Jurassic Prodigies | Stray Kids

eight

A week later, the sun beat down relentlessly on Main Street, casting long shadows and turning the pavement into a heat mirage. Groups of excited teenagers from the prestigious private school, adorned in their school uniforms and expensive sunglasses, clamoured around the ice cream shop, their voices rising above the bustling crowd.

"Finally, ice cream!" exclaimed one of the students, a young girl with perfectly styled hair and designer sunglasses perched on her nose. She waved a wad of bills in the air, a smug expression on her face.

"Yeah, I'm so over walking around in this heat," complained another student, adjusting his tie and wiping sweat from his brow. "Can't we just stay here all day?"

The teacher in charge, Ms. Thompson, a middle-aged woman with a patient smile, tried to corral the group. "Alright, alright, settle down everyone," she called out, her voice barely audible over the chatter. "You can get your ice cream, but then we're moving on to the exhibits."

The students eagerly rushed into the ice cream shop, the cool air and sweet sugar scent providing a welcome relief from the oppressive heat outside. Changbin, who happened to be nearby, observed the scene with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. He leaned against a nearby post, his arms crossed, watching the teenagers with a faint smile playing on his lips.

As the students lined up to order their ice cream, their voices filled with excitement and impatience, Changbin couldn't help but overhear snippets of their conversation.

"Ugh, can you believe we have to walk around in this heat?" one girl complained to her friend, her tone dripping with entitlement.

"Yeah, it's like, so unfair," her friend replied, rolling her eyes dramatically. "I just want to take selfies with the dinosaurs and get out of here."

Changbin exchanged a glance with Chan, who had joined him after finishing his rounds in the paddocks. They shared a knowing smile, both accustomed to the occasional attitude of visitors, especially those from privileged backgrounds.

"Looks like it's going to be an interesting day," Chan remarked quietly, his voice filled with amusement.

Changbin nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting back to the group of teenagers as they emerged from the shop, ice cream cones in hand. He couldn't help but wonder how they would react to the wonders and dangers of Jurassic World – a place where entitlement often collided with the raw power of nature.

As the group of teenagers, adorned in their prestigious school uniforms and attitudes to match, moved from exhibit to exhibit, the atmosphere was a mix of awe and entitlement. Chan, ever the vigilant paddock supervisor, walked alongside them, his demeanour calm yet watchful. Beside him, Seungmin offered a friendly smile to the students, ready to answer any questions they might have about the dinosaurs.

They started with the herbivore exhibit, where gentle giants like Brachiosaurus and Triceratops grazed peacefully. The students crowded around the fences, their phones held high to capture the perfect Instagram-worthy shots.

"Oh my god, look at that one!" exclaimed a girl with perfectly styled hair, pointing at a massive Brachiosaurus munching on leaves from a tall tree. "I can't believe how big they are!"

Her friend nodded enthusiastically, snapping photos from various angles. "This is going to get so many likes," she muttered to herself, scrolling through her camera roll.

Meanwhile, Chan fielded questions from the students, his voice calm and authoritative. "Yes, Triceratops are herbivores," he explained patiently to a curious boy. "They primarily eat plants and are known for their three large facial horns."

Seungmin chimed in, adding additional details about the dinosaurs' diets and behaviours. He glanced over at Chan, a small smile playing on his lips as he observed his friend's interactions with the students.

As they continued through the exhibit, the students' initial excitement seemed to wane, replaced by a growing restlessness. Some of them complained about the heat or expressed impatience to move on to the next attraction.

"Can we go see the T. rex now?" one boy demanded, his tone brimming with entitlement.

Ms. Thompson, the teacher, tried to maintain order. "Alright, let's keep moving, everyone," she called out, her voice carrying a note of authority. "Next stop, the T. rex enclosure."

Chan exchanged a knowing glance with Seungmin, silently bracing themselves for the next leg of the tour. As they guided the students toward the fearsome predator, they couldn't help but wonder how these privileged teenagers would react to the thrill and danger that awaited them in Jurassic World.

As they approached the T. rex enclosure, the atmosphere among the students was a mix of anticipation and restlessness. The towering fences and warning signs about the electrified barrier added an air of danger that intrigued some and unsettled others.

"Whoa, check out those teeth," one of the boys exclaimed, peering through the thick glass that separated them from the massive predator inside. "I heard these things could crush a car with one bite!"

"Yeah, imagine running into one of these in the wild," another boy added, his voice tinged with a mix of fear and excitement.

Ms. Thompson tried to keep the group focused on the educational aspects of the tour, but the teenagers' attention span seemed to be wearing thin. Some of them fidgeted with their phones, while others whispered among themselves.

"I'm bored," complained the girl with styled hair, rolling her eyes dramatically. "When do we get to see the cool stuff, like velociraptors?"

Her comment caught the attention of the group, and several other students voiced their agreement. They started to murmur amongst themselves, their impatience evident.

Chan sighed inwardly, realizing he needed to keep them engaged. He pulled out his phone and dialled Changbin's number, but it went straight to voicemail. He chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"What's so funny?" one of the students asked, eyeing Chan curiously.

Chan glanced over at Seungmin with a mischievous grin. "I bet Changbin fell asleep in the paddock again," he replied, his voice tinged with amusement. "He loves those raptors so much, he practically lives in there."

This revelation piqued the students' interest, and they bombarded Chan with questions about Changbin and the velociraptors. Chan shared anecdotes about Changbin's bond with the dinosaurs, painting a picture of his friend's dedication and unique connection.

"Yeah, Changbin's like the raptor whisperer," Chan continued, his tone filled with admiration. "He's always surprising us with what he can do with those creatures."

As they moved away from the T. rex enclosure toward the direction of the velociraptor paddock, the students' excitement seemed to renew. They peppered Chan and Seungmin with more questions, eager to learn about the infamous predators of Jurassic World and the young trainer who commanded their respect.