Our Dorm Life | Rosekook | DISCONTINUED

Chapter 21

Chaeyoung's POV

"Chaeyoung!"  I turned around from the bench I was sitting from.  I had only texted Jungkook 5 minutes ago, yet he was already here.  Did he sprint here? I thought as I watched him jog to me, panting.  I blushed at the thought.  No way, right?

"And who was the one who told me not to run in slippery ice?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Hey, that bet is still on you know." Jungkook replied as he caught his breathe.

"I know.  And I'm still totally going to beat you." I challenged.

"We'll see about that." Jungkook answered, a small smirk om his face. "Anyways, I can see the whole group is here." He added, looking over at the two pairs who were already in the ice rink.  Trying- and I mean trying (but failing in terms of Taehyung and Lisa)- to skate.  Jennie was holding on to the railings of the rink for dear life, and Jisoo and Seokjin had skated towards her for aid.  Jongin, on the other hand, was skating like an Olympic athlete.

"So, your brother skates?" I wondered aloud as I watched him travel around the rink with ease.

"I guess." Jungkook shrugged as he studied his brother. "I haven't seen him since he left for college, which was about two years ago.  I suppose he learned how to skate during his stay in America."

"I guess it runs in the family." I joked. "Learning everything within a short period of time."

"Not quite." Jungkook mused as he leaned on the wall that separated the ice rink from the outside. "We're not really related. He's only my step brother, so no blood relations here."

I facepalmed myself. Right.  Now that I thought about it, Jongin did say his mother remarried in his highschool days.

"Oh dear God.  Sorry, as you can tell, I have an excellent memory." I snorted sarcastically.

Jungkook chuckled. "No worries.  It happens to the best of us.  And Jongin is like a real brother to me.  He's been by my side since middle school. Which was when my father finally remarried after my mom's passing." He smiled solemnly as he recalled the memories of his past.

I stood there awkwardly as Jungkook began to open up.  I fidgeted with my hands.  How does one deal with this?  I wouldn't have an idea since I have never experienced a loved one passing.

"Do.... Do you miss her?" I faltered, uncertainty in my voice.  I didn't know how he would deal with sympathy, so I settled with something that wouldn't offend him.  Hopefully.

"Of course." He whispered softly.  "Of course I do." He repeated. "But life goes on, and I didn't want my dad to always be sad. It's what my mom would have wanted. The love of her life moving on and being happy again."

I nodded.  What did people do in such fragile moments like this? Did people give hugs?  Pats on the back? Advice? Ughhh, I wouldn't know.

"Do you want a hug?" I finally offered, hiding my face within my scarf.  Oh god, of all things Chaeyoung. Of all things you could have said, you said that.

"Sure.  I'd like that." He muttered under his breathe, catching me by surprise. Wait, did he really just say that? I slapped my cheeks in disbelief before looking back up at his questioning gaze. I'm not dreaming. I'm really not.

At this point, my cheeks were burning, and I had quickly moved my gaze to the floor. I brought my scarf even higher on my face knowing I was most likely as red as a tomato.

Distracted by my own actions and embarrassment, I hadn't noticed Jungkook taking small steps toward me, and I was caught by surprise once again when my head made contact with his neck, his hands wrapping gently around my back.

"I've wanted to do this for the past few weeks." He whispered quietly into my hair, sending a shudder through my spine.

I froze. Was I supposed to hear that?

I reluctantly brought up my arms to wrap it around his middle back, awkwardly patting the area.

"Me too." I shyly murmured.

I felt him tense in my embrace. "I said that out loud didn't I?"

"I guess I rubbed off on you. Living together and all." I voiced, my heart thumping against my chest. Thump. Thump.

Dear God was this man going to give me a heart attack. I hoped that he couldn't feel how fast my heart was beating.

"I guess you did." He chuckled.

We stepped back from our hug, and our gazes locked. The light from the sun glistened on his brown orbs, and he smiled at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Cute.

I timidly smiled back, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"So.... ice skating." I gestured, pointing towards the rink.

"Right." He replied, throwing a glance at the rink. He offered me his hand, and I took it, biting my lip when he squeezed my hand gently.

"Let's go." He announced, leading.

"I don't know how to skate..." I mumbled as we continued to walk side by side to the counter.

He gazed at me, a small quirk on his lips. "I can teach you. I'm pretty decent." He said.