A Distraction // Bangchan

Chapter Twenty-Seven

A few days later, Lauren's phone buzzed with a message from Chan just as she was settling into her work at home. She smiled as she reached for her phone, already feeling the familiar rush of excitement at seeing his name pop up on her screen.

Chan: Hey, babe. I'm hanging out with Han and Felix later tonight. Do you want to join us? Would be nice to have you there 😊

Lauren's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't just the invitation—She knew how close he was to Han and Felix, and the idea of spending more time with them made her both excited and a little nervous.

Lauren: I'd love to! Let me know where and when 😊

Chan responded almost immediately, and they made plans to meet up that evening. As the day passed, Lauren couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation. She'd met the members during that night at the dorm, but this was different—this was a more intimate setting, and she wanted to make sure everything went well.

Later that evening, Lauren found herself standing outside a small, cozy café that Chan had picked for their hangout. The soft glow of the lights spilling out onto the street made the place feel warm and inviting, and she took a deep breath before walking inside.

Almost immediately, she spotted them. Chan, Han, and Felix were sitting at a table near the back, their easy laughter filling the space around them. As soon as Chan saw her, his face lit up, and he stood up, waving her over with a wide smile.

"Lauren!" he called out, his accent making her name sound even sweeter.

She smiled as she made her way over to them, her nerves easing a little when she saw how relaxed and happy Chan looked. When she reached the table, he pulled her in for a quick hug, his hand lingering on her lower back as he pulled out the chair for her.

Han, with his mischievous smile and playful energy, was the first to speak. "Hey, Lauren! I heard you're our mom now," he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Lauren blushed a little but laughed, appreciating his lightheartedness. "Something like that," she replied with a grin.

Felix, sitting beside Han, flashed her a warm smile, his deep voice adding a surprising contrast to his boyish features. "Good to see you again, Lauren," he said. "I'm happy for you both. Chan hyung hasn't stopped talking about you."

She glanced at Chan, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Oh, really?"

Chan scratched the back of his neck, looking sheepish but amused. "They're exaggerating," he muttered, though the look in his eyes told her otherwise.

Felix and Han exchanged a look, clearly enjoying teasing Chan a little. "Nah, he's been all smiley and distracted," Han said with a grin. "You're obviously the reason."

Lauren couldn't help but laugh at their antics. They were so easy to be around, and already, she could tell that this would be a fun night. She leaned into Chan slightly, feeling the warmth of his presence beside her, while Felix and Han continued to joke and banter.

As the evening went on, the conversation flowed effortlessly. Lauren found herself laughing more than she had in a while, swept up in the playful dynamic between the three of them. Han was full of energy, constantly cracking jokes and telling funny stories about their time as trainees, while Felix chimed in with his own brand of humor, his deep voice making even the silliest comments sound serious.

They talked about everything—music, life, their favorite movies, and even their experiences as idols. Lauren loved hearing about their behind-the-scenes stories, the things fans never got to see. Han and Felix were open and friendly, making her feel like she was part of the group, and it wasn't long before she realized just how close-knit they all were.