Chapter 49
"Be my date," he repeated.
I stared at him.
"Is that your wish… or just a wish?" I asked.
Before he could answer
I ran.
Actually ran.
Like a five-year-old escaping vegetables.
Behind me, I heard nothing.
No footsteps.
Just silence.
I turned slightly.
He was still standing there.
Smiling.
Watching me run like I lost my mind.
Why is he like that?
********
After the Test
Minju barely reached the hallway when someone grabbed her wrist gently.
"Hi."
She turned.
Jimin.
Soft smile. Hair slightly messy.
"Hi," she repeated, tucking her hair behind her ear.
They walked toward the basketball court.
It was quiet.
Only the sound of their sneakers brushing against the floor.
"How was the test?" he asked.
"Hard. I almost cried."
He laughed and sat on the bench.
"Are you...." they said in unison and she giggles
"Are you free tonight?"
Her eyes widened.
"W-what? No. Yes. I mean your question came too fast!" she said, laughing nervously.
He laughed too.
"Aren't we supposed to be studying?" she teased.
"Oh." He blinked.
"I was kidding," she smiled. "We can study later."
His ears turned slightly red.
"Do you wanna sneak out?" he suddenly asked.
Her smile grew.
"Right now?"
He grinned.
And that was enough.
They ran.
Through the hallway.
Past lockers.
"Yah! Slow down, you punks!" a teacher yelled.
They ran faster.
Laughing.
Like kids.
Like trouble.
They rushed into class, grabbed their bags, and slipped out the back door.
"Is your brother dating her?" some girls whispered to Jimin's sister.
She rolled her eyes and ignored them.
Outside
The big field stretched wide.
Wind hitting their faces.
Freedom.
Behind them.....
"COME BACK YOU PUNKS!" Mrs. Deon screamed.
They froze.
Security guards from the gate started running too.
Wait
Security?!
They didn't even notice them earlier.
"Oh my God," Minju whispered.
"RUNNNNN!" Jimin shouted.
They covered their faces with their shirts.
Mrs. Deon was losing her shoes while running.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"
"I AM RUNNING!" Minju yelled back, laughing.
They reached the end wall near the gate.
Dead end.
Minju panicked. "What do we do?!"
Mrs. Deon was getting closer.
Security too.
"If you don't turn back this instant, you're suspended for a week!" she screamed.
Jimin looked around quickly.
Then at Minju.
"There's only one way."
Before she could ask....
He suddenly stepped away from her.
"What are you doing??"
Then ran in the opposite direction.
"HEY! I'M OVER HERE!" he shouted loudly.
Mrs. Deon turned.
"So it was YOU!"
Security followed him.
Minju blinked.
Wait.
What?
He looked back at her and mouthed Run.
Her heart dropped.
He tripped on purpose.
Security almost grabbed him....
He slipped away again.
Laughing.
"Can't catch me!" he yelled.
Mrs. Deon was fully focused on him now.
They didn't even notice Minju quietly climbing over the side fence.
She hesitated.
He got cornered near the bleachers.
Security almost caught his arm.
He twisted away.
"Why are you so fast?!" one guard yelled.
He laughed breathlessly.
Then.....
. He looked up.
Saw Minju safe on the other side of the gate.
He smiled.
Mission complete.
She covered her mouth.
He did that for her.
Security finally grabbed his hoodie.
"Got you."
He didn't fight anymore.
Just lifted his hands.
Minju's chest tightened.
She whispered softly from behind the gate...
"Idiot…"
He looked at her one last time.
And winked.