Her (Love Yourself Tour - Book 1)

Chapter 10

The taxi driver dropped me off in front of where our usual spot that my and my friends gathered, Fundoori*. I loved the atmosphere of the place. My first visit to the place reminded me of the pubs that I had back home in the States. It could be why I am so fond of the place, or it could be that they served pizza too. 

I walked past the patio seating that was right in front of the entrance since I didn't see Jihun and the others. I stopped at the entrance to the place and pulled the door open stepping inside. The moment I did, I heard the call of my name.

"Adeline! Adeline, over here."

I turned in the direction of the voice located the source as I walked in the direction of it. As I made my way through other patrons of the bar towards the back, I could hear people laughing and having a good time. When I reached my group of friends, Soojin immediately pulled me down towards her embracing me in a hug. I couldn't help but smile hugging her back. Soojin reminded me of Torrie, and we became quick friends. She was two years older than me at 24. She was tall around 5'6" and well-proportioned with a lithe figure. She had short black hair cut just past her jawline, and warm brown eyes. 

"And just why are you late getting here?" She asked pouting as we broke apart.

"I was at Achasan Mountain doing a shoot and lost track of time." I explained my lateness as I took the seat next to her.

I don't know why, but I didn't want to tell them about Joon for some reason. That was something I would have to unpack later when I was alone. 

"Come on Soojin, you know how Adeline gets when she does her photography. Nothing else in the world exists." Minkyu teased from across the table.

Minkyu was sitting next to Jihun. If you didn't know any better, you would have thought they were twins. The only exception was that Minkyu was 23 instead of 25.

I held my hands up and shrugged to indicate that it is what it is and couldn't be helped nor did I plan on doing so. We all laughed. I ordered a beer since they already had their drinks which were half empty. I took a swig from mine savoring the flavor once I received it. I didn't drink very often. I was what you called a social drinker. I also never drank to the point I got drunk either. It happened once and I swore never again. At least that was always my aim when drinking. Sometimes it worked out in my favor and sometimes it didn't.

As we drank, we talked and caught up about what we all had been up to since we last got together which was only last week. Per usual, without fail, which was at every get together, they would try to get out of me what job it was that brought me to South Korea. Especially when they found out I had signed a confidentiality agreement. They apparently cared little for the legal ramifications of getting me to spill my job secrets as they put it. I would always just laugh and tell them that my lips were sealed until they legally weren't. Having my job brought up made me think of Joon again since we'd just spoken about it together. 

Thought of Joon prompted me to take my phone out of my pocket to check for any new messages and there were none even though I hoped there would be one from him. I put my phone back in my pocket disappointment made evident in my frown. I wondered what it was that he was doing now since I was no longer with him. Did he go home? Did he meet up with other friends? Another girl? I jolted a bit at my last musing since I'd literally just met him. I must have spaced out while I pondered all these things because a hand waving in front of my face caught my attention.

"Earth to Adeline!" Jihun repeated still waving in front of my face.

I gave him a sheepish grin at having been caught spacing out.

"And she's back!" Minkyu exclaimed.

"What were you thinking about?" Jihun asked a smirk on his lips.