Picture Perfect | k.th

Chapter 16

Sohee POV

"Haru you don't have to babysit me again. I don't know who is insisting you do this, but I'm fine," I sighed, hanging up my work apron on the hook before turning to face my friend who had insisted for the third time this week to walk me home.

After that awful party, Jun must've talked to her about backing off a bit, because she went back to being her sweet Haru-self and harping less on my obsession with Taehyung.

"No way girl. We're having a girl's week," she hooted playfully.

I rolled my eyes, "Have a girl's week with your girlfriend. I know you want to. I know for a fact she wants to."

She pursed her lips, "I can do that later. She doesn't want you to be moping either."

"I'm not—I'm not moping," I huffed irritatedly.

"Your boyfriend has been missing for over a month. You're definitely moping," she sighed.

"He'll be back. He promised," I said.

"Not to be stereotypical, but most men are quite known for breaking those promises. Not really a reliable claim," she shrugged.

"He's different," I defended.

"No kidding. You don't care that much for the men in your life. Anyway, let's go, because it's getting cold and the later we wait to leave, the more likely I'm going to need to put a sweater on and cover up my cute outfit," she huffed.

I let out a halfhearted chuckle, rolling my eyes as I got my coat.

I had picked up a couple of extra and longer shifts these days just to distract me. Plus money was always nice. But it was mainly a good distraction so that I wasn't left alone with the internal bullying of my brain.

We had walked a good three feet before Haru glanced down at her phone and got the all to familiar tingles.

"Oh my god, you're impossible. Please go on this date," I exclaimed exasperatedly.

"But-"

"I will literally unfriend you. I'm fine. Go on this date so that I don't have to deal with you being all weird and giddy," I pleaded.

She playfully pushed me, "Ugh fine. But I'm going to tell you all the details when I'm back just so I can be all giddy again."

"Have fun with that, because I will be out like a light. Anyway, stop talking to me and go get your woman," I urged her, bumping her in the direction of her lover.

She gave me one last grateful look before practically sprinting towards where her and her girlfriend agreed to meet. I fondly watched her run off until she was out of sight before continuing my walk home alone.

These days, I preferred to be on my own anyway. I didn't enjoy the company of others as much as I used to. I didn't like going out as much either. I was quite a homebody. These night walks after work were probably my only substantial moments of fresh air.

Tonight it was especially crisp. Pristinely pleasant for an evening stroll.

The unfortunate part of Haru running off however was now that it was a lot quieter. Which was my brain's signal to get louder.

I sighed, trudging the not-so-long but painfully arduous trail home.

Taehyung.

Was he okay? Was he happy? Did he find that painting paradise? Is he eating well? Is he taking care of himself?

He constantly consumed every waking thought and when I thought I could escape him in my dreams, he decides to show up there too.

It was like I was absolutely obsessed with the guy. Overtly smitten. Suffering unbearable separation anxiety.

Why is it that when I finally found a guy I felt ready to commit to, that there had to be some stupid drama tied to it? The universe was clearly anti-Sohee-being-happy.

What would I even do if I saw him again? Would I hug him? Maybe berate him? Both? Give into those intrusive thoughts and kiss the hell out of him? Cry?

No. Even that was too painful to think of. Once I started dreaming up scenarios, it would start me on that endless hope train. And then I'd be waiting for something that might not come back.

I strolled over the tiled path by the outdoor commons of the school for the sake of the scenic route when the sound of thundering footsteps drew my attention. They halted a few feet behind me. My grip on my bag tightened.

There wasn't as much foot traffic around because people had either returned home or were in their night classes. I knew how to fight though, so it wasn't a big deal. Even then, something in my heart wildly thundered with fear.

I took a deep breath, slowly turning around, ready to size up my potential opponent despite my heart's thrums.

And then all at once it felt like all the air had been stolen from me. As if someone had just knocked the wind out of me. My shock was etched all over my face. My heart only strummed it's chords faster. My brain rapid fire shot out questions. Clarifications. Desperate confirmations.

My hands clammed up, and my throat went dry. All the emotions, all the words I wanted to say, absolutely gone.

I could only managed a single word, "T-Taehyung?"

The figure took one step forward and that was all I needed to know.

My feet began to carry me before my brain could give the command. It was like I was floating to him, but in reality, it was more like an impatient sprint unwilling to waste another second gawking.

And before I knew it, I had leaped into the air and landed safely in his arms. He stumbled back with a rather off sense of balance. My arms flew around his neck and I wrapped my legs around him instantly. And without giving him a second to spare, I slammed my lips onto his, giving way to that boundless desire that had consumed my every moment this past month and a half.

It took him a moment to respond, but once he did, his arms securely found their way around my waist, holding me in his enveloping safety.

He rolled himself into me, igniting the developing flames within my heart to their maximum.

He held me tightly before slowly lowering himself onto the ground so that I was straddling his lap. He was unbelievably sweaty, and his body felt hot. I could tell from his kisses as blissful as they were that he was exhausted and in pain.

I'll kill Hyungseo for that. How dare he.

But I couldn't bring myself to break away. I would lose him if this moment ever ended. So much so that I couldn't even spare a moment to breathe.

My eyes shimmered with armed tears, overwhelmed by joy, relief, anger, curiosity, and so many more unexplainable feelings.

He was the first one to break away, breathing heavily as he pressed his forehead against mine.

Our breaths matched a desperate and hasty rhythm, aching for the next round of mingling.

He noticed my glossy eyes and shook his head, gently wiping away the oncoming tear.

"Don't go wasting your emotion. Don't go sharing your devotion. Lay all your love on me. All of it. All of you. I want it all."

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Yes I quoted the abba song that has been stuck in my head for the whole week.