FALLING FOR YOU | Renhyuck

4

Chapter 4:

Renjun stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts that had been haunting him since his last encounter with Haechan. He splashed cold water on his face, hoping it would somehow clear the confusion that Haechan always seemed to bring into his life. No matter how much he tried to deny it, Haechan’s words from the cafeteria replayed over and over in his mind: *“You deserve better.”*

Renjun hated how easily Haechan could get under his skin, how a single comment could make him question everything. He took a deep breath, pushing those thoughts aside as he made his way back to class. He didn’t have time for this—not with everything else already weighing on him.

As he walked through the hallway, Renjun spotted Jeno and Jaemin sitting by the lockers, lost in their own little world as usual. Renjun hesitated, torn between joining them and walking away. He couldn’t help but wonder if they would even notice his absence.

Jaemin looked up first, his eyes brightening when he saw Renjun. “There you are! We were just talking about the art exhibit this weekend. You’ve gotta come, Renjun. It’ll be fun!”

Renjun forced a smile, trying to muster up some enthusiasm. “Yeah, I’ll see if I can make it.”

Jeno didn’t say anything, but Renjun could feel his eyes on him, watching, judging. Renjun shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny, his mind flashing back to Jeno’s harsh words at lunch. He knew Jeno was just trying to help in his own way, but it never felt like that. It always felt like Jeno was disappointed in him.

“Are you okay?” Jaemin asked, noticing the tension between them.

Renjun nodded quickly. “I’m fine. Just… tired.”

Jaemin nodded, accepting the excuse, but Jeno’s frown deepened. “You need to stop letting people walk all over you, Renjun. Not just Haechan, but everyone.”

Renjun’s heart sank. He knew Jeno was right, but hearing it out loud felt like a punch to the gut. He forced himself to nod, even though he wanted to scream. He wasn’t weak, he wasn’t just some pushover. But every time Haechan got close, every time Jeno and Jaemin left him behind, it felt like he was back in that dark place he had tried so hard to escape.

Jaemin, sensing the growing tension, quickly changed the subject. “Hey, let’s grab some ice cream after school. My treat!”

Renjun agreed, grateful for the distraction, but his mind remained elsewhere, caught between the sting of Jeno’s words and the lingering warmth of Haechan’s unexpected kindness.

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After school, Renjun, Jaemin, and Jeno made their way to the ice cream shop near campus. It was one of their usual spots, and for a while, things felt almost normal. Jaemin chattered away about his latest hobbies, and even Jeno seemed to relax, laughing at Jaemin’s antics. Renjun found himself smiling, the heaviness in his chest easing just a little.

But just as Renjun was beginning to enjoy himself, the bell above the shop door jingled, and in walked Haechan, accompanied by a couple of his fangirls who always trailed behind him. Renjun stiffened, his eyes meeting Haechan’s for a brief, electric moment.

Haechan’s smirk widened as he sauntered over, his eyes never leaving Renjun. “Fancy meeting you here,” he drawled, sliding into the empty seat beside Renjun without so much as an invitation.

Jeno groaned, visibly annoyed. “Do you have to follow us everywhere?”

Haechan ignored him, leaning closer to Renjun. “I didn’t know you liked ice cream. You should’ve told me, we could’ve come here together.” His voice was teasing, but there was a strange softness to it that Renjun couldn’t quite place.

Renjun’s heart did that annoying fluttering thing again, and he cursed himself for the reaction. “I-I don’t… I mean, it’s not like that,” Renjun stammered, trying to put some distance between them. But Haechan just leaned in closer, his proximity making Renjun’s mind go blank.

Jaemin cleared his throat, shooting Haechan a look. “Maybe you should go, Haechan. We’re kind of in the middle of something.”

Haechan shrugged, unbothered. “Oh, I’m not intruding. I’m just here for the company,” he said, flashing a smile that was all teeth. His foot brushed against Renjun’s under the table, sending a jolt through Renjun that he tried to ignore.

Jeno’s patience finally snapped. “Back off, Haechan. You’re not wanted here.”

Haechan’s expression shifted, something darker flickering in his eyes as he leaned back, studying Jeno with a cold, calculating look. “Oh, I’m not here for you, Jeno. You’re the least interesting person at this table.”

Jeno opened his mouth to retort, but Jaemin’s hand on his arm stopped him. “It’s not worth it,” Jaemin said quietly, his eyes darting between the two brothers.

Renjun felt the tension escalating, the air heavy with unspoken words and old resentments. Haechan’s leg brushed against his again, a silent reminder of his presence that Renjun couldn’t escape. Renjun swallowed hard, wishing he could just disappear.

Jaemin tried to lighten the mood, switching the topic to something light, but it was clear that everyone was on edge. Even the usually cheerful Jaemin was struggling to keep the atmosphere from crumbling under the weight of Haechan and Jeno’s simmering feud.

Just as Renjun thought things couldn’t get more awkward, Haechan leaned in, his voice low and meant only for Renjun. “You know, you could do so much better than this,” he said, his words laced with a strange sincerity that made Renjun’s heart skip a beat. “If you ever want something… more, just say the word.”

Renjun’s breath hitched, his mind spinning as he tried to make sense of Haechan’s words. Before he could respond, Haechan stood up, tossing some cash on the table. “Enjoy your ice cream, Renjun,” he said, giving a small, almost genuine smile before walking out with his entourage trailing behind him.

Renjun stared after him, feeling dazed and confused. Haechan’s parting words echoed in his mind, leaving him with a strange mix of frustration and something else he couldn’t quite name.

“Don’t listen to him,” Jeno said, his voice breaking the silence. “He’s just messing with you.”

But as much as Renjun wanted to believe that, there was a part of him that wondered if Haechan’s words held a different kind of truth—one that scared him more than he was willing to admit.

Jaemin, sensing Renjun’s turmoil, reached over and gave his hand a comforting squeeze. “Don’t let him get to you, Renjun. We’re here for you.”

Renjun nodded, but his mind was elsewhere, tangled in the confusing web of emotions that Haechan always seemed to leave in his wake. He glanced out the window, watching as Haechan disappeared down the street, and for a brief moment, Renjun wondered what it would be like to take Haechan up on his offer—to let himself be seen, not as Jeno and Jaemin’s ignored friend, but as someone worth pursuing.

The thought scared him, but it also made his heart race in a way that was becoming all too familiar.

🦊🐻

Tbc...

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