More Than Friends

Friendship (Hyunjin POV)

I feel slightly more confident in my relationship with Felix. He says that Changbin's feelings won't change our relationship. I feel as if he means it. I think he's serious about us. I'm happy we've talked about this, but I think the negative thoughts of us will always stay in my mind. We've been spending a lot more quality time together in the past few days. We've been more secluded from the group. We've spent a lot of time trying to avoid Changbin. Well, I have at least. I can't really say Felix has been. He's been around the group more than I have been. He still talks to everyone the same way. He's still bubbly, happy and goofy around them. I will admit, he has gotten a little bit closer to Minho than I'd like. That makes me the slightest bit jealous. But, I'm fairly certain Minho is just comfortable in himself. I don't foresee anything romantic coming from it. Minho is funny, but cold. He isn't exactly the most approachable person in the world. I'm sure it's nothing.

I've been laying in my bed pondering for hours now. I hardly have been around the group. I should probably go and talk to at least Han or Seungmin. I muster up the courage to sit upwards on my bed and stand up to leave the room. As I stand up to leave the room, I hear a quick knocking on the door.

"Hwang Hyunjin, come out here now!" a voice jokes from outside the door.

"I'm coming!" I yell back. I wonder what the issue is now.

I approach the door, turn the knob and pull the door open.

It's Minho.

How weird? I was just thinking about his closeness to Felix, and now he's at the door. Am I physic? I joke to myself.

"What are ya doing in here man!" He laughs.

"Uh, nothing really. I was getting ready to come out, maybe cook some lunch or something" I reply.

"It's about time! We thought you'd rot in your room for the rest of the year!" He laughs again.

I gesture to him to move from the door and I walk towards the common area. Of course everyone is out here. Felix and IN are sitting on the couch laughing at their shared phone screen, Seungmin and Bangchan are in the bean bag chairs throwing an inflated dice back and forth, and Changbin and Han are staring at their own phone screens.

My heart skips a beat nervously as I see Changbin. I can't bring myself to even be in his presence. Just the thought of him still angers me. Minho puts his hand over my shoulder and walks with me to the kitchen.

"You said you wanted to make lunch, so let's do it" he smirks.

I shoot a funny face back to him and ask him what he thinks we should make.

We collectively decide on making kimchi. It's been such a long time since we've had a traditional, simple meal. I've been longing for something to remind me of being at home. As we are cooking lunch, Minho blurts out "Why are you avoiding us?"
I'm taken back a bit by the suddenness of the question.

"I'm not." I lie. I didn't expect him to be so straightforward with the question.

"HJ. It's extremely obvious that you've been a little bummed out, or at least kind of around less." He continues.

"I've just been trying to wrap my head around some things. That's all" I confess.

"Ya'know you can always talk to us, right?" He protests.

"Yeah, I know" I mumble.

We carry on with making kimchi and making small talk. I know I haven't been around as much. I know I'm avoiding everyone, I just haven't figured out how to stop being angry. I know I'll get over it, but it's gonna take some time.

As we finish cooking, Minho calls to the rest of the group to come eat. Bangchan and IN are the first to come bursting into the kitchen.

"Finally, I'm starving!" Bangchan shouts at us, as if we're not four feet in front of him.

Seungmin, Felix, Han and lastly Changbin enter the kitchen. I watch Felix as he skips into the kitchen with Han locking arms with him. They're so silly. They remind me of children. You'd think those two were the maknae of Skz. I quickly glance at Changbin, who has had his face looking at the floor the entire time he's been in the kitchen.

"Here Changbin" I say as I hand him a plate of food.
"You can be the first to try it!" I try to say happily. I'm making any attempt to break the awkward moment between myself and him.

He accepts my offer and tastes the food. His facial expression says it all.

"Minho and I never said we were the best chefs" I chuckle.

"Me next!" IN laughs.

Everyone takes turns trying to food and laughing about the outcome.

"It's not terrible, it just could've used some more seasoning" Minho grimaces.

We continue to crack jokes about the food. Whilst sitting down, Felix wraps his arms around my shoulder and interlocks his fingers in front of my neck. He rests his chin on my head. I look around the room, Bangchan and Han's face light up as they see our skin ship.

"Aegyoooooo" Han drags out with a huge smile.

"Yah, not while we're eating!" Seungmin jokes.

Everyone seems to think our open affection for one another is adorable. Well, everyone besides Changbin. His head remains lowered to the table, his eyes glued to his plate.

"Changbin" I say.

"Hmm?" He replies.

"I want to tell you in front of everyone else. I understand your feelings towards me, I know you're upset about Felix and I, but I don't want you to feel like we can't remain friends. You're one of my closest friends, I would be really happy if we could remain the same as before." I smile.

Changbin lifts his head and looks at me with a huge smile "I would really like that!" He stands up and walks towards me.

I stand up in front of him, we give each other a long, meaningful hug and pull away.

"I knew it would be better soon!" Felix voices.

"So, everyone is alright again? We can finally hang out together? Hyunjin is finally going to be a member again?!" Bangchan snorts.

I grin at him.

"For sure" I grin.