Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
CHAPTER THREE
FATE IS MOCKING ME
•••
But I'm waiting for the person that lights up my world.
Jaemin couldn't sleep with those words running through his mind all night. He had tossed and turned, desperately trying to drift off to sleep. But no matter how hard he tried, his mind was far too awake to shut down. The boy sighed and sat up in bed, leaning back against the wooden headboard. Guess I'm not getting sleep tonight, he thought.
He didn't even understand why it was bothering him to the extent that he couldn't sleep. Was this fate's way of saying he had found the right girl? One with the same wishes and desires as him? Was fate teasing him? Playing with him? Was he losing his mind over this and thinking too deep?
But I'm waiting for the person that lights up my world.
No, he definitely wasn't overthinking. That girl was probably the only one that would understand him. Jaemin knew he was being irrational. He'd only met her once and for such a short time. He knew almost nothing about her. But he wanted to know more. Chenle seemed to have taken an interest in her, but he had higher hopes for love than the rest of the boys in the store. He was more open and less fussy.
Jaemin was decent, but he still had his standards. Standards a certain girl seemed to meet. So far, he reminded himself. You still don't know what she could be like.
But if she was coming back tomorrow, he'd have a chance to see her again. And maybe get to know her a little better. And-
Thud.
Jaemin's train of thoughts were interrupted by a loud whisper and a crash.
"You fucking idiot! I told you to be careful."
He raised an eyebrow in confusion, throwing the blanket off of his body and hopping off the bed. He tip-toed toward the door quietly. If a thief or creepy girl had broken in, he didn't want to get caught. Especially if it was that Eunhee girl. He nearly gagged at the thought.
"I wouldn't have tripped if you hadn't rushed me, asshole!"
The masculine voice sounded familiar. Too familiar. Jaemin pressed his ears against his door.
"Whatever. Let's get out of here before someone wakes up. If it's Mark, then we're royally screwed."
That voice sounded familiar too. It took a moment for it to click in his mind. Renjun. And Donghyuck. Jaemin's eyes widened. What were they doing at this hour?
He heard his friend's footsteps fading away as he pulled the door of his room open and stepped out into the corridor. Just as he thought, he spotted two figures making their way toward the staircase. And he was right- Renjun and Donghyuck couldn't be mistaken. They hurried down the stairs, obviously rushing toward the exit.
The blond frowned and shook his head, "Those idiots aren't going anywhere."
He ran down the passage, following them into the store. He stood by the staircase, watching the two ran around the room.
Renjun and Donghyuck didn't even notice him come down at first.
"Where did Mark hide the keys?" Renjun groaned, leaning over the counter. Donghyuck rummaged through the drawers behind the cash register.
Jaemin crossed his arms over his chest and cleared his throat loudly. "You two decided to play treasure hunt at midnight and didn't invite me?"
The two jumped and spun around, wide-eyed. "Nana. . .we were just-"
"Looking for the keys so you could run away and never come back?" the blond cut Donghyuck off, a small smirk on his lips. But it fell a second after and was replaced with a disappointed frown. "I can't believe you two."
"Look, we're sorry. But we can't stay here," Renjun told him, sighing. "You might be happy here, but Hyuck and I feel like dying here."
"Nana, there has to be more to life than being trapped in here," Donghyuck added. "This is wrong and you know it."
"It's legal because Taeyong hyung got the permission. And all of us want to be here, so it's not like they're keeping us here against our will. You two are the exception, of course," Jaemin said.
"We don't want this. We don't want love. We don't need love," the brunet replied.
"Just let us go," Donghyuck pleaded, desperate to escape. "Please."
Jaemin bit his lip. He felt bad for his friends. He cared about them, but he knew they'd be in trouble if Mark or Taeyong ever found them. But he wanted the two to be happy. "And you know. . .if you came with us. . .you could find the girl of your dreams yourself instead of waiting for her to come to you. She might not even come, Nana."
Jaemin froze. Donghyuck didn't know anything about Ayesha (unless Chenle had been blabbering again), but it felt as if he was reading Jaemin's mind. Once again, he felt like fate was playing with him. The universe was laughing at him and he couldn't do anything about him. Jaemin shook off those thoughts. "No, Hyuck. I can't. It's not just about girls. I met my best friends here. And you two are supposed to be my best friends too. Were you really just going to leave all of us?"
"Stop playing the guilt card," Renjun said. "We have to leave. With or without you."
Jaemin stayed silent. Let them go, a small voice in his head kept saying. If they didn't want to be here, then it was wrong. They deserve freedom.
After debating with himself, Jaemin heaved a long sigh. "Go."
Renjun and Donghyuck's faces lit up instantly. "Wait, really?"
"Yes," Jaemin gave them a sad smile. "I'll miss you idiots, so get out before I change my mind."
The two smiled and pulled him into a tight hug. Jaemin thought he was going to cry for a second, but he managed to stay composed. Renjun pulled away first with a bright smile on his face. "Thank you, Nana."
"You're always welcome, Jun. See you around sometime?"
Donghyuck nodded, "This isn't goodbye forever."
"I know. But it feels like it," Jaemin frowned, eyes watering.
"No, don't cry or I'll cry too," Donghyuck whined, hugging the male again.
Jaemin let out a laugh, wiping the tears in his eyes. "Okay, okay. Now find the keys and go." The two nodded and continued their search as Jaemin made his way up the stairs. He looked back over his shoulder in time to see Renjun holding up the keys in his hands. He sighed as he watched the two unlock the door and leave. It seemed so unfair. He lost two of his best friends and he hadn't found the right girl yet.
