𝕄𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝔸𝕝𝕚𝕧𝕖 || 𝟚𝕞𝕚𝕟

20 | Look What You Made Me Do

It was mid-afternoon when Chan found Minho sitting in the far corner of the cafeteria, quietly stirring a half-empty cup of coffee. He approached and took the seat across from him, offering a small smile.

"So," Chan started softly, "What are you going to do about them? Your so-called 'friends.'"

Minho's hand froze mid-stir, his eyes fixed on the swirling liquid. He exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, hyung," he admitted. "It's not easy... I don't know how to say no to them."

"They've got you wrapped around their fingers, Minho. You've got to see it."

"I know," Minho muttered, guilt lacing his voice. "But..." He hesitated, his throat tightening. "They were the only ones there for me when—when you left me."

Chan's face fell. His heart ached hearing the crack in Minho's voice. "Minho, I'm sorry. I've said it before, but I'll say it again—I never should have disappeared on you."

Minho shook his head, avoiding Chan's gaze. "It's not about apologies, hyung. I get it, you had your reasons. But I didn't have anyone back then. And now... I just... I don't know how to let go of them."

Chan leaned forward, his voice firm but caring. "Minho, you know they don't really care about you, right? They're only keeping you around because it's fun for them. You're not their friend—you're their entertainment. You deserve better than this."

Minho pressed his lips together, his chest tightening as the words sank in. He hated how true they felt.

Before he could respond, a familiar voice interrupted. "Hey, Chan!"

Changbin walked up to their table, a warm smile on his face.

"Binnie, hey!" Chan grinned, gesturing for him to join them. "Minho, this is Changbin. We're in music class together."

Changbin turned to Minho, surprised. "Oh, hey! Wait—you're in my grade, right?"

Minho nodded after looking at his id card.

"Wow," Changbin said, sitting down beside Chan. "I can't believe we've never talked before."

Chan chuckled. "Minho's one of my closest friends."

Changbin smiled at Minho. "Well, if you're Chan's friend, that makes you my friend too. If you ever need anything, just let me know, okay?"

Minho blinked in surprise at the sudden kindness. He nodded hesitantly. "Uh, thanks."

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋

As Minho left the cafeteria, his steps faltered when he noticed a group of familiar figures gathered at the far end of the hallway. The laughter and mockery echoing off the walls were unmistakable, and his stomach twisted when he saw the small, hunched figure they surrounded.

Seungmin.

Minho felt a surge of rage course through his veins. He didn't think—he just moved.

"Hey!" he barked, his voice cutting through the commotion. He shoved his way into the middle of the group, startling the boys. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

One of them smirked lazily, as if unfazed. "Relax, Minho. We were just having some fun."

"Fun?" Minho's voice rose, his tone sharp enough to cut. "How is this fun to you? Do you enjoy making someone else miserable?"

"Calm down," another one said, rolling his eyes. "We weren't even doing anything. Right, Seungmin?"

Seungmin flinched at the sound of his name, his breath coming in shallow gasps, but he didn't say anything.