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Before the building even came into view, an orangey glow flickered above the trees. A whimper escaped my trembling lips. Water pooled over my eyes.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzCHp1S0kw
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Then finally the flames.
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I bit down on my tongue to avoid anymore sounds of distress but my hands still shook. I needed to stay calm. As far as I could tell, it was only the main building with the lobby that was engulfed. It would've been dad at the front desk.
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When the car stopped I got out, almost stumbling to the ground. I forgot about my sprained foot. As I fetched the crutches, Hoseok scanned the area. Likely looking for anyone to explain what happened. I hobbled onto the lawn, searching the flames for the worst news.
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A sound then came from the side toward the rec room doors. A woman and man assisted another man towards us. The glow of the fire revealed their faces. Mom and another employee escorting dad. Half of his face covered in dripping scarlet.
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The hair on my neck stood upright. My heart dove into a pit of dispair.
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"APPA! EOMMA!" I cried. I started towards them, but Hoseok raised a hand.
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"Wait here!" Hoseok ran to take my mother's place. Leaving him to it, she came and brought me into her arms. My tears poured into her shoulder. Only faint hints of lavender were left in her smoke soaked cardigan.
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"The fire department and ambulance are on their way. Everyone's evacuating to the back of the property. Everything's going to be fine." She assured me. "Minju's okay at home?"
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I nodded.
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A familiar grunt reached us. My dad told the two guys to let him sit and rest. I knelt down next to him while my mom sent away the other man to tend to their customers. "Appa," I wept. "Are you okay?"
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The man nodded. "I'm okay. I'm okay."
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"What happened?"
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"Some crazy kids just went ballistic all of a sudden! They threw a crowbar into the window. I thought it was just one so I went out to confront him." He shook his head. "But there were three of them."
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I looked at Hoseok who must've had the same thought. Both our minds were spinning.
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Namjoon.
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Next, as though summoned by the thought of his name, a figure with blonde hair stepped out of the shadows. The fire's reflection pranced over his eyes. Lips stretched into a tight grin, which formed a light dent in his smug chin. Two other figures followed his lead.
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"These punks- YA!" My dad yelled. My mom and I steadied his heated movements. "DON'T THINK YOU WON'T GET REPORTED FOR THIS JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE KIDS!"
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The group of boys only laughed. They looked especially ecstatic to see that I and Hoseok were here to witness their handy work. My hands squeezed into fists. The muscles in my jaw tensed so much, my teeth ached.
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The tremors around my body continued. Only they weren't due to fear or anxiety any more. A sense of dejavu came when Namjoon's glare met with mine. No remorse. Not even a buried conscience. This was a person?
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"Ahjussi," Taehyung called out. "You're not making any sense. Maybe you hit your head a little too hard." He and his partners in crime roared with laughter at his punchline. My heart split when I saw the angry yet helpless look on dad's face. Hot tears streamed down to my lips where I could taste the salt they threw into his wounds. They were really making fun of hurting my dad?!
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Frantically, I searched around us. There was a rock. It was similar in size to a tennis ball. I picked it up and limped toward them. Anger and adrenaline overtook the sting in my leg as I struggled forward without a crutch. I drew the stone back and chucked it forward as hard as I could, "YOU BASTARDS!"
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The rock turned into nothing more than a shadow. I wasn't sure if it would hit until there was a deep thump. If not for the jerk in Jungkook's head, I wouldn't have known where it went.
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A drop of blood dripped from his hairline down to his eyebrow. He raised a hand to it to confirm what it was. The heavy built boy looked at his hand before raising wide, rage-filled eyes at me.
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"Amazing!" Namjoon laughed. "Now you can't avoid what happens next." He said to me. My anger fizzled out. Regret blared through my being. Not him. I thought back to the gut wrenching moment that day when he pushed me. I never wanted to be in his presence again. It looked like I had dug my own grave.
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"You're dead, hideous girl." Taehyung sang.
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Jungkook stalked toward us, his eyes burning through his greasy black hair. He was headed straight for me. I stood frozen like ice but felt lighter than a feather in comparison to his heavy steps. It was like I was on a conveyor belt speeding toward danger. It didn't matter if I ran in the other direction. He'd catch me. And from how far they were willing to go tonight, I was sure he'd kill me.
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What made it worse was knowing that this was all my own fault.
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Yoongi was right. I shouldn't have swung at Namjoon that day.
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A body suddenly eclipsed the path of my harrowing fate. I blinked out of my hopeless trance. Hoseok stood in between us. Panic increased as I imagined his body folding under the wrath of Jungkook. I tugged desperately at his shirt. "Don't! We can run or...stall until the first responders come."
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"You can't run with that foot." Hoseok replied, without looking back at me. I was dumbfounded at the perfect calm in his voice. I wanted to yell at him for being so nonchalant about the demise he just threw himself into. Doesn't he know I'll loath myself more if someone else got hurt? "You're parents can't either. So just stay back, okay?" He walked forward. I wanted to beg him to stay but I couldn't. Truth is, he had a point.
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But I couldn't let him deal with my problem alone either.
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I gave a resolute nod and limped behind him. "I'll help-"
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"NO!" I gasped. In a blink he seized my arm and bore his furrowed eyes into mine. I recoiled from him. His fingertips dug into my arm but I was too shocked to whimper. I'd never seen him do such a thing or make such a look. Least of all directed at me. I never thought it possible.
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Just as quickly as he grabbed me, his eyes then softened. Swift but gentle, Hoseok stepped into me, knocking me back. I felt his foot hook my knee before he set me down on the ground. As he did I searched his face. A mild look made him unusually difficult to read. Except for the hint of sadness leaking from his features. But there was no time for an analysis.
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Background movement called my attention away. Jungkook broke into a sprint toward my best friend while his back was turned.
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"HOSEOK-AH!" I pointed at the bully. I watched in horror, knowing I wouldn't be able to get up in time to do anything. Jungkook's fist was coming for his head.
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Hoseok smoothly peeked over his shoulder before rolling backwards. Successfully, he dodged the hot headed boy. Jungkook zoomed past us, nearly running me over. The angry wretch slid and twisted on his heel. I watched in shock as Hoseok tackled him, forcing him further from the rest of us.
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The two began grappling and wrestling. Hoseok was careful not to end up below him. The other boy's body was clearly larger but there was an air of control Hoseok had that the other lacked. And there was something else.
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Something caught my eye during the commotion. A mark on his back peaked out from under his shirt. A tattoo? Why have I never seen it before? Why hadn't he told me?
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After an anxious struggle, Hoseok was finally able to trap Jungkook's arms. Which allowed him to shower punches at will. I flinched at every audible impact. But the boy underneath had an unhinged resilience, spitting profane insults between each beating. Hoseok's eyes were seething. Part of me felt relieved that he wasn't crumpled on the ground like a paper ball as I feared. However, another part of me saw a stranger where my best friend should be. And it made me uneasy.
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"AH!" An instant burn spread across my scalp, my face abruptly forced upward toward the night sky. Someone had a handful of my hair. I twisted to see who it was. Taehyung continued to drag me backwards. Seemingly welcoming of the chances of my hair falling out.
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"YURIM-AH!" I heard my mother but I couldn't see her. "LEAVE HER!"
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A loud whack was heard and my hair was released. I crawled away from the beautiful but poisonous boy. He was frozen in shock as he realized his nose was bleeding. Another cut grazed his upper lip. Mom was holding a crutch in her hands which explained what I needed to know.
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"AHH!" He wailed. "MY FACE IS GONNA GET SWOLLEN! YOU UGLY WITCH!!!"
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"Ugly witch?" My mom stalked toward him, her grip on the crutch intimidatingly tight. Taehyung backed away to protect his face. "Wait 'til the morning! I'll make sure you won't even recognize your own face! HOW DARE YOU ATTACK MY FAMILY!" I watched wide eyed as Taehyung was being chased around by my mother. She was always known to be the most even tempered of my parents. I supposed she had her limits too.
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Suddenly a yank on my leg pulled me from my observation. I whipped my eyes toward the new opponent. Namjoon dragged me away by my good foot. I clawed my nails into the grass and dirt to resist being taken. I wasn't going to make this easy for him, no matter what.
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"Let's see if this changes the current." The blonde gave an arrogant smirk. A smirk that was the calm before the storm. Next, he lifted his knee to his chest and brought his foot down hard on my sprained ankle.
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A loud shriek pierced the air without my permission. Crippling pain shot up my leg and through my body. My foot felt as though a knife was jammed into it and left there. I squeezed my thigh in a useless attempt to keep the pain from spreading. Nothing would alleviate it. My breaths became short and uneven. I considered focusing on taming my hyperventilating sobs, but the boy standing over me had more in store.
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The sole of his shoe rested on my throat now. Slowly sinking it deeper. My esophagus felt like a straw bent in a ninety degree angle. Lack of oxygen didn't even allow me to gag or cough properly. I clawed at his foot but it was too heavy. For a brief moment, I caught a glimpse of the sky above his head. The stars and moon looked on from a far. Further than they've ever been. Their indifference fanned the flames of my defiance.
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Desperately, I kicked the back of his other leg with my good foot. It took just enough weight off for me to lift his foot off my neck and bite his ankle. Namjoon roared and drew his foot back. Only to swing it at my face.
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Blurry, black splotches danced around in my vision. A sharp pain pounded at my head. It was all I could hear. I couldn't tell what I was seeing neither could I recall which direction the kick forced me to face. I willed my head to move, but couldn't tell if I was doing it or not. All I could comprehend was the hammering in my head and leg. I vaguely made out the voices of my parents. But they seemed so far away. On the other hand I hadn't felt another blow dealt by Namjoon. Or at least, not that I was aware.
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Moments passed. Every blink brought my sight back and my mind in working order. My vision and hearing were stabilizing. As it did, I finally understood the blurry movement in front of me was Taehyung. He had my mom trapped in his arms. Rending her incapable of aiding us. I forced my head to turn the opposite way despite the waves of pain it brought. There I saw Hoseok was now being over powered by Jungkook.
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Not far from my feet, Namjoon had been engaged with my dad who must've just stepped in. My dad's old Tae-Kwon-Do skills came into play. But how far would they be able to take him? He's lost so much blood already. I willed my muscles to sit myself up. But they refused.
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Exhaustion called to my senses, begging me to indulge in it. I cried helplessly at my weakness. My uselessness in the face of my loved ones' suffering.
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Something sounded like a beat against a metal box. I look toward the sound and saw that Namjoon had thrown my dad several feet against the car we arrived in. My father lost his balance, his energy diminishing. I tried to move again. This time managing to roll on my side. From there I pushed myself up. But it wouldn't change the fact that I wouldn't be able to save him. Or anyone.
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Namjoon charged at my dad with delight. All I could do was watch, tears distorting my view. As though sparing me from what was going to happen.
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Just then my slowed senses noticed something else. A buzzing sound- no. A revving sound. Just like the annoying motorcycles that rode through my street everyday.
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A light shined suddenly. I squinted as it accelerated toward Namjoon. The rider rode between him and my dad but not without kicking the tyrant down to the ground. After, he skidded to a stop. Without missing a beat, he dropped his bike and took off his helmet. His silhouette in front of the fire, looked familiar.
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Yoongi?
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As he ran passed Hoseok, he threw the helmet which struck Jungkook in the head. From there, the former was able to spring into action and gain the upper hand again. Yoongi continued his sprint toward Namjoon where the two clashed in a fierce brawl. My parents huddled around me. We all watched the two fights commence. Each displaying a series of punches and kicks, bobbing and weaving.
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Hoseok skillfully dodged a swing and returned it with a successful kick to his opponent's side. And again a second time. Yoongi blocked a hit, stepped in and threw Namjoon over his shoulder onto the ground. I anxiously waited and hoped none of them would get seriously hurt.
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That's when we heard them.
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The sirens. They were close.
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I watched expecting Namjoon and Jungkook to hear them and run for it. But it looked like Yoongi got his adversary pinned. The malicious leader lay on his back, out of sorts. He looked done. A feeling of relief comforted me. At least one fight was surely over.
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However, my relief came too soon. Though Namjoon was finished, Yoongi wasn't.
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The boy who saved my family twice now climbed on top of the other boy. Battered fists rained down, one after another. His eyes in a trance of blood lust.
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"Stop," I squeaked.
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Another hit. And another.
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"Yoongi!"
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He couldn't hear me. I watched in horror as blood now dripped from his knuckles. Namjoon coughed, spurting out more scarlet fluid onto Yoongi's face. But the punches still continued. No. This wasn't him. It's not!
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I forced myself onto my knees and began crawling. My parents tried to stop me but I assured them I'd be fine. Painfully, I moved toward him. When I got close I saw Namjoon's bloody and beaten face, triggering a queasy sob.
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"Yoongi stop!" I pleaded. The hits were sluggish now. He was tired. Even his breathing was labored, but it was like his body was on auto pilot. "YOONGI!"
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Another fist drew back. I hopped forward and caught his arm, using my body to weigh it down. Immediately, his exhausted form tipped over and collapsed next to me. His eyes were wide open but blank and empty. I shook his shoulders, "Yoongi? He's done. You can stop now."
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Finally, a blink. I could see awareness returning to his eyes as its lids fluttered. And then they found me. Goosebumps broke out on my arms as I looked into his newly awakened eyes. I tried to read his thoughts but as usual I was unsuccessful.
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Blinking as though realizing something, he quickly averted his gaze to the ground. Guilt seemed to hang in the air around him.
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Flashing lights and sirens blared onto the front lawn of the Hot Spring Spa. Mom ran toward the ambulance and waved them down. The firefighters got to work in putting the flames out. Two police cruisers accompanied them as well. Officers from one car set up a perimeter while the others spotted our current situation.
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They first ripped apart Hoseok and Jungkook. The crazy boy resisted violently and struggled with the officer before being subdued and cuffed. I watched Hoseok explain what happened to the other officer. The tone of voice and gestures he used were natural yet so different from what I knew. Arms crossed, his shoulders pushed back, chest puffed out. The tense muscles in his bruised jaw and strewn eyes took the place of his usual bright expression.
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Were we really best friends all this time?
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His eyes met mine. I looked away.
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Yoongi was wiping the blood off of his knuckles. Shortly later Namjoon, who I was surprised was still conscious was cuffed and carried to the cruiser as well. But not before he said something to Yoongi.
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"Now you know, no one ever changes," he mumbled with a disfigured smile.
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I wasn't sure what to make of the statement, but it seemed Yoongi knew his meaning perfectly. The boy next to me had troubled eyes. Which still avoided me ever since leaving his trance.
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"We're gonna have to take you two boys in as well." Two officers approached Hoseok and Yoongi with handcuffs ready.
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"Wait," I said. "They weren't the ones who did this. They were just defending me and my family. Why are you arresting them?"
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"These two have a history of criminal activities. We only wish to be thorough." A woman officer answered.
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"'A history of criminal activities?'" I repeated in disbelief. I then looked at the both of them. The clicks of metal around their wrists were loud in the grim silence they left me. None of them opposed the arrest at all. That's when I remembered Yoongi's choice of friends growing up and Hoseoks sudden shift in personality. Not to mention, I have no idea who he was prior to his move into our district. That realization left a hollow feeling in my chest.
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"Besides," the woman continued. "After a fight like they've been in, it's only common to take them in where their guardians can come get them and be briefed on the situation. If they truly hold no blame in this, that's all it'll be."
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I chewed on my bottom lip. "Well, shouldn't I be able to give a statement on what happened?"
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"With parental consent, yes."
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"She has my permission." Mom cut in. "In fact, I'd like to make my own as well. And when he's ready my husband will too. This fire was not accidental."
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"In that case you're welcome to follow us to the station. Thank you for your cooperation." The officer bowed and continued escorting Yoongi and Hoseok to the second police vehicle.
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Everything will be fine, I tried to tell myself. And then remembered something.
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"Mom, where's Taehyung?"
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"Who?"
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"The third boy."
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"Oh, he ran off when Yoongi came. Not much of a fighter, that one." She rubbed warmth into my shoulders.
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"I didn't get to see dad before they took him. I thought you'd go with him." Anxiety surrounding both my friends and dad heightened.
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"He'll be fine. Come, let's get going. Yu-Jin should be able to manage the Spa while we're gone. But are you sure about going to the station with your leg like that?" She looked at my swollen ankle. I nodded obstinately. Nothing would keep me from that station.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvhFUCLyQB
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When we got to the station, they escorted each my mom and I to a different desk. Hoseok and Yoongi were there too. Each in their own interviews with an officer. The officer taking my statement was very kind and cordial, especially about my leg.
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Repeating the events of the night sounded crazy. Even to me. Though, I didn't expect it to be the easy part of the process.
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"So these two boys were with you when the fire was started?" The officer asked.
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"Yes." I confirmed. Relieved I had solidified their alibi for the fire at least.
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"Is there no chance that any of them could've been involved remotely?"
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"With the fire? No, why would they be?"
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The man looked hesitant to doubt me. "Well, one of them is on record to have been involved in some trouble with the exact boys who are being accused of setting this fire. Is it really that far of a leap to suspect he could've been indirectly involved?"
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"He..." I struggled for words. This wasn't something I was used to doing. Defending Yoongi. "He hasn't been with them lately. He's different than them. He always has been." As soon as the words left my mouth, a weight had lifted from my chest. A weight I didn't know was there. "Even Hoseok noticed his separation from them."
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"Hoseok is someone you trust?"
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"He's my best...friend." It was almost a whisper.
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"Are you aware that your best friend is affiliated with an infamous Busan gang?"
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I flinched at the last word. I was ready to deny it, but I thought back on the moment that mark on his back flashed during his fight. The mark he'd never told me about. But no matter what he didn't tell me about the past, I had to remember what I did know about the now. I squared my shoulders and prepared a resolute tone. "They were both there defending my family. If they hadn't been there, my parents and I would've been in worse shape."
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After I was done giving my statement, the officer I spoke to did a brief neurological examination on me. Apparently he saw symptoms of a concussion and insisted I get it looked at properly by a doctor. After promising to do so I waited outside the front desk for my mom. The waiting area buzzed with conversations of busy officers. One was talking with a citizen who was reporting a stolen belonging.
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The chorus of sounds lulled me into a state of exhaustion. Now that everything had calmed down, I started to doze off.
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Until seconds later when an elderly woman walked into the front door. She went to the desk and asked for Yoongi. I looked at her with tired surprise. I had never seen another relative of his before. She was nothing like I expected- not that I actually had expectations prepared to refer to.
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The woman, though harboring a slight slouch, looked strong and healthy. Her expression was quite unreadable and her demeanor, soft spoken. I supposed it ran in the family. Whites and grays colored her hair which was twisted into a low bun. Though, rogue strands floated next to her face. I wondered if she came in a hurry. The thought actually gave me comfort. He has someone who worries for him.
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One officer took her behind the counter toward the office I was just at. The beating in my chest quickened as I knew he'd be coming out soon. My thoughts went back to the moment right before he appeared. Dad was on the brink of collapse. I hated to think about what might've happened to my dad if Yoongi hadn't shown up when he did.
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When the woman returned, Yoongi trailed behind her. I took in a deep breath to soothe the anxious beating in my chest. The cuts on his face were neatly treated. The blood on his knuckles were washed off, leaving scratches and patches of raw skin. My hands nervously clasped together in my lap. As they got closer, his eyes stumbled across mine. But like before, they dropped to his feet. Avoiding.
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The small action deflated my confidence but I was determined to at least thank him. As they were passing I shot up from my chair. "M-Min Yoongi!"
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The boy stopped. His face looked surprised to hear his name. Just as I decided to step forward, I remembered my injury which bade me to stay put. Three pesky feet stood in between us. Yoongi's eyebrows raised inquisitively as I analyzed my dilemma.
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Just say it! I told myself. But I couldn't bring myself to. Not while he was looking at me.
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I reached forward and pinched his sleeve. His eyes became more puzzled. Instead of giving myself time to chicken out, I hastily pulled him toward me. When he stumbled forward I threw my arms around his neck, my eyes shut tight.
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"Th-Thank you!" I breathed.
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Nothing.
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My heart dropped when he didn't respond or move. I clenched my teeth and tightened my grip out of sheer refusal to feel stupid or regret. This was necessary. Whether he liked it or not!
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With a sigh, I planned to pull away immediately and bid him farewell. And I wouldn't dare look at him and risk revealing my shame.
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Before I could even finish that thought, warm hands slid along my back. Arms snaked around my waist. A sharp gasp escaped my lips at the unexpected firmness in his embrace. I could feel his face burrow into my shoulder. Goosebumps sprouted all around my body. All of a sudden his knit shirt felt softer under my chin. My persistent headache subsided ever so slightly.
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An obscure warning against this sudden comfort took place in an unknown region of my mind. On any other day I would've listened to it. Today was different.
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After the most horrendous night, this moment--as much as I'd regret thinking it--was what I needed. Encased in a peaceful cocoon of relief and safety. An icy breeze in a sweltering dessert. It wouldn't last and perhaps I was using it selfishly. No, I was definitely using it selfishly. This was supposed to be about giving thanks not seeking comfort. Still I couldn't seem to pick the right time to pull away.
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"Ahem."
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My ears perked up. A mental curtain pulled back, unveiling reality. I was aware of my surroundings again. The voices of people, papers moving, pens clicking. I opened my eyes and pulled away. We both looked at each other briefly but ours eyes darted toward the floor. My arms folded tightly in front of me while his hands tucked themselves in his pockets. Desperate to avoid his gaze again I looked toward the person who cleared their throat.
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Yoongi's grandmother stared at us with an inquisitive brow. Quickly, I faced her properly and bowed. "Hello, I'm Lee Yurim. I go to school with your grandson. My parents are the owners of the Spa that was attacked. We're very grateful that Yoongi was there to stand up for us."
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The woman's eyes went to her grandson, who I could've sworn was blushing. His eyes cast down. "I see." She said, seemingly giving it some thought. "In that case I'm glad he was there too." The statement earned a side swiped look of surprise from Yoongi. "Please wish your parents well for me."
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"Mhm," I nodded and bowed again. "I will."
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The woman nodded and continued on her way out. Yoongi jumped to hold the door open as though he'd forgotten to. His eyes focused on his grandmother's safe steps. I watched him looking after her. I'd never seen him like this before.
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Fascinated, I continued my observation through the glass window as he walked with her to a small silver car. After making sure his grandmother got in, he opened his door. The boy hesitated for a second. I stared in bewilderment. Half of me questioned why, the other half questioned how disheveled hair could possibly look so perf-.
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Yoongi looked over his shoulder straight at me.
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I gasped. A shock went through my body before I collapsed back into my chair. Just below the window sill. For a good while I sat frozen, still feeling the flaming embarrassment. He saw me...he saw me...he saw me. Why was I even staring? Am I a creep? I must've looked as white as a sheet because my mom came out worried.
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"Yurim-ah, what's wrong? Did you stand on your foot?" She knelt down to examine me.
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I shook my head and winced. The side of my head throbbed where Namjoon kicked it. I waved my hands. "No, no, no! I'm fine. I just...had a headache suddenly." I chuckled nervously.
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"Poor thing. I'll take you home so you can rest."
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"Okay." I nodded, not moving from my seat. Mom looked at me, mystified and waiting. "Oh, um, just give him- I mean me, ten seconds." I scratched my head nervously.
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