Parallel Lives (pjm ff) | unedited |

- 21 -

MEET, GREET, CHEAT

Most of the classes were getting better, interesting rather. It was probably the push to change and settle into the new present. Yoongi was probably right when he said all I need was a change of place and a fresh start.

That's exactly what it felt like, going to my first pottery class. It wasn't an official class enlisted in our grad but an extra curricular subject that we could pursue until third year. To add on to my architecture and sculpture classes playing with a little mud and getting some fun out of it shouldn't hurt. The class was more away from the main building with mud pits and other facilities required just behind the building. It was a calm interior with a few students already assembled for class.

It didn't disturb me, the new faces and unfamiliarity of the activity. The evening was just setting in and a cool breeze was always around calming my nerves. Among the unfamiliar faces I could spot one not very new.

"jimin?" walking up to him I questioned as he looked up from his phone.

"oh hey, long time no see. Join me."
"we met like once, jimin, but thanks." the gruff tone of my voice was more evident than I expected it to be.

"I never saw you around."
"we share a few classes you know." I had no idea why I was shooting back replies like this. Jimin had been fun to talk with once but he'd completely slipped from my mind then. It wasn't like I blamed him for not sticking around but I still sounded like it.

"I do see you around but I share lunch with a few friends from science and I didn't think you'd join. I should have asked probably, I'm sorry."
"uff jimin, it's okay I'm sure I wouldn't have agreed." I laughed it off.
"see!" he waved his hand complaining as he pouted with a look of disapproval.

"aw, I'll get lunch with you of you allow me to." I was probably going out of my way and befriending him but I couldn't help but want to wipe that disappointed pout from his plump lips.
"With pleasure I'd like different company definitely."
"are the people from science that boring."
"oh no, they're amazing but all we do is group studies most of the time."
"that is boring, jimin!"
"we do have fun you know."
"whatever," I've put my bag away and settled in the single table next to him just as the professor walks in and our conversation is cut short.

The next hour and a half had been peacefully enjoyable. The professor was a jolly and stocky guy in his late thirties, loud and easy with his words as he introduced pottery to us. Jimin and i parted ways outside the college only after i insisted on walking home alone. Maybe it was a way of getting close among people but i didn't want to walk with someone and reach home only to part ways there. I was both weird and awkward up in my head. For the most logic excuse he'd have to walk more to reach his house after that- alone, while i had the privilege of having company.

The house was locked leading to the usage of my spare keys and bring welcomed by the cold air inside. Namjoon and Jin were probably out at work and yoongi could be anywhere. I set my bag at the table and reached for one of the water bottles inside the fridge.

The cool water flowed through my throat refreshing my tired nerves. A small creak and movement from the other end of the house drew in my attention. It was probably yoongi getting out of his hibernation. I shrugged it off and looked around to find something to eat.

"oh-" a deep but slightly surprised voice caught my ear as I whipped around to find an unknown owner to the voice. A guy very young and smart in his stance looked back at me. His pitch black hair pulled in a half man bun and covered in black clothing.

"who the fu-"
"I was leaving." his voice seemed panicky but face the exact opposite. Calm fierce and oddly confident. I couldn't make out why he was looking at me like he'd finally found what he wanted.
"w-who are you?" my hand groped for any kind of vessel or weapon for protection and latched onto the saucepan.
"I'm a nobody, I was just leaving."
"What are you doing here, stealing? Are you a thief? " my voice was raising with anger and impatient as I edged forward with the pan turned weapon in hand.