𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐂.

2 | explore.

<segment two starting>

Since there was plenty of time, you decided to grab your sneakers, and "explore." You still think it's important to know where and what kind of stuff is around here anyways. You were still wearing your jean shorts and a white t-shirt paired with a navy blue baseball cap.

You told your aunt about how you were going to look around the area, she handed you some money, definitely more than you expected and told you to be safe and to try to make some friends before you left out the front door. While you were walking around, you found an outdoor mall complex, with different stores for clothes, food, supplies, and other things. But then, somewhat further than the other stores, a bright neon sign caught your eye-- it read, in bold red letters, ARCADE. Jackpot.

It definitely didn't compare to Disneyworld, but it was way better than just staying home alone all day. You walked in just to check it out for a couple of minutes, and to your surprise, it was way bigger than the arcade near your home. There weren't a lot of people inside, just some groups of teenagers probably a few years younger than you.

The classic games were all set already. There was also an air hockey table in the far corner of the place. Yes. In the other corner near the entrance, there was a machine to exchange the money for quarters. It had everything necessary.

'One game wouldn't hurt.' You thought to yourself.

You ended up stuck playing PAC-MAN for an hour. Good thing you left the house early.

Then, after convincing yourself to take your leave and making sure you would remember where this heaven was, you left to look around elsewhere.

Your next goal: know where the grocery store was- if you were going to be alone for the most part, you needed to at least have food. It was essential. After about 8 minutes of walking, you found it- the grocery store.

Since you were there, you decided to buy yourself a melon bar-- it was summer, and hot. You needed something to eat for the moment. So after you finished up at the cashier, you looked where to look around next.

Then, after about 5 more minutes of walking around the sidewalks full of different resteraunts and hit the end of the road, you heard loud screams coming from behind one of the buildings.

As far as you could see, the buildings looked hollow and empty. The windows were smudged and dirty. A huge sign peeped out from near the other side of the building: "CRUSH ON YOU". Weird.

The area behind the building was an empty lot. Like a parking lot, with huge trees behind the open area.

Well, "empty" besides the eleven males that were running and screaming and laughing with eachother. You were still enjoying your melon bar and didn't realize that you were just standing there frozen and staring at them. It only took a minute for one of them to notice you and stop what they were doing before the others took notice of you too.

"Uhm, can we help you?" One of them asked directly.
His gaze was steady and unfaltering. His pupils zeroed in on you and you could feel it burning into your own. It made you feel like crying but kept you curious and made you want to stare into his eyes for a lifetime.

"O-oh, I was just looking around the area since I'm new around here." You gave a nervous smile, tilting your head to the side a bit.

You couldn't believe yourself. 'I can't believe I got in trouble on the first day of going outside. I hate getting yelled at.'

"Do you wanna hang out with us?" Some other guy interjected, attempting to stop the awkwardness that was about to form.

'Wait. hAh I guess I'm not in trouble.'

How did they even expect you to answer? Sure! I'd love to hang out with eleven random strangers I've never talked to before. I can't even say my own name right in front of aquaintances I see at school.

"U-uh.. if it's alright with you guys I guess..." you trailed off. 'What's wrong with me?' Oh well, guys to spend summer with then.

"Yeah, sure!" The male smiled. At that moment, you took a second to realize how handsome they all were. The majority of them looked to be a couple of years older than you. Well, you were only nineteen but then again, you didn't know their age just yet.

"I'm Jung Y/n," you smiled. "I'm just spending summer here."

They started to introduce themselves one by one. At first you would think that you wouldn't be able to remember or mix them up like you normally would with people you just met. Especially now-- there's eleven guys. And oh boy, were you surprised about their ages.

They were all so different, though. You didn't know it yet but their personalities would stick to you-- you weren't gonna forget any time soon.

Then as soon as they finished introducing themselves, they ended with "All I wanna do, Wanna One!"

You giggled to yourself at how they named themselves. If that was your phrase, you would be called 'all I wanna do is sleep'.

"So did you want to join in our game?" one of them asked asked. He had light, brown hair and seemed extremely friendly. You thought about the offer, but then realized you had absolutely no idea what game they were playing.

'What was his name again...
Oh right―
Daehwi.'

"Well... Umm I have no idea what game you guys are playing."

"Don't worry," Daehwi smiled, his features becoming more visible to you "―we don't really know either."

☆

It didn't take a while to memorize all of their names and what they were like. They had very different personalities which you liked about them. It was cool; people who were so different but got along almost like they were brothers.

They were fun to hang around with. It was like, being stuck in a group of funnier versions of yourself.

Since there was time, all of you exchanged phone numbers. It took a while but it wasn't awkward like you imagined. Most interactions with people you met were unfortunately awkward. But the vibe you felt around them was interesting. Different. But sometimes different is good.

They explained that this... place, was mostly what they considered their territory. "We've been hanging around here since seventh grade," Jisung explained. No one's ever come to fix this old building, so they just decided to use it for their hearts content.

Out of no where, you heard Woojin scream, "OH MY GOD SOMEONE HELP. THERE'S A FLY."

You and the others burst out in laughter as Woojin sprinted in circles. "BEGONE NASTY CREATURE." He hissed at the insect.

'This summer just might be enjoyable.' you thought to yourself.

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- please vote, comment, and share! i will try my best not to ruin this story ❤

edit: yk i still kept the last name but with no relations to jaehyun !