Uncover

8.

"What!?" Jaemin gasped.

Jeno, Jaemin, Haechan, Renjun and Chenle, everyone is here at Jieun's hospital room.

The Boys had heard Chenle's dolphin like screams, even before they had entered Jieun's room and upon entering, they had found Chenle shaking Jisung by his shoulders and frantically screaming at him.

"Did they say how she managed to escape?" Jeno asked.

"They said, there was suddenly a blackout. And then they heard painful screams of two people as if.... as if they had been attacked. When the lights came back on, she was missing and two of their detectives were lying unconcious and injured in front of her lock-up." Jieun explained.

"Woah, man I want to meet her now." Haechan marvelled, clapping his hands.

They all turned to look at him and Renjun hit his head.

"What!? I'm just admiring her skills!!! If she managed to escape The NEO CITY Police, and injure two of their Detectives, then she's one amazing criminal."

"And dangerous. Extremely dangerous." Jisung stated.

"Ya, I know that!! I just meant-"

Renjun ignored him and turned to Jisung. "Any leads on her yet?"

"Oooii, someone's feeling concerned~" Jaemin cooed. 

Renjun raised an eyebrow and gave them a look, but didn't say anything. He went and sat on the chair, crossed his arms and closed his eyes. 

"He's not denying!!" Chenle and Haechan said in a playful tone.

Still with his eyes closed, Renjun reached out to grab Haechan. "Do you want to die?"

"Hyuck, Nana, Chenle, stop it. Renjun, calm down. Let's first think about the problem at hand. This is a serious matter." Jeno said, trying to get everyone to settle down. 

Jeno glanced at Jieun, who was staring at Renjun and then at Renjun's  expressionless face. They are right in a way. He's not one to show interest in anyone's matters apart from us. Maybe because she is Jisung's sister..... That must be it. He may not say it but right now, he's definitely concerned for her. 

Just then the door opened and Jisoo and Bomin came in with snacks. "We are back!!" But seeing three unfamiliar boys in the room, they froze at the door.

Jeno, Jaemin and Renjun stared at Bomin and Jisoo as they stared right back at the three boys.

"Who....?" Jisoo looked at Jieun confused.

Bomin on the other hand, strided towards Jieun's bed and crossed his arms. "Park Jieun, why are there so many boys in your room?"

"Who are you to question her?" Renjun asked, glancing at Bomin.

"Don't talk to my brother like that!" Jisoo raised her voice a bit.

"Don't talk to my friend like that, darling." Jaemin said imitating Jisoo.

"Don't call me darling!!"

"But darling You have not told me your name yet. How am I supposed to call you then?"

Jisoo wanted to punch Jaemin, then and there but she held herself back for Jieun's sake. "Jieun, mind explaining?" She sent Jieun a cross look.

"Now, now my darling. That's not the way to-"

"Call me darling one more time and see what I'll do."

"My darling-"

Both Jisung and Chenle had to hold back Jisoo from hitting Jaemin, while Jeno tried to shut up Jaemin from saying anything else.

"Chenle, if he doesn't shut up, I swear I'll murder him!" 

"Oh no darling, I know you can't bear to hurt this handsome."

"Handsome my foot!" Jisoo balled up her fists. "Watch me kick you till you beg on your knees."

"Guys, chill!" Haechan shouted and everybody stopped speaking. Jeno awkardly glanced at everyone, while Chenle sighed and shook his head. Jisoo glared at Jaemin, while the latter gave her a bright smile. Bomin and Renjun were having a silent stare-down competition as Jisung stood there and looked at Haechan with his big eyes.

At first the boys were surprised at how calm and composed Haechan was, which was very unlikely of him. But then they all, including Bomin and Jisoo, understood why he was behaving like that when Haechan silently pointed at Jieun.

Meanwhile, Jieun was lost in her thoughts.

I want to run away.

Jieun had imagined how chaotic it would be when everyone would meet each other, but watching the chaos unfold before her, was now making her want to run away from here. 

I can't handle this. How am I supposed to handle this? I don't want to say anything that will hurt anyone of them.... They are Jisung and Chenle's friends... and it's been only a day since we all met. I can't say just anything to them. And Bomin and Jisoo... though they are my best friends, it doesn't mean that I'll say anything to them. No. I can't hurt anyone's feelings.... What do I do? 

Urgh, Park Jieun you are of no use!  

Just then someone shook her by the shoulder. She snapped out of her thoughts and looked around.

Everyone was looking at her. She was so confused, because seconds ago there was so much noise and now, there was a pin-drop silence. She then looked at Haechan's face and understood that they were like this because they all were worried about her. So keeping her anxieties aside, she put on a smile.

"Why the long faces? It doesn't suit you all."

"Eun-ah, you aren't angry with us for behaving like that?" Bomin asked pouting.

"Why would I be angry? I am grateful for having such caring best friends, who are constantly thinking about me." Jieun smiled at Bomin and Jisoo.

I should be the one apologising. It's always you guys doing things for me... I have never done anything for you guys. Forgive me. I always end up making you both worry about me and yet you never complain.... I'm really the worst friend ever.

"And what about us? Are you angry with us?" Jaemin asked doing aegyo. 

Jieun chuckled and gave him a bright smile. "No way. How can someone be angry with you guys? You guys are so nice and considerate... I'm glad, Jisung and Chenle have you guys as friends."

"Well, we are your friends too!!" Haechan said immediately.

Only if you guys knew.... what a pathetic person I am...

 Jieun smiled. "Okay. Okay. We all are friends. So come on now, let's properly introduce ourselves."

Jieun watched as everyone introduced themselves and tried to get along with each other. She knows they are trying to keep their differences aside and become friendly, just for her sake. 

She was feeling so useless that she is not doing anything and just sitting on the bed, like a fool. She decided if her smile, can make them feel at ease, then she will smile, no matter how she is feeling.

Smiling, Jieun turned to look at Renjun. She had expected him to be looking at his phone or sitting with his eyes closed.... But, he was staring right at her.... into her eyes. 

And what startled her the most, were the words he mumbled. Because no one had ever said them to Jieun.

"Stop smiling like that. It looks painful."