TIME ─ JAEYONG

034⸰

— warning: mentions of drugs and alcohol. read at your own discretion

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the music was loud, the dance floor crowded and overpacked. the tiles switched colors, following the beat of the music while laser lights flashed all around the room. it definitely felt like a real teenage party; one that johnny would throw back in high school except no one was underage. everyone was considered adults here.

there were two floors in which you could be at. the lower level for all your dancing needs and then the top level where you were provided with an assortment of alcoholic drinks.

jaehyun didn't know which one to enter first so he clung to sicheng's side, he felt equally torn on where to go. the two knew yuta and taeyong were already here seeing as they came with johnny and taeil but where was the question.

the reason for the others leaving earlier than them was because sicheng felt self-conscious when it came time to dress for the night; so he insisted on staying behind to fully prepare himself. jaehyun— being the kind soul he is, hung back to help sicheng so he wouldn't feel too stressed. sicheng just wanted to show out for yuta.

"this is a bit overwhelming." sicheng rubbed at his bicep. "i've never partied before... or drank alcohol."

"it's okay. let's just go upstairs where there are fewer people." and so he and sicheng climbed the stairs, entering the second level. it was set up exactly like a mini bar with tables and barstools everywhere. the shelves behind the bar were jam-packed with all different sized bottles containing dark and clear liquids.

a familiar mop of light brown curly hair was seen at the bar, his head hung low as he swirled around the liquid in the taller sized shot glass. "taeil!" jae called out, tugging sicheng along beside him.

taeil looked up then back down with a deep sigh. jae frowned and took the empty seat next to his seemingly down friend. "hey sicheng, jae." he spoke, his voice heavy with whatever was troubling him.

"what's wrong taeil? did something happen?"

taeil downed his shot and motioned for the bartender to bring him another round. "i just need to be drunk for what i'm about to do later tonight."

jae raised his brow curiously. "which is?" taeil shook his head, turning to sicheng who sat behind him. taeil slapped the younger male's hand away from his drink. sicheng pouted, only wanting to see what it smelt like.

"johnny wants a threesome but with a girl. do you know how awkward i'm going to be if i'm not shit faced drunk?"

"oh... well good luck?" jaehyun didn't know what to respond with. he wished he could turn back time to never ask taeil the question. that was one detail he never needed to know. "anyways, do you know where taeyong and yuta are?"

"yuta was downstairs dancing and taeyong was in the bathroom last time i cared to pay attention." talking to taeil seemed pointless to jaehyun since his tone was so dreary so he excused himself to find taeyong alone.

"uh taeil, can i drink some too?" he heard sicheng ask quietly. shaking his head in disappointment he wandered over towards the men's room. he pushed open the door only to get the shock of his life.

a group of boys, no older than 18, were huddled in the corner, sniffing a white powder off from the sinks countertop. "i am so sorry!" he turned his back to them.

"want some? this stuff gets you lit. i see vibrant elephants every time i blink." one of the kids offered. he repeated no thank you about five times before he left the bathroom in a rush. this cruise sure was living up to its party name.