Ethereal (NOREN)

CHAPTER 5

Renjun couldn't sleep peacefully that night. He keep replaying the events that happened a few hours ago. He tossed around the bed trying to shut his thoughts away but to no avail, it continued to pester him.

As a result, he woke up later the next day with a painful headache. Chenle was worried about his hyung but renjun was too stubborn to listen to his cousin.

"Hyung! You need to rest. I'll tell your teacher that you aren't feeling well." Chenle reluctantly pushed.

Renjun turned to chenle facing him, "Chenle, I'm okay! It's bearable, besides that, I can't let my parents or even your parents worry about me."

"But hyunggg..." Chenle protested but renjun hushed him.

Chenle sigh knowing that his renjun hyung would not listen to his plea. Worry was still laced on his face as he watch how his hyung look awfully tired and that any minute he might faint. Renjun wasn't dense to not notice it, he ruffled chenle's hair and smiled. "Seriously lele, I'll be fine. Haechan will be there, so don't overthink too much."

The younger nodded forcedly as he knew the truth that he wasn't fine at all. He even texted his haechan hyung to look out for his cousin.

☀️Haechan Hyung

🐬: Haechan hyung, chenle here. Can I ask for a favor? Renjun hyung isn't feeling well and I'm hoping you'll take good care of him in my place.

☀️: Alright! I'll take care of him.

🐬: Thank you, hyung.

Ever since he meet Jeno yesterday, his hyung seem to be agitated. Seeing how he broke down to tears, which rarely happens, he become too protective of him. And he promised to himself that he'll do anything for his hyung.

Stepping out from the car, renjun easily spots the crowd of students entering the campus. Chenle nudge him and they continued to head for their rooms. As they where about to separate - chenle was hesitant at first, however renjun assured his cousin not to be distraughted.

Once chenle was out off sight, renjun took a stride towards the direction of his room. The first thing that haechan welcomed him was a warm hug. Haechan smiled and guided him to his desk as per instructed by chenle.

"Renjunnie, you can tell me what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry haechan," renjun was going to tell him about yesterday's encounter.

Haechan was puzzled at his friends sudden apology. "Huh! Why?"

Renjun heaved a deep breath, while avoiding eye contact. "Don't be mad at me but I - I unfortunately crosspaths with Lee J-Jeno yesterday."

"WHAT!!!" Haechan shouted that made their fellow students stare at him weirdly. "Yah! You aren't kidding me right. It's not a funny joke renjunnie." He mumbled.

"It's the truth! I didn't know it was him I swear."

'This is bad!! I can't let him be involved with him.' Haechan thought.

He faced renjun, "did Jeno say something w-weird to you?"

Renjun shook his head, "No, but he said something about s-seeing him in school."

Haechan held renjun's hands, "Calm down, it not your fault. It was simply a coincidence that you've meet. Don't worry, I'll never leave you alone. That's a promise."

This is why Renjun is grateful to have haechan by his side. He was protective of him and caring.

Classes resumed but renjun's mind still lingers on this 'bad boy' named Jeno. He can't explain it but there was something in him that pulls the younger to him.