Intricate: Our Bittersweet Love | MARKNOMINHYUCK(bxbxbxb)

Chapter 5

C H A P T E R  5 : Oh the tension

-----Jaemin-----

No matter how much time passes, the first days of school are always nerve-wracking. I always tried to look my best during that day and today--the first day of my senior year in high school-- was no exception.

There wasn't much to be done considering that we had uniforms at our school but I went as far as using hair gel on my hair to get all the stray hairs to look neat. I tie up my shoes, grab my backpack, and walk out of my room and down the stairs where both my mother and brother were eating breakfast.

"Are you gonna want me to drop you and Renjun off?" Jaehyun-Hyung asks, not taking his eyes off his phone. I'm not too sure whether he was looking at some news article or texting. I could never know with him. 

"No. Donghyuck and Jeno are coming to pick me up soon," I respond, grabbing a pancake and biting it. 

My mom gasps, turning around from the stove to look at me. "Na Jaemin, what have I taught you?"

"Always put syrup on your pancakes?" I question, my mouth full and my words incoherent. She places her hands on her hips and looks at me with a stern gaze. "Sorry, sorry, I'm just in a bit of a hurry."

She rolls her eyes, taking a seat at the dining table. "You're off the hook today." Just as she says those words, there's a car honk and I instantly jump out of my seat. "Shouldn't they come to say hello?"

"Mom, we'll be running late."

The doorbell rings. A confused look takes over my face while my mom looks satisfied. Before I can take a step, I notice Jaehyun-Hyung is no longer in his seat and is at the door. I groan as I see the scene, everything suddenly going slow-mo as he opens the door. I see the way Jeno's eyes widen in the slightest before he puts on a slight smile. Donghyuck on the other hand just smiles widely.

"Hello, Na family!" He exclaims. "Can we come in?"

My mom is delighted and instantly rushes them inside. 

Distinctly, I hear someone mumble, 'He looks hot.' I was about to turn around to see who was talking about who when Jaehyun speaks.

"You DO understand that's my baby brother, right?" He asks, one of his eyebrows raised as he looks at Jeno. I instantly blush at the revelation while Jeno clears his throat and his ears become red out of embarrassment. 

"So, are you kids ready for your first day of senior year?" My mother inquiries as she hands Donghyuck a plate.

In response, he groans. "Ms. Na, I will never be ready for the first day of school. For any day in school for that matter," he sighs. 

"If it's not rude for me to ask, do you have any future plans? Going to college or pursuing a career?" 

Then, there was the unasked question; what will happen to your relationship?

The air turned tense due to unsaid words which we were all thinking. Between us three, we looked at each other but didn't say a word. 

"We're still thinking." That was Jeno's smart answer. 

I clear my throat and stand up from my seat. "We should get going. Don't want to be late on our first day."

And so, we were gone. 

-----Mark-----

At 7:30 in the morning, I sat up on my bed and grabbed my phone from the nightstand table. I made sure to be extra quiet, knowing how late Jungwoo got back from his part-time job last night. I put on my glasses before I go to my contacts and press on Jaemin's name, knowing that it would either be Jeno or Donghyuck driving.

"It's Mark-Hyung!" He exclaims, not looking at the camera.

I instantly chuckle at his cuteness. "You guys on your way to school?" I ask, knowing the answer.

"Yes," Jaemin says, looking through the camera with a big smile. "I'm a little nervous," he whispers, bringing the phone closer to himself so that only I hear. "First days of school always fill me with nerves."

"You'll be fine, baby. I hope you quickly adjust to your classes. A big plus, you already know your way around school."

"You're right, Hyung."

"Hey! We also want to talk to him." Donghyuck. Definitely Donghyuck. Whines, snatching the phone from the other's hands. I distinctly hear Jaemin groan but he doesn't make the effort to take the device back. "Hello, Mr. Canadian," he greets me with a huge grin. "Jeno's driving so he doesn't get to see you." He sticks his tongue out at him in a mocking way and I can just picture the way he rolled his eyes in response. "Mark, do we really gotta go to school?" 

The look on his face was so serious that it almost worried me until he began to whine again. "I mean, I get that we'll need some of this stuff in the future but do we really have to wake up at six in the morning every single day for it? It's unbelievable!"

"Baby," I call his attention in a gentle voice. He looks at me with a pout, making me internally swoon. "You've been doing this for eleven years. You can do this for a couple of more months, alright? You got this. The three of you do." I would've loved to see each of them in the eyes as I said this but Donghyuck and a peak of Jaemin's hair were all I got. "Are you guys almost there?"

Donghyuck looks out the window for a second, responding, "A minute."

The car stayed silent for a final couple of miles but when they arrived, someone else took the phone. "Na Jaemin!" I heard Donghyuck exclaim. I laugh as I see the youngest between us four sticking his tongue out at him.

"At what time do you end your lectures today, Hyung?" Jaemin asks, looking at the camera.

"I have a lecture at six that should end at 7:30. I'll call you guys when I'm out," I respond with a smile, dreading to end this call. "Let me talk to Jeno before going."

I knew that Jeno wouldn't verbally ask for the phone to talk to me. It's been a while since the whole 'we hate each other' ordeal but I can still feel some hesitance from Jeno. Maybe in the back of his mind, he's still haunted by the scenes from that day. I meant it when I said it was forgiven and forgotten. I don't think he gets that.

"How are you feeling?" I question when he grabs the phone.

He shrugs slightly. "I'm alright."

"You can tell us what you're thinking, you know?" He knows that. It doesn't mean speaking his feelings out loud made it any easier. 

He glances at the other two nervously before looking down at his lap. "People from school will still view me as this ruthless guy always looking for fights. I don't want you guys to get confused or involved."

"Nono, we know that. But you did well last year. Ignore them and don't let them get to you," Jaemin tells him, rubbing his shoulder comfortingly.

"I still don't want anyone to know about us."

Everyone physically tensed at his words, even if I couldn't see Donghyuck, he must've felt the same. 

-----Jaemin-----

I expected him to feel that way, really. 

It didn't sway the fact that it stung a little. 

However, frankly, I don't think anyone is ready to be out to the whole school as a polyamorous relationship. 

"I don't think any of us are ready for that," I say.

I look around and everyone seemed to agree. 

I turn to look at Mark-Hyung and smile at him. "I love you. Have a good day and we'll talk later."

"Have a good day my babies."

Before anyone could retort, he hung up, leaving Jeno rolling his eyes and Donghyuck and I in a laughing fit.