THE LIFEGUARD ✔️vk

NINE

WARNING: a word is used (once) at the end of the chapter that may be triggering and come off as offensive.

Taehyung thinks he feels better after sharing everything he did and didn't need to share with Jimin. He knows the other most likely stopped listening after he finished off his analysis of Girl Scout cookie flavors. But I mean-Hey- if he was going to spill all the tea he might as well spill all of it.

They're finishing off the rest of their meal, when the bill comes. Jimin offers to pay but who would Taehyung be to let him after all that.

"No it's fine Chim. I got it." He chews on a French fry before snatching the check away from the boy.

Jimin sighs in defeat, cracking his knuckles in a way that Taehyung can't help but think references someone before they do something productive. But then he's suddenly on his feet, leaning against the table with his hands, yawning shortly after.

"mm, okay. but I'm paying next time!" He announces it quite loudly, but it still has Taehyung laughing at his tone.

He skips away to the bathroom and the blonde fishes through his bag for some cash.

"can you believe he's getting married? a few years ago I was sure I was convinced that I'd be the one marrying him and that he'd somehow miraculously see me at one of his concerts." Taehyung hears from a booth nearby, ignoring how the voice sounds oddly familiar. Whoever she was talking to doesn't respond, so he just ignores it and waits for Jimin to come back.

...

The two of them are walking home, well aware of the fact that both are old enough to drive. Jimin announced proudly that a license was overrated, while Taehyung was trying hard to convince himself that that was true. He didn't feel the pain in his legs. They weren't suffering at all. Nope. Not at all.

"I'm extremely thirsty, Taehyung." He stated out of the blue, and the other was a bit taken back by the randomness of his statement. His voice sounded a bit uneasy, and when Taehyung looked up he observed the way he played with his fingers anxiously. His palms were a bit shiny with sweat, but he waited for Jimin to acknowledge it before he did.

"Well, then drink water when you get home." He replied in the form of a question, and Jimin only nodded, chuckling once he pushed the fringe away from his forehead.

A few moments passed, and Jimin spoke up once again. "So, I don't know if you noticed in the diner.."

Taehyung looked up from his feet to look at his friend.

He shook his head to get him to go on.

Jimin laughed awkwardly, scratching his head afterward. He paused for a moment. "..I.." he trailed off again, and Taehyung had to rub his back in an assuring way.

"It's okay, Jimin. What's wrong?"

He faced Taehyung, this time fully stopping himself from walking. "Okay, I don't want to make you feel bad or anything.."

Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows, "it's fine. You can go on. I'll be okay."

"Well, on my way back from the bathroom I saw Jeongukk." He said it calmly, while the blonde sucked in a breath at the mention of said boy.

"He was there with that girl..what's her name? Minji?" He said.

Taehyung frowned.

Jimin noticed his expression as they began walking again, pouting at the sight of it.

"Aw, Tae—I don't think it meant anything. It's probably nothing. I just needed to tell you." He squeezes the youngers shoulder but his face doesn't change.