The Hunt

27

I choked on the breath I had just inhaled. 

"No, not yet," I sputtered, face red as I gasped for air. 

"That's too bad." Taehyung's pout quickly turned back into a smile. "I'm sure it'll happen soon." 

Sweet, delusional Taehyung. It doesn't work like that.  

"It was love at first sight when I met Tae." Taehyung pulled out his chair and plopped down. 

I froze mid-step as I passed behind Jimin. "Huh?" 

He's in love with himself? 

Jimin craned his neck to look back at me. "Taelyn. His girlfriend. They have the same name. It's confusing." 

"Oh." I sat down, still confused, but slightly less so. "How did you two meet?" 

Taehyung's smile grew broader and he's eyes seemed to sparkle. "One day, two years ago, my parents asked me to pick up my younger brother up from his English school. He wanted to introduce me to his teacher, Ms. Taelyn. She's beautiful and kind, and her smile! Waffles, you should meet her when she comes to visit next." 

I glanced at Jimin, then back to Taehyung. "Does she not live in town?"

Taehyung's face fell, "No, her teaching contract ended two months ago and she went home to the US." 

"Oh, I'm sorry, Taehyung." 

"It's okay, she's going to visit in a few months, and I'm going to go back with her to meet her family." Pulling out his phone, Taehyung perked back up. He showed me his lock screen. It was  photo of Taehyung and a beautiful woman with cropped strawberry blonde hair and bright blue eyes. "Isn't she perfect?" 

"She's very pretty, Taehyung." He beamed at my response. 

One of the baristas called Taehyung's name indicating that our order was ready. Taehyung jumped up from his seat, "I'll get it!" 

I turned to Jimin. "Are all of your friends like this? Super accepting of strangers?"

Jimin raised an eyebrow at me. 

"I feel like they've accepted me into the fold rather quickly. Like I'm just one of the gang." 

Nodding, Jimin chuckled a little. "That's just Jin and Taehyung. It's how they are. Don't worry though, I'm sure Yoongi will never accept you." 

"Oh good. That's comforting." 

Taehyung returned with our drinks, and quickly pulled up more photos on his phone. It was akin to having someone show you their 400+ vacation photos, but less soul-suckingly boring. Taehyung was clearly enamored with his girlfriend, Tae, and didn't mind gushing about her to anyone who would listen. 

During Taehyung's 20 minute slideshow, Jimin made a lap around the coffee shop, pretending to look at the artwork on the walls. He came back to the table with a couple bottles of water and sat one in front of me. 

"Thanks," I muttered. 

"Oh! It's later than I thought!" Taehyung exclaimed, scrambling to his feet. "I need to get to my lecture. You're coming over for dinner tonight, right, Waffles?" 

I nodded, "Yes, Jin invited me earlier." 

"Good!" Taehyung smiled and slung his backpack over his shoulders. "I'll see you two later. Don't have too much fun." With a wiggle of his eyebrows, Taehyung walked away. 

I cracked open my bottle of water and took a drink. 

"Have you gotten any work done?" I questioned, looking over Jimin's shoulder at his laptop screen. 

Without taking his eyes off the computer, Jimin replied, "I'm close to finishing an essay that's due tomorrow. Seven pages on on business theory." 

"Sounds thrilling." 

Jimin mumbled something, but I missed it. My focus was suddenly shifted to the front door of the shop. A scent similar to sandalwood and vanilla musk wafted through the air. I quickly buried my face in Jimin's shoulder. 

Jimin stiffened at the sudden contact. "What are you doing?" he hissed. 

"Don't let him see me." I whispered, my voice muffled by Jimin's sweater. 

But it was too late. 

I heard footsteps approach, only to stop at the end of our table. 

"Y/n?" a deep, raspy voice asked. When I didn't move, he sighed. "I know it's you."

I sat up and glared at the new comer. 

"Sehyun-oppa."