It hadn’t been long since Jinsol got drunk for the first time and slept at Namjoon’s place, but ever since, she regretted that decision more than she ever regretted anything else. And it wasn’t for the headache, but because of Taehyung. That small talk they had that day was killing her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t forget his words, or the pain in his gaze… and definitely, not the dirty shirt.

Her mid-terms were coming but instead of focusing, she kept getting distracted here and there, and she wasn’t pleased. She was a senior now, and she was supposed to get good grades in order to attend a good college; but there she was, just thinking of Taehyung. And that was terrible.

It was a Friday when she got a message. It was Namjoon, asking her if she would attend the Cypher. She hadn’t missed a single one since she started going with Youngjae, but he had said he’d take care of some school stuff today.

She was disappointed because Youngjae wasn’t going at first, since she wanted to go. She had also thought about going alone, and the possibility of not having Youngjae awkwardly staring and smiling at Namjoon and Yoongi was tempting. He just loved them too much and was a bit of a fanboy, but he was also the jealous type. Not like she didn’t understand him, because she didn’t like her when he had girls around either, but it was creepy.

From: Train monster

You coming?

(18:55)

                               To: Train Monster

Youngjae is busy, so I don’t think he’s going

(18:58)

From: Train monster

I asked if YOU are coming

Sent (18:58)

To: Train Monster

 I don’t think I can get there on my own, I might get lost

Sent (19:01)

From: Train monster

Just come here and we’ll drive you. Hoseok is going and

he hasn’t stopped talking about you. I think he liked you.

Sent (19:01)

She considered the offer. It was a Friday after all, and all her school friends were already pressed by the upcoming exams: they had to study for both mid-terms and SAT test by now. That being said, nobody was really going out at all these days. You could feel the stress just by entering the rooms of all those seniors; even if the teacher wasn’t there, everyone was quiet just studying.

To: Train Monster

Mom said yes, but which one is your stop? I can’t get to

your place on my own either. Oh, that’s good. I liked him too!

Sent (19:06)

From: Train monster

You’re such a baby, I’ll pick you up at the station. Count 5 stops after

you get on. Text me when you’re at the 3rd. We leave at 9:00 p.m.

Sent (19:07)

To: Train monster

Okay

Sent (19:10)

She hurried up just in case they decided to leave earlier. Namjoon had mentioned that Taehyung usually came home late, so she tried to get there as early as possible. The possibility of seeing him freaked her out, mainly because she wasn’t good at hiding her emotions. Whether it was nervousness, happiness, sadness, fear, or anything else, it was always written across her face.

She put on some jeans and and old concert shirt along with her adidas. She had learned that skirts and girly clothes make you stand out too much in the crowd, and she didn’t like it.

As they agreed, she texted Namjoon and he was there when the train reached his station. He was leaning on the wall, his hands on his pockets and he was looking at his phone a bit distracted. He looked slightly different; he wasn’t wearing a hoodie, but instead a white V-neck shirt, and his cap wasn’t there either, but his black hair was up showing his bare forehead. He was attractive when he wasn’t around wearing a scary face and thug clothing, she guessed. It’s not like she minded whether he dressed with black hoodie or a smoking, but it made her realize how young he actually was and how normal he looked.

“Are you checking me out right now?” he teased. She shook her head quickly and frowned at him.

“Of course not.”

“Sure.”

They walked together, not saying anything at all. The silence wasn’t weird though, it was comfortable and pleasant. Jinsol was a bit distracted looking around, trying to learn the way to his place, and when she felt something soft touching her hand, she jumped back like a startled baby.

“This place isn’t necessarily safe. It’s just in case,” he brushed it off. He had reached out for her hand and held it lightly. He really needed to stop doing that.

“Okay