When I go back to class I continue my day normally till I get to gym class.
"Hey! Nora!"
I look up from my phone.
"Oh, Jennie. What's up?"
"You dumb or are you stupid? We have gym together. Why else would I be talking to you?" She laughs, "this kid."
"Yea, whatever." I say grinning while putting my phone in my pocket.
We head to the girls locker room to change.
I grab my sweatpants and crop from my bag before changing.
While we hang out in the locker room, Jennie says, "Hey? Have you been on a diet?"
"What?" I ask, "No? Why?" I say.
"Well you've really gotten thinner. I heard Irene's been on a diet and you can already see her rib cage."
"Oh. . . yea, no totally I'm on a diet." I laugh it off. Although when I look at my stomach, I have gotten much thinner, and there's really nothing there. 'Fuck.' I thought.
"Just be careful with those, it can be bad."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful."
She laughs at me. "What?" I ask.
"Nothing."
"Okay." I chuckle.
As we head to the gym, Jennie says, "Shit! I forgot my phone in the classroom! I'll be right back you go on ahead, I'll be there, just tell the teacher I'll be late."
"Don't worry, take your time."
"Thanks, be right back."
And she leaves to go to the classroom. I turn and head to the gym.
When I get in the gym, most of the guys are done changing and they're playing basketball. I go and sit on the bleachers. When I sit down and pull out my phone, the ball rolls to me.
"Here!" I look up and see Dylan coming towards me.
I got the ball and handed it to him.
"Thanks," he said.
"No problem." I say back.
Suddenly the teachers come into the gym.
"Alright everyone pay attention. Today we'll be partner passing with a tennis ball. So pick a partner."
I look around the gym for a partner, because Jennie isn't here.
Then I locked eyes with him. I see him smirk and he walks towards me. Then I feel a tap on my shoulder, I turn around and see Jae.
"Hey Nora, do you wanna be partner today?" He asks as he raises his eyebrows seductively at me.
"Um. . . sure-"
"Sorry she's already my partner. Maybe next time bud."
His low, husky voice already let's me know who it is. I then turn around and face him to see who I expected with a grim expression.
He has his hand in his grey sweatpants pocket, with his other hand in his hair.
He gives a low chuckle that rings in my ears, "Don't give me that look," he says while grinning.
"I never said if I wanted to be your partner."
"Sorry, sweetheart but today I decide. And I wanna be your partner." He then gives me his wink, and walks to an open area for us. I roll my eyes.
I still didn't want to be partners with him though.
"Look," I said, walking after him, "I don't wanna be partners. There are so many other girls that would want you." I gesture to the other girls looking at him. "I don't feel like putting up with you right now." I say trying not to sound frustrated, as I look up at him.
It's clear he can hear the restraint in my voice, but he decides to ignore it. While looking at me blankly he says, "No." I get this urge in my throat to yell at him, maybe even piss him off. But I start to feel anxious.
My throat feels closed and no words can come out. The room feels like its closing and I can feel my hands shake. 'What's wrong with myself?' I am usually good at keeping myself from panicking, but… I don't know what's happening. I look at my hands then at Tae. Tae looks at me weirdly. "Doll are you ok?"
I open my mouth but nothing comes out. I feel like I'm suffocating. My eyes started to get teary. 'W-what's happening?! My head is pounding and I feel like I'm gonna faint! Shit!'
I quickly look up at Tae. Without a second doubt he runs to me and looks me in the eye while holding me stable. "What the hell is going on…" He says, keeping his voice low. I'm grateful he knows I want to keep this under the radar. "I-I don't know, b-but I feel horrible." I grip his shirt and look in his eyes, and it's clear I'm about to cry.
He looks at me and holds my cheeks then puts a hand on my forehead. "You're not warm… you're cold? Baby," He looks at me with concern, "you're not in a stable condition."
"I'm fine," I say, "just a little unwell." I don't want to worry him, and have him make a scene. I just need to make light of this. I laugh, "you're just a baby," I say, "worrying about me and being concerned. So unlike you." Even though I was joking, I wasn't completely lying either.
Instead of a chuckle or a playful glare, I got a serious gaze. I don't think he understood me trying to brush this off and leave it be. His gaze was cold and serious. He poked the inside of his mouth with his tongue in frustration.
"What the fuck is your deal," he says raising his voice. "I'm right here trying to know why you're actin' up, and you're here telling jokes?! It's pissin' me off! The fuck! You're wanting my help then pushing me away, make up your mind!"
I quickly look around noticing people starting to stare. "Look I'm sorry! Is that what you wanna hear! Just shut up ok?! You're making a scene!" I say in a hushed tone.
He looks at me coldly simply saying, "I don't give a fuck."
I don't know why, but from the yelling and panicking I felt even more weak. I look up and feel the room spin around. My head feels like it's falling. And the last thing I say to Tae is, "Help..."
Oblivious to his surroundings he fails to see what happens. 'What the fuck is her deal? Looking out to me for help then pushing it away. Ha, I get it.' I bitterly poke the inside of my mouth with my tongue, to hold myself back from talking.
I hear her trying to defend herself, but I don't give a fuck. She can cut the crap. I mean, I don't care. No one would test me. I soon notice how she stops talking and it's too silent. I look up and see her falling. She looks in my eyes and says, "Help..."