Taemin in real life.

Part 5

I woke up in a mild panic. I wasn't sure of the time but my internal clock sensed it was late in the day. My phone was buzzing somewhere. I reached around the bed grabbing for it, my eyes still closed.

I rubbed my face as I opened my eyes adjusting to the light. I looked at the time 11.30am. This was late for me. I had several texts from Jonghyun.

J: So, did it work?

J: Why are you ignoring me?

J: Are you still asleep?

J: Fuck is wrong with you Taemin.

J: ANSWER ME.

J: TAEMIN ANSWER ME RIGHT NOW, WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP. Did you talk to blondie?

J: OOIIIIIIIIIIIII

Several more texts went on similarly. I sighed at myself still waking up.

T: Yes, I met her, but not with your bullshit advice. Seriously how do you get women with shit like that dude?

BEEP BEEP

J: Sexual magnetism. 😉

J: So? Was she a crazy one? Normal? Or does she come from Mars and like strange looking Korean boys?

I paused thinking how to word what happened while he continued to bug me for a response.

T: Seems normal. Doesn't seem to recognise me. I met her in a bar, she asked for a cigarette and I gave her one.

Instantly.

J: You gave her one huh? :P CIGARETTES THOUGH? You don't smoke? What's with that?

T: Long story.

J: I have hours sweetheart.

I sighed again.

T: She smokes, I saw her in the coffee shop smoking, bought a pack, don't ask why. I have no idea what I was thinking. I got one out when I saw her again and she asked for one. She basically started talking to me.

J: Smooth. Using props. SERIOUSLY THOUGH a smoker? That's not cool. She began talking to you? Sounds weird to me.

He sent me a lot of stickers and gifs highlighting his points about smoking and weirdos that I chose to ignore.

I was thirsty and I was definitely in dire need of brushing my teeth to get the rancid smoke taste out of my mouth. He was right smoking was not cool and it could affect my voice which wasn't going to go down well with the managers.

I decided to shower while I was in the bathroom anyway. I felt sticky and tired. I walked around the massive villa trying to find things to entertain me. I flicked the tv on which I turned off after a few minutes flicking past every channel there seemed to be. I put music on but I couldn't even drown out my own thoughts with it and it quickly began to irritate me. I walked into the room set aside with music equipment and put everything down I picked up within seconds.

I knew of course why I couldn't focus. The reason was glaringly obvious. What wasn't obvious was why this girl? I had met so many beautiful women all over the place, from other artists, people I grew up with, people I worked with, fans even. Just because they were fans didn't stop us admiring a beautiful woman when she crossed our paths.

But why was this one in my head?

I decided the only thing I could do was go back to the coffee shop and hope to 'accidentally' bump into her again. Maybe I would see her and realise she wasn't as beautiful as I had imagined. Maybe the smoking put me off enough to not think about her any more. I was getting irritated. I wanted peace and found myself more at odds with myself than ever because of her. I hadn't had the brain power the previous evening the ask for her number, but I decided not to dwell on that realising even if I did have the brain power I probably wouldn't have had the confidence to anyway.