MY PAST. hyunlix

2.

"Yo, you here yet?"

Felix shouldered his way past a throng of girls dancing under the pulsating lights, their laughter mingling with the thumping bass that reverberated through the air. He cupped his phone tightly to his ear, straining to hear over the cacophony. The heat of bodies pressed against him, a mix of perfume and sweat, made him feel both alive and slightly overwhelmed.

"Yeah, I just got in! Can you believe the cover fee here is thirty dollars?" he yelled, his voice barely rising above the music.

"It's a Saturday night, what'd you expect? Come find us, we're at the far corner by the red wall!" came the reply, the voice of his friend Han barely audible but urgent.

Felix navigated through the crowd, weaving in and out of clusters of people, some lost in their own worlds, others laughing and shouting to be heard. The dim lighting cast a warm glow, creating an almost surreal atmosphere that felt electric. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spotted Han, who was waving his arms like a windmill, his excitement palpable.

"Felix-ah, you're here!" Han exclaimed, his face lighting up as he slid a shot glass filled with a vibrant blue liquid across the sleek tabletop. "We got you a drink first so you wouldn't have to wait at the bar. Try it, it's good!"

Felix chuckled, feeling a rush of gratitude as he accepted the glass. He downed it in one swift motion, the taste a surprising mix of citrus syrup and a sharp burn that he guessed was vodka. The flavors danced on his tongue, a refreshing jolt that made him grin. He wasn't a seasoned club-goer, but tonight felt different—exciting.

"I'm just surprised you guys managed to drag Seungmin out here," he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "This is so not his scene."

"Come on, it's university orientation!" Seungmin chimed in, lifting a bottle to his lips before taking a long sip. "Live a little. Soon we'll be drowning in homework and early morning lectures again."

"Don't remind me," Han groaned, theatrically covering his face with his hands. "Let me enjoy these last few days of freedom in peace."

They quickly decided who would head to the bar for the next round of drinks with a game of rock-paper-scissors. The tension built as Felix and Seungmin tied fifteen times in a row, each tie eliciting more excited shouts from Han. Finally, Felix threw out a paper and lost the match.

"It's only fair, since I was the last one to arrive," he reasoned, a playful smirk on his face. "But I'm getting us all whatever I want, and you're all gonna have to drink it."

As he made his way to the bar, he felt a sense of anticipation. The bar was surprisingly empty, a brief oasis from the chaos of the dance floor.

Behind the counter stood a tall bartender, his dark hair tousled and silver-rimmed glasses perched low on his nose. He had a striking presence, an effortless charm that made Felix wonder why he wasn't being swarmed by admirers.

"Hi," Felix said, resting his elbows on the glass-top counter. "I'm not really familiar with drinks. Can you get me four of anything grape flavored?"

"Grape, huh? Can I see some ID?" the bartender replied, his voice smooth and inviting.

Felix flashed his ID, and the bartender's face broke into a warm smile. "All right. I'll make you a grape crush sangria, okay? Just give me a minute."

Felix leaned against one of the tall bar stools, his curiosity piqued as he watched the bartender work. He deftly peeled grapes, mixing them with ice, while rimming the glasses with a clear liquid that Felix guessed was lemon juice before dipping them in a pink, sugary substance. The bartender moved with a grace that suggested he had mastered the art of mixology.

"You just... know how to do all this stuff?" Felix asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

The bartender glanced up, a playful glint in his eye. "All part of the job. It gets easier with practice."

"That sounds awesome. You look really young, though—"

"We're the same age," he replied, leaning over the counter, his gaze steady and engaging.

"What- how do you know?" Felix asked, slightly shocked.

"I saw your ID, remember?"

Felix felt a blush creeping up his cheeks as he nodded sheepishly. "Right, I forgot."

The bartender placed four elegant glasses of grape crush sangria on a tray, each topped with a single mint leaf, bowing with a flourish as if he were a duke in a Victorian film. "Enjoy your drinks. Come back for another round soon, alright?"

Felix paid, adding a generous ten-dollar tip, and carefully balanced the tray in both hands as he made his way back to his friends. The drinks were vibrant, the colors shimmering under the club's lights.

"Took you long enough," Han teased, pretending to yawn as Felix set the drinks down. "Thanks for getting the drinks, Felix-ah. We were just talking about moving into the dorms."

The conversation flowed easily as they shared stories about their roommates, speculating about their personalities and quirks.

"I got my roommate and room assignment earlier, though," Felix said, scrolling through his phone to find the email.

"Who's yours?" Seungmin asked, taking a sip of the grape drink, his brow furrowing in thought.

Felix squinted at the screen. "Some guy named Hyunjin. He's a painting major, apparently."

"I don't know him," Han replied, letting out a quiet giggle. "You're lucky you got a room near the dining hall. Mine's like, a ten-minute walk away."

Felix felt a surge of excitement. This was the biggest art college in the country, and he had fought fiercely for a spot, especially in a major like dance where competition had been stiff. He swirled the melting remains of the grape crush at the bottom of his cup, savoring the last bit. The drink was surprisingly delightful—refreshing, not too sweet, with just the right balance of grape flavor that made it dangerously easy to drink.

"I'll go get us all shots," Han declared suddenly, rising from his seat with a determined look. "We're gonna play a drinking game. Felix, you in?"

Felix grinned, the thrill of the night ahead igniting a spark of adventure within him.

"Absolutely."