Chapter Text
"New Girl (Tom's Song)" - The Walters
So I imagine you're upset
But I am not responsible for that
I tried to give you happiness
But all that ever happened is you ended getting pissed
“Six…Seven…Eight…Nine. Hmph, finally my floor." Seungkwan whispered to himself as the elevator reached the ninth floor. In front of him was a short corridor with the last room being his and his roommate’s.
“This way” he directed Jeonghan, who was carrying the bulk of his dorm supplies. For one of the most prestigious colleges in the nation, the elevators were way behind in technology.
It was their second round bringing items in and Seungkwan still had yet to see his roommate. Chan–Seungkwan believes his name was. His instagram was pretty dull with no posts nor highlights yet in the dorm there was no sign of him. All Seungkwan knows is that he is definitely moving in today.
God why did he bring so much supplies. They are going to have to make another trip down. Maybe Seungkwan shouldn’t have shot down Seungcheols offer to help. This is the worst.
Finally, on the third and final trip up they found the door to be slightly ajar. Seungkwan hopes it’s Chan inside or else this will be an awkward next ten minutes. Stopping in his tracks, Seungkwan whispers, “I think he’s here…What should I say?” Chan can't be mean but he’s the first person Seungkwan will meet. He has to make a good impression. This determines everything.
As Seungkwan walks in, the first thing he notices is the mess. Now that isn't to say his side is any cleaner, they are only just moving in today, but this is different. This mess is as if each bag was placed neatly then tompled over at random.
“Hello?” Seungkwan spoke, looking for Chan within the bags. He sees a bit of movement underneath hoping that's his roommate. Sure enough he hears the call for help.
“A little help here please”
(-_-)zzz
“Remember Seungkwan-ah, I’m introducing you to the ‘Cheers to Youth’ club today. Don’t be late, it's at my apartment.” Jeonghan tells him sternly. Jeonghan really was the best. Although Seungkwan prides himself in his ability to make friends, finding them is the hardest part. Once he has that initial connection, it's easy from there. He already knows Seokmin from highschool if them being the best in their theater department is anything to hint at them being close.
“Yes Jeonghan-hyung, I remember. I’ll be there on time” Seungkwan blows a piece of hair out his face. He may love Jeonghan, but the constant treating him like a child needs to stop. It was cute before but he’s eighteen now. “Remind me again who will be there besides Seokmin-hyung?”
“It’ll be me, you, Cheolie, Seokmin, Jisoo, Soonyoung and Jihoon there. They will be so happy when you join, especially Jihoon. He is always looking for a new voice”
While Jeonghan talks, Seungkwan starts to pick out his outfit. He has met everyone except Soonyoung and Jihoon. After growing up with Jeonghan, knowing him is like knowing Seungcheol and Jisoo. Afterall, they have been inseparable for the past two years. However, he's glad he has college now to catch up with Jeonghan. It has been years since they were as close as they were in highschool. They may act like it never affected them but deep down it hurt. But there's nothing to do about it now, moving aways to college is hard. Everyone needs to make a life out of themselves.
“Sounds good. I can’t wait to meet Jihoon-hyung and Soonyoung-hyung. I’m sure they are nice.” Seungkwan adds wishfully. The more friends he has the better. He was never good at having one singular best friend anyways.
“Oh that they are…” Jeonghan adds mischievously before giggling.
“I don't like how you said that.”
(-_-)zzz
That night Seungkwan took a bit more than two hours getting ready. Communal showers were not for the weak in heart. Poor Chan was subjected to the five different outfit changes just for Seungkwan to end up in a white and blue striped shirt with tan shorts. August weather has been way too unpredictable for his liking.
He bids Chan a quick thank you and goodbye as he rushes down the stairs. There was no time to wait for an elevator when he only had ten minutes to get there. The walk itself is typically ten minutes, yet Seungkwan is determined tol find a way to slice it in half. He refuses to be late, especially when he’s new.
As he approaches the apartment door, he fixes his hair and clothes. Hopefully they’ll find his time mishap cute? Even if technically he is on time now, with a minute to spare.
He reaches to open the door instead, finding it to be already unlocked. He proceeds to walk inside refusing to knock as playback for all the times Jeonghan hadn’t with him.. If Jeonghan walks into his home and dorm whenever he wants, Seungkwan can repay the favor. However, the first thing he notices is a mostly empty apartment, aside from the sound of water running in the kitchen.
“Who is it~” Seungkwan hears Jeonghan call out. “Let me guess, Seungkwanie?”
“How’d you know?” Seungkwan laughs out while closing the door.
“No one is ever one time, not even Cheolie and Jisoo-ah as you can see'' He pauses before adding, “Give them ten minutes, they’ll come running in with an excuse rolling off their tongue–probably along the lines of Jihoon having a fuss about seeing Soonyoung. Soonyoung gets all pouty about Jihoon not forgiving him.”
“Oh do they not get along or something? Isn't that bad for the group?”
“Oh quite the opposite. Soonyoung is quite literally head over heels for the guy. Jihoon is just too scared of what to make out of it. But they are very much infatuated with each other, inseparable even. I'm actually surprised they didn't dorm together this semester, Jihoon said he was dorming with some other producer. I think he’s a freshman like you. ”
“They seem like a lot…”
“Oh they are, but they are so endearing.” Jeonghan sighs while smiling.
Seungkwan is sitting on the countertop catching up with Jeonghan by the time everyone arrives. If the door opening wasn’t an indicator, the yelling sure was.
“DO NOT BLAME ME FOR YOUR SONG BEING UPLOADED ON ACCIDENT. YOUR FAULT FOR THE UPLOAD BUTTON BEING SO CLOSE TO THE LISTEN BUTTON.”
“THIS IS WHY I DIDN'T WANT TO SEE YOU SO EARLY IN THE SEMESTER. SOMETHING ALWAYS HAPPENS.”
“HOW RICH COMING FROM YOU?”
“Guys please, Seungkwanie is here. Shouldn't we be giving a good impression?” Seokmin tries to interject. He looks to be sweating heavily from trying to break them apart. Next to them Jisoo and Seungcheol are snickering watching it all go down. Based on everyone’s reactions, this looks like it happens a lot.
Seungkwan clears his throat to announce his presence. “Oh um hi everyone,” he gives a small wave. “I’m Seungkwan. Nice to meet you.” he states a bit awkwardly, feeling caught off guard.
The two yelling–presumably Jihoon and Soonyoung–finally seem to calm down significantly. If Seungkwan were to describe them, the first words to come into mind would be ‘Tom and Jerry’. To start off, the one on the right had reddish–brown hair. He wasn’t the tallest in the group but Seungkwan could access he was definitely taller than him. If his face squishing smile was anything to base personalities off of, this guy definitely seemed like he was the most energetic out of the bunch.
The same could not be said about the latter. Not to say he looks mean, he definitely doesn't. However, he looks like if you ever crossed him your family and their extended family would even know. Seungkwan carefully makes a mental note not to mess with him.
“Hi, I’m Soonyoung–” Ah so this one is Soonyoung “and this lovely guy is Jihoon”. Soonyoung introduces, pushing Jihoon in front while speaking. The small smile Jihoon harbored immediately wiped off his face while he glared back at Soonyoung.
“As he said,” Jihoon motioned to Soonyoung behind him. “I’m Jihoon. Jeonghan probably told you but I produce and write most of the songs we post.” Jihoon started with a respectful smile this time.
Soonyoung interjects pouting, “Wait,” he pauses. “Are we only getting one freshman this year? That's so lameeee.”
Jihoon looks back at him explaining. “We have Vernon too but you know how he gets. He needs a break from last night's party like Seungcheol and Jisoo over here.”
Jisoo and Seungcheol groan in agreement, seemingly remembering they were tired.
Jeonghan, almost too excitedly, changes topics. “So who wants to see Seungkwanie’s singing account.”
NO.
Chan was an odd roommate. At first glance he seemed very determined and focused on his school work. However….
“WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS UP DRUNK PARTYING. IT'S THE SECOND WEEK OF SCHOOL.”
Seungkwan and him clashed instantly.
Chan–like Seungkwan–had upperclassmen friends. Friends that would always invite him out. Every. Single. Night.
It's not that partying is necessarily bad. It's just that he doesn’t see the appeal of it. Sweaty people, horrible music, even more horrible people. Definitely not his definition of a Thursday night out. But somehow…
“What are your parties like?”
“Oh,” Chan gets ready to tease. “Is someone curious? Hmm if I remember correctly, you were the one yelling at me for even going to them. But, to answer your question: two words. So. Fun.” Chan rolls his eyes. “That's where I met all my friends, thanks to Soonyoung-hyung of course”
Hmm…He didn’t know Soonyoung and Chan were that close. He knew they met through Jeonghan but still….
Seungkwan mulls it over. There is no way these parties are everything he says they are. Weren't college parties supposed to be a lie.
“If you're really wondering, ask Jeonghan-hyung. His boyfriend goes all the time, sometimes with Jeonghan-hyung.” Chan states, before adding “But if you come don't do it sober. Everything is way more fun drunk or high. Trust me.”
When Seungkwan receives a call that night from Jeonghan, he should have known he would find out. Jeonghan finds out everything.
“A little birdie told me you are interested in partying.”
Ugh Chan.
“Oh cut the crap Jeonghan-hyung. I know Chan told you, and by the way I didnt even agree to anything. I was just curious. Seokmin-hyung invited me as his wing man, I just wanted to know what I was getting myself into.” Seungkwan states exasperated. He's so tired of not having any privacy, now with his roommate being an informant too. He can’t do anything. “And can you stop knowing everything, seriously. It's so creepy I can’t do anything.”
Seokmin had asked him the day of the club meeting which he immediately shot down but after a second attempt at asking he caved.
“Well someones not in a good mood.” Jeonghan teases. “ In any case, I wasn’t going to say anything. I was simply going to advise you to be safe if you go.” Jeonghan begins, “Don’t take alcohol from random people. Do NOT smoke–your lungs are too precious. If you do try edibles, buy them directly from Hansol please. Don't take them from random people. I will make sure Cheolie is there to take care of you in case you need anything.” He pauses to emphasize his point. “I know many people that go regularly so if I hear anything from them that you were unsafe or in trouble I'll be there as soon as possible, ok?”
“You make it seem like I’m going to get kidnapped.” Seungkwan deadpans. Seriously, Chan goes almost every night and he’s fine. Seungkwan likes to believe he's a bit more responsible than him.
“Well…”
“Thank you anyways though. I promise I’ll be safe.” Seungkwan pauses before adding, “Can you send me Hansol’s instagram actually so I can buy some for Seokmin and I for Friday” He might as well enjoy himself if he’s going to be working his ass off. Seokmin better pay though, this is all his fault.
“I’ll send it right now, I think you two would hit it off. He’s a freshman, same as you actually.” Jeonghan teases playfully. God, how are they even friends?
A moment passes. Then another before Seungkwan retorts, “Don’t get any ideas.” Seriously, he is not some freshman who goes after every single person he sees.
As Seungkwan opens up Hansol’s instagram to see who this guy really is, he pauses. He pauses for a good 30 seconds because what the fuck. Jeonghan was right, this guy is hot. Fuck, hes always right.
As Seungkwan scrolls he realizes this party might be a big mistake. If this guy is an indicator of who's going to be there, he might as well go home. Seokmin should be fine by himself, maybe he can grow some independence. No, that's wrong, he has to be there for him.
Jeonghan takes Seungkwan’s silence as his answer and cackles loudly through the phone.
“Told you.”
“Oh shut up…I was texting Seokmin asking what he wants.” Seungkwan easily lies. “What should I say though? You know him right? Is ‘Heyyyy can I buy some weed’? too formal or does that sound too friendly? Oh wait should I…” As Seungkwan rambles on what to say Jeonghan keeps quiet, enjoying his turmoil.
“Actually I think I’ll just text ‘Hey’ then wait for him to respond. Yea, I think that's what I’ll do.”
“Are you done? That was definitely not supposed to be as complicated as you made it seem.” Jeonghan continues, “I know the guy, he’s chill. You didn't need to think that hard when typing a message to buy weed. Unless… you weren’t nervous about the weed and more of how he’ll see-”
“I’m done. This conversation is over. Thank you.” Seungkwan prompts, quickly ending the call.
He's totally screwed isn't he?
He waits a day before texting, checking with Seokmin to make a plan of attack.
9:04 pm
[jeju_boos]: hey jeonghan gave me your instagram
[jeju_boos]: looking to buy some edibles
Seungkwan bites his lip. It's not like this is his first time buying weed. In highschool he used to buy it for every occasion. Still.. He’s in college. This is new people, his first college party too.
He puts the phone down and waits, and waits.
His phone lights up a few times. Each time he scrambles to check just to find it's just Jeonghan sending animal videos and the occasional Seokmin and Soonyoung group chat
He wouldn’t consider himself popular…however, he can humbly admit he has a rather large list of contacts that message him often.
As he waits for an answer, he endlessly scrolls through his dms responding to some he put off for later.
Maybe he should check who Hansol knows. Opening up his profile [chwenotchew] he sees this guy is quite popular. Chan follows him, even Seungcheol, Jeonghan, Mingyu, Jihoon… How have they never seen each other in passing? Actually, he does seem somewhat familiar. He's friends with all of them and a freshman like him? Maybe Seungkwan should go to these parties more often.
He opens up a recent post only to see his roommate and Hansol acting buddy-buddy sharing a drink. Yeah, he will definitely have to ask Chan about Hansol.
He gets a notification as he is about to call Chan.
10:38 pm
[chwenotchew]: cool
[chwenotchew]: gummies or chocolate
Cool?
[jeju_boos]: chocolate would be gooddd
[chwenotchew]: ok
Another long pause. What is he doing that he texts so inconsistently?
[chwenotchew]: 15
Okay not a bad price, maybe this whole ordeal was worth it.
[jeju_boos]: thank youuu, where should i meet you?
11:53 pm
[chwenotchew]: tomorrow 4
[chwenotchew]: rose quartz 802
Nevermind. It took an hour for him to respond. An hour.. Are you serious? Well he’s not responding now. He would just be wasting his time
(-_-)zzz
The next day goes by mostly quickly with Theater and Writing being his only classes that day. On top of that, it's not like he really pays attention to them, there is not much to learn in those classes this early in the year.
He grabs lunch with Chan in the dining hall while he waits for it to be four. Then he can finally grab the goods for the party Friday.
“So I see you know Hansol?” Seungkwan asks as nonchalantly as possible.
Chan pauses confused. “Of course I know Hansol, everyone does?” He states like in the most obvious thing ever. “You don’t?” Seungkwan shakes his head no. “I’m surprised, I mean you both are on equal levels of popularity. Just in different circles.” Chan says.
So Hansol is famous. Good to know.
“Yeah I guess it's weird we don’t” Seungkwan ponders. They have to have seen each other once. Hansol literally knows all his friends. It's a good minute before Chan picks the conversation up again.
“I know Hansol knows you though.”
Now that perks his attention.
“He knows me? How…I don’t remember ever speaking to him outside his obvious side business?”
Chan seems to backpedal upon hearing this. “Oh nothing, maybe he just spoke about you buying. We arent that close so I can’t remember it well, my bad” If Seungkwan had to put his finger on it, he’d say Chan was lying.
“Chan look at me.” Seungkwan waits knowing fully that Chan can’t. “You’re not making eye contact with me and tapping your fingers. I know we only just met but even I can tell when there is an obvious lie being said to my face so spill.” Seungkwan presses. With each word he cages Chan closer and closer into the booth they were eating in.
“I don't know what you're talking about. All he said was he had your instagram and you texted him. That's it. Nothing about your posts or anything.”
“Chan you just outed yourself, no one even mentioned my posts here.”
“God, I’m the shittest friend arent I?”
“Not if you tell me what he said.”
“...No.”
“Then yea, you're the shittest friend.”
They bicker back and forth for a while before they stop to calm down.
“I’m going to go meet him for the goods, let me know if you want anything too.” Seungkwan announces as he gathers all his belongings to leave. Perfect timing, it's 3:28. It's only a ten minute walk back to his dorm leaving him plenty of time to check where Hansol asked to meet.
“He's my friend first” Chan calls out, “I could get whatever you're getting and double it for free” This little–Seungkwan stops himself. This brat is actually bragging to him. Just wait… Just wait.
(-_-)zzz
As he walks he realizes Hansol’s dorm was in Rose–Quartz tower where the sophomores live, not Serenity tower like himself. Hmm, how strange. Weren't they supposed to be the same age? Whatever. Seungkwan brushes it off and proceeds to the dorm.
When he arrives the first thing he hears is loud music being played. Honestly, he wouldn’t call it music, more like chords on a guitar–no singing involved. Seungkwan pauses, that’s definitely being played live. That's definitely cool.
Seungkwan checks his watch. It reads 3:57 so he knocks softly.
He hears the music stop then footsteps padding to the door. Jeez this school has such thin walls. As the door opens he sees a face he was not expecting.
“Seungkwan? I wasn't expecting you, what are you doing here?” Jihoon asks curiously.
There's no way he got the room wrong, he steps back to double check. This is definitely Rose-Quartz 802.
“Ah, Jihoon-hyung. It seems I may have the wrong dorm, my bad.” Seungkwan pauses before adding quietly, “By any chance do you know if Hansol lives on this floor? I’m supposed to grab something of his.”
“Ahh you're the client coming at four.” Jihoon realizes. His smirk then turns mischievous, “I hope you're not getting anything ille-”
Seungkwan quickly pushes Jihoon inside, closing the door behind them, hand covering his mouth.
“Hyung, please don’t embarrass me. I’m buying this for Seokmin, you know about his big crush on Yuju. He needs to loosen up a bit.” Seungkwan states albeit nervously. What with all his hyungs teasing him all the time?
As he says that the door opens to reveal Hansol wearing headphones loud enough to be speakers. He doesn't notice Seungkwan's presence yet until he makes a move to lay on his bed, essentially having to pass by Seungkwan.
“Oh.” He states startled. “ I didn’t know you were coming inside.” Hansol says embarrassed. He starts to walk to grab the punchbar instead.
“It's fifteen, let me know if you want anything else. You had it before right?” Hansol states nonchalantly.
Jihoon, already sitting down, looks at Hansol confused before seeming positively pleased with the exchange–almost too excited actually.
“Oh yea totally and sure, here’s the fifteen in cash. I’ll let you know for the future.” Seungkwan says as grabs the bar and proceeds to leave before bidding Jihoon goodbye.
Once he's outside the dorm he feels disappointed somehow. Chan was definitely messing with him during lunch to get underneath his skin. That interaction was too normal to indicate anything, right?
It's not like he can even like Hansol, but the feeling of someone having a crush on you is nice. It feels good, especially with a majority of the people in his classes seemingly liking him. This would've been different.
Ah but alas, he has other people he can depend on to treat him to lunch.
He puffs his bangs out his face pouting. He’s going to kill Chan.
(-_-)zzz
“We are going to this party together right? Cmon Chan you know I don't even know how to get there”
It's half an hour to eleven and Seungkwan and Chan are finishing up getting ready to leave.
“Too bad, so sad. May I just say this is the best karma, it's what you get for always trying to fight me.” Chan sings–songs teasing Seungkwan. Chan finally has the upperhand here, he’s going to use it as much as he can.
“Maybe you can hitchhike or–oh I know,” Chan looks directly at Seungkwan when he says this, “ask one of your–oh so devoted fans to help you out. You know the one you brag about from your singing account?”
“Oh you are so dead” Seungkwan yells before launching at him, careful not to mess up either of their makeup. Just enough to tussle him around a bit.
They go back and forth a bit until both are out of breath and over the little spat.
“I’m just joking,” Chan begins out of breath. “You know. We all meet at Seungcheol-hyung’s apartment then take the bus to the party. We arrive and leave together, okay?”
“Got it, just tell me when you're ready to leave.” Seungkwan says while touching up his eyeliner. His blonde hair matches perfectly with his navy long sleeve polo and white shorts. He wouldn’t say he’s the biggest fan of makeup, but a bit of eyeliner and concealer can go a long way. Maybe with the large R and H letters on the polo are a bit overkill but, it looks nice on him, and if anyone can make it work, it's him.
“I‘ll call hyung right now and tell him we are coming over” Chan announces before dialing Seungcheol number.
As Chan speaks his tone begins respectful before carefully tipping off to informal. “Hi–Hello? Hyung? … Yes we are leaving right now… Oh he’s coming? Who else? …Okay Okay I’ll call him right after and drag him over, he’ll be so happy” Chan adds sarcastically “…Okay got it… See you soon, bye-bye.”
As Chan ends the conversation he stares directly at Seungkwan. “We are going to make a pit stop. Hansol seems to have decided not to come but he's not gonna wanna miss tonight.” Chan says mischievously. If Seungkwan knew any better he would say–
“What are you up to, I don't like it.”
“Don’t worry about it. Enjoy tonight, it’ll be fun–trust me.”
They take their leave double checking they have everything while Seungkwan goes through the plan in his head.
First: Find Yuju, talk with her, be her friend get her contact–AS FRIENDS
Second: Midway through, having Seokmin come in and join the conversation. Throw in a few compliments about him boosting his morale.
Third: Let the magic happen. Happily ever after, I can get fucked up.
Piece of cake nothing bad can happen in the slightest.
Every single bad thing that could've happened, happened.
The walk to Hansol’s dorm was quiet, Chan just chatting about his next dance performance until they arrived. Music is blasting, just like how it was days prior—however this time, the knocks aren't loud enough to pierce through.
“Hansol is definitely home, he never answers the door when he’s in the zone. Lucky for me though,” Chan waves a card, “I have his ID”
With a quick swipe they are in, Chan walking in like he owns the place. Huh, not close my ass. Chan is such a liar.
“Yo get up, we are going to 17 Carat tonight” Chan nudges Hansol with his arm.
“What? Since when?” Hansol states exasperated. This must be a common thing.
“I said get up, come on. You, me and Seungkwan are leaving in ten”
“Huh? Seungkwan is here what the fuck?” Hansol says finally looking up from his laptop to the door. Seungkwan, not being as comfortable as Chan, stayed in the front quietly. He waves awkwardly at Hansol from where he's standing, careful not to intrude.
“Yea so get up, everyone is coming tonight.” Chan rummages through Hansol’s clothes. “You're wearing this jacket with this shirt and pants.” As Chan picked the clothes out, he realized his roommate actually had good taste. Chan is just wearing a muscle t-shirt tonight but Hansol's outfit definitely looked more put together. Light blue letterman jacket with white pants and shirt. Maybe Seungkwan should come to him for outfit advice more often.
“Fine, but please let this be the last. Soonyoung-hyung always gets too wasted and it ruins my high everytime we have to take care of him.” Hansol says, obviously annoyed.
He steps out for a moment, clothes in hand, to the bathroom to change.
“So welcome to the makeshift studio.” Chan supplies unhelpfully.
A few dull moments pass before Hansol joins them again and they make their way to Seungcheol and Jeonghans’s apartment.
Throughout the walk it's mostly Chan and Seungkwan talking with the occasional input from Hansol. Besides that it's a pretty boring conversation.
Everyone is already at Seungcheol’s by the time they arrive. Mingyu arriving a bit earlier with his roommate Wonwoo. Soonyoung and Seokmin coming together, plus Jisoo and Seungcheol living there.
They pre-game a bit, mostly Seungcheol, Chan, Jisoo and Mingyu taking three shots before they leave. Hansol and Seungkwan opt for the weed when they get there while Wonwoo and Seokmin stay sober. Then everyone was ready to go.
The party was in full blast, filled almost to the brim with bodies when they arrived. People were even outside drinking and smoking, it was almost too stereotypical. Seungkwan was astonished that this is how people party because it is way too sweaty and overcrowded to even be deemed safe.
While Seokmin goes to grab whatever jungle juice they have, Seungkwan decides now to take the edible since it will take time to hit while Hansol steps out to smoke. Seungkwan makes the sole decision to never try whatever they cooked up in that Seokmin’s cup because it looks and smells like straight battery acid.
“So, when you see her, let me know. I give you a little signal like this.” Seokmin pauses to think before putting up an upside down V shape, “That will mean she's near. Put up this sign when it's good for me to step in okay?” He describes while demonstrating the second signal, a sign somewhat similar to a cat.
“Got it, and remember, you got this. You know her from highschool, you're not strangers.” Seungkwan supplies helpfully. He knows Seokmin will find a way to mess this up but he has complete faith it will work out in the end.
They split up while Seokmin tries to find Yuju meanwhile, Seungkwan searches for his roommate to hang out with while he waits. He walks up and down the corridor attempting not to get squished before he spots Chan with Hansol talking close on the couch. Seungkwan starts to make his way towards them, eyeing them down as he approaches.
“So what's my favorite roommate up to today.” Seungkwan asks Chan while wrapping an arm around him, purposefully trying to press his buttons. Hansol slowly leans back observing the interaction take place.
“I’m your only roommate, now quit it. I’m tired of you and the night just started.” Chan says irritably before forcefully unwrapping his arm around his shoulders, careful not to actually hurt Seungkwan.
“Lucky for you I’ll be out of your hair once this high hits, courtesy of your friend here.” Seungkwan directs his attention to Hansol. “Thanks again, you're a lifesaver.” A small smile forms on his face as he says it, shy at the honesty in the statement.
“Yea, it's good. No worries.” Hansol says casually, like it's an everyday thing for him. It probably is but Seungkwan was being nice here. He wasn't expecting to be brushed off so quickly. He lets it go for now, instead favoring having a good time tonight rather than creating a fuss.
He leans back and observes the party. He doesn’t realize how quickly time passes until everything starts to flow together. Each person’s body somehow connecting to another. They are slightly glowing but he can’t tell if he’s making it up or not.
As he reaches out to Chan he notices he was already deep in conversation with Hansol again.
“Guys…I think I’m really high right now but I can’t tell.” He giggles which then turns into a laugh. So He laughs and laughs again even as his stomach hurt but he couldn’t stop. Everything was so funny. Chan's angry face, Hansol’s small smile, Seokmins' weird hand gestures. It was all so funny.
“God I miss being high, this is so fun.” Seungkwan says to no one in particular. Nothing feels real.
Seungkwan stays in that spot for an hour while everyone comes and goes near him for a while. Chan is long gone by the time he stops disassociating yet Hansol stays. He stays the whole time.
“God my heart is pounding. What was in those things oh my god.”
“Weed.” Hansol unhelpfully replies, “It was a punch bar, they are meant to be strong. How much did you take?”
“Uhhhh I can't remember? The top piece?”
“Seungkwan. When you say the top piece, do you mean the top three squares?”
“Mhm.”
Seungkwan was too unaware of his surroundings to realize Hansol left. He wanted to sleep but he couldn’t feel anything. The music was too loud. The lights were too bright. He had so much anxiety he couldn’t speak. It was only when Hansol got back that he realized he had begun shaking. When did he begin to feel this way?
“Hey Seungkwan, I'm going to take you back home, okay?” Hansol said softly, attempting to lift him. “I called Jeonghan and he said you can stay at his tonight. Seungcheol-hyung and Jisoo-hyung will meet you back as well.”
As Hansol pulled Seungkwan to the door, Seungkwan found himself curling inwards basking in his warmth. The smell of laundry detergent sticks to him. He really couldn’t feel anything. He just wished this was all over. The worst high of high life.
He needed Jeonghan. He needed his sisters. He missed his mom.
He woke up the next day semi-high but still functioning. He looked around to find himself not in his own dorm but instead a rather large bed (compared to the twin sized one in his dorm). Ah, Jeonghan and Seungcheol’s room. As he tried to recall the previous night he just kept thinking of laundry detergent.
“Jeonghan-hyung?” Seungkwan doesn't know where his phone is, how he got into pajamas nor what time it even is. Based on the light coming in from the window he'd say it's daytime.
“Seungkwan-ah? I’m coming.” Footsteps approach the door. Jeonghan quietly walks in, water in hand and a bagel. As he sits down on the edge, he hands over the drink and food. “Do you remember much of last night?”
Seungkwan takes a sip first. “Honestly, I remember hanging out with Seokmin…Oh right Seokmin, Chan and Hansol? Then it's a bit hazy but I remember being freaked out.” He pauses, “Oh by the way, did you do my laundry or something because I distantly remember the smell but I can’t remember why?” He looks at Jeonghan for confirmation.
“No… but I’ll put your clothes in the wash afterwards.” Jeonghan then begins to explain the events from that night. Shaking his head in disapproval when he recounts the part when Seungkwan took too much of the edible.
He was only supposed to take one piece with his tolerance yet he tripled that. God no wonder he still feels it now.
Jeonghan goes on to explain how Hansol took him to Jeonghan’s apartment because everyone else was still heavily intoxicated–especially Seungcheol and Chan. Hansol was actually surprisingly sober, he was going to get high but opted to not after he saw the state of everyone after their little pregame. Jeonghan explained how usually one of them takes the liberty of being sober in case something happens. Wonwoo was sober as well so he stayed back to watch over everyone else.
“Cheolie is so dead though.” Jeonghan states pronouncing every word loud enough for his boyfriend to hear. “But are you alright? I’m so sorry I wasn’t there. I knew I should've gone.” Jeonghan rants, blaming himself. He shouldn’t have let Seungkwan go. Even with friends he still ended up being hurt.
“Hyung, it is not your fault. I forgot my tolerance and just messed up a bit. You had your bio-chem homework to do, that's way more important. I’m fine too. Don’t blame Hansol either, it's literally all my fault.” Seungkwan says trying to ease away his guilt.
“Hansolie is a good kid but ugh,” He pauses, “I wish he didn’t have this side business. All it does is hurt him.” Jeonghan finishes. Seungkwan doesn’t understand the context but decides not to push because this is not the time. He’s still tired.
Then it dawns on him, the whole reason why he went to the party. “WHAT HAPPENED WITH YUJU AND SEOKMIN?”
(-_-)zzz
The next day, while Seungkwan is lounging in his dorm he decides to check on how his mom is doing back home. As he opens up facebook he sees the notification: “Hansol Chwe sent you a friend request”
What.
Why did Hansol add him on Facebook, the literal most outdated social media platform (besides snapchat). He jolts up from bed startled. After everything that happened and what he put him through…
He eyes Chan warily, from across the room. Today was supposed to be a relaxing day yet Seungkwan feels far from it.
“Chan… do you happen to know why Hansol just added me on facebook randomly.” Seungkwan says suspiciously. He has a feeling Chan isn’t saying everything he knows. From across the room, Seungkwan sees Chan’s eyebrows furrow. Huh, maybe he doesn't
“I know I’ve been suspicious but no, I have no idea why. But why do you even have facebook anyways?” Chan asks curiously. Chan seems to have forgotten his personal facebook is the same as his singing facebook.
“Nevermind that, it doesn’t matter. Back to Hansol, isn’t that just a bit weird?”
“A little but there is probably a valid reason for it. I’ll talk to him and see what he says.”
“Don’t be weird, please.” Seungkwan deadpans.
“My friend first remember, I’ll do what I want.” Chan says.
Wait, does Hansol consider Seungkwan a friend? He doesn’t think they are? Aqquantances, sure, but my friends is pushing it. Maybe he’s reading too much into it….
(-_-)zzz
Seungkwan knew what he was signing himself up for when choosing biology as a major, but nothing prepared him for chemistry. It was only the fifth week yet he was already struggling. Moles, balancing equations, reactants and products… He really needs Jeonghan right now so he could help somehow. Lab is tomorrow and somehow Seungkwan is supposed to know how to do titrations?
“God if I’m stuck with an awful lab partner I might just switch majors” Seungkwan complains while in his dorm. How is it fair that Soonyoung and Seokmin don't go through this?. “You guys are so lucky. Why don’t you guys have to memorize stoichiometry…Percent yields? Molarity?” Seokmin and Soonyoung look at each other before shrugging.
“You know Seungkwan, we may not have to memorize sciency things but the curriculum is just as hard.” Seokmin pouts, “Try having to be partners with non acting majors in acting class. I think I would rather learn about your stochi-whatever than have people who don’t take the class seriously for partners.”
“Ugh I just feel as though they don't prepare me for any of this. It's my fourth lab and I only now am getting a partner…. Oh no what if my partner intentionally starts sabotaging our experiments. I need to make a good impression. I’m going to scout everyone out thirty minutes before, I need someone good with how lost I am right now.”
“Just calm down Seungkwan, you’ll be fine. Watch the lab videos and you will be good. If anything, go to Jeonghan. He will definitely know what to do.”
Seungkwan just huffs, dropping the topic onto Soonyoung's rant about his obvious crush on Jihoon.
(-_-)zzz
The walk from the dorm to the lab is the shortest walk on campus, yet the most difficult. Seungkwan rambles as he walks, dreading every second.
As Seungkwan checks the time he realizes he's five minutes late to the lab. Fuck. Now he's really finished. He was supposed to scout everyone out to see who's the smartest yet now he wont even get to pick a partner. He is going to be stuck with the worst person ever that no one wants to work with. Great.
As he approaches the door, he checks himself over. Lab coat, check. Goggles, check. Gloves, check. Computer, check. Ok…. this can’t be that bad.
He opens the door and looks inside hoping, praying that someone with glasses, braces, and a nerdy button up would magically appear to be his saving grace for the class. Instead he finds one open seat. One open seat that's next to Hansol who happens to also be his fucking dealer and sort of friend?
The dealer/sort of friend who literally knows all his closest friends. The dealer/sort of friend from the second week of classes that sold him the strongest punch bar he has ever had in his life. The dealer/sort of friend that saw him green out not even a week later at a party. The dealer/sort of friend that apparently thinks of them as friends. The dealer/sort of friend who apparently has a crush on him. That dealer/sort of friend.
Well fuck, Seungkwan thinks. Looks like he’ll be retaking this class this next semester.
Sighing he walks up to the high table, leaving his pride at the door.
“I guess we met again…seems as though this is through more legal ways I guess… Hi again.” Seungkwan greets Hansol as he approaches the seat.
Hansol looked to be only setting up the first part, based on the singular fact that he only had one flask. And maybe the confused look on his face that seems like it's been there for hours.
“Oh hi Seungkwan.” Hansol says, eyebrows still furrowed.
“Hey, I guess we are partners. This is the only empty seat…” Seungkwan awkwardly drags out while unpacking his bag. Silence seems to stretch on for a while while Hansol figures out what to do.
“It says we have to titrate 5.00ml of dilute HCl with 0.001M of NaOH solution but I am going to be real with you. I have no idea what any of this means.”
This is going to be a long lab….
(-_-)zzz
“Yo, I’m so sorry I keep messing up the titration…”
It's their sixth trial and they still have yet to see a color that is not bright pink in a beaker. Six trials they have messed up. Six trials they have gotten an insane RSD and percent error amount. God they are going to fail this experiment at this point.
Lab started 3 hours ago, they had remade their NaOH twice and HCl three times. At this point they might as well quit. They are the only ones left in the lab with everyone else left 20 minutes ago. But this is the one. Seungkwan knows this has to be the one.
“Hansol if we don’t do this correctly we will fail this lab and I’m going to be honest with you, I am not failing this lab.”
Frustrated, tired, exhausted are all words Seungkwan can use to describe the toll lab takes on him but nothing compares to them all combined. He's hot, sweaty, and mentally just not in it anymore. It doesn’t help that his lab partner still looks good–wait. He did not mean that. It's the chemicals getting to his head. Has to be.
“Let’s start from the beginning. Fill the burette with NaOH solution. Then add twenty-five milliliters of water to each flask. Then, we have to add twenty milliliters of diluted HCl to each flask and then fill the flask with water until it's at fifty milliliters. Lastly titrate." Seungkwan goes over the steps again reading them aloud to Hansol.
“Wait no. It is only five mL of HCl to each flask.” Hansol corrects. “Have you actually added twenty each time?” Seungkwan stops in his tracks.
“What? Please tell me you are joking. Like actually tell me you are joking.” Seungkwan panics. All this time he was blaming Hansol for being too nonchalant as a partner when everything has been his fault. And he had the audacity to act all high and mighty thinking he was doing a good deed by being Hansol’s partner.
This whole time it's been his fault. The one part he was in charge of he failed. All he had to do was make the right solution. He now realizes how much of a dumb mistake it was.
“I’m so sorry, oh my god, I’m so sorry.” He begs flushed from embarrassment. Not only was this the second time he made a fool of himself in college, it was in front of Hansol.
“It's ok, let's just get this over with’ he said. Can you believe that? God, he must hate me. First he sees me completely green out, now this? He’s going to think I’m so lame ugh.” Seungkwan bemoans complaining in his dorm. Chan half-listening pauses for a moment to comprehend the situation.
“Wait, just to be clear, we are still talking about Hansol right? Hansol Chwe?” Seungkwan nods. “Yea I doubt that,” Chan laughs. “Didn’t he friend you randomly on facebook? I doubt that is a regular thing he does to any one of his friends or clients Seungkwan.” Chan rolls his eyes. “Like you seriously can't be for real right now” He pauses. “…You're for real aren’t you”
Seungkwan just flops onto the bed, not even answering. There's no point anyways. They’ve had this conversion before, there is no way Hansol likes him. No way. They barely even know each other. They are like, friends of friends, if even that.
“You're the one that spoke to him. What did he tell you?” Seungkwan says, sounding like between a beg and just angry. Why is it that when it comes to Hansol, Chan is so secretive. Seriously, he is not this secretive when talking about party hookups he has every week. So annoying.
“Nothing really, he was just scrolling and found you. Pretty much it.” Chan says nonchalantly. Hansol is rubbing off on him too much.
“God you really are so annoying aren't you. I don't believe you for a second.”
“Then don’t, but you’re the one needing help with our English homework so…”
“You really are so insufferable, you know that?”
“Yep, proud about it too” Chan says with a smile before handing over his notes. “Actually, if you are still struggling with English…. I know a person who can teach you perfect English who is actually teaching me it right now.”
“There's a catch to this isn't there.”
“Well..He is sure a catch.” Chan says mischievously.
“Fuck you, no. I know where this is going you brat. You are literally using my motivation to do good with my future against me. You are the lowest of the low.” Seungkwan rolls his eyes. “And didn’t you say that Hansol is the one with the crush, shouldn’t you be teasing him and not me.”
“I’m being the best wingman for your information.”
“Well stop,” Seungkwan cuts him off. “It's not going to work, I don’t even know him. If anything you're making me annoyed with him.”
“The offer still stands, there's no need to get mad. It was a simple offer.”
Simple offer his ass. Every time he thinks Chan is on his side, he ends up choosing Hansol in the end. He needs to stop trying to set them up. Hansol obviously doesn’t like him, and after lab, not even as a friend. This whole joke Chan is playing on him is so fucked up.