❝EARPHONES❞ ─ k.th

Chapter 007

On his way to class, he suddenly stopped in his tracks as he stood frozen on the spot. His eyes darted towards the scene as his ears perked upwards. He could recognise that manipulative voice anywhere: Jang Dahye. He already knew who she was prying on, it wouldn't take much to guess. The poor victim, Naeun. Anger began bubbling up inside of him, all clotting together as it prepared to fire out as one, ending up in a huge destruction. As much as he wanted to help Naeun, it would only make matters worse. For both Naeun and himself.

After he heard the final slap, he arose from his spot, ready to act despite all his hopes of helping himself and keeping his plan in line. He knew it would cost him a lot, maybe even set him back further but he couldn't bare hear such horrors happen to someone innocent, who had no intention of doing anything bad. However, just as he came around the corner, Dahye was nowhere to be seen, only a very upset Naeun clutching onto her face, hiding the slap mark from anyone that passed. Tears streamed down her face in agony as she tried analysing the situation that just took place but she ended exactly how she started: confused.

Not knowing how to react or more importantly, how she'd react, he sat beside her in silence as she continued to cry in pain. She turned her head slightly, finally taking notice of the boy whom sat there calmly, doing nothing but staring off into space, exploring his thoughts. "Did you hear everything?" Taehyung nodded his head hesitantly, not knowing whether he should answer truthfully. In response to his answer, her face grew a bright red out of pure embarrassment, with a slight tinge of anger to accompany it. She wondered why he had done nothing, why he stood there. It bothered her quite a bit, but that didn't distract her from the burning sensation spreading across her face.

"High school sucks," Taehyung spoke up abruptly, startling the quiet girl. He handed her his cold-water bottle as he gestured for her to place it on the place where she had been hit. "People suck."

She couldn't agree more with them, although she had said nothing. She was still in shock of everything.

"I'm sorry Naeun," he quietly admitted, staring at the girl with a look of sympathy glistening in his dark orbs that captivated her, whether she wanted to admit that or not.

"No don't be. I'm fine," she lied through a wonky smile, revealing all the dead-give always when lying. For a second he smiled at her awkwardness, finding it adorable yet weird. Adorably weird.

"No, you're not. You're suffering because I'm a coward," he sighed in a disappointed matter, knowingly very well that admitting to his doings could potentially ruin his plans. "Yesterday, I hadn't planned to go out with Dahye, she made it all up. I didn't plan for any of this to happen."

"'I didn't plan for any of this to happen'," she commented, "what do you mean, you didn't plan any of this to happen? Is my life a game to you?"

"'Another arrangement of mine is that you always do as I say without arguing, no matter what it is that I ask for. However, the one requirement that is most important to me is that you help me'," he reiterated perfectly, making her feel slightly dumbfounded as she stared at him with a look of surprise on her face. "No, I don't take your life as a game. And I will never mistake it for a game."

Taehyung groaned in frustration as he tried explaining how he felt, but nothing came out in words. He wanted to put her mind at ease but that would destroy everything he's working for. He wants to make a friend, a true friend. He wants to be able to rely on her, without a doubt or hesitation. He wanted her to look at him as a friend, not some douche making a fool out of her or a pretend friend. He wants her to meet him, the real Kim Taehyung. But he's getting nowhere. He is chasing his own tail. "I can't explain it now, but trust me Naeun. When time comes, I promise you that you will get to know everything and more. I just need time to think and lately, the only time I've been able to think clearly is when you are around me. Do you trust me Naeun?" he asked her sincerely as he stared at her with desperation, hoping she would respond positively.

She opened her mouth as she took in a deep breath, ready to reveal the truth. Although she hated to admit it, there was something about him that made her feel relaxed. She wanted to be mad at him, she wanted to be able to just say her peace and then leave. But he had her under a trance, not that he knew of. "Yes, I do trust you."

"Good," he answered in a jolly tone, his generous smile brightening up both the atmosphere and her attitude. "Now trust me and let me help you relax. I think I owe you some time, if I remember correctly."

He held out a hand, helping up Naeun after taking back his water bottle. The mark on her face was slowly fading away. All that remained was the redness caused by the cold temperature of his bottle, ultimately resulting in a red rash to appear. He sent her a generous smile, hoping for one in return, just to clarify that she was indeed fine. She sent him a tiny smile, barely noticeable. He was lucky he saw it appear on her face, it disappeared just as much as it appeared, all in a matter of milliseconds. "Come on, let's go."

After chatting away, they appeared right in front of Taehyung's choice of destination. It was a science museum, more importantly, the museum he knew would make Naeun happy. A contagious smile broke out onto her face, indicating she was more than ecstatic. Taehyung felt a rush of butterflies brew from within him, witnessing such pure happiness brought by him. At first, he was quite doubtful of the whole plan to take her out to the museum. What if she didn't have a passion for science? Would he have wasted all of his money for nothing? He was more than glad that she was enjoying herself thoroughly, despite not have entering the museum yet.

She eagerly grabbed a hold of his hand as she began tugging him towards the entrance, impatience flowing from within as excitement pumped through her veins. "Come on Taehyung, let's go explore!"

After paying at the registration in a short queue, he trailed behind her as she took over and became the leader. She would happily explain certain exhibits to Taehyung, whom pretended had no knowledge of it. He was in absolute awe, it was fascinating seeing how enthusiastic she was about science. If he knew sooner, he would have bribed her to join him at the science museum. He chuckled at the thought of how much easier things would have been. Why must he do it the most complicated way? The way her eyes sparkled with interest captivated him as her smile made him feel warm, a feeling he hadn't experienced in months. Little by little, he was beginning to forget about leaving positive impressions on her, instead he released the hidden boy that desperately wanted to be seen, to be noticed. He was feeling more comfortable around her, and she began noticing. The way he spoke was as gentle as a feather, kind with no trace of secrets lurking in the depths of his voice. The way he looked at her was no longer sharp and full of mystery but now soft and full of compassion. He was slowly becoming the Kim Taehyung he was achieving to be: happy, genuinely happy.

"Today was just," Naeun paused as she shook her hands together as they balled into fists before she released her fists, opening them up as she threw her hands up in the air, happiness exploding from within. "Today was absolutely amazing. Thank you, Taehyung."

He shrugged at her response, acting as if it was an everyday thing. His eyes thanked her, thanking her for allowing him to be himself for once. He missed the feeling of freedom, no pressure, just a carefree soul surfing in the waves of the wind, admiring his surroundings. "It's all my pleasure. Don't mention it."

"Taehyung?" she asked, the tone in her voice slightly stiffening, sounding more serious than before, yet she still managed to sound calm and happy. "Although the science museum was amazing, that wasn't exactly the highlight of my day. Spending it with you, the Kim Taehyung you showed me today, was the best part of it all. I know it's not my place for me to tell you how to behave or anything, but try to promise me you'll act more like yourself. No more secrets, no more hiding. I only want the real Kim Taehyung, not the facade you like to play. I want you to be happy, not forced to live in the shadows of your own grief. I know you want that too, your eyes say it all. Please start listening to the voice inside of you."

[ chapter seven ]