Sweet tooth-Woosan

Part 4

Chapter 4

The next day, San got up and went through his morning routine. After washing up and picking out his outfit, he grabbed his phone and headed to the kitchen, where he saw I.N. eating breakfast.

"Mom and Dad already left, so eat up and we can head out," I.N. said.

"Okay, let me have some of that," San replied, reaching for the cereal.

They were eating in companionable silence when a knock sounded at the door. San got up to answer and found Seonghwa on the other side, smiling as always.

"Good morning, guys! How's it going?" Seonghwa greeted.

"Good, what about you, Hwa?" San asked, returning to his seat.

"I'm doing well, actually," Seonghwa said with excitement in his voice. "I came to invite you guys somewhere."

"Oh yeah? Where to?" I.N. asked, curious.

"One of Hongjoong's friends, Jackson, is hosting a back-to-school party tonight, and I came to invite you guys! Are you free after school?" Seonghwa asked, grabbing an apple from the counter.

"I'm free! Can I invite a couple of friends too?" I.N. asked.

"Wow, you already made friends on the first day?" Seonghwa teased, making I.N. grin.

"What about you, San? You coming with me, or do you have plans?"

"I'll come," San replied with a nod.

And with that, they headed off to school.

Meanwhile, Wooyoung was chatting with Mingi and Yunho when he spotted San. He thought about going over to talk to him, but just as he was deciding, the bell rang, cutting his plan short.

After class, Wooyoung headed to Chemistry, where he saw his friend Yeonjun waiting. They went in together, making small talk along the way.

"Oh, by the way, Lucas' brother is throwing a party tonight. Want to come?" Yeonjun asked as they found their seats.

"Jackson Wang from XXXX University? That's his brother, right?" Wooyoung asked, recalling the name.

"Yup, that's the one. So, you in? Most of the guys already said they'd go."

"Count me in. Would you mind picking me up, though?" Wooyoung asked.

Yeonjun nodded just as the teacher walked in. Wooyoung took out his books and attempted to pay attention. Attempted being the key word. Before long, he found himself doodling across his worksheets, which soon became a canvas of random sketches and patterns.

After school, Wooyoung met up with Yeosang, Mingi, and Yunho in the parking lot, and Hyunjin joined them shortly after.

"So, everyone's going to the party tonight?" Hyunjin asked.

"Yup, gotta have a little fun before the grind begins again," Mingi said, sounding both resigned and amused.

Later that evening, Wooyoung got ready for the party. He picked out a black shirt layered with a red sweater and tied a red bandana around his head, pulling his slightly long hair back. After adding a few accessories, he popped a cherry lollipop in his mouth and checked his phone while waiting for Yeonjun's text.

Scrolling through Instagram, he came across a photo of Seonghwa and San together. Clicking on San's tagged profile, he discovered a feed filled mostly with photos of landscapes, animals, and other outdoor scenes. He noticed a few photos with Seonghwa and another friend he didn't recognize.

DING—a text from Yeonjun appeared: I'm here.

Wooyoung grabbed his things, turned off the lights, locked up, and headed outside—only to see Yeonjun waiting on his motorcycle.

"Ugh, seriously? You know I hate riding that thing! You drive like a maniac; I'm going to die from a heart attack before anything else!" Wooyoung protested, crossing his arms as Yeonjun smirked at him.

"Well, guess what? You're riding it anyway," Yeonjun chuckled. "Hop on."

"You'd better go slow, or you'll go deaf from my screaming," Wooyoung muttered, putting on his helmet and climbing on. But as soon as they started moving, he let out a loud yell.

"YAH! YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T GO FAST! WHAT IS THIS?! I SWEAR, CHOI YEONJUN, I'LL KILL YOU!" he shouted, clinging tightly to Yeonjun's waist.

San arrived at the party with Seonghwa and Hongjoong, feeling a bit like a third wheel since I.N. had opted to come with his own friends. As they got out of the car, he spotted a motorcycle zooming toward the driveway. He realized the passenger was Wooyoung, who looked stunning as always.

When he noticed Wooyoung's animated laughter and playful hits directed at his friend, San felt a twinge of jealousy. He couldn't quite understand it, but it was there.

The motorcycle finally stopped, and Yeonjun turned back, laughing, "It's fine, we've stopped. You can let go now."

"YAH! What are you laughing at? I told you to go slower, but it felt like you went even faster!" Wooyoung said, swatting at him.

"Okay, okay, sorry! I promise I'll go slower next time," Yeonjun chuckled.

"Well, there won't be a next time, because that was the last time you'll see me on that death trap," Wooyoung replied, heading toward the house.

As they walked up to the mansion-sized house, a voice called out to them.

"Ayy, Yeonjun! How are you, buddy?" It was Jackson, waving them over. He looked at Wooyoung. "And you must be Wooyoung, right?"

"Yup, that's me. Thanks for the invite," Wooyoung replied with a smile.

"No problem! Gotta get ready to start school, right? A party is the perfect way to kick it off," Jackson said, welcoming them in.

Once inside, Yeonjun offered to grab some drinks. "I'll get us some beers?"

"Sure, I'll wait over by the couch," Wooyoung said, fishing through his pockets for another lollipop. He was addicted to cherry lollipops—the sweet-sour flavor was perfection.

While waiting, he noticed San approaching and thought, Why not go say hi and make a new friend.

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EDITED ✅