger and frustration propelling her forward. She fumbled with her keys and shoved the door open with a rough shove, slamming it behind her. The loud bang reverberated through the quiet dorm, signaling the end of any immediate dialogue.

Inside her room, Mei paced back and forth, her mind racing. The weight of the day's events and the pressure of her emotions were nearly overwhelming. She felt a mixture of anger, guilt, and sadness, but the thought of confronting her feelings or discussing them with her bandmates seemed too daunting at the moment. She needed solitude to process everything, but the isolation felt suffocating.

Sinking onto her bed, Mei buried her face in her hands. Her anger had been a shield against the deeper, more vulnerable emotions she didn't want to confront. She was exhausted from the constant pressure and scrutiny and felt that the only way to cope was to push everyone away, even those who genuinely cared about her.

Meanwhile, Hyunjin sat in his room, his mind consumed by the encounter. He was torn between wanting to give Mei the space she clearly needed and his deep desire to be there for her. He had seen the pain in her eyes, the raw emotion behind her outburst, and it hurt him to think that his efforts to support her might have been contributing to her distress.

Lee Know, sitting on his bed, glanced over at Hyunjin with a look of understanding. "I know it's hard," he said quietly. "But we have to respect her need for space right now. She's dealing with a lot, and pushing too hard might only make things worse."

Hyunjin nodded, though his expression was troubled. "I just wish there was something more I could do. I hate seeing her like this and feeling so helpless."

Han, sitting with his back against the wall, added softly, "We all feel the same way. It's frustrating and painful, but we have to be patient. Mei needs to come to terms with her feelings in her own time."

The group settled into a somber silence, each member reflecting on their own ways of coping with the situation. The dorm, usually a place of camaraderie and warmth, now felt distant and cold. They knew that the road ahead would be challenging and fraught with emotional obstacles, but their commitment to supporting Mei remained steadfast.

As the night wore on, Mei lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. The room was dimly lit, and the quiet was both a relief and a source of anxiety. She tried to sort through her tangled emotions, but the task felt insurmountable. The loneliness was overwhelming, and the comfort of her bandmates, despite her refusal to acknowledge it, was missed.

In the adjoining rooms, the Stray Kids members continued to struggle with their own feelings of worry and helplessness. They respected Mei's need for space but hoped that in time, she would be ready to open up and allow them to support her. Their bond as a group was strong, and despite the current distance, they hoped that with patience and understanding, they could navigate this difficult period together and help Mei find her way back to a place of emotional balance.