𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 | ⁿⁱˢʰⁱᵐᵘʳᵃ ʳⁱᵏⁱ

6

006 : jokes or not

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AS I opened my suitcase, I began to unpack, carefully placing my blankets and pillows neatly on the bed. I arranged a few of my plushies in a cozy lineup, giving the room a touch of my personality. Next, I set some smaller items on the nightstand—books, a framed photo of my friends, and a small lamp that I hoped would make the space feel more like home.

After organizing my clothes to make them easier to access, I zipped the suitcase back up and slid it underneath the bed, feeling a sense of accomplishment. The room was starting to feel like mine, and it brought a smile to my face.

Taking a moment to compose myself, I decided it was time to join the others in the living room. I opened the door and stepped out, the sounds of laughter and chatter drawing me in. As I made my way down the hallway, I could hear the faint hum of a movie playing, mixed with the playful banter of my friends.

When I entered the living room, I paused, taking in the scene. Heeseung was sprawled comfortably on the couch, while Sunghoon leaned forward, engrossed in the movie. Sunoo and Jungwon were sitting on the floor, sharing a bowl of popcorn, and Jake lounged in a nearby armchair, chatting with Jay, who was laughing at something.

"Hey, come over here," Sunghoon called, gesturing for me to join them on the couch. I made my way over, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as I sat down between Sunghoon and Niki.

I noticed Niki glance at me as I settled in. He seemed a bit shy, his demeanor more reserved than the others.

"Did you get everything unpacked?" he asked softly, his voice almost hesitant.

I nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Yeah, I mostly have it sorted out. Just trying to make the room feel a bit more like home."

"That's good," Niki replied, his eyes flickering to the screen for a moment before returning to me. "I'm sure it'll be really nice."

I smiled, appreciating his quiet support. "I brought a few plushies and some decorations to brighten things up. I hope you don't mind."

"Plushies?" he echoed, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Cute," he muttered to himself.

"Hm?" I hummed in response, not hearing him but he just shook his head. I chuckled softly, feeling a warmth spread through me at his words. "Yeah, they mean a lot to me."

Niki nodded slowly, seeming to contemplate my words. "You'll have to introduce me to them" he joked, a shy smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

I scoffed playfully at his teasing words before drawing my attention to the horror movie. As the movie played on, I could feel the tension in the air—his shyness was palpable, yet it made me want to reach out and connect with him even more. I glanced over, catching his gaze for a brief moment before he looked away, his cheeks slightly flushed.

"Are you good with scary movies?" I questioned, trying to make him more comfortable with me. The sides of our bodies touch each other as we are in a tight space.

"I'm not bad when it comes to them," Niki stated although I could see him lying right through his expression.

I smiled gently, appreciating his honesty. "I'm not so good with them. I might end up hiding behind you." I joked.

Niki's eyes widened slightly at that, and he shifted a bit in his seat, a hint of surprise crossing his face. "Really?"

"I'm joking..." I expressed before looking away to hide my flushed cheeks as I felt embarrassed he actually took me seriously.

He nodded, a small smile creeping back onto his face. "Joke or not, that's... fine," he replied, his voice growing softer.

I felt my ears heat up as I cleared my throat and gave him a hum in response.

As we settled into the movie, I felt a spark of connection between us, the kind that hinted at something deeper. It was nice to share this moment with him, even if his shyness made the interaction a bit awkward. I couldn't help but feel hopeful for what might come next.

As the evening wore on, the dorm transformed into a hive of activity. Heeseung and Sunghoon engaged in a friendly game of video games, their competitive spirit fueling their laughter and banter. Sunoo and Jungwon huddled together, their heads close as they excitedly planned a surprise event for their upcoming fan meeting. Jay, always the culinary enthusiast, busied himself in the kitchen, skillfully preparing a delicious meal for all of us to enjoy. Jake, Niki, and I sat on the couch, catching up with each other.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, I noticed a change in Niki. His initial nervousness gradually faded away, replaced by a more relaxed and comfortable demeanor. We engaged in small conversations, shared laughter, and even developed a few inside jokes that lightened the atmosphere and brought us closer together.

As the night grew darker, we settled down in the cozy living room, surrounded by soft blankets and plush cushions. The television played a popular variety show, its lighthearted humor eliciting bursts of laughter from all of us. It was a perfect moment, a glimpse of the happiness that awaited me in this new chapter of my life.

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( A\N )

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