falling into you || woosan

~82~

SAN'S POV

I stood there, feeling the weight of the words I had just spoken, but it wasn't the relief I thought would come. Instead, there was this sting in my chest, a dull ache that wouldn't leave. Yes, I meant what I said, every apology, every acknowledgment of my mistakes, but something inside me still hurt. And no one seemed to notice.

As everyone moved on, gathering in their little groups, laughing and talking like nothing had happened, I felt even more distant. Seonghwa's words from earlier echoed in my head, sharper than before.

I'm hurting too... why can't anyone see that?

I knew my outburst had been wrong, that I'd made things worse, but how was I supposed to deal with all this? I didn't know how to handle the way I felt—this mix of betrayal, jealousy, insecurity, and everything in between. And now, after everything, it felt like I was standing on the outside, looking in at the rest of them.

My chest tightened, and I couldn't take it anymore. I glanced around the room, watching everyone so easily fall back into their normal routines, and it just made me feel more isolated. It wasn't like they were trying to push me out, but that's how it felt.

Without saying anything, I slipped away from the group, making my way back to my room. I didn't want to be around anyone right now, not even Wooyoung. I just needed space. I needed to be alone.

As I closed the door behind me, a sense of relief washed over me, but the heaviness in my chest stayed. It was quiet in here, a stark contrast to the noise outside, and for once, the silence didn't feel comforting—it felt suffocating. I sat down on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the wall.

Why do I always feel like this?

I buried my face in my hands, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. I loved my team—my family—but right now, it felt like I was drifting further and further away from them. And the worst part? I didn't know how to fix it.

I just wanted to be alone. Alone with my thoughts, as messy and painful as they were. Maybe, in the quiet, I could figure out why it felt like everything was slipping through my fingers. But for now, I just sat there, lost in the swirl of emotions, wishing someone—anyone—could understand.

I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at nothing, my mind still racing. It wasn't long before the door creaked open. I didn't have to look to know it was Wooyoung. He always had this presence about him, one that I could feel even before he spoke.

"Why are you in here alone?" he asked softly, his voice gentle but filled with concern. "Everyone's in the living room."

I glanced at him but didn't hold his gaze for long. "I just... I just wanted to be alone for now," I muttered, trying to sound casual. I knew that tone wouldn't convince him.

Wooyoung didn't buy it. His eyebrows furrowed as he gave me that look—the one where he was both worried and a little hurt, like he couldn't stand seeing me like this. He sat down beside me, the bed dipping, and without missing a beat, he reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"You can talk to me, you know," he said softly, his voice coaxing, comforting. "I'm here."

I avoided his eyes, keeping mine fixed on my hands as I clasped them in my lap. I didn't want to talk about it, not with him. I didn't want to break in front of him. I'd already let enough of my emotions slip earlier, and I wasn't sure I could handle spilling the rest. Especially not to him.

But Wooyoung wasn't having it. He gently grabbed my chin, pulling my face up so I had no choice but to meet his gaze. His eyes were full of worry, his brow creased like he was already trying to figure out how to help me, even if he didn't know what was wrong yet.