MIN HANEUL

It felt like someone had tossed me inside a cement mixer and threw me out to dry under the bright, blinding sun the moment my eyes fluttered open.

Simply moving my hand under the duvet took me a lot of effort as my body was rendered stiff, as if something invisible was pushing my weight down.

Nevertheless, I forced myself up, nausea flooding my insides. I squeezed my eyes shut, inhaling deeply. Warily, I pushed the duvet off my body, and realizing that I was still in my jeans explained why my legs felt twice stiff.

Wait, why am I still in my jeans?

My eyes landed on my hoodie that looked like it had been chucked away carelessly, and I instinctively checked on my body.

On cue, the memory of Yoongi tying my hair flashed before me and I ran a hand to my hair. I continued to exam it with my fingers, verifying its authenticity, just to confirm that my thoughts weren't playing with me.

Though, for someone who knew how to tie a hair properly, it was weird that some strands weren't inside the second loop.

I slid my leg off the bed and stood up, regretting in an instant when the room spun around me. I toppled sideways, hitting my pinky toe on the edge of the side table and I gasped.

"Shit," I hissed, hopping on one foot and waited until the pain subsided so I could walk again. But that was also exactly when my head thought it was a great timing to throb.

As I headed for the bathroom, massaging my temples, something caught my eye and my instincts told me this morning hadn't completely gone wrong after all.

To my luck, there was a plastic bag of painkillers on my coffee table, and attached to it was a sticky note.

I should remember to message Yoongi later. Even though he'd be the death of me most times, thank the heavens for my brother being a life saver.

An hour and a half later, I faced the reality that I still had classes to attend to. Had I been in high school, I wouldn't have any problem getting off for the day. But missing a class in college was dreadful.

When I arrived at the front gates, I was already twenty minutes late to my second class, hence I preferred to believe that I was one hour and ten minutes early for third period.

Autumn leaves continued to fall as trees swayed in a graceful choreographed-like dance, covering the smokey gray pavement in different shades of red, brown, yellow and orange.

Coincidentally, I spotted two cognizable people walking side by side, and I couldn't help but wonder how I never come across with Hira nor Jungkook randomly. Whereas with them, it appeared like intentional encounters.

"Hey!" I waved my hand just as when we almost met halfway, and I wasn't sure if the enthusiasm came from me or from the alcohol still coursing through my system. I internally shook myself as a restart.

"Yo!" Taehyung cocked his head up, whereas Jimin only eyed me as if he was studying my features. I frowned and he caught it by the way his expression changed.

"Are you... okay?" asked Jimin.

"Hmm?" I tilted my head sideways. "I am."

Did I still look like a mess? Ah, this is why I never dealt with alcohol. My tolerance was as small as Jimin's eyes when he did an eye smile.

Before an awkward silence shrouded us, the sound of footsteps came towards our way.

"Haneul!" called Minzy as she neared me. "Sorry about last night, we did not know your drink had alcohol. Our sunbaes were also worried and felt sorry."

To be honest, I had been pondering on how the alcohol intake happened, but seeing as it was an honest mistake, I felt relieved.

"It's fine," I assured. "Thanks for calling my brother."

Minzy's brows furrowed. "But—"

Loud coughing silenced Minzy, and I snapped my head at Jimin. It seemed serious as crimson flushed his face. I grimaced and turned to Taehyung who was just as surprised at his friend.

I raised a brow at Taehyung, giving him an 'is-he-okay' look, and he shrugged. The next few seconds were spent watching Jimin as he coughed his lungs out.

Weird.

Then, the noise finally subsided and I returned my attention to Minzy. "Uh, you were saying?"

"Nothing really." Minzy smiled, her tone raised a few octaves. "Just that your brother came and helped us. Anyway, I got to go. Bye Haneul!"

Minzy sped walked and I was left mumbling the good bye to myself. Oh... well... okay. Maybe she was in a rush.

When I whirled back at the two, they were exchanging meaningful expressions and I could tell there was a silent argument commencing between them, completely ignoring the fact that I was still here.

I pouted, and held on the straps of my backpack. I guess I was a lonely soul for today. My presence didn't interest anyone. Not like I wasn't in favor of that.

Leaving the two to their own world, I walked away.

There weren't as much people around since it was class hours for most people. I somehow found the atmosphere soothing, and the weather sprinkled perfectly on top of it.

Just like that, my day veered into a pleasant path. Or so I thought it would finally roll through that direction for the remaining day, but suddenly it sidetracked. Again.

It's the guy from the library! I mentally shrieked, running a hand through my face.

"Haneul."

Not only did the alcohol had a sunny effect on me, but it had also rendered me panicky. Were these mood swings? Because I suddenly feel like going home and sleeping.

What's with this day? I don't understand myself anymore!

"Haneul, wait— hey, careful!"

In my attempt to maneuver away from the guy's sight, I crashed into Jimin who I assumed had jogged to catch up with me.

No doubt, this was hitting two birds with one stone, except that one was literal.

"I'm okay, I'm okay," I mumbled, distancing myself from Jimin.

This day had been nothing but a tug of war between being tolerable and unbelievable.

My eyes met with the guy and I was hoping he'd carry on with his life, but his eyes flashed recognition and I figured I was done for.

"Oh, it's been a while," he began as if we were close friends who hadn't been in touch for a long time. And to think that he actually recognized me. Why?

"Hey," I replied and sideways glanced at Jimin. He had a hard look on his face.

"How was the book? Did it help you?"

My shoulders heaved up and I pressed my lips into a thin line, nodding rather uncomfortably. "Yes." The voice came from me but sounded like it didn't.

Should I have answered 'no' instead?

"I see."

"Yeah." My lips broke into an awkward smile.

"So you two have done it?"

"W-what?" His bluntness totally shocked the hell out of me. My fingers absentmindedly pressed on the back of my thighs. I wasn't expecting that he'd think that much into it.

"Or do you think that the 'unbearables' are too much to handle."

I glance at the confused Jimin beside me, and I was beyond thankful that he seemed lost.

I bit my lips, eyes wandering with wary. "Y-You see, you got the wrong idea."

"So it wasn't because you're going to have s—"

"NO!" I exclaimed all too suddenly and with much indignation that all of us stood in silence at my sudden outburst.

My ribs felt like breaking from the thunderous thumping on my chest, and breathing took a lot more effort to do.

Rather than just worrying that he would spill more, my thoughts scattered at his idea that Jimin and I were—

And great! Now was definitely a perfect timing for my head to pulsate.

"Hey, hey, you okay?" Jimin asked with concern.

Only then did I realized that my face had contorted into an indescribable state.

I had no other choice but to request for Jimin to leave us alone for a moment, and I missed no second to explain the guy that he assumed wrong.

Getting my point afterwards, he apologized, and so did I. This wouldn't have happened if I just made up a white lie back then at the library.

After the late introductions, I discovered that Namjoon, which was his name, was just a student. But he was two years ahead of me, majoring in Philosophy. Which then explained how everything that came out of his mouth leaked of life changing tones even if they weren't exactly supposed to be that way.

He then promised to keep it a secret that I had used that book as reference. It wasn't supposed to be a big deal, but things just never go my way, I figured.

"So, what's up with that?" Jimin asked as soon as I approached him.

"Just... something." I tapped on my toes. "Anyway, I'm heading to class now."

I shuffled off, but Jimin yanked me on my arm.

"What about your headache?"

I raised my brow slightly and he stared at me with worried eyes, waiting for my response. Did he immediately figure from earlier?

It was too early, yet exhaustion had already bled inside me.

Awake.

But my mind functioned superfluously, as if I were standing on the boundary of dreams and reality, accidentally faltering on my steps.

Giving him a thankful smile, I shook my head. "I'll be fine. Thanks, Jimin."

So much for being disoriented.