Unkind Fate: Jaebum

☑️ Chapter 10: Umbrella

Everyone still have a hang over from the training camp. Hearing the heavy footsteps and sighs from my fellow trainees felt like they don't want to go back with the formal training yet. I understand because I was feeling the same.

I went to my locker and put down my things in there when suddenly I heard JB's again in someone else's conversation.

"Yes, I see it with my two eyes. JB was on the seashore alone with a girl, hugging each other"

"I can't believe after what happened to him, he still have the guts to go on dating again"

"Hugging doesn't always mean dating, Nayoung"

"Maybe you're right. But in people eyes', it will always mean dating, especially if done by a guy and girl"

"Here you go again, Nayoung. You always love to blame JB"

"Why, Lisa? Am I wrong? I'm just stating facts. "

"I agree with Nayoung. I actually feel bad about what happen to him but seeing him again doing the same mistake, it doesn't feel right", the other girl said.

The voices and those names were quite familiar to me. I looked into their direction and saw familiar faces. I don't know if they look familiar because I've seen them during the training camp or because I already met them before. I'm not quite sure.

"Do you know who's the girl is?"

"I don't see her face. But I believe it's the girl we always see around him"

I turned away and take a gulped. Are they talking about me?

I guess so. It seems like I'm the only girl close friend JB has.

All this time, I was clueless. I am too comfortable being around with JB without noticing people are already talking about us. Maybe I need to be careful next time.

But wait a minute, why do I need to feel cautious ? I'm not doing anything wrong.

But no matter how much I tried to convince I'm not doing anything bad, I began feel conscious around JB.

"I think your phone is vibrating," JB informed me. I didn't even notice it vibrated, too distracted with my own thoughts.

I took off the phone from my pocket and answer the call, it was my brother, telling me he can't pick me up later because he'll take over time to cover up his lates the past few days.

"Okay, I'll go home alone then", and I ended the call.

Lunch was over but before Jiwon and I parted ways with got7, JB approached me.

"What time are you going home?" he asked.

I looked around. Jiwon was texting on her phone, while the rest of got7 are goofing around. No one is looking at us.

"I guess, 5:30. As always", I said.

He just nodded and walked away.

"Why?" I asked but he didn't answer me.

                         🔸🔶 🔶🔸

We are in the middle of training when I suddenly asked Jiwon.

"Do you know who Nayoung is?"

She began to think "I'm not sure. The only Nayoung I know is Lisa's friend"

Oh right. Lisa. That was also the name I heard.

"And who's that Lisa?"

"She's a level 2 trainee. She's the most famous among the trainees for being a good dancer"

I nodded in understanding.

"Why are you asking by the way?"

"Nothing. Just bumped into them this morning, they look familiar", I said, as I'm trying to recall where else I've seen them.

"Maybe at the training camp" she said, laughing. "And of course, I know you've seen them around here. We're just on the same building, you know"

"You have a point there"

Fifteen minutes before the training has ended, it was announced that our first major evaluation will be next month and that evaluation is like a showcase. There will be a group and individual performance. And it will definitely involve dancing. I started to feel nervous, especially with the state of mine.

Jiwon and I parted ways as soon as we went out from the JYP building.

"Bye Hara! See you tomorrow!" Jiwon smiled and leave.

I got used of getting picked up my brother so it felt strange walking alone today.

I looked at my watch to mark the time as I wanted to measure how will it take me to walk to the nearest bus stop.

Suddenly, a water dropped on my watch. I looked up and that's when the rain poured heavily.

Water went to my eyes, getting me blind for awhile. I immediately opened my backpack and wander my hand inside.

I sighed upon realizing I didn't brought any umbrella thinking the chance of raining is very low because it's summer.

Suddenly, the rain stopped.
No, it wasn't.

I looked up again and saw an umbrella above me.

JB was holding it.

"Are you planning to get sick?", he asked..
"I forgot to bring an umbrella", I said awkwardly, a bit shy.

"You should've went back to the building"

I just smiled and pulled a peace sign.

He let out a deep sigh.

We started walking. I compose myself and fixed my hair, still wet because of the rain.

"Can I ask you something?" I break the silence.

"Do people know about Riah?" I became curious.

"I never told anyone about her before" he said. "Only our manager knew about it. I later told my members about it when Riah already died, when I decided to leave"

Hearing that story made me remember the same story I heard before.

I knew it. I know now why that Lisa and Nayoung and the two other girl looked familiar. They are those girls I encountered at the restaurant on the day of my audition.

They are talking about JB just like this morning.

Who are these girls? Why does it seem like they are looking out for JB?

"They didn't let you to leave?" I asked.

He nodded "instead, they just pushed back our debut to give me some time to heal"

I thank the management for giving JB the consideration.

"And I'm really thankful for the second chance that they gave me. That's why I'm working harder"

I smiled and patted his back.

"I'm proud of you", I said.

"You just sound like Riah right now" and he laugh.

But that laugh soon fade.

"Sometimes I come to think, do I miss her so much that sometimes I see her in you", he said.

I don't know but my heart started aching.

"Or perhaps, I just feel so guilty because I couldn't protect her so I wanted to take care of you instead?"

I looked away and held back the tears that is about to come out.

"But don't get it wrong, Hara. It might be confusing but I was sincere when I said I'm truly happy that you are now here with me."

I look at him.

He look back at me.