Dance Partners || N.NK ||

Part 38/S2

The drive to the airport was a blur, the city lights flashing past like fleeting memories.
And before you knew it, the car had came to a halt right infornt of the entrance of the airport and you were stepping out the car with your luggage in hand.

The cold air left goosebumps on your skin, which you barely noticed.
Your cap was pulled low over your face and the hood of your black hoodie drawn up in a silent attempt to shield yourself and your identity from the prying eyes.

"Please inform me when you are returning so I can pick you on time!" your driver said, his voice carrying the same warmth it always had.
But little did he knew, this was the last time he would ever drive you anywhere.

You forced a small smile to his words, not wanting to break the news to him.
What was even the worth in telling it?
"Don't worry, I will" you replied keeping your smile up on your face, to which he nodded to, unaware of the truth lingering behind your words.

"Now I have to go. Take care of yourself, and have a safe flight Yn-shi!" he added.
"I will. Goodbye" you said, voice softer than intended, after all he had been your best driver for the past few years.

Your hands clutched around the handle of your luggage, watching as the man who had once driven you from dormitories to airports for countless schedules stepped back into the driver's seat.
And with a final farewell wave, he was gone, leaving you standing alone outside the terminal.

"Guess im on my own now!" You mumbled to yourself, accepting your fate as it was.
For the first time now in years, you had no bodyguards, no managers, no security detail ensuring your safety.
The company had stripped you out of everything—including the protection from the chaos that awaited you inside.

Taking a deep breath, you held the handle of your suitcase tightly and stepped into the airport.

The moment you entered, you knew you were doomed.
Cameras flashed in rapid bursts, nearly blinding you.
The air buzzed with the murmurs of reporters and fans who had clearly seen the statement HYBE released about your departure.
The news had spread like a wildfire in just a matter of seconds, and now they were here, hungry for an explanation.

You lowered your head, gripping your hoodie tighter, silently praying that you'd make it to your gate in one piece.

"Yn! Is it true that you were kicked out of the company?" somebody questioned but you just ignored it, quickening your steps.
However, there was always another one waiting.

"YN, ARE YOU AND NI-KI TOGETHER?" someone shouted, their voice piercing through the noise.
"YOU DESERVED TO BE KICKED OUT! YOUR DANCE RUINS THE GROUP'S IMAGE!" a voice spat, cutting sharper than any other blade out there.

You kept walking, pretending not to hear the cruel words, but the pressure was suffocating.
After all, dancing was the only thing in the world that kept you alive, and now getting criticised for it, just broke your heart.

The people surrounding you were relentless—hands brushing against you, bodies pressing too close, questions overlapping into an overwhelming storm.
And then, in the big chaos, someone shoved you so hard that you fell onto the cold floor, landing on your knees.

The moment you fell, the screams got louder and this time you could more words of defence.
People were getting mad about you being pushed to the floor but the damage was already done, you wouldn't be forgiving or forgetting about this any time soon.

You forced yourself back onto your feet, brushing off the sting in your palms and pushed forward, determined to escape the suffocating mass of people.

By the time you reached airport security, frustration burned in your chest.
Those people were exhausting.
You quickly loaded your luggage onto the conveyor belt, going through the usual security checks.
Once cleared, you grabbed your things and hurried toward the departure gate, your heart still racing from the small accident earlier.

Finally, you reached your flight, handing your ticket to the flight attendant.
"Welcome abroad!" The flight attendant greeted you with a smile, her polite smile a stark contrast to the madness you had just endured as she handed you the ticket back.
"Your seat is in first class, on the second row!" She informed you.

You gave her a small nod before walking down the aisle through the economy class to get to the first class.

When you finally sat into your first-class seat, a deep breath left your lungs.
For the first time in what felt like forever, you could finally breathe.

~ Cliff Hanger