Stirring The Soul

Chapter 47

You suddenly sit up on the bed, struck with a genius idea. Tapping Jungkook furiously on the shoulder, who's almost falling asleep, you say, "JK, how about I call Layla and Mia and see if they're free to join us tomorrow? It'll be fun having them around too, the guys will love their random antics. What do you think?" You grin like a Cheshire Cat, imagining Mia giving Namjoon the third degree and Layla being besotted over Taehyung.

After giving it some thought, Jungkook replies, "That's not a bad idea, Noona. Then Yoongi and Jimin hyungs will be too distracted to have your attention."

You roll your eyes, "Good grief, as though I have any interest in Jimin," you say, coughing slightly. "Ok let me text them and see," you say, excitedly.

Jungkook walks towards the bathroom to "rinse off again," he explains, pointing downwards.

You type into your group chat.
/// Anna not Elsa: Musketiaras! What y'all up to? Can you pull a sickie tomorrow? I have a really "sick" day planned for us! 😬😬///

Both reply instantly.
///
Loopy Lay: omg where have you beeeeeeeeen????
Mialeficent: dude we know where she's been. She's been taking jungkooking lessons. 😏
Anna not Elsa: 😂😂😉😉 ok let's leave that convo for another time, can you come to the city tomorrow? Wanna hang out with BTS? They're the other guys from Jungkook's Kpop group.
Mialeficent: bts eh? What does that even stand for? Reminds me of a department store.
Loopy Lay: oooooh they're 🔥🔥🔥 especially that guy with yummy lips mmmm. Google them Mia.
Mialeficent: really? ...........
Mialeficent: Ok I'm in. I'll call in sick for both of us.
Loopy Lay: omg Mia there's a super super fit guy in there you're gonna 😍😍
Anna not Elsa: omg you two! You'd best behave, I don't want jk realising how weird my best friends are. I've just cemented by credibility with him 😏
Loopy Lay: oooooooh, fill us in later. Did you try that upside down move?
Anna not Elsa: er......no? Anyway meet us outside Warren St stn at 12. You won't miss us lol - 6 ok looking guys, 1 super hot guy and one embarrassed old woman
Loopy Lay & Mialicious: can't wait!!
Anna not Elsa: wow didn't even contradict the old woman bit 😭xxx
Loopy Lay & Mialeficent: 😬😘
///

You put the phone down, happy and excited for the events that will unfold tomorrow. When Jungkook comes out of the bathroom you both decide to head home so you can be fresh for the next day's activities. Tomorrow will be a fun day getting to know BTS, whom you know will be able to support Jungkook after you've done the inevitable. And who hopefully won't hate you.

You drive this time as poor Jungkook looks shattered. He spends most of the journey asleep, curled up on the seat in a way that only Jungkook can somehow manage to. You look at his peaceful face throughout, wanting to memorise where his beauty spots are, the curve of his lips and the shape of his face. You sigh some more. You block out thoughts of the impending loneliness and put some music on. You've created a 'BTS Hyped Up' playlist, perfect for driving to. You muse over the funny way life turns out; who'd have thought you'd be enjoying K-pop music at your age. Guess I'm Army now.

You drop a sleepy Jungkook home and then drive the car back to the rental place. An hour later, you are back in your apartment, which feels quiet again. That familiar feeling of despondency is creeping up on you, but you jump into bed and fall asleep before allowing it to envelop you.

The next day, you arrive first at Warren Street station. You'd told Jungkook it would be better for them all to come there by taxi, and within five minutes, you see a blacked out van pull up in front of the station entrance. Out steps Taehyung first, followed by the rest of the guys in succession, almost like they'd rehearsed this beforehand. Jungkook comes out from the front seat and you grin broadly at him. You keep smiling as the rest of the guys walk towards you. Many of them are in black, accessorising with long scarves and sunglasses. Well, only Jimin and Yoongi are wearing sunglasses and you imagine that the latter wasn't too happy to be woken up. "Hey guys," you beam, "hope you're ready for a fun-filled day!"

"Ooooh, what are we doing? Jungkookie didn't say anything, he just mumbled that you would tell us," says Jimin.
"I can't wait! London is so cool," says Hobi, excitedly.
Yoongi, Namjoon and Jin are bouncing on their feet, trying to stay warm.
Not wanting to keep them waiting too long, you say, "Well, my two best friends are also joining us, Layla and Mia, they should be here any minute."
You continue, "We're going to be in two teams. I've got your names here, and the first five names chosen will be in the first team. Who wants to pick the names?" you ask, showing the folded pieces of paper.
Taehyung volunteers and calls the names out, "Ok, team 1 are......Layla, Namjoon, me, Jin, Jungkookie." There are murmurs of excitement as the rest of you realise who is in the other team. Jimin immediately jumps beside you, "Yes! I'm with Noona," he says. "Me too," says Yoongi, barely moving. "And me, woohoo!" says Hobi, beaming at you as he stands next to Yoongi. Jungkook stares at you and you shrug your shoulders. Before he can say anything, Layla and Mia turn up behind you. "Oh hey, Mia, Layla, meet BTS. Guys these are my closest friends." Pleasantries are exchanged and you instruct, "Layla, go join Taehyung, you already know who he is," and you usher her in Taehyung's direction.
"Mia, you're with me. Ok, now that everyone's here, let me explain what's happening. We are going on a BTS Food and Drink adventure! Each team will wander around London looking for cafes or restaurants or other eateries which start with the letters B, T, or S. When you find it, you have to order the most expensive item there and then take a selfie of someone in your team consuming it. Every person in your team has to eat or drink something from your chosen place to avoid disqualification, so you should have at least five selfies. We will meet here again in 2 hours and the team with fewer selfies has to treat everyone to a meal of the winning team's choice. Make sense?"
You look around, feeling like a teacher again, staring at blank faces. "Cool, that sounds easy enough. Less complicated than a run bts activity anyway," says Namjoon.
"Yay, we get to eat and drink!" says Hobi.
"Wicked, sounds fun," says Layla.
"Wicked? Isn't that a bad thing?" asks Taehyung, puzzled.
"Nope, quite the opposite," Layla explains, sidling up to Taehyung. "We're going to have a fab time."

She's grinning from ear to ear, Mia looks satisfied with her team members, Namjoon looks ready to lead the way, Jimin is already smiling, Taehyung looks happy, Hobi is chatting to Jin, and Yoongi makes his way to your team, still saying nothing. Jungkook has gone quiet and is clearly not happy with the arrangements.

"Oh, oh, can we pick team names?" asks Taehyung. "We'll be Team Kim Seokjin," he suggests. "Can't lose then!" Jin adds.
"Then we'll be Seokjin1000," pipes up Yoongi, suddenly awake. You do a double-take at his sudden input. "Seokjin1000 for the win!" you say enthusiastically. "Ok guys, see you back here in two hours. Team Kim Seokjin, be sure to have your black cards ready for later," you tease.

"Gaja!"