POISONED YOUTH: TWISTED

CHAPTER 23

Yeoreum let out a quiet sigh, resting her cheek against her open palm while her elbow supported her weight on the desk.

Her eyes were getting heavier by the second. She secretly yawned, trying her best to keep them open as her communications teacher continued talking at the front of the classroom.

She tried to listen. She really did. But after spending most of the night worrying about Haechan and barely getting enough sleep, staying awake was becoming a challenge.

A foot suddenly nudged hers beneath the desk.

Yeoreum slowly turned her head. Yeji was looking at her, desperately trying to hold back her laughter.

"What?" Yeoreum mouthed.

"Don't sleep," Yeji mouthed back.

Yeoreum groaned quietly and rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to the teacher.

There's nothing good in this lesson anyway.

The thought had barely formed when Haechan heard it.

He was sprawled across the couch at the mansion, half-listening to the conversation around him when Yeoreum's voice slipped into his mind.

He scoffed under his breath.

"Then why go to school?"

Jaemin looked over. "What?"

Haechan shrugged as if nothing had happened. "Nothing."

Chenle suddenly leaned forward, his eyes widening with excitement. "Is it Yeoreum?"

Haechan shot him a glare. "Why are you so interested?"

"The dolphin just wanted to ask about his friend," Jeno said, shrugging.

Chenle frowned. "I'm not a dolphin."

"No one asked."

Renjun, who was sitting nearby with a small canvas in front of him, continued painting as he casually joined the conversation.

"Are you two talking?"

Haechan leaned back. "No. She's just busy complaining about how boring her teacher is."

The boys chuckled.

"School sucks," Jisung muttered.

Everyone turned toward him.

"What?" he asked with a pout.

Mark raised an eyebrow. "Just because we agreed not to send you to college doesn't mean we can't force you to go back."

"What? That's unfair! Hyungs didn't go either!"

Jaemin slowly turned toward him. "Oh, Jisung. My lovely, adorable Mochisung. You really dared to call us hyung with that pout just because you want to get your way."

His voice was sweet. His expression wasn't.

Jisung sighed and sank lower into his seat.

Chenle chuckled and patted his head. "Don't worry, Jisung. I'll visit you in college."

"I don't want to go!"