ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ᴡʜᴇɴ [ᴇɴ- ᴘᴏʟʏ]

Chapter 20

I knew it was one of them. Most probably the maknae line since I was the closest to them. And I was right. I was breathing really harshly and trying to calm myself down. My lips were still tingling from the sensation.

Jungwon was looking at me intently. His chest heaving up and down almost matching mine. He gave my hand a squeeze. I had almost forgotten that he was still holding it. He tentatively locked our fingers together, searching my eyes for any discomfort. I let him hand hold mine gently. The show has begun for a few minutes now. I turned my eyes towards the dome. My brain felt like it was shutting down the longer I looked at his face.

30 mins felt like forever. I had always wished the show should've been longer. But today, the words were not exactly reaching my mind. I just stared at the starry sky, feeling as though a heavy weight was on my chest. Jungwon's thumb stroked the back of my hand every now and then.

"It's so pretty, right?" Jake whispered to me from my left. I jolted a bit. His voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"It is." I whispered back.

The time trickled by slowly. Jungwon left my hand right before the lights switched on. Everyone started mumbling while getting up. I got up from my seat, not looking at Jungwon. But from the corner of my eye, I saw Niki yawning beside him, and I stiffled a laugh.

"Was it boring, Niki?" I asked him.

He blinked and yawned again, and this time, I couldn't stop my laughter.

"I couldn't understand a thing. Too much science and space. So I fell asleep." He mumbled.

My mouth hung open in shock. "Did you not think of just... watching the visuals?"

Niki blinked again and laughed awkwardly. "I did not." 
We all got out of the auditorium one by one. All the boys were chatting with each other except one. Jungwon was right behind me in the line, his chest touching my back because of the crowd. To keep my mind occupied, I joined in on the conversation between Jake and Heeseung, who were more than glad. The whole trek down the hill was just Sunoo flinging his arms over me and pushing Niki away from us. It was so funny and I kept laughing. I discreetly looked at Jungwon and who was now talking with Jake and sunghoon. By the time we reached the car, it was 6 45 PM. The boys stood talking for a while, and by their body language, I could guess who were sitting together. And... I was going to be stuck with Sunghoon and Jungwon. I didn't think I could handle sitting between them for the rest of the ride. Both of whom I had intimate encounters with. And I needed space to think properly. I needed to take the bus this time. And to do that, someone needs to agree with me. I went to Jay, and he smiled, turning his full attention to me from his conversation with Heeseung.

"I think I'll take the bus from here. It'll be quicker for me." I said to him.

"But why? We'll drop you at the intersection like last time. Or even your home if you allow us to." He said, frowning his eyebrows and looking at Heeseung.

"I know you will, but I can get a direct bus from here to my home. I can reach in time before my mother comes home." I reasoned with him. He considered it for a while and then sighed. I smiled, knowing I had won.

"Thanks, Jay." I said.

"Give me your phone." He said. I blinked and gave it to him as asked. He saved his number in it and returned it back.

"Call me as soon as you reach home." He warned, and I nodded.

"But...why only him?" Heeseung raised his eyebrows.

"Because he's responsible and understanding." I simply shrugged, and Heeseung looked like he couldn't believe his ears. And Jay couldn't have looked more proud.