HIKE

07 | hoping for ramen

"Maybe we'll actually be able to cook the ramen before it gets dark," Jaemin remarked. He was actually relaxed and somewhat optimistic, since they had made up a lot of the time they had lost whilst getting lost in the wilderness.

"Mhm, I can almost smell it," Donghyuck said happily. He closed his eyes for a second just to imagine the steaming hot ramen that was waiting for him.

"Says the person stuffing his face with mini rolls," Jeno smirked.

"Shut up, you fucking nerd," Donghyuck snapped. His ramen fantasy was shattered by the sound of Jeno's voice.

"We'll actually make it?" Renjun wondered aloud, trailing up the hill after the others.

"Mm-hm!" Jaemin smiled back at him with enthusiasm, ignoring the others and their bickering. "We're back on track, and going the right way, thank god. You got any more of those mini rolls, Hyuck?"

"He's got a lot of rolls, but I wouldn't describe them as mini," Jeno cut in teasingly.

"Excuse me!" Donghyuck objected, his voice so loud it was probably projecting through the trees all the way to Africa. "Since when did Jeno get smart and semi-good at comebacks?"

"He's been working on that for the last half hour," Renjun remarked dryly.

"Pfft, no," Jeno disagreed, though it was obvious Renjun was right.

"At least I have a hot girlfriend," Donghyuck argued. It was the only argument he could come up with at times like these, when he desperately needed a last resort. He handed the last chocolate mini roll to Jaemin and crumpled up the packet in his hand.

"Semi-hot," Jeno corrected him.

"Told you he's getting smart," Donghyuck whined. "And Xiyeon is more than just semi-hot, you blind twat."

"Didn't you have a crush on her for ages before you asked her out?" Jaemin wondered to himself.

"No, I did not, actually," Donghyuck emphasised, shaking his head in denial. "She had a crush on me."

"That's not true," Jeno protested. "I swear I remember you going on about her... oh yeah! It was after we saw her in the school gym and you wouldn't stop going on about her yoga pants-"

"Shut up already!" Donghyuck screeched at him, turning a deep shade of red.

"It was the worst crush," Jaemin observed. He glanced at Renjun who was walking beside him. "Do you like anyone, Ren?"

It was like a warning siren went off and red lights started flashing as an automated voice screamed DANGER! Renjun bristled at the question, and Donghyuck immediately said, "Well, we all know who your crush is, Na Jaemin."

Jaemin's eyes went wide as he anticipated the sudden exposure.

"Oh, yes," Donghyuck went on, relishing the power he now had, "I've seen it all. Don't think I don't notice these things."

"Geez, sorry, Gandalf," said Jaemin, trying his best to brush it off. "I meant to keep it secret, I swear."

The others looked at him a little blankly.

"Lord of the Rings?" Jaemin prompted. "You know, when Gandalf says to Frodo: 'keep it secret, keep it safe?' You know what, nevermind."

"So... who is Jaemin's crush?" Jeno asked after a moment of silence.

Donghyuck smiled knowingly. "When we get to the campsite, just watch his eyes. You'll see. Well, you should see, but saying that - you're Jeno, so you might not get it-"