chapter 5

Thump, thump. Faster and faster, his heart raced unintentionally, but he hid it all behind.

“You looked fine in the last five outfits you tried on. Just pick one already!”

It was Friday. As in the Friday before the Saturday’s firework event. Tae Ni couldn’t help but be in her insecure judgemental state, picking outfits that varied from each side of her closet. Jimin, who stood there with arms crossed, was her attire evaluator, but it wasn’t his choice.

Earlier, Tae Ni had contemplated on what she wanted to wear for the firework event since the one and only Taehyung was going with her; you could call it a date. Paranoid at her opinion, she decided to try on several outfits, none to her liking.

“Are you serious?! You look fine Tae Ni. Stop trying on other clothes.”

“I need to look perfect!”

“You looked perfect the last five outfits you put on! Didn’t you hear me earlier?!” Shouting and arguing, Tae Ni turned to face Jimin, halting her actions from picking out another hanger from her closet. Jimin was overall relieved yet scared at her expression.

“You think I looked perfect?” She asked.

“Yes~ now hurry up and choose one. It’s not like it’s happening tonight.” She took a step closer to him, and another, and another. Almost completely ignoring his outlook on her dress up.

“You, think, I, looked, perfect?” Having every pause at her sentence, all eyes made contact with each other creating the weirdest atmosphere between the two.

“Yes! How many times do I have to say it? You looked perfect!”

“That’s the problem! I looked perfect! Meaning past tense! I need to look perfect, present tense! Do you understand?!”

Jimin threw his arms in the air, completely lost hope before crawling onto Tae Ni’s bed, curled into a ball to sulk in agony.  Tae Ni on the other hand, went back to her closet as she continued to judge on her appearance with each and every attire she tried on.

Let’s just say it’s been almost 10 minutes, and Tae Ni was still trying on clothes.

Jimin thought it was time to take initiative and give his only best friend some hope. Before Tae Ni could take out another clothing hanger, he snatched it off her and placed it back onto the clothing rack.

She didn’t even dare to say a word, knowing his actions implied to how he felt.

He hooked his hands on both sides of her shoulders, walked her to sit her down onto her own bed before walking back to the open doors of her closet.

Taking out bits and pieces of an attire, Tae Ni couldn’t help but familiarize. He walked back to her with a full outfit in which gave Tae Ni a confused expression.

She stared down at the outfit before tilted her head up to face Jimin. “This is the first outfit I tried on.”

“Yeah. The first outfit you tried on that made you look perfect. The first outfit that you will wear for tomorrow. The first outfit that will have Taehyung saying ‘you look beautiful.’ If he thinks otherwise, then I think you need someone that can see your actual beauty.”

Philosophical, cheesy yet true, Tae Ni held an expression of utmost sincerity and acceptance.

She stood up to wrap her arms around Jimin’s neck as he did the same to her waist, thankful for his company.

Breaking the hug, she glanced up at Jimin before she could change her expression.

“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier when I tried it on?!” She grabbed a pillow from her bed, and violently beat him with it, for the third time this week.

“Yah! Why are you hitting me?! You should be happy! Mum! Help me!”

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It was one of those nights; hot chocolate with her camera attached to her computer, fiddling with her photographs. The day after, she’d have it printed competently before pinning it to her collage of photos within her room. It was a hobby in contrary of potentially becoming a photographer.

In her room, she crossed her legs as she sat onto her desk chair, hunched over her desk where her laptop rested.

The different story was that Jimin was in the kitchen, scavenging his way through the pantry, on a hunt for snacks. All hope was fading since the unhealthy desires weren’t to be found.

“Tae Ni! Yah! Yun Tae Ni! I demand for chips this instant!” Silence, it wasn’t a moment of truth. Once again, he called out to her, but no reply settled over the walls.

Sighing, almost raspy, he made his way into her bedroom, creaking the door to peak.

A flourish of bliss almost sent him shivering as the opened door reviled her figure. Her messy bun and the back of her loose white plain t-shirt was only to be since the desk was situated the opposite side of the door.

Slow but steady, reducing any pit pat noises, he made his way towards her before wrapping his arms around her shoulder line.

“I think my hunger for food is a lot more interesting than fondling with this laptop of yours.”  

“You think. But I know for a fact that the internet is the lord of ours in which diabolically can lead to pursue dreams and relieve those of whom may be interested in a certain hobby. Exhibit A, my love for my photographs and the hobby for editing them.” Witted, and not practiced, she managed to sound the slightest bit sophisticated and intellectual.

“Yes, but food is a daily essential of ours in which shapes our body and future. Now let’s go and eat.” It was the best and all he could think of, in which case he thought it would outsmart her opinion.

“But I’m busy.” Unwrapping Jimin’s arm around her, she continued to concentrate on the illuminated screen of her photographs, leaving Jimin standing to sulk.

“And I’m hungry. You can do that later. You know what they say. ‘A best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.’ Get it? Cause I’m hungry?! Tae Ni~ let’s eat.”

Showing no emotion, whatsoever, he sighed before plan b came into action.

Grabbing her wrist in which was controlling the trackpad of her laptop, his other hand held her waist before he positioned himself to lift her, putting her petite figure over his shoulder.

“Yah! What are you doing?! Put me down!”

“This is your captain speaking. We are on a flight to the kitchen, so hush and enjoy the ride.” Swinging her legs, hoping it’d do the least for Jimin to put her down, she sulked.

“Why do you have to carry me?”

“Are you seriously asking me that question? I need to pump up my guns. Duh!”

Carrying her, as an excuse to weight lift, he brought her to his desired sanctuary where the craving for edibles activate. Putting her down at a spot near the counter, he began to examine the island of the kitchen.

“Now, show me where the snacks hide in this place.”

Crossing her arms, she shot a glare at Jimin to which she was unsatisfied. “I will kill you.”

“When you do kill me, can it either be a kiss or a hug? Of death? It’s a lot more dramatic that way.”

Throwing her arms up in the air, she turned to proceed to her bedroom. But Jimin’s arm around her waist hooked her in.

“We are not leaving the station until I get some food around here.”

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“Why am I so nervous? I feel like I need go for a really long jog. Lord, help me.”

It is now Saturday. The Saturday of the fireworks.

Tae Ni paced back and forth of her living room, dressed and ready, but her nervousness got to her before Taehyung could even arrive to pick her up. Jimin, who sat on the couch, was almost amused by her behaviour. Waiting until he could follow her suit with Taehyung to the firework event.

“What… what if I accidentally do something weird? What if I spit on his eye when I am talking to him? What if he checks out another girl and I’m just there talking to myself?”

“Calm down. You’re overreacting. You’ll be fine.”

She swiftly turned her head to face Jimin. “Easy for you to say. You’re crush isn’t going with you to the fireworks.”

It was almost nail biting nervousness that got to her. Her hand fisted to rest underneath her chin as her eyebrows creased.

“Listen. If you accidentally do something weird, I’m sure Taehyung wouldn’t mind and just have a small laugh about it. If you spit in his eye accidentally, then just check if…”

“How do I check? If I check then I have to go near his face and… oh my. What if he wants to kiss me? I don’t know how to kiss! What do I do?!” Interrupting Jimin’s somewhat pep talk, she trailed onto a different topic, which made Jimin to some extent surprised.

“I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t take it that far on the first date Tae Ni.” He sent a reassuring expression, tilting his head toward her.

“You’re missing the point! I don’t know how to kiss! I’ve never kissed… ever! I haven’t had my first kiss. What if this is my moment? The moment where sparks poof in the air at the right moment?”

“Tae Ni… he wouldn’t. Trust me.”

“But like… what if? What if?” Eyes bulging to emphasize her point, she glanced at Jimin, hopefully to soon receive a set of advice; almost like a survival guide.

“I don’t know. Just say you’re not ready for that kind of thing. But I am 100% sure and guaranteed that he wouldn’t take it that far.”

“I can’t back out of that! It’s Taehyung! Are you listening to yourself?”

“Ugh! I seriously don’t get what you see in that ugly alien! Just pucker your lips and lean towards his hideous face, then BAM! Sparks. Happy?” Twinkling his fingers for that enhancement, he gave off a vibe in which didn’t help Tae Ni in her case.

Almost frowning, but somewhat concerned, she walked towards Jimin before sitting down next to him, sinking into the couch.

She tilted her head to gaze before asking. “Have you had your first kiss yet?”

Completely flabbergasted, he jerked his head back almost completely before calming himself. He hadn’t. He turned back to look at her, but this time the silence was a moment to mesmerize each other’s features. She’s beautiful, but for someone else.

“Why?”

“I just… I was just curious. That’s all.”

At that moment, the sounding of the door knock alarmed the two, signalling that it was time to go. Shaking her head back to reality, Tae Ni walked to the door, opening it to reveal Taehyung handsomely dressed.

“You look beautiful. Ready to go?”

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Let’s just say a lot of people wanted to watch the fireworks.

Outdoors, soft grass and fluorescent lights set the event as the tents connected, each having an arched point.

Jimin ‘observed closely,’ almost researching Tae Ni’s every action with Taehyung. Not stalking, it’s different. She held the giant stuffed teddy bear Taehyung had won her earlier, totally cliché, as well as the pink feathered cotton candy up on a striped stick.

She, on the other hand, was lucky enough to avoid the awkward moments between Taehyung, for she was having a memorable night. Taehyung turned his head to face her before grinning like an idiot, protruding his cheek bones. It was clear from Jimin’s view that she turned into a tomato.

Her cheeks flourished red, almost like overdoing her blush, but considering she wasn’t wearing any make-up, Taehyung noticed distinctively. She preferred the natural look.

Taehyung poked her red cheek with his index finger, almost teasing her playfully.

“Are you wearing some magical make-up that make your cheeks red every time I smile at you?”

Almost bulging her eyes out, she ducked her head. Shy and embarrassed that he noticed. Jimin, looking from afar, scoffed at Taehyung’s actions.

“Can you believe this guy? I mean, you don’t know how much bacteria he has on his finger. He just placed some ugly bacteria on Tae Ni. I don’t accept this.” Talking to himself, Jimin continued to observe. What a fool.

Taehyung slid his phone out, checking the time. Ten minutes until the fireworks go off.

“Any idea of what you want to do for the next ten minutes?” Curious, he questioned Tae Ni, anticipated of her answer.

“Um… want to find a spot for a good view of the fireworks?”

“Good idea.” Walking off side by side, Jimin was startled at the movement, therefore he began to scatter and continued to spy on Tae Ni. He’d try to blend in with the crowd or hide behind something. From time to time he’d get weird looks from people, but that was the least of his worries.

Pacing off at a fairly moderate pace, Tae Ni rubbed her upper arm at least trying to emit warmth since the night was the slightest bit chilly. Luckily Taehyung, being the gentlemen he was, took off his jacket and placed it around Tae Ni’s figure.

“I know. I’m a nice guy.” Taehyung bragged about himself upon his actions.

“It’s very cliché of you but thank you.”

“So, are you sure you and Jimin aren’t dating?” Completely out of the blue, Tae Ni raised her eyebrows, completely perplexed of his sudden question.

“Yes. I am 100% sure we aren’t dating. Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know. You two just seem really close, that’s all.” Shrugging it off, Tae Ni couldn’t help but find the sentence familiar.

“You said that when I saw you at the park while I was waiting in line to get ice cream.”

“Did I? I guess the fact that you agreed to go with me to this event made me blank.” Dazzled almost to his confession, she immediately turned her head to face Taehyung.

“Is that a good thing?”

“Yeah. I didn’t expect you to go with me. I thought you’d initially go with Jimin, but now that you’re with me, my stomach summons butterflies. Like… a lot of them.” It was cheeky yet cheesy, which obviously flattered Tae Ni to an extent where she couldn’t even look at him in the eye. Realising that he had the same effect as she did when he was around her made her the slightest bit more positive and comfortable.

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It was a gentle slope, but the view it gave was beautiful. Tae Ni and Taehyung walked to rest upon a hill of soft grass, filling the time until the fireworks set off.

Taehyung slid his phone out of his pocket before untangling his earphones.

“I think I have tiny little elves in my pocket that tangle my earphones.” Chuckling for a slight second, Tae Ni couldn’t help but smile and admire his uniqueness in humour.

“I think everyone has a few of those. My earphones tangle from time to time.” Finally undoing the little elves’ magic, he picked an earbud and handed it over to Tae Ni who gladly accepted it. Placing one earbud onto his earlobe, he his phone, illuminating the light of the night’s sky and picked a song.

Silenced but listening, Tae Ni swayed gently from side to side enjoying the type of music he listened to.

“I’ve never heard this before.” She commented.

“Yeah… I like to find good songs that not a lot of people listen to. It gives of a one-off vibe for yourself.” Admiration was all that came from Tae Ni.

Jimin observed afar behind a tree as he continued to scoff.

“I bet he listens to Barbie girl. ‘Come on Barbie, let’s go party, ah, ah, ah yeah~’” Singing to himself like a fool, he returned to spying mode.

He rolled his eyes from time to time but he couldn’t help but feel a catch of heartbreak – flickers of small pain.

Moments later, a spark of coloured light popped in the air, shaping stars in the night’s sky. Many more were sent flying off, catching everyone’s attention. Luckily the view from the hill was spectacular.

They were like beautiful explosions in the sky. Intrigued and enjoying the moment, each of them smiled as they watched the fireworks set their magic in creating a wonderful scene.

Mesmerized, Taehyung turned to glance at Tae Ni. At that close second, Tae Ni turned to meet eye contact with Taehyung, but Jimin sat looking at the girl he wished beside him.

Taehyung rubbed the back of his neck in nervousness before speaking his thought. “Thanks for agreeing to come with me tonight.”

“No…no, I should be thanking you for asking me. Uh… thank you.”

 “Listen, I know that we don’t really know each other… but, I’m glad I got to see you around.” Not knowing where this is going, Tae Ni continued to listen in apprehension as Taehyung continued to speak.

“Would you like to do this some other time? Like… you know, we meet then we socialize, get something to eat, socialize more. How about it?”

“You mean… like a date?”

“Yeah. A date.” Complete and utter shock was what came to Tae Ni in terms of her expression. Taking her seconds to respond, Taehyung began to lose his self-confidence, worried of her response. Was she having second thought? Did she not want to go on a date with Taehyung?

She turned to face Taehyung, attentive. “I’d love to.”

Just as she responded, a larger-than-life anguish washed over Jimin, but all was knotted to be kept hidden. He should be happy for her, but he didn’t have the sentiment to do so. He just couldn’t.