Healing (KTH, featuring KNJ)

Chapter 9

Taehyung had been staring at his phone for the last 5 minutes when Yoongi walked into the reception room. "You know Tae, it works better if you actually press some of the buttons."

Embarrassed, Taehyung quickly hit the call button. It was time to do this.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Clara?"

"This is, may I ask who is calling?"

"It's Namjoon's friend Taehyung".

"Oh, hey, how are you doing?"

"Pretty good. Hey, I was wondering if you might be free this weekend to go to a jazz concert with me on Saturday night. I could pick you up around 7:30? Just casual. My friend got me tickets and I know you like the piano. I was going to invite Kookie but I know he's already busy. And honestly he doesn't really like jazz. And Jimin always just attracts too much attention when we go out. And I thought maybe you would like it. But you don't have to go if you don't want to. It's no obligation, I could find someone else, or just go alone, or..."

Clara interrupted with a small giggle, "Tae, Tae! I'd love to go. I think it is so kind of you to think of me. I actually love the piano, and I've always been fascinated by jazz."

"Really?" Then I'll pick you up then. Can you please text me your address?"

"Sure, I'll see you then Tae."

"Thanks Clara, I'll see you then, have a good day, bye!"

He ended the call with a huge grin, both glad that she said yes and that she felt comfortable enough already to use his nickname.

"Smooth Tae, very smooth." Taehyung had forgotten Yoongi was in the room and had just heard him blathering like an idiot. But today nothing was going to get him down, on Saturday he's going to have his first date with a girl he is actually really interested in.

___________

Saturday arrived before he knew it, and Taehyung was nervous. But if Clara was honest, she was too. She had largely hidden herself for the last several months and she felt like she was constantly embarrassing herself with her very poor grasp on the Korean language and Korean customs.

But she knew she needed more people in her life than just Namjoon and his family. They would protest if they knew she believed that she was becoming a burden, but she knew that it would be good for her to start to break out of her shell, just a bit. Luckily it was a concert so they wouldn't even really need to talk much. And she did love the piano so she really hoped it would turn into a good evening.

At 7:25 Clara was interrupted by someone buzzing her apartment. A quick peek at the camera confirmed it was Taehyung.  She responded by letting him know she would be down in a few minutes. After one last look in the mirror and a double check on her bag, she headed toward the elevator.

Walking out of the building she saw a luxury car parked nearby and Taehyung popping out of the back. "Clara, over here" he waved, quickly escorting her into the back seat. "I apologize that I didn't drive myself. Sometimes it can be stressful to go out, and I hoped by bringing a driver to help keep an eye on things we might be able to relax more and better enjoy the concert."

It was quiet on the drive. Taehyung periodically pointing out local landmarks, but Clara was feeling too shy to do much more than simply nod or mumble, "how interesting". She felt confused, she'd known Taehyung for a while and felt comfortable with him, why was it so different tonight? Was it just because Namjoon wasn't there? Or was it because it oddly felt a bit like...a date? But she was sure Taehyung couldn't possibly feel that way about her. He was a superstar.  And while she knew she was smart and kind, she certainly wasn't on par with the types of women he'd normally spend time with. She wasn't an idiot, and spending time at the Big Hit building had only served to reinforce how often he was surrounded by beautiful and sophisticated female trainees.

She really needed to get her head on straight if she was even going to make it through the evening.