"YOU'RE INSANE!" V yells next to me, putting his hand to his mouth.

I cover my ears, hoping they're not bleeding.

"YOU LAID ON THE FLOOR!?" he looks at me wide-eyed "and GIGGLED?! what are we TWELVE?"

I crumble in my seat, my embarrassment making me want to end it all now

Why did I tell him?

"I know, I know." I move my hands to cover my eyes.

"What has happened to you? This is not the Momo I know and love!" V fake cries, slamming his hand down on the cafeteria table.

"AHHHH!!! I don't knooow...." I whine, sitting back up, slumping my head into my hand

"He's just so nice, and sweet, and funny, and I'm so comfortable around him, and when he laughs-"

V puts a hand in front of my mouth, his expression pained.

"Shhhh," He looks at me with slight disgust. "You don't even know the man."

I shoot up to protest.

I kinda know him right?

I furrow my eyebrows, frustrated.

"oh, whatever! I don't need to know him to like him! I just do!" I look at the floor, pouting.

"Oh my God. You really have been replaced with a twelve year old" V lets out a sigh and his tone gets quieter, more serious. "Listen Noona," He puts a hand on my back "I know he seems really sweet and caring, which I don't doubt that he is, but don't get your hopes up too much. I don't want you to get sad if things don't work out okay?"

I nod, knowing he's right. I was acting really out of character. I just get excited when someone likes me, my mind wants it to instantly be love. I need to slow down, get to know him better before I go gushing over everything he does.

"Now, lets go spend the rest of our break outside!" V's attitude changes completely. His face lighting up with a huge, boxy grin. He pulls his shoulders in close, shaking them like an excited little kid.

I can't help but to smile back, it's contagious.

I forgot, I COMPLETELY FORGOT!

I roll my eyes at myself.

This is why I need to stop freaking out about Jin! I completely forgot about Kooki's test!

"Hello, did you find everything okay?" I greet the customer as she puts her things on the counter. I force a smile as she replies pleasantly.

Jungkook comes in, and doesn't look at me. Quietly he goes to his spot.

I glance at him, feeling awful about what I did.

He worked so hard and I didn't even care. No wonder he was so mad at me!

"Thank you mam, have a nice day." I hand her the bags, giving one last smile as she exits the store.

Silence.

The ticking of the clock becomes painfully loud.

I have to say it

"Hey, Kooki....." I say hesitently.

He glances in my direction, pressing his tongue against his cheek.

"I'm sorry.."

He takes a deep breath in. "...about what?" He asks, breathing out his words

I bite my lip, nervously. "About being soggy old dorito and ignoring you to eat with Jin" I mutter.

A smirk flashes on his face but he covers it, furrowing his brows.

"I'm sorry, what was that?"

"YAH!" I smack the back of his neck

He bubbles in laughter, putting his hands up in surrender. He instantly goes back into his normal self, accepting my weird apology.

I smile, shaking my head at him. "How'd your test go?"

His laughter stops and he rubs his eye. " Actually i,...."

Oh no, I thought he was happy over it?

"I GOT A 68!!" He bursts in joy.

I hesitate, wide eyed. A 68? did the studying even help?

Judging by his joy, I resist insulting him "Hey!" I yell, putting my fists up, trying to be positive "THAT'S NOT FAILING!"

"I KNOW!" Jungkook yells, eyes wide in excitement "I'm so happy Momo! I'mgonnabeabletogetintoagoodcollege! AndI'mfinaalygonnabeabletobeacinematographer!I'msogreatfulforyouandNamjoon! I couldn't have done it without your guy's help!"

I smile at him, perplexed by his happiness "let's celebrate!" I smack the table "let's go with Namjoon tomorrow night for chicken! we all have the day off"

"are you paying!?" He asks standing up.

"HECK NO I AIN'T PAYING!" I scowl at him "I need to live too!"

He scrunches up his nose, dumping himself back into his chair. "Dang it."

I scowl at him more, unsure if his response was to me saying I wasn't paying or that I needed to live.

" boy do you want to or not?"

"of course I do, it's chicken. I'll let Namjoon know" He pulls out his phone, immediately typing away before I change my mind.

I tsk at him, looking out at the store.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, I pull it out and check it.

This idiot wrote in the group chat.

I sigh.

HEY NAM! we're gonna go get chicken tomorrow night in celebration of me passing my English test!

YOU PASSED?

correction: YOU CHEATED AND DIDN'T GET CAUGHT?

I DID NOT CHEAT! I passed using my own brain power, thanks to you!

I mean I know I'm smart but I never thought I was smart enough to teach someone as dense as you

Like holy crap man, It's a real Christmas Miracle!

wait, you guys are getting chicken?

I want some!

Frick, I forgot this Frick-tard was in here.

how could you forget about someone you just insulted the entire conversation last time?

I insult a lot of people hyung. I can't keep track.

Where are you guys going?

We're going to K. you're F.ing not invited C.

IDK what you just said bro but, I'll just get my lord and Savior Momo to tell me

We're going to Poulet Chicken

"YOU TRAITOR!" Jungkook sprouts up, and hits me in the arm

I just laugh in reply.

***

The rest of the shift was actually pretty nice, Jungkook and I are back to our normal, bickering selves, scaring off half the customers from yelling at each other. It was like being back home with your annoying brother after being away a long time. Years of saved insults suppressed into twenty minutes. Heart warming really.

As we close the doors and lock them at the end of the shift, there's one thing that keeps tugging on the back of my mind.

Jin didn't come today.

Of course, he's not obligated to come everyday, I just got used to it after a while. I can't lie, it's kinda disappointing. Taehyung was right, I shouldn't get my hope's up too much. Just get to know him first.

I wave good bye to Kooki and he waves two middle fingers at me. I think he's still insulted that I called him a little bunny earlier. "it's not masculine to be called a bunny"he said. I roll my eyes. I thought it was a pretty nice compliment.

Sighing, I start my walk to the bus stop.

I'm really happy Kooki accepted my apology, I don't think I could stand him being actually mad at me. We've gotten too close over the years for that.

As I walk my mind wanders through Jungkook and I's friendship but ever so slyly, Jin started to creep back into my mind.

Now, I don't know if it was mental exhaustion at it's best or just my brain trying to entertain myself, but my thoughts turned weird, FAST.

What if Jin and Jungkook switched?

I think about it for brief second, bile collecting in my throat.

Nope. Nope. Nopedy Nope! That's disgusting!

I shiver from the thought of being interested in Jungkook.

It would be nice to know Jin as well as I know Jungkook though.

I wonder what his family's like? Why does he want to be a chef and not a business man? Why was he so nice to me? Is he this nice to everyone? Is he just trying to be friendly with me and I'm over here over analyzing everything?!

I yawn, sitting on the bench, waiting for the bus. Too many questions. Too many thoughts.

It finally comes and I get on, paying my fare. There aren't a lot people on tonight.

I should have drove today instead of walking with V this morning. Now I have to wait 8 stops to get to my stop. this is going to take foreverrr.

I sit down, staring out the window.

My eyes feel heavy, drooping down.

I'll just close them for one moment.

"Momo" I hear a voice and someone nudge my arm.

My eyes squint open, my head resting on something hard.

"It's the last stop" The voice says.

My eyes widen and I shoot up from my spot. Oh no, I should have gotten off two stops ago!

I stand frozen. I'm such an idiot.

"Come on Momo, we have to get off." I turn to notice Jin grabbing my elbow, dragging me off the bus.

"Jin?" I ask confused and surprised.

I didn't know he rode this bus.

He laughs "Let's go Momo, use your feet."

I snap out of it and walk properly next to him, slightly leading the way. I take a moment to properly look at him. He looks pretty adorable, all bundled up in a thick, puffy black coat and a scarf that engulfs half his face. He kinda reminds me of a little kid or a grandpa. Either way, it's got the same vibe.

It's silent between us as we walk. But my head is a raging war of hormones.

What do I say to him? Do I say anything? I'm can't come on too strong remember? Just be cool. What does that even mean? What would a normal person say in this situation?!

"sooo,..." I mutter "when did you get here?"

Get here? really Momo? that sounds like I'm asking when he arrived on earth as if he's some alien.

"On the bus I mean."I glance up at him.

He shrugs. "I just got on after work and saw you asleep next to some pervy guy."

"What? some pervert!?"

That happens a lot to girls on buses or trains. It usually when it's crowded. Perverts will sit next to girls, crossing their arms to conceal a hand that they move over to touch the girls side. Some go as far as trying to grope them.

He laughs "Don't worry, I got him to move."

"thanks.." I scrunch up my face, feeling a bit uncomfortable about what might have happened and grateful that Jin stoped it.

We stop at a cross walk and I push the button to go right.

"Where do you work?" I ask, trying to act upon my thoughts and actually get to know him.

"At a restaurant near my Dad's office, I'm ... the chef." He says with a small proud smile.

I imagine him in a crisp white chef coat, cooking over an open flame. Surrounded by wealthy people and chandeliers. Maybe even light Mozart playing in the background.

"seriously? That's awesome! How do you have a job in your career without even graduating yet?"

His smile falters ever so slightly "Like I said, it's near my Dad's office, he's got connections so..." His eyes are filled with disappointment, remembering his situation.

I furrow my eyebrows at his sudden melancholy mood, looking at him with concern. The walk light turns on.

"Come on!" I yell, grabbing his wrist." let's run!"

He looks at me confused but I take off, pulling him with me.

"Wh-? Why Momo? Why are you making me run!" he yells at me but his eye twinkle in amusement.

I laugh as I continue to drag him through the streets, ignoring his question.

We stop, out of breath, halfway up the second flight of stairs to my neighborhood.

"I hate you" He mumbles in between deep breaths. He stands doubled over with his hands on his knees.

We ran the whole way here and were now regretting it with every fiber of our being as we tredge up endless steps.

I groan, resting my head on his back "I'm so tired." It's freezing out side and yet we're sweating buckets.

"IT'S YOUR OWN FAULT FOR MAKING US RUN!" Jin shakes me off his back, slowly continuing up the steps.

I halfheartedly swat at the air where he was "Wait, come back!" I whine "Carry me!"

"HECK NO!" Jin raspily yells "if anything YOU should be carrying ME!"

I sigh, crawling my way up the stairs. He's got a point.

"I GET IT! it's allll my fault!" I admit

"Darn freaking right it is" Jin mumbles like a salty Pringle. He takes a deep breath, making it to the top of the steps.

I give up on the last one, crumbling to the floor once again."Go on without me, I can't make it."

I snuggle into the hard cement, prepared to make my new home here.

"We're going to YOUR house." He bends down and grabs my arms "Come on, don't die on me now." He pulls me up to my feet, I groan in protest.

I finally stand and Jin holds on to my arm, pulling me as we make our way up the last flight of stairs.

"Why did you get a place with so many steps!" Jin scolds me.

" the rent is cheaper" I murmmer, rethinking all my life decisions that led to this moment.

We get to the top and stop to catch our breath.

I sigh well this didn't go very well.

"My place is just down there." I say pointing down the road a bit. "Thanks for walking me home. and sorry for,.." I motion to the stairs of death " all that"

He softly laughs "It's okay, it was,... entertaining."

I scratch my head in doubt."Well, I should get going, you too, it's late. " I awkwardly thumb in the direction of my apartment.

Jin's face slightly furrows like he's debating something in his mind."Momo wait!" He quickly calls out lightly grabbing my elbow but quickly letting go. My eyes widen, heart fluttering.

"Yea?" I say calmly.

"About eating together, did you wanna get late dinner tomorrow night? It's the only night I'm free" he rubs the back of his head.

is he serious?

I stare at him a moment, getting lost in my thoughts, trying to figure out what part of this night actually went nice enough to make him think "yea, let's do this more." The answer was none. Absolutely none. He must be insane.

ANSWER HIM IDIOT BEFORE HE STARTS THINKING STRAIGHT!

"YES!" I blurt out "I would love to eat things with you,.. food, eat foods and other- yea, sounds great!" I stumble over my words in a panic.

Nailed it.

He smiles back at me, his eyes flooded with relief.

"I'll come get you around 7 okay?!"

And with that he runs down the stairs, shyly turning back to wave goodbye to me. I wave back with a huge grin.

When he's out of sight I slowly walk back to my house biting my grin.

It's getting really hard to follow Tae's advice.

***

I get in bed, freshly washed and turn off my light, sighing as I sink into my bed. I massage my legs a bit, trying to get the muscles to relax.

My legs hurt so bad. Why am I so weak!? Curse my laziness

My phone dings. I groan, grabbing it. I see who it is and shoot up in my bed, a huge grin reappearing.

Good night Momo. See you tomorrow, dream of me while you wait ;)

I fall back into my bed, eyes squished shut. He's so weird, I can't figure out if he's confident or if he's shy. It's charming

I get lot in my thoughts again and forget to reply, falling asleep with a grin on my face.

The morning however, is a completely different story.

I gasp, sitting up, hair a mess and dried drool on the side of my mouth.

What have I done?

"AHHHH!!" I hit my head, and fall back on the bed, kicking my legs out of the blankets.

I planned dinner with Jin and my friends on the same night.

Hey! I'm putting an interactive bit just for fun!

What would you do? What should Momo do?

Go with her friends? Go with Jin? Do both, neither, or something completely different?

Take your pick.

I might go with it, who knows, I haven't decided. LOL. This is probably completely pointless. You're welcome.