OUR LOUD MINDS → bts fanfiction

Chapter Nine

But what I wanted most of all, was for someone to see how imperfect I really was, and to love me anyway.

Namjoon

I closed my locker, wondering if Geum Shin Anna and Teacher Park were talking about me at that moment. And what they were actually saying about me. I imagined Anna's cold voice telling Teacher Park how distant I'd been, how silent. He'd be disappointed and call me for a meeting the next day for sure. I bit down on my lip and shook my head. Even if that was the case, it wasn't really my fault. I'd just frozen. I don't know why. One minute I was ready to ask her about the question I'd had on the homework, then the next, I saw my parents' disgust at finding out I have a tutor. A fellow student. My mouth had clamped shut and I felt my palms grow sweaty.

I pushed away the memory and prayed Anna would help me out. I couldn't be sure she would, though, since I knew so little about her. Would someone so cold and blunt be willing to lie even slightly to the teacher? Maybe. Hopefully. I rolled my eyes at myself, feeling pathetic.

When voices suddenly sounded, I realized I'd just been leaning against my locker in thought. I blinked and straightened up, about to leave.

"Anna, you're so stubborn. I like that," Jin's voice echoed down the empty hall.

I rolled my eyes again, this time not at myself. I leaned against my locker again, deciding to just wait till they passed, since the voice was coming from the hall that crossed through mine. When Anna and Jin finally came into view, I couldn't help but glance over in curiosity. Jin had that same smirk, seeming like he was attempting to match her pace. My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I reached for it, about to look away, when Anna's face caught my eye.

I blinked and turned towards them completely, wondering if I saw right. Because if I was, then this was the first time I'd ever seen real emotion on her face. Anna looked indescribably sad. I frowned, wondering why sadness was the emotion that came to her, instead of annoyance at Jin.

"Just leave me alone," she finally spoke, her voice contained its usual coolness.

"Aish, you're making me sound desperate here, Anna. What's so wrong with one little date with me? Nothing huge. We can just grab some food." Jin was the one who started to sound annoyed.

"I already said no," she replied, speeding up.

Jin suddenly grabbed her wrist. Anna spun around, a horrified look on her face. Somehow, I didn't think it was just a look of surprise from his actions. It was something more. She suddenly seemed panicked. Without thinking, I spoke up.

"Yah, Anna!" I called over to them.

Jin looked over at me and let go of her. Anna took a few shaky steps back and grabbed onto the wrist he'd held. I stood frozen for a second, wondering what the heck I just did. The only logical thing now would be to run over. So I did. I jogged up to the two, stopping at Anna's side. Her eyes focused on me finally, and she gave me a questioning look. I scrambled for an excuse.

"Uh, you said you could talk to Teacher Park with me about the history thing today, remember?" I asked her carefully.

Jin narrowed his eyes at me. I ignored him and turned completely to Anna. Immediately, she looked down and nodded, finally seeming to understand what I was saying.

"Well, let's go, then," I said.

I stepped between her and Jin, and we began to walk down the hall, back to our classroom.

"See you later, Anna," he called as we turned the corner.

As soon as he was out of sight, Anna stopped and leaned against the wall. I raised my eyebrows and watched her. Neither of us spoke for a long time.

"I know what you were doing back there," she finally spoke, her voice quiet.

I tilted my head.

"What was I doing?"

"I didn't need your help," Anna told me. "Jin's just an immature boy. I had it under control."

"It didn't look like it when he grabbed you," I pointed out.

Annoyance started to creep up in me. Why was she angry at me for helping her?

"Just stay out of my business," she finished.

Without a glance, Anna took in a deep breath and walked away, leaving me alone in the empty hallway. Very confused. I wasn't confused by her lack of gratitude; I'd almost expected that. What confused me was why I did it in the first place. Along with the strange emotions on her face. Along with everything else about her.

That day, I decided something for certain. Anna was the most confusing girl I'd ever met.