Roses You Left For Me

11

It's a few nights later that Jeongguk is walking back into the club, determined to talk to Taehyung. As he looks around, he sees no one he recognizes. No Hoseok. And no Taehyung.

"You lost?" A woman calls over as she puts each glass on her tray before she makes her way over to Jeongguk. The younger assumes she's a waitress, but he's never seen her before.

"No, actually, I'm looking for V? Or Hoseok?"

"You're a new customer?" She asks.

Jeongguk looks at her for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I guess," he mumbles.

"Oh, honey, V's not working tonight. Neither is Hoseok. V's next shift is on Saturday night. Hoseok will be in tomorrow from seven," she says with a warm smile.

"Oh. Thanks," Jeongguk says quietly as he goes to turn away.

"No problem, Sugar," the woman says before she's gone again, leaving Jeongguk to walk out of the club. He knows Jimin's on a date thing with Yoongi tonight, so he doesn't bother asking him for a ride.

He slouches down multiple streets, losing himself but then knowing exactly where he is when he spots the flashing lights of the small store that sells pretty much anything you could think of.

The lights outside flicker, with multiple letters completely lifeless, making the place seem more grungey and dark. Although, appearance isn't really the first thing on his mind as Jeongguk walks through the door, listening to the buzz as the door opens.

Inside is stacked chock-a-block with multiple shelves, the bright colors hurting his eyes. Jeongguk walks past most to the back where there's a large shelf, stacked full of different types of alcohol.

Not really caring of what he chooses, Jeongguk drags the first bottle he sees from the shelf and limply holds it by his side as he goes to the cashier, putting the bottle down so that he can retrieve his I.D. and card.

The cashier, a bored looking teenager, doesn't even bother to ask for any I.D, but just glares down at the machine in front of him, smacking the side when it doesn't behave the way he wants it to. Without so much of a look or a word, Jeongguk drags the bottle from the counter and slumps out of the store.

It's like- when you're heartbroken, you spot the couples everywhere. Whereas, when you're happy and okay, you hardly notice them. They're everywhere, Jeongguk thinks as he scowls down at the ground, refusing to look up at the sound of laughter. It wrenches his gut as he picks up speed to get back.

He slouches into the elevator, going to press the button before two people quickly rush in, beaming bright smiles to Jeongguk that he blatantly ignores.

"Which floor are you on?" The man asks with a kind smile.

Jeongguk just looks at him for a moment before answering. "Eight," he says, clearing his throat after he hears how scratchy his voice is. He watches the man press the eighth button before he presses the tenth. Great, they'll be in here with Jeongguk the whole ride.

The man stifles a laugh into the girl's neck, his hands running up her back. She wears a cute dress with matching sandals that Jeongguk notices when she stands on her toes to kiss the man.

They both giggle and exchange 'I love you's' before finally, the elevator drags itself up to Jeongguk's floor where he's quick to leave. He finds his key and lets himself in, beelining for the couch where he crashes out, pulling up his laptop to scroll endlessly through his ex's facebook with a bottle of wine by his side.

He doesn't even know why he picked up wine. Doesn't even like the taste of it. But he drinks it anyway, laughing fakely at each post that features the new girlfriend.