[M] Star Lost || Changlix

6 - savior from the dark

Felix's POV:

September 15

It's been really awkward at the bus stop ever since the party. Not that it hasn't been awkward already since Changbin doesn't like to talk, but now every time he comes, I tense up. I'm surprised that Chan hasn't picked up on it since he's usually good with that stuff. There's scratches on his forearm that weren't there before, almost like they were burns. I didn't want to ask about it, too shy an scared to even talk to him in the first place.

I just figured out which house Changbin lives in, watching him come out the door the same time as us. He's a few houses down from us; the same house that I've never seen anyone come in or out of before this morning.

Chan said that he had tried to start up conversations with him, but they don't last more than a few sentences. He said that nobody really knows anything about where he came from or how he got here since he doesn't talk with anyone. It didn't surprise me when Chan asked him, "Ready for practice today?"

Changbin gave a small lip smile and nodded, the first time I think I've ever seen him smile, "Do you know when it goes until today?"

"Around four o'clock, like usual."

Changbin nodded again, ending their short conversation. Chan turned to me instead, smiling as he said, "I'll be home in time for dinner. Don't worry, birthday boy."

I felt my cheeks burning up, instantly embarrassed that he would mention my birthday. He was already loud and sang to me this morning when he made me breakfast; I know he's just being a fun older brother. But did he really have to bring it up while Changbin was right here?

"It's your birthday?" Changbin asked, making Chan and I both turn towards him. I was surprised that he said something, his eyes going soft.

Chan wrapped an arm around my shoulder and brought his free hand up to ruffle my hair, "Baby bro just turned eighteen." He said with a huge smile on his face, further embarrassing me.

I pushed my brother off me, reaching my hands up to fix my hair as Changbin replied, "Oh, umm... Happy birthday." He smiled right after and then looked back at the street when our bus was coming.

I quietly said, "Thank you." Loud enough for him to hear it. He nodded again before the bus stopped in front of us.

. . . . .

I never realized how Changbin's locker is just right across the hall from mine. I haven't seen him use it before, but maybe we've simply never happened to cross paths here. He took his black hoodie off and hung it on the hook in his locker, trying to focus on myself rather than him. It was hard to do when his black tee-shirt was slim fitting on him, the muscles in his chest and arms on full display for me to see.

I shook my head and faced my locker so that I couldn't see him, turning the knob to the right combination. I took my backpack off when I finally opened it, needing to change out a few notebooks for my next couple classes. I suddenly felt someone push me, ramming me into the lockers as I tried to turn around. I gulped at who it was, "Lunch money. Now."

Jason's always scared me, ever since he started bullying Chan and I back when we were freshmen. He usually doesn't bother us now that Channie is popular and everything, but when I'm by myself, he takes his chance.

I stammered, "Th-They scan our student ID f-for lunch now—"

He cut me off by pushing me against the lockers again. I hit the back of my head, making me whimper a bit from the pain, "I don't care. Give me your wallet instead, fag."

I was terrified, but someone suddenly pulled Jason back by his shirt. I widened my eyes when I saw Changbin shove him hard against the lockers next to me, way harder than Jason did to me. He grabbed the collar of Jason's shirt, glaring at him as he said, "Who the fuck gave you the right to touch him?!" Louder than I thought he would. It made some people down the hall turn their heads, and I felt even smaller.

It took my breath away for a moment, getting lost at how hot he was right now. The way he came over here to save me and how he's protecting me made my heart melt. I shook my head from my thoughts and came back to reality, absorbing the situation better. I needed to pull him off, not knowing what Changbin would do, "Changbin, don't—"

I paused when he held up a finger to me, telling me to be quiet. He didn't turn to me, still glaring at the boy he had shoved against the lockers, "I wanna know the answer." He said through his teeth.

Jason was silent, his eyes wavering from being so scared. Changbin chuckled lowly, "That's what I thought..." Changbin moved closer, their faces inches apart, "And I swear, if I ever hear you call him that again, I will kick your ass without hesitation."

Jason quickly nodded, and then Changbin added, "Good. Now get out of my sight." Before letting go of his shirt.

Jason scurried away down the hall, and Changbin faced me when he went around the corner. His eyes looked much gentler than just moments ago, softly asking, "Are you ok?"

I was stunned by how sweet he was, feeling my face heat up as I replied, "Y-Yeah, umm... Th-Thank you."

He nodded and gently smiled, as if he was trying to hold it back. He reached his hand out and placed it on my upper arm, rubbing with his thumb as he said, "No problem."

We stared at each other for a few moments, getting lost in his eyes and both of us forgetting where we were. There was a moment there when I thought he was about to lean forward and press our lips together, seeing how his eyes slowly went down from my eyes to my lips. But he just cleared his throat and took his hand away, rubbing the back of his neck out of anxiousness.

I swear, I could see the light pink hue on his cheeks as he turned away. He walked swiftly back over to his locker, closing it before picking his backpack up off the ground and walking away. I didn't realize I had a dorky smile on my face until I turned back to my locker and cleared my throat, trying to take my mind off what just happened.

"I think a real hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people."

Maya Angelou