Afterglow | K.TH

His Muse

RIEUL

"Kookie."

It's been the second morning already since the day of the art class, and he still wasn't opening the door of the little tent for me. He'd been in there for an entire day, shutting everyone out.

"Jungkook, you need to eat." Jimin says besides me. "I brought chicken, too. Your favorite."

The tent stays closed.

"Jimin, I—"

"No, it's alright." He says when I look at him with a guilty expression. "Just go to work. I'll get him to come out and eat something soon."

He clicks his tongue at my dark circles. "I know you already spent the past day and night trying. Honestly I'd just tell you to skip work, but obviously you won't listen to me."

I smile sheepishly.

"Thanks, Chim." I say, and he just rolls his eyes when I blow him a playful kiss. And then I quickly rush out of the house— I was already late to my shift.

The head nurse was going to get mad again, wasn't she?

__________________________

"Nurse Jeon!"

I swallow, bracing myself for the scolding I'd get when I hear the shrill voice of the head nurse echo across the halls.

It'd literally been five seconds since I'd stepped into the hospital and she was already onto me—

"There's someone asking for you." She says quickly, and I push open one eye in surprise. "Quick! What are you doing? Are you going to be slow as well as late?"

I blink.

"Someone?"

But then she pushes me down the second hallway, into the conference room before I can even say another word. I hadn't even changed into my scrubs—

Dark eyes.

Oh Lord. My hands instantly clasp together the moment I glimpse his broad figure on the couch, looking down at the floor.

"It's really interesting, that I can't find you with my personal invitation but I can find you so easily in a place like this."

He's almost whispering, but his acidic voice might as well fill the entire room.

Why— Why in the world was he back here? Just because Jungkook and I'd missed his session a few days ago?

Seriously?

"Sit down." He says, but I shake my head. My usual steel calm voice is almost trembling.

"Uh— it's fine if I stand."

"Sit. Down."

Chewing on my lip furiously, I go to the farthest couch from his and sit on the narrow edge. I'd never been this tense before— this anxious.

What's wrong with me? Is it his eyes?

"So." He says, and I start tapping my feet against the smooth floor. "Tell me why you weren't there two days ago. I believed your little brother wanted to meet me."

"Uh— w-we tried to go." I stutter, and his eyes slant in amusement.

"So Jungkook, he has autism. We got into a bit of trouble in the street, and he got hurt. He still wanted to go, but it would've been too late."