Chapter 25: 24. The Sandwich Incident
Monday 23rd, March. 2015.
Upon waking I found myself tucked under the blanket, but Tae and Jimin were nowhere to be seen. On top of my closed laptop lay a handwritten note.
As I picked it up, I saw their names signed cutely at the bottom. The note said that they had to leave early and didn't want to wake me up because I looked so peaceful.
I felt a small blush creep up as I imagined them looking at me while I was sleeping, but, as that thought wandered to the night before, it deepened. Tae had been so close to me. He'd said something, but I couldn't remember what it was..
I got up and went to prepare for class. Slipping on a dainty mid-thigh length pink dress and a woollen cardigan. Some bracelets too. As I did, I stared at the one I always wore. It was a thin sliver and had a heart dangling from the latch.
I couldn't remember exactly where I'd gotten it but I just knew that I never took it off.. on the back were the initials P.J engraved on it..
Park Jia.
Had always been how I'd written my initials. I usually shorten it. But, technically, P.J.A was also correct.
Park Ji-ah. That was, if you wanted to count The J from 'Ji' and the A for 'Ah'. But no one ever pronounced my name in its extended form.
Still unable to recall where I got the bracelet, I let it go and finished preparing to leave for class. Also, upon checking my emails, I saw I had an induction at Y.G later this afternoon. Once I was ready, I left my apartment and walked over to the campus. The day was sunny, perfect weather for the start of a brand-new week.
But, as I got closer to class, I realized. This would be the first time I'd have to face those girls again since the incident on the balcony. And, with each step, anxiety grew.
When I approached the door to the lecture room, I saw Jungkook waiting by the lockers, glancing up and down the hall every now and again. Soon enough, he noticed me, and as he walked up, he seemed happy to see me.
"Hey, sorry. I was planning to come and get you this morning but," He hesitated for a second, his expression hardening. I was confused.
"Oh? Did something happen?" I asked, glancing behind him towards the door. Knowing just inside that classroom was…
"Well, our company issued a restraining order against those girls that hassled you. It was set into motion over the weekend, so you won't be seeing them anymore. They've been taken care of," Jungkook explained. By now, he'd gently wrapped his hand around my forearms and led me into the room.
"What? Seriously?" I felt myself instantly relax at the good news.
"Yeah. Your safety is important to me. Of course I'm going to take it seriously" His demeanour matched his words as he led me up the aisle. It felt a little strange but, as I searched the room, I couldn't see them anywhere, which only added to my relief.
Jungkook let me slip into our usual row of seats first. I closely side-stepped past him, near missing his built chest that puffed out as I did. He followed behind, pulling up the chair right beside me.
As I took my stationery out of my bag, my mind wandered. The last time Jungkook and I had been alone was on the rooftop of that abandoned building…
As the lecture began, I took notes, but the thought of us sitting together and eating his homemade Onigiri floated into my head. It was such a sweet moment.
I glanced over at him. The more time I spent around Jungkook, the more I felt drawn to him. My gaze dropped to those perfectly poised bow lips of his. I knew he liked someone else.. but.. when he kissed me..
"Hm? What's wrong?" He asked, his voice low as he turned to me. He'd totally just caught me staring at him.
"Oh, no! It's nothing, never mind" I quickly glanced down, looking at the open notebook in front of me, trying to hide my fluster from him.
"You're so cute" It must've slipped because he cleared his throat awkwardly and looked back down.
His words hit me, doing nothing to ease my fluster. He thought I was cute? Did it make me a terrible person, knowing that his feelings lay elsewhere, yet wanting him to hear him call me cute again?
I needed to stop. This was a dangerous game that I was playing, and it wasn't fair to the other person who liked him. I needed to set boundaries and respect them.
For the rest of the class, he didn't look at me again and I tried to do the same. Instead, I thought more about who he liked.. Maybe he kept her a secret because of being an idol and all.. Then again, none of the boys had mentioned anyone.
Except for Jin, but he'd said it was a long time ago.. I was wondering how long ago he meant. And, if it was the same person..
I still didn't understand why he'd kissed me. I'd just chalked it up as an accident, being carried away in the moment..
When class ended, Jungkook and I packed up. It was just as we'd walked down to the door. Perhaps I should say goodbye and part ways, to spare us from this awkwardness that'd seemed to grow when we were alone. However, Jimine called out, waving to us from down the hallway.
"Phew, glad I caught you two just in time. I have lunch ready and the weather is really warm outside. Thought it was perfect for a picnic," He smiled brightly.
"Jimin, how are you so sweet?" I asked, baffled by what an absolute angel he truly was. As he stood there, it's as though a halo had appeared over his head, shining above his blonde head of hair. The blue contacts he wore today made him illegally attractive.
"You think this is sweet? You should taste my-" Jimin said, but Jungkook quickly put his hand up to cover his mouth, muffled the last of his words.
"Hyunggg, seriously" He whined. Jimin pulled down his hands and gave a cheeky smile.
"Fine, I'll behave. C'mon, I wanna show Jia what I made for lunch." Jungkook playfully pushed him and they both giggled before looking back at me to see if I was coming.
I walked between them as we exited the building and found a quiet spot on the grass. Jimin slipped off his backpack and asked Kookie to give him a hand to lay out a picnic blanket he had neatly packed in his bag.
Jimin pulled out a few containers and handed them over for me to hold while Jungkook determinedly made sure all the corners of the blanket were laid out properly. As soon as he was done, Jimin sat down and pat the spot beside him, gesturing for me to join him. Jungkook carefully took the containers off my hands so that I could sit.
"Did you make the salad egg mayonnaise sandwiches that I like?" Jungkook asked keenly as he started picking up the containers and popping them open. I did the same thing to help.
"Of course, they're in this box" Jimin waved the last container he'd pulled out of his bag in his hand cutely. Jungkook's eyes lit up and a cheeky grin spread across his face as he leaned over me to take it from his hand.
"These look delicious," I said, leaning back a bit to move out of the way. Holding the opened container with the glazed strawberries in it. Jimin stopped teasing Kook and gave the sandwiches to him before turning his attention to me.
"Here, try one" He picked one up and brought it to my lips. I'd never thought feeding someone was such an affectionate gesture until I'd met them. With cheeks rosing up, I let Jimin pop it in my mouth and bit down. Jimin moved to gently wipe the sweet juices that had run down the corner of my mouth with his thumb. Cheekily, he held his gaze steady with mine as he licked it off.
I gulped thickly, as though trying to swallow down the butterflies he was stirring inside me. But they fluttered helplessly around.
"Jia," Jungkook interrupted as he nudged me, offering a sandwich. I dipped my head in thanks before I took it from him. Jimin's grin only widened as he took the next one Jungkook handed out.
"Mmm Hm" Jungkook moaned. I noticed that was a habit of his when he ate something he enjoyed. I quietly ate my sandwich, quick to find out why Jungkook looked like he was on the verge of climax.
I was just about to take another bite when suddenly Jungkook's eyes widened and he slapped my sandwich out of my hand. It flew off and landed on the grass with a plonk. A moment of awkwardness followed as Jimin and I turned to look at him, baffled by his sudden actions.
"Jungkook?! Why'd you do that?! That sandwich was so delicious" I whined, a wave of annoyance hit me, my poor sandwich. What was his problem?!
"No! That's-" Jungkook waved his hands in defence, but Jimin cut in.
"What do you think you're doing?! Don't treat my sandwich like that!" Jimin got up on his knees and jumped on him. Jungkook kept laughing and begging Jimine to stop, but was becoming breathless from the cute struggle.
"Hey hey~ Wait! Guys!" I tried to hold back my laughter and pull Jimine off Kookie, but ended up landing on my butt as I did.
"You've got some nerve, gosh. Don't think about asking me to make you sandwiches again, seriously," Jimin finally got off, crossed his arms and knelt beside him with a pout.
"Huh?! A bug landed in Jia's sandwich, I swear. I just was thinking quick and hit it." Jungkook sat up, clutching his stomach, whining cutely as he tried to explain.
"Oh? Wait, Jimin, technically he saved me then.. Kookie, I'm sorry.." I mumbled, feeling bad for thinking the worst.
"Hm, I dunno if I can forgive you. How are you going to make it up to me, Hm?" Jungkook had this tinge of evil glint in his eyes.
"You're worse than me, seriously," Jimin scoffed before continuing, "But I like it. Keep going."
"Huh?! How did this end up with two against one, no fair" I playfully hit Jimin's shoulder with a pout. The two of them burst into giggling fits, Jimin toppling over into my side as he did.
"Don't worry, we can settle your debt later" Jungkook grinned mischievously. He really wasn't going to let this slide. I gave a sigh and picked up another sandwich.
—----
Afternoon class finished a bit later than usual, which didn't give me enough time to stop home before my appointment at Y.G. When I left the campus night had fallen. I searched the address of the building on my phone maps and made my way through the afternoon bustle towards my destination.
The Y.G building towered high up, maybe a good thirty stories. Gazing up at it made this feel all too surreal.
The automatic doors slid open as I entered the spacious modern lobby. I went straight up to the reception desk and let the clerk know what I was there for. After a few clicks of the computer in front of her, she directed me to take the elevator behind her up to level 15. I took her advice and, just as she'd instructed, there was another desk as soon as I stepped out.
The entire building was so clean and high tech that it made me feel slightly out of place. Like I didn't belong there. Then again, some of the biggest names in the Idol world walked down these same halls.
When I explained my reason for being there to the receptionist, she gave me a smile. She also urged me to follow her into an office that was directly beside us. She ran through a contract with me and inducted me into the position. Much like my contract with Big Hit, they didn't exactly require me to come into the company very often. Unless, of course, there was some sort of even or team meeting.
It must've taken about an hour to get through induction. Once it was done, and after checking that I had everything I needed, the receptionist thanked me and gave me a warm send off.
I patiently waited for the elevator, hands full of papers that I'd been given. But, as soon as the ding sounded and doors slid open, something solid collided with me and it knocked me on my back, papers flying everywhere.
I rubbed my head, trying to reorient myself from the sudden impact.
"Oh, are you ok? "You shouldn't stand right in front of the doorway, you know.", I looked up only to be left shell-shocked. The eyes that met mine were just as shaken.
One of the most famous idols stood right before me, his stature tall and handsome.
Kang Dae-Sung of Big Bang.
"Oh, my god I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to get in the way" I quickly scrambled to my feet and gave a ninety degree bow in apology before lifting my head back up. As I did, his expression twisted in confusion before he composed himself.
"Oh no, it's entirely my fault. There's no need to apologise," he said, glancing down at the floor where all my papers were scattered.
"Do you.. work here?" He asked, hints of intrigue in his voice.
"Ah yeah, I just got hired as a ghostwriter. Oh, I nearly forgot, how rude. My name is Jia. It's nice to meet you" I gave another bow to my senior. The nerve of being in front of such an enormous star was frazzling me to no ends.
"Dae-Sung," he replied, seeming that still be thinking something I just couldn't seem to decipher, "Here, let me help you."
Suddenly, Dae Sung moved to collect my papers from the floor, as though the odd look he had disappeared in an instant and was replaced with a sympathetic smile.
"Oh thank you, I'm so sorry," I apologised again, offering to help him.
"No really, please stop saying that" He waved it off. Once we'd picked them up, he handed them back to me. He lingered in me for a moment. I was about to say goodbye, but he stopped me.
"Say, it's getting dark out. How about you let my driver drop you home?" He offered. I felt a wave of shyness wash over me. Was he serious right now?
"Oh, no.. I couldn't-" He shook his head, adamant that he wanted to make sure I got home safely. So I accepted. He made a call and then took the elevator down to the car park, where he walked me over to a black sedan.
I thanked him again before getting in. His driver asked me for my address, which I gave him, and we set off. Soon enough, we arrived back at my apartment and I hopped out of the car and walked up to my apartment.
Wow, what a crazy day it's been..
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone