Chapter Text
Sebastian wasn’t sure when it started.
Maybe it was when they were paired off for a dance challenge and, as always, he was left without a partner. Or when they planned a group TikTok and, without thinking, the other six arranged themselves neatly into trios, leaving him on the sidelines, gripping his phone in silent frustration. Or maybe it was during a brainstorming session for their next big YouTube video, when everyone excitedly threw out ideas—ones that somehow never involved him.
Sebastian liked to think he was part of NorthStarBoys. But some days, it didn’t feel that way.
“You can sit this one out, Seb.”
Regie didn’t mean anything by it. None of them ever did. But those words cut deeper than anyone realized.
They were filming a new challenge video, one that required pairs. Kane and Justin had already linked arms, Oliver naturally gravitated toward Regie, and Darren ended up with Ryan. That left Sebastian.
Like always.
“No, it’s cool. I’ll just record,” Sebastian said, forcing a laugh, even though his throat felt tight.
He watched them from behind the camera, laughing and messing around, completely immersed in their world—one that felt further and further away from him. He wondered if they even noticed how often he was left out. Did they ever stop to think about the empty space beside him?
Doubt crept in, curling its way around his heart.
Sebastian tried to ignore the gnawing ache in his chest, but it got worse over time.
During livestreams, fans would comment:
“Why does it feel like Seb isn’t as involved as the others?”
“Seb barely talks… is he okay?”
“Does anyone else feel like he’s getting pushed to the side?”
He saw those comments. He saw all of them.
The worst part? He agreed.
It wasn’t that the others didn’t care. He knew they did. But it didn’t stop the loneliness from seeping in.
He started testing the waters, dropping hints in conversations.
“Man, imagine if I just… disappeared from the group one day.”
“Maybe NorthStarBoys would be better off with just six.”
“Sometimes I wonder if I even fit in anymore.”
No one took him seriously. They laughed it off, ruffled his hair, or told him to stop being dramatic.
But he wasn’t joking.
One night, Sebastian found himself sitting alone on the balcony of their shared house, staring out at the city lights. He was tired. Tired of feeling like an afterthought. Tired of pretending it didn’t bother him.
He pulled out his phone and opened Twitter. His fingers hovered over the keyboard before he typed:
“What if it was just six?”
It was vague enough. But anyone paying attention would understand.
For once, he wanted them to notice.