Tuesday
On my run this morning I couldn't help but think of Jungkook as I passed by the lake. I still hadn't gotten a reply from him. I decided to give it another day to see if I'd hear back. I made some egg rolls for breakfast and then left for class.
As I strolled down the corridor towards my lecture hall a familiar outline caught my eye. He was striding in my direction from a small distance but, it was unmistakably Jin. What on earth was he doing here?
As I got closer I noticed he was holding a lunchbox in hand. I weave my way through the crowd so that our paths would meet.
"Jin" I called ahead, he cocked his head towards me, blinking in disbelief.
"Jia, this is unexpected" he halted in front of me, fondly gazing down.
"Yeah, What're you doing here?" I asked. Jin lifted up the lunch box in hand. "Dropping this off to one of my Dongsaengs" he answered. "Ohh, is it a girl?" I bit my lip in anticipation. I hadn't meant to pry but I couldn't keep my curiosity at bay. "And if it is? Are you going to get jealous?" Jin cracked into a smug grin.
"Yes. I would be" I uttered under my breath, glancing off to an adjacent wall to evade his stare. "It's not, don't worry. It's for the Maknae of my group." Jin took a step closer, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I peered back up at him. "Oh… He's so lucky, you never did make good on that promise to cook for me" I puffed out my cheeks, having Jin cook for me would be such a treat.
"Yeah, he has it good doesn't he?" Jin chuckled. "Say, I have Friday night free. How about I come around for dinner then?" He suggested. "Yesss, are we going to cook?" I fawned. Truth was it'd been a long time since we'd spent any time together. "Yeah. I'll drop by around 3, how's that sound?" I nodded happily. Jin quickly leaned down and pecked my lips, it happened so fast but Jin waved goodbye and left before I snapped out of it. It left me standing there speechless.
I rushed off to class. Lectures and workshops kept me busy all day, When I finally got home I crawled up on my couch and took a brief nap.
I threw on a cropped black turtleneck jumper and black high waisted jeans, black heels to match. A few rings. Hair down straight. Earning decent money had its perks. I'd always liked having a variety of clothes, over the years I'd put a lot of effort into collecting pieces I loved despite barely having any money. But, now with the cash I was pulling in I could indulge in my visionary fashion fantasies.
I finished the Bibimbap leftover from the previous night before heading out. There was a short wait in line, when I reached the security at the doorpost, he stopped me. "Are you Jia?" He inquired. "Yeah. That's me" I answered back. He was much bigger than me and dressed in all black. For a second I was nervous.
"The manager asked me to escort you in, come with me". I quietly followed as the club security guy turned and walked in. I was expecting him to proceed straight through and down the stairs but instead, he took a left down a corded off passageway and up a short flight of stairs. A bar and lounge area came into view. As I strode further in I saw that this area was the balcony overlooking the dance floor and stage below. Was this a VIP section?
The lounge was loaded with deep purple suede couches, about four to five bundles of seating areas scattered through the lounge. The bar was against the back wall parallel to the banister which gave a nice view of the entire club.
"Jia, there you are" I sighted a group of familiar faces huddled across three couches, a low table in the middle. Joon was the one that'd called out to me, he sat next to Hoseok on the right side whilst Jimin and Tae sat across from them. "Hey, everyone's here" I gave a little wave as I plopped onto the empty couch between them. "Well, not everyone but-" I hummed.
"Joon didn't mention you were stopping by" Tae stood up and glid over beside me, tugging me into a one-armed hug. "Didn't he?" I peeked over to Joon. "I wanted to surprise you guys" He insisted. "Well it worked, pleasantly surprised. How's my girl?" Hoseok brightened, reaching over for the bottle of liquor on the table and pouring me a shot.
"Yeah, I've been good. Now that you're all back I'm keen to see what life has in store for us going forward" I accepted the glass from Hoseok and drained the glass. "Last semester wasn't exactly smooth sailing" Jimin leant back in his chair, letting out a sigh.
"It wasn't. But now that you two have moved past that fight things will get better" Tae looked over towards Joon and Hoseok. "Point taken. At the end of the day, we need each member. I'm glad you came back Hob" their gazes met as they spoke.
"The reason I came back was that I believe in you guys. I know we went over it the other day but, let's just put it behind us and move forward yeah" Hoseok took a shot after he arrived at his conclusion. There was an agreement between the boys.
"Jia, do you have any drink requests? The private bar up here is all ours" Jimin smirked, tilting forwards as though waiting for me to say the word so he could go and grab it.
"I don't want to go too hard tonight. Maybe just some flavoured Soju. Peach, maybe?" I replied. "Your wish is my command" Jimin winked before striding over to the bar. Tae leant back into the couch from beside me. I noticed Hoseok's gaze idling on me, as though he was spacing out.
"What's up?" I waved my hand in front of his face to get his attention. He broke out of it. "No, nothing." He chuckled. "So, you been sleeping enough? Eating well? How's your studies?" He abruptly started questioning, I thought he was kidding but at a second glance his attitude was serious.
"Wha? What's with all the questions? Are you my dad or something?" I giggled. "No, that's me" Joon butted in, making an effort to be witty.
"Wha? I can't remember it going down like that…" I tried to recall but came up with naught, what was he talking about? "Just a matter of time, it'll happen. Don't worry" he gave a smug chuckle. I deadpanned.
"Nah. I just wanna know how you are" Hoseok rebutted. I felt Tae reach up and start kneading my shoulders through the chatter.
"What I miss?" Jimin asked, returning with some fresh glasses and a few bottles of Peach Soju. "Just Hob and Joon Hyungies being weird" Tae shot a coy smile. Jimin snickered. "What's weird about asking someone how they are?!" Hoseok fended. "No not that" Tae replied. "Huh? I was just joking about the daddy thing" Joon attempted to back-pedalled.
"Daddy? What's going on? That sounds kinky" Jimin got that cheeky grin on his face. "Joon implied he wanted me to call him daddy" I elaborated. "Oh? Are you going to?" Jimin questioned, Tae laughed. "I dono, I never thought about it" I admitted. "Can we change the subject please guys?" Joon scrunched his nose, probably not able to listen to us ramble on about this as though it was a serious agenda.
"Yeah lol. You're the one that brought it up though" I giggled. "She's got a point" Hoseok added, ultimately only adding to the sting.
"I love this song, Jia, wanna dance?" Tae asked, sliding his hand into mine and smiling. "Here, have this before you go" Jimin shoved a shot into my other hand. "Thanks, Jiminie" I poured it back and put the empty glass on the table with a light thud. Tae hauled me up onto my feet and over to the balcony where there was a wider floor space. The boys were still in earshot from behind us.
Tae grabbed my waist and leant in closer as we slowly swayed to the RnB track drifting through the club. "I think those two are still getting used to how to treat you when we're all together like this" Tae hummed. "Oh, so that's how it is… Hope it's not too awkward for them" I replied. I laid my head on Taes shoulder, taking a peek at the boys as they casually conversed amongst themselves.
A small inkling of wonder hit me as Yoongi strolled into the lounge. He patted Joon on the shoulder, said a few words and then walked off together, disappearing down another hallway. "Jia" Taes voice pulled me back. "Hm?" I raised my head to look at him. His thick brown curls framed his face ethereally. "Are you actually okay?".
"I think so…" I replied. The truth was I didn't really know. Jimins cute giggles cut through the small silence as he neared. "Another one?" He clasped three glasses in his hand. We all took them. "So, about the daddy thing" Jimins deviant side knew no ends. "Ahh Jimin, please" I burried my face into Taes chest to hide. "C'mon, you're not even a little curious?" I felt Jimin grip my chin and tug so our eyes were locked.
"I didn't say I wasn't but-" I mumbled, "-we're the same age so it doesn't work!" I lunged up and tickled his sides, Jimin jerked, letting go of my chin. I giggled at his reaction. "Ahh. Don't say that, you're gonna ruin what I'm imagining" he sulked.
"Oh, this should be good. What is it Jiminie?" Tae looked intrigued. I spun around and clamped my hands over my ears, trying not to hear the wild things that Jimin may have had swimming up in his head. I felt a light shake but I didn't react. It stopped. I noted Hoseok was no longer sitting at the table. I wonder where he went? An escape would be nice right about now.
But instead, I spent the next hour playing around with Jimin and Tae. Eventually, Hoseok reappeared. The air around him was a little different. He insisted he'd drive me home and that it was getting late. Jimin and Tae kept quiet, so I left with him.
"I didn't know you drove". Hoseok had taken me down to the front of the club where a black Sudan was parked. It was a nice car, it only piqued my interest further.
"It's our managers. He lets us borrow it sometimes" Hoseok looked over to me, I just couldn't understand why he was so stiff since the moment he'd returned. "Where were you before?" I pushed on. "Just taking care of a few things". I felt a tenderness curl itself into my hand. As I looked down I saw Hobi's hand entwine with mine.
I quit questioning him for the rest of the ride. He leant over and kissed me before saying goodnight. I went back up to my building feeling a tad apprehensive.
I unlocked the door to my apartment, I felt a cold wind roll past. I froze in alarm as I looked around. The balcony door was wide open, the light from the moon spilt in, the white silk curtain thrashed in the air making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. There were papers scattered, blown by the wind into the corners of the room. I stumbled back out and shut the door, panic rising. I could barely clutch my phone as I hurried to call Yoongi.
I squatted down in the hallway until I heard the chime of the elevator. I lifted my head from where it'd been buried between my knees. Yoongi panted to catch his breath.
"Have you been inside yet?" He asked, kneeling beside me.
"No… When I saw the state of the place I closed the door and waited here. I haven't heard any noise come from inside so I don't think there's anyone there right now" I mumbled. Yoongi let out a deep sigh, pushing his hand through his hair in deliberation.
"You think you'll be alright to come in with me? Or you want to stay out here?" He questioned. I wasn't sure. I was startled, confused. Maybe even angry. "I'll come. I can't sit out here in the hallway all night".
Yoongi lent me a hand to pull me to my feet. He didn't let go of it as he opened my apartment door and guided me inside. I turned on the light, Yoongi went over to close the balcony door, making sure to snip the lock. We both looked around. My laptop was open on the coffee table, papers of lyrics and assignments were everywhere, but, from what I could see nothing was missing.
"That's weird" Yoongi mumbled. He went into my bedroom so I followed. My draws had been ransacked, pulled out and stuff strew across the floor. I felt violated.
"I wonder what they were after" I feigned. I went to check my jewellery but it was all there. "I don't know" Yoongi admitted. "Do you notice anything missing?" He questioned. "I'm not sure. Maybe if I start cleaning I'll be able to notice" I was at a loss. Yoongi helped clearing things up and putting stuff away. I was so overwhelmed, this entire situation unnerved me.
By the time we finished, I hadn't noticed anything missing which only confused me more. Yoongi promised to stay the night with me to make sure I was okay. I don't think I'd have been able to sleep if he wasn't there. He sat on my bed beside me as I lay there, his fingers delicately fondled strands of my hair.