C H A P T E R  6

ihateyousuminihateyousuminihateyousuminihateyousinihateyousuminihateyousuminihateyou

I sit face down, munching on my food without daring to look up. I know the mood is awkward because of my presence, but I can't get myself to change the feeling.

“Minlee!! Say something!! Wave to your friends!” i h a t e y o u.

I look up to smile, sitting next to Taeil on my right and Doyoung on my left. Doyoung was the only one who hadn’t spoken during our first meeting, so I thought that perhaps I didn’t make the best first impression. I wave to Doyoung, and to my content, Doyoung smiles wholeheartedly and waves back. I can feel the mood slightly enlightening.

“Maknae, why don’t you get us all water?”, Johnny blurts

“...Me?? I only have two hands though!! How can I hold ten cups!??! Minlee, come help me!!”

“Oh yes of course!! I’ll help you Haechan!”, I reply.

“Oh well then...I’ll help out too!!”, Taeil says. Taeil is really kind.

“Hmph fine, let’s all go together then!!”

We get out from our seats and head to the water cooler, which is on the completely other side of the cafeteria. Haechan says something next:

“You know Minlee, we all really like you. Really. We talked about you so much when we got back hom--”

I hear a smack.

“That’s enough”. Haechan snickers.

“Ah, well, I’m flattered so much. I hope that we can all grow closer!”

“Yes! Start with me first!! Let’s be best friends, Minlee!!”. He takes my hand and swings it, just like Sumin and I did this morning. Haechan, why are you like this!?

“Haechan, shouldn’t you ask Minlee if it’s okay to hold her hand?? Minlee, sorry about this. Haechan is really blunt sometimes. One of these days we hyungs need to put him in his place.” He attempts to glare, but his tender personality refuses to let him look serious.

“Ah….it’s okay, I like it like this...Wait, WhAT!? THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT TO SAY..uhhhh I mean, I meant like I l