Finest Jin

Day 6

The rest of the dinner party went as well as I could have dreamed. Brigette sought out J-Hope and was soon nestled on his lap for the foreseeable future. Everyone feasted and was joyous. The booze flowed and with it came silliness and laughter. At midnight, I was trying to usher my Nerd Herd out to the waiting taxi. Jin kept planting kisses warm with Soju on my lips and neck.

"Stay here. There is room for everyone. I can hold you all night."

"I have to work in the morning. So do you."

"No. We only have a manager meeting at 1. We have the whole morning off." His boldness had definitely intensified with the alcohol and I had to pry the leach from my neck. 

"Well, I don't. I have to get to bed."

"There is a bed here."

"I have to get my children to bed. In their own home." I kissed him fully, then pushed him off. "Good night, everyone! Thank you again for an amazing evening!" Everyone came for hugs except Suga, who had passed out about an hour earlier in the guest room. Grandpa Yoongi.

We were soon home and kids quickly cleaned up and into beds. I was still in disbelief that this night had happened. My heart was filled to the brim with the sound of laughter and the sight of my childrens' beaming faces. Fortunately, I was blessed with the ability to fall asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I drifted off praying that this beautiful bubble would never break. 

The next day at school went smoothly enough until the senior english class before lunch. JinYoung was on edge and his foot tapping and pen spinning was distracting everyone. 

"Do you have ants in your pants?" His confusion showed that my expressions' meaning had been missed. "Is today Day 6?" He brightened at that, nodding his head vigorously. "Private visit."

"Or public if that is where I can see her." 

"Well, sit still for the last few minutes til lunch, please." To his credit, he did his best. Still, when the bell buzzed, we both sighed in relief. As he bolted to the door, I called him back, as much to torture his patience as to make an inquiry. 

"JinYoung, your tie isn't the school uniform issue." He looked guilty, but not overly apologetic. 

"No, Miss Ay. Blue to match her eyes." He had that dreamy far-off look about him again. The sweet little vacant look that made me want to flick his perfect little nose. I sighed again. This kid seemed to bring them out of me. 

"Go on, get out of here." He was gone in a flash. My co-teacher had already slipped out so I made my way to the cafeteria alone. I pondered the devilish little charmer from my class. Could he maintain the academic effort through the term? We were almost completed for the year. Would his efforts be enough? Who was this girl that had him so enthralled? I owed her my thanks as his shenanigans in class had fully ceased and every homework assignment was submitted when due. My only problem student had ceased to be a problem. He had said only that she was smart. Hated chocolate. And had blue eyes. There couldn't be that many blue-eyed girls in this Korean school...

Suddenly, my heart stopped. 

Oh my goodness. No. She will destroy him.

I sprinted the last few steps and jogged down the hall towards the cafeteria. Students had already dished up and many were seated to eat. I scanned the crowd, seeking him. Seeking her. My eyes fell on her form as she set her tray down at the table with her friends. She was still standing and went back to get two glasses of water, one for her and one for her friend. JinYoung was making his way towards her, a heated knife slicing through the crowd like butter. 

"JinYoung!" I tried to call to him. To warn him. But he couldn't hear me over the din. He was standing behind her at the table and as she turned, I saw her seem startled, and then annoyed at the boy before her. He spoke. His hand was on his heart. He was laying his heart out before her. But I knew this girl. I knew that she would turn it to ashes with her fiery glare. She shook her head at him, her face showing her discomfort. I was five tables away. 

JinYoung got on his knees and raised his voice. I could hear his tone, but not his words as he sought her attention. I could also see the rising red flooding her cheeks. He seemed ignorant to her discomfort. And immune to the icy glare that was beginning to form in her blue eyes as she noticed people beginning to stop and point at the scene unfolding before them. 

I was four tables away.

"JinYoung!" I tried again, but he was back up on his feet, holding a bow and effectively trapping her against the table. She tried to move to the right but he intercepted her. 

Three tables.

She went left but he interfered again.

Two tables. Now I was close enough to see her clenched jaw and the way her hands gripped the glasses so hard they looked as though they may shatter. Could JinYoung really be so thick? How could he not smell the fire brewing?

Only one table left. I could hear his words now. Largely because the entire cafeteria had gone silent to observe the tragedy in play at the water table. He fell to his knees again.

"I think I am in love with you. I know that you refused me before, but you can see now that I am not ashamed of our love."

"We. Are. Not. In. Love." Her words ground out through gritted teeth. She forcefully pushed past him and as she went, he caught the back of her skirt and clung to it. She tried to tug away but he would not release it. I put my hand up to warn him, as she turned, her blue eyes almost purple with the fire raging within. I attempted to change tactics.

"CHER! NO!" But it was too late. The next sound was the sputtering of the would-be suitor as both glasses were neatly dumped over his head, then the wet splat of his back hitting the floor when her shoe landed square on his chest and sent him sprawling backwards.