Tired, Free de la Hoya x Reader

Chapter 3

This chapter is now rewritten, I hope you all enjoy :) apologies for the late update

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The consequences of staying up late were beginning to take their toll on Y/n, and she was no exception to its effects. Her bleary eyes fixed on the clock with a mixture of annoyance and exhaustion as she stumbled through the process of putting on her shirt. The sleeves seemed to tangle around her arms as if they had a mind of their own, and the struggle only added to her mounting frustration.

Y/n couldn't deny that it wasn't time's fault she was running late. She was fully aware that her late-night endeavors were entirely self-inflicted. But, as she grappled with her clothing, a part of her yearned to place the blame on time anyway; it was the easiest scapegoat to grasp in this bleary-eyed moment.

Chris's stern instructions had been crystal clear: punctuality was non-negotiable, and everyone was expected to be on time. She glanced at the clock once more, realizing that she was already fifteen minutes behind schedule, a fact that didn't sit well with her.

The mere thought of Chris's reaction, along with the potential judgmental gazes of her new teammates, sent a shiver down Y/n's spine. She didn't even want to imagine how they might perceive her tardiness. In a hurry, she dashed out of her room and started a frantic journey through the labyrinthine hallways and flights of stairs, her heart pounding in her chest.

Her face burned with embarrassment as she envisioned the critical eyes of her fellow team members locked onto her, their hushed whispers and exchanged glances echoing in her mind. The anticipation of getting scolded or called out for her lateness only fueled her anxiety. Y/n shook her head in an attempt to dispel those intrusive thoughts. She knew she would have to confront the embarrassment head-on; there was no other way. With each step, she steeled herself to face the consequences of her tardiness and make amends as best as she could.

When Y/n finally reached the front door, she couldn't help but feel a little out of breath, a side effect of her frantic rush. Taking a brief mental pause, she allowed herself thirty seconds of internal turmoil before summoning the resolve to open the door.

As she had anticipated, all eyes in the room immediately landed on her, their gazes intense and scrutinizing. Y/n couldn't discern whether their looks were filled with judgment or understanding, but it hardly mattered at that moment. What did matter was the fact that Chris was striding purposefully in her direction.

A gulp of nervousness caught in her throat, and her face flushed with embarrassment. The presence of Free, with his characteristic lazy smirk, only added to the pressure she was feeling. She swallowed hard as Chris came to a halt directly in front of her, cringing under her gaze, her expression undeniably irritated, and she noticed that Trad, too, appeared far from pleased with the situation. It was a daunting moment, and Y/n steeled herself for the imminent confrontation, ready to face the consequences of her stupidity.

"Y/n! We've been waiting for you for twenty minutes. What did I tell you yesterday?!" Chris's voice cut through the room, carrying an unmistakable tone of annoyance.

The atmosphere in the room seemed to shift. People snickered and glanced around, seeking approval for their behavior, and many found it. Stan couldn't contain his laughter, blatantly pointing and staring at her. However, not everyone joined in the mockery. Valt and Rantaro appeared more concerned than amused, their expressions showing hints of worry. Free, on the other hand, was an enigma, his demeanor far from pleased. He seemed genuinely irritated, though Y/n couldn't discern the exact reason.

Y/n's face turned a deep shade of crimson, and she felt herself trembling, her cheeks burning hot, and her ears buzzing with the overwhelming embarrassment of the situation.