.jpg)
x
YURIM
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd8J6QSX9Y
At least the constant headaches are gone now.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGqJg55pqo
I added another folded t-shirt in the neat pile. The living room was a city of folded towers of clothes. On the couch were six separate stacks for my parents, all categorized by material. The piles scattered on the tiled floor around where I sat were mine and Minju's.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFT2pGGm0E
It had been two days since I fell. Thankfully, my family believed my story about my missing a step. I was in so much pain when I told them that they couldn't tell I was lying.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIEzQ8TH6z
Mom was the toughest to satisfy with details. She must've remembered what I said about Namjoon and his group. Luckily she rested her interrogative skills when I brought up my pain.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfWdhVIy1g
Speaking of pain, yesterday was a day full of awkward walks due to the bruises on my body. Minju said I walked like a pregnant lady. I made sure to give her a good flick on the forehead for that. Hoseok who dropped off my school work for the second day in a row insisted I stay in bed. But I wasn't going to accept being invalid. I didn't want to miss more days of school than were necessary, so I needed to practice walking with the discomfort. Besides, I'm sure my three days off would be enough to heal.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqF5FuUy2c
Not that I actually wanted to go back to school.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZle9Z4CDg
Flashbacks of that devious smile kept replaying in my head. Including the complete absence of hesitation when he shoved me. Like he was eager. It was as though he knew that it was only the beginning. Was it really? Would my daily life consist of cruel torment until they're satisfied?
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILaetHagoG
Something in my gut shifted. I swallowed the bitter saliva that pooled in my mouth as I thought about returning to school. More specifically returning to those four demons I could no longer call bullies. They were seriously insane! What else would they do to me if I returned?
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq8Aqq9vB6
I darted for the bathroom, my hand gripping my stomach.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9gnrA4ToB
Just as I lifted the seat of the toilet, my upper body tensed up. A stream of hot, acidic bile forced itself out of my mouth and plopped into the toilet bowl. A wave of pain pulsated through my back with every forced arch but there was nothing I could do about that. I'm glad Minju hadn't came back from school yet. It was definitely around that time.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOnnq3T7gf
After I was done, I flushed everything down and proceeded to brush my teeth. As I brushed, my eyes fell on my own pale reflection. Beads of sweat congregated on my forehead. My hair laced loosely in two French braids, the two tails twisted up into buns behind my ears. And a good thing too, otherwise they'd have traces of sick in them.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVGZgki83D
My arms in its sleeves looked like a popsicle stick protruding from a much larger cup-shaped slab of ice cream. It was no wonder everyone worried so much. I look as though the wind could pick me up and blow me away to another planet.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn57r2yDtG9
Even though my body looked frail, my eyes had an unfortunate but natural look of contempt when I wasn't smiling. They were so empty and black. It's no wonder people avoided me all these years. All of my honest thoughts with such a soulless look probably came across as cold superficiality. What I find to be the actual mystery was why Hoseok and Seokjin weren't repelled by this like everyone else.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLB1JEuSth0
KNOCK, KNOCK!
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8KjAK4Yh1
I flinched but immediately relaxed. These days, I've been keeping the door locked at all times. Which meant Minju would knock when she was too lazy to fish for her key in her bag. I remained in the bathroom, forcing her to search.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSmwnqKN86
"I'm busy, lazy girl! Get your key!" My words distorted from the gathered foam in my mouth.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mT9QdISXp
KNOCK, KNOCK!
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ19TbkOKIX
"Ugh!" I spit the excess fluid out and walk out to the door. "Minju-ya, you're killing me," I mumble.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnIB0sDdUp
I grip the door knob but my body refused to turn it. Caution bade me to check first. Just in case one of those crazy guys found out where I lived. I hoped not but I had to be safe. I tiptoed slowly toward the peephole of the door. My heart rate rising. When the outside view became clear I froze.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAt4Zzo1H0
The strength in my legs faltered when I saw the three boys standing in front of my door. I ran back to the bathroom where I rinsed my mouth clean. I then raced back into the living room where the heaps of folded clothes were. My hands clawed my hair.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPWBasVfOV
I knew I should've done this in my room!
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFDHGIbCDr
Quickly I stacked up my parents neat piles and placed them in their room. I came back and regretfully stuffed the piles of folded clothes back into the laundry basket and kicked it down the hall. "Ow," I whispered, clutching my back. I was panicking so much I forgot to take it easy.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwQ2mgddEZ
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTZhWAr5pm
Taking it easy? What was that? I ran back to the door and brushed any stray hairs to the side. I looked down at my apparel. A simple white t-shirt and dark plaid pajama bottoms, my toes peeking out from the hem. It would just have to do. I hastily wiped the sweat from my face and opened the door to the three boys from school, a feigned look of surprise on my face.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF7b6dYUv5
Hoseok, Seokjin, and his friend Park Jimin stood with pleasant smiles despite having waited. All except for Hoseok whose face was partially present with worry.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYUbabHQ5B
"Oh, Seokjin-shi and Jimin-shi. I wasn't expecting you two." I greeted.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnMdFoXVUH
Park Jimin who I had seldom had any encounters with smiled. He was definitely one of the most good looking boys in school next to Kim Taehyung. But still lacked that level of warmth Seokjin was able to make me feel. In fact, for a long time I thought Jimin to be quite self centered. But perhaps I was wrong. Anyone Seokjin choose for company must've had admirable things about them. After all, who was I to judge when I myself was wrongly judged many times.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQQN8ilBKP
"I know we don't know each other very well. But when Jin told me about what happened, I felt so bad that I wanted to show my support for your recovery as well." He smiled and offered a cute, purple gift bag to me. "I hope you don't mind."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwBHMdsazj
"Of course I don't mind." I took the gift gladly. My cheeks warm at the thought that someone I barely knew had concern for me. "Thank you so much! It really means a lot. I'm sorry I took a while to answer the door. I was in the process of cleaning."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQBsopJde7
"Cleaning?" Hoseok and Seokjin said in unison. Seokjin then carried on with a gentle voice, "aren't you supposed to be resting?"
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1oMhwTZlA
"Oh, come on!" I lightly protested their worry. "What's with you two? Even people with worse injuries than me have to go through physical therapy. I'm fine enough to move around, really. And I'm taking it easy, I promise." I assured them both. Before a tireless back and forth could start about my recovery, I invited them in.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5LM0APcKt
Seokjin and Jimin settled in the available seating. Hoseok stopped beside me and whispered, "now tell how you're really feeling."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksXNoii3uJ
I narrowed my eyes at him, "I'll answer that when you tell me what really happened to your lip?"
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9sgz8bcR9
"I told you already," he whined and pouted like a baby. "I'm insulted that my best friend doesn't believe me."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ckPWRmOuV
"No one accidently bites the outside of their lip when eating ramyeon!" I scolded under my breath. But he walked off to join the others, ignoring my attempt at getting answers. "Ugh, this guy really..."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxbPp6UDjw
Yesterday, when he brought my school work, I threw myself in a panic when I saw the scab on his lip. I thought Jungkook had came for him next. Hoseok insisted it had nothing to do with them. But I was doubtful. The timing was way too perfect to be a coincidence. I couldn't take it if I found out that the people I care about are being targeted because of me.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ME1McksQC
Especially Hoseok who never noticed the evils of this world. If only he could live out the rest of his life knowing nothing but fun and happiness. I really do hope he's telling the truth and not just trying to be strong for me, trying to bear these bullies in silence.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSykjLA9Mi
"Yurim-shi?"
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19yHW6nHIT
I blinked up at Seokjin who had apparently asked me something. "Hm? I'm sorry could you repeat that."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTsIEDUISQ
"You look a little pale. Are you eating okay? Are you getting enough sleep?" He asked.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM6jQ3yNzr
"Oh, yes, to both." I remembered seeing my complexion in the mirror earlier. But I wasn't going to tell them I had just thrown up. "Though...I've been hearing motorcycles rumbling up and down the street a lot more at night recently. Always when I head to bed. Typical." I looked at everyone who seemed so serious during my attempt to lighten the mood with another topic. "It-it's not like it keeps me awake or anything but I just think there's a time and place, ya know?" I chuckled nervously.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMNKCfC0N9
Just then the door opened again. Minju was in the middle of singing a song when she saw the living room full of males and froze, shocked. It was something she had never seen. For the first time I actually felt relieved at her interruption. I was doing such a terrible job at brightening the mood.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnQpN0trIe
"Hi," Jimin greeted in a tender voice.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc73DBnHYlo
"Hi." The middle schooler gawked.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF00qMAxzdj
"This is my little sister, Minju. Minju, this is Kim Seokjin and Park Jimin. You know Hoseok of course." I introduced. But without waiting for an invitation, the preteen sat on the couch beside Seokjin and Jimin. Her eyes not leaving the two. A dreamy smile now delighting her features.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMQmcpEZ2s
"Nice to meet you." She said, dazed.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhO1YgQlRP
"Same." The two boys responded awkwardly.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OEDjtyRr5
We went on to discuss the news and the various goings on at school during my absence. Of course all throughout, Minju couldn't help but to interject her own thoughts and experiences here and there. It actually wasn't so bad. At least they weren't talking about me anymore, which made it easier to breath. And most of all, easier to forget about Namjoon and his friends.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVinJSRK9d
It felt as though I was actually hanging out with friends.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLcWwRFlzH
Minju brought up a story about her friends at our parents Hot Spring Inn. Jimin seemed the most interested which I could tell, my sister couldn't be more pleased. I really wished she didn't meddle with handsome boys. But at least I was somewhat comfortable with this lot. At least I knew they weren't a danger to her.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h5usYcXba
"You guys should really book a stay for a weekend!" Minju suggested. "We could definitely score you a free room."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG1cltPA1X
"Minju-ya!" I warned.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BmqKvd5Pm
"Well couldn't we?" She asked with a pleading tone.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE7Ti7VPqo
As I thought about it, I realized I had never taken advantage of my position there to bring friends along. Not like Minju had. The thing is, I wanted to. I just didn't have friends to bring. Which sounds so pitiful! But things were changing this year. I don't know why or how, but it was. And I didn't want to let it stagnate until it disappeared.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAWaFrgxUF
"You're lucky your eonni doesn't use her privileges often." I said. It wasn't often that I actually agreed with her on anything.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRw1eOipDi
"Wait...are you saying...?" She gave me a hopeful look.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElVLdbunGb
I sighed and looked at the guys. "You all don't have to if you don't want to, but the invitation is out there."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zhtn2Z2Yx
"Really?" Jimin shared a look of amazement with Seokjin. "All of us?"
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiU1B8eQuh
"Of course!" Minju answered simultaneously with me. Except she sounded too eager. I gave her an irked expression.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH9jD1frei
"OKAY!" Hoseok clapped his hands to together with excitement. "An over-nighter at the hot springs! This'll be fun!" His hands danced and fluttered as though they were shaking tambourines. His signature silliness made the ends of my eyes wrinkle as I smiled. There's the Hoseok I knew. The familiar feeling of comfort he always brought with him.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAg6RU1SOJ
As he continued to entertain everyone, my eyes happened upon Seokjin who had been looking at me. His eyes were filled with something I was too embarrassed to name but was certain I didn't deserve. A faint smile formed as though he wasn't aware of it. Heated needles prickled my whole body. My mind bade me to look away already but my gaze lingered helplessly on his.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N7CT2XAWv
Being looked at by those warm, dark eyes was like drinking a warm cup of cocoa while watching the first snowfall of winter. A surreal sensation of witnessing with a magical sense of beauty while feeling the comfort of warmth. Was it normal to feel so lucky for simply sharing a look?
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW6OyJfLpp
"Do we really have to invite him too?" Minju's voice startled me, propelling my eyes down. My heart beat was hard against my chest. I felt as though I'd been caught doing something I shouldn't have. After all, I was so absorbed with Seokjin that I hadn't even noticed that Minju came to my side. She whispered about Hoseok who was now telling an animated story about his own experience at a haunted hot spring.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvBJdQiUt4
I ignored her rhetorical question and chanced another look at Seokjin who seemed to be listening to Hoseok's story. I sighed to myself. I couldn't tell if I was disappointed that I didn't meet his eyes again or relieved that I had time to gather my wits. I sighed.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCHiRhfwGA
All I dared to hope for was to be friends. But I feared there was something new that concerned me. Something that may complicate that simple hope.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScyYedgGVm
