haunted, again // nct.dream [2]

{12}

Hyunji's P.O.V

"I'm guessing you want a water?" Haechan checked before walking off. I nodded, still feeling overly happy about Haechan finally coming around. He smiled while walking off.

The band shifted to a slow song. I watched the couples surrounding me join together and rocking back and forth to the beat. I could even spot Jaemin and Mi-Cha pressed together. Her eyes were closed and Jaemin was smiling while whispering to her.

A smile crept to my face seeing them so happy. I tapped my foot to the beat by myself, waiting for Haechan to return. There was a soft touch on my shoulder blade. I turned around, half expecting it to be Haechan, but it seemed too soon for him to be back.

Instead, Johnny was there taking my hands to drape over his own shoulders while his began to slide around my sides. I flinched at the abrupt action.

"What the hell-" I started, but Johnny quickly shushed me by pulling so close I had to lean my head on his shoulder.

"There's three things I need to tell you, Hyunji," Johnny said in my ear, loud enough over the band, but not enough for anyone else to hear.

I kept tense against him, feeling uncomfortable with this situation I was stuck in. I just hoped Haechan would be held up on his way back.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Firstly, I just want you to know that I've never liked a girl once in my life." Johnny paused. "Okay, maybe once when I was in kindergarten because she shared her sandwich with me, but that was before I knew what being gay was."

"That's nice, but we all know this." My confusion took another height. "What's the point?"

"You're the only girl, after being declared gay, that I've even had the slightest feelings for." I could feel Johnny's sigh on the back of my neck. "Maybe it's just because you were there and helping me right after I caught Ten with Taeyong, and I'm blinded by this desperate feeling of needing someone. All I know is I've never had this kind of attraction towards anyone of the opposite gender."

I actually blanked completely. My mind was stuck on the loading screen with nothing to say. How does one respond to your ex-crush admitting they have feelings for you when they're gay and just found out about their love cheating on them?

"Thanks for letting me know," I eventually responded, probably almost impossible for Johnny to hear my hushed voice over the pounding drums. "And number two?"

"Second, Ten and Taeyong are here together."

"They showed up?"

Johnny nodded. "That's why I need you to play along right now by dancing with me just in case Ten catches up. Are you ready for the third thing?"

I held a breath, unsure if I actually was. "I don't know, but tell me anyway. I don't know how it could get any more... you know."

"Right. Lastly, a kid died in this barn some years ago. He fell from the ceiling."

I stopped us from swaying to the beat together, holding my place completely frozen. "Nuh-uh." I shook my head. "No, don't joke around with me like that."

"G-Dragon told me the story. He's sure there's no ghost."

"I don't care how sure he is. We need to get out of here."

"And go where?" a different person asked.

I broke my head from Johnny's shoulder to see Haechan back with two water bottles in hand. Dammit.

"You know, you don't have to leave," Haechan sarcastically chewed out. "The couches downstairs seem comfy enough."

"Listen," I started trying to keep a calm voice. I broke away from Johnny and faced Haechan. "Ten is here with Taeyong-"

"Jeez, I've already listened to you before." Haechan dropped both bottles to the wooden floor, tilting his head up towards the ceiling. "Here I thought we were having a good time and felt like you really did choose me over the gay guy. Wow, I was wrong."

"No, you weren't," I clutched onto Haechan's arm, pleading for him to just listen while cursing myself out for letting this happen to him again. "Johnny is trying to run away from Ten, and I was just helping out a friend."

"Well, don't let me get in the way. You're single, and it seems Johnny is too. Nothing can stop you now."

"Would you stop being so fucking dramatic?" I yelled to Haechan as he left me there with Johnny. I spun around and bit the inside of my cheek with frustration. "Screw him," I muttered under my breath.

Johnny exhaled loudly with a small grunt of annoyance. "This is all my fault." His hands rubbed the side of his face.

"Don't feel guilty," I ordered. "Haechan needs to cool off. Let's just go find some of our friends. How about Jueun?"

"Uh," Johnny's look turned even guiltier. "We can't do that."

"Why not?"

"I may, or may not, have trapped both her and Chenle in the bathroom."

After a long stare, I brought in a slow breath, retrieving my phone from the secret pocket in my witch dress. Scrolling through, I discovered six texts and a missed call.

Jueun: HYUNJI PLEASE SAVE ME!

Jueun: I'M STUCK IN A CONFINED PLACE WITH CHENLE!

Dolphin: Is Jueun claustrophobic?

Jueun: WHY AREN'T YOU ANSWERING? YOU'RE ALWAYS ON YOUR PHONE!

Dolphin: She's really freaking out.

Johnny let out a nervous laugh as I tucked my phone away. "We're gonna go let them out," I told Johnny.

"But... forced social interaction."

"No, Johnny. You can't force love."