INTOXICATED

Chapter 33: Bonding With His Friends

The following morning, Reema woke up to the soft sound of waves crashing against the shore, filtering in through the open balcony doors. She stretched lazily, taking in the peaceful surroundings of the beach house. It was the perfect escape, away from the hustle and bustle of college life.

After the quiet moments she had spent with Jungkook the day before, Reema now found herself ready to spend the day enjoying the company of his friends. She had gotten along with them on the picnic, but this was different. They were all staying under the same roof now, and this time, it felt like an opportunity to get to know them better—without the pressure of being surrounded by dozens of other students.

Reema quickly freshened up, slipping into comfortable clothes before heading downstairs. The smell of breakfast was already wafting from the kitchen, and the sound of laughter filled the house. As she descended the stairs, she saw Jungkook's friends gathered around the kitchen island, chatting animatedly while flipping pancakes and making coffee.

Jungkook was there too, looking effortlessly casual as he leaned against the counter, his arms crossed. He smiled when he saw her.

"Morning," he greeted her warmly.

"Morning," she replied, her voice still carrying a hint of sleep.

"Want some breakfast?" one of his friends, Jimin, called out to her.

Reema smiled and nodded. "Sure, I’ll have whatever you’re making."

Jimin grinned widely and motioned her over. "You’re in luck. We’ve got pancakes, eggs, bacon, and everything in between."

Reema joined them at the counter, where she found the group of boys already laughing and joking as they prepared breakfast.

"How are you feeling this morning?" Taehyung asked, his usual bright smile in place.

"I’m feeling good, thanks," Reema answered. "The beach house is amazing. I haven’t had a chance to really explore yet."

"Oh, you should," Yoongi said, looking up from the stove. "There’s plenty of space to walk around, and the view from the back patio is unreal. You’ll want to check it out."

"Definitely," Reema replied. "I’ll take a walk after breakfast."

As they continued making small talk, Reema couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly the group interacted. There was no awkwardness or hesitation; they all just seemed to gel together, feeding off each other’s energy. Despite their playful teasing and joking, there was a genuine camaraderie between them that Reema found fascinating.

"Okay, breakfast is ready!" Jin announced, placing a plate of pancakes on the counter. "Dig in, everyone!"

Everyone gathered around, grabbing plates and settling down at the large dining table. Reema found herself sitting next to Taehyung, who immediately began asking her about her time at college.

“So, Reema, tell us about your major. How did you end up choosing it?” he asked, his curiosity genuine.

Reema hesitated for a moment, thinking back to when she first decided to pursue her current course of study. "Well, I’ve always loved literature," she began. "And I’ve been fascinated by the way stories can shape people’s understanding of the world. I wanted to do something that would allow me to explore that further, so I chose to major in English literature."

"That’s really cool," Taehyung said, giving her a smile. "It must be interesting to read all those books and analyze them. I wouldn’t be able to sit through half of them."

Reema laughed softly. "It’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. But I love it. What about you guys? What do you study?"

Yoongi, who was sitting next to Jin, answered first. "I’m in music production. I love creating beats and working on different tracks."