Chapter Text
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Jeongin panted heavily as he let himself collapse onto the floor of the practice room. He opened his eyes, blinking before sitting back up and using his black t-shirt to wipe the sweat out of the corners and rounds of his eyes. He hated the way it burned. He felt a sharp wave of pain from his temple and he stifled a groan. He pressed on the spot with 2 fingers, hissing and pulling away quickly at the cramp of pain triggered. It felt like that one nerve in his head above his ear was connected to every single cell in his body. A domino effect.
Everything ached. He was pretty sure he had slightly rolled his ankle at that last turn for the choreography, though he managed to hide it and finished the routine well. It hurt. Maybe after all this he could take a bath. Relax. Mayb- “Jeongin?” He flinched and looked up at the concerned eyes of Jisung. “You okay? You spaced out there for a minute.” He asked, putting a comforting hand on the younger boy’s shoulder. He could’ve sworn the world had tipped a little bit before he gulped and responded, “Y-yeah.” He looked away, throwing in a little laughing as he brushed his hair back. “That choreography was exhausting is all.” Deflect. Jisung made an ‘O’ with his mouth and nodded frantically. “Yeah, I thought I was gonna die!” He exaggerated, clasping a hand over his chest in fake anguish.
Jeongin smiled, putting on a bright happy face for him. It was all he was good for.
He was lucky that Jisung hadn’t confronted him about his little freak out last night. He doesn’t think he would be able to lie to him about that. He’s not stupid though. He can feel the eyes on the back of his head.
”Alright guys, let’s go back!” Chan announced, clapping his hands. The rest of the boys whooped and cheered, grabbing their stuff, to walk out of the practice room.
”You coming Innie?” Minho asked from behind him.
Jeongin looked back and saw them staring at him, worried. He smiled. “Yeah, I just don’t think I got it solid, yet. I might stay for a little extra practice?” Hyunjin looked at him, concerned. “You don’t need to perfect it, Innie.” Jeongin shook his head. “I can’t fall behind.”
Jisung winced. Maybe he shouldn’t have said that.
Hyunjin looked at him once more, before gesturing for the rest of the members to leave the room, leaving only them two in there.
“Only an hour.” He said sternly. Jeongin nodded, smiling. Hyunjin ran a hand through his hair, leaving the room.
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The music was loud and his ears were ringing. Maybe he shouldn’t have skipped breakfast. He stopped, the music playing idly in the background. “Why can’t you do anything right?” He ran a palm over his forehead, sitting down on the wooden floor.
“So useless.”
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He ended up staying for another 3 1/2 hours. That means he had been dancing for 7 hours straight. He gripped his bag, turning the lights off behind him as he walked out of the west side of the building.
He leaned against the wall, squatting. He couldn’t afford to pass out. He glanced down the hallway, relieved at the emptiness. Just in case, he pulled out his phone, so at any moment he could hold it up to his ear. If anyone walked past he could pretend he was on a call.
“Jeongin-ah?”
He flinched, looking up and his eyes widened when he saw Twice’s Sana and Nayeon looking down at him. He immediately tried to stand up so he could offer a bow, but he stumbled, leaning against the wall. “Woah!” Nayeon said, gripping his arm to hold him upright.
”Are you okay? Should I call Chan?” Sana asked, phone in hand. Jeongin shook his head hurriedly, eyes closed. “Please, don’t.” He panted, his heart was racing fast and he could feel himself start to panic. “Woah woah, breathe.” He shook his head, closing his eyes. He couldn’t. He could hear someone dialing a number and a phone ring. He could hear Nayeon speaking to him, and other footsteps behind them.
“Nayeon! Sana! Where-“
“Is he okay?”
”I don’t know, he’s having a panic attack.”
“Hello? Chan? Yes, we found Jeongin, he was slumped against the wall and he’s panicking. Can you come here? Yeah, yeah, near practice room 3. Okay, I’ll see you. Come quick.”
Jeongin shook his head. “No-no Chan. No.” He could feel small hands taking his. “Jeongin, breathe.” He shook his head again, biting his lip. He felt his face get cupped and pulled into a hug. “Breathe.” A female voice said, he couldn’t even register it.
“Is he coming?”
“I don’t know how long he’s been here, but he needs to breathe.”
He felt another hand touch his shoulder. “Jeongin-ah? Can you hear me? I need you to breathe with me. Okay?” He nodded his head. He just wanted this to be over. “In, 1,2,3 out. You can do it, good job.”
”I’m here!” A voice called. Jeongin felt himself panic again. “No-no, no Chan-Hyung.” He felt himself be pulled away from the previous hug and felt both his hands get taken by more firm, calloused hands. “Innie-ah? Calm down.” He didn’t know how many people were in the hallway, but he curled into Chan. This was so embarrassing. “Wanna go home.” He breathed out, forcing himself to calm down. “Okay, yeah. We can go home.” Chan said back, petting his hair. “Thank you for calling me.” Chan said and Jeongin felt him lower his head.
“No problem at all. We were so worried.” Another female voice said, and Jeongin wanted to thank them, but he felt to ashamed. “Take care of him, Channie.”
Chan nodded, and Jeongin heard footsteps retreat. “Innie, can you walk?” He shook his head. “Okay then.” Jeongin yelped when he felt himself be lifted up in the air and carried out of the building. He didn’t now why the twice noonas were still there but, he was thankful for it. At least there was nobody else in the building.
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