Jaemin expected this, of course he did. Who wouldn't? Well, someone who's not thinking of the future, that's who.

Fortunately, Jaemin is not one of those people. Especially when it's plainly obvious on what he's getting himself in to.

The pairs of eyes staring at him with different types of emotions filling in them; jealous, bitter, angry. There's also those who are; bewildered, happy, shocked, and etcetera.

It's not just those eyes that are busy with Jaemin right now, but the mouths and ears, maybe even those people's noses because of how nosey they are and sniffed out some unnecessary information.

Others are gossiping to each other, whispers are audible enough for Jaemin to hear for himself when he passes by, almost as if they're not even trying to be discreet towards him.

But he doesn't mind them, he goes through the hallway, passing by the people with the majority of them gossiping about him.

A little unbothered and uncomfortable at the same time if he's being honest with you, but what can he say? It is a highly expected outcome, so he can't quite complain too much.

Maybe back then, he would have. But that was because he didn't know what was happening, not knowing the truth and how most of these people have masks on.

𖤈

Jaemin managed to go on with his day despite the nosey people around him, mostly in class when he's trying to focus or whatnot, even if he isn't, it can still get annoying.

There were those who've approached him at some point, asking about the anticipated things; The party, Jeno and his relationship with the latter.

All he really responded to them was a shrug of his shoulders and a smile, "what do you guys think?" He lilted, practically teasing them to rack their brains for once before leaving the room.

Speaking of, he was actually trying to find the brunet boy around school once the bell rang indicating it was lunch time.

And to his luck, he didn't really need to find him for far too long, because he was pulled in to a corner by none other than Lee Jeno himself.

"Oh- hey, I was looking for you." Jaemin smiles at the younger boy who then raises a brow in return.

"How are you?" Jeno straightforwardly asks back, not even bothering to greet first as he checks up on Jaemin. "Did those vultures try anything? Did they bother you? D-"

"Jeno," a chuckle escapes his lips as he gently cups the said boy's face in his palms. Forcing him to meet his gentle eyes.

"I'm doing okay, even when they did, I don't really care anymore. It's expected, we knew this was going to happen." He states, vocally honest.

"But- you don't really like this kind of thing, like- it actually bothers you, right?" Jeno asks, confused by Jaemin's reassurance towards him.

The blond haired boy does nothing but snicker, "even if it does-"

"It totally does."

Rolling his eyes at Jeno, he continues nonetheless. "I can't do anything about it other than deal with it, we can deal with it, right? Go through it slowly but surely."

The brunet boy sighs and held Jaemin's wrists while he leans his cheek in to one of his hands, getting soothed by the gentle touch.

"If you're so sure, but... Tell me what you're thinking, okay? I know you're getting annoyed by those people." He jokes about, eliciting a laugh from Jaemin.

Nodding happily, Jaemin looks at him in awe and smiles softly. "Sweet of you, Jen." He comments that has Jeno grinning proudly to himself.

"I know."

"Don't be cocky now." Jeno pouts in exaggeration at the comment, "don't be too cute either." Jaemin says which gets Jeno blinking at him in surprise.

"Oh?" He raises a brow with a cheeky smile slowly forming on his face. "Why so?"

"I might do something... Scandalous."

"As if you haven't already, dummy." Jaemin rolls his eyes at him as he continues, "but what kind of scandalous thing?"

"Might get into more trouble."

"Sounds serious."

"Mhmm." Jaemin drawls out a hum, "gonna get attacked by your exes and admirers."

He gets a smack on the stomach, making him grunt as he backs away for a moment, "not funny." Jeno glares at him with an annoyed huff.

The blond haired chuckles and walks closer again, staring at him so intently that it honestly made Jeno squirm on the spot. "Would it be worth it?"

"To what?"

"To do something scandalous?"

"Real question, babe, is would it even change anything?" Jeno points out.

Jaemin ponders in thought, the brunet boy is right. It most likely doesn't matter now.

So goes in for it, cupping Jeno's face and pecks him quickly, almost too quickly that it has the boy whining.

"Maybe later, for now I'm starving." Jaemin chuckles at him, caressing his mole near his eye with his thumb.

"Which reminds me," Jeno hesitates to continue at first, but the look in Jaemin's eyes convinces him to do it anyway.

"My friends are asking if you want to join us for lunch..."

"Sure." Jaemin's answer has the brunet boy widening his eyes at him in shock.

"Wh-what?"

Jeno covers his mouth afterwards when he realizes, he groans once Jaemin starts smirking at him teasingly.

"Did you just stutter?"

"Shut up!" Laughing at Jeno's state, especially with his flushed face. He later on coos at him to pester him even more.

The tables have turned.

Jeno clicks his tongue and regains his composure, "are you sure you want to sit with them? We don't have to, I can excuse us and we can have lunch somewhere else. Library? You up for that?"

Jaemin smiles fondly at him, not replying immediately which made Jeno impatient. Duh, the clock is ticking and they're both starving.

"I can try." Jaemin tells him, "I'll sit with your friends."

Jeno looks at him, scanning his face to check of he's lying or not. Jaemin could be saying that because he didn't want to upset him, or seem like a jackass.

Basically reluctant.

But he finds nothing, not even in his eyes, Jaemin means it. Obviously it's weird and a little shocking for Jeno, but he brushes it off and smiles when Jaemin suddenly takes his hand in his.

"Let me know if you want to ditch them, just saying." He offers lightly, making them both giggle.

Nodding off, he asks another question that made Jaemin pause for a moment. "But what about your friends? Haechan? .... Renjun?"

"I have a gut feeling I should stick with you for the meantime until I bump into them, if I don't want to explode so quickly, basically preparing for a bit." Jaemin reasons.

And he silently thanks Jeno for not asking more about it, leaving the topic behind afterwards as they both head off to the cafeteria.

Hand in hand.