Chapter Eighteen
•••

HYUNJIN | FELIX

Picking up each of the boys was something I found fun to do. Today, Han sat in the front passenger seat while Woo, Joong, and Sangie sat in the back. With Han being the last picked up, it didn't take long for us to reach school since his apartment was the closest to the campus grounds. However, as soon as the five of us stepped out of the car, a loud voice called out my name.

"Hey, Felix!"

Wooyoung smirked, noticing the culprit behind the voice. "Felix, I think Jake wants to talk to you..."

"Jake? Who's Jake?"

"We'll go in first, okay?" Han smiled, winking at me before he led the other boys to the school entrance. Jake slightly jogged over to me with a smile on his face.

Once standing in front of me, I noticed that he was slightly taller than me with long blonde hair and grey colored eyes, assumed to be fake contacts. "Sorry for yelling, but I wanted to talk to you about something."

I raised an eyebrow suspiciously before bursting into a fit of giggles. "At least introduce yourself first, mate. You know my name but I only heard your name from my friend."

He blushed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "R-Right, sorry. My name is Jake, and first I want to say I'm happy another Aussie is in school now."

"Wait, you're Australian?" I asked shocked.

"Indeed I am." He smiled. "But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. It's actually about my club, which is focused on Modeling."

Modeling...?

"Sure, what about it?"

Jake smiled. "I was wondering if you'd be willing to join? You're are stunning and your style is incredible!"

Now I was the one blushing. "I-I don't know..."

"Seriously! You won't have to do any runway modeling if you're not comfortable with that. Just editorial pictures with the photography club once in a while and you can help the other models with their clothing options if you want!"

"I'm just not the type who likes a lot of attention on me..." I said shyly.

Jake tilted his head curiously. "You? The way you look, I find it hard not to stare. You are gorgeous..."

I giggled, touching my now very red face with my fingers. "You're too kind..."

"I'm only being honest. At least think about it, okay? Promise?" He held out his pinky finger towards me.

Rolling my eyes playfully, I interlocked my own with his before making a few steps forward. "Fine, fine. I promise... Would you want to walk with me inside?"

Jake grinned, following next to me in stride. "Me? The prince himself wants me to walk with him? I can die happy now."

"Stop it!" I laughed loudly, earning a brighter grin from the male next to me.

"Like I said, I'm only being honest."

We continued our walk together inside, both of us immersed in deep conversation about our passions and our families back home. I found myself grateful for having a chance to talk to someone who could relate to me more on a personal level, and felt better with the idea of truly making a home here.

Once we reached my locker, Jake noticed the four guys staring at us. Leaning next to my ear, he whispered. "I think your guards are scoping me out."

I giggled, turning to the four with a playful scowl. "Can you guys stop staring?"

Hongjoong sighed. "Sorry for these three. They are annoying..."

Jake only smiled softly. "It's fine, I'd be protective over him too. He is precious cargo."

Turning to me, he smiled before asking. "Would you allow me to take you out on a date on Sunday?"

Wooyoung squealed, earning a punch on the arm from Yeosang while I blushed. "S-Sure..."

Holding out his phone, he grinned. "Enter your number and I'll text you."

Nodding, I typed it the nine digits and saved the contact. "Sunday then?"

"Sunday." Jake smiled, turning to the four boys with a happy nod. "I'll see you guys later."

The five of us watched him walk away from us, and with a good enough distance, Wooyoung tackled me with kisses all over my face. "My Lixie has his first date in the States!"

"Woo, let him breathe!" Yeosang tried saying sternly, but his smile was failing him.

Han smiled. "You two would actually make a stunning couple..."

"It's just a date guys... Stop trying to marry me off." I bit my lip from blushing again.

•••

The first four classes were easy enough to get through, and I was now doing my usual routine of walking with Hongjoong and Yeji to the lunch room. This time, instead of bickering, the two were discussing the lesson together. I was too busy messaging Jake to notice.

"So, kinematic equations are basically equations that describe the connection between position, velocity, acceleration and time for an object in motion?" Yeji asked for clarity.

Hongjoong nodded. "Yes, exactly."

Yeji smiled. "Thanks!" She paused, looking at me with a raised eyebrow. "Lix, what are you doing?"

"Nothing."

"Don't mind him, he has a date with the Jake on Sunday and is texting him about it." Hongjoong teased, causing a blush to grow on my cheeks.

"Ooooo..." Yeji said quietly. "He's a lucky guy... I wish you two the best..."

Her change in tone made me look up and tilt my head confused. "Is everything alright...?"

She nodded with a soft smile. "Yeah. Don't worry."

Reaching the lunch room, she waved us goodbye before slowly walking away to her friends. I turned to Hongjoong with a raised eyebrow. "Did that seem weird to you?"

He shrugged, grabbing my hand and pulling it. "Don't think too much about it. Come on, it's time for food!"

Brushing it off, I smiled and followed him into the meal line. Unfortunately, today wasn't a good day so my choices of food were minimal: bread, fruits, and banana milk. Once both of us had our trays, we walked over to our friends and sat down.

"Lixie!" Wooyoung smiled, glancing down at my tray before looking up at me with a falter in his face. "Bad day?"

"Somewhat..."

He squeezed my hand gently in reassurance before focusing back on Han's babbling and Hongjoong's scolding for talking with his mouth full again. I smiled softly, picking up the bread roll and nibbled on it with contempt.

The lunch room was filled with loud discussions and laughter, but it slowly diminished as the known group of males entered inside. Ignoring their entrance, I continued to eat but Yeosang's dramatic sigh made their direct presence known to all of us. "What the hell do you guys want?"

Hyunjin grabbed my arm and roughly pulled me out of the seat. "Come with me."

"Hyunjin!" I gasped.

Wooyoung stood up abruptly and yelled. "YA! Let him go!" San just shook his head, pulling him back against his will.

Yeosang and Hongjoong stood up to go after me, but Jongho and Seonghwa also held them back. Han scowled at Minho, who looked nonchalant. Every eye was on us, and my frustration grew. Hyunjin held his grip on my arm and pulled me out of the lunch room, and despite my efforts of trying to get away, it was no use.

"Hyunjin, let me go!" I yelled, fighting my way out of his death grip.

"Not yet. Not here."

What the hell is his problem...?

It wasn't until we reached an empty hallway that he eventually let go of my arm. Feeling soreness, I gently rubbed the area with my hand. Luckily for me, I wore long sleeve so my healed cuts were hidden.

"What the hell, Hyunjin?"

He sighed. "I'm sorry, but I have to warn you. Don't date Jake."

I scoffed. "Remind me...why should I listen to you?"

"Jake is my ex-boyfriend."

My face paled. What?

"Y-You're lying. I don't believe you, and even if that's true, it's none of your business."

"Felix!" He shouted,slamming the nearby locker next to my head. I flinched, looking up at him wide eyed. "Listen to me...he's no good...and if I'm saying that, that's something to consider."

"Hyunjin, I'll find out that myself. Now," I brushed his arm away from my head irritably. "If you excuse me, I'm going back to my friends. I'll see you at your party...maybe."

With that, I walked away and left a stunned Hyunjin in the barren hallway alone.

———————————————————————————

Remember to Vote and Comment,
Both are highly welcomed!