Why Me?

He looked up. The smile on his face was immediately replaced with panic when he saw my shaking form. He rushed to my side, pulling me into his arms and telling me that everything was ok.
“You were gone. I thought. You were mad. It’s all my. Fault. You don’t. Want me. Anymore.” I managed between sobs. His hot breath tickled my neck as he sighed.
“Jagiya it was just a joke.” A joke? “I just wanted to get even, because you scared the hell out of me earlier.”
“But how?” My sobs had come to a stop, and the tears slowed down.
“I figured you would bring me dinner to my room so I hid in Jin and Namjoon’s room. When I saw you go in, I snuck past the door and went to the kitchen.” At first I didn’t understand, but when it sunk in the relief was replaced with anger.
“It was a joke!?” I screamed.
“Jagi calm down, please,” he begged. “I didn’t think you would take it like this. I just wanted you to feel how I did when you lied to me…”
“At least I didn’t scare you into thinking I hated you!”
“You thought I hated you? Jagi how could even think such a thing?”
“The way you treated me when we got home. You looked like you didn’t want to talk to anyone. And then I saw you just now, laughing and smiling without a care in the world with the other members. It was like I was the only one you were avoiding.” I watched his eyes widen in realization. “I just need a few minutes alone…” I stood up and stepped away, out of his embrace. I quickly turned and took off for my room. After shutting the door, I sunk to the floor not really knowing what to do. I was angry, relieved, shocked, and overall emotionally drained. Two months… Probably the best two months of my life so far. I wasn’t going to just throw it all away over a prank. But I needed time to think. Time to recover from the pain I had just gone through.

Jin

“Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid! I almost lost her. I almost lost one of the best things to ever come into my life. All because of a stupid joke!”
“Tae, I don’t really think punching a pillow is gonna change anything.”
“Better than punching a wall. I’d rather not have to explain to manager-nim why we need to patch a hole in our wall.”
“Good point Joonbug.”
“Joonbug? Really Hoseok?”
“Can you guys just shut up!” I saw everyone look at him in surprise, myself included. Tae was freaking out, and we had no idea how to help him.
“Tae you really need to calm down,” Jimin said, worried his friend might hurt himself.
“I’ll go talk to her.” I watched his eyes meet mine.
“She wants to be alone.”
“No one ever really wants to be alone,” I argued.
“Fine go talk to her. I don’t want to. I don’t want to hurt her again…” One look at his eyes and you could see the complete defeat and pain he was going through. I was determined to help my friends. I arrived at her door and knocked.
“Go away Tae.” Her voice sounded defeated, even when muffled by the door.
“It’s not Tae. It’s Jin.” I waited for her reply, praying she would let me in.
“Come in,” she mumbled. I turned the knob and slowly opened the door. I saw her sitting in the middle of the floor with a coloring book and one crayon. Green. Tae’s favorite color. I quietly closed the door behind me before walking over to her and joining her on the floor. “Did he send you?”
“Not really. I volunteered to go see you, and he allowed me to.”
“Did he want to see me?”
“He does. Really badly. But he doesn’t want to hurt you again. He’s killing himself out there. Are you ok?”
“I’m fine. Just emotionally drained.”
“I promise he didn’t mean for the prank to go that far. None of us did.”
“You all knew about it?” She stopped coloring and looked at me.
“Yeah we did. It really just seemed like an innocent joke. I know Tae. None of his jokes are meant to hurt people.”
“I know,” She said returning to the coloring page. I sighed.
“Pais he cares for you. He truly and deeply cares for you. And I know you care for him, otherwise you wouldn’t be coloring with his favorite color. Couldn’t you guys just kiss and make up?”
“I’ve never kissed anyone before.” What?! She’s never kissed Tae before?! She’s never had her first kiss?! “Is it really that great?”
“Kissing someone? It’s the best when it’s with someone you love.”
“Has Tae kissed anyone before?” I honestly had no idea, but I was pretty certain he had kissed at least one girl in his high school years.
“I don’t know, but I would assume he has. He was quite popular in high school.” I watched her head nod. “How have you never been kissed? You’re by no means an unattractive girl. I’m really surprised.”
“My parents never let me date.”
“Tae is your first boyfriend too?!”
“Yup”
“Shit just kiss the boy.”
“Jin!”
“Sorry! But really. Just kiss and make up. The best kisses are make up kisses.”
“I thought the best kisses were with someone you love.”
“Well typically you only make up kiss with someone you love.” her head bobbed weakly, her eyes full of fatigue. I picked her up and laid her in bed, tucking her in. “Thank you, mama Jin. You’re the best,” She said sleepily. I watched her doze off before turning off the lights and heading to the living room. Tae jumped up from the couch when he saw me walk in.
“She’s asleep. I think her break down totally wiped her out, but she’s fine.”
“I owe you Jin. You always know what to say.”
“Can I cash in that IOU now?” He looked at me with a puzzled look.
“I guess.” I smirked.
“Kiss her.”

Paisley

“Can you tell me where you’re taking me now?”
“No Jagi. It’s a surprise!”
“I’m not very keen on surprises,” I grumbled. He suddenly stopped and I bumped into his back. “Aish Tae, what the heck? Why did…” I froze. I felt my hand cover my mouth as my eyes took in the scene in front of me. What was once covered in darkness, was now showered in soft light. Fairy lights were strung on the trees down a long winding path. Candles were lit along the sides of the path, illuminating the ground with a soft glow. “What is all of this?”
“This is my surprise, but only the first part.” There was more?! How could it get better than this? I could just stand on this path all night. He took my hand and led me down the path. I soon learned that it could get so much better. Lights and lanterns were strung on the trees and candles were randomly scattered on the ground. The trees had grown towards each other forming a little dome. And in the center, was a small tent, just big enough for two. I continued to follow him into the tent. There were pillows and blankets galore, and tiny lights lined the walls, giving a warm glow in the darkness.
“Tae…”
“Yes Jagiya?”
“How was I ever lucky enough to get you?” I heard him chuckle and looked at him.
“Jagi if you were lucky to get me then what does that make me? I don’t deserve you, but you’ve been one of the best things to happen in my life.” Thank goodness it was dark, or he would’ve seen my face turn bright red.
The rest of the night was filled with cuddles, pillow fights, and even a game of tag, outside the tent of course. When we got back inside, he pulled out two hot chocolate mixes from his coat pocket.
“Are we just supposed to eat the powder Tae?” I asked both amused and confused.
“No Jagiya!” He pointed at a basket in the corner that contained a small electric kettle and a pair of mugs. There was even a bag of jumbo marshmallows and a can of whipped cream. Perfect accessories for hot chocolate. I giggled at his love for hot chocolate before snatching the packets from his hand and preparing the beverages.
“Ah Taehyung! That’s for the hot chocolate!” He had snatched the bag of marshmallows from the basket and was stuffing them into his cheeks. He pulled my face close to his, causing my breath to hitch. One slight movement and we would…
“chuuey buuey,” he mumbled. The seriousness in his face caused me to fall into a fit of laughter. I pushed him away when the kettle dinged, and I began to pour the hot water into the mugs. The powder began to dissolve and the aroma of chocolate filled the tent. We plopped in our marshmallows and each swirled a healthy layer of whipped cream on top. We both took a sip after blowing on the hot liquid, but I still burned my tongue.
“Ow…” I mumbled. Small tears brimmed my eyes at the sudden pain.
“Jagi be careful, it’s hot!”
“Too late. I burned my tongue.”
“Jagi…” He had a smirk on his face. “I can make you feel better.” I had turned away to set my hot chocolate on the ground, and when I turned back towards him, his face was centimeters from mine. He had a playful gleam in his eye that sent shivers down my spine. “Also you have a bit of whipped cream on your lip Jagi, but I forgot napkins. Oops,” he whispered before seizing my lips. My body stiffened at the unusual action, but quickly relaxed into his as he deepened the kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled myself onto his lap, wanting to close any space between us. We pulled apart slightly panting from the lack of air, and just stared into each other’s eyes. He broke the eye contact to give me a light kiss on the forehead before pulling me into his chest. I felt safe here. Like nothing would ever happen to us. I wanted to stay here forever with him, drinking hot chocolate, having pillow fights, and cuddling.

The next morning, he gave me a piggy back ride up the path, and back to the street. He hailed a taxi home after giving me one last glance at the beautiful path. When we got home, we were met with solemn looks from the members.
“They moved our tour dates back. We leave for Japan tomorrow.”

Notes