FORGET-ME-NOT | kth

Chapter 2- The smile

Friday evening had finally arrived, and to Taehyung's surprise, he hadn't seen her again since their last encounter. As he passed by the parking lot, her car was still there, but she was nowhere in sight.

It puzzled him, this strange sense of missing someone he barely knew. It was as if her absence left a void in his routine, a missing piece to the otherwise familiar surroundings of his daily life. He couldn't shake off the feeling, wondering what it meant and why her presence, or rather, her absence, had such an impact on him.

Taehyung pushed open the glass door of the bar and spotted his friends already seated at their table. He greeted them with a warm smile, taking his seat next to Dodo, who wasted no time in teasing him about his habitual lateness.

"You're late again, Taehyung," Dodo chided playfully, leaning in for a side hug.

Taehyung smiled and ruffled her hair affectionately. "Sorry, got caught up in something."

As he settled in, his gaze drifted to Aria, his friend whose demeanor had been somewhat distant lately. Concern etched his features as he observed her smiling, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Are you okay, Aria?" Taehyung asked softly, trying to decipher the hidden emotions behind her façade.

Aria's smile faltered for a moment, a subtle frown betraying her unease. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Her eyes avoided his, hinting at a deeper turmoil beneath the surface.

Taehyung nodded, though his intuition told him otherwise. "Just making sure," he replied, masking his worry with a casual tone.

Dodo, sensitive to the tension in the air, decided to lighten the mood. "So, who's up for a round of drinks?" she exclaimed, diverting everyone's attention and initiating a lively conversation that filled the space with laughter and chatter.

The camaraderie was palpable, and as the night wore on, everyone seemed to be basking in the joy of a weekend well spent. Amidst this lively atmosphere, Jungkook, always the one to stir the pot, turned to Jimin with a dramatic flair. "Jimin, you're gay!" he blurted out, causing an immediate hush to fall over the group.

Jimin, caught mid-sip, nearly choked on his drink, eyes wide with shock. "What the fuck? Again?" he managed to sputter out, his voice a mix of exasperation and amusement.

Undeterred, Jungkook pressed on, gesturing towards a girl behind the counter. "How can you find someone like her unattractive? Just look at her." Jimin, now slightly flushed, followed Jungkook's gaze and Taehyung, sensing something significant, also turned to look.

There she was, behind the counter, serving drinks in a white t-shirt that seemed to be part of the uniform. What caught Taehyung off guard was the radiant smile on her face. It was the first time he'd seen her smile, and it stirred something deep within him. A wave of positivity washed over him, and he found himself smiling involuntarily.

"I'll give you one more chance to go and talk to her," Jungkook challenged Jimin, his tone a mix of teasing and encouragement.

"No, I'm not talking," Jimin replied firmly, crossing his arms as if to seal the deal. Jungkook, never one to back down, smirked.

"Okay, then I will," Jungkook declared, pushing back his chair and standing up. Taehyung's heart sank a little, unease creeping in as he watched Jungkook stride confidently towards the girl.

Jungkook's approach was met with a welcoming smile from her, and Taehyung couldn't help but feel a strange mix of jealousy and curiosity. He tried to focus on the conversation around him, but his gaze kept drifting back to Jungkook and the girl.

Jungkook returned to the table, his expression one of smug satisfaction. Taehyung's curiosity was piqued, but he didn't want to appear too interested. He refrained from asking directly, though the overwhelming mix of emotions made it difficult to concentrate on anything else.