Jisoo was on her way now to the Supernatural Club for their club activities when suddenly the guy from class 3-B came up to her. Kai was her name if she remembered it correctly. He was the one who fought with Bobby for insulting her. Jisoo's face suddenly contorted with disgust.
"Kim Jisoo right?" Kai fidgeted. He really hated this kind of thing but a bet is a bet. Kai suddenly knelt in front of Jisoo which made the latter to widen her eyes. "I'm really sorry."
"What?" Jisoo looked confused as ever. What just happened?
"Jisoo-ssi." Kai looked up with his pleading eyes. "Please forgive me. I was a complete jackass to you and your friend. Everything that i've said so far that might've hurt you, i'm really really sorry."
The other students who saw them began to murmur. It was a sight to see; a senior guy begging for a sophomore's forgiveness. They've always known how of a douschebag the senior guy was and somehow seeing him beg for someone else's forgiveness was kind of new and refreshering.
Jisoo was taken aback. Well, she didn't actually expect him to say sorry for what he had done to her and her friends but there he was kneeling in front of her looking so desperate.
"Please, Jisoo-ssi." Kai begged once again.
Jisoo sighed, shaking her head. "Alright sunbae. I forgive you."
"Really?" Kai blinked. He couldn't believe Jisoo would forgive him that easily. "I mean, thank you so much Jisoo-ssi."
Kai left still looking confused while Jisoo could only smile still not believing what just happened.
"What was that all about?"
"Holy sh–" Jisoo jumped. She turned and saw that famous box shaped smile. "Taehyung."
Taehyung usually wore that signature smile of his but that time it didn't reach up to his eyes. Jisoo noticed it and couldn't help but ask.
"What's wrong?" Jisoo asked.
"Huh?" Taehyung was taken aback. He was surprised Jisoo asked him that question first. Fate must be playing with him.
"And that." Jisoo pointed towards the retreating figure of Kai. "It was nothing. He just asked for my forgiveness."
"I see." Taehyung smiled whole-heartedly, feeling relieved. It was nice that some students were starting to see now for what she truly was, which is kind. "Heading for the clubroom?"
"Yep."
"Perfect timing. Me too." Taehyung hooked his arm through Jisoo's and began pulling the girl with him, skipping like a kid.
"Hold on." Jisoo halted.
"Hmm? What is it?" Taehyung also stopped to look at the uncomfortable Jisoo.
"Actually.." Jisoo hesitated. She didn't know how to break it to her club members. "I was going to ask you guys if i could take a break from our club activities this week?"
"What?" Taehyung pouted.
Jisoo clasped her hands together, begging. "Please? We have a swimming practicum this coming friday. Nayeon already agreed to teach me after class so..."
Taehyung's frown deepened. It was almost like a grimace and it didn't escape from Jisoo's eyes. The girl suddenly felt awful.
"I promise i'll make it up to you next week." Jisoo butted her eyes, smiling sweetly.
Taehyung couldn't help but give in. You couldn't really resist those cute eyes and those heart shaped lips that kept pouting. Well, so much for his plan to talk to her in private.
"Oh alright." Taehyung groaned but smiled at her nontheless. "I'll let Jimin know for you."
"Really?" Jisoo beamed. "Thank you so much Tae. I owe you one."
Jisoo bid her farewell, heading back to where she had left Nayeon earlier. Taehyung grimaced, remembering that night he saw her together with class 2-A's Lee Taeyong, the famous hot jock and star player of the basketball team in the mess hall during their school trip. They seemed close. Maybe he shouldn't have expected something from her. With that thought in mind, Taehyung decided to just head back to their clubroom where Jimin might've been waiting for him.
•••••
Jinyoung was finally done with his daily report. He set down his pen and stretched his neck. His eyes fell on the clock hanging on top of the door of their student council room. It was already past six.
"Again, i'm the last person to get out of the school."
The student council had been having more work loads now that the school festival was fast approaching. And Jinyoung had this mindset that everything should be perfect. He was so invested that he paid more attention to every small details he would find. Even his council members were having trouble to meet his expectations.
Jinyoung grew up with strict parents who ever wanted from him was to be perfect in everything. Well, you could say that this was one of the downsides of being the only son born into the Park family. With that kind of environment, he grew up to be a perfectionist himself. He made sure to surround himself with people who he thought would benefit him and his cause. He also made sure to mind what the majority of the people have to say and correct the things he thought needed to be corrected.
Jinyoung started to pack his things and noticed a can of hot coffee near his belongings. He picked it up and read the note attached to it.
Good work. I hope this coffee warms you up. Fighting! – Nayeon
He sighed before crumpling the paper and throwing it to the trash can. He didn't have time for this. He appreciated the gesture but he deemed the note to be unnecessary. While Jinyoung was passing by the school's indoor swimming pool, he noticed the lights were still on. He took a peek and saw Kim Jisoo making a lap. He checked the time again using his phone and it was already 6:22 in the evening. It was getting late.
"Someone's still swimming?" The school janitor appeared behind Jinyoung.
"Good evening." Jinyoung greeted.
"Ah, if it isn't the student council president." The janitor bowed his head. "Good evening sir."
Jinyoung smiled kindly. "Yes. Do you mind if you can give my friend a little bit more time? I'm sure she's almost done."
"What? A friend of yours Mr. President?" The janitor exclaimed. "Then, there's no problem. Take your time. I'll just come back later."
"Thank you very much. I really appreciate it."
"Anything for our ace student." The school janitor left to check the other areas.
•••••
Jisoo was now done changing. She groaned after grabbing her bag. She might've overdone it with her sore shoulders. Even after swimming all of those laps, she still couldn't get a hang of it.
"Done already?"
Jisoo jumped, hugging her bag in front of her. "Mr. President?"
Jinyoung showed up in front of the pool's entrance. He might've waited for a long time seeing that he was stretching his numb body.
"And i thought we already agreed to address each other with names?"
Jisoo suddenly remembered Jinyoung's harsh comments to her friends. Jisoo's surprised expression was now replaced by boredome.
"Well, that was before you insulted my freinds in front of me and everyone else."
Jinyoung gaped. "Wow. You really hold grudes, don't you?"
Jisoo didn't reply and just stood there, pouting while looking away. Jinyoung smiled, thinking she looked adorable. Then, he noticed something. He reached out and touched Jisoo's hair. Jisoo flinched, seemingly surprised that she instinctively slapped Jinyoung's hand away.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Jisoo suttered.
"S–sorry." Jinyoung smiled sheepishly. "It's just that your hair."
"My hair?"
"It's still wet." Jinyoung grimaced, concern plastered all over his face. "You might catch a cold."
Jisoo bit down her lip, feeling embarrased. She mistook his kindness for something else. Way to go Jisoo. She mentally cursed herself for it.
"Here." Jinyoung handed her the coffee he received from Nayeon. "Drink it while it's still hot."
Jisoo hesitated but decided to accept it, remembering the earlier mistake. "Thanks."
"Make sure to dry your hair more properly next time." Jinyoung smiled, petting Jisoo's head before taking a step backward. "And oh! Please observe the closing time. This indoor pool closes at 6 o'clock sharp."
With that, Jinyoung left the confused girl behind. He walked fast, not looking back. He almost lost himself back there. Just what came into him for reaching out for that girl? Jisoo was the total opposite of what he was aiming for a girl. A girl with unkwon roots, wrong friends, and superficial beliefs. He needed to straighten himself up if he didn't want his parents to meddle with his own life.
•••••
Jisoo was walking alone the dark street of their neighborhood when his phone suddenly rung. She answered it and her uncle's voice greeted her.
"Where are you now, young lady?" TOP sounded worried. "Aren't you still home yet? It's already past 8 o'clock in the evening."
Jisoo rolled her eyes. "I'm on my way home now uncle. Don't worry."
"Are you sure? Did you have dinner yet?" TOP couldn't help but worry for his niece. "Do you want me to come home early?"
Because of TOP's business, he would always come home late at night, leaving Jisoo alone to fend for herself. Of course there were times when TOP would come home early to bond with his favourite niece.
"No, uncle." Jisoo answered. "No need to rush. I'm doing just fine and i already got my dinner so don't worry."
"Alright." TOP still wasn't convinced but decided to just let it go. Afterall, he didn't want Jisoo to get annoyed with him. "Take care and don't forget to lock the door."
"I will." Jisoo smiled. "Bye uncle."
Jisoo put away her phone. She suddenly felt cold. Maybe it was just her imagination but she thought she heard footsteps approaching. She decided to pick up the pace but an unknown assailant appeared from behind, covering her with something. Jisoo jumped, turning around.
"Bobby?"
"What's up loser?" Bobby greeted nonchalantly.
Jisoo finally breathed. She also noticed that it was Bobby's jacket he threw at her earlier.
"What the hell? You scared me." Jisoo handed Bobby his jacket back at him but the latter refused.
"Wear that." Bobby told her. "You look cold."
Bobby started walking up ahead, leaving Jisoo a few steps behind. Jisoo rolled her eyes before wearing the hoodied jacket Bobby owned.
"What are you doing here late at night?" Jisoo asked. "You didn't even went to school earlier."
Jisoo was worried for Bobby. She couldn't forget that night she caught him sneaking out from their house. What if Bobby was hanging out with some bad kids? The boy had been a good friend to her so it was her turn now to return the favor.
Bobby got something inside his plastic bag. It was an ice cream. He broke it in half and offered the other piece to Jisoo who gladly accepted it.
"Thanks." Jisoo whispered.
"As you can see, i went outside to buy something at the convenience store." Bobby answered, his eyes focused on the road up ahead. "And you?"
"Ah. I was busy practicing for our upcoming swimming practicum." Jisoo sighed heavily. "I just don't understand why they made it part of our school curriculum. It suck."
Bobby laughed and it was the first time Jisoo saw it. She smiled, feeling awestruck.
"Well, you'll just have to deal with it." Bobby smiled, ruffling Jisoo's hair.
Jisoo's heart skipped a beat. She tried to steal a glance at Bobby to see if he looked jittery like her but the latter didn't seem to mind it at all. Maybe it was just all in Jisoo's head.
"Yah." Jisoo shouted, a way for her awkwardness to disappear. "If i discovered you're skipping classes again, you're dead."