Signals

Chapter 1

I'm coming over at 9, ok?

With a blank facial expression you stared passively at the text that'd popped-up on the screen of your cell phone. As soon as your eyes had run over the words, fury and humiliation flared up in you. With clenched fists and gritted teeth, you silently cursed at the sender of the text.

No.

From the moment Taehyung had sent the text, you knew your reply wouldn't matter; Taehyung had decided beforehand that he'd come over at 9, so at that exact hour he'd be standing in front of your apartment door. One time, you'd refused to let him but instead of just leaving, he stayed in front of your door until you finally gave in. Another time, you'd purposely stayed out – by the time you came back, hours after the hour Taehyung had announced he'd arrive, he was still sitting in front of your door, patiently waiting for you to return. So it didn't really matter if it didn't fit into your program; Taehyung would be there.

Thank God he didn't have that spare key anymore – just how often would he then casually crash into your home like it was no big deal?

At the sound of your phone beeping, you looked at the screen and read his reply.

Great, I'll see you there. Also I-.

Not bothering to open the text and read the rest of the message, you turned off your phone and leaned back into your seat. The subway was oddly quiet tonight and only a few people were present. Your silent glance set at the other passengers one by one; three businessmen were reading each their newspaper. You recognized one of them, the one in the grey suit. By now, you've found out that your working hours were the almost identical – each time you took left in the morning for school and each time you headed back home he was always there, silently reading his newspaper. By now, it'd almost become entertaining to you. Whenever he wasn't on the subway, you'd wonder that he wasn't there, and then return to your game on your phone.

Beside the three businessmen were two elderly women, casually talking with subdued voices. A mother sat diagonally opposite you with her daughter beside her; during the whole ride, she'd regarded you with curiously eyes and when your eyes met, you'd smile politely at her – a smile she shyly returned.

Sighing loudly, you closed your eyes and rested your head against the hard wall. Did you want Taehyung to come over tonight? Not really – but then again, normally he'd pay for whatever takeaway you wanted to eat, so it could've been worse.

The speaker revealed that the next stop would be where you normally got off, so you put your phone into your bag hastily and fixed the huge scarf around your neck. When the train came to a halt, you stood up and hurried out, heading towards the exit. After a few minutes, you reached the stairs that'd lead you outside.

The air was frosty, signifying the gloomy winter that was just around the corner. The strong wind whistled the few leaves that were left around, before they'd vanish into nothingness. Only a few people were outside, probably returning from a long and stressful day. Over the last couple of months you'd really come to understand the emptiness in their sorrowful eyes, though the purpose behind theirs and yours hollowness were different; they sought change, something to break the monotonous cycle their lives had become. You, however, sought the opposite – something permanent that was unchangeable – something that wouldn't toss your feelings around carelessly.

And damn you if it hadn't something to do with Kim Taehyung.

Quickly, you reached your apartment block and before you knew it, you were plopping down in the sofa. Exhaustion was present in every single cell your body possessed. Every time you came home this late in the evening, the question about quitting your part time job or university was brought up with yourself. With just one glance at your bank account, however, your wishes were crushed by reality and the negative figures on your account.