Left Out Friend

23

The other members had stepped outside minutes ago to get some fresh air, leaving Jay sitting alone on the couch in the living room, hands clasped together, his gaze fixed on the floor. He hadn't joined them when they’d mentioned returning at 3 PM to hang out. For some reason, Jay felt an urge to stay behind, his mind preoccupied with something that gnawed at him. His stomach had been bothering him, but that wasn’t all. He didn’t feel like being around anyone right now.

It was already 2:32 PM, and his thoughts kept drifting to Sunghoon. It had been so long since Sunghoon had gone into Sunoo’s room, and Jay couldn’t shake his curiosity. What was going on in there? Was Sunoo okay? Was he going to be able to face the others? Was he holding up alright?

A small voice in his mind told him it was probably nothing. A little worry wouldn’t hurt, right?

Jay took a deep breath and sighed, rubbing his face in frustration. Something wasn’t sitting right with him, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. There was this strange feeling he couldn’t quite place. It unsettled him. He shook his head, stood up, and made his way to the kitchen.

He opened the fridge, pulled out a bottle of water, and then... some junk food. Junk food? What was he thinking? Why would he give Sunoo that? Are you stupid, Jay? he scolded himself, putting the snacks back in the fridge.

What did he think Sunoo would do if he brought him that stuff? And what if Sunoo didn’t even want him there? But what else could he do? The worry would keep itching at him if he didn’t do something about it.

“Stupid, Jay.”
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“Ah~” A sigh of satisfaction echoed through the room, and it made the little fox’s stomach churn. The sound was disgusting, sending a shiver down his spine. If it continued, he wanted to kill the person who was subjecting him to this torment.

Sunghoon pulled away, and Sunoo groaned softly, still lying on his stomach, Sunghoon’s weight pressing down on him.

“You fucking slut,” Sunghoon spat, his voice dripping with venom. “You’ve been enjoying this with them, haven’t you? Selfish.”

Sunoo couldn’t even lift his head. His lips trembled as he tried to speak, but his throat wouldn’t allow him. His face was slick with the tears he had shed earlier, though they had already dried.

Sunghoon stood up, dressed now, and grabbed his clothes from where they had been tossed earlier. Without a second glance, he left the room.

Sunoo stayed still, eyes shut tight. The pain in his chest made it hard to breathe. He had nothing left to cry. His tears had dried up, leaving him feeling empty and hollow. He lay there, thinking about everything. His mind kept spiraling—what had he become? This dirty, disgusting slut they’d called him. How was he supposed to face anyone now?

He thought about his wish, the dream he had fought so hard for, to become a singer, an artist. How had it turned into this? How had something so simple become so twisted? Was this his fate now? Would he be stuck like this forever?

But if he left, what would he have left? Was he really stuck in this nightmare, unable to escape?
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Sunoo had cleaned his room, putting everything back to its original state. It looked normal again, but the memories lingered. He still winced every time he moved, the pain throbbing in his body. The physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional torment, though. But he did it. He cleaned up. He didn’t want to remember what had happened—well, not that he ever could forget it.

But the pain didn’t stop. He was stuck in this cycle, this life that didn’t seem to be his anymore. His dream was the only thing keeping him going, even though it felt like a curse now.

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He froze, unable to process who it might be. The doorknob twisted and the door creaked open. Sunoo stepped back, dread crawling up his spine. He refused to turn around, not wanting to face whoever stood there.

“Sunoo?”

Jay’s voice broke through the tension, and Sunoo’s heart skipped a beat. He didn’t want to look at him. Not now. Not like this.

Jay’s smile faltered as he took in the sight before him—the dark bruises and hickeys littering Sunoo’s neck. The sight of him in this state made Jay feel a sharp pain stab at his chest.

But he couldn’t think about it now. He wasn’t here to dwell on it. He had just come to check on Sunoo.

Sunoo, on the other hand, felt a knot in his stomach. He couldn’t trust Jay. Not after everything. His voice trembled as he spoke, the words barely a whisper. “What are you doing here? Y-you shouldn’t... e-enter my room without... my permission..."

Jay’s heart sank at Sunoo’s reaction. He had expected anger, maybe even rejection, but not this. Not the fear in Sunoo’s eyes. His smile faded completely, and for a moment, he considered leaving. But he couldn’t. He had come this far.

“No, Sunoo... I—” He took a step forward, but Sunoo’s trembling hand stopped him.

“Please, don’t come near me…”

Tears started to flow again, and Sunoo clutched his hands together, desperate for Jay to understand. His eyes begged for mercy, for some kind of kindness.

Jay stood frozen, his emotions a whirlpool inside of him. He set the tray down on the side table, his grip tightening around it, before he turned and left without another word.

Sunoo let out a shaky breath as the door clicked shut. The moment Jay left, he crumbled, his legs giving out, and he sank to the floor.
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As Jay walked down the hallway, heading toward the stairs, a voice called out to him.

“What’s with the treatment?”

He knew immediately who it was. He didn’t turn around, not wanting to deal with whatever was coming next. But the footsteps drew closer, and soon Heeseung stood in front of him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Hee,” Jay replied, trying to stay calm, though he could feel the nervous energy bubbling up inside him.

Heeseung smirked, stepping closer. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. You know what’s good and what’s bad... for you.”

Jay gulped, trying to maintain his composure. “Kinda like it,” Heeseung added with a sly grin.

He patted Jay’s shoulder, his touch heavy with meaning. “Keep it going. It’s up to you.”

And with that, Heeseung walked away, leaving Jay to stand there, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts.

Jay let out a deep sigh, shaking his head. What was happening to him? Was he putting himself in danger? Was he really trying to play a dangerous game?

But before he could answer those questions, he returned to his task. He had to focus. For now, that was all he could do.

To be continued…