The Secret Admirer (A Kim Taehyung fanfic)

12. Pancake syrup

We entered the class just as the bell rang, thank God for that. I grabbed my things quickly and headed to my locker. I wanted to get as far away from Jeong as possible. My mind was screaming different thoughts at me. I turned the dial and opened the door, when a small pink note fell to the ground. I knew exactly what this was. I shoved my books into my locker and picked up the note.

To Areum,
Sweet, thick syrup, a drop on your lip
Another taste, I wish I could sense.
Just one more time I wish I could hold you,
Maybe I could, as long as you don't who.

From your secret admirer.

Great. I found a bottle of pancake syrup, sitting in the middle of my locker. It was a bear-shaped bottle and it had a smaller heart shaped paper stuck to it. I ripped it of the bottle and read it: Areum, I like you.

The words rang in my head. I heard them before somewhere. Now that I think about it, Syrup? Another taste? This sounded familiar. I tucked the note into my phone and headed to the terrace with the syrup in my hand, not many people would go up there, it was quiet and the only free place I knew I could be alone.

I sprinted up the long flight of stairs and slammed the door behind me, panting, I caught my breath. It wasn't windy as usual, but it was still chilly. The wind blew my hair back as I sat down on the edge of the building, pouring the syrup into my mouth. Who could these notes be from? I pulled all three of the notes out and stared blankly at them.

I closed my eyes and the moment Jeong kissed me replayed in my head.

'Areum, I like you.'

His words replayed in my head. My eyes shot open and I stared at the notes. Maybe it was him. Who else could it be? The first note said he saw me everyday, which he does, every morning. The second message mentioned my dimples, and only Jeong does that. He also mentioned pancake syrup earlier this morning, and then moments later I find this bottle of syrup in my locker.

It had to be him. I closed my eyes and smiled. I was falling for Jeong. I couldn't stop that. I am still afraid, I don't want to the same thing my father did to my mother to happen to me, but I highly doubt that from Jeong.

I looked down and gulped it was a long fall from up here, perhaps this isn't the safest place to sit. Just as I was about to move someone had grabbed me by the shoulders, leaning my body forward. My heart skipped a few beats, I thought that this was the end of me. My vision got blurry but I was pulled back just in time, only to find Taehyung behind me. He laughed but I wasn't in the mood. I jumped onto him and clung my body round his, my heart still pounding. I was glad he was there but he didn't have to scare me to death like that.

I punched him on his chest, "What were you thinking, I could've died!" I shouted at him, my voice still weary.

He hugged me tight, "I would never let you fall." He said.

I didn't let him go, and we stayed like that for some time. He released me, but I clung to his arm and we walked to the middle of the open terrace into a safer placer. We didn't speak, Taehyung's eyes were on me, but I didn't look at him.

"Are you ok?" He asked, he guided my hand down to his and looked at me willingly.

"Jeong," I said, my voice quieter than earlier.

Taehyung's hand slowly released me, his facial expression changed, I couldn't quite make out what he was thinking.

"He kissed me." I said, I tried to be as quiet as I could, we were alone but I felt my voice could be heard over miles.

Taehyung's mouth hung open, "He kissed you?!" He screamed in shock.

My eyes widened by the sound of his yell that echoed in the open air. I covered his mouth, stopping more of his cries from escaping.

"Shh, did you have to say that so loud?" I whispered.

My hand slowly fell away from his face, his jaw still hung open. I looked down on the floor, I didn't hate the kiss, I don't know why, but I didn't.

"So?" He broke the silence.

My head shot up, "So, so what?" I asked, confused.

"Well, do you like him?" He asked, with curiosity in his voice.

My eyes widened, "Of course not." I retorted, at that moment Jeong's blue eyes appeared in my head again.

I slightly lowered my head causing my large bangs to fall in front of my face, I tried hiding my face but it didn't work.

"You do like him." He said, his face was blank and his eyes shot straight into me, he lifted my chin up, revealing my face again. I tried wiping the smile on my face and turned completely away from him. There was no point hiding it from him anymore. He's my best friend and probably can help figure out if my admirer is Jeong.

"That's not the only thing." I said, still facing away from him.

He grabbed me and turned me back to face him, "What else is there, tell me." He said, his fingers began to dig into my arms

I pushed him away and rubbed the sides of my arms.

"The secret admirer, I think it's Jeong." I said, hoping he wouldn't laugh.

"Oh." He said, plainly.

He seemed to be have been disturbed by something.

"Taehyung, are you ok?" I asked, my voice was quiet but it was worried.

He didn't answer, lost in his thoughts.

"Taehyung?" I called, walking towards him. But he moved away before I could shake him.

"I'm fine, I'll be going now." His words were quick, he didn't look back at me and quickly disappeared through the door.

My head tilted in confusion, what was wrong with him? I shrugged, assuring myself that it was him just being his weird self, as usual. I strolled out the door, smiling to myself. I went to where my feet took me and ended up at the basement. I seated myself at the piano and replayed every moment I shared with Jeong that morning.