It All Started With A Creepy Mail ⚊ Yang Jungwon [#4]

✗ fifty ✗

⚊ chapter fifty

The sun was beginning its slow descent, casting an ethereal golden glow across the beach as we gathered around the bonfire for one final celebration. The flames flickered and crackled, matching the high energy we all carried from the day’s adventures.

The night was still young, but the feeling of our final night at the beach felt like a bittersweet embrace.

Minji, as usual, took charge, her voice ringing out with excitement. “Alright, everyone! Gather ‘round! It’s party time!”

She practically vibrated with energy as Ni-ki, the self-proclaimed DJ of the group, turned on the speaker. The unmistakable intro of Teenage Dream by Katy Perry blasted through the air, and just like that, everything else faded away.

The music was loud, joyful, and carefree, just like the atmosphere around us.

The entire group seemed to shed any remnants of fatigue or stress as they flocked toward the center. Even Chenle, still adjusting to the group dynamics, couldn’t resist the infectious energy that seemed to pulse through the air.

Dongpyo and Rei, both fresh out of the ocean, looked like wet, disheveled messes—Rei with her hair bonnet still in place, and Dongpyo dripping water all over the sand. But it didn’t matter.

They both hopped right into the center of the circle, moving their hips and laughing, completely unbothered by their soaked clothes.

“Come on, Chenle!” Dongpyo yelled over the music, his voice filled with laughter.

“We’re all wet, might as well join us!” Rei rolled her eyes but grinned, continuing to sway to the beat as though nothing else in the world existed except for the rhythm.

Chenle stood off to the side, still hesitant. I could see the hesitation in his eyes, the uncertainty that had lingered since the argument with Jungwon. But the sight of the group, united and carefree, had an undeniable pull on him.

Slowly, he began to move closer, his feet dragging in the sand.

“Come on, you’re part of this group too,” Rei said, her tone blunt but her expression warm. “We’re all happy you’re here, you know that, right?”

Dongpyo shot Chenle a grin. “Yeah, if you need someone to talk to, we’re all here for you. But stop being so serious and dance with us!”

There was something reassuring about the way they spoke—open, honest, with no expectations other than for him to just join in. And, after a moment’s pause, Chenle couldn’t help but laugh.

He threw himself into the circle, finally shedding the last remnants of his reservations. The tension that had been hanging over him since the previous days melted away, and for the first time in a while, he seemed to be truly himself again.

It was nice to see him smiling.

Then, Sunoo and Kiara arrived, both in matching yellow outfits that made them look like a duo of sunshine. They were a perfect pair—bright, fun, and utterly charming. Sunhee trailed behind them, beaming with the same radiance that came naturally to her.

The three of them danced together, their energy magnetic. Sunhee’s voice rang out as she joined the others, shouting out her playful challenge.

“First one in the water’s the winner!” she called out, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

The challenge was met with a flurry of movement as everyone dropped what they were doing and dashed toward the waves. Jungwon grabbed my hand, pulling me into the madness with him as we laughed and ran.