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❝ He was charismatic, magnetic
electric and everybody
knew it. ❞

C H A P T E R
X V I I I

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MY FEET MOVE further away from the restaurant, taking me along towards the quiet road. I didn't know what was I running away from, in my head were the passing memories telling me to stay away to keep my distance. I didn't want anyone to see the vulnerable side of me. People always took me for a stronger person, perhaps I was even stronger than Alex but I was never brave. There was never anyone quite brave like him, my brother was diamond.

"Aria!"

Jungkook's impatient grunt reaches my ears as turning around I glance back at him to see him chasing after me.

What was he doing? Why is here can't he understand I wanted to be alone.

"Aria stop running away," He spoke his long legs drawing him closer to me ever passing second as I felt my feet trembling and with anxiousness, I thus ran towards the abandon narrow looking, hideous lane.

I look back over my shoulder, as he looks back at me eyes unreadable; in that moment a grin crept over my lips how ironic it was only hours ago I was chasing after him and now it's almost the other way around.

When we stop with the running and chasing we stood in the middle of the dreadfully quiet lane, facing each other. Hues of pink and darker red spread over his neck to his cheeks, his nose pale as he stares into my eyes. My eyes observing the mere state of his body, breathless, pale nose he must've caught a cold by now from running away far till here without any warm clothes. Was chasing me that important?

How can a person who refuses to accept that he have feelings for me; do so much just to not leave me to myself?

"What were thinking running away like that?"

He spoke too soon as my eyes move away from him then hastily settling upon his face.

"You will catch a cold like this, Jeon," I spoke stepping forward growing closer to him I took off my muffler and neatly tied it around his shoulder taking the man by his sheer surprise.

He nibs his lips letting them to turn pale, as blinking twice he gently brings his hand to my face, thumb pressed against my chin as he lifts my face. His lips pursed in a contemplative look, his eyes unreadable as the study me. I feel my face growing warmer under his scrutiny and I swallow, my heart thumping away in my chest.

"Don't ever do that,"

He spoke words leaving lips like a promise to follow till eternity, my heart combust a million stars shine above us across the dark clothed night sky, bathing our bodies with it's silvery hues. He watches me a moment longer before completely letting go and I am able to breathe again.

"I am exhausted-this world it exhausts me. How can I not run away?"

My voice breaking as my gaze following him as we made our way towards the main-street.

"Then don't let it exhaust you, the Aria I know, would never let those people bully her," he turn over hands in his pocket while while the other pulls me by my wrist closer to him,"What happened to you?"

The way he questions me almost had me loose myself and give him the answer but I stand still there our height meeting as with our linked hands I lean in, eyes drifting back and forth.

"May be I finally met reality and I realized that no matter how hard I try I can't make them shut up," his nostrils flare as I spoke, staring right into his eyes, I watched him with a puzzled expression on my face.

"I want to show you something," he speaks ignoring my previous words as he withdraw my hands moving towards Jimin's bike he takes off the two helmet and passes one to me.

Frowning with unease I stare down at his hands that was holding the helmet, he must've grown impatient for a minute I thought, but then he smiles; yes he smiles at me.

"What are you thinking?"

He asks, gaze fixed upon my face.

"I am thinking of many things," I whispered back, moving away from him as sighing he got off the bike coming closer to me.

"You know, you should really stop thinking," he murmurs as he lifts my chin up placing his two fingers under it, I smile faintly not understanding and put the helmet over my head.

"Jeon?" I ask when he doesn't say anything but just guides me towards the bike.

"I am taking you with me, Aria."

That's all he says before he gets on the bike putting on his own helmet, his eyes waits for me as with a little hesitation I finally got on the bike.

"Hold tight," he whispers as I nod, my hands clutching on to his black polo shirt as half of my body leans against his back.

My body shiver at the thought of our close proximity but, everything fades away the minute my eyes met the view in front of us.

The very familiar roads, in my memories I still remembered that place. Everything was still the same even the street lamps haven't changed. The patchy road the sound of country music being played in the house where an old man alone lived.

This place was our neighborhood, we used to live here until Alex. Ever since he left mom never let me come here. She thinks the neighborhood here was too toxic one of the reason why Alex turned this way.

Warm tears fell through my eyes as Jungkook finally halts the bike in front of the old basketball ground. Now left in abandons, my face itching with cold wet tears as I stare at the empty ground memories passing back and forth like yesterday.

"Alex, Jeon you guys are bad let me play," my eight years self screamed at the haughty two boys, both turned smirking at one and other before throwing the ball even higher.

"Girls can't play basketball, Aria."

Alex spoke as he throws the ball through the net showing off while I stand there scowling deadly at them.

"Why do you bully me so much, aren't am I your sister?" I have asked after a few moments as the two of them continued to play.

And as noticing my gloomy gaze Jungkook walks towards me, excusing himself. He sit down beside my on the porch.

"You are upset," he says almost to himself as getting more annoyed I glare at him.

"I am sorry for that but Alex just likes teasing you, he loves you, I know," Ten years old Jungkook murmurs, shoulder leaning against my own as turning around I lazily grin back my anger fading as I watch my brother play chasing the ball.

"Aria, are you alright?"

Jungkook’s concerned voice filled my ears, his warm hands embraced my cold ones as with a faint smile I stare at him.

“This place?”

“I wanted to bring you here,” he spoke hastily looking around, as sighing I follow after him, walking side by side we make our way towards the vacant bench that was covered with dirt. My heart sinks at the sight of this, this use to the our safe haven everyday after school how could this place be like this now?

Why was no one taking care of it?

“Don’t sit now,” I was snapped out of my thoughts, as his words halts my steps frowning at the man with a puzzled expression I stare unknowingly.

Sighing, he pushes his hair back before taking out a handkerchief from the back of his jeans crouching a little he wipes the bench clean then at last finally gesturing for me to sit.

We sit down together, both quiet not one brave enough to break the sweet silence that lingered around us, it was kinda silence that made you uneasy, it was dreadful, in that moment I felt myself getting breathless, with shivering hands I turned to face the man sitting beside me.

“Do you think they are keeping him happy?”

I asked, gravely staring at the man as he just shakes his head not thinking twice about his actions he just shrugs his shoulders, chin up he turn to stare back at me, eyes bright and lazy.

“A rehabilitation doesn't makes a man happy, Aria.”

I don't say anything, even I knew what he was saying was true. But still his words made me upset, even for little he could've lied at least to keep my heart at ease.

We he didn't say anything, I exhaled sharply,“You know I have a lot of questions to ask you,” I breathed out, nearly meeting his eyes.

“Aria it's getting late,” he sharply murmured, his voice sounding cold as he got up turning to walk away but before that I pull his wrist, eyes focused at his face.

“If we leave now without you telling me anything regarding Alex, then I won't talk with you ever.”

He pushes my hand away, moving two steps further,“It’s not that easy, I don't want to hurt you,” his voice sounding as if he was in so much pain, but the look in his eyes told me that desperate, desperate to reveal everything, to remove the weight upon his shoulders.

“I believe you, Jeon I do,” my voice, breaking into a silent sob as I took his face between my hands, orbs staring into his as he just blinks, nervous.

“I didn't know Alex took drugs,” his murmured breathlessly.

My let go of him, as staring unbelievably I just stand two steps away from him. Nothing appears to make sense what he said, was almost thruth but I was almost surprised I thought he knew, then what now.

“Then why didn't you say  anything at that time?”

“I don't know I still remember that night Alex and I went to the motel, we were supposed to leave the city next day, but we got into an argument I left, I was very angry with myself for leaving him when I got the call he was at hospital overdosed. At that time I was furious, scared but I felt guilty if I knew he was an addict I would have never left him there. I didn't even know he brought drugs along with him.”

He spoke, gravely his eyes darkened but his face was turning paler, as not knowing what to say I avert my gaze.

“If he was in pain he should have told me, why would he even take drugs?” I questioned almost to myself my back now facing him as I walk back to the bench not having the strength to stand any longer.

“All I remember is Alex at that time was going through a lot, he was always going on how he and your mother faught how he wanted to leave Korea, I told him he can't leave you here,” he pauses taking a deep breath he turn his head my way,“In the end he was force to do things he didn't want he was always talking about going to Oxford university, he was accepted—your mother didn't even let him go he wanted so badly to leave but all she did was to force him to stay, he was tired, ”he said the last part low, hastily walking to sit beside me.

What he said complete sense to me, Alex wanted to go to Oxford university he used to tell me how he hated it here, how he wanted to study philosophy. But why didn't mother let him? Wouldn't that be good for us?

“Where are you going?”

Jeon asked, astonished when I stood to my feet walking towards the bike.

“I am done with mother controling our lives, she needs to know that we are nothing like father.”

His eyes narrows at my words, drawing in a shuddering breath he nods, understanding.

I'd lying if I said having him here with me didn't affect me, his presence was all too much for me. Perhaps knowing, how he knows everything about me, how was always there ready to hold me if I fall. He always have protected me. The world was spinning and I was floating with it, my knees turned hello and my heart beat fastening only to have me realize that how much I needed this man, how him just being there mattered to me.

TO BE CONTINUED

A

uthor’s note:

Long time no update? Lol yeah I'm sorry I was out not at my house so updating seemed an almost impossible task for me.

Finally the truth is out, what do you think would Aria and Jungkook get together again?

Stay precious as you are to me, and remember to smile ♥

Don't forget to vote, comment
and share : )

Thanks for reading<3

Love,
shafaq-Shapel♥