Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I haven't been able to eat anything since yesterday. Mama offered to get me something from my favorite place to eat, but I politely refused. I don't think my anxious stomach could handle anything going inside of it. I could tell Mama was worried about me, the lines on her forehead being even more prevalent with her eyebrows scrunched together. I didn't want to worry her, but like Jungkook, it was impossible for me to hide away the stress I was feeling
"You wanna talk about it?" My mother gently tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
I smile at her. "Thank you, but it's not my problem, it's someone else's."
"I understand," she nods her head, her short bob swaying slightly from the movement, "but if there's someone else you can talk about it with, I think you should confide in them, it would help you."
I take in a deep breath, knowing she's right. Being the only one out of my new group of friends that knows about Jungkook's situation is like a big weight being carried on my shoulders. I wonder if telling someone else would do any good. Would that make things worse for Jungkook? Would he be mad that I told his secret? I'm pretty sure that Jungkook wouldn't tell anyone else, so that leaves it up to me. If I don't do anything about it, something bad could happen to him. At least if I tell someone who knows him personally, they could do a lot more for him than I could.
After my mom leaves my room, I tap my arm band, activating the holopad. I take in a large breath, and force myself to send a message to Namjoon.
"Hey, can we meet?" I'm surprised by how quickly my message is opened and how quickly Namjoon responds.
"I'm with Jin and Jimin right now, but we'd love for you to join us!"
"Sounds good to me."
"Alright, I'll send you an invite. Make sure you buy some beach clothes."
Not long after, an invitation to join Namjoon lights up on my screen. Before accepting it, I do as he says and use my Eleuro to purchase something suitable to wear at the beach. I put on my headset and accept his invitation.
The sounds of waves crashing on the shoreline immediately sings out to me. The blueness of the sea repeatedly reaches out to touch the sand, but it is sent back each time. I curl my toes and let out a hum, the pleasant warmth of the sand beneath me shifting around as I move. The sun kisses my skin and the smell of salt fills the air.
I look around, searching for a familiar face. People litter the beach, laying on beach towels, throwing around a frisbee, swimming in the water, and walking near the shore.
Something hard collides into me and pushes me to the ground. When I fall, I feel the breath being knocked out of my lungs.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" I stand up to brush the sand off of my black bikini. I lift my eyes and my frown quickly turns into a smile.
