UNSEEN PAIN. minsung

𝟏𝟏. // the drive

(a/n) y'all don't be silent readers😔

The youngest of the group, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, piped up, "We thought Minho probably killed you." Laughter erupted around the table, the comment lightening the atmosphere immediately. "Come on, we made breakfast. Join us," Chan said, waving us towards the empty chairs beside the elegant dining table.

I hesitated, feeling an acute sense of discomfort. This house was nothing like my small apartment. Everything here screamed luxury and modernity, while my place was modest and cramped. I was almost afraid to move, worried that I might break something.

With tentative steps, I approached the table and sat down, picking up a fork. Everyone else was either finished or midway through their meal, but Minho and I were just starting. The rest of breakfast passed smoothly. The group's playful banter created a comforting ambiance, though I couldn't shake the feeling of someone's eyes on me, making me slightly uneasy.

As I cleared my dishes to the sink, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I put the dishes down and retrieved my phone, seeing two messages from my mom.

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**Mom ❤️**
*Hey honey. Can you come home?*

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I stared at the message, pondering how to ask my friends for a ride.

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**Mom ❤️**
*Just ask them if one of them can take you home. Don't be nervous, Jisungie.*

---

Sighing, I slipped my phone back into my pocket. Changbin must have noticed my troubled expression because he asked, "Everything good?"

"Yeah," I chuckled nervously. "Can anyone drive me home? My mom needs me." I fidgeted with my fingers, feeling the weight of the request.

"I can!" Felix offered eagerly, only to be interrupted.

"I'll drive him," Minho said firmly.

Felix seemed a bit taken aback but didn't argue. "You rest. You must be tired from dealing with Changbin," Minho added, and everyone laughed. The comment puzzled me. Did Felix not like Changbin? They always seemed so close.

Agreeing that Minho would take me, Chan gave a final playful warning, "Okay, just don't kill him."

Minho chuckled, glancing at me. My cheeks were puffier than usual, adding to my self-consciousness. Minho's gaze lingered, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.

"I won't," Minho said, his tone sincere.

After everyone else had said their goodbyes, it was just Minho and me. We walked to his car, and once inside, Minho turned the engine on and looked at me. "Type in your address in my phone," he instructed, not breaking eye contact. I hesitated briefly before taking his phone, opening Google Maps, and typing in my address. I gently placed the phone in the holder.

The first few minutes of the drive were awkward. Silence filled the car, broken only by the hum of the engine.

"You have a really nice house," I said, looking down at my lap.

"Do I?" Minho smirked, his eyes never leaving the road.

I hummed in response, gathering the courage to speak again. "Why aren't you so mean to me anymore?"

"Oh, about that," Minho began, his tone shifting. "I wanted to apologize. I realized I probably hurt you more than I expected to." His words hung in the air, and I felt my face heat up.

"O-oh, thank you," I muttered under my breath, my cheeks burning.

"You're blushing," Minho teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

"No, it's hot," I retorted quickly.

"Who? Me?"

"The weather, dumbass."

"The air conditioning is on."

"Oh."

The rest of the drive passed more comfortably as we talked about the sleepover and various things we enjoyed. The initial awkwardness faded, replaced by an unexpected ease.

We arrived at my apartment, and I found myself reluctant to leave the car. Minho had surprised me today, showing a side I hadn't seen before. I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to him. "Thanks for the ride, Minho."

"Anytime," he replied, his smile genuine.

As I stepped out of the car and walked towards my apartment, I felt a strange sense of anticipation. This morning had been full of surprises, and I wondered what else the future held.

😊