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April 20, 20XX Tuesday pt. iii
Taehyung and I were taking a stroll across the bridge over the river.
At this time, the sun was already peaking from between the buildings.
Taehyung and I accidentally lock eyes, both hiding our smile as we look away.
We both seemed to not want to part just yet.
"Thanks for showing me that planetarium," I say.
Taehyung turns around, walking backwards so he can better look at me.
He smiles, "We think we might know this place -this world- so well, but we grow too comfortable in that path we're walking on to discover the hidden gems."
I play with my ear, charmed that he still speaks so sweetly.
"I'm surprised that you didn't bring your camera tonight, you're always behind that thing."
"Yeah, in a way, but tonight I didn't want to bring it. I need to view the world, not from behind a viewfinder, but from my eyes. I also rely too much on it to store my memories. It's time that I try to do it myself."
I nod, understanding him.
"Taehyung, earlier you said that you felt a bit unsure of what you were doing... I'm just curious...do you still love photography?"
Without hesitation, he nods.
I feel relieved.
At least your trip to Japan wasn't for nothing.
"I'm not sure what my attachment was before the accident, but right now..." His eyes trail to the side, "Right now, I'm trying to preserve everything through snapshots."
He places his hands out in front of him and scrunches them up, as if he the scene in front of him was on paper and he stuffs it into his pocket. "Just like this...so that I can remember it better. You guys are lucky since you don't need to do this...you remember so easily how something felt, looked, even smelled. Yet, I need something to trigger those memories."
Taehyung puffs air through his nose, his shoulders falling.
"It's a good thing you're an amazing photographer," I praise him, "I think you make the photos waaay better than how I'll ever remember it."
A smile spreads across his face slowly as he takes in my compliment.
"Pretty soon, this little studio of yours won't be enough. I'm surprised you haven't been presented any other offers."
The expression on his face gives him away.
"Wait, have you been given more offers?"
He fiddles with his pockets momentarily before speaking, "There are, but I'm comfortable where I'm at."
"Maybe I would've enjoyed the popularity before, but honestly I just want to remain hidden."
"Like the planetarium?" I tease.
"Like the planetarium," He agrees, stopping to lean over the rail, arms crossed as he looks at the sunrise.
I join him.
"Taehyung?" I call his name after a while in the silence.
He turns my way, squinting as the sun shines brightly.
"You know...managing social media wasn't really something that I planned to do."
His eyebrows shoot up.
"It's a model, isn't it?"
I bite the inside of cheek, bitterly remembering how it was Irene who wanted to be the model.
"Wrong," I tell him.
He tilts his head at an angle, "I thought that was why I had so many photos of you."
My cheeks burn, "O-oh? Um, no...I actually wanted to be a vet. I care a lot about animals."
Taehyung looks at me surprised.
"One day, I'm going to go to vet school and make that dream come true. What do you think of that, Taehyung?"
Butterflies flutter around my stomach and I'm not sure why I was nervous sharing that with him.
I really didn't expect Taehyung to think about it, but he actually took the time to do so.
He smiles, "I think you should go for it."
"Yeah?"
"I'm stuck, but y-you-"
His voice abruptly cut off that it made me turn his way. He stood there with his eyebrows furrowed, his eyes darting everywhere.
"Taehyung? Taehyung, what's wrong?"
He looks over at me, letting out a sharp breath before he blinks his eyes.
"Taehyung..."
He scans my face, until his face changes and he's no longer tense.
He gives me a smile, but it contrasts his tired eyes.
"Nothing, it's nothing."
How can it be nothing?
He turns back to lean on the bridge, watching the water underneath as the river flows.
It's as if he completely forgot what we were talking about.
I must have been burning holes on him because he picked up his head from leaning on his arms, an eyebrow drawing up as he nipped his lip.
"Jennie?"
I shake my thoughts away. "Hm?"
"You know how I said I want to be hidden away from the world, like the planetarium? Well, I don't want that for you. I don't want you to be the planetarium."
My heart starts to race.
"Then what do you want me to be?"
He turns his head so his cheek can lean against his arm and with a smile he tells me,
