Be My Escape (Vkook/Taekook)

1

Taehyung

I scuffle along the side of the road peering into shop windows. My fingers are busy at my sweatshirt strings, tugging and fiddling. A flower filled storefront catches my eye and my eyes travel up to see a petite café. I approach it and run my fingertips along the tops of the minitiaure daisies decorating the sides.

I inhale their light floral scent, peeking in the window to see how crowded it is.

There's a few people inside, but most of the tables are open. I grip the front of my hoodie in my hands and give it a comforting squeeze before walking in, focusing on looking forward at their menu placed neatly on a large screen. The colorful interior and intense smell of the cafe make me cringe slightly, but I shake my head, trying to get past it.

At the counter, a cheerful worker greets me with a smile that makes her eyes nearly disappear, "Hello, what would you like today?"

My fingers weave tightly around my sweatshirt strings; stare at her forehead, not directly at her eyes.

I take a deep breath, skimming over the menu, "Uh, an original milk tea and a chocolate chip waffle please."

She nods, taking down the order and I hand over my card, fumbling with it as I give it to her. "Can I get a name for that?"

"Oh, uh, Taehyung."

"Alright, will that be all?" I give her a smile and a nod, taking the receipt and walking to an empty table.

I exhale a shaky breath, shutting my eyes momentarily. That was good, nothing has gone wrong...yet

When my name gets called I head up to the counter again, the steady tap, tap, tap of my fingers against my thigh keeping me calm.

"Thank you", I smile at the woman, taking the bag with my waffle from her. When I see the drink come after I sigh.

I had wanted to take everything to go, but it looked like I would have to stay here. Taking both items would make my hands full, I hate having my hands full.

The paper bag probably couldn't hold the drink, and asking for a bigger bag or a holder might upset the lady.

I avoid the woman's eyes as I place the drink back on the counter and take the items back to my table one by one.

I begin to eat silently, focusing on the motions of my chewing. I take note to reorder the waffles and to get half sugar on the tea for the next time. I smile softly at the memory of Jimin telling me it was a miracle that at least my sense of taste isn't too finnicky.

Time passes slowly and I watch people pass by the store, occasionally dropping in. Slowly more customers flow in, and the seats in tables around me begin to fill up. I glance nervously at them, my eyes darting towards the door which has become blocked slightly by the line at the counter. If I tried to escape, would I bump into someone?

My eyes move around the room but there seem to be people everywhere.

Deep breaths, deep breaths.

I try to tune out the noise around me. My eyes close shut and-

"Hey, mind if I sit here?"

The rushing in my ears stops abruptly. I open my eyes to see a guy with raven black hair and a black beanie looking at me. I blink at him, feeling intimidated by those large brown eyes, staring into mine.

He scratches the back of his neck awkwardly, "Um, if you're waiting for someone or something I understand-"

"No!" I pause after my sudden outburst, feeling my face flush and my fingers digging small crescents into my palm. "I mean, you can sit there."