A Dark Star

Chapter 23

Erica's point of view:

"Noona!!" Jimin bursts into my room after dinner on Tuesday.

"Yes, Jimin?"

"Can I go for a short school trip? I'll be back in a day"

"Did you check your schedule?" receiving a nod in return "then you don't really have to ask me. You're a grown up now.....you're eighteen"

"Yeah....right...kinda forgot that" he rubs the back of his neck, embarrassed. I shake my head at his silliness and open my arms, welcoming him for a hug which he gladly accepts.

"Packed your things?" I ask him, patting his arm. A nod. I smile back at him.

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow"

"Oh"

"Yeah"

"You'll be fine, right?"

"Yes. Please don't worry too much about me?"

"Okay, good" he nods and starts standing up when I reach into my bed stand drawer and reach for a box, handing it to him.

He looks at me in confusion looking back to the box thrust into his hand, when I smile and gesture him to open it. He gasps. A beautiful band of black surrounded with gold on both sides stares at him.

"Like it?" and he shakes his head.

"Should I return it and get you a new one?"

"I love it" he whispers, voice shaky. I smile.

"Scared me for a moment there. I think it would suit your index?" he slips it on said finger and the ring fit perfectly.

"Hope it reminds you of me"

"It will but I don't ever think I'll be able to forget you" he said, eye brimming with tears, voice still shaky "you've taken care of me ever since mom and I've done nothing for you. God...I feel so useless right now" a stray tear rolls down his cheek.

"Don't. I like it the way it is. I like to take care of you. And you might not have known, but you have taken care of me just as much as I have taken of you"

"Take good care of yourself. Hmmm?" I add and he nods vigorously.

"Good night, Jimin"

"Night" a smile on his face as he gets up this time. I pick my tablet back from the bed as he goes to the door. He spares me a last glance before leaving the room to go to his own.

The next day is boring for both me and Seo yeon, seeing as we are the only people from our group at school. I drag her to the café where I decided to meet Namjoon and Hoseok after they finish their schools.

"Hey Joon! Hey Hobi" Seo yeon exclaims from across the café as soon as she sees them enter, being the human embodiment of the word 'excitement'.

"Hello" I greet more calmly.

"Hey.......why the sudden 2k-liners meeting?" Namjoon asks as he and Hoseok seat themselves in front of us.

"Probably because the one and two-liners have gone for a trip" Seo yeon pouts. Hoseok laughs as he looks over to the menu.

"Aren't you forgetting to invite two people?" Namjoon questions.

"Yeah....I'm surprised that Erica's here without a certain someone" Hoseok adds as he looks up to peek at me.

"He's not in the zero-liners list" I shrug it off.

"Did you guys have a fight?" Seo yeon questions.