키스 해줘

June was taking way too many deep breaths that day.

She desperately needed every spark of courage to attack her and lead her through this because she was standing in front of the dance studio, looking at the entrance door and making herself ready to open them. But it took her too long to even lay a hand against the knob, because she kept walking in circles, thinking of words to say.

When she couldn't think of anything, she almost made her way back home but knew that Namjoon would be mad if she did so.

Then she stayed, glued to the pavement, with each and every muscle frozen in place.

Because the day was already here. Jimin's birthday came sooner than expected, and with that, a change of plans as well.

Instead of being in charge of balloons and the birthday cake, she was given a new role. One that made her chest feel heavier than usual.

Thankful for not having to choose between various flavors of a cake, June was entangled in a much more demanding role. She was supposed to distract Jimin that same day.

Jaw clenched and lungs filled with dense air, she then moved her delicate hand and wrapped her fingers around the knob.

What is it that makes people take so long to do something? To react?

After all, a reaction was all that is – an action already imprinted in our brains, as if we've recalculated beforehand all the possible outcomes of a certain decision or a certain movement we've decided to make.

We are re-acting a scenery our brain already knew.

And so, the doors opened before her, revealing exactly what happens when people take too long to react – a surprise happens. One in form of none other than Jimin's body almost colliding with hers.

''Oh June'', his voice was pitched higher than usual. Maybe because he too, was taken aback. ''What are you doing here?''

No contact is made, but she looked up in shock at the almost impact.

Quick to think of the reasons behind the abrupt visit, June lowers her face mask and pulls out another, black one.

"Pollution is really bad today so I came to make sure you had one as well.''

Jimin then lifts up a white mask, making June's advice and worry absolutely pointless. ''Thanks, but I got myself covered.''

A soft smile curled up the corner of his lips when he ruffled his messy hair and fixed back the black baseball cap that looked just as worn out as he did.

Once his mouth had been covered with the mask, Jimin waved hurriedly, took a bypass and was ready to leave home but June couldn't allow that.

Within an instance, she hopped in front of him, ready to do whatever it takes to not let this plan go wrong.

Jimin raised an eyebrow. ''Uhm, is there something you wanna talk about? Because I smell, meaning that my body's in desperate need of a shower."

''You smell just fine.''

"I reek of dead animal."

''True.''

''What?''

''Hmm? N-nothing.'' She waved it off, but her eyes remained etched on the sweat still vividly sewed against the oversized shirt Jimin's small frame wore.

''Idiot listen, if you want to hang out later, we can, but I really gotta run-''

Before Jimin's sentence got a chance to be finished, a hand was pressed against his chest a bit too firmly. If Jimin didn't resist, his body would probably be forced to take a few steps back.

''I need your help.'' Said the girl, simply, one-handedly pushing the boy.

''What now? If it's the choreography, don't worry. You still kind of suck but we got plenty of time to work on that. The theater play is in December, but that doesn't mean my showering has to wait up until December.''

''Jimin!'' Her hand removed from his chest, only to slap it slightly.

With his hands up in defense, he snickered, genuinely having a nice time teasing her. ''Alright, alright, yah! You're fighting like a girl.''

''That's because I am one, you moron.'' Although she tried to remain serious, a smile breaks through anyway. ''It's my best friend's birthday in December, and I need an advice or two on what to get for him.''

Suddenly, Jimin's face turned blank. ''Oh. For Taehyung?''

No.

''Yeah.'' She nodded. ''I've honestly run out of ideas recently and I find it really hard to shop for guys, so I thought maybe you could help since he's you know, a guy and you're, well, a guy.''

As usual, June stuck to her old ways of pretending. Remain an eye contact, share a grin, and nod a few times – a recipe made for baking pure lies that started of silly. And as awkward, tense, and weird things seemed to be, Jimin gives a smile back, a proof that it all worked just fine.

Jimin laughed. ''Okay, I'll help.''

After that, everything became a broken record going on and on, a recycling of stupid jokes, lots of walking around the town, a few elbows hitting below ribs and many exasperated sighs floating in the cold afternoon air.

Jimin had been walking around for more than two hours, body still reeking and his patience wearing thin.

''June.'' He dragged out the syllables, running behind with hands full of plastic bags that have kept piling on for the last twenty minutes or so. ''This is the third store we've been to. And I repeat, third.  Do you even know what you're looking for?''

She doesn't.

But she does know everything Taehyung would love and want. Like two flowers growing in the same field, they'd known each other for all these years. Some say that when you hang out with a person for so long, you actually become just like them. Maybe that's why both had an emotional attachment to things small of importance like pillows and blankets, coffee mugs and T-shirts.

''Does he really need all of this?'' But Jimin groaned, still annoyed, still staring at the small conveyor belt carrying peanut flavored snacks, bottles of yogurt and a royal blue, heart-patterned pajama. All being a pile of unnecessary things.

''Of course he does. Taehyung loves these snacks.'' When in reality, Taehyung was allergic to peanuts.

''But we are going home after this, right?''

Not before Namjoon sends a text message.

Though the shakes of her head, the soft tone of her voice and many pleading glares weren't enough to crack through Jimin's shell. He was still on the verge of running out of the store, leaving June with all the things she bought and yet didn't need.

Because Jimin needed a simple shower.

So when the two finally walked outside, carrying bags on their way home, June's mind got caught up in a storm of thoughts, not ready to let things go.

She doesn't even realize when they reach Jimin's building that the panic wrapped its hands around her neck. What to do next was written in a foreign language, and she was left with nothing but lots of stuttering.

''W-wait Jimin!''

But he was already climbing the stairs.

And Namjoon still didn't text.

''What now?'' He asked, but didn't look behind as each of his foot took a heavy stomp up.

''I forgot my wallet at the store.'' With teeth gritted, she prayed to the universe for this to work.

But it, of course, doesn't.

Jimin shook his head, merely throwing a glance behind. ''It's in your back pocket silly, I saw you putting it just before we left the third store.''

After a moment of distress, June let out a breath, squeezed her fists and started walking up the stairs.

And no sooner than the same stairs squeaked did the girl stop again.

''Jimin'', she said only to hear him sigh, ''Can we leave these things at my place first and then come back here?''

But Jimin was already standing in front of the doors.

''Idiot'', his cheeks were red, annoyance pushing through the skin. ''You're driving me crazy. I told you I'll help you carry these after I take a shower. Besides, your building is further than mine.''

He laid the tip of his elbow against the knob, struggling but determined to open the door.

June closed her eyes. She had to.

Because the next thing that came out of her mouth had the both of their breaths hitch.

''Kiss me.'' She said.

''What?''

Namjoon sent a message.

''What'd you say?'' And Jimin's voice changed pitch again, it sounded higher, the way people whose heart and minds are made of suspicion and disbelief sounded like.

Then the door opened. The room lit up with candles and a small crowd of people jumping out, shouting, "Surprise!"

And Jimin dropped the bags.