Still With My Memories

7: [Backstory] How we met

Jimin POV:
I was still wearing my school uniform when I decided to buy hot coffee from the convenience store nearby. It was freezing cold that day and my classes just ended. My glasses kept fogging due to warm air whenever I breathe. It was quite inconvenient but I got used to it.

It was just a normal boring day. I didn't know why but all of my subjects are quite familiar and I didn't really had hard time studying everything. Anyways, that was no new news for me. I was always like this since I was a kid. I just get to understand everything easily.

I didn't really like bitter coffee but I still bought it. I just want something hot to hold since I forgot to put on my gloves. "Jeez. Why is it so cold right now?" I said as I cupped the coffee with both of my hands.

I was about to leave the store when I noticed a young man sitting in the bench alone, shivering in the cold. His head was down while hugging himself.

Without realizing, my feet walked towards him.
"C-coffee?" I offered. The young man lifted his head and looked at me.

Cold. Sad. Empty.

It was heartbreaking to see such expression but I managed to give him a smile. "C-come on take it before it gets cold." My hands were shaking too but I insisted him to take the coffee. For a moment, he stared at my hand and then looked at me before taking the coffee.

"Thank you." He said in a low, deep voice. Surprisingly, his voice was not deep scary but rather soothing. That moment, I knew he was not a bad person. Just a hunch.

I slightly raised my glasses and tucked cold my hands inside my jacket before I sat beside him.
"W-why are you staying here in the cold?" I managed to ask but he just looked at me. I honestly thought he would cursed at me.

But he didn't.

He just looked away and slightly squeeze the cup of coffee as he spoke. "I r-ran away... from home." He uttered in almost a whisper. There was something in his voice that made me sad. I looked at him not knowing what to say. It's below zero degrees and this man has nowhere to go.

"You know... it's not safe to stay here long with this weather, right? Do you have place to stay?" I asked with concern. I wanted to suggest him to go home but he probably has his reason why he ran away.

"No." He said and I saw how he squeezed the cup of coffee to warm his hand a little more. "You should go home. Really appreciate the coffee." He uttered with a bitter smile. His lips was turning purple gray and it made me worry. Part of me wanted to leave the bench because the cold was killing me but my conscience said the opposite.

I found myself  staring at him for a while. I tucked my chin on my red scarf while carefully thinking how could I help him. "Are you going to stare at me all night? You should go home." He muttered and I almost jumped. So, he was a sensitive type. He knew I was staring at him and was probably confused on why am I not leaving yet.

I heaved a sigh.  Instead of saying goodbye, I took my phone out and dialled my grandma's number.

"Hello, halmeoni? This is Jimin... Yes I'm on my way home..." I took quick glances at him and noticed that he was still shivering. I'm getting more worried. The more he stayed here, the more he was risking his life. Was he a suicidal type? I don't think so. He could've have jumped out the bridge if he really wanted to kill himself but no, he even accepted the coffee I gave him.

"E-Erm..." I swallowed hard and clear my throat. "Halmeoni...Is it okay if I bring my friend over?" I said asking my grandma for permission. On my peripheral view, I could see the surprised look on his face. "Okay. See you later." I ended the call and  looked at his completely shock face.

"W-why did you do that?"
"Because you had nowhere to go."
"But this not your problem... You didn't have to do this, this coffee is enough." He uttered in disbelief and raised the cup of coffee I gave him. Oh jeez, the weather's getting colder and we didn't even have more time to argue. "But- I can't sleep comfortably knowing your sitting here alone... that was just... too cruel." I couldn't help the pout. I wanted to go home but I just couldn't leave him.

He gave me a thats-a-nonsense look. But rather than speaking, his gaze became soft. "You're too kind." He said in a deep voice and looked away.

"T-thank you." He added.

****
Since that day, Taehyung started living with me and my grandma and we became really close friends. We used to stay in the rooftop just to watch the night sky and talk about our dreams and our future.

"Jimin- what's your dream?" He asked lying while his head resting on his arm

"Hmm.. I don't know... I just like seeing people around me happy." I answered sitting beside him looking at the sky.

"So you wanna be a clown?!" He said changing his position and now he's facing me.

"Why not?" I said smiling as lay down beside him.

"Seriously, you're so simple headed." He rolled his eyes. "You're too kind too, what if I'm serial killer? And you invited me in your house? You would've been killed." He said shaking his head.

I chuckled.

"W-what's funny?" He asked confused.

"You looked so innocent back then, how can I think of you as killer?" I said still looking at the sky. I know he's looking at me.

He suddenly pat my head and sigh "What would I do without you."
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-To be continued-