Ethereal (NOREN)

CHAPTER 8

They were engulfed in silence and only their footsteps echoed around the hallway. Both hands still laced into each other, enjoying the warm and tender touches.

Jeno stop on his tracks and renjun, who was walking behind, crashed into his back. Jeno let go of renjun's hand and cupped his cheeks, worry mirrored on his face.

"I'm sorry. It was careless of me to stop without warning."

Ones again, renjun was taken aback by Jeno's soft actions that he didn't realize he was capable of doing. Those nasty rumors about him were too fabricated.

Renjun hated to admit but he's slowly getting used to Jeno's presence. He held into Jeno's hand, and if anybody have seen what they were doing, people would assume that they were lovers of some sort. "Mmm. It's my fault for not looking at were I was going. I'm just glad that you aided me." He smiled.

'Pretty. Is it bad to be selfish and wish for me to see his smile everyday?" Jeno coughed and it took him a lot of courage to let go of renjun's hand. "As much as I want you close to me, I can't. You should knock on the door. Your cousin might be awaiting for you." After that he left hastily, if not he might do something he might regret like kissing him perhaps.

Renjun blinked a couple of times, processing what Jeno just said. A smile formed across his lips as he clenched into his heart, feeling it beat rapidly. He took a deep breath and before he could knock, the doors opened widely and was embraced into a bone crashing hug by chenle.

"Hyung! Thank goodness. I was starting to get anxious that you haven't arrive here yet."

He pat the latter's back, "I'm here already."

"Hyung! I'm glad you're here." Jisung's shy voice made him snapped to his direction. That's when it hit him, they weren't alone, there were students - possibly chenle's groupmates. Who were gazing at them in awe.

Renjun uttered a "Hi!" And the students bowed to him as they excused himself. Chenle still clinged to him like a baby.

"Jisung nah! Let's go together." Renjun offered which made the younger gleamed brightly.

"Yes, hyung." He cutely answered.

Renjun shook his head, he knew Jisung was a shy kid so without hesitation, he lock their arms together while chenle was hugging him from the other side. They walk quietly, well until Chenle and Jisung bickered like kids.

When they reach the gate, Jisung waved a goodbye and so did him and chenle. After that they went home, too exhausted to even speak a word.

Renjun slumped on his bed, his eyes starting to get heavier but before he could reach dreamland. His phone buzzed, and an unknown number pop on the screen.

09xx xxx xxxx

🐶: Renjun?

Renjun sleepily replied.

🦊: Who's this?

He was not expecting someone to text him, beside that only his love ones and friends knew his personal number. So who might be this person disturbing his moment to sleep?

🐶: This is Jeno.

Renjun jolted out of his bed. His drowsy self automatically replaced with an energetic one.

🦊: Jeno? How'd you get my number?

🐶: That I can't tell you. It's pretty late and I know you're tired but can I....

🦊: Jeno? Can you what exactly?

🐶: Umm... Take you out for a treat tomorrow? If you're busy, it's okay. I'm not forcing you if you don't want to. I'll understand.