Katy McMahon

The ends of her lips pinched upward as she turned her eyes upward.

“Welcome back, Jimin. You didn’t take too long, mhm?”

Awkwardly, Jimin twisted his foot and smiled.

“Yeah, about that - um - he said he can’t make it for the next couple of days. Ya know, teenagers - busy and whatnot.”

Once again, Jimin laughed in an awkward manner. His mother could only look at him for a moment too long before nodding her head slowly.

“Yeah, well I-I actually need to go up and study for a bit then.” Before she could say anything else, Jimin jogged up the stairs and into his room.

“I’m so…stupid.” Jimin spoke, now seated in the main camp hall with Taehyung and Jungkook. A day had already passed since that conversation between him and his mother, it was now Monday. He was anxious, as if he had betrayed her.

“I lied! I’m a liar…”

Jimin placed his arm on top of the table they were seated at and laid his forehead on top of it. Jumin explained everything that happened on Sunday to Taehyung and Jungkook who were seated opposite of him. There was no longer any place to keep it in, so he needed someone to talk to.

The only thing Jungkook could do was laugh, but Taehyung was quick to shove his elbow into the other's stomach; who now hissed in pain. He moved his gaze away from Taehyung after receiving a piercing glare from him.

“It’s alright Jimin, but why did you have to lie anyways?”

Taehyung leaned forward and placed a hand on the younger. Taehyung was taken aback by how red Jimin's face was when he raised his head.

“Oh yeah sure, ‘Hey mom, Yoongi couldn’t come over because I paid for his stuff and now he really hates me for some reason, plus he’s busy doing things that I don’t know about.’ Yes, that sounds perfect, doesn’t it?”

Taehyung nodded his head slowly, “Yeah, I get it now, I guess.”

Jungkook perched up on his seat, “She didn’t say anything this morning though?”

With shock still evident in his expression, Jimin shook his head, “She didn’t! It was like nothing happened.”

“Then what’s the problem? You’re not in trouble, and you get to spend time with us!" Jungkook said, bringing Taehyung close and wrapping his arm around him. Jungkook and Taehyung both smiled at Jimin who could only shrugged slightly.

“I guess you’re right.”

“Yeah, so relax and let’s hang out.”.

After looking around for a moment, Jimin nodded his head. Most of the kids were playing with toys, while the teens were sitting on different chairs and talking to each other. His eyes returned to his friends.

“Where Jieun?”

Taehyung shrugged, “I don’t know? Ever since you started spending more time with Yoongi, she’s been ignoring us as well.”

“Maybe she’s jealous?” Jungkook suggested.

“Jealous? Why would she be?” Jimin perched up on his seat.

“Isn't it obvious that she’s into you, Jimin!? She’s probably a little sad seeing you and Yoongi hanging out all the time-””

“Oh! My friend Namjoon was the same.” Jungkook intervened.

Taehyung rolled his eyes, “Are we really going to talk about this?”

“Yes, we are!”

“My friend Namjoon was obsessed with his crush, Seokjin and -”

“- okay long story short, Namjoon would get jealous, but due to this he confessed to Seokjin out of nowhere. That was years ago and now they’re married. Happily ever after. The end.” Taehyung intervened.

Jimin couldn’t help but feel stunned as he heard the story, “T-two guys, married?”

Jungkook nodded his head, “Yeah! They’re so cute. I can’t wait to marry-”

Jungkook got caught off yet again after Taehyung hit his friend's side with his elbow. However, Jimin didn’t notice the two bickering since he was lost in thought.

Interesting.

***

Jimin kicks his feet back and forth as he sits on the edge of his bed. He’s been there waiting for Yoongi to come to the room for only a few minutes now, but he’s already getting impatient. The events of yesterday still seem hazy to him. The only thing he could do was unconsciously fidget and glance around the room. He noticed some clothes on the floor of Yoongi's bed, which was in front of Jimin.

“Did I really do something bad?”

If anything Yoongi was supposed to feel grateful.

After that last thought, the squeaky hinges of the door of the room opened, and Yoongi stepped in quietly before standing in front of the entrance. He held his hand up a bit and waved awkwardly, “Hey.”

Jimin stood up from his bed, “H-hey Yoongi.”

He walked over to his bed and sat on top of it before lying flat on his back, emitting a heavy sigh.

"Sorry." They spoke in unison.

Yoongi turned his head, “What are you even sorry about?”

Jimin stood in his place and looked away from the male, “...for yesterday. Paying for your stuff. Being annoying when you were clearly in a rush. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. You don’t have to be sorry. I was just being an asshole as usual.”

Silence descended on the room as Jimin nodded. Only the sound of a slight breeze from outside was all that was required to make the tree leaves shuffle.

“So we’re cool?” Yoongi suddenly spoke.

Jimin looked back at him with a confused look, “What do you mean?”

Yoongi sighs and shakes his head, “Nevermind… I’m going to take a nap.”

As Yoongi was about to roll over on his other side, Jimin scurried over to the male, but tripped over Yoongi's socks and fell flat on top of his stomach. While trying to get up, his feet kept moving around the clothes, making it impossible to stand up. Yoongi could only look at the panicking Jimin, feeling a little bit panicked himself. After just a second, Jimin stood up and stared at Yoongi, his face flushed.

Jimin took a step back and looked around the room as if someone was inside with him. His mind instantly thought about what had happened yesterday.

How would they have known?

After leaving his room, Jimin turned and descended the stairs as quickly as he had entered. There was his mother, already dressed in her usually Sunday attire. Wearing a pretty pink blouse with a detailed embroidery around the chest and neck area; a long skirt that went down to her ankles that had a nice floral pattern on it; and short white heels that really completed the outfits. She looked beautiful as ever. Her face, however, looked much more distraught than usual.

A nervous, but awkward smile appeared on Jimin's face. He held both hands behind his back.

“Yes mother?”

“I heard from a good friend of mine that she saw you and your…friend, that you were at the park yesterday.”

Jimin nodded his head slowly, “Yeah, we were just hanging out.”

His heart began to beat faster, and his hand became somewhat clammy than before.

“Are you sure? She thought you guys were acting weird?”

“W-weird as in, what?”

Jimin's father stepped out from the bathroom next to the stairs before she had a chance to answer.

“Oh quiet down Iseul, the boy was just hanging out with a friend. Your ‘girlfriends’ are always gossiping about something, and then starting trouble.”

The sound of his voice was loud and gravelly. He pulled his other suspender over his shoulder as he walked to where Jimin was standing, putting an arm around him.

“My son never causes trouble, you of all people should know that.”

A slight opening of her lips was followed by a final closing. She walked off to the kitchen, probably to grab the pie she always baked for her church friends.

Jimin couldn’t help but sigh in relief before looking over to his father, “Thanks father.”

He laughed, “No worries, son, but I do want to meet this friend of yours. Get him here after service, alright?”

After patting his back, the man sent him off. As Jimin stepped up the stairs, he aspired to dress like the rest of his family.

I don’t think Yoongi would like to come over, especially after leaving him like that yesterday.

***

For Jimin, the Sunday service was the same as usual. The service lasted three hours, with singing, prayer, and preaching. When he was younger, attending church services made him feel anxious, since they were always so loud and filled with all kinds of noise. Having grown up in that environment, Jimin felt more comfortable.

He walked out the glass doors to the parking lot with his family as he shook random attendants' hands. Now being outside, the heat felt strong as his skin felt sensitive to it’s rays.

Jimin's mother stepped alongside him and leaned forward slightly, “I heard your father wanted you to invite your friend over.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you going to walk from here, or do you need us to drop you off at his home?”

Although Jimin wanted to ask Yoongi to drop him off, before he could do so, he realized that he had no idea where Yoongi lived. Clearly, he lived close by, but where? Jimin smiled at his mother as he shook his head slowly.

“No thank you, I’ll just walk from here.”

The fact that everything was so close made Jimin feel lucky at such a moment. Approximately ten minutes away from where they were now, his home was over the bridge. The distance to Bellflower Park was similar, about ten to fifteen minutes.

Yoongi must live somewhere around there!

“Alright, be careful and honest. Make sure to look both ways wehn cro-”

“Mom, I know I know. Now go before dad starts trouble.”

She smiled warmly at her son and nodded, “Sorry about this morning, honey. See you at home.”

After she left, Jimin was left alone in front of the church since many others who attended were already driving away. He pondered for a moment.

“I guess I’ll head to where we met up yesterday then.” He spoke to himself as he began walking in that direction. The walk wasn't too long, and Jimin found it much more peaceful than he had anticipated. He was awestruck with all the flowers, animals, and trees that were outside. That may have been one reason he liked going to camp, since he was surrounded by nature.

He looked around as he walked and strutted past a convenience store that he had only visited once in his life. However, he took a few steps backward, recognized someone inside.

Yoongi.

Looking through the glass window, Yoongi stood in front of the register, holding a few items and putting them on top of the counter.

He felt joy inside of him and his stomach felt a little funny; nonetheless, it was a good feeling.

Taking hold of the metal bar, Jimin opened the glass door as he walked up to it. The bell on the top rang and caught the attention of Yoongi; who looked to the side. While walking towards the man, Jimin smiled a little, but was unable to say anything more.

“That would be 7.25$” The female cashier spoke in a quiet tone.

Yoongi took out the dollar bills from his pocket and started to count them, “Shit…can you take away the soda?”

The cashier nodded, but before she could actually do the task Jimin ran up to the register. Bumping into Yoongi who took a step from the side, and put down a ten dollar bill.

“Here ya go! It’s all on me.”

Jimin glanced over at Yoongi, and instead of a friendly smile, he saw a frown and a sharp glare on his face instead. As requested, the cashier gave Jimin the change and a cheap white plastic bag containing all the items. Jimin raised his hands with the bag once more as he looked to the side.

“Here -”

Yoongi snatched the products from his hand.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

Yoongi opened the door of the convenience store as he started walking away. Jimin walked behind him, but bumped into the glass door. After pushing open the door, Jimin turned to the man and jogged up to him with a frustrated huff.

“My parents want to meet you.”

Yoongi didn’t say anything for a few seconds, “Okay?”

“You should come over!”

“No.”

A bit of furrow appeared between Jimin's brows, “And why not?”

“I just don’t want to be around people like them.”

Jimin followed Yoongi as he turned a corner.

“C’mon I-”

“I said no. Leave me alone, I need to do some errands.”

Those were the final words. After being stopped in his tracks, Jimin watched Yoongi walk away until he could no longer see the man anymore.

“I don’t know if it’s me being pushy or if it’s him being weird, but I feel like something is wrong.”

Taking the wrapped nicotine with the tips of his fingers, Jimin held it as if he would catch on fire at any time. A quick glance at the thing was all he needed before flicking it to the ground.

Yoongi took a quick step towards the cigarette, “Hey, what the hell!?”

Before Yoongi could reach down and grab it, Jimin stepped on the cigarette with the bottom of his slippers, hoping that it wouldn't ruin them. With a proud smile on his face he slid his slipper to the side to see that the cigarette was now broken.

Jimin wipes his palm against his basketball shorts, “Oh father, please forgive me for touching such a foul thing.” He looked upwards in desperation. ‘

“You’re kidding me, right?” Yoongi scuffed, “You really - whatever, I’m leaving.”

Yoongi turned on his heels and stuffed his hood pockets with both his hands, continuing on to his intended destination. Typically, he was out and about with his own presence, since that's what he thought he needed, anyway. Bumping into Jimin was definitely a surprise, but now he was able to laugh about it back home.

As Yoongi walked down the sidewalk, Jimin was quick to run past him until he stepped in his way. Jimin’s eyes crinkled at the edges and the corners of his lips turned upward, soon enough he was grinning.

Yoongi pursed his lips, a slight furrow between his brows as he stared pointedly at Jimin, and with an icy coldness, “What do you want now?”

“For you…” Jimin jammed his hand into his pants pocket and pulled out a small book, “...my mom says that it’s always good to carry around a Bible just in case.”

Yoongi focused his eyes on the green and white leather book, “No thanks.”

Despite Yoongi's attempt to walk away, Jimin grabbed his wrist. He clasped it tightly this time.

“How about we hang out tomorrow then?”

Jimin's hands were shaken off of Yoongi's wrist as if he were a straw fly who was getting in the way. Seeing no reason to stop, Yoongi walked on, “No.”

Behind him, Jimin pursued.

“Oh, C’mon. I can show you some fun things to do besides…smoking.”

Saying the word "cigarette" made Jimin cringe as if it were a ticket to hell. Yoongi hesitated for a second, “...no - maybe.”

“I’ll take that as a yes!” Jimin explained before running past Yoongi and looking at him with a beaming smile. Yoongi, on the other hand, was the opposite, his lips joined in a thin line and his eyes relaxed as if he were going to sleep.

"Let's meet on this corner tomorrow so I can show you the wonders of the world, you won't regret it."

“Pfts, wonders of the world my ass. Just don’t be so…creepy.”

“What! I’m not creepy.”

“Whatever you say, now let me pass by so I can go home and sleep.”

His face was slightly flushed as he nodded in agreement, feeling a bit embarrassed by the male's accusations.

I’m definitely not creepy.

***

Now Jimin was at home. The house was chaotic as usual as his father sat in his leather recliner watching a live football game. His cheers to his favorite team were loud enough to be heard outside. His mother, who was in the kitchen, yelled at her husband to keep it down as she cooked dinner, now having the proper ingredients that Jimin was sent out to get.

While watching his mother cook, Jimin sat on a bar stool in front of the small kitchen island.

“Are you sure you don’t need any help mom?”

Three things were being cooked at once by his mother. One of the pots was boiling and leaking from the side. The flames erupted higher when the liquid from inside the pot landed on the stove fire. Fortunately, she was quick to turn down the heat.

“It’s alright Jimin, you know how your father acts when he sees you helping me out in the kitchen.”

Despite his best efforts, Jimin could not help but sigh in disappointment. He leaned his elbow against the dark wooden countertop and rested his chin on top of his palm. His fingers were already twisting the stem from an apple that was taken from a bowl in the middle of the counter.

“That’s so dumb.” He muttered.

“Now don’t say that. How about you tell me what you were so excited for when you got home, mhm?”

Jimin perked up on his seat, “Oh yeah! Well, there’s this guy from camp…and he’s a bit of a trouble maker to say the least. I saw him walking back to him and invited him to hang out tomorrow.”

Using a plate, Jimin's mother started arranging the various foods on a plate after turning off the stove.

“Now what’s the purpose for this hangout, you’re not going to cause any mischief, right?”

Jimin was quick to shake his head, “Of course not! I just…I just want to be a good influence on him.”

His mother frowned a bit, “I see. Just don’t cause any trouble, honey. Anyways, dinner is ready.”

She slid the plate across the counter and it fell directly in front of Jimin, “Thanks mom!”

I wonder what Yoongi is doing tonight? He was in such a hurry.

***

Yoongi walked through the door of the house and the children's voices filled the room. Sighing, he kicked off his boots.

“I’m home!" He shouted, making his way to the top floor of the home.

“Where the hell have you been Yoongi!?” A woman shouted from the first floor. Yoongi rolled his eyes.

The last part of his speech was delivered with confidence as his voice softened. Hope creeps onto his face as he smiles, anticipating the future for his son.

In response, Jimin nodded slowly, "Yes sir." He leaned his head against the glass window but soon regretted it since the rough road impeded his ability to rest comfortably. As a result, he had to slightly bang his head with every bump.

Fortunately, within a short period of time, he was able to see the wooden cabin that seemed to be made out of Lincoln logs. As they drove up the gravel road, a group of children were already playing. Seems fun enough.

“Alright sport, we’ll be back by 4.” His father said as Jimin shuffled to the side, grabbed his backpack, and hauled himself out the door. As he walked to the side, his mother grabbed his arm from inside the car.

Her gaze was fixed on him before he looked back at her. Her lips were pressed together in a soft smile. Her thumb lightly stroked the back of Jimin's hand.

"Don't overdo the studies, sweetheart. We know what a big deal it is for you to follow in your father's footsteps, but don't burn yourself out. Alright?”

He nodded, and his lips curled up into a bright smile as his eyes turned downward into crescents.

His mother let go of his arm and he watched as the car he came here with started to drive away. He waved as the car disappeared into the distance.

A sudden realization of where he was made all of his senses raise, as he realized where he was. The children were laughing and twirling around the poll next to the slide. The attendants worked as they finished setting up the place. There was a chirping of birds as they flew overhead into the forest.

This was “Camp Spirit Movers.”

It provides youth with an opportunity to learn the message of the Lord. Jimin, however, was primarily interested in taking a priesting class so he could become a pastor like his father. A man who wished his son would take over his duties when he retires. Serving his family and bringing the family prosperity was a great responsibility for him, but he was proud to continue the tradition.

Upon turning around, Jimin opened the wood doors, revealing a room filled with teens like himself. The loud noises of everyone's conversation pushed him into a corner instantly, and he felt like the smallest person in the room.

Upon surveying the room, he looked at each person until he settled on a male standing in a corner on the other side of the room. He wore a black t-shirt with the words "Thrasher" printed on the front, with ash blonde hair and pale skin. An unzipped black hoodie and dark jeans completed the look. With the rest of the kids in the room wearing light and bright colors such as blue and pink, he stood out. The male did however pique Jimin's interest, but Jimin was surprised when he turned his head and made eye contact with him.

“Shoot” I was staring for too long.

Jimin looked away quickly, his gaze dropping down to the fingertips that were already fiddling with each other.

According to his father, this man is unsightly, or perhaps even a "bad influence", however Jimin never understood how someone can be judged just by how they look. It almost seemed unfair to him, but whenever he asked his father, he was always told that being cautious was fine.

Ultimately, it didn't matter since what were the chances that Jimin would need to talk to the unknown man?

***

After many hours of group activities, they were sent to their rooms to rest before their next activity, a group prayer session and a small concert featuring some people singing biblical songs. It didn’t sound like too bad of a time for Jimin. In a room with just two beds and a window, he was escorted by a camp attendant.

A smile spread across his face, “Thank you, Jieun.”

Among the camp attendants was Lee Jieun, who was about the same age as him, 18 years old. Aside from her perfectly clear face and beautiful brown eyes, she also had long, beautiful hair that was now bundled up in a ponytail. I can easily see my parents wanting me to marry her.

Her cheeks showed a blush of rose as she smiled back.

“Of course! You should totally sit me and my friends for group prayer, they’ll totally love you.”

Jimin’s eyes lit up and he instantly nodded his head.

During Jimin's highschool years, he mostly spent his time at home with his mother, who taught him everything. He, however, never had the chance to talk to other teenagers or make friends since he was homeschooled and he studied and participated in church activities.

“Sure will!”

As Jieun walked away, Jimin was about to close the door when a hand grasped the knob and held it open for a moment. Looking up, Jimin made eye contact with the man he had seen earlier that day. Taking a few steps back, he let go of the door and let his eyes widen.

“H-hi!” Jimin talked, trying to appear friendly to the very intimidating man now standing in front of him.

“Hi.”

He spoke before plopping down on the twin bed on the left corner of the room and lying down on his back. His sigh of frustration echoed throughout the room.

In his awkwardness, Jimin stood in the middle of the room staring at the man for quite a while, like he had this morning. Although he couldn't help but be intrigued by him, as he was the complete opposite of what he was used to.

“...now I’m stuck with a weirdo.”

Jimin snapped back to reality and hadn’t noticed that the man had been talking the whole time, “Excuse me?”

Now he was lying down with his eyes closed, facing the wall, “I hate this fucking camp, and now I have to spend time with a guy who stares at me constantly.” He repeated.

“You - I do not - I was just lost in thought!” He stumbled over his words as he revised his remarks.

“Whatever, let me sleep, and don’t stare at me. That’s fucking creepy.”

As Jimin looked at the strange man yet again, he was at a loss for words, before sitting down on his own bed in the right corner of the room.

“Sure. Let’s be mean to each other though. By the way, my name is Jimin.”

In a soft voice, Jimin said not wanting the man to think any worse of him than he already does.

“Okay.”

“Aaaand…you are?”

He leaned forward, eager to hear the name he would receive in return.

"Not your business."

Jimin released a heavy sigh he wasn't aware he was holding back.

“C’mon, so that way I don’t have to refer to you as ‘that guy’.”

With another frustrated sigh, the man said, “Yoongi.”

Jimin brightened and smiled instead of the frown he was wearing previously, “Great! It’s nice to meet you Yoongi. Let’s get along with each other.”