Winter’s mind was still replaying Jimin’s words as she walked home that evening. Everyone needs someone, even you. Who did he think he was, making assumptions about her life? She had worked hard to keep people at a distance—friends, classmates, even family. Letting someone in only meant giving them the power to hurt you, and Winter wasn’t about to make that mistake.
But Jimin… he wasn’t going away, was he?
Over the next few days, Winter tried her best to return to her normal routine, pretending Jimin’s presence didn’t affect her. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to ignore him, he was always there. Not in an overbearing way, but just enough to make her aware of him.
In class, he’d nudge her with a joke under his breath that would almost—almost—make her laugh. In the library, he’d share random facts he’d discovered in whatever book he was reading, as if trying to start a conversation without being intrusive. And outside of school, he would casually fall into step beside her as they left the building, making it seem like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Winter hated that it was starting to feel… comfortable.
---
One Evening, After School
It was a Friday afternoon when Winter found herself once again sharing the library table with Jimin. She hadn’t intended to, but he’d shown up, as usual, with that same laid-back smile, and she couldn’t bring herself to tell him to leave.
“So,” Jimin said, breaking the silence, “what do you do for fun?”
Winter didn’t even look up from her book. “I study.”
Jimin chuckled softly. “Okay, but besides that. There’s gotta be something else.”
Winter paused, then sighed. “I listen to music sometimes. Read.”
Jimin leaned back in his chair, thinking. “What kind of music?”
Winter glanced up at him, unsure why she was even answering. “Classical, mostly.”
Jimin blinked, surprised. “Classical? Huh. I didn’t peg you for the type.”
Winter raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing bad,” Jimin said quickly, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “It’s just… I dunno. I guess I thought you’d be into something like indie rock or something more… intense.”
Winter let out a small, involuntary laugh. It was quiet, barely noticeable, but it was enough to make Jimin’s eyes light up.
“Did I just hear you laugh?” he asked, teasingly.
“No,” Winter said quickly, her face growing hot as she looked away.
“Sure you didn’t,” Jimin grinned. “I’m breaking through the ice, Kim Winter. Watch out.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Winter muttered, but her tone had softened.
---
The Weekend
On Saturday, Winter found herself in an unusual situation: she was thinking about Jimin. She replayed their conversations in her head, wondering why he was so insistent on being her friend. What did he want from her? Why was he so determined to break down her walls?
Despite her efforts to push him away, Winter couldn’t deny that she was starting to feel… different. Jimin was persistent, yes, but he wasn’t like the other people who had tried to get close to her in the past. He didn’t seem to have an ulterior motive. He just… wanted to be around her. It was strange, unsettling, but also oddly comforting.
The idea of opening up, even just a little, scared her. But the more time she spent with Jimin, the more she realized that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t as much of a threat as she thought.
TBC.
YOU ARE READING
Falling for Mr. Yoo
Fiksi PenggemarWinter Kim is focused on maintaining her academic excellence and staying out of unnecessary drama. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when a new student, Yoo Jimin, transfers to her school. Unlike the quiet, composed Karina everyone knows, t...
