archetype | kth.

eleven.

Nichole sat up quickly when she got up, she wasn't home. She was at Taehyung's house, in his room. Instead of him lying beside her, he was gone. Nichole's eyes wandered around his room as she got up from his bed. There was a photo of him and Selena framed on his wall, they were at a restaurant it seems. That photo of them both widely smiling brought back those memories that Nichole didn't want.

She thought about how Taehyung felt about Selena the previous night, she couldn't continue to like him. Nichole finally made her way out of the room to see Taehyung dazed out with his hand clutching a mug.

"Good morning," Nichole said in just above a whisper.

Taehyung spun towards her. He quickly cleared his throat with a weak smile before answering Nichole. "Mornin'."

"I hope you weren't too confused when you woke up this morning," Nichole moved towards Taehyung slowly, "I'm sorry I kinda took over your bed."

"No, it was fine," Taehyung said firmly and then gestures over to the table, "I'm sure I got pissy drunk or whatever. I took some coffee and aspirin. I'll make you some coffee."

"Thanks."

Taehyung gave her a small smile as he fiddled with the coffee machine. It had been a while since Nichole was alone with Taehyung, now that they were alone, she felt every bit of uncomfortable distance that seemed to bloom between them. Nichole moved to the other side of the countertop to leave some distance between them. The marble top counter between them was a representation of their relationship at that moment.

"I heard the party was a lot of fun last night," Nichole babbled to fill the silence between them, "I don't know why Mina left early."

Taehyung opened and closed his mouth before they ended up in silence again.

"Why hasn't Jin been home?"

"He had to pick up Selena, her car broke down." Taehyung answered quickly.

Nichole felt herself weaken but she tried again. "I don't remember you drinking that much when everyone gets together. It's always us taking care of Mina or someone else."

"Mina wasn't that bad." Taehyung said into his cup.

"I still can't believe Douglass and the inspector are dating and they kept it a secret for a year," Nichole said as brightly as she could.

"Yeah." There was Taehyung's noncommittal response.

It was obvious to her that Taehyung didn't want to speak with her. "I should get out of your hair." She saw a flash of panic surge over Taehyung's face before his hand closed around her wrist. "Nichole, can we— maybe speak?"

Nichole wanted to scream why? So Taehyung could ramble about how much Selena meant to him? So she could be told that she was in the wrong? Nichole frowned since when did her thoughts become so jealous and bitter?

Nichole wanted to run out of the door and avoid any talking with Taehyung because part of her felt that she wouldn't like what Taehyung had to say. No matter how much she preferred avoidance, Nichole knew she couldn't run from it any longer so she nodded. Taehyung gestured to the sleek leather sofa and Nichole trailed behind him.

She took the coffee Taehyung handed her and took a sip so she wouldn't have to speak. She held back a wince as the coffee burned her tongue. The coffee was way too sweet, the way Selena liked it. That shot through her like an arrow reminded her too clearly of everything.

"About the situation with Selena, I wanted to say sorry." Taehyung's head turned to her, looking at her sincerely.

"That's okay." Nichole looked down at the cup in her hands, avoiding his gaze. "I'm not angry about it and Selena already apologized."