Only You

Chapter 19

IU's POV

"Yeoreobun! Today you will get into the groups your teacher assigned you yesterday and hike to the top." the instructor said, pointing at the top of the mountain. "There will be checkpoints along the way, and at each checkpoint, there will be a challenge that you will have to pass as a group."

Everyone started muttering at this and casting sinister looks at the trail while I felt the beginnings of nausea starting to creep in at the mere thought of exercise.

She cleared her throat and continued, "Whichever group reaches the meeting spot first will receive a wonderful reward."

With this, everyone dispersed to find their groups.

Taehyung spotted me and waved at me. With dread weighing down every step I took, I walked over and stood there with my hands on the straps of my backpack.

"Annyeong." he greeted.

"Annyeong."

"Jungkook should be here soon, and there's Minhyuk." he said, unperturbed by my lack of enthusiasm.

We waited a bit for Jungkook, and he came fairly quickly, walking toward us while yawning and running his fingers through his uncombed hair. The sight of him sent shivers through me, but that was most likely caused by the cold weather.

We set out with Minhyuk in the the lead, and me lagging farther and farther behind as I struggled to catch up with their rapid pace.

Looking over his shoulder and seeing me dying, Taehyung immediately called to the others, "I'll help Jieun. You guys go ahead, and we'll catch up at the first checkpoint."

Jungkook, upon hearing this turned around and quietly said to Taehyung, "It's fine. I'll help her." Seeing the reluctance on Taehyung's face, he added, "Plus, I'm better than you at sports, so it would be easier for both of us."

Although still hesitant at the prospect of Jungkook helping me, Taehyung turned around and went ahead with Minhyuk.

Guess I need to work on my pleading face.

I glared at Jungkook and ignored the hand he held out because I was still slightly annoyed at the remark he had made the day before. Before I had the chance to take even two steps, my foot caught on a rock and.....I didn't trip.

That was only because Jungkook had caught my wrist, preventing me from toppling over. -.-

"What's this?" he said after I was steady, frowning as he lifted my sleeve to reveal the bracelet that Taehyung had given me.

"Nothing." I muttered, pulling my sleeve back down and brushing his hand off.

His frown deepened, and he was about to say something when I cut him off and said, "Come on. We won't ever catch up to Taehyung and Minhyuk if we just stand here." With that, I walked quickly away from him and down the path.

Jungkook's POV

As I started walking after her, the words I had said yesterday came back and I mentally cringed. Why couldn't I have answered the question normally? When Jieun had looked at me, the first thing that I thought of was what I had spouted, much to my regret now.

And what was wrong with Taehyung yesterday? He had seemed so strange from after the game when we were talking, and refused to tell me what made him act that way.

I felt extremely unsettled, and I was determined to find out all the reasons why, and maybe actually ask Jieun out properly while I'm at it. 

IU's POV