Two-Sided Coin

Chapter 12

The kindness of strangers continued to astonish me.

True, I was no longer a stranger to Amber, given that I had spilled much of my life story, but she was still one to me. I didn't know her any better than yesterday, the sole information I have gained being her name and nationality.

And yet she held me and comforted me like an old friend. If I closed my eyes and held my breath, I could imagine I was in Jungkook's arms. Her touch seemed so familiar.

"Are you awake?" she asked quietly, brushing my bangs to the side gently. I forced my eyes open a slit and smiled at her shining face. She was really beautiful. I wished I had a sister like her growing up.

I quickly dismissed the thought though, almost shuddering at what she would have had to go through if she lived with me the years before I moved in with Jungkook. I wouldn't wish that upon my worst enemy, much less such a delicate, pure creature.

"Are you hungry?" she whispered, resting one of her hands on the side of my head and the other on my shoulder. I shook my head slightly, knowing that if I ate anything, I would most likely throw it up within minutes.

"Alright, your choice, but let me up so I can eat," she told me lightly, playfully hitting my side before helping me sit up. She stood and brushed off her jeans, then walked around the couch in what I assumed was the direction of the kitchen.

I pulled out my phone to find (not surprisingly) 32 missed calls and 45 messages, all of which were probably from Jungkook. Sighing, I slid my finger across the screen to call him back, leaning heavily back into the plush cushions as I waited for him to pick up. It only rang twice before I heard his breathless, "Where are you?"

"Hey, Kookie," I greeted him quietly, smiling at the sound of his voice.

"Hyung, are you okay? Do you need me to pick you up?" he asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, Kookie," I insisted. "I met this...girl. I'm over at her apartment. She's taking care of me."

The line was silent for a few seconds.

"Where are you? I'm picking you up."

"I said, I'm fine. I'll stay for a little while more and come home soon, don't worry," I told him lightly, hoping that he would let that be it. The cold turn his tone was taking was making my heart beat faster and it became harder to smile.

"I don't trust her. Remember last time you said you were in good hands? You were beat almost to death."

"Kookie, I'm hanging up," I said hollowly, not able to listen to his cold and controlling tone any longer.

"No, Taehyung, don't hang up. Just tell me whe-"

I hung up.

It rang again only a few moments later. I declined the call. Why couldn't he just let me be? I finally found someone other than him who somehow understood me. Why couldn't he accept that?

"You alright, Tae?"

I turned around to see Amber leaning on the doorframe, holding a bowl of cereal, her head cocked in concern. I managed a small smile.

"I'm fine," I told her, turning off my phone when it rang again. She took a bite of her breakfast, chewing slowly as she watched me.

"That was Jungkook?"

I hummed an affirmative response. My phone blanked and I set it down carefully on her coffee table before standing and walking over to her.

"Can I have some?" I asked her, nodding my head towards her cereal bowl. "I haven't had anything other than ramen for the past...three years."

She raised her eyebrows in disbelief, then nodded silently, chewing her food, and turned to go back into the kitchen. I followed her hesitantly, my hands deep in my pockets.

"Do you really just eat...ramen?" she asked carefully, pulling out a bowl and cereal.

I nodded.

"We don't have enough money to buy more legit food and neither of us know how to cook, so even if we did buy something nice, we'd have to eat it raw," I explained, watched with a certain level of curiosity as she poured the milk.

"That sucks," she sympathized, picking up my bowl and holding it out to me. "Here. Have something different for once."

I thanked her quietly and took it from her. I carried to the couch and sat down, careful not to spill anything. It was a bit embarrassing to admit, but I was incredibly excited to eat. I stirred my spoon for a few moments, then loaded it and raised it to my mouth, taking my first bite.

Oh my god, it was delicious. I haven't had anything this sugary in years. At the moment, it didn't matter to me that my stomach would reject it almost immediately. It was just so good.

"You like it?" Amber guessed and I nodded enthusiastically. She laughed and sat beside me, eating her own cereal. We were silent as we ate, though she constantly looked like she wanted so say something, but was deciding against it.

Once we finished, I questioned it.

"Is there something you wanted to say?" I asked, standing to put away my bowl. She looked surprised, but then nodded hesitantly.

"When you told me about your life," she started and I regretted asking, "you started with when you were thirteen years old. What happened before?"

I froze. How was I supposed to answer? I couldn't tell the truth, right? Then she would definitely kick me out. Or worse. I began panicking, my eyes widening and frantically looking around for an easy way out. She noticed my reaction and quickly tried to clean everything up.

"It's okay, Tae. You don't need to tell me. I'm sorry for asking."

I swallowed thickly and nodded, looking down at the ground in shame. Who was I kidding? I couldn't hold myself together. I didn't have myself under control. Jungkook should have sent me off the the mental institute when he had the chance.

"Do you want to go home?" she offered, gently putting a hand in between my shoulderblades. I cleared my throat and nodded slightly. I heard her sigh, then pick up her keys. She led me out of her apartment and to her car, letting me into the front seat.

"If Jungkook there?" she asked quietly, starting her engine. I shrugged, turning on my phone to see how many calls I had.

"Where to?"

I recited the address.

I felt bad. I was being so cold to her. But I just needed some time with Jungkook. My stomach was churning as she approached my apartment and I stepped out.

"Wait," she called out, stopping me. I turned to see her jotting something down on a torn index card.

"Here's my number. Call me if you want to talk again," she said lightly, handing it to me. I stared at it for a moment, then smiled slightly and thanked her, then closed the door. I would need this.

I slipped the card into my pocket and walked up to our front door, knocking slightly. There was a scrambling inside, then a disheveled Jungkook swung the door open. He sighed heavily with relief and attacked me with a hug.

"Don't ever do that again, Tae," he mumbled into my shoulder and I nodded, smiling. No matter how kind a stranger was, the familiarity of a childhood friend was uncomparable.