10 9. Make That Two

Tuesday, 10th. March. 2015

"Joon, hey. Where are you? Why didn't you pick up my call earlier?" Hoseok's voice blared through the phone as Joon put it to his ear, taking a few steps towards the edge of the sidewalk as to not block people as they passed by.

"Hob, I'm uh, across the road from Jia's place. Sorry, I meant to call you back. What's up?"

"Well, it's Yoongi's birthday tonight so I wanted to check what tim- Wait. Did you say you were out the front of Jia's? What the hell are you doing there?"

"Ah. I dono. Fuck. Hobi, I'm seriously contemplating just going over there and telling her everything. I don't know how much more of this I can take. I feel like we're lying to her."

"Namjoon-Ah. You know we can't do that right?! I hear what you're saying. I feel fucking terrible too, but, what's worse? Her potentially losing it at the information overload or us having to suck it up for now. C'mon bro, the last thing we need is you having a menty b right now."

"Shit. I know. I just-" Joon paused, wondering if Hoseok had actually just referred to a mental breakdown as a 'Menty B' or if he was just imagining things. Hoseok went on.

"It'll be alright. I just get this feeling like maybe this is for the best, that sounds kind of fucked up but, let's just try and think rationally. Ok?"

"Yeah, you're right Hob-ah. Ok. So what were you saying about Yoongi?"

"Oh right, we're doing his birthday thing tonight. What time you gonna get here?"

"Uhh, around 6 probably."

"Okay cool. Don't do anything stupid. I'll catch ya later." Joon hung up the phone with a deep sigh, lifting his gaze only to see Jia disappear through the automated doors as she entered the coffee shop.

___________________________________

After morning class it was that time of day I looked forward to the most.

"An Iced Americano please, large."

"Make that two." I was halfway through ordering when a deep voice came from right behind me. I quickly spun around to see the tall intellectual that'd lent me a pen last week. He smiled brightly down at me.

"Oh hi!" It was nice to see him, I'd been wondering if I'd bump into him again. The cashier pulled us from our little delightful encounter.

"Name for the order?" He questioned, part of me thought he probably was over customers being vague with their orders. Both of us answered with our names at the same time. The cashier stared at us blankly.

"Sorry which was it?" He asked.

Namjoon, as I'd just learnt, was quick to insist on using his and, after we both laughed off the awkward moment he invited me to join him for a chat. I happily agreed so we both collected our drinks and made our way to a quiet table tucked in the corner of the Café.

As Namjoon adjusted in his seat and turned his attention to me, I observed his light tan complexion and masculine features being accentuated by the denim jacket he was wearing. He exuded an air of sexiness that I perhaps had been too frazzled to fully appreciate the first time we met.

"So, what were you working on the other day? Looked like it was writing itself." He took a sip of his drink as he asked, giving a refreshed-filled sigh afterwards.

"Just some lyric drafts. When you mentioned you dabbled in lyrics too I was surprised. I wanted to ask you more about it." I replied, crossing my legs and leaning my arm on the side rest of the chair.

"Oh, you don't say. Are you working on something specific right now?" He ran his thumb over his bottom lip as he inquired. I gave a small hum, contemplating if I should share or not. Truth be told the effortless confidence he dripped gave me the impression he was a good lyricist. Whereas on the other hand, I hadn't even been able to write anything decent for nearly an entire year.

"Nothing solid. I had writer block for about a year, I've only started to get past it when I moved here to Seoul. It's only been a week so," I sipped on my coffee, he gave a small sympathetic frown. It was sweet.

"Oh. I truly hope you get past the block... There's nothing worse."

As much as I appreciated the thought, I hurried to skim the topic and decided to flip the question back on him. Besides, I was much more curious about him.

"Thanks... me too. So, how about you? Are you working on anything at the moment?" A coy smile crossed his lips at my question. Apparently, there was.

"Yeah, actually, I'm working on a mixtape. I'm nearly finished. There are just a few loose ends I need to tie before it's done" The enthusiasm he spoke with made it easy to tell he was really excited about it and I could totally understand why. A mixtape was a big deal.

"Oh wow. That's awesome! You'll have to show me sometime or send it to me when you're finished with it. I love music" I swooned. Secretly becoming more and more enthralled with him by the second. How could I not? Everything he was telling me had me hanging off his every word. Our interests couldn't have been more aligned.

"Uhh, I mean, I could just show you some of it now" He laughed shyly. Maybe he hadn't expected me to be so eager.

"Really?!" Excitement washed over at his unexpected offer. Was I asking too much of him? I had only just met him, right?

"Yeah, just uhh. I might need to keep it down" He gazed around the cafe.

"Oh. Right," I laughed, the space between us had been so intimate and easy to get drawn in. Forgetting that we were indeed in a coffee shop.

"Okay, you ready?" He leaned forward, clearing his throat with a little cough. I huddled forward, leaving a small space between us. The scent of sandalwood coming from him.

As he started whisper rapping my jaw dropped open at the shock of how deep his voice was and the precision of his flow. I couldn't look away, left completely hanging off each line. When he'd finished he looked at me expectantly, waiting for a response.

"Holy shit, that was so good?! Are you signed with an agency?" I whisper yelled, snapping out of my stunned state and spilling my thoughts.

"Yeah, actually, I'm part of an Idol group named Bangtan Sonyandan. We debut in 2013." I felt a tug at my memory, then, it dawned on me. I knew that group.

"What? No way… Oh wow, this is crazy. I have a confession," I felt myself flustering but went on, "Last year I stumbled across your Album - Skool Luv Affair and loved it. It inspired me to apply for a job at your company as a ghostwriter." I admitted.

Was I telling him too much? I was just so overwhelmed by the circumstances to even care.

"Oh for real? Wow, that's… That makes me so happy to hear." Had I made him feel awkward? I didn't want to come across as some weirdo. Uh. Damn it, I shook my head before trying to elaborate.

"Ahh, it's a little embarrassing, I'm so sorry I didn't recognise you. I guess I didn't bother to search for a picture of your group…" I laughed awkwardly, "I was just so focused on the music it didn't even cross my mind."

"Oh no! Don't apologise. It's kinda funny, knowing that's how it worked out." Namjoon smiled, sitting back and waving it off.

"Yeah... I mean, I'm still kind of shocked, like, what a crazy coincidence" I said aloud, sitting back too. A small moment of silence passed before he spoke again.

"You know, if you're working as a ghost-writer at our Agency maybe we should exchange numbers or something? That way if you ever need help or just want to send me your work directly you can."

A small wave of butterflies fluttered in my stomach. He was asking for my number. I knew it was only because we worked at the same Agency but still, there was something in me that couldn't help but gush a tad. But... He was an Idol, right?

"Oh… is that really okay? I was at the introductory seminar on the weekend and I met a producer who asked me the same thing. But, I'm just worried I'll get in trouble seeing as it's supposed to go through certain channels, no?" I didn't want to directly tell him it was because he was an Idol so I tried to be indirect about it.

I was pretty sure it was unacceptable to be doing such a thing, another part of me was in disbelief that he'd even asked for my number. I mean, don't get me wrong, I liked him before learning he was famous.

"Nah, it's fine. Don't worry about that. Seeing as the writing you'll be submitting is potentially for our tracks it just saves time. It'll get to us much quicker" He was fast to refute any potential problems, not leaving me with a way to refuse. Secretly I was happy about it but couldn't sake the inkling of worry that accompanied it.

"Oh right, we'll I guess that's okay then" I gave a light smile. We exchanged numbers.

"It's nice to officially meet you, Jia." His eyes smiled brightly. This man was unlike anyone I had met before; his warmth was incomparable. This, coupled with his confidence, contrasted with the cutthroat skill that came so naturally to him. I was beside myself with joy in having met him.

"The pleasures all mine, Namjoon-Sunbae."