POISONED YOUTH: TWISTED

CHAPTER 50

"You rocked back there!" Chenle beamed as the group finally pulled away from the bone-crushing hug they had collectively given Yeoreum.

They hadn't been joking when they said they were going to suffocate her.

"Seriously, guys, your voices were the loudest. I was so shocked," Yeoreum said with a laugh, wiping away the happy tears that had gathered in the corners of her eyes.

"Correction. It was Na Jaemin's voice," Jaemin sassed, earning a collection of baffled looks from the others.

"Yeoreum, you're so amazing!" Jisung exclaimed, giving her two enthusiastic thumbs up.

"Although I felt the most secondhand embarrassment," Renjun admitted, shaking his head. "Really, Reum, you're the best ballerina I've ever seen."

"Aww, thank you, guys!" Yeoreum smiled brightly before looking around. "Oh, yeah. Where's Yoonoh?"

"Hey!"

The familiar voice came from behind her, and before Yeoreum could even turn around, Yoonoh had already stepped forward and engulfed her in another hug.

"Did I make up for all the performances I missed?"

Yeoreum pretended to think about it. "Hmmm... nope! You should still buy me ice cream!"

Yoonoh chuckled and affectionately ruffled her hair.

"Thank you for coming."

"You wished," he replied with a sweet smile.

Yeoreum laughed, her heart still warm from the performance and from seeing so many familiar faces waiting for her afterward. For a while, everything felt normal again. She had spent so much time worrying about what had been falling apart around her that she almost forgot what it felt like to simply be surrounded by people who truly adored her.

"Hey! I'm paying for dinner. Who wants to join?" Mark announced, raising his wallet.

"Oh, yeah. I might as well take advantage of the opportunity." Jeno excitedly clapped his hands.

"It's the first time! Oh my god! Yeoreum should dance every day so Mark will open his wallet!" Chenle's booming voice earned several groans.

"Shut up!" Jisung hissed, immediately trying to cover the boy's mouth.

The group eventually settled on a chicken place, despite Jisung's desperate attempt to convince everyone to choose pork ribs instead. He even brought out his best aegyo, hoping someone would finally surrender. Unfortunately, Jaemin stepped in halfway through the youngest's performance and ruined the entire strategy.

The others agreed to chicken not because Jisung's aegyo was cute, but because they were all tired of listening to him.

The group made their way toward the van, filling the parking area with their usual shouting, laughter, and arguments.

Yoonoh was about to follow when something caught his attention.

A familiar mop of brown hair stood a little farther away in the darkness. He narrowed his eyes.