The Lodger; Noren NCT

✿*｡ Thirty-Three ｡*✿

Renjun sat at the back of the theatre where the bright stage lights couldn't reach him. He never had been one for being in the spotlight. The thought of just blending in seemed much more appealing in his opinion. Thankfully the drama theatre also doubled as a lecture theatre meaning he was able to pull a laptop stand out from his chair. Of course he was well aware he was going to get distracted and end up watching the rehearsals meaning very little of his work will actually get done. It was okay though, it just meant he would have to stay up tonight until it was complete.

"Hey, why are you sat so far away from the stage?" Jaemin asks once he gets to the top of the steps, dropping himself down into the seat beside Renjun.

"Because I need to get work done, meaning I need to be as far away from the distractions as possible" He replies and Jaemin smiles but nods in understanding.

Would the new Jeno be more like Jaemin? Renjun had no idea why that question came to mind. They were completely different people and it was wrong to assume just because they were friends meant they would share similar personalities. It was obvious that all Jeno's friends were very unique.

"Jaemin?" Renjun asks, earning a hum in response "has Jeno ever apologised to you before?" By asking this at least he would know if Jeno was actually being serious.

"Depends" Jaemin starts, his eyes focused on the stage that was illuminated by deep green lighting "he apologises for small things, like if he bumps into you he'll say a quick sorry. If it's a more serious matter Jeno tends to avoid bringing it up which only makes things worse for him in the long run" he explains, finally looking over at Renjun. "Why? Did he apologise to you?"

"No, I was just wondering if I'll ever get one" the elder lies, trying his best to hide a smile that came to his face.

Jaemin laughs and rests a hand on Renjun's shoulder "that's unlikely"

Renjun nods, his gaze following Jeno on the stage as he recites his script perfectly. "Yeah, very"

•••••

The rest of rehearsal wasn't as unbearable as Renjun had initially imagined it to be. He hadn't got much work done but he knew that would be the case. Once he had started watching Jeno acting, he couldn't seem to take his gaze away. Thankfully Renjun wasn't the only one affected by this, it seems that pretty much the whole theatre went into a sort of daze like state when Jeno was in the spotlight. Apart from Jaemin that is. He seemed to get bored halfway through and resorted to playing candy crush on his phone.

Renjun stuffs his laptop into his backpack before following Jaemin to the front of the theatre. "Where's Jisung?" Jeno asks once he spots Jaemin and Renjun.

"His mum gave him a ride home, he said watching you act would be too painful" Jaemin says which earns a small punch to his arm "ouch! His words not mine" he says through laughter.

"Whatever. Hyuck we're leaving" Jeno announces and the red head quickly says goodbye to a girl he was talking to before catching up to the others.

They walk out to the parking lot, Jaemin talking about how many candy crush levels he had completed in an hour. Donghyuck was trying to tell Jeno that he wanted dropping off at Mark's which then lead to Jaemin teasing him. It all became rather chaotic in Renjun's opinion.

"Okay!" Jeno yells, getting the arguing duo's attention "you're giving me a headache, Renjun you can sit in the back with Jaemin, if they keep arguing like that I might just accidentally drive my car off a cliff" he mutters before unlocking the vehicle and getting into the drivers seat.

Renjun only shrugs before climbing into the back with Jaemin. The journey was silent until they pulled up outside Mark's house. "Have fun!" Jaemin teases only for Donghyuck to turn around and throw a strawberry scented air freshener at his head before getting out and slamming the door.

Jeno sighs "do you purposely look for an argument?"
Renjun thought that question was rather rich coming from Jeno but decided not to mention anything.

"Only with him, it's fun to wind him up. Besides he knows I only tease him because I love him" Jaemin nods.

"Strange way of showing love" Renjun comments as Jeno starts to drive off again.

"Well we have a strange friendship so in a way it makes sense" Jaemin shrugs only earning a nod of understanding from Renjun.

It wasn't long before they were at Jaemin's house and the pink haired boy plants a kiss to Renjun's cheek before hopping out. The blonde cringes and wipes it away with his sweater sleeve. They watch as Jaemin enters his house and Jeno laughs a little.

"Well?" He says, confusing Renjun a little.

"Well what?"

"Aren't you going to move into the front?" He asks and Renjun makes an 'o' shape with is mouth before opening the door and moving into the front passenger seat.

Jeno drives off and the silence in the car was deafening. Renjun was tempted to reach over and switch on the radio just to make it a little less awkward.
But instead he decides maybe small talk would work out a little better. "You're really good at acting" he compliments, kind of regretting it straight away.

"I know" Jeno replies. At this, Renjun turns to look at Jeno, brow raised.

"Would you like a ladder to climb down from that ego?" The blonde mutters, crossing his arms over his chest and looking out of the window until Jeno's laughter fills the silence.

"I'm kidding, thank you" he smiles, glancing over at a pouty Renjun. He pulls the car into the driveway and they were both quick to get inside and out of the cold. They race for the door, Renjun pushing Jeno out of the way so he could get inside first. Now it was Jeno's turn to pout.

So this was the real Jeno.

"My mums working late, wanna order pizza?" Jeno asks as he throws himself down onto the couch, pulling out is phone and sprawling out meaning Renjun had to settle for the arm chair. He only hums in response, too distracted by his thoughts.
"Are you okay?" Jeno asks, his attention now on Renjun rather than his home screen.

"Yeah, fine" he says, smiling a little. Jeno doesn't move his gaze from Renjun for a few seconds but soon looks back at his phone, putting the device to his ear to order the pizza.