Two-Sided Coin

Chapter 14

The bell rang. Halfway through the class, I crossed my legs to pull them out of Hoseok's reach. It worked beautifully.

However, dread began to creep up in me when class ended. I gathered my things as fast as possible to leave before him. And I almost succeeded.

"Ya! Kim Taehyung! Where do you think you're going?"

I started walking faster. Suddenly, Jimin's voice joined Hoseok's in a chorus from my nightmares in their pursuit.

"Kim Taehyung!"

"Kim Taehyung, come back!"

"We'll get you anyway!"

"Taehyung!"

"Kim Taehyung!"

I didn't know what to do. They were right; there was nowhere for me to hide. After a few minutes of running, I ducked into an abandoned classroom and locked the door behind me. I leaned against it, breathing heavily. The door quickly began shaking as the two boys pounded at it, still yelling my name. As my breathing slowed, I slid down the door to a seated position, my books cradled in my arms.

Should I text Jungkook? Was this the type of situation he meant? No, but he was in class right now. I couldn't bother him right now. I could handle this.

Then, I heard a third voice. One that sent shivers down my spine and made my skin prickle.

"Is Taehyung in there?"

Was that...

"Yo, Wonshik. I haven't seen you in so long."

Ravi?

"How's that punk up? I gave him a good beating a week or so ago. I'm surprised he's up on his two feet," Ravi joked.

"Really?" Hoseok asked, clearly interested. "How'd you get him?"

"He just... I'm not sure actually. Hey, Taehyung! How'd you find yourself in my dorm?" he asked me, banging his fist on the door.

I didn't reply.

He banged his fist again, making me jump slightly.

"I asked you a question, punk. Do you want to die?"

"I-I was working at a convenience store your dongsaengs came by," I replied weakly and could practically heard Ravi smirk.

"Yea, what he said. Anyway, he just walks into our dorm and introduces himself. I couldn't believe he had the nerve to show his face, but that's just him. He's shameless. Or an idiot. Probably both."

The three of them laughed.

"So," Jimin said after a couple seconds. "Are you going to let us in?"

I scoffed and leaned my head back against the door.

"Why the hell do you think I'd do that?" I asked harshly.

"Ya! Is that any way to treat your hyungs?" Hoseok yelled, kicking the door right where my head was. "I should just break this door down."

"Nah, just wait. He'll come out eventually. It's not like he can stay there forever, " Jimin pointed out. I heard Hoseok chuckle darkly and I gulped. They were right. How long could I stay here?

...

I jerked awake. When did I fall asleep? I was still leaning against the door of the abandoned classroom and it was silent. Did they leave?

I stood and leaned my ear against the door to listen for any movement. Nothing.

I gingerly unlocked the door and opened it. Nobody was there. Sighing with relief, I grabbed my books and walked down the hall. I pulled out my phone to check the time and found that school was almost out. Perfect timing. Might as well just go home.

After a trip to my locker and a quick text to Jungkook, I started my way home. Paranoia prickled the back of my neck, but I forced myself not to look back. The ending bell rang in the distance and I sighed, adjusting my hold on my backpack. Jungkook would catch up to me soon.

And I was right. Not even two minutes later, I heard loud footsteps behind me, getting closer and closer, until-

"Hyung! Why'd you leave early? You alright?" Jungkook bombarded me with those words as he practically jumped onto me. I stumbled to the side, trying to regain my footing and not drop Jungkook as the same time and somehow succeeding.

"Ya! Don't do that, Kookie," I scolded lightly, helping him stand on his own. He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, smiling. I smiled back and put an arm around his shoulders, sighing happily.

"I'm...fine, Kookie. I didn't think I'd say this ever again, but I'm actually fine. I had some...issues with some people, but nothing really happened," I told him. He leaned his head on my shoulder as we walked.

"That's good," he muttered, then we both fell silent. It was nice, though. It was calm. When we got home, I just went to bed, letting Jungkook do his own thing as I drifted off to sleep.

...

I couldn't go to school. I just couldn't. I had an argument with Jungkook that lasted for way too long about it. He insisted that I needed it, but I couldn't face Hoseok and Jimin. Not right now. Just as I was getting better. They were my ticket back to square one.

Finally, he reluctantly left me with a reminder for me to eat something and a ruffle of my hair. I sighed heavily and went to the kitchen. My stomach churned almost painfully at the thought of ramen, so I decided that going out to the store wasn't a bad idea. I had some spare change from VIXX, after all.

I slipped on an oversized hoodie, as always, and made sure my face wasn't seen. I was practically drownign in the fabric, but that was just how I liked it. With five thousand won in one pocket and my phone in the other, I headed out to find a cheap meal to eat.

...

It turned out I didn't have to look for long. Only a block from our apartment, a food stand was located. It must have been new; We've been walking this path to school every day for the past three years and I've never seen it.

An old lady was manning it, stirring various meats in sauces and frying noodles. She smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. It was contagious and the corners of my lips tugged up as well.

"How can I help you, young man?" she asked, her voice sweet and thin.

"Um, can I have one japchae hoddeok?" I replied politely and she nodded. I watched as she finished frying it, practically drooling at the delicious smell. She glanced up at me for a moment and chuckled.

"Close your mouth. You're going to catch flies," she joked and I snapped my mouth shut. A soft blush rose to pale cheeks and I tugged my hood down farther over my face. She chuckled again, picking up the finished hoddeok and slipping it into a paper sleeve. I eagerly took it, then pulled out my money.

"One thousand won," she said, then thanked me when I handed her a bill.

"You're so thin," she suddenly commented, then seemed to contemplate something. "Let me give another for free."

My eyes widened and I quickly shook my head.

"No, I couldn't," I declined, taking a step back.

"No, please. Nobody's buying them anyway. They're going to go bad. Let me give you one for free," she insisted, already slipping one into a sleeve. I was about to protest again, but she shoved it in my face and I couldn't do anything more than blush and thank her. She laughed and waved me off.

The smell was overwhelming as I walked home. I wanted to savor it. Japchae was my favorite food growing up and I haven't had it in so long.

I gingerly took a bite and sighed in pleasure. It was just as delicious as I remembered. I chewed it slowly as I walked home, the warmth of it spreading through my limbs. It took all of my self control to promise myself that I'd save the second one for Jungkook for when he got home. I hoped he'd like it.

And then, as I was walking home with my favorite warm food in my hands and nothing looming over my head, I caught a glimpse that everything was going to be okay.