the 8th member | BTS [under editing]

nine

It had been two weeks since Hanbyul stayed with them. At first, sitting at the small dining table and having a meal while looking at each other was very awkward. It was weird, especially for Hanbyul, because back in Canada, she and her mom weren't like that. Her mother wasn't always at home, so Hanbyul always ate alone. When there was no Namjoon around, it became worse since they only can speak Korean, and she only can speak English. Communication problem? Yes. However, everything started to feel comfortable, and she relaxed around them. The members were kind and easy-going.

It was already 8 in the morning, and Hanbyul could hear Jungkook and Yoongi's voices from her bedroom. It's time for Jungkook to go to school. Hanbyul was supposed to go to school with Jungkook, but her mom made her attend the nearest school to the dorm, where she would be starting soon.

She jumped off her bed and opened the curtain to let the sunshine enter her room. Sighing loudly, she did a little stretching for a few good minutes. Afterward, she took a plain t-shirt paired with baggy pants before leaving her bedroom. As she was heading to the bathroom to take a bath, she found Jungkook wandering around the living room, looking for something.

"Hyung?" She called him, and he jolted up a bit as he looked at the younger girl, looking all blushing. Hanbyul knew he was a bit shy, and she felt nervous as well, but at least she needed to help him. If not, he will be late for school. She shrugged her shoulder a bit as she raised her eyebrows, using her body language to ask him what's he looking for right now. He pointed at his leg and pulled something from his toes until his ankle.

Bingo! Socks.

"Ah, okay!" She gave him a sign of okay and then told him to wait. She ran back towards her bedroom and went straight to the drawer, rummaging to find a pair of socks. Fortunately, she found striped socks. She handed him the socks, and he quickly put them on. "Gguk! Come on, you going to be so late!" Yoongi, who was putting his shoes on, said. Hanbyul stands over there, looking at both of them in their small chaos. Before Jungkook stepped out of the house, he looked at Hanbyul before saying, "Thank you, Hanbyul,"

For the first time, she feels appreciated. He said that in English. Even though thank you is a basic English skill of communication, she was still very thankful that he tried to make an effort to talk with her. "No problem, hyung!" The door then slowly closed. She sighed softly before heading to the bathroom. There was only one bathroom in this dorm. Not enough for all eight people, but they can still manage to use it.

Sometimes, there is hot water, or there will only be cold water. Imagine cold water in winter. Usually, the first three people would get hot water, the next three would get lukewarm water, and the last two would get cold water. Usually, the leader and Yoongi would get cold water since they wanted other members to get a hot or lukewarm shower. They always said that was the only thing they could do for other members. They didn't have money to spend on the members.

All of the members were just from ordinary families except for Jin. Namjoon's dad is an office worker, Taehyung is from a farming family, and Yoongi is very poor until one day, he has to decide whether to take a bus or buy a meal. Jimin, Hoseok, and Jungkook all came from mid-income families. Jin is a bit different because he comes from a bit well-known family. In that case, Jin always buys them food whenever they don't have money. However, he seemed to struggle since his pocket money wasn't that much.

After taking a shower, she headed to the kitchen. She found Jin whipping something for breakfast. He's the best cook ever. Hanbyul went behind him, peeking her head to see what he was making. He jolted up as he suddenly felt her hair brushing on his arms. Closing his eyes, he screamed as he grabbed a spatula and aimed it at Hanbyul.

"Hyung, Jin hyung!! It's me," She said. He opened his eyes, looking at her, all afraid. "H-Hanbyul?" He sighed in relief and then smiled at her. "Morning, Hanbyul," he said in English, blushing simultaneously.

Hanbyul chuckled softly, "Morning, Jin hyung," She then made gestures to help him. She wanted to give him a hand. He then nodded his head before pointing at one of the cabinets, the cabinet for the plates and glasses. She quickly made an okay sign.

She climbed up on the top to grab all the plates and glasses. It was too high for the youngest. Seokjin giggled softly, looking at her as he stirred the hot, boiling stew. As everything was perfectly seated at the dinner table, Jin and Hanbyul cheered and went for a high five. "Come eat breakfast, boys! If not, hanbyul and I will eat everything up!!" Seokjin yelled from the dinner table. She just assumed he was calling for the other members.

Soon later, she could hear their footsteps nearing the dinner table. They were all still sleepy. It was cute, to be honest. They were all pouting. "Morning, jin hyung and hanbyul," Namjoon said before he took a seat beside Hanbyul.

Hoseok, Jimin, and Taehyung slowly take their seats. Jimin and Taehyung were too sleepy as they kept leaning on each other. Hanbyul just cooed at the scene. They were so cute. "Morning, what for breakfast, hyung?" Hoseok asked. "Something warm and good, kimchi stew. Eat up," Seokjin said as the others started to dig in. Korean foods didn't suit her taste just yet. It was hard since it wasn't something that Hanbyul used to eat, but at least she tried to eat.

Kimchi is way too spicy and a bit sour, too much for 14 years old girl like her. As she shoved a bite of kimchi stew with rice into her mouth, she grimaced. It was too spicy and sour for her liking, but she had no choice. The explosion of spicy mixed with umami flavor and sourness in her mouth. Namjoon seemed to realize that Hanbyul's face had changed.

"Are you okay, Hanbyul? It is not good." She quickly shook her head. "It's good, Rapmon hyung. Hmm, I'm not used to this kind of food. Don't worry, eat your meal. I'll be fine," She smiled awkwardly. "Ah, do you want to eat anything else?" She shook her head, saying that it was okay. Conversely, Jin already gets up from his seat, "How about spam or eggs? You can eat that, right?" She quickly shook her head, "No, it's fine. I'm good, hyung. Just sit and enjoy your food," Hanbyul insisted, even after Jin asked her a few times more, "Are you sure?" She nods her head and continues eating her meal.