The Angel in the Black Sweater | Kim Taehyung

Chapter 3: C is for Cold

7:43 am.

I have been talking to him for a week now. Every week day, twice a day, on the tramway. Huh, that rhymed. My inner monologue is getting better by the second. Our conversations went from music to ethical issues to school to parents to depression to anxiety to pizza to bananas to celebrity musical impressions. Did I mention that our music taste was very similar? It ranged from The Wiggles to Rock Bands, to Jazz to Kpop. I told him multiple times that he looked like V from BTS, but he just laughed. 

"I'm nowhere as cool as him" he said. "Plus, his hair was dyed blonde, mine is real"

"I'm pretty sure I see dark roots up there" 

"Oh wow my hairdresser really did do a shitty job... considering that the hairdresser is my little brother" he said.

I found myself not wanting our conversations to end.

I was more and more comfortable around him as the days passed and our talks continued as we got closer.

"Isn't it funny how people are hidden under all these layers of clothes? I mean they look like..."

And at that point the most wonderful thing happened. I will never forget it. We both said at the same time:

"...penguins"

I thought I was the only one who thought it was funny seeing these people waddle around the town in their 87525 layers of clothes. We bursted out laughing, and I swear, when this boy smiles, I don't have another care in the world. It shines like the sun. I'm not talking about the brightness of his teeth, because yeah he could be in a Colgate commercial but that's not the point. His mouth is a bit box-shaped when he laughs or smiles, and I love it. When he's sad or hurt, or at least talks about it, my heart sinks every time.

One day, he asked me:

"Do you want to talk more than just twice a day?"

To which I responded:

"We could go to a concert or a restaura-..."

"I'd rather we meet here again" he interrupted.

"During the night?" I asked, surprised.

"When it rides and when it doesn't" He smirked.

I didn't understand when he told me at first. He then explained we should meet in the tram when it's not running, when it's parked at the station. I was unsure at first, scared actually. I guess he saw it on my face because he laughed and hugged me suddenly.

His arms tightly wrapped around me made me feel so safe, I never wanted to leave. I could feel every inch of him. His fingers, the rest of his body pressed against mine, the smell of pine trees on his sweater. I wondered why he took an interest in me. Perhaps it was only friendly. I wanted to go with him, I mean I was 17 and boring after all, what hurt would a small rebellious nighttime adventure with a cute boy do?

With his lips near my ear he murmured softly, sending vibrations gentle chills through my body.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you, I promise"

Then he broke away and smiled, holding both of my shoulders in his hands. He leaned down and looked me in the eyes. 

"Midnight. In front of the door" he gestured with his head towards the front door of the tram, and his eyes sparkled as he flashed a quick smile.

And so I stepped down off of the tram and he waved me goodbye. I wanted that wave to be the last time he ever said goodbye to me. Because of that feeling when I'm around him, it drives me wild. I lose all control over my body, and I think he knows it. I don't want to seem foolish, but I don't ever want to leave him. Is that so wrong? It's been too long since I've drowned in someone's arms, too long since I've felt I had something to live for.