11: AFRAID TO BE SEEN

"More Fire," by Code Kunst

                Yoongi waited on the side of the street by the church while a car pulled up alongside him. The window rolled down.

                “I was just headed over to Namjoon’s,” said Seokjin, leaning out. “Thought I’d come and pick you up while I’m at it.”

                “Thanks.”

                Yoongi came around to the other side and hopped into the passenger’s seat. They said nothing as they pulled out, or for the first few minutes of the drive. They were close enough to be comfortable like that. But Seokjin obviously had something on his mind. When Yoongi caught his eye in the mirror, he finally spoke up.

                “So, Yoongi-yah…what’s going on with that church?”

                “What do you mean?”

                “I mean, you never wanted to come to my church. But you’ve been hanging out over there for about a week, right?”

                “First of all, your church is only for rich people—”

                “Yah—”

                “Second of all, I’m not going to the services or anything like that.”

                Seokjin frowned a little. “That’s not the point. The point is, you’re going there every day, and wouldn’t do that unless you have real business there. So, I’d kind of like to know—what’s your business with that little church?”

                Yoongi snorted. “Do your parents know how you spend your free time?

                “Are you seriously going to just avoid my question like that?”

                “How about this,” said Yoongi, glancing at Seokjin, “You ignore the fact that I just avoided your question, I ignore the fact that you just ignored my question, and then we’ll move on and talk about something like the latest movies.”

                Silence returned for a while, until Seokjin finally looked over at Yoongi and said, slowly, “So…what did you think of that Marvel movie?”

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                “Is that his uncle?” asked Yoongi.

                Seokjin slowed the car as they approached Namjoon’s home, peering at the person Yoongi had indicated. The man was in dusty overalls, a hardhat tucked under one arm while the other busily waved around, pointing and gesturing at Namjoon. Namjoon stood silently, head bowed, nodding every once in a while.

                “Let’s give them a moment,” said Seokjin, turning around so they could park behind the hut without being seen.

                Seokjin and Yoongi could hear the shouts from Namjoon’s uncle as they stepped out of the car. A sigh flew out of Yoongi’s mouth as he pushed the door of Namjoon’s hut open and came inside. Only a few minutes passed before Namjoon entered to find his two friends sitting quietly on the sofa. He blinked in surprise.

                “I—didn’t notice you drive up, hyung.”

                “I parked in the back. Are you okay?”

                Namjoon grimaced.

                “What’s up?” asked Yoongi. “Is he mad about the mess or something?”

                With a little shake of his head, Namjoon trudged over to one of the chairs and crumpled into it.

                “No, it’s just that he’s asking again why someone—‘as smart as you are’—isn’t going to college right now. And the thing is…I don’t know how to tell them how much I’m actually dying to go to college but I just—I just can’t.”

                Seokjin watched Namjoon carefully before speaking. “You know, I might be able to convince my family to get you a pretty good scholarship, not to mention the other opportunities available with your scholastic history and intellect.”

                “Yeah, yeah, I know all that, but it’s not just about money. Don’t you remember what they said? No matter where I apply, they’ll make certain I don’t get in.”

                A thump-thump sounded in the room, making Namjoon look up. Yoongi had pushed a stack of books on the floor. He was snarling.

                “What a load of crap.”

                “Yah,” said Namjoon, getting up. “Don’t take out your anger on my books! You think I’m not upset about it too?”

                Yoongi pinched his chin thoughtfully. “Are you sure they can do that? Do you think they’ll even remember after all this time?”

                Namjoon, who was crouched at the floor picking up his precious books, just shrugged.

                “You’re not even going to try?”

                There was a hesitation as Namjoon placed the books back on the little table. “I don’t know. I’ve been thinking lately…maybe I should try. It’s been a while. I’m just…”

                “Just what?” asked Seokjin, leaning in.

                “Worried. Scared. About the other boys. There’s been a lot going on lately and I feel like I really need to be ready for anything, so I can, you know, be there for them when they need me.”

                Seokjin laughed, coming over to his friend and giving him a pat on the back. “You take care of us too much.”

                “You’re one to say that.”

                “Yeah. I guess so. We all take care of each other.”

                Yoongi, leaning back into his seat, smiled a little. “That’s the way it should be.”

Author’s Note

It’s a pretty short chapter but it wanted to be in here so here it is. I hope you liked a little bit of a look into Namjoon’s life. He’s got some of his own stuff going on y’know.