LOVE ME NOT

十。hallway encounter

Watching as the male in the hospital bed sleeps soundly with his face covered in bruises and patches, Ryuwon couldn't help but close his eyes before breathing out a sigh. He was ashamed of himself; disappointed, frustated by all means, of what he has done to someone who was once like a big brother to him. This is unacceptable, he thought to himself, his eyes brimmed with tear as a sob escaped his mouth.

   ❝Mianhaeyo... hyung...❞ Ryuwon whispered, lowering his head in discomfort and could not stand watching the older male in the state he was in.

   Before long, he decided to leave, afraid that Mark was going to wake up and find him looking all yucky and miserable and irocally causing him to worry, even though he shouldn't be after what Ryuwon's done to him.
   Turning his heels towards the exit, twisting the doorknob, Ryuwon wiped off the tear drops that had leaked down his face and turning around to look at Mark for the last time before leaving, he said in a faint voice,

    ❝...Yongseohae-juseyo,❞

—

School was already over by the time we got dismissed from the principle's office and I'm not gonna lie, it went more horrible than i thought! Even in front of the lady who is in charge and practically running this school, Jimin and Taeyong still bickered, stepping on each other's tail like a dog and a stubborn cat. And somehow, at some point, they managed to drag me into the illogical war between them and got me punished too—seven days with after school duty, weekend included. What a pain in the anus.

   I let out a defeated sigh upon thinking about how long the upcoming week is going to be as I walk, attempting on reaching the exit, but the hallway seemed to be dragging me on into a never ending path. Deep in thought however, I failed to notice that I had a companion. Someone was walking right by my side, one hand shoved in their pants pocket, as the other one was firmly gripped on the saddle of their bag.
   With a sight of me spacing out like a naive lamb, he sniggered before jokingly commented,

   ❝Hehe. You shouldn't be spacing out like that or somebody might kidnap you,❞

   It didn't surprise me, for some reason, once I recognized the owner's voice and registered who it was, although I should be. Instead, I briefly took a halt in my steps, glanced up at him with the blankest facial expression I could manage, then moved along without uttering a word in reply. In which caused him to cock his eyebrows, watching as I continue making my way to the exit with mopey steps.
   But not too long after, he ran after and caught up on me in no time.

   ❝Say something,❞ he demanded in a whiny tone, his hands slowly but nervously moved to the uniform's outwear pockets.

   ❝What,❞ I then replied flatly without looking up.

❝Are you mad at me?❞

❝I don't know. Am I?❞

   He stopped walking at my last reply and biting hard into his lips until he felt a slight pain, he literally facepalmed himself with an inaudible groan, let out a breath, then running up to me again.
   Letting my guard down completely and not expecting him to actually come after me this time, I suddenly felt a solid warm grip around my wrist but before I forcefully got pulled back.

   ❝Yaaah, Park Jimin...!❞

   ❝I'm sorry!❞ Jimin blurted out right after the second I yelled at him, preventing me from sharing a piece of my mind as I immediately forgot what to say when I felt a light, snug breeze hitting my skin and realized the lack of personal space between our face.

   I gulped, forces down the big lump in my throat that somehow appeared out of nowhere, as burning heat arose up on my cheeks. My lips parted open, wanting to tell him to let go of me but having him staring right into my soul, nothing came out.

   ❝I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to get you in trouble too,❞

   Beads of perspiration started to trickle down my back, as well as the temple of my head of how serious he sounded. Also, it was hard to focus on the words that came floating out of his mouth and for one or another reason, I was so nervous that the beating of heart became abnormal and unsteady, causing my feet and hands to turn cold even though I'm sweating.
   Clearing my throat nonetheless, I compelled myself to keep it together and blinking a few times, I decided to quickly yet gently pull my wrist out of his grasp before opening up my mouth again to speak. But of course... everything can't be on point all at once as I start stammering,

   ❝A-a-a-a-alright! I f-f-f-forgive you!❞ was what came out of my mouth, all flustered and was far away from being cool.

   ❝J-j-just don't come so close to me like that again.... Ever...❞

   With that being the last of me, I turned on my heels and strolled off, in hope that he didn't notice how red I was and definitely for him to not follow after me anymore for today.

—

Silently chuckling for himself, Jimin couldn't help but lowkey kept repeating the sight of Rina's flustered face in his mind. A smile of light stayed on his face for a good while as he decided not to walk after her and shaking his head in amusment, he muttered to himself as his delightful gaze followed the dainty figure down the hallway.

   ❝Ahh, kyeopda..❞