The Project 'Buddy'

~17~

Won 🫶🏻🤺: whatever you do, do not find me

Jongseong: Yang, you do know that only makes me want to find you more, right?

Won 🫶🏻🤺: shit. Well, just don't cuz....you won't recognise me

Jongseong: lol what? Did you like, do a face paint and made yourself an actual cat or something?

Won 🫶🏻🤺: haha. Very funny but no. It's just...yeah you'll see 😔😔

Jongseong: oh?
  Ok then. I'll see you later! 😜😜

Won 🫶🏻🤺: yeah 🥰

Jay chuckled at Jungwon's cute response. Then, he covered his mouth in shock. What? Cute? Oh shit, he was falling again. Jungwon wasn't even into guys! Or that's what he thought....

He finally stepped out of the tent, where a lot more people had arrived, and went over to find his friends. They were munching on some tteopokki when he found them.

"Seriously? Without me? Devils you all are," Jay huffed and Heeseung laughed.

"Aww. Don't be sad! Come on, say 'ahhh!'" Heeseung brought a tteopokki to Jay's mouth, who refused to open it.

Heeseung shook his head. "I guess I have to do it the hard way then," he sighed, but mischievous glint was shining in his eyes. He turned away and suddenly bought the rice cake in an airplane style, and Jay didn't refuse to open his mouth this time.

"AHAHAHAH! hyung you're a real baby, you know that?" Nicholas choked on his tteopokki and Sunghoon had to slap his back so he didn't suffocate.

"Just tryna live my youthful days," Jay answered sweetly, and before any of his friends could respond, the sound of the mic interrupted their conversation, causing all of them to turn to face the stage.

"Welcome! Welcome back to the annual Gbogh Festival! I'm Gen, your host for tonight, and I would like to official declare this festival....open to the public!" Cheers erupted from the students as the public entered. Gen gave them a few minutes to settle before saying into the mic.

"So...we have a performance ready for all of you to start off the festival! Any Engenes here? Well, we will be having a group of students, our seniors and juniors, dancing to their latest release, Sweet Venom!"

Girls and guys from around Jay could be heard cheering and squealing. They whooped when Gen introduced the performers. From where Jay was, he could see the performers quite clearly, and that's what made his heart thump twice as loud as his mouth hung low.

"Jungwon?!"
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Jungwon's POV

His heart thumped and thumped against his chest. It was practically begging to break out of Jungwon's rib-cage. He held a hand over his chest to calm him heart.

"You okay?" Niki asked, from behind Jungwon.

Jungwon nodded and turned to face him, smiling. But it slowly dropped when he saw the crowd forming in front of the stage as Gen made her announcement.

"Do you think I can do it?" He whispered, but Niki clearly heard it even through his in-ears.

"Hey, hey, why are you suddenly thinking like that? You were great during practice hyung! Everything will be fine!" Niki assured, patting the older's shoulder comfortingly.

Jungwon managed to smile at that, grateful for Niki's kindness. How could Sunoo not see this caring kid that wanted him? He ruffled Niki's hair and grinned, "thanks dongsaeng."

Niki smirked back. "You'll slay this hyung. I just know it! And someone will probably have their jaw dropping at how hot you look now," Niki teased and Jungwon gave him an amused look.

"What-? Who?"

Niki shrugged. "I ain't saying...you'll figure that out yourself."

And suddenly, it was like they were in that night again, when Jungwon was rejected. But this time, the atmosphere had changed and he wasn't sad anymore about losing his second love.

Maybe because there was a third.

He shook his head at that thought. Nope, not now. Now, at this moment, at 8.15 pm, he was going to perform-for the first time-in front of so many people. He needed to focus. He could do this.

"Please welcome, our performers!" Gen exclaimed, and loud cheers and whoops could be heard from the crowd. The team looked at each other one last time, and nodded their heads.

"Let's do this, team," Niki told his friends, hugging them close before they headed out to stage.
Immediately, Jungwon caught a glimpse of Jay at the corner with Heeseung, Sunghoon and Nicholas. His expression turned from confused, to realisation and shock all at once when his eyes landed on Jungwon. It took Jungwon all his might not to laugh right there and then on the stage.

He went into position and in that moment, everyone was silent. Then, the sound of the drums from the music played and Jungwon knew they had started. Sunoo did his part and Jungwon took a few deep breaths, calmed his racing heart, told himself he could do this, and claimed that spotlight while singing the lyrics.

"Hey~ I see your face you're up to something~"

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