.jpg)
x
~.::.~
A cluster of glass bottles of various drinks sat at the center of the table. Colorful lights from outside the private booth reflected off of them, dancing in circles as were the women on the dance floor. A man sat at this booth alone. His demeanor showing he was no stranger to his environment. The thirty or something year old wore a black tank top revealing his strong physique and a colorful artwork on his arm. One could recognize the scales and ridges of a dragon's body coiling upwards. It's head assumed to be under his neckline. He lounged and relaxed until his guard escorted a man in.
The stranger took a seat. His style was quite the opposite of the first man. Instead of casual outfit and an ill-mannered expression, this man wore a newly ironed dress shirt, a tie, and a clean shave. Less confident in this surrounding but here on a mission. The man with the dragon tattoo waved his hand toward the collection of drinks, inviting his clean cut guest to get comfortable. But he kindly refused.
"Choi Do Yoon." The first man's voice rumbled like a far away storm you didn't want getting close. Although the music in the club was loud, his words were clear. "I had my boys do some research on you. What business would a pretty boy architect want with my gang? Hm?"
~.::.~
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEQBPSlIgu
YURIM
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw5q9OE9bj
The school seemed a lot smaller today as I walked up to the main building. Small was a size that made running into people too easy. I clutched my math book with a death grip against my chest. My eyes searched anxiously through the crowd of students for any sign of Namjoon and his friends. My chest almost seized at every false alarm.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sJ4OwkqBh
Regret won the old argument of whether I should've bothered coming to school today since it was Friday. I could've taken the rest of the week off and no one would've disagreed. What was I thinking? I sighed to myself. My head was low but I remained alert to my surroundings.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKDx7RsIJV
BZZZT!
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9XkTxYp5E
I gasped when I felt a vibration in my jacket pocket. As soon as it registered that it was my phone I breathed out with a tense groan as I answered the call.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lXlBJU2Ez
"Are you really going to keep calling me every five minutes today?" I answered perturbed.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesvN7A9nMC
"I just wanna make sure my best friend is okay! Can't I?" Hoseok pouted. I couldn't see him but I knew his voice that well.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh5A94xAiV
"I'm fine," I lied. My entire body was tense and I jumped at just about everything. I was not fine. But I wasn't going to admit that to Hoseok. I couldn't worry his tender soul.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1HOYbiaya
"Okay, I'm just a block away from the school. I'll meet up with you soon, okay? Try not go anywhere alone." His words triggered a memory that plucked at my nerves. The image of those emotionless eyes flashed through my mind of that person who once gave me the same warning. I rried not to think about it.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ujBfvj34p
"Alright, I'll see you later." I hung up and returned the phone to my pocket. My textbook almost slipped out of my hand in the process. That's when I noticed how sweaty my hands were.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcllbV3ZqHa
Everything will be fine, I tried to assure myself with a deep breath.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM1xWN33oM
The halls were filled with the lucky ones. Those who didn't have to search every corner for their harassers. They all wore smiles while discussing the trivial things with such glee. All they needed to do was stay out of the way of those people and they were fine. I, on the other hand, was on a special list. When would they move on? What could they possibly want that would satisfy them and leave me alone? How much longer will this last?
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrWx28aoIw
A sudden force tugged me into the stairwell as I was passing.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdlLfW3m04
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz7Wmu2GVV
I felt my heart jump out of my chest as the stranger led me in a small space under the first flight of stairs. His hand over my mouth. I struggled against him, but his grip was too tight. It was one of them again wasn't it?
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO0rksG4kj
Tears started to pool as I began to except the reality that I may be harmed again. Hoseok and Seokjin would worry. And how many more excuses could I tell my family before they caught on that something was wrong?
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqRb647GDR
Just then I heard familiar voices echo above us. The stairwell amplified them just enough for me to deduce who they were. Namjoon and Taehyung. Despite being brought against my will, I went still and quiet. Desperate to not be discovered by them.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQJkeh1ZbD
"...really hate her! She took Yoongi away from me- uh, I mean us." Taehyung complained.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCm0VLrwc1
"Jungkook seems to be more interested in the guy who dislocated his leg. I'd hate to be him right now." Namjoon replied with amusement in his voice.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzziJN2EEC1
"That's a relief. Yoongi's face shouldn't be treated like a punching bag. I hate him for choosing her over us but beauty is beauty and must be nurtured."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqJTyi0QEb
"Don't mistake my meaning. If he gets the chance he'll pulverize Yoongi too. He just..."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCamiRb4Jn
The voices got further and further away until we could hear them no more. Despite hearing their conversation, I understood nothing of what they were saying. I wanted to speculate but remembered the person behind me. Their grip around my waist loosened. Now's my chance! Quickly, I ripped myself from them and turned to face my abductor.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH5CV0cM3I
Fire shot through my veins when I saw Yoongi standing there. Red scratches with dried blood and a fading bruise marked his face. Something in me snapped. Did he have something to do with Hoseok getting hurt?!
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs2pk1UDEK
"YOU!" I charged at him.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWMFedqNcn
I swung my math book and struck him hard. Once, twice, I lost count. The boy made a fuss and used his arms to shield himself from being hit. I'd never seen him in such a state but I wasn't going to give in to pity after all that's happened. I kept at it until he managed to catch the book and throw it to the ground in frustration.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoga7Xa8Yv
Refusing to stop, I flailed my arms at him instead, hitting as hard as I could.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpREKdoe9UB
"Aish-!" I heard before feeling my wrists being captured and forced backwards.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCXJPayAY6
My back and arms met the wall. I tried to pull my arms out of his hold, but they were pinned. Struggling against Yoongi, being trapped with him in such close proximity...I could feel my anger turning into panic.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yXneOVXDh
"Let me go!" I growled.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ2HawWkWW
"You should explain why you hit me first." His breathing was labored from taking all those hits. "It's only polite." A crooked smile broke out on his face. There was a hint of awkwardness like it was his first time wearing it. A wave of heat pulsed through me. The bastard had the nerve to play games at a time like this?
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzEtSx7oAf
"After all that's happened because of you and your friends you think you deserve anything? You really are the worst!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tL0B120sN
He cut his eyes left and scoffed. "I forgot. Never leave it up to you to detect a joke."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhczvhA7KrY
Is he serious?
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QGByd7JF2
"I've been mocked, followed, humiliated, and hurt. My best friend's lip got busted and I'm forced to lie to my family so they think I'm not being harassed. What's funny?" I asked. My voice shook with anger.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTMoRS66ZQ
His eyes lowered to the ground. "I didn't-"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRyp04kzYJ
"I hate you!" I cried. The traces of Yoongi's smile earlier fell flat, his eyes returned to their natural unfeeling state. There was no point in trying to make him understand. There was no point in trying to make him realize my struggle. They didn't care about any of it. Hell, they loved it! "Just do what you came to do and get it over with."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtG4FXqdkBK
He stared at me for a moment as I tried to prepare myself for anything. Damn it, I hate those eyes! Hit me, push me! Just stop looking at me!
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TFiEX8Q6F
Finally, I saw the muscles in his jaw tense before making a move. I squeezed my eyes shut for what came next. I felt my arms peel from the wall before being thrown down to my sides.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx2WOLSU7w
But nothing else.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM0tcFwdKc
I opened my eyes. Yoongi had backed away and looked to be finding something to say. But he only sighed and swaggered off, his irritation clear.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALe4R1DGtO
I stood frozen, unmoved. Trying to understand what had just happened, if that was even possible. Overcome with skepticism, I wondered if he wanted me to feel a false sense of safety before returning with a cruel plan. But moments went by quietly with only the echoes of the students climbing the stairs above me.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBg39aSNuv
Once I was confident he wouldn't return, my legs gave in and I crumbled to the floor. My whole body shook, unsure of what to do with the adrenaline. A severe tremor ailed my fingers, so I balled my hands into fists. As if keeping them from shaking could convince myself that I wasn't afraid.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdsODybSiw
BZZZT!
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyATvXs5dW
My body flinched at my phone's vibration again. Before answering I was careful to let a moment pass to calm down. At this point I had no hope that I'd get any chance to relax today.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y82MVHc5j
YOONGI
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p6uNykS73
Students avoided eye contact with me as I passed them through the halls. A natural reaction if one's name was Namjoon, Jungkook, Taehyung or Yoongi. I wondered if they would react to me differently if they knew I was shunned. But I guessed it didn't matter anyway. My biggest problem still remains to be those three guys.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFj2gr0Upy
Before, I was simply stuck in a loop of doing pointless, stupid things. Targeting students who, in most cases, bought their freedom. Now, I was the target. Or one of them anyway. I needed to lay low for a while. Especially from Jungkook. That one didn't know when to stop. They'll want revenge. Namjoon will want to teach me about false righteousness or whatever weird philosophy his unstable mind birthed. But at least he likes to take his time in planning his revenge.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9EJeUzBjM
Jungkook didn't take to waiting well. Apparently he wanted Hoseok's blood more than mine. But just the other day he happened to see me at the convenience store and he wasn't happy. He chased me down a couple of alleys that day. Luckily his leg slowed him down and I was able to get away.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShdbok4hGr
It was five minutes into lunch and I arrived at a classroom I believed was Hoseok's new class. I also knew it to be Seokjin's class. That guy bugged me. I steeled myself for a possible encounter with him before opening the door to enter.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9oZtWyBHs
I heard a couple of gasps from students before the room went quiet.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw0OD7EM2Z
The droll silence seemed to make the weirdly cheery guy easier to see. Thankfully, the other guy wasn't here. Hoseok noticed the change in energy in the room then found me. His face looked puzzled but nonetheless welcoming. The two of us sort of just stared at each other for a moment unsure of how to proceed. We weren't exactly friends, so it was weird to think of greeting each other at this point.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FAF58TAzm
After deciding against speaking at all, I just nodded toward the hallway before stepping back outside. Hoping he wasn't dense in knowing my meaning.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgEXeo1UST
Seconds later, stepped out into the hallway with me. A smug grin on his face.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0ePROfcO7
I cringed. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsMa9B59p8
"I'm just touched you came to see me that's all." He crossed his arms with a cocky expression. "You want me to adopt you into our friend circle don't you?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgax3gyeeEK
"Maybe in your dreams," I retorted. Hoseok chuckled to himself. From there I got to the point. "Why didn't you tell her about the rooftop?" The cheery guy's smile lingered but his eyes died a little. They stared emptily down the hall as he responded.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPE6erTcHt
"There're too many secrets tied to that day." I waited for him to expand more on these so called 'secrets' but he didn't bother.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4RxcuVYkA
A brow of mine raised, "what are you talking about?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoWkFM9nRo
He sighed. "Yurim doesn't know about me."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLg78H4Y2U
"You mean the fact that you can fight? That you're actually not a over-hyper clown? That you're not a total idiot? Wouldn't that be a good thing to find out?" I asked.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgYm18IkYA
Hoseok hesitated. "There are other things."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENOV91UsHp
I ran a hand through my hair, annoyed with his vagueness. "Well, while you're keeping your secrets, she thinks I'm still with them. She thinks I would...hurt her." I squirmed as I admitted my concerns to someone who wasn't even my friend.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ALONImDtS
But after the way she looked at me today, I was desperate to do something about it. It sucked. It wasn't fair. I never hurt her-
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRMHSzTX0o
A memory of that day four years ago suddenly flashed through my head, triggering a sharp pang of guilt and regret. My heart sunk.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnjFppRjPk
Fine. I never hurt her after that incident. And maybe the day at the rink had something to do with me too, but I didn't intend for things to turn out the way they did. An uninvited image of her skating with Seokjin played in my head. It's just...the way she smiled at him. It wasn't fair. He didn't even know she existed 'til now.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXLUPkDJIO
I pinched the bridge of my nose as I felt the heat in my body beginning to intensify. My arms and legs were buzzing with energy. Crap! Don't lose it, you idiot! I took a deep breath, releasing the heat and anger as best as I could.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQEvWGOwXi
"Are you gonna cry?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRve1ESk1dp
"Tsk, shut up."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyOSr8iERV
"Why? I wasn't teasing. Cry if you want, I don't care." Hoseok defended.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u1Ed9phTc
"I'm not gonna cry!" I snapped, losing patience. Coming to someone about this was hard enough as it is. "Look, I don't know what you're hiding from her but I know she won't thank you for it. So you might as well just tell her."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyfnqW5PTG
"You seem to think you 'know' her well," he grinned. This guy had weird reactions to things. It was as though he was entertained by the thought rather than offended. "But let's not pretend that's the reason you want me to tell her."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2SEIhltFz
I steeled myself from reacting. But at the same time I couldn't bring myself to counter his statement either. After an empty beat, Hoseok blew out gust of air while contemplating something in the distance.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUukb5cjR4
"Okay!" He announced. "What about we make a deal?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSSpfXdBs9
I gave him suspicious eyes. "What deal?"
ns3.15.229.15da2
