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At the sound of the voice, Seokjin and I turned to see who it was. Though, I knew exactly who had just spoken.
"Was that really necessary?" Seokjin asked.
"Believe me, I just saved a lot of kids' innocence," Hoseok chuckled coolly while approaching us.
I narrowed my eyes at him. He had the nerve to ignore me the whole week and now thinks he could just smirk at us without explaining himself? In the pocket of my hoodie, I popped out the stuffed bear and whacked it over Hoseok's head.
The boy looked at me, stupefied, "what was that for?"
"Where have you been? Why haven't you answered my calls?" I demanded.
Hoseok gave a bashful shrug, "I was recovering," he defended, "plus I lost my phone."
My shoulders slumped as I deliberated his words. He couldn't manage even one phone call in recovery? If he lost his phone why didn't he use the landline like his uncle? Furthermore, even before coming clean about his past, Hoseok had never been the one to act shy about anything. There was something strange in his behavior. It was like that time he lied about the cut on his lip. Only this felt much worse.
You promised me you wouldn't keep anything from me anymore...
"Hoseok-ah..." I said slightly hurt.
To worsen my suspicions he promptly changed the subject.
"Oh, and I ran into this guy earlier," Hoseok hopped aside, revealing Yoongi who was standing behind him. My breath hitched. I wasn't expecting to see him at all. He was wearing a black leather jacket and a light gray hoodie underneath it. I waited for him to see me but he didn't seem interested in meeting any of our eyes.
"Hi," I greeted first. I hoped I could get him to acknowledge us, which he did. His eyes flashed at me briefly before looking away.
"Hey," he replied in monotone.
"Found him cornered by a pretty girl," said Hoseok.
My eyes whipped back at Yoongi but he wore an unreadable expression as per usual. It was hard to picture someone as unapproachable as him being hit on.
Although, sometimes all one needed were good looks and Yoongi definitely had them. Or, at least...they weren't bad. He also had a natural aura about him that made one curious about who he was.
I tried to make guesses as to who this pretty girl could've been but I figured she couldn't have been a student at our school. No one in our school would dare.
"Or should I say woman," Hoseok smirked at Yoongi who looked up from the ground at me again. The look startled me and I turn away, my heart aching. Why was this even important? No one asked to hear about Yoongi's predicament anyway! Why were these two so determined to make me feel terrible?
After some more back and forth I had tuned out of, Jin and Hoseok began talking out a game plan for conquering all the carnival rides. However, I was more focused on observing Hoseok's behavior and Yoongi's awkward presence.
Jin's hand slipped into mine bringing me out of my mode of observation. I took a glance at him for the first time since Hoseok and Yoongi's arrival as he discussed with Hoseok. His ears and neck were a dark shade of red - a look I didn't recall prior to our kiss.
I felt terrible thinking about it.
I had just kissed the most amazing guy and...
My eyes found Yoongi again. His face, serious. I wanted to talk to him. I wanted to break him out of that hard shell and see him smile like he did that night in the garden.
...nothing changed.
In the middle of Hoseok's exciting spiel about the newly designed fun house maze, something moved at the corner of my eye. I looked and caught Yoongi slipping away again. The familiar dying feeling returned while watching him walk away, intensifying with every step. But this time was different. I refused to let him walk away. Not when I was finally beginning to understand what it was that I had been feeling.
Quickly, before he could get too far, I let go of Jin's hand and ran after him.
"Hey!" I reached out and tugged on his leather jacket. He turned around with a bewildered look on his face. "You're leaving?" I asked.
Yoongi nodded, "mhm."
"Oh..." I said disappointed while I nervously picked at the fur of my stuffed teddy bear. "Well...I didn't get to tell you this before but thank you for what you did today in the music room."
He nodded shyly while sliding his hands into his pockets. His eyes darting between me and the ground.
Then I had an idea. "In fact, I'd like to treat you to some food or something. It's the least I can do."
"You don't have to," he shook his head.
"Can't I anyway?"
Yoongi hesitated with his eyes on me. I could feel them analyzing but I wasn't sure what he was looking for.
"Unless...there's someone else you planned on hanging out with...?" I thought back on what Hoseok said about that 'pretty woman'. What if Yoongi thought he'd have a better time with her than us?
"No."
"Oh," I tried to say evenly. "So...will you let me thank you, or what?" I punched him awkwardly on the arm, though I wasn't sure why I did that. I chuckled in an effort to play it off.
Yoongi looked over to where Jin and Hoseok stood. I also noticed Jimin had joined them while we were gone. He and Jin would look our way. Probably realizing the possibility that they'd have to spend the evening together with the former bully. Which Yoongi looked to be debating as well.
He then made a reluctant groan while rubbing his temples. Killing any confidence I miraculously conjured in order to convince him to stay. He didn't have to be so obvious about his reluctance.
"I mean...you don't have to if you really don't want to," I grabbed my elbow, starting to feel stupid. "Actually, you know what? Never mind, forget I asked. See you," I managed the best smile I could and turned on my heel, speeding back toward everyone trying to ignore the knot forming in my throat.
Though, several strides later he appeared at my side, "I'll let you know what I'm in the mood for when it comes up."
I stared incredulously at him, hardly believing he was actually agreeing to stick around. The knot disappeared and instantly my body began re-energizing. I blinked over at him and smiled, relieved.
When we joined everyone, we went on our way to the rides that were agreed upon without us - which I didn't mind too much. Everyone who was supposed to be here, was finally here. Of course I couldn't feel totally at ease with Hoseok's weird behavior, but with a little time, I knew he'd tell me what was up. And that we could talk about it, just like we did with everything else. For now I just wanted to make the best of this night.
Yoongi hadn't hopped on any rides. He'd just wait at the exits for us until we got off, which made it a little awkward when Jimin or Jin decided to sit out for a rest. I was actually impressed with how patient he was. He hadn't walked off once.
Still, I found myself looking for him a lot. Making sure he was still here, but also...because I just couldn't help it.
Hoseok, Jin, and I hopped onto the swings. Jimin sat out for this one which left him with Yoongi on the ground as we ascended upwards. Jin and I took the double seater while Hoseok took a seat behind us. Our feet dangled high up in the air as we were lifted before we were swung in circles.
Just like skating at the rink, the wind whipped through my hair and caressed my skin. A big smile plastered itself on my face. Hoseok whooped and raised his arms high up behind us. Jin was enjoying the ride quietly, his eyes looking to me every now and then, glad that I was having fun. He found my hand and locked our fingers together. The action made my smile falter with guilt but I wasn't going to ruin the night. I pushed it aside for now.
The lights and tents on the ground blurred past us, adding to the wonder.
Then something else drew my attention to the ground.
Yoongi and Jimin. They were talking. Or, at least Jimin was. And Yoongi looked to be annoyed at the fact. I lost track of them when we disappeared to the other side of the ride. The next time we came full circle, the situation looked the same only Yoongi looked to be losing patience.
"Don't get mad..." I breathed, losing sight of them again.
"Everything okay?" Jin surveyed my worried face with his own.
"I hope so."
Then finally the ride began to slow, returning us back to where I could see Jimin and Yoongi. We watched them closely as we descended back down. Yoongi was now retorting the other boy. I could tell his fists had formed in his jacket pockets. Once we reached the bottom, what I feared had happened. Yoongi stepped toward Jimin and gripped his denim jacket, his mouth probably uttering a silent threat.
We quickly hopped off the ride and ran over to the pair. Seokjin got there first and attempted to tug Yoongi's hand off of his friend but the angry boy wouldn't ease his grip.
"I don't know what happened but now is not the time for this," said Jin. But Jin's presence only seemed to annoy Yoongi more. This wasn't good.
I grabbed his other hand which hung at his side, "walk with me."
Yoongi's stubborn glare of death lingered on the blonde for a moment before releasing him. I let out a breath of relief and led him away, eliminating the chances of him changing his mind.
Neither of us said anything for a while. We just walked. I didn't know what to say anyway. All I wanted was for him to get a break from the others - some time to cool down. Maybe it would recharge him enough for the maze at the very least. It was new and Hoseok talked highly about it so I looked forward to trying it together. That's if he didn't decide to leave.
"So, did you figure out what you're in the mood for?" I asked but Yoongi looked confused. "I owe you, remember?"
"Aren't you mad at me for losing it?"
I chuckled, which provoked his curiosity, "I've seen you lose it and that wasn't it." Yoongi's eyes lowered as though embarrassed. "In fact, you've shown a lot of restraint today. I was surprised you didn't sneak away again."
"I wanted to. Many times."
"I bet," I laughed then looked at him, "I'm glad you stayed."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbvbcEFhaN
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Something in my stomach fluttered, my face doused in warmth. I knew I'd live with those words echoing in my head until I fell asleep tonight. And that look. Why did she have to look at me like that? She wasn't smiling or anything, but her face lit up and I couldn't manage to look away this time. It was killing me.
I'm glad you stayed.
She meant that didn't she?
But why? She made no sense! She ignored me this entire week and now she was smiling at me, offering to treat me, and telling me to stay.
Damn it, this girl is confusing! And I'm just pathetic for giving in to her.
One would think a guy would have the common sense to walk away after her kiss with Mr. Perfect, but no, I had to follow her like a love sick puppy. What was wrong with me?
I didn't know what to say but it didn't matter anyway. Hoseok jumped us from behind, hooking his arms around our necks. "You guys ready to keep going? The Maze is next!"
Yurim leaned forward, peeking around her friend to look at meat me. Her eyes hopeful for a specific answer. I sighed, still oblivious over why she was like this all of a sudden. At the same time I thought maybe this was a good thing. At least she didn't hate me. Maybe now there was some hope of being friends. It'd be hard - damn hard - but if Hoseok could do it, so could I.
"I guess," I said. I meant to appear reluctant but then she smiled and I couldn't help myself from turning into a grinning idiot.
We headed toward The Maze where we saw Pretty Boy and Mr. Perfect waiting for us. Irritated disappointment showed on Jimin's face when he saw me. Jin's eyes bounced back and forth between me and Yurim. I'm sure he didn't like the fact that she walked off with me.
I'd be lying if I said it didn't provide some hint of satisfaction. I smirked to myself. At least I was able to make them feel uncomfortable too.
"Your pocket," Hoseok said suddenly.
I raised a brow at him who was acting strangely. He had a carefree and relaxed look, but his voice was low and careful. "Huh?"
"There's a paper there. Wait 'til we're inside, then open it."
"What are you-"
"OKAY!" he exclaimed excitedly while running over to the others. He continued his weird act and hyping everyone up for the next attraction.
I slipped my hands in my pockets and sure enough there was a folded paper that wasn't there before. When had he slipped it there? My eyebrows burrowed down as I tried to piece together what was going on.
Why was Hoseok acting so weird today? Why did he tell me to come here then pretend that we had randomly bumped into each other?
I didn't know what was up, but I was starting to get a bad feeling.
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