Chapter Eight

More uncomfortable than harsh, you say, "I asked you a question. What're you doing here?"

Taehyung's smile, charming as it is, dies. With a twitch of his body, he clears his throat and looks back up to speak. Before he can open his mouth, Jimin toots, "He came to apologize." With a glare in the direction of the friend that instantly melts in embarrassment, Taehyung says, "Y-Yes, I came to—"

Once more, Taehyung is suddenly breathless when hearing and seeing feet. Staring away from your obvious beauty, Taehyung catches a face he's  grown used to. Swallowing incredibly hard when catching Jungkook's shocked face, Taehyung finds his escape for help.

"Wha—" Jungkook's brows jump. His feet move fast, and his eyes are fixed on Taehyung who pleases, begging with gazes that the first-year understands completely.

Making his way over to hug the small of your back, he twirls you around in comfort away from the doorknob, so you won't slam it shut.

Your breath hitches, you body shielded as he whisper-yells to Taehyung, "Today? You planned your great-closure-time today? The day after her tragic birthday?"

Hissing back, Taehyung makes sure to keep his voice quiet. "Yes! Now help me."

You on the other hand, trying to look over Jungkook's shoulder and squirm, are held back strong and asking, "Jungkook, did you...?" The shock consumes you, unable to allow any sort of assumption cloud in winning.

But when Jungkook looks over and answers your question, eyes grow big. "Yes," he says with difficulty, finally looking back over towards you, "I gave him your address."

While you're swallowing that information in surprise, Jungkook's waving the two over behind his back, aggressively telling them to come in quick by pointing at the door. They do. Taehyung hops in, while Jimin closes the door as quietly as he can. From a third person's point of view, this process would've looked incredibly sketchy and troubling. Not to mention Jungkook's fingers that look to be throwing unknown gang signs.

"How could you do that?"

"For the reasons I told you about today," Jungkook whispers down at you, seeing fresh new tears starting to brew. "You know the truth...the truth of him not knowing...he's my friend and I trust him and his word on that."

"I-I can't."

"He just wants to talk, that's all. After a few minutes you won't ever have to see him again."

Jimin glances over at Taehyung who is tense, staring at Jungkook's back—trying to get a good look at you. One that he doesn't see anymore, only hears.

"I can't talk to him. I can't."

"Why? You understand he's done nothing wrong right?"

"Y-Yeah but..."

"But what?"

"When I look at him all I feel and—" your voice cracks. The new tears forming are heard when finishing, "—see... is what Oki did to me."

Taehyung's heart shakes at that. He stares away from Jungkook's back and down to his feet. With a slow suggestion, the boy fights for what he's here to do.

He says, "Let's not look at each other then."

-

"Perfect, he can't see you and you can't see him," Jungkook chimes, glancing over at Jimin by the bedroom door's frame. Jimin throws a thumbs-up, before looking at the two nervously sitting back-to-back on the bed. "Now things should be easier."

Taehyung, swallowing when Jungkook starts to walk backwards, says, "We could've done this outside on the couches."

"Y-Yes, the living room," you squeak, about to stand up to your feet.

Jungkook shakes his head. "Privacy is important. Besides, I'm kind of hungry and might grab something right in the kitchen across the couches. That would be intrusive if you two were out there talking."

Numb, tired and glaring with sad eyes, Jungkook winks at you. Whispering, he coos, "Remember that I love you, my soul's soul mate." You're no longer glaring at him, but you're still numb, tired, and upset.

Taehyung remains confused by that whisper. Brows furrowing, before he can question, Jungkook shoots out a final statement of, "Get on with it," before rushing to grab Jimin away.

"Wait," Taehyung wishes to spark out. Nothing but the obnoxious door closing is heard.

It's quiet for 1 whole minute.
Taehyung counts the time.

Nearing the 30-second-additional-marker, Taehyung keeps his silence for the coming of a 2nd minute, but has his heart squeeze when hearing a sniffle coming from behind him. Wanting to look over his shoulder, he doesn't.

Taehyung shifts in discomfort, works with the flu at the back of his throat, and says, "Even though I'm here, you still feel alone enough to cry...?"

The sniffles stop. It's a forceful stop. With a slow chuckle, Taehyung assures, "Don't feel embarrassed."

"What do you want?" There's a sharpness to your voice that mimics cat-like claws.

Taehyung nervously plays with the earring that is in his pocket. Pulling it out, he dangles it in front of him, holding it in his sweaty tips. "I wanted to apologize about the misunderstandings yesterday."

"I know that you didn't know. I'm sorry I slapped you. You can leave now." Harsh, yet soft? It was hard for Taehyung not to feel intimidated. Sure, his name was cleared. Sure, anger towards him was cleared. But hearing that hurt, re-living what he used to feel through you...it's hard to ever think of walking away.

"You don't have to say sorry about the slap..."

Your watery eyes narrow, "But that's what you're here for aren't you?"

"No."

"Then what else is there?" You ask, staring at your bedroom wall. There's an inch of curiousity that wants to read his expressions while he talks. Then there's a large part that wishes to cry and not have anyone see. You pick the latter.

"A mutual understanding over how bad Oki fucked up?" Taehyung's jaw clenches, his eyes bounce to the ground below his feet. Shaking his head, he continues, "I need you to know that unlike most friends of his, I will not support or praise all that he's gotten away with."

Stomach twisting in knots, that was an intriguing spark you didn't think you'd hear. Softening, the numbness that previously disbursed, ignites with firing pit. Moving your cheek to rest on your bare shoulder, you want to look over but don't. Instead, you ask with purity, "Really?"

Taehyung gulps. Nodding to no one, he stares at the earring and says, "Ye, of course."

It's a surprise to the boy's ears when he hears a soft, "Thank you," leave your mouth. That only makes him smile slightly. "No need to thank me," he sighs, "I can only imagine how terrible it feels on the female-side of the spectrum."

"There is a double-standard to cheating in most regards, I won't lie on that," you painfully sigh, closing your eyes along with him. The tears break out on your cheeks. Makeup not easily running. Not tonight.

"Which is why I'm not asking you to forgive me...I-I know I didn't do anything...nor do I know you—or owe you nothing—but there's a part of me that can't help but feel guilty for the pain you're feeling."

Your bottom lip pouts out, brows furrowing in a testing manner when hearing the adorable struggle rain out of Taehyung. With a soft finish, the boy says what he's wanting to say, "This'll sound weird but, if you need anything I'm here."

That did sound weird to you. Strangely enough, maybe even sweet.

"You speak as though you've been cheated on before...?" You ask.

"Let's just say, I'm a master with maintaining the pain and insecurity that comes after being cheated on. Know that it isn't your fault...it never was."

Your eyes soften, cheek resting while shrugging in for an awkward tight-hold on yourself. It's hard to say, but you do anyway. "...is that why you're here?"

Smiling, Taehyung asks, "You asking if I'm here because I'm personally reflecting through the basis of your suffering?"

You try not to smile. "Merely asking if you're projecting, that's all stranger."

Stranger. Stranger... Taehyung thinks to himself for a moment. Narrowing eyes, he nibbles on his lip and finds silence for a moment. It's nice to hear that you don't say anything, waiting for him to speak up. That's a trait he hasn't found in a woman as of yet, the patience alluring.

He says, "That might possibly be the case."

"What was her name?"

Taehyung says nothing.

"...Or was it a 'his'?"

That makes Taehyung chuckle, smiling again as he shakes his head. "No, a 'her'. Although Jungkook would jokingly wish for 'her' to be a 'him' in my case."

"Jungkook's a great catch, you should consider it."

"Nah, the dating life isn't for me."

With a chuckle yourself, he's the second boy to bring a genuine giggle to your mind and body.

"Do you say that because you honestly enjoy being single? Or do you say that because you've been hurt one too many times, and are afraid to give love another shot?"

With intrigue, curiousity, and want to look over at the woman behind him, Taehyung does none. Instead, he stares at her jewelry in his hands. "Maybe a little of both," he whispers, twirling the article around and having it dangle in a dance for him.

"If I'm going to be honest, I'm headed the same direction."

"Not dating?"

"No. In the direction of fearing love."

"It is a crazy thing, isn't it?" Taehyung sits straighter. His shoulder blades tap another when he stretches, breathing in quick when feeling the back of your skin gently tap him. There's a jolt. Not a visible one. But he feels it nonetheless. Shyly sulking again to play with the earring.

"I used to think liking and loving someone were the same thing." You laugh.

"How cute." Taehyung chuckles. "You tell your crushes you love them right away, I presume?"

"Yes, mildly when I was about 8 years old."

"I repeat, that's adorable."

"Thanks," you suck in the side of your cheek. Hating that you're smiling but also loving how light-weighing everything feels in the moment.

Just a conversation, a simply conversation. A stranger and his words with your words. Together, completely awake and alright. Imagining the next, you look at him. There's a chance you'll be okay with it.

Muffling outside the door doesn't fix importance. Another body has entered the complex but neither you nor Taehyung hear any else outside of each other. Both, smiling souls.

"I uh," Taehyung licks his bottom lip, coating it with a glistening mark of saliva before arching his elbow backwards. "I actually came here to give you this...guess it's too late for an ice-breaker." Taehyung opens his long fingers onto the bed sheet, placing the earring under his palm and waiting for the bed to shift light.

You glance over your shoulder, shifting completely to see the last of his hands move away from an object. Catching your eyes on your earring, lips part in awe. You don't remember losing it. Smiling, watery gazes. It make for a good bed for the bottom lids of your puffy eyes.

Your fingers loop around the end. You pick the earring up and have it rest, dangle and then dance on your palm now. In your control.

Your smile brightens larger, shy eyes quickly sharing a peek over your shoulder to see the back of the boy. To your luck, you catch sight of your mirror instead. Seeing his front completely, his mouth matches yours as he also grins in a childish-glint. Aweing his handsomeness is, not much of your secret stares are worth it when he glances up to meet your eyes through the glass.

You purse your lips, snort in a tiny laugh when his smile falls tragically. Flinching away, your cheeks start to heat up. Closing your eyes, you hold the earring tight and say, "T-That wasn't supposed to happen," then you laugh a little, "Okay, I think we've got enough of weirdness for today. What do you say?"

Staring at the mirror, the most Taehyung can catch for himself is the back of your hair, your naked shoulders, and how shiny your skin looks. Swallowing hard, his cheeks redden as he nods wildly and stands up to his feet. The bed shifts weird when he does so. "Couldn't agree more."

"Agree with what? What the fuck is going on?"

As you're getting up yourself, the small calm smile that was ready to be directed Taehyung's way, is cut short when everything about you falls into Pela's pettiness. The beautifully tanned woman walks in, struts with a glare and points between the two on either side of the bed. "If you both talking, you are talking in front of me."

"We were just done," Taehyung blurts, eyes wide. Looking past the woman's shoulder, his eyes catch Jungkook who looks pained and pale, while Jimin looks curious and turned-on.

You blurt, "I didn't even hear you come in."

"Thankfully so, otherwise you would've hid this from me. What's going on?"

"Nothing, they were just talking like I said," Jungkook carries out from behind, walking slow with Jimin who follows.

Taehyung nods, "A-And I needed to give her an earring she lost wh—"

Pela ignores the boy, putting her hand out in a flat palming-action. Taehyung shuts up immediately, awkwardly glancing over at you with a gulp. "Come one, let's go," Pela nudges to you, ready to swoop you up and take off.

Without even a second-glance, your feet move forward. By Pela's side soon enough. Taehyung, frightened and trying to keep all his cool, says, "Look, what Oki did I didn't know."

Pela, struck with sass shoots, "No need to fill me in a second-time, Jungkook's told me." Taehyung nods, pursing his lips. Pela continues, "But that doesn't mean a friend of Oki's is suddenly cool in my books. The only one I'll ever be okay with is Jungkook—and that's because he makes her happy." She points to you.

"Hurry on," Pela starts to move.

Taehyung swallows hard. He knows he should shut up, but he takes a glance to your beautiful attire, your dolled-up face, and the fact that your friend matches the same vibe. With a crack in the voice, the boy stupidly asks, "Where're you going?"

Pela shoots, "I'm sorry, who are you again?"

You blink over at the woman. "Pela don't be so rude, you're acting like he's the one who cheated on me." With a swing of her caramel-coloured shoulders, Pela rings out a, "Might as well be," before sighing drastic from the glare you give her. Apologizing with her eyes, the woman you call a best-friend fades in to answer.

"We're going out on our date-searching-night." She says.

"Date-searching-night?" Taehyung's brows furrow.

Pela adds, "Yes you parrot." Taehyung's brows jump at the sudden nick-name burst. "Since you've repeated me, I might as well be kind and answer your question."

"Thanks?"

Pela sighs, nodding and saying, "It's a night where one of us is heartbroken, so we go dude-searching; in this case, looking for eligible men worthy of a date from her." You wave your hand awkwardly in the air, scrunching you nose adorably.

Jungkook on one side of the door frame, peering in. "It's a fail every time, might I add."

Jimin doesn't say anything, gawking and mesmerized by most beauty. He stands leaning against the other side of the frame.

Both boys creating a small breech for escape room.

Pela glares over her shoulder at Jungkook.

In the midst, Taehyung and you find eyes. He watches, in awe as you smile the most gentle, kind, and sweet warming type in his direction. With a second blurt, he asks, "Date searching?"

"Yes," you answer for Pela who turns back to see a muddled boy by the bed.

Pela takes your hand, smiles at you and eggs on a night out. You smile back, lighter and more tired than anything. She speaks for our exit. "Now, if you'd all excus—"

"I'll go."

My eyes shoot over to Taehyung's voice that speaks clear and in a catching surprise. Jungkook's eyes widen, Jimin's shoulder slips off the side of the door. Pela, the last of the people, just as shocked, asks, "Sorry?" Uncertainty over whether we've all heard right rails through.

Taehyung swallows, staring at everyone before allowing his eyes to meet yours last. He finishes what he started, saying, "I-I'll go on a date with her."