haunted, again // nct.dream [2]

{1}

        
"But you're always practicing!" I whined into the phone. I crossed my legs that were rested on the top of the couch. My head hung off the edge, and I rubbed my eyes with frustration.

"I'm sorry, Hyunji," Haechan spoke through the phone. "Dance practice has been taking up a lot of my time."

Haechan, along with the rest of Jisung's friends, had decided to join the same dance class Jisung takes. They thought it would be something fun to do. Hana even picked it up. Johnny said he would've with Ten if it wasn't for college.

"You could always join our class," Haechan suggested. "Then we wouldn't have to squeeze in time to hang out."

"You know for a fact that no matter how much coaching I would get, I have no skill in the dance area. Jisung took any ability I could've had." My legs slid to the side and I sat up. "I just wish we could go out and do more together since we'll be going to college next year."

My chest tightened at the realization that I'm currently a senior in high school. After this, I'll be going off to a college by myself.

"We'll find something." I could hear Haechan sigh from the other side of the call. "Hey, we all will be hanging out together for Halloween in a couple days."

"Great," I muttered. "Hanging out in front of my brother... also your best friend."

"It's better than nothing."

I closed my eyes, sinking into the couch. "You're right, you're right. I'm sorry, I'm just being stubborn."

"I can tell." A huff of laughter was heard on the phone. "It's a normal thing, I've noticed."

"Thanks," I laughed. "I'll talk to you later. Love you."

"Love you, too... I guess," Haechan said just to mess with me.

"Yah! I will drive over there right now and make you take back that 'I guess' crap," I jokingly threatened into the call.

"Okay, okay." He chuckled. "I love you, too."

I gently tossed my phone to the side after hanging up, still a trace of a smile hanging onto my face. The door soon opened to Jisung arriving home. He twirled the car keys around his finger, obviously proud of the fact that he can now drive. He gave me a smug grin, jingling them.

"Don't act so full of it just yet," I warned, wagging a finger at him as I walked over to my brother. "Mom will soon be putting the errands into your hands."

"I don't care," Jisung replied in a sing-song way. "I can now drive, and I'm a free man." Jisung clapped his hands after setting the keys on the counter.

"I don't think you're considered a man unless you have balls." I placed a gentle hand on my little brother's shoulder. "And I believe that you, my friend, have none."

Jisung fought back a laugh, trying to look annoyed. He quickly poked my side, also known as my weakness since it was where I was most ticklish, and retreated to his room upstairs.

"You can't hide from the truth, Ji!" I called after him, unable to hold back laughter.

The next day was just as normal of a school day as it could get. I shared a lunch with everyone in our extended group of friends, with the obvious exception of Johnny and Ten. Being a herd of eleven teenagers, finding a table was a difficult matter. Thank the lunch ladies for the long, rectangle table that would let us all sit together.

Lunch was... hectic. First, you have the dolphin laughs and flinging grapes from the great Chenle himself. Next, you have a great majority forgetting about homework the night before and scrambling to get it all down. Oh, and let's not forget Jisung sneaking food from everyone.

Chenle started scooping a spoonful of mashed potatoes when he gasped. He cupped his hands around his face, leaving the spoon where it was.

"I just remembered I have to finish my math homework!" he exclaimed, shifting his gaze between all of us.

"Chenle," Renjun began, leaning his forehead against his hand and closing his eyes. "We were literally just talking about the homework last period, and you just now remember?"

"I'm sorry I get distracted easily," Chenle threw his fist down for effect, but the table wasn't the first thing it hit. Chenle's hand slammed down onto his spoon that was in the mashed potatoes, flinging the food to his left.

Mark froze from the mashed potatoes that had landed on his face. We were all laughing, except for him. Mark wiped away what was covering his eyes, abruptly standing up.

"I'm going to go wash this off, then I'll be back for you, dolphin boy." Mark gave Chenle a hard look. He quickly turned, but ended up running into Soomi, probably voted most popular and most likely to be made completely out of plastic.

Mark's eyes widened, and he suddenly became flushed. Soomi gasped as her tray tipped backward, spilling her leftovers onto her dress. It was once a pretty, pale pink. Her jaw hung open as she stared at the stains and dripping food. Soomi's burning gaze traveled back to Mark, who seemed unable to move.

"Do you realize how much I loved this dress?" she asked through clenched teeth. When Mark didn't answer, she leaned towards him, fire in her eyes. "Huh?"

"Y-yeah, I've noticed you... you wear it a lot..." Mark swallowed hard, trying to avert his eyes. The entire lunchroom was silent.

Soomi narrowed her eyes, making a disgusted noise. "Watch where you're walking next time." She scanned Mark. "And I hope you realize that you have... something on your face." Soomi shook her head, stomping out of the cafeteria.

"She got triggered," Haechan mumbled to our table. I let out a sharp exhale, raising my eyebrows.

"Soomi really needs to Hakuna her tatas," Mi-Cha added. We all nodded an agreement.

Later that night, most of my family had settled down in bed. As for myself, I was rummaging the kitchen in search of a small snack.

There was an abrupt knock on the front door, causing me to let out a small squeak. I clamped my hand over my mouth, setting the bread loaf back onto the counter. My hand moved from my mouth down to my chest, hovering over my heart. It was beating rapidly.

I slowly started walking over to the door, hoping I could get a peak of who was there. I could see the top of the person's head through the window above the door.

"Is that Johnny?" I asked myself, rushing towards the door. I quickly, but quietly, unlocked it. Pulling open the door, I revealed a completely distraught looking Johnny.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him. "Why aren't you over in your dorm at college?" My eyes fixed on Johnny's. They seemed red and puffy, like they were irritated... or like he was just crying.

"Hyunji..." Johnny spoke, his voice sounding rough. "I need to talk."

(A/N): SURPRISE (not really though)!! I told you people I would make a sequel ^^. I'm sorry to say, if you're reading this right now, I probably won't be updating it until around Christmas because (like I mentioned when announcing this sequel) I want to get through most of my Nepenthe story. I just wanted to put up proof of this coming sequel (and I couldn't hold back the urge to start writing it). I CAN'T WAIT TO START PUTTING UP THE OTHER PARTS! Thank you for reading. I hope you'll enjoy. ><