Sand Dollar |BTS

Chapter 4

That morning was the last time you saw the boys. They separated at one point on the road, getting on a different car to confuse the reporters. You didn't get the chance to say good bye to the boys. It's been a week and the news of Jimin's "possible girlfriend" or "new girlfriend" or "dating someone" and many more headlines had broken out with a picture of him with his arm around your shoulder. Luckily, Jin's head was blocking the view to your face so it was just your hair that the photographer got and your very yellow sweater.

At work, you just listened to Sun Yeong chat about Manager Han's stacking of coffee beans. You tried to come up with a much more interesting reply but your mind is preoccupied with the events. You are thankful that your face wasn't seen but you feel bad for getting the boys in trouble. It was you, in the first place, who invited them for breakfast. How could such an innocent act trigger such events?

"Right, Y/N?" Sun Yeong nudged you in the elbow. You came to your senses and looked at her.

"I'm sorry?"

"I said, reporters have nothing to do but try to dig stink. What if he has a girlfriend? If he's happy, right?" Sun Yeong was looking at the TV that was muted but has closed captions.

You looked at the TV and they're still showing speculations by fans on social media regarding Jimin and you. Most of the fans are furious and you know that's no good. If anything, idols are respectful towards their supporters and hope to garner their approval especially in sensitive cases such as relationships. You wanted to shout you aren't in a relationship with Jimin so they could leave him alone. That gesture he did felt more of a brotherly gesture than anything else.

Sun Yeong turned off the TV, "Too much drama. These people are taking idols too seriously."

You started to clear up the table when the businessman who always visits finally left. He had been staring at Sun Yeong for the past hour and he comes almost everyday just to order the same things.

"Aren't you a fan of BTS, unnie?" you asked as you mindlessly wiped the table.

Sun Yeong was restocking the bread. She shrugged, "Not particularly. I've seen a few videos of them though and they're really good. I'm just not that into pop culture."

"Are you one of those people who are like 'there are more important matters than an idol's personal life'?" you asked, jokingly.

She shook her head no, "Nah, I know idols are a form of escape to some people. Besides, I am not hating on idols. They do what they do because they love it and they bring happiness to the people, who am I to hate that? If there's anything to hate, it's the media. They try to control everything."

The way Sun Yeong talks, you almost thought she might be an idol who had gone through such a phase. Besides, she's pretty enough to be one and you heard her sing every time she restacks the coffee beans on the shelf when she hates the way Manager Han stacks them. She has a lovely voice.

Talking to Sun Yeong cleared up your mind a bit. She's right. The media tries to control everything and projecting the hate opinions of some people just worsens the scenario. You looked back at the screen and now they're projecting the supportive comments of ARMYs.

"Don't worry, Y/N. It will die down soon. I'm sure the company will handle it." Sun Yeong winked at you as she disappeared at the back.

You manned the cashier as Sun Yeong did the inventory. You wish you could comfort Jimin and say sorry to him but Manager Sejin did erase his number and you haven't heard any text message from him nor Jin. You wanted to check your phone but Manager Han is strict about using phone during work hours. The café was empty but there are a lot of people outside, enjoying the December cold. It's almost Christmas and you feel lonely being far away from home. The news isn't helping too.