Head above the water

9

(Me writing this book because Yoongi is my bias)

I looked down at my paper as the bell rang. All that I had managed to put on it was two equations and a few doodles, most of them sketches of eyes. The eyes were strikingly familiar to me, and though I had drawn two different sets, both made me sad. The first set was a sketch of my fathers stare. Though the drawing was in black and white I could still imagine the beautiful green that they should have been. Looking at the other pair, I realized something. I realized that if someone had seen the care I took to get these eyes perfect they would realize that whoever the eyes belonged to, I cared very deeply about them.

I jumped as a hand smacked down on my desk, grabbing my attention. I looked up into the exact pair of warm brown eyes that I had drawn in graphite.

"Sorry I haven't talked to you today," Jimin said in a sweet voice, "I have a lot on my mind."

I could feel my heart beat a little faster, but I managed to squeak out a, "That's okay."

"We should head to our next class," Jimin said in that same soft, careful voice.

I nodded as softly as he spoke, and gathered my things. My spirits had been slightly lifted because he hadn't decided to ignore me. I wanted to know what was bothering him, though. I knew he probably wouldn't tell me because we didn't know each other that well, but it was worth a shot.

"So, what's wrong?" I asked as he lead me down the crowded hall.

"It's just a lot to get used to, you know? Moving to a different country and having to speak a new language. I'm lucky my parents had me in English classes before I got here or I would be completely lost and confused," he admitted with a sigh, "I'm just glad I found some people that know what I'm going through."

I knew he was talking about the group of boys that he'd befriended, but I wished that he would have been talking about me too.

"It doesn't help that you almost died," I laughed a bit and bumped his shoulder with mine, or tried to, though I just ended up bumping his upper arm.

"But thinks to The coolest chick I know I didn't," he smiled lightly and bumped my shoulder back.

"You know, Jimin, I might not understand exactly what you're going through right now, but I'm always here for you to talk to, okay? We don't know each other that well yet, but I really want to get to know you. You seen like an extremely awesome guy," I said, the heavy hand of sincerity giving weight to my words.

"That's really nice to hear," he told me, while skillfully dodging the students in the hall that were walking too slow or too close or just not walking at all.

As we entered the class we spotted the rest of Jimin's friends. They looked nicer today than they had in the days before, almost as if they were happy because they had a reason to socialize.

"Anastasia! Hi!" Taehyung shouted while waving excitedly. He reminded me of a small puppy when it's owner returns home after leaving it alone for the first time. It was kind of cute.

"Hey, Tae," I replied with a small smile, "What's gotten you so happy?"

"It's a secret," Taehyung stage whispered, causing Namjoon to lightly slap the back of his head.

"Yah, if it's a secret you can't tell people that it even exists," he muttered in a tone somewhere between annoyed and amused.

Instead of thinking of a reply, Taehyung simply stuck his tongue out at Namjoon. The actions caused Hoseok to giggle and Yoongi to roll his eyes at their foolishness.

"Well, now I want to know," I pouted, being childish just as they were.

"Ah man, that's so cute. Now I really want to tell you," Taehyung pouted too.

"So, who all knows this secret that's not extremely secret but still kind of secret?" I asked, causing all of them to look at me like I was crazy.

I could feel Jimin standing beside me still, but he had tensed slightly, and I wasn't sure why. His tension gave me a bad feeling about the secret, but the mischievous joy shining in the eyes of the rest of the group made me wonder if the secret could involve me in some way.

"We can't tell you," Jungkook, the youngest, said with a small laugh and a bunny smile.

"Fine," I huffed out, pretending to be annoyed as I pooped into my desk.

"You'll find out soon enough," Jimin assured me as he sat gracefully in his chair, placing his stuff on the desktop.

"But I want to know now," I said, poking out my bottom lip.

I couldn't hold the expression long, though, because Jimin's cheeks turned a light shade of pink, causing my lips to curve upwards into a smile.

"Can you at least tell me when I'll be allowed to know?" I asked, persisting with my curiosity.

"Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, maybe next year. I'm not sure yet," Jimin teased me.

I would have responded, but Mrs. Peak walked into the classroom holding a stack of thick books, drawing everyone's attention to the board.

"Today, class," she began, "We're going to be starting a new play. We will be reading Othello by William Shakespeare. It has very mature themes, so I hope you can all be grown ups about this. While we read this I want all of you to pair up, one boy one girl, and write a conversation between the two main characters, Othello and Desdemona. Keep in mind I want you to stay true to them as well as to yourself. The most important thing is that you have fun!"

I didn't even have time to worry about who I would partner with before my desk was surrounded by seven pleading guys. Normally, I'd have to beg someone to work with me, but today I had the opposite problem. The other girls in the class were looking at me in confusion with a hint of envy.

"Um... wow okay what?" I asked myself in disbelief.

"Who would you rather partner with?" Jin asked me.

I could see the looks on their faces, and I felt guilty having to pick. Taehyung was pouting at me, and Jungkook was jumping up and down like he really had to pee.

"I already know her answer," Namjoon laughed and then walked away to find another partner.

I bit my lip hesitantly.

"I think I'll go with Jimin," I almost whispered as a fierce blush crept its way up the back of my neck.

"Of course you do," Yoongi laughed as he rolled his eyes.

The other boys scattered to find a partner as Jimin moved to sit closer to me.

"Thank you for picking me," he said with quiet content, "I wouldn't have known how to work with any of the other girls in the class. You're the only one I've talked to."

"Well, I figured you'd actually pay attention to the work," I lamely attempted to explain my choice to him, "Should we start reading?"

We cracked our books open and got to work reading the first act.

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Hi guys! I told you there was another longer chapter coming soon! I'm trying to write more often, but I've been really busy with work and school, plus prom is coming up for me and I have to deal with all of that drama.

Let me know what you think of it by commenting or dropping a like!

Love Ya Always,
-Haleigh