Date: June 27, 2023
-This takes place after Belift announced Liam would go on hiatus because of her controversy where she called out fans for criticizing the Bite Me choreo-
⚠️Signs/mention of depression
Luna stared blankly at her phone screen, her heart pounding as she scrolled through an endless feed of hate. The vibrant colors of the screen contrasted sharply with the dull, gray walls of her bedroom, where shadows lingered like a constant reminder of her isolation. It had been nearly a month since she had spoken out during a live stream, calling out fans who were upset about the female backup dancers for the *Bite Me* choreography. In her mind, she had thought she was being honest, advocating for inclusivity. But that moment had set off a tidal wave of backlash that felt impossible to navigate.
"She thinks she's special just because she's the only girl," one comment read. "She should know her place."
Another one flashed across her screen: "Luna doesn't care about the fans. All she cares about is herself."
As she read the words, a familiar tightness gripped her chest. Each comment felt like a dagger, piercing through the fragile sense of self-worth she had built over the years. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was letting everyone down—her group, her family, and especially the fans who had once adored her.
"Luna?" Her mother's voice broke through the haze of despair. The knock on her door was gentle, almost hesitant, as if her mother were afraid of what lay on the other side. "Can I come in?"
"Not now, Mom," Luna replied, her voice barely a whisper. She didn't have the energy to put on a brave face, nor did she want her mother to see her like this.
But the door creaked open anyway, and her mother stepped inside, worry etched across her features. "Honey, it's been days. You can't keep shutting yourself in like this."
"I'm fine," Luna said, even though she knew she wasn't. She was far from fine. In reality, she felt like a ghost haunting her own life—lost, invisible, and filled with pain.
Her mother sat down on the edge of the bed, her eyes searching Luna's face for any hint of the vibrant daughter she once knew. "You haven't eaten in two days. You need to take care of yourself."
"I'm not hungry," Luna mumbled, staring down at the blanket. It felt easier to avoid her mother's gaze, to retreat further into her shell. The weight of everything felt too heavy to bear.
"Luna..." Her mother's voice was soft but filled with concern. "You need to talk to me. What's going on in that head of yours?"
"It doesn't matter," Luna said sharply, frustration bubbling up. "You wouldn't understand anyway. You don't know what it's like to have everyone turn against you for a single opinion."
Her mother took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "You're right. I can't fully understand, but I do know that I've seen you grow and work so hard to get where you are. You've inspired so many people."
Luna shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. "But now they all hate me. They say I'm just a burden to the group, that they want me out. What if they're right? Maybe I don't belong here anymore."
"Don't say that," her mother pleaded, reaching out to gently cup Luna's face in her hands. "You belong with your friends. You belong on that stage. You've fought for this your whole life. Don't let the negativity of a few people dictate your worth."
Luna felt a pang of guilt twist in her stomach. She knew her mother was right, but the voices online drowned out all reason. Her fingers trembled as she reached for her phone again, desperate to check the comments. But before she could unlock it, her mother quickly took it from her grasp, holding it out of reach.
"No more," her mother said firmly. "This is destroying you, Luna. You need a break from this toxicity."
"Mom, please!" Luna cried, her voice rising in panic. "I can't just ignore it. I need to know what they're saying."
"No, you don't," her mother countered gently but resolutely. "What you need is to focus on yourself and your well-being. You're hurting, and this isn't helping. Let's put it away for now."
Luna felt a part of her break as her mother placed the phone on the nightstand, out of reach. She couldn't stand the thought of being cut off from the world, even if that world was filled with pain. The tears flowed freely now, and she buried her face in her hands, sobbing as the weight of everything crashed down around her.
Her mother wrapped her arms around her, pulling Luna into a comforting embrace. "I'm here, Luna. You're not alone in this. We'll figure it out together."
But in that moment, Luna felt anything but comforted. The sadness was all-consuming. She thought about her friends—Heeseung, Jungwon, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and the others—wondering if they were disappointed in her, too. She felt as though she had betrayed them, that she had somehow tarnished the group's image with her words.
Days turned into weeks, and Luna barely left her room. The walls felt like they were closing in, the weight of despair wrapping around her like a suffocating blanket. Her parents tried to coax her out, but the only place she wanted to be was hidden under her covers, where the world could not reach her.
"Luna, you have to eat something," her father insisted one evening, carrying a plate of food into her room. "We're worried about you. You're fading away."
"I'm not hungry," she muttered, barely looking at the plate.
"Please," her father pressed, placing the plate on her bedside table. "For us. Just a few bites?"
"I can't," she said, her voice thick with tears. "I don't want to eat."
He sighed heavily, frustration evident in his eyes. "You can't just stop living because of what others think. You're stronger than this."
"Am I?" she shot back, her voice cracking. "If I were strong, I wouldn't be like this. I wouldn't let it get to me."
Luna felt her father's gaze soften, and he sat on the edge of her bed. "Luna, you're human. It's okay to feel hurt. But you have to find a way to push through it. You can't let the negativity swallow you whole."
But how could she? The flood of negative comments felt like a tsunami crashing over her, dragging her deeper into despair. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the hateful words, the accusations of favoritism, and the calls for her to leave the group.
"Please, just talk to us," her mother pleaded from the doorway, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "We want to help you. You don't have to go through this alone."
Luna looked at them, seeing the pain etched on their faces. They were suffering, too, watching their daughter spiral into darkness. But even that knowledge felt like another weight pressing down on her chest. She felt like she was failing them, too.
"I'm... I'm sorry," Luna whispered, the words barely escaping her lips. "I'm just so tired. Tired of everything."
"We'll get through this together, I promise," her father said softly. "You're not alone, Luna. We'll find a way to help you heal."
But in that moment, Luna felt far from hope. All she could think about was the crippling despair that had taken residence in her heart, the fear that it would never truly leave. She lay back down, the weight of her sadness pulling her deeper into her own darkness, and she wished desperately for a way out.
As her parents left the room, Luna curled into a ball, the tears flowing freely once again. The isolation felt complete, the pain absolute. She had once been a beacon of light for others, but now all she could see was darkness. And for the first time in her life, she felt truly lost.
