6

I pack the last few things, just one more jumper and a jacket in case it gets cold there, which could easily be the case this time of the year. And while I'm waiting, sitting on the couch, eyes fixed on the turned off television, I keep making up excuses in my head so I can save myself from going. 

I'll be surrounded by people I don't know,  and with whom I'll just keep some small talk and superficial conversations. So, in that sense, I'll be relieved by Tammy's presence and controller energy. I'm low key sure she'll try to introduce me to everybody, and will be the one in charge of building my new friendships.

But Jungkook...

After what happened in the supermarket, we didn't talk much on our way back -more like we didn't speak at all. Not even when he offered to -genuinely- drive me back home. I didn't even use words, I simply nodded and muttered a low "Thank you" before I got off his car. And I'm ashamed. I acted all bitchy and still he offered to drive me back home.. 

Wait, I'm not feeling bad for him, am I?

Maybe it's because I knew he was right when he cornered me last week. Jungkook drives me nuts, but at the same time, I can't deny he has something that makes me lower my guard as soon as he's just centimeters away from me. Like my rational and mature side knows I should step back and keep some distance, while my needy side feels he's everything I've been waiting for. And what is this shit? A side effect of not living my teens the way I had wanted to? Is this a way to settle every phase of my life?

Seriously...

He's an asshole. And a little reminder for you, horny virgin, he has a girlfriend. Not only you should be thinking he's a dick, but he's also taken. And his girlfriend is someone you're trying to be friends with. Is that enough?

I've been so deep in my thoughts, I hadn't realized my phone was shaking in my pocket for a little while. Well, enough time to get three calls from Tammy. 

—We're waiting for you —she sings—. Are you coming now or should I go up and drag you outside?

Yeah, no. I don't need that. I get up and give one last look to my house, making sure everything is correct before I place the strap on my shoulder and close the door behind me. I'm surprised to see one of my neighbors getting out of the lift. Ever since I moved in here -and it's been a few years-, I've barely run into any of them. And mister Hallagan, who lives next door, is no exception.

I rush to get in the elevator before the doors close. I try to look at my reflection through the painted and scratched mirror, but it's impossible. I give up, turning around again to face the small entrance once the doors open again on the low level. A loud bell noise in my back, that gets lower to  sound loud back again before it suddenly stops, officially informing me the elevator reached the first floor.

I'll end up being thankful for being able to get away from this place, even if it's just for a day. 

But that happiness doesn't last long enough. Actually, the moment I cross the main door and see the black SUV that took me home last week, my expression fades. I feel tempted to turn around and get back to the elevator.

Could be it's Melanie's car.

I see Tammy leaning out the backseat window, waving at me while telling me to put my things in the car trunk. 

With heavy steps, I walk to the car and do as she says, making sure I close the door correctly before I join her in the backseat. Although my eyes first see Tammy with a big smile, and Jungsoo looking excited to see me here, my thoughts get totally blinded by that annoying lip ring reflecting and those doe eyes looking at me through the driving mirror. 

The longest four hours of my life.

Jungsoo and Tammy seem to rekindle the conversation they were having before I joined, and I really try to include myself in it. Trying hard to focus on their talk and avoid as much as possible the look he keeps on giving me.

Is this some type of revenge after what I did last week? Staring at me so deep until I get uncomfortable enough?

—Shall we stop somewhere and get something to eat? —Soo suddenly suggests.

—Yeah —Tammy lets out a sigh—. It'll also be okay to stretch out our legs.

—Imagine not eating anything until we get there —Soo jokes—. 5 pm, we safely arrived, but one of us is missing an arm.

While we're still on the road, and one of the moments we go absolutely silent, I pay attention to their gestures -or more like the lack of those. They aren't touchy, they don't playfully hold hands, don't look at each other. And Jungsoo didn't even talk to him. Maybe they're that kind of couple that rather show affection behind closed doors. And why the fuck am I even dissecting their relationship?

Two hours and a half later, the speed of the car decreases until it stops in a service area. We found it in the perfect moment, while we were close of going insane because of hunger. We kept saying to wait a bit more while we drove past some roadhouses. But as soon as we were hungry enough, that our guts were battling with one another about who's in more need of food, it seemed like all the bars and restaurants disappeared. 

—I'll go to the restroom fast —I say as soon as we get in—. If they want to take our command, I'll get whatever you do —I talk to Tammy.

While they take a seat at one of the several empty tables, I head to the white door that's on the left side of the counter. 

While I'm washing my hands, after finishing, I think Jungkook could pull a cliche and be waiting for me, bending on the wall in front of the restroom bathroom. I rub my hands harder, and as soon as my eyes reach my reflection on the mirror and see a flash of a smile, I know I'm in trouble. I suddenly stop smiling, and see my own expression being replaced by a disgusted face.

—What the fuck is wrong with you? —I scold myself.

I bend over, just so I can splash some water -and sense- on my face.

I sigh in relief when I open the door and the blank wall welcomes me back, along with the silence in the corridor and some choky noises from the kitchen.

I join them back shortly after, and my stomach roars as soon as I see they all have their drinks -which means the waitress took their orders already and food won't take too long. As I get closer, I realize Jungsoo and Tammy are sitting together in one of the benches. The only empty space is right next to Jungkook. I frown while I think about why they didn't sit together. And why do I even care?

If I thought things would get better the moment we started eating, I was wrong. The moment we get our burgers, he man spreads. His thigh and knee rubs against mine all the time, and I'm unable to think straight every single time it happens. Even the warmth coming from his body is giving me shiverings. I'm close to losing the appetite. I blame my lack of experience for this, but I refuse to believe he isn't bouncing his leg against mine accidentally. Although the way he keeps his head down, eating his burger makes me believe he might be doing it unconsciously.

And even if he was aware, most probably he'd apply the law of silence. The exact same one he's been practicing for a week. And that makes me wonder if he got offended at some point.

We don't spend much time there. We eat, rest for a bit and rush back to the car so we get to Seneca lake as soon as possible. Just two hours left. 

I think maybe a good choice would be trying to sleep on our way there. But my body reacts by itself before I can even decide if I want to sleep. The accumulated tiredness and the burger I've just eaten seem to take a toll on my body, because once my head is lodged against the window, my eyelids seal and I forget about everything.

✸ ✸ ✸

I don't feel embarrassed when I wake up and all eyes in the car are set on me, nor when I realize I slept so deep and good I ended up drooling and soaking my sleeve, nor after entering the cabin and feeling like an intruder and see there's more people than just the guys I met in the bar -although Soo already told me the day I decided to join them. 

Nope.

What makes me embarrassed is the fact that they already distributed the rooms, and everyone was pretty much aware of who'd be their roommate. Everyone but me, obviously. Oh, but it can get even funnier. Because my roommate is no one else but Jungkook. But it gets even worse when I decide to speak up. They all look at me confused, but burst out laughing the moment I say it's weird and it makes no sense making me sleep with him, when Jungsoo is the one dating him.

Would be great if they explained the joke.

I catch Jungkook laughing with the rest, probably a bit louder than them. It's the first time I've seen him like this ever since we started our trip, and that doesn't augur anything good.

—Jungkook, my boyfriend? —Soo asks after trying to put herself back together— Did you tell her that? —she asks Tammy.

My friend shakes her head fast, still laughing from my comment. And all I can think of is encouraging her to keep laughing, because once we're back in town, she'll remember this. Especially when we start planning the shifts.

—You talked about him the first night, you have matching tattoos —I point to my own wrist—. And, when I told him, he kinda confirmed it.

—I talked about my boyfriend, Mark, he was the one that met Tammy in the tattoo studio. Jungkook and him are partners —she explains—. He's my brother, the one I told you that was just starting to hang out with us.

Yeah, I remember that. 

—About the tattoos, well it's a siblings' thing. It's our initials. I have his, and he has mine. Why didn't you tell her we weren't together when she told you? —she confronts her brother. 

He's still laughing out loud, before he breathes out loudly to answer.

—She looked so convinced —now he looks at me—. How could I dare to contradict her? —his eyes challenge me.

I'll kill him. He better sleep with one eye open, because I'll kill him.

This will be a surprise chapter because we finally reached +1K readings, thank you all so much!! Hope you all are enjoying it. What do you think so far??