The Last Boy Scout

43

(September 1)

As you get older, you look less forward to your birthday. Some people don't like getting older, others think it's a pain. For me, I don't like my birthday because it makes me sad; it brings back so many memories that I wish I could live again, but I know I can't. This year is especially hard, because so many people left and I know there are still two more important people in my life who need to go as well.

I wake up feeling sick and tired. I check my phone and it is 3 in the afternoon; half of my day has been wasted sleeping. It doesn't matter, because I didn't want to do anything in the first place.

I wasn't surprised to see notifications from Taehyung, who was in Jeju meeting Jihae's family. I decided to call him back.

"What have you been doing all day, birthday boy?" Taehyung laughs. "Why do you finally call back now?"

"Sorry," I say sheepishly. "I just woke up,"

"You just woke up?" Taehyung repeats. "I thought you were out doing stuff or... I don't know, out with someone,"

"Who would I be out with?"

"I don't know, one of your Seventeen hyungs or Seokyeon." Taehyung guessed. "It's your birthday, you should do something special with someone special."

"I suppose," I rub my eyes and finally realized how hungry I was.

"I'm sorry I'm not in town to spend time with you on your birthday," Taehyung apologizes sincerely.

"No, it's all good," I reply. I didn't like birthdays, anyway. "I know you're busy and all,"

"Hey, Jihae says happy birthday by the way," Taehyung adds.

"Tell her I say thanks and hello~" I say cheerfully. When I was first introduced to Jihae at the airport, she was so caring and I felt as though I've known her for awhile. I wonder if she's older than me so I can call her my noona.

"Have you heard from Jimin recently?" Taehyung asks curiously.

"I-I'm not sure," I stutter. I didn't check my other notifications yet.

"What do you mean you're not sure?"

"I-I don't think so,"

"Why do you keep stuttering?" My heart sank because I was starting to feel awkward. I shouldn't be stuttering.

"I'm tired,"

"Mhm..." Taehyung wasn't buying it. "So, what are your plans? How are you gonna spend the rest of the day?"

"I'll just eat out and sleep again," I shrug, even though Taehyung can't see me.

"Haha, no." Taehyung sighs. "You have to spend the day with someone or at least do something. You're turning what, twenty?"

"Twenty-six," I correct. "But thank you,"

"Aish, you're still so young." Taehyung remarks. "Anyway, who are you spending it with?" I can just imagine the wide smirk on his face.

Truthfully, I wanted to spend time alone. By myself. If I were to do something, I would go to the park Namjoon hyung used to take me to all the time and skip pebbles by the river there. If Taehyung weren't in Jeju, I would spend time with him, and something deep down inside me is the idea of spending time with Jimin. Even apologize if he's mad at me or whatever.

"Well...?" Taehyung was starting to grow impatient.

"I'll be fine on my own, relax," I admit.

"Are you sure?" Taehyung sounded sorry for me. I didn't see why. "I can even call Jimin for you, if spending time with Seo-"

"No, no," I cut him off. "I'm fine. Seriously, I just want to reflect today. I don't want to celebrate."

"Alright..." Taehyung says teasingly. "Your loss,"

---

Well, I was smart and decided to call Jimin.

"Annyeonghaseyo, this is Jimin," he said blankly as he picked up his phone for the first time in ages.

"Jimin..." I tried to contain my excitement. It's been forever since I've called or talked to him, but at the same time I was mad because he purposely doesn't pick up my calls. Not even Jimin can be that busy. Besides, he already signed his papers.

"Jiminnie, where are you? I haven't talked to you in so long..."

"I know..." he says matter-of-factly. "I can't talk right now, Jungkook, I'm sorry. I have important things to do."

"Alright," a lump in my throat started to form. I felt as though Jimin just answered the phone because he thought me calling him was annoying. He probably forgot my birthday, but even if he didn't, it's not that big a deal.

There's a short silence. "I'll stop bugging you now," talking to Jimin didn't feel the same as it did before. "See ya,"

"Yeah, see ya..." Jimin repeats. His voice is monotone. I'm about to click End Call when he interrupts. "Oh yeah, by the way, happy birthday."

So he didn't forget.

"Thanks," I laugh hesitantly.

"You deserve the world." Jimin says.

"What does that mean...?"

But Jimin already hung up.

---