omi°nct's c̶l̶o̶w̶n̶ princess

weird - pt.eight

  The next day, they return to the Dream dorm.

  "It's weird, very weird," Jaemin says.

  "What is?" Jeno asks.

  "How Omi's acting."

  "That's right," Renjun agrees. "She seems really exhausted these days and she's not as enthusiastic when she sees us. I haven't heard her chirpy 'good morning' for a while."

  Chenle looks at him. "I thought, you said she was just being too loud."

  Renjun glares at him while the rest look at him with, 'exactly what he said,' expressions.

  "It was a joke! Plus, I meant it for you, not her," Renjun states.

  "Mhm, sure. Just admit that you like it because we all do,"Jaemin directly says and Injun sighs, giving in.

  "Yeah, I do. Those 'good mornings' just make my day brighter from the start," Renjun confesses. "So, what happened?"

  "I also, haven't seen her greet Pawpaw and we all know how much she loves Pawpaw," Jeno points out.

  Jisung gasps, eyes wide. "Is it- could it be-" he stammers, obviously nervous and embarrassed to say it and he lowers down his voice to a whisper. "-it's the time of the month?"

  Jaemin tsk's. "No, I don't think so. She said she finished a few days ago."

  "And when it is that time, she usually gets very emotional and clingy. But this, is the exact opposite," Renjun says.

  Donghyuck stays silent in thought. "You know, yesterday I saw something on her neck."

  "What?" Chenle queries, curious.

  He shrugs. "Actually, I'm not sure. It looked like a bruise but, it also, didn't look like a bruise."

  "Speak clearly," Renjun orders.

  Donghyuck blinks his eyes at him, provoking lbefore continuing. "It's exactly as I said. It looked like a bruise but it was a bit different."

  "How would she get a bruise there? That's weird. Usually, it's at the leg or something," Jisung wonders and Hyuck agrees.

  "What are you guys doing?" Omi suddenly, shows up and they all whip their heads to her with either shocked or nervous expressions.

  "Nothing," Chenle shrugs and Jeno distracts her.

  He gives a beaming, tight-lip smile. "I didn't see you say anything to Pawpaw today."

  She stares at him blankly. "...Pawpaw?"

  The rest gape slightly, shocked at the fact that she forgot about her one and only Pawpaw. They didn't even think it was possible.

  "Pawpaw?? Your cactus??" Donghyuck exclaims in disbelief and points at the small plant.

  She turns to it. "Ah, Pawpaw," she says in realization, ambling to it and giving a little pat along with a feeble grin. "Morning, Pawpaw. I'm sorry I forgot about you."

  They observe her, all trying to spot the mystery bruise but her turtleneck sweater covers it up.

  A loud thump! makes them turn and Pawpaw is seen on the floor, gently rocking from side to side and a frozen Omi just staring at it.

  "Omi, what's wrong?" Jisung asks, worried as he picks up the paw-shaped cactus.

  She shivers as if electrocuted before suddenly stopping- feeling a flash of hot and cold. "For a bit there, it was so cold but now it's back to normal. Didn't you feel it?"

  The rest stare, brows bent down in worry and it's written all over their faces.

  She notices.

  "Ah, it must've been nothing," she comments, chuckling lightly with a bright smile- heading into the kitchen.