Punches and Pirouettes |NOMIN|

Chapter 17

The next day at school, the world seemed to spin a little slower as they moved through the hallways, trying to ignore the whispers and glances that followed them. Jeno had dropped the 'bunny' nickname, and now only called him 'baby' in private, but the way he looked at him in public was enough to make Jaemin's heart race.

During lunch, as they sat together with Mark and Donghyuck, Jeno's gaze kept drifting over to where Jaemin was texting under the table. His curiosity piqued, Jeno leaned in closer, trying to catch a glimpse of the screen.

"Everything okay?" Mark asked, noticing his friend's distraction.

Jeno's eyes snapped up, his heart racing. "Yeah, just checking on something," he said, forcing a smile. But his gaze kept darting back to Jaemin's phone, the jealousy burning in his chest like a hot coal.

Mark leaned back, watching them both with a knowing look. "Someone special?" he asked, his tone teasing.

Jaemin's cheeks flushed as he quickly slid his phone into his pocket. "It's just a friend" he mumbled, avoiding Jeno's eyes.

Jeno's gaze followed the movement, his stomach twisting into a knot. "Oh," he said, his voice sounding forced. "What friend?"

Jaemin's thumbs paused over the screen, his heart racing. He didn't dare look up.
"Lucas..."

The name hung in the air, a whisper that seemed to echo through the cafeteria. Jeno's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching as he took in the sight of Jaemin's flushed cheeks and the way his fingers flew over the phone. A cold, hard knot formed in his stomach as he watched, his mind racing with images of someone else sweeping in and taking what was his. He had to do something.
"Who's Lucas?"

Jaemin's eyes shot up, guilt flashing across his face before he could school his features. "Oh, just...an old friend," he said, his voice casual, too casual. "I'll get something to drink."

He quickly stood, his legs feeling like jelly, and made his way to the drinks fountain. He wanted to tell Jeno but now he couldn't start explaining to him that he and Lucas were just friends, it would look suspiscious.

Meanwhile, back at the table, Haechan was grinning from ear to ear. "I knew it!" he exclaimed, slapping the table. "Lucas is totally smitten with him."

Mark raised an eyebrow, looking between Haechan and the retreating figure of Jaemin. "What's going on?"

Haechan leaned back in his chair, his smirk unwavering. "It's pretty obvious, isn't it?" he said. "Lucas is totally into Jae."

Mark's eyes widened, his grip on his sandwich loosening. "What makes you say that?"

Haechan's smirk grew, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "It's about their past" he said, his voice low. "And the way he's been acting around roses lately."

Jeno frowned, looking at Haechan. "Roses?" he echoed.

Haechan nodded, his grin never leaving his face. "Yeah, roses. And the way he's been acting all secretive," he said, leaning in conspiratorially. "It's like he's got a crush or something."

Jeno's stomach twisted, his mind racing with the implications of Haechan's words. He couldn't let Lucas take what was his, not when he had just started to understand the depth of his own feelings for Jaemin. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tight.

"Oh, come on, Jeno," Haechan said, rolling his eyes. "You can't be that clueless. The roses, the way he lights up every time he gets a message from Lucas. It's like watching a rom-com unfold in real life."

Mark looked at Jeno, his eyebrows raised in question. "Is there something we should know?"

Jeno's jaw tightened as he watched Jaemin from across the room, his mind racing with the possibility of Lucas being more than just a friend. "What do you know about Lucas?" he asked, his voice low.

Haechan leaned back in his chair, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Only that he was Min's first love," he said, his tone casual, as if discussing the weather. "They had a pretty intense relationship, from what I've heard."

Jeno's fists clenched under the table, his knuckles turning white. "First love?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Haechan nodded, his smile widening. "Yeah," he said, popping a fry into his mouth. "They were pretty serious."

Jeno's stomach dropped, the reality of the situation hitting him like a ton of bricks. He had been so caught up in their secret romance, so lost in the warmth of their stolen moments together, that he hadn't even considered the possibility of competition. Lucas was a part of Jaemin's past, a past that was now intertwining with their present in a way that made him feel utterly powerless.

He watched as Jaemin returned to the table, his eyes meeting Jeno's with a mix of confusion and concern. "Is everything okay?" he asked, setting down the tray of drinks.

Jeno forced a smile, his heart racing. "Yeah," he said, his voice a little too loud. "Everything's fine."

But the rest of the lunch was anything but fine. The conversation remained light, but the tension between Jeno and Jaemin. Jeno's mind was racing with thoughts of Lucas, trying to piece together the puzzle of their past. Was there still something between them? Why was Lucas sending roses and messages that made Jaemin blush?

As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Jeno stood up abruptly, knocking over his chair. The clatter echoed through the nearly empty cafeteria. "I've got to go," he said, not bothering to look at anyone.

"I don't really like him, but Mark talk to your friend. Something is not right with him." said Donghyuck.

Mark nodded, watching as Jeno stormed out of the cafeteria. "I'll talk to him," he said, pushing his chair back.