#wipnip

“You’re back,” Chan sighs, gripping the next book. “What’d you go out so early for?”

“Nice to see the library didn’t burn down,” he quips, slipping his sweater off, “Seungkwan just wanted to see the sunrise.”

Chan’s hand freezes mid-air, snapping his head to face his friend, nearly dropping the book he’s holding. “Seungkwan’s back?”

Jeonghan nods, tossing his sweater on the back of a chair. “Yeah, got back late last night.”

“He didn’t say anything to me.”

Jeonghan only shrugs, then chuckles when he notices the small pout on Chan’s lips. “I think he wanted to surprise you. Guess I just spoiled it.”

“What—”

“It’s fine,” Jeonghan says cheekily. “Just pretend you didn’t hear it from me, yeah?”

Chan shakes his head, turning back to the shelf. “Yeah, whatever.”

Chan feels Jeonghan stare holes at each movement he makes as he stores the books away. In the moment of silence between the two, only the soft scrape of books sliding into the shelves broke through the room. Friendship is kind of like sibling nature, Jeonghan thinks, leaving Chan in peace for too long simply just won’t do. 

“Speaking of surprises,” Jeonghan leans against the desk, his cheshire smirk beaming at Chan, “you haven’t said much about that new girl lately.”

Chan freezes, the book in his hand hovering above the car. He breathes deeply though his nose, barely sparing Jeonghan a glance. “Not this again.”

“I’m just saying, Channie,” he says, dragging out the words in a way that makes Chan’s skin crawl. “It’s hard to believe you’re suddenly on a first-name basis with some mysterious chick. I mean, it’s not like you to keep secrets from me.”

“It’s not a secret and she’s not a chick.” Chan crams the book onto the shelf a little harder than necessary. “And it’s none of your business.”

“Is that so? Because the way you keep dodging the topic makes it sound like one. Hey, and easy on the books there. Just ‘cause I’m a laid back boss doesn’t mean you can take it out on them.”

“Jeonghan, it’s just books,” Chan groans, running a hand through his hair, “and I told you already. I’ve talked to her a couple of times. She’s…nice…and cute.”

“Uh-huh. ‘Nice and cute.’ That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?” he scoffs, the glint in his eyes screaming bait taken. 

“Yeah. That’s it.”

Jeonghan pushes off the desks, circling closer, his voice switching to a trasoning tone. “So nice and cute that you’ve brought her up three and a half times in the last month.”

Chan glares at him, jaw tightening. “What the hell does ‘a half time’ even mean?”

Jeonghan only returns a knowing look, unbothered. “It means you couldn’t finish your sentence because you got all weird and flustered when I asked if she even knows you guys are like this,” he says, crossing his fingers together in front of Chan’s face. “Plus, it’s a small town. If there was a cute and nice girl hanging around somewhere I would’ve noticed, otherwise, why haven’t I met her?”

“You’re annoying,” Chan mutters, turning his back to him.

“You’re avoiding the question. If you’re such good friends with her, why don’t you prove it?”

Chan blinks, spinning around. “Prove it? What are we, twelve?”

“C’mon, it’s simple.” Jeonghan crosses his arms, leaning against a nearby shelf. “Seungkwan’s having a beach gathering on Friday. Invite her. That way, I’ll know she's real, and you’re not just making her up to sound cool.”

“I don’t need to prove anything to you,” Chan snaps, his cheeks hinting a faint pink blush. 

“Sure, you don't,” Jeonghan replies, grinning as he backs towards his office. “But I already told Seungkwan about her. It’d be a shame if I told him you’ve been making up imaginary friends in your spare time.”

“You told him what?” Chan screeches, chucking a book into the cart, “Hyung, I should be the one to tell others about her first!”

“He really is looking forward to meeting her, by the way!” Jeonghan calls over his shoulder as he leaves through the door. 

“The first one was nicer,” Joshua shouts, flipping through your biology notes. He lay comfortably on your bed, like it was his, leaning his back onto your pillows. How he ended up here was also against his will, but he wasn't complaining, anyway. You needed him, and he wanted to be there for you.

You, on the other side of the bathroom door, roll your eyes and slip on your third dress. As you twist the knob open, you adjust the ends. “You can’t be sure until you’ve seen me in all of them. I really wanna look good tonight.” You breathe nervously.

Joshua glances up, staring at your figure. There you stand in a short, strapless purple dress with sequins scattered across the top. The skirt is frilly, crumpled stylishly with a tied bow at your waistline. Definitely party material, Joshua thinks. He airily laughs at you. “Well, you’ve already done it, Y/N.”

You scoff, lightly stomping to the edge of your bed. “Josh, I’m serious,” you say, grabbing the laid out heels you placed around him. “Right now, I need you to be one-hundred percent honest with me here. You know how much I care about first impressions, so I would appreciate a little more criticism,” you pause, “Constructive criticism.”

His eyes crinkle as he flops the notebook on the mattress. He sighs before grabbing the heels in your hands and switching them out for a pair of gold ones. “These will look best with your outfit. But ditch the beaded bracelet.”

You pause, offering a smile of thanks before slipping them on and taking the bracelet off. Joshua only shakes his head and scooches to the edge of the bed. “I don’t get it, Y/N. Since when did you care so much about these things? I mean, come on, you never used to wanna go all out with your birthdays, and now suddenly I’m forced to be your, what, manager?”

“Whoa there, mister,” you huff, stopping your movements.

Joshua rolls his eyes, lifting himself off the mattress. He towers over you, placing his hands on your shoulders. “Look, you look great. Beautiful even. But if you’re doing this just because—“

“I’m not,” you interrupt. “Joshua, I want to do this. I’m already set with school and now I just… I just wanna experience the last of my high school years normally. I wanna drink… get wasted… and party. Like you, really.”

He blinks, squeezing your skin then letting go as he nods. Deep down, he knows the strangeness of your behaviour is true, but the last thing he wants is to ruin this night for you. Despite all, he smiles at you, just as anticipating as you are. “Alright then. And just so you know, if you wanna back out—”