Sunoo descended the stairs, dressed in loose black pants and an oversized black shirt that contrasted beautifully with his milky skin, making it almost luminescent. His quiet footsteps carried him to the kitchen, where the rest of the members were busy preparing breakfast.
Once, Sunoo would have walked in with a radiant smile, ready to greet everyone with warm hugs. But those days were long gone, buried under years of cold stares and sharp words. Now, it was a different Sunoo... one who treaded carefully, meticulously planning his every move to avoid provoking their wrath.
"Good morning, Sunoo," Jake greeted him cheerfully, his voice warm as he looked up from his plate.
Sunoo managed a small nod, his lips curling faintly upward. Jake approached and ruffled his hair affectionately.
"My bunny~ come on, let's eat before practice," Jake said, his tone light as he guided Sunoo to the dining table where the others sat.
As he took his seat, a chorus of "good mornings" echoed around the table. Sunoo responded with a weak smile, his chest tightening.
This is all I ever wanted, he thought bitterly. Why does it feel so wrong now?
Their seemingly kind gestures twisted the knife of longing buried deep inside him. It hurt to see them act the way he had always wished they would, knowing it was all a façade. The members sitting across from him weren't the same people he had met and befriended four years ago.
Sunoo stared blankly at the empty space between Sunghoon and Heeseung's chairs, lost in thought.
"Sunooyah~ what's with the low energy today?" Jungwon's voice broke through his reverie, laced with a subtle edge.
"You'd better eat up so we can head out soon. Don't forget, we've got a performance tonight."
Jungwon's wide smile didn't reach his eyes as they locked onto Sunoo's, silently delivering a message only he could understand. Sunoo's hands trembled slightly as he quickly shoveled a spoonful of food into his mouth, nodding obediently.
Across the table, the members were engaged in light conversation, their laughter filling the air. Sunoo ate mechanically, barely tasting the food, his actions driven by the fear of making a mistake. He ate as though his plate might be snatched away, swallowing too quickly until he started to choke.
A firm hand gripped his wrist, halting his frantic motions.
"What are you doing, Sunoo?" Jay's voice was low and edged with irritation. His sharp gaze bore into Sunoo, who froze under his scrutiny.
"Eat slowly. There's no need to rush," Jay added, his tone curt as he released Sunoo's hand and turned back to his plate.
Sunoo stared at him, wide-eyed, his chest tightening. Jay's annoyance cut deep, leaving Sunoo scrambling with thoughts of guilt and regret.
'Did I make him angry? Is he going to start treating me like the others?'
His appetite waned, but he forced himself to eat, each bite tasting like ash. He couldn't afford to draw more attention to himself... not now, not ever. He bowed his head low, trying to suppress the growing ache in his chest.
'If Jay hates me too... I don't think I'll survive this.'
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.The practice room was filled with the echoing beat of their latest track as the members rehearsed tirelessly for their performance that night. Five hours in, their energy was visibly draining despite their efforts to stay sharp.
YOU ARE READING
Left Out Friend
FanfictionSunoo was always the outsider in his group, no matter how hard he tried to belong. Despite his warmth and kindness, he seemed destined to stand alone. But why did his members treat him this way? Was it jealousy? Hatred? Or something far more siniste...