Between the Lines | Riize Wonbin

Chapter 2: Shadows of Perfection

Wonbin leaned against the wall of Yeonjun's living room, a drink in hand, watching the festivities unfold around him. Laughter and music filled the air, mingling with the rich aroma of food wafting from the kitchen. It was a typical gathering among friends celebrating their final year at university, yet Wonbin felt detached, as if he were a ghost haunting the periphery of their joy.

"C'mon, Wonbin! You've barely touched your drink," Winter exclaimed, nudging him with a playful grin. "Live a little!"

"Yeah, lighten up," Sungchan added, grinning as he plucked a snack from the table. "It's our last year! We should be making memories, not brooding."

"Right," Wonbin replied, his tone cool and dismissive. He took a sip, letting the bitter taste linger on his tongue. They didn't understand; he had no interest in being swept up in their lighthearted banter. Underneath the easygoing demeanor his friends associated with him, there was a depth they didn't see—a darkness he carefully concealed.

As the night wore on, he scanned the room, noting the carefree interactions around him. Everyone seemed so at ease, so unburdened by the expectations looming over their heads. Except for him. The pressure to succeed was a constant weight on his shoulders, and the facade of indifference was becoming harder to maintain.

His gaze drifted to a quieter corner of the house where Juhee stood, engaged in a tense argument with her younger brother, Myung Jaehyun. The contrast between the lively atmosphere and their heated exchange was stark, drawing Wonbin's attention as he leaned closer to eavesdrop.

"Why do you have to act like you're better than everyone else?" Jaehyun's voice was sharp, cutting through the noise around them. His frustration was palpable, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

"I'm not trying to be better, Jaehyun! I'm just trying to do what's expected of me!" Juhee replied, her tone strained as she struggled to keep her emotions in check.

"Expected by whom? Mom and Dad? You're so focused on being their perfect daughter that you've forgotten who you are!" he shot back, his voice rising. "It's suffocating, Juhee!"

Wonbin felt a flicker of intrigue at the rawness of their exchange. He had seen his share of sibling dynamics, but the intensity of their argument resonated in a way he couldn't quite place. Still, he quickly dismissed it—this wasn't his business. Juhee was just another student, and he had his own life to navigate.

Juhee's face flushed with a mix of anger and hurt. "You think it's easy for me? I'm under pressure too, you know! I'm trying to make something of myself while you throw around your jealousy like it's nothing!"

Jealousy. The word hung in the air, resonating with Wonbin. He knew that feeling all too well—the burden of comparison, the constant need to prove himself. But he wouldn't let himself get drawn into their familial struggles.

Jaehyun's expression shifted, a moment of vulnerability crossing his features. "You're right. I'm jealous, but it's hard when you seem so perfect all the time. I just want to be seen, too."

Wonbin turned away from the scene, feeling an uncharacteristic pang of annoyance at himself. He didn't care about their familial issues, nor did he want to feel anything at all. He had spent years perfecting the icy exterior that kept others at bay, and he wasn't about to let that slip now.

"Hey, Wonbin! You good?" Jisung's voice broke through his thoughts, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Yeah, just need some air," he replied, pushing past his friends as he stepped outside onto the patio, away from the noise and chaos. The cool night air greeted him, a welcome respite from the tension inside.

As he leaned against the railing, the stars twinkling above, he couldn't shake the image of Juhee's strained expression from his mind. It was a fleeting thought, quickly overshadowed by the weight of his own expectations. He had no interest in getting involved in anyone else's drama, least of all hers. But something about that argument had unsettled him, and he didn't like the feeling.

Turning away from the house, he resolved to focus on what lay ahead. He had a reputation to uphold, a mask to wear. The rest of the world could drown in their emotions; he had no intention of getting swept away in the tide.

Author's note:

So, how do we feel about Chapter 2?