DOWNTOWN.
chapter twenty-three | tell me, ji.

D-2. It was Wednesday.

Everyone else was busy doing their usual teenager or grown-adult thing, while Yuta and I were circuit-stricken. Taeyong and Donghyuck kept us racing and practicing, shooting pistols in case we got into an issue on the road. Of course, Taeyong was Yuta's trainer (per Donghyuck's request,) leaving me with the man I wasn't supposed to be talking to.

The anger began to subside and turned into a determination to make the team proud. If I continued being mad at Donghyuck or Chaewon, that would cloud my vision, and I'd definitely lose. Before I raced on Friday, I planned on apologizing to Chaewon, whether or not she'd take me back. But, I would seize tonight, and utilize him being my trainer as a way of apologizing.

"We're going for a ride," Donghyuck said, insinuating that I should stop shooting at the red target. I've been doing better handling a gun than the steering wheel, and I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I put it down, handing it to him as he unloaded it. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah," I breathed, and walking over to his car in the parking lot, I got into the driver's seat. He jogged over to the passenger seat, buckling himself in.

"Whenever you're ready."

"I'm not ready, actually," I spoke, making him hum in curiosity. I kept my foot on the brake, but slowly, as I thought about it, it lifted. "Donghyuck, I'm sorry."

"For what?" He cocked his head to the right, suppressing a sly smile. "For going against my wishes?"

"Donghyuck," I warned, but eventually, he just snickered. "Well, yeah, that, and blowing up at you. I realized that you are..." I trailed off, swallowing my pride. "...Right. I should've listened instead of thinking you were out to get me. I know that you, of all people, wouldn't be that kind of person. You've heard my secrets, yet, I still don't know why I can't trust you."

"You're just hurting. I get it," Donghyuck nodded, turning to the window. "I mean, I've never expected everyone to trust me or like me–and I guess I forgot about that and got hurt. I should've been more direct, sorry."

"You don't get to apologize," I huffed, shaking my head. "You're not in the wrong. I should trust you."

"Jiayi–"

"As payment for my ignorance," I interrupted, keeping him from saying something that would be self-inflicted. "I heard about your nickname for me."

"What?!" He broke out in shock, eyebrows furrowed before clenching a fist. "I mean, what nickname? What kind of bullshit has Taeyong hyung been saying to you again? I should just–"

"W-Wait, Donghyuck!" I grabbed his arm as he tried to leave the car and beat up an unknowing Taeyong. He froze with one hand on the handle and the other resting on the car seat. Slowly, he faced me, eyes attracted to my hands on his sleeve. After we made eye contact, I quickly slipped away, hands reserved in my lap. Jiayi, don't get ahead of yourself. You don't want him to get the wrong idea, right? "It's fine. I'm fine with it. Call me that nickname... instead."

"Seriously?" Donghyuck's mouth was agape, disbelief expressed in his tone. "Jiayi, it's really fine. I can tell them to–"

"Ji," I corrected him, giving him a smile of approval. "It's okay, Donghyuck. After all, isn't it a special thing for both of us? I call you Donghyuck, you call me Ji. We're the only ones to do so."

"Hm? Are you trying to imply something, Ji?" Donghyuck began to smirk, leaning forward. It was the first time he said the nickname and the feeling of hearing it made me feverish. It was as if I was trying to imply something. I felt the blush pour into my cheeks, making me lean back.

"E-Excuse me?!" Astounded, I covered my mouth with my hand.

"Tell me, Ji," Cocking his head again, Donghyuck was enjoying this teasing game. "Are you really sure you're fine with it?"

"Well, I–" I paused, avoiding his stare by looking straight ahead. "You know what? Buckle up, Donghyuck. It's time to ride."

"Okay, Ji," I pressed my sweaty palm against the gearshift, praying to the gods above that every time I get called Ji, I don't break down. What was he doing to me? Getting all awkward and flustered over a simple nickname... That's not like me!

Don't say it, Jiayi. You know what you're currently thinking about... gah...

I pressed down on the pedal, hearing a soft groan once we went speeding across the parking lot. "Slow down!"

"I forgot to ask you," Mark mentioned as I looked up from my phone, beckoning a cherry lollipop my way as he drove. "Are you and Haechan doing okay now? And Chaewon, too."

"Chaewon and I aren't doing well. I plan on apologizing to her so I can clear my head and race. No matter what outcome, I want to do my best," I replied. "Donghyuck and I are on good terms. We actually cleared it up today when I practiced. He said he could drive me home, but I figured he had business, so I called you."

"It's always me," Mark rolled his eyes, making me giggle. "But I'm glad to hear that. You know, I was surprised when I heard your name. I know the truth though–that you guys made a deal."

"No, we didn't!" I denied it, but Mark gave me a skeptical look. "...How'd you find out?"

"Taeyong hyung makes it too obvious. He's got this ugly grimace on his face that he makes when he tries to suppress an awkward smile. I didn't know how the others couldn't see through his lies," Mark shrugged, turning the wheel. "But, I presume that it was a fair deal, right? Taeyong hyung won't waste talent."

"I'm not that talented," I denied. "I was too prideful, and a bit regretful now. However, I'm going to push through."

"That's the spirit," Mark chuckled. "You know, you and Taeyong hyung have a really good dynamic. Taeyong isn't always that kind to other people. He's a major player, but to have such a soft spot... Jiayi, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"...He treats me as his sister?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. He groaned, shaking his head.

"He might like you."

"Shut the fuck up," I went straight back down to look at my phone, hiding an embarrassed expression. Why would Taeyong, of all people, have feelings for me? I'd give it to Donghyuck, although my feelings are not mutual, but Taeyong? Please. "I don't think that's the case. We're just really close because I met him first!"

"Whatever you say," Mark rolled his eyes, acting like a know-it-all. I rolled mine to mock him, and he saw it. "Don't act like I'm not being serious. I am!"

"I know, but it can't be true. I'd despise you if it was. I was just being pushy, and Taeyong had no choice but to give me a chance. That's it."

"Would you be acting this way if it wasn't Taeyong hyung?" Mark asked, making me silent. "Oh? Seems that I've caught you red-handed."

"You're just not letting me speak!" I defended, pointing at him. "No, I wouldn't act any different. I don't like either of them that way, and if I did, it would be over my dead body!"

"So dramatic," Mark parked the car as we arrived at my house, and as both of us get out, Mark stopped me. He leaned against his car, leaning forward, smirking. "Come on. You like at least one of them, don't you?"

"I'm too occupied with my real dilemma at hand, Mark–and that's the street race. Why would I get myself entangled in romantic affairs?" I snapped at him, making him silent. "Exactly. Stop being so nosy and get lost, will you?"

It made Mark chuckle, a shake of his head letting me pass by. "Being mean, as per usual," I paused, turning just barely to see him. "I hope you learn to have a stronger heart for us. You may not believe it, but we're all rooting for you."

"No, they're not," I discluded Mark because I at least knew he was. "They didn't want me racing."

"To protect you. That's why they're upset you were chosen," Mark said, his head the only thing facing me. "Good night, Jiayi–and good luck on Friday."

He then began to say something, and for a moment, I listened to it–

"Although you won't need it."