July Heat (complete)

chapter 1

Hey guys! heres a playlist for you to listen to while reading this!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4X333SOl2MysTWo9ZOqQQm?si=398fc4c8249945c1
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July Heat

July 8th, 2024

I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling of my new room. The soft melodies of Alex G played in the background. My name is Park Jimin, and I'm 16 years old. I recently moved to the States with my mom, to a town in Texas named Iowa Colony. My dad died a few months ago, and my mom wanted something new.

A knock on my bedroom door broke the silence. "Honey, food's ready," I heard my mom say. I rolled my eyes and turned onto my side. I've been like this for days. The only time I leave my room is to go to the bathroom or drink water. Ever since my dad died, I've hated doing anything. I missed my friends back in Korea. Tears fell, running down my face. I wiped them away and sat up, looking around my room at all the unopened boxes. I hadn't changed my clothes in days.

Another knock on my door. I looked at it as it opened.

3rd Person POV

Jimin sat up, looking over as his mom and a random white guy walked in. They were speaking English. He recognized some words like "son," "dad," "dead," "friend," and "Jimin." He sighed and laid back down.

"Jimin, honey," his mom said in Korean with her honey-toned voice. "This is Mr. Ross, the pastor of the town's church. He has a son your age."

Jimin sat up, looking at his mom, then the pastor, and back at his mom. "How will I be able to speak to him? I don't even know English," Jimin said, laying back down and pulling the covers over his head.

"The pastor's son is adopted. His name is Min Yoongi. I think you guys would get along," Jimin's mom continued.

Jimin sighed and turned onto his side, still under the covers. "We're going to church with them tomorrow."

Jimin sat up, sighed, and walked over to his bathroom.

July 9th, 2024

"Jimin," his mom walked into his room and shook him to wake up.

"Yes, mom," Jimin said, annoyed, still trying to wake up from the shock.

"We have church," his mom said. Jimin grunted and laid back down, covering himself. "You have 30 minutes," she added and walked out.

Thirty minutes later, Jimin and his mom were making their way to church. Jimin was wearing black skinny jeans and a baby blue baggy shirt. The town was pretty small, and it was a five-minute walk to the church.

Jimin's POV

Before my dad got cancer, I used to dance almost every single day. After he died, I got an eating disorder. The last time I ate was almost eight days ago. My mom's always too busy to notice.

"Honey, are you excited?" she asked me with a big smile.

"I guess," I said. I saw the church coming up when I heard my stomach grumble. "Fuck," I muttered under my breath.

We finally made it to the church. I saw a bunch of people. It felt like everyone was staring.

"Honey, go walk around. I'll meet you in the church," my mom said and walked away.

"Okay," I replied, not even paying attention. I felt so sick.

I walked to the other side of the church, trying to find somewhere to hide and sit down. But I was wrong—this was where other people hung out. I turned around, trying to walk away, but then someone called me over.

"Hey, new kid," one of the guys said in English.

I turned around to face him, but that's when I got this feeling in my stomach. My head started spinning, and I fell onto my knees.

3rd Person POV

Everyone in the little group gasped and ran over to Jimin. "Are you okay?" the same boy asked. Jimin looked up at the boy. He had mint-colored hair, a piercing in his left ear, and a lip ring.

"Uh, I-I am... um, I am okay," Jimin said in his broken English, covering his face in embarrassment.

"What's your first language?" the mint-haired boy asked.

"Korean," Jimin said, still covering his face.

"Well, my name's Min Yoongi," the mint-haired guy said in Korean.

Jimin looked up in shock. "I'm Park Jimin," he said, trying to stand up but almost falling from dizziness.

"Whoa, are you okay?" Yoongi asked, holding onto Jimin's arm.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Jimin replied.

"Yoongi," everyone looked over as the pastor walked over. Yoongi let Jimin go. "Have you seen your brother?" the pastor asked.

Yoongi let go of Jimin's arm and turned to face the pastor. "No, I haven't seen him, Dad," he replied in English.

Jimin felt a bit out of place as they spoke in a language he barely understood. "I'm gonna go inside," he mumbled in Korean, deciding it was better to find his mom.

He walked into the church, scanning the back rows for her. He sighed in relief when he heard her call out to him.

"Jimin, over here!" his mom said, her smile as bright as ever.

Jimin sighed again and walked over to her. "Jimin, this is Anna," she introduced, gesturing to the pastor's wife. Jimin looked at the woman—blonde hair, blue eyes, and very skinny.

"Hello," Jimin said politely.

Another boy walked over, and Jimin noticed he looked Korean as well. The woman, Anna, started speaking to him in Korean. "Jin, come meet Jimin and Jimoon."

"Hello," Jin said to them both.

"Hi," Jimin replied, staring at his feet, still feeling uncomfortable in this new environment.

As Jimin looked up, he noticed Yoongi sitting beside him, along with the pastor—Yoongi's and Jin's father—who didn't speak Korean. The pastor began the service, speaking to the congregation.

An hour passed, and Jimin started to feel a bit more at ease, zoning out a little. Suddenly, the pastor called his name. "Jimin," the pastor said. Jimin looked up, his heart skipping a beat. "Come up here, please."

Jimin slowly started to freak out. He stood and walked over to the pastor, his mind racing. What was going on?

"You're a dancer?" the pastor asked in English.

"Yes," Jimin replied, his voice trembling slightly.

"God has given you a gift, that's for sure. Why don't you dance for us?" the pastor suggested.

Jimin's heart stopped. His breathing became fast and shallow. How dare his mom tell the pastor about this? How dare she share something so personal? She didn't even know anything anymore.

Without another word, Jimin turned and bolted out of the church, his mind in turmoil. Everyone inside was shocked, including the pastor.

"Jimin!" his mom called, running after him.

"Okay, everyone, let's call it a day," the pastor said, trying to ease the tension in the room, but the atmosphere remained heavy with the abruptness of Jimin's exit.