Strings of Fate

Chapter 18

Color Code:

Bright Red= love for a significant other (it shines when they officially get together in some way whether it be dating or marriage)

Dark Red= love between children and parents

Pink= love shared by siblings

Blue= Friendship (pinkies=superficial; wrist=meaningful; heart's= deepest level of friendship)

Dark Blue= Platonic soulmate

Purple= distaste (side=slight; shoulder=avoid as much as possible; heart=hate)

Yellow= Respect that is earned for going above and beyond what one expected from you

White= unknown

Green= unknown (but is related to intelligence in some way)

Orange= unknown

Gray= a relationship that is broken beyond repair

Black= dying

Black Bow= The person who would have been on the other end is dead

Salmon: love between relatives (grandparents and grandchildren or aunt/uncles to nieces/nephews)

Texture Code:

Hot: extreme anger

Cold: Sadness

Monday rolled around and Jimin didn't feel like going to school. He wanted to go back to Busan. He wanted to stay there until his grandmother was hopefully better. But Jimin knew his mother wouldn't allow it. He also knew if his grandmother did get better, she would be disappointed in him for missing school. So he pushed his thoughts on her aside and got ready for school.

Breakfast that day was less joyful, Jihyun barely talked, and his mother was busy doing research so she didn't join them for breakfast. After eating, the two brothers kissed their mother goodbye and walked out the door. Jungkook was at the gate waiting for them. He waved to them with a smile, but the smile faded a bit when he noticed their gloomy expressions.

"Morning Jungkook," Jihyun said faking a smile and Jimin did the same.

"Morning....how is your grandma?" Jungkook asked cautiously as the three began walking to school.

"She hasn't gotten better but at least she isn't worse," Jimin replied looking at his string and satisfied not to see any black. With the distance between him and his grandmother, if he was seeing any black on his string it would mean things had taken a turn for the worst. After all, it was only halfway when he had been next to her, so if he could see black all the way here in Seoul, that was really bad.

"How would you know that hyung? We're not there anymore. We'll be that last to know if she did get worse." Jihyun said bitterly and walked faster because he was growing frustrated and no longer wanted to talk to them. Jimin sighed but didn't walk faster knowing it was better to let Jihyun deal with his thoughts alone for a little bit. Jihyun would come to him when he was ready. Still, Jimin rubbed at his little brother's string hoping to soothe him even the slightest bit.

"Jihyun is really close to your grandmother isn't he?" Jungkook asked from beside Jimin. Jimin nodded.

"Jihyun and Grandma have a special bond in a way. When Jihyun was born, things went wrong. Mom went into labor much earlier than expected and Jihyun was born underweight and everyone was afraid he would die. Mom was ill from giving birth and could hardly get out of bed without being in pain. Dad couldn't possibly take care of mom, Jihyun, and a two-year-old me at the same time. So Grandma and Grandpa came down to help him out." Jimin started.

"That's nice of them," Jungkook commented and Jimin nodded.

"While dad took care of mom, Grandpa mostly watched over me at home. And Grandma, she took care of Jihyun. She stayed at the hospital and watched over him night and day, always made sure he was kept warm and fed him constantly to try and help him gain weight. She was the one who basically saved his life because she managed to get him to actually eat. None of the nurses or doctors could, but she somehow could. Anyway, even when Jihyun was cleared to go home, she stayed. Mom wasn't completely better yet and Dad had to return to work or else we'd be in a financial crisis. Grandpa had to go back to work too, but he'd come down every weekend to help Grandma who took care of us kids and mom. Mom thankfully didn't need much looking after so it was mostly Grandma looking after us."

"You're grandma sure is caring."

"Yea she is. Grandma stayed until Jihyun turned two months. He was a perfectly healthy baby by then and mom was better. Jihyun was a baby so he couldn't possibly remember, but he's heard the stories from our parents and whenever grandma comes by she always spends time with him and brings him a special gift. She also looks after him closely all the time. So Jihyun adores her especially." Jimin finished explaining.

"Oh...they really did have a close bond then," Jungkook said as they reached their school and made their way to the classroom.

"Yea, Jihyun really loves our grandmother and seeing her like that must have hurt him a lot. He avoided seeing her after the first time, I think he can't stand seeing her lying on a hospital bed looking so lifeless and not being able to do anything about it. So it's probably best if we all refrain from trying to talk to him about this. He'll talk when he is ready." Jimin said and Jungkook nodded in understanding.

"What about you? How are you holding up? And how is your grandpa?" Jungkook asked.

"Grandpa is doing ok. He is really worried about grandma but he's ok, and dad is there taking care of him. And I'm ok too...I'm worried but...I'm ok." Jimin answered with a sigh as he took his seat.

"I know you haven't known me for long, but if you need to talk, I'm here for you," Jungkook said and Jimin nodded. As he did he noticed the white string taking on a soft dark blue color. His eyes widened as he stared at the string. He was about to touch it when he heard Taehyung greet them.

"Good morning fellow classmates!" Taehyung said loudly, starling Jimin. Jimin looked up at him and gave him a small smile.

"Morning Tae," Jimin replied.

"How are your grandparents?" Taehyung asked as he took a seat.

"Grandpa is doing well, but Grandma is still in a coma," Jimin answered. Taehyung frowned and then stood up and walked over to Jimin. He threw his arms around Jimin and hugged the elder tightly, albeit a little awkwardly because he had hugged from the side and Jimin was sitting down, so he couldn't hug back properly.

"It's ok Jimminie. She'll wake up and you'll see her well and healthy, don't lose hope." Taehyung said and Jimin smiled again.

"Thanks, Tae," Jimin replied closing his eyes and hugging the younger's arm since that was all he could hug in that position just as the bell rang.

"Alright everyone, back to your seats. It's time to start the day." Their teacher said as he walked into the class. Taehyung let go after one last squeeze and returned to his seat. They had their morning announcements and then classes began for the day.