Shadow Dancing | K.TH

A Pleasant Surprise

It was only Tuesday— yet the half week had felt like forever.

I'd been counting down the seconds until it was Friday night, which was exactly a week from the night I'd found him.

And even though Jimin let me use all of his high-tech game consoles and Namjoon was always willing to have a game of chess with me, I couldn't help but get bored soon.

"Jin!" I call, already slipping my shoes on. "Can I borrow some money for ice cream?"

The moment Jin answers back a yes, Jungkook barrels into my sight, nearly knocking me off of my balance.

"Yes, Jungkook. I'll get you some too, no worries."

When I roll my eyes playfully, he seems much relieved as he hurries to return to his Xbox game that I didn't get what was so fun about.

"Tzuyu!" Yoongi shouts, looking dejected as he stares at his favorite beanbag chair. There's a gaping hole at the side, a small pile of pellets already forming around its edges.

"Buy a new chair on the way, won't you?"

"Are you actually expecting me to carry an entire bag of ice cream and a beanbag chair? Just get it somewhere later!"

"But I want to sleep now!"

"Go ahead, Tzuyu." Jin waves at me, rolling his eyes at his fake sobbing. "Don't worry about it— just get what you need to get. And don't do anything reckless!"

Don't be rash.

V's voice floats up in the back of my mind, making my spine tingle. Why was I being reminded of that now?

"Okay."

The morning air is cold, the wind already numbing the tip of my nose. It was colder than I expected— I should've at least threw on a coat before I just went outside like that.

I shove my cold hands into the pockets of the thin jacket, trying not to shiver as I quicken my steps in the direction of the nearest ice cream parlor.

The one on the West Corner was always open— even during winter, when there were almost no customers. Since I always came around nearly every day, the owner used to joke that she kept the shop open just for me and the boys.

The owner was a lady in her mid-forties, her eyes kind and slanted. It often reminded me of V's— the shape of it was very similar. She was a beautiful woman, kind and generous at heart as well.

When I come in, she looks up from her newspaper and claps her hands together.

"The usual, dear?"

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

She shakes her head. "How many times do I have to tell you? Call me Mary— makes me feel younger."

She winks, making me laugh.

After she scoops out all the orders I'd asked for, she gives me a small cone filled with rich, frozen custard. When I look at her in surprise, she gives me a smile.

"You deserve a treat, darling. Taking care of all those boys by yourself— you are the only girl in that house, no?"

When I nod, she winks at me.

"How's your love? V, isn't it?"

Bitterness suddenly fills my lips, and I quickly lick some of the custard. The sweetness only weakens it a little bit, but I force a smile at her as I lie with a straight face.