[ 4/5 ]
TWENTY SECOND CHAPTER
2018

"my nights are drenched in long talks with myself about how things should've been but couldn't be."

//

"let's go bitch."

Sahar's eyes flash open. the word bitch is well-known in that voice.

the female grins. "who are you calling bitch?" Sahar looks at Taehyung with a pleased look on her face. she's gleeful to see her best friend, standing in front of her, bandana around his neck as he treats her customarily.

they're best friends and that's how it should be- she thinks. Taehyung puts his arm around her, sharing his warmth, frizzly hair tickling as she leans into him, the two of them walking.

"we're going to a gay bar." Taehyung tells her blankly.

"but i'm straight..." Sahar starts.

"who says we're going for you?" Taehyung quickly interrupts.

//

the club, the bar- whatever it is makes Sahar feel jumpy. she's been to far too many in these lives .. when in her actual reality, she hasn't even been to one. she's experienced so much, so quickly that it terrifies her.

as always, it's electrifying. there's people everywhere, drinks clashing, dancing strangers and carmine lips coated with alcoholic beverages- the atmosphere isn't Sahar's favourite.

Sahar looks around dreadfuully. Taehyung brought her to a gay bar. of course, Jungkook will have to be here? wherever she ends up, he's here and his presence is usually affirmative.

but if it's a gay bar...

don't tell me he's a billionaire again- Sahar thinks as she follows Taehyung. she notices him take a seat with many others, in front of a stage.

the anxious female has no idea what they're sitting down for. what exactly is happening? the audience they're a part of seems noiselessly excited. Sahar's eyes widen when she sees...

Hoseok. "please give a huge round of applause for our performance for tonight." the charming man announces, glittering suit on show as he claps his chiseled, ring covered hands. the red intensity of the velvet blazer and trousers, the string of pearls around his neck adds to his well known stage presence as his deep amber eyes gaze away.

"the owner is damn fine." Taehyung whistles, not taking his eyes off Hoseok who smiles as the crowd starts to cheer- awaiting.

"wait, Hoseok's the owner?" Sahar asks, also staring.

"how do you know his name?"

Sahar facepalms herself. why do i keep slipping up?

Sahar is running out of ways to save herself from tricky situations and mishaps. "didn't we go to school with him?" she lies. just go with it Taehyung- she thinks as he gasps.

"oh you're right!" Taehyung is indeed gullible. "how did i not know? he looks so different." he gasps again, looking Hoseok up and down.

"wait what?" Sahar didn't expect him to go along with it. if he did go to high school with them... is there then the possibility of her past...

"Tae tell me." Sahar turns her attention and body towards her best friend. "do you know who Jungkook or Jimin are?" she asks, breathing deeply- waiting for his answer. if he says yes, what does this mean? if he says no, what difference does it even make?

Taehyung frowns. "no why? who's that?"

"no one." Sahar sighs. what was she expecting? this life to be different? it's better than Malta- she tells herself and crosses her arms. it was horrible when no one knew who she was. she felt so alone and the only person she had was poor, fiancé Jimin.

it's the last life you can do this.

the performance that Hoseok had introduced starts and it was definitely not what Sahar was expecting. no wonder the crowd was enthusiastic.

you're not being punished.
come here, i'm your paradise.
can't close your eyes.

damn you, Jeon Jungkook.

why must you surprise me like this?

the alluring male looks straight at Sahar and she feels intimidated. her cheeks flush crimson, blazing under her fingertips as she watches the performance. Jungkook holds the microphone stand with slack and carelessness as the bones in his knuckles stand out, head tilting in zealous passion.

vocals range from high to low, lyrics of substance and truthfulness and beats of sensual yet careful nature flood the club environment. everyone is enticed by the young man performing so wickedly with no apologies.

follow the sound of the pipe, follow this song.
it's a bit dangerous but I'm so sweet.
i'm here to save you, i'm here to ruin you.

Sahar's eyes are being blessed right now. she tenses in her seat as her eyes dance over Jungkook in a new form. sparkly ebony shirt tucked into leather jeans- firm around his thighs, arms bulging whenever they bend- muscles hidden, a small triangle of his melanin chest shows- neck veins standing out, sleeves of his shirt sliding down as he loses himself in the music.

Sahar clutches her hands together when she sees Jungkook tilt his head back, eyes closing- eyelashes fluttering, lips irresistable as he sings. then, he leans closer to the microphone, whispering before making eye contact with her. that's when she notices his silver, ashen hair- curly but brief wisps.

you called me, see? i'm so sweet.
follow the sound of the pipe.
i'm takin' over you.

that's it- Sahar abruptly stands up. she's distressed so she makes her way to the bar situated in the corner. she feels hot all over and it isn't good. Jungkook can't be good for her.

yeah, i'm a bit dangerous.
i can't even handle myself.
don't worry, my hands.
they're only warm for you.

the lyrics continue to echo in her ears. what even are those lyrics?

a distraction surfaces as Sahar's attention shifts onto something else, someone else. "i have the biggest shoulders ever, do you want me to fight you?" she hears.

oh my god, Jin!

Sahar controls the smile that wants to take over her face. she wouldn't want to be destroyed by Jin's shoulders... or would she?

Jin finishes his joking banter with the drunk customer before he notices her staring. he runs his hands through his black hair, long earrings dangling on either side of his face as he stares back at Sahar oddly.

"i'm taken." is what he says straight away.

Sahar rolls her eyes. "i didn't come here to flirt with you."

"oh thank god." Jin presses his hand against his chest dramatically. she notices the muscles in his arms, evidently on show because he's dressed in a pearly, sleeveless shirt. "what did you come here for then?" the bartender asks, interested in her distress.

Sahar stays silent.

"you sure you don't want to watch the singer?" Jin seeks, continuing to talk to her as he makes a drink for another customer. "he seems like your type." he glances at the talented boy.

what? "how would you know what's my type?" Sahar questions and Jin shrugs in response. "he's everyone's type, i know. so is the singer straight?" she asks again, raising brows.

Sahar needs to get Jungkook's sexuality out of the way. there's so many factors she didn't even think of. her mission has to be apparent and straight forward- she can't waste time.

"he's straight." Jin states.

then, Jin observes her. "why did you come to a gay bar? we hate straight people." he smirks.

"i'm kidding." Jin tells her with a frollicsome smile on his face. his good looks and laugh makes her feel slightly better. "oh god, you should've seen your face!" he points.

Sahar laughs too. "i came with Tae." she explains.

"oh everyone knows him." Jin flicks his hand- facial features showing recognition at the name of Tae.

of course- Sahar mumbles, not surprised. that's definitely Taehyung. parts of every different life resemble her past so much and it hurts.

//

Sahar makes her way back to chatty Taehyung after spending time with handsome, conversationalist Jin. it was a grateful distraction.

and her best friend is with someone she knows very well.

but he doesn't know Sahar.

Yoongi raises his brows at Sahar when she joins them. his red hair is rippled- tangling through his pallid, empty fingertips as he stares at her. the same cocoa eyes that have previously held friendship and playfulness.

"hey. it's nice to meet you." is what Yoongi tells Sahar with a mannerly smile.

it takes Sahar by surprise. he's so polite and nice to a stranger. "you too, how are you?" she replies. can i have a hug?- she stops herself from saying. just seeing him- dressed in a velvet, obscure blazer, adidas trainers, scarlet hair away from his face as he seems carefree is...

nice to see. it makes Sahar miss Yoongi way too much.

"i'm good with your friend here." Yoongi sneers, glancing at slouched Taehyung. they're sat dangerously close to each other, Sahar notices- looking back and forth. "tell me what the way to his heart is?" the older asks. wait...

Taehyung laughs nervously. Yoongi is interested in Taehyung? interesting.

"just buy him a camera and you're good." Sahar smiles. "he'll even marry you."

"Sahar! you're so funny." Taehyung emphasises his words and irritation as he nudges her harshly.

"chill out." Sahar tells him, not bothered about him and Yoongi because when she looks towards the stage- Jungkook's gone. fuck sake.

"so the singer is straight." the female whispers to Taehyung- her best friend as he starts to listen. it seems like he's avoiding any interaction with Yoongi. however, the older can't tear his eyes away from him. "i'm going to make a move later." she assures.

"no ... who told you that? he's gay." Taehyung scoffs. "why would he come to a gay bar if he was straight?"

"to sing obviously." Sahar says in an obvious tone- a duh nearly leaves her lips as she responds.

"i got my eyes on him so back off."

"what?" Sahar emphasises. she's so surprised that she can't even form words. what?- she stares at Taehyung with bulging eyes, parted mouth. did he just tell her to back ... off?

she can't deal with another Jimin again. why do complications always arise? Sahar facepalms herself. obviously it all can't be easy for her. the voice won't let her succeed with no boundaries- she must be challenged right?

"what?" Taehyung looks back at her innocently. his brown eyes hold specks of auric as they widen. "no Sahar. we can't do this again." he adds, confusing his best friend further.

"do what?"

"remember with Hoseok?" Taehyung confuses Sahar even more. Hoseok? what has happened? what doesn't she... remember? what?- leaves her lips, eyes engaged.

"we did this with him, didn't we?" Taehyung tells Sahar. he doesn't question why she doesn't remember. does anyone ever remember anything from high school anyway? "we both liked him and it was an issue between us. so we played a game to decide..."

"you lost rock paper scissors and i got him." Taehyung smirks. Sahar bursts into laughter- that does sound like something they'd do shamefully. but really? rock, paper scissors? she lost Hoseok to a game?

"so you got him?" Sahar asks for confirmation. Taehyung nods, pride showing on his face as he smiles. he finds it really funny too.

this is fun- Sahar thinks to herself. it'll be more fun if she played along with the narrative... "too bad it didn't last." slips out of her lips.

Sahar decides to make up a lie and play with Taehyung. it's entertaining. "i hooked up with him anyway, after... is what i'm trying to say."

"oh hell no, you didn't!" Taehyung's eyes are wider than ever. he slaps his ringed hands on his thighs, mouth falling open in foolish surprise.

"Yoongi is right there and clearly into you!" Sahar emphasises- seeing the older boy with heart eyes for Taehyung. he's simply sitting with them, not listening to their conversation with a blank stare. "let me have this one..."

"there's only way we can decide who gets the hot singer."

rock...

paper...

scissors...

shoot!

rock vs paper.

"aha!" Sahar cheers, standing up with too much excitement.

she wins.

"i want him so bad." Taehyung sighs. he leans his head back, fingers curling into his blue hair. oh my god, wow- blue. Sahar likes the colour. the vibrancy matches his inner personality.

"tough luck." or is she the one with the worst luck?

//

Sahar spots another boy on her list.

someone who used to be on her hit list.

Park Jimin looks exquisite. he's sitting at the bar, standing out from the crowds. it's obvious he doesn't want to be here. right now, as Sahar gazes at him- she's aware of his attractive appeal. there's glasses shading his eyes, clear, round rim as he licks his lips. sculpted face, pearl earrings and he's reading a book. his beige eyes are targeted on the worded pages as he reads silently.

Sahar notices how bartender Jin's distracting the boy. it's obvious he's messing around with him- Jimin doesn't want to be disturbed. he seems so intrigued by his romance book and Jin is being humorous.

Jin spots Sahar who seems amused by the scenario. he gives her a look that says- who even reads at a bar? the female shrugs because apparently Jimin does.

then she notices a habitual figure stumbling to the bar. it's Taehyung and he's drunk as fuck. his blue hair is flopping over his eyes, filled with desire and unstated notions. he tells the bartender to get him another drink. "Jin! get me a drink right this second."

Jin nods, eyes drifting away from Jimin who's attention is still focused on the conducted, typed pages of a love story. "thanks man. you know there's no one else quite like you Kim Seokjin!" Taehyung hollers, reaching over to pat the mans broad shoulders.

this results in him knocking over his drink onto alarmed Jimin.

"you're an absolute..." Jimin starts, hands placing his book down carefully. he places his bookmark in between the pages. his actions and words freeze as he takes into account the dismal liquid now staining his clothes. "-drunk idiot." he mutters. he's pissed off.

Sahar watches. why does she now like watching them together?

"and you're pretty cute-" Taehyung has no filter.

"w-what?" Jimin is taken aback by the compliment. he moves his hair out of his face, eyes drifting away from Taehyung as his cheeks flush.

the flustered boy notices how his book has been impacted by Taehyung's drunk accident. cream pages are stained and wet. "clean this up. look what you did to my book-"

confident Taehyung cuts baffled Jimin off by leaning forward and taking his glasses off his face. their noses almost bump as brown eyes meet curiously. Sahar almost squeals out loud. this must be more interesting than the book Jimin was reading!

"would you like to go out with me some time?"

"no way." Jimin pushes Taehyung's chest, making him stumble back.

that's when another figure appears. Jungkook arrives, holding Jimin back with his lengthy arms. he holds his dear friend close with concerned eyes and a secure hold around his waist. "let's go home shall we? thanks for coming along anyway." he remarks quietly.

Sahar also rushes to Taehyung who's been impacted from the push and slight stumble. he's drunk and losing his balance and self control. she holds him from behind. the scene that plays is amusing- her and Taehyung, Jimin and Jungkook. helping friends.

that's when Jungkook and Sahar make eye contact.

the love of her life smiles.

//

any predictions? how are we feeling?