Toxic

ii

     The bedroom was dark when Jimin woke up. Jimin didn't remember falling asleep and he didn't even remember if he went to the bedroom last night. He frowned as he tried to recall what happened the night before.

Maybe I fell asleep during the haircut? Did Jungkook carry me to bed? That was nice of him...

     Jimin reached across the bed, trying to touch Jungkook, but no one was there except emptiness. Disappointment filled Jimin as he glanced at the bedside table. The clock read 10:00AM. Of course, Jimin had to sleep in and miss Jungkook leaving for work. He sighed before turning to stare at the ceiling. The curtains were closed and the room was dimly lit from the light that seeped through the curtains. The ceiling was devoid of any adornment making it appear as a blank, grey sky to Jimin. The imagery brought a rush of memories back to Jimin as he continued to stare at the ceiling blankly.

The sky kind of looked like this when Tae and I first met Kookie...

(Flashback)

     "I can't believe that you forgot to bring an umbrella, Jimin, again."

     Jimin blinked rapidly against the rain as he looked at Taehyung. He and Taehyung lived in the same neighborhood when they were in middle school and became close friends over card games and school work.

     The fact that Taehyung went to the same college as Jimin was a surprise since they majored in completely different subjects. Taehyung specialized in computing and business while Jimin majored more in the arts. He was accepted to a more advanced art school but Jimin turned it down. Taehyung was his only friend and there's no way Jimin going to part ways with him.

     It was the second semester of their freshman year at college and like every other day that week, it was raining. Jimin was sure that Taehyung was starting to get annoyed since Jimin didn't bring a jacket or umbrella the entire week. Jimin looked at Taehyung before smiling and shrugged slightly as he shivered from the cold droplets running down his face like tears.

     "But I like the rain."

(Present)

     The memory was torn out of focus as a sharp pain tore through Jimin's head.

     "...!"

     Jimin twisted awkwardly in the bed as he grit his teeth to prevent himself from screaming. He lie tangled in the sheets as he curled in in himself, shaking.

(Flashback)

     Jimin and Taehyung stumbled into the college building, both shivering from the cold. The slight drizzle of rain had turned into a downpour when they were walking through the school grounds. Taehyung and Jimin had sprinted into the nearest building in search of shelter from Mother Nature's wrath. Jimin trembled from the icy rain that drenched his clothes as he took in small gasps of air. Taehyung, after he saw Jimin shaking, faced Jimin and gave him a concerned look.

     "I told you to bring an umbrella today, Jimin. You need to take better care of yourself, especially when it's raining. You know it gets worse when your cold."

     Jimin rubbed his hands together in an attempt to warm his stiffened fingers as he looked at Taehyung. His heartstrings tugged a little as he saw his friends concerned expression. Jimin opened his mouth to speak before being seized in a coughing fit. His shoulders trembled as he doubled over from the force of the attack. Taehyung stepped closer to Jimin, ready to help him, when Jimin held out a hand gesturing at Taehyung not to as he struggled to pull himself up. Jimin tried to give a reassuring smile as he rasped out,