Under the lights tonight || Park Jimin

25

"I'm nervous to go in," I sigh, looking at the front of my family home from the safety of Hye's passenger seat, "I've been AWOL so they're going to be angry with me."
"They won't be angry," Hye reassures, "Maybe frustrated but not angry. All of you are going through a hard time right now, they know that."
"Except they are the reason for my hard time," I groan and look back at Hye, "I can't go in."
"You have to go in," He rolls his eyes, "I'm not hiding you forever, I already took you away from your friends at lunch."
I sigh, "I guess you're right..." I trail off, unbuckling. I hate that he's right, I know I have to go back in there but it sucks that I do.
"You'll be fine." He reassures me again, "You can always text me if you need anything."
"Thanks, Hye." I lean over to hug him before getting out of the car. I walk up the pathway to the front door. I take a deep breath before reaching for the knob, the door was unlocked like it always has been. Like my mom used to say 'an unlocked door is a welcoming door'. I came into the house to hear the playful fighting of the boys, arguing over video games and Mae is laughing in the kitchen. I decided that before I see the boys, it would be right to talk to Aunt Mae first. I cautiously walk to the kitchen, coming in quietly. I'm greeted by Stella, Aunt Mae, and Kiya sitting around the table.
Before I can ask why Stella is here, "There you are," Aunt Mae stands up, coming over, "I was worried about you." She wraps her arms around me without a second thought.
"I'm sorry." I wrap my arms around her in return, one of the most comforting things is to hug my Aunt and it was nice to feel that way again.
"You should be sorry!" She says pulling away, "You scared me and those poor brothers of yours half to death."
"I'm sorry," I repeat myself, it hurts to apologize when I'm not really the one at fault for our fight,

"I won't do that again."

"You better not," Mae warns, "Yeonjun cried so hard he couldn't leave the house and San is very angry with you."
"I know I hurt them," I pause, "I will apologize."
"You will," Aunt Mae rambles, "You're lucky that your friends brought your brothers treats to make them feel better."
"Well thank you, Stella-" I start but cut myself off, "Friends? Plural?" I question.
"Well I couldn't just come alone," Stella shrugs and I raise my eyebrows, wondering who is hiding in my home, "Jimin wanted to make sure you were okay..." She trails off.
I huff, "Of course he did," I whisper under my breath, "Where is he?" This is the last thing I want, to see Jimin. Better yet, so have Jimin in my house. I need to get rid of him as soon as possible.
"He's playing video games with your brothers," Mae says, "Something you can never seem to find time to do." She adds as I turn around to go upstairs. I ignore her comments as I head through the house to San's room. There sat San, Jimin, and Yeonjun playing Mario kart.
"Hi boys," I say as I push the door open, "Sorry I was gone so long."
"Ana!" Yeonjun shouts, dropping his controller and throwing himself into me.

"Hi, Junnie." I wrap my arms around the little boy lovingly.

"Don't leave again," Yeonjun says, burying his face into my stomach.
"She probably will..." San adds.
"San I know you're mad at me but please I can explain..." I plead, hoping Jimin would read the room and see himself out.

"Explain all you want but I don't care." San snaps, dropping the remote and storming out of the room.

"San wait!" I call after him with no success. I squat down to Yeonjun's level, "Junnie can you go make sure San is alright?"
"I can." The little boy nods before leaving the room, leaving me alone with Jimin.
"I'm sorry you had to see that," I sigh and lean against the door frame, embarrassed that this near-stranger was seeing my family fight, "He's just a little frustrated with me right now." It was nice that Jimin clearly wasn't going to bring up the events from earlier today.
"He's more than frustrated," Jimin rolls his eyes, "Those boys, unlike you, are open books."
"I'm so sorry they should know better..." I'm quick to apologize.