Jimin

I'm home. The dance studio.

I glance at the clock on the wall.

1:50pm

But it doesn't matter anymore, what time says. School has certainly ended, the other students have gone home, and now I'm blessed with this beautiful open space and quiet. All by myself.

I'm not bothered by this loneliness like I used to be.

Now I'm able to thrive in it.

I'm only a few minutes into practice when the door opens.

I turn around, disappointed - I thought I'd be able to have this room to myself. But then I see her.

Upon seeing me, her face brightens up.

I'm confused. I've never had that effect on anyone before.

She sets her things down on a nearby table and settles herself into the corner. I couldn't help but feel insecure, now.

She notices. No one ever notices.

"It's okay," she says, and her voice echoes off the walls of the otherwise empty room, and instead of hiding more like I usually would when other people say that, I know that I can believe her.

I can believe her.

"It's beautiful," she continues, and the familiar phrase comforts me immensely. "It's unlike anything that I've ever seen before. Will you let me watch?"

She's asking for my opinion. No one has ever cared to ask. I could shake my head, and she'd leave without hating me, because I know she's that nice.

I could refuse, and she'd respect my answer.

I could say no...

But I nod.

She brightens. "Thank you so much," she says, and the sheer amount of sincerity in her voice and expression makes that fluttering feeling return.

I don't know how to reply.

~

You

Today something surprising happens.

It's math class. We're supposed to partner up for projects. We're supposed to write a name on a piece of paper, and the teacher would pair us off.

He writes something.

He never writes anything. He's usually content with whoever.

The minutes pass in a flurry and the teacher is suddenly calling out the pairs, and right after my name... is his name.

Park Jimin.

I immediately turn to look at him. He has his head down.

But he seems to sense my gaze, and he meets it.

The eye contact makes my eyes widen at first in surprise. He would never. He's never done that before. He would never willingly do that.

His gaze is hesitant. Very hesitant.

But it's progress.

I gently smile.

And even more surprisingly - he offers a small one back.