My Past Love

Favorite Shoes

***

"Taehyungie let's go," Jin calls loudly, waiting for the last member to appear so they could all leave for an interview.

Said member appeared still having trouble with his tie. "Wait a sec Jin-hyungie my tie's so pesky!"

Jin says "Aishh you kid. Don't worry we'll just fix it in the van lez go!" He grabbed the younger's arm to pull him so they could reach the van faster.

The interview was fun and all seven members were enjoying themselves, laughing and smiling and answering questions as they joked around with their interviewers too.

"Kim Taehyung-ssi," spoke one. Tae turned his full attention to his hyung, small smile in place. "Do you have a favorite pair of shoes? Where is it right now?"

Taehyung's small smile instantly faded. Favorite shoes? It- it was with her. Now that he thought about it, she never returned that pair even when they met so often. They've been to each other's houses yet she never mentioned it once. That was the reason that old, gray faded pair became his favorite. The mere fact that it was still, hopefully, in her possession.

He scratched his cheek while laughing nervously. "Haha, see hyung, it's gone now. I- I gave it to someone I knew eight years ago and she- she never bothered to give it back."

The crowd aww'd and cooed. His eyes scrunched up into shy laughter as he hid his face behind Yoongi's shoulder.

"Ohh well that girl must be really special if you can still recall. And let's all hope for the best that she still has that pair of yours am I right?" The people then cheered and shouted their support to the idol, who accepted it all and thanked his fans all the same for the support.

When they got home that was when things started to get serious.

"Alright Taehyung you've hidden things to yourself long enough," said their fearless leader. "Isn't it time we get to know what's been bothering you? Jimin refused to tell us since he thought better that you should be the one to tell us."

Seeing all the looks the others gave him, Taehyung decided to finally relent and spill all that's been going through his mind.

He breathed in through his nose and exhaled through his mouth, repeating this breathing exercise for a few times to clear his head.

He slid open his eyes again to gaze at each one, and he sat down on a chair to get more comfortable. The others followed.

"Chiminie and I... had a schoolmate before in our high school," he starts. "Her name was Cha Minha and we met in the oddest of times." He chuckles, remembering the scene as if he was back in time, as if he was in his younger self and he could still see the young white face framed by a mane of shiny black that reached her shoulders.

Hoseok could see the wonderment and the fondness in the younger's eyes, and it warmed him so to know that this kid was able to experience such a thing.

It was Yoongi who broke him out of his reverie by saying "So how'd you two meet? She fell off her bike or sumthin'? You tripped over her and then instantly fell in love?"

Taehyung chuckled. "Neither hyung. I thought she was gonna kill herself."

The others showed their distinct confusion.

Jungkook licked his lips, eager for an answer. "What? What d'you mean hyung?"

"Where was she anyway?" questioned Jin.

Taehyung pursed his lips. "Standing on a city bridge overlooking a body of water."

He thought that the reactions of his band was super hilarious and priceless. Some were shocked, others were horrified. Taehyung, in spite of himself, laughed.

"Mian mian see? That's why I thought she was gonna commit suicide. She then told me she wanted to see the sun better. And she said that I shouldn't worry cuz she does gymnastics. I thought that was the last time I was gonna see someone like her. Specifically, her."

Yoongi grinned. "Aww, look you found your soulmate. Finally, someone who can rival your weirdness."

Tae laughed. "Yeah guess so." He clears his throat. "But then I saw her in school, and all hell came crashing on my shoulders. It was a different experience, having to know someone who was as peculiar as you. To be honest, I think she's weirder than me to a certain extent. But it was good to have a conversation with someone who thought differently than the rest," he told his band members, who looked on in attentiveness.

Jimin sighs, fond smile coming to view. "Aishh, for all these years I knew you, I never knew how you met Minha. I'm sorry for pushing."

"Don't be," assured the younger. "It was good, in a way. And look, here I am right now, sharing my bittersweet teen years with you all."

Hoseok put a hand on his knee. "I'm glad you're willing to open up to us. And I'm happy that you trust us so to even do this."

The leader nods his agreement. "It must've been hard to carry all by yourself."

"Not really hyung. Jimin told me to take my time. I'm glad I did. And I'm also happy that I'm sharing. At least you all get to hear something else right? That time, I just wanted myself and Jimin to know what I was really thinking of. He was the one who told me to let my mind play."

Jungkook smiles a little. "And I'm glad you listened to hyung. All that playback made you remember and think huh? And now you're ready to share. I know it's not easy. Yet you still chose to push through. Fighting!"

Jin all quieted them down. "Alright let the kid speak I wanna hear the rest of this before dinner needs to be cooked. No way I'm gonna miss out on something big as this." He locked eyes with the second youngest. "Continue?"

Taehyung nods.