Eighteenth
:Chapter Eighteen:

Jeongguk threw on a pair of fitted dark denim jeans, pulling his waist in with a black belt. He honestly didn't want to go out for dinner with Kim but he didn't want to lose a friend like Hoseok and Jimin.

Plus, it was more people he liked than not, majority rules if you must. The more he thought about it, the easier it seemed.

All he had to do was ignore Cap, talk with Hoseok and Jimin, and move on with his life. He wasn't being forced to talk to Kim whatsoever so that was good.

Or so that's what he thought.

He was sitting directly right across from Cap, Hoseok and Jimin talking and leaving Jeongguk and Kim way out of the conversation.

Jeongguk didn't even know what was being talked about anymore if he were honest. He was picked up and driven out, everyone finding their seats pretty quickly. It was obvious what Jimin and Hoseok were doing.

It might've been comical to the those two but Kim and Jeongguk weren't having as fun of a time as they were.

The pitcher sighed for the nth time, looking down at his plate. He had managed a few bites out of his burger but his mood was really taking away from his appetite. He had just ordered a simple burger with a side of fries, a small glass of lemonade to accommodate it.

     "Right, Jeongguk?" The aforementioned picked his head up, eyes a bit wide as he heard his name. He didn't think he was actually going to get a word in tonight therefore he didn't pay attention but now he wished he had some sort of idea on what they needed his opinion on.

"Um, I'm sorry, what?" Jeongguk asked, lips every so slightly parted into an o-shape.

Taehyung rolled his eyes, using his straw and stirring his Coke. How he wished he could just up and leave without there being any consequences to follow his said actions. This was going to be such a long and tedious dinner, he just knew it.

Hoseok chuckled, oblivious to Taehyung attitude but anyone could guess it was there. "I asked if you were ready for the next game or not, it's a rival game so it's usually pretty intense." He said, using his chopsticks and picking up a piece of chicken he had, plopping it into his mouth.

The youngest hummed, nodding slightly. "Very ready, we can beat them, sure of it. As long as- . . ." Jeongguk cut himself out, letting the thought linger. Things were pretty okay right now so why he was willing to ruin it was beyond him.

"As what?" Jimin wondered. "As long as what?"

Fuck it. "As long as Kim over here doesn't decide to fuck around and sit his ass out the whole game." Jeongguk straightened his posture, ready to spice things up. "But then again, we won pretty easily without him."

Taehyung snapped his head in Jeongguk's direction, the first basemen lost as to why he was even brought up. "Excuse me?"

"D-D-Did I s-stutter?" Jeongguk retorted, really wanting to play with fire.

"For fuck sakes." Hoseok huffed, running his fingers through his hair. "I'm going to go to the bathroom, can we cut the childish acts by the time I return? Thanks." He pushed up, walking away and not allowing another word to be said.

Jimin was very new to this; the two arguing. He was aware of there being tension but nothing too bad. Part of him forgot the two ever fought. He thought they would at least try to be civilized.

"Whatever, Jeon." Taehyung shook his head, directing his attention down at his chicken tenders, wanting to not ruin this evening for Hoseok and Jimin. It wasn't the time nor the place to start bickering. He was acting mature on his behalf and Hoseok would feel rather proud if he were still at the table.

"What . . . Um, what did I miss?" Jimin finally decided to ask, looking between Taehyung and Jeongguk. Not knowing there was much of an issue going on currently until Jeongguk's unnecessary comment.

Of course the pitcher was going to answer. "Oh, just nothing. Some banter, if you must." He claimed, looking over at the blond who wasn't looking back at him. He moved his hand right under the plate and flicked it, causing Taehyung's food to slip off and fall down over his lap. Sauce, grease, and all. "Right, Cap?"

"What the fuck, Newbie?!" Taehyung rose his voice, brows pulled in. "What is with you?!" He was becoming agitated. It was enough having to be here with the aforementioned but he was really pushing the boundaries.

"I'm sorry for asking," Jimin uttered. "Here," he picked up the napkins that were on his side, handing them over to Taehyung who was furious to say the least.

This argument wasn't ending like this, not with Newbie getting a 'win' in. Taehyung picked up his glass filled to the rim with Coke and ice, jerking his hand forward and causing the liquid to fly out all over the pitcher in front of him.

Jeongguk was soaked, the soda getting all in his hair and on his face, some even in his eyes which instantly became sticky.

"Two can play that game, dickhead." Taehyung spat, tossing the glass at the pitcher who was wiping his eyes to see so he knew where to hit. This wasn't how it was going to end, he was bound to make sure of it.

Jimin didn't know how to react, seeing Jeongguk who was directly beside him covered in soda and Taehyung who had grease and ketchup stains on his shirt and trousers. Something told him that napkins wasn't going to solve this.

Bystanders and waiters all around witnessed the events unfold, all unsure on how to act in situations like this. Believe it or not, occurrences like this didn't happen on a typical basis so actually being able to witness it firsthand was something to be remembered.

Taehyung shoved to his feet, not quite satisfied. Right as Jeongguk was about to lift his head (eyes cleared), another wave of liquid was poured over him, this being his lemonade. The smell was strong and didn't mix very well with the Coke. He felt so sticky and disgusting but deep down he knew he had this coming. That didn't mean he was going to accept it.

"Soak up, bitch." Taehyung said with anger in his vowels, removing himself from the booth and taking his leave. He didn't want to sit and 'sort it out' or wait for their lord and savior, Hoseok.

Instead, he decided he had enough and he was ready to leave, regardless of how long his walk would be back to his home. It was a walk he was ready to take, as long as he didn't need to be stuck around Newbie for another unbearable second.

On the other hand, Jeongguk was trying to get past Jimin so he could go finish what he clearly started. It wasn't like Jimin was any stronger than him but he didn't want to hurt another innocent friend who was just trying to help.

Then again, maybe they should know how to stay out of the way but he chose not to go too far down that route, shaking Jimin's hands off of him and assuring he wasn't going to chase after Kim.

Hoseok had returned, lips parted and just staring at the drenched Jeongguk who basically had steam blowing out his ears. He didn't see Taehyung anywhere to be found and Jimin was standing in front of Jeongguk, napkins wrinkled in both his hands.

The staff around began to go over, cleaning up the table and asking if the remaining two needed anything to help them.

The elder just wanted to leave and pretend he didn't see any of this but he knew better than that and knew he couldn't leave Jimin there. Jimin wasn't the problem and shouldn't be punished by dealing with a fuming sack of muscles.

With that in mind, he walked over, Jimin looking at him the closer he got.

"Um . . . Taehyung left and Jeongguk's sticky." Jimin said simply, brows pulled in worry. "I don't know how to help." He admitted. He was such a sweet boy and knew when to joke and when to not.

Not Hoseok, not when the two ruined his dinner and acted like utter fools. "He stinks." Hoseok said, seeing Jeongguk look over at him with a glare that could kill. "Looks like he got you good, it's going to be a long night especially with cleaning all that- what is it? Soda? Out your hair."

"Oh wow, really, hyung? I could've never guessed." Jeongguk sarcastically said, cheeks red with embarrassment and anger. "Thanks for the heads up though, really needed it."

"I know, that's what I'm here for. Sometimes I feel like you would lose your head if it weren't for me being here. You already lost your mind." Hoseok said, his playful smile dropping into a frown the moment he said 'mind'. "You guys are really, really getting on my nerves." He commented.

Jeongguk huffed, rolling his eyes. "He started it, right, Jimin?" The youngest nudged the aforementioned. The said boy looked at Jeongguk and then at Hoseok who already had his eyes on him.

"I'm pretty sure Hoseok was there when you started it, Jeongguk." Jimin commented.

"Ever hear of gaslighting?" Jeongguk sucked his teeth, looking away. He clearly had no one on his side and rightfully so. Right was right and wrong was wrong. Jeongguk knew what he was doing, where exactly where he wanted to take this, it just didn't happen the way he planned.

"You're paying. It was supposed to be you and Taehyung paying but clearly you wanted to be a gentleman and pay for everyone's meal, including Taehyung's. How sweet." Hoseok crossed his arms over his chest, the waitress holding the check out to Hoseok who thanked her. He took a peak in on the chest, letting out a small whistle. "Have fun with that one." He handed it over.

Jeongguk took the check, thinking it shouldn't be that bad considering it was only the four of them but once again, he was wrong. Apparently Hoseok and Jimin made a plan to order the most expensive items on the menu. Even their drinks were pricy.

Hoseok nudged Jimin and they turned away, heading for the exit but not until Jeongguk called out to them, making both males turn and look back.

"Where are you going?" Questioned Jeongguk, brows having a permanent spot in the middle of his forehead.

"Oh! Right!" Hoseok chuckled, tapping his own head as if he really forgot. "Sorry, I forgot to mention that you're finding your own way home. Silly me, almost left you in the dark right there." And that was that.

Jeongguk tried protesting but both of them didn't bother listening any further and left.

The bystanders went back to their dinners, the staff having the booth cleaned up.

The pitcher huffed, shaking his head in annoyance. He didn't think this far and for sure didn't think he would be left paying such a massive bill by himself.

But here he was, covered in soda and lemonade, hair sticky and drying in stiff positions, stuck with a bill to pay.

He couldn't wait to explain this one to his dad.

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