x
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"Take this and keep it on channel seven." Heejae plopped a handheld radio into my hand. "And here's the earpiece. It's already linked, so your friends won't here the transmission." I hooked the radio onto my waistband and inserted the earpiece.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEouYhsbyx0
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"Never thought I'd be doing police work."
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"Security, not policing." The woman corrected.
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"Why do I have to be all decked out again?"
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"'Decked out'?" She scoffed. "A radio and earpiece is just the bear minimum a field worker wears. And your uncle says it's just in case your phone loses connection up there. No annoying phone calls. Sounds like a plus doesn't it?"
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"Yeah! Now, instead, I'll have people talking in my ear at all times. How fun." I said sarcastically. The bodyguard/driver gave an ill tempered look. I ignored her and looked toward the building.
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Everyone inside should almost be ready to head up. I had slipped away to meet Heejae who dropped off some things for the hike. As well as a heads up that there would be some personnel disguised as hikers along the way. Uncle Kwangsoo had reason to believe Seokjin was being sought out by local gang members. They found someone tailing Mrs. Kim, Seokjin's mom. Luckily the team could repel them before doing any real damage. Our guess was, they were hired by someone to follow her. And maybe worse.
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Due to that, it was safer for us to assume they'd eventually send someone to tail Seokjin as well. Which explained the extra security today. Receiving all the updates had me on high alert Yesterday. When I thought Yurim had been attacked, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
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It just made me more certain that I needed help protecting both Seokjin and Yurim. But not from Heejae or my uncle. As sympathetic to my position as they'd be, they could only handle one job at a time.
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Yoongi was my best bet.
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It bothered me to no end but it was true. If anything happened to Seokjin, my uncle would suffer backlash for trading a secure twenty four hour surveillance initiative for me, a teenager. Not only would it create contention in his career but also between him and his friend, whose familial issues he took into his own hands to nurture.
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That's why if danger came, I needed to make sure Seokjin was safe, spotless. I needed to do my job well and without fail. Or my Uncle suffered.
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I don't know how or when Yoongi came to care about Yurim but he seemed genuine about protecting her for some reason. He won't admit it but it's not exactly a complicated thing to recognize. I needed him around. And for her to trust him. Even a little. He'd look after her when I can't.
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I just hope he doesn't get carried away.
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I strolled into the rec room, a well stocked backpack slung over my shoulder. Yoongi was lounging on one of the sofas. His body seemed intentionally positioned to avoid the pool table where Seokjin and Hyeji were congregated. I was surprised Yurim wasn't already here. She wasn't the type of girl to take very long getting ready for things. As for Jimin, he didn't look like much of a morning person this morning. So his untimeliness was expected.
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"What were you doing outside?" Yoongi mumbled. I almost didn't hear him.
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"Mm? Ah, I thought I'd do a morning stretch in the fresh air." Yoongi narrowed his eyes with slight suspicion. "Anyway, here." I took out a bundle of athletic wear from my bag and gave it to him. "I brought extra clothes just in case I'd need them. But I think your needs are greater than mine." I nodded at his jeans, shirt and jacket he still wore from last night. It didn't seem fit for hiking.
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"You're really lending me your clothes?"
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Just then, Jimin walked in and found his friend by the pool table. I burst into laughter to keep my persona in tact in front of the others. "Of course! It's the least I can do for what you did for Minju! Now go on and get changed!" I energetically waved him away. Yoongi stood up with a confused look before walking off to get changed.
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When he came back, he was wearing my all black track suit. His hands comfortably resting in the jacket pockets.
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"Wow! It fits great!" I gave him a thumbs up.
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"Doesn't that get annoying?" He asked concerning my enthusiastic tone. To be honest, it hadn't felt fake until now. I only felt disingenuous now because Yoongi knew certain things about me that the others didn't. The part of me that didn't match who I've been for the past two years since I moved here.
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"Good morning, everyone!" Minju hopped through the door followed by an anxious looking Yurim. "Oh! Oppa!" The middle schooler skipped to Yoongi's side. The guy looked at her like he was trying to solve a complicated math problem--likely wondering why Minju was clinging to him. "I like your outfit! Are you ready for the hike? Our mom packed extra water and food for you. It's all in my bag so stay close to me okay?"
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Yoongi only offered a little hum for a response before his eyes searched for Yurim. I watched the two exchange an awkward, silent greeting. Yurim was close to ignoring him but decided to stiffly acknowledge him before retreating toward Seokjin and Jimin.
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Yoongi responded in his own socially inept way.
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"Okay! Looks like everyone is here. Shall we head up?" I clapped my hands together. The energy in the room was thick with hesitancy. A clear divide was drawn between two groups.
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YOONGI
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We strolled up a path flanked by tall trees. The green of the leaves were deep, vibrant and full of life. Drops of sunlight glittered from one leaf to another as they rustled in the breeze.
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Hiking always seemed like a social activity to me, so I never considered doing it. But doing this on my own one of these days didn't seem like such a bad idea. I was never much for physical exertion, but the isolation from the man-made world left a feeling that was almost addicting.
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Freedom. A clear mind.
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"Hoseok-oppa, take a picture of us!" The girl, Minju hooked her arm through mine and posed with two fingers that formed a 'v'. I couldn't believe she and Yurim were related.
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Hoseok took her phone and aimed the camera at us. He seemed partially distracted. In fact he was like that the whole walk here. Barely a word left his mouth, which was different from his usual act. He admitted hiding parts of himself from Yurim. Now I'm starting to think his hidden talent for self defense is merely the tip of an iceberg. What was he hiding?
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The phone made an audible sound, pulling me out of my thoughts to squirm out of the clingy girl's arms. I would've sped forward out of her reach from the beginning if it didn't mean I'd clash with those two clowns up front.
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A ten foot space consistently laid between us at the rear and the rest. Yurim walked side by side with Jin. Every now and again I'd see her look back at her sister and Hoseok, while noticeably avoiding me, before resuming her quaint stroll with Mr. Perfect. Her hair was woven against her head and hung over her shoulders in two long braids. The hem of her green t-shirt fluttered around her hips which were clad in black leggings.
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Just then, a delicate chuckle resonated through the air. It was a sound more pleasant than the silence of sunrise. I instantly followed the sound, finding a partial view of her smile.
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Directed at him.
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The muscles in my jaw clenched. I averted my eyes and shoved my fists in the pockets of my borrowed jacket. You came along to make sure that bastard, Jungkook doesn't come back. This isn't some group date or anything. Calm down.
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Ten minutes later, we came across a second path that branched out from the road we were on. The other middle school girl who trailed pretty boy number two, asked another hiker where the path led. The man answered her stiffly.
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Apparently, it led to the same overlook we were headed to, except on this path hikers would detour through a cave before they get there. It supposedly had waterfalls at the end of it that hiker's liked to take pictures by.
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"A cave? Sounds scary." Minju's friend said.
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"Don't be such a scaredy cat! We should go! Besides, we have brave guys to protect us in the dark, Hyeji." The girl next to me emphasized to her. A scary look swirled in her eyes.
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"But you know I don't like the dark! And what if it's haunted?"
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Minju massaged her temples, clearly displeased by her friend's lack of compliance. As the group continued to discuss the topic, I stole a glance at Yurim who seemed to be weighing something in her mind. I almost laughed to myself, seeing that she still chewed her bottom lip when she thinks. At least some things didn't change.
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"Let's hear what Yoongi thinks." Hoseok clapped my shoulder. At the same moment, Yurim's eyes fell on me before we both averted our eyes elsewhere.
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"Hm? Uh, what?" I asked.
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"Minju's the only one who really wants to go through the caves. If no one else wants to go with her, she'll have no choice but to stick it out with us."
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So they're considering splitting up. The gears in my head began to turn. If there was a way to endure less of this trip with the two stuck up princes, I couldn't miss the opportunity to make this more bearable. After all, how much longer could I take seeing her smile and laugh with them.
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But then again, she'd probably choose to stay with him and there'd be no point in me coming along in the first place.
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Unless...
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I shrugged, "never been in a cave before. Besides, she's got my food." I nodded at Minju.
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Minju jumped from excitement. Yurim's face just doubled in concern. If I was right, she wouldn't leave her sister alone with me. If she changed her mind and chose to go through the caves with us, it would be a win. But there's still the chance that Jin would change his mind and follow her. Not as much of a win, but we'll see what happens.
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As expected, Yurim pulled her sister to the side. The two discuss something on their own. During their private conversation, Jin gave me a wary look. I challenged his eyes briefly just to make my awareness known. Seconds later the two girls returned. Minju had a satisfied look while her older sister looked defeated. She gave Jin an apologetic look,
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"I should stick with my sister. After what happened last night I should keep a close eye on her."
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He nodded. "Then, I'll come along too then?"
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No.
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"Um..." His blonde friend interjected. "But you're a lot more savvy at the outdoors than I am." The guy made an attempt to look innocent, but I knew better. If they hated me, I wonder what they'd say about his occasional meet ups with Taehyung. "I'm not sure I could lead us there without getting lost."
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Jin then looked to Hoseok as though hoping he was confident in leading them. But the guy only laughed nervously. "Ah, did I ever tell you guys that I'm a city boy?" Jin's head dropped with a heavy sigh.
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"It's okay. You should stay with them. I'd feel more comfortable if they were in your hands." Yurim smiled. The amount of trust she had in him gave me a headache. Jin looked uncomfortable with the request. He look at me, but nodded to her with heavy reluctance. She then looked to Hoseok, "stay close to Jin, okay?"
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I looked at Hoseok with a puzzled look. He wasn't coming with us? Wasn't his whole focus, keeping her safe from my crazy friends? What was his game? He caught my gaze and popped his eyebrows before walking on. What's that guy not saying?
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We watched the four carry on their way. Jin turned back multiple times, always bouncing his eyes back and forth between me and her. I scoffed and shook my head.
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"Come on," Yurim took Minju's arm and lead the way down the new road.
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"Y-ya! Eonni, wait for Yoongi!"
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An amused smile reached my lips as I watched their family dynamic. Even back then I hadn't known she had a sister. What else was there I didn't know? Who was she now? A weird feeling came over me as I followed them off our original path. Whatever it was, if sure made me look like an idiot. All smiley and whatnot.
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