I throw my backpack on the couch with a blissful sigh, relieved to be home. Or rather relieved to be at the members' house. I spend so much time here that this place now feels like my own. But without the seven men, this house is just...a house; a large building that lacks the warmth and care of my favorite people.
"Thank you for carrying the rest of my things in, Sungmin," I tell the large, buff man. Despite his stature, I can ascertain that Sungmin is a big teddy bear. His deep, rumbling laughter can fill a room, and although he presents as shy, he quickly becomes cordial. Namjoon picked the perfect person.
"It was no trouble at all, Miss Wilson. Is there anything else you need?"
"No, I don't think so. And please, call me Audaire."
Sungmin smiles. "Okay, then I will be on my way. Here is my number." He hands me a small piece of paper. "Call me if you need anything."
"Will do. Thanks again."
When he leaves and I hear the door's automatic lock click, I head into the kitchen to steal one of Hoseok's Sprites. I make a mental note to buy more so that he won't notice it's missing. As I open the refrigerator, my eyes spot something sitting on the counter. I walk over, pick up the note that lay on top of the box, and read it.
My beautiful Audaire,
Please study well. English is hard.
Love,
Jin
I'm a tad confused, so I place the note to the side and take the bow off of the present. Upon unwrapping the gift, I see a Korean language learning book and the workbook to go along with it.
I chuckle to myself. Now his letter makes sense.
Seokjin's present has to be one of the most useful gifts I've ever received. I whip out my cell phone to text him.
I promise to study well. Thank you! : )
Jin: I'm glad you like it. I'll study English too.
If you need help, let me know. I do it for a living, after all.
Jin: You let me know if you need help as well.
I will. Have fun with the music video!
Jin: 💕
***
A week and a half go by until I get the courage to use Seokjin's card. I couldn't bring myself to purchase anything with his money. Every time I was about to buy something, I'd go to swipe his card, but then feel guilty and use my own. I know Namjoon said I should treat myself; however, it just doesn't seem right. I don't want the boys getting the wrong idea and thinking I'm only with them for the money. Because I'm not. They could have a single dollar to their name and I'd still fall for them all the same.
I lie on the couch, flipping through the TV channels.
I'm so fucking bored.
It's not like I can reach out to the members to appease my boredom. They're insanely busy in LA, so our conversations have been short and sweet.
There's nothing to do. And I have no friends to hang out with or talk to.
But I do have Sungmin.
I give him a call and he picks me up a short while later.
I've been listening to the Love Yourself: Answer album on repeat recently and I want a physical copy of it. Sungmin brings me to a cute, dainty Kpop shop so that I can get it. When I arrive at the store, I enter to see an entire wall dedicated to BTS. I almost immediately spot the album and I grab it to take it to the checkout counter.
"Will this be all?" the cashier wonders.
"Yes, that's it," I reply.
"You must be an ARMY. I am too. Who's your bias?"
"I don't have one," I apprise, sincerely. My relationship with the men is different from one another, but my adoration for them is equal.
"Oh, really? My bias is J-Hope and my bias wrecker is Suga. I love Sope."
I raise an eyebrow. "Sope?"
"Their ship name," she giggles. "Ah, you must be new to the fandom."
I chuckle awkwardly. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."
"Well, I hope you enjoy your time as an ARMY. Being a part of this fandom is amazing," says the cashier with a fond smile. "That'll be 17,500 won, please."
After paying for my album, I leave, and then Sungmin takes me to one more place-a small beauty store inside the mall.
"What do you think of this color?" I ask Sungmin, holding up an orange lip stain.
"I don't know anything about makeup," Sungmin chortles, shaking his head.
"We can pretend you do. Just say something that sounds relevant."
"Okay, uh, I think the cherry shade would flatter your skin tone better."
"See? You do know a bit about makeup because that was perfect."
"It was? Wow, I said the first thing that popped in my mind."
"You're now my official makeup shopping partner."
"I'm honored," he laughs.
After picking up a different shade of the lip stain and walking towards a checkout line, I collide with a broad chest. I step back and bow. "Oh, joesonghamnida."
"No, no. It was my fault. I'm sorry. I should've watched where I was going."
"I wasn't paying attention either," I disclose. "We can both take the blame."
"I'm good with that." The handsome man extends his arm. "I'm Mark, by the way."
"I'm Audaire." I shake his hand. "You know, you kind of look familiar."
Mark points to the lip stain that I'm holding.
I gaze down at the packaging and...Mark's picture is on it. "Whoa. What's your face doing on here?"
"My group collaborated with this company."
"Are you one of those Kpop boys?"
He lets out a hearty laugh. "You're funny. But yes, I am. Does NCT 127 ring a bell?"
"A little bit. I'm not that into Kpop though, so I don't know many groups. I only really listen to BTS."
"I'm a big fan of them too. They're crazy talented."
"They are," I agree, glancing back at Sungmin. He seems vaguely uneasy. I probably should avoid the topic of BTS. Especially with someone who works in the same industry. "I need to get going, but it was nice meeting you. You sold me on the lip stain too. I may have to buy more the next time I'm here."
"I must be a great sales rep then," he grins. "Maybe I'll see you around?"
"Yeah. Have a good day, Mark."
"You too, Audaire."
[AN] Here's a short little chapter. I didn't have much to do today, so I whipped something up quick.
We met Mark Lee. Do you think Audaire will develop a friendship with him? We'll have to see~
If you enjoyed, please give it an upvote! Thank you for reading!
[AN #2] Edited 4/28/21