I drove back home angrily, ate some cereal angrily and went to bed, angry.
And that's what the next 7 days looked like. I went to work, compiled designs and shopped for the upcoming shows. Mia was extra attentive, compensating for her recent mistake. Doing most of the dirty work and just having me sign off. It made my job a lot easier so I didn't complain. She was older than me, and I was sort of her boss but both of us called each other by our first names. Taehyung, being my closest friend among the boys, dropped in a couple of times to look at the outfits and also harass me. On the day before we were to fly to Japan for the next set of shows, he invited me to the practice room to look at some of the group's exclusive tour choreography. It didn't take much convincing and we casually pranced down to the practice room, laughing and joking along the way.
"I've heard you sing, you know. When you think you're alone in the studio and you starting belting notes left and right." He said.
"Excuse me, if you want a performance, you're supposed to buy a ticket. Not creep on me in the studio." I responded.
"Why would I spend money when I could creep on you and get some raw, untouched talent with the added component of the thrill, of course." He said, elbowing me harshly.
"Well... what am I to expect from a creep... I'm just glad I know now, next time I'm going creep up on you and kick your butt." I said.
He laughed softly, "you could try. I would take you down so fast."
"Never underestimate your opponent, Taehyung-ssi. Your very first mistake will be this." I said.
"We'll see about that. But let's collaborate once, you have a cool blues tone so it could work. And also, stop calling me Taehyung-ssi, just say 'oppa', geez."
"I'd rather not, Taehyung-ssi."
"I know you call Yoongi hyung 'oppa'. Why can't you do the same with me?" he asked, all pouty.
"Because he's Yoongi oppa and you're you. Now give it up."
"Fine. But I'd rather you just called me Taehyung then. We're close enough and Taehyung-ssi is just too... bleh." He said, making a face.
I laughed at him. "Okay then, Taehyung-ssi. Oh, oops- Taehyung. Now let's go see what you have prepared for me." I said, while he ushered me into the room.
As soon as I walked in, my eyes locked with Jimin and I froze. Park freaking Jimin. Oh man, I didn't even realize. "oh, shit- sorry. What is it?" Taehyung asked, curiously. My coming to an abrupt halt had caused him to collide with me from behind. "Nothing," I said, finally averting my gaze, "good luck, don't screw up." I said.
I walked over to the managers and politely greeted them. Taking a seat by Chae noona, I watched the boys get ready for their final practice. I took a deep breath and smiled at the boys, winking at Hoseok-ssi. He giggled and they dove into the routine. Each one of them was extremely focused and totally devoted. And all of them were sweating like horses. Jimin was leading the choreography, so no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't keep my eyes off him. At one point when he made eye contact with me, I held his gaze till him doing a pirouette broke it. Fucking Park Jimin. I wasn't going to cower but I couldn't wait to get out of Bighit either.
The boys finished their routine with precision and I joined the dancers in cheering extra loud. Taehyung, Jin and Yoongi approached me and I stood up to congratulate them, telling them how good the choreography was and laying special emphasis on how hot Jin looked. He returned my compliment by blushing slightly and then throwing me a hand kiss, which I caught and pretended to shove in my pocket. While Taehyung cried "what about me?" in the background. Yoongi snorted loudly, "Why do you encourage him, Tara? Why?"
"Because he deserves it! Look at this visual!" I exclaimed. Jin was 3 feet off the ground now.
"She appreciates real beauty. She knows what's up. Be more like her." He said, high fiving me.
"If you guys are done flirting around, Hoseok needs us for the formation." A harsh voice emerged from behind Jin.
"Geez, Jimin-ah, let us catch a breath." Yoongi said.
"Well, I have to go finish the lineup before 8 so I should get going. Congratulations, you guys. It looks great. I'll see you all tomorrow." I said, taking a couple of steps back but facing them and acknowledging the 'thank you's and 'bye's, noting that everyone responded except Jimin. Not surprising.
I turned around and walked out of the practice room heading to the higher floor where the studio was. Walking in, I noticed that the lineup was ready and Mia was busy tidying up the studio. Geez, she must feel really guilty.
"What are you doing?" I asked, cross checking the outfits on the racks.
"Oh, hey. I arranged the lineup according to your folder so we're done for today! I was just clearing some of the mess in here before we left." She said, smiling brightly.
"Mia, it's okay. You don't have to do all of this. We're good." I said, sighing. I did practically nothing for the last 7 days. I might have been feeling a little guilty.
"No. you bore the brunt of my mistake. I should make it up to you." She said, confidently.
"Okay, sure, but you're freaking me out a little. I need friend-Mia back." I said.
"She never left, Tara." She said, walking toward me. "I really am sorry. I'm glad you're still here and I'm glad I didn't lose my job." She said.
"Yeah, me too. No more surprises now, cool?" I said, holding her hand.
"Cross my heart." She said, attempting to pull me into a hug.
"NO HOMO!" I yelled. "Don't get all soft on me, what the fuck." I said.
She laughed, "someday you'll get soft, too, Tara. And I can't wait to see it!" she yelled.
"Never, bitch. I'm gangsta as fuck." I said, continuing checking the racks of clothing.
"Okay, okay, we'll see." She said, hovering behind me in case anything was out of place.
YOU ARE READING
Running In Circles // pjm.
Fanfiction"I want... I- stay. I want you to stay," I stuttered the words, admitting them softly. "You come by and then you leave. You don't stay. You don't stay with me. So I want-" He stormed onto me, taking my face in his hands and assaulting my lips with h...
