Chapter Twenty-Six
•••

HYUNJIN | FELIX

The mall was nearing its closing time, and the four of us was waiting for Wooyoung to finish buying his last pair of shoes.

"I can't believe Woo bought so much stuff." Han sighed, shaking his head in disbelief.

Hongjoong only shrugged. "I told you he had a problem."

"Watch. Once he gets home, he's going to try and return more than half of the things he bought because of trivial reasons." Yeosang rolled his eyes. "Pain in the ass..."

I giggled. "Isn't he your best friend, though?"

Yeosang playfully scowled at me, making Han and Hongjoong laugh. Wooyoung walked out of the shoe store with a huge grin, handing me the purchase with eagerness. "A gift for you Lixie! The shoes you've been talking about for months!"

My eyes grew wide and a faint blush grew on my cheeks. "Woo...I-I can't accept that...That's too expensive to buy for me..."

"Take it Lix. You know he isn't gonna take 'no' for an answer." Hongjoong smiled, pushing the bag into my hands."

"Joongie is right. Plus, my mom gave me her card and specifically told me to buy them for you. So...consider it a gift from both of us!"

"Thank you..." I said softly. "I really appreciate it..."

Han wrapped his arm around my shoulders and groaned loudly. "Enough mushy talk. I'm ready to go home!"

All of us chuckled, nodding in agreement before making our way out of the mall with smiles across our faces.

•••

Laying in bed, I looked over to my new sneakers still placed in its box across the room. A small smile grew on my face, realizing that I had a real group of friends to call my own for once. Back home, I was usually alone or with my sisters, as they would be my only source of companionship. Chan was also there when we were younger to be my friend, but his family moved to the states after he turned twelve and I was eleven. That's when I decided to try out the pen-pal program, and found Wooyoung as my first friend to communicate with weekly.

Lost in my thoughts, a small knock on my bedroom door was heard. "Come in."

Chan opened the door and instantly noticed the shoebox. Raising an eyebrow, he turned to me with a smirk. "You went shopping?"

"Technically, yes. Woo bought those for me."

"Can I see them?"

I nodded, gesturing for him to open them. He picked up the box and slowly pulled the cover off, and I watched as his smirk turned into shock. "No fucking way... he bought you these?"

"Indeed, he did." I giggled. "I didn't want to take them, but he said his mom made him buy them for me."

Chan sighed dramatically before putting the cover back on and placing them down. He then walked over to me and sat on the edge of my bed with amusement. "How much money does his family really have? Those are beautiful.... Anyways, how was your first week of school?"

I shrugged. "I guess it was fine. I just want to graduate and go to University."

"Ready for the party tomorrow?"

"I am. It's going to be my first one, so I have to go."

He chuckled. "Well, I have an update for you on that. So...I won't be able to go anymore."

Instantly, I sat up in bed with wide eyes. "Chan..."

"Listen!" Chan quickly put his hands up defensively. "I can't go because a producer wants to meet Changbin and I about our music. I told Han about it already, but I also told him not to worry about coming along. He wants to be there with you at the party, and I feel better with at least him being around you when I'm not."

"Well...that's a good excuse so fine..." I pouted. "I hope it works out for you three."

He ruffled my hair with a gentle smile. "Thank you, you big baby. You'll be fine! Just be careful and if you plan on drinking, please don't drive."

"Yes, dad."

"Aish!" Chan pointed his finger, playfully scolding me. "I'm serious, Felix... I rather you take an Uber or let Hongjoong drive. He seems to be the most responsible out of your group."

I rolled my eyes and muttered. "Uber it is...Hongjoong is definitely going to drink."

"Well, good. As long as you're safe." He smiled, standing up from the bed. "Are you hungry?"

"Starving. What are we going to eat?"

"Lisa-noona is coming over. She said she wants to bring us food."

My eyes grew with excitement as I jumped up from bed. "Really! I haven't seen her in weeks!"

Suddenly the doorbell rang, followed by three slow knocks. Chan smirked, rolling his eyes. "That must be her. She must have antennas or something..."

Both of us walked out of my bedroom and made our way to the front door with anticipation. Chan opened and revealed Lisa as expected, holding two large bags of food in her hands. "Hi guys!"

"Hi Noona...Come on in!" Chan smiled, grabbing the bags to relieve her of any discomfort.

She smiled, shaking her head. "Actually... it seems as though I am not the only one here..."

I raised an eyebrow curiously. "What?"

As soon as she said that, I noticed a blonde-haired male peeking his head from behind the wall with a smile. "Surprise...!"

"Yunho?!"

Yunho nodded with a grin. "Hi Lixie, hi Chan-hyung. I am also not alone, as I brought my boyfriend with me."

Next to Yunho was a black-haired male with glasses, standing quietly with a soft smile on his face. "This is Mingi. Mingi, this is Felix and Chan-hyung."

Mingi nodded shyly, greeting us quietly. "Hi..."

Lisa grew wide eyed with shock. "Wow, his voice is deep... Just like yours Felix."

"Well, enough standing around. All of you come inside!" Chan laughed, gesturing for the three to enter the apartment. "I don't know about you all, but we are starving."

Laughs were heard as the three walked inside, each of them taking off the shoes and making their way to the dining table. "Lixie, I missed you!" Lisa whined, instantly pulling me into a hug.

I playfully rolled my eyes. "Sure you did...You haven't came by to see me in weeks!"

"Don't be like that! You're my favorite Aussie!"

Chan cleared his throat. "I'm right here, and I don't think your girlfriend would be happy hearing that either!"

Lisa rolled her eyes. "I say it all the time to her face. She doesn't care, so you shouldn't either."

"Wow, this is funny to witness." Yunho said amused. Mingi nodded in agreement, a smile etched on his face as we watched the two bicker.

I giggled. "This is normal."

While the two continued their playful banter, Mingi and I began to open the bags of food while Yunho grabbed the paper plates and utensils from the kitchen. Once he came back, he looked at me with soft eyes. "Lixie... it's been so long..."

"I know...speaking of that, are you going to the party tomorrow?"

Yunho nodded, a smirk growing on his face. "We both are, as our high-school is also invited. Is my baby actually growing up on me?"

I rolled my eyes, a blush growing on my cheeks. "Knock it off...you're embarrassing me."

"Based on what YuYu told me, you going to a party is a huge step." Mingi smiled. "That's a good thing."

"Well, it's my first..so I want to experience it."

Lisa's ears perked, her eyes darting on me with surprise. "This is your first?! You have to have fun, okay! No excuses!"

All I could do is giggle. "I'll try my best..."

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