- Nari's POV -
Today is the day. Another big step in adulthood. Moving into my own place. Since I've gotten back from the vacation with Namjoon's family, the loft has been officially put in my name. I thrifted for furniture and had it delivered to the building where it was put together, courtesy of the movers.
On the weekends, I had Naomi and Kylee over to help me paint the walls to my liking. I didn't want to use a moving truck because throughout this entire experience, I've been really stretching out my pockets. If I wanted to eat this week, there can't be a u-haul.
So, piece by piece I've been sending things over to my loft. I took apart my room's furniture, recording it so I know how to put it back together. I needed Namjoon's help for my bed since it's very old and a lot of the screws were jammed in or rusted.
He couldn't do much either, so we got Jungkook to do it. We put it back together in the loft and when Jungkook left for the day, it was just Namjoon and I. To make a long story short, I ended up having to buy a new bed and put it together myself.
My last night in the apartment, Zo and Peach came over and Sihyun was sentenced outside for the night. Mari and Sooji's fight went on hiatus (finally), and I spent one last, fun night with them as my roommates. But by the time they woke up the next morning, I would be settled into my new place.
Then, I got everything ready. I found a perfect place for the ceramic butterfly Namjoon gave me for christmas and luckily I have enough closet space for everything. It took a while, but I have an appropriate amount of plates, utensils, pots, pans, bowls, and every possible thing I'll need for cooking or baking.
I like this new routine. I wake up early enough to buy coffee and bring it to Namjoon. He likes his with one cream and two sugars. I spend some time with him, drink our coffee and have breakfast. I go to work with my best friend Kylee. Have lunch with my best friend Kylee. Go to see Sooji and Mari sometimes, but my visits decrease week by week so they don't feel so bad about me being gone.
Most days I have dinner with Namjoon. I have to bring it to the bookstore more often than not, but when we do get those date nights, we alternate on who chooses the activity. When Namjoon chooses he always takes me to a quiet place. Somewhere we can see the stars, breaking that fancy date every date habit.
When I choose, it's either at my place or his and involves me cooking dishes my dad used to make for me. Namjoon refuses to let me cook alone and finds some way to help. I have taught the gentle giant how to cook.
But Sundays...Sundays are always reserved for me. He comes over Saturday after he's done at work and spends the night in a less than wholesome way, and doesn't leave my bed again until Monday morning.
Now, now that my life is together again, it's time to debut my loft in a house warming. I invited Naomi, Yoongi, Jungkook, and my friends but Naomi already had a work event planned that Yoongi obviously would be attending with her, and Jungkook had road bumps in opening his gallery and had to opt out too.
I wanted to invite more of Namjoon's family, Naomi, Yoongi, and Jungkook are the only ones that actually live in the city. Namjoon himself told me that no one made the trip for his own housewarming when he got the townhouse, so another day another dawn.
When Peach and Zo arrived first, I realized that this will be the first time Namjoon meets my friends. A pit grew in my stomach. I know that Naomi and Nala had...internally good intentions when they were hard on me, but none of them have a solid reason to. They don't even know he was the one I was crying over freshman year.
Peach: Damn. Nice place.
Me: Thanks.
Zo: Look at you.
Peach: So chic.
Me: *laughing* Thanks. Make yourself comfortable. But...not too comfortable.
Zo: So, did Sooji flip her shit when you said you were moving out?
Me: No. Not really.
Peach: Don't lie to us.
Me: I'm not lying. She was surprised and not really for it, but she was more sad than mad.
Zo: What about Mari.
Me: She's about to move out too.
Peach: Damn. It's the end of an era.
Me: It's not that deep. They are ten minutes away. They can see me anytime and vise versa.
Zo: So, they are coming tonight?
Me: I invited both of them, yes.
Peach: Sihyun?
Me: I won't be surprised if he comes but I didn't exactly invite him.
Peach: Who else is coming.
Me: My friend Kylee from the salon.
Zo: Anyone else?
Me: Um...it's a surprise. You guys want wine?
Peach: Yes please!
Me: Here you go.
Zo: How have you been?
Me: Good. Things are really good right now. What about you two?
Zo: I'm fantastic. My channel got a couple thousand subscribers the other day. I'm going to be the new James Charles.
Peach: The new unproblematic James Charles.
Me: The sexier Jame Charles.
Zo: Hm. I can toast to that one.
Me: *laughing* Cheers!
Peach: Cheers!
Me: Any of you working?
Zo: *laughing* No.
Peach: *laughing* I am my own boss, Nari.
Me: *laughing* So, what do you guys even do all day?
Peach: Vibe.
Zo: Get high.
Peach: *laughing* And vibe.
Me: Wow.
Peach: Something wicked this way comes.
I stood up and ran to the door when it knocked. Behind it, Sooji, Mari, and Sihyun. The two girls hugged me and Sihyun walked around to the couch, joining Peach and Zo, who scooted over a decent amount when he sat.
Me: Welcome!
Sooji: It's smaller than I expected.
Mari: It's a loft not a penthouse.
Sooji: Do you mind the attitude?
Me: Ok, you have two choices. Bicker and leave or silence and sit.
Mari: Fine.
Sooji: Fine.
Zo: Friends!
Peach: Hey guys.
Sihyun: Yo, Nari. Can I use your bed?
Me: For what?
Sihyun: I need a nap.
Me: No. Use the floor.
Mari: Who's that?
Again, the door knocked. The pit in my stomach sank as I ran to it. Carrying a gift bag, flowers, and chocolate, Namjoon greeted me with a kiss. I wanted to kick out the others and just have him to myself. As I was about to jump on him and smother him, Kylee came struggling out of the elevator down the hall, holding a bunch of gift bags in her hand as well.
Kylee: If it isn't my...ugh...favorite love birds.
Namjoon: Do you need help?
Kylee: No thanks, hunka hunka. I got it.
Namjoon: Why does she call me that?
Me: I can't answer that. Come on in.
Sooji: Hey! Who's at the door?!
Me: Guys, you met my friend Kylee.
Kylee: Hey y'all!
Me: And this is my boyfriend, Namjoon.
Sooji: What?
Mari: What?
Peach: Wait...
Zo: Boyfriend?
Mari: You never said you-
Sooji: Had a boyfriend.
Kylee: Y'all haven't met hunka hunka yet?
Mari: You have?
Kylee: Yeah.
Namjoon: Tough crowd.
Me: *laughing* Stop.
He put his gifts on the counter, grabbed my hand and sat with me in the living room. All eyes were on us except Kylee, who was pouring herself a drink after putting her housewarming gifts down too.
Sooji: So, since when have you guys been a thing?
Me: Since my birthday. Which you all forgot by the way, but I let it go.
Namjoon: *whispering* How long are they staying?
Me: *whispering* Why?
Namjoon: *whispering* I'm getting impatient.
With his arms around me, he kissed me softly. Still everyone was staring except Kylee who was now getting another glass of wine. We exchanged looks and she shrugged, bringing the bottle to where everyone else was sitting.
Zo: *smiling* Where did you guys meet?
Namjoon & I: Online.
Kylee: *laughing* Online.
Sooji: What's so funny?
Kylee: *laughing* Nothing.
Zo: You two are cute.
Peach: Kylee, pass the wine.
Mari: What do you do, Namjoon? Occupations?
Namjoon: I own the bookstore in CaryTown.
Everyone: Of course he does.
Mari: A goddamn match made in heaven.
Kylee: I'm not liking all this negativity.
Me: *smiling* It's fine.
Namjoon: *smiling* What?
Me: *giggling* Nothing.
Namjoon: *laughing* Why are you so smiley?
Me: *laughing* Nothing! I'm just happy.
Sooji: Are you our age, Namjoon?
Me: Why?
Sooji: He just seems older than us.
Me: He's six years from us.
Namjoon: Sorry to interrupt but I can't wait til later. I have to show you your gift.
By my hand, he lifted me up and led me to the "kitchen." His gift bag was red with white gift paper stuffed in it. He undid all the wrappings and presented me a black box containing a projector along with a Roku streaming stick.
Namjoon: Since you won't let me buy you a TV.
Me: *laughing* Still won't let that one go.
Namjoon: I got you this instead. Don't worry. It was only fifty bucks. But it's really cool. You can put it on the table behind the couch and watch whatever on the wall. Also I signed into everything on the Roku already. The Netflix and Starz are Naomi's so...nothing too riskay or she'll kick me off.
Me: This is so cool! Thank you!
Kylee: Get a room!
Me: This is my room!
Zo: Yo, is Sihyun dead?
Sooji: He's sleeping.
Mari: Apparently doing nothing all day is draining.
Sooji: Dude! Hop off.
Me: Aye!
Sooji: She started it!
Me: I don't care. Shut up. Joonie?
Namjoon: Hm?
Me: Can we set it up?
The later it got in the night, the emptier the loft became. First, Sooji left with Sihyun. Then Mari, Peach, and Zo went too. Kylee stayed for another hour then went home right before Friday night hit twelve am Saturday morning. Namjoon found ourselves with a movie in the background, but neither of us paid attention to it.
Me: Do you like my friends?
Namjoon: They're...ok.
Me: *laughing* You hate them.
Namjoon: I don't hate them but...I
Me: Don't like them.
Namjoon: Yeah.
Me: It's ok. I don't like them sometimes either. But they've had better nights. And it doesn't matter if you like them because you love me right?
Namjoon: Well...
Me: What?
Namjoon: *laughing* I'm kidding. I love you more than anything.
Me: *laughing* Even the beemer.
Namjoon: The beemer can go to hell.
Me: I love you too.
Namjoon: It's late. I should-
Me: No. Stay. Please?
Namjoon: Ok, princess. I'll stay.