Chapitre 13: 12. Arcade
Friday, 13th. March. 2015
I was relieved as I left the building that my last class of the day was in. It was finally Friday afternoon and all my classes for the week were done with. But, at the same time, it wasn't like I had any special kinds of plans to look forward to on the weekend. It made me a little sad, would've been nice if I had some friends I could hang out with.
Well, it wasn't like that wasn't true… I had met a few people. But, they weren't exactly normal people, and it made me hesitant to contact them… could I just text Idols and ask them to hang out with me? It just didn't sit right with me. I looked out across the campus. The last light of the day left a dim glow across the campus landscape.
Coincidentally, that was when I spotted Tae, Jimin and Jungkook crossing a path just up ahead. They looked so happy, laughing and walking together against the sunset, like a scene out of a movie where they were the handsome main characters and best of friends. My first instinct was to avoid them, but it was too late because they noticed me straight away and started coming towards me and waving happily.
Tae was the first to reach me, calling my name sweetly and embracing me in a hug. It took me by surprise at how easily he'd disregarded personal space, but I gave him a momentary tight squeeze before he let go of me and stepped back.
"Heeey~" Jimin eye smiled cutely with a wave from beside Jungkook who seemed unsure of whether or not to say anything.
"Hey, what're you guys doing?" I asked, looking between the three of them. As they stood around, I felt a little small compared to how tall they all were.
"We were heading to the arcade. You wanna come along?" Tae questioned eagerly. I took a moment, not sure if I should or not. The thought of the bullies had instantly cropped up in my mind as soon as he'd offered…
"You should come, it's going to be fun," Jungkook said upon seeing my hesitation.
"Oh, Jungkookie, you two are in the same class, right? This is the girl you were talking about?" Jimin giggled. Really... I wonder what he'd told him exactly? But Jungkook was quick to refute Jimin.
"Shh. No, I dono what you're talking about, Hyung." Jungkook quickly fussed. I couldn't help but laugh at their antics. It was cute.
"Yeah, we're in the same class… I'm Jia. Nice getting to know you." I introduced myself, seeing as I hadn't yet.
"Jungkook, nice to meet you too," he smiled shyly. Jimin stifled a giggle. But Tae hadn't taken his eyes off me the entire time.
"Okay, seeing as we all now know each other, it's settled! You're coming with us." Tae finally cracked a smile and wrapped an arm around me. This left me without a choice unless I wanted to openly be rude and reject their offer. So, in high spirits, the three of us set off, leaving the campus and crossing the road towards the Arcade.
Although it wasn't exactly how I imagined I'd be spending my Friday afternoon, I was secretly really happy that things had turned out this way. For now, I let my worries fade away and enjoyed the warm company I'd found myself in.
"By the way, I recently discovered your music. I like it." I let them know. Figuring it was probably better to mention it than leave it unsaid and have them think I was a creep for knowing their jobs and not saying anything.
"What? Oh, busted~" Jimin laughed.
"Sorry, we didn't mention it. Honestly, you seemed to not know so. It was kinda a pleasant change, seeing as people always treat us so differently as soon as they find out." Tae sighed, arm still around me as we walked.
"Or if they're stalkers. Ahh. They're the worst." Jungkook shook his head, walking closely beside me.
"Yeah, that's okay. I can understand. I got a job at your agency recently, too." I said, hoping to reassure them it didn't bother me it wasn't the first thing they told me about themselves.
"Oh, that's awesome. So we're practically family now." Jimin grinned, his head poking out from beside Jungkook. I felt a warmness wash over me and it wasn't only because Tae was comfortably holding me so close. It was all three of them and the kindness showed to me almost instantly.
Night skies settled as we arrived at the front of the Arcade Building. It was four levels high and the neon lights flickered. Lots of crane game machines filled with plushies could be seen as we all walked in.
Jimin and Jungkook told us they'd be back and were going to top up their cards for the games, leaving Tae and me together. He let me go and turned to face me, still quite close. The way he was looking at me made me feel shy.
"Hm. What is it?" I asked him, only for him to give a small smirk.
"Nothing, I was just thinking how good this colour looks on you. It brings out the blue in your eyes." Tae reached up to my shoulder and I felt him play with the fabric of my candy purple jumper.
"Oh, thanks," I feigned, trying to hide my blush and calm the tingles in my stomach. When he looked at me, the closeness and sexiness just amplified that heavy presence he naturally possessed. Idols were a different kind of breed. I wasn't used to it.
Just then Jungkook and Jimin came walking back up to us. The taller of the two stopped close beside me.
"What were you two talking about?" Kook asked, looking down at me, then over at Tae.
"Nothing interesting~" Tae hummed cheekily.
"Well then, if it's nothing, let's stop wasting time and race," Jimin beamed, grabbing my wrist and gently pulling me from between the other two, who followed behind.
Luckily, none of the racing cars were being used, but there were only three.
"I'll sit this one out, it's okay" I turned to Jimin, but he pouted. Having now occupied two of the seats, Jungkook and Tae got caught up in their banter over who was going to win. Jimin looked between the seat and me before a cheeky smile crept over his face as though he'd had an idea.
"We can play together, don't worry," he said, gently pulling me over with him. I was confused. How exactly-
My question was answered as he sat down and pulled me down into his lap with him. I let out a small squeal at the suddenness.
"What?! Jimin…" My cheeks heated at the feeling of him beneath me.
"Jia~ It'll be fun, don't worry. We're about to kick their asses together, okay? Just watch~" Jimin giggled mischievously and readjusted my legs so I was comfy on his lap, legs tucked neatly between his. As he reached up, his arms encased me on either side so he was holding the steering wheel. I glanced over to Tae and Jungkook, who were both cracking up laughing.
"Don't talk so soon Jimin-Shi" Jungkook got this cocky competitive smirk on his face. I had to hold my laugh because it was just so funny. Jungkook was the youngest, yet he was out here threatening his Hyung like it was nothing. Classic. I felt myself relax into Jimin as they started the race. I focused on the screen and tried not to get distracted by the feeling of his thigh muscles. However, he was seriously strong, and it was so difficult not to notice it under my bum. Every time he pressed the brake or accelerated, it would flex.
As they competed for first place, the trio yelled playfully among themselves. I could barely keep up with their banter because of their fast pace. At the last second, Jungkook pushed in front and won, leaving the other two giving defeated sighs. Kook beamed over cockily to us, obviously super pleased with the fact he'd won. Was he always this competitive? It's like he was a totally different, super confident person than what I'd seen of him so far.
"Ah, damn, we'll win next time" I felt Jimin hug me and talk gently in my ear. A shiver ran through me.
"Okay, next we're having a dance-off, C'mon Jia." Jungkook came over and pulled me up on my feet and out of Jimin's arms, quick to weave around the corner to another section of the arcade.
My eyes lit up as I saw the game he wanted to play. It was dance dance revolution, the one where you had four arrows and had to step on them as they sped up the screen.
"Jungkook! I'm really good at this game" I exclaimed.
"Okay well, we'll take the first turn," he replied with a happy bunny smile. Jimin and Tae had only just caught up as Jungkook pulled me up onto the machine and swiped his card to start it.
"Well, this is going to be interesting," Jimin giggled.
"Jia is going to wipe the floor with Jungkook. My instincts are telling me he's going to regret challenging her at a dance-off," Tae smirked, bursting into a snort.
Jungkook ignored his Hyung's as he started scrolling through the songs, only to stop at one and look over at me for my approval. I gave a nod, and he smacked the button to lock it in.
The two of us picked our difficulty level, both deciding to do it on expert, so it was fair. Part of me wanted to wipe that cute smirk Jungkook flashed me off his face. So, I focused as the arrows rushed up the screen. The music was loud, but I could still hear Tae and Jimin making an excited ruckus behind us.
I could hear Jungkook's feet stamping on the platform, but mine were much more agile and weren't as loud as his. That was my advantage. He was big and muscular, but I was small and agile. In my head, I gloated to myself as I kept moving. Although I didn't have time to glance at Jungkook's screen, by the sound of Jimin and Tae, I had a feeling I was winning.
It took all my concentration to make sure I didn't miss any of the arrows as towards the end of the song there were so many and so quick it was like a big blur. But, as I hit the last one and looked over, I saw my score was higher than Jungkook's. He let out a defeated groan, face scrunched up. I could tell he was spicy over his loss.
"Show off of the century," Jimin cackled as he came over and gave me a high five.
"She's got you beat, Koo" Tae came over to console Jungkook on his loss. If that's what you could even call it.
"Argh. I wasn't warmed up." He pushed his arm off and playfully threw some boxing punches at Tae, who just laughed at the younger.
"Not bad, Jia," Jungkook came over and ruffled my hair playfully. I swatted his hand away.
"Not bad? I beat you hands down." I teased back.
"Ahh. Don't push your luck Noona, I let you win," Jungkook laughed.
"Whatever Jungkookie, she totally kicked your ass." Jimin shot teasingly. Just before Jungkook could respond, Tae caught our attention.
"Oh look! Photo booth. Let's take pictures." He gently pushed me from behind, walking me towards the photo booth. The other two bickered a few words from behind us, but I couldn't make it out over the noise of the arcade.
Tae had pushed me past the small curtain and into the booth first, and as Jimin and Jungkook followed in the space became cramped. I could feel myself squished between the three of them.
"Pass the card Jiminie" Tae pulled me closer into his chest so that he could reach with his other arm over to take the card that Jimin held out for him. I stayed still, feeling a bit lightheaded at being pressed against him, which wasn't even the worst part. From behind, I could feel Jungkook pressed against me, trying to shift around behind me.
Finally, Tae managed to swipe the card, and we shuffled around so I was in the front of the three of them. Seeing as they were taller, the picture turned out perfectly!
As soon as it was done, I rushed out and went to grab the photos from the small dropbox. We had printed out a set for each of us. I handed the boys theirs and we all giggled and looked over them together. I happily slipped them behind my clear phone case so I'd see them every time I pulled out my phone.
After that, Tae and Jungkook announced they were hungry, so we left the arcade and went and found a quiet dumpling shop to have dinner at.
We were shown to one booth that had a curtain and floor seating, so we took off our shoes and slipped into the four seats around the table. Jungkook sat diagonally across from me, Jimin across, and Tae next to me.
The four of us, after a bit of back and forth, collectively decided on ordering one set of steamed dumplings in spicy oil. In addition, we ordered one that was plain pork and chives pan-fried. This was because Tae's stomach was sensitive to anything too spicy.
I zoned out a bit as the boys talked while we waited. I'd had such a fun time, and I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't the first time I'd felt this way. It felt almost nostalgic for me, but I don't know how to describe it. Like childhood friends surrounded me, despite knowing that wasn't possible. Maybe I was just overwhelmed by the exhilaration of the night. All the boys were really gorgeous idols, but putting that aside, what I appreciated the most was the sweet and kind way they treated me. How much attention I'd gotten all night. It was lulling me into a smitten mess. That must be it, it's just my way of processing attention. It had to be. I did not know what had possessed them to be so considerate to me. It wasn't like I'd done anything in particular for them to warrant their affection…
It pulled me from my thoughts as the waitress ducked through the curtain into our booth and placed two servings of dumplings on the table.
Just when I thought I couldn't possibly feel any shier, Tae proved me wrong.
"Here, for you." Smile widening, he picked up a dumpling and offered the first to me. I hesitated, and Jungkook watched intently as he popped his own in his mouth.
"Taeee, don't pressure her" Jimin's giggles gave me the feeling he was enjoying it and wasn't trying to stick up for me at all.
"I'm not, I need to make sure it passes Jia's vibe check before I try it," Tae pouted playfully. I snapped out of it and opened up for him. He instantly reverted to his cheeky self at my surrender.
"Mmm, s' good, one hundred outta ten," I mumbled between chews, scrunching my nose in a smile. At my comment, Tae popped one into his mouth happily.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my head. I tried not to react to it, but my wince hadn't escaped unnoticed.
"Are you alright?" Jungkook was the first to ask. I gave a small nod. The other two looked at me, their eyes holding worry. I felt guilty not wanting to bring down the mood, so I just laughed and waved my hands, trying to put their minds at rest.
"I'm totally fine, I just get headaches sometimes when I don't drink enough water," I bit at my lip, knowing that was kinda totally a lie, but hoping they would just let it go.
"Oh, here," Jimin quickly poured me a glass and slid it over to me. I took small sips and continued to quietly eat a dumpling now and again.
I didn't know if it was because of me or if they were just tired after spending so much energy in the arcade. However, the mood had settled down considerably with them just talking casually.
Tae turned to me, eyes slightly wide as he offered me another dumpling. I gave a small smile as I took it from him. As soon as I did, I felt another pain, but not as severe. I could hide it from the boys, thank god.
Eventually, the four of us finished up, stomachs full and ready to head home and into bed. They offered to walk me home first, so I accepted and thanked them. The truth was I didn't wanna walk around that late at night by myself.
I felt a bit sad as we stood out the front of the alleyway where my apartment stairs were down and said goodnight to the boys. But something that Jungkook had said stuck with me the most. When he'd waved goodbye and told me he'd see me on Monday, I felt my stomach sink because it reminded me of the girls that would also be there. It really put me in such a crappy situation...
I'd had so much fun and I wanted to hang out with them again... But, I knew it wouldn't be that easy, and, if those girls or any others that were jealous of Tae and Jimin found out it would only get worse for me than getting yelled at in an empty classroom.
I let out a deep sigh as I finally crawled into bed. Looking at the moonlight streaming through the window near my couch. Why was life never clear cut? Why does it seem that when something good happens, there is always a wave of bad things that follow?
Notes:
Really hope you enjoyed this one ~
Thankyou again for letting me know your thoughts and being patient<3
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone