( )scape | NCT DREAM [...]

⁛≻Chapter 2≺⁛

◸Chapter 2: The Warning◿

Hana: Its crazy. How do you do it?

Jaemin: What?

Hana: You know... keep your rank.

Jaemin: I can't believe you're asking me that.

Hana: Oh come on. 

Jaemin: If you want to beat me, then do it yourself. 

Chenle: You came in second. Be happy.

The female turned to him, staring him dead in the eyes.

Hana: Its not good enough. And why aren't you annoyed?

Chenle: I am. I just complain more silently. 

Hana rolled her eyes as she pushed the doors open to the lunch hall. Unlike their pill taking room which was needed to be silent, the lunch hall was bustling with trainees who were chattering amongst themselves.

She immediately grabbed her food before sitting at their usual table. The boys took longer than usual so she took the time to scan the hall. Her eyes fell on a particular green ranker sitting at one corner, alone and he was staring. At Jaemin of all people.

Hana's gaze turned to the first ranker as well to see him walk over to her, Chenle following shortly. She looked back at the green ranker who was still looking at Jaemin. Though his eyes met Hana's for a brief second before he looked down to his plate again. 

Hana scoffed to herself before beginning to eat and engage in conversation with the other two about their training. Though when she looked up again, she saw the green ranker still staring at Jaemin.

Hana: I think you have a one hell of an admirer.

Jaemin: What?

She nodded in the direction of the low ranker. Jaemin turned, sending the other into a panic state as he looked away. Jaemin turned back to Hana before raising his eyebrow.

Hana: He's been staring at you since earlier.

Chenle: That's kind of creepy. Should we tell him to back off. 

Jaemin on the hand was oddly silent while fiddling with his pockets.

Hana: We should-

Jaemin: No um. Forget it. 

He seemed to space out suddenly.

Hana: Its annoying though-

Jaemin suddenly stood up and looked at the other two, who were clearly confused by his behaviour. 

Jaemin: I'll go talk to him. 

With that he left the table and the lunch hall shushed a bit. When you have a red ranker approach a green ranker's table, it would only cause drama. But Jaemin glared off the on lookers before placing his hands on the low ranker's table, leaning in and talking in whispers.

Hana: He's being weird.

Chenle: I don't think we should care.

Hana: Hm... fair.

The two got back to their conversation, not paying much mind to Jaemin and the other guy.

---

Jisung felt like he was breaking sweat profusely. Of course, he didn't want to continuously stare at Jaemin but he couldn't help it.

So when the green ranker straight up walked up to him, leaning on his table with a subtle glare, Jisung was turning into a nervous breakdown.

Jaemin: What's your name?

Jisung: ... J-Jisung.

Jaemin: Okay Jisung. What did you see?

He took a moment before answering.

Jisung: ... You're pill-

Jaemin inhaled sharply and Jisung started to fear of what was about to happen. 

Jaemin: Where?

Jisung: Near the board. 

The red ranker kept his eyes on Jisung who was starting feel smaller by each passing second.

Jaemin: You can keep your mouth shut, yes?

Jisung: But I can get-

Jaemin: You can keep your mouth shut. 

This time it was not a question and Jisung just started nodding in a haste. Jaemin started at him for another moment before nodding slowly. 

Jaemin: You better.

He warned and walked away. Jisung finally felt like he could breathe. He could hear the whispers around him but he didn't find it difficult to ignore them. 

Jisung felt conflicted for other reasons. If Jaemin was ever caught and if they find out that Jisung knew of the situation, then he would also be in trouble. But if he ever tattled, he didn't know who would believe him. He knew he wasn't very trusted.

He had no chance in any way. 

▬▬▬ ≻≻≻ ▬▬▬

Jisung stared at the pill in front of him. It was intimidating to look at. After what he saw with Jaemin yesterday, he didn't know why but the pill seemed way more foreign. 

He felt his stomach twist in nervousness. 

He shouldn't be feeling everything he does, but still, he worked on his impulse. 

Speaker: Swallow.

Jisung didn't swallow the pill. All he did was pocket it like Jaemin did.