fever | ateez lore story

CH 2

•the watcher•

"Woo, Yeo, you guys are very lucky that you know me." Hongjoong begins, placing his lunch tray beside Wooyoung and setting himself down, Yunho following, but instead, sits next to Yeosang who sits opposite. Wooyoung only stares at Hongjoong in perplexity, swallowing the mouthful of rice he munched on.

"I wouldn't say that but go off, I guess." He teases. This causes Hongjoong to smack him at the nape of his neck, catching Wooyoung by surprise that he almost chokes on his food.

"I meant that I vouched for the two of you. I had to be all gushy and say things like 'they've been good all year' and 'give them another chance. I promise I'll keep things in order'. Managed to get you two out of expulsion." he brags, stuffing his face with a spoonful helping of rice. Wooyoung and Yeosang sigh heavily, dropping their heads.

Hongjoong's position as class captain came as no surprise. His leadership and maturity placed him on a pedestal amongst his fellow classmates, who all voted for him. Unfortunately, for Hongjoong, class captain never came to class. Instead, his responsibility was held up in his studio, where he spent a vast majority of his school time hitting beats instead of the books. People were disappointed that his potential was wasted.

Or was it?

"Thank you so much, hyung. It won't happen again." Yeosang says gratefully. The smile he gives Hongjoong is too heart-warming that the class captain can't help but giggle.

Wooyoung glances up at Yeosang, who doesn't even spare him a look - he's avoiding him, still. Wooyoung can't help but feel a pang of betrayal. He's itching with anger at the fact that Yeosang won't change his mind about leaving, but he's also hurt with how his friend won't even look him in the eye, anymore. Wooyoung knows he's in the wrong, but he can't bring himself to admit it. Not while everyone else is around. He prefers to do it in private, where no one else can hear. His stage fright arouses his anxiety, not just when performing, but in general. So he bites his tongue, and continues with his lunch.

"Choi San! Over here!" Hongjoong suddenly calls, making everyone jump at his loud, commanding voice. Everyone is pretty much conditioned to be tense at he class captain's voice - his tone is very distinguished that it makes everyone expect some sort of order or a telling-off.

The board-shouldered boy hesitates to approach Hongjoong's table with everyone else there. But he spots Wooyoung, too. He knows no one else in this school, so he joins them.

"Hey." He says softly, sitting next to Hongjoong. His lips flatten into a shy smile in which his dimples start to appear. He hears Wooyoung clear his throat before speaking.

-"Cat, sit next to me!"

Cat? San stares at Wooyoung for a moment, dumbfounded at the still-foreign nickname, but he eventually goes over.

"Why cat?" San asks him. Wooyoung shrugs, giving him a polite smile.

-"I don't know. You just remind me of one."

Yeosang over-hears, and remembers the countless times Wooyoung referred to him as a Maltese. As he protests back that he is a Doberman, Wooyoung would just giggle. He sighs at the nostalgic feeling that begins to grow, his stomach feeling slightly sick.

"Excuse me." He stands up and leaves, leaving an empty space next to Yunho who watches him leave in a hurry. He looks at Hongjoong who mirrors the same concerned expression.

Wooyoung suddenly feels strong guilt bubble in his chest, watching Yeosang's fading figure leave the lunch hall. He, however, resists the urge to chase after him, not wanting to draw anymore attention.