The soju burned a pleasant warmth down my throat, chasing away the lingering chill of the day's events. Taehyung sat across from me, chopsticks tapping a rhythmic beat against a bowl of spicy noodles. We were at our usual spot, a small, family-run place with mismatched furniture and steaming bowls of comfort food.
"So, spill," Taehyung finally said, his dark eyes gleaming with curiosity. "What happened today? You bolted out of class looking like a ghost saw you."
I sighed, the memory of the creep resurfacing. "There was this guy...weird vibes, you know? Like a bad movie character. He kept staring at me during class, and honestly, it freaked me out."
Taehyung's smile vanished. He set down his chopsticks with a quiet thud that made me flinch. "Did he say anything? Did he touch you?"
The concern in his voice warmed me despite the chill of the memory. I shook my head. "No, nothing like that. Just...intense stares. Like he was trying to see into my soul."
Taehyung frowned, a muscle ticking in his jaw. "I don't like that. If he tries anything, you tell me, okay? Don't hesitate."
I reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "I will. Thanks, Tae. You always have my back."
He squeezed back, a faint smile returning to his lips. "Always."
We finished our meal in a comfortable silence. As we stepped out onto the bustling street, the cool night air washed over us. My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Lana.
"Hey, Jane! Wanna grab coffee tomorrow morning before class? We can compare notes and avoid the creep-factor together!"
I smiled. "Sounds perfect! I'll meet you at the usual cafe?"
"Awesome! See you then!"
Hanging up, I looked at Taehyung. "New friend wants to grab coffee with me tomorrow. You okay with that?"
Taehyung shrugged, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Sure, why not? More friends, more people to look after you. Just don't ditch me, alright?"
"Never! Besides, you have your own friends to hang out with."
He chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Just promise you'll text me if you need anything, okay?"
"Promise."
We walked side-by-side, the streetlights casting a warm glow on our path. Despite the unsettling encounter earlier, a sense of hope bloomed in my chest. I had a good friend in Taehyung, a new friend in Lana, and maybe, just maybe, this crazy medical school journey wouldn't be so bad after all.
