Mathematical attraction

Chapter 42

Minho's P.O.V.
"Here's your scones." My granpa kissed my cheek."And tea just how you like it. Enjoy."

I smiled. "Thanks gramps."

He bowed lightly. "Nice to see you too Namjoon."

Joonie bowed back. "Nice to see you too sir."

He pat our shoulders. "Enjoy your food children."

I turned around seeing him go back to his counter. "They're the best in Seoul."

He laughed. "You got it. Eat up while they're warm."

I took the cups off the tray and filled our cups. "Might have to wait because it's boiling." I blew over my cup. "Gives us time to talk."

"Yeah, I just want to understand why it seems like Yoongi hyung avoids telling me, but you don't mind at all." Joonie said copying my gesture. "Woah that tea smells nice."

I chuckled. "It does.. Look, I don't know what Yoon hides or hates about it, but not to angry him, don't tell him I told you."

He easily agreed. "I know how he is. No worries."

So I started to explain. "You know, Yoongi had this time where he felt like nothing was worth, he didn't know what to do, had no ambitions.. He tried to hide it from me. He locked himself in his room at first, then not answer my calls or my texts.. Then he stopped showing up at school. I knew something was up, but he didn't dare to tell me." I cleared my throat. "So one day, I decided to climb up to the second floor of his house to his balcony and.. I saw his him, sitting on the floor, throwing pieces of paper out in rage, grasping his hair so hard I thought he'd pull them off. I got so worried I pulled open the door and ran to him. I tried calming him down, but at first he pushed me away.. So hard I can still feel the dent the bed left on my head." I said touching it. "Once he realized it was me, he softened and I hugged him. I told him never to hide things like this from me, that I could help him... With that he gradually returned to school and while he said it was for him to keep an eye on me, I was actually keeping an eye on him making sure he was okay." I took a deep breath. "There were rougher times, but I'll skip these if you don't mind."

He had drank my every words. "You basically saved him from succumbing to his depression. It's honorable." He bit into his pastry. "I understand why he wants you close. He's been down without you, but I can see he's in good hands with us."

Namjoon's P.O.V.
I could see I needed to relieve her, to reassure her once I said he started to become quieter. "He's as sarcastic as he can be around us. I'm telling you, he's just fine."

She gave me a tiny smile. "I know, it's just hard you know? Been with him all my life seeing him everyday, every night and now.. I barely saw him twice in three months. I never had to live such a big change and we have different ways of living it.. I hate the silent treatment and it's what he's giving me when I text him."

"I understand that. He's the silent type and you are the one who actually talks about it. Not to the ones concerned, but it's a good start." I pointed out.

She passed her hand in her hair. "I know.. Sorry you have to deal with me I-"

I stopped her. "No, not at all! I'm glad you talk to me about it."

Her smile grew wider. "Okay.. Just. We say we tell eachother everything, but we both know it's bullshit now. Seoul changed us. I have more friends, I'm open.."

"Kinder, less sarcastic, smiling a lot more." I added. "While Yoongi hyung is more sarcastic, quieter, more reserved."

She nodded. "We're growing to be so different, it's almost like-"

"Like you didn't know eachother at all." I finished her sentence.

She frowned. "How do you know that?"

I concealed my chuckle. "Yoongi hyung talks to me about it, when he's not angry with me, it's hard for him to understand you now. You have so many hobbies and things you like and freedom.. He feels it's hard to keep track."

"It's true, but why is his way of showing his confusion is to hate everything I do and never show up to any." She sighed.

The more we talked, the more I understood why she cared for him. She was worried that moving away from him would drag him down. This is why she cared so much for him. She just wished his way of caring for her wasn't so black or white, either all over her or ignoring her. "Maybe it's because he doesn't know how much freedom you want. Ever thought about that?'

She sipped her tea for a moment. "It could be, but I don't know how to speak with him now. I feel like a child if I just go to him and explain my concerns."

"I told you I'd get him to go see your play right? How about I help you with that too?" I proposed.

Of course, she denied. "Joonie, I'm asking enough from you already.."

I layed my hand over her delicate fingers. "Hey. Minmin." Her eyes met mine. "I'm not doing this because you told me to. I'm doing this because I want to. I'm doing this because I care about you and because I hate to see you upset." I swallowed a little harder. Where these words right? Was it too much? It was true to me.

Her head went down. I said something weird did I? Why was I so stupid? Was she grinning? "Thanks Joonie. I really appreciate it. I feel like you've helped me more than I've helped you."

Minho, you have no idea how wrong you are.