Aera's P.O.V

Even when I woke up the next morning, the realization that I'd actually had a conversation with him had yet to settle in my brain. It was all so strange. Talking to him messed with my head; I knew who he was now, but I didn't. I knew his name was Park Jimin. I knew he was in the class below mine. I knew he attended Danwon. But he hadn't given me an explanation for any of these. I didn't know who his parents were, if he even had any. I didn't know his actual age. I didn't know why he moved here and started at Danwon. I didn't know. I did know I shouldn't have been so stuck on figuring him out. Who cared who his parents were? Who cared why he moved here?

I did. And I had no idea why.

••••••••

"Who are you looking for?" Namjoon's voice was faint.

"Someone..." I murmured, scanning the school crowd.

"Someone? What about a name? I probably know him," Namjoon said helpfully.

"No, you wouldn't," I replied quietly, still searching.

With a sigh and a frown, I looked forward again and began to walk towards the school. Jimin was no where to be seen. He's probably already inside. It didn't matter though. I wondered why I was so set on seeing him. Maybe it was because a small irking part of me believed he wouldn't show up for some reason.

"Hi, guys," Taehyung said as we hurried into the classroom to take our seats.

"Hi," I said distractedly.

The class began moments after we were settled, and my attention snapped back into focus, forgetting about the mysterious Jimin. For the time being.

After class we went to our lockers and continued the day as usual. I didn't see Jimin at all. And for some reason, I felt disappointed.

••••••

I showed up at the park once again, in hopes of seeing him. But even after completing a drawing, sitting and staring, and even dozing off, I didn't see him. Defeated, I gave up and went home.

"Where have you been?" Grandpa glanced up from the kitchen table as I walked in.

"The park," I murmured, slipping off my shoes.

"Ah. You like it there, don't you?" He smiled.

"Yeah, I do. It's beautiful," I told him truthfully, walking to the fridge.

"Your grandmother loved that place. Said it was so soothing to just sit and think. To just be." He sighed pleasantly. "You two sure are similar."

I stopped and looked at him with a small smile. My chest ached at the thought of my late grandmother. And I knew Grandpa's did too. I went over and hugged him, then headed upstairs with my backpack. I flopped onto my bed, laying on my back. To just be. Those words touched me. They were the perfect description for how I felt when I went to that bench in the park. It was nice to just sit and relax. To think. To exist. To just be.

••••••

A week passed without a sign of Jimin. And slowly, I convinced myself I wasn't going to be seeing him again. Namjoon and the boys took me to the cafe again, I studied at the library, I played cards with my dad and grandad, and slowly, I started to adjust to my new life. I was pretty content. I began going to the park everyday after school, even on the days Namjoon insisted on walking me home. It was getting harder to decline with his persistence, but I did. Because I was starting to feel like I wouldn't be able to spend a day without going to the park. Even when it was pouring rain.

"Are you sure? I don't want you to catch a cold, Aera," Dad asked again.

"I'm okay, Dad. I love the rain. Besides it's hardly cold out, and I have an umbrella," I insisted.

"But, is it really necessary to go out?"

"Oh, let the girl go," Grandpa called from the living room. "With all your nagging, I'm feeling tempted to walk out into the rain with her!"

I grinned and turned to my dad.

"Well, I'll be going then." With that, I turned and headed out into the rain.

The Saturday had started out pretty, but by lunchtime, rain was pounding on the roof. Even so, I had searched the old house for an umbrella and a good rain jacket. There was no way I was going to sit at home all day. It was funny. Back at home, I would have loved to stay in my bed for hours while it stormed out, but here, I couldn't sit still for more than an hour. Because of all my free time, Grandfather's house had been cleaned from top to bottom. "Cleaner than when we first bought it!" Grandpa had said in awe. I shook my head with a smile. Maybe different environments change people. At least, that's what was happening to me.

By the time I arrived at the park, the rain had softened into a steady drizzle. The bench was soaked, but the rain jacket I'd uncovered was long enough for my butt to stay dry. With a sigh, I sat down. I watched the rain fall onto the lonely playground, splashing into puddles larger than me. My eyes scanned the park, but I was alone. Except for an unclear figure that sat on the bench across the park.

I stiffened, staring at the dark person. Wait...Jimin? I wondered whether or not I should stand and go up to him. But it might not be him. But I really wanted to go up and scold him for lying to me about school. Though, If it was Jimin, wouldn't he have come up to me? I didn't know that for sure, but he had seemed like the kind of person to do that, especially after we'd sort of gotten to know each other. Well, then maybe I should just sit here. But part of me really wanted to talk to him. Just walk by casually. I told myself. Fine!

Grabbing my umbrella, I walked straight through the park towards him. So much for casualness. I decided it had to be him. Who else would have sat there in the rain? Except for me.

"Jimin!" I called as I headed him. "You've got some explaining to do!"

I quickened my pace as he glanced up, still unclear through the rain. By the time I got to him, to my horror, I knew I had been wrong.

"Ah, Haha." My face burned. "S-sorry, I thought you were someone else."

The strange boy just watched me carefully. He had black hair and looked younger than Jimin, but somehow, gave off the same feeling Jimin had.

"So, um...sorry." I turned to leave.

"Who are you?" His voice was light like Jimin's, but, for some reason, colder.

I turned back to him in surprise.

"Uh. Aera," I said. "Who are you?"

"A friend of Jimin's." The way he said it made it seem like they may not of actually been friends.

"Wait, so you know Jimin? Where is he? Do you know where he lives?" I began, suddenly hopeful.

"Why do you care?"

"I'm...just..." Why did I care?

Why was I so adamant on finding him?

"You should stay away from Jimin," the boy said flatly.

"Um...what?" I asked.

"Stay away from what you can't understand," he snapped, standing up.

I was surprised to see how tall he was. He glared down at me, then turned and walked away. I watched as he disappeared down the path, leaving me in the rain. Absolutely and thoroughly confused. And more determined to find Jimin than ever.