I Can Make It Right

The Jimin Effect

When I open the door to my dance studio, the entire place quiets. I can see everyone in my peripheral vision following my every move.

Originally, my parents owned and operated this dance studio. They handed over ownership to me when they retired and I graduated from college. I have been enjoying dancing since I was a child. Perhaps because my parents are both dancers. They are currently traveling around the world.

Many of my students, from young girls to mature women, confess that I am the reason they signed up for dance classes, even if they haven't danced before.

People have the impression that I am a womanizer. I am not, though. I simply do not have the heart to hurt anyone, so I do my best to treat them as nicely as possible.

The truth is, I have never had a serious girlfriend. I may be surrounded by girls, but I never progress beyond the stage of simply being friends. I, for one, am not without fault. Before I get into the hooking up stage, I make it clear that it is nothing more. When a girl I am seeing becomes clingy or demanding, I end the relationship.

I said hello to my new students. I had to resist the urge to shake my head as some of them swooned and gushed.
That is the typical reaction I receive. It is known as the Jimin effect among my friends.

"Jiminaaaah!" When I arrived at our usual hangout spot, J-hope stood up from his chair and gave me a brotherly hug. It belongs to Taehyung, one of our friends.

"Hey bro," I said, giving them each a pat on the back.

"How is the dance studio?" inquires Jin, the oldest of the seven of us.

"Dude, the right question is, how are the girls?" Namjoon joked. I tossed him an olive. "Hey!" he said as he dodged it, laughing.

Yoongi nudged me and motioned toward the bar's entrance. I turned to see the most beautiful girl in the room enter.

"She owns the fast food restaurant across from your dance studio, correct?" Jungkook asked. "What is her name?"

Taehyung answered, "Lee Aera. She was a classmate in middle school," he told us.

My gaze stayed on her. I actually have a crush on her, and my friends are aware of it. She has an aura around her that draws me in. This is the first time I have seen her here. She was by herself.

"Why don’t you go and talk to her?"I looked at Yoongi and noticed a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I drank my glass of beer to boost my spirits. I can talk to any girl except Aera.

I composed myself as I approached her in the bar.

"Funny to find you here," I exclaimed as I sat beside her.

She turned to face me. My heart rate quickened as she looked straight into my eyes.

"Is there anything wrong with that?" she inquired, raising her eyebrow.

I could not help but gaze at her lovely lips. How many nights have I fantasized about kissing those lips?

"Hello!" she said, snapping her fingers at my face.

"Huh?" I suddenly became aware of our surroundings. "F*ck!"I reprimanded myself quietly.

"I was asking you if there was anything wrong if I was here." Her voice, despite sounding annoyed, is still beautiful.

"Nothing!" I was finally able to snap out of my daydreams.

"Okay, good," she remarked before turning away from me and sipping her wine.

"Would you like to join us?"I pointed to where my friends were, and they waved at us when she looked their way. She did not wave back, instead turning to face me again.

"Look, I know where this is headed," She paused for a moment before sighing deeply. "If you have any plans to court me, I will tell you right now that I do not want a relationship."She made a blunt statement. "Please, I would like to drink in peace." She spoke with finality and turned to the bar, telling the bartender she wanted the entire bottle of wine.

I returned to our table, and neither of my friends said anything. I was content to sit in my seat and watch her. Every time her gaze fell on me, I turned away.

A few guys attempted to approach her, but she quickly turned them down.

It was almost midnight when I noticed her standing up. I also said goodbye to my friends and followed her outside.

She was not sober. It was obvious from the way she walked. "Is she planning to drive?"I asked myself. I became concerned that she would be in danger if she drove. She thankfully did not. She came to a halt, and I turned around to avoid revealing that I was following her.

I overheard someone throwing up. When I turned around, I noticed she was bending in a corner. When three men approached her, I ran to her side.

"Hey baby, are you all right?"I whispered into her ear, "Just play along with me. There were men behind us attempting to take advantage of you."

"F*ck, I am so drunk, baby."I sighed with relief as she played along.

"Hey man, is she alright?" One of the men inquires.

"Yeah," I reply, "my girlfriend's fine. She simply had too much to drink," I explained.

"Is she your girlfriend?"They asked, clearly skeptical of my claims.

As if in response to the men's skepticism, Aera rose from the corner and hugged me. "I can't walk, baby, please carry me," she said loudly.

I carried her bridal style.

"I live in that white building," she said, pointing at a condominium building.

I walked towards the structure. I heard the men complain as they walked away.

"Thank you," Aera said softly before resting her head on my shoulder and closing her eyes. I have no idea what her unit number is.