PITYING THE PRISONER | p.jm

f i f t e e n - c o r a

"Why wouldn't they like you?" He responds. "You're the only reason I'm getting to see them again. They have no choice but to like you."

"I feel like they're going to blame me for it," I manage. "For everything that happened to you."

"I'll step in for you, you know that. Try not to worry about it; it'll work out."

"Okay."

The rest of the drive back to Bangtan's dorm is silent. When we finally arrive, I can feel my heart practically bursting out of my chest. I didn't realize I was going to be this nervous. It's just meeting Jimin's friends, right? What could go wrong with that?

Jimin thanks the guy driving the car and I thank him too, then wait for Jimin to get my crutches out of the trunk. He brings them to me and we get moving, making our way to the front door of the apartment complex and then entering the elevator. We go up quite a few floors— I'm not sure how many— and then Jimin leads me to the apartment in question.

"This is it," he says brightly, looking at the door. The number on the door is 318, and I do my best not to think of the cells back at The Company's complex. I focus on the future to the best of my ability.

Realizing he doesn't have a key, Jimin knocks on the door. Commotion ensues from behind it, and I can see the smile on Jimin's face widen. He scratches the back of his neck and reaches to knock again, tears already forming in his eyes. Before he can knock, though, the door opens to reveal his six best friends.

"Welcome home!" They chorus in the cheesiest way possible. I recognize them, of course. Rap Monster— or Namjoon, I guess I should call him— is the one to open up the door. Behind him, I can see both Jin and Suga, and I'm sure the other three are close by, too.

Namjoon grabs Jimin and pulls him into the dorm where his best friends embrace him. I don't even think I was noticed at all, not that I mind. I carefully make my way into the dorm and close the door behind me; taking in the chaotic scene before my eyes.

Jimin is the center of a tear-filled group hug, and each of the other six members seem to fight for a position close to him. This goes on for five or so minutes until one of them detaches himself from the edge of the clump that had formed. The first to defect is Jungkook, the youngest in the group. He's also the first one to notice me, and a yelp escapes his mouth when his eyes meet mine.

"How did you get in here?" He asks, nervous.

"I, uh, came in with Jimin," I respond. The awkwardness of the situation has both of us in a chokehold.

"You just came in?" He questions.

"You probably didn't notice me," I manage. "Jimin should explain some things."

By then, the attention has shifted almost entirely from Jimin to me, and I'm not happy about it.

"Who are you?" Another member questions. This one's V, for sure.

"I, uh— I'm Lee Cora. It's nice to meet you."

"Cora?" Repeats Suga, intrigued by the name. "Seriously, who are you?"

I give Jimin a look that he knows is a cry for help, and he walks over to me. "Sit down, guys, I've got some explaining to do."

Jimin walks with me and sits next to me on one of the couches in the living room. Each of the members looks at him expectantly, waiting for an explanation as to why there's a random girl in their dorm. He takes a deep breath before giving it to them.

"This is Cora. She was with me while I was at The Company."

"The Company?" J-Hope echoes.

"It's the name of the place I was at," Jimin answers. J-Hope just nods.