Stay ~ A Stray Kids Fanfic

Changbin

Changbin's POV
That Day

     "Are fireworks even legal in September?" I ask, picking up a cone-shaped clown with the label, "circus fountain." "This seems too much to me."

     Chan scoffs from beside me, continuing to push the cart and gaze up at the many fireworks. "Must be legal if they're opened year-round," he says, picking up a pack of sparklers and tossing them in the cart. We were the only ones in the store besides the cashier. Poor guy must be the lonesome clerk who barely keeps his pay until July comes around. Who even needs fireworks year-round?

     I slouch forward. 'Well, clearly us since we're here now.'

     "We just need sparklers and the big ones for this scene I'm planning," he goes on, adding another packet into the cart. The more he added, the more I got worried about the end price we'd have to mangle.

     Giggling is heard from the other side of the aisle, as well as the pitter-pattering of feet chasing one another. "Guys, come on," I say, peaking through the shelf to see Minho and Jisung on the other side. Minho bore a staff of some sort of cannon firework while Jisung held a large pack of "Black Panthers" as a shield.

     "If you break it, you buy it," Chan calls, his attention still diverted to the many pyrotechnics. I shiver at the sight of another tall, canon-like firework. This one was labeled, "murder." The dense air conditioner of the store didn't help to clear my goosebumps.

     Minho rounds the corner as Jisung jogs to the next aisle. The basketball player slumps against the cart. Chan uses that time to stop and inspect more on the bottom shelves. Whatever was going on in that mind did his was rich with creativity and color.

     I crouch with him. "Chan, I'm nervous." I look to him, his eyes still refuse to meet mine, like he's keeping himself hidden.

     "Well, depending on how this goes, you have every right to be," he says in a flat tone. That did nothing to set my nerves. If anything, another chill ran up my spine. "Deep breaths, Changbin." I look to where the whisper came from. He's finally looking to me, our eyes interlocking in a long gaze. "This isn't my first rodeo."

     "No shit, but it's mine."

     "At least try to look relaxed. Seungmin also knows what he's doing."

     "Yeah, Changbin," Minho chimes in, his voice radiating a hot burn in my head. He definitely wasn't being helpful, but kudos to him for acting normal.

     Minho slumps into the cart, causing a huge rattle and a giggle from Jisung from the aisle beside us. "Don't break the fireworks now," says Chan, resting a hand on the cart, as if contemplating on pushing the junior around. We looked like thugs, but I have to admit that Chan's plan did seem probable. Even with so many cons.

     "I won't, I won't," Minho sighs, rummaging around in his pockets until he pulls out a cigarette and lighter.

     My eyes widen on cue. "Don't you think that isn't safe while in a fireworks store-"

     And right on cue he lights it, tilts his head back and releases the smoke upwards. Right beneath a smoke detector. It beeps automatically, sending Minho to crawl out of the cart in a rush. We all jolt back, displaying a look of uncertainty.

     The clerk rounds the corner, just like planned. "What's going on?" His crows feet enlarge as he squints up at the beeping detector. They stay there, then travel down to the cigarette in between Minho's fingers.

     "I'm so sorry," the junior says, his tone higher and more pleading. Jisung then appears, his lips pressed to avoid laughing at his false persona. But he keeps his eyes nice and wide for our audience. "Out of habit. I'll go outside. Again, I'm so sorry." Minho backs up, Chris's cart already gone and out the door where we would follow.