Behind the Mask - Hyunjin x reader

Chapter 19

- Hm. That sounds like something someone who definitely cares would say.

- Yeah I give up. Go ahead, keep talking. I'll just sit here and drink my water like the mature adult I am.

Seungmin chuckled. 

- Let's just hope Hyunjin doesn't walk in anytime soon, or you might choke on it.

I nearly did.

And, because life definitely hated me that day, the door swung open.

Hyunjin strolled in, hair still wet like he had just gotten out of the shower. His eyes landed on me immediately.

- Morning, he said, lazily. 

I took a sip of my water and pretended like he didn't exist. Hyunjin chuckled, running a hand through his hair. 

- Did you get home safe?

I swallowed my water forcefully. 

- Yes. Thank you. Moving on.

The guys lost it, and Hyunjin frowned.  

- Why is she so embarrassed?

- I AM NOT EMBARRASSED!

- Then why are you yelling?

I opened my mouth to argue, but, nope, I wasn't falling for that. I inhaled sharply, forcing my expression into something calm and collected.

- I'm not yelling, I said coolly. I'm simply clarifying that there is nothing to be embarrassed about because nothing happened.

- Never pretended like it did, the boy shrugged and walked up to the mirror to begin his stretching. 

The boys took this as a sign to end the discussion -for now at least- and dispersed across the room. 

Thank god. I would be at peace for a little while. 

... or not. 

Jisung let himself slide onto the floor next to me. Then, pointing at Hyunjin with his head, he murmured with a grin. 

- This is some next-level enemies to lovers shit. 

I raised an eyebrow. 

- I'm not even gonna ask how in the world you even know about this wattpad kinda trope stuff. 

This triggered some kind of defense mechanism inside him, because he almost started to panic. 

- HAHAHA, no. My sister's friend always used to read this kinda stuff in high school, and she told me all about it. I would never read this, who do you take me for, aha. 

- Jisung, you don't have a sister. 

- I meant cousin! Cousin. Cuz yeah, we're so close that I basically consider her my sister, haha... 抖阴社区 you said? Never heard of it...

I rolled my eyes playfully, to then turn to Changbin, who was tying his shoelaces like he wasn't just responsible for my public humiliation.

- You. I pointed at him. You're dead to me. 

He looked up at me, all innocent and wide-eyed.

- I have no idea what you're talking about.

Jisung gasped dramatically, and I rolled my eyes. 

- You guys are so delusional it actually hurts.

- Am I? Han turned to Felix, who was clearly listening to the entire discussion. Back me up, bro.

I shot a warning look at my best friend. 

- Just letting you know that I'm throwing 15 years of friendship away if you don't stand by my side on this one, Lee Felix. 

He immediately shot his hands up in surrender, and came to sit next to me, resting his head on my shoulder. 

That's my bestie. The only person I can rely on here, visibly. 

Seungmin, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, spoke up. 

- So you're saying there's absolutely nothing between you and Hyunjin?

I rolled my eyes. 

- For the last time, no. Jesus Christ. I literally helped him get home because he was drunk. You guys are just annoying at this point. 

Jisung hummed. 

- Interesting.

- What's interesting?

- Oh, nothing, he smirked. Just that Hyunjin is looking this way right now like he totally heard everything you just said.

My body tensed involuntarily, and I glanced towards the mirror, where Hyunjin was casually stretching, but his eyes were locked on mine, the corner of his lips tugging upward.

Damn it.

I turned back to Jisung, who looked way too smug for his own good. 

- I hate you.

- Nah, you hate Hyunjin. Oh, wait... He wiggled his eyebrows. 

- Han Jisung, I should have told Changbin to drop your drunk ass on the side of the road that night after Jackson's party. 

- How could you to that to me, he whined, fake crying. 

I rolled my eyes, but before I could reply, the door swung open, and Minho strolled in, looking unimpressed. 

As always.

- Alright, enough of whatever this nonsense is, he said, clapping his hands. Practice starts now. Get your asses up.

A chorus of groans echoed through the room.

- Minho hyung, five more minutes, Jisung whined, dramatically collapsing against Felix.

- Five more minutes and you'll be running laps. Get up.

Jisung immediately straightened.

Felix laughed, but he was already moving toward his bag to grab a water bottle. Across the room, Hyunjin grabbed his towel and slung it around his shoulders before glancing at me. 

- Hey, Y/n. 

- Yeah?

He smirked just slightly.

- Don't mess up. 

- Please. I should tell you this. 

I turned away before he could see the way my pulse picked up.

Damn you, Hwang Hyunjin.