Chapter 23 - Panic Attack 1

After much begging and persuasion, Minwoo finally got some information on Seo Wonho. Chansol is really tougher than he thought. After finding about his new crush that is the annoying Bae Seungyun, Minwoo had the idea to exchange information. But still, Chansol seems to be really protective about his hyung, much to Minwoo's displeasure. He also seems to be holding back some important details.

But any information on the guy is important so he decides to let it go.

Right now, he knows that Wonho loves to read, and can most likely be found in libraries at the novel section, or in his cubicle which Chansol refuses to tell where. And that there are two people he should watch out for – Sangcheol, the main alpha who will most likely confront him if he messes with any of them, and Junjie, the silent guy who will apparently just go ahead and beat him lifeless if he dares to mess with Wonho. And the latter seems more dangerous, despite him being only a beta.

Although he already does not like the beta, the one thing that he really hates about that Junjie guy is the fact that he dated Wonho back in middle school, and they are still as close even now. Despite being exes. And the fact that Chansol told him to not mind them acting weird together because they tend to be the only ones who get each other's jokes.

Irritating.

On the other hand, Chansol also told him they are going hiking with the club in a few weeks. So that means, if he can only join that specific club and somehow manages to register for the trip before the deadline, he could be spending the three-day holiday with Seo Wonho. And Junjie. And the other members. And bugs, and other little crawly animals.

But Wonho will be there so it will still be worth it.

#####

Wonho peeks at his vibrating phone to see a message coming from none other than Chansol. The young alpha asked to meet him in front of the Literature building where he apparently found some benches. Wonho wonders where that actually is because the only benches here is everywhere but in front.

After a whole lot of describing, he finally meets the man, still oblivious of his surroundings with his big headphones. 'Yah, Chansol. Why're you here?'

'Wono-hyung! Let's go to the basketball court.'

'O...kay then. That was random but lemme just put my stuff back at the dorm.'

#####

Nothing is ever expected with this boy, and after not spending time with him for months, Wonho cannot help but to ponder upon how he manages to stand the boy's hyperactive antics. Like right now, when he wanted to follow Wonho inside the omega dorm, and the next moment when he had his big disappointed face after seeing the empty omega basketball court that he insisted on going.

'We're here. Are you gonna tell me what's up?' He gives the younger a look, half scaring him. Something is definitely weird. 'Tell me or I'll hit you.'

'No! Okay. I thought my Bae is here and turns out he's not.'

'Your Bae?'

'Seungyun. The omega?' He gave Wonho the eyes, as if everyone should know the omega called Seungyun. Not satisfied with that answer, Wonho crosses his arms. 'The blond? With the orangey scent and hot ass?'

'Okay now be less specific.'

'We played together last match?'

'Aahhh… the medic team's player! Yahh!' He hits the back of Chansol's head lightly. 'You dragged me out here to play cupid?? And Bae Seungyun should be in their court, not here!'

'But he's supposed to be practicing alone at the omega court!' Chansol seems confused, but Wonho only rolls his eyes in annoyance. What did he do to deserve this? 'You think every omega in the whole campus comes here to play? Each part of campus has their own omega gym dumb-dumb! Didn't they tell you that during orientation?'

Then again, they probably did tell him. Chansol just never listens.

#####

Where is he?

After bailing on Chansol and leaving him in the hands of a confused Seungyun, Wonho ran as fast as he could back. He did make sure to tell the other omega about Chansol's lacking sense of direction and asked him to ensure his junior get back home safely so he should be fine.

Except right now, Wonho is the one getting lost. This part of campus is not familiar to him in the first place, and it also changed a lot in the past two years. Wonho remembers going straight from the court and turning left. He should reach a convenient store right now, but he had been walking for a while and there is still not a sign of one. He saw a small stationary shop, and a café, which was not there when he came. And the place is filled with those sickening and nauseous scent - the alphas.

Where is he? Shouldn't there be a map? A directory? He should turn back. Retrace his step.

Shit. He needs to calm down. They are looking at him. They know he is scared.

No, focus. They won't notice him. He is hiding his scent. They won't. They shouldn't.

????????????????????????????????????????????????. Two alphas are coming towards him. Is his pheromone bursting out again? Like that night? Everyone else is also looking at him. This isn't happening again. Not again.

'Wonho?' He hears his name being called by an unfamiliar voice. He doesn't know anybody from this part of campus. He needs to get away, fast. He needs to run. Why aren't his legs moving??!!

'Seo Wonho.' Wonho flinches when he feels someone pats him on his shoulders and pushes the hand away, backing a few steps. 'Hey, woah. It's just me. Sorry if I scared you.'

Someone he knows?

'Kim Minwoo. We met a week ago.'

Kim Minwoo. He remembers the guy. The MVP.

Owh god, this is humiliating. The man he just met saw him having one of his panic attacks. Minwoo is probably judging him right now, making assumptions. They always do.

'You don't look too good. Do you wanna sit down?'

'I-I'm fine. Thanks. Minwoo-sshi.'

'You sure?' Minwoo is staring at him longer than he should, and Wonho feels really vulnerable. As if he is completely naked while fully clothed. He can feel all the other alpha's attention towards them both, staring, their eyes hungry for him, their hands just eager to touch.

'Seo Wonho-sshi?' Wonho realizes he is starting to hallucinate and frowns. This is bad. He needs his medicine. He looks back at the taller man and Minwoo has a look of concern. Wonho hates that look - the look of pity. The one the doctors and nurses had back at the hospital every time they saw him, every time he walked pass them. 'Hey. Look at me.'

Look at me, pretty omega.

No…. No!!!

Wonho feels a pair of hand on each side of his face, locking it in place. Panicked, he grips each hand, trying to pry them away. 'Seo Wonho-sshi! Breathe! In and out.'

'Let me go!!'

'In and out. Breathe.' Again, the voice breaks him away from his flashbacks and his eyes wanders around him, noticing the look everyone is giving him. This is really happening. 'Hey, just focus on me. Here. Come on. Breathe.'

It takes a while for Wonho to readjust his breathing, all the while Minwoo guides him, distracting him from his surrounding. Once he is relaxed enough, the hands on his face is disappears. 'I need to go back.'

'Alright. You need to calm down first.' Wonho nods and takes deep breaths, trying very hard to slow down his heartrate. 'You definitely need to sit down. I'll get you some water okay? Or… you want Coke instead?'

'I'm fine. I just need direction back…'

'You're lost?' Wonho nods frantically. He wants to go back so badly. Anywhere is fine as long as it is not here. Everyone just saw what happened and it is really humiliating. He just wants to go back, take his pills and sleep. And preferably never wake up again.

Wonho looks back at the other. Minwoo is not convinced and still has the worried face. He has to give a good enough explanation about his situation so the man will show him the direction without trying to hold him here. 'I sometimes get panic attacks when I'm lost. Phobia. Just need a few moments to calm down and think.'

'Owh? You get lost often?'

'I'm bad with direction.' He lies again. Anything is better than the truth.

There is an uncomfortable silence before Minwoo finally laughs a bit. 'I'm not that good with directions either but I might be able to walk you back. If that's okay.'

Wonho gives it a bit of thought. At least the he won't be walking alone surrounded by all the other alphas. 'Okay…'