◇▪~《  C h a p t e r  20  》~▪◇

❝ ᴏᴜᴛᴄᴀꜱᴛ ❞

The chatter from the amusement park started to fade and now, only the sound of vehicles entered the air around. The sky turned red and orange as the sun was finally on the verge of setting. They both walked together, side by side -- enjoying each other's presence with the cold breeze blowing by them.

Jimin gazed at the girl beside him. The breeze blew by her and her dark hair danced with it. His heart beat faster the more he looked at her. He wanted to tell her, the way she constantly made his heart beat for her. His heart screamed to tell her that she was so important to him, more than his own life. He wanted to express his love for her so badly, but what was stopping him?

"Would she reject me? I am not ready for that. What happens to our friendship if I confess? No, I can't let it crumble. She means the world to me. Not now, Jimin. Maybe next time." Jimin delayed his confession once again. He planned it so much for today, last week, last month; so many times but he always reached a dead end and it was delayed, over and over again.

He was just afraid; afraid that she would leave him. Sadness consumed Jimin on the inside. He pulled his gaze away from Y/N and looked down on the ground and let out a sigh.

Y/N who was beside him heard him and her eyes drifted on him. She noticed his dull expression and her eyebrows furrowed, wondering what's wrong. "Jimin? What's wrong?" She asked and her hand grabbed his shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze.

He flinched at the touch and darted a look at her. "Oh! Uhm...I am fine." He said and gave a fake reassuring grin.

Y/N raised her eyebrow and eyed him up and down. She then let out a sigh. "Okay, fine, but tell me when something is bothering you okay?" She tilted her head and gave him a look that begged for him to share his pain with her.

Jimin smiled, grateful that she cared for him but he just couldn't tell her what was bothering him… yet. He chuckled. "Sure." He smiled, reflecting her beautiful smile.

"Okay!" She cheered and held his hand back as she started walking with so much excitement again.

Jimin's eyes widened and at the same time, his heartbeats quickened. Heat rushed to his cheeks and it turned a tint of pink. "Y-Y/N! W-What are you doing?!" He stuttered on his words, feeling extremely shy.

She gave him an innocent and confused look. "What? You can hold my hand but I can't?" She arched a brow, smirking on the inside. "Sorry, if you're not comfortable with it I won't--" She let go of his hand but her words were cut off when he held it back.

"No. I don't mind holding your hand. I can even hold it forever." Jimin's expression turned serious which caught Y/N off guard. His hold on her hand tightened as her heart fluttered and started beating rapidly. Her cheeks felt so warm as if summer had taken residence within them.

"W-Whatever," she said and quickly turned away with her hand still held tightly by Jimin causing him to laugh at her. His eyes turned into a crescent, and Y/N glared at him, feeling extremely embarrassed but not having it.

Throughout the time they walked, it was filled with bickering and laughter. They walked and walked, and in the end, they finally reached the destination where they had to part ways. Y/N smiled and gazed at Jimin. He smiled at her, waiting for her to say something. "I will go home now. You should go too."

Jimin tilted his head. "Why never let me walk to your front house? It's not safe for you to walk alone." He wondered what could be the reason for Y/N to not allow him to walk her home. She just smiled at him and shook her head. Judging by her expression, he knew that she didn't want to talk about it. He then sighed in defeat. "Okay, I won't ask anything. I will be going then." He said and waved at her.

Y/N gave him a warm smile. "Thank you for today. I really enjoyed it." He shook his head, telling her that it's nothing much. "I will be going too. Goodbye." She waved and turned around, slowly walking away.

Jimin was staring at her. She was walking slowly but suddenly she stopped. Jimin frowned in confusion but it was immediately cleared off when she turned around, and suddenly ran up to him and hugged him. "Thank you again!!" She exclaimed into that hug. It meant a lot to her. Jimin's eyes widened and his heart almost exploded. It took him a few seconds to melt into the warmth of her embrace as he gradually hugged her back.

After a minute-long hug, they bid their last goodbyes and both were back on their tracks. Jimin walked home alone, smiling to himself when he remembered the hug he shared with Y/N. Smelling her scent up close was comforting to him. He wished he could smell it every day, they smelt like the sweet fragrance of strawberry cream biscuits. His eyes widened when he realised what he was thinking.

"Park Jimin, are you a freak?! Why would you think about her scent? You're not a dog!" He slapped himself gently, waking himself up from his stupid little daydream. He sighed when his mind always travelled back to her. He shoved his hand back into his pockets and continued his walk home. However, something caught his eyes when a black Lamborghini passed by. He stopped in his tracks and frowned when he realised who it was. "Lee Jihan?" He questioned himself.

He was so sure that the driver of the black Lamborghini was Jihan but the problem was, "Why is he all the way here?" Jimin asked himself unconsciously. Then, a thought popped up in his head but it wasn't a good one. He looked behind him, the path that Y/N went. Anger and worries swirled in him. He then walked home with those emotions filling him to the brim.

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[ Y/N pov ]

I was walking my way home with thoughts of Jimin filling my head. My lips curved upward into a dreamy smile and I reached home in a content state. I then inserted the key into the keyhole, twisting it. The door unlocked and with my hand, I pushed it open. The moment I entered, I immediately called out the name that I frequently called when at home. "Yoongi?" I called while taking off my shoes.

"Oh! Y/N you're home. How was the outing?" Mrs Jung, a close friend of mine. Despite our age gap, our friendship still built up pretty well. I looked up and directly met a smiling Yoongi in her arms.

"It was good, Mrs Jung. Looks like Yoongi is doing good." I replied to her and beamed with a smile. I then walked over to them and was about to hold Yoongi until something caught my eyes. My eyebrows furrowed, creating a frown. A familiar white teddy bear in Yoongi's arm. "Mrs Jung? Whose teddy bear is this? Did you buy it for him?" I asked curiously, taking Yoongi in my arms. She gave him to me gently and gave me a confused look.

"No, it's not me. Don't you know? I thought he might tell you about it." Mrs Jung said with a smirk. I frowned harder, confused as to why she was acting weird all of a sudden. "Your friend, he came over and said he wanted to give this to you. I thanked him for you, don't worry." Mrs Jung giggled. "Hey, I know I am old, but why can't you share with me that you have a boyfriend." She teased me, failing to notice my whole face turning pale. I gulped the lump formed in my throat. I couldn't think of anyone else other than Jimin. He wouldn't, right? Why would he? Plus, he never got the teddy bear in the first place!

I put down Yoongi and immediately grabbed her shoulder, scaring her. "Mrs Jung, was Yoongi with you when you greeted him?" I asked, a sense of urgency in my voice and she could feel it. She shook her head and gave me a worried look. "Does that person have plump lips, black hair and is he short?"

Mrs Jung shook her head once again. "He doesn't look like what you described, but I have his name though. I asked him before he went." My eyes widened, and I nodded my head, waiting for her to say it. "Lee Jihan, that's his name."

My eyes widened in shock. Jihan? Him? How did he know I live here? I gulped as I started sweating. I never told anyone where I live, even Jimin. My eyes found Yoongi's and I gazed at it with worries building up in me.

"Y/N? Are you okay?" Mrs Jung asked, her worried eyes gazing up at me.

"I--uh…" I trailed off, unable to come out with my words. Confusion and worries eating me inside but all of them were wiped away when Yoongi tugged on my sleeve. I looked to the side at him and he gave me a look that seemed like he was asking if I am okay. I gave him a small smile and ruffled his hair. "I am fine, Mrs Jung. Don't worry about it." I replied to her with my eyes still on Yoongi.

"I am glad. This little guy here might get too worried about you." She chuckled and patted Yoongi's head softly. "Well, since you're home, I will be going then." She said as she walked over to the couch and took her handbag.

I picked up Yoongi and once again carried him in my arms. I averted my attention to Mrs Jung and pouted. "So early? You can stay around for dinner. I can cook." I offered, putting on a hoping smile.

She giggled and gave me a small hug and a pat on my back. "I am sorry, sweetheart but I can't tonight. My son's birthday is tomorrow, I have to spend my wonderful night with him today. How about tomorrow night? You can come over and we will have a party together." She suggested, and I nodded my head, agreeing with the idea. Her eyes landed on Yoongi and her lips immediately curved upward. "Hey, little one. I will see you tomorrow okay? Hoseok will be waiting." She said as she squeezed his cheek lightly. Yoongi beamed her his gummy smile.

"Wish happy birthday to Hoseok for me." I said and she gave a smile, "Will do" She said and left. I let out a sigh and looked at Yoongi. "Dinner?" He giggled loudly and his small hand squeezed my cheek. "I will take that as a yes." I giggled happily. What happened before still loomed at the back of my mind but for now, I decided to focus on Yoongi. I would just ask Jihan tomorrow. Jimin, should I tell him?

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The bell rang just in time when I walked into the class. "Y/N!" A familiar voice came and I darted my eyes at the person who called me. I smiled and walked over to him. Jimin gave me his best smile as I took my seat beside him.

"Good morning." I greeted and he greeted me back. "So, did you finish the apology letters? I finished mine." I said and glanced at him.

"Shit!!! I forgot!! I am gonna die!!!!" He screamed earning glares from our classmates. He mouthed a 'what' at them and rolled his eyes. I giggled beside him, finding his tactics really cute.

"Don't worry, there is no Mrs Kim's class. She won't come in today. She said in the group chat that she is sick." I said to him and patted his back to loosen his anxiety.

His eyebrows furrowed into a frown and he glared at me. "Then why did you ask me?! You scared me!" He complained.

"Didn't you check the group messages?" I asked and he gave me a look with his eyebrow raised. "Right, to avoid seeing messages that only talked about homework because it's the main cause of the increase in teenagers' stress. Okay, I get it." I nodded my head, understanding what he was trying to convey. He snapped his fingers and winked at me. I gave him a scoff and rolled my eyes in return.

Suddenly, the door opened which somehow caught all of our attention. Jihan stepped in with a bunch of boys behind him. Must have formed a gang already because it sure seemed like it. My eyes met his and his lips curved upwards, shaping into a smirk. I frowned at that and he sat on a seat in front instead of sitting at his seat behind me. I need to ask him. I will ask him during break time.

"Y/N," Jimin called and I looked at him. He wasn't looking at me though. His eyes were directly glaring at Jihan. "Did someone come over to your house yesterday?" He threw out the question that struck clear shock in my face. I gasped without realising and he darted his eyes at me. Well, there is no going back now. I have to tell him now. Great Job, dumb me. I pursed my lips, not sure how to tell him. "Spit it." He ordered sternly.

I sighed, giving up. "Fine. Yes, someone did come over to my house yesterday, which is unexpected." I pinched my nose bridge, knowing very well who that person was.

"It's Jihan, right?" He asked, nonchalantly like he already knew. My eyes widened and my eyes darted at him. My mouth opened and closed, not finding the correct word to say. Seeing my reaction must have triggered his anger. His expression changed in a split second. The next thing he did, struck the anxiety in me.

He stood up, walking over to Jihan. "Jimin wait--'' Before I could say anything, he pulled Jihan by his collar and punched him in the face. I gasped in shock as well as all the students in class.

Jihan chuckled as if he was not affected by the punch at all. "That's faster than I thought." He said under his breath but I could hear it clearly. He stood up abruptly and landed a punch on Jimin's cheek. Some girls screamed and some boys just cheered like it's nothing. Fear struck me when Jimin landed on the ground roughly. My eyes caught blood flowing out of his lips and tears started forming at the corner of my eyes.

Jihan took the chair and was about to hit him with it, but I was faster. "Stop it!!!" I screamed and ran over to Jimin, protecting him. "Please, stop. Don't hurt him." I begged, holding tightly onto Jimin's arm. The anxiety was eating me up whole the more I looked at Jimin. The blood was flowing from his lips and it was starting to bruise. Jimin's eyes stared at me and I looked away when I felt tears dripping down from my eyes.

"If you don't want me to, then keep your dog in place. He better not bite the leg of someone that can kill him." Jihan threatened and all of the students in the class started laughing quietly. No one; no one is on Jimin's side.

"Lee Jihan!!! Park Jimin!!! You two, detention!!" A loud gruff voice shouted from behind and our eyes found Mr Kim standing at the classroom door. "I give you three seconds to go to the headmaster's room. 3, 2, 1---"

"Fuck it." Jihan cursed under his breath and walked out first. Mr Kim glared at him and later glared at Jimin. I noticed he gulped down a lump and his eyes looked nervous.

I caressed his arm, gaining his attention. "You should go," I said softly. He tilted his head, his eyes staring at mine. Must have noticed the tears in my eyes.

"Jimin! What are you waiting for?! Another toilet pass?!" The teacher rushed and Jimin rolled his eyes at his words. He stood up, keeping his mouth shut tightly. He looked at me once again and his eyes softened. His hand patted my head before he walked away, leaving the classroom.

Mr Kim darted a glance at the students. "Everyone back to their own seat or meet the headmaster as well!" Everyone quickly rushed to their respective seats and I sat on mine. I sniffed a little and rubbed off the tears at the corner of my eyes. Then, I heard some gossip beside me.

"Hey, did you see Jimin just K.O right after Jihan punched him? Must be so weak that he can't even handle a punch." A guy snickered.

"Duh! What do you expect from a rich kid? Must be lying on a luxury bed every day with hot ladies feeding him grapes." Another girl mocked and they all started laughing to themselves. Mr Kim caught them at the end and all of them had to stand outside, carrying chairs above their heads.

I smirked in satisfaction but their words toward Jimin hurt me deep down. How did Jimin handle all these stupid rumours about himself? He had been nothing but nice. However, there was still a lot that hated him. I could feel the anger ignite in me directed against the whole class, I couldn't pay attention. I was worried, scared, angry and all the emotions were related to Jimin. Nothing else filled my mind but him.

[ Edited by Sanabuii ]

The past is taking longer than what I expected. Sorry about that. I will try my best to finish it up on the next chapter and get back to time shop♡ Also, pls press the little cute star below (ㅎ//v//ㅎ)