Yedam rushed into his car and raced home. He ran into his home and looked around for a specific someone. He bolted to the basement and saw the gang sitting around. This was like deja vu from last night.

-

Last night

Yedam was sitting in the basement with his brother, Woojin, Hyunjin, and Minho. They were all playing a game on the switch when Changbin casually walked in.

"Hey guys." Changbin said.

"How was your little date." Hyunjin teased.

Changbin rolled his eyes, "It wasn't a date."

Everyone laughed, "Oh please Changbin hyung, do you really think we're that dumb." Yedam questioned.

"You like him don't you?" Woojin smirked.

"No." Changbin replied immediately.

Woojin rolled his eyes, "That's what Chan said to you guys when you asked him if he liked me and look where we are now." He tried to give Chan a kiss but he scoffed and pushed Woojin away.

"You don't hang out with anyone other than us, but here you are, ditching our meeting for a guy you just met. What's his name? Felix?" Hyunjin asked.

"Hey, it wasn't an important meeting so I didn't miss that much. And yeah his name's Felix." Changbin nodded.

"You definitely like him." Minho concluded, sitting back in his chair.

"I had to hang out with him. It was for a school project." Changbin tried to give an excuse.

Hyunjin scoffed at the audacity of his friend. "The project said you had to hang out with him for one day. You didn't have to hang out with him today, but wait, you did, and you were the one who asked him. Now stop lying and tell us the truth."

Everyone's eyes were staring into Changbin's soul as they waited for his response. "I don't know. He's so innocent and adorable. His smile brights up the world. His eyes are so pretty. He's the nicest person and he's the only person who's ever actually tried to get to know me even after we finished our Korean project. His voice when he sings almost made me crash the car cause it was so amazing. His freckles are beautiful too. For some reason I was actually bothered when he was scared of me and when he believed in all the rumors about us." Changbin admitted.

Everyone smirked, "Who knew someone from a gang could be so cheesy." Yedam gagged. "You definitely like him." Everyone agreed.

"Ok maybe I do." Changbin finally admitted which started the unending teasing against him.

-

Present day

"Oh hey Yedam. How was school?" Chan asked when his little brother barged into the basement.

Yedam ignored his brother and fixated his stare on one person. He marched up to Changbin, ignoring everyone's confused stare. Changbin looked up from his phone, he saw Yedam's angry facial expression. "What's wrong?"

"Changbin hyung what have you done." Yedam seethed.

That got everyone's attention. They all stared back and forth between Changbin and Yedam. Changbin was beyond confused, not knowing what he was being accused of. He looked around at everyone and they were just as lost as him.

"What did I do?" He asked slowly.

"Do you even know what happened at school today?" Changbin's eyebrows furrowed as he shook his head, even more confused.

"It's about Felix."

At the mention of his crush's name, Changbin's heart started pounding. He was nervous at what Yedam was about to tell him. "Wha-what about Felix?"

"Apparently someone found out that you two hung out on Saturday and Sunday so they spread rumors around school saying that Felix was following you around and payed you to hang out with him. They said that you're just playing with him and that you're using him. They also said that you only hung out with him because you felt bad for him. They threw eggs at his locker and sprayed silly string all over it. A bunch of people stuck notes with horrible messages to his locker. They seriously had the worst things written on them and oh my god hyung, Felix's reaction when he read the notes on his locker, you can tell from a mile away he was absolutely heartbroken. Tears were gonna spill from his eyes at any moment." Yedam explained.

Everyone was stunned when they heard what came out of Yedam's mouth. They knew the students at their school was obsessed with them, but they didn't think the people would stoop this low and take it this far. As Changbin processed what was explained, he became absolutely furious. You could see the pure flames coming out of his eyes. His jaw was clenched and he gripped his phone so hard, his knuckles turned white.

"What did the notes say on them." Changbin spoke through his clenched jaw.

"You probably don't want to know." Yedam looked down.

"Tell me the worst ones." The fuming male talked in a way where there was no room for discussion.

Yedam gulped, "...The worst ones said that, uh, you were only getting close with him so you can, um, take him to the dungeon and...um..." Yedam didn't finish his sentence and he didn't have to, everyone knew what he was going to say and they all widened their eyes. Changbin was going to break his phone if he gripped it any tighter.

Yedam continued, "It gets worse. Every time he walked down the hall, people would call him nasty names loud enough for him to hear and during lunch people were throwing food at him. His friends tried to fight back, but Felix stopped them. I also heard that someone tripped him in class while he was going to his desk. Hyung it was absolutely horrible."

"They're all going to be dead." Changbin growled as his eyes darkened. He got up from his seat and stormed out of the basement. The raging male went to his room and called Felix immediately. There was no answer. Changbin tried again and the result was the same. Then he decided to text Felix.

changbin
felix answer me

Changbin was pacing back and forth in his bedroom waiting for Felix's response. Finally after a few minutes he got a reply back.

felix
i'm busy.

Changbin tried to call again and again but Felix never answered. Changbin decided that he was going to text Felix his explanation.

changbin
felix i know what happened to you today at school. i know about all the rumors that spread and i just want you to know that none of them are true. i'm not trying to use you at all. i seriously love hanging out with you because you're funny and sweet. you make me really happy. dont believe in any of the rumors. please believe me.

felix
I'm sorry but the person you are
trying to reach cannot receive any
of your text messages anymore.

Changbin's heart stopped. Felix had blocked his number.

Without thinking twice, Changbin grabbed his keys and raced downstairs, almost running into Chan in the process.

"Woah where are you going?" Chan asked.

"I need to tell Felix the truth but he blocked my number so I'm going to his house." Changbin basically rapped.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Chan warned.

"What do you mean? Get out of my way and let me go. I don't have time for this hyung." Changbin started to get impatient.

"Changbin, do you think he's going to want to open the door for you? No. You're just going to get him more sad if you keep nagging him. Give him some time to digest this and talk to him tomorrow." Chan reasoned.

Changbin groaned. He knew Chan was right but he wanted to get this whole thing cleared up as soon as possible. Changbin slumped, he felt defeated. He trudged back to his room and stayed there for the rest of the night.

-

The next day

Jisung and Felix had arrived to school. Today was not as bad at yesterday. No one said anything and no one did anything to his locker. Probably because Stray Kids were coming back to school today. All they did was glare at Felix which he could deal with.

When they met up with Seungmin and Jeongin, Felix asked them, "Guys, please help me avoid Changbin. I really don't want to deal with him right now and I'm still ignoring him."

The three friends all nodded even though they really didn't want to help him avoid Changbin. They wanted them to talk especially after Felix told them that he blocked the gang member's phone number.

Jisung, Seungmin, and Felix arrived at their classroom and sat down. Class began and of course the three gang members entered the class five minutes late. Felix immediately looked down, pretending to be writing something. He didn't want to look at Changbin. The gang member noticed this and frowned. He sat behind Felix and tired to call out his name and get his attention, but Felix ignored all of Changbin's attempts and instead he listened to the teacher who had a student in front of everyone.

"Ok class we have a new student today. His name is Choi Soobin. I expect you guys to be nice to him and help him around school." Mr. Park introduced the new student. Soobin sat down at his desk which was on the other side of the classroom.

"We have a camp trip that everyone has to go to. It's this Friday. This camp activity is only for juniors and we're going to be doing many fun things. We'll be there for three days and two nights. You're sleeping in a really nice cabin with bunk beds. On the form I'm about to give you, you need to write down five people who you want to cabin with. It can be anyone from your grade, it doesn't have to be anyone from just this class. The teachers will look at them and choose who's in your cabin with you. Get these forms signed because they're due on Thursday. Jisung please give everyone a form."

Jisung internally groaned. He got up from his seat and grabbed the stack of forms. He started handing everyone a form.

When he gave the new kid a form, he said "You're Jisung, right?"

"Um, yeah?" Jisung answered confused as to why he was asking.

"Oh so you're the smartest person in this school." Soobin realized.

"Mhm" Jisung replied wanting to get out of this conversation as soon as possible.

"Anyways thanks for the form." Soobin smiled.

"I'm just doing what I'm told." Jisung replied as he continued to give everyone a form.

'What the hell was that about? That was so awkward. Why'd he ask if I was Jisung?'

Class was over and it was finally time for lunch. Seungmin, Jisung and Felix immediately ran out of the classroom when the teacher dismissed the class. They ran all the way up to the roof of the school. Felix didn't want to eat in the cafeteria since it would be easy for Changbin to find him.

"Hyung, this might not be a popular opinion but I think you should talk to Changbin. He's looking for you." Jeongin said as soon as he got onto the rooftop.

"It's probably not even important." Felix brushed off. The three friends sighed. They knew they wouldn't be able to convince Felix so they just let the subject go.

Towards the end of lunch Felix said "I think I'm gonna go home."

"Right now?" Seungmin asked and Felix nodded.

"What why?" Jisung asked worried.

"This whole situation is stressing me out and I just need a break from it." Felix explained sadly.

"I hope you rest well hyung." Jeongin said.

"I will don't worry." With that Felix left to go home.

"Why can't that little shit just talk to Changbin." Seungmin sighed.

"He's being so dumb right now. He's hurting himself more by ignoring him." Jisung complained.

The bell rang indicating that lunch was over. They cleaned up and walked towards their classes. When class begun, Jisung realized that Changbin wasn't in his seat. Minho and Hyunjin were there but Changbin was not. That's when the school's intercom turned on and someone started speaking.

"Hey it's Changbin. I just wanted to come on here and clear all the rumors going around about me and Felix. No he did not follow me around. No he did not pay me to hang out with him. No I did not hang out with him because I felt bad for him. No I am not using Felix. The truth is that I was the one who asked him to hang out with me on Saturday and Sunday. It was my choice because I actually enjoy hanging out with him. He's sweet and funny and I don't need you shit heads ruining it for me. You guys are absolutely ridiculous for spreading these bullshit rumors that don't even add up. You guys are reaching with these rumors. Maybe if you guys were as invested in your school work as you are with this situation, that doesn't even bother you, then you wouldn't be failing your classes and you would actually be able to graduate from this school. If you guys used your brains then you would've realized how much of an actual dumbass you sound and how much you're embarrassing yourself. If I see one more person glare at him or call him names or whatever the fuck, I promise you that you're going to wish you never did." The intercom turned off.

Jisung's jaw dropped to his desk. He turned to Seungmin and he had the same expression.

'Oh my god. Did that really just happen?' Jisung mouthed to Seungmin.

'I don't even know what's real right now.' Seungmin mouthed back.

Minho and Hyunjin on the other hand were entertained. Minho turned to Hyunjin and Hyunjin said "He's whipped."

"Definitely." Minho said back.

A few minutes later, Changbin walked into the classroom with an angry look on his face. The angry look soon turned to disappointment when he saw that Felix was not sitting in his seat. Changbin sighed and sat down at his seat.

Soon the school day was over finally and Jisung and Seungmin were about to walk out the door when a hand grabbed Jisung's wrist, stopping him from walking. Seungmin stopped walking when Jisung stopped, confused.

Startled, Jisung looked at the hand that was gripping on his wrist. That's when he saw it again. The scars that made Jisung question the life of Minho. This time Jisung was able to get a better look at the mysterious scars on Minho's wrists. It was a dark red outline and it circled around Minho's wrist. It seemed like the scars were made from rope burns? Zip tie burns? Jisung didn't know but Minho had multiple scars around his wrists as if it happened multiple times.

Minho saw that Jisung was looking at his wrists and quickly let go of Jisung. The shorter snapped from his focus on Minho's wrists and quickly apologized.

"Sorry." Jisung looked down. Minho rolled his eyes and crossed arms.

Jisung looked around. No one was here, all the students and the teacher had left expect for Minho, Hyunjin, Changbin, Seungmin, and him.

"Uh, why'd you stop me?" Jisung asked.

"We want answers from you both. Actually Changbin wants answers." Hyunjin said as he and Changbin walked up from behind Minho.

"Answers? About what?" Seungmin asked.

"About Felix." Changbin answered.

Jisung looked at Seungmin who was looking at him. "What about Felix?" Jisung asked when he looked back at Changbin.

"Where is he?" Changbin asked.

"He went home during lunch." Seungmin answered.

"Why?"

"He's stressed and needed rest."

"Why'd he block my number? Why's he ignoring me? And why are you guys helping him avoid me?" Changbin wasted no time to get straight to the point.

Jisung and Seungmin look at each other again, not knowing what to say. They didn't want to expose their friend.

That's when the classroom door opened and everyone's eyes darted to the door. Jeongin's head popped in. He was smiling but when he saw the three gang members his facial expression turned to concern and confusion.

"Uh, what's going on?" Jeongin asked.

"Jeongin just wait at my locker. We'll be there in a minute." Seungmin instructed.

"Okay?" Jeongin looked at his two friends weirdly but nonetheless left the classroom, not wanting to disrupt whatever was going on.

"Well?" Changbin asked, getting impatient.

"It's not our place to tell..." Jisung mumbled.

"You probably have an idea on why he's ignoring you though." Seungmin hinted.

Changbin groaned, "He seriously had to go home at the worst time." Which made Hyunjin and Minho huffed amusedly.

"I'm going to his house." Changbin decided.

"Uh I wouldn't do that if I were you." Seungmin warned.

"What why?" Changbin raised his eyebrow.

"Just trust me. Give him some space and time. Jisung, Jeongin and I will go to his house right now and we'll try to talk to him."

"Fine whatever." Changbin didn't want to agree but he had no choice.

Jisung and Seungmin took that agreement as their cue to leave the classroom. The hallways were empty which was weird to see since it's always so crowded. They walked to their lockers and saw Jeongin standing there waiting for them.

"Uh? What was that all about?"

"We'll tell you while we're walking to Felix's house." Seungmin and Jisung quickly packed their bags and left the school campus to go to Felix's house.

As they walked, Jisung and Seungmin explained everything that happened. Jeongin was shocked. "Woah I didn't think Changbin cared that much about Felix. Especially when he talked on the intercom to clear the rumors. I would've never imagined him to do that."

"That's what I was thinking too." Jisung agreed.

They arrived at Felix's house and they quickly knocked on the door. His mom answered the door.

"Hi Mrs. Lee! We're here to check up on Felix and give him his homework." They half lied.

"Jisung! Seungmin! Jeongin! Oh come in! He's upstairs in his room sleeping I think." She opened the door wider and let them inside.

The three walked up the stairs to Felix's bed and barged in, not caring if they woke him up. Felix groggily opened his eyes and looked at his three friends staring at him, "Why are you guys here?"

"We have something to tell you." Seungmin answered.

"What..." Felix said wearily, not knowing if he actually wanted to know what they were going to say.

"You will not believe what happened hyung." Jeongin secretly smiled.

"Just tell me!" Felix started to get impatient.

"Okay well after you left we went to our class and I noticed that Changbin wasn't sitting in his seat but Hyunjin and Minho were, so I was confused. Out of nowhere the intercom turned on and Changbin started speaking through it. He basically said that all the rumors going around about him and you were all fake and not true. He told everyone that it was his idea to hang out with you and he said that he enjoyed hanging out with you because you're sweet and funny. He cleared up every single rumor and threatened everyone that if they glare or call you names one more time then they'll regret it." Jisung took a deep breath after explaining everything.

Felix was shocked to hear that. He was overwhelmed and didn't know what to think.

"He... He really did that?" Felix spoke quietly.

"Yes he did." Seungmin confirmed.

"I'm telling you hyung, Changbin likes you. I mean why else would he go through the trouble to gain access to the intercom to stop all the rumors about you."

"I don't know. Maybe because he was also a part of the rumors?"

Jisung rubbed his temple, Jeongin face palmed, and Seungmin gave Felix an 'are you fucking serious?' look.

"Do you even know how many rumors there are about him everyday that spread around school? He's never wasted his time to clear the air because he never cared about what others think. But now that you're in the rumors too, he was quick to debunk all of them because he cares about you Felix. Get it through your thick head." Seungmin began getting annoyed at Felix's dumb self.

The purple haired male didn't know what to say. He knew that what Seungmin was saying was true, but he didn't want to believe it. It would hurt Felix less if in case Changbin was actually doing this just to play with his feelings.

"Felix I know what you're thinking right now. It's not true. Changbin actually cares about you. He literally stopped me and Seungmin from leaving the classroom just so he could ask about you and why you were avoiding him."

"Did you tell him?" Felix panicked.

"No of course not, but you need to. He was about to come to your house so he could tell you himself but we stopped him." Felix sighed out of relief.

"Talk to him Felix. Just talk to him." Seungmin urged.

"I will... Just give me some time. I just need some time to think about this because it's a lot to take in." Felix looked down.

"Can you at least unblock him and text him that. He's seriously worried."

Felix hesitated for a few seconds which caused everyone to yell "Felix!"

"Okay! I'll unblock him right now."

Felix reach over to his nightstand and grabbed his phone. He clicked the unblock button and texted Changbin.

felix
hey changbin.

Changbin replied almost immediately.

changbin
felix, hey.
are you ok?

felix
yeah im fine i just need
some time and space to think
about this whole situation.

changbin
i totally understand.
i just wanted to know
if you're ok.

felix
thanks changbin

Felix turned off his phone and threw it at the end of his bed, sighing.

-

Friday

Today was the day that all the juniors were going to the camp. Jisung was sitting at his desk talking with Seungmin and Felix. The week went by really quick. No one ever messed with Felix since they were too scared to do anything. Changbin gave Felix the space he'd ask for. The week started out stressful but it's about to end really fun.

"Do you think we're gonna be in the same cabin?" Felix asked.

"Yes of course." Jisung answered.

"Who else do you think is going to be in our cabin?" Seungmin wondered.

"I hope it's some nice people." Felix mumbled.

"What if it's Changbin, Hyunjin and Minho?" Seungmin joked.

"I would sell my eye." Jisung said.

The teacher walked in and asked for everyone's attention.

"I'm going to tell you now who your cabin mates are so please listen carefully."

The teacher started calling out each cabin number and who will be staying in that cabin.

"In cabin number three, it is Jisung, Seungmin, Felix-"

All three boys let out a breath they didn't even know they were holding in. They were relieved that they were in the same cabin but the feeling of relief didn't last long when they heard who else they were going to share the cabin with.

"-Minho, Changbin, and Hyunjin."

»»————-　🍯　————-««

in the next chapter:
- get you a friend like seungmin
- ah shit here we go again
- panic attack ???

next chapter is going to be juicy, i can't wait for you guys to read it hehe. im updating twice this week so the next chapter will be posted on friday