10

Weeks have passed since I've unwillingly integrated with Jongin's clique. Rumors over my relations with them have long since faded, though I still feel the occasional stare or murmur behind my back. But I suppose hanging around a friend (or three) with voices loud enough to overpower an entire cafeteria's chatter is quite helpful in that regard. It still doesn't feel nice to be accused of “getting around,” but I've settled for being the sole believer of my own morals. Rest assured that if I were to ever try and find a relationship, it would not be with someone who has pubescent followers and admirers by the dozens. And if I could nullify Jackson and Johnny's charms—and God knows how frisky they can get—, what's about ten more attractive people to resist? Yeah, I'm more headstrong than people think.

So I say.

I've yet to adjust to Jongin's habit of lazing around the house shirtless. Whether he's doing it on purpose or not is a mystery at this point, given how many times I've even pleaded with him to be more aware of his company and our predicament, should anyone we know bust down the door and snap a scandalous photo of us. He always snorts and replies, “I'm well aware,” but I have doubts because he continues to roam around half- afterward. The term “chocolate abs” was always a little cringe-worthy to be among my top fifty favorite words and phrases, but it certainly has dropped a substantial number of places after how often it floats in my mind as of late.

I sigh, remembering the last time Jongin looked just a bit too promiscuous for both of our welfares. He wasn’t shirtless, but I don’t suppose a translucent-from-sweat white muscle tank is much more PG.

“Um, hello? Are you there?” Baekhyun waves his hand into my focus. I blink.

“Yeah,” I utter out an answer, thankfully just aware enough of my surroundings to not have gone full vegetable.

Jongdae smiles, the corners of his lips turning up in that cute signature manner of theirs, though their actual appearance means anything but harmless.

“That sigh you let out while staring all lovelorn at Jongin made you seem anything but okay.”

Kyungsoo doesn't say a word as usual, though I can suspect that ther