Chapter 6: Building Bridges
The group of five settled on grabbing take out and eating at Soo Min's house. Her mother was working a late night shift at her publishing company and most likely wouldn't be returning until everyone was long gone. Soo Min was used to being home alone most nights, so she was thrilled to have guests over. They all sat around the family table and began to dig into the variety of food. Not one to leave things to fate, she made sure that the only available seat for Nari was between her and Taehyung. She didn't want Nari to use Jimin as her shield from having to interact with Taehyung. She took notice of the way he watched her.
His eyes would often find their way to her when he thought no one was looking. From Soo Min's perspective, she could tell that he was very much intrigued by her. It was too early for her to tell if he liked her, or if it was simply a piqued interest. Nari did her best to avoid him by staying close to Jimin. As if sensing Taehyung's eyes, she refused to glance his way. Soo Min was the only one to take notice of the tension between them. Taking things into her own hands, she watched as Nari dreadfully stared down at the empty seat and then at the person she was to sit next to. You could see the wheels spinning in her head, trying to find a way out of the situation.
Taehyung smiled at her predicament, his eyes gesturing to the seat next to him in welcome. He pulled the seat out with a wide, boxy smile. Soo Min bit her lip, holding her laugh in. Given no other choice she sat down and the group had began to eat.
*Nari's POV*
The past thirty minutes proved difficult. I had been successful in avoiding any interaction with Taehyung after embarrassingly admitting my insecurities and inevitably confessing that I had did have a crush on Min Jae. He didn't say much after that, but it unnerved me that I openly admitted to that fact when I couldn't even tell my friends. I had always denied it, but at the first question from him, I made no denial.
Sitting next to him proved to be somewhat of a challenge. He didn't say anything to me, instead he would talk to Jimin who was seated on the other side of myself. My friends were no help, of course, as they chatted away with the two men.
"Eat a little, Nari"
I looked up into the dark brown eye that offered nothing but friendship. He grinned while placing a piece of meat on my plate. Not wanting to make things more awkward than I already was, I smiled back in thanks. His shoulders relaxed and I realized that he was also feeling unnerved by my presence.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
"For what?"
I shrugged, "For avoiding you and making you uncomfortable in the process."
He chuckled, "I should apologize."
I glanced up in question. There was nothing I could think he had to apologize for. I was the one that was sending out the closed off behavior. If anything, I was being rude by ignoring him.
"I shouldn't have asked about Min Jae," he sighed, "It was none of my business and it made you self-conscience. Please forgive my obnoxious behavior."
I couldn't fight the grin tugging at my lips. He had simply pointed out what the others had been excessively teasing me about for the past couple hours. Soo Min and Mi Cha were always asking or being impossible with their comments about the nature of my resistance to admit my feelings. I was the one that was being sensitive because I was able to tell him the truth so easily.
"How about we just drop it?" I chuckled, "It's nothing to get bent out of shape over. Friends?"
His smile grew causing his eyes to become crescents. He placed another piece of meat on my plate in acceptance of my offer. Taking the piece of meat with my eating utensils, I ate it in truce.
"What are you two whispering about?" Jimin leaned over in mock scrutiny.
We both laughed at his attempt to be intimidating. I've seen Jimin angry and he wasn't at the moment. If anything, he looked relieved that we were finally talking.
"Just offering some training in her gaming skills," Taehyung arrogantly grinned.
My mouth opened in shock. I glanced at Soo Min and Mi Cha, who raised their eyebrows as if checking to see my reaction.
"Excuse me, Mr. Kim, but I do not need training!" I jokingly pouted.
"Aww, come on, Ri Ri," Jimin playfully elbowed me, "Tae is an excelled player, you should feel honored that he deemed you worthy enough to be taken under his wing."
"I was just distracted last time," I waved off his comment and took a sip of my drink.
"By what?" Taehyung place his chin on his palm and leaned over to stare at me. He squinted his eyes in challenge. I realized I trapped myself.
My distraction that night was him. Everything about him that night had had me captured. His face, his baritone voice and of course the limited space the couch had offered.
"Uh...the dip I ate didn't sit well with my stomach..." I cringed at my lame attempt to cover for my actions. My cheeks blazed in embarrassment as everyone burst into laughter.
I looked at Taehyung and his eyes softened when they met mine. I wasn't sure if he believed that story, but he didn't attempt to dispute my excuse.
*Taehyung's POV*
Our dinner lasted longer than we planned, and before we knew it, it was nearing midnight. Mi Cha decided to stay over, which left Nari with Jimin and I. I could see she was a little worried about going past her curfew on a school night. I didn't know much about Mr. Park, but Jimin had stated in the past that Hobi and Nari struggled feeling like part of the family.
She sat in the back of my car and bit her lip nervously, glancing at her phone.
"Jimin, you should walk her to the door," I said while gently shoving him. He was drifting to sleep and I had to get him to hear what I was suggesting.
"Hmm?" he incoherently asked.
"I think Nari's parents will be less upset if they see she was with you, her cousin," I clarified.
I looked into the rear-view mirror and met her eyes. Her lip slightly lifted in a smile of thanks. My heart leaped at the silent gratitude. I pried my eyes from hers and looked at the road.
We arrived at her house, and bid her good-night and watched a sleepy Jimin escort her to the door.
*1 AM*
[TEXT] Unknown: Hey, Taehyung, It's Nari.
[TEXT] Unknown: You're probably asleep. I asked Jimin for your number. Thank you for the ride.
[TEXT] Unknown: And for having Jimin walk me to the door.
[TEXT] Unknown: I'm happy we're friends.
[TEXT] Taehyung: You're welcome, Nari. I'm happy too. Good night.
[TEXT] Nari: Good night. 🙂
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sauce8
Sauce8 Trying to keep up with my usual 1-2 chapters a week. It's difficult when you work a full time job and work after hours...the life of a teacher.
This chapter wasn't long, sorry about that, but I wanted to focus on building on Nari and Taehyung's growing friendship.
Enjoy,
Now I'm off to watch the Grammys. ^_^
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