#popularity contest

Y/N wasn't popular due to anything particularly extraordinary about her. Popular wasn't even a word she would associate with herself. She just knew a lot of people, by name, by hobby, by family. It seemed effortless, the way she would walk down the hall, floating between the lockers, greeting those is her grade. She captured everyones attention. She connected with people on a level Jisung envied.

Jisung waited for the day they would speak. It seemed she spoke to almost everyone in their grade. Everyone but him. It's not like he didn't understand why. He was quiet, nervous. He sat in the back row of every class and watch as she sat in the middle. The world seemed to revolve around her. She did try once last year, creating simple small talk with him. He'd messed it up however, with his nervous fidgeting and inability to form a sentence, a word, a sound. He fumbled it. But how was he expected to speak when she was looking at him with those eyes? Oh how he could drown in those eyes. 

She glided down the hall and their gaze met for a brief moment. A small smile built on her face. He somehow managed one too, although he regretted it immediately. He had been practicing his smile, and he was sure the one he just flashed her was his worst yet. But the moment was fleeting, her eyes drawn towards the ground she walked. Floating down the hall, and out of his sight. 

"You'll be there won't you?" His friends voice faded back in. Jisung had forgotten Hyunjin was even there, speaking to him. He flashed an animated look at his friend, one Hyunjin knew all too well. He wasn't listening, too distracted by other things. "You're coming to the game tonight yes?" He repeated, a little exasperated. 

"Uh- yeah, yes. Wouldn't miss it." Jisung managed to blurt out. His friendship with Hyunjin was interesting to everyone in their grade. Hyunjin, captain of the volleyball team and Jisung, the quiet boy. 

To the two of them however, it was the most natural thing in the world. They weren't blind to how others viewed their friendship, but it was so precious to the two of them that it didn't matter what everyone else thought.

Unfortunately for Jisung, close friendship with the second most popular person in their grade did not mean popularity for him.

Though popularity was never something he strived for or cared about. And that was certainly not why he was friends with Hyunjin. They'd been friends since grade school. Although they used the word friends loosely. When they were younger, their personalities clashed. They fought about almost everything. Until one day, Jisung watched from afar as someone hit Hyunjin. When asked about it now, he can't remember what happened next. It was a blur for little Jisung. But the next thing he knew, he was sitting outside the principals office with a bloody nose, Hyunjin perched up next to him. Both of them smiling from the chaos they caused together.

That was the kind of friend Jisung was. Loyal to a fault, recklessly so. That's why he caught himself in that fight that day, the one and only he'd ever participated in. But Hyunjin didn't need Jisung to fight for him. He needed Jisung to fight with him. It was strange at first, growing from two boys who would fight each other to the two boys no one else dared to fight against. From that day, they were inseparable.

"Okay man I'm just asking that you leave the comics at home this time." Hyunjin started, a semi-teasing/semi-serious tone. 

Jisung let out a groan, shutting his locker as they began walking to class, "I'll literally have nothing to do before the game! You want me to sit there, bored out of my mind?"

They both fell in step, strutting towards their first class of the day, "you really know how to get on my nerves Ji."

"It's just-" he breathes deep, turning the corner of the hallway, "you know its hard for me, sitting there and watching everyone talk amongst themselves like their lives depend on it."

Hyunjin exhaled a laugh through his nose, "you could do with a little socialising too."

Jisung turned dramatically towards his friend, "me? Talk to people?" And suddenly his body hit something- no, someone. He snapped his head to find who it was. 

Of course. Of course. Just his luck. Y/N, sat- no, laid on the floor before him from the impact. 

Jisung, in his shock, just stood there and blinked down at her. Hoping, praying this was just a dream. His first proper interaction with literally the prettiest girl and he's knocked her to the ground. Yeah, there's no coming back from this.

Hyunjin was the first to react, bag slipping from his shoulder to allow him more movement to help the poor girl. "Y/N, oh my god- are you okay?" He spoke so casually with her. How could he speak so casually with her?

She let out a little laugh and- oh my god that laugh. "I'm fine Jin, really." She smiled brightly. How was she not furious? How was she not blowing up on him right now? How was she- oh my god she's looking at me- "you need to keep a better eye out for hazards Jisung." She playfully punched his arm. 

The light contact, entirely playful and platonic in nature sent a warmth throughout his body. He seemed to react, involuntarily to her. That was dangerous. She was dangerous.

Both Hyunjin and Y/N waited for him to say something. Anything.

He blinked at her, still trying to register what was going on. "Ji." Hyunjin whispered at his friend, elbowing him slightly in hopes to jumpstart his brain. 

"Right!" He finally spoke, all too loud for his own good. Though she was looking at him, and she touched his arm- so he was not at all in his right state of mind at all. He allowed himself a pass for that one. "Right! I'm sorry- ah- I'm so sorry- are- are you okay?"

She giggled at the nervous boy, "It's okay Jisung, accidents happen right?" She smiled again, that same smile that literally melts his brain. She finally broke their gaze, turning instead to Hyunjin, "Chan was looking for you by the way. He'd said something about tonights game but I really had no idea what he was talking about." she finished with a laugh.

Hyunjin joined her, "ah, I'll make sure to find him. Thanks Y/N. And be sure to let me know if there are any ongoing injuries so I can make sure Jisung pays for the hospital fees." He'd slung an arm around his friend. 

"Ah," she smiled and played along, "I'll be sure to let you know! But I'll only take payments in the form of cheesecake and anime marathons." 

She's perfect. 

"Anyway, I'll see you guys around yeah?" She finished, both boys nodding as she turned and walked back down the hall.

Hyunjin, with his arm still around Jisung turned with a smug expression. Face close to his, "you know..." he started, giving his friend time to turn his attention to him, "she'll be at the game tonight."

"She will?"

"She will. She's the class president dude." Hyunjin began to walk them down the hall again, "Big game. Big energy. She's giving a speech to open the game."

"She is?"

"Dude, you are so far gone."

"I am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

Jisung shook out his hair for the nth time that night as he made his way closer to the school gym. Adjusting his glasses, he took a deep breath, finally lifting his head to feign confidence.

Before long, the school gym came into view. And he caught sight of Y/N just outside, speaking with Felix. He didn't know Felix all that well, just that he and Y/N were good friends. They were both transfers to this school, and having only known each other at the time, they clung close.

However, Jisung couldn't help but wonder how close they were. After all, he was watching her now as she smiled and giggled, shifting her weight around. She looked giddy and Jisung was sure he was interrupting something.

He'd considered how silly it was for him to be here. That the driving reason he was here was just stood there before him, giggling about something the schools sunshine boy had said.

He turned his head to look back down the path he'd just come up, considering turning around. He began concocting some excuse in his head for Hyunjin. I wasn't feeling well. I needed to clean the house. I was jealous watching the girl I never speak to talk with some other boy.

Just before his feet could move, he heard a loud but gentle calling, turning his head to see her looking straight at him.

"Jisung!" Her arm was raised in the air, waving him to come closer. And before he could comprehend what was happening, his feet were moving toward her. There was something about that girl that drew him in. Literally. 

He wiped his hands over his hoodie a few more times to dry them from the sweat, hoping it wasn't at all noticeable. She spoke again when he stood next to her, "You know Felix right?"

"Hey," the boy beamed at Jisung. 

"Hey." He muttered back, pulling at the sleeves of his hoodie. Maybe it would hide him.

"We were just talking about how much we miss the beaches in Australia." She laughed, "Don't get me wrong, they're great here too! But, you know what that say- there's no place like home."

Felix smiled too, turning back to Jisung, curiosity taking over the sweet boy, "have you ever been out of the country?"

Jisung shook his head, pulling the hem of hoodie down, shifting his weight. This is the most anyone other than Hyunjin has spoken to him. 

"That's a shame," Y/N started, "I bet you'd love Australia. There's so many beautifully quiet spots. I bet you'd lose time there." She laughed a little, reminiscing, "I always did."

And there it was. The moment Jisung realised that without prompting, with barely any discussion, she saw him. Suddenly it all made sense. How she was able to make friends so easily. Her nature was to observe, to look beyond the surface.

He'd felt seen. Too seen. And usually that bothered him. His nature was to hide. But when it was her eyes searching for him, he'd be okay coming into the light.

"Sounds beautiful," he breathed out, eyes still locked to hers. 

"It is!" She smiled, breaking the contact, "Felix and I used to wake up extra early to surf before school everyday."

"Oh I remember that!" Felix laughed, eventually fading out as he quirked an eyebrow, "why did we stop doing that?" 

She laughed again, nervous this time. A small blush washed over her face, "Danny." 

"Danny!" Felix repeated louder, and then again with more disdain. "Danny. What a dick."

"Okay- rude! It was the first time anyone had shown interest in me and I felt seen!"

He turned to Jisung with a smile on his face, "he always had to have his lips on her."

"Okay, Ji doesn't need to know that!" 

Jisung was caught between feeling jealous of this boy who got to feel her lips and battling the butterflies in his stomach at the use of that nickname. 

"He was late to every single date Y/N!"

"He had very good excuses!" She pointed a finger at him.

"He forgot your birthday!"

"It's a hard one to remember!"

"He held a structured debate on how women should be in the kitchen."

"He had good qualities too!" 

"Name one." Felix crossed his arms, tilting his head in anticipation.

"He-" Y/N started. She stopped herself when she realised she had nothing, "no wait- he-"

"See!" Felix turned back to Jisung, lowering his voice a little, "little note about this one- no matter how badly you hurt her, she will find some way to forgive you or defend you or justify you."

"Ah!" She shouted, cutting through Felix's voice, "He bought me 'just because' flowers that one time!" She clicked her fingers, smiling victoriously.

"How many times have I told you pabo, that is the bare minimum!" Felix added. 

She took a deep breath, about to retort when they were interrupted by another voice. Seungmin, the boy who seemed to have beef with everyone. Everyone, bar the one and only: "Y/N, game's about to start. Get in here." He ordered, wandering back into the gym. 

Felix sighed, looking at the door Seungmin disappeared into, "Why do you get sweet Seungmin?" Felix pouted, turning with Y/N as they walked towards the door, Jisung following slightly behind. 

"Ah, that is a secret I can't share. But it involves knowing his favourite candy." 

"So... bribery?" Felix questioned, opening the door for the two of them.

She'd stopped before entering, shrugging her shoulders, "it works doesn't it?"

And with that, they all entered the gym.

The noise was almost too much for Jisung. People from his school, chatting loudly over the noise, people from the opposing team sat on the opposite side of the gym, waving their team colours around. The volleyball net stood tall in the middle, the sheer size of it was intimidating.

He hesitantly followed Felix and Y/N, unsure of what to do from here. But he suddenly became very aware of his body. He didn't know whether to put his hands in his pockets or by his side. And if there by his side, should he swing them slightly or should they remain still. Were his glasses straight? His hair neat? His posture upright?

He felt so out of place. His eyes scanned the stands, finding barely any spots to hide. There was no way he would find a seat in this sea of people. If only he hadn't gotten distracted just outside he would be completely hidden by now.

He swallowed hard, looking for an escape. Begging for one.

"Hey," a quiet voice broke through to him and he was looking into those eyes again, "you okay?"

"Yeah- I just-" Jisung tried to comprehend what he was feeling and struggled more so to put it into words. She simply looked at him, nodding silently, understanding completely.

"You wanna sit with us?" She offered, pointing to where Felix was shrugging off his jacket to place under his seat in the front row. "I know it can be intimidating being so close to the front. It's just- I have to welcome the players and they reserve the front row for me."

"The whole row?" Jisung was genuinely shocked. He knew she held weight at the school, being the class president and all. But he didn't know that extended to whole row reservations. 

She laughed, "not just for me pabo. The whole student council. But we don't usually take up the whole thing, you can sit next to me if you want?"

Why was she being so kind to him? How was it so easy for her? Despite the envy that built in the boy, Jisung found himself nodding and following her over to their seats. She stopped right in front of Felix, "scooch" she waved her hand at him. 

Felix groaned and mumbled, staying put, "you always do this to me."

Jisung picked that up, "I can sit somewhere else?"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Y/N spoke, shooting a glance to Felix before he groaned and moved over. She smiled and took her seat next to Felix. She looked up at Jisung, patting the one next to her. "It's okay- we don't bite."

"You don't." Seungmin's voice broke though.

"Don't listen to him," Y/N mentioned, eyes still connected to his. She watched as Jisung took a seat next to her. His leg immediately beginning to bounce up and down out of nerves. 

The principal was the first to speak into the mic, boring the congregation with school notices and admin stuff. Jisung wasn't paying much attention. How was he expected to when her perfume was invading his space. Even this morning, as he bumped into her, he hadn't noticed how rich the smell was. He wasn't sure what he expected. Floral? Citrus? Whatever he expected, it was not what he was smelling. It was feminine to say the least, but it had a complexity that he longed to unpack. He wanted so badly to know what it was.

It took him a little longer to notice she had walked away. Only indicated by the returning smell of the gym floors. Even as he tried to focus his brain on what she was saying into the mic, it all drowned out. His eyes trained on her lips as she pronounced certain words. The shape her eyes make when she smiles. Her arms outstretched towards the back of the hall.

His trance was broken by the loud cheers echoing through the other side of the hall as the opposing team ran out. They waved giant foam fingers and posters to show their support.

But it was nothing compared to the cheers that erupted as his very own team marched out. Loud chanting, wolf-whistling and powerful claps. Jisung even found himself clapping as he watched Hyunjin make his way to his starting position. 

He was a little thrown off when he saw Y/N sit down next to Jisung in the front row. Usually he had to search for his friend, but instead he was looking right at him from the best seat in the house. They both exchanged a knowing look, but it was Hyunjin who smirked.

"How did I do?" Y/N leaned in close to whisper to Jisung. Her scent as prominent as ever. She was going to kill this man. 

"Good," he replied, that same dumb confused expression on his face. 

Everyone jumped up from their seats as Hyunjin scored the winning point for their team. Cheers became louder and louder as the team celebrated. And it wasn't long before the team left and Jisung found himself at the back of the gym, waiting with Felix and Y/N for the winners to show face. 

"That serve from Chan was beyond crazy. He really has a knack for this." Felix commented, swaying slightly beside where Y/N was perched up on the picnic table. 

"Truly..." she drawled out, "how come he never played back home?"

"We played beach volleyball on that excursion we did but that was the only time I saw him play back then." Felix reminisced.

"You guys know Chan too?" It was a silly question. He knew that as soon as he asked it. Of course they did. They were all transfers, they all arrived at the same time.

He'd just never seen them interact. But then he remembered that Chan was older, and they didn't have any classes together.

Y/N nodded her head, humming quietly. "Yeah, we're all really close." She turned to Jisung, intrigue taking over, "you interested in sport much?"

He thought about it for a moment too long before, "I played soccer when I was five," Jisung spoke, gaining the attention of them both, "but I tripped over the ball and broke my arm. I haven't really been that interested since then."

Y/N let out a warm laugh, "that's so precious. I don't blame you for giving it up." She breathed deep, "I'm not all that interested either. I like volleyball but only when I'm watching these guys or at the beach." Felix hummed in agreement. 

The backdoor of the gym flung open and the team began piling out. Felix reached a hand out to Y/N to help her off the table. She jumped down with a small grunt, smoothing over her jeans to knock the dust off. 

"Channie!" She suddenly cried out, running up to the older boy and hugging his middle. Chan laughed, wrapping his arms back around her, swaying them slightly. 

"Ah, bug, I'm still sweaty from the game."

"Don't care. My boy did so well he deserves hugs."

Jisung felt a pang of jealously ring through him as he watched the scene unfold. He figured it out by now. It wasn't Felix he was competing with it was Chan. And how could Jisung compete with the captain of the volleyball team?

Before he could do much about it, Hyunjins loud voice echoed into the night air. 

"YAH!" He shouted, "Han-ah! What are you still doing here?" He approached his friend. Who, as he so often was, wore a dumb-founded look and at a loss of words.

The truth was that he wasn't sure what he was doing here. He'd blindly followed a pretty girl behind the gym with her friend, who he now realised was no threat to him.  

Y/N strutted over, dragging Chan by his arm, "I thought it was about time that Jisung here joins us for the post-game diner run!" She smiled at him. "It took a little convincing but he's here. We should go before he changes his mind."

Everyone laughed at her words. 

The diner was full of life as soon as they all walked in. The place was ever familiar to most of the party. Old-timey brightly coloured booths lined the walls, a jukebox sitting in the corner and bar stools lining the counter. It was still somewhat modern though, a digital clock hanging above the service window, an up-to-date register. No one was serving with roller-stakes either.

The group staggered towards the corner tables, taking up a large amount of space. Y/N broke off from the group, collecting a stack of menus to hand out to the crowd. 

Jisung was somehow squished into the middle of the booth, between Hyunjin and Felix. Chan sat with Felix, but was turned to speak with Changbin, who still sported their team jersey. Jeongin was speaking across the table at Felix, babbling on about how next game would be the one the coach put him in. He was sure of it. Y/N made her way back to the table, placing the menus in the middle, immediately getting snatched up by all sides. She shot an apologetic look at Jisung, sliding a menu closer to him and taking the seat across. 

"Y/N, wanna split the Big Cheese?" Chan asked, not looking up from his menu.

"Always." She responded, eyes set also on the menu.

Jisung couldn't help but wonder, if they knew what they were eating, why they were still looking at the menu. Possibly looking for drinks?

"Channie," Y/N drawled out. A concerning undertone lacing her voice. 

"I can't find it either." Both of their voices were panicked now. 

"Why- why- why on EARTH would they seize to serve the Big Cheese?" Y/N was becoming more agitated, turning the menu over and double checking it wasn't hiding from her. She was in complete disarray.

Jeongin was new to the team and new to these hangouts. Therefore he had no idea what the big deal was. So he found himself asking, "The Big Cheese?"

"The Big Cheese!" Chan cried out, "only the worlds best and biggest burger known to man! I'm a big eater, but even that thing is too big for one person. But the buns are as soft as clouds," he dreamed.

"Patty, cooked to perfection," Y/N sighed.

"Lettuce, crispier than the morning air," Chan continued.

"And the meltiest cheese you've ever seen!" Everyone, bar Jeongin and Jisung, bellowed out. Having heard their speech before and their love for this burger, it wasn't hard for everyone to finish their sentence. Still, everyone burst out laughing. 

Once it had died down, Y/N spoke up, mostly to herself but loud enough that people heard, "I wonder if Minho's working."

"Bug, it's not that big of a deal, let's take this as an opportunity to try something new." Chan suggested.

"New?" Y/N feigned offence, "try something new?"

"Yeah okay..." Chan trailed off, a small smile growing on his face.

He'd slung an arm on the back of Felix's chair and watched as she stood up and marched over to the counter. The attention quickly drawn back to the table as Jeongin, the sweet boy, asked, "so how long have you two been together?"

Everyone froze at the question. Jisung especially so. A knot was building in Jisung's stomach. He wanted to run away, he wanted nothing to do with this question. 

He felt sick. He didn't want to know anymore. He didn't want to know about their love. It should be him. He wanted it to be him.

His illness didn't last long though, as the whole table burst out laughing.

"Y/N and Chan?"

"Me and her?"

"Oh this is gold!" 

The laughter died down and Chan, still with a smile on his face, spoke through his chuckling, "we're not dating."

Jisung felt a wave of relief over this confirmation. Letting out a sigh he'd hoped no one had noticed.

"Oh," Jeongin, slightly embarrassed, began to try and justify his question, "you two just seem really close."

"Yeah we are. But more in a sibling kind of way." Chan reassured. 

Felix perked up a little, "all three of us got accepted into the exchange program here. Y/N and I have known each other since primary school. We only met Chan a few months before we all came here."

"Yeah," Chan confirmed. He leaned forward on the table a little, unsure of what if he should continue or not, "she- her parents didn't like the idea of her coming here." A serious tone fell over the table, Jisung found himself sitting forward, hung onto his every word. 

"She's my best friend though," Felix began, "and she was always so interested in my heritage. We agreed we'd only do the program if both of us could come."

"So she came, but her parents were furious." Chan began fiddling with one of his rings, trying to harbour his anger, "they cut her off."

"Cut her off?" Jisung spoke, catching himself off guard. But he moved to the edge of his seat nonetheless, completely enthralled in Chan's speech.

Felix turned to Jisung, "she hasn't spoken to her family since she came here."

"She kind of relies on us," Chan spoke, turning now to Felix, whose attention was turned back to Chan, "we're her brothers. She's our sister. She knows our love for her can't be taken away."

"No conditions," Felix added with a glum smile.

The table was silent, no one knowing how to move on from that information. But luckily, none of them had to do anything.

"Okay," Y/N appeared at the table again, "good news- Minho is going to make it for us." She beamed.

Everyone at the table forced happy smiles and they tried to pretend she wasn't just the topic of discussion. "How did you manage that?" Changbin asked. Chan was thankful, he wasn't sure how to continue speaking after spilling what he said.

Y/N hummed, "I'm not sharing my secrets!"

"Yah!" Hyunjin began, "one day you will share them with someone!"

She hummed, "maybe to my future husband." She laughed, everyone joining in.

"You've got everyone wrapped around your little finger!" Chan teased.

She giggled, bringing her hands up and wiggling them in front of her face, "yep! But don't worry boys I have enough to go around!"

"See ya guys!" Changbin waved from across the parking lot, Jeongin in tow, arm raised as well. 

"You guys need a lift?" Chan questioned, tossing his keys around in his hand.

"Could you?" Hyunjin asked.

"Hop in." Chan assured, making his way towards his truck, opening the passenger side door for Y/N to get in. She placed a hand on his shoulder to hoist herself up. Once she was in, he shut the door.

Jisung felt so silly for feeling jealous before. As he watched the small scene now, it was clear to him. Chan and Felix were her family. Taking care of her when no one else would. His heart broke at the knowledge that somewhere, there are people on this earth who chose to be distant from her.

The concept was so foreign to him, because she always kept drawing her in. He had convinced himself she did that to everyone. That was why she was friends with so many people right? She was alluring, dangerous.

But no, her heart was empty. Her family a distant memory. What Jisung wouldn't give to hold her tight. To be near her, to help her forget everything bad. To protect her from anything else.

He realised in that moment that his feelings for her only grew deeper tonight. With the interaction outside the gym, the stolen glances over dinner and learning more about her life. He was gone.

"Make haste Jisung!" Hyunjin called out in a grandiose voice, teasing him to hurry up. 

Jisung shook his head and pushed his glasses up his nose, making his way towards the truck.

The car ride was just as lively as the dinner. Chan and Y/N were caught up in a conversation in the front, Felix and Hyunjin shooting the shit in the back. Jisung, for the first time that night, was not focused on Y/N. 

Instead, his eyes were following the movement out the car window. The way the lights from businesses and street lights reflected onto the ground gave him a sense of peace. 

"Ji?" Hyunjin called for him, "Any chance I can crash at yours tonight? Parents are out of town and I hate being alone in that house."

"Yeah no problem!" Jisung replied, turning only then to Y/N in the front. Her feet up on Chan's dashboard, singing softly to the song playing through the speakers. Due to his tiredness, Jisung blurted out, "You have a beautiful singing voice Y/N."

Silence. A blush crept up Y/N's face. She wasn't aware anyone was listening to her. "See," Chan was the first to speak, "I told you, you're a good singer!"

"Yeah but it doesn't count if it comes from you!"

"You care more about Jisungs opinion of you than mine?"

With no hesitation, she blurts out "yes."

A small silence followed by a chuckle from Felix and a soft 'wow' from Chan. When the conversations begun again, Y/N turned back to him. She mouthing a thank you to Jisung, a quiet appreciation for his compliment. 

It wasn't long before they turned down Jisungs street. 

"Holy shit," Y/N spoke, her feet falling from the dash and leaning closer to the window, "these houses are nice."

"Aren't they?" Hyunjin leaned across Jisung to view the houses better. 

"Ji," There she goes again with the nickname, "you live here?"

"Yeah," he spoke, suddenly very shy about it. 

"Oh so you're rich?"

"We're comfortable," he corrected. 

"That's rich person speak for RICH!" Y/N teased. 

Chan pulled the car in front of the house Hyunjin pointed to. The three transfers in the car were speechless. His house was nice. Too nice for the quiet boy at the back of the classroom. 

"Thanks for the lift!" Hyunjin exclaimed, ushering Jisung out of the car so he too could leave. 

"Yeah no problem!" 

"Wait," Y/N wound her window down, sticking some of her body out of it, "Ji, could I- could I get your number?"

The boy blinked at her. This was a dream. He knew it then. Because under no circumstances was this happening to him. 

Hyunjin hit his arm, a cry of pain emanating from his mouth and he neared back towards the car. He took her phone from her hand, punching in his number and handing it back. "Ok wait," she spoke, typing something into her phone. He felt his own phone buzz from his pocket. He fished it out and read the notification.

Hi :)

"Did you get it?" She asked. He nodded. "Let me see?" He offered his phone instantly. She typed a few things on his and handed it back. Nothing drastic, just set her contact name as Y/N :). "I'm glad you came along tonight. Hope you can make the next one!" She smiled and sat back in her chair, winding the window up and waving goodbye and Chan drove away. 

Jisung was left stunned. The girl he had an overwhelming crush on just gave him her number. 

"What was that?" Chan turned to Y/N, Felix chuckling from the backseat. 

"What was what?"

"I'm glad you came along tonight!" Felix mocked.

"Oh Ji, take my number I'm begging you!" Chan teased. 

"I do not sound like that!" Y/N defended.

"You so do!" They spoke in unison.

"God really?" She was suddenly feeling very conscious, "do you think he feels like I only wanted his number because we saw his house?"

"No." Chan spoke, unsure even himself.

"That's not convincing!" Y/N slumped back in her chair.

"I don't get it Y/N. You find it so easy to talk to everyone else, what's so different about Jisung?" Felix asked.

"I like Jisung!" She said matter-of-factly.

"We know," Chan added, a more brotherly tone taken in his voice, "you've only been working up your courage to speak with him for a year now."

She sighed, gaze locked on the window and fading view of houses outside. "I just want him to think I'm cool."

"He definitely thinks you're cool." Chan spoke.

"A little more than that." Felix added. 

"What's that supposed to mean?" Y/N turned back to face Felix.

"It means he looks at you like there's on one else in the room!" 

"He does not."

"Does too." Chan interjected. "Look, you're beautiful bug. Inside and out. Just take it easy, text him, see how things go. No one's rushing you to do anything drastic. Just talk to him."

"You're right," she trailed off, "it's just hard for me you know.." Her eyes found the tree line along the road, fixing her eyes to it as they drove, "I just have this fear that once people know me too well that they'll leave. Like they'll figure out there's nothing about me thats not worth staying for."

"Y/N-" Felix started.

"I know it's silly, and I have you guys and I'm so thankful for that but- I don't know. It's different."

"I get it," Chan spoke, reaching his hand across to grab onto Y/N's, "no matter what happens, Lix and I are here okay? We're not going anywhere."

"Even if you wanted us to."

She giggled a little at Felix's comment, "thanks boys."

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