Enigma ➳ pjm [EDITING/HIATUS]

Act 12

        It has been already two weeks since Jimin's first lesson had taught me the new world of Martial Arts, something I haven't ever had time to approach. My specialities were primarily Kickboxing, which made it hard to learn any new techniques that were the complete opposite, especially on the ground.

It has also been two weeks since I hung out with Ryon and Hoseok during lunch. Everyday, I promised myself to grant them just one single visit and catch up with them, but Jimin's persuasive nature always got me to follow him to his table.

During those days, I also got to meet his friends a bit better, and Taehyung finally didn't seem to be too bothered by my presence, and the fact that I'm a newbie.

The awkwardness that remained lingering in the air between Ryon and I was almost unbearable. Dreading to go back to my room, I trained instead. When Jimin had no time, he would give me the keys under his trust and let me train in the rooms after curfew.

Although Jimin has his habits of being a natural douchebag, it almost seemed like our platonic relationship has evolved into something between acquaintances and friends. He finally loosened up on me, and wouldn't make those sarcastic remarks every time I disagreed with him.

But one thought kept knocking on the door of consciousness. Ryon and Jimin's past. But now that there was bad blood between Ryon and I, I would, of course, not bring it up.

After my self-defense class, I followed my unit into the cafeteria to grab lunch as we did, everyday, since the first day. On Fridays, lunchtime became the insufferable timespan of the day.

Huge crowds of students shoved each other during the lunch line, impatient to receive food. I felt special empathy towards the ones that came from physical training, because their weak and drained bodies wouldn't be prioritized.

Therefore, I found myself behind one sweaty guy that wouldn't stop running his hand through his wet hair. Pulling a disgusted face, I turned my head and focused my eyes on the snacks lined up in front of me.

"I recommend green-bean flavored, they're the most popular."

The sudden voice that stroke the side of my ear caused me flinch, bumping into the sweaty guy in front of me.

"Jesus, Jimin. When will you stop popping out of nowhere and scaring the living soul out of me?"

Jimin sent me an apologetic smile and handed me one small, green bag of chips. "Wow. Nowadays, a harmless recommendation of good snacks is considered an attack on the fearless Kim Soo Mi. What a shame."

Nudging his shoulder, I turned back towards the food and loaded my plate with mashed potatoes. "I don't know about you, but I feel like our training phases are getting more intense. I always feel pain in my shoulder for some reason."

The boy placed his fingers between my shoulder blades and rubbed them slightly, making me flinch at the sudden pain.

"Right there", I murmured and rolled my head back. "It's unbearable. I think we should take a break for a while."

I didn't mean my statement to sound comical at all, yet Jimin responded by simply smirking and assuring me how this is the way "the body adjusts".

We have just arrived the end of the line when someone behind me pulled my arm back, causing me to face them. It was Hobi.

"Long time no see?" He vaguely smiles, however his eyes remained with pure uneasiness.

Raising my eyebrows, I was ready to initiate a conversation with him, which to my surprise, he was still up to after two weeks of isolating ourselves from each other, but Jimin pulled me away from him softly, wrapping his arm around my waist to my surprise.

"What's up, Hoseok?" Something about his facial expression didn't want me to believe that he genuinely wanted to talk.

I glanced past Hoseok and noticed Ryon. For some reason, it seemed like I haven't seen her in ages although we share a room together. But every time I come back to my room, she's asleep, and every time I wake up, she has already left the dorm.

Her eyes met mine, and she rapidly broke the contact. Pursing her lips, she leaned forward to grab a box of banana milk, her favorite drink.

"Ryon?" I interrupted Hobi as he already had opened his mouth to answer Jimin. "Are you...", my voice began shaking uncontrollably, "...alright?"

Her indifferent facial expression took me slightly aback, and I started regretting talking to her, but at this point, my heart overthrew my brain and the words spilled out of my mouth.

We all remained silent for a while, until Jimin suddenly teared the deafening silence in half.

"What have you been up to, Ryona?" A whiff of nonchalance and incitement laced in his voice filled the atmosphere solely with awkwardness. "How has your health improved, huh? Still using those methods of relief?"

Relief, what? Staring between Jimin and Ryon, I swallowed in anticipation, waiting for her reaction.

She simply emitted an arrogant chuckle and rolled her eyes while crossing her arms in front of her chest. "Quit your useless rambling, Park. Just because you might be the Saint out of this school, doesn't mean that you're a notorious liar."

I noticed how Jimin clenched his jaw and stared her in the eye beneath his eyelashes. I felt a rising rage between both of them, and the peacekeeper that I was, I sent Hobi a last, apologetic glance and pulled Jimin out of the lunch line toward his table.

"Jimin, I..." I slowly whispered as we settled down on the table with Jin, Taehyung and Namjoon. "I don't think it was a good idea to talk to her, since there's bad air between both of you."

Shaking his head, he angrily pealed his orange and threw the peals carelessly back on the tray. Taehyung didn't even think twice about asking what was wrong.

I glanced around the hall to see the sight of Ryon and Hobi sitting next to each other by the table on the other extreme of the lunchroom. Hobi had his arms wrapped around her while her eyes were focused on the floor, not looking up for only a second.

My instincts told me to stand up and walk over to comfort her, but my intuition was telling me that she doesn't want anyone to see right now but Hoseok.

Nevertheless, I slowly stood up, still deciding back and forth whether to do something against it, but Jimin had noticed me and immediately pulled me down on my seat.

"It didn't seem like she wants anymore comfort. Let it go, Soo Mi."

Apparently he was also great at reading people, I thought.

So many question had come up that were circling around in my head, hoping they will solve themselves to provide me with a clearer view on this issue.

I tried to refrain myself from my never ending curiosity, intending to not get into anyone's business, but as I involuntarily sat back down, sighing to myself, I was determined to set my curiosity free and let the situation unravel in front of my eyes.

***
I updated again! I know, I keep dropping hints here and there, and next chapter is gonna get even more confusing, but I love to plan things out, so everything will have a reason at the end :)
Thank you so much for reading!
Stay tuned, Ally.