𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃

60 | reckless

I haven't realized that tears were streaming down my face until I see my reflection looking back at me from the window glass, with weary eyes framed with dark circles. I quickly wipe them away and take one deep breath as the pressure in my lungs finally subsides only to be replaced with oxygen.

I walk towards the apartment with the bag of medicine in my grip and as I approach the gate, the sound of keys jiggling captures my attention and that's when I see her. She's in the same clothes I saw her in earlier, that white blouse I hadn't gotten the chance to admire her in because of all the shit that has been going on tucked into ripped baggy jeans. This entire night has been a clusterfuck and yet I am still at a loss of words whenever I come across her.

Nox clasps the keys in her grip to prevent them from making that metallic noise when her mouth falls open.

"Jimin." My name falls out of her mouth, sounding so sweet to my ears. Her voice filled with concern and worry; it brings a smile to my face. I like it when she cares for me. I almost laugh at the way her brows furrow in suspicion as she eyes me carefully.

"Nox."

She crosses her arms. "How much did you drink?"

"I didn't drink at all." Only had a glass of bourbon while I was at the Sage. Nox comes closer to me. Her gaze falls on the bag in my grip when she sighs.

"What's in the bag?" She inquires.

"Some ibuprofen and Xanax."

"We've been looking everywhere for you." She retorts. "Even stopped by your apartment earlier and couldn't find you. Then we swung by the Sage and Eugenia said that you had left. I was worried you were off drunk driving."

"I wasn't drunk." I argue.

"Eugenia said you had bourbon." She retaliates. "You seem in an oddly good mood and that scares the shit out of me."

"Don't worry Nox, I'm fine." I move close to her to press the passcode for the gate, but she grabs my arm.

"N-no, you're not."

"Nox-" I start saying, but my voice sticks in my throat when she caresses my hand. She runs her fingers over my knuckles careful not to apply any pressure on the bruises when she gazes up at me with those pleading green eyes.

"Your knuckles have swollen up. You haven't put any ice on it have you?" She asks softly and when I don't answer she frowns. "You were planning on just gulping down pain meds and Xanax to get yourself to sleep?"

More or less. "It's okay, I can take care of myself Nox."

"Apparently, you're doing a shit job." Nox lets go of my hand then raises the key to the gate and unlocks it without looking at me. She's back to avoiding me like she did back at Sam's place and at this point I can't really blame her. As soon as she paces inside, a hollow feeling builds up as her hand leaves mine and I head towards my apartment.

"What are you doing?" She pipes and I stop in my tracks.

"Going upstairs." A hint of a question lingers in my voice when she crosses her arms.

"You're coming with me." Nox comes over to me and grabs my hand, only to lead me to her place. I open my mouth to protest, and she raises her index to cover my lips and just like that she shuts me up. She unlocks the door and welcomes me to her home when she settles her bag on the couch.

"Kitchen. Now." I follow her without saying a word through the living room until we enter the kitchen space. She takes out some ice packs from the freezer and grabs some packs of pasta and places them on the table when she gestures me to sit. I oblige as I drag the chair out and plop down on it. Nox takes my hand before applying the cold compress on both of my hands. She puts my hands on the pasta boxes she laid in front of me because the elevation is supposed to reduce swelling. "Better?" She asks gently and I just nod.