* A few weeks later *

Piper sat behind the counter, her eyes focused on the computer screen as she entered data into the system. It was just another ordinary day, another shift at the library she loved, and for a moment, everything felt calm.

But that sense of calm was short-lived.

Her phone buzzed on the counter beside her. She glanced down to see a notification pop up—another headline, another story about him. Jeon Jungkook Spotted at Exclusive Club! it read. Piper rolled her eyes, swiping the notification away as she tried to focus on her work.

It had been like this for days. Ever since Taehyung had explained who Jungkook was, it felt like his face was everywhere. It was as if the universe—or her phone—was playing a cruel joke on her. Every time she opened Facebook or Instagram, there he was, smiling back at her, surrounded by fans, flashing lights, and luxurious backdrops she couldn't relate to.

"Hey, Tae," she called, her voice edged with frustration.

Taehyung looked up from the stack of books he was sorting, eyebrows raised. "What's up?"

"It's him again," Piper muttered, holding up her phone as if it were evidence of a crime. "Every time I open this stupid app, his face is there. It's like my phone is listening to me or something."

Taehyung's lips curled into a smirk, and he leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "Who? Your favorite celebrity?"

She shot him a glare. "Jungkook. It's like I can't escape him. TV, radio, social media—everywhere I turn, there he is. I didn't even know who he was until a few weeks ago, and now it's like I can't get rid of him."

Taehyung laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Maybe you're secretly a fan, and your phone picked up on it."

Piper rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips despite her annoyance. "Yeah, right. I don't even listen to his music. It's just weird. One day, I don't know anything about the guy, and now it feels like he's everywhere. It's almost like he's—"

"Stalking you?" Taehyung interjected, wiggling his eyebrows teasingly.

"Breach of privacy, more like," Piper retorted, shaking her head. "It's like he's weaving his way into my life without even trying, and I don't even know him. It's kind of creepy."

Taehyung chuckled as he grabbed a stack of files and headed over to the cabinet, pulling open a drawer and sliding them in one by one. "You know, that's how these algorithms work. You mention someone once, and boom—your phone feeds you their entire life story. Maybe your phone's got a little crush on him."

"Or it's just obsessed," Piper said, shoving her phone into her pocket as if that would make a difference. "It's just... weird. It's like he's invading my space, and I never even asked for it."

Taehyung pushed the drawer shut and turned back to her, a grin still plastered on his face. "Sounds like someone's developing a little celebrity paranoia. You know, there's an easy solution—stop looking."

Piper sighed, slumping back in her chair. "I'd love to. But every time I try to ignore it, something else pops up. It's like the universe is trying to tell me something."

Taehyung shrugged, picking up another stack of books. "Or maybe it's just reminding you that celebrities are everywhere. They're a business, and you're the customer, whether you like it or not."

Piper's lips pressed into a thin line as she considered his words. "I guess. It just feels... I don't know, invasive."

Taehyung's eyes softened as he tilted his head. "Hey, don't let it bother you. It's just noise. You've got your own life, and it's a lot more real than what you see on your screen."

Piper offered him a small smile, grateful for his reassuring words. "Thanks, Tae. You're right."

He winked at her before turning back to his books. "Always am."

As Piper watched him go back to work, she tried to shake off the uneasy feeling in her chest. She knew Taehyung was right—Jungkook was just another face in the media, and she was just another person getting caught up in the noise.

And as much as she hated to admit it, a part of her was curious. Curious about who he really was behind all the headlines and the perfect pictures. Curious about why, despite trying her best to ignore him, she couldn't seem to get him out of her mind.

****

The clock struck seven as Piper and Taehyung locked up the library, the familiar click of the keys signaling the end of another day. The crisp evening air greeted them as they stepped outside, the streetlights casting a warm glow over the pavement. Piper shoved her hands into her coat pockets, feeling the chill but welcoming the comfort of their routine.

"Ready for the usual?" Taehyung asked, a grin spreading across his face.

"Always," Piper replied, matching his smile.

It had become their tradition—every Thursday, they'd walk down to the same small takeaway shop at the end of the street. They'd started it when they were 18, both fresh out of high school and figuring out what they wanted in life. It was their way of staying connected, of making sure they always had time for each other no matter how busy life got.

The smell of fried food and spices filled the air as they reached the shop, the neon sign blinking "OPEN" above the door. Piper pushed it open, the warmth and familiar scent welcoming them inside. They placed their usual orders, chatting casually as they waited.

With their bags of food in hand, they made their way to the park nearby, settling on a bench under the canopy of trees. The city lights sparkled in the distance, and the sounds of the evening traffic created a soft hum around them.

Taehyung took a bite of his food before turning to Piper, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Hey, do you ever feel like... I don't know, like maybe you want to do something else? Move on to a different job?"

Piper paused, mid-bite, and looked at him with a furrowed brow. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged, glancing down at his food. "I mean, the library's great, but don't you ever think about what's next? Like, is there something else you'd rather be doing?"

Piper took a moment to consider his question, then smiled softly. "Honestly? No. I love the library. Being surrounded by books all day, helping people find what they need—it's kind of my dream job. I get to lose myself in stories, and I get paid for it. What could be better than that?"

Taehyung nodded, but there was a distant look in his eyes. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. You've always loved books."

She tilted her head, studying him. "What about you, though? Do you ever think about doing something else?"

Taehyung was quiet for a moment, his gaze drifting to the city lights. "Sometimes." His voice was softer, almost hesitant. "I love the library, don't get me wrong. It's comfortable, and it's steady. But there are days when I wish I was doing something more... fast-paced."

"Like modeling?" Piper asked gently.

He gave a small, bittersweet smile. "Yeah. I mean, I wanted it so bad back in high school, you know? It felt like it was right there, like I could reach out and grab it. But now, it seems like it's light years away. It's hard to think about that sometimes."

Piper felt a pang of sympathy as she watched him. "I get that. But Tae, you're amazing, and you're still so young. Just because it feels far away now doesn't mean it's out of reach."

He smiled, his eyes warm but still tinged with that faraway look. "Thanks, Pipes. I appreciate that." He let out a sigh, shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts. "Anyway, enough about me. We've got our food, and this is supposed to be our chill night."

Piper nudged his shoulder with a grin. "It is. And, for the record, whatever you decide to do, you've got me in your corner."

Taehyung's smile widened, the distant look fading as he laughed. "Well, as long as I've got you, I think I'll be alright."

As they dug into their food, the night air wrapped around them, and for a moment, everything felt right. Despite the uncertainties of the future, and the strange unease that had been following Piper lately, she felt at ease with Taehyung by her side. It was these small moments—these familiar, steady traditions—that kept her grounded.