Jungtae.
Jungtae.
Jungtae.
Jungtae.
His phone wouldn't stop buzzing.
It vibrated against the desk, it kept coming and impatient, pulling his attention away from the notes in front of him. Jungtae stared at the screen for a second before flipping it over. The name on the notification made his stomach tighten.
Owen.
Another buzz.
Then another.
Jungtae finally picked it up. And read the messages.
'This guy. He knows it's class time, yet he keeps on sending messages.' He gripped on the phone.
Owen: Meet me after class.
Owen: Don't be late.
Jungtae exhaled slowly and locked the screen.
Here we go again. I hope it's not like yesterday.
The rest of the class passed in a blur for Jungtae. He copied words he didn't really read, nodded when the teacher called his name, and kept glancing at the clock. When the bell rang, he packed his bag quickly.
Woojin slung his own bag over his shoulder and smiled at him. "I'll be late today. I'll attend the Music class."
Jungtae nodded too fast. "Ah… oh okay. I'll go ahead."
Woojin paused, studying him for a second. "You okay?"
Jungtae forced a small smile. "Yeah. Just tired. I wanna go home early."
Woojin didn't look convinced, but he didn't push. "Text me when you get home."
"I will."
Jungtae turned away before Woojin could say anything else.
He walked toward the parking lot, steps careful, eyes darting around corners. He slowed down near the stairs, peeking out to make sure no one was watching. The place was quiet, no other students were there yet.
Then-
Beep!
A car horn.
Jungtae flinched and spotted Owen's car parked near the far end, engine already running. He hurried over, heart thudding, and slipped inside.
The door shut with a soft click.
The smell of leather and perfume faintly sweet filled the car.
Owen glanced at him, one hand on the wheel. "You look jumpy. Glad you came so fast."
Jungtae buckled his seatbelt. "What is it this time?"
Owen started driving. "Relax. Just sit tight."
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
Jungtae frowned but didn't ask again. He stared out the window, watching buildings pass, hands folded tightly in his lap. The memory of yesterday's kiss flickered in his mind, unwanted and vivid. His lips still felt strange when he thought about it.
Gulp.
'Help me.'
After about thirty minutes, the car slowed and turned into a bright building filled with neon lights.
Jungtae blinked. "An… arcade?"
Owen parked and grinned. "Yep."
"Why here?"
"Why not?" Owen stepped out. "Come on. Let's have some fun."
Inside, the arcade was filled with loud noise or music, laughter from the people playing, the loud clatter of machines. Lights flashed everywhere, colors bouncing off polished floors. Jungtae hesitated at the entrance, overwhelmed.
Owen grabbed a card and shoved it into Jungtae's hand. "Pick something."
They started with racing games. Jungtae gripped the wheel too tight, crashing into walls while Owen laughed beside him.
"Hey! That was cheating!"
"You drove into me!"
"You don't even know how to drift."
They moved on to shooting games, rhythm games, and claw machines. Jungtae failed more than he won, but his laughter came easier with every round. His shoulders loosened. His smile stayed.
At one game with two controllers and a large screen, Jungtae frowned at the buttons. "I don't get this one."
"Here," Owen said.
Before Jungtae could react, Owen stepped too close behind him. He leaned over Jungtae's shoulder, his chest brushing Jungtae's back. Owen's hand covered Jungtae's, fingers guiding his grip.
Jungtae froze.
Owen's voice was low, close to his ear. "Move it like this."
Their hands moved together. Jungtae's breath caught.
"Hey…" Jungtae whispered, turning his head.
Owen's face was right there.
"Focus in front. But it's ok if you want to focus behind." Owen said, lips curving into a mischievous grin. "You're about to win."
Jungtae swallowed and looked back at the screen. His heart raced, palms sweating under Owen's hand.
The game ended with flashing lights.
YOU WIN!
Two small bear keychains dropped into the tray.
Jungtae stared, then laughed. "We won!"
Owen picked them up. "Cute, right?"
Jungtae held one up, smiling without thinking. "Yeah."
"Keep it," Owen said easily.
Their next stop was a restaurant. The building glowed softly from the inside, glass walls revealing warm lights and quiet elegant tables.
Jungtae hesitated at the door. "This place looks… expensive."
Owen smirked. "First time?"
Jungtae nodded. "Yeah."
Inside, everything felt unreal, even the floor was designed with elegant curves, soft classical music could be heard, the smell of grilled meat and spices. They sat down, menus placed neatly in front of them.
Jungtae's eyes widened at the prices. "Owen… is this okay?"
Owen chuckled. "Why else would I bring you here?"
They ordered steak and side dishes. When the food arrived, Jungtae stared for a moment before taking a bite.
His eyes lit up. "It's good."
Owen watched him eat, licking sauce from his thumb. "So," he said, gaze steady. "How was our date?"
Jungtae choked on his water. "Date?!"
Owen laughed. "You didn't notice?"
"This isn't a date," Jungtae muttered.
Owen leaned back. "Sure looks like one."
Jungtae didn't answer.
Afterward, Owen drove him home. Jungtae didn't want to show Owen the way to his house. But Owen is eager to drop him at his house. Jungtae knew his intention and still agreed.
"So this is your place," Owen said. "Cute."
"You can go now," Jungtae said quickly.
Owen nodded. "Until I call again."
Inside, Jungtae pressed his hands to his cheeks. "What am I doing with him…"
He remembered to check his phone.
A few messages from Woojin, inviting him for a coffee.
Three hours ago.
Jungtae's chest tightened.
ৎ────
Owen reached his apartment floor and found Haneul waiting.
"Why are you here at this time?" Owen asked.
"I wanted to hang out," Haneul said softly. "You weren't answering and I didn't see you the whole day."
"I was busy."
They sat facing each other.
After a few minutes of silence. Haneul twisted his fingers. "What are you doing with that Han Jungtae guy?"
Owen raised an eyebrow. "So you were observing. Are you jealous? Haha."
Haneul looked away. "I-I…"
Owen smirked. "It's just a deal."
Haneul's smile didn't reach his eyes. Jealousy and anger is raging inside him. Of course he's best at hiding it in front of Owen.
"What deal?"
Owen told everything about it so calmly.