ᴄʜᴀsɪɴɢ ʀᴀɪɴʙᴏᴡ

10. Strict teachers mean well

 Just the Two of Us - Grover Washington Jr. 

Jungkook

Ulrich had to nurse me while Taehyung Hyung drove me back to the hostel. I l was looking outside the car all the way, trying to not expel the contents of my stomach. I was mortified, but not as much as I was drunk. I closed my eyes and thought of what couldn't become my reality. If it was any alternate universe where Jimin didn't exist, I'd have gone for Taehyung Hyung.

But I was stuck in the world where he walked, breathed, and smiled. I wanted to push him to the limits. If he doesn't like me, he should fucking say that then. I thought there were two ways to deal with my situation. One; ignore Jimin and believe that he'll forget that tonight happened. Two; see through it until the end. I had nothing to lose. 

A realization came to me, the logical thought of my insane mind. My school years had been the constant rounds of good grades, rules, and facades. A part of the reason why I wanted to study away from home had to do with coming out of that show that I'd perfected so well. I was an obedient son to my father, a loving one to my mother, and a cheerful friend to my grandmother, but I didn't know who I wanted to be on my own. What was my role in that show as myself? What was my character? 

I thought it would take months on the path of self-discovery, but it turned out, I needed to put the fear of disappointing my parents in the box and turn back to life with clear lenses. 

It only took me weeks to discover that I was adamant, a visionary. The biggest question was, what did I have to lose if saw it through to the end? I was free.  

Free to drink beer whenever I wanted.

Free to play any game I wanted. 

Free to pursue my heart if I wanted.  And I wanted, no, needed to follow my heart. I hadn't yet witnessed someone like Jimin, and I'd never felt so strongly attracted to anyone before, both physically and emotionally. There was something conspiratorial in Germany's air. The divine intervention was so clear that it would take a stupid to ignore it.

The moment my eyes fell on the mop of pink, my breath stopped. 

My heartthrob turned out to be an acquaintance of my roommate. 

Our paths crossed again on the first day.

God was giving me a hint. He was holding a pen and waiting for me to make my move so he could finalize one stage of my life. I had to take the chance. So what if Rosenow is a perfect anomaly in my path? I had to own my life, and I wasn't going to sulk. 

**

I woke up with a hangover. My stomach was growling as if it wanted me to save it from the fire inside. My head was splitting into many pieces, and my throat was as dry as a dune. 

The first rule of hostelers; never look drunk, even if you are drowning in the feeling. 

I kicked aside my shoes that were placed inverted on the side of my bed as I got up and walked toward the washroom. Ulrich was snoring, his ass up, face down on the pillow. He wasn't a light sleeper, that only strengthened our friendship. He was never bothered by my clumsy attempts of tripping over objects that created sharp noises after bedtime. I was always out in the night, trying to catch one glimpse of a group of seniors. He was always the one to sleep early. I knew he would become a successful doctor one day.