PITYING THE PRISONER | p.jm

f i v e - c o r a

"Oh, um, yeah. If I do well with Jimin."

At that point, I realize I've blown it. Unless I can come up with a quick excuse, I'm completely and totally done for.

"You know his name?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"It's a new tactic I'm trying out," I begin, hoping my statement is believable. "I'm getting close to him, making him think I like him, and then I'm going to drop him. It'll break him faster."

"Oh, I see. That makes sense."

Thank God, it makes sense.

"I've got to go," I announce. "I'll see you later, okay?"

"Can you wait a second or two? Jeez. Come back to my quarters, will you? You said you wanted to borrow my iPod, right?"

"Oh, yeah, I do! Thank you!" I exclaim. With that, Subin and I finish eating, dispose of our trays, and walk to her quarters in Residence Block A.

I enter her quarters, which is identical to mine, and we take a seat on her bed. Subin reaches into the drawer on her nightstand and pulls out her iPod and a charger from it.

"Here," she smiles, handing me the device. "And these are the headphones. I assume that's all you'll be using this for, right?"

"Yeah, probably," I chuckle, taking everything from her. "I owe you my life, Jo Subin."

"I'll remember that," she jokes. "Alright, you're free to go."

"Thanks, mom," I joke, standing and walking to the door. "Really, though, Subin, thank you. I've wanted nothing more than to actually listen to music for the longest time, and thanks to you I finally can. You're the best."

"What else are best friends for?" Subin smiles as she speaks. "See you later, Cora."

"Yep, see you later." I smile again and leave the room.

Returning to my quarters, I drop off Subin's stuff. I sit down at my desk, jotting a few things down on pieces of paper, reminders and prompts about my position here. The most important of which being just three words scrawled on a post-it note and stuck to the wall above the desk.

Remember to think.

I also write a small note to Jimin, one that I plan on dropping off when I get his things from breakfast. I know I told him that someone else would do it, but I think I'm just making excuses to see him again. In the note, I explain my coldness and apologize for it, promising Jimin that the real me hates having to treat him that way. I give some instructions, informing Jimin to keep the note in his pocket until dinner, when he's to throw it away with everything else. With that, I set out to the Amenities Block to drop off Jimin's laundry. Afterward, I head to Cell Block B.

Thankfully, Jimin's tray is still there, and I enter the room to get it.

"Hey, Jimin," I whisper, smiling slightly.

"Hey," he responds, not looking up. He seems so sad, so distant. I can't help but wonder, did something happen?

"Are you okay?" I ask very quietly.