Try-Hard, Sin Harder

25. Phonecall

When I awoke the next morning, something felt wrong. 

 The problem was that I didn't know what was wrong and who it was affecting. It was like there was an itch in the back of my mind that I couldn't scratch. I wracked my brain for any possible answers. Had I forgotten something at the beach the night before? 

 No. 

 Someone? 

 Maybe.

 Sighing at my discontent, I rose from my bed, careful not to wake Lukas. Only when I was certain he remained asleep did I leave the bedroom, closing the door behind me with a soft click. Stepping into my living room, I found several bodies snoring and huddled together. I counted seven. That meant all nine of us had returned from the beach. So then, why did I feel like something was amiss? 

 A low grumble sounded, and I turned to see Jin shift upright on the floor. He rubbed the back of his neck, peering around with sleepy eyes. "Where are we?" 

 I leaned against the doorway. "My apartment." 

 His eyes widened into saucers. Hastily, he scrambled to untangle himself from the mound of blankets and pillows I had thrown on the floor for them the night before. Jin shot to his feet, bowing low at the waist towards me. "We're so sorry, Keira! We didn't mean to intrude upon your home." 

 I giggled, and brought a finger to my lips. "Shh, you'll wake the babies." 

 "I'm...not a...bay....be..." Namjoon spoke in his sleep. 

 I covered my mouth to stifle my laughter. "He's such a narcissist, even in his sleep." 

 Chuckling, Jin swept his bangs from his eyes. He danced across the floor, bouncing over snoring bodies. Recognizing his expression, I jerked my thumb towards the hall behind me. "Bathroom's on the right." 

 He nodded, mumbled his thanks, and slipped down the hall. I let my gaze linger on him a little longer, before turning back to the other boys. Much to my shock, Taehyung was awake and staring at me. He tilited his head sideway, stroking Lexie who slept soundly in his lap. "What was that all about?" 

 "Nothing," I whispered. "I was just making sure he didn't go into my bedroom on accedent." 

 "Then why are your cheeks all red?" he asked, leaning forward. 

 "They're not!" I had to cup my hand over my mouth to keep myself from yelling out. 

 In three fluid movements, Taehyung was on his feet and walking towards me. I pressed back against the wall, using a hand to steady myself as he leaned forward. He brushed my hand from my mouth, and gently pulled my bangs back. Closing his eyes, he rested his forehead against my own. "Taehyung-oppa, what are you doing?" I asked in a shaky voice. 

 "Taking your temperature," he told me. 

 I pushed him away, but left my hands on his shoulders. "You don't need to do that, I'm perfectly fine." 

 "Your cheeks are even more red now," he said quietly. 

 "That doesn't necessarily mean I need you to check my temperature!" 

 He seemed almost hurt by my comment. In a voice barely more than a whisper, he said, "But you let Yoongi-hyung do it. So, why can't I?" 

 "Oppa, I-" 

 "Hyung? What are you doing?" 

 We turned to see Jungkook rubbing sleep from his eye. "I was checking her temperature. Her cheeks were all red."