Ch. 4 “Behind Bars”

Jasmina’s POV

My hands gripped cold steel bars. I buried my head into the bars as countless thoughts ran through my mind. Why was I here? What did he want? And most importantly….why did I care? I was confusing myself more and more just by thinking. I began to play flashbacks through my mind. I recalled his familiar laugh as we walked hand in hand through the park.

I could smell that vanilla perfectly right now. He brought his hand to my face to brush away the fallen strands from the wind. I felt a shiver creep up my back from the touch but I loved it so much. That day was our first kiss. I was brought back to reality by a police baton hitting the bars. “Jasmina you have a visitor.” I perked up instantly. As the cop led me into the visiting room I turned the corner and saw Jessica standing there.

She instantly began laughing but I wasn’t too amused by everything that had been going on. “Jessica, where the hell were you? Thuan has been out looking for you all night!” She began laughing even more. “Seriously? I was using the bathroom at the club. You guys didn’t think to check there?” Of course it was the most obvious place. “You should love me right now….like really love me.” What the hell was she talking about? “Girl I bailed you out!” Oh thank you god! I screamed up and jumped up and down.

It’s about time I’m getting out of this hole of a jail. On the way out a cop had explained to me everything that had happened. The police had thought I was the person who attached Hyun….idiots. I swear there is something madly wrong with this justice system. I should be a cop…I’d be the best damn one ever!

Lay’s POV

I was about to go crazy. Here she was in the same city as me and I couldn’t even see her! The SM Concert was in two days and I hadn’t seen her since the incident at the club five days ago. There was just too much going on and I didn’t quite know what to think at this point. I felt like I was losing myself in a sea of fame and fortune. I didn’t even feel like the same person anymore. The way I was with her….I was better. {Why was I so stupid?} I’m sure she’d have an answer for that.

She always did. We challenged each other and I think that’s where we really grew. I looked up at my face in the mirror and barely noticed the person looking back at me. I wiped the fog off of the mirror for a better look and scoffed. I grabbed a towel from the cabinet and wrapped it around my waist. That shower sure felt good after the workout. As I walked out of the bathroom I heard the various voices and laughter of Chen, Kris, Tao, Luhan, and Xiu Min. Those guys didn’t have the slightest clue as to what was going on in my mind right now and for that I was glad.

I walked past them and into the kitchen in attempts to avoid their laughter. “So Lay….how’s your little lady doing?” Damn it Chen…he just had to say something. I slammed the cupboard closed and marched into the living room to where they were all sitting. Kris, Luhan, and Chen all sat at the table with a deck of cards while Xiu Min and Tao were sprawled out over the couches. “There is nothing…I mean…whatever!” I stormed back off into the kitchen.

“Awe….he’s blushing guys look!” Everyone began laughing again while my fist clenched tighter around a glass mug. I could feel the anger boiling in my head when suddenly the cup broke in my hand. The pain didn’t register but I saw the blood dripping onto the kitchen counter. I quickly wrapped a small washcloth around it and made my way to my bedroom to finish dressing. My hand was red with heat and it began to sting slightly. I poured what seemed like an entire bottle of alcohol on it and winced at the burning sensation.

My mind flashed back to the instances where Jasmina was always there to bandage my wounds. She knew what she was doing. Instead now my hand looked like it was bandaged by a kid who didn’t know how to tie their shoes. I began laughing like an idiot…of course I slowly began to realize I was an idiot for letting her go. I didn’t want her to know that though so I quickly bottled it back up inside. I turned around to the sound of a knock on my bedroom door. “Lay there is somewhere here to see you…he says he can help you.” I could tell that was Kris just from his voice.

I walked cautiously to the door and opened it to see who this person was. The hall seemed longer than normal. My eyes suddenly landed on the back of the visitor; wait was that Thuan? {What the hell was he doing here?} He turned around and greeted me with the biggest smile. “Hey man I haven’t seen you in forever!” There that loud laugh was.

“Thuan what are you doing here?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. “We need to talk. Come on let’s go to the café….we’ve got a lot to talk about.” Normally I’d say no but I snatched up my jacket and moments later we were sitting in the same café me and Jasmina always went to together. It was the only café around that sold her precious banana milk so naturally she loved it. It was late at night so it wasn’t packed and soft tunes of jazz played lightly in the background. Before I had left for Exo M Thuan and I had been best friends. I hadn’t seen him since.

“How have you been man?” I didn’t quite know how to answer the question. “Great. Get to travel the world and see all kinds of women.” He looked at me questioningly. “I saw what happened with Jasmina yesterday. You still have feelings for her don’t you?” I thought about her every day since I left. The way she dressed, smelt, wore her hair…of course I missed her. “I forgot about her actually” I said lying through my teeth. Great…I could tell he knew that I was lying. That’s one of the worst things about best friends…they can always tell when you are lying. “I can help you get her back Lay.” I didn’t want to seem too eager with what he said but I couldn’t help but sit up right out of shock.

“How?” I practically yelled out. “Calm down. First you gotta help me.” What was he getting at? “If I help you get back with Jasmina, then I need you to help me get with Jessica.” I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re still on her? I’m surprised. But I mean…I guess I can help.” All I wanted was to have Jasmina back…that’s all I needed. “Then let’s get started!” As we left I placed a hundred dollar tip on the table and took a carton of banana milk to go.

Jasmina’s POV

Oh sweet Jesus this Kim Bap was good! I was so proud of myself for learning a new recipe…I’m cool like that. As late as it was, I decided to throw together omelets for me and Jessica. We could always go for food. Plus I needed a little food therapy after the breakup with Hyun. In a way I’m glad the relationship was over….that man just couldn’t please me. I sat a plate of finished omelets on the table.

I ran back to the fridge realizing I forgot one of the most important things in this house….sour cream. I swear we used it on everything. {Man I’m a damn good cook!}Pretty soon we were eating our food like we’d never eaten in our lives. “Hey Jessica.” She looked up at me with a mouthful of food and an epic derp face. I laughed and responded with a derp face of my own. “Seriously…when are you and Thuan going to start dating?”

The look faded from her face as she dropped her fork onto the plate and she took a sip of water. {Uh huh always trying to avoid my questions} I wasn’t going to let her this time. “Come on girl answer me. You two are practically perfect for each other. You’ve been friends for a while now. Plus he really likes you.” She sighed deeply placing her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands. “He’s such a player Jasmina! He flirts with anything that moves!” Now we’re getting somewhere. She kind of was right…I mean he really did. It was just part of his personality.

He was loud and crazy but that’s exactly what she needed, she just didn’t know it. “Just give him a shot! Come on just one date! Can you at least do that?” We were interrupted by a knock on the door. She leapt from the chair to open the door even though I’m sure that was just her way of fleeing from my question. She opened the door and I saw her eyes go wide. Before I could get up from my chair Lay walked right past her followed by Thuan.

There goes another vein in my head. I was breathless still sitting in my chair. Lay walked over to me and knelt down in front of me to where we were perfectly leveled; god those eyes. I couldn’t blink to stop myself from looking at them. He placed one of his hands on my thighs and my skin tingled at the touch. I immediately slapped his hand away and stood up in full defense mode. He only smiled. Did he take me as a joke? {Oh I’ll show him a joke.}

I went to slap his face but he caught my hand and brought me in closer. We hadn’t been this close since….I suddenly blushed as I remembered. “I’ll cut you a deal.” Psh yeah right! “You aren’t going….” He put his hand over my mouth before I could finish my sentence. His voice became husky as he whispered into my ear. “Listen carefully. You go on a date with me tomorrow…and I’ll leave you alone.”

His words swept along my neck and sent shivers up my spine. He brushed the hair from my forehead and planted a small kiss before walking out of the door and disappearing in the night. I was left there with mixed emotions and the sudden craving for a lust filled night. Jessica’s sudden laughter brought me back to reality. “Why are you laughing Jessica? Tomorrow is date night.” I smiled at her evilly as her grin faded into a frown. I continued staring at the front door waiting for him to walk back through and wishing he never had. As mad as he made me I couldn’t help but smile and that’s the part that worried me the most.