dicey ↬ nomin

Ch.31

The seven young boys spent the next day in the city, where the sleepy daze entrancing the little town would no longer affect them too. There was always a lazy day right after the last day of school in which the students living in the area would sleep until midday and only adults would leave the house. Luckily, the boys weren't too worn out after the sports festivities, and were able to wake up early to get a good start.

There were elderly people lingering at the shops, a few adults here and there, but the rest of the teenagers were milking the first day of their week off school by lounging at home. The group were waiting at the bus stop patiently, Renjun grilling Mark and Donghyuck for the juicy details of their get-together and Jeno holding onto Jaemin's shoulder with the majority of his weight off his sore ankle. Chenle was picking at his cast again while Jisung was trying to slap his hand away.

The ride was short, too, but not short enough for Jaemin, who was stuck sitting beside an extremely overweight woman who was almost purposely squashing him into the window. The other six sat in pairs, shooting small giggles and silly faces to the poor boy who was nearly as flat as a pancake with his cheek becoming a part of the window.

Jeno was with Chenle while Jisung sat with Renjun since Jeno wasn't fully comfortable with the friends of his friends yet. When the bus finally pulled into the stop that they were anticipating, the group stepped off and into the polluted, toxic air of the city, where the cars were bumper to bumper trying to get into work.

"I haven't been here in ages," Chenle breathed happily, inhaling the fumes of the petrol-and-diesel-run cars. "I miss the buzz and the life of the city, you know?"

Jeno nodded, but couldn't really relate. He was more comfortable in a quieter environment with the people he was close to. "Jaewoo usually has to go into town for Ms. Kim when we need anything."

Jaemin tensed at the mention of his name and felt his face heat up with irritation. He always thought the guy had this aura around him, and he had clearly not liked Jaemin from the moment they met. It just killed him inside that he hadn't realised sooner. But then again, what if he had realised sooner? What would he even do? His first thought was to take him out of the orphanage - which was impossible - and his second thought was to tell the police. But if it was as simple as telling the police, then why hadn't they done it already? Surely Donghyuck and Chenle would have already tried that idea.

"So where are we off to first?" Donghyuck asked quickly and linked his arm with Jaemin's after feeling the tension in the air. It was so thick that you could have cut it into slices.

"I'm thinking the clothes shops, personally, because my brother is having a huge birthday party and I have nothing nice to wear," Mark chirped and looked at his friends' faces for any objections.

Jisung slapped Chenle's hand away from picking at the cast again, before nodding cutely and pointing at the shopping centre in front of them. "What are we waiting for?"

Jeno put his foot down and began to walk normally, the usual pain dulled by a pain killer. It wasn't very serious, but the nurse had said to use crutches in case anything slipped out of place in its tender state. He didn't have crutches, so a shoulder to lean on was the next best thing. Ms. Kim was adamant on taking him to the hospital today, but had been stern about going out with his friends and explained that the nurse was sufficient.

"You can use me as your crutches," Renjun said spritely to him after appearing from behind. "That is, unless you'd rather ask Jaemin."

"Thanks," Jeno smiled and tentatively put his arm around Renjun's shoulder. He wasn't particularly close to the boy, nor was he particularly comfortable around him, but a kind offer should never be passed up.