Mirrors ◇ Joji x Reader

Intermission: Harlem

Two years ago
Thursday, December 3

As I stared in awe at the gold bricks in front of Apollo, ones with the names of music legends on them. Joji was more focused on walking downtown.

"Come on," He said, tugging my arm, "You just said this was near your school, right? You'll have plenty of time to come back here later."

I nodded as I continued to take on my surroundings. There were lots of vending tables here. Some sold sunglasses, others sold hats and earmuffs, and some even sold incense. The incense caught my attention, since it seemed like the source of that lovely scent I was smelling since I laid my eyes on the Apollo Theater.

We kept walking down for quite a while. Joji pointed out things he felt were worth mentioning. After about and hour, we finally reached where he wanted to take me.

"One of my favorite bubble tea places is here. It's a chain business so I just go to the one closest to me." Joji said as we walked down W 72nd street.

As we walked down, I took note of the subway station. I pass by this area every day on the 1 train and I never bothered to check this place out! We passed by a hot dog place and a Domino's. There were other buildings that didn't really catch my interest, but when we finally reached the store, it was way smaller than I expected.

"This is it? CoCo?" I tilted my head at the tiny establishment. "We can't even enter through together!"

"It's a small place, but you're not meant to stay in anyway. They don't really serve food here. You can wait outside while I order."

I did as told, tapping away at my phone. It didn't take Joji long, since he came out with a large bubble tea.

"I've never had bubble tea before... is it good?" I asked in intrigue.

"I mean, if you don't like tea, it won't really be your kinda thing. But you should try it anyway." He offered the cup to me.

I took a sip and was instantly shocked by the bombardment of flavor. The tea tasted very sweet, and yet, not too sweet at the same time. The milk blended with the tea perfectly, and the chewy stuff was the icing on the cake. The mild sweetness of the little dark brown balls added both contrast and texture to the mix.

"Hey, what's the chewy stuff at the bottom?"

"Those are tapioca pearls. They're pretty filling, so if you want to eat something else, I'd stay away from them."

I shook my head. "This is really good, I don't think I'd want anything after this. It would just be disappointing." I giggled. "What tea is this anyway?"

"Jasmine. It's their best one in my honest opinion." He nodded.

I took note of that in case I wanted to come back. Well, not in case. I'm definitely coming back.

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking downtown until we made it to Penn Station. I live in the suburbs, so that was my doorway in and out of Manhattan.

"Are you heading home now?" Joji asked. "It's still kinda early."

"I mean... I had fun today but you're still practically a stranger. Plus I gotta go home and search up YouTube videos for my math class... since you made me cut class..."

Joji made a face. "I didn't make you. I made a suggestion and you took it."

"Yeah, whatever." I smiled. "Hey, you live here, right? I'll probably see you again."

"Wow, you know nothing about this city. Uh, I live in Brooklyn but I hang out here sometimes. If anything I'll just stroll around Harlem or something if you really want to hang out again."

I snickered. "Is that how it works here?"

"Well, you know... you could check your phone also..." He smirked.

My eyebrow raised in confusion. "Huh?" I unlocked my phone to see I was following him on Instagram. "W-wait... how did you..."

He shrugged. "A magician never reveals his secrets." He chuckled and walked away.

He never left my mind after that day...

A/N: HELLO BABIES!!! I'M BACK! I'm so sorry for being away for so long but I had writer's block for the longest (plus college and blah blah blah). I finally decided to just make the interlude short and sweet. Do you guys even want these backstories? Would you want a Q&A instead? (Am I even popular enough for that lol I'm delusional) A little of both? Gimme ideas on interludes sweeties, your feedback means the world to me. Chapter 15 coming as soon as I can pump it out! Thank you darlings! 💜