Taekook and the ECLIPSE

27 | But It Was Enough

"Oh, Kook!" Jess blubbered over the sudden roar of conversation. "I can't believe we're done."

"I can't believe it's all over," I mumbled.

She threw her arms around my neck. "You have to promise we won't lose touch."

I hugged her back, feeling a little awkward as I dodged her request. "I'm so glad I know you, Jessica. It was a good two years."

"It was," she sighed, and sniffed. Then she dropped her arms. "Lauren!" she squealed, waving over her head and pushing through the massed yellow gowns. Families were beginning to converge, pressing us tighter together. Cell phones out getting plenty of pictures and videos.

I caught sight of Angela and Ben, but they were surrounded by their families. I would congratulate them later.

I craned my head, looking for Jimin.

"Congratulations, baby," Taehyung whispered in my ear, his arms winding around my waist. His voice was subdued; he'd been in no hurry for me to reach this particular milestone.

"Um, thanks."

"You don't look like you're over the nerves yet," he noted.

"Not quite yet."

"What's left to worry about? The party? It won't be that horrible."

"You're probably right."

"Who are you looking for?"

My searching wasn't quite as subtle as I'd thought. "Jimin — where is he?"

"He ran out as soon as he had his diploma."

His voice took on a new tone. I looked up to see his confused expression as he stared toward the back door of the gym, and I made an impulse decision — the kind I really should think twice about, but rarely did.

"Worrying about Jimin?" I asked.

"Er . . ." He didn't want to answer that.

"What was he thinking about, anyway? To keep you out, I mean."

His eyes flashed down to my face, and narrowed in suspicion. "He was translating the Battle Hymn of the Republic into Arabic, actually. When he finished that, he moved on to Korean sign language."

I laughed nervously. "I suppose that would keep his head busy enough."

"You know what he's hiding from me," he accused.

"Sure." I smiled a weak smile. "I'm the one who came up with it."

He waited, confused.

I looked around. Jaewoo would be on his way through the crowd now.

"Knowing Jimin," I whispered in a rush, "he'll probably try to keep this from you until after the party. But since I'm all for the party being canceled — well, don't go berserk, regardless, okay? It's always better to know as much as possible. It has to help somehow."