𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐒 & 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 ᶻ 𝘇 𐰁 [ꜱᴇᴏᴋꜱᴏᴏ]

16: 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴

⸻ ᶻ 𝘇 𐰁 ⸻

Joshua strides across the campus, his gaze locking onto Seokmin, Minghao, Jun, and Chenle gathered by their usual hangout space. The group was engaged in a lively conversation, their laughter mingling with the clamor of students passing by.

When Joshua was slowly approaching their table, Seokmin's eyes met his, and a flicker of discomfort crosses his face. Seokmin clears his throat, visibly tense. ❝Uh, I... I just remembered I have something I need to take care of,❞ he says, his voice wavering slightly as he stands up abruptly. ❝I'll catch up with you all later.❞

Before anyone can respond, Seokmin quickly grabs his backpack and hurries away, weaving through the crowd with a hurried pace. Joshua's brow furrows as he watches Seokmin disappear from sight, a knot of confusion and concern tightening in his chest.

Joshua approaches the remaining group, his expression one of frustration and curiosity. ❝Hey, what's going on? Did Seokmin say where he was going?❞ he asks, his voice edged with concern as he takes a seat at the table, his eyes scanning the faces of his friends.

Minghao glances at the others, a subtle look of hesitation crossing his features before he speaks up. ❝Oh, Seokmin? He, um...❞ Minghao trails off, clearly searching for the right words. ❝He had a last-minute assignment he needed to finish. You know how he is about deadlines. He probably just wants to get it out of the way before it's too late.❞

Jum nods in agreement, though his expression is a bit guarded. ❝Yeah, Hao's right. Seokmin's been really stressed about this project. He probably just needed to get some work done.❞

Chenle, sensing the tension, tries to lighten the mood. ❝Don't worry too much, Joshua. Seokmin will be back later. He just needs to get some things sorted out. It's nothing serious.❞

Joshua looks unconvinced, his gaze drifting toward the direction Seokmin had taken. ❝Alright,❞ he says slowly, though his tone remains skeptical. ❝I hope everything's okay.❞

Minghao offers a reassuring smile, though it's clear that he's not entirely comfortable with the lie he's told. ❝Yeah, everything's fine. Just give him some time.❞

Joshua nods, though his worry is evident. ❝Okay, if you say so.❞ He tries to shift his focus back to the group, but his mind keeps drifting back to Seokmin's sudden departure, the uneasy feeling in his gut refusing to dissipate.

⸻ ᶻ 𝘇 𐰁 ⸻

[Time skip - Weekend]

Joshua sat across from Jeonghan at the candle-lit table, the restaurant was elegant, the perfect place for a second date after visiting the art gallery, but tonight, Joshua found it difficult to focus on anything. His eyes kept drifting to the flickering candle between them, his thoughts a thousand miles away. He tried to muster up some interest, to engage in the conversation, but everything Jeonghan said seemed to pass right through him without sticking.