Seasons

Chapter 8

There was a sharp pain in my head followed by a loud ringing sound and buzzing sensation. I slowly opened my eyes, my blurry tear stained eyes. I felt the area around me, I was somewhere soft, I was in a room.  Carefully I sat up and held my head while I looked around. I was definitely in someone's bedroom, but whose? I threw off the fluffy white blankets and stood up, trying my best to keep the balance, shuffling to the door. Once I got there I opened it and looked out. A living room with an extremely familiar face sitting on a couch across the room. I made my way to him and sat down.”Jinyoung what happened at my house? How did I end up here?”

He inhaled and held his rib out of pain. “I brought you here to protect you, this is my house.”

I shot my eyes to his side. “Can I see, please? I want to make sure it’s not broken.” The words just rolled out of my mouth. I cringed and my face heated up, no that would mean he would have to take off his shirt, I couldn’t-I’m not-we aren’t even that close, that would just be weird.

Next thing I knew he was lifting up the fabric over his head and moving so I could check him out- I mean check his ribs...to make sure they aren’t broken. Awkwardly I cleared my throat and moved my hair out of my face to get a better look. I poked on certain parts and asked him to breathe. Nothing seemed broken, just sore. “I don’t think it’s broken, just there is going to be some bruising.” I coughed out as he shifted next to me.

My eyes began to travel. I was trying to look away but I just couldn’t. I am almost certain he noticed me staring because he leaned back and kind of just posed there for a minute. Finally, I had enough courage and strength to turn away and face the other direction. Immediately after there was a knock on the door and six more boys walked in on me and Jinyoung with his shirt off.

Now this may seem and look like Was I scene but it really wasn’t, I hope they see through it. “It’s not as bad as it looks.” I spoke still avoiding Jinyoung. He was finally putting on his shirt and everyone started laughing. I knew this looked bad, everything about this situation looked questionable.

Jackson plopped down on the couch next to me. “So, when did this happen?” He wiggled his eyebrows which made me raise mine.

“What?” I could feel my stomach twisting.

Mark laughed. “We aren’t dumb, you guys are hooking up!”

I shot my head towards Jinyoung and he looked back with a wide expression. Both of our faces turned a deep shade of crimson before he spoke up. “N-no guys, it’s not like that. Really.” Everyone oooed and awed while I sat there covering my face, trying not to get any more embarrassed. “Oh come on Jinyoung, it’s obvious!” BamBam chuckled. “You like her, which is why you stood up for her, which is why you finally came out of your hard, cold, dead shell.”

I heard Jinyoung growl under his breath before standing up and walking away towards his room. “We are just messing! Don’t be like that!” Mark yelled after him.

Jackson cleared his throat for my attention. “So is it true? Are you two-” Before he could finish I stood up and walked out of the house. I am not going to deal with that right now, why can’t they leave us alone. If he likes me that’s his business, if I like him, that’s my business. But I don’t! Just going to clear that up right here right now, right here right now, I don’t like Jinyoung. I don’t have any romantic feelings for him at all. I am just grateful he is my friend and that’s it, just friends.

I paced around the block for another ten minutes just walking around it, going in circles. So what if I did have feelings for him anyway, why should they care, I’m not saying I do. He just stands up for me and treats me with respect, he is there for me when I need him, he makes me feel warm inside, he makes me smile. I caught myself smiling just at the thought.

“What are you smiling about?” A voice peaked out from behind me. I turned and seen Jinyoung, Oh no. What was I thinking?

Quickly I had to make up a lie, a believable one, I wasn’t thinking about him I was, “Thinking about chicken!” I blurted out and laughed nervously. Chicken? Was I thinking about chicken? Really? That was the best I could have done? It’s too late now, I smiled awkwardly hoping he would buy it.

Jinyoung looked taken back and smirked. “Chicken? Do you like chicken?” He asked in a soft voice looking down to me.

Just thinking about it made my stomach growl, mmm, it does sound mighty delicious right about now. My mouth was watering as I thought about a roasted chicken served with butter, yeast rolls, and sweet potato casserole. I was almost drooling. I looked up at Jinyoung and nodded my head. “Yes, it’s one of my favorite foods.”

“Well, come on then.” He gave a smile before motioning me to follow him. “I know a really good roasted chicken place that has these amazing yeast butter rolls, and their sweet potato casserole is to die for.” I swear if my eyes were diamonds they would be twinkling brighter than the Texas stars on a July summer night. It’s like he read my mind.