The Guy Next Door | JJK Short Story [COMPLETED]

t e n

Fiddling with my fingers as the plane landed, I thought over the plan Eunji had come up with, nervousness making me doubt it. Back in my living room, it seemed to make so much sense, a true life saver. Now that I was actually in London, it didn't seem so amazing anymore.

I was terrified.

I wanted to talk to Jungkook, I truly did. I knew I liked him for some time, but after Jimin's explanation, things seemed to finally fall into the right perspective. I could see the hidden meanings at last.

But my brain couldn't stop the "What if you're wrong? What if you knock on his door and he's there with someone else? What if ...". Fear of rejection was trying to cloud the little courage I had, destroying the hope that kept saying I needed to try.

Following Eunji's advice, I had called him before leaving. I told him I had his bills under control and asked what hotel he was staying in out of curiosity, and then teased him about being somewhere so fancy. He even told me his room number without me having to ask.

So then, I knew how to find him.

After getting out of the plane among other people, I walked as quickly as I could through the other passengers. Then, I had to wait to get my luggage, which wasn't much, but took at least twenty minutes.

I made a beeline toward the exit, looking for a taxi promptly. I hadn't brought much with me, one big suitcase and a handbag, so it was easy to fit it in the car and give the driver the little note with my destination.

As he drove on the "wrong" side of the street, I went over the so-called plan all over again. I was supposed to knock on Jungkook's door, say "surprise" or something like that and we would talk. I would truly tell him how I felt and what I wanted from him and hope for the best. Eunji thought the battle was already won, but I couldn't shake the feeling that everything would just go down.

You're being paranoid, she said. It's going to be fine.

So I kept repeating that to myself the whole time I had been awake in the plane, just napping from time to time. My nerves didn't let me fall deep into sleep, my mind too agitated to calm down enough for that.

It took some time to go from the airport to the hotel Jungkook was staying at. Add that to my jet-lag and you had a very disorientated person in your hands. All I knew was that by the time the taxi stopped, the sun was starting to set and I had no idea what time it really was.

After paying for the ride and having the man extract my suitcase from the car, I walked inside the hotel lobby. Despite anything, I would need a place to stay, so the first thing in order was to check myself in.

According to Eunji, if everything went right, and she strongly believed it would, I could just stay with Jungkook in his room, but I was still operating in cautious mode. Taking all the variables that could mess this up into account.

After getting the keys to my room, I took the lift up, intent on leaving my suitcase there and taking a quick shower to wake me up. Opening my suitcase on top of the bed, I extracted some clean clothes and the little container with the strawberry soap from home.

Proof of how nervous I really was. Maybe the familiar scent would both calm me down and give me some more needed courage.

After properly cleaned and dressed in warm clothes, since London was already in the autumn, the wind picking up outside, I brushed my teeth and ran my fingers through my hair, knowing Jungkook liked it better when it was down.

Walking out in the hallway and back in the lift, I went up to the next floor. Taking slow steps to get a hold on my nerves, I counted the numbers on the doors as I passed.

Thirty-three. Thirty-four. Thirty-five.

There. Thirty-six.

Stopping in front of the door, I took a deep breath. My heart beating like a wild thing, threatening to burst out. Closing my eyes for a moment, I inhaled and exhaled deeply, repeating to myself that this was ridiculous. It was Jungkook on the other side of the door for God's sake.

Everything would be fine.

Raising my hand, I pressed on the discreet button beside the door and waited.

Not even a minute later, it opened.

There stood the cause of my madness, dressed in black jeans and a white shirt. His hair looked the same, so did his face. There was nothing new about him, after all it had been barely a week since he left, but I felt as if I was seeing him for the first time.

- Surprise. – I whispered, because that was all I could manage.

- Hana. What are ... – he tried, eyes a little wide. – You're here. How?

- I had some vacation time to take, and you were in London, so I just thought it would be the perfect opportunity. – I rushed the words, completely babbling.

- Wow, that is a surprise indeed. – was it me, or did he look apprehensive?

- Can I come in? I think we could talk better inside than in the hallway. – I said, trying to be subtle about it.

- Well, you see ...

- Kookieee? What is taking you so long? – called a voice from inside his room.

A female voice.

- Oh, you are ... uhm ... right. – I choked out, taking a small step back and forcing a smile out as my mind screamed all the "I knew this would happen" choruses at me. – I didn't mean to ...

- Can I call you tomorrow? – he asked, almost closing the door behind him as he stepped more fully in the hallway, making me back out a little. – We could go eat something or I could take you to see some places I found?

- Sure. – I answered quickly, compelling the smile to stay in place for a moment more. – I'll just go then.

- Hana ...

- See you, Jungkook.

Walking swiftly, I rushed into the lift and leaned against the side wall, just in case Jungkook was still in the hallway. The smile slipped, tears threatening to take its place, but I held them at bay.

I knew this would happen. Knew it was foolish to even imagine that he would ... Just the idea was absurd. It was exactly how I had told Eunji. He was a fuckboy. I wasn't judging him for it. When I was the one with him, that fact made sure I loved every second of it. After all, women loved him for a reason.

But that was it.

Walking back into my room and letting myself fall on top of the bed, I held one of the pillows against me and finally let the tears free. I let myself mourn the end of something I should have never wanted. Something that was impossible.

Because Jeon Jungkook was loved by a lot of women, and he loved them all.

He would never choose just one. Especially not me.

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