arrows of silk | nct renjun.

four | lullabies.

Renjun's POV

The class ended quicker than a bunch of baby ducklings crossing a 2-millimetre road. Fei-hung was extremely hilarious through the whole thing, making fun of the teacher's weird apple-shaped buttocks and her wacky orange and grey hair. Since it's my first day here, I tried notably hard to stifle my laughter and not get caught. 

Not to mention she was quite adorable. The way she puffed her cheeks up in anger whenever the teacher told her off, the way her bangs almost cover her eyes so she can barely see,  and the way she covers half her mouth with her thin, petite fingers when she's trying not to laugh. She reminds me of my little sister. Well, what she used to be, anyway.

The loud ringing of the school bell pierces through my ears like a blunt needle and I almost jump out of my seat. Eventually, I do. In fact, I completely fall off my seat when I hear Yukhei's powerful, gruff voice screaming at me through the slightly open window that looks out into the hallways. 

"OI YOU, ROOWEENJEEYOOOON!!"

What the yeehaw did he just call me?

"RAIN-JOON, WE GOTTA GO! HURRY!" Only then do I notice that all the students are rushing out of the classroom, leaving just me and five other students- whom I feel quite sorry for, as they have to bare with Yukhei's loud ass screaming. Fei-hung looks between us amusingly before grabbing her stuff and leaving, blowing her bangs out of her eyes and skipping towards the door where Yukhei now stands. 

I take my time walking out as I watch him jumping around as if he needs to pee. I smirk at him and slow down my pace, just to see what happens. Unexpectedly, he huffs before grabbing my arm and almost pulling it out of its socket when he runs out of the classroom. I thought he'd throw a childish tantrum instead. 

"LONG CHIN! WHEN I TELL YOU TO HURRY, I REALLY MEAN H U R R Y!" He screams into my ear while continuing to drag me down the almost empty hallway.

"Why are you in a rush? And what the flipflop did you just call me??" 

"Shut it, lungie boy. I need to see someone." 

"Why couldn't you just leave without me then?"

"We live together, you saucepan!" I roll my eyes, not wanting to leave just yet. As we pass by the playground, I see Chenle and Yangyang hanging out by the swings. 

"Yucky, can I just hang out with them for now?" I point towards the two giggling boys. He sighs, before nodding his head and screaming once more.

"OI, CHUN-LI! Take this boy." He finally lets go of my wrist, which feels as if it was about to be crushed any second. Yukhei rushes off towards the bus stop, probably to find that person, whoever it is. 

Before I know it, Chenle throws himself onto me and screams into my ear. What is with these people and screaming??? Is it a Chinese custom? 

I wince in pain, more than when Yukhei screams since Chenle's is more high pitched. However, Yangyang calmly sits by the swing, slowly going back and forth. (A/N: Lol u guys since YY hasn't debuted yet, don't @ me when you find out he's probs actually a crackhead like the others lmaoo) 

He gently smiles at me and I return it, trying to make my way towards him with Chenle still clinging to my neck like a koala with separation anxiety. 

"Chenle, will you please let go?" I tug at his sweater paws. He pouts at me in the most endearing way, and I can't help but give into him and let him continue hanging onto my shirt. I decide to carry Chenle bridal style, only to prevent myself from breaking my back because of this boy. 

"So, Renjun. How did you get here? I mean, you kinda came here in the middle of the academic year," He chuckles quietly. 

"Well, I was sent here by my brother to do some...stuff. I was kind of home-schooled my entire life, and he needed me to get out and, I don't know, make some friends?" I lie partially. Yangyang nods his head once in confusion but decides to brush it off anyway. 

The three of us stayed in the playground until the sun began to set, and the stars were impatiently lighting themselves up again to let the world know that they're ready for the night. The sky was painted a mesmerising mix of orange and pink, and the birds started to settle down. I hadn't noticed how much time flew by until I hear my phone ringing, interrupting our precious conversation about mermaids and tangerines. 

"Hey, Sicheng-ge. What's up?"

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? IT'S ALMOST 7 PM!"

"I'm still in school! Didn't Yukhei tell you?"

"I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT PUNK EITHER! DID HE LEAVE YOU AT SCHOOL?"

"Kind of... yeah. I don't know where he went."

"Ugh, I'm coming to get you now. Wait there." His voice changes drastically as he sighs before ending the call. 

-----

"Where did that punk go?" Sicheng mutters to himself as I stare out of the car window, watching each tree and house that pass by speedily. 

"He said he needed to see someone? Do you know who it could be?" I turn to him. 

"No idea... he usually just leaves the house without telling me- I mean, he is old enough to do so." He tuts. I nod slowly before turning my attention to the front. In the few minutes that we have spent in the car, the sun had already fully gone down and the stars glow brighter than ever. 

Once we reach the house, I suddenly feel a disturbed fatigue wash over me, and after grabbing something to eat, I fall onto my bed. My eyes are heavy and I can't move out of lethargy, but something still keeps me awake. My mind is too alert yet my body is desperate for sleep.

As if the skies heard me, a soft, familiar tune begins to play inside my head. 

I know this song... 

Jaemin?