Work Text:
Yumin POV
“Are you sure Yumin-ah?” Jae’s eyes narrow as she looks at me and I roll my eyes playfully at my overprotective group of friends.
“Absolutely, you guys keep studying. I’m just beat, the last few days have been tiring with finals coming up and my body is starting to demand a break.”
“Still, maybe we should call it a night and we can all walk home together. We stayed longer than we meant to and it's already dark out.” Jiyoon points out and I pause, taking the chance to look around.
We’ve been studying at this cafe that’s the halfway point from our houses to school. Every day after school we walk here together and stay until it’s starting to get dark out and then head home, or if we stay really late sometimes the boys will stop by and walk us home. It’s a nicer part of town and only a 10 minute walk home from here.
“And the guys aren’t able to get us today. Your brother said to call if it got dark.” Suah looks at me with a no nonsense look and I pout.
“Minho is too protective for his own good.” Sighing I glance down the street and see it’s empty. “Guys I promise it’s okay, it’s only a 10 minute walk and I’ll let you know as soon as I get home.”
They all look at each other before staring at me. Finally Jae sighs and nods softly.
“Okay, just please let us know once you get home or if something happens.”
“I promise, now get back inside! It’s cold.”
They each give me a quick hug goodbye before heading back in. I put one AirPod in, not completely wanting to block out the sound around me, and start on my way. I smile as one of my favorite songs, Nonsense by Sabrina Carpenter, comes on and immediately I do a little dance.
By the time the song ends I’m almost halfway home when I notice footsteps behind me. Glancing back I see a man with his hood on and shrug it off but lower the volume of my music because I’m surprised I didn’t notice or hear him sooner.
Coming up on a crosswalk, I hear the footsteps stop but they’re closer than before. Chancing a glance back, I see he’s a few feet closer than earlier and I feel a chill down my spine as I see that there’s no one else around. Immediately I turn off my music and still have about a seven-ish minute walk. In the silence I hear soft taps and glancing back I see the man came closer.
Not wasting any time, I call Minho, knowing that he’s with most of the guys studying at Jisung’s house. After the third ring, I end the call as the light turns green.
Damnit, damnit, damnit. This cannot be happening right now!
Looking around I try to spot anyone else that I could signal to for help, but the streets are empty. Everything around me is residential and all teenagers are either asleep at home or studying.
Biting my lip I feel my panic rise as there’s nothing but houses everywhere yet no people in sight, not even a convenience store.
Suddenly I feel like the air is punched out of me. The convenience store that I went to with Changbin and Jisung. Down the street from Chan’s house. It’s the opposite way from home, but that’s better than leading whoever this guy is to my house.
This better work or I don’t know what I’ll do.
The ringing has never felt like it goes by this slow ever in my life. Please answer Chan.
What if he’s at Jisung’s too?
I feel my panic skyrocket just as the ringing tone stops-
“ Hey Yumin? What’s up? ” I could break down sobbing right now, but first I need to get somewhere safe.
“Hey Channie! Are you almost at the convenience store?” My voice sounds way too breathy to my own ears, but I speak loudly to try and deter my stalker. I feel a stab of relief when I hear the following footsteps falter for a second.
“ Uh, Yumin-ah what are you talking about? Did we have plans? ” Chan sounds extremely confused, and I can hear rustling as his voice gets a little farther away. He’s probably checking our texts.
“Yup! The same one as last time, where you, Minho, and I got snacks from last time.”
“ Wait, the convenience store by my house? ” There’s silence on the other end, and I can practically see Chan’s face as he thinks through everything. “ Yumin, are you being followed? ”
“Duh Chan! The girls and I ended up losing track of time and studying longer than we thought, I know it’s dark out.” Immediately Chan’s curses flow from his side of the phone.
“ Fucking- Yumin I’m on my way, just don’t hang up whatever you do!”
“I can see it now, I’m just down the street.” A door slamming is my answer as well as Chan’s breathing and curses that I would normally laugh at.
“ I’m almost there, is he still following you?”
“Mhmm, the stress of finals is getting to me too.” I say as I walk through the doors into the convenience store and feel my heart drop when there’s no one behind the counter.
Acting normal I head to the snacks and panic when the doors ding as they open and in comes the man that was following me. I keep slowly making my way down the aisle, when I see him also notice the missing employee. He pauses for a second and looks around the store before turning my way and I finally lose my composure.
“Chris-“ Suddenly the man is pushed to the side as Chan’s face comes into view for a half a second before his arms are wrapped around me.
“Hey, you made it before I did.” He says loudly as he holds me tightly to his chest and I wrap my arms around his waist, feeling all the tension leave my body. Then he whispers “Are you okay? Is that him?”
Not being able to find my voice I nod and Chan’s grip around me tightens more if possible.
“Hey man it’s not polite to stare, is there something I can help you with?” Chan snaps, and the stranger apologizes before turning and walking out. “I should have beat his ass-“
“Channie..” Immediately his focus is back on me and he softly pushes me back to look me over before meeting my eyes.
“Are you okay? He didn’t do anything to you did he?”
“No, he backed off once he heard me on the phone with you.”
“Oh thank god. I was fucking terrified when I realized why you were acting different, fuck I made it in time.” Chan mumbles the last part to himself as he pulls me back to his chest.
“Do you want me to take you home?” I shake my head in a panic.
“No one’s home and I- I don’t really feel like being alone right now..”
“Ok, let’s go back to mine. We can call the cops and also get ahold of your brother.”
“Okay,” I pause and grip Chan’s shirt tighter. “Thanks Chan, I don’t know what would have happened if you didn’t answer. I was panicking because Minho didn’t answer and-“
“Hey hey hey, don’t think like that. You’re safe right now and that’s what matters. Let’s get home, it’s dark out and this way the guys can meet the girls at the cafe and walk them home.”
“Okay.” Chan pauses for a second longer before sighing and placing a soft kiss to the crown of my head.
“I’m really glad you’re okay.”