GOING BOARDING HOUSE | SEVENTEEN group chat. (Editing)

Boarding

"Let me help you." Jihoon looked up and found the older male hovering above him. He was crouched down, stuffing his luggage inside the bus, when Seungcheol showed up, offering his help.

Jihoon, surprised by the older's presence, didn't reply, his eyebrows raising as he watched him. Seungcheol ignored him, and without saying anything, he grabbed Jihoon's bags and began lifting them.

Jihoon wanted to say something, but the older male didn't give him a chance, and he felt irritated. But when was he not irritated? He sighed, his gaze moving around the parking lot, as the other boys gathered their belongings.

It was early in the morning, the sun barely shining. It was still cold, and the air was still. The streets were almost empty, only a few people here and there. It was quiet, too. The only sounds Jihoon could hear were the voices of the tenants and the sound of cars passing by.

Seungcheol's driver pulled into the driveway. "Are you ready?" Seungcheol asked.

Jihoon nodded. He watched as the driver, a man named Kang, stepped out of the vehicle. He was a short, skinny man with dark hair and a beard. He wore a suit, and he looked to be in his late thirties or early forties. He greeted the group and then proceeded to take their luggage and load it into the bus.

The boys who were ready were instructed to wait in the bus while the driver did his job.

"Hyung!" A loud, high-pitched voice called out to the owner.

They all turned around to find a tall, blonde-haired boy jogging towards the group, his face flushed from the run. Seungkwan, with two big bags to both sides.

"You're late!" he scolded.

The boy laughed. "Sorry," he breathed. "I didn't think I would take that long."

Seungcheol sighed. "It's okay. Hurry and get on the bus."

Seungkwan hurriedly got into the bus, leaving the older boys behind. Mingyu and Minghao followed, the former walking ahead. Mingyu held a small bag close, his shoulders slumped forward. He was nervous, and he kept looking over his shoulder. Minghao followed behind him, his posture straight. His expression was unreadable. He gave Mingyu a small pat on the shoulder in an attempt to comfort him, and then proceeded to move past him. "What a drag," the boy groaned with a yawn, as he made his way inside. He held a hand out to Mingyu, motioning him to follow.

All the front seats were empty, everybody sat in the back. Seokmin and Joshua sat behind the two first rows, their faces hidden by their caps. Wonwoo sat behind them, his eyes focused on the window view. Next to him was Vernon.

Minghao continued to scan the room until his eyes fell on a certain blonde, and a small smile tugged across his lips. The older boy was sitting next to Chan, the boy's head on his shoulder. Junhui looked up, and his eyes met Minghao's. The older boy's lips curled into a small smile as he raised a hand and waved at the newcomer. Minghao gave him a half smile and waved back, before making his way to a seat up front, dragging Mingyu along.

Seungkwan snorted, leaning his seat backwards, his head resting on the headrests. He had his legs crossed, and his arms folded. He was wearing a black hoodie and grey baggy sweatpants. Shaking his head, he kept his mouth shut. Soonyoung sat across from him, his expression was a mix of annoyance and resignation as he shook his head at the interactions going on between him. He grumbled under his breath but kept quiet, cursing inwardly as he watched the two exchanging smiles with disdain. Seungkwan almost laughed out loud when he noticed the older boy grumbling across from him. "Pfft-" Seungkwan held a hand to his mouth.

Soonyoung threw a neck pillow at the younger male. Which landed right in his face.

"Bitch-

-

Outside, Seungcheol walked back and forth as he eyed the Apple Watch on his wrist.

"Who is left?" Seungcheol ran a hand through his eyes. The driver was busy loading the rest of the boys' bags.

Jihoon, on the other hand, didn't seem to care, his hands buried deep inside his pockets. He had his usual, bored expression plastered on his face. He waited next to Seungcheol as the boys boarded the bus.

"Me," a soft voice answered.

Seungcheol turned to look at the boy. "Oh," he said, nodding.

"Yeah, hi." The giggle in Jeonghan's voice made the smaller boy cringe. He scoffed, crossing his arms as the interaction played out.

Jeonghan looked like a dream. His hair was pushed back, exposing his forehead. He wore a red beanie and a white sweater. His legs were covered by black sweatpants, and he wore a pair of white sneakers. He didn't look like he just woke up. In fact, he looked like he had been up all night. His smile was sweet and innocent, and his voice was gentle and calming.

Seungcheol cleared his throat. "Let me help you." He walked towards the boy, reaching for the luggage.

Jeonghan looked at the older male, and his smile grew. He handed the older the suitcase. "Really?" the boy asked, tilting his head to the side. His pretty smile was contagious, and Seungcheol smiled back.

"Hmm." Seungcheol nodded, taking the case from the blonde.

Jeonghan's eyes widened, and he quickly turned his gaze away, a blush creeping on his face. "Thank you," Jeonghan whispered, and Seungcheol smiled.

"Oh." Jihoon made a sound. "Oh," he nodded his head and let out a sarcastic chuckle, his expression deadpan. Jeonghan turned to look at the smaller boy. His face was blank.

"Hey." He greeted him, his voice soft.

"Don't talk to me, bitch," the boy responded, he held his hand up and motioned Jeonghan to stop talking. The taller boy snickered. He shook his head and made his way towards the bus. He looked back at Jihoon, giving him a quick wave.

The smaller boy didn't respond. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on the ground. He almost wanted to laugh, but instead, he simply shook his head.

"Hoon?" Jihoon glanced up to see Seungcheol looking at him, concern etched across his face.

"What?" Jihoon snapped, more out of habit than actual irritation.

Seungcheol cocked a brow, confused at the sudden change. "We're all here now. Let's go."

Jihoon said nothing. Just nodded as he dragged his feet towards the van.

"What is it?" Seungcheol asked gently, though he already knew the answer. He followed the shorter boy's gaze.

Jihoon rolled his eyes. "Nothing," he muttered, stuffing his hands deeper into his pockets.

"I thought we weren't doing this today," Seungcheol stated, looking at Jihoon.

"Don't piss me off, Cheol, please," Jihoon rolled his eyes. He was irritated, and he wanted Seungcheol to see it.

"Hoon." The older boy tried calmly. His hand reaching, only to be brushed away.

"Don't touch me." Jihoon irked, his voice flat.

"Alright," Seungcheol replied, not pushing further. He knew when to back off with Jihoon.

"Let's get on the bus." Seungcheol sighed. He knew there was nothing he could say that would change Jihoon's mind. So instead, he remained silent. Some shit just fell out of his control, he thought.