Spring Day // Kim Taehyung ( V )

Chapter 8 - first weekend (day 2)

It was already 5:00 p.m.—a surprisingly slow and uneventful weekend. I'd spent most of the day lost in YouTube videos and drifting into unintentional naps. The hours seemed to blur together, and I couldn't help but feel how dull the weekend had become. Maybe I'd gotten used to hanging out with the girls on weekends; now, with them busy elsewhere, I felt stranded in my own boredom.

I hesitated before turning off my phone after finishing the latest Riverdale episode. The hunger that had been simmering grew stronger, but dinner wouldn't be ready until seven. Deciding to kill time, I headed downstairs to find a snack.

The sound of music drifted from Namjoon's studio, loud and energetic. The boys were already deep into their songwriting, their voices and beats filling the hallway. I couldn't get a proper nap earlier because of the noise, so I decided to head to the kitchen instead.

"Hey, Mom," I called out, opening the fridge and grabbing some strawberries from the crisper. "What are you up to?"

She looked up from chopping vegetables, a gentle smile on her face. "Just preparing dinner. The boys will be joining us tonight, so I need to get everything ready. You know how much they eat."

I nodded, suppressing a sigh. Great. I'd be stuck with Taehyung until then. Just what I needed. I grabbed the strawberries, feeling a flicker of annoyance, and retreated back to my room.

Boredom gnawed at me. I had no plans, no one to talk to. The girls were busy with something I wasn't invited into, and I didn't want to intrude on Namjoon's studio. Plus, Taehyung—him. His presence made me uncomfortable, especially after the way he'd acted earlier. He'd seemed so charming at first, but now I'd seen a different side of him—cocky, dismissive, almost as if he was trying to push me away. I'd always thought he was kind, friendly even, but that illusion was crumbling fast.

Suddenly, my mom's voice echoed from downstairs. "Dinner's ready!"

I shut my laptop with a sigh and made my way down, instinctively avoiding the hallway where Taehyung sat. As I approached the staircase, I caught sight of him—giving me that familiar, unreadable look—and I quickened my pace, eager to put some distance between us.

In the dining room, Jin was seated beside me, offering a calm, reassuring presence. Across the table, Taehyung's expression was tense, but he kept his composure.

"So, how's the song coming along, boys?" my mom asked, breaking the silence as everyone settled into their seats.

The atmosphere surprisingly relaxed, not as awkward as I'd anticipated. The boys shared updates on their progress, their enthusiasm genuine. It was easy to forget the tension earlier, replaced instead by the warmth of shared goals and friendship.

Then my mom shifted the conversation. "I heard the boys are planning a trip to the beach tomorrow for J-Hope's birthday," she said casually, eyes twinkling. "Wouldn't it be nice if George joined them? She wouldn't have to spend the day alone here."

My eyes widened involuntarily. The idea of me tagging along—seven of them, no less—was overwhelming. I looked around, catching J-Hope's excited grin, like a kid about to go on an adventure. I offered a hesitant smile.

"Uh, that's... nice," I replied, voice barely above a whisper. I wasn't sure I wanted to be part of that chaos.

My mom, persistent as ever, smiled. "It'd be fun. What do you think, George?"

All eyes turned to me, including Taehyung's, which made my stomach tighten. His expression was unreadable, but I could feel the weight of his gaze. I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Saying no felt rude, but going felt even worse. I didn't have plans, and honestly, I'd rather stay home than join a big group outing with them.