Regret Me Not | 김석진

Five

Lotte World was extremely crowded, as expected for a Saturday when everyone was off work and school. It didn't seem to dampen the mood, however, as Hoseok was still bubbly as ever and Taehyung anticipating the arrival of Iseul and Victoria excitedly. Jin was looking around frantically, blinking fast and often.

The boys were waiting by a bench near the gigantic roller skating rink in the middle of the ground floor inside the large dome that encased the indoor part of the amusement park. Yoongi sat on the bench, his head lolling back as he tried to catch up on some desperately needed shuteye. Jungkook sat next to him, smiling at his phone and laughing every now and then at a meme that Iseul sent.

Taehyung and Namjoon chatted next to them, standing, and Jimin sat on Hoseok's lap next to Jungkook. Jin stood next to Jimin and Hoseok, one hand on the bench as he continued to search for their new 'friends'.

Hoseok twisted his head to look at Jin. "Why are you bugging, hyung?"

"Hm?" Jin turned his attention to the younger abruptly. "Oh, nothing." He gave a nervous laugh before glancing at Taehyung, who only gave him a box smile in return. A sigh escaped him. "Why can't this day just be over with..."

"Hey, cheer up," Hoseok said softly with a smile. "I think it'll go better than you think."

Jin sighed again. "I just hope she stays away from me. We hate each other." The rest of the guys collectively groaned. "What?" It had been at least the tenth time he'd mentioned that they hate each other. That day. "I don't know, I just," he continued, feeling a ramble on the horizon. "Victoria and I hate each other. We always have! It's weird to be hanging out, right?" When nobody acknowledged what he was saying, he repeated himself. "Right?!"

Only a few of them gave distracted grunts of approval.

"Right!"

Jin almost screamed at the voice that came from behind him. He whipped around, adrenaline pumping faster than he thought possible.

Victoria examined his facial expression, a laugh rising in her throat. "Sorry, I just had to take the opportunity. What are we talking about?"

Jin only nodded, unable to find the words. There was a casual air about his nemesis that relaxed and tensed him at the same time. It just felt strange. Sure, he was giving her a chance for the sake of Namjoon and the others, but Victoria was still Victoria.

He snapped out of his thoughts when he realized that not only his friends were staring at him, but Victoria and Iseul as well, all waiting for an answer.

"We weren't—There aren't—There are no—" he stuttered. "There are no words."

Hoseok pushed Jimin off before standing and placing a hand on Jin's broad shoulder. "Sorry, he has tourettes," he said and flashed the girls a smile. "It comes and goes."

Victoria stifled a sigh, knowing he felt uncomfortable at her presence. Iseul weaved through the others and sat next to Jungkook where Hoseok and Jimin had been. "Hey, kid."

"We're the same age," he pointed out with a smile, pushing her head playfully.

Namjoon smiled and nodded to Victoria. "Hey, Vic."

"Hey," she responded coolly.

Taehyung bounced up to her. "Noona, you're here!" he exclaimed, already using the fond term.

She smiled and squeezed his arm. "Hi, Tae."

Jin's facial expression seemed to say 'bruh' as he looked between the two. How was it that it seemed like they already knew each other? He could have sworn there was something they weren't telling him.