Garden Days

Encounter

*Irene*

Walking in the forest was the last thing she expected when Suho promised to take her to Jin. She knew he had to hide away from the world with his little family but in the middle of nowhere? Or, another thought began, somewhere for those seven boys and men to hide themselves. From all that she had gathered, she still couldn't make out whether they were good or bad or just did bad things to get by. Irene knew her questions would be answered soon but it was very curious.
"They're actually closer to town than you think." Suho informed, sensing her wonder and discomfort.
"Then why don't we go through town instead?"
"I..." It was a much longer pause than she was comfortable with. It was suspicious. "Don't want them to see me."
Joo-hyun stopped in her tracks, questioning his answer. "Why?" Suho didn't answer immediately, a look about him telling her it was probably better she didn't know; but she wanted to know more. "What did you do?"
"I just...pushed for information on Jin and their little troop. It was a really uncomfortable situation for the both of us."
"It wasn't your business-!"
"It is when you're involved!"
She fell speechless, upset and anxious. Suho wasn't acting like himself anymore. He was possessive and overwhelming and, unlike the old one, commanding. She didn't understand him anymore. "I never should have told you about him."
"Why?"
"You've become a whole different person and I don't think...I can follow through with your request." She had made a controversial promise with her friend but realizing how different he had become, Irene didn't want anything to do it or him.
"You promised-."
"That was before I knew!" Irene began storming off, continuing in the direction they were headed before. She would find Jin herself. If he was in her path, she would stumble upon him eventually. Hopefully.
"Knew what, exactly? I was trying to protect you!" He was following.
"You were trying to hurt Jin!"
"I didn't trust him! What else was I supposed to do-?"
"Not use your emotions as an excuse to assault people!" She swung around, both people stopping to continue their conversation more comfortably. "He was just as scared as I was about the engagement but we both wanted to try it." Something fell from the trees, scattered and hesitant: rain. "If you had concerns, you should have told me." The young woman pulled the backpack from behind her and removed an umbrella, preparing for the worst as the wind began to pick up. Suho had not moved, his fists still clenched at his thighs and eyes lowered to the leafy ground. It was hard to tell what he was thinking or see the look on his face through the gloomy distance but from their years of friendship, she had an inkling he was hurting.
But that wasn't her fault and even if she wanted to comfort him, he needed to think over his actions and the harm he caused. "When you've understood what you've done wrong and why, then we can talk about promises."
Suho's head shot up and he inched forward, his body twitching as though he was irritated by the comment. "Even if told you months from now that I understand and apologize, you wouldn't believe me."
"That's not true."
"Isn't it?" The young man questioned.
Joo-hyun didn't answer immediately as she wondered if she'd have to take those words back. When sprinkle turned into a downpour and Suho was left vulnerable, she turned her back one more time, ready to move.
"That's the wrong way."
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We're at that part of a story where I struggle for the next # chapters- also I've been checking out my old stories on fanfiction and I'm wondering how my writing declined lol I used to be decent