Just Friends

Chapter 17

"Great. That's just great—fuck!"

"Whoa—I've never seen him so mad like that before," Jimin whispers, flinching at Hoseok's outburst.

"Me, neither," Taehyung concurs. "I don't think I've ever heard him say that word in that way, either."

"What's going on? What'd he say?"  Namjoon steps up and asks.

"He's only got one car available," Hoseok sighs. "The other slid off the road and crashed—the driver's okay—but the car isn't drivable," he explains, mouth tight, eyebrows threaded with stress.

"So, what's that mean for us?"

"That means someone has to stay behind until more transportation becomes available."

"What!?" Jimin suddenly bursts. "But—how? I don't understand what's happening."

"With everyone else trying to get out of town, it's the only car left. Honestly, we're lucky to have this one."

"Why can't we all just squish into it?" Namjoon asks.

"I asked," Hoseok answers. "Unfortunately, the driver refuses to take all of us together. I guess he's already uncomfortable traveling in these conditions as is."

"That's ridiculous," Yoongi interjects, sounding thoroughly annoyed. "Can't he just make two trips?"

"There's no time. The last train leaves in less than an hour. We have to decide now who is staying behind."

"Fuck, guys. I'm sorry but, I can't—I have auditions first thing Monday morning. I have to go," Jimin lets out firm, but apologetically.

"Yoongi and I have an important meeting with our attorney on Monday. We've already rescheduled twice. We can't do it again," Namjoon informs the group, sounding grim.

"Hey, guys," Taehyung says when Hoseok suddenly raises his hand.

"I'll stay behind," he says and Jeongguk shakes his head.

"You can't. You have to be at the meeting, too, remember? Part of the meeting involves promotions. I sent you the invitation, didn't you get it?"

"Shit, that's right," Hoseok sighs, rubbing his face. "It completely slipped my mind."

"Guys," Taehyung says a little louder, trying to get their attention.

"Well, it's not going to be me. I have to report back to the agency on Monday or I'm toast. I've already missed two auditions being here this week," Jin says to the group, who is completely unaware of Taehyung's waving hands.

"You're their top model," Yoongi says. "Can't they survive?"

"It's more like they can't survive without me. Which is why I need to be there."

"Guys!"

Everyone finally turns and looks at Taehyung.

"I'll stay behind."

Jimin gapes at Taehyung. "Wait, really?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure, Taehyung?" Namjoon asks.

"Yes, I'm sure," he laughs breezily. "I have nothing to do. Nowhere to be. It just makes sense," he says and it looks like Jeongguk goes to say something, but he shuts himself down. For the umpteenth time this morning.

He's been that way since last night—going to say something to Taehyung, or going to walk up to him or have some interaction with him and then just suddenly stopping—which has guilt bearing down on Taehyung like the world's largest elephant.