Wolves and Bread (COMPLETED)

Chapter 4

Painting the living room was the least problem. Covered in paint, I started a paint war with Jin incidentally and we both accidentally put Yoongi in the middle of it which resulted in a real war, we go downstairs where my mother is busily cleaning. As soon as we walk in her eyes widen and asks: "What has happened?"

We share glances and grin like madmen. "Just a little accident," I say, barely able to contain my laughter. Both boys try to hide their smiles as well.

It came as a surprise that Yoongi was so easy-going and joined the fight. He even seemed to have fun with it. I guess I should give him the benefit of the doubt. Because with a little effort, he might actually be really enjoyable to hang out with.

"Okay," mom says, obviously doubting our excuse. "Try to keep accidents to a minimum. Alright, back to work."

Looking at me with a devious smile, the boys pick up the paint brushes. I mouth a silent warning as I make sure I do not get anywhere near them until the job is done. God forbid what might happen.

***

Somewhere around noon the first pieces of equipment arrive. Soon enough the whole kitchen is filled with different machines for baking and the front of the store with displays and cash registers. Mom looks happy after the last cash register is brought in. "Let's get installing, lads."

I look sideways at Yoongi. "She means you," I say teasingly.

"That's fine by me," he says casually.

"Scarlet, I meant everyone."

"I know, I know. However, I don't think I'll be of much use. I mean, I barely managed to install my laptop properly." Yes, me and electronics do not get along very well. Nevertheless machines. What if I connected a wire the wrong way and rendered the whole thing useless at the same time? I do not want to let that happen.

"I'm sure we'll manage, Amanda," Jin says encouragingly as he puts his hand on my shoulder. From the corner of my eye I see a bit of a troubled expression in his friend's eyes. I wonder why.

"Sure..."

"Come on, Scarlet. It won't be that bad."

"What if I mess up?"

"You'll have to pay then." Mom's eyes look serious yet playful.

"Since you give me allowance, you still pay for it yourself." I stick out my tongue teasingly at her.

She sighs. "True enough. Well, lads, get to it."

Jin and I head to the kitchen as mom installs the displays and Yoongi the registers.

"He doesn't say much, does he, Yoongi?" I remark when I'm sure he is not able to hear us.

"He is a man of few words, but he is really a good guy. I've never seen him smile so much on one day," Jin says as he looks over his shoulder at the door that leads to the store.

"Is it that rare for him?" He does seem as a person with secrets, but I am curious why it is he appears so uninterested at times. It is as if he has known little happiness and because of that lost interest in things.

"Yoongi has... had some troubles in life. Let's keep it at that." Jin's voice suggests he does not want to talk about the topic anymore. Now I am even more curious. He is like a mystery that has yet to be solved. Somehow I wanted to be the person to do so.

"However, I am happy he is happy. I think it is because of you. You do something to him. He was reluctant to come at first, but now it seems like a good thing he came with me."

I did something to him? A strange feeling washes over me, one I cannot define. I made him change his mind, I was of help? I cannot believe that. Everytime I had wanted to help someone in the past, it either went bad or the person was indifferent towards me. It is nice to know it might actually be appreciated for once.

I smile and Jin notices. "Looks like you are happy too with him being here."

I straighten my face. "I am just glad you both came along to help, not because of him only." Okay, maybe it is actually because of him, but I am also glad Jin is here.

"Amanda told me you would start your studies here. To which university are you going?" A change of subject. Good, I can order my thoughts before I dig my own grave.

"Seongsan University, nearby here."

Jin's eyes widen in surprise. "Really?"

I look at him awkwardly. "What? Is it a bad one? Should I have chosen another."

"No, no, not at all," he says quickly. "It's just that I am going there too. Namjoon and Yoongi go there as well. If you want I can introduce you to the rest."

A flashback to the moment I met Namjoon flashes before my eyes. His fierceness, his intensiveness. Will the rest be like that too or will they be like Jin? I am not good with meeting people, never have been. Nevertheless, it shall be nice to know at least some people.

"Yeah, I'd like that," I say, despite my doubts.

"Cool. They are really nice guys, so you have nothing to fear, I promise."

If he promises it, it must be true. How strange, I know him just a day and I already trust him. My guts tell me he is alright, and if there is one thing one can count on it is one's instinct for it does not lie.

***

The rest of the day we spent installing all the machines. I read the instructions to Jin and he does as he is instructed. During the test run everything runs smoothly. We give each other a high five whilst we proudly look at what we have accomplished.

"Nice job," a familiar voice says next to me. I turn my head, somewhat startled to hear him speak so suddenly after a whole day of not hearing a single word from him. Yoongi looks around, a bit impressed by what we have done. He turns his dark eyes towards me. "Jin did the installation, didn't he?" I'm not sure whether he is teasing or nagging me. I nod my head in shame.

"She read the instructions to me. Without that, we would not have been able to do this," Jin interferes, defending me.

"True," is the only thing he says. His smile has turned stoic once again, making his face unreadable. "Shall we go?"

Outside the sun is lowering on the horizon, casting the city in a warm glow. Jin looks outside through the only window in the kitchen, which sadly looks out over the wall of the building next to ours. "Yeah, let's." He turns to me. "I had a blast. I'll see you later, Scarlet." He pats my head and walks away, Yoongi following behind. Before he leaves the room, he looks over his shoulder one last time, looking at me. I cannot tell, but I think I saw a smile before he definitely left.

"Nice boys. You should invite them over more often," mom says when they left. She stands next to me in front of the store. We watched them leave in silence, only waving when they turned around.

"Jin says he goes to the same university I'll be attending."

"Really? That's nice, having already one friend." She sounds content. I always have had trouble making friends, due to my social phobia and awkwardness. However, I had no problem with being with them. In fact, I am happy they were here.

"Not one, two," I correct her. For now I can say that Yoongi is a friend as well. I did something to him, but he did the same to me. I wonder if he knows that.