F.R.I.E.N.D.S but it's stray kids

the fourth

For some reason, Jisung was ignoring Minho. He avoided his own apartment to spend extra hours in a lecture hall that surely felt too spacious. His mind wandered most of the time, stupidly going to Minho and wondering if he even noticed. It was sort of silly really, Jisung had only known Minho for such a short amount of time, but yet he still had these intense feelings. Feelings that didn't seem to want to go away no matter how hard he pushed them to the back of his mind. Seungmin seemed to notice his absence, waiting one afternoon in his room with a stern look on his face.

"Considering you lived here first, I'd almost say you were trying to leave."

"No, no- just a lot of things going on at school." That and the fact that the house was only a reminder of Minho and Hyunjin. For Hyunjin's birthday, Minho had decked the house out in tacky party decorations and bags of chips with salsa, inviting pretty much everyone Jisung knew and then some to a major rajer of a party. Jisung had spent most of said night in the kitchen island stool, staring as Hyunjin and Minho danced and laughed, totally enjoying their time together. When a slow song came on, Minho threw his arms around Hyunjin and Jisung felt sick enough to retreat to his room. He heard the crowd sing happy birthday and he assumed they opened gifts after that. The next morning, Hyunjin was in Minho's shirt and he was carrying the cute bear plushie around all day as he and Minho watched movies in the living room. It was another day Jisung spent locked up in his room.

"I don't believe you." Jisung went for nonchalance, but he thought he looked more tired than anything. "Hyunjin thinks you're mad at him."

"Why would I be mad at him? I have no reason to be mad at him." He was defensive, screw him for being some emotional about a petty crush. Seungmin looked apologetic, patting the space next to him. Jisung sat.

"If that's not it, what's bothering you? You can tell me." Jisung didn't feel like explaining that the reason he was so emotional was because the guy of his dreams was dating someone so beautiful that he could never compare and his heart was just a little bit jaded for said reasons.

"I'm okay, it really is school. A few more exams and the year will be wrapped up. Don't worry." Seungmin studied his face, trying to pinpoint the lie, but Jisung held up the mask, a sigh leaving him when Seungmin nodded.

"Fine, I'll tell Hyunjin not to worry. But maybe talk to him. He's been sad about not seeing you." He promised he would and Seungmin left with a smile, as if his divine intervention had fixed everything. Jisung wished it were that easy.

Later that day, Jisung waited for Hyunjin to return. He cooked Hyunjin's favorite and waited by the stove as he kept it warm. When the door clicked open, Jisung glanced up. The smile he had slowly fell off his face as he saw Hyunjin wasn't alone.

"Sunggie! It's been so long!" Minho cried, coming over and back hugging Jisung as he was still bent over the stove. "Smells good, what'd you make?" He gripped over Jisung's hand, wooden spoon travelling up and meeting Minho's lips. He hummed at the taste. "Yum, can't wait to eat." And just like that, he was gone, back to Hyunjin's side. It was another minute before Jisung came to, awkwardly turning the stove off and gripping the counter. He really did want to talk to Hyunjin, but not with Minho. Minho would just cloud his mind. This was his worst timing yet.

"It's really good to see you Jisung." Hyunjin was cautious with his words, coming up behind Jisung with a light smile. Jisung felt bad that Hyunjin was treating him with such care. He didn't deserve it. Not when he was practically in love with his roommate's boyfriend.

"I made your favorite. Thought I should make it up to you since I've been so busy." Hyunjin beamed, realizing that they were okay and he grabbed dishes from the cupboard.

"I'll set up the table."

Hyunjin and Minho spoke amongst themselves, Jisung keeping to himself. He didn't have much to say, which was a rare occurrence in itself. Yet here he was, listening to the couple bicker like children.

"Sungie! Tell Minho that dino nuggets are better than McDonald's."

"Nope Mickey Ds is far superior."

"Sungie!" Realizing that he was being spoken to, Jisung nodded, the couple looking at him confused. "Well which one?"

"Which one what?" Minho laughed, but Hyunjin frowned. He placed a hand on Jisung's shoulder.

"You seem distracted. Are we troubling you?" Jisung wants to shout. To scream YES, yes they are troubling him because they flaunt themselves in front of him and he doesn't deserve the tourture. But that's irrational and inconsiderate and Hyunjin is simply being happy. It's not his fault he got the guy while Jisung was being petty.

"No, sorry if I'm not myself. School is just..." He hoped Hyunjin would leave it at that and he did, offering a sympathetic smile.

"Why don't Minho and I clean up. You take an early night." Anything to get away. Jisung excused himself with a half hearted goodbye. He still needed to talk to Hyunjin but it was becoming apparent that whatever conversation they had would end up in their friendship ending. All because Jisung liked a guy he shouldn't.

He threw his pillow at the wall.