A Dark Star

Chapter 33

Jinae's point of view:

I card my fingers through his hair as he sleeps using my lap as a pillow, his eyes puffy and tear tracks staining his cheeks. His phone sitting on the bedside table. I wonder about what the call was. Why does he have to go to the hospital? Is everything alright? Why was he crying? What made him so vulnerable?

I am pulled out of my thoughts as he wriggles on my lap, now facing me. He lifts one of his hands to touch my face, still sleepy, eyes droopy, as I smile at his silliness.

"Oppa! Wake up. My legs are cramping" I whine.

"How did I end up here?" he asks, sitting up straighter, rubbing at his eyes.

"You were crying and we bumped into each other. I got you here and you fell asleep, crying"

"Hmmmm"

"Not the answer I was expecting. You know you can tell me anything if you want, right?"

"Yeah I know. I just don't want you to be involved too. I was planning on telling the hyungs and noona about you on her birthday but..." he trailed off.

"Something happened? You called me saying the party was cancelled. What happened? Did she find out?"

"No um.....she was....uh...k-kidnapped"

"Oh...is she alright?"

"S-she got s-shot. She is in the emergency room in the hospital. Yoongi hyung g-got stabbed. I-I went to see the evidence against the people w-who did that and, and I guess I freaked out" I had never seen him stutter, so vulnerable. I engulfed him in a hug.

"You can let it all out. It's okay to cry. I'm there for you" he pushes me away gently by my shoulders.

"I'm fine now. She will come back to me"

"Namjoon oppa called. He wanted you to go to the hospital when you're ready"

"Hmm okay. I guess I'll leave in twenty then"

"Can I come with you?"

"Not now, please. I'll take you with me to meet noona but I don't think now is a nice time to introduce someone new to her"

"Okay. I understand. Take care of yourself" I say as he stands up to freshen up after his short nap.

"Yeah. I will" he says as he goes to the door to my room.

"Are your parents home?"

"Yes. Mom's in the kitchen. Dad's in the study"

"Okay. I will meet them and leave as soon as I can, okay?" he strolls towards me, leaning over to reach where I was sitting on the bed and softly pecking my forehead as I stare in surprise at the gesture.

"I'm sorry you had to see me like that" he whispers.

"It's alright. I don't mind becoming your safe haven" I smile as his lips curve up into a soft smile and just like that he leaves the room with a loud 'aunty' booming through the entire house. I follow him to the kitchen.

"Hmmm your cookies are always so yummy" mom pets his head as if petting a kitten. Jimin is grinning like a Cheshire cat, looking at me.

"Ah son. It's been a long time since you both have gone for a date" mom speaks up. I can see his shoulders deflating a little before I step in.

"Ma...oppa is busy for a few days. Then he has promised to take me on three consecutive dates, hasn't he?" I look at him, teasingly.

"Y-yeah of course" he replies, shooting me an angry look once mom turns away. I shrug, grinning, continuing with him to go meet my dad.