Overdrive | NCT ✅

4. I almost get turned into a pancake

I sit down a couple of tables away from the exit of the cafe, putting in my headphones at the same time. I place my coffee on the table in front of me and scroll through my phone.

"Your position?" Jisung asks through my earphones, and I bite back a grin.

"Eyes on the target," I mutter, trying not to laugh.

"Why are you laughing?" Jaemin asks.

"I'm trying not to. This is so weird, it's like we're some kinda spies," I say quietly.

I hear Jaemin sigh.

"Jieun, concentrate," he chides.

I push my chair out and walk away, making sure to take my drink with me.

"It might not look like it, but I can concentrate and talk at the same time," I say, rolling my eyes.

As soon as I finish my sentence, I walk straight into someone. My cup slips from my hands and I stare in horror as the contents of the cup spill onto the man's pristine white shirt. He hisses as the hot liquid comes into contact with his skin, and I grab a bunch of tissues from a nearby table.

"Omigod, I am so so sorry," I apologise hastily, shoving the tissues into the man's hand and pick up the objects he dropped.

"I can take it from here," he snaps coldly, and I stop apologising.

I straighten up, my face bright red with embarrassment as I feel the eyes of everyone in the cafe on me.

"Watch where you're going next time," the stranger warns viciously, and I gulp slightly.

The man walks out of the cafe, grumbling slightly, and I stand in the centre of the cafe awkwardly. Jaemin's voice snaps me out of my trance.

"You know, you are really good at acting. You've gone bright red," he says.

I scan the cafe and spot a camera in the corner, and I scowl at it.

"I'm not acting, that was genuinely embarrassing," I mutter.

"Yeah well pulling a face at a wall isn't gonna help," Jisung says, and I stop scowling.

"Have you got it?" Jaemin asks, and my hands tighten around the keys I swiped from the man in my coat pocket.

"Yep,"

"Good, now get outta there. He'll probably come back," Jisung says urgently.

I walk out of the cafe, my face cooling down slightly, and I head off at a brisk pace towards the train station. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a car door opening, and Jaehyun walks out. My tensed muscles relax slightly as we both head in the same direction, each of us on either side of the road.

"You good?" Jaehyun's pacifying voice says through my earphones, and I hum softly.

"Guys, you're approaching the station now. You know what to do. Whatever you do, do not acknowledge each other's presence. You never know, they could be watching right now," Jisung informs.

"Not creepy at all," I murmur, walking through the glass doors of the station.

Sunlight slants through the narrow white windows near the ceiling, the white tiles plastered on the walls and floor reflecting the light. I head towards the escalators, pretending to study the train timetable. In reality, I'm scanning the thin crowd for Jaehyun.

"Jaehyun? Where are you?" I ask, slightly uneasily.

"I'm behind you, don't worry," his voice said calmly in my ear, and I carry on walking through an almost deserted corridor.