Falling Comets (Jungkook Fan fiction)

Chapter 25

There wasn't much to teach it turned out. Jimin was a quick learner for one, and he already seemed to understand what he had to do. The only thing Hyunsoo had to explain to him was what to take care of, which was the way he spoke over the table, the way he sat and the way he ate. That, and a few simple rules, seemed to be enough for him to understand what to do.

"What do you study, Jimin?" asked Hyunsoo's mother, while everyone finally started digging into their food that was being served by Yeonhee.

Hyunsoo's father was at the end of the table, with her mother by his right and Hyunsoo on his left. Jimin was right next to her, and then there was Seokjin and his wife across them, along with a few other people Hyunsoo couldn't recognise.

Jimin was in the middle of choosing the right cutlery to use for the food when he answered. "I study Performing Arts, ma'am."

"What will you do with a degree like that?" Father looked at Jimin with a hard expression.

It was the first time he spoke that evening in front of Hyunsoo and Jimin. Earlier when they came to greet him, he hadn't even acknowledged their presence.

Hyunsoo glanced at Jimin in an apologetic way, because it was this moment she dreaded the most. Jimin had already reassured her that he'd be fine but Hyunsoo couldn't control her worries racing from one end to another. However, he still looked completely composed somehow. "It is my dream to become a performer one day, so this degree is helping me do just that," Jimin answered simply.

Hyunsoo breathed, but not out of relief. She realised she had been holding her breath waiting for Jimin to answer.

"I was under the impression that universities offered courses to help you excel in life, not aid you on your way to become entertainers," said Hyunsoo's father in an acidic tone.

Everyone was quiet. Jimin hadn't taken his first bite yet, he was staring down at the food. It was lobster.

"Father, you need to stop," said Hyunsoo finally. "I can't believe you're making my friend feel like this, and in front of everyone else! Is this why you told me to bring someone?"

"You're always talking about how you want to stay at that university of yours, isn't it natural for me to want to know what kind of people you're surrounded with and what your university offers to people?" Father shot back at her. He was getting annoyed.

"But not when you're behaving like this!" Hyunsoo didn't care anymore, she was angry too. How dare he make Jimin feel like this with his questions?

"Hyunsoo! Stop this at once." Her mother had turned red in the face, probably of embarrassment. "I'm so sorry you had to see that," she said to the other guests. "She has been out of the house too much so she's forgotten her manners."

Hyunsoo rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I've forgotten my manners." She looked at Jimin who was looking at her surprised. "Let's go."

Jimin didn't waste any time in dropping his knife and fork, standing up and taking Hyunsoo by the hand to lead her back to the front door. Just before they left the room Jimin turned around to look at Hyunsoo's father one last time, looking as if he was stopping himself from saying something. He sighed. 

"Go now boy," said Seokjin suddenly, "Don't say anything you'll regret." He was smiling slightly at the pair as he said this. It was a kind smile, a reassuring one.

Hyunsoo nodded a quick thanks. She always liked Seokjin a little, since he seemed much more human than her family. And this wasn't the first time he stepped in between something like this.  

As soon as they got to the door, Yeonhee was waiting for them with their coats in her hand. "Go now before your father comes. Quickly," she said. 

"Thanks, I'm sorry about this," replied Hyunsoo.

"Don't be."

"Let's go Hyunsoo," said Jimin urgently.

Hyunsoo turned around and realised why. Her father had gotten up and was walking towards them with his arms crossed. 

They fled.

Hyunsoo had never in her life left like this before, but she couldn't just sit there as her parents were starting to pick on Jimin and her life choices.

In the past this kind of incident usually led to Hyunsoo being verbally accused and shouted at. It was humiliating. However, there was a new kind of feeling running through her body. Her hand was still clutched to Jimin's hand. They were speed walking towards... anywhere, anywhere but her parent's house. This feeling, it made her feel alive, like she could do anything now that she was away from her parents. Was it because she was with Jimin this time? She did feel some courage because of him, especially at the dinner table. 

"Hyunsoo," started Jimin.

Hyunsoo gulped. Was he upset that she brought him to a place like that? 

"I can't believe you had to put up with them your whole life. Are you ok?" He asked.

And then, she doesn't know how it happened, but the tears started coming out suddenly. It was as if he had pressed a button on her forehead that said 'cry' and she started.

"Hyunsoo," he said again, with a little shock hinted in his voice. 

He led her to the side where there was a brick wall low enough for them to jump on and sit, which is what he had in mind as he helped her up and sat next to her.

It was getting really dark by then, and the stars were coming out. It's wasn't too cold, though they still sat close together for warmth. It was mid October after all. 

After a while of crying silently to herself, Hyunsoo finally breathed in and held it for a while before letting it out. It was a good way to calm down right after crying your eyes out. 

That's when it happened. She opened her mouth and instead of saying what she intended to, which was 'it's ok I'm fine now', she said, "I hate my parents."

And she spilled her family history.