His Lady ▪KSJ fanfic

New Friend and Old Fears

She'd never been a fan of crowds.
Mostly because she wasn't a fan of people and skinship with random strangers.
She loved hugs and cuddles but those came from family and friends and the very idea of coming in contact with sweaty strangers was terrifying.
So when she found herself in Club V - the hottest club in the city, as Jenna called it - she wanted to turn and run back to her book, her cup of tea and most importantly, her bed.
But she'd given her word and she wasn't one to go back on deals or promises.
Also, Melissa had threatened to tackle her if she even thought about escaping before her two hours were up.
And thus, she sat at the bar, nursing a glass of cherry soda - the bartender didn't hesitate to laugh when she ordered it - alone.
Jenna and Melissa had stuck to her within the first half hour but left soon after, telling her they needed to mingle and so should she.
Knowing that wasn't going to happen, she ordered a drink and took a seat, praying for time to speed the hell up so she could get out of this hormone infested death trap.
"That's mean. Some people actually like being here."
She looked up and blushed, noticing the bartender from earlier.
"I'm sorry. My friends dragged me here and I'd much rather be anywhere else."
He laughed, a light, airy sound that made her smile as she listened to it and said,
"I figured. I'm sorry you're not having fun."
She tilted her head to the side. "It's not your fault. Besides, I'll be out of here in …" She glanced at her watch, "One hour, fifteen min - oh come on! That long?"
Her head hit the bar with a slight thud as she let out a groan.
"Maybe I can help. I've been know to be extremely distracting." He smiled, leaning on his elbows to look down at her face.
"Really? Let me guess - because you're hot?" She glared at him.
"I was going to say weird and almost alien but that works too."
She couldn't help it, his expression was too funny. She laughed out loud, instantly slapping her hands over her mouth as people turned to glare at her.
"I'm Taehyung." The bartender smiled, holding out a hand.
She grinned and shook it. "Alexa. But you can call me Lexi. All my friends do."
"So Lexi … What would you have preferred your Friday night to be like?"
She didn't even need to think as he just asked what she had been dreaming of since she stepped in through the door.
"Quiet. Peaceful. I'd probably being in bed or in the living room, watching a movie or reading a book while I stuff my face with unhealthy snacks. Or sipping a cup of sugary tea. I like sweet things."
She suddenly leaned forward as someone bumped into her and walked off without an apology.
"The best part is, I'd be alone. I hate people sometimes." She added, glaring in the direction the rude person left.
"So… A quiet, loner type, huh?" He mused resting his elbows against the counter as his hands held his head up.
With a sigh, she took a sip of her soda. "Not particularly. I actually don't like being alone. But somehow, I always am. There isn't really a lot I can do about that, so I've just learned to live with it. And I'm very noisy once I get out of my shell. I'm the noisiest among my friends."
"Same." Taehyung grinned, placing a bowl of cherries on the counter and pushing it toward her with a finger.
"Um …" she muttered unsure of what to say.
"On the house. Along with your drinks so order whatever you want."
Why was he being so nice?
"Thank you, but I don't want you to get in trouble."
He shook is head, picking up a cherry and tossing it into his mouth - stalk and all - before replying.
"It's fine. I can get away with anything. For I am -" he paused, striking a super hero pose, " - an absolute cutie who can do no wrong."
It was stupid. And cheesy. But she laughed anyways.
She had to admit, this was the best conversation she's had with a total stranger in a long time.
Yes, she'd talked to random strangers before for more than two minutes.
"What's it like, being a bartender?" she asked with a smile as he refilled her glass.
"Fun. I feel like a wizard. Each shot of tequila, glass of scotch, whiskey or margarita is like brewing different potions - each with a unique super power and consequence. It makes me feel invincible."
Okay, not quite the response she was looking for but it was definitely the most interesting.
"That sounds... weird, but you seem content. I'm glad you're happy. I hope you won't get in trouble for not serving other customers." she said, noticing the flirty smiles being through his way from all sides of the bar.
"Nah. I pretty much do whatever I want around here."
"Are you friends with the owner?"
He smirked, "Something like that. I hope you don't mind me keeping you company. I can't see someone alone and simply let them be. My brother says I think of myself as a friendly neighbourhood cheer giver. He's not wrong but he could've found better words to describe my personality, instead of stealing spider man's slogan."
"I think it's nice you go out of your way to be sweet to people. I actually expected pick up lines and bad jokes when it seemed like you were interested in me."
He visibly blanched.
"Firstly, I have a girlfriend. She is the kindest, most beautiful and caring person you'd ever meet and I love her. I would never even think of hurting my baby!" he paused, noticing the odd grin on her face.
"I'm not saying you're not attractive - you're really pretty! But I'm taken, so... um... And - if I really was interested in being more than friends, I wouldn't have flirted with you. No bad jokes either - that's more up Jin's alley. I would have been weird and clumsy and you would fall for me in an instant. Right after I fall on my face probably."
She laughed, finding the whole conversation hilarious,
"You're sweet. Your girlfriend is lucky to have someone like you by her side."
He shrugged, his cheeks turning a noticeable shade of red - even in the slightly dim room.
"I think I'm the lucky one. Anyways, if - and I seriously doubt it - you find my suspicious curiosity overwhelming and you need a friend , I have a friend who is literally like warm sunshine who would absolutely love to hang out with you."
She raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to set me up with your friend?"
"What? No. Hobi hyung is too busy to date. But he's always got time for nice, circumstance enforced loner girls."
She blinked. "I'll take that as a compliment."
He gave a box like grin as he poured some clear liquid into a glass and took a sip.
"So … do you have a boyfriend?"
Her smile faltered and she shifted in her seat. "No."
"Huh."
She frowned at the first short response she'd received from him since they'd begun talking.
"What's with that? What's going on in that weird head of yours?"
"I'm just wondering how that's possible." He shrugged lazily. "I mean - you're pretty attractive. And funny. And smart. Any guy would be lucky to have you and yet, you're sitting in a club, nursing a glass of soda. All by yourself."
She playfully pouted. "I thought you were keeping company."
He instantly jumped to his defense. "I am! I just think … you deserve someone who'd worship you with all of his heart. As much as I'd like to, I can't be here for you forever. You deserve forever."
His kind words warmed her heart and brought tears to her eyes.
"Thank you, Taehyung -"
"Hey, isn't that Lexi?"
At the sound of the familiar voice, she froze.
No. Please God, no. She closed her eyes, mentally praying she was just hearing things.
"It's her! I thought she didn't do clubs! Hey man, that's your girl."
Fear instantly began to spread from her spine to the rest of her body.
"Lexi? Are you okay?" Taehyung asked in a worried tone but she couldn't respond.
She couldn't move. She was barely breathing.
Because that voice definitely belonged to Zach Walsh - a guy in her class.
And if Zach was here, then he had to be close by.
Even when she knew it was coming, even as she expected it, she still wasn't ready when it arrived.
"Lexi?"