Act. 8 | Stray Kids Imagines

[20, 20 decibel]

"What are you guys doing?" you pushed the question through a yawn, walking over to where your friends crowded over your desk. Jisung perked up first, much too hyper for 8AM, "You're not going to believe this. Someone gave you Valentine's chocolate!"

"Huh?" you blinked at the neat little box he shoved in your face. Quite the expensive chocolates, too.

"There's a card too," Chaeryoung pointed at your desk, where a square note with scalloped edges sat. "Only has your name on it, though."

You took the box from Jisung, bewildered and slightly embarrassed. This was not on your bingo card of the day. Your backpack, heavy with books, made a muted thud when you plopped it onto your table.

"Do you have any idea who it is?" Chaeryoung studied you as if to find a secret in your twisting expressions. Her desk was in front of yours, but she was turned around to rest her elbows on your table instead, cradling her chin in her palms.

You shook your head, a half laugh. "No, I'm actually—"

The realization was like a splash of cold water, and you, a drowsy student forced awake by the sensation. Jisung didn't miss your sudden pause, a gasp too teasing for his own good, "So you do know! You have to tell us!"

Well, it wasn't that you knew per se, it was just that you mentioned this specific chocolatier before and how you wanted to try out their creations one day. It could've been just a really funny coincidence, or a very platonic Valentine's gift—either way, you had the compulsive urge to keep your realization a secret from your friends' all too curious eyes.

"I don't know," heart hammering, you cleared your throat, diverting your attention to preparing for first period and shoving the expensive, curious chocolates under your desk. Out of sight, out of mind. "I just remembered that I only got chocolates for Chaeryoung and none for you, Jisung."

His shoulders dropped. "What the hell!"

Chaeryoung snickered, always too happy to tease him, "Third wheel."

"And here I thought we were friends..." Jisung lamented when another voice joined your conversation. "Morning. What's going on?"

"Jeongin! They're ganging up on me," Jisung turned to your approaching friend, a melodramatic hand on his chest.

Jeongin grinned, dimpled, playful. "Bet you deserved it."

"You're all so mean to me," Jisung huffed. "Woe is me."

Jeongin laughed, and you noticed the slight pallor in his face. He looked tired, you thought. Did he not get enough sleep?

Then you thought about the chocolates—and you vanquished that idea immediately, suddenly feeling too warm for a February morning.

"Honestly, you guys will appreciate me when I—" Jisung faltered when Jeongin pulled out his seat with a screech, eyes widening. "No way..."

The four of you stared at a pretty box comfortably sitting on his chair, previously hidden from sight.

"You too?" Jisung gasped, jokingly scandalized. "I can't believe this..."

"Who's it from?" Chaeryoung wondered as Jeongin picked up the box and flipped the little card attached to it.

"It doesn't say," he revealed, much to your two friends' visible and audible disappointment.

"That's funny," you remarked with a chuckle, suddenly too preoccupied with arranging your pens. "Another mysterious sender."

"Open it, open it," you heard Jisung urge then gasp when Jeongin seemingly obeyed, "Are these homemade? They're totally homemade!"

You couldn't help but sneak a glance at them right then, catching the exact moment Jeongin stole a glance your way. A question, a hope, an answer in his foxlike eyes.

You dropped your gaze as though the contact burned, barely registering Jisung's whining over the thundering of your heart.

"Give me some—"

"No way. Get lost."

"Good morning. Settle down, everyone," your teacher's voice broke through the mayhem, and the sharp bell of first period snapped you back to reality.

The day passed in a flash, and you found yourself standing outside the school gates with Jeongin after waving your friends goodbye. You always walked part of the way home together, but for some reason, silence blanketed the two of you this time.

Awkward, it continued until you nearly reached the junction where your paths diverged. Your time was running out. Even though the words were at the tip of your tongue, it was as if a spell had been cast on your mouth to keep it zipped tight.

It seemed Jeongin fared the same, fingers absently messing with his cuff buttons, knuckles brushing yours ever so lightly as you walked. Always hesitant, yet always close.

It was only when the two of you stopped at your usual parting point did you assemble a semblance of courage, if only to keep him by your side longer. "Um...!"

Jeongin faced you, and you were too cowardly to hold his gaze. Or even look at his face, really. The tips of his ears were unmistakably red, and you were already losing this battle of spirit. Your voice felt far too small, a sigh in the wind. You settled for staring at his plain shoes.

"Thank you...for the chocolates."

When he didn't respond instantly, you rushed to save yourself, "I mean—that was you, wasn't it?"

"Y-Yeah, it was," Jeongin's voice cracked. Like yours, it was a mere murmur on the breeze, but your ears caught it with fervor, and your stomach somersaulted in celebration.

"You too," he hesitated, as if testing the words. "Thank you. The chocolates look nice... They must've been hard to make."

"No," you shook your head, a smile playing on your lips. "I had fun making them."

The two of you lingered, a vast ocean of words left unsaid between you, yet settling for the shores of silence. The more you thought about the day, the more you wanted to laugh.

"So, you also came way too early today, huh?" you grinned, finally looking at him. This would be enough for now. The fledgling feelings in your heart were not yet ready to soar, too fragile and tender, and Jeongin seemed to feel the same.

He huffed out a breathy laugh, the tension in his shoulders melting, "Yeah. Funny how we didn't bump into each other."

This was enough. You tucked the memory of his radiant smile against the brilliant sun deep in your heart, nourishment for your fledgling feelings so that they may one day take to the sky, brave and beautiful.