Catharsis

*5*

I stood frozen in front of an image that I hoped I would never see again. No matter how hard I wanted it to be just an illusion I knew she was as real as my loathe for her. What were the chances for us to meet today, when my world was already shaken. Someone must really want me to suffer badly. 

"Hey, Hobi, long time no see!" she said playfully. I suddenly felt nauseous.

"Don't call me that!" I said coldly, being obviously irritated.

"Come on, it's been a year now, I thought you left everything behind already!" she moaned.

Her voice was sending shivers down my spine. I hated it. I felt disgusted. How could she be so superficial about what happened? Obviously it meant nothing to her. 

"I see you're not in the mood to talk" she said repulsively, probably noticing the disgust on my face. "Anyways, great performance, you've improved a lot!" she mocked me. "See you around, I guess?"

I could see her moving away from me, like an evil ghost that haunts you and torments you. I could finally breathe. I took a moment to regain my composure, then went back to the boys who were probably worried by now. I had to act like there was nothing wrong with me, but I don't think I could, not after all that happened.

I could see Jimin rushing to my side as soon as he noticed me. "Hyung, are you ok?" he looked at me as if he knew what just happened. I just gave him the drinks, with a small smile on my face "Don't worry, Jiminie, I am fine, I am just not feeling very well suddenly". I needed an excuse to run away and hide under a rock. 

Jimin stared at me as if he was looking straight into my soul and if the other boys didn't come to check on me, I would have probably gave myself away. "Sorry, guys, I am not feeling well" I said weakly. "Is it ok if I leave first? It's nothing serious, I think I just need to rest."

"It's because you haven't been eating, hyung, that's why!" Jungkook complained and I nodded, seeing how everything turned out to work in my favour.

We all hugged again and I went on my way. I could still feel Jimin staring back at me, not trusting my words at all. I loved my friends to bits and I know they wanted the best for me, but I just wanted to be alone. As soon as I was far enough from their sight, I started running as fast as I could.

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The boys were finishing their drinks and were about to leave as well, but a panting Ha-Neul appeared in front of them out of nowhere.

"Are you alright?" Namjoon asked very concerned. The rest of the boys were now focusing on the unfamiliar female figure.

"Y-yes, Namjoon, I-I just need a moment to... c-catch my... breath" she said breathing heavily, falling to the ground. That's when Taehyung leaned forward and passed her his drink. She took it instantly with a small bow and gulped it down. Taehyung flashed his boxy smile and she couldn't help not to smile back, thanking him.

That's when Namjoon noticed everyone was giving him a questioning look. He spoke "Right, sorry! Guys, this is our number one fan, Ha-Neul!" Now all the boys were smiling fondly at the girl.

"Nice to meet you all, finally!" she said excitedly, getting up, then bowing really low and looking suddenly very hyper when standing back up. "I already know all of you, so there is no point in introducing yourselves!" she added. The boys giggled. She continued "I am really sorry for what happened in there, you were amazing! After you left I wanted to kick those judges in the balls, but they ran away, cowards!" Everyone laughed at her audacity. "I was looking for you everywhere! You see, today is my birthday and I really wanted to meet you all and..." she stopped abruptly. "Wait, where is Hoseok?"

"He wasn't feeling well so he just left a few minutes ago." Jungkook replied.

"But he was perfectly fine before!" a confused Ha-Neul said.

"He doesn't really take good care of himself" Yoongi added.

Her cheerful expression changed into sadness and Jimin noticed it. That gave him an idea.

"Ha-Neul, you seem to care about Hoseok." She nodded back at Jimin. "Something bad happened to him a year ago on this day and I am sure that is the reason he left."

The other boys were also interested in what Jimin was saying. They knew about it, but not much as Hobi would barely talk about it. 

Jimin then asked "I don't know if I am doing the right thing, but do you want to know what happened?"

"Of course I do! I would give anything to see Hoseok happy!" she bluntly replied, leaving all the boys in a daze after her confession.

"Then maybe I am doing the right thing" Jimin smiled, then went back to being serious "The girl he loved more than himself left him last year on this exact same day. She has cheated on him. And I am pretty convinced he met her just before he left." The other boys gasped at his last comment, feeling bad that they didn't realize what was all about and didn't do anything to help their friend.

"Now everything makes sense..." Ha-Neul sighed. "Him being distant, avoiding girls, spending time only with you guys. He must be in so much pain. And I know exactly how he feels because I'm the same as him." The boys were focusing all of their attention on her now, feeling sympathetic. "Jimin, do you know where he might be?" He nodded. "Can you give me the address, please?" Jimin sent her the coordinates on her phone.

"Thank you!" and she started running, following the directions on the screen. She could hear BTS shouting "Happy Birthday!" in the background, but all she could think about now was how to reach Hoseok faster.