seven 》nct dream

12

Taking a seat on the edge of Renjun and Jisung's table, Donghyuck gave the pair a cheeky smile. "How are you both this fine afternoon?"

"You better watch out, Hyuck." Renjun smiled, flipping through the textbook in front of him. "Jeno's on a war path, and you're his main target."

Giving the idea a laugh, the tan boy shook his head. "I'm not scared of him."

The youngest at the table scoffed, playing a game on his phone. "I would be."

The Lee just shrugged, anxiously awaiting the beefy boy to storm through the library door. Sure enough, in a cloud of supressed teen boy emotions, an exhausted Jeno lumbered in, his eyes on one person only.

"Lee Donghyuck." He pointed to the happily accused boy, a grimace on his face. "I've had to console about four teen girls today. There are tear stains on my shoulder, and I know you're behind it. What did you tell people?"

Giving the boy a grin, Donghyuck just shrugged. "If anything, I just told a few people about how much of a sweetheart you are, with your emotions and feelings and all that."

Jeno said nothing, only moving his gaze to the other two entertained boys. Moving to sit by the rest of the group, the muscled man shook his head. "I vote to kick him out of the club."

"Hey! You can't do that." The honey skinned kid frowned, his brow furrowed. "I've done too much for this thing, you owe me."

"I owe you? I'll tell you what I'll give you, you little-" Renjun's hand on Jeno's arm delayed the string of curses and insults that were lined up in his vocabulary.

A few kids entering the library caused Jeno to remember where he was, formulating a plan to take it outside after school later.

Most were there to actually use the library, but as the group dispersed, one hesitant boy stood in the door, a familiar pink flyer in hand.

Donghyuck wasn't blind, he saw the blatant stars in Jeno's eyes as he watched the new arrival, the way his attention was directed and held by even the smallest of the stranger's movements.

There was nothing special about the kid. He had a pretty face, but dressed as if all his clothes were packed into boxes and he had to take what he could get. Donghyuck didn't get why this new boy was so special.

"Who is that?" He griped, eyes narrowed on the stranger.

"Jaemin." Jeno breathed, almost as if answering his question. Standing up, the usually heartless boy was mesmerized, hardly knowing what to do with himself. "You came."

"Of course." The stranger nodded, taking steps further into the room.

"Welcome." The Huang smiled, waving the boy over. He didn't fail to notice the way the two watched each other as if there was no one else in the room. Motioning around the table, the oldest introduced everyone. "I'm Renjun, this is Jisung. Seems you've met Jeno, and that's Donghyuck."

Summoned by his name, the tan miscreant smiled, eyes of scorn.

"Take a seat." Donghyuck waved across the table, his tone nothing but cordial. "We were just discussing Jeno's explosive stomach issues."

A sharp elbow found its way to his ribs. Deserved, but totally worth it.

"Jaemin's new in town, and I invited him to join us." Jeno smiled, trying his best to not pound Donghyuck's face in.

"I was hoping I could maybe," Jaemin hesitated, unsure of himself around the larger group. Taking a seat, he placed the flyer on the table. "Join the club?"

Knowing the nice things his friends were going to say, Donghyuck had to get his words in.

"We're full, actually." Donghyuck laughed, sliding the pink paper back towards the intruder. "Better luck next year!"

An under-the-table kick to his shins, would the abuse ever stop?

"Luckily we're kicking you out and giving Jaemin your spot." Jeno laughed, the humor hiding his irritation.

The others watched as the two bickered back and forth to no avail, blank on what do to.

"I vote against it." Donghyuck stated outright, tired of dancing around. "I don't want him in here."

"Only people who have never been almost expelled have an opinion in this debate." The muscled man crossed his arms, taking a dig at the younger.

Renjun watched in confusion, unsure of how to approach the situation. Looking to Jisung, he saw a similar blank look.

"I can bake." Jaemin stated, his desire to get in only growing with this dude's hesitation. "You all promised food and I can bring it. You need me."

"You're overruled, Hyuck." Jisung chimed in, slamming a hand on the table. Turning to the newcomer, the Park gave him a nod. "You're in. Welcome to the club."

Though the group was pleased to have a new participant, no one was quite as overjoyed as Jeno, who was seen smiling wide for the first time in a while.

As time passed, other people trickled in, so the group had to split up, covering the territory. As the hour went on, each was sure to get to know Jaemin a bit, the kid never leaving Jeno's side. 

The Na bonded with Renjun over their mostly-calm manners and nurturing tendencies. Jaemin hit it off with the youngest, finding Jisung to be adorable, really. He obviously enjoyed Jeno. The only one he couldn't get through to was Donghyuck. The tan boy avoided him like the plague, giving him a side eye the whole hour.

Still, Jaemin wasn't going to let that get to him. He would just have to work at it, let the boy come around when he felt like it. For now, he had made plenty of good, new friends for a first day of school.

Helping the group straighten up the library afterwards, Jaemin wasn't surprised to see a hesitant Jeno hovering behind him. 

"Hey there." He smiled, encouraging the older boy to take a step closer.

Jeno was a large, brave practical-man. He could do anything, that's why he didn't cut to the chase. 

"There's a school event tomorrow night, a talent show of sorts. Most years they're not too awful." This was much harder than he thought it would be, still he persevered, taking his time in meeting the new boy's eyes. "If you're not busy, would you want to come with me?"

Jaemin would take any chance to get out of his aunt's house, especially if this eye candy of a boy was offering. That's why his answer took him no contemplation, giving it to Jeno with a smile. "I'd love to."