Two-Sided Coin

Chapter 17

Thankfully, I got released very soon. The procedure took only a few hours and I was back in the waiting room in no time. As soon as I stepped out, the man, Min Yoongi, sprang up.

"Are you alright? I'm so sorry once again. How much does it cost? Let me pay for it," he rambled, pulling out his wallet. I smiled slightly at his concern.

"You can figure that out," I told him, patting his shoulder. "I'm just gonna...go." Then I quickly left, leaving him dumbfounded. I giggled softly, giddy with my own getaway. I was excited to get out of there. It's not that I hated hospitals, but...I hated hospitals. I rarely ever got professional medical care and it seemed all artificial smiles and the sickening smell of disinfectant to me.

The moment I was outside, I pulled out my phone and the scrap of paper. A smile bloomed on my lips at the sight and I admired the writing for a second before adding it as one of my contacts. I couldn't believe that I had met him. Kim Seokjin. The name felt so familiar rolling off of my tongue. I couldn't wait until the time I could call him.

It was just past 11:00 AM and there was nothing for me to do. I considered just going home, but I had been cooped up there for too long. I instead settled on strolling aimlessly down the relatively empty streets, occasionally pausing to glance at the bandages on my hand. It was strange to see this work that wasn't done by either me or Jungkook. But it was nice. I felt pampered.

I had lost track of time, only really coming to my senses when my stomach growled angrily. There was only some change in my pocket, adding up to 1,420 won, but I figured I could find something cheap.

Barely anyone was outside; most people were either at work or at school. All the places open were too expensive for me, but after a few minutes of walking I saw a food stand. It was the same one that I had bought haddeok at last time and the ajumma greeted me warmly.

"Oh, hello, young man. Why aren't you at school again?" she asked kindly, already starting to prepare my meal.

"Hello, ajumma. I actually broke my hand this morning, so I had to get it fixed," I explained, raising my bandaged hand slightly. She made a sympathetic sound and nodded her head.

"You're so thin," she commented suddenly when I came closer. I stiffened, feeling self-conscious. She reached over her stand and playfully pinched my side. I let out a small, awkward laugh and squirmed away.

"Uh, I guess..." I drew out, clearing my throat. "1,000 won, right?"

She hesitated for a moment, noting the change in subject, then nodded slowly, handing me my haddeok. I  gave her the money and bowed quickly, then hurriedly walked away.

...

The next three and a half hours were spent doing what I did best: sleeping. With Jungkook at school and Jin at work, I didn't have anyone to talk to so I was bored out of my mind.

Finally, at 2:56, Jungkook burst through the door.

"Hyunghyunghyung!"

"What's up, Kookie?" I mumbled, sitting up slowly and rubbing my eyes. He ran into my room and jumped onto me, splaying out across my lap. I smiled lazily and patted his stomach.

"What is it?" I asked again, running my hands through my hair. He looked up at me, an ecstatic look on his face.

"A scout came to our school," he began, his voice quivering with excitement. My heart sped up and my eyes widened. My Jungkook had wanted to sign up with a company for years now, basically since we've met. He'd always pushed that chance away, though, telling himself and me that it wasn't likely and that he should focus on his studies instead. If this was what I thought it was, his dream was coming true.

"He visited our class," Jungkook drew out, looking down at his hands in an attempt to be nonchalant. His eyes suddenly lit up and he raised his gaze back to meet mine.

"I'm getting an audition," he finished. I giggled and hugged him, raising his torso into a seating position.

"Oh my god, Kookie!" I squealed, coughing slightly when he squeezed the breath out of me. It was such an awesome experience, seeing him so ridiculously happy. He did have a few auditions to go through, but he was amazing, so I was sure he'd get through.

We stayed like that for a moment, his head buried in my shoulder, hugging my guts out. Eventually, I peeled away from him, grinning widely.

"I know you can do it," I assured, ruffling his hair, then swung my legs over the side of the bed.

"Wait, hyung," he said suddenly, grabbing my arm. I turned and saw him staring at my bandaged hand.

"What happened?" he asked, scooting closer and raising it carefully. "Did someone do this to you? You went to the hospital, didn't you? How'd you pay for it?"

"Calm down, Kookie," I told him, pulling my hand back gently. "Some guy just ran into me this morning. He was actually really sweet; he took me to the hospital and said he'd pay for everything. I'm fine, really."

Jungkook didn't look convinced, but nodded and let me go.

"Speaking for the hospital," I mumbled under my breath, picking up my phone. It was 3:02. Jin would be off duty. I glanced at Jungkook, feeling slightly guilty.

"I have to make a call," I said hesitantly, earning a weird look. But he didn't protest, just waved me off. I couldn't help but smile when I saw him lie back down on my bed and hug my pillow, a grin making it's way to his face again.

I walked out into the hallway, shutting the door softly behind me. My hands shook slightly as I opened Jin's contact and pressed the call button, bringing the phone to my ear. It rang only three times before he picked up.

"Hello?" he breathed, clearly distracted. I felt bad having caught him at a busy time, but brushed it off. He said to call him after 3:00. It was after 3:00. Not my fault, right?

"Hi, Jin," I replied, shifting my weight. There was a pause.

"Taehyung?" he guessed and I hummed in affirmation. He sighed, then hesitated for another moment.

"I can't really talk right now," he told me slowly. My face fell.

"Would you like to meet up in a few minutes instead?" he asked.

"Sure," I giggled.

"Alright," he breathed. "I'll text you the address."

I hummed again, then the receiver clicked.

Well, then.

A couple seconds later, my phone buzzed with a new text message and I opened it to find the address of a relatively fancy restaurant in the area. I've obviously never been to it, but I've seen it on my way to school.

"Jungkook," I called out, stepping back into my room. He peeked at me over the top of my pillow and it was honestly the most adorable thing I've ever seen. It took all of my willpower not to run over and pinch his cheeks.

I cleared my throat, feeling a pink blush rise up to my face. He sat up and walked over.

"What is it?" he asked, slipping his hands into his pockets.

"Um, I'm gonna go out for a bit," I told him quietly, jerking my thumb over my shoulder towards the door. He looked a bit disappointed for a moment, but then smiled and nodded, turning back and face-planting on my bed.

"I'm just gonna sleep," he replied, his voice muffled by the sheets. I watched him for a moment, then sighed and left, locking the door behind me and beginning the walk to meet my first love.