ARROGANCE | m.yg

e i g h t - y o o n g i

   Even if her eyes are full of hatred, they're still beautiful. Rin's always been gorgeous, and she's only matured more in our four years of separation. I've only ever seen a glare like that from her a couple of times, and seeing it again sends memories of our fights flooding back to the forefront of my mind. It's good that I'm doing this, I decide, if for no other reason than to give me some closure. But as Rin starts for the dressing room door, I snap back into reality.

   I throw myself in front of the door I'd hidden behind, hoping that Juyoung has done his part on the other side. I knock lightly and hear one in response. Thank God, he's still watching the door. I'm really going to owe him after this.

   "Move," Rin practically spits the word at me as she approaches.

   "Can I just talk to you?" I ask her.

   "What makes you think I want anything to do with you?"

   "You don't. At least, not right now. I get that. That's why I'm here."

   "What?" Though confused, she still looks about ready to commit first-degree murder.

   I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry."

   She pauses. For just a fraction of a moment, her eyes drain of the rage that had filled them the previous instant. For just a fraction of a moment, she seems merely confused. It doesn't last long.

   "Sure you are. What is it you want from me?" There's the bitterness again. Stubborn, as usual.

   "To talk. I only want to talk."

   "And I don't. Get out of the way."

   I hear a small click from the other side of the door, followed by another quiet knock. Did Juyoung just do what I think he did?

   "I said, move." Rin shoves me to the side and turns the doorknob, but it doesn't budge. Yep, it seems Juyoung has locked the door.

   "Give me the key," she commands.

   "I don't have it; I swear on my life."

   "Then who locked the door?"

   I'm about to respond, but she answers her own question. "You got Juyoung in on this, didn't you?"

   "He offered to help."

   "That son of a bitch."

   "Look, Rin—"

   "Don't call me that."

   "It's your name. What would you rather I call you?"

   She heaves a sigh, apparently not having an answer. "Okay, fine. Rin is fine. Now, tell me exactly what you want."

   "Like I said, I want to talk this out."

   A sigh escapes her lips. She looks not quite defeated but rather exhausted. Reluctantly, she motions to a couch against the wall. "Okay. We'll talk."

   I nod and take a seat on one end of the couch, sitting cross-legged and facing Rin, who's on the opposite end and doing her best to sit as far away from me as possible.

   "What do you want to talk about?" She asks me.

   "Why I'm here," I respond. Then the explanation begins. "Look, I saw you at Underground. It was just sort of a coincidence; I hadn't even known you were performing there, but when I saw you, for lack of a better analogy, I felt like I got hit by a train. I felt so guilty and I was pissed at myself for letting things with us get as out of hand as they did. I'm sorry about what happened, Rin; I really am. I know I should've considered your feelings, but I didn't. I was cocky and I wasn't looking out for you the way I should have been. I should've thought of how you'd feel when I—"