Red and Butter

16 | You Need To Calm Down

Jimin

"Can we go home and take a shower before heading to the stadium?" I need a shower to clear my thoughts. My brain has dried out after the grueling exams but who am I kidding. A girl with blonde and curliest hair who likes red has consumed my thoughts. I don't understand what has gotten into me when I see those guys asking them for a date. It upsets me knowing she will go on a date because her friend needs it. Is dating a joke to her?

I was not eavesdropping. I overheard their conversation when I finished my program. At least that's what I'm telling myself. But her number...why did I ask for her number? She's everywhere recently. There's not a single day that I don't see her since the Christmas Party.

"Come on. We'll be sweating in the game so what's the point? We're going to waste —" Max's voice is cut and I follow what he's looking at. My eyes widen in horror. "Is-isn't it the girl in the cafeteria and in the library?"

We are both frozen from where we are standing when we see a bulky guy pointing the gun and is forcing her to go inside the car. When our eyes lock and she holds her gaze, she mouths something.

"Help help?" Max tries to read what she's saying.

"Help me," I say, my heart is racing with worry. "Save me."

"Fuck!" Max curses when the girl goes in. "She's in danger." I roll my eyes. Thanks for stating the obvious, Max. He is usually an easy-going but hyper person and I am the calm one. But right now, I'm far from that. My nerves are pulsating with worry and her pleading face is haunting me.

When the car speeds away, I am thankful for Max's quick thinking of taking a photo of the car with the plate number.

"Let's go, Max!" I shout as we both run as fast as we can to his car. Max slides into the driver's seat at the same time I get into the passenger side. "I'm calling 911."

When the operator asks for her number, that's when I thought it would be a lot easier if she gave me her number. But now's not the time for that thought so I give them my phone so that they can track us.

"Max, have you found them?"

"No, not yet." His voice is frantic. Our adrenalines are on alert.

He shows me the photo and I memorize the plate number immediately and begin searching. It's night and the blinding lights of the cars from the oncoming traffic makes the search harder. Please please please. I hope they are still on the road. We are almost giving up until we both see our target turning right. "Faster, Max."

"Are you telling me to beat the red light?"

I don't need to give him an answer because he speeds up even if the traffic light is already orange. After we turn right there are only three cars between us and that kidnapper's.

"Don't lose him." He overtakes the two cars in front of us so now we are hoping the bastard won't notice that they are being followed.

"What's your plan? That guy looks like he can lift a big rock." Max says but his gaze never leaves the car we're following.

"No plan. All I know is that we need to save that girl and I will not stop until she's safe." I sigh. "Maybe two heads are better than one, right?" I try to sound convincing but I fail. We're students who like computers and sports, not guns and knives.

"Damn! If we come out alive after this, I will enroll in all self-defense classes in Boston." Max chuckles, half-serious, half-joking.

"I regret not agreeing with my Dad when he asked me to take Taekwondo." I only have my brain, my strong body although definitely not as strong as the bastard's bulky build, Max and a getaway car.