Kookie's POV…
As we lounged in Tae's living room, our phones chimed in unison, interrupting our TV viewing. After checking the group text from Jade, we returned our attention to the thrilling conclusion of The Umbrella Academy Season 2.
With the show over, Tae turned off the TV and asked, "What's next, guys?"
"Food!" Jimin blurted out without hesitation.
"Shall we order in or go out to eat?" Tae inquired, glancing first at Jimin, then at me.
"Between work and personal commitments, we haven't had a chance to just hang out and have fun as a trio in a long time. Why don't we seize this opportunity and do just that? I vote for dining out!" I suggested, reminiscing about the last time we spent an entire day doing nothing but enjoying each other's company.
"I'm fine with that. What do you say?" Jimin turned to Tae.
"That's cool with me. Any suggestions on where we should eat?"
"I'm not picky, as long as the food is good and the place is buzzing with beautiful women," Jimin said with a mischievous smirk.
"How about The Ramyeon Room?" I suggested, knowing it was a favorite spot for all of us—especially Jimin, who loved flirting with the waitresses there.
"Alright, it's settled then. We're heading to The Ramyeon Room. What's the plan after that?" Tae asked, grabbing his keys and phone from the coffee table.
"We could go bowling, explore some new spots in town, or just come back here and chill," Jimin said, rising to his feet. With my phone in hand, I led the way out the front door.
As we waited for the elevator, Tae asked, "Do you guys really think Jade is having breakfast with a woman named Dijonae?"
Just as the doors slid open, Jimin responded, "I believe her. Why don't you?"
"I didn't say I don't believe her," Tae replied, stepping into the elevator and pressing the button for the first floor. "I'm just asking because we all know Jade could be using this as another cover-up to meet Bryan again."
"I doubt she'd risk using that same trick again, considering all the hell she endured from us for months," I said, leaning against the wall and scrolling through Instagram.
"I just don’t get why she felt the need to lie in the first place. It’s not like we would’ve tried to stop her from seeing Bryan..."
"Jimin, you know damn well that’s a bold-faced lie," Tae interrupted. "We all know we would've done everything in our power to prevent Jade from giving that bastard another chance to hurt her."
As the elevator halted on the fourth floor, a lively group of teenagers—three boys and two girls—bounded inside, followed by an elderly couple.
"Good morning," one of the teenage boys greeted us while the rest of his group laughed and chatted animatedly.
"Morning," Tae, Jimin, and I echoed in unison. Throughout the descent to the first floor, we remained quiet, with me mostly engrossed in my phone, checking emails and text messages.
When the elevator doors opened on the first floor, the teenagers rushed out, one of them nearly knocking over the elderly couple in their haste.
"That's teenagers for you these days," the elderly man remarked, steadying his wife by the waist. "No manners, no respect for their elders—or anyone else, for that matter."
YOU ARE READING
Playing With Fire
Fanfiction"I'll go into the kitchen to grab a few more glasses and snacks..." I started to say, but Jade linked her arm with mine and blurted out, "I'm coming with you." Turning to face her as soon as we were in the kitchen, I asked, "What's wrong? What have...
