.jpg)
x
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXerdPtPYj
NAMJOON380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9gs5eDSha
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghhIySewMR
It was night time so the apartment was dark. But it was always dark. Even through the day. The only light guiding me through the cluttered filth were the street lights streaming through the window. And the blueish light beaming from the living room TV.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJeosTG6O7
As always it was left playing for no one but the passed out woman sprawled out on the sofa, her stringy black hair masking her face. An empty glass bottle lay on the floor next to her hand which hung off the edge.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIzdY2WGld
Before heading to the door, I stopped next to her and peeled off the wrapper of a blue lollipop. After tossing the candy in my mouth I crumpled up the rubbish and threw it on, what was in my opinion, the biggest pile of trash in the house.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nkYV3nFX6
My worthless mother.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WJvwwydv6
The paper got stuck in her hair.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAUS6zoHlu
"Pathetic." I mumbled.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjOaBYYp8q
I exited into a small quiet street. It housed mostly elderly people. None of them liked being outside at this time of night due to the night life that took place in the adjacent street. Every now and then, a few drunken people would wander in and make a fuss. The chaos was unsettling for the neighbors.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwGjSZ54yg
I thought differently.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vwvk0yFJt
Turning onto the adjacent street, the energy changed instantly. The side walks were alive with people. Many just innocently having drinks with friends or talking. Some were foreigners typically club hopping. The population was denser where the club was. I weaved through crowds of people and settled beside a corn dog stand near it. I ordered two bottles of soju and a some cheesy corn dogs before taking a seat.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPBbWg5kz8
One of the many good things about this street was, venders assumed everyone looking for a good time here were of age. Either that or they didn't care as long as they were getting business.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tRcaUjWzw
A commotion arose outside the club. I looked towards it, twisting the lollipop in my mouth with delight. What would it be tonight?
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX0VUvTXnF
Two women were each being held by guys who were gradually leading them away from the entrance. Both females were clad in unsurprisingly slutty clothes, looking to throw fists at the other.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr7qtCkxhk
I popped open a bottle of soju.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdLpCp64ZX
Girl fights weren't nearly as interesting to watch, but they sure were hilarious. It was like they were suddenly possessed by petty toddlers. Get people drunk enough and they'll gladly unleash their true, loathsome natures. Once sober the fear of judgement kicks in and they return to their phony, respectable selves.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi8kilRpHe
Humans... I shook my head. So desperate to be what they're not.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2glMDYpRKs
One of the women was convinced to walk away. While the other turned on her own boyfriend. The woman didn't seem to appreciate his amusement at her expense. She slapped him hard and proceeded to push him around. I cracked a small smile. The scene gave a sense of nostalgia.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXGBc9QAeT
Memories of the people I'm supposed to call parents played in my head. My earliest memory was of my mother thrashing my dad around by his hair. Those were the days before he fought back. Before he was forced to break out his true self. I cried then. But eventually I realized crying wasn't going to stop them. Crying did nothing, had no use. So I watched them fight.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1FVp9nJ9R
At least until my father left, ridding himself of the ball and chain that threatened his good standing and his job--me and my mother.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsEIvsmSAo
My friends claim I hate my parents. They're not wrong. But I still find that I was lucky to have learned what I know now at an early age. Those two taught me about the world before I set foot out into it. Without them I wouldn't have discovered my purpose, which was to free people from their cages of false civility and forced decency.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZErLusDAlZ
My mom was always a useless alcoholic. Her marriage simply drained her of the energy she put into hiding it. Now she was free. Whether she was happy with what she was didn't matter. It was her true nature and it was honest.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnCIlYLws7
The seat next me dragged backwards.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhidXd8meW
Jungkook sat. A couple new marks in his face. I nudged the second bottle of soju and the corn dogs toward him. He reached for them without hesitation. Blood smeared over his knuckles.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSipWc7V71n
"I hope that's Yoongi's blood." I said.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs89DIvzwlt
The muscular guy took three big gulps and bit into a corndog. "It's not," he admitted with irritation.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggGZQJhZYN
Jungkook insisted on following Yoongi tonight to find where he lived. If there was anything he was good at, it was keeping things about himself private. But he turned up at a Spa in the mountains, which Jungkook theorized to be intentional in order to throw him off. He further explained that he would've kidnapped the girl, Yurim, if Yoongi hadn't intervened. And he retreated when the owner of the Spa threatened to call the police.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFuKDfeiRv
"A spa..." I rubbed my chin. "Didn't you find something about that in her records or something?"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8mPyhCCas
"It was on the list of emergency numbers. But I don't remember the number."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx8RUSd1Jp
"That's fine. It tells us enough. Not only does she work there, but she's close enough with that place that its an emergency contact. I'll bet her parents own it." A snap came from chewing my nails.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZL9O2uUA4
Jungkook stuffed the last of his food into his mouth. "And?"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqac11RPYiX
"We'll wait a bit. Let them have a couple of days of peace before..."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BtHC6LD15
"Before what?"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yO2knC2u0
"Before we start the real fun."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21Hd4YTcJk
Sirens wailed down the street to some unknown conflict. The angry woman from earlier was still yelling at her boyfriend in front of spectators. Men on the side barked at the guy to tame his girl. The muffled music from the club pulsed through its walls. I let each sound reverb in my brain until they all blended into chaotic bliss.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofY0pNS13W
"You hear that, Jungkook-ah?"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKrrdiuDds
The serious guy sucked his teeth as he shrugged.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGRkVsJa7K
"Music."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw4qAk188u
YURIM
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdEzIxSjfy
Even on crutches, I couldn't keep the pep from my steps. The pass few days have felt absolutely euphoric. There hadn't been any encounters with Namjoon and his friends. I even dared to consider that they've finally grown bored of me. Seokjin, or Jin as he now insists I call him, votes on staying vigilant. He's been so sweet during my injury and definitely a lot more close.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2o0b2STbU
Butterflies still danced in my stomach when I thought back on that kiss. Did I mention the week felt euphoric?
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleegxFPOIM
However, tonight was purely dedicated to quality time with Hoseok.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJFsS79HWx
Ever since his classes changed, we've seen less of each other. It was as though Jin saw him more than I did. That's another reason why I was so happy today. We were hanging out like the good old days before anyone else ever entered our lives. Not that I wasn't grateful for the added company. It was just a universal rule that one's best friend gets dibs on one's undivided attention.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHN3VRWQ9M
We had just finished shopping for Minju's birthday presents from me and my parents. I went a little past my budget but the Hot Springs have been doing pretty well. Even my parents felt comfortable enough to stretch their budgets a little. Hoseok held the bags, keeping pace with me as we headed over to the food court, his jubilant grin beaming.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSX8yx8UUF
After ordering food, we sat with our meals and packages. Hoseok sweetly opened my plate and broke my chopsticks for me. As grateful as I am for his good nature, I wish he allowed me to take care of him every once in a while.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQHvKAccjE
"Eat a lot." He said.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjoiZtbEdC
"I intend to." I smiled, breaking into my plate of warm, savory bulgogi. Hoseok got his favorite, Samgyeopsal and wrap. A side of dumplings sat in between us to share. The first bite set off an explosion of incandescent bliss, triggering a spiritual thumbs up. "Yum."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9Tds8SCH9
Hoseok chuckled watching me. "Good?"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWlZc6LHiP
"Mhm." I inhaled a whole dumpling and a pinch of kimchi. "Shopping made me hungry."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zzFUKKF5o
The boy across from me pointed at my face. "Your cheeks look like you got stung by bees!" He laughed before stuffing his own mouth. I stifled a laugh in order to keep myself from spitting my food out.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kl9AEw51K
"If you don't look ugly while eating, you're not really enjoying your food."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0moiHTpKK
Hoseok suddenly made a shocked look at something behind me. I stopped chewing, looking at him with anticipation. "Oh, Seokjin, what brings you here?"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpvU0qaaew
Panic shook my body. I quickly gulped my food and wiped my mouth before turning.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdplAlZi9J
No one was there.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohXTwtQbcF
I gave a confused look at my friend who let out a high pitched laugh. His mouth of chewed meat and leaves looked like a pile of something I didn't want to think about while eating. I cringed. Annoyed, I sent him a sour look.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwNnobsv1b
"Why did you clean yourself up? I'm sure he would've appreciated you enjoying your food." He teased.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyte5JnZVaa
"Waa~ so even you can be mean. To think I defended you from Minju." A moment passed where only our chewing and the hum of chatter in the food court could be heard.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTsP8a3Dlk
"What's so bad about being a little harsh anyways? Even you tame your sister by being stern. It keeps people in line."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI75bdDFNv
I shrugged. "Nothing's wrong with it. I just know that's not you."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIaK3RVa60
"It could be..."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzybmUboqj
"What are you talking about? It's literally impossible. You're too sweet!" I ruffled his brown curls before taking another bite of meat. Another explosion of flavor sent my head in the clouds. "Seriously, this taste better than usual. Here, try some." Picking a piece of meat up, I held it in front of his mouth. But the look on his face was strange. At first was a fleeting moment of normalcy in which he looked ready to take the offering. Then he hesitated. He then looked at me, a hint of wariness behind his eyes. A slight ache rippled through me but I pushed it away. "W-what's wrong?" I asked with an awkward smile. "You don't want any?"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamIaM3I6xx
Two long seconds passed before he replied, "shouldn't I get a bigger sample?"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU9rjAHGo3
"Ahh~" I sighed. A flood of relief filled my conscience. "You rascal, I thought you were mad at me for some reason!" I shook my head as I fished for more bulgogi and offered it to him. His teeth accepted it gladly.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyBSItIa6w
"Mm! Delicious!" He grinned. To return the favor, he made a wrap and fed it to me. The lines at the corner of his eyes returned. His bright smile and goofy laugh dusted away the silly doubts that had crept in just now.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9KIqlMfi3
Of course he wouldn't be mad. I can be so gullible sometimes, I thought regrettably. I'll get him back.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7rXfyhevf
"Oh!" Hoseok pointed at something behind me and waved. "Yoongi! What a coincidence!"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDx9N0CeA8
I snorted a laugh. "Stop already! Why are you so obsessed with tricking me today!"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZFWTwX9DH
My friend smiled at me and continued his charade. "What brings you here?"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQLTV0kivv
I opened my mouth to respond-
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiSCCdStGG
"Errands." A deep, buttery voice behind me answered first. My smile dropped. "For my grandma. I just picked up dessert to reward myself." I heard a package crinkle. In small movements, I grabbed a napkin and thoroughly wiped my mouth.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY3jP0FC1N
"Oh, so you're done." Hoseok spoke in a tone that said he had just come up with an idea. I looked at him with leeriness. "You might as well eat with us." My face scrunched with reluctance, showing my friend I didn't approve of his invitation. He saw me clearly, he just ignored my suffering and gave an insubordinate grin.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVFx8vZBiu
Yoongi moved closer to my side. I relaxed my face back to normal, feigning indifference.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2LeEuwQZo
"Is it...really okay?" The second boy asked. I'd resorted to awkwardly stirring my food around, not meeting his eyes. That is, until I felt a little kick against my leg. I snapped my gaze up at Hoseok who looked at me expectantly. I then looked up at Yoongi who looked...different. Who also looked at me expectantly.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxWwF2kpbr
He's asking me?
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcRpp1UYNS
I contemplated it for a second, not wanting to approve nor deny him. Either option seemed like a defeat. "Whatever you want," I shrugged.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2LQna8jdL
Yoongi circled around next to Hoseok since some packages were placed beside me. Thank goodness! A hint of uncertainty seemed to show in his walk. Like he was unsure he was wanted. Evidently, it didn't bother him enough to reconsider joining us. My eyes did a quick once over as he sat down before returning to my meal.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08X2ZQSQWf
Again, he looked exactly the same but different somehow. I didn't understand why. I suppose, his face looked more relaxed. Not so serious or tense. Interestingly, his eyes looked bigger, ready for new information. Similar to a child curiously watching a hatching butterfly. The outfit he wore also made him look like a normal guy. Comfortable and low key but still casually stylish.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6AmI20NkL
I mean, I guess it was stylish...for him.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0mxDAtU0Z
Just like when he showed up at my parent's Spa, his eyes sat under the shadow of a ball cap. Dark bangs pressed against his forehead.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay3YEe3pzh
"Yurim-ah." Hoseok called.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMacnLchFd
I flinched, "hm?"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw5WBRjOm7
"We were just talking about the Summer Carnival."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWXRb9sxul
"You were talking about the Summer Carnival." Yoongi corrected. A slight smile shone as he took in a few pieces of his newly bought dessert.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRRaLvr0pr
Smiling. Conversing. Since when did these two become so comfortable with each other?
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQfHq9JPXw
"I was saying he should go."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7npONabJoL
"I'm betting it's not as great as it sounds." They continued on as though they'd known each other forever.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82mV8B2sUp
Hoseok clicked his tongue. "Aigoo~. You're still doing the 'too cool' act? I thought you matured."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzabrTqLGRD
"If he doesn't want to, he doesn't want to." I cut in. I may have done so a little too quickly. The two boys stared at me. Evidently, they thought so too.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeEj6as3uS
"Well, I mean...I didn't say I didn't want to." Yoongi added gently. I considered what he said and came to the conclusion that he didn't know who else was going to be there. Surely if he knew, he wouldn't have any interest.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡornbbtUfs4
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpio1OzJAmL
"Jin and Jimin are going. Don't they bug you?"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyydEwtj5F
The boy scoffed. "People in general bug me. It doesn't stop me from going to school or leaving my house."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6tM7jdENL
Something inside me deflated with defeat. I wasn't totally sure why I wanted him to avoid the carnival. Or rather, why I wanted to avoid him. And after his and Seokjin's encounter last weekend, I dread to think what another outing with those two would be like.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o2S4OmwOp
A muffled tune came from my bag. I pulled out my phone and answered. "Minju-ya, I'll be home soon-"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96oTn0jD2J
"Eonni! Did mom and dad call you?" Minju asked. Her voice was thick with worry.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WIDJwbzIj
"Huh? No, they didn't. Why, what's wrong?"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEpjmDTopr
"One of my classmates is at the Hot Springs. She just texted me that there's a commotion in the main building. And the fire alarms went off!" Her voice shook. "I tried calling mom and dad but they won't pick up!"
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZScY287ijf
"W-what? A fire?" I pressed my stomach, trying to ignore the nausea creeping in. My whole body was buzzing with anxiety. "Okay, just stay at home. I'll go over now and see what's happening."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0SJgt9LoQ
When I hung up, Hoseok already began scooping up the shopping bags.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMfcHHNSAR
"Something about a fire and commotion at the Spa." I stood and quickly took my father's crutches up again. At the back of my mind I barely registered the wary look Yoongi and Hoseok shared. But I was desperate to start moving. "I have to go and see what's happening."
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23gqIbhB0C
I started toward the parking lot where Hoseok parked his uncle's second car. Since turning eighteen, he's been devoted to earning his license. Tonight was the few nights he was allowed to take the car. I uttered words of gratitude for that.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe1X8yhIVf
When we reached the vehicle, Hoseok quickly loaded everything in the trunk while I breathlessly hopped into the back seat. The muscles in my arms were burning but I couldn't think about it right now. As we pulled out of the stall, I realized it was just us two again. The thought should've made me feel at least a fraction of relief, even in this situation.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rYuJKGCYi
It didn't. Which was a worrisome thing in and of itself.
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTtRTmHXJX
With a deep, determined breath I filtered my thoughts to only focus on my parents and their safety. Please, please be okay...
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yMirx6yP4
