♡︎|8

chapter eight—✧♡︎✧—

Hyunjin took one last look in the mirror before heading downstairs, adjusting the collar of his neatly pressed uniform. His black hair was perfectly styled, his skin was glowing, and the final touch—two sneaky sprays of Minho's expensive Dior Sauvage—lingered in the air around him. He didn't know why he felt the need to go all out today, but he did.

As he stepped out the front door, he spotted Felix standing across the street, shifting on his feet as he waited. The morning sun caught the golden strands of his freshly dyed hair, making them practically glow. His cheeks were slightly puffed from the cold, and he had his hands tucked into the sleeves of his oversized sweater, looking like the actual definition of cozy.

Hyunjin felt his heart stutter in his chest. Damn it.

Felix turned his head and lit up instantly when he saw him. "Hyun!" he called out, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Hyunjin smiled, ignoring the way his stomach flipped at the sound of Felix's excited voice. He quickly jogged across the street to meet him.

"Morning, Lixie," he greeted, ruffling Felix's soft hair as soon as he got close enough.

Felix scrunched up his nose, swatting Hyunjin's hand away with a pout. "I just brushed it, you menace."

Hyunjin chuckled but didn't apologize. Instead, he slung an arm around Felix's shoulders, tugging him in for a side hug as they started walking toward school.

Felix immediately melted into the touch, sighing dramatically as he wrapped both arms around Hyunjin's waist, practically clinging to him. "Ugh, I'm so tired. Carry me."

Hyunjin laughed. "You're literally walking just fine."

"I'm conserving energy."

"For what?"

Felix hummed. "For being my usual charming, funny, cute self."

Hyunjin snorted. "Right. Because that takes so much effort."

Felix grinned up at him, and Hyunjin had to look away because his brain was suddenly malfunctioning. He could still smell the cologne on himself, and remember how he took extra effort while getting ready for school today, and the only thing running through his mind was, Did I really do all this for Felix? WHY WOULD I DO THAT?

Minho's voice echoed in his head.

"Why is the thought of losing Felix making you cry harder than the thought of losing Haeri?"

Hyunjin stiffened.

Felix immediately noticed.

"Okay," Felix said, pulling away slightly to look up at him. "You're acting weird."

Hyunjin blinked. "What?"

"You're acting weird." Felix narrowed his eyes. "You're extra pretty today. Like, extra extra. You definitely used the skincare set I got you for Christmas, because your skin is glowing. Your hair is styled really nicely and I bet they smell like your favorite vanilla hair mask you use only occasionally because it's expensive.And your cologne smells... fancy." He sniffed dramatically. "Wait a damn minute. Is that Minho's Dior Sauvage?"

Hyunjin's ears turned red. "No."

Felix gasped. "You thief!"

"Shut up," Hyunjin groaned, pushing Felix's face away.

Felix just laughed, grabbing Hyunjin's sleeve and tugging him back. "So what's the occasion? You never try this hard for school. Did Haeri tell you to dress up or something?"

Hyunjin's stomach twisted at the mention of her name.

Felix immediately noticed that too. His laughter died down, and a small frown formed on his face. "Wait. Did she say something to you again?" His voice was quieter now, tinged with concern.

Hyunjin shook his head quickly. "No, no. Nothing like that."

Felix wasn't convinced. "Then why are you all stiff and awkward?" He poked Hyunjin's side accusingly.

Hyunjin flinched and swatted his hand away. "I'm fine, Lix."

Felix squinted at him suspiciously but didn't push. Instead, he linked their arms together and rested his head against Hyunjin's shoulder. "If you say so," he murmured.

Hyunjin's breath hitched, but he forced himself to stay calm. This is normal. Felix is just clingy. This is just how he acts. He is a literal hug bug.

They walked the rest of the way like that, arms linked, heads close, their conversation flowing back into its usual playful banter. Felix, as always, was warm and soft, his presence comforting in a way Hyunjin didn't realize he needed.

But in the back of his mind, Minho's words still lingered. Why did Minho's words bother him so much? It's not like Minho was right.

By the time they reached the school gates, Hyunjin had managed to shove all of Minho's words into the very back of his mind, locking them away where he wouldn't have to deal with them. Felix, as usual, was still clinging onto him, complaining about how he wished school didn't exist.

"Can't we just turn around and go back home?" Felix groaned, tightening his grip around Hyunjin's arm like a koala.

Hyunjin chuckled. "You ask me this every morning."

"And you never say yes."

"Because you never actually want to skip," Hyunjin teased. "You'd be whining about missing class in like ten minutes."

Felix huffed. "Okay, but what if we just sat in a coffee shop all day instead? Wouldn't that be nice? Just us, drinking hot chocolate, no teachers, no stupid school stress—"

"No Seungmin making fun of us every five seconds," Hyunjin added.

Felix gasped dramatically. "Exactly! See? You get me, Hyun."

Hyunjin laughed, but before he could respond, they both realized they had reached the front steps of the school. The chatter of students filled the air, and just like that, they knew it was time to switch back into their usual normal mode.

Felix sighed, reluctantly untangling himself from Hyunjin's arm. "Time to act like I don't like you that much."

Hyunjin smirked. "Yeah, gotta keep up the illusion that you're not obsessed with me."

Felix rolled his eyes. "Don't flatter yourself, pretty boy."

Hyunjin just laughed, nudging Felix playfully as they stepped inside. Almost immediately, they spotted their friends near their lockers—Jisung, Seungmin, and of course, the last person Hyunjin wanted to see first thing in the morning.

Haeri.

She was standing beside Jisung and Seungmin, her arms crossed as she scrolled through her phone. The moment she looked up and saw Hyunjin and Felix walking in together, her expression soured slightly before she forced on a smile.

Hyunjin felt Felix tense beside him.

"Morning, losers," Seungmin greeted, not even looking up as he dug through his locker.

Jisung turned to them with a knowing smirk. "Wow, together again? What a surprise."

Felix shot him a glare. "Shut up."

Jisung just snickered. "Good morning to you too, Lixie."

Haeri stepped closer to Hyunjin, reaching for his hand. "You're late," she said softly, lacing her fingers through his.

Hyunjin forced a small smile. "Just a few minutes."

Haeri's gaze flickered to Felix for half a second before returning to Hyunjin. "You smell different," she noted, tilting her head slightly.

Felix snorted before quickly covering it up with a cough.

Hyunjin stiffened. "Uh... new cologne."

Haeri hummed, her grip tightening slightly. "I like your usual one better."

Felix's face was unreadable as he reached for his locker, turning away from them.

Jisung and Seungmin, who had clearly picked up on the tension, exchanged a look but said nothing.

Hyunjin could feel the warmth from Felix's presence right beside him, but he knew better than to even glance his way. Haeri was already on edge.

Instead, he squeezed Haeri's hand back, forcing his brain to focus on her.

Even though all he wanted to do was turn to Felix.