Soojung couldn't really recognize herself as she stood in front of Ayeon's mirror, staring at her reflection.
It's the dress. It has to be the dress, Soojung thought but knew she was lying to herself. It was definitely not the dress.
"I really like that hair colour on you." Ayeon said, referring to Soojung's new ash blue hair. "And it matches the dress well too."
Soojung adjusted the dark blue dress she wore, letting her loosely curled hair fall over her shoulder. Ayeon herself had just dyed her hair a soft ash brown, complimenting her boyfriend's.
"And even if you don't get Jeno's attention tonight, I'm sure you'll get someone's." Ayeon said giving her a reassuring side hug.
"Maybe." Soojung said even though deep down, she didn't really care about the other guys that could be at the club. She only really cared about Jeno.
...
They were at the club. And Jeno hated the club.
Jeno sat quietly in the corner as the Phoenixes entered slowly in their small groups, smiles on their faces as they greeted the birthday boys.
Jeno had to admit, it was still funny how Jisung wouldn't get ID'd but Renjun did, which only pissed the art student off. Jeno was sure that Renjun would have given the security guard a good punch if he didn't hold him back.
Jaemin was all over Jisung, much to Chenle's displeasure and Jeno wasn't sure if he regretted making Renjun and Jaemin bet on who could handle more shots. They were only five in and Jaemin was bouncing up and down the walls while Renjun looked like he was about to pass out.
"Where's Haechan and Mark?" Renjun groaned from beside Jeno, head rested on the table.
"They're with Ayeon, you know how long the girl takes to get ready." Jeno replied, only making the boy let out another loud groan.
Jeno didn't really blame Renjun, he was getting tired as well. Taeyong had dragged him out early, forcing him to help set up their private room for the birthdays. Jeno was already tired, ready to leave the club once he had a spare moment.
And by spare moment, he meant that whenever someone was ready to make sure Renjun could get home safely.
The second Jeno caught sight of Mark, he unbuttoned the top button of his shirt with a smirk. The smirk soon faded once he realized that Mark was alone.
"Where's Haechan and Ayeon?" Jeno asked the male, who's eyes were on Renjun.
"They're lining up. Ayeon brought a friend and you know Taeyong's strict with the list so they have to wait to enter." Mark told them. "What happened to him?"
"Drinking contest with Jaemin." Jeno said, motioning to Jaemin who was trying to give Jisung a peck on the cheek. He was sure that Renjun had passed out considering the soft snores escaping the male's lips. "You can probably tell how it went."
"Great, now I have to play mom for the night." Mark sighed before turning his attention to Jeno. "Where are you going?"
Jeno smiled at he poured himself a shot of liquor before downing it quickly, giving Mark a wink.
"Finding my ticket out of here."
...
"I'm so sorry." Ayeon said as the three of them took a step forward, the line moving slower than the ones at amusement parks. "I completely forgot about the list."
"Yeah, you better be sorry, it's freezing." Haechan said, earning a smack from his girlfriend. Soojung couldn't help but chuckle at the sight as she wrapped her jacket around her.
"Not you, to Soojung. I don't care if you freeze to death." Ayeon said, rolling her eyes as Haechan gave her a wide grin.
"It's fine. You're doing me a favour anyways." Soojung said, giving Ayeon a small smile.
"I really hope Jeno comes to his senses." Ayeon mumbled, barely loud enough for Soojung to hear.
...
Jeno bit his lip as he let the girl in front of him place her hand on his chest, feeling a twisting feeling in his stomach.
On his mind was still the girl who saw a different side of him, accepting Jeno for who he truly was. The girl that Jeno had let himself be vulnerable to, to a point where Jeno was almost convinced that he was in love with her.
Almost.
Jeno couldn't help but wonder if his feelings for Soojung were really real, unlike what Jaemin had suggest.
They sure felt real.
Jeno knew he probably shouldn't be dancing with a girl when he had someone else on his mind but he coudln't help it. He still had to keep his image and needed that excuse to get out of the club.
This girl was really bothering him though, her hands roaming in places that made Jeno quite uncomfortable. It didn't help that the club seemed more crowded than usual, pushing them closer together than Jeno wanted.
The loud music was giving a Jeno a headache, or maybe it was the alcohol. Either way, Jeno was not expecting the sudden kiss, the girl forcefully pushing her lips onto his.
Everything in Jeno told him to pull away but he had spotted Jaemin with Jisung on the other side of the room and knew he had to keep it up.
When the girl pulled away with a drowsy smile, her breath reeking with alcohol, Jeno decided that it was enough, taking her hand and pulling her out of the club.
All you have to do it get into a cab with her and go home. Then send her home and congratulations Jeno, you've won the room to yourself again, Jeno thought as he pushed through the crowd.
The only problem was as Jeno almost reached the doors of the club, he didn't expect to come face to face with the girl who was on his mind the entire night. The girl that he wanted to be going home with instead of the girl who's hand he held. The girl that he wanted to kiss and hug and cuddle with, the two of them bathing in each other's warmth. The girl that he knew deep down had changed him for the better, despite what his best friend said.
Jeno hadn't expect to encounter Soojung that night. He wasn't expecting to see Soojung at the club, her hair freshly dyed to a pretty ash blue, falling in light curls down her back. He wasn't expecting to see Soojung wearing a navy dress that hugged her body in all the right ways, the girl looking prettier than any other girl he had ever seen before.
But the most important part was that he hadn't expected Soojung to be there, standing in front of him with Ayeon right behind her.
And the girl wasn't looking at Jeno.
Instead, she was looking at Jeno's hand, which was holding the hand of someone else.
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