Chapter 7: Caution
"Can you believe Spring Break is only a week and a half away?" Soo Min cooed at the thought of a long break. The three of us sat under a tree outside for lunch, after spending the day testing in our classes in preparation for the upcoming break.
"Oooooh!" I surprised Soo Min and Mi Cha with my sudden outburst. I completely had forgotten about Hobi's suggestion of all us doing something during the break. I had been so distracted with Min Jae, Taehyung and exams.
After Tuesday's game, I didn't have much time to speak with Min Jae due to our exam crunch. He seemed a little distant as well. He didn't offer much conversation, but I assume it could be due to the pressure to remain a top student.
Tae hadn't messaged me after that victory dinner at Soo Min's house. Not that I was expecting him to. But not hearing from him and being practically ignored by Min Jae left me wondering if I had done something wrong.
"Nari, what's wrong?"
"Hobi mentioned all of us possibly getting together for Spring Break. I completely forgot about it!" I pushed the two guys out of my mind.
"All of us?" they chorused.
"Yeah," I nodded, pulling out my phone. "Excuse me, I'm going to check in with my brother."
[TEXT] Nari: Hobi!!
[TEXT] Hobi: Yes, little sister? You rang?
[TEXT] Nari: Listen, peasant!
[TEXT] Nari: It's almost Spring Break and we never made plans.
[TEXT] Hobi: First of all...rude
[TEXT] Hobi: second, what did you have in mind?
[TEXT] Nari: Hold on for a sec
"Hobi is up for it, but I'm not sure what we should do. Any ideas?"
"Are talking like a dinner or something?" Mi Cha questioned.
"Too boring," Soo Min cut in. Both girls exchanged looks of concern. Don't get me wrong. We love Soo Min but she is the more adventurous one out of the three of us.
I remember last year when she bought tickets in the city two hours away. She created a huge plot to tell our parents that we'd be spending night at her house. Her mother had a convention to attend that weekend, so her house had been the perfect choice of destination.
My mother agreed and I felt so guilty but I really wanted to see the performance. It wasn't like I planned on doing anything outside of attending the concert. We were able to attend but I swear that I was nervous the entire night. I kept glancing around in fear that my mother or Mr. Park would pop out and drag me out of the stadium in front all the spectators and the idols on stage. It took Soo Min and Mi Cha telling me to snap out of it. I never told anyone about that trip. Not even Hobi.
"Oh man, what do you have planned?" Mi Cha laughed nervously.
"No trust in me?" Soo Min chuckled at her horrified expression.
"Nothing crazy!" I cut in. "Remember, Hobi has to be on board."
"It's not over the top, I swear." We nod in wait of her suggestion. "My family has a beach house with four bedrooms. I'm sure we can all bunk together for a couple days."
"Would your mom be ok with that?" I just want to verify that she would not be in any trouble if we did this. Her mother is constantly busy with work, but there have been moments when she decides to play the part of the attentive parent. As long as Soo Min continues to pass her classes, not draw any bad attention that could effect her work and be upfront with her whereabouts.
Soo Min rolled her eyes as if what I asked was ridiculous.
"As long as we don't trash the place, do anything that will have the police called or anything that will tarnish her, she won't care."
"Sorry."
"Don't be. I love her for providing for me, but that's the extent of it. You guys are my family, and I want us to have a good time."
I can't stop the smile I feel tugging at my lips. I have Mom and Hobi which are definitely loving towards me. And I was blessed with Namjoon and Jimin as two of the best cousins I could of ever dreamed of having. Outside of them, Soo Min and Mi Cha were my sisters.
"You're so cheesy," I giggle while pulling her into a hug. We all laugh at the silliness of it all. Unfortunately, the bell rings and we're off to class.
*Evening*
After the long school day, I headed home as usual. It was Thursday night, which had become "date night" for Mr. Park and Mom. I sat on my bed eating a cup of noodles and watching random YouTube videos on my laptop.
The sound of my phone buzzing caught my attention. Incoming call from Jimin. I slurp a mouthful of noodles and answer the phone.
"Ri Ri!" He practically shouts.
"Whas ump?" I say over the food in my mouth. I can picture my mother grimacing in disgust at her unladylike daughter's behavior.
"At least finish chewing," he laughs, "Hobi said you wanted to do something for Spring Break, but never told him what."
"Did he send you to check in on me?"
"Yup," he confirmed. "So what did you want to do?"
"Soo Min suggested her family beach house."
"Can it house us all?"
"How many of us are going?" I was not expecting so many of us to be available. It was short notice and I wasn't expecting everyone to be up for it.
"Seven total from our side and you three. So ten all together."
That was a whole lot of people. I mentally tried to arrange them in the beach house, but wasn't sure who was "everyone."
"She said it's three bedroom and one master bedroom. Two full beds in each bedroom and one king size in the master. I'm assuming we could all fit if you boys don't mind sharing beds."
"That shouldn't be a problem. I'll send you a group text so we can all make arrangements to bring supplies."
"Ok. I'll add the girls once you send it." We agree and hang up.
[TEXT] Jiminie: Ok, everyone say who you are so we can save each other's numbers.
[TEXT] Unknown: Yoongi
[TEXT] Hobi: always a man of limited words, Yoongs. Hobi here!
[TEXT] Taehyung: Taehyung present
[TEXT] Unknown: Please save me a "#1 best looking"
[TEXT] Joon: Sorry about him. That was Jin. I'm Namjoon.
[TEXT] Soo Min: Hello, gentleman, I am Soo Min.
[TEXT] Mi Cha: Mi Cha
[TEXT] Unknown: We haven't met yet, but I'm Jungkook. Jimin's neighbor and best friend.
[TEXT] Taehyung: #3, Kook
[TEXT] Jungkook: When did I drop in rank? You used to say #2!
[TEXT] Taehyung: Nari may be his cousin, but she's a good second in the best friend department.
[TEXT] Nari: Nari here, and Taehyung, you're #2.
[TEXT] Jiminie: Guys, guys, there's plenty of Chim Chim to go around.
[TEXT] Taehyung: nevermind, you two can have him
[TEXT] Nari: I gracefully hand him over into your care.
[TEXT] Jungkook: I respectfully decline your gracious offer.
[TEXT] Jiminie: rude
[TEXT] Soo Min: Rejected
[TEXT] Hobi: lol, all jokes aside, what's the plan?
[TEXT] Soo Min: My family beach house for four days. We can leave Friday night when school is out and stay until Tuesday afternoon.
[TEXT] Nari: If you guys don't mind sharing a room and possibly a bed, it shouldn't be a problem.
[TEXT] Hobi: Bunking shouldn't be a problem.
[TEXT] Soo Min: We can call rooms when we get there.
[TEXT] Jiminie: We need to bring food, people
[TEXT] Hobi: Jin, Yoongi, Namjoon and I can grab the groceries. We'll all leave the university Friday and stop on the way there.
[TEXT] Yoongi: I'm down. Jin and I can prepare the meals while there.
[TEXT] Jin: Yes! I'm the best cook there is.
[TEXT] Soo Min: the place already has linens and pillows, but bring your own toiletries.
[TEXT] Nari: sounds like a plan. See you guys next Friday!
[TEXT] Jin: can't wait!
[TEXT] Jungkook: Look forward to meeting you all
[TEXT] Mi Cha: Night
[TEXT] Yoongi: Later
[TEXT] Namjoon: This will be a fun weekend
[TEXT] Soo Min: FR! I'm beyond excited!
[TEXT] Hobi: See you all
[TEXT] Taehyung: Bye Bye
[TEXT] Jiminie: This coming week better fly by!
I smiled at my phone. I couldn't wait for Spring Break. They seemed like a crazy bunch and I couldn't wait to see what they were like all in the same house.
*Buzz* I grabbed my phone thinking the group was sending something new only to see it was from someone I least expected. Taehyung.
[TEXT] Taehyung: How was your week?
[TEXT] Nari: Boring. Exams
[TEXT] Taehyung: No Min Jae?
[TEXT] Nari: I thought we went over this?
[TEXT] Taehyung: I'm asking as a friend.
[TEXT] Taehyung: Even though he's not as great a soccer player as he thinks he is, I'll attempt to look past that.
[TEXT] Nari: How considerate of you. I'm touched.
[TEXT] Taehyung: I do what I can for my friends
[TEXT] Nari: Taehyung, there is nothing new to report.
[TEXT] Taehyung: Tae...call me Tae
[TEXT] Nari: Oh... Ok. But seriously, there's nothing going on with us
[TEXT] Tae: I don't know. He looked into you...
[TEXT] Nari: please. He's friendly to everyone.
[TEXT] Tae: His eyes say "love me, Nari!"
[TEXT] Nari: No they don't! What the heck?
[TEXT] Tae: Ok, maybe not that, but he did look like he's interested in getting close.
[TEXT] Tae: You should just tell him before you lose your chance
[TEXT] Nari: Why do you want me to go out with him so much?
[TEXT] Tae: Because I won't cross the line if you have a boyfriend.
"What?" I squeak.
*Taehyung's POV*
I can't believe I sent that. I stare at the phone waiting to see if she would respond, but nothing comes through. I stare at my phone, frozen in worry that I may have made things worse. I spent the past week thinking about her.
Having her phone number was so tempting, and I had to constantly resist the urge to message her. To check to see how she was doing. To simply talk about anything and everything. Jimin even noticed I was distracted and had to pull me out of my thoughts during practice. I considered telling Jimin that I was attracted to Nari and was very much thinking of asking her out.
I couldn't do that though. Nari may be his cousin through marriage, but she was his sister and best friend. Distance didn't do a thing to break their connection. I didn't want to be risk hurting her and initially losing my best friend. I'm not one to go after a girl that is dating someone. I'm respectful of those in relationships. As much as it bugs me to imagine her with Min Jae, it would push me to forget about any chance with her. I could truly only see her as a friend.
Sending her the text was not in my plan. I just wanted to come off as a considerate guy friend. One that would be her cheerleader when it comes to pursuing her love interest. But when she asked me why I was interested, like an idiot, I sent what popped into my head. My true reasoning. I ended up basically confessing to her. I picked the worse time. A week before I would be with her for four days. Not only do I have to worry that Jimin will find out about my increasing desire for his cousin, but Namjoon and Hobi will be in attendance as well.
Staring at the exchange of text messages, nothing new comes through. Not so much as the symbol indicating the other person was typing. Silence.
"Shit."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sauce8
Sauce8 Hope everyone had great week. Finding time to write is getting easier now that school's nearing the end.
T-minus 7 more weeks until summer vacation.
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