IX

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"Hello?" You say for what seems like the hundredth time.

"HELLOO!!! CAN YOU HEAR ME?" The voice of the other side screams.

"Halmeoni, you don't have to scream. I can hear you just fine."

"How can I trust this metal brick to send you my voice?" She asks.

"Trust me when I tell you that's the purpose of a phone." Conversations with your Grandmother over the phone always start the same. "How are you, Halmeoni?"

"I'm well, of course." Her voice is crisp and clear. You can almost imagine the proud look on her face. "It's going to take more than old-age to bring me down."

"Are you taking your medicines on time?"

"Y-yes. Every day." Her stern voice wavers ever so slightly.

"HALMEONI!!!!" You whine in frustration. Getting her to take her medicines regularly is worse that coaxing a child to have his veggies. "You know the medicines are for your own good."

"Stop talking to me like I'm a patient, young lady." Your heart yearns will longing as you hear her rebuke. Memories of when you were just a child flood your mind. Your grandmothers tough exterior only nestles the warmest most loving heart in the world.

"I miss you.." The words are barely a whisper.

"I know you do, kiddo. I miss you just as much, maybe even more." Her voice softens intensifying the pain in your heart. It hadn't been an easy decision to leave her behind and start a new life in the big city. You didn't have much of a choice back at home and when you'd received your university scholarship your grandmother wouldn't hear any excuses, your decision was made for you.

"I'll feel better knowing you're taking your medicine on time."

"Aish.. don't have any shame? Emotionally blackmailing a feeble old lady." You laugh at how she uses her old age only when it's convenient for her while for the most part, she claims to be young and healthy. "Are you doing alright?"

"Yes, I got a new job-"

"Another one?" Her tones rise in shock. "Child, you change jobs more often than some people change clothes."

"It's not my fault I get fired." You say pouting. You hear her sigh from the other end.

"As long as you're well, my child." You press your hand against the glass door you'd been leaning against and look through it. The calm stillness of the pool on the other side is interrupted by a figure ripping through the water.

"Don't worry about me. I'm perfectly fine." You say cheerfully.

"How can I not worry about you, silly? I know how much of a troublemaker you are." You can hear the laughter in her voice.

"Halmeoni! I have to go! I love you so much! I'll call again, soon." You end the call and glance down at the time on your phone.

Gosh! We're going to get late.

Pushing open the door you walk in. The sound of splashing fills the atmosphere, vibrating off of every solid surface.

"Aren't you done flapping around? You're going to get late for dance practice."

The splashing stops. "Are you always this unpleasant?" Jungkook quirks an eyebrow emerging from the water.

"I just like doing my work on time," You cross your arms. "I guess that can't be said for everyone." You feel a spray of cold water hit you. Gritting your teeth, you wipe away the water from your face.

Jungkook places both hands on the side of the pool and hauls his body up. You try to convince your eyes to look away as his arms flex under his body weight. Your eyes widen as they take in his bare upper body.

"If you could be so kind as to pass me the towel-" He catches your unguarded expression before you can replace it with a more stoic one. His lips curve to form the most devilish smile.

"Um.. yeah.. towel.." Pealing your eyes away from him you turn around to grab the towel lying on the bench. "Here-" You gasp, startled as you turn to see Jungkook standing inches away from you.

"Thank you." His drawl rings in your ears.

Calm down, Y/N. Deep breaths.

As he takes the towel from your hand he doesn't make any attempt to move away but instead gets to drying his hair, sending drops of water in your direction. Squeezing your eyes shut you turn your head to the side.

"Oh am I making you uncomfortable?" He asks, an act of worry on his face.

"You stink of chlorine. Move away." You scrunch up your nose for effect.

Instead of moving away he steps closer, instinctively you take a step back. "Is it bothering you that I'm shirtless?"

"What is bothering me is that you're invading my personal space." You bark still moving away from him. As you take another step backwards you don't feel the solid ground away, your stomach plummets at the realisation as you lose your balance.

Jungkook's hand grabs hold of your arm. He tilts his head to the side, the devilish smile never leaving his lips. You look below you at the blue water and feel your racing heart accelerate.

"What are you doing? Pull me up!" The words tumble in your mouth as they rush to come out.

"Hmm.. but it's a lovely day for a swim." His grip on your hand starts to loosen and you stare at him in horror just as he lets go.

You gasp, sucking in a huge breath as your back collides with the water. Hands reaching out, you try to grab at something solid but the water just passes between your fingers. As your head submerges your eyes burn as you fight to keep them open under water. Flailing your arms you manage to get your head above the water to draw in another hurried breath.

You can't swim.

You're convinced this is the end.

Just then you hear a loud splash and a hand wraps around your waist pulling you closer. Your body relaxes as you stop struggling. Instinctively, you wrap your arms around him and squeeze your eyes shut.

******

"I didn't know you can't swim."

"You would've pushed me in either way!" He feels something twist within him.

You're sitting on a bench, arms tightly hugging your trembling body which is turned away from him. Your chest rises and falls rapidly as you draw in one shaky breath after the other.

She must've been so scared, he thinks.

"Here," Jungkook tosses the towel at you. "Dry yourself." You don't make any attempt to take the towel that lies on your lap.

Muttering curses under his breath, he walks up to you and picks up the towel. Dropping it onto your head unceremoniously he begins to dry your hair, careful not to be too rough.

You try to squirm away from his touch but he doesn't let go. "Stop fussing, Y/N!"

Your body freezes at his tone and he immediately feels guilt well up. Removing the towel from your head he wraps it around you.

"You need to change out of these clothes before you get sick." He struggles to keep all emotion out of his voice.

"Oh yeah!" You turn around to look at him, your eyes red. "Let me just pull out the extra pair of clothing I always carry around just in case someone shoves me into a pool."

He inwardly flinches at your words. 

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