R I D I N [zhong chenle] ✓

T W E N T Y - S E V E N

How did last night end? They held longer conversations together, and it felt peaceful. They just calmly admitted their attraction towards each other, and pushed that away for now. It felt like they got even closer, and both teens woke up with smiles thinking about last night.

"Xiu Ying, good morning!", Chenle came up to the girl and tilted his head, smiling until whisker dimples appeared.

"Good morning, Lele", Xiu Ying patted his head. Holding eye contact, they walked together with giggles and small talk up until the group of friends noticed them.

"Well, well look at this guys! It's the lovebirds", the rest ooh-ed and gave teasing smiles.

Both blushing a little, they said nothing which made the friend group holler in excitement.

"QUIET STUDENTS!", Mrs. Kim yelled out, glaring at them until her eyes fell on the soon-to-be couple. "You've missed classes for a week already"

"Yeah", Chenle swung an arm around Xiu Ying. "So?"

"So? How dare you talk in that tone!"

"If there's nothing else we shall be leaving, Mrs. Kim", Xiu Ying bowed and walked away with the others leaving the teacher dumbfounded.

"Wow what's gotten into you girl?", Nari nudged her.

"I just feel great today, so I'm not letting a bitter ass teacher ruin that!", she giggled as her hair bounced up and down in excitement.

"Uh huh, and the other one beside you seems happy too. How suspicious", Jihye licked her lollipop and narrowed her eyes at Xiu Ying.

"Did you ask Xiu Ying out?", Donghyuck asked.

"No", Chenle replied shortly.

"I thought you did!", Renjun hit him as he talked in Chinese. "What about that day?"

"I told you I have to do something but I haven't do it yet!", Chenle lied. Actually, he doesn't have anything to do so he's letting life decide.

"Whatever you're bickering about, you should ask her out already! What's keeping you behind?", Jeno asked.

"The fact that Chenle likes tw-mhph!", Jaemin got interrupted by a hand both of his cheeks causing him inability to speak.

"You told him?", Chenle asked, unamused.

"I threatened him to not talk!", Renjun reasoned.

"哥!!"

"What's happening?", Jisung asked in a confused tone.

"Nothing that concerns you cousin, let's just go", Jeno walked away.

"Ah Jeno don't get mad!!", Renjun ran after him.

"You and Jaemin always don't tell me anything! And you're both my best friends!"

The siblings that were left talked to each other using signals, creating a epic plan together. And with one simple push, Nari made Xiu Ying fall backwards and without another glance the two sibling duos ran away as well.

Xiu Ying tripped and was gonna fall bakwards but Chenle pulled her up by the arm, letting the proximity between them get smaller.

Xiu Ying, wide-eyed just stared at the boy. "You ok?"

"Y-yeah, thanks"

~~~

"Alright then, you may choose your partners for the experiment"

"Hyuckie!", Nari clinged onto her brother.

"Let's do this, kiddo", Jeno pulled Jisung but he had his eyes fixed on someone, a angry pout on his lips.

Jeno followed his gaze, and just gave a lopsided grin. "Aww, you like her!"

"What? No!", Jisung blushed.

"Oh, you so do!"

"Hey Hyuck can I be your partner?", Jeno asked the boy as he came in between the siblings.

"But-"

"Nari you can go with Jisung, ok? Bye see you!", Jeno gave one last look before pulling Donghyuck away.

"I hate that fucker", Jisung mentally facepalmed.

"You two can partner up, I'll be with Yeonri", Jaemin waved the couple away as he made his way towards the girl at the back.

"Hey..."

"Well, that means we're both a team then", Xiu Ying turned to look at the dakr hair boy.

"Yeah, let's do it now!", Chenle replied.

As they walked towards their station, they could feel their friends' eyes on them. Knowing what they were up to, they let them do it anyway. They do enjoy each other's presence a lot, after all.

~~~

"You're supposed to mix sodium, not chloride!"

"You gave me the wrong bottle!"

"The bottles were beside you and you grabbed the other one"

"Did not!"

"You did!"

"Did not!"

"You did!"

"I don't think this was a good idea", Jihye nudged Nari.

"Shh, look at them lovebirds. They're bickering so cutely!", Nari cooed.

"Uhh, they're pretty loud though", Jeno said.

"It's Chenle, what do you expect?", Jaemin told him.

"True, but we should really break the argument", Renjun went over to them and clapped his hands to get their attention.

"Oi, oi! Stop arguing and just redo your experiment, you're the only ones who haven't finished it", Renjun folded his arms.

"But-"

"But?", Renjun raised an eyebrow.

Xiu Ying and Chenle kept their heads low.

"Okay..."

[Face the newly rising sun]