c h a p t e r   s e v e n

Caught.

I gulped and rose from the corner I'd backed myself into when every incredulous gaze in the room swung to me.

"Oh shit," Officer Jeon looked like he couldn't believe he'd missed me there and the rest just looked slightly baffled.

"Hi," I pasted a bright smile on my face.

There was surprised silence.

"Yo," Namjoon murmured after a moment.

"I heard nothing," I felt the need to throw out there. Officer Jeon raised an eyebrow in a do not bullshit me look and I quickly amended, "I understood nothing." That was only somewhat true.

Hoseok cast a sheepish look at me. "Apologies. I wasn't really thinking when I barged in here and launched straight into it."

The last thing I wanted was to get him mad.

"It's all cool, bro," I suddenly turned into the lamest version of myself. "Now I'm just going to skate right out if it's all good with everyone."

God, I wanted to melt into a puddle right there.

Hoseok ignored me as he turned to Officer Jeon, making me hold my breath with what he asked next. "This won't be a problem, right?"

"Nope," Officer Jeon replied firmly and I released my breath gratefully.

If me overhearing this whole showdown was a problem, then I'd hate to think how they would've felt the need to rectify it.

But then again, they were the police. It's wasn't like they'd be anything but straight-laced. Or at least, Officer Jeon and Lieutenant Park would be. I think.

Though I had no idea about the others.

Still, I liked that Officer Jeon trusted me enough. That was actually pretty nice of him.

"Alrighty then," I said in that annoyingly high voice again before turning to Officer Jeon. "Enjoy your coffee."

We both looked down to the cup on his desk where the coffee sat, neglected in the mayhem, now looking cold and absolutely unappetizing.

"Thanks," he lied, putting on a polite smile on his face. "I will."

He would not.

But instead of chucking it in a dustbin like I wanted to, the desperate urge to just get out of there before I could embarrass myself even more overpowered me and I nodded quickly, scrambling out of there from between everyone like my life depended on it.

"Wait," I heard.

Oh crap. They want to kill me after all.

No, I argued with myself. Officer Jeon would never allow it. He was far too lawful for that. Right?

"Yeah?" The annoying voice was back, damn it.

"I'll walk you," I heard and at the sheer ridiculousness of it had me looking back to see General Min strolling towards me, deceptively casual and calm.

Oh. Oh.

Of course they aren't going to kill you, you idiot.

Wait, Min Yoongi wanted to walk me out?

I felt like my head was going to explode from being overwhelmed.

Conversation had started back up again behind us and Yoongi jerked his head towards the door, gesturing for me to follow. In a daze, I did.

Like before, the sun was blanketed by thick clouds in the sky. I was glad I'd pulled my hair up into a ponytail today, or else the wind would've definitely made me more of a clown than I already must seem.

I expected him to stay by the door—which would've been the normal thing to do—but he didn't stop even when we reached the end of the sidewalk. He must have thought I'd be heading to campus, I realized. It was just up ahead and it would somewhat make sense if he was going to see me off there.

Again, it was nice of him but completely unnecessary. I was heading home anyway.

"Um," I started and he looked up at me. "Thanks and all... but you can leave now."

His eyebrows descended into a frown like he didn't like that idea one bit. "And let you walk home alone?"

Oh boy.

Calm down, heart, I ordered the damned organ. Don't be stupid. Calm down.

Clearing my throat, I spoke up, "You already know my house is no more than five minutes away." Granted, that was in a car, but it wasn't like I couldn't walk. 

"I remember. I guess it'll be a nice short walk then." He countered and I really didn't have an answer for that.

He wanted to walk me home?

Alright. I wasn't going to say no.

"What was the coffee about?"

I blinked. "Huh?"

It had been only a minute or so that we were walking side by side in awkward silence as I wondered about everything that had went on inside the station, so I was a little surprised he was suddenly making conversation.

"The coffee I'm guessing you brought for Jungkook. What was that about?" He pressed.

"It was a thank you for sending help over the way that he did last night," I answered him warily and he immediately nodded.

"So where's my coffee?"

I looked over my shoulder at him, gorgeous as ever.

And infinitely puzzling.

Was he saying what I thought he was?

"If I remember correctly," he strolled beside me, all nonchalant gaze and calm strides again. "I played just an active part as Jungkook last night, if not more. That begs the question, don't I get a thanks?"

Oh wow, this guy.

He was actually serious.

"Maybe I could treat you to something there tomorrow morning?" I blurted out, gesturing to the little coffee shop we were passing by that I'd frequented on more than one occasion. It was perfect, near the station and the campus. It wouldn't be much of a trip for him if he was coming to the station the next day either.

Even though he was the one to initiate this, I wondered if he'd take me up on the offer.

It bothered me how much I was looking forward to his answer.

His eyes didn't give much away as he shrugged and his face was now a smooth mask of nothing, like he hadn't been bothered just a moment ago. "Sounds good."

He agreed.

By then, I was definitely on cloud nine.

He actually wanted a morning cup of coffee with me the next day.

Tomorrow was probably going to be the first day I'd actually get up early.

Thanks for reading! :)

-lexy