Chapter Five
•••

HYUNJIN | FELIX

Walking with Hongjoong and Yeji to the lunch room, my mood was brighter than before. Yeji had become someone I could consider a friend now, and we talked about our shared love for baking. Apparently, she loved baking cookies and cupcakes, so we agreed to share our desserts on Friday in class together.

Once we reach the lunch room, Yeji said her goodbyes to go meet with her own friends while Hongjoong and I entered the meal line for food. As soon as we entered, I was tackled by Wooyoung in a tight embrace from behind, while Yeosang and Han watched with amusement on their faces.

"Lixie, you're almost done with your first day! I'm so proud of you!" Wooyoung squealed, patting my stomach playfully.

I smiled while still in his arms as we moved in line. "I'm just happy to at least have a class with each of you."

"Right, last class is with me Lix. Dance class." Yeosang smiled. "Don't worry, I don't think any of those boys are in there."

We each made it to the front and quickly grabbed our food choices. My stomach churned looking at the main dishes, which consisted of a choice between spaghetti or a hamburger. On good days, I would run and grab either option happily. However, on bad days like today, the sight of it made me feel nauseous. So I settled with just mixed fruits and a bread roll, something I figured I could forced down with ease.

Wooyoung noticed my tray and looked at me sadly, leaning in to whispered subtly in my ear. "Bad day?"

I nodded, not wanting to voice anything further as we all walk to an empty table to eat. Once seated, I tried to take a bite into my fruit, a smile spreading at the satisfied feeling that something  settled my nausea. Wooyoung was the only person I shared my troubles with food, never judging me for it and always making sure I didn't force myself if I didn't feel up to eating. He used to have the same struggles as me, but he had managed to overcome it over time.

"Han, I've been meaning to ask but...what happened when Minho chased after you?" I asked curiously.

His face turned red. "Well he caught up to me and walked me to class...Surprisingly enough, we also had English together."

Cute.

"At least that was it. Jongho wouldn't stop bothering me in PE. I tried my best to move away from him, but he wouldn't leave me alone." Yeosang rolled his eyes, picking at his food in a bored manner.

Hongjoong sneered, poking Yeosang on the cheek teasingly. "That means he must like you."

"Wow, are you and Lixie sharing the same brain cell or something? Why would they like us if all they do is torment us?" Wooyoung laughed loudly. "We are not in primary school anymore for the childish behavior, and I'm pretty sure they are straighter than a stick of dynamite."

I giggled, mindlessly eating my fruit as the four continued to talk and tease each other. Moments like this made me believe that with them by my side, I could manage living here alone and graduate without any issues. However, that comfort soon fleeted as Hongjoong looked up with terror in his eyes and the lunch room got eerily quiet.

"Guys..." Hongjoong mumbled softly to the us, causing everyone but me to turn in the direction of his gaze.

Of course..

Sighing heavily in annoyance, I kept my eyes on food tray. "What do you want now, Hyunjin?"

"Can you all leave us alone? At this rate, I might actually consider you guys to be gay." Wooyoung sneered.

San smirked, subtly taking his seat next to Wooyoung. "Only gay for you, my love."

"Ew." Both Hyunjin and I said simultaneously, looking up and away each other quickly in annoyance.

Yeosang rolled his eyes. "Like Wooyoung said, can you leave us alone?"

"Actually, no. I'd like us to sit here." Hyunjin smirked, forcefully taking a seat next to me. "Can't we try and get along?" He teased.

Ignore him...

"W-Why?" Hongjoong asked in a hushed whisper, his cheeks beet red from Seonghwa taking a seat next to him with a smile.

"Yeah, I'm with blueberry head over here. Why?" Jongho asked, who was now standing behind Yeosang with a raised eyebrow.

What the hell is this? A group conference?

Minho rolled his eyes dramatically, brushing back Han's hair behind his ear. "Just sit down, Jongho."

I noticed Hyunjin taking a look at my lunch tray with a look of confusion. "This is all you plan on eating? No wonder you're so skinny."

On cue, all my resolve disappeared and my stomach become nauseous again. All I wanted to do was hide and throw up, suddenly feeling claustrophobic.

"Why do you care..." I muttered bitterly before pushing the tray roughly away from me and standing up. "Excuse me..."

Without a hitch, I dashed of the lunch room, ignoring Wooyoung calling out and running after me. "Lixie, wait!"

***Trigger Warning***

Finding the nearest bathroom, I rushed inside and into the available stall, making sure to lock it before heaving over the toilet. Tears filled my eyes as I continued to force up anything that might've settled in my stomach, trying to ignore the thoughts that flooded my mind.

You're so fat...

How do you expect to make friends with your size...

Maybe those brownies are causing you to gain weight...

You're always eating...

Realizing that nothing was coming up, I collapsed on the floor and let the tears flow down my cheeks. My arms began to itch, desperately craving my blade for relief but it was in my backpack far away from reach. However, I decided to roll up my hoodie sleeves and use my rubberband to inflict the similar stinging sensation as a temporary solution.

The sound of the bathroom door opening caused my whimpers to pause, as I heard Wooyoung's soft voice call out to me.

"Lixie...please come out...it's only me I promise." He pleaded.

I bit my lip and continue flicking the rubberband on my wrist, shaking my head. "Go away, Woo..."

"I'm not leaving until you come out."

***End of Trigger Warning***

I heard him slump on the floor against the stall door, and my silent tears turned into sobs. Shakily unlocking the door, Wooyoung instantly turned and pulled me into his arms, cooing in my ear to calm me down. "It's okay, I'm here..."

"I don't want to go to class Woo... I can't." I choked out.

Wooyoung nodded. "Alright, then we'll go to my place. I'll text Yeosang to tell your teacher you're not feeling well and then we can go. They can meet up with us after school. Come on, let's get off the floor."

Gently, he lifted both of us off the floor and leaned me on the wall, running to the sink to get a few damp paper towels to dry my face. "Here, use this and pull your hoodie on. If we're going to leave, at least we have to act the part, hmm?" He said playfully with a wink.

I giggled, nodding my head with a soft smile. "Thank you..."

"Anything for you, Lixie. Now come on, my car awaits!"

———————————————————————————

Remember to Vote and Comment,
Both are highly welcomed!