A GUIDE TO DATING MIN YOONGI

Lesson 10: Round Two

It was when I was in my calculus class when I received a call from Yoongi. The class was quiet because we've all been stumped on a question and my old man of a professor wasn't helping one bit.
I would consider myself very good at math. However, ever since college, it's been getting just more and more difficult. It's honestly been stressing me out because I can feel myself falling behind.
It was during this hour where I was under stress and the class was dead quiet when Yoongi called me. And of course my ringer had to be on, which gained lots of stares and a few groans from the class.
My face turned red and I quickly shut it off and shoved it into my back pocket. I glanced up at the professor and luckily he was only kind of glaring at me but I just ignored it and laser focused on how white my paper was.
I tried so hard to concentrate but I could feel my phone continue to vibrate against my jeans. I was getting calls, texts, heck maybe even emails from Yoongi. Whatever it was, it continued to buzz.
I let out an angry sigh and pulled out my phone to turn it all the way off, just until I get out of class. I didn't even try to read the notifications that popped up on my screen because I was already losing to numbers on a paper. I didn't need to use more brain cells to read and respond to him.
It wasn't until after my class had finished that I regretted not replying.
A couple students and I went down the same path as me to catch the bus everyday after class. I told myself I would buy a car once in America just to save money but spending money for a fare everyday was starting to add up.
I continued my quick trek when I passed by a familiar looking car. It was sleek and black like a limo but it was a Lexus.
I didn't even bat an eye at it until I heard the windows roll down.
"Jimin!" I whipped my head around. Why was I even surprised anymore to see Yoongi?
Wide-eyed, I ran up to the car.
"Why are you at my school?" I leaned into him so people around me wouldn't pay too much attention.
"Get in. I'll explain on the way."
He started the car and threw on his sunglasses.
I stepped back, hesitant to open the backseat.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked.
He tilted his head slightly, just enough to where I could see his eyes peeking out from the rims of his glasses.
"There's not much time. I'll tell you once you get in."
I stuttered trying to persuade him but he wouldn't hear any of it. The car door unlocked and his window was rolled up before I knew it.
"This guy thinks I just always have time for him huh?" I mumble to myself but I still grab the handle to the backseat.

***

"So? Where are we going?" I ask.
"Why're you sitting in the back?"
I cross my arms as if he could see my annoyance growing.
"Do I have to sit next to you all the time?" I retort.
"Yes," he said blankly. "You have to sit next to me all the time. You have to get into the habit of sitting next to me in case someone I known sees you."
I roll my eyes. He could be such a romantic if he wasn't so formulaic.
"Could you answer my question?" I asked.
I could feel his glare from the rear view mirror and after a beat of silence he spoke.
"You're coming to meet my parents."
I was taken aback, already? So soon? I licked my lips nervously and I suddenly felt aware of how cold the air conditioning of this car was. 
"Wait wait—you mean I'm meeting them today? Like, we're heading over to their house? Right now?"
"Calm down," he said, "I heard from one of my friends that they're in the area doing some guided tour of the city or something. I thought it'd be more natural for you to meet them if it seemed like it was by coincidence."
I slumped back in my seat and anxiously tapped my heel on the floor.
"What are you so nervous for? I'm the one doing all the talking. All you have to do is introduce yourself as Choi Jaehyun and I take it from there."
I crossed my arms.
"Yeah I know that. It's just that I've never came out to anyone besides my friend before so it's just weird to think that I have to openly say it to strangers."
I could feel his piercing gaze on me once again but I just stared out the window.
"You'll be fine." He said as we pulled into a parking structure.
I looked up to meet his eyes but he wasn't looking anymore. As annoying and entitled as he is, I wish I was as confident as he was. The way he spoke was so eloquent and he easily showed people what they wanted to see. He's so perfect, that's what makes him annoying.
I ask him out of curiosity, "Yoongi, are you not nervous?"
He seems to give the question a bit more thought than I expected.
However, he turned to me once we parked and smirked.
"Why would I be?"
He left the car quickly and I followed him out towards the exit.
"So, where are we going exactly?" I ask, smoothing out my shirt. I wish I had worn something a bit nicer. I only wore a simple white Tee with a cool design on it with simple black jeans.
"There's an ice cream shop right where they're taking the tour. If we don't run into them there, there's also a park they're supposed to walk right through. You got your information memorized right?"
I nodded slowly, "mostly."
I was lying, I hadn't even looked at it since the first date. If Yoongi continues to make plans like this, I'd definitely gotta make sure to bring my study sheet.
I realized I was walking a bit a distance from him and so I walked a bit closer to him.
"Why're you getting so close?" He asked.
I looked at confused.
"Because we have to look like a couple right?"
"Not right now," he scoffed like I was stupid, "It's only for my parents to see."
He grew the distance and his pace quickened.

***

The ice cream shop was beautiful—no surprise. I took a seat outside and waited while Yoongi paid for the desserts. I watched the people pass by and yawned. I realized that this was about the time I get home and rest. Instead, I'm further into the nice city eating ice cream with my fake boyfriend. Life is crazy.
"Jimin?" I look up and Yoongi sets down a large cup of ice cream onto the table in front of me.
"Thank you—woah, that's a lot of ice cream."
I stared it like it was a bear.
"You're not eating it yourself stupid." He handed me a spoon and with his, he took the first bite.
"What flavor is it?" I asked.
"Choi Jaehyun's and my favorite flavor: Strawberry." He took another scoop, seeming satisfied with the taste.
I took half a spoonful just to sample it.
"Mm! That's good!" My posture straightened excitedly.
We both continued to take bites as we conversed.
"Do you know when your parents are coming?" I asked, the ice cream already a third done. He put his spoon down and looked out to the world as if his parents would appear any minute.
"It should be around this time but I don't know exactly when."
I was peacefully taking another bite of the creamy fruit when he asked, "Jimin, are you ever planning to come out to your parents?"
I coughed, choking on a strawberry. I looked at him to see if he was looking for a funny reply but his face was deadpan.
You're asking that all of a sudden?" He hands me a napkin he pulled out of God knows where and I wiped my mouth.
"I guess that's a no then." An exhale exited his lips like he was disappointed. He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
"I mean not really. I'm planning to tell them...someday."
He smirked, "Somday huh? When's that?"
I gave him a glare.
"Why's that something for you to worry about? I'll tell them when I want to."
I took another bite of the ice cream.
"Why're you worrying about my parents anyways, shouldn't you worry about yours? When are you coming out to your parents?"
"Who said I was actually gay?"
I stopped eating and took a second to comprehend his sentence.
I let out a good chuckle and he looked me at strange.
"What's so funny?"
I waved my hand in front of my face.
"No it's nothing." I said, still smiling.
"No one laughs just because. Just tell me why."
I stifled another laugh, "it's nothing it's just that, there's no way you're not gay."
His frown sharpened.
"What does that mean?" He asked.
I smiled coyly and took another bite of ice cream.
"Just saying, from one closeted gay guy to another, it's kinda obvious."
I giggled while eating and I suddenly feel ten times better.
He just scoffs at me but I see his lips curl up a bit.
"Just shut up and eat."
I stare at his face while going for another spoonful, amused by his annoyed expression. His eyes roll like a teenage girls and it's so...concerned?
"Jimin, you're spilling!"
I look down to the table and a trail of melted ice cream had spilled. My eyes followed the trail to my shirt.
"Let me go get napkins." I said, standing up quickly.
But then a hand pushed me down again.
"No sit. I'll go get it." Yoongi said and disappeared into the shop.
All I could do was wait and with my sticky self. Yoongi took a bit longer than I expected so I just continued to distract myself from the uncomfortable situation I was in with people watching.
A young girl ran to catch up with her mom. A small dog walked with their burly male owner. A fancy old couple walked together with their expensive clothes on. The woman held a small LV bag and I wondered how anyone could hold anything in that thing.
"Here're some napkins." I grabbed a couple from his fists and started wiping the table.
"Fucking God, I can't believe you spilled ice cream like a child."
I wiped down whatever ice cream I could get off my shirt but of course a sticky trail was left. He stood looking down on me with his hands on his hips.
I should've felt intimidated but I just felt amused by the whole situation. I smiled.
"Thanks for the napkins."
Suddenly his usual stern demeanor broke for a split second and he seemed flustered.
"Whatever." He sat back down. "Let's finish and go. I don't think my parents are coming. They would've seen me by now."
***

I tried to convince him to stay a bit longer but he seemed adamant in leaving for some reason. He said he had some business at home. The car ride back home, I wondered what he actually had to do because I've never seen him work. I always thought he was just a clear case of nepotism but I had started to get curious.
"What do you work as?" I asked into the silence of the car.
"I own a bar near my house." He sighed, "Now I know you didn't read the whole paper on me."
I laughed awkwardly, "you caught me."
I made a quick note in my head to have it memorized as soon as possible.
When I got home, I immediately threw my clothes into the washer and I took a shower.
It was already dinner but I couldn't finish my food due to the ice cream from earlier.
Finally, I made it all the way to my bed after a long, stressful day. Looking back on my second date, I caught myself smiling. To be frank, I actually had fun hanging out with Yoongi today and I got to learn more about him. Well, I would know more if I actually did my "homework" on him. I continued to grow tired and the image of Yoongi with bunched up napkins in both his fists started to fade.
I realized only then that I hadn't finished my math homework.

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