Step by Step [TO1 ROMEYOU 1]

CHAPTER 4

     The atmosphere during lunch break wasn't the same without Jerome. Woonggi and Chihoon sat in silence and picked on their food with their chopsticks. Apparently, Jeyou and his friends sat down at the same table as usual and were talking lively without hesitation. But Jeyou couldn't focus on the conversation. He still thought about Jerome, who didn't show up to the first period without notifying anybody. Skipping class is nothing new nowadays, but he isn't that type of student.

Did something happen during the night? Jeyou tried to look interested in his friends' conversation, but his gaze drifted to the empty chair next to Chihoon and Woonggi at the other side of the room.
Actually, I shouldn't even care..
But in the end he is my dance partner. I am at least a little responsible for him. That's it.
I just don't want to get scolded during dance class for having my partner missing...

For a moment, Jeyou thought about walking over to Jerome's friends and ask them if they have got further information about Jerome's missing, but hesitated in the end. He shouldn't be bothered by it, since he can still follow the choreography shown by the teacher without Jerome. He didn't need him.

Suddenly a high-pitched shriek echoed through the whole cafeteria and Woonggi jumped up from his chair to run towards the entrance. The cafeteria was usually filled by loud babbling, so nobody was disturbed by the loud noises. Nobody was really interested in the reason of the scream of Woonggi. Jeyou was observing their table unintentionally and as soon as Woonggi jumped up his eyes were filled with curiosity. It was obvious Jerome would come through the door in a few seconds. He already stared at the door and laid back in his chair to look more natural. A deep breath indicated his relief he felt knowing Jerome was back.

Woonggi entered the cafeteria while clinging onto a guy's arm. Jeyou was taken aback, seeing there is no Jerome but Woonggi with two guys sitting down at the table.

»You guys are usually not eating at the cafeteria, right? We haven't had lunch with you for a while now!« Chihoon said happily while looking at Jisu and Jaeyun sitting down in front of them.

»That's true. But seeing you in dance class yesterday, made us want to hang out with you guys.« Jisu answered. »How cuuuuteeee! It's certainly not because there's pizza on the menu today.« Woonggi said playfully while giving both an accusing look.

Suddenly, Jerome entered the room, making his friends to greet him happily and Jeyou to let out a sigh of relief.

»I'm sorry guuyyyss!« Jerome whined loudly and stretched his arms out to hug his hyungs from behind.
»I was actually late again today.« He admitted, but didn't let the others have a chance to scold him or complain. »It's because I lost my phone yesterday...« He explained.

»Wait, when?« Chihoon asked confused and automatically scanned Jerome's pockets for a phone.

»Right after we parted ways, hyung. At the playground...«

»Did you return to find it?«

»Yeah..I was already at home as I noticed I lost it, so I returned and searched for almost an hour.«

Jaeyun patted Jerome's shoulder with pouted lips.

»So I overheard the alarm since I was so tired.« Jerome finished explaining and noticed a concerned Woonggi sitting in front of him. »I know how you feel about your old friend, but isn't it time to ...let go? It's getting out of control..« He said hesitantly and shoved a slice of pizza into his mouth, avoiding Jerome's eyes.

Jeyou was finally able to focus on his friends after he watched Jerome and his friends chat quietly at the table. He as well recognized Jisu and Jaeyun as his classmates in dance class.