Author's note: Chapter requires edit.
Part 8
Taehyung could see, from the corner of his eyes, the dumbfounded look on April's face. It made him chuckle on the inside but his smile soon faded when his eyes traveled across to where Jimin was standing. He looked at him with an undetermined smile. Taehyung was unsure if he was just being self-amused or he was genuinely feeling something strange going on between them. Taehyung was usually open about his past to Jimin but there were certain things that would be better left unsaid.
Taehyung's eyes travelled back to April and he wondered whether she had a chance to look at the articles that were popping up this morning. All hell went loose and he wasn't sure April was ready for it.
"Okay, let's take a break," the photographer called out and turned to April. With a lack of concern, he yelled out, "hey, you!"
Taehyung felt his body grow tense as the photographer spoke to April in such a way but he kept quiet. It was the way it was in the industry. Not everyone played nice and Taehyung experienced that first hand.
"You're the new girl?" The man continued to speak to her in such a manner.
"Hyung," Jimin suddenly intercepted and stepped in front of April as she just continued to nod shyly. "Come on now, take it easy. She's new around here." He said it in such a warm and kind way, very much like the Jimin he knew. Such a lame sweetheart.
"It's okay," April just nodded and smiled brightly, devoid of any hurt or disappointment. Taehyung didn't realize how much April changed. He furrowed his eyebrows slightly. "What do you need me to do?"
The photographer just shrugged and let out a sigh as he looked at Jimin apologetically. "Yes, sorry about that," he somewhat mumbled under his breath. "Why don't you start getting change. Eunji, the stylist will tell you what to do."
With another nod, bright smile, and lots of bows, April went back to do just as what was told. Taehyung growled slightly. A cynical smile crept up his face. He knew just how dark and twisted the industry could be to newbies and a deep feeling inside of him wanted April to experience it for all its worth. Yet somehow he was worried.
"Are you having fun there?" Jimin asked with a chuckle and teasing eyes as he approached Taehyung.
Taehyung took the guitar in his hand and started to strum the strings in a pretend manner, his face crunched up as though he was hurt. Jimin laughed at the funny faces he was making.
"Seriously," Jimin shook his head. "Why don't you just play seriously?"
"Like this?" Taehyung continued to strum the guitar in such an exaggerated manner, making weird faces and moving his mouth as though he was singing. There wasn't a day when Taehyung felt like he had so much energy, like a ball of sunshine.
"Seriously," Jimin said, repeating his words after he managed to laugh some more at his funny faces. "Why not just play for real. I know you can do it."
Taehyung pursed his lips, closed his eyes, made a pout, and used his finger to say no to Jimin. "It will only be heard by someone special," he said.
"It's hard to take you seriously with all that make-up," Jimin said with a smile.
"What do you mean make-up, like as if you don't wear this kind of thick cake on your face."
"My skin is kinda flawless. I can't help it I was born that way."
"Aish!" Taehyung complained with a noise and pretended to kick him, which Jimin dodge with no effort. "Stop trying to be Jin." He tried to kick him again but ended up being kicked on the thighs, to Taehyung's surprise. His eyes opened wide and he gave him a playful angry look in which Jimin pretended to cower and stepped back slowly. A few seconds later, Taehyung managed to chase Jimin around the studio, making the staff shake their heads in confusion.
