𝙁𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚 || 𝙨𝙤𝙤𝙣𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙣

28. Life is all about taking chances

A/N:
Trust me, I haven't felt this satisfaction of finishing a chapter early!! 🥹

Jihoon

"C'mon, Soonyoung," Jun chimes in, swiftly slinging his arm around my shoulder and gently nudging Soonyoung aside in the process. "You know Jihoon and I were supposed to be besties," he says with a broad smile that reaches his eyes as he peers down at me. I respond with a small smile, which, to my relief, seems to be enough for him. His enthusiasm and warmth are contagious.

"Yup!" Soonyoung is quick to butt in, untangling Jun's arm from around me with swift precision. "That's also if you had gone to Pledis," he adds, his voice tinged with a possessive undertone as he swiftly pulls me closer to him. His arm wraps protectively around my waist, and I can feel his breath ghosting softly around my neck.

The proximity makes my heart race, and the embarrassment washes over me; I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks, no doubt turning them a slight shade of pink. My lower lip involuntarily settles between my teeth as I struggle to maintain my balance by his side, the fluttering in my stomach making it difficult to remain steady.

I also know that Jun was originally planning to go to Pledis with another close friend of his named Won, whom I have yet to meet. Soonyoung was reluctant to tell me more about Won, suggesting that Won might make grill of him if he found out about me. What I do know is that Jun suddenly changed his mind and decided to enroll in Hybe instead. The reasons behind Jun's sudden decision to switch to Hybe remain a mystery to everyone involved.

"Whatever dorks!" Minghao exclaims, suddenly releasing me from his tight grip.I can't help but marvel at how swiftly he moved, so silent that I didn't even hear the sound of his heels striking the wooden floor of the large bowling center. "Let him breathe," he scoffs, effortlessly stealing me away from their grasp. He then guides me towards the other two, and I can't help but feel a sense of relief and gratitude for his timely intervention.

I glance over my shoulder and catch sight of Soonyoung and Jun playfully wrestling with each other as they trail behind us. Beside me, Minghao snorts in amusement. When I turn to look at him, I find that his lovely eyes are fixed on his boyfriend. He watches Jun's every gesture with such a deep affection that it makes me envious, for all I know I have no one to look at with such profound love.

Samuel frantically waves his hands as soon as he notices us walking towards them, drawing a lot of unwanted attention our way. Since this bowling alley is close to Hybe University, a considerable number of students from there are present. I feel a wave of discomfort wash over me as numerous eyes fix on me, clearly passing silent judgments. In a swift, almost imperceptible movement, Minghao switches places with me, positioning himself as a barrier. His quick action helps me to relax, grateful for the protective buffer he provides.

"Hyung, I missed you so much," Samuel exclaims as he launches himself towards me, wrapping me in a tight embrace that I gladly reciprocate. "I thought Soonyoung hyung wouldn't even let us see each other," he complains, leading me towards the couch and gesturing for me to sit beside him. Before I get a chance to respond, Soonyoung interjects, "He's my boyfriend. Of course, I have the right to keep him by my side." Samuel rolls his eyes in exasperation, giving Soonyoung a gentle shove backward with a loud huff. I can't help but chuckle at their playful banter.

I know that Soonyoung uttered those words merely to keep up with our faux relationship, but they ignited something within me that I can't quite pinpoint. However, I'm certain it's more than a fleeting attraction; it's deeper and far more enduring.

I might have dug my own grave here. As these tumultuous thoughts swirl in my mind, Jun suddenly grabs everyone's attention by saying, "Let's have a bet over the bowling. Whoever loses will have to pay for everything here and buy us all a meal," with Soonyoung and Chan eagerly supporting his proposition.

Samuel chuckles beside me while Minghao shakes his head, popping open a beer can from the table before settling down next to Samuel. "He definitely is going to be broke at this rate," Minghao sighs, prompting Samuel to give him a consoling pat on the shoulder. I start to say something, but Chan leaps in front of us with unbridled enthusiasm, cutting me off. "Is it going to be couples versus couples?"

Completely unaware of his boyfriend's mounting tension, Jun chimes in energetically, "Of course. What else?" No sooner do the words leave his mouth than he grabs Minghao's hand, pulling him up to stand beside him with an exuberant grin. "Minghao and I are going to win this for sure!" he exclaims, and I can practically see Minghao's blood pressure rising with each word. It's only a matter of time before Minghao loses his cool completely.

As soon as my thoughts find their way to me, Minghao erupts in frustration. "Jun! For God's sake! We are both terrible with anything remotely ball-shaped, and when I say 'ball', it includes everything that is round!" I mentally note this as I warily gaze at Soonyoung, who seems more entertained by the drama unfolding rather than stepping in to calm the situation. Chan and Samuel aren't doing much better either, their expressions mirroring Soonyoung's lack of seriousness.

Just when I think Minghao's temper might be insurmountable, Jun manages to soothe him with a single, unexpected peck on the lips. He then breaks into a wide grin and murmurs softly, "Life is all about taking chances," his voice carrying a gentle, lilting tone. Jun's hands wrap around Minghao's slender waist, pulling him close until their chests are pressed together, a gesture that seems to dissipate Minghao's anger almost instantly.

I always thought I had the worst friends, but seeing them now, I realize my friends aren't the only ones who can be embarrassing. Even with these thoughts, I can't help but smile warmly just by seeing them in these moments. Minghao is avoiding Jun's gaze, looking pointedly at his sneakers, and I feel like I'm watching a drama unfold from a front-row seat.

Jun gently tucks his finger under the shorter male's chin, making Minghao look into his eyes, as if they are the only two people in this crowded bowling alley. "I want you to be free when you're with me. Sometimes you've got to take chances despite knowing the outcome," Jun says softly, bumping his nose against Minghao's, whose face flushes into a bright, endearing shade of pink.

Those words aren't even directed at me, but somehow they pierce through the invisible wall I've built around myself. Should I really take this chance despite knowing the possible outcome? I'm so uncertain, but all I know is that the journey won't be easy or smooth sailing.