Crime, Betrayal, and Love (A Seventeen Street Racing AU)

XXXIV | Changing Days

Nearly a week and a half after my midnight snack, or better put as a mini dinner with Mingyu, things are falling into a new rhythm. At least it is for Jisoo and me. For the Seventeen members, things are simply returning to what they were before Minghao left for whatever business he had.

On days when Jisoo had college, I would wake up early with her and walk with her to school. Usually, at that time, many of the men are still sleeping from being up late because of the races. We met with Sana in the kitchen a few days, but that wasn't often. While Jisoo was at college, I headed to the dance studio.

Each day, I spent more time dancing. It's so easy to get lost in the dance, where I almost forget everything going outside. Hyperfocusing on each move, polishing it as best as I can to perfection, made a great distraction. However, it can only last so long. Unfortunately, I don't have the stamina to go for more than a few hours, and I'm forced to find something else to do.

Leaning down and holding onto my knees for balance with beads of sweat dripping from my forehead, I fervently breathe, trying to catch my breath. Even through the exhaustion, I smile, surprisingly proud of the progress I made today.

After I'm able to breathe normally again, I grab my small duffel bag and head to change into something that isn't gross. Opting for a pair of jeans with a plain black t-shirt, I quickly switch into the clothes and leave the studio, trying to figure out what I want to do next.

If I weren't worried about running into a certain boy, I would go back to Seventeen's house and either indulge in a book or hang out with Sana if she was home.

For the past few weeks, I've been flip-flopping between trying different things. At first, I tried to spend time at a small café, doodling in an old notebook whose pages are nearly full. It was nice, but within the two hours I was there, I filled up the last few pages. And it didn't help that the hot chocolate was mediocre. Next, it was the library, the one that Jisoo and Changkyun used to go to study. That lasted a few days until I simply got bored of it. After that, I was walking through the park, which was the most peaceful of the things I tried. Soft greenery and a small pond made for a good place to relax. But with the air slowly growing colder as the season moves into winter and the fact that I'm not a fan of the cold, I opted to find something inside.

Exiting the dance studio, I shiver at the icy air that my jacket seemingly does nothing to protect me from. Still unsure of what to do, I aimlessly start walking. Walking through the city wasn't a bad pastime, but after pushing myself more than I usually do in my dance routine and rushing to eat a quick breakfast so Jisoo would be on time, I'm pretty hungry.

Thankfully there's a convenience store that I can pop into and find something to snack on. I automatically go to the snack aisle and carefully inspect the store's selection.

As I'm inspecting a bag of chips, debating if it's worth the price, the bell over the front door rings, signaling another customer.

Out of instinct, I turn to the entrance to observe the man. He's average height with a long face and light brown hair styled up. He acts rather brooding as he walks to the boy working the register. I almost immediately recognize the man as one of the racers, Mark.

"Strange," I mutter to myself.

"You have the video, right?" The racer calmly speaks to the cashier in a business-like tone, either ignoring or not realizing my existence.

Curiosity getting the best of me, I move to my tip-toes to look over the shelf to watch the interaction.

Unlike Mark, the cashier, who's a few inches shorter with a softer face and short, pastel-pink hair, replies in an overly casual, snappy way. "Of course I do." He rolls his eyes, "What do you take us for?"