"What about you?" I asked, panic creeping into my voice.
"I'll be right behind you," Jimin said calmly.
"Okay… I'll wait."
With his help, I climbed up and jumped down.
"Hey! You punks!" a teacher shouted, running toward us.
My heart leaped into my throat.
I grabbed my bag and ran as fast as
my legs could carry me.
*****
In class, Jimin walked in looking cheerful.
So… he didn't get punished.
He slid into his seat casually.
He leaned closer and whispered near my ear and that was when I felt it.
A gaze.
Yoongi had just entered the classroom.
His eyes locked onto us.
"You promised to wait for me," Jimin said with a playful smirk.
I smiled faintly. "A teacher was chasing me."
Before I could say more
The classroom door opened.
Mr. Kim Ku.
The entire class snapped straight.
Phones disappeared. Bags closed.
He walked in slowly, dropped his notes on the table, and spoke calmly:
"Time to submit your phones."
Groans filled the room, but no one dared argue.
As he passed my desk, he paused.
His sharp eyes studied my face for a brief second.
Then he walked away.
My heart pounded.
"Cough."
Everyone looked up.
"Based on school policy," he said, "we'll be having partner reading."
.
"Ughhh!" the class groaned.
"No karaoke today," he added.
He lifted a small box.
"You'll pick a number.
The number decides your partner.
No exchanges."
Papers were handed out.
I slowly unfolded mine.
My breath caught.
"Number ten, stand up," Mr. Kim Ku said.
Students stood one by one… then sat back down.
Soon, the classroom went quiet.
Only three people were still seated.
Me.
Yoongi.
Jimin.
I swallowed hard.
Please don't tell me…
I looked at Jimin.
Then at Yoongi.
They both looked back at me.
Slowly.
Realizing the same thing.
me