Lines Crossed (SanSang)

13

The next day, Yeosang was sitting in the campus courtyard, flipping through his notes, though he wasn't really paying attention to them. His mind had been scattered lately, mostly revolving around San. Even though he tried to shake it off, the uneasiness kept clinging to him. He had hoped for a quiet day to reset, but things never stayed quiet for long.

As he was lost in his thoughts, he heard Wooyoung's voice cut through the air. "Hey! What are you doing here, so early?"

Yeosang looked up, watching Wooyoung approach with his usual energy, bouncing on his feet as if he had a million things to say already. Right behind him was San, looking as relaxed as ever. Yeosang's heart gave a small, unexpected lurch. He had gotten used to seeing San more often now, but it still made him nervous, especially when Wooyoung wasn't around.

"We've been looking for you everywhere," Wooyoung continued, collapsing onto the bench next to Yeosang. "And guess what? San's got some news."

San grinned as he stepped forward, leaning casually against the back of the bench. "There's a party tomorrow night," he said, his voice calm but with a spark of excitement. "Some friends are throwing it, and I thought maybe you two would want to come with me."

Yeosang blinked, caught off guard. A party? That sounded like a nightmare. He wasn't good with big groups or loud, chaotic environments. He was about to politely decline when Wooyoung, of course, jumped in with immediate enthusiasm.

"A party? Hell yeah!" Wooyoung exclaimed, already fired up. "You know I'm always down. Yeosang, you're coming too, right?"

All eyes were suddenly on Yeosang, and he could feel the pressure of their gazes. San was watching him with a curious expression, while Wooyoung's eyes practically begged him to say yes. But the thought of being surrounded by strangers, in a loud, crowded place, made his stomach churn with anxiety.

"I... I don't know," Yeosang stammered, feeling the weight of their expectations. "Parties aren't really my thing."

"Oh, come on," Wooyoung said, nudging him with his elbow. "You need to loosen up! It'll be fun, I promise. Plus, San's gonna be there, and I bet he can keep you out of trouble." He shot San a wink.

San chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "No pressure, Yeosang. You don't have to come if you're not up for it, but it'd be great if you did. I can make sure you don't feel too overwhelmed. We'll stick together."

The way San said it, casually but considerate, made Yeosang pause. It wasn't like San was pushing him, but there was something about the way he made it sound manageable. And the idea of sticking close to him at the party... well, that wasn't the worst thing in the world.

Wooyoung gave him another nudge. "Please, Yeo? We haven't been to a party together since forever. College is all about new experiences, right?"

Yeosang sighed, feeling the pressure building. He hated these situations—where everyone seemed so eager and he felt like the odd one out. But seeing the look in Wooyoung's eyes, and the calm encouragement in San's, he found himself nodding before he could think it through.

"Alright," he mumbled. "I'll go."

"Yessss!" Wooyoung practically shouted, throwing his arms around Yeosang in excitement. "You won't regret it! We're gonna have the best time!"

San smiled, though his expression remained gentle, as if he sensed Yeosang's hesitation. "We'll make sure it's fun. Don't worry."

Yeosang forced a small smile, but as the conversation moved on, his mind kept circling back to the party. He couldn't help but feel anxious about it, but there was also a strange excitement simmering beneath the surface—one that had everything to do with the idea of being around San.

——-

The night of the party arrived, and Yeosang still wasn't sure if he'd made the right decision by agreeing to come. He stood just inside the front door of the house, taking in the scene around him: people crowded every corner, music pulsed through the air, and the sound of laughter and conversation overlapped in a way that made him feel slightly out of place.

Wooyoung, of course, seemed completely in his element. He was already scanning the room with a gleam in his eye, clearly eager to dive into the thick of things. Meanwhile, Yeosang lingered behind, feeling that familiar unease that came with large gatherings.

"Hey," San's voice cut through his thoughts, smooth and reassuring. "You alright?"

Yeosang glanced over, catching San's easy smile. It was comforting in a way that settled some of his nerves. "Yeah, just... taking it all in."

"Don't worry," San said with a wink. "Stick with us, and you'll be fine."

Before Yeosang could respond, Wooyoung bounced over, already brimming with excitement. "This place is packed! Let's grab something to drink before we do anything else." He flashed a grin, pulling both of them deeper into the house.

The kitchen was equally crowded, but San navigated it with ease, grabbing a couple of drinks from the counter and handing one to Yeosang, who accepted it mostly out of politeness. He wasn't a fan of alcohol, but it seemed like the kind of night where he needed something to take the edge off.

They moved through the crowd, settling by the back door again, where it was quieter. Wooyoung immediately found himself in the middle of a conversation with some people nearby, while San stood beside Yeosang, casually leaning against the wall.

"So," San said, turning to Yeosang with that same smile, "still nervous?"

"A little," Yeosang admitted, but it wasn't as bad as before. Having San around made the whole experience more bearable, even if he couldn't quite figure out why.

"It gets easier," San replied, his voice warm and reassuring. "Just take it slow. No one's going to force you to do anything."

Yeosang nodded, feeling slightly more at ease, though his nerves still buzzed underneath. He took a small sip of his drink, trying to relax, when Wooyoung reappeared, grinning wide.

"Alright, you two," Wooyoung said, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "We're playing a game. Come on."

Yeosang blinked, instantly wary. "What kind of game?"

Wooyoung shot him a grin that only made him more suspicious. "Seven minutes in heaven."

Yeosang's stomach dropped. "No way—"

But before he could protest further, Wooyoung grabbed both of their arms, dragging them toward a circle of people gathering in the living room.