"You rarely regret the things you do, but always the things you don't." — Marie Lu

**

TAEHYUNG heaved a deep sigh as he stared at the cigarette stick he was lighting up. He put it in his mouth, disappointment creeping up on his chest. The other day, he thought he already dropped his awful habit of smoking but he recently found out it was not an easy job.

It was far from easy.

He couldn't sleep. Even when taking his sleeping pills, it doesn't work. It was the worst. Given he never really has good nights. His headaches became terrible, his mouth constantly salivating for the taste of cigars. He was craving, starving for it.

The strong resolve he had the other day, was completely vanquished. He has been smoking for years. He never really thought of the day he'd consider stopping it.

Taehyung only smokes once a day, though... At least during the past two days. But it's still very hard due to his withdrawal tendencies, he honestly thinks he would not last. Before, he smokes thrice a day, the least, not to mention that.

So this is still a progress.

From: Unknown Number
I'm already near (◍＞◡＜◍)⋈。✧♡

Taehyung licked his lower lip, suppressing a little smile unconsciously. He puffed one last smoke and dropped the stick on the ground to stomp on it.

Great, he didn't finish one. He'd probably go nuts later.

They agreed to meet in front of the store. She said she's free today but Jisoo went home quickly to change her clothes. He told her to message him if she is near so she won't catch him still smoking.

He doesn't want her to think he is not trying. 

Heck, he was always trying.

Taehyung started peeling his lips. Inwardly, he is panicking. Will he really tell her about it? What the hell is he thinking? It was an impulse.

The fuck did I really ask her today? He closed his eyes firmly, regret now washing on him.

He can still leave and give excuses, right? He can back out. Some other time, it's too early. It's not the right time. Yeah, it was a bad idea.

How long would you keep it, though? The devil in the back of his mind taunted him, It won't change anything. You're just stretching the time you have before she hates you.

Taehyung started tapping his foot in anxiety. He combed his hair and sighed deeply. He probably looks so stupid at the sidewalk, having conflicting thoughts like this.

Why is he so afraid if she finds out?

It's not as if...

"Taehyungie!" He snapped back to reality when he heard her voice.

The moment he looked at her, he lost it.

She was half running, her hair messed by the wind, beaming at him. She looked different today. She's not on her usual baggy shirts or polos.

Jisoo stopped in front of him and caught her breath. His eyes never left her, "Where are we going?" she asked.

White.

She wore a white blouse today.

"Hey," Jisoo waved her hands in front of his face, he blinked several times.

In the end, I still can't. Coward.

He brushed his hands on his face because of frustration. He turned his back away from Jisoo and started walking.

"Wait for me," she said and catch upon his strides.

She walked beside him. Jisoo glanced at Taehyung who was ignoring her. She found it weird after he initiated to go out. She wanted to push on the topic but decided not to. Then, her gazes noticed something.

"What happened to your lips?" she queried and pointed at his face. He didn't turn to her as he licked and tasted blood.

Taehyung just shrugged, "Why are you even staring at my lips, huh? Stupid," he uttered and pushed her forehead making her fall backwards.

"Ah!" Jisoo yelped and Taehyung's eyes widened, he finally looked her way and instantly grabbed her arm to prevent her from falling. They stared at each other's eyes.

"You're so clumsy," Taehyung commented and pulled her to stand up.

"What? You pushed me!" she complained with a pout making him snicker before he held her hand.

"Child," he mumbled.

"Oldie," she fired back in a whisper.

Taehyung was taken aback and looked at her exaggeratedly with disbelief, "Come again?" he asked.

She laughed at him and waved her hands off, "Nothing, I said where are we going?"

He frowned at her before shrugging and dragging her, "I want ice cream," he answered seconds after.

Jisoo was confused. Earlier, when he asked her to come with him, she knew something was bothering him. That's why she made sure to agree to go. She was worried. But now, it turns out that he suddenly just wants ice cream?

That's weird. Did he change his mind? She wondered in deep thoughts. There is an unsettling feeling she cannot address, she didn't even notice that they already arrived inside the ice cream parlor.

"Flavor?" Taehyung's inquiry snapped her back to reality.

Jisoo tilted her head to him with enthusiasm, "Vanilla!" she exclaimed.

Taehyung scoffed and pulled a wallet from his back pocket, "Plain," he remarked.

"I'm the one who's gonna buy and eat tho—" she was going to defend her choice when he interrupted and took her by surprise.

"My treat," he told her and opened his wallet as they stood in front of the counter.

"What?!" she blinked at him several times and gaped.

Taehyung looked irritated and glared at her as he pulled bills out, "Are you deaf or are you just dumb?

"Is this a prank?" Jisoo squinted her eyes at him and looked at his face, as if searching something from his expression.

"The fuck?" he cursed. He rolled his eyes in disbelief.

Jisoo crossed her arms over her chest, "Language."

Taehyung sneered from what she said, "Whatever, Captain America,"

"Huh?" she asked confused, not getting the reference.

He frustratingly brushed his hands over his face, "Ugh. Just shut up, okay?" he grumbled with evident annoyance.

"Will you charge me double later?" Jisoo continued, now with a hint of teasing on her tone as she nudged him.

Taehyung dropped his arms holding the money on his side and heaved an irked sigh, "Look, if you don't think I can fucking treat someone if I wanted to, just leave. I'll eat the damn ice cream alone," he walked forward to face the counter attendant.

Jisoo laughed loudly and trailed behind him. She tugged his shirt, "I'm just joking," she told him. Taehyung lowered his gaze to her while she looked up at him.

"Sorry if I offended you?" then she gave him a sheepish smile.

"I'll have my vanilla please," she continued while reading the screen of the wall menu, "With chocolate syrup and waffle cookies plus strewed sprinkles as toppings."

Taehyung pursed his lips while staring at her, "The heck? What order is that? Too sweet."

"What? You said it's your treat and complained that vanilla is plain," she reasoned with a creased forehead making him shrug in defeat to finally order in the end.

After they received their orders, they decided to sit outside because the parlor is starting to get packed with customers. They sat beside each other with him holding his popsicle and her eating a cup of vanilla ice cream.

The two fell silent, just eating peacefully watching people pass by. Then, a man riding a bike took a round at the corner near them as they unconsciously followed him with their stares.

"Have you tried biking?" Taehyung suddenly asked as he bit the last of his popsicle.

Jisoo took a spoonful of her ice cream, "I ride a bike to the campus in the morning," she said while observing her cup.

Taehyung turned to her surprised, "Seriously?" he uttered as if it is a very unbelievable thing. Jisoo just nodded while stirring her spoon, not looking at him.

He stared at her for minutes before standing up. He threw the stick straight in the trash bin beside their bench. He walked to the middle of the street with his hands on his hips. Jisoo finally gave him a glance. She gave him a baffled expression but he just gestured to her.

"C'mon," he told her, his arms motioning her to stand up. Jisoo remained sitting and mouthed him about what he was doing.

Taehyung remained standing until the man with the bike took a round in the corner again. He didn't give way, intentionally blocking the guy. On the other hand, the stranger, who was riding in a fast speed waved his hands frantically for him to move but instead, he extended his arms to stop the front of the bike with his hand before it could hit him.

"The hell, man?!" the guy yelled as he stepped on the breaks. His hold of the bicycle also helped stop the former from falling with his face kissing the cement.

Well, he was strong enough.

"Give me the bike," Taehyung nonchalantly commanded him.

The man had an offended face, "Are you nuts? Go off, fucker—" 

However, his smugness disappeared when Taehyung slowly went closer to him, towering him with his height while the guy is still sitting on his bike making his figure more intimidating. The stranger gulped.

"I hate repeating myself—" Taehyung started with a very threatening tone; fortunately, Jisoo quickly held him by the shoulders and smiled awkwardly at the stranger, interrupting the two.

"Where can we rent a bike?" she asked politely. Now finished her ice cream.

The man looked at Taehyung who still has a threatening face, he looked at Jisoo, "U-uh, two blocks away from here," he told her nervously.

"Okay, thank you!" Jisoo bowed and turned to Taehyung, pulling him on the arm before walking away, "Let's go, Taehyungie."

He nodded to Jisoo but before trailing behind her, he gave the man a look again, "If there's no bike to rent there, I'm going to make sure you'll never be able to pedal again."

Jisoo called him once more before he languidly followed her.

"Stop threatening people," she said when he stood beside her.

"I'm not threatening him," Taehyung defended himself with a straight face.

Jisoo stared at him in disbelief, "Oh yeah?"

He shot her a sideward glance, "It's a warning."

"That's the same!" Jisoo reprimanded him. He frowned and rolled his eyes at her.

"No."
"Yes."

"No for me," he stubbornly insisted, "My warning is a polite threat," he added.

"So it's indeed a threat," Jisoo emphasized her point.

"But polite," Taehyung firmly reasoned.

Jisoo face palmed herself because of their conversation, "We need to change your definition of polite."

Soon, they reached the shop instantly. They entered the door, the bell clanked for their entry. The old man, owner of the store, looked at them. The shop is empty and quiet. They walked to the counter.

Taehyung put his arm on the desk arrogantly, "Hey old geezer, she's renting a bike," he said and jerked his thumb to Jisoo.

The latter was shocked and faced him, "Why me? I thought you're the one who wants to ride one!" she exclaimed.

"Well, we should've just taken the bike of the asshole earlier, told ya," he fired back in a teasing tone and stared at her expression.

She looks like a mad little kitten ready to claw me, he thought to himself, amused.

"That's bad," she said with a disagreement on her face.

"Oh? I'm bad," Taehyung shrugged and motioned to the bike rack "And now you pay for a bike you don't wanna ride."

Jisoo put her arms over her chest in a huff annoyance, "You're unreasonable," Taehyung snickered at her.

"Yup," he retorted, with a popping sound. He leaned forward to her face and smirked, "I am kind of unreasonable."

Their little bubble burst when the owner spoke. He was silently watching the two behind the counter with a blank face.

"Are you two lovey-dovey youngsters going to rent or not? You guys are bringing bad omen in my shop with that awful flirting," he uttered.

Jisoo quickly snapped her head to his direction, "What bad omen and flirting?" she said a little flush as she felt her cheeks heating up.

"Hey old codger, if there's someone who brings bad omen in this shop it's definitely you and your ungrateful crinkly ass," Taehyung insulted the man that earned him an elbow from Jisoo. He rubbed his side and glared at her.

"Kid you have a foul mouth," the owner looked at him. He paused for a second.

 "I like you," he added and laughed.

Taehyung raised a brow at him, "Yeah?" he scoffed, "I don't like you though," the man chuckled at his answer, completely ignoring his intention. It irritated Taehyung more.

"Uhm..." Jisoo, who is kind of not grasping the moment, shifted her gazes between the two until she awkwardly interjected and put out a bill, "I'll pay for one rent of a bike."

Taehyung gave her a look of disbelief, "Can't believe you're really paying?"

"You said so?" Jisoo asked him with evident confusion.

"Will you do everything anyone says to you?" this time, it's him who is scolding her, "I know I call you Stupidiot but that's really stupid and idiotic—"

"I get it all-righteous mister," Jisoo nodded her head continuously as if she was talking to a child and covered his mouth with her hand.

She turned to the old man, "Sir, I'm paying, how much will be for one bike and maybe three hours of rent?"

"Nah," he smiled warmly at her, "It's free bike day."

"Huh?" Jisoo bored her eyes to him but the man ignored her and went out of the counter with his keys.

He walked to the bike rack and took one with a back seat, "Here take it, sweetie," he dragged the bike to her and gave her the key with a number on it.

"Oh, really?" she looked at the bike and to the owner who nodded at her, "Thank you!" she said and bowed. Jisoo started pulling the bike to the door.

"There's no such bullshit like free bike day," Taehyung glared at the old stranger accusing the latter once he is sure it's out of her earshot.

The man laughed, "Yeah," he answered while they both watch Jisoo who is struggling to open the door and bring the bike with her, "But your girl has a pretty smile," he turned to Taehyung who still has eyes on her. The man smiled while observing him.

"Keep her, kiddo," he told him and tapped his shoulder.

Taehyung made a face and shoved the man's hand away, rolling his eyes, "None of your business, shut your trap."

"Taehyungie!" Jisoo suddenly called him and gestured for him to follow, he did instantly and helped her by the door, carrying the bike with one hand and pushing it open.

Jisoo bid goodbye to the owner and said thank you again before going out. The bell chime rang again as they exit.

The bright rays of the sun welcomed them outside. There are few people passing by the street, all in their own little bubble. Jisoo ran while pulling the bike with her, she was laughing, telling Taehyung to keep up with her pace.

Don't want to ride, huh? He smirked as he trailed lazily behind her, his arms at the back of his head.

At the far side of the place, someone is fixing the lens of his camera. The man has his unzipped jacket on despite the sunny day. He also wears a headphone with the music blasting off in his ears.

Jisoo swung her legs over the bike which earned a complaint from Taehyung.

She giggled and looked back at him as a strong breeze hit the streets.

Just in time, the man near the big oak tree accidentally hit the shutter button.

Jisoo started pedaling the bike while Taehyung chased after her.

Irritated, the man opened his camera then he looked at the image. It was a bad move. He was stunned at the shot. It definitely did not look to be accidentally taken.

It was a girl, looking at someone over her shoulder, her eyes smiling and so are her pinkish lips. Her hair looked beautiful because of how the wind whipped it in that exact second. She wore a white blouse.

Wait, she looks familiar, he thought to himself.

He paused for a whole minute and squinted his eyes at the photo. He was racking his brain where he saw her. Until it hit him.

Jisoo?

His head bobbed up instantly and scanned his surroundings. He looked around in slight excitement and nervousness. However, after not finding her in the streets, his hands dropped and he put down his camera in disappointment.

He loves taking pictures.

It's a hobby of his that he never really tells someone else. It's not a secret though, but he just doesn't have someone who he can talk about it with, someone who is interested and will not get bored if he ends up rambling.

He loves photographs because they immortalize everything.

And that image...

He raised his head to look around again, hoping to see the beauty with his very eyes this time, not the glassy lens.

Because there's something about it that captured him.

He wanted to keep a memory of it.

—

"Pedal faster!" Jisoo laughed her heart out. She is now seated on the backseat. They didn't know where they were going, they decided they'll go wherever the road takes them.

"Next round you pedal yourself," Taehyung is already pissed. Although he was the one who took the bike from her and insisted to be the one in the front.

"Fuck, my limbs are sore," he grunted and held the handles tighter.

"You wanted this!" Jisoo looked at his broad back. She is holding on his shoulders, "C'mon faster!" she teased him more. Taehyung just rolled his eyes.

"I wanna feel the air~" she said in a sing-song voice and opened her arms, facing the cooling breeze with closed eyes and a grin.

Jisoo dropped her arms and looked around. The weather is good and the surroundings is beautiful. Somehow, they reach the empty road beside a long unending railings separating them from what looks like a grassy field with blooming flowers at the other side. This put a smile on her face.

"Okay, let's see how much you like that damn air now," Taehyung suddenly said. She woke up from her reverie, her attention going back to him.

Taehyung stood up a little and heaved a loud sigh. He smirked and got ready to pedal faster and harder as they reached the higher slope.

"SCREW EVERYTHING!" he yelled and pedaled harder as she laughed at the back and put her hands back on his shoulders.

"YAY! AIR! I'M BREATHING OXYGEN OMG! WOOHOO AIR!" she joked and laughed as he struggled to continue pedaling for them.

That day, under the cottony white clouds and the glistening sun, on an empty road leading to who knows where, when the breeze was the most embracing and cooling, they rode a bike together discarding the world.

They enjoyed the most out of the moment.

One is thankful.
The other is finally carefree.

It wasn't directly said but they became closer than they already were.

Taehyung looked over her. She beamed at him, he instantly looked back ahead.

I'm not having attacks, right? He thought because of the sudden skip of his heartbeat.

He's unsure about everything, confused. She's a mixture of what makes him lose his cool, of what makes him weirdly nervous and what makes him...

Serene.

She— she wore a white blouse today.
And he— he will never forget it. Ever.

"That was fun," Jisoo mumbled behind his ear.

"Fun for you," he scoffed, "You're not the one who pedaled for three hours and now carrying a big heavy child wanna be on his back," he uttered, his hands holding her legs for support.

She giggled, her arms draping over his shoulders, "Sorry, I'm really sleepy and tired," she mumbled as she fought her drooping eyes. The sun has set now, Taehyung carried her from the bus stop until the streets to her house after their ride.

"You're the one who's tired now?" he made a face even if she cannot really see him properly.

"Hehe," Jisoo glanced at him, closing her eyes, "Forgive me strong sire," she uttered with a mocking accent.

"This is not free, Stupidiot," he told her.

"Hm," she hummed, getting more sleepy.

He thought she fell asleep but she only did after telling him—

"Thank you for today, Taehyungie."

Later that night, they reached her front gate where he woke her up. They didn't talk much and simply said their goodbyes.

It was a fun day.

A wonderful experience.

From the unexpected ice cream to the long bike ride and the blissful way back home.

But little did she know, she's gonna regret telling him good night.

Thanking him.

And not asking why his eyes sometimes look away with a hooded sadness or conflict.

It was a fun day.

A wonderful experience.

But in the end...

She regretted waving her hands happily at him and bidding farewell.

Because a day later, she didn't hear about him anymore.