Chapter Seven

You think it's Pela who rings for your apartment door to open. "Coming~" your voice announces, finally getting used to laughing again. With warm hands meeting the cold surface of the knob, you swing the wood open without hesitation. "I've been waiting all da—" You freeze. Eyes widening when spotting the figure who isn't Pela. You ask, "What're you doing here?"

The boy smiles. Nervous. Sweet. Charming. Kim Taehyung stands outside your door, only to say a gentle and deep, "Hi."

[7 hours earlier]

"No Taehyung, I'm not giving you her address!" Jungkook grumbles, rolling his eyes and starting to walk in the direction to his next class.

"Oh, come on! How many times does a man got to ask?"

"Man? I don't see no man."

Taehyung sighs, grabs onto Jungkook's bag only to have the boy flinch away. "Don't be touching my Gucci bag," the first-year hisses, "It cost me a fortune to get and I don't want your filthy-lyin'-ass-hands dirtying it up."

"First of all," Taehyung sighs, "I don't care for Gucci."

Jungkook rolls his eyes another time, purposely shifting in zig-zags within the hallway corners so he could have Taehyung's side hit. Once it happened a good two or three times, Jungkook grins to himself, feeling relief cleanse his pettiness. "Second?"

"Second," Taehyung mumbles, rubbing at his shoulder with a wince, "We both know that I didn't lie about anything. I didn't know Oki had a girlfriend—and I definitely didn't know that the girlfriend would end up being your friend!"

"Yeah yeah."

"You know I'm telling the truth about that," Taehyung says, catching up in walks right next to Jungkook who trails down fast. The boy has always been the fastest one out of all the friends.

"If it helps I'll talk to her, I'll clear your name if it's that important to you."

Taehyung nibbles on his lips. Shaking his head, he whispers, "That's the thing Jungkook, it's not about clearing my name. You know my thoughts on cheating and...I don't know, seeing how she was affected...seeing it all happen on her birthday? I just need to talk to her."

"Taehyu—"

"Please? Pretty please?"

"I don't thi—"

"Pretty pretty pretty please?"

Jungkook opens his mouth to speak but another voice patters in, including footsteps that race over in coolly fashion. "What you beggin' for little brother?" the voice chuckles, light and caring.

Taehyung's face falls more in stress than earlier. Glancing over awkwardly to spot Kim Namjoon.

Taehyung whispers , "Nothing. Just asking for homework notes."

Namjoon, smile bright and eyes squinting, coos, "Oh cool! I didn't know you two had a class together this semester?"

"We don—"

"Jungkook was just about to shut up and give me the notes?" Taehyung glares hard, nudging his head over to the Gucci bag.

"No, I wasn't," Jungkook whips, caring for none other than himself in this moment.

Smiling over at Taehyung's brother, Jungkook bats his eyes lashes and flirts the best he can. Suddenly shy and cute, the boy asks, "Where have you and Yoongi been? We've all been missing you...I've been missing you."

Namjoon chuckles, dimples stronger than ever at his cheeks. Taehyung on the other hand, this boy tries to shake Jungkook's bag off his shoulder, only to receive a hard blow to the ribs.

"Just working on some last-minute songs," Namjoon shrugs, "You're welcome to come to the concert with the others if you'd like."

Jungkook beams, "I'd live for that. Thanks for the personal invite, I'll store it hard in my memory when thinking about you."

Taehyung rolls his eyes and it's noticed by everyone. Namjoon, being polite like always, chuckles again, nods and then looks to Taehyung with softer eyes. Whispering, the older brother says, "You should come too," before putting on a twitching sad smile and walking away.

Jungkook notices the exchange. The fact that Taehyung does nothing to answer only further makes the atmosphere tenser. Sighing, the first-year shakes his head and goes, "Why'd you have to tense up? Talking to your own brother shouldn't be so hard."

Taehyung ignores him. "You going to give me the address or should I find it through another?"

Jungkook squints his eyes as if he's in pain.

"Can we fuck if I do give it?"

"No! Jungkook this isn't funny."

"Well fuck, I tried." Jungkook rings, this phrase becoming his anthem.

"Mind your language," Taehyung mumbles, glaring in the most adult way he can. Seeing the way Jungkook's eyes narrow, the wheels in his head start to turn. Taehyung waits to get the final answer to what he's been bothering Jungkook for since.

"Fine," Jungkook moans in dramatic agitation.

-

"Fine," you moan in dramatic agitation.

"Fine what?" Pela coos, wanting you to repeat her words.

"I'll shower and stop crying for tonight." Your grumbling doesn't stop as you try to whine and fall back into your dirtied pillows. All filled with tears, makeup from last night, and snot/drool that didn't make your tissues circling around the mattress. Let's just say last night wasn't a pretty night. Nor was I the prettiest sight.

"Do at least that for me, alright? Borrow anything from my closet. That's another present I'm allowing since keeping you away from school is something I never agree to."

"Thank you," you cry, shaking as you suffocate on the pillow.

Pela sighs, rubs your back. She has been for an hour now. Standing up, the way her fists clench as she picks up the messy tissues and tosses them away, speaks numbers. "I swear the moment I catch him I'm going to rip his head off."

"Thank you." Repeating, still crying.

"Yes sweetheart." Pela has always been such a Mother.

"Now don't stay alone crying for too long," she says, before rubbing my feet. "You've always felt great about your day when accomplishments are set. Think of tonight as a future accomplishment."

"I don't want to think about other boys as accomplishments...not after Oki." Pela sighs at your whine, blinking and then throwing her hands at her hips. Assuring, she says, "Maybe going boy hunting doesn't need to be for a relationship. Think of it as a cleanse. Meeting new faces of men could allow you to realize that not all are trash. It can be helpful, maybe even hopeful?"

"Our date-searching-nights have never worked Pela. You've experienced first-hand how they've never worked."

"Don't remind me."

"Do we have to go?"

"Yes. If anything, think of it as quality time with me? Yeah? Best friend time?"

You groan into the pillow. Pela laughs, "I feel the love."

Whimpering, you're crying harder. "I loved him! I love him, l-loved? Do I use past tense or present tense I don't know—my heART HURTS!"

"I know, I know."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Pela's racing back to my side. She is rubbing my hands and I hiccup in a breath before shaking my head. "I'm sorry," I say again, swollen eyes meeting her. "You've got class, I'll make you late."

"It doesn't matter if you're here all sad."

"I'll be fine."

"No, you won't," Pela sighs, lets my hands go as she pulls out her phone, "What you say I get a friend of ours to come and watch over you after his break? That way I can make sure you're getting ready, all while have a shoulder for you to cry on? Hm?"

"Okay," you sniffle.

-

"Not okay," Taehyung sniffles. His nose is dripping from the cold air that thrashes on his face.

"Come on! Everyone's got something to do and I'm here all alone. I don't even have a roommate anymore!"

"Jungkook moved out, I get that you miss him but that doesn't mean you latch on to me."

Taehyung and Jimin run side-by-side. In circles around the big track-field on the South-Wing of the campus, both are in black shorts and the red jersey-tanks with the logo of the school plastered on the back. Neither breaking a sweat yet.

"I'm not latching on to you," Jimin breathes shakily, his feet hitting gravel. "I'm trying to help you. There's a difference."

Taehyung breathes heavy himself, getting tired from constantly talking and rejecting Jimin. "What possible good will come from you 'helping' me? This isn't a two-man's job."

Jimin mumbles, "It can be."

"In what scenario?"

"What if she tries to kill you? You need back-up for that."

Taehyung rolls his eyes, snorting. "Right, like I'd allow her to touch me in such a way."

"She got far enough to slapping you, don't get too cocky."

The boy jogging next to Jimin slows a little, just a little at that as he pants, "Whatever."

"When are you going?"

"None of your business."

"Are you going after your run is complete?"

Taehyung doesn't reply.

Jimin groans, "Don't ignore me now, we've come so far."

"Yes, I'm going after I'm satisfied with my run."

"Great, I'll run with you."

"Please don't."

Jimin continues to run. Like a child, he questions more. "Are you going to change? Shower?"

"Changing into joggers but that's about it."

"What?! You can't go meeting a girl like that?"

"Why?" Taehyung shoots, brows furrowing, "I'm trying to go and apologize, not to impress."

Jimin sighs, shaking his head in disapproval. Taehyung ignores the look, focusing on the burning he feels at his legs, abs, and thighs. He's finally starting to break a sweat.

"Just let me come with you tonight? Please?" Jimin begs another time. Now Taehyung fully understands how annoying it must've been for Jungkook when he did the same this morning.

"She won't kill me, I don't need your help with anything."

Jimin sighs, not wanting to reach through intrusion but not fighting it. He says, "Then let me go with you so you don't cross a line yourself." Taehyung asks, "What does that even mean?" And with a softer pant, Jimin says, "You know what I mean."

Taehyung stops. He stops completely causing Jimin to jog forward only to twist around and come to a halt himself. In the middle of the track, both stare at each other with a mixing of emotions—unclear.

"I'll ask one last time, what're you implying?"

Jimin, scared and slightly worried shrugs. With a slow, "I don't know, I'm just saying how you might start to take things personally."

"Personally?" Taehyung asks, knowing exactly where this conversation is headed.

Jimin nods, swallowing hard, "Y-Yes personally considering how you were also cheat—"

"Shut up."

"Taehyung I'm only trying to help."

"Okay, then help by shutting up."

With gentle eyes, Jimin says, "Let me come with you..."

"Fine."

Eyes wide, lips parting, Park Jimin shoots, "What? You actually agreed?"

"On one condition."

"What is it?" Jimin asks, grinning largely—excited over having a chance to join Taehyung tonight.

Joining for tonight's mission: seeing you.

-

"Tonight's mission isn't about seeing yourself, it's to have others see you." Jungkook chuckles, biting over his lower-lip and wiggling his brows in a dance. The way he looks at you through the mirror makes your previous crying and puffy eyes widen. "Hey," he finishes, closing the bedroom door behind himself before walking over.

You frown. It's been hard for you to smile at all, but seeing Jungkook brings most out of you. Burying your head into his chest, it's a relaxing feeling when his one arm hugs well, while the other cups the back of your head. Playing with your hair, you put it up the best you can—making yourself look beautiful even though you don't feel it.

Feeling his lips at the top of your head, he breathes, "I'm guessing today hasn't been so great?"

"Nope," you squeeze him tight. "To add to the disaster, Pela thinks having date-searching-night will be a good thing for me—mind you, I just found out my boyfriend was cheating on me yesterday."

"She can be a little extra sometimes," Jungkook sighs, kissing your forehead now. This sweet gesture causing your chin to adorably sit on his chest, looking up at him. He pokes your nose and nudges playfully away, "But she loves you, just like I do."

With a plop on your bed, Jungkook gets out of his bag and jacket, black v-neck rising while laying down to his back. His knees face you, his feet still touching the ground, and when his hand folds so he can arch his head to see you, there's a part of you that frowns larger. He's one of the hottest boys you've seen alive, and he isn't available for any girl to take.

"You look sexy," his tongue hits the side of his cheek, brow cocking when seeing how the borrowed jumpsuit hugs your curves.

"Well thanks. I can't wait to get my makeup on, only to cry it off soon enough."

With dark eyes, the boy says, "You have no idea how badly I want to rip his dick off."

Sadly smiling, you try to lighten the mood, "Little birdie told me he was the one you were crushing on?"

"Well that was before I found out he was a cheating lil' slut."

Feeling tears once more at your eyes, you glance at your dresser that holds a large mirror. From makeup to Jungkook, it's easy to pick who to latch on. Slumping next to the boy, he pulls you into his chest almost immediately. His underarms smell of deodorant, a rugged scent. His skin the softest, with a sweetly light tan the sun kisses. Feeling his arm wrap around you, the words easily leave, "Why did you have to be gay?"

Jungkook's chest moves under your cheek. He laughs, "That's like me asking, why you had to be a woman just because I'm thirstin' out of luck for men. Get your head in the game!"

You smile, you actually smile. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

"I know you didn't," he sighs and hugs you tighter, "Which is why I love you so much. You don't treat me like some accessory to your fantasies. We're friends because we're friends, not because you wanted a shopping buddy to do nail-art with—which, let's be real, can be loads of fun—but you get what I mean!"

"I'd never treat you like an accessory. I'm just sad that your kind of care doesn't exist in the men I choose to date."

Jungkook plays with your hair again. Staring at the ceiling, he's smiling kind and whispering, "I don't need to be kissing and fucking you, to love you."

Now you're fully smiling. Large and puffy eyes squinting, you lay your chin to poke over his heart before glancing up. "If I ask you out, will you say yes?"

Jungkook chuckles, "In what context, my sweet?"

Warm eyes, warm smile. You ask, "Will you be my soul's boyfriend?"

"Soul? Oooo." Jungkook narrows his eyes, biting his lip teasingly before asking, "Why not up-it-a-notch and crack that to a husband?"

"That's overrated," you playfully tease back. "Well then again, I guess labelling 'boyfriend' is equally as overrated."

"Daddy, ooo, call me your soul's daddy."

"No, ew," you say this the same way he does on a regular. Jungkook rolls his eyes when you mimic him.

"Soul's soul mate?" Jungkook whispers, half-joking, half-serious.

Your eyes soften. With a large smile and now a giggle, he's manages to do it. Jungkook's manages to make you feel better in an instant. Nodding quickly, you lean up to kiss his cheek before saying a dramatic, "Yes, a million times yes!"

Jungkook laughs loud himself, hugging you to him before rolling over with a grunt to hover on top. Next, instead of shaking with tears alone, you're shaking with laughter with the golden-first-year: one of your best friends.

Just when things get lighter. Just when you're smiling, laughing and having fun, Jungkook says, "I've got to talk to you about something...someone."

"Who?" You don't feel right asking, but you do. You have no choice.

With a slight harsh swallow of saliva, Jungkook says, "Kim Taehyung."

-

[7 hours have successfully passed]

"You weren't joking about the joggers," Jimin chants out, holding back a laugh while following a distressed Taehyung cracking in at the white screen of his phone.

"Shh."

"Why are we whispering?" Jimin questions, moving down a hallway once in the building. "The more we whisper, the creepier we look coming here at this time."

"You're breaking your one condition."

"Right," Jimin sighs, circling his eyes without care, "I'm supposed to stay quiet and out in the hallway."

"Correction: you're supposed to be quiet the entire journey here, but that you haven't been, have you?"

With a slow pout, Jimin went, "No."

"Exactly," Taehyung grumbles, shaking his head in disbelief before awkwardly looking up at the numbers on doors on either side. They walk, they check for numbers. The one claiming to be yours is nearing soon, making Taehyung visibly nervous.

Jimin being Jimin asks, "Are you nervous?"

"Shush."

"I know I am."

"Shhhhh~"

"Will you sto—"

Taehyung's misty sneakers slap to a stop. "I-It's right there. There's the door."

"I'll take that reaction as a 'yes' to being nervous, then." Jimin smiles as Taehyung freezes, gulps in air, and looks sick to the core.

"I'm not nervous."

"Then walk on over." Jimin taunts the boy, moving up so he's standing in a lean against the door that needs to be acknowledged.

Taehyung takes his times. Eyes forgetting to blink, he stares innocently at the numbers that grace the door. 27, it reads, and re-reads as Taehyung continues to have the digits flash in his mind. It's in a loop until he's in front of the door, standing beside Jimin and arching his knuckles up to knock.

As he's about to, Jimin goes, "There's a doorbell."

Taehyung swallows, shrugging and trying to remain nonchalant. "I knew that."

His finger presses as the door's bell.

Jimin's grinning right at the side of Taehyung's face. With glaring eyes, Taehyung snaps, "Quit looking at me like that."

"I'm just proud, that's all."

"I would've done this with or without you."

"Right," Jimin laughs, clapping his hands together and rubbing in anticipation.

"Coming~" That's your voice, muffled and on the inside of the apartment.

Taehyung hears the voice and softens. Relaxing within the chaos that crashing and clashing in his mind, the boy stares at his feet and prepares himself. The next he looks up is when the door opens, his gaze meeting heels and familiar feet. The jumpsuit, dark, sexy, and a tint of green. He hears, ""I've been waiting all da—" only for you to freeze and murmur, "What're you doing here?"

Smiling the best, he can muster. Nervous. Sweet. Charming. Kim Taehyung stands in a baseball cap sitting backwards on his head, a gym red jersey-tank on his torso, and grey joggers covering below the waist. At your doorstep, the carelessly beautiful boy says a gentle and deep, "Hi."