Under the lights tonight || Park Jimin

10

I giggle as I went up the stairs hand in hand with Jimin. I don't know how he managed to get me to dance and drink way into the night with him. It's now well after 4 in the morning as I prepare to sneak into my house. I was as quiet as a mouse trying not to wake Aunt Mae as I rattled my key around the lock, glad she actually locked the door this time. So here we both stood on my porch since he insisted on taking the taxi with me to make sure I was home safe.

I get the door open and turn around to face Jimin, "I guess this is where we say goodnight," I pause for a moment debating on bringing him in with me, "So goodnight Jimin." I finish.

Jimin smiles, "Goodnight Ana." We stand with our eyes locked. Jimin's eyes move between my eyes and lips, "Can I kiss you?" He blurts out and before I realize what I'm doing, I nod. His free hand moves up and cups my cheek. His other hand squeezes mine as our lips meet briefly. It made my head spin, it wasn't like it was the first time kissing someone but this was different and it was only a short kiss.

When we break apart I smile, "Goodnight Jimin." I repeat myself with a giggle.

He chuckles and leans in again, pecking my lips, "Goodnight Ana." He pulls his hand from mine and goes down the steps. I watch him get back into the taxi and the taxi speeds off. I push the door open with a giggle and quiet myself as I head up the stairs. My heart pounding from the night that I just had.

*****

I wake up by the shrill sound of my phone ringing. I roll over, in my bed, still dressed in the clothes from last night. I remember just flopping into my bed after getting home.

"Hello?" I press my phone to my ear as I sit up and rub my head, which is aching with a hangover.

"Did I wake you?" Jimin's voice surprises me.

"Yeah," I scoff and look at the clock on the wall, seeing that it's 8 in the morning, "It's 8. Why are you calling so early?" I groan. In fact, why is he calling at all?

"We're leaving today."

"Okay?" I question, not quite sure what his leaving has to do with me. In fact, I was hoping that after last night he would move on and forget about me completely.

"I was thinking about you all night after I got in the taxi. I haven't had that much fun with someone in a while."

I laugh "Yeah? I came home and went right to sleep."

"I'm serious," He teased, "I kept thinking about you all day after we got coffee."

"Mhm..." I nod, moving to my wardrobe to pick out some clothing for today, "What were you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about all the things you told me in the morning over coffee about wanting to move on from Korea."

My jaw drops, wondering why that of all things would stick in his mind, "Why were you thinking about that?"

"Well, we're flying back to Korea tonight."

"Alright. I bet you're glad to go home." My mind still racing, hoping this wasn't about to go where I thought it was.

"I am."

"Jimin..." I trail off for a minute, "I still don't understand why you called?"

"I just wanted to talk to you." He answers quickly.

"Alright..."

"I just wanted to say goodbye," Jimin says like he's nervous.

"Alright," I pause, pulling out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, "Goodbye then?"

"Goodbye Ana," Jimin pauses, "I really don't want this to be the last time we see each other."

"You'll forget about me in a week," I roll my eyes, knowing that soon I'll just be another face in the crowd and a forgotten memory, "Goodbye Jimin." Before he can say anything else I hang up. I quickly change and tie my hair into a messy bun, ready for a lazy day helping Aunt Mae around the house. I go to the bathroom and finish getting ready. I'm surprised I don't hear Aunt Mae's loud music, she must be out and about. I head downstairs and to the kitchen where I would normally find her. Instead, I find a note on the counter,

Ana,

Went to the market and will be back soon. Can you make lunch? I'm having Marge over, you can of course invite Stella.

Thanks,

Mae

I chuckled to myself, of course she is having Marge, her equally as scatterbrained best friend over for lunch. They're probably at the market together buying ugly furniture because it's vintage or whatever the reason. I text Stella and invite her over before setting my phone on the counter. I didn't expect to be making lunch for everyone but here I am.

*****

I was right about Aunt Mae and Marge buying some new ugly furniture. She bought a mustard yellow couch for the living room, to replace the green and white striped couch. She even explained that she was redecorating the whole room around the couch. That was hours ago, now she and Marge were downstairs drinking probably their third bottle of wine which meant Marge was going to spend the night in the guest room. Stella was hanging out with me in my room, laying on my floor.

"Why do you seem so upset Stella?" I asked her out of nowhere because she wasn't acting like herself all day.

She sighs and rolls over onto her stomach, "I meant this guy, I really liked him and we really clicked but I don't think things are gonna work out."

I fight the urge to roll my eyes because we've had this conversation about a million times before, "Why won't it work this time?"

"He's really busy with work," She sighs again, "I admire that he's doing something he's passionate about but I just wish it was going to work."

"Ah workaholic," I pause, "Sorry Stella some people are just more focused on work. You'll find someone new to replace him in no time or maybe it'll work." I shrug.

Stella mutters something under her breath and I ignore it, "Yeah." That is all she says, "Anyway how did things go last night after I left the club?"

"Just grand," I roll my eyes, "Who did you leave with?"

"Some guy," Stella shrugs, "What happened after I left?"

"Well I talked to Jimin a little bit and we kept drinking. He wanted to dance and I didn't want to but I did because I knew he would just keep asking. So we danced-" I'm cut off.

"You danced with the Park Jimin?" She seems shocked, "You never dance when we go to the club but you danced with Park Jimin?"

I roll my eyes once again, "Yeah I did. We danced and talked for a couple more hours. We also drank quite a bit. Then he called a car and took me back here. Walked me to the door, said goodnight, and..." I trail off.

"And what?"

"We may have kissed."

"Ana!" Stella shouts and springs up from the floor, "You kissed Park Jimin? What the-"

I cut her off, "It's not a big deal, we were drunk."

"It is a big deal!"

"Is not."

Stella narrows her eyes, "Have you talked to him since?"

"He called this morning to say goodbye and that he hopes to see me again." I shrug as Stella flops down on the bed beside me.

"Oh my god. Park Jimin is interested in you."

"I don't care."