BET

-27-

San had a hard time focusing on his dance practice today. He had a mini evaluation exam the next day and he decided to dance to one of the famous songs at the time called Smoke, but ironically smoke and fog is the only thing in this head.

It's not even a minute long routine and he keeps miscounting beats and forgetting small details. After his sixth time messing up he pulled at his own hair, strolling to stop the music. He was already exhausted.

Grabbing his phone, he dropped on the floor annoyed. He saw he had a message from his father, telling him to be there after classes for a family dinner.

Ugh just great.

Giving up on his practice he exited the room, heading to the cafeteria. Maybe he was just hungry and that's why he couldn't keep his attention locked. The guys should be there.

Entering the cafeteria which unsurprisingly wasn't busy at that time, given most students had classes, he spotted Yunho and Hongjoong. The younger raised a hand to greet him, his lips stretched in a thin line.

"You look like stepped shit" Hongjoong said biting on his sandwich, ignoring the gasp and the soft slap on his shoulder from the boy next to him. San rolled his eyes with a groan at that, dropping his body on the chair. "Thanks, I feel like one" he sarcastically replied.

"Do you want me to get you something to eat?" Yunho asked sweetly trying to cheer him up and San was thankful. Yunho was really a sunshine, it wasn't just a nickname they gave him in high school.

"I would appreciate that" he nodded, grabbing his card to give it to the boy only for the taller to shake his head no and reassure him it's his treat. San smiled warmly at the younger that paced to the order kiosk.

"When are you gonna man up?" Hongjoong asked, dead serious making San gulp down hard. San stared at his friend's face with a hard to read expression and the latter jutted his lips, cocking his head to the side as a challenging eyebrow pulled upwards. His eyes read act dumb and you're done.

San's shoulders deflated.

"Joong, I don't know bro. I have to meet my father too later" he rubbed his eyes. "Oh? Finally coming out?" The two color haired boy exclaimed to which the dancer's head jerked up. "What? No?" He said as if it was the most obvious thing. Which, to be honest,  it was.

Yunho came just in time to save him the need to explain himself, placing a tray with a full course meal. From snack to dessert it had everything and San felt like crying at how kind his tall friend was. He mumbled a soft thank you, sipping his peach iced tea.

"San you can't ignore me. I don't allow you to." Hongjoong sighed, pushing his hair back. "It's okay to hurt yourself but if you're gonna hurt other people you have to pull your head off your ass" he accused with a concerned expression.

The mentioned boy froze his sip midway, his mind flashing him Wooyoung's hurt face. And it hurt him physically too. He thought the younger as person he wanted to have in his life. Surprisingly he felt that his everyday life got a bit more light in it thanks to the junior dancer. A light he didn't know he needed.

He felt a push on his back, scaring him out of his thoughts. "Earth to San" Seonghwa joked, enjoying the startled eyes. "What do you want Hwa?" San sighed, cowering under the merciless gaze of his friend's crush. The younger was the softest person he's met, even more than Yunho, but right now he looked so unapproachable and so mean. And San understands completely.

"I want you to move a seat farther." Seonghwa chuckled and San complied pushing his tray towards the left vacant chair. Seonghwa sat next to him and Yeosang sat next to Seonghwa.