OFF LIMITS || JK

TAE'S CRUSH {18}

The next few days pass without any crazy things happening and before I knew it, we were all heading back home.

I definitely wasn't looking forward to going back because that just meant Auburn would be seeing Mark again at school.

Knowing Mark, he'd try to get back with her and that would ruin everything with me and Auburn, which was the last fucking thing I wanted.

I was starting to feel like we were finally getting somewhere and I didn't want that asshole ruining it.

I don't know what I'd do if they ended up getting back together...I didn't even want to think about it.

"Come on everyone!" Tae's mom says as she motions us out of the house and towards the car.

We finish loading up the car and as we're going to get in, I felt an arm tug me, pulling me back as I was about to get in on the opposite side.

When I turned to see who the arm holding me belonged to, I saw Auburn smile.

"Sit next to me this time."

Of course, I didn't object as I sat down in the middle, Tae and Auburn getting in on either side of me.

It was crazy to think of where we were on the ride here vs the ride back. Man was I happy that I came on this trip and that Mark didn't.

During the ride, Tae had fallen asleep and although I was getting sleepy, I stayed awake. It was hard not to fall asleep but the fact that Auburn was squished up beside me was enough to keep me awake. Wide awake.

I could see she was dozing off but that she was trying to stay awake. Why, I don't know.

"You can sleep ya know. Don't fight it." I laugh, keeping my voice low so I didn't bother anyone.

Auburn looked over at me, the sun causing her green eyes to glisten, her pupils shrinking.

"I know, I'm just nervous. I'm not really looking forward to going back and if I sleep, we'll get there faster." She says, a frown on her face.

I knew why she didn't want to and it bothered me but there was nothing I could do. She'd have to face Mark at some point. Although I didn't like that, it was inevitable.

"You still have two days before we go back to school. It'll be alright. Sleep." I say and Auburn nod slowly as she yawns.

"Okay, yeah..." She says, her eyes falling shut. Just as she shuts her eyes, she leans her head against my shoulder.

I tried to hide my smile but I failed miserably. I just couldn't get over how all of this had happened in only a week. Sure, we weren't dating or anything but even just small moments like this had my heart swooning.

Before I knew it, I was falling asleep too, my mine wandering off to what school would be like come Monday.
•••

Before I knew it, I was being shaken awake by Taehyung who was telling me we were home.

When I looked over, I saw Auburn awake and on her phone. I wasn't sure when she had woken up but I guess she had. When she saw me awake, she smiled.

"You heading home?" She asks then waits for my answer.

"Not just yet. I'll probably stay over for a few and then go home." I say as we all start to get out of the car, eager to be back and not cramped up.

"Mel is gonna head over in a few so I'll see you when she gets here." Auburn smiles before she heads in, leaving me to myself.

I grab my bag and head inside. I head to Taehyung's room and fill him in on Mel coming over and of course he was super excited about that.

I don't think he's seen her since they started talking so I'm sure it would be super awkward and he'd be shy. He always was around people that he liked.

"Oh god, I have to get presentable!" Tae says, already freaking out as he paces the room looking for things to wear.

"You look fine. I'm sure she won't care what you're wearing." I say but Tae wasn't having it. He was rummaging though his clothes until he found what he thought was perfect enough.

By time he was done, I could tell Mel was already here because I could hear her and Auburn talking.

"Ready to go see your crush?" I ask and I can see the nerves rise as Tae's eyes widen. "Yeah. No. I'm scared. What if she thinks I'm ugly?"

"Dude, she's seen you before. Obviously she doesn't think you're ugly. You're overthinking it. Come on." I say as I grab his arm, pulling him along with me.

As we get upstairs, I see Auburn and Mel standing in the living room with smiles to their ears.

Tae was almost hiding behind me, as if he didn't want to be seen. I shifted over just as Auburn and Mel looked our way.

"Hey." I say, giving Mel a slight wave. "Hey, welcome back." She says before her eyes shift over, landing on Tae. She seems to smile bigger then.

"Hey." She says as she pushes a strand of her hair behind her ear, her cheeks slightly red. I guess she was just as nervous as Tae was.

I look over at Auburn who was also finding joy in seeing how awkward the two of them seemed to be.

"Hi." Tae says sheepishly as he steps out from behind me completely, now fully in view.

"If you want to go hang with Tae for a little that's fine by me. I'll hang with Jungkook." Auburn says and Mel turns to her with a confused look before she looks over at me. I could tell she was assuming something was going on between us and well, kinda.

"Yeah, okay." Mel finally says as she steps towards Tae who instinctively takes a step back. I facepalmed at how awkward he was.

"Wanna go to my room?" Auburn asks, causing all of us to look over at her. Me being the most shocked.

I glanced over at Tae and shooed him away. I then turned back to Auburn, of course accepting her request.

With that, the four of us part ways. All of us eager to see what would happen next.

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