Stay ~ A Stray Kids Fanfic

Han

Jisung's POV
After School

'I can't do this.'

"Hey, did you all make sure to tell your parents before coming? I don't want to get anyone in trouble," Chan points a finger to us all. I don't reply, but instead let everyone else do the nodding of the head for me.

I jolt at a sudden hit to my shoulder. It was Minho. "Hey, you alright?"

'Just say yes. Just say yes.' Slam after slam of those words before nodding and forcing a square smile. "Yes, thanks," I shy away.

A gust of the evening breeze hits us, along with the smell of the usual traffic. "Why're we going to this park again?" Seungmin asks as Jeongin barely trips over a crack of cement. 'Poor kid,' was all I could think before taking his hand.

He didn't look at me, but didn't back away either.

Chris stops, allowing the rest of us to in domino affect. "Because," he starts, taking the basketball from Changbin's hands and shimmying onto the court.

I suck in a smile at his poor skills. Minho and Changbin just laughed as he attempted to score a hoop. "This place is always empty, the traffic's low,"he points to the main road a block or two away, "and it's more open spaced." He winks at me, my heart lifting a bit at the thought of him noticing.

Usually I'd be terrified to hear someone mention any bit of the topic of anxiety, but Chris...

"I'd like to see you beat me, President!" Minho hurries over where they begin their game of basketball. Felix joins, leaving Jeongin, Seungmin, Hyunjin, and I to settle with the cooler of drinks Chan prepared.

Hyunjin plops down beside me on the pavement along with his box of artistry tools. "Stay still, Jisung," he beams onto the paper, his lead stroking quickly.

My pulse quickens. "Hyunjin, I-I'm not sure if I can just let you draw me so-"

"Hey, it's okay," Seungmin says. The tall boy sits beside me, his uniform jacket off and thrown beside Hyunjin. "He's really good, I promise."

He looks to his friend, his hair now all the way up in a ponytail to keep from his concentration. Seungmin reaches past him."Can I have a few pieces. I wanna make some cranes."

The boy nods, handing him a few without looking up from whatever he was depicting me as. My hands shook and then shoved in my lap. "You wanna lay down? You can use my jacket."

Seungmin's eyes shoot into me like a million stars. I must've gazed too long because he took his jacket, put it on his lap, and forced me down. "Ooh! I like your eyes in this position better," Hyunjin giggles to himself.

With my eyes to the sky, I got to watch Seungmin craft shapes and figures out of paper. Clouds rolled across the skyward scene. A few times, I'd imagine the crane in Seungmin's hands swimming amongst the puffs of cotton.

"Jeongin, come'er," Hyunjin suddenly says after minutes of sketching. The youngest obeys and seats beside me. "Such pretty eyes. Maybe I'll paint you and Jisung for my next project."

     The idea of someone using our faces to turn in what would be labeled as a "work of art" scared us both to the bone. And yet, I didn't shy away as he continued. The strokes of the pencil continued until my eyes fluttered closed to the soothing sound.

     At some point, Minho's voice rang in my ear. I peer open to see the four boys sweating through their white button ups. "I think it's time for food, huh?" Chan marvels at the time.

     Minho, panting heavily, lies beside me on the cool cement. "Did you...see me...win?" His head turns, our eyes locking.

     I nod. It was a lie; I saw him play here and there while talking to Jeongin or Hyunjin. Even with the minimalistic reply, his face beams with pride. "You played well," I add to his upmost high.