The Love Maze // PJM //

3. Introvert

" Are you heading home?" a man's voice asked me as soon as I was about to open the door and get out.

I turned to look at him and shrugged, " Maybe."

" Would you like me to drive you home?" he offered which I didn't want to accept at all.

" Uhm... sorry. Jihyun picks me up every day so I can't go with someone else." I was more confident to talk with him than last time.

He seemed upset but who cared? He's the one who offered anyway. As he didn't say anything, I just walked out and there's Jihyun.

" Oh Hyung!" he exclaimed as soon as he saw a man behind me.

" Have fun! I'm heading home." Jimin walked towards his brother to pat his shoulder then left without glancing at me at all. Does it look like I'm trying to avoid him? I mean, did I act so obvious?

I shook my thought away and walked away with Jihyun. As usual, we always had dinner together before going home. After finishing dinner, Jihyun walked me home every day, just in case there's a dangerous event.

" You seem uncomfortable around my brother, don't you?" he asked out of the blue while heading to my home.

" Uhm," I said honestly.

" Has he done anything to you?"

I shook my head, " Not really. He's just a little flirty. But I think it's because I'm not used to talking with new people." I explained and sighed. " Will it make me look rude for being uncomfortable around people and trying to avoid them?" I stopped walking and so did he.

He shook his head and smiled, " It's fine, Haeyoung-ahh. It's good to be yourself. You're born this way so don't be insecure about it." He slowly placed his hand on my head, stroking it gently.

I smiled at him and felt so safe, " Thank you, Jihyun, for always staying by my side."

" Stop talking too cheesy. I don't like it." He rolled his eyes.

" Look! who said it? You're the cheesy one. Why are you suddenly stroking my hair?" I took his hand off my head and glared at him.

He chuckled, " I heard that girls like it when men do something with their hair." he shrugged. " So I wanted to make you feel good."

" It's true but it's a little confusing if you do it to me."

" Why?" he asked in curiosity.

" I want it from a man I like, not you, idiot." I stuck my tongue out and ran away.

He was chasing after me like kids in the playground. To be honest, he did make me feel better all the time. He never failed once. Even though we both weren't affective towards each other but I could feel all his care and love for me. He showed it through his actions. I'm so thankful to have him.

Later, we arrived in front of my house but we both were tired because of running so we took a seat on the bench. I was breathless and so did he.

" Haeyoung?"

'' huh?"

" I don't know if you and my brother will get along one day. But if it will, I really you want to befriend him." he softened his voice. " He seems flirty and extrovert. He's too straightforward sometimes. But I would like to call him an angel in human form." he turned to look at me.

I got nothing to say and didn't get what he's saying. I nodded, " He seems like a nice guy as well."

" He's my role model. He's smart, understanding, comforting, handsome, lovely, and funny somehow. He's a sweet person." he couldn't stop complimenting his brother.

" Why do you call him an angel in human form?" I swung my legs slowly while sitting on the bench.

" just because he could brighten up everyone's day."

I was amazed, " he's such a positive person."

" He always compliments my mom every single day. He does it because mom would be tired from work or her day might be bad in some cases." He smiled automatically.

" Aww...He's so considering. It's good for him." I truly admired him.

" What I'm trying to say is, you should give him a chance to make your day or get close to you. He's too friendly but deep down, he doesn't have lots of friends. He makes friends everywhere which he can't find an exact one friend." Jihyun cared about his brother a lot.

" After hearing all these, I feel like I would get along with him soon." I assumed. " It would be nice tho."

Jiyun seemed so happy to hear it, " Alright. Don't you think of him as a creep. " he scoffed.

" I would never."

He stood up immediately, " Let's go, beanie." he offered me his hand and I pushed it away.

" Do it with your next girlfriend. So remember what you did to me today because she would love it." I patted his back and walked away.

-

The next morning, I took a bus to university. As I walked through the gate, suddenly I bumped into someone.

" I'm sorry," he apologized and I turned to look at him. " Oh, Haeyoung!" he said excitedly.

I was paralyzed because he's unfamiliar to me. I didn't know who the hell was he. I didn't say anything and moved away, about to walk away but he grabbed my wrist, " Don't you know me?" he looked at me in disbelief.

I released my wrist and stepped away from him a bit, " I really don't know you. Please excuse me!"

He suddenly chuckled, " Are you kidding me? We are in the same class. I sit behind you every day. I thought I was familiar to you." he slowly softened his voice.

" Oh, I see. I don't really recognize people's faces."

" Jihyun is lucky. You are always with him." he pouted.

" If you don't have anything else, then I have to go." I just walked away immediately. How dare people can confront someone like this?

This man wouldn't leave me alone. He kept following me behind. I felt like a creepy guy trying to kidnap me. Later, he stopped me from walking by standing in front of me.

" I have nothing to talk about with you. Leave me alone." I snorted.

" Oh no, calm down. I haven't done anything to you." he raised his arms. " Sorry, if I made you feel uneasy. Actually, I just want to make friends with you."

" Uhm... I don't think you should. I don't feel like having more friends." I said in a cold tone. " Please leave me alone."

After that, I entered the class and sat down. He came in after me and looked ashamed. It's annoying honestly. I wanted to make more friends but I couldn't step out of my comfort zone at all. I wished I would get out of it soon.