Ahrin Lee | the hated member

Beginnings

The day Ahrin was set to be discharged from the hospital was finally here, and an air of excitement enveloped the members of Stray Kids. They had been waiting for this moment, hoping it would mark a new beginning for Ahrin, one filled with healing and love. Despite their enthusiasm, Ahrin felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

Morning in the Hospital
As the sun streamed through the hospital room window, casting a warm glow on her pale walls, Ahrin sat up in bed, her heart racing. She glanced at the clock; it was almost time for the doctors to make their rounds. The memories of her time in the hospital flooded back, both good and bad, and she couldn't shake the lingering hesitance that accompanied her interactions with Stray Kids.

Just then, the door swung open, and Chan stepped inside, his presence instantly brightening the room. "Hey, princess! Ready for your big day?" he said with an infectious grin.

Ahrin managed a small smile, though her heart thudded nervously in her chest. "I think so," she replied softly, her voice still somewhat hoarse from her time in the hospital.

Chan's expression softened as he walked over to her side. "You've got this, Ahrin. We're all here for you, and we can't wait to take you home. Just focus on what you need, okay?"

As the morning went on, the other members began to filter into the room, each one bringing an air of warmth and excitement. Minho carried a small cake, complete with frosting that read "Welcome Back, Ahrin!" while Jeongin held a bouquet of flowers that seemed to burst with color, a stark contrast to the sterile white of the hospital.

"Happy discharge day!" Jeongin chirped, his face lighting up as he handed her the flowers. "We wanted to celebrate you!"

"Thanks, guys," Ahrin said, her heart swelling with appreciation, though she couldn't quite shake her nervousness. The overwhelming kindness they showered on her felt like a double-edged sword; it was comforting yet daunting.

The Discharge
The doctor arrived shortly after, going through the standard discharge procedures. As he gave her the green light to leave, Ahrin felt a wave of relief wash over her. She was finally getting out of the hospital, but the thought of stepping back into the world—especially with the group that had been the source of her fears—made her stomach churn.

After the doctor left, Chan quickly motioned for the others to help her pack her things. "Let's get you all set!" he said cheerfully, clapping his hands together.

They carefully gathered the gifts and flowers, making sure nothing was left behind. Ahrin watched, still feeling a bit detached, but their infectious energy slowly chipped away at her apprehensions.

"Okay, are you ready?" Minho asked, turning to her with an encouraging smile as they gathered around her.

Ahrin took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "I think so."

As they made their way to the exit, the members surrounded her, their energy lifting her spirits. The lobby was bustling, but in that moment, Ahrin felt like the center of attention, cocooned in their warmth and affection.

"Let's take a picture before we go!" Hyunjin suggested, pulling out his phone. "This is a moment we need to remember."

They all gathered around Ahrin, who stood in the center with a soft blush on her cheeks. Chan leaned in close, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, and the others squeezed in tight, flashing their brightest smiles.

"Say 'cheese'!"

The photo clicked, capturing Ahrin surrounded by love, a moment she would cherish forever.

In the Car
As they piled into the van, Ahrin settled into the backseat, sandwiched between Jeongin and Chan, who insisted on being her protectors. "You're officially our princess today," Chan teased, throwing an arm around her shoulders.

"Yeah, you deserve to be treated like royalty!" Jeongin added, grinning widely.

Ahrin chuckled nervously, but it felt good to be included. "You guys are too much," she said, her voice lightening.

"Never too much for our princess," Minho chimed in from the front seat. "We'll spoil you rotten."

As they drove through the familiar streets, Ahrin watched the world outside the window, the city moving in a blur. Her heart raced with a mix of excitement and fear, the memories of her struggles still fresh in her mind. Yet, the thought of going back to the dorm with the members filled her with hope.

Back at the Dorm
Upon arriving back at the dorm, the members helped Ahrin carry her things inside, bustling around her as they made her feel at home. Balloons decorated the living room, and a banner hung above the couch that read "Welcome Home, Ahrin!"

"Surprise!" they shouted as they entered, laughter and joy echoing throughout the space.

Ahrin's eyes widened, taken aback by the effort they had put into welcoming her back. The warmth of the moment enveloped her, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a flicker of true happiness.

"This is amazing," she breathed, her voice filled with wonder.

"We wanted to make it special," Hyunjin said, walking over to her with a small gift bag. "This is for you—just a little something to start your new chapter."

Curious, Ahrin opened the bag to find a beautiful charm bracelet, each charm representing a member of Stray Kids. "Oh, it's so lovely!" she exclaimed, touched by their thoughtfulness. "Thank you!"

"We'll be your charms," Felix added playfully, earning a laugh from the group.

Settling In
As the evening wore on, Ahrin found herself slowly letting her guard down. The members took turns telling stories, reminiscing about their favorite moments, and even joking about their shared experiences. They treated her like a princess, catering to her every need, whether it was grabbing her a drink or making sure she was comfortable.

"Is the temperature okay?" Chan asked, glancing over to her as he adjusted the air conditioning.

Ahrin smiled, warmth blossoming in her chest. "It's perfect, thank you."

After dinner, the members insisted on playing her favorite games, and Ahrin couldn't help but laugh at their antics. It felt good to be included, to be a part of something so lively and loving.

Yet, deep down, she still felt a flicker of hesitation. Every now and then, she caught herself second-guessing her place among them. But as the night went on and their laughter echoed in the room, that doubt began to fade.