𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍 //𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑲𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝑭𝑭//

~𝟲𝟯~

I was still in the same position when the other boys came back to the dorms, and I sensed their tension as soon as they walked in. They all crowded around the couch, some coming to sit next to Felix and Seungmin, others standing behind the couch. A familiar pair of hands came to rest on my shoulders.

Chan came to stand in front of me. He looked down as he heard the paper crumple underneath his shoe. He bent down and picked the letter up, and I swear I could see the tension rise in his shoulders as he read it. When he was done reading, he crushed the paper into a ball in his fist, his face overcast with fury.

"You know, I'm getting really sick and tired of this ass being so arrogant," he said, throwing the crumpled-up letter across the room.

He knelt down in front of the couch, on his haunches in front of me. His anger dissipated, replaced with care.

"Ava, I promise you, if I get my hands on this man, he'll regret the day he ever hurt you. And I'm sure every single other person in this room feels the same."

He moved his gaze up to the boys, and I sensed them nodding.

"Please, don't hurt him," I said softly. All the attention in the room turned back to me. Chan looked confused.

"I don't want you guys to suffer the consequences of doing something rash because you all want to protect me. So, if he does show up, please don't hurt him."

My voice sounded a lot more tired and broken then it did in my head, and I scolded myself for not sounding more confident.

Chan gently took my hand, my gaze shifting back up to meet his.

"Listen to me, I don't care about my reputation anymore. If protecting a member of my team means that I could lose my job, screw it. Okay? The moment I have that man in my line of sight, I won't hesitate to kill him on the spot."

Even though Chan's words were harsh, his voice was completely level and serious, his face calm rather than angry. I wanted so badly to argue with him, but I knew I wouldn't be able to change his mind.

"I just don't think it's a good idea for you to kill a person for someone like me," I whispered, hoping no one heard it.

"Someone like what?" I heard Felix ask softly.

"Someone who has only caused problems and pain for the people she trusts the most in life. Someone who has risked her team members' lives for her own sake. Someone who ruined eight people's lives, who were so much better off without her."

I expected new tears to spill as I said it, but none came. My face stayed completely emotionless as I said it, staring at my hands in my lap.

"Ava, look at me," I heard someone say. I didn't listen, pulling further into myself. All the warmth from the people around me seemed to dissolve, leaving me shivering.

"Ava, please look at me," the voice repeated, but I shut it out. Until a hand brushed my cheek. The touch was so gentle, I doubted if it was really there. But it was. My skin tingled underneath it. That all-too-familiar tingle that only one person could make me feel.

"Ava, please look at me," the voice said again, softer this time. More desperate.

I slowly obeyed, finding Lee Know looking at me like his heart was just broken in two. I wanted to look away again at the sight of his sad gaze, but something forced me not to, my gaze glued to his.

"You haven't ruined anyone's life. In fact, you made all our lives better. We all smile at least ten times more per day just because you're here. And all that pain you say you've caused. I'm sure every one of us would go through all the pain we've ever gone through times ten if it meant you felt safe. You are a part of our lives that we are all so grateful for, and if I could take all the pain you've ever experienced away, I would do it in a heartbeat. You're part of our team. Nothing will ever change that."