Jimin and Taehyung walked down the sidewalk, laughing and teasing each other as was their custom. As he walked, Jimin kept one hand in his pocket, tightly gripped around a small envelope.  His heart was full and he was excited to see the girl of his dreams. 

"Oh, yeah, what did we have to stop and pick up?  I didn't see anything in your hands when you walked out of the building."  Taehyung's laugh had subsided and the two were now walking in amicable silence.

"Just something for Nari," smiled Jimin shyly. He cleared his throat and felt his hands grow clammy as they approached the coffee shop.

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure she will enjoy it. She seems to be one to appreciate the simple things." Taehyung smiled to himself, proud of himself for making a good observation.

Jimin smiled as well. It was no simple thing he was holding in his pocket. It was a thing that was hard to come by but he had managed to do it. He knew she would be happy with it. She was easily pleased from his experience. He felt kind of bad for not bringing flowers or something to accompany his gift. He chewed the side of his bottom lip as he contemplated how simple and unthoughtful the presentation of his gift would look. He glanced around and saw no place nearby that could help him out.

"Jiminie, its fine. She will love it. Stop second-guessing yourself," hummed his friend, leaning into his shoulder with his own.

Jimin tried to act annoyed and shoved Taehyung off his shoulder. The pair walked closer to the cafe and Taehyung stopped in front of the large picture window in the front. He smiled as his eyes roved the interior of the shop. Jimin walked up beside him just as Taehyung breathed in sharply and quickly whipped around, grabbing Jimin's shoulders.

"You know what, now that I think about it, I think we need to find one for those twenty-four hour florists or something. I mean, where do people get flowers when people die in the middle of the night anyway," he said, laughing nervously, trying to push Jimin away from the window.

Jimin caught on quickly and pushed into Taehyung's hands, forcing his way to the window. He looked inside and his eyes grew wide. He felt his heart sink as low as it could go. An icy feeling swept through his veins. He breathed in sharply and deeply, his eyes beginning to burn. He watched as the girl he had invested so many feelings into, laid her hand on top of the hand of another man and smiled into his eyes.

"Jiminie," whimpered Taehyung, his two fingers pinching the side of Jimin's sleeve and tugging on it. "It's probably not what it looks like," he suggested, trying to deflect the horrible, sinking feeling he knew his friend was probably feeling right now. "I'm sure there's a perfectly good-"

"I'm suddenly really tired," said Jimin softly and quietly. His voice was almost a whisper, as he didn't think he could keep it from cracking if he had spoken any louder. "Let's go home, Taehyung." His hand stayed in his pocket, gripping the envelope even tighter, causing it to crinkle together under the force of his hand.

"Jimin-ah," whispered Taehyung, his own heart hurting for his friend.

Jimin turned away and looked towards Taehyung out of the corner of his eye. "Tae, I'm fine. I just need to get home. Coffee doesn't sound good right now." He ducked his head down and quickly set off down the street leaving a dejected Taehyung behind, trying to figure out what to do.

* * *

"You know what, Jun," said Nari, a small wry smile on her face.  She looked up into his eyes, seeing his gaze quickly moving between her hand and her face.  "Look, I think you're a great person."

"But," said Jun, a regretful smile gracing his lips as well.  He slowly slid his hand out from under hers and sighed softly as he put his hands into his lap under the table.

Nari swallowed and nodded gently.  "Yes.  There is a 'but'.  I have no feelings for you whatsoever.  Like, I see you as a friend but nothing else."   She felt terrible she had chosen those words.  She watched as her words seemed to physically hurt him. 

Jun grimaced at her words and pulled his lips into a tight line. 

"Please, don't be upset.  I consider you a wonderful friend.  I don't want to lose that."  Nari knew she was asking the impossible.  She had seen plenty of friendships end because one friend was far too interested in the other person.  When the uninterested friend would try to keep the friendship, it would just become awkward and uncomfortable for all involved, resulting in the loss of a friendship.  She wasn't sure how Jun would feel about her proposition but she hoped he wouldn't cut her off. 

"I won't make any promises," he said in a hushed tone.  "I will, however, promise to try my best to give you what you want."  He smiled a small smile at her and quickly stood and walked away from the table. 

Nari felt horrible.  She swept away a few tears that were threatening to roll down her cheek. 

"Is this seat available now?" said a low voice. 

Nari looked up and saw Kim Taehyung standing before her, gesturing toward the chair that Jun had just left vacant.  She nodded silently and watched as he sat down, folding his hands on the table in front of him. 

"Taehyung, what brings you here?" she asked softly, unable to look up at him right now.  Any sight of kindness coming from his eyes would make her crumble right then and there.

"I'm here on behalf of my friend," he said with a gentle smile that he knew she didn't see.

"Who would that be?" Nari asked ignorantly, knowing full well who he meant.

"Jimin.  We were going to have coffee here tonight," said Taehyung. His voice was eerily low and it made a cold chill run up and down Nari's spine.  "But, we walked up to the window and we saw something that made us both a bit disappointed."

"What would that be?" Nari said, her worried gaze rising up to meet Taehyung's sad one.

"We saw you holding hands with another man, even smiling up at him."  He sighed and kept his eyes trained on her. 

Nari's brow furrowed in confusion for just a moment till she realized what he was referring to.  "Earlier?  Like a few minutes ago?"

"Yes, that's right."  Taehyung's deep voice unnerved her in so many ways.  "If you were dating someone already, why didn't you tell him?" he said, his voice now barely above a whisper. 

"Dating someone?  I'm not dating anyone!"  Nari felt confused and concerned all at the same time. 

Taehyung's dark gaze followed Jun as he walked a customer's coffee off to their table.  Jun smartly avoided eye contact with him and swiftly moved to the kitchen area. 

"Taehyung, what you guys saw was me turning Jun down," said Nari softly.  She should have known better than to touch his hand.  She wasn't thinking she would be explaining her actions to anyone, but she still should have used more restraint. 

"Turning him down?  He asked you out?"  Taehyung's curious and wide eyes quickly shot to Nari's, locking in on them. 

Nari nodded and sighed.  "I couldn't say yes though."

"Why not?"

Nari took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  She wanted to be careful what she said but she also wanted to prove her claim of innocence to the accusations being thrown at her,  "I couldn't do it.  Say yes, that is.  He's still mourning the loss of a long time girlfriend.  I don't want to anyone's rebound girl," she said, smiling wryly. 

"Is that the only reason?"  Taehyung leaned closer, his body resting on the small table. 

Nari shook her head.  She swallowed and her mouth twitched with words she wasn't sure she really wanted to say.  "I wanted to say yes...but all I could see was Jimin.  He's expressed his desire to get to know me.  I kind of want to give him a chance."  She felt her face flush and she ducked her gaze back to her now cold teacup. 

Taehyung sat up straight and grinned widely.  "He will be so relieved to hear that," he exclaimed, clapping his hands together two times. 

Nari shook her hands in front of her slightly.  "No, don't tell him. Please. I'm embarrassed to even think about it."  Nari quickly stood from her chair, pushing it under the table.  She took her teacup into her hands and started to walk by Taehyung.

Taehyung grabbed her arm gently as she passed.  "Nari, you should tell him.  He's pretty upset right now over what he thought he saw." 

Nari looked down into the cold light brown water and frowned.  "Can you just tell him it was all a misunderstanding?"  She looked down into Taehyung's eyes, her own brimming with tears.  She had hurt both of her friends and her feelings were growing more raw by the minute. 

"I think he should hear it from you," said Taehyung softly, slowly releasing her arm. 

Nari pursed her lips together and walked away, setting her cup and saucer on the front counter and then walking back to the piano.  She sat down and put her trembling hands onto the keyboard.  She tried to play but her mind was too muddled.  She couldn't think of one song at that moment.   She looked over to where Tae had been sitting and saw an empty chair.  He had apparently left.  Nari sighed and her shoulders dropped. 

A hand laid on her shoulder and she looked up to see Minnie standing behind her.

"Nari, I think you should have the night off.  I think there's some things you need to work out for yourself.  Hm?  What do you say?"  Minnie smiled kindly at the young lady seated at the piano.

Nari smiled up at her friend, eyes glistening with unshed tears.  "Minnie," she whispered, "can I talk to you for a minute in private?" 

Minnie nodded with a warm smile and led the wilted piano player to her office. 

* * *

Jimin walked off down the street, not caring that Taehyung hadn't followed him.  He just wanted to get as far away as he could.  His mind was a mess.  He thought he had made a connection with Nari. He had told her he wanted to get to know her as more than friends. He thought he had made his intentions very clear.

Obviously, he had failed.

She was holding that barista boy's hand.  Smiling at him. 

Jimin felt a sick feeling rise from his stomach.  He swallowed hard and frowned as he looked at his watch.  He had nothing to do.  Sighing deeply, he decided the practice room was what he needed right now. 

He made his way to the practice room and stepped into the silent room.  The members all had a few days to themselves and he could think of no better time to practice than when he was alone.  Especially when he needed to let loose of some foul thoughts and feelings he was having at the moment. 

He cued up some music with a heavy beat and stepped into the middle of the dance floor.  With minimal lights on and the music cranked as high as he could stand, Jimin danced his feelings away. 

He looked in the mirror and saw a guy who could have any girl he wanted, but the one he actually wanted, wanted nothing to do with him.  He growled lowly and moved around the floor. 

His eyes fell on his reflection again, he noticed his cheeks looking a bit puffy and he made a mental note to avoid dinner for the next few days.  His arms moved around his body to the beat of the music, his body moving out of muscle memory as his mind went on in a million directions.

Was I too forward?

Did I say the wrong thing?

What did I do to make her run to the arms of another man?

What am I even doing?

I don't have time for this anyway.

The song ended and he stood in the silence of the room, the only noise being his heavy breathing in an attempt to catch his breath.  He grabbed a small towel and dried the sweat that was trickling down from his temple.  He gulped down some water and then stood in front of the mirror again.

He looked into his dark eyes in the shadows of the low lights.  He raised one hand and rested it above his head on the mirror.  He gazed into his own reflection and his soft expression became even more resolved and hard. 

You were a fool, Park Jimin.  You acted like you were just a fan of her's.  Of course she wouldn't fall for you.  Forget it and move on.  Get your mind back where it belongs and focus on what's important. 

The tour,

The fans,

Your job.

He dropped his hand from the mirror and stood straight, turning immediately to go cue up another song. 

He danced till the wee hours of the morning, in a vain attempt to rid his heart and mind of a beautiful pianist who had apparently rejected him. 

He failed.