Hurt

Taehee's Pov-

"Okay, I understand," I nodded and jotted down the last line on my notebook. "So, I guess our work is finished," Jimin took a hold of his laptop. No, I had to do something, otherwise he'd go back to that ugly witch. I couldn't let him go or else things wouldn't be in control. "Should we study it for long-winded? I mean our grades depend on it. So, how about we gather more details about the topic?" I proposed an idea. This could help me to spend more time with him and he might forget about that witch. He furrowed his eyebrows,"This is enough for the topic. We've done all the possible things we could do."
"Yes, that's r-right too," I nervously scratched the back of my neck whilst thinking about other idea to make him stay beside my side. "I should be get going then," he started to walk away, causing me to panic. No,no, if he went away now then he'd devote all his time to that witch. Oh no, I had to do something before it became too late. "Jimin w-wait," I paced up to catch him. I stopped in front of him, blocking his way,"I heard their is a small mall where we can find traditional things and antiques. We'd get some time for e-each other and plus we could tour the place too," I offered him demurely and looked down. I was really embarrassed to say this. What if he rejected my offer?

"Yes, that's a good idea. We should go around to roam the place and besides we wouldn't get another opportunity to come here, right? I've a friend here . Should I call her too?" What a mood spoiler! He knew a keen sense of ruining my excitement..urgghh I mentally growled. With a visible frown dancing on my face, I rebuked,"Why'll you call her? Didn't I say before that 'time for each other?' I intended this outing for 'our' time. But no you're upto making it a public gathering. Shall I call our entire classmates and have a picnic?"

"Okay, I get it. Why are you exaggerating over a small thing? Let's get going then," Jimin shoved his hands inside his pockets and began to walk away. I sheepishly smiled and strolled behind him.
I was inwardly dancing. Yippy, that witch is away and now we'll get to spend some precious time.

Walking through the street and having Jimin beside me, my mind felt something which I couldn't find appropriate words to describe it. His company itself gave solace to my mind. There was no buzzing sounds of vehicles and the street was less crowded. The environment even contributed the calmness between us. His hands moving rhythmically back and forth with respect to his feet movements.

When my eyes fell on his soft-tiny hand, a sudden desire popped up to hold it. I wanted to feel the warmth of his hand; I wanted to feel the feeling of holding his hand. I slowly while cautiously began to shift closer to him and prepared myself to clasp his hand at the right time.
My vision travelled to and fro in between Jimin's hands and eyes. Advancing my hands near him in order to have his palm in mine.  Just as I was about to have his soft palm, a high pitched voice was heard.

"Jiminie!"

Siren ringing! Danger alert !

"Oh, Chaerin. You're here too," Jimin took a few steps forward, his eyes twinkling in happiness which I never saw in case of me.
To my terror, the girl whom I was trying to avoid this whole time was right in front of us. Why my luck is so bad? Why we had to come in this shop? Dumb me, I should should have chosen another shop.

"Yes, I came to this shop. I heard there's very beautiful antiques. And you know I just love antiques," she replied with fluttering her long fake eyelashes.

"We also came here to look the antiques. What a coincidence," they both continued to talk making me feel like an invisible. I regretted coming here. It would be better if I was in hotel watching a movie or sleeping peacefully. Why such kind of coincidences need to happen?

"I forgot to introduce both of you. Taehee, meet my friend Chaerin and Chaerin meet my friend Taehee. Taehee you know we had lost our contact but luckily I saw her in the hotel yesterday," he finally turned to me introducing both of us. I thought I was a stone, ahaha!
It'd have been better if you never meet each other.

"Nice to meet you, Taehee. Your name is so beautiful. I'm Jimin's friend and I hope we can be friends too," she extended her hand forward.

'I know you're JIMIN'S FRIEND no need to tell again and again. And girl, never in my dreams I want to be your friend.'

I showed the most fake smile of mine,"Sure, looking forward to it." I pulled back my hand and inspected her from head to toe. I knew why Jimin was head over heels for her. She was wearing a cute short frock which guys cherish the most. She had feminine gestures which were ideal for every man. And when my eyes fell on myself, I mentally facepalmed. Me with my preferred denim shorts and white baggy top and about my gestures, it'd be better if we didn't talk about it. Apparently, I didn't have any to brag about.

"A friend of mine told that there's a mall here. That mall has lot of beautiful things and clothes. Wanna go and have a round?" she suggested.
"But, we haven't even entered into the antique shop," I retorted. She popped out of nowhere and started to boss around.

"But there's nothing to see. I just returned from the shop and got to know that it had nothing," she explained causing me to roll my eyes. "So, it'd be useless to go there. The nearby mall has variety of items, it'd be better," she offered us. "I-"   "Yeah, that'd be great. At least we'd be able to utilize our time, right Taehee?" before I could state my opinion, our lovely Jimin already agreed, interrupting my statement.
"When you've decided what to do, then who am I to butt in? Let's get going then," I replied in a monotone voice and turned around to walk away.

It wasn't Jimin and my time neither the trio time, rather it was Jimin and this ugly dork's time. Truth to be told, I was the third wheeler here. They were talking and selecting dresses for each other. And I? All this time I was trailing behind them. Jimin did talk to me or give his attention time to time but it was very, very less when compared to her. "Jimin, look at this blue shirt. I remember you love blue and this shirt will definitely suit you," Chaerin brought a blue shirt and showed to Jimin. "You still remember my likes and dislikes, don't you? Chaerin-ah, I've found a top. It's your favourite colour pink with floral prints. What do you think about this?" Jimin held the hanger as he showed her the dress, checking out whether it suited his beloved friend or not. I scoffed at their drama. How much did they know each other that they even know their likes and dislikes?

Now, I was thinking I should really bring another guy with myself to show him that I wasn't alone. Yes, I should have brought Taehyung. Heck, I really missed Taehyung.

Jimin turned to face me,"Taehee, why are you standing here? Go and choose something for yourself." Now he realized that I was standing here. I don't need your care.

"Of course, I will. After all I've come here for myself not to see other's fake affection neither to be a third wheeler. Despite I don't have anyone who'd choose a dress for me," scoffing at them I stomped out from the mall, leaving them staggered.

"I couldn't even buy anything for myself. At the same time, that witch is buying numerous things for herself," I muttered while walking on the road alone.

This whole day was a waste. All I did was to see that cuddling couple and feel jealous. I had planned to do so many things with Jimin but all were ruined by her. I went with him in enthusiasm but returned home alone in apathy. My cheerfulness was crushed under that witch's feet. She really had the nerves to irk me. No, her existence itself was a pain in my ass.

'This is ridiculous.'

Starting from day one, she constantly kept clinging to Jimin. And Jimin being a fickle creature, there and then forgot me after getting Chaerin. I was certain that both were having a wonderful time with each other and I was making a fuss over this matter in my room. Actually Jimin's room.

I was frustrated to this extent that even tears were threatening to fall down. I didn't even know why. Maybe because I was jealous. As because I was feeling less important. As because for him Chaerin was number-one. I understood I was overthinking about this simple issue, yet I couldn't help but to be bothered outrageously.

'Before all else, why am I even jealous?'

I nibbled my nails as all these thoughts were bugging inside my mind which I found as a harassment.
I was snapped out of my trance when I heard the clicking sound of the doorknob. I grabbed the nearest thing which I could find at that moment. I quickly opened the laptop and pretended that I was engaged in doing something. And what was that something? I didn't know myself. Right now I just needed to get out of this situation.

"Taehee, we need to talk," with a flat and serious voice Jimin approached me. "Wow, you're so early. Did you already get your heart filled with your so-called friendship," I mocked him while my lips curved into an ironic smile. "What's wrong with you Taehee? What's up with your childish act?" he stood right in front of me, his brows wrinkled with an evident disappointment look. I sneered while working 'something' in the laptop,"Yeah, yeah. Now I'm playing a childish act." I didn't look up at his eyes which had the faculty to make me weak.
"You know because of your rude behaviour, Chaerin was upset. I'm really displeased by your lack of insight," his words caused a sting feeling in my heart. A sudden stab was felt in my body. He could see Chaerin's hurt but not mine. "Oh, I see," I nodded my head in an understanding way,"but I'm not sorry. Listen carefully, I'm uninterested to talk about shits with you." He sighed,"I'm tired with your arrogant self. It's useless to talk with you." This is it. He indeed crossed my tolerance limit. I got up on the bed, pointing my index finger at him,"You Mr. Park. Your eyes can only see other's, no only Chaerin's pain, not mine. You always turn a blind eye towards me. Why are being considerate only for her and not for me? Does our friendship mean nothing to you? Catching up with your old friend made you forget the present ones. How could you be so naive about this matter? I've been trying to take our relationship to another level. I've been trying to give cues to you about my feelings. But no you're not giving any freaking attention to me. Do I've to write 'I like you' on a banner and hang it around my neck to make you know about my feelings!?"
I was so pissed off about his naivety which finally gave rise to my outburst. I blurted out all the things in one breath that I had been holding back these past days. I gulped when I realized what I had spoken. All my bravery had dissipated after looking at eyes which were widened by this time.

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At last, Taehee voiced her emotions. Whom do you support, Jimin or Taehee? Let me know your answers through your comments.

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Thank you for reading 💜
Take care of yourself.