"JIWOO, WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!", Jeno yelled at me after I started to run into the building.
I wanted to answer him and tell him why, but there wasn't much time left...or maybe even any time left. Who knew.
I had to find Jaemin.
When I got into the building, I was already overwhelmed because of all the flames.
"Jaemin!", the first few times I shouted, my voice was pretty clear; but after about five minutes of yelling, I started to cough because of all the smoke.
"Jaemin!", I kept looking for him, "Where the hell are you?!"
I ran up and down staircases and looked in random rooms...I couldn't find him.
I started to panic and even lose a little hope. Time was really running out, now...what if he was already gone?
"Jaemin~!", I felt a couple tears start falling down my cheeks, "Answer me!"
Still no responses.
The flames just crackled louder.
I just stood in an empty hall, looking all around me.
This venue was huge; there was no way I was gonna find Jaemin in here.
I felt my heart just crumble.
I let out a big sigh and dropped on the ground.
I honestly wanted to curl up in a ball. I wanted it all to go away.
I buried my face in my hands and started crying uncontrollably.
Did Jaemin seriously just die because of me?
I felt a soft hand on my shoulder.
"W-What?", my head flashed around and I found myself looking into Jaemin's eyes, "Jaemin?"
He just nodded.
He looked so beat up. There was a huge bloodstain on his right sleeve, he had blisters and cuts all over his face, and his eyes were completely empty as he looked at me.
"Oh my gosh", I stood up and gave him the biggest hug I could, "I'm so sorry", I buried my head in his shoulder and cried even more.
He returned my hug, and slowly rubbed my back.
"Its alright...", he said weakly, "I'm here..."
I wanted to drown in his hug; I still couldn't believe that he was alive.
"Jaemin", I pulled myself away from him and studied his face, "You've almost died for me way too many times", I said, trying to keep my voice as stable as possible, "Let me help you this time...please"
"I'm fine", he said.
"You're not fine", I glared, "Look at your arm, idiot. You barely have enough strength to stand or even talk"
He looked at the floor for a second and swallowed hard.
"You really shouldn't be worrying this much", he said, staring blankly at the ground, "I deserve this"
"Stop", I fixed my eyes on him, ignoring the fire around us, "You're talking nonsense"
He finally lifted his head and studied my face, "Am I?", he asked, "Jiwoo, look at the place. It wouldn't be on fire if I didn't tell that we should go"
I did what he told me to: I looked around. Sure, the place was a mess, but that wasn't going to make me change my mind.
"Look", he continued, "I have things to figure out on my own...Things you couldn't help me with if you tried"
"But-"
"Jiwoo", he put his hands on my cheeks and stared deep into my eyes, "Go out there and help the others..."
"What about you, though?", I asked.
"I'll be fine", he forced a smile.
"I'm not sure if I-"
"Please", his voice was close to a whisper, "They need you out there...I can figure myself out"
I wanted to say no...but he looked so desperate. I had to do something right.
"Fine", I said, finally breaking our eye contact.
"You're the best", he smiled.
We stared at each other for a few seconds; I think we were still trying to process what happened that night.
Suddenly he took a small step towards me, cupping his hands on my cheek.
"What are you-", I whispered as I watched his face get closer to mine.
But I was cut off – he pressed his lips on mine.
It caught me so off guard at first.
My eyes grew wide at first, but I eventually closed them and returned his kiss.
He slowly pulled himself away and lowered his hands from my cheeks.
"Jaemin?"
"Yeah?"
"I'll go help the others", I said slowly, "But please stay alive for me..."
He started walking backwards, "I'll try."
And before I knew it, he was running in the opposite direction from me.
