fever | ateez lore story

CH 4

•hongjoong•

I watch Mingi's figure disappear around the corner. I'm still trying to figure out our little interaction. I don't think I have ever been this confused about a person before. I have met many enigmas, but Mingi is one of the severe cases.

I have never really spoken to him before. I heard things spiralling around about him, passing on from student to student like a virus. From what I heard, he's not someone to mess with. He's known to have those large, black earbuds plugged in his ears, all the damn time. Like he's in his own world, trying to drown out the world around him. I can never figure him out, because he's always on his own.

I want to change that. Don't know how I'll do it, but I will.

---

"See you later. Get home safe, and make sure to do the homework. I won't be helping you if you forget." I say to Wooyoung who leaves with San in the opposite direction.

"Won't be needing your help because I won't be doing it anyway!" His high pitched yell echoing through the neighbour. I click my tongue and smile, never getting tired of his mischief. He's a naughty student who never does the homework, but his hard work and determination still puts him with the top students in his class. Not only that, him and Yeosang train for many days of the week. I don't know how they do it. 

I head back home, but decide to take the shortcut way. I've always avoided this way, as I tend to almost find myself running into people who mean trouble. This part of the town is not always safe, but it is the quickest way home. Quickest way home means I get to work on my music sooner.

I duck under hovering tree branches that are too low for my height, heading down the slopped road. I lean back, bending my knees to secure my balance on the ground before I tumble forward. I walk slowly, keeping my eyes glued to my surroundings and preparing my muscles for any trouble that may befall. Surprisingly, it's quiet. No one is around, not even a car drives past.

"Oh thank god." I whisper to myself, relaxing my muscles and walking more calmly.

As I continue on my journey, I spot the large gates to the old storage warehouse, the silver chain that used to be attached lying in a shimmering puddle on the ground. That warehouse used to be filled with people's things that they could not be able to transport when moving. I've always thought about going in there one day and finding a bunch of random things.

Curiosity gets the best of me as I approach the gate and pull it towards me, the large metal slab creaking loudly. I slip through the opening and inhale the scent of dampness and wood. I choke on some left over dust and debris and cough, the sound bouncing off the graffiti-painted walls.

"Woah..." I couldn't help but sigh, admiring how the broken cracks of the glass slabs on the ceiling allowed the rays of sun to shine through them, illuminating the dull, cement floor with a golden colour. My attention catches onto a rather vintage-looking leather chair. It almost looks new though, judging by how intact it is. The material is only fading, lines and spots of pale beige beginning to seep through the brown colour of the leather. I settle myself down in the middle, suddenly feeling drowsy with how soft and comfortable the couch was. I stand up and explore more, finding a large wardrobe enough to fit 3 people inside. I run my hand across the chipping wood, wondering how many clothes I could fit in here...if I had the money.

Other things splayed across the room was a large piano and four large slabs with wheels attached to the bottom of them, all of them covered in a white sheet. They were so large, I start to think about that they might be something important.

How could people forget these stuff? I think to myself, still in awe with the remnants of this place. I had never been inside this warehouse before, yet, it feels so nostalgic, as if I had been here again and again before.

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, and I pull it out to see my mother's name on screen.

"Our mother"
Where are you? It's almost dinner time
sent: 5:49pm

"Oh crap." I mumble, taking one last glance at the place before heading out of the gates and shutting them, hoping no one sees it and takes the opportunity to take it away from me.

As empty as that place seemed, I think I can fill it with a lot of memories.