the shade | gongfourz bnd ✓

seventeen

Kim Leehan

"I'm so excited," Jaehyun muttered as he carried the pizza with his hands. "Me too," Sungho joined. But as they talked about how much they were excited about going to Riwoo's place, all I could think of was how I should compose myself later when our plan would start.

I finally asked for help. I feel bad for not telling Woonhak, but Sungho urged me that it's better that he doesn't know yet because he would surely announce it to everyone immediately. Especially to Taesan. I didn't want it at first, but Jaehyun assured me that Woonhak definitely knew that something was going on and would likely to know it already anyway.

"Hi!" Taesan smiled at us and even waved. I gave him a smile and asked where Riwoo and instead, he guided us inside as if it were his own apartment and told us Riwoo was buying drinks (coke) at the convenience store.

When Riwoo arrived, we circled through the foods and drinks we brought while the TV played in the background. We were laughing at Riwoo's unexpected jokes. Unfortunately for me, I sat next to Jaehyun, who had the habit of leaning into the person near him whenever he was laughing. And I hate skinships.

Jaehyun nudged me before he raised his hands. I looked at him, then closed my eyes tightly. He was clearly signaling me that our plan will start now. I could feel Sungho and Riwoo looking at me, then at each other, and smirking.

"How about we play a truth or dare game?" Woonhak immediately beamed in excitement while Taesan showed disapproval. I get him. The last time we played was a disaster for him. I hated Jaehyun for making him drink that shit for his dare.

"Can we play something else?" Taesan, again with his grumpy attitude, groaned in frustration, almost like throwing a tantrum. "No, truth or dare's fun. Right guys?" Jaehyun nudged me multiple times to back him up.

"What's wrong, Taesan? Don't chicken out." I teased him. He instantly looked up at me, and his fierce eyes turned gentle. I hid my smile and just shook my head. I know he likes me too, it's so damn obvious. And it won't be too long until he finds out I like him.

Taesan ended up joining the game.

"Okay, since Sungho is the oldest, he should be the first one to spin the bottle. Just a little heads-up, we never take 'no' as an option," Jaehyun muttered and signaled Sungho to spin the bottle. Sungho immediately nodded, smirking while looking at Taesan.

Everyone cheered the moment he spun the bottle. I was looking at Taesan the whole time. He was clearly anxious. Why is he so anxious though? Jaehyun isn't the one who's going to ask him questions or make him do dares. It's Sungho, and he's practically the most reliable person in our friend group.

"It's Taesan!" I saw how he frustratedly scratched the back of his head when his name was immediately called. Sungho secretly winked at me after that. I don't know if I should be thankful that he's speeding up our plan or not because it's making me more anxious than ever. But I tried to hide it with a laugh.

"Why are you so tense, Taesan?" Riwoo asked him.

"Don't mind him, he's always grumpy," I can't help myself but join the tease. He's just too cute when he's mad. He stayed silent with his head bowed down. I guess he was really irritated at the fact that he was the first one the bottle had pointed at.

"Truth or dare?" Sungho asked him. He massaged his nape before answering.

"Truth," he simply answered. Everyone even cheered.

"Okay, okay. The common question among all. You think we won't notice it? We know you're a secretive type of person, but as your friends, you can't deceive us with that mysterious personality of yours," Sungho said.

"Just spit it out faster," I urged. Somehow, I wanted this to be finished. I suddenly wanted to make him finish the plan so I could hear Taesan's answer. I stared at him.

Our plan was to play a truth or dare game. And we have come up with the idea that if the bottle had landed on Taesan and if he would answer truth, then they should ask him a question about his crush. The truth or dare game was just a half way into urging and pressure him into saying his feelings for me. But if the tip of the bottle points at me first, I'll have to say truth and Sungho will ask me the same question. And that's when I'm tell him that... I'll finally tell him that I like him.

"You look tense," Jaehyun whispered to me. I looked at him and hesitantly smiled. "Do I still look tense?" I worriedly asked. Jaehyun laughed at me and shook his head. I couldn't help but to laugh too, although the laugh sounded more scared than humorous.

"You have a crush, don't you?" I heard Sungho mutter as I laughed. I slowly turned my head to him to wait for his answer. I saw him taking a deep breath. I couldn't help but lean in as I anticipated his answer.

"I hav—"

"Who?!" We all shouted in unison. Come on, Taesan.

"It's someone..." he whispered.

"Is it Jiyo?!" Everyone flinched at Woonhak's sudden shout. I looked at him, surprised. Where the hell did he get that ridiculous fake news from?!

"That president from the dance club!" he added. I didn't notice that I was gripping the paper cup tightly until it crushed in my own hands. I looked at Taesan with an amused glance. Suddenly, I felt scared.

"You have a crush... on our president?" I asked. Taesan, just say it! I wanted to urge him harder and pressure him into saying he likes me out loud, into making him finally confess, but instead... I was again pushed into another problem I had created for myself.

"I can help you pursue her, if you want," everyone cheered so I secretly threw a glare at them. The cheers were hesitant and they were nudging at each other, only Woonhak's genuine cheering made it through our ears.