Chapter 18

Jungkook POV

I could actually stay here all day.

Her gorgeous eyes were wide and unblinking, staring right back into mine.

When I saw her fall, I thought my heart was going to explode out of my chest like a jack-in-a-box.

I was terrified that she would injure herself seriously from that height.

So I did the unthinkable thing and acted as her cushion.

I slid under her falling form only seconds before she landed heavily on me. All I can say is that it hurt, a lot.

"Owwww..."

That's when her eyes flew open and she started a staring contest with me.

My heart threatened to overflow with excitement.

Stupid heart.

I feared that she might be able to hear the pounding of my heart if she listened hard enough, but she seemed too pre-occupied staring at something else.

I decided to break the silence.

"Uh..." I stuttered awkwardly.

Jinhee POV

He is such an adorable little bunny.

His cheeks were a lovely shade of light pink and his soft-looking uneven lips looked so freaking tempting right now.

Adrenaline rushed through my blood vessels and I suddenly felt like puking out a rainbow made of butterflies.

Weird right?

I chuckled at his failed attempt at starting a conversation.

"You know something, Jinhee?"

"Yeah?"

"My ribs really hurt." he said breathlessly.

"Crap, I'm so sorry! Where does it hurt? Here?"

He let out a gasp when I slid my hands over his chest and came to a stop at the spot on his left side, below the first rib bone of his ribcage.

He winced and exhaled slowly, blowing air into my face.

"Yeah...it feels like a bruise. I think your elbow landed there."

We stayed in this position for a while, with me massaging his sore spot and him staring into my eyes.

Very distracting.

Around two minutes later, I was tired of keeping my head upright by myself.

I laid my head on his strong, solid chest and breathed softly.

He went still for a moment and relaxed immediately after.

My free hand ran through his fluffy mop of dark hair.

I felt his breathing calm and continued stroking his head, his scent of vanilla slowly lulling me to sleep.

That's when his hands went around my waist.

I stiffened, feeling shy and wide awake all of a sudden.

The sensation of his warm hands almost hugging me in an embrace, made me feel safe.

There was some kind of silent yet clear message between us, that kept us in this position for who knows how long.

Anyone who might have happened to come across us would most definitely have mistaken the pair of us to be lovers.

I mean, it's kind of weird right, why would friends be lying on the ground one on top of the other and one hugging the other?

I didn't know why I felt so comfortable with this particular male.

Ever since I met him when I first started high school, I've sort of been intrigued by him.

He looked so at ease with his hyungs, but with me, he just became nasty.

Thank goodness he's not like that now.

I don't know what came over his mind to make friends with me, but I'm sure glad as hell that his attempted bullying stage is over.

Deciding that we'd had enough of lying down, I slapped his arm and said, "Time to get up big boy."

He didn't reply.

I groaned and tried to get up by myself, but the stubborn boy tightened his grip on my waist and I fell back onto his rock-hard chest, squeaking like a mouse.

"Jungkook! Let me go, we need to eat!" I laughed.

"Don't wanna. It's too comfortable here. You're my personal pillow."

I coughed and replied, "You're weird you know that."

"Yup."

"Let's go lover boy, none of your cheekiness this time."

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We settled down at a nearby food stall to have spicy rice cakes.

I scuffed down my food as quickly as possible so that we could go back home.

I wanted to introduce Jungkook to Appa and Omma.

He looked nervous as he climbed into my car.

"Are you sure this is a good idea. What if your parents don't like me? What if they tell you not to hang out with me anymore? What if every possible bad thing parents do and say in those cliche k-dramas happens to me?"

"Chill Kook, my parents are nice people, they won't kill you or anything."

Jungkook POV

What if her parents don't like me hanging out with their daughter?

I felt miserable at the prospect of not being accepted.

If not even as a friend, what chance did I stand to be her boyfriend?

Snap out of it.

You're Jeon Jungkook. Where did that confidence go?

I plastered Hoseok hyung's famous bright smile on my face and pretended I was him to get rid of my unease.

I imagined hyung smacking my forehead like he would've if he caught me teasing him.

I shook my head and my body rocked with silent laughter, what I wouldn't give to see hyung's face right now.

Jinhee's car pulled up in front of an elegant-looking house that was easily the same size as mine.

A mixture of Asian and American architecture made the house feel like it was fresh out of a fiction book.

I studied the large marble pillars and ornate wooden door frame appreciatively.

Jinhee inserted her keys and the door swung open with a soft squeak.

I peered in from behind her.

Woah.

Her house looks so homey.

Large, puffy cushions sat on the sofas in the living room, with a flat screen television hung from the wall.

Framed photographs of Jinhee and her family were littered all across the walls.

I loved it.

"Well? What do you think?"

"It's awesome."

"Thought so." she smiled radiantly and then yelled, "Mom! Dad! Jinyoung! Get down here, we have a guest!"

Jinyoung?

Who's that?

"Who's Jinyoung?" I whispered into her ear.

"Oh I forgot to tell you. He's my younger brother."

Oh.

Loud, violent thumping sounds were making their way down the stairs.

I stared at the mouth of the staircase, anticipation coursing through my veins.

A mop of ebony black hair appeared in my line of sight and a cute, boyish face with wide eyes looked up curiously at me.

"Who are you?"

I didn't get to answer, because someone burst into the living room from God knows where, scaring the living daylights out of Jinhee and her brother, roaring, "WHO'S HERE?!"

I came face to face with a man who was obviously Jinhee's father.

The same eyes and nose were observed upon taking a closer look at his face.

Jinhee chuckled, "Appa...one fine day you're going to scare off all my friends with that voice and personality."

"Oh? And who might this fine young man be?"

"Nice to meet you sir, I'm Jeon Jungkook, a friend of your daughter's. She wanted to introduce me to her parents."

"Really? Happy to meet you as well, call me Mr Park."

I shook his hand with a firm grip, never betraying my slowly fading anxiety.

Jinhee's father is so friendly.

"Omma! I can see you, stop hiding." Jinhee suddenly cried out.

"Alright alright you got me. I was just about to make my grand entrance." a pretty-looking middle-aged woman materialized from behind the door where she was concealing herself.

She had Jinhee's lips and facial structure.

Long wavy hair tumbled down her shoulders, framing her elegant face and a pair of slanted, almond-shaped eyes.

They were a startling shade of dark grey, like a thunderstorm cloud.

I bowed ninety-degrees and greeted her politely, "Annyeong Mrs Park. I'm Jeon Jungkook, Jinhee's friend."

"Aigoo such manners, and that face. Jinhee how did you get such a handsome young man to be your friend?"

"Omma..."

I scratched my neck, feeling shy and a little embarrassed.

"Don't be so formal dear, call me Omma."

I smiled at her, she's a lovely mother.

I like Jinhee's family already.

"I'm Jinyoung, and I'm seven years old this year." Jinhee's little brother tugged on my pant leg.

"Nice to meet you Jinyoung, I'm 18 years old this year."

The little boy gave me a friendly grin, which I noticed was missing a front tooth.

"Come on everyone, let's sit down and have a chat. I just baked some of your favourite muffins Jinhee. We can enjoy them while we talk." Omma exclaimed.