Heart Race

Chapter 3

As they arrived at the restaurant and were led to their table, Jeongin forced himself out of his thoughts and tried to join the ongoing conversations.

"Our dear Jeongin here is an outstanding student and even in the student council." Seungmin praised while trying to put distance between him and the cuddle bug Hyunjin.

"Hyuuuuuungg doooon't" He answered pouting. "Every time you say it and it's wroooong. It always sounds like my life is all about studying!"

Sometimes he was fed up with stretching his words this long, but it made his act believable.

"Well, isn't that the case...?" Changbin asked, which earned him a slap from Felix and an amused snort from Christopher.

'The first thing you hear from that guy is a degrading snort. Really very likable.' Jeongin thought. He was visibly not thrilled about it. But unlike expected, he showed his displeasure in the form of a sweet pout. "That's mean, Changbin Hyung."

They sat down and ordered drinks.

"5 rum cokes, 2 regular cokes, and an apple juice please" Minho orders for everyone while smirking a bit at Jeongin's request.

"Why don't you have a coke too, cutie?" Jisung asked.

Jeongin replied a little embarrassed, "My parents say I can't have caffeine." And once again there was an amused snort from Christopher.

'I'd like it differently too, Jerk'

"How old are you if I may ask?"

"I'm 17, Hyung" He replied truthfully.

"And you're not allowed to drink caffeine? Like none?" Minho asked again.

Before Jeongin could answer, Christopher snorted contemptuously, drawing all the attention to himself.

Felix was ready to throw hands if he had to, even though he had no serious chance against the older.'He should dare to say something against my baby!'

"This is too stupid for me. I didn't think I'd be sitting here with a toddler." Christopher stood up and walked out, past the confused waitress who brought their drinks.

"I-I'm so sorry.... I ruined everything.... Again..."Jeongin whispered, looking down at his feet with tears in his eyes. 'And ones again I am the reason for someone to be angry.' He genuinely wanted this day to be fine, for Felix, for himself even, but once again his behaviour caused problems. No matter if pretended or was his authentic self, someone would always be disappointed.

He thought, only marginally noticing the embrace of his friends.

"It's all good Jeongin. Don't mind Chris he's like this to everyone.... I thought he would be a little better behaved today, but I guess I was wrong. I owe you an apology." Changbin looked apologetically at Jeongin, but Jeongin didn't see it through the veil of tears.

"It's all right... H-he's right...." Jeongin sniffled, wiping away his tears.

"Nooo Cuddle bunny, Cutie patootie, Darling, Dear, Gorgeous, Honey, Hun, Kiddo, Love, Lovebug, Peanut, Sweetie, Buttercup! Don't say that! Chris is just an old bast- "Jisung got cut off by Felix"- boy. He's an old boy."

The brunet almost laughed at that safe but he wasn't really in the mood for it.

Seungmin glared at Jisung. "He just doesn't know how to appreciate someone as innocent and cute like you because he is cruel himself. Sorry Changbin I don't mean to offend you".

"No, it's okay as I said I shouldn't have brought him at all" Changbin replied.

"Now that Chris is gone, we can still enjoy the lunch..." Felix tried to light up the mood.

"Yes! And let's get this cutie here Crayons to cheer up!" The squirrel suggested.

"Jeongin do you even want crayons?" The, now, oldest of the group asked.

"Yeah.... That's sounds nice..." Jeongin tried to hide his giggle but failed miserably. All he wanted was to wrap up in warm blankets and drink a hot coca, but right now crayons sound like enough of comfort.

Despite of faking his cute personality, he still enjoyed cute stuff. It's almost like there are two Jeongin's.

As they ordered food, Hyunjin asked for crayons to give to Jeongin and soon after he coloured a colour sheet of a wolf. Strangely it strongly reminded him of the young man who stormed out a few minutes ago. Jeongin drew a little racing car in the corner of the page, hoping no one would notice.

As the food arrived, he pushed his thoughts aside and ate as if the incident never happened and the four men who met him that day wondered how the youngest could move on this fast.