Chapter 30

With and Without Oh Sehun

I was staring at my dad's desk while leaning back in his back-breaking chair, and my mind was filled with so many thoughts and questions that I even forgot to blink. As much as I didn't want to, I couldn't stop thinking about the encounter with Sehun today. 

Could this have all been avoided? Of course it could have. If I had just forced myself to turn around and walk away instead of standing in the hallway like an idiot then I wouldn't be in this situation. Better yet, if I had just taken a different turn or even decided to eat with Baekhyun and Chanyeol then I wouldn't be like this. 

I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath, wishing all the thoughts and frustrations would come out with the air in my lungs. I wanted to stop thinking. I wanted to stop questioning. I wanted to stop being curious about what he wanted to ask. At the back of my head was a lingering idea of what he could have possibly wanted to talk about. 

I let out another sigh and allowed myself to collapsed on to my dad's paper-filled desk that came with a loud banging noise. At that very moment, there was a sound of something very wet and drippy sweeping the floor back and forth.

I lifted my head and saw Satan mopping the floor. He had his earphones plugged in and I could hear his loud blasting music. I decided to shift my attention away and get started on my homework again without falling asleep this time. Just as I was taking more materials out of my backpack, I paused to the sound of faint yelling that was getting closer and closer. Now entering through the door was two police officers and a kid my age with his hands cuffed behind his back. 

One of the police officers slightly pushed him to a chair and took a seat on the opposite side of him. "How many times are we going to do this?" he grumbled as he began typing on to his computer. 

The kid only sat down in silence and stared at the desk

"You haven't learned a thing from the last time you've been here huh? Still not in school and only fooling around?"

Feeling as if I was intruding in the situation, I gathered my belongings to move to another location. As I was doing so, I paused at the sight of Satan who was no longer mopping the floor and instead standing still from where I last saw him. Why was he just standing there and looking at what was happening? Does he want to get yelled at? I turned to look at the situation again to see if there was something that I missed, and indeed, there was. 

Park Ji....min? What in the world was he doing here? The last time I remember seeing him was, well- who knows how long ago. But what in the world happened to this kid? He's changed so much that I don't even know how I recognized him. 

And that's when I realized it. Yoongi and Jimin... Those two along with the others were the tightest group of friends, and if I'm not wrong, this might be their first reunion in a while, or perhaps forever would be the better way to put it. 

I wasn't sure how I felt about this and therefore moved myself away from the situation by sitting at the very corner of the room. Moments after getting adjusted and about to start on my homework, my ears twitched to the sound of Yoongi's voice. 

"What are you doing here?"

There was no response. 

"What are you doing here Jimin?" the voice asked again, except this time with more aggression. 

"What about you?" Jimin returned. 

"I'm here to work."

Again, there was no response.

"Do you want to keep doing this for the rest of your life? Haven't you grown tired of living like this?" Yoongi asked.

"Can you off Yoongi? Don't act like you're so ing innocent yourself either. I've heard about the sh*t you've done around here," Jimin fired back. 

There was a moment of silence from Yoongi. "At least I'm trying to change because I'm so ing tired of coming here all the time,"

"Just off. I've been there and done that, but I always ended up back where I was only to be worst than before. You'll learn along the way that nobody gives a sh*t about people like us,"

Even from where I was sitting, I could see Yoongi's face boiling to the point where I was scared of what could happen next. Just at that moment, the police officer from before came back and asked what Yoongi was doing and why he was not working like he was supposed to. Much to my relief, Yoongi obeyed although he only picked up the mop and walked away with it. Before going back to doing my things, I took one last look at Jimin to see if it was really him. Of course there was no way of fooling myself. 

After nearly two hours of doing my homework, I was worn out and no longer had any brain cells left. Deciding that I deserved a quick break, I headed to the back room to grab a water bottle to cool myself off before tackling the rest of my homework. Just as I opened the door to the room, Yoongi jerked his way to standing up until he saw that it was only me and went back to sitting down. However, I noticed something unusual about him for the first time. 

"Shouldn't you be working?" I casually asked as I took a peek at him while opening the refrigerator door.

Surprisingly, he didn't say anything and only continued to stare at the ground with a face that was for once not filled with anger or mockery, but instead solemnity. I couldn't help but continue to steal more glances at him as I drank my cold water bottle. Was he like this because of his encounter with Jimin earlier?

"You okay?" I suddenly asked without even thinking it through. 

As if he forgot that I was still there, he jerked his eyes at me. "Uh yeah. What are you doing here?"

"Drinking this," I said as I pointed out my cold water bottle. 

"Oh." His eyes then dropped back down to the ground. 

As much as I wanted to walk away and shut the door behind me, and as many times as Satan here was mean and obnoxious to me, my feet wouldn't move. Instead, it was urging to turn and face the direction of the devil, in which it eventually did. 

"Jimin's changed quite a bit huh? Almost didn't recognize the kid," I started, again wondering where the guts to say that even came from. 

However, very much to my surprise, the man who rarely ever wants to talk or even be around people at all, responded to my comment. 

"Yeah, he has."

Taken aback, I had a sudden sense of duty to keep the conversation going for whatever reason. I guess for once, I wanted to have a decent conversation with Satan. "Must to be reunited with him again like this." With the silence from Satan, I began to contemplate if this was such a wise choice after al-

"It does. . . It . . . A lot." He then looked up at me, and for once I saw sincerity in his eyes that caught me by surprise. "You remember how he used to be right Areum? That loud guy with the high pitched voice whose laughter could be heard from across the room?"

There was a sudden appearance of aching in my heart as I stared at his solemn eyes, and that was when I realized that he was reminiscing about times in the past that made him happy. In fact, they were the only times that he was ever truly happy. However, as I continued to stare at him, I felt a sudden strong connection between us that was making me tear up. He was asking for help. He wasn't outright asking for it because of the type of person he was, but I knew through the look in his eyes that he was asking for help. And I knew this because it was all too familiar. I was like that too. 

It was as if he was asking me to feed him with lies that Jimin was still the same person liked he described and not the person he saw just hours ago. However, I couldn't do that as much as I wanted to, and he knew this too. 

Just at that moment, it was as if he suddenly clicked back into reality and changed back to the Yoongi we all know. He stood up and made his way towards the door and didn't miss a chance to hit me with the "what are you looking at" question. I felt betrayed. Of course, I should have known better.

Before I knew it, night time was already here and I was ready to knock out. I wiped the exhaustion from my eyes and took a moment to look around and saw that it was exceptionally quiet tonight. I looked at my phone and saw that it was a quarter past 9 and concluded that it was time to head home. As I was packing my things up, I remembered about Jimin and wondered whatever happened to him. Was he released or was he locked up? Just what in the world did he do? 

Just at that moment, a sharp whistle directed my attention to the front of the room where I saw Yoongi in his casual attires with his backpack on. Before I could budge or say anything, he had already made his way out. I guess he was taking me home again tonight since my dad must have been busy and was nowhere to be found today. 

"You don't have to take me home tonight," I said as I stepped outside and found Satan leaning against the wall and waiting for me. 

He ignored my words and began walking ahead without caring to see if I was behind him. For whatever reason, I was still keeping a steady pace behind him despite what I had just said. As we kept walking in silence, I couldn't help but look at the way his shoulders were hanging down, as if there was tons of heavy weight slowing him down. However, I already knew what that weight on his shoulder was. 

"Tonight's actually pretty cool huh?" I asked.

He didn't respond and only continued walking. I wonder if he heard me.

"Usually it would be either super hot or super cold, but the temperature right now feels good," I continued. But again, he only continued walking. 

 I let out a frown for being ignored, but decided that it was probably better to listen to my music anyways. After getting off the bus and finally a step closer of being home, I anticipated the warmth and comfort that I would feel from my blanket and pillow. However, I think I got excited too soon. 

"I'm gonna grab something to eat," Satan finally spoke as he headed towards the convenience store before I could open my mouth.

Again? I shrugged and made my way towards the store also and took a seat in front of one of the tables outside. "I'll wait out here. Just don't take too long."

He didn't say anything and went on his way inside. Meanwhile, I began to squeeze my legs together to fight back the cold wind that was now starting to feel freezing. Having nothing to do, I observed the dead street in front of me where there was only a few cars passing by and have yet to seen any pedestrians. Just at that moment, I could hear low grumbling noises from afar along with footsteps that were dragging on the blacktop floor. I looked towards my left and saw a man walking my direction and could tell that he had a few drinks. 

Thinking that if I paid no attention and minded my own business, he would carry on his way and walk past me. However, that thought was wrong. He turned the path to the convenience store and stumbled his way to where I was. I clenched down onto my skirt and began to pull it down.

Just at that moment, "Hey young lady. Do you have some money I can borrow?" his words slurred. 

I pretended that I didn't hear and began to look through my phone. Meanwhile, my heart was beating fast in panic deep inside. 

"Hey come on now. I know you hear me. Do you have some money?" he asked again, except this time he stepped closer into my view. 

"No I don't," I mumbled as I kept my eyes on my phone. I didn't want to give him any attention or else he would just continue. 

"Oh come on. If you give me some, I promise I can buy alcohol for the both of us."

I ignored him once again, and this time I was starting to panic. Why couldn't he just leave me alone?

"Are you gonna keep ing ignoring me kid?" his tone of voice drastically changing. He slammed his hand on the table in front of me and leaned in towards my face to where he was directly in my view. The smell of alcohol reeked through my nostrils. 

I pulled away and reacted with anger and fear. "Leave me alone!"

However, that only triggered the drunken man more. Anger filled his face as he stepped closer and took a grab at my right wrist. "Don't you ing have some respect for your elders? Didn't your parents teach you manners?"

At this point, my heart was panicking in fear as I tried to pull away and think of what to do. Should I scream? Should I cause a commotion? Or would I be able to handle this man without drawing so much attention? At the same time, the drunk man pulled me forward while I resisted back, playing a jerking motion of back and forth and causing irritation to my back.

Just then, I nearly bolted in tears at the sight of the next scene. Another hand came into the picture and grabbed the man's wrist and shoved it away. The drunk man nearly fell to the ground but somehow caught his balance. As expected, he wasn't too happy. 

"Who the are you!" he yelled. 

"Don't you ing know how to leave her alone?" Satan fired back. 

"Are you her ing boyfriend or what. Mind your business." He then tried to pass Yoongi and come towards me again. 

However, Yoongi stepped in front and made himself as the barrier between the troublesome man and me. "I'll give you one last chance to leave." 

"Oh yeah? And if I don't then what huh? What the are you gonna do about it kid?" He slurred as he took a step towards Yoongi's face. 

By this point my heart was beating faster than ever in fear. I didn't want there to be any fight that could possibly cause an injury or even have Yoongi be in trouble. What he said earlier to Jimin about "being tired of living this life" made me afraid. I didn't want him to get in trouble because of me. 

"It's fine Yoongi. Let's just go." I said as I stood up. 

"You b*tch. You're not going anywhere," he said as he yanked past Yoongi and managed to grab the sleeves of my shirt, pulling me forward with an aggressive force. I fell forward to the table near me and landed on the rim of the chair, hitting my rib cage and now causing an unbearable pain to my back also. 

I was so overwhelmed by the sudden pain and what had just happened that I couldn't catch sight of what happened next. 

"Are you okay?" an older lady's voice suddenly asked as she put her arm around my back. It was the convenience store lady. 

My whole body was aching in pain and I wanted to just be away from here. Next thing I knew, somebody grabbed my arm and gently pulled me up to my feet. I was now escorted through a small crowd that I didn't even notice had form. I took a look at the person who was holding on to my arm and helping me walk, and saw a cut on his face. It wasn't there before so he must have gotten it from the drunk man, now deepening my regret and guilt of involving him in something that I should have taken care of myself. 

After another few minutes of walking, my legs couldn't keep up anymore. I had to stop and take a moment to breathe because of all the pain I was trying to hold in. Meanwhile, Yoongi removed his hand from my arm and looked at me. 

"Can you walk?" he asked. 

"Yeah, don't worry. I just need a moment to rest really quick," I replied. But the truth was that I needed more than just a moment. It was just so hard because I didn't want to cause anymore inconvenience for Yoongi. It was getting late and I'm sure he wanted to get home. 

Suddenly, Yoongi took off his backpack and placed it in the front of his body. He then stepped in front of me and bent down with his back turned towards me. Was he... willing to give me a piggy back ride?

"No it's fine. I can walk," I quickly said. 

"Get on."

"No it's fine really. Plus, I'm kind of heavy anyways, and I'm also wearing a skirt." 

He stood back up on his feet, relieved that he listened so easily. However, that wasn't the case. He ped his backpack and pulled a sweater out from it and gave it to me afterward. "Use this to cover yourself," he said as he handed it to me. 

Shocked by his action, I hesitantly took his sweater and wrapped it around myself. It was getting late and I decided to comply in order to get us home as soon as possible. He then bent down again with his back turned towards me, and I slowly hopped on his back. As I was doing so, I was afraid of being too heavy and that any time now he would collapse. However, he didn't collapse. Instead, he continued on just fine with me on his back and with his backpack in the front. Was he always this strong?

Regardless, we proceeded in silence towards my house. I wasn't sure if I should say something to fill in the silence, or if this was the right time to thank him and apologize. Never in a million years did I ever think that Yoongi would be giving me a piggy back ride. Regardless, the pain in my back was still apparent and I let out a sigh of pain that I could not manage to hide anymore.

"Does your back hurt?"

Taken aback by his sudden question, "Oh, no. I'm just tired that's all."

He didn't say anything more and continued to walk. I squeezed my mouth shut this time to not let out another squeal of pain, but it was hard. I was ready to let out a whimper this time.

"You know that I know you're in pain, right?" Yoongi suddenly said. 

I was taken aback by his sudden comment, but also because I got caught. "My back is hurting but I'll be fine. I don't want to cause anymore trouble and concern to my mom."

"Are you sure?" 

"Yes, I'm fine." I then thought about the cut on his face. "What about you? Are you okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"You have a cut on your face."

"It's just a cut. Just worry about yourself."

I pouted to his response that I didn't know was meant to be kind or rude.  But regardless, since we already had a conversation going I realized that this was probably the best time to apologize. "I'm sorry about tonight. I shouldn't have got you involved."

I heard a small laughter come from him, but I wasn't sure if I was just hearing things wrong. "But thank you for today," I continued.

He didn't say anything back. Not even the smallest laughter or noise. Just silence. I wasn't sure if I said something wrong but decided to leave it there. I got to say my thanks and apology to him and that was all that mattered.

We continued to further walk in silence with myself still on his back. But for some reason, with every step that he was taking, I had this feeling in my heart that I have never felt before towards him, nor did I ever think I would ever have it. 

Now that I thought about it more, he stood up for me and even injured himself. I mean, with all these evil and mean perceptions that I, along with many others, had of him all this time, I never thought that he would, well, protect me in a situation like this. And now, despite being tired and exhausted I'm sure, he was carrying me on his back. That's not something the real Satan does, and I guess I was wrong all this time. Maybe there was another side to Yoongi that many didn't know about, and maybe I was now getting exposure to that side. 

I then let out another deep sigh. "You know, you're not as bad as people perceive you to be. A little rude and scary, but not bad at all." I had no idea why I was saying this, but I guess this strong sense of gratitude inside me was causing me to reveal what I was feeling at the moment.

Again, there was no response from him. I let out a yawn from the fatigue I was starting to feel as I was entering a sleepy state. Surprisingly, the warmth from his back was providing me comfort, and so I tightened my grip on him.  

"You know what Jimin said earlier about others not caring about people like you," I started with my words half slurred in a sleepy state. "That's not true, and I hope you know that. People do care. So, don't stop what you're doing Yoongi."

And before I realized it, my words slowed down and ended with softness, and I fell asleep.  

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CSanWS
#1
Chapter 47: I love both yoongi and sehun. But damn can you just let her ended up with yoongi? After she had been dumped by Sehun, eventho i love him. I can’t.
Iheartren
#2
Chapter 47: I’m finally caught up I recent stumble your story the story so far it’s interesting and I can’t wait for the next update i wonder what is going to happened next, keep up the good work 😊
Sey-ra
38 streak #3
Chapter 47: Omo ,you came back.And for Aereum don't go to the same part again.
fishaelee
#4
Chapter 46: it’s quarter to 4am now and im finally catch up with the chapters! i must say that reading this fic is such having a ride on a roller coaster. at first with the break up of sehun and areum, the pain she felt and how badly everyone treated her... also yoongi’s side story too... im pretty sure there will be a triangle love happening in the future too xD
fishaelee
#5
Chapter 29: yesss areum did it. i hope there will be justice for yoongi soon
fishaelee
#6
Chapter 28: AREUM !!!! :((((
fishaelee
#7
Chapter 27: areum don’t u dare let him slip away like that-
fishaelee
#8
Chapter 16: and how sehun started dating irene, the girl who had been the anti of his previous relationship since day one? oh man i fking hate it here, tf did u just do sehun ah
fishaelee
#9
Chapter 16: okay i’ve suffered enough with the first 9 chapters and i am just so frustrated and my heart hurts so bad for what happened to areum. I CAN FEEL THE PAIN thru the words u wrote...
Sey-ra
38 streak #10
Chapter 42: Sorry but I am still frustrated with Aerum.