Flawless Attraction

Chapter 29 - Why is he at my house?

a/n: this chapter is probably kinda sloppy, i was typing fast. forgive me.

TAEHYUNG POV

I'm not ashamed of my brother's. But I don't want Jimin to judge him. Because if he laughs, I couldn't take it. I whip around. "You're not good at following directions, are you?"

He grins as if saying, I'm a gang member, what did you expect?

"I have to check on my brother. Do you mind?"

"Nope. It'll give me a chance to meet him. Trust me."

I should kick him out, tattoos and all. I should, but I don't.

Without another word, I lead him into our dark, mahogany-paneled library. Mark is sitting with his girlfriend Amanda as they watch television.

When he realizes he has company, his gaze shifts from the television to me to Jimin.

"This is Jimin," I explain, shutting off the TV. "A friend from school." I say to Mark and Amanda.

Mark gives Jimin a crooked smile and says "Sup dude," 
Jimin kneels down to Mark's level. The simple act of respect tears at something suspiciously like my heart. Chanyeol always ignores my brother, treating him as if he's blind and deaf as well as physically and mentally disabled.

"What's up?" Jimin says, taking Mark's stiff hand in his and shaking it. "Cool computer."

"It's a personal communication device or PCD," I explain. "It helps him communicate, he hates talking to anyone besides Amanda and now that he said Sup, to you already indicates that he likes you."

"Game," the computer voice says.

Jimin moves beside Mark. I hold my breath as I watch his hands, making sure they're nowhere near his thick head of hair.

"You have games on there?" he asks.

"Yeah," I answer for him. "He's become a checkers fanatic. Mark, show him how it works."

While Mark slowly taps the screen with his knuckles, Jimin watches, seemingly fascinated.

When the checkers screen comes up, Mark nudges Jimin's hand.

"You go first," he says.

He shakes his head. "No you go" Mark says

"Cool." He taps the screen.

I watch, getting all mushy inside, as this tough guy plays quietly with my big brother. My brother does not like anyone and the fact that he is getting along with Jimin makes me want to tear up.

"Do you mind if I make a snack for him and Amanda?" I say, desperate to leave the room.

"Nah, go ahead," he says, his concentration on the game.

"You don't have to let him win," I say before leaving. "He can hold his own in checkers."

"Uh, thanks for the vote of confidence, but I am tryin' to win," Jimin says. He has a genuine grin on his face, without trying to act cocky or cool. It makes me even more desperate to escape.

When I walk into the library with Mark and Amanda's food a few minutes later, he says, "He beat me."

"I told you he was good. But enough games for now," I say to Mark, then turn to Jimin. 

He sits in my dad's favorite leather chair as I place a tray in front of Mark and Amanda.

"Mark," I say. "You should've let him win. You know, to be polite." Mark's response is a shake of his head.  "Wait until Jimin leaves. I'll show you who the checkers champion is."

My brother smiles that sweet, crooked smile of hers. It's like a thousand words put into one expression. For a moment I forget Jimin is still watching me. It's so weird having him inside my life and my house. He doesn't belong, yet he doesn't seem to mind being here.

"Why were you in a crappy mood in attraction class?" he asks.

Because my brother is going to be sent away and yesterday I got caught with my dick exposed while Chanyeol had his pants down right in front of me. "I'm sure you heard the gruesome rumors."

"Nope, haven't heard a thing. Maybe you're just paranoid."

Maybe. Kyle saw us, but he has a big mouth. Every time someone looked my way today, I imagined they knew. I look at Jimin. "Sometimes I wish there were Do Over Days."

"Sometimes I wish there were Do Over Years," he responds seriously. "Or Fast Forward Days."

"Unfortunately, real life doesn't have a remote control." When Mark and Amanda are done eating, I grab their trays then lead Jimin to the kitchen. "My life doesn't seem so perfect after all, does it?" I ask while I take drinks out of the fridge for both of us.

Jimin looks at me curiously.

"What?"

He shrugs. "I guess we all have stuff to deal with. I've got more demons than a horror movie."

Demons? Nothing bothers Jimin. He never complains about his life. "What are your demons?" I ask.

"Oye, if I told you about my demons, you'd run like hell away from me."

"I think you'd be surprised what I'd run from, Jimin." Chimes from our grandfather clock echo through the house. One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

"I gotta go," Jimin says. "How about studying tomorrow, after school. At my house."

"Your house?" On the south side?

"I'll show you a glimpse into my life. You game?" he asks.

I swallow. "Sure." Game on.

As I lead him to the door, I hear a car drive up to my house. If it's my mom, I'm in big trouble. No matter if we had the most innocent meeting, she'll go ballistic.

I peek through the windows by the front door and recognize Jaebum's red sports car. "Oh, no. My friends are here."

"Don't panic," he tells me. "Open the door. It's not like you can pretend I'm not here. My motorcycle is parked in your driveway."

He's right. I can't hide the fact that he's here.

I open the door and walk outside. Jimin is right behind me as I face Jaebum, Jungkook, and Jin walking up the sidewalk. "Hey, guys!" I say. Maybe if I act all innocent they won't make a big deal about Jimin being here. I touch Jimin's elbow. "We were just discussing our project. Right, Jimin?"

"Right."

Jin's eyebrows are raised. I think Jaebum is about to pull out his cell, no doubt to inform the others he saw Park Jimin walking out of my house.

"Should we go so you guys can be alone?" Jaebum asks.

"Don't be ridiculous," I say too quickly.

Jimin steps toward his motorcycle, his shirt outlining his perfect, muscular back and his jeans outlining his perfect, muscular--

He points at me after putting on his helmet. "See ya tomorrow."

Tomorrow. His house.

 I nod.

After Jimin is out of sight, Jin says, "What was that all about?"

"Attraction," I mumble.

Jungkook's mouth is open in shock.

"Were you guys doing it?" Hoseok asks. " 'Cause we've been friends for ten years and I can count on one hand how many times I've been invited inside your house."

"He's my attraction partner."

"He's a gang member, Tae. Don't ever forget that," Hoseok says.

Jin shakes her head and says, "Are you crushing on someone other than your boyfriend? Chanyeol told Kyle you've been acting strange lately. As your friends, we're here to talk some sense into you."

I sit on the front stoop and listen to them rant about reputations and boyfriends and loyalty for a half hour. They make sense.

"Promise us there's nothing going on between you and Jimin," Tae says to me alone while Jungkook and Hoseok are waiting in the car for him.

"There's nothing going on between me and Jimin," I assure him. "I swear."