A/N: I am sorry I updated so late but too many things happening in my life. I'll try to update more often. The story is almost over anyway. We are already in year 4.
Btw check my new story named "Scared?", please. It has only two chapters as of now but I'll try update tomorrow.
Seokjin and Jimin were dragging their friends behind them.
"Come on! We got to be there on time!" whined Seokjin.
"Guys, we are half an hour early!" screamed Jungkook trying to knock some sense on them. A pause.
"Still!" added Jimin and continued their task.
11 o'clock rolled by and nobody was there.
11:15, "Maybe they are just a little late..." "Yeah..."
11:30, still nothing. "They are not going to ditch us, right?"
11:45, they got ready to leave. With a timing made in heavens, they saw Yoongi running towards them.
"Sorry I am late. I am so sorry," he said panting.
"What happened? Where's Namjoon?" asked Taehyung looking behind him.
"Don't know. Couldn't find him. That's why I'm late." he responded catching his breath.
"Ok I guess," said Hoseok while crossing his arms in front of his chest. "You said you wanted to talk to us."
"Yeah. Um... ok... so... where to begin?" he laughed anxiously. "Let's sit down. So, I am gonna explain, the best I can because honestly, I don't understand most of it either. Please don't interrupt me."
The rest nodded.
"Ok. So here goes nothing." he sighed. "Everything started, a little while back. I noticed that by the day, I was getting quieter and sadder. The moments in which I truly felt happy were decreasing. It felt as if I was falling into a black hole like I was drowning while everybody around me was breathing. I felt numb. You guys were the only thing that made me happy, you and music. You were my reason to get up in the morning and smile. But I guess, I have my bad days too. Days I want to stay alone and just sleep. Deny my existence in a less permanent way. My mom got worried about me, insisted I've gotten skinny and should eat more. The truth is, I was just too tired to get out of bed. I didn't think it was worth the effort. So, she decided to take me to one of those muggle doctors called 'psychiatrist'. She diagnosed me with severe depression and social anxiety. At those moments, I felt so alone. I need to talk to somebody about it, but I didn't have the courage to do it. One day, I just, told Namjoon. Out of the blue. I remember, he looked surprised at first, but then he looked so happy and hugged up while saying repeatedly: 'finally someone understands'
But he is better at handling it than I am. While I completely shut down with no warning whatsoever, he hides it all behind a smile and an excuse, like 'I am just tired' or something. Anyway, that's it. That's what we wanted to tell you guys. I am sorry for not coming to you earlier, but I just needed time."
The rest of the guys didn't say anything. They didn't have to. They all got up and hugged him. Showing him, rather than telling, that they will always be there for him. Always. And nothing could ever change that.
"Namjoon!" yelled Jimin. As soon as he heard his voice, Namjoon stole a glance backward and continued even faster, running away from the smaller boy.
"Namjoon come on! You know I have shorter legs! Wait!" he continued but to no avail. The boy was gone. He was avoiding them all ever since the incident on Saturday. He acted as if he didn't even know them. It was heartbreaking to their rest of them, seeing their friend avoid them like that, especially with the knowledge they had now.
Namjoon POV
It felt horrible having to avoid his friends like that, but he didn't have a choice. A boy known to everyone as B-Free had threatened to hurt the guys if he, even so, speaks to them. I couldn't let him touch my friends and, so I agreed. One could call me an idiot for following his orders like an obedient puppy. I would probably agree with them if I didn't know the power this guy possesses. He is two years older than me and has a whole gang behind him following him. It would be reckless and stupid on my part to just ignore his words. I was only trying to protect them. But this is slowly breaking me, and I don't know how much longer I can go without them.
"What's wrong Jimin? Why are you quite today?" Jungkook asked, worry feeling his eyes while scooping a piece of lamb skewer.
" Namjoon is still ignoring me." Jimin sighed.
"I don't understand what happened all of a sudden. It's like he refuses to acknowledge our existence." Hoseok said.
"He hasn't been showing up in the dining hall. Like ever. What was the last he even ate?" Seokjin added nervously.
Taehyung suddenly turned his gaze from the door of the hall to the guys with a look of panic in his eyes.
"Guys. Namjoon just walked in."
They all turned at the same time to see Namjoon sitting alone at the Ravenclaw table. He looked sad and had lost an alarming amount of weight. His cheeks, one the most memorable and cutest characteristics, were gone. He just looked empty. A group of guys from the Slytherin invited him to their table by waving at him. Yoongi didn't miss the look on his friend's face or the fact that the most dangerous guy in the school was interested, for whatever reason, in Namjoon.
There was silence among them as they watched him sit uncomfortably between two huge guys and barely touch his food while talking to B-Free, who was sitting with his back to them, making it impossible to see his face.
Taehyung was aware that he was staring. He didn't care. His friend was vanishing right in front of his eyes. Suddenly their eyes met and Namjoon quickly averted his gaze to his lap.
'What's going on Joon? What are you hiding?'
