TW: angst :(

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Jaemin walks around the entire main school building, speed walking through the hallways and quickly scanning each classroom he passes.

Initially he wanted to run, but there's too many people blocking his way, not to mention his mind is getting hazy from what happened.

He couldn't think properly while desperately looking for his boyfriend. He could call him, but he knows Jeno has his phone on silent so it wouldn't really matter anyway.

He could try to ask for help from Patrine and the others, but unfortunately Jaemin doesn't want to bother them right now.

Especially Patrine, whom he has gotten close with and is the number one person to go to when you're asking about Jeno.

As you know, the said girl is going through a lot as well. So of course Jaemin will give her space and respect her, leaving it up to the other two who actually knows what to do.

He doesn't want to stress her out even more. Who knows what she will do next in this situation that doesn't involve her whatsoever.

Finally, just as Jaemin was about to open the next classroom that comes to his view, the metal knob turns, making him halt merely right in front of the door.

He doesn't even realize he was holding his breath until the door was pulled open. Eyes widening in surprise to see the boy he has been looking for.

But he was not alone, to his left stood Renjun Huang, his ex boyfriend. The duo seemed to be more shocked as he was himself, not expecting to meet him here either.

He couldn't help but look down to Jeno's boney fingers wrapped around Renjun's wrist, trailing his eyes up to see the latter's slightly exposed collarbone.

Were those rumors actually right this time?

No fucking way....

But then... It makes sense....

Now that Jaemin thinks about it, Jeno has been disappearing from him quite often than before.

The brunet boy's excuses weren't exactly specific.

"Just some stuff caught up in the library."

"not really, I mean sure the activities were a lot but at least it's over now and I get to be with you, eh?"

"Stuff got caught up in the Arts room,"

"But no worries, that's fixed now."

At first, Jaemin obviously didn't think much about it as he also didn't want to pry at whatever Jeno's doing.

Especially when the younger boy was seemingly tired at the end of the day more than usual, he just left it at that.

But he couldn't help hut think quietly;

Did I get it all wrong?

Did Jeno actually go behind my back?

Did he really hooked up with Renjun? His ex boyfriend? Does he do that a lot to his other so-called exes too?

Was Renjun actually right?

Is Jeno the toxic one? Was he lying to me so well this whole time?

Or both of them?

Jaemin's thoughts are neverending, he has so many questions that have no exact answer. It's all a big question mark.

And it drives him insane. His head pounds a bit from how much he's stressing out now.

"Jaemin...."

"Babe?" Jeno's voice was the one that completely pulled him back to reality.

"So the rumors are true."

Honestly, Jaemin doesn't know if he meant to blurt that out or not.

Because his mind is too foggy right now, he can't see any sign of a lighthouse before he sinks to his deepest and most insecure and paranoid thoughts.

All these gossips he's been trying to ignore, linger in his open ears no matter what.

He had guessed wrong. It isn't as easy as he thought it would be.

Jeno furrows his eyebrows for a moment, but before he could even utter a word out on what Jaemin meant, he beats him to it.

Or rather, his unwanted voice and thoughts did. They took control.

"You hooked up with Renjun, you cheated on me. Right?"

He can't think like he usually does, he's getting ahead of himself. He's assuming and believing things too quickly.

Like what he had said to Renjun and Haechan on their big fight.

He is a hypocrite.

He is just like them.

And a faint voice in his thoughts tells him he has officially fucked up once Jeno's concerned look transforms into a more startled one.

Blinking at him, "I beg your pardon?" He's offended. And hurt. Very much hurt by the fact that Jaemin is suddenly saying this to him.

Is suddenly against him after everything he has done.

Jaemin believes those lies.

"Th...they– people said they think you and Renjun hooked up at the party." Jaemin gulps audibly, eyes twitching when he glances at Renjun's collarbone again.

The elder boy has been quiet this whole time. And he hasn't gave any sort of mocking facial expressions or retorted to either of the boys.

Seemingly not wanting to butt in, Renjun looks... He genuinely looks worried for Jaemin and Jeno's relationship.

It's falling apart in front of his eyes.

"But did they saw it happen? Do they have proof?" Jeno asks.

"Uh, I only heard them–" Jaemin stammers a bit. His gut churns disgustingly, he wants to puke.

"I asked if they have proof, Jaemin. I didn't ask what you heard. Because I'm sorry to remind you, but you weren't there." Jeno presses, teeth gritted.

He's mad. It's obvious for anyone who sees it.

"They said you and Renjun were locked up in the bathroom for a long time, they heard moaning noises and... His hickeys..."

"Is that all?"

This question surprises him, but Jaemin then gathers his thoughts again to speak up. "You've been hiding things from me. You've been acting off."

"So you believe them?" Jeno asks instead of answering Jaemin's hundred questions.

All Jaemin could do was nod, and from the corner of his eye, he sees Renjun shaking his head at him.

Then the brunet boy scoffs full of sarcasm that it makes Jaemin cringe. "What happened to whatever wise shit you said to Renjun and Haechan, huh?"

"What happened to all the things I've warned you about because Renjun wasn't telling you anything."

"What happened to listening to me before assuming?"

"Or was that all bullshit? For me to open up to you and for you to turn your back against me once a dumb lie spreads out."

"You believe people too easily, Jaemin. I wanted to help you with that, I wanted you to open your eyes and tell you everything."

"I tried to gain your trust. Because I genuinely liked you."

"At first I thought it was going well. But then you believe rumors like this?!" He points between himself and Renjun.

"I tried to prove to you how much I genuinely love you, that I've moved on."

"I made it all clear." He emphasizes harshly.

"How much do you doubt me, Jaemin? That's what I want to know."

Seeing the tears beginning to fill Jeno's eyes, Jaemin knows now he's fucked up this time.

"You know what, I think we need space."

Out of all the unexpected things that could happen, this particular one was chosen to hit Jaemin right there and then.

Jeno still has the guts to meet his eyes despite holding back his own tears, "I'm sorry, I love you, Jaem. I really do. But... Let's get some space from this. To gather our senses back and take a breather."

"Talk to me when you're ready. And I will do the same." Jaemin wanted to pull Jeno back into his arms and kiss him deeply, spitting out apology after apology.

But he couldn't do anything. The second he tries to reach out and follow his... Lover. Renjun stops him and looks at him dead in the eye.

"Let's talk. I'll tell you what really happened."

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I'M SORRY AGAIN I SWEAR THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EARLIER CHAPTERS BUT UNEXPECTED SHIT HAPPENED Y'KNOW???

Thoughts??

Which side are you on??

Do you think Renjun changed and had character development? What about Haechan?

I tried to make it slightly obvious on what kind of character Jaemin is playing in this story 🤡

Along with the others, ofc.