(Bella) 

The week went by alarmingly fast once classes started. Every day I spent either at the library or working in my room until the wee hours of the night. The previous weekend's interlude was all but forgotten as I settled into a routine.

I was heading home Friday night after staying a little later than usual at the library. I had almost reached my front door when I spotted Seokjin walking across the courtyard to his apartment. I couldn't help but stop and admire his graceful stride. Anyone who caught sight of him could do nothing but stop and stare. But Seokjin seemed unaware and unbothered. A couple began a loud argument  on the sidewalk when the girl craned her neck comically to look at him, and her male companion took offense.

The girl's loud voice eventually caused him to turn, and he saw me. He stopped and, for a moment, just stared at me. Then, his entire face smiled.  He waved and trotted across the courtyard toward me. I felt my breath catch in my throat.

"Hey, Bella. How are you?" he asked, as if he couldn't notice that I was halfway into a heart attack. Even dressed in college casual he looked amazing.

I took a deep breath then broke into a coughing fit.

He gently patted my back. "Oh, no. Are you ill?" His voice was full of concern.

I finally stopped coughing and shook my head. "N-No, really. I'm fine." I felt him remove his hand from my back, but he did not move away from me. "It might be allergies or something," I said softly. "How are you?"

He took a step back. "I thought I was okay until I saw you right now. Then I wasn't okay because I realized that I never asked for your number or your address." He smiled at me, and I gulped again. "Are you visiting Jimin?"

"I live here," I said, pointing to the apartment behind me. "With my friend Cindy Romero. I don't know if you remember her from the party."

He was looking at me as if I was his reason for living. "Apart from you, I remember very few people."  He paused and just looked at me.

I hoped he couldn't hear my heart thumping in my chest. 

"But I think I remember your friend. She...was with Taehyung."

I nodded, grateful that he didn't elaborate on how Cindy was practically mauling Taehyung. "Yes. Thank you, by the way."

His lips formed a half-smile. "For?" He leaned his face closer to mine. "For being so handsome?"

I blinked rapidly. "Uhh...for being so nice to me last week. You know, with the tea and...and all the rest," I said, my voice wavering.

"Oh, that. Well, Bella, you did thank me."

I couldn't control my smile. "Maybe. But it probably wasn't enough for putting you through that scene."

He nodded. "You're right. You still owe me. I'd like you to come back to my place for tea," he said. "And then we'll be even."

I thought I was going to pass out. Seokjin? His apartment? "Tea? Uh...uh, sure, if you're not busy," I stuttered.

"Of course not. That's why I invited you," he said. His dark eyes were twinkling.

"Okay, then. Let me just drop off my things," I said. I walked the few steps to my front door and fumbled with my key--my apartment was definitely not as nice as his. Finally, I managed to open the door. It was dark. Cindy must not be home. I switched on the light, grateful that the place was clean. "Come in," I said. "Have a seat." I rushed into my room to drop off my backpack and freshen up a bit. I looked at myself in the mirror and gasped in horror. I brushed my teeth, touched up my face, and spritzed a bit of cologne before coming back to the living room. "Okay."

He got to his feet and held the door for me. We arrived at his apartment, and it was as stunning as I remembered it. He rattled a small paper bag in his hand. I hadn't even noticed that he had been holding the bag the entire time. I didn't think my eyes had ever left his face. "The only reason I brought up tea is because I just picked some up at the tea store." He walked into his kitchen.

"The tea store?" I asked, thinking that he was joking.

He craned his neck toward me with a comical look on his face. "Yes, the tea store. It is a store where they sell tea." He smiled. "It's called the Imperial Garden. It's about six blocks away."

"Really?" I asked. "I just get mine at the supermarket."

"You heathen!" he exclaimed in mock horror.

"Consider me informed," I replied. "No wonder the tea was so delicious last time I was here. I expect this one will be just as great."

"Of course. Running into you right now saved me from enjoying it alone. Have a seat while I get it ready."

He brought out a small tea kettle, filled it with water and placed it on the stove.

"I know it's late, but have you had dinner?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No. I've been at the library since 5 P.M. I guess I forgot."

"I had ordered something to be delivered. It's only for one, but I'm sure that we can split it." At my nod, he rummaged through his fridge. "I have salad and can probably whip up a few sides."

"Perfect!" I exclaimed. Within a few minutes, we were sitting down to a dinner of spring mix salad with tomatoes and cucumbers, vegetable soup, chicken marsala and pasta, and baked potato.

And when he looked at me, seemingly proud that he had put all of this together, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

"I had no idea you were so good in the kitchen," I said.

He grinned. "I'm actually good anywhere, if you're ever curious."

I tried not to act shocked at his obvious meaning. "Uh, not at the moment, thanks." 

He let out a laugh. "I tried. I mean, I provided a great dinner."

"Half a dinner," I corrected, playing along. "I'll have you know, Kim Seokjin, that my virtue cannot be bought with half a takeout dinner."

His look changed, and his eyes pierced mine. I forced myself not to shiver. "And that, cara mia, intrigues me even more."

After what seemed an eternity, I was able to break our eye contact. What was I doing? I should not be flirting with him. He'll get the wrong impression. He already looked as if he was picturing me without my clothes. I had to control my emotions. I took a deep breath and smiled. "I'm sure that charm of yours drives all the girls crazy, but I pride myself on my sanity, so let's talk about something else."

"Like what?"

"What's your favorite movie?" I asked, pretending that a strange current hadn't passed between us.