Running In Circles // pjm.

Forthright

I woke up to the wildest pain in my ankles and I cursed softly under my breath to avoid waking the unconscious woman asleep next to me. Mia went all out on the alcohol, and carrying her home was a task. Taking her to her home would've been a whole ordeal, so I brought her to my house instead. I had stayed glued to her side for the rest of the night and so I knew just how wasted she had gotten. Jin helped me get her into the backseat of the car, where she instantly passed out. Praying to every deity out there, I sped through the streets, hoping she wouldn't throw up in my car. Luckily for me, she rushed to the bathroom just as soon as we entered the house, and I fixed her up and put her to bed. "You look so hot today, Tara. So good... everything so good... hair so good... where is your choker though... complete look... so good..." she had slurred before collapsing onto the bed. Rushing to the mirror to make sense of her drunken rambling, I realized my choker was missing. Shit. It probably fell when I- I shook my head. I wasn't going to think about it. The choker wasn't worth much, and I thought to simply replace it while getting ready for bed.

Going to bed, I only thought of the next day and what was to be done in it. But as soon as I fell asleep, my mind had planned to show me all of one set of luscious pink lips and slicked back blonde hair.

I made coffee for myself and Mia, leaving it on the stove, aware that she would be out for a lot longer. I sat on the couch and read the newspaper, while sipping my coffee when my phone rang. Answering it, I discovered that I had to go by the building to pick up a check from the office. Groaning inwardly, I dressed casually, not expecting to meet anyone at the building on that day.

Checking on Mia, I grabbed my keys off the nightstand and left, knowing that she would be asleep when I got back. I drove leisurely, cherishing my vomit-free car. Thank you to all the deities everywhere.

I walked into the building and headed straight for the money floor, where I had been only once before. We didn't frequent it for the simple reason that we never needed to. Walking onto the floor, I met with Hoseok and Yoongi who were headed into the same elevator. "Tara, hey!" they said in unison.

"Hoseok oppa, Yoongi oppa, hello. How come you guys are here? Like after last night I thought the building would be practically empty." I said.

"it is, kinda. Some of us had some recording to do and we were in a mood so we decided to do it today itself." Yoongi said, shrugging.

"Yeah, and none of us really drink that much so we were all feeling good about today." Hoseok added.

"Oh, that's so great to her. About the song and the alcohol. Good little boys." I smiled, patting Hoseok's shoulder.

"This kid, I swear..." Yoongi muttered and Hoseok just laughed.
"I gotta pick something up from the office, though, so I should get going. I'll see you guys!" I said.

They nodded and said goodbye and continued toward the elevator while I darted right into the office.

Clearing my account and taking my receipt, I left the office, determined to get home in the next 15 minutes. While I walked to the elevator, I heard my name being called from the room next to the office. Backtracking, I spotted Jae leaning on a table, multiple papers in hand, talking to a woman from accounting. Wait, what?

"Oh, hey..." I said, standing at the door, wondering if I should step in or just leave.

"Hey," he began, brushing the woman off, "you're on this floor."

"Yes, yes, I am. What are you doing here?" I asked, inching into the room. I guess this is a conversation now.

"Oh, I work in marketing. But you guys don't really come by here much so you wouldn't know." He laughed.

"Yeah... I didn't. I didn't know." I said, still feeling some discomfort from last night.

"So, listen... about last night," he began, "I was pretty hammered and I didn't mean to impose... I'm sorry if I was inappropriate." He said. If?

"Oh, um... I..." I didn't know what to say.

"But I won't apologize for trying, though. I do think you are beautiful." He said and shrugged.

"Oh! Uh... yeah, thanks. It's fine, I guess." I said, oozing confusion and discomfort.

"I really am sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he said and added, "why don't you sit?"

"Oh, no, I'm good. I just had to sign some paperwork so I'm gonna head home." I said, signaling toward the door.

"Oh, yeah most people are off today. Except for us." He shrugged.

"Yeah, I can see-" I began before I was interrupted by a voice all too familiar calling my name at the door. I felt butterflies going crazy in my stomach. Why is this happening today?