Hyunjin x Y/N

Part 5

I knew the rest of the Kids were wondering what was going on. Especially in the hotel room, where the tension between I.N and I was strong. I knew he was curious, but I figured he'd just shrug it off. Ultimately, he did not.

After I found out who the 'fan' was, I immediately told Suengmin. He was immediately guarded, and I could tell he was pissed. I begged him to keep it a secret, though, and luckily he agreed. 

Unfortunately, I.N was more observant than I'd realized and he'd picked up immediately that something was wrong. Now, he gently tugged on my arm and pulled me on the side. Leading me to a corner, he pulled me closer and stared intently into my face.

"What's wrong?"

I gave him my most innocent smile. "Nothing, love."

Jeongin blanched, his entire body stilling. I lifted a hand and gently brushed against his cheek. Shrinking away from my gesture, blushing furiously, he said, "Stop trying to avoid the question. I know there's something wrong. Who was that girl? Do you know her? What happened, did she do something to you? Please, Y/N. Tell me."

With a sigh, I could already feel the guilt filling my heart. "I...Nothing."

I.N shot me a betrayed look, the blush fading quickly from his cheeks. He turned away from me. "Well alright then."

He dropped my arm, and this time when I reached for him, he pulled away in a manner that made the simple movement seem like a matter of finality. I recoiled as well, and I.N turned and walked away.

Sighing, I turned as well, but gasped as I ran straight into Hyunjin.

Stumbling away from him, I pressed a hand gently against my chest. "God...seriously? What-"

"Are you okay?"

His question caught me completely off guard. "I - what?"

Hyunjin swallowed hard and took a tiny, hesitant step closer to me. "Are you okay?"

I stared at him for a long time, but he didn't waver. He just looked at me...and for the first time I realized he was actually looking at me. Usually, he just shot me a bunch of dirty looks and turned away haughtily, but now I detected a hint of concern in his expression.

"I...I'm fine. I'm fine," I said, more to myself than him.

Hyunjin stood there awkwardly for a moment before nodding. "Okay," he said.

He turned and was about to walk away, but I placed a hand gently on his shoulder. He froze, and I drew back. "Sorry. Um, I-"

"Would you like to come to lunch with me?"

Once again, I was completely off-balance as I processed the question he'd asked. He turned back around to face me, his dark brown eyes searching mine. 

"Hyunjin, I-" I reached out to tap his shoulder as I did with Seungmin to comfort him, the action coming more naturally than I realized.

His hand grabbed my wrist and I gasped.

He was staring at me with an intensity that didn't match the usual glares he shot me. I met his eyes, unsure how to react. When our gazes connected, I felt some...feeling shoot through me, sudden and strong and...apparently the same thing Hyunjin was experiencing now.

He inhaled sharply and pressed a hand against his chest.

I felt my heart beating quickly, as if it would explode. Closing my eyes, I tried desperately to collect myself. Taking a step back, I replied in a shaky voice, "I...uhm, I think I'll eat lunch by myself today, thank you."