Butterfly

3. The Roof

I slam the door to the apartment, tossing my bag to the side, letting out a breath. "SANDRA!"

She appears from the linen closet, her hair messy. "Oh, you're back. How was your day?"

"Oh, you know, it was great until I found out someone told the office that I'd be joining the swim team." I glare at her. Sandra's face falls slightly and she lets out a breath, blowing her bangs out of her face.

"Y/n, I just mentioned that you swam a couple years ago."

I open the fridge, scanning the contents, then slam it shut. "Yeah, well they went and looked up my records, and now the coach is harassing me to join the team."

"I know you don't want to hear this, but maybe you should, Y/n."

"What?"

Sandra shrugs slightly. "Maybe it's time to start swimming again. You were really good, Y/n, whether you want to acknowledge it or not."

"Yeah, well that's not me anymore." My eyes blur with tears and Sandra's voice softens.

"I know it's hard, but swimming is your life. You miss it, I know you do."

I take in a breath, then shake my head, turning my back to her as I head to the door. "No, I don't, and I'm done talking about this."

Sandra sighs. "Where are you going?"

"Out." I slam the door behind me and stand in the hall, honestly not sure where I'm going.

I walk towards the stairs, leaning against the wall of the stairwell, closing my eyes. I open them, my vision slightly blurry, and I blink away the tears. I don't cry anymore. I stopped crying when I moved in with Sandra.

My eyes focus on the sign on the opposite wall, with an arrow pointing up the stairs. Floor 6 - Roof. Without knowing what I'm doing, I start walking up the stairs slowly, my feet moving blindly, until I reach the top, the door labelled "Roof".

I reach out, tentatively pushing on it, and to my surprise it opens, the rush of air warm on my face. I walk out into the open air, scanning my surroundings. It's almost completely cement, a low wall of the same material going around the edges, I guess to stop people falling. I let out a breath, the grey day making everything better, and my eyes fall on an open space in the floor near the corner, large and rounded.

I walk over slowly, realizing what it is as I grow closer, my eyes tracing the stairs leading down into it. An empty pool, just a sunken hole on the roof devoid of water.

I turn at a sound behind me, seeing a figure sitting on the edge of the roof, feet dangling into nothingness as they tilt their face up toward the grey sky. Tilting my head, I walk over, recognizing him as I get closer.

Jimin turns his head slightly, seeing me, and raises an eyebrow. "You again."

I note the cigarette in his hand and my nose wrinkles in distaste. "What are you doing up here?"

"Superintendent gets pissed if I smoke in my apartment." He shrugs, holding the cigarette in his teeth as he brushes back his hair, and my eyes fall on his uniform shirt, halfway unbuttoned, revealing his chest again.

He smirks slightly, catching my eyes lingering on his bare chest, pulling the cigarette away from his lips, exhaling the smoke slowly. "I think the real question is what you're doing up here."

"Trying to escape my sister."

He chuckles slightly, taking another drag of his cigarette. "What's with you and her anyway? You're always at each other's throats."

"How would you know?" I challenge him, but he just grins again.

"The walls are thin."

I glare at him, walking over, sitting on the edge of the roof a few feet away. It's an odd feeling, seeing everything so far below you, and I swing my feet slightly, enjoying the weightlessness.

"It's none of your business, dryer-stealer."

He chuckles again, closing his eyes, tilting his face hot to the sky again as he exhales the smoke. "I think the word you're looking for is thief. Dryer thief sounds so much better, doesn't it?"

"Shut up."

He shrugs, blowing smoke into the emptyness of the sky. "I didn't see you at school."

"Well, I was late because someone delayed me leaving by being an asshole." I shoot him a dirty look, wondering why I'm even talking to him. At least he's better than Sandra right now.

Jimin chuckles again, unfazed, the sound slightly infuriating. "Maybe you should learn how to control that temper of yours, then not everyone would get on your nerves."

"Hah. It's easier when people aren't jerks."

We sit in silence, Jimin taking another drag of his cigarette, and I wrinkle my nose as the scent reaches me. "That's fucking nasty."

"Well, so is the thought of you wearing my uniform shirt, but I'll deal."

I give him a dirty look and he smirks, pulling his legs up, standing on the roof again as he stubs out his cigarette on the edge, then flicks it over the side. I watch it fall, invisible after only a few seconds.

"You're going to kill the environment."

"Well, I'll be sure to recycle the next one." He smirks, turning, running his hand through his hair. "See you tomorrow."

"I hope not." I turn, watching him head toward the door, and he chuckles, turning to raise an eyebrow at me.

"Your sister asked me to dinner, so you don't have much of a choice."

I tilt my head, processing what he just said, and Jimin smirks at me. "Keep an eye on your laundry."

I glower at him and he flashes me another infuriating grin before he leaves, the door clicking shut behind him. I let out a breath, unsure why he pisses me off so much.

Oh, wait, he's an asshole. That's reason enough.

Wait, he's coming to dinner?

I just now realize what he said and I stand, jumping down onto the roof, a sound of frustration leaving my lips. I guess I am seeing him tomorrow.

Goddammit.