a reason to smile // seo changbin ✔️

chapter twenty-six

there's more to it

*update is out early because i will be busy all day! enjoyyy <33*

moon jieun - friday

i ran my hands along my pants for the thousandth time. i couldn't remember the last time i really cared about what i was wearing. i knew most of the time, this would be an acceptable outfit for me.

baggy black jeans with rips throughout, a fitted white crop top with black jeweled stars across the chest, and i finished it off with changbin's black jacket he had given me. as for my shoes, i went with a simple pair of white vans. i kept my black hair down and flat, and didn't bother with makeup. i knew i looked more put together than i had in a while, but i wasn't sure how it would be in comparison to everyone else here.

"you look beautiful, jieun." changbin's voice ghosts over the shell of my ear, his hand on the small of my back as we follow jisung toward chan's frat house. he must have been able to sense my worry, but i was glad he'd said something about it. him and i were ironically matching, though it only made sense because our styles had always been a bit similar.

black jeans, white t-shirt, leather jacket. it was pretty much his staple. and he looked damn good in it too. i suppose if i liked his outfit, i would be a hypocrite to not like my own. he'd styled his black hair, splitting it on the forehead.

jisung was happily walking ahead of us, on the phone with minho, talking about their plans for the night. he was still ecstatic that changbin and i were going, and after talking with felix yesterday, i was a little excited myself.

it didn't take long for the frat house to come into view. a house i'd passed many times on campus, but never thought that i would find myself going inside, much less with my friends... and my boyfriend.

i wasn't sure when my new reality would really settle in my mind. everything was like a constant shock as it happened. but i also didn't mind it. i enjoyed the change, welcomed it. changbin guided me up the stairs, and jisung was already flinging the door open. the loud thump of music and absent chatter filling my ears.

"remember, just say the word and we'll go." changbin's reminds me just before we step through the threshold. and i was overwhelmed with everything, but i wasn't shying away from it. instead, i was taking it all in. the colorful flashing lights, the students dancing together, leaning all over the walls and furniture, some playing games, some simply just chatting. it was fairly tame in spite of it all. true to what changbin and jisung had said, it wasn't reminding me of those high school
parties i went too. of course, it was still very rowdy.

chan quickly made his appearance, a wide smile on his face, and another man matching his expression next to him.

"changbin! so glad to have you back." he smiles at changbin, then looks over to me. "and jieun, how is everything so far? not too bad i hope?" his wide smile turns slightly sheepish as he scratches his nape.

"just got here, still adjusting." i reply with a chuckle. he smiles and nods, motioning to the man next to him.

"this is minho, he's excited to finally meet you." he gestures to minho. minho grins and holds his hand out for me to take. i reluctantly place my hand in his, but instead of shaking it like i expected, he pulls it up to his lips and presses them against my knuckles.