My Sleeping Partner | P. JM

Damn Robot

"Your hands are cold."

My voice is hazed with sleep as I find his freezing hands under mine, interlocking my fingers with his.

He pauses.

"Minah— do you wake up every time I leave you? Or come back?"

"I don't know— I guess," I whisper as I shiver underneath his cold touch. "Wow— you're cold, Jimin. And it's nearly six. What do you need to practice so much?"

All he does is laugh as he rubs his fingertips together, apologizing softly for waking me up.

"You're already so good. Do you love dancing that much?"

"......"

"Yes."

"Go to sleep, Minah." He tells me, motioning at the clock. "I don't need to sleep— but you do. It's only six in the morning."

His hand feels cool and soft under my touch as I sandwich it between my palms. My voice sounds still half-asleep as I mutter.

"I know you're going to beat him, Jimin. I know it. So don't worry too much."

________________________

Jimin's POV

"Find a partner for duet dance— you will perform this four days from now," The instructor says in monotone, crossing his arms together.

"So you better not embarrass me in front of the entire school."

My eyes immediately search for Minah as I automatically ignore the suggestive stares other girls are giving me. I didn't feel comfortable with anyone else here except her.

She must be in the restroom.

Then something slams into my side, and I look to see a student. He has a sneer on his face— and I remember him as Im Jisung.

The one that I will beat.

"Going to wear a mask again like a coward?" He hisses. "Stupid AI— what a joke. You can't even stand on stage without covering your face."

He leaves me there stunned, rubbing my hands over my tattoo. Of course he'd noticed— how many had? How did I not notice some of the students looking at me the way they do?

"Jimin?"

_____________________

"Jimin?"

I say, and he looks to me. His closed expression instantly melts into relief as he smiles softly, voice light.

"Hi, partner." He laughs, and I tilt my head in confusion. Had I missed something while in the restroom?

"Duet project." He explains, and I slowly nod in realization as he grips my wrist. "Come on— let's practice. I already have a choreograph in mind."

________________________

"Ah!"

A short scream escapes my lips when Jimin lets go too early. My balance goes out the window when his arms hurriedly wrap around my waist.

I end up pulling him down with me.

"I'm sorry!" He breathes as he scrambles off of me, face flushed with panic as he runs his hands down my side. "Are you hurt, Minah?"

"I'm fine." I sigh in relief as I jump up to my feet. My head tilts in curiosity— he never would've made a mistake like that. Not unless something was really distracting him.