Chapter Text
High school was definitely a monstrous place, and Han Jisung knew that for sure. He hated it with his whole heart. All those people, shouting, screaming, yelling — worst place in the world. But unfortunately, he was a student, so he had to be there.
It was not much after the beginning of the year, and Jisung was already exhausted. Alright, it wasn't that bad when he had his friends, but it was still tiring.
He was sitting in the friend group’s favorite spot at school with Changbin and Felix. He didn't really care where the others were. Chan was probably talking with some teacher. Jeongin liked company of the cool kids, so he was somewhere around. And Seungmin? It was weird that he wasn't in Changbin's lap, because those two bickered like an old married couple — not to mention the constant manhandling, considering Changbin was much stronger than Seungmin. But Seungmin always seemed to like it, so it wasn’t really Jisung’s business.
"Hey, so you guys met my new teammates?" Changbin changed the topic, though Jisung hadn’t been listening before anyway.
"Oh. My. God. You have new teammates?! Are they hot?" Felix practically jumped on Changbin like it was the biggest news ever.
"Felix, calm down your gay ass," Jisung laughed. "And probably yeah, since it's Hwang Hyunjin as the new player" He knew Felix would not remain calm after that.
Felix sighed dreamily. "No way! Is it really the Hwang Hyunjin?" Jisung just laughed at this ridiculous reaction. He knew Felix had had a crush — or maybe a friend-crush — on Hyunjin since the first time he saw him. But even Felix couldn’t tell exactly in what way Hyunjin attracted him.
"Is Felix hyperventilating over your brand new teammates, Changbin?" Came the calm Australian-accented voice of the oldest one. Jisung couldn’t help but laugh. "And hello, Ji. Good to see you laugh." Chan waved at him. "Saw them too? Pretty hot stuff."
"Nah, just heard one of them is Hyunjin" Jisung giggled, then turned his head to Felix. "And now he is obsessing. Please take him" He cried dramatically.
Chan only laughed and sat down with them.
Their spot was kind of amazing — a bench for outcasts. Probably the quietest spot in the whole school, with a great view of the pitch (for Felix, obviously). Jisung never took it as an advantage. Watching all those arrogant, sweaty, kind of hot… good-looking boys… Well, definitely not his favorite thing. The spot was all for Felix.
"But I think you forget, that with Hyunjin, we also have a new student, Minho," Changbin added.
Who was this Minho, and why was he new? Who would change school in the middle of the year? Jisung didn't care anyway.
"And he's like my favorite guy right now. Such a cool person" Changbin smirked.
"Oh no! What about Seungmin?" Felix gasped dramatically, his eyes widening.
"What about me?" Seungmin appeared with his usual sass, but grinning like a puppy.
Felix giggled "Just Changbin changing you for a brand new boyfriend," He turned to Changbin and Seungmin gaved them the look. "What was his name again? Oh, Minho"
Changbin frowned and started yelling "Oh, what are you even talking about? Go fuck Hyunjin or something." He crossed his arms and blew a kiss toward Seungmin. In response, Seungmin just rolled his eyes and sat down next to Changbin as close as possible.
That was the perfect time for Jisung to tune them out and reach for a book in his bag.
But as he reached for it, he heard more voices and those weren't familiar. Jisung turned his head and saw two tall, sweaty, well-built, hot... No, no. Just sweaty boys. So they had to be Hyunjin and Minho from Changbin's team. Jisung already knew Hyunjin, at least by looks — sharp jawline, long brown hair, and a spark in his eyes. The other guy had much darker and shorter hair, and he looked kind of... mean? Had to be Minho.
They were now heading toward their spot, laughing together.
Of course my quiet place will not be quiet anymore, Jisung thought.
"We just wanted to say hi, because the training’s already over" Hyunjin grinned. He didn't even bother to introduce himself, probably thinking he was the most popular person to ever exist. "You going with us, Changbin?"
"Yeah, 'course" Changbin jumped up from his seat, lightly touching Seungmin's tight. "See ya later, guys!" He waved at his friends.
"And by the way guys, I'm Minho" The mysterious guy said politely with a smile, and the three of them headed to the pitch.
"I like that new twink. He has something" Felix mused.
Seungmin didn't look happy, but Chan burst out laughing when he saw his face. "Just don't kill our Binnie, Pup"
"Wanna lose a part of your body? Don't call me that!" Seungmin frowned. "You don't get to call me that..."
"But Changbin does," Felix giggled.
Jisung also giggled "He has his privileges."
Seungmin threw his hands up. "Of course he does. Bitches." They all just laughed at Seungmin, and Chan patted his shoulder before standing up, because unfortunately, their break had come to an end.
"Let's go. I gotta find Jeongin and we should head back to t school anyway."
After the school day, they all just said goodbye to each other and headed home.
Felix lived near Jisung, so they always walked together.
"Gosh, he looked amazing today, didn't he?" Felix was bouncing the whole way, tugging at Jisung’s arm.
"Of course he did, Lix. He's also a model, right?" Jisung said, and Felix sighed in response.
"Oh I knooow" He sang. "And don't you think his mysterious friend is also really attractive?" He gave Jisung a meaningful look, like he was trying to assume something.
"No." Jisung cut him off.
Felix gasped. "Oh, so you do" He drawled and started to bounce again.
"I'm gonna slap you if you don't stop, Lix" Jisung stopped walking and glared at him.
" Right, right, Mr. I’m not gay, just a little, especially when I see Changbin’s pretty teammates." Felix laughed, and Jisung didn't say a thing, just smacked Felix’s shoulder.
Jisung came home tired, with his social battery so low he wished he could just go straight to sleep. The house was empty, since his parents were probably still at work. And Jisung was glad for that, because he didn't feel like talking about anything. Of course, he loved his parents, but they were so talkative. Which was good… Just not for him. He was the biggest introvert, and he valued the power of silence with every minute of having the house to himself.
He realized his phone had been buzzing for at least the past few minutes, and it was, of course, the one and only group chat.
Where did I get all these stray kids?
ChangGYM: Felix I bet Hyunjin wants you
ChangGYM: Told him everything about you
SunshineLix: YOU DID WHAT?!
Daddy Chris: Lmao you can't do that Bin
Daddy Chris: At least tell us you took money for selling his info
SunshineLix: OMG I'M GONNA SHIT MY PANTS HE TEXTED ME!!!
SquirrelSung: Felix breathe you might have a stroke
Jisung turned off his phone and smiled. He didn’t think Hyunjin was a good person — he didn’t even like him — but right now his best friend was so happy that he couldn’t help but be happy for him too. And, after all, he didn’t actually know Hyunjin. Maybe he was different in person.
The phone wouldn’t stop buzzing, and Jisung quickly realized why. Felix had texted him privately.
Sunshine Twin:
Jisungie!!!!
It's urgent!!!!!!
Like biggest urgent!!!!!!!!
What's up Lix?
He already knew what was up, but he also knew his best friend in that state he needed to talk about everything. And Jisung didn’t mind; he always listened.
Sunshine Twin:
IT'S HYUNJIN!!!!!
WE'RE GOING OUT
I THINK I HAVE A HEART ATTACK
Oh my god just breathe
You're going out?
I mean as friendssss…
For now 😈
You freak
Just don't kidnap him
I'll think about it lol
Jisung smiled to himself. Felix was so happy. He wished someone would asked him out too... But on the other hand, he couldn't stand the company of strangers, so it probably wouldn’t work out. He had never really dated anyone, not really, so he didn’t even know if it was something for him. The last time he’d gotten close to someone and kissed them, they told him he was too loud and opened up too much — so he gave up. In that moment, he couldn’t help but feel his spark fading. His friends noticed, but there was nothing they could do, and Felix had lost his sunshine twin.
He was too much.
And it wasn’t that he hadn’t tried to be social. He’d gone to a lot of parties, mostly for his friends, but he’d never really met many people. He was always right next to Felix. And random high school hookups? They weren’t real to him.
Lost in all these thoughts, Jisung headed to his room and grabbed his guitar. When he couldn’t deal with his emotions, he turned to music, trying to find some inspiration. He had a lot of songs written in his notebooks or saved in notes on his phone, but they were always only for him — a way to process everything in his mind, to deal with problems. So he hummed softly as he played a few gentle chords.
The next day, Jisung was really not feeling well — he looked like a thrown-up squirrel. He headed to his second-favorite place in school, the library, and settled in with his book. This time, it was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, one of his favorites, and he had no idea how many times he’d read it.
He heard a slight shift at the table across from him so he looked up.
It was Minho, the guy from the pitch.
Jisung wanted to play it cool, obviously to prove Felix wrong.
"Why are you starring? Have we met?" Minho's smile dropped. Realizing he might have come off harsh, Jisung quickly added. "Oh you're one of Changbin's friends, sorry."
Minho smiled again. "Yeah, Minho. Just saw you reading and wondered your name... I don't really know who is who yet" He laughed and Jisung's stomach flipped. His laugh and smile made Jisung's heart flutter. Suddenly, Minho didn’t seem mean at all. He just kind of looked like that.
"Jisung." He said simply.
"And you're reading...?" Minho glanced at the book in Jisung’s hands. He closed it and held up, showing the cover, a bit embarrassed. Who read Harry Potter these days?
"Oh, I did not expect that," Minho said, amused. In response, Jisung raised an eyebrow questioningly. “Well you just don’t look… like a person who reads Harry Potter. That’s all” He laughed awkwardly.
“So why did you change school?” Jisung asked. It might have been a little too personal, but Minho had started the conversation anyway.
Jisung saw on his face that he had to think about a response. “Um… Well, I’d say I didn’t really get along with people” It sounded a bit suspicious, but it wasn't Jisung's business.
"And how long have you known Hyunjin?"
"Actually, my whole life. We've been friends since… I don't know... birth?" Minho laughed. "Oh, and I'm dating his sister, so I'm kind of stuck with him either way."
Jisung felt like something had stabbed him in the heart. Of course this cute boy had a girlfriend. But he didn’t want to show that it changed anything for him, because it didn’t — he didn’t even know this guy. Just pretend you’re straight.
"Hyunjin has a sister? Oh wow, I didn't even know" Jisung stayed causal about it, still holding Prisoner of Azkaban in his hand — ironic.
"Yeah, Yeji. I think she's kinda popular here." Minho turned his head away and glanced at all the shelves. After a moment of awkward silence, he looked back at Jisung. “Well, I gotta go. Nice to meet you, Jisung" Minho winked at him and walked out of the library. And Jisung knew he’d be doomed forever.
Sunshine Twin:
So our cute new student apparently has a girlfriend...
OMG DID YOU JUST CALL HIM CUTE
WAIT? GIRLFRIEND?!
NOOO
Yeah
Not like I care tho
But it's Yeji? Hwang Yeji.
what-
oh shit.
I thought she was gay?
Where are you?
Library
Felix showed up few minutes later, and Jisung knew he was about to hear the whole plan for how to get Minho.
But he wasn't even sure if he had a crush on him. He just wanted to get to know him... He seemed interesting.
"Hi baby, so my plan is-" Felix started, but Jisung raised his hand right away.
"There's no plan, Felix. I'm not even into him" He rolled his eyes.
"What's with your mood? I thought you were better" Felix said, a bit of concern in his voice. To anyone else, it might have sounded offensive, but Jisung knew Felix cared about him more than anyone. He sat next to him, putting his head on Jisung's shoulder. "Sorry, Ji. I just really want to see my sunshine again…" And Jisung had to hold back tears. He also wished to be that sunshine again, but it didn't look like it was coming back.
Felix lifted his head. "How about a party? My parents are away. I could make it a smaller group so you won't freak out." He suggested.
"Whatever." It was all Jisung could say without crying in the middle of the school library.
Where did I get all these Stray Kids?
SunshineLix: GUYS PARTY AT MINE THIS WEEKENDDDD
ChangGYM: Hell yeah
ChangGYM: My boys can come right?
SunshineLix: Ofc
SunshineLix: I wouldn't expect anything else
Daddy Chris: Sorry Lixie
Daddy Chris: Can't this time
SavageMin: Too bad
SavageMin: Dad
Daddy Chris: Sorry Pup :C
SavageMin: Shut your mouth bitch