BANE OF HIS EXISTENCE

Chapter 18: LOST FOCUS

Drew.

    
        "You are killing me here, man!"

Min's sudden explosion of frustration caught me off guard, his loud groan echoing through the air. I turned to him, taken aback by his outburst, but Hossein's nonchalant demeanor suggested that this was a familiar spectacle.

"Hmm, what did I do?" I asked, genuinely perplexed, as Min's exasperation seemed to grow by the second. His repetition of my question was laced with incredulity, his voice rising to a near-yell.

He leaped out "You're seriously asking me that right now?" The incredulity in his tone was palpable, and I found myself looking back and forth between Min and Hossein, wondering if I had missed something glaringly obvious. Min's reaction was so over-the-top that I couldn't help but wonder if he had somehow grown an extra head, his behavior was so bizarre.

Min's dramatic flair was in full swing as he swept his arms wide, encompassing Hossein and me in his gesture. "Has he been here the whole time while I was talking, or did I just imagine having a full-blown conversation with you and him?" His words were laced with exasperation, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement at his theatrics.

Sighs escaped my lips as I watched Min's antics. I couldn't help but wonder what had fueled his energetic outburst. Whatever it was, I wished I could bottle some of that vitality for myself. Min's usual composure had given way to frenetic frustration, his perfectly styled hair now being pulled aggressively, as if it was the source of his irritation.

Hossein intervened, gently restraining Min's hands before he could inflict any more damage on his locks. At this rate, Min might just end up bald, I mused, still perplexed by the cause of his distress. What was eating at him? I had no idea, but his over-the-top reaction was starting to get comical.

Min's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he called me out. "You haven't stopped sighing and spacing out since you walked in here, and heaven knows you're not paying attention to a word I'm saying. So, out with it. Come on!" I opened my mouth to respond, but Min was relentless, cutting me off before I could utter a word.

"Don't you dare deny it!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with mock outrage. "I was talking about some hot chick I met earlier today, and you didn't even blink. Dude, like an actual girl; bro! Who are you, and what have you done to my brother?" Min's dramatics were comical, but his point was valid. I never passed up an opportunity to discuss girls – it was a topic that usually held my rapt attention.

Min's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked, "What's up with you, mate?" I felt a twinge of unease, wondering if Min had somehow sensed that something was amiss. Was this a trick question? What did he know? I opted to play it cool, attempting to brush off his inquiry with a nonchalant shrug.

"Nothing's up with me," I replied, trying to sound casual, but Min's knowing gaze made me wonder if he saw right through my facade.

I attempted to maintain a calm demeanor, responding to Min's inquiry with a measured tone. "Why do you ask?" But Min was not so easily deterred. He let out a derisive snort, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"You might think you're trying your best to look cool right now but trust me, it's not working," he said, his voice laced with a hint of teasing. "I know something is wrong," he pressed on, his expression turning serious. Min's gaze bored into mine, and I could tell he wasn't going to let this drop without a fight.