The Introvert

Chapter 8

LALISA

"Lisa."

I was shocked when Jungkook hugged me out of nowhere. We just finished dancing Got7's Hard Carry with Hobi, Jimin and V oppa so I was sweaty and sticky. I tried to pull away but he wouldn't let me.

"Kookie? Is there something wrong?"

I felt him shake his head.

"Thank you, Lis. Thank you."

I looked over at the oppas and they smiled at me. V oppa even gave me a thumbs up. People who were watching began to whisper. But it wasn't audible enough for me to hear. Or, something's wrong with my ear 'coz I couldn't hear anything at all.

All I wanted to accomplish was to make Jungkook conquer whatever it is stopping him from showing what he can really do. Namjoon oppa said that even though he could dance beautifully, Kookie was very shy. He was also afraid of what other people might say. So I only wanted to help.

I patted his back lightly. "Don't thank me, Kookie. It was you who took a risk and joined me."

"Ya, Kookie. Lisa can't breathe anymore. Stop suffocating her," Hobi hyung joked. V oppa and Jimin oppa chuckled.

"Jin eomma texted. He said he prepared dinner and invited the neighbors to join. We need to go back home soon."

Jungkook let go and smiled at me. We grabbed our stuff and walked towards the parking area.

"Car's full!" Jimin oppa exclaimed. Hobi oppa was grinning. "Ride with Lisa, Kookie."

"Ya, there's still two seats available beside V!" Jungkook argued.

"We're picking up Jennie and Suga," V oppa explained.

"See ya!"

They sped off. Jungkook looked at me.

"Is it okay if I ride with you? I could take the bus ins--"

"Don't be ridiculous, Kookie," I cut him off. "Of course you can. Let's go."

It was a quiet way back to the boys' dorm. We noticed Hobi oppa's car on the driveway same as Jin oppa's. So we hurriedly went in the house only to find out that everyone was watching our dance performance a while ago.

"I still can't believe Jungkook danced in front of strangers," we heard Jin oppa said. "How did he do that without passing out?"

"It's not 'how' but 'who made him' do it," V oppa was grinning widely. "Guys, I really think Jungkook likes---mmmmm!"

It shocked me how fast Kookie jumped on V oppa to cover the latter's mouth.

"You're here!" Rosé ran towards me and hugged me so tight. "Aigoo. You danced without us again. Are you trying to debut solo?"

I chuckled. Us--Rosé, Jennie and Jisoo, likes to perform spontaneously and do dance covers. Once we did it in a mall, the park and by the sidewalk. But we wore masks--not conceal our identities but to have that signature thing.

"Ani. I just felt like dancing," she explained. "I had the longest sleep in days thanks to Kookie here."

Because I'm already taking up Medical Studies, I had to juggle studying and interning so I barely had enough sleep for the past few days. Plus I had to do my research paper alone 'coz my partner got shipped to God knows where.

"Sleep? You slept together?!" Everyone eyed us suspiciously.

"No!" We both exclaimed.

"Then why are you thanking Jungkook?" Rosé asked.

"He lent me his shoulder when I suddenly felt asleep on the school grounds. Sheesh. Choose you words properly, Chaengie." I scolded her. Jungkook was now beet red, frozen beside V oppa.

"Choose your terms properly juseyo, Rosé noona..." He looked like life was forcedly taken out of his body. Everyone laughed.

"Ya, Lisa. We should perform again one day," Jimin oppa said. I shifted towards Rosé secretly and saw her pained expression. I forced a smile.

"S-Sure, oppa. But I think Rosé would be a better partner for you 'coz she likes Ballet too. I have no talent in that area."

"Aigoo. Chimchim got dumped!" Hobi oppa exclaimed. "What about me, Lisa? We have the same genre. We can perform Troublemaker!"

"Ani! She'll perform with me," V oppa interjected. "Right, Lisa? TaeLice for lifeu!"

I smiled awkwardly and glanced at my unnies trying to ask for help. But they couldn't and just mouthed 'Sorry' to me. I sighed.

Then a loud thud caught our attention. We all looked at the door which caused the sound.

"Aigoo, someone got jealous..." Jisoo unnie was grinning at me.

"Dinner's about to be done," Jin oppa--who was wearing his cute pink apron, informed us. "So stop fighting."

"Ne, eomma!"

The girls squeeled coz they all looked so cute. I glanced at Jungkook's door.

"Jimin, please help me arrange the table. Taehyung, please get some water in the refrigerator. Hobi, please wake Suga up. And Namjoon..."

Namjoon oppa immediately stood up, excited and all.

"Stay there and don't break anything."

"Ya!"

The girls and I giggled as the boys continue to tease him.

Oppa really looked like the mom of the house 'coz everyone did as what they were told.

Rosé kept glancing at Jimin oppa. I know her too well to know that she wants to approach him but didn't know how.

"Just go for it," I whispered. "Just talk to him. You'll regret it if you miss this opportunity."

"But how?"

"Help him set the table, pabo," Jennie unnie said. She took a deep breath.

"J-Jimin oppa?" Rosé stood up and walked towards the dining table. "Can I help you?"

I saw Jimin's shocked expression before he agreed. And when Rosé turned around, he smiled.

Hmm...

"I'll help too," Jennie unnie grabbed a glass of water before walking towards Hobi oppa. "Shall we wake the lion up?"

I chuckled. Jisoo unnie was busy scribbling in her notebook to even notice that everyone left the living room. Jin oppa nodded at me and I smiled.

"Kookie, you okay?" I asked as I slowly opened his bedroom's door.

Jungkook was on his bed, playing with his phone. I walked towards him and sat beside him.

"Jungkookie, is there something wrong?" He didn't answer. "Hey."

I put my hand on his shoulder. He stopped tapoing on his phone and glared at me. I immediately retreated.

What the hell is wrong with him?

"Jin oppa is serving dinner. Just come out if you want to eat." I stood up to leave but he held my wrist. I felt a sudden constriction in my chest.

"Lisa..."

With a gentle tug, I was pulled to sit back. Our faces were only an inch apart.

"K-Kookie-ya..."

Our foreheads touched and his knuckles gently trailed my cheeks.

"I barely know you, noona. I just met you but you're making me feel weird things..."

"W-What are you talking about? You're starting to be weird yourself, Jeon Jungkook."

He sighed and looked at me intensely.

"Lisa," he began while holding my hand. "I think I--"

"Ya, you two! Dinner's served!" V oppa said as he opened the door.

I immediately stood up and went towards the door.

What's up with him? What did he mean by making him feel weird things?

Why is my heart beating faster than when I danced to three songs?

Aigoo. Jeon Jungkook, what am I going to do with you?