Sugar

3. You've Got to Be Kidding Me

I step into my dark apartment, letting out a breath, slipping off my heels. God, I'm tired.

The hallway's suddenly flooded with brilliant light as someone flips the switch and I let out a shriek, grabbing my heel, holding it out as a weapon. "Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my house?"

There's a laugh and I blink, disconcerted in the light, lowering the shoe. "Alex?"

"Surprise." She's almost hysterical, and I glare as she appears in the doorway to the kitchen.

"You're not funny, damn it." I let out a breath, tossing the heel into the pile by the door, shooting her another look clearly wishing her a painful death. She grins, unperturbed, following me into the living room and flopping onto my sofa. I sit down in an armchair, leaning back, closing my eyes, my back tight.

"Remind me why I gave you my key."

"Because I'm your best friend." I can hear her wide grin and I shrug.

"Debatable."

She huffs playfully. "Anyway, I thought you'd be back a lot earlier. Where were you?"

"Working." I pull the pins out of my hair, massaging my scalp as I let it down from its tight french twist. "Yoongi had a party he needed a date for."

"Ah. Him again?" Alex raises her eyebrows at me. "He's asked for you, like, ten times this week."

"It's only Wednesday."

"Exactly. You don't see my point?"

I chuckle against my will, shaking his head. "He's not as bad as I thought he was. Just lonely, kind of stuck up, but he's not horrible overall. Plus, he pays really well even for just parties and stuff."

"Maybe he'll be the next million - "

"No."

Alex chuckles at the look on my face. "Okay, I'm sorry."

I nod, standing, reaching to unzip my dress. "Is there a reason why you're at my apartment at three a.m?"

"Oh. Yeah." She follows me to my room and flops on my bed as I change into a pair of sleep shorts and a sweatshirt.

"What is it?" I shift through the products on my dressing table, frowning in annoyance.

"If you're looking for your makeup remover, it's on the bathroom sink. I used it because I was waiting here for so long and wanted to wash my face."

"Alex," I complain halfheartedly, stalking toward the bathroom off my room, and she grins.

"I'm sorry! But I got you a date tomorrow."

I stop in the doorway to my bathroom, turning to stare at her. "You what?"

"You let me put you on those dating websites, remember? Because I do nothing with my life, I spent the past twelve hours looking through all the matching profiles and, get this, you matched with the same guy on three websites." She looks proud of herself as I blink at her.

"How many websites did you put me on?!"

Alex laughs. "Only a few. Anyway, I was messaging him, and he seems really cool. I set up a dinner tomorrow."

"Where?"

"That Korean restaurant you like."

I let out a breath. "Alex, you realize you're making me the most stereotypical Asian woman ever."

"No, it's just that it's your food, you know? If they don't like it, there's no way they're lasting more than a couple days." She grins. "Anyway, you're technically only half Korean, so it's not as stereotypical. Come on, you know you're happy."

I sigh. "All right. Did you see any pictures of the guy?"

"Yeah, he's so cute. And plus, he's Asian too, Y/n, so there's no way he'll complain about a Korean restaurant, and you won't complain about his looks."

I blink at her. "You realize that you were just completely racist, right?"

She grins. "Oops. But you'll go, right? Please?"

"Fine. But if he's horrible I'm picking your next date." I grin at her face. "Now get out, it's late and I'm tired."

She pouts. "Can't I sleep over? I'll help you get ready tomorrow."

I give in. "Fine. But you better not kick."

"I never kick!" Alex snuggles under the covers, blinking at me, and I swat her legs off my side of the bed as I climb in.

"Lies."

~

"Hi, I have a reservation for two under the name Alex."

The hostess nods, leading me to a table, and it's empty, the guy not there yet. I let out a breath of relief, sitting down, glancing at the time. I'm early, so I'm glad he's not here. That would be awkward.

I pull out my phone, scrolling through my messages.

Alex
He there yet? 😏

I roll my eyes, leaving her on read, clicking on a new message.

Seokjin
You know, it's weird thinking I'll have no bathroom buddy on my blind date tonight 😤

I grin, replying.

Me
I'm not about to just wait around in bathrooms for every failed blind date.

Seokjin
Well, damn it. That ruins all my plans.

Me
Your friend set you up again?

Seokjin
Yeah...against my will. He claims she's really pretty, so we'll see.

Me
Hm...as long as she speaks English this time.

Seokjin
LMAO, I DIDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT.

I guess I'll find out, I'm late already. I'll text you from the bathroom if I need to escape.

Me
As long as it's not the women's room.

I switch off my phone, sighing, checking my watch. This guy is ten minutes late; I resist the urge to text Alex about her choice in men.

The hostess appears, showing a guy over, and I stand politely, still slightly miffed he's late until he looks up from where he's on his phone right as mine buzzes.

"Seokjin?"

His eyes widen slightly, and we just stare at each other for a second, processing how weird this situation is.

Finally he grins slightly, tilting his head at me.

"At least I know you speak English."