My dance teacher is cute | Haobin

20 - Back to...him

POV: Hanbin | TUESDAY EVENING

I knew exactly who I needed to message now. Gunwook. He was the only one I could really rely on at the moment, so I pulled out my phone and sent him a quick text:

"Hey, wanna have hot pot tonight with our group? It's on me. Tell the others but not Jiwoong."

My phone buzzed almost instantly.

GUNWOOK: Poor Jiwoong, haha. Sure, we'll come to your room. That cool?

I quickly replied with a simple "yes" and changed into something more casual, trying to push the uneasy thoughts from my mind.

A little while later, they knocked on my door, and we headed out together. I told them I wanted to treat everyone as an apology for how I acted earlier, but my thoughts were elsewhere.

As we entered my favorite restaurant, I automatically scanned the room. My eyes landed on them almost instantly—Jiwoong and Hao, tucked away at a table for two in the back corner.

They looked... comfortable.

A sharp pain shot through me when I saw Hao laughing, his whole face lit up. He really does enjoy Jiwoong's company, huh?

"Isn't that Jiwoong-hyung?" Matthew asked, sounding surprised. I forced myself to play along, acting like I just noticed them.

"Oh, you're right! Should we ask them if they want to join us?" I said, pretending to be clueless, though I could feel Gunwook's eyes on me, that knowing smirk creeping onto his face.

"I'll go ask. You find us a table," Gunwook said before making his way to the back of the room.

We sat down at a large table in the middle, but my attention was fixed on Gunwook as he talked to them. Hao turned slightly, and for a split second, our eyes met. His smirk grew as he looked me up and down, sending a wave of heat through my chest. He turned back to Gunwook, saying something, and Gunwook soon returned to us, barely holding back a laugh.

"Hao said they don't want to join us," he said, his tone light but teasing.

I nodded, forcing a smile, but I couldn't help the twist of jealousy that coiled tighter inside me.

Oh, is that so, Hao?

So, he wanted to spend time alone with the guy he just slept with yesterday, after spending time with me. My stomach twisted at the thought. I felt like a complete fool for following him here, for even caring this much. What was I expecting? I should've known better than to get involved with someone like him—it's all turning into a mess in my head.

I knew what this was.

I was just one of his many distractions, something to keep him entertained, to break up the monotony.

But I'd been stupid. Stupid for letting myself believe, even for a second, that I could be something more than just a passing thrill to him. Was this where he drew the line? Was this the boundary he wouldn't let me cross?

These thoughts... I shouldn't be having them in the first place. It's dangerous.

Why do I keep spiraling into this?
I'm losing it.

I forced out a laugh, though it felt hollow. "Then let's just order our food," I said, but my eyes betrayed me, still lingering on their table, shifting between Hao and Jiwoong. Why was Jiwoong looking at him like that?

I tried to tear my gaze away, but every burst of laughter from their direction made it harder. It grated on my nerves in a way I couldn't quite explain. Why did Hao choose to leave me behind to be with him? Why do I even care so much?