swxtched. | jhs

NOVEMBER

❝ the voices sing the lullabies as the ashes learn to fly. ❞

•

HOSEOK WASN'T AT school. He wasn't calling or texting her. He wasn't around at all— but most importantly, they were not switching.

For three weeks.

Something was wrong. Green's spine tingled for the umpteenth time that day, as she sat in homeroom class, fisting the ends of her pleated uniform skirt. Afterwards, Namjoon approached her.

"Hey."

The small initiative was enough to topple her over the edge, her eyes focused back on reality, wanting desperately to tear out her hair in torment.

"Hi," she stressed to manage out, lungs deflating.

"I couldn't help but notice you shifting a lot in class," he spoke. Every word he uttered sounded intelligent to her, much to her admiration and dismay. She wished she could know exactly what to say like he seemed to be capable of.

"Yeah, I'm just... it's okay. You don't need to worry yourself over me."

"You don't appear to be okay. You can tell me what's wrong," he offered gently, pulling up a chair and sitting at her desk. It was lunchtime, so they could eat anywhere except outside of school and at the rooftop (even though people snuck up there all the time).

Green was stunned at how he easily talked to her. Not many people could do that, and he did it with God-given grace and nonchalance. She knew he was smart. But to also be socially gifted, knowing what to say and how to say it, was upsetting.

"Is it Hoseok?" he supplied, wary of her reaction. She froze, confirming it without speaking. At this, Namjoon scratched his nape and scrunched up his brows.

"That," Green finally uttered, "and other things."

"You didn't do well on your last English test. Is that it too? Do you want to meet more often so that I can teach you?"

She shook her head, remembering that it was Hoseok who took the test for her in her body and she was sick in his that day, so they couldn't just do the test and write their respective names on it and turn it in. She sighed at that.

I miss him.

"You know what? Let's just hang out today. I'll help you get your mind off of things. We can go to the park downtown, or get something to drink at the café later, or—"

"No, not those things," she declined, thinking of Jimin and Hoseok. Why can't I stop thinking about—

"Well I strongly suggest you talk to someone, even if you desire some space right now," Namjoon sighed out at last. For a moment, his tone sounded like her father, and she shivered at that.

Through the open window, a reddish-brown leaf managed to float in and land on her desk, touching her arm. Her eyes darted to it beside her, heart jolting.

November is almost over. Winter is coming.

Namjoon rose to his feet shortly, dragging the chair back to its original place. He gave one final glance at Green's distant look, mouth open as if to say more, but he thought against it.

Before he could leave, however, Green grasped his sleeve. "Wait."

His eyes blinked from her hand to her face, and he turned around fully to face her, expression patient. His eyes on her made her fumble with her hands and stumble on her words.

"Listen. I, um, appreciate you reaching out to me. Really. I thought no one would do that for me except for— well, for Hoseok."

"Geurin-ssi—"

She lifted a hand as if she had to say everything before she forgot it. "Right now, I can't reach him, and it's scaring me because he always responds to me immediately. I haven't heard from him at all since he hasn't gone to school, and the teachers aren't saying anything, and I'm really tempted to just go to his house and ask about him."

Namjoon audibly inhaled, biting his lip, thinking of a way to comfort her. He was aware he'd have to use an uncommon method to be effective.

"We can go together after school," he said at last. He found that to be better than asking the teachers since he wanted to spend time with her.

Green's eyes flickered up at him, and they locked gazes for a moment before she tore away. She played with the leaf in her hands.

"Okay."

•

❝ tell my loved ones that i wish them well. ❞
『 written on 2017.10.17. | 2017.11.09. 』

【 NOTE—tHE ROMANCE IS ALMOST HERE ITS COMING YOUR WAY ううう ('༎ຶོρ༎ຶོ') 】