Girl Friend // Park Jimin

4 - Two

Jungkook, Tae and I have been playing League for 3 straight hours. My eyes were barely open. There was no way I was getting up before noon tomorrow.

I throw down my mouse. "Quest complete!" My jaws stretch into a yawn. "I need to go back and get some sleep."

On the beanbag, Suga makes a noise of approval. Although, I wasn't sure if he was just dreaming or what.

"Leaving already? You should stay a little longer, Bomi," Hoseok suggests.

"Stay! One more hour!" pleads Tae.

Jungkook whispers into Tae's ear.

"Please...noona?" Tae begs.

Noona? He never calls me that. I looked into Taehyung's puppy eyes and rectangle smile. My heart melts. How could I say no to that?

"Fine. One more hour." I glance around for Jimin. He's still nowhere to be found.

Next to me, Jungkook gives me a bear hug, and Tae bounces in his seat excitedly. Jin puts down the book he was reading.

"Jungkookie-ah. You have to go to study," he says.

"Awwwww! Wae???" Jungkook whines.

"You have a test in the morning."

"But I don't wanna! I can study later." The youngest pouts.

"I'll make you apple rabbits," Jin barters.

A cute bunny smile spreads across his face. "Deal."

The two guys jump from their seats and lock themselves in Jungkook's room.

I look around the room. Hoseok, Taehyung, Suga, and I were the only people left in Jimin's living room. Without Jungkook's energy, it suddenly seemed so empty. Usually Taehyung was enough, but he was practically asleep at this point. Wait. Where was Namjoon?

I turn to Hoseok and ask him my question.

"He went out with Jimin a while ago. You were playing League so you probably didn't notice. You get really intense when you play." Hoseok chuckles.

Oh. I felt a little prick in my chest. Jimin and I always spent our birthdays together. Why was this year different? Were we drifting further apart? No way. I swatted the thought away. He probably just wanted to spend some time with Namjoon. Yeah, that was it.

Beside me, Taehyung lets out an enormous yawn. His head collides with my shoulder. A piece of hair falls into the middle of his forehead. Affectionately, I tuck the lock back. What a cutie.

I watch his long hair rustle with each breath. Gently, I nudge him with my shoulder. "Tae, you should sleep in your room."

He stirs and makes a little puppy noise. "Mmmm."

"Come on. Your neck will get really stiff if you sleep like this." I nudge him again.

Taehyung blinks an eye open. "Will you come with me?"

My cheeks redden. My gaze roams the room and lands on sleeping Suga. "No, but Suga will go with you."

Suga twitches at the mention of his name.

"If you can get Suga to move, I'll sleep in my room," challenges Tae.

Challenge accepted. I tiptoe my way toward Suga's curled up body. The closer I got, the more Suga looked like a cat. His body coiled up. His cheek resting against an arm. An ear toward the ceiling. I bring my mouth an inch above Suga's ear and cup my hand. This would only work if my suspicion was correct: that he was actually aware of everything going on around him. As softly and clearly as I can, I whisper.

The corner of his mouth curves up. I was correct. Suga rights himself.

"I won't forget," he murmurs as he slinks into Tae's room.

I gesture at Tae.

"Your turn."

Tae's mouth hangs open. A newfound respect shines in his eyes. For the moment, I let myself bask in it.

"Maldo andwae! What did you say to him? Threats? Bribes?" the dumbstruck boy asks.

Sell my soul to the devil? Maybe.

"Magic." I say instead, wiggling my fingers.

Tae laughs.

"Goodnight, noona."

I'm starting to like the sound of that. "Goodnight, Tae."

I sigh and sink back into the comfy couch.

"And then there were two." Hoseok plops into Tae's spot next to me.

"I guess so."

A silence fills the space between us. It wasn't awkward, but it seemed like Hoseok wanted something from me.

"So...are you two...dating?"

My heart skips a beat. "Who?" I had a feeling I knew who.

"You and Jimin. You guys seem pretty close." Hoseok crosses two fingers.

"Oh. No, no, no. We're not dating." I wave my hands in front of me.

"Oh good. That means I've still got a shot."

"What did you say?" I was too focused on the thought of Jimin and I dating to hear Hoseok.

"I just asked if you wanted to take a shot with me," he says.

I blinked at his straightforwardness. "S—sure."

Hoseok disappears for a minute and reappears with two shot glasses and a small green bottle tucked under his arm.

"Classic soju sound good?"

"Anything with alcohol will make me feel better."

Hoseok hands me a shot glass filled to the brim with clear liquid. The sharp alcohol scent tingles my nose. We clink glasses.

"Cheers."

"Cheers."

I down the soju. My eyes close reflexively. I grit my teeth at the burning sensation traveling down my esophagus.

"That was strong. Erp!"

I open my eyes. Hoseok's face is inches away from mine. I can see the alcohol cloud his irises. A pink flush tints his cheeks. His eyes flicker to my mouth. His hair tickles my forehead. The aroma of soju is all around us.

And then his lips meet mine.