Backstage, the air was thick with tension, the chaos of preparations filling every corner. The stylists moved quickly, brushing hair, adjusting outfits, and fixing makeup, all while trying to avoid the silent storm brewing in the corner of the room. Some of the members of WayV stood in front of the mirrors as they were almost done, and some othes already prepared to perform, rehearsing their lines and warming up their voices.

She was standing near the back, was quiet. She had grown used to the harshness in their eyes, the sharp words that cut deeper than any criticism could. She adjusted her outfit, pretending not to notice the way they glance at her, how they whispered behind her back.

Ten was the first to speak, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You know, i'm surprised you managed to get this far." He smirked as he said it, but the bitterness in his voice was unmistakable. "Just i warn you not to ruin this like you ruin everything else."

Xiaojun shot a glance at her, his eyes cold, the same disdain in them as the rest. "Maybe you should just stay out of the spotlight tonight. It’s not like you’re contributing anything useful anyway."

Her heart sank, but she kept her face neutral. She had learned long ago that showing any sign of weakness only gave them more ammunition. Her fingers trembled as she ran them through her hair, trying to focus on the upcoming performance. She had to get through this, just like every other time.

Hendery's voice pierced the silence next. "You're embarrassing yourself. We all know you're just here because they needed someone to fill the spot of Lucas. Don’t act like you belong with us."

The words hit her harder than she wanted to admit, but she refused to let them see how much they affected her. She kept her gaze forward, her lips pressed into a thin line. She couldn’t let them see the cracks, not now.

The stylists moved around them, oblivious to the undercurrents of cruelty that flowed through the room. They busied themselves with the last-minute details, unaware of the tension building like a storm ready to burst. As she stood there, the weight of their disdain heavy on her shoulders, she realized that this was her reality now. A reality where no matter how hard she tried, no matter how much she gave, she would never be accepted by them.