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The city lights gleamed with eyes of passing vehicles, each heading in different directions, but somehow having the same destinations. Bustling streets were always a chore, but nothing someone who had been born and raised in the city for years couldn't handle. Those who didn't live in the city of New York had fantasies about it; how perfect it was, how it was every tourist's dream to visit. He felt that way at first when he was a young child. As he grew older, his mindset changed, and some days he almost loathed the city of the Big Apple.

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While everyone around him hurried down the street to their destinations, Taehyung walked slowly, taking in the sights and sounds of Times Square. He had planned to move here and start his career, but he wanted to see the views first, to take in what his life would be. He was leaving the open, starry nights of the rural countryside to live in the big, bustling city, and the thought was utterly terrifying but fascinating to him. Why leave the peace and quiet for this, he thought, I need a change in pace, a change in scenery. Looking up at the flashy billboards and the many different ethnicities put a smile on his face. I love it here.

Distracted by a board for a Broadway show, Taehyung ran head first into a city-goer who looked younger than him. "I am so, so sorry!" Taehyung exclaimed, snapped out of his daze.

"O-oh, um, it's okay..." The younger replied, rubbing the back of his neck in nervousness. "I'll just be on my way—"

"Wait! Before you go..." Taehyung turned around, but the younger man had already made it halfway down Broadway, and he wasn't going to chase him like a maniac and scare the poor boy. Instead, he made his way towards the apartments, ecstatic to start his new life in the city.

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Once there, Taehyung waited in the lobby for the landlord, who was supposed to meet him ten minutes ago. Are all New Yorker's this late? He pondered on that thought, sitting in the modernly fashioned seats in the corner. Thirty minutes later an older man entered the door, scanning the lobby. Once his eyes landed on Taehyung, his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. "Kim Taehyung?" He asked, extending his hand. His accent was harsh and brittle, and his voice had a rough edge to it from aging.

"Yessir," Taehyung shook the man's hand.

"Here's the keys—" The man, who Taehyung had figured out was the landlord, reached into his pocket pulling out a small, simple housekey, "—and here's the paperwork. Thank you for buying the beauty off me. It may not be the most luxurious penthouse in the city...but it'll do for a blooming author like yourself, right?"

Taehyung nodded, "Yes sir! Thank you for the opportunity!"

"Please, just call me Jeonghan," Jeonghan smiled at Taehyung, handing him his key. "Keep in touch!"

"Will do! Thank you again, Jeonghan," Taehyung replied, unexpectedly pulling Jeonghan into a hug. "Oh, um, sorry, I usually don't impulsively hug people I just met—"

"No, no! It's fine. You're a great hugger, by the way," Jeonghan winked. Jeonghan turned around before Taehyung could embarrass himself even more and waved, walking out the front doors. Looking down at the house key, he read the room number and rushed to the elevator, ready to see his new apartment. Since he had known one of Jeonghan's friends, he had gotten the penthouse fully furnished for a bargain price since Jeonghan was moving to another city not too far from here.

Taehyung leaned on the wall of the elevator, pressing the "P" button for penthouse—all the way on the thirty-sixth floor! A few of the buttons were lit up for the ride up from various floors, but the first stop at floor five surprised him. Once the doors of the elevator slid open, there stood the mysterious boy from earlier in the streets. Taehyung blushed and looked down at his feet, wondering if the man recognized him. "Um, hi...you look familiar," The man next to him smiled, and it took all of Taehyung's will not to blurt out 'yes! you know me! I was the lunatic who bumped into you in the street earlier!'. Instead, he nodded, "Yes...you look familiar to me as well."

"Wait—" the man smiled. "You're the one who I had an encounter with in the city earlier, aren't you?"

"Oh! Uhm...yes," Taehyung hummed, his cheeks turning into the color of a tomato. "That was me, the world's clumsiest person...I'm sorry again..."

The man chuckled, "The name's Jeon Jungkook."

"Kim Taehyung," He replied, wondering where, or if, he had heard Jeon Jungkook's name before. Jeon Jungkook...Jeon Jungkook...

"Nice to meet you, Jungkook," Taehyung smiled, hugging the stranger. There I go again, hugging strangers!

"Oh!" Jungkook smiled, blushing. "That was...unexpected, but kind. I haven't seen a stranger hug people in New York City in a long time—unless they wanted something from said person, of course."

"Well...where I'm from, hugging is normal...well, normal in the fact where I could hug random strangers and not feel bad afterward, you know?"

"Ah...well, I wouldn't be able to relate to that, because I was born and raised in the city," Jungkook replied with a chuckle. "But I understand how you might feel embarrassed after doing something kind in a new place. Just don't hug the wrong people!"

"I'll keep that in mind, thanks," Taehyung replied, laughing. "Hey, can I have your number? You seem like a cool guy, and I want to get to know you better..."

"Oh, uh, sure!" Jungkook smiled, taking Taehyung's phone from him and typed his number into his contacts. He sent a text to himself, making sure he had Taehyung's number, too. Next thing they knew, they were on floor thirty-six.

"This is my stop..." Taehyung said with a smile. "Thank you for treating me kindly. You didn't have to, you know..."

"Hush, not all city people are ignorant! It's common courtesy, Taehyung," Jungkook hugged him this time, and all time seemed to stand still. The elevator doors slid open, and he let go of him, to his utter disappointment. "I'll text you later, Taehyung."

"See you later, Jungkook!" Taehyung replied, waving as the elevator went back down. He sat down on the floor for a second, reflecting on what happened. Did I just make my first friend?

He stood up, grabbing his bag off the floor, and took a deep breath. This is it, my new beginning! He smiled, unlocking the door. Taehyung's eyes scanned the apartment, and he couldn't believe his eyes. Light spilled onto the sandy hardwood floors, and the windows seemed to stretch from the floor to the ceiling. Everything had an iridescent glow as if the penthouse was heaven itself.

"Namjoon really did go overboard, didn't he?" Taehyung chuckled to himself. "This place is gorgeous!"

He put his bag down on the small corner couch and decided to have a look around. The kitchen, living room, and dining room had an open concept, and the modern touch excited Taehyung. He walked through a side room to see a large bedroom which had a queen-sized bed in the middle; accompanying it was black walls, complete with white trim, a white ceiling and grey carpet. While there was little decoration, Taehyung knew it would be a while before he could add more decoration. He lay back on the bed with a long, drawn-out sigh. The penthouse is so empty... Taehyung had never lived alone before. He had left his roommates back in the countryside, and he was really missing them.

Before he could do anything else, his phone buzzed next to him. He glanced over at it, expecting it to be his grandma, but instead it was Jungkook. Grinning, he rolled over on his stomach and unlocked his phone, the notification the saving grace to his boring day.

Jeon Jungkook: Hey, do you want to go out tonight if you aren't too busy? I want to show you the places in New York City that aren't on "New York City's Top 10 Places to Visit For Tourists" x

Kim Taehyung: I'm in! Can't wait x

Taehyung couldn't believe that he was going out with Jeon Jungkook so soon; he didn't even have to text first! He sent a few more texts out to his old friends back at home and prepared to get ready for his night out with Jungkook. What do I wear...what do I wear!? Panicking, he looked through his wardrobe. There he found a gift from Namjoon—three outfits, all in different formalities.

Kim Taehyung: How formal do I need to dress for this?

Jeon Jungkook is typing...

While waiting for a reply, Taehyung sat up his computer at his desk, pulling up his blog.

Jeon Jungkook: Not suit and tie formal, but more than just your pjs... :)

Kim Taehyung: Will do! When do you want to meet up?

Taehyung grabbed his bag, putting his wallet, keys and a bottle of water in it. He picked the casual outfit from his closet from Namjoon and slid into it. The fabric fit nicely around his curves, and the colors complimented his features. The long white cardigan flowed nicely alongside the black skinny jeans, which he rolled up the cuffs on, and the light grey turtleneck. Completing the look, he put on his black sneakers.

Jeon Jungkook: Is thirty minutes okay? We can meet up in the lobby

Kim Taehyung: Definitely! See you then!

He took the opportunity to do his hair and put on some foundation. Who knows who he would meet in the busy streets? A significant other, business opportunities; the possibility was endless. Finishing off with some light cologne, he grabbed his bag and made his way to the elevator, practically skipping in excitement. When the empty elevator made it to the lobby, he couldn't help but smile. He may have been fifteen minutes early, but he didn't mind.

"Kim Taehyung!" He heard a voice from across the room.

"Jin?" Taehyung turned, smiling. He could recognize that voice from anywhere!

"Taehyung, my boy! It's so nice to see you," Jin smiled, embracing Taehyung.

"I-I haven't seen you in so long!" Taehyung said in disbelief. "How did you get here? I thought you moved to California—"

"I came here to visit you! Namjoon told me you made it to the big city and I just had to stop by and see you! I'm so proud of you, Tae," Jin was beaming.

"Oh, Jin..." Taehyung hugged Jin again, tears threatening to fall. "Thank you...you coming here today really made my day...it gets a little lonely, you know?"

"Taehyung...you've got this! I'll come back and visit." He smiled. "I was just heading back to California, but thankfully I ran into you before you went out—"

"Taehyung!" Jungkook appeared behind Taehyung, making him jump.

"Oh! Hi, Jungkook! This is Jin, my childhood friend," Taehyung smiled, and Jungkook reached out his hand to shake Jin's. Instead of shaking his hand, though, Jin pulled Jungkook into a hug. "Any friend of Taehyung is a friend of mine!"

"O-oh!" Jungkook blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Taehyung, the people from where you from definitely are huggers, aren't they?"

Taehyung smiled, "It's just how friendly we are, I guess."

"Well, it's been nice meeting you, Jungkook," Jin smiled, "I have to go before I miss my flight. I'll keep in touch, Taehyung! See you soon."

Taehyung waved, watching as Jin drove away in a taxi. "Taehyung, are you ready to go?" Jungkook asked as Taehyung just stood there, waving blankly out the window, even though the taxi was no longer in sight.

"O-oh! Uhm, yes," He replied, smiling sadly.

"Hey, he'll be back!" Jungkook smiled softly. "He wants you to be happy—he sees the potential in you! Let's go out and make you some friends, alright?"

"Thank you, Jungkook," Taehyung wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close. This isn't so bad, is it? He thought. I already have one friend here, how hard can it be?