42: Just A Close Friend

JAMIE POV

Bangtan, Momo, and I were still deciding on what to eat.

"Hey Jiminie, let's eat meat. I know you love meat. Ooh! And kimchi stew! Remember, you loved my mom's kimchi stew every time she made it for us after dance practice?" Momo asked Jimin. Jimin chuckled and nodded.

"Yeah, and you loved my mom's jokbal." He added. Her eyes gleamed.

"Still love it! I missed your mom's cooking so much in Japan." She said.

I just heard the two of them converse as I stared down hard at the menu. I didn't want to seem like I was eavesdropping, even though they were literally right across from me.

"Hey Jamie?" Jimin asked. My eyes shot up to meet his.

"Hmm?" I asked.

"What do you want to eat?" He asked.

"Oh? Oh, um... anything is fine." I said. "Jungkook, what do you want to eat?" I asked him.

"MEATTTT!" Jungkook demanded like a child. I laughed and pinched his nose.

"I guess kookie wants some meat." I said. Jimin narrowed his eyes and pointed his finger at Jungkook.

"Don't do ageyo like that." He warned. Momo giggled.

"What, does it make your heart race? You still treasure him like that?" Momo laughed.

"No, I don't want my girlfriend to find him cute in any way." Jimin added. Momo stopped laughing and I started to blush.

"Okay so let's order meat, kimchi stew, and noodles?" I changed the subject. Jin nodded and ordered. After the waiter left, we all began to talk.

"So how have you been in Japan?" Rap Monster asked Momo.

"Good, but I really missed Korea. I missed the food, the people, dance, everything. Japan is nice but it's my home here too." She said. We all nodded.

"You still practice dance?" Jhope asked.

"Yeah, of course, like four to five times per week." She answered.

"How about you guys? How has life been." She asked the rest of them.

"Great." They all answered in sync.

"I can see that a lot has changed." Momo said, turning to me. Jimin smiled. "How did you two meet?" She asked.

"They're neighbors." Jin said before anyone else could. "They live right next to each other." He added. Momo's eyes widened.

"Woah really?" She asked. I nodded.

"We started talking when she tried out for the dance team. I saw that she wasn't crazy and that she was a really good dancer." Jimin said.

"So I've heard. So what kind of dance do you do? Modern? Hip hop?" She asked. I opened my mouth to answer, but Bangtan beat me.

"All." They all answered. I couldn't help but to giggle.

"I see. You must be a really good dancer!" She chimed.

"Thanks. What about you?" I asked. "What kind of dance do you do?"

"I have been doing a lot of modern dance lately, but I know hip hop. Jimin and I danced together a lot when we went to the same dance academy in Busan." She said, turning to Jimin.

"*cough**cough* I was always better than her *cough**cough*" Jimin said, earning a slap on the arm from Momo. My heart slightly pinched as I watched the two. Jimin didn't seem to see a problem, while Momo didn't seem to think that she was doing anything.

The food finally came out and when it did, like always, Jimin put meat on my plate. I smiled and ate the meat, but my smile faded once I saw him put meat on Momo's plate as well.

"Aw thanks Jiminie! Just like old times huh?" She said, nudging him. I stopped. Like... old times?

I felt my body tense up, but I relaxed once someone's hand tightened around my wrist. I looked over to my side to meet the eyes of Jin, who seemed to see what was going on. He gave me a slight shake of the head and small smile. I quickly smiled back and continued to eat, keeping my eyes on my plate for the rest of the meal.

.

.

When we were done eating, we paid for the meal and walked out. Outside, we all gathered to say bye before separating.

"It was really nice to see you again Momo. I'll see you tomorrow at school." Jimin said to Momo. The rest of the boys said the same as Momo pouted.

"Aww, we're separating already?" She asked.

"Yeah, sorry it's getting late." Jin said.

"Do you want to come ov--"

"Come on Momo, we walk in the same direction home right?" Jin interrupted Jimin as he gave him a stern look. Momo hesitantly nodded as she looked back at the rest of us.

"It was nice meeting you." I said and she smiled.

"You too. I'll see you guys tomorrow!" She beamed. I made eye contact with Jin as I silently thanked him and he smiled in return. Then, we separated and went our own ways.

As we walked, I stayed silent. I was in my own thoughts, so I didn't realize when my crutches bumped into something, making me lose my balance. Thankfully, a pair of strong arms caught me.

"Woah woah you okay?" Jimin asked. I nodded and quickly regained my balance.

"Why are you being so quiet? Is something wrong?" He asked me. I shook my head and he gave me a curious look. "Then why aren't you answering me?"

"Everything is fine." I answered. The fact that he didn't see anything to be the problem proved how delusional I was being. What's wrong with me? Why am I being like this?

"But you've been silent since dinner. Did I do something?" He asked me. I shook my head again.

"I'm just really tired." I said quickly. I tried to move forward, but he held my arm.

"You know I know you better than that. What's wrong?" He asked again. I stopped for a second before speaking.

"Momo seems nice!" I said. He suddenly smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, we grew up together. She has always been a big part of my life." He answered. I nodded as a response.

"Wait is Momo the reason why your being so silent?" He asked. I quickly shook my head.

"Good, because I want you to know that there is nothing to worry about. She's just a really good friend to me." He said. I sighed.

"I know and I understand that. It's just... I don't know." I said. "She's just so..."

"Pretty? Nice? Good at dancing?" He asked. I raised my eyebrow. "Don't worry. To me, you're the most beautiful and perfect girl, and the best dancer. She. Is. Just. A. Close. Friend. I'm clarifying this so that you know there is not a problem here." He emphasized. Then, he smiled and leaned in for a hug. I sighed and hugged him back.

"I know, I'm being stupid. Sorry. I know she's just a friend." I said. He chuckled.

"It's okay. I would be jealous if I were you too, but I wouldn't hold it in as well." He said. I suddenly pushed him back.

"What? Me? Jealous? Pshhh no. I was just... surprised...?" I said. Jimin narrowed his eyes.

"You sure? You seemed pretty jealous to me." He added. I laughed.

"Boy you're overthinking things." I said, nervously laughing and slowly sliding away again. He chuckled and followed. It was silent again until we reached home. Before I walked away, Jimin got a hold of my wrist.

"Hey hey." He said softly. I turned around to face him. He gave me caring eyes, the ones that I love so much. He smiled and leaned in, pecking my lips. He put his forehead on mine. "Don't worry about a thing. I love you." He said. My heart skipped a beat and I couldn't help but to nod.

"I love you too. Goodnight." I said.

"Goodnight." He said as he winked. At that, I smiled and turned around, moving towards my door. Then, I gave him a small wave before walking in. I leaned on the door once I closed it, and I took a deep breath. Stop being stupid Jamie, they are just friends. Nothing more, nothing less. He loves you. She's a nice girl.

But why do I still feel uneasy?