Sep. 2, 2021, 1000 hrs

It was 10 in the morning and I was sitting on Emily's bed as if this wasn't my first time in her home. I casually scrolled through social media while she put a few finishing touches on her makeup. She was slightly bent over her dresser looking into the mirror, making some dumb ass face all girls do when they put on mascara.

Hearing her curse under her breath made me look up from my phone. I tried to hold in my laugh when she turned around making the most adorable face with a black dash going across the bridge of her nose.

"Stop. It's not funny," she whined.

"I'm not," I snorted. "You still look good."

"Sure," she said sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes and then turned back to the mirror to correct her mistake while I continued to watch her, taking in her form. Since her back was facing me, my attention immediately went to her ass.

I'm pretty sure she would be able to see me looking at it from the mirror but I didn't care.

Since my eyes were in that region, I began to notice her outfit, starting with her light blue jeans. They weren't fitted around the legs, but once you worked your way up north, they started to get a fit more snug. She had on a white shirt that was even looser than her jeans, and her red and black Nikes matched the design printed on her shirt, completing her fit. Overall, she had a casual look, which was very different from last night.

She's versatile. Nice.

I was pulled from my thoughts when she turned around with a smile on her face, asking me if I was ready. She looked proud of herself that her makeup came out so well, especially after waking up that morning with fake eyelash stuck to her cheek.

I'm not lying when I say this girl was beautiful.

I wanted to speak, to tell her how gorgeous she looked but in that moment, her smile locked me in a trance. Hair still wavy from her shower framed her face and long eyelashes accentuated those pretty honey brown eyes. All I could do was nod my head yes.

Once we were downstairs, we walked out into the parking lot and I reached for my keys. The sound must have caught her attention because she snapped her head towards me.

"What?" I asked in confusion. "You don't want me to drive?"

She held her small black purse in front of her and rocked back on her heels. "I kinda wanted to walk. It's a pretty day, plus it's right down the street."

I smiled at her. "I'm fine with that."

"Save your gas, cutie." She poked my chest with her white painted fingernail and proceeded to walk ahead of me

I let out a chuckle and put my hand over the spot she poked as I watched her walk away. Her hips swayed back and forth purposely, making her look like she was modeling for America's Next Top Drunk Model.

"You look silly!"

"I know!" She laughed, continuing with her antics anyway.

"Wait for me, Tyra Banks!" I laughed with her.

During the walk, we alternated between the same easy conversation from the night before and playful digs at each other. Anyone watching would have probably assumed us to be friends that were of the opposite sex, it came so naturally. As soon as we reached the spot, she stopped me with both hands on my chest and looked up at me pleadingly.

"What happened?" I asked her, instinctively resting my hands on her waist.

She looked at the building biting her lip and turned to look back at me. "I just..." She started. "Don't laugh, ok?"

I held onto her wrists, giving her a sympathetic smile and brought her hands down, keeping her right hand in mine. "I won't."

She doesn't acknowledge us holding hands as she points towards the building. "It's right there. You don't have allergies, right?"

I started to get skeptical. "No?"

"Great."

I looked up at the sign above and kept my promise not to laugh.

"The Pretty Kitty Cat-Fe," I read.

Now I was really intrigued.

I turned back to look at her and she had a huge grin on her face that resembled an excited child. "It sounds interesting."

My response made her even happier. "C'mon!" She pulled me by my hand and my feet barely had time to keep up as she led me into the building.

Inside, we were surrounded by nothing but fucking cats.

There were cats on the counter, cats on the table, there were even cats on these little ledges all up the fucking walls. My face scrunched up like something stank as I watched these cats sitting on a shelf bordering the ceiling looking back down at me as if I wasn't shit.

My eyes followed a kitten that came up to Emily. All she did was hold out her hand and it rubbed its entire back against her palm before crawling into her lap. I assume it's a boy based on the light blue ribbon tied around its neck. A small silver bell hung from it and each shake of his head made it jingle.

I watched her smile down at him and lovingly stroke his fur as she cooed how cute he was. Having claimed the best seat in the house, he purred back up at her in content. My frown faltered watching her reach maximum serotonin levels from the tiny creature giving her leg loving head butts.

She cuddled the kitten closer to her body then looked up at me. "I hope you're not too uncomfortable," she started. "I've never been here because I had no one to go with. Alexis isn't a cat person and I didn't want to go alone."

My face relaxed completely at her words and I gave her a warm smile. "It's all good. If this is what you're into, let your freak flag fly like you did last night," I said, shooting her a wink. She rolled her eyes and playfully pushed my arm, and we both laughed as the waitress approached our table.

After ordering our drinks, we both calmed down and Emily turned her head to look out of the window of the small cafe. As she watched the clouds, I observed the way she unknowingly continued to pet the kitten curled in her lap that was the same color as the gray clouds rolling in.

"Looks like it's going to rain tonight," she said, still looking out of the window.

I finally tore my eyes away from her and looked at the changing weather with her. "What's new in Seattle?"

Emily turned her attention back to the table, blinking away any thoughts she developed while observing the sky. She smiled sweetly at me, giving me reassurance that I had her attention again.

I smiled back at her, an exchange I still hadn't grown tired of, then we fell back into a comfortable silence.

That silence was broken when her soft voice spoke again "Actually... I love the rain. We don't get much of it back home," she said as she looked down at the kitten, now peacefully sleeping in her arms.

That sparked my interest. I wondered where she was from. Her entire vibe, while sexy, said that she wasn't a Seattleite just as clearly as her accent did.

I sat up in my chair and gave her my full attention. "Oh, where you from? Or am I still small talking to you?" I added with a smile.

Emily lets out a soft chuckle. "I'm from California."

I smiled wider at that. It was something else we both had in common.

"I'm from Cali too."

"Figured," she playfully snorted. "I knew you weren't from around here."

I cocked my head back at that. What were the odds that we had the same thoughts? "I got that vibe from you too," I said. "So what part are you from?"

Emily let the kitten reposition itself on her lap, and cooed at him more before she continued.

They're really comfortable together. Just like us.

"I'm from SoCal. My momma and daddy had me in Long Beach."

I laughed at her choice of words."Your daddy had you too?" I teased, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

"You know what I mean," she said, cutely scrunching her nose. "Anyways, what part are you from?"

I leaned back in my chair and started playing with the napkin my utensils were wrapped in.

"I'm from the Bay Area. My mom and dad had me out there too." I smirked.

"You're annoying." Emily rolled her eyes at my little joke, acting like I was getting under her skin so bad but we both knew that she was full of shit.

"No, I'm kidding," I said. "My dad wasn't my biological dad."

Emily's ears perked up at that, intrigued.

I nodded my head and went on to explain. "He's the one that raised me. He met my mom while she was pregnant with me, so I have his last name."

I paused after that, suddenly getting a tight feeling in my chest. I miss him.

She looked at me solemnly when I didn't continue. I looked back up at her honey brown eyes filled with so much empathy that it felt like she was hugging me with her soul. The unspoken support motivated me to continue.

"He's not my dad but he's still my dad, you know?"

Emily nodded her head in understanding and gave me a soft smile. "I get it. That's cool."

The waitress brought us our drinks and placed them on the table. Of course, I noticed the wink the lady gave me and the stank ass look she gave Emily but Emily didn't even give her the time of day, nor did I.

I took a sip of my drink and placed it back on the table before resuming our conversation. "What brought you to Seattle?"

I could see how hard she swallowed when I asked her that question. When someone is this close, it's hard not to notice the change in their breathing when they become the center of your attention.

But I won't press any harder. It's clearly a sensitive subject.

She tried to keep it cool and plainly said school but I could see her chest moving hastily. She was trying to control her breathing, something I learned how to do too. As if sensing the change in her, the kitten woke up and started to rub his face against her hand, bringing her heart rate back down from the drumming beat it probably was a second ago that disturbed its peace. Giving him her attention calmed her down. She relaxed as she smiled down at him as she stroked his fur some more.

"That's cool. Which school do you go to?" I asked, trying not to make her any more nervous than she already was.

"I go to Washington State," she said, opening up a little more as she scratched under the kitten's chin.

I sipped my drink again before speaking. "Ohh shit, that's a nice school. What do you major in?"

Her eyes sparkled as brightly as her smile. Dimples showing, she picked the kitten up and held him in her arms as if he were her baby. "I major in psychology. I hope to become a therapist. focus on childhood trauma." She finished the sentence with a boop on the kitten's nose.

I thought about asking why she chose that career path, but by the way she reacted to my first question, I didn't want to upset her anymore.

Instead, I watched how she played with the kitten and showered him with affection. Since we'd been there, she hadn't been the slightest bit rough with any of the cats there. She was nothing but delicate and loving with them.

The way she gently touched the kitten and gave him little nose kisses almost resembled how she touched me last night. Delicately and lovingly.

Emily looked back up at me with eyes full of joy, the direct opposite of how panicked they looked moments ago. I felt warm watching her as she turned her attention back to the kitten, who was looking more playful after his nap.

She started to rub his head and it began to purr louder, causing her to giggle. "You're such a cute kitty. Look at those pretty eyes." she cooed.

Contrasting against his stormy coloring, her companion had eyes the same hue as a cloudless day. Although one eye seemed to have a slight defect that made it narrower than the other, I was sure that Emily found it to be perfect in every way.

"You're so beautiful," she smiled, touching noses with it again.

"I was just thinking the same thing," I said, softly letting my thought escape.

"I know he's sooo cute," she beamed.

"I meant you, Emily."

I gave her a smile as warm as how she made me feel when her honey brown eyes lifted to meet mine.

Gorgeous. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. Why would I want to take them off of a view more beautiful than that from the Space Needle?

She scrunched her nose again. "What are you looking at?" Her playful attitude came back, probably in an attempt to hide what she really felt.

I didn't answer. Titling my head to the side, I continued watching her as I poked the inside of my mouth with my tongue, causing her to shyly look down and try to conceal her beautiful smile. She was practically burning under my gaze. I could tell by the way her caramel cheeks now had a red tint to them.

I watched her make little kissy faces at the kitten and he touched his nose to her plump lips. She giggled and just like the first time I heard it, I felt the same warm and fuzzy feeling in my chest that people write about.

"I like how loving and gentle you are with an animal you don't even know."

She continued looking down at him while stroking his head, taking a long pause before speaking.

"You don't have to know the animal to know they need love," she said.

She looked up at me after the last word left her pretty, plump lips. Our eyes locked and in that moment, I had the strongest desire remind myself what her lips felt like.

Why does her words feel like they have deeper meaning? I could be reaching, hoping that it means more than what it does.

Yeah, I'm definitely reaching.

The moment was over when the waitress came and set our breakfast on our table.

"Who ordered the Ham and Cheese Paw-nini?" She asked.

I lifted my hand. "That's me."

The waitress set my food in front of me with care and gave me another flirty smile. Her attitude then changed when she gave Emily her food.

"And the Purr-fect Pancakes must be for the cat lady." Her voice was as sour as unsweetened lemonade and the plate hit the table so hard that one of her pancakes now hang over the edge. "Enjoy your food."

She on some different shit I see.

"Thank you." Emily sweetly said to the waitress even though the girl basically threw her food at her. That shit was not about to fly with me.

Before I could speak up and say anything, sweet Emily beat me to it with a clap back.

"It's funny you called me Cat lady when I don't even own a cat," she started. "But you Work in a Cafe Full of them. Are you mad that my friend here isn't giving you any attention? If so, that's shallow."

She waited for the waitress response while having the sweetest smile on her face. The waitress didn't have anything else to say, so she looked at me to defend her. I, however, was trying not to laugh at her embarrassment.

Not wanting anymore smoke, She rolled her eyes and turned around, flipping her blond hair like it was such a signature move before she walked off.

Nobody worried about her and those damn split ends to be honest.

Emily shrugged and looked back at me before pouring the syrup on her pancakes and taking a bite out of them.

"These pancakes are so good." Emily beamed like she didn't just check a girl a second ago.

I shook my head laughing and began to devour my panini. "I bet they are."

We talked while we ate. We were laughing so hard that we were basically pissng ourselves and choking on our food. I felt my phone vibrate a couple of times, but I didn't really give it much attention because I don't know how, but we fell on the topic of Jimin's lactose intolerant ass eating a whole pint of ice cream at this girls house he was hooking up with.

Emily was laughing so hard that she wasn't even making a proper laugh noise anymore. Her face was as red as a lobster and she was practically speaking whalerus. At one point, she laughed so hard she spit out some of her apple juice on the cat and let out this wheezing sound like she's been smoking her whole life.

It was the funniest thing I've ever seen. This was probably the most I laughed and joked around with somebody in a long time.

Emily and I finally decided to head after we finished our meal and I let her pay. I didn't want her to, but she insisted, so rather than arguing with the woman, I let her get it this one time. Any other time I would have left a tip if someone else chose to pay, but the waitress was such an asshole that I didn't even consider.

On our way out the door, I opened it for Emily and as she walked out, I placed a hand on her hip, gently guiding her out then show the hating ass waitress a look that said 'could neva be you'

And it would never be.

She flipped me off. So I stuck my tongue out at her.

As we were walking on the street Emily had her Down but smirked lightly.

"What" I asked her.

"I saw that."

" what? I don't know what you're talking about." I turned my nose up at her, smirking and trying not laugh

"Shut up" she shoved me gently, rolling her eyes while I laughed.

"She deserved it." I say in all honesty because she did. She was out of line for no reason, and if Emily was being mature about it, then I get to be immature in her place.

She just laughs it out and we both smile at each other feeling content. We walked back to her apartment building in a comfortable silence and every now and then we would playfully shove each other. Once we finally made it to my car we both stopped in front of each other and didn't say anything.

Once I locked eyes again, I realized it was the last time and that whatever we have between us is now over. Everything we shared in the last 24 hours will soon mean nothing and we both have to walk away.

I could see in her eyes that she didn't want this to end so soon and if I'm being honest, neither did I. As much as I didn't want to say these words, I had to be strong and embrace who I am.

I think the hardest part about the whole thing is she has no clue we'll be strangers after this.

"I think it's time for me to go." I said softly, not taking my eyes off of the beautiful woman that I shared my night with.

She nodded her head in understanding, biting her bottom lip trying to conceal the sad smile she had. Emily smiled once more, flashing her cute dimples and said "goodbye jungkook."

I'm not one to be dramatic over
specific words but her saying 'goodbye' stung.

"Goodbye Emily." I said with a gentle smile, swiftly gripping her chin with my thumb and pointer finger for a moment, causing her to giggle.

She turned on her heels and attempted to head into the building, but the sudden urge came over me.

I wanted to feel her again. I needed to feel her again.

She got about 5 feet away before I raced for her arm and turned her around to face me. She crashed into my chest and let me embrace her for a meaningful hug that I wanted to last forever.

We rubbed each other's back as she rested her chin on my shoulder. I closed my eyes, enjoying the way her body meshed with mine. Her body gave me warmth and her scent gave me comfort, for it smelled like cocoa butter and jasmine with a dash of fresh cookies.

Smells like home.

A breeze picks up and the wind blows through her curly hair causing it to force her eyes to shut harder and put her face in the crook of my neck. I felt her get a chill, so I held her closer to my body causing her to grip my sweater that I wore last night in her fist.

I bet this encounter to anyone else would look like we have known each other for years, but in actuality it's only been 24 hours, and what a great 24 hours it's been.

That's reality.

Emily lets out a hum of serenity, "you're warm."

I let out a hum that almost mimics sadness "you're are too."

I closed my eyes admitting to myself that this next move was a smart one, but I didn't care at that moment. I Pulled her body away from mine and looked deeply into her big honey brown eyes. She still had my sweater tight in her fist like a baby gripping a French fry as she was lost in my eyes the same way I was lost in hers.

This has got to be the most dramatic shit i've ever done, but my feelings are oozing out of my body.

My eyes shifted down to her full lips. She licked them, moistening them like she knew exactly what I wanted. Giving into my urge again, I leaned in until my lips met hers.

Our lips moved in sync rhythmically like we've known each other's patterns for a while now, and I wish it were that way. She moved her body closer to mine as the kiss deepened.

That fire, that Same fire that we lit last night, almost reignited when she wrapped her arms around my neck and I placed my hands on her rounded hips.

Metaphorically, I would say she tasted sweet, but this time she actually tasted sweet like the maple syrup she had not too long ago.

The kiss felt longer than the hug, not that I'm complaining, but before the kiss could go any further it was interrupted by a car door being shut not too far away from us. A familiar female voice was heard as they walked up to us.

"y'all acting like y'all ain't ate today." I turned to the voice and it was Emily's friend from last night. She had her hand rested on her hip as she landed to the side wearing purple sweat suit and yellow crocs.

Damn Barney, you ruined the moment.

Emily and I awkwardly pulled away from each other when her friends devious smile grew wider. I cleared my throat while fixing my sweater and rubbed the back of my neck. "its good to see you, Um..." my voice trailed off.

"it's Alexis, honey" she folded her arms with a smirk that told me she was definitely going to tease her home girl Emily later.

"Alexis." I repeated "good to see you Alexis."

When I turned back to Emily, she was making a face at her friend but snapped out of it quickly when I looked at her.

"I'll see you around Emily," I chuckled. "Thanks for spending my birthday with me. You made it's suck a whole lot less"

Which was true. She made it all the more worthwhile.

At that moment, Emily's whole demeanor changed as if on queue when she heard me admit that yesterday was my birthday. Her eyes were as wide as the ocean and her jaw was damn near on the floor about to catch every fly that flew by. Alexis stood next to her with her brows raised as well but not as dramatic as Emily.

"It's your birthday?" She asked

I shrugged my shoulders at her and chuckled "well, it was. it was yesterday."

Emily wrapped her arms around my body one last time and placed a soft kiss on my cheek, giving me a warm feeling. When she pulled away she looked at me again with almond shaped eyes.

"Happy birthday, Jungkook."

"Thank you, Emily."

She stepped back wards towards her friend, keeping the same sweet smile plastered on her face while she watched me get into my car and drive away.

The Sweetest most genuine smile Ive come across in the longest time. The last time I seen a smile that serene, I never saw that smile again and I don't know what made me think about that at this moment but I know it hurts just as much this time as it did last time.

Maybe spending my birthday with her was a gift from someone special.

It was a great way to spend my birthday and I'm glad that I got to spend it with her. Even though it was a limited amount of time, I never knew I'd have so much chemistry with someone I just met. As much as I wanted to keep her around, the fantasy was now over and it was time to come back to reality.

Hi readers, I make myself sad
I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter
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-Rosebud_Lana