A Silent Lover

8. TaekWoon

I was nervously taking long pulls from my latte, sucking up the sweet drink before Imani had even taken a sip of her tea. I felt my hands tremble just a little as we stared at each other, neither one of us saying anything. I had been afraid of this, this silence coming over us.

When we had been talking, this had been the best date that I'd ever gone on. Our conversation had flowed nicely after some initial embarrassing moments. And even though I had sort of glossed over the fact that I was an idol, Imani hadn't pushed me to do anything or say anything that might have revealed who I was. But now conversation had slowed and I was stuck.

I looked down at my phone, trying my hardest to look inconspicuous. I never knew how to act on dates and this one was probably the most important I would ever go on. What it was between myself and Imani was more than just a passing attraction; I was drawn to Imani like a plant to light.

I wanted her to shine on me, I wanted her in my life. But I didn't know how to talk to a girl about... Well, anything really. So, I had looked up some conversation starters, things that I could say that would help me get to know her. Now I just had to read my phone's screen without her noticing.

"What do you like to do for fun?" I asked her, crossing my legs to hide my phone beneath them.

"I think you already know," she said with a wink.

My ears grew hot and I guess I'd walked into that one. "Well, besides reading and watching TV."

"I mostly do those two though I like to draw sometimes when my hands feel the need to be busy and puzzles too. Having a problem to work on that becomes something pretty afterwards is fun. Otherwise, I just hang out with JaeHyun."

"You don't go out, play with your friends?"

"Not too much anymore," she said with a shake of her head. "A lot of my friends are still into clubbing and going out on group dates. I'm not really into those things anymore. A quiet night at home with takeout and a book sounds like much more fun."

I had to admit that I was surprised; Imani seemed so much more of an adult than I had previously thought. And I could relate on some level to her feelings. Even when I was active with my members, I would usually have my headphones on, listening to music or reading. I liked to have fun like everyone else, but my pleasure was something I could obtain on my own.

"For some reason I'm curious about you, TaekWoon," Imani said, breaking into my reverie. 

"There's nothing special about me," I manage to tell the small lie with barely a flinch.

"Then let me ask you some questions," she says. 

I shake my head in a nod to go ahead and she wastes no time.

"You seem to like coffee a lot," she says pointing to my almost empty cup. "What is coffee to Jung TaekWoon?"

"Coffee is like life to me," I say seriously. "I need it to live."

"Really? How much coffee do you drink a day?"

"Mm... maybe eight or nine cups on a regular day. More if I'm busy," I say casually.

"Oh my God TaekWoon, that can't be healthy. You should try to cut back some... It'll stunt your growth," she said jokingly.

A smile flickered on my face before it became normal again; I was a little over six feet, Imani was definitely amusing.

"Ok, next question. Where's your favorite place to go?"

"I like parks," I told her without thinking.